Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
July 2011: Afghan Withdrawal?; Obama on the Hill; Climate of Controversy; Amanpour Interviews President Hamid Karzai
Aired December 06, 2009 - 18:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone.
President Obama is telling Democrats today that he'll do anything he can to help them pass their health care reform bill. But it wasn't what he was able to do so far to unite the party on the details of that reform bill. We'll get to that in a moment.
I want to show you live now -- we'll get you now live to the Kennedy Center Honors. The president is right now at the White House. He has just greeted some of the members of people who will be getting their awards, who will be honored there. Surprise list of star performers including Bruce Springsteen, Robert de Niro and comic genius of Mel Brooks -- all will be honored. Kennedy Center Honors, the president just wrapped that up just a short time ago.
But we want to start now with the health debate that is really taking over Washington and the nation now. President Obama telling Senate Democrats today that he'll do anything he can, as we said, to help them pass their health care bill. But what he hasn't been able to do so far is unite the party and the details of that reform measure.
We want to go now to the White House and to our Kate Bolduan. She has been following this. She has some reaction today.
Definitely a hot topic on Capitol Hill and beyond today, Kate.
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, absolutely, Don.
And another huge topic actually going on, part of the very big discussion in Washington today, is the topic of Afghanistan. Top administration officials, including the secretaries of state, secretary of defense, top generals and adviser -- all coming out in force today to make the case for President Obama's new strategy in Afghanistan, and the increase of 30,000 additional troops.
One of the -- a very big topic is the July 2011 date set for the beginning to transition U.S. forces out of Afghanistan. And it seems that administration officials are still having a hard time explaining that.
Listen here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)
JOHN KING, HOST, "STATE OF THE UNION": Where is the end of the ramp? If the beginning is 2011, where is the end of ramp? Is that 2015? 2020?
JAMES JONES, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: The end of the ramp will be predicated on exactly how much progress we're making.
GEN. DAVID PETRAEUS, U.S. CENTCOM COMMANDER: There is no timeline, no ramp, nothing like that. Again, I think it's very important to note, as many have observed, this is not -- this doesn't trigger a rush to the exits.
(END VIDEO CLIPS)
BOLDUAN: Now, ramp or no ramp, Defense Secretary Robert Gates today, he stressed that this July 2011 date is not a date certain, is not an exit strategy. He says that it's a condition-based balance, is what he said. He said that it really shows a signal of resolve to succeed in Afghanistan, but also sending a very strong signal to the Afghan government of urgency that they need to step up to the plate and take control of their own security -- Don.
LEMON: All right, Kate. Hey, we got a little ahead of ourselves -- Kate actually reporting on Afghanistan. So much on the president's agenda, including this, and also global warming, heading to that summit as well.
So, Kate, we'll get back to you. We appreciate you jumping in and taking over here.
Now, we want to get to Capitol Hill where we can join our Brianna Keilar.
Brianna, the topic today, of course, is health care. And as we said, it's a very busy day for the president. He visited Senate Democrats there today. He's also doing the Kennedy Center Honors, talking about Afghanistan, and also, global warming, heading off to that.
So, fill us in on what's going on in Capitol Hill today. The Republicans are upset because they say they feel snubbed. The Democrats, it's a big question -- did he win any wavering Democrats over?
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. And the story here on Capitol Hill really has to do with Democrats, because they are not all on the same page when it comes to many issues on health care, and they just don't have enough votes yet, right now, Don, to pass a health reform bill. So, they're moving towards that.
And part of the effort here was President Obama coming to Capitol Hill, trying to inspire them to find some common ground. And he told reporters today, including myself, when he came out of that meeting, he said that was not a negotiation, that was a pep talk.
Listen to what Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that President Obama told his Democrats.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. HARRY REID (D-NEV), MAJORITY LEADER: Ten, 20, 30, 40 years from now, people are going to look back at what this Congress did. And each time they see a child being able to go to the doctor when they're sick or hurt, seeing someone that just because they lose their job, they don't lose their insurance. Someone who gets diabetes doesn't mean a lifetime of not being able to get insurance. That's what this legislation is all about.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KEILAR: Now, one leading Senate Democrat, who is behind their plan as it stands right now in the Senate, said, President Obama inspired in a way that no other person could. So it sounds like a kumbaya moment, Don.
But this is where we insert that record scratch sound because there's a couple of key Democrats who really did not seem swayed. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, who has major concerns that that government-run insurance plan is going to lead to a total government takeover of health care, said after this meeting she still had substantial concerns.
And then Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, who you will be talking to here in just a minute, has some real concerns about the abortion language in this bill. And after the meeting, he told me, along with some other reporters, for those who made a decision to support this bill, he was persuasive. I think, Don, that's a nice way of saying, "We appreciated the president's visit, but short of some substantive changes, I am not signing onto this."
LEMON: Yes, we're going get to him in just a moment. He's going to join us live.
But see the president coming and going, Brianna, but the real news really going there, and you talked about it a little bit, Democrats behind the scenes, actually, just not Democrats, but behind the scenes, their meeting. Tell us about who is meeting and what's happening.
KEILAR: That's right. Liberal Democrats as well as some moderate Democrats, about a dozen of them. They're behind closed doors right now. They're going to stay for another couple of hours. They're trying to hash out issues on the government-run insurance plan, the public option.
So, you got Democrats on the left who want this public option. They say that it's going to force private insurers to compete against it, and that they will lower their prices. But then you've got those moderate Democrats who are worried that it's going to lead to just this total government takeover of health care.
So, this is the chasm that they need to bridge. Earlier today, we were hearing they might come to some agreement tonight. But as they went into this meeting really a short time ago, Don, it seemed a lot of pessimism coming from most of the members of the meeting that they were going to come to some agreement tonight. They will keep plugging away at it, certainly.
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: I'm sure people are wondering, Brianna, why -- you know, why is this meeting so important between moderates and conservative Democrats.
KEILAR: It's so important because there are 60 Democrats, really 58 Democrats and two independents who normally join Democrats in votes. And they aren't on the same page. And so, in order to get all of them on the same page, they need to reach a deal. You know, just because Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has 60 Democrats, he doesn't have them all on the same page with this really sticking point of an issue of the public option.
LEMON: All right, great. Brianna Keilar, thank you, stand by. We'll be getting back to you throughout the hour here on CNN. Thank you so much.
And one of those moderate Democrats Brianna is talking about that we keep hearing about is Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska. He plans to introduce an amendment to the Senate bill designed to block abortion coverage by any insurance plan that is purchased with federal subsidies. Senator Nelson joins me right now from Capitol Hill.
Thank you, sir. Good to -- good to see you. Now, we were hearing that you were going to try to introduce this tomorrow, but possibly tonight. When do you plan to introduce this?
SEN. BEN NELSON (D), NEBRASKA: It will be introduced tomorrow. It will be the Nelson-Hatch bill with a number of other co-sponsors. It's being defined and described as an abortion bill, but actually, it is a bill to apply the Hyde Amendment, which is a long-standing policy that no federal funds, tax dollars, will be used to fund elective abortions, either directly or indirectly.
And so, to the extent that this legislation could involve providing benefits, we want to make it absolutely clear that the Hyde language does apply, that this will not directly or indirectly fund abortions.
LEMON: It's very similar to what happened in the House a couple of weeks ago with the Stupak Amendment. And that's exactly what you want done with this legislation. Is that correct?
NELSON: That's correct.
LEMON: OK.
NELSON: Essentially, the Stupak language from the House, we've patterned it after that and we put into it the format that the Senate requires. And it will be introduced tomorrow. It will be debated we believe tomorrow. And we're not sure when a vote will occur on it, but it could be a little later in the week.
LEMON: Without this language, are you on board?
NELSON: Pardon?
LEMON: Without this language, are you on board with the legislation, the health care reform?
NELSON: No. I've said that this is one of the things that has to be handled in this legislation if I'm going to be supportive of it. But there is also the public option. There are taxes that are questionable as far as I'm concerned. There is a CLASS Act, and I'm also worried about the so-called Medicare cuts. So...
LEMON: I just wanted to -- I just wanted to make sure, Senator Nelson, that this was a deal-breaker for you. And you're saying that it definitely is.
NELSON: It is a deal-breaker, if we don't get this type of language in the bill. But I can say also that even if we get this language in the bill, there are a number of other concerns that I've expressed over quite a period of time that are also deal-breakers.
LEMON: OK.
Let's talk about the president's visit today. Did it help sway you at all? What did he say to you?
NELSON: Well, it was a pep talk. I'm glad he described it as that. I know that those who are already feeling -- have already decided to vote for this legislation, and there are some, this sort of pumps them up. I think it's a -- it's a message of "here's why you need to do it, and I'm glad you're doing it, and you need to move forward."
From my standpoint, my primary concern is making sure that whatever we do is good -- first, for Nebraskans and our country, and then finally, for the party. So, I look at it perhaps just a bit differently.
LEMON: All right. Before I let you go, I want to talk about the government-run insurance option. This option that has been a sticking point, it's so contentious here. How close are Democrats to reaching an agreement on this, if at all?
NELSON: Well, there's an awful lot of discussion, a lot of effort trying to see if there is some way to arrive at a consensus on how we would not have a public option, but would also have the opportunity to make sure that if coverage is extended to Americans, that -- that there's a way in which to do it, apart from a government-run, robust public option. And so, there's an awful lot of discussion.
The challenge is that this seems like -- well, maybe you can just sort of split the difference. The problem is you can't split the difference here. This would be like splitting a baby. And everybody knows the Wisdom of Solomon, the mother, that that can't happen.
So, trying to find some consensus is what we're all trying to do, and it's not easy, obviously.
LEMON: Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson, thank you. Much luck to you guys, OK? NELSON: Thank you, Don. Appreciate it.
LEMON: Senate Republicans remain united in their opposition. Arizona's John McCain says the Democrats' bill will help drug companies and other medical providers, but it won't help the American people.
Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: When we talk about these deals, who is it that is left out of the deals? The American people. They're the ones that are left out. Good example, the deal that pharma cut, which was reported on the front page of several newspapers around America, that in return for their support of the legislation, the administration would oppose drug re-importation from Canada, which drug -- prescription drug prices could be as much as 50 percent lower, and would oppose competition for Medicare recipients for -- by the pharmaceutical companies.
So, who got damaged by that deal? Certainly not the pharmaceutical people, but the American people did.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Well, Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell, criticized President Obama's decision to exclude Republicans from today's meeting. He says that shows how partisan the process has become.
It has been a long weekend for senators. Where do they go from here? Majority Leader Harry Reid says he wants the bill passed by Christmas, so we could see senators working all the way up to Christmas Eve. And if and when they pass a bill, it will have to be reconciled with the one passed last month in the House. And the House measure includes that controversial public option.
In Iran, officials are trying to stifle possible anti-government protests tomorrow. It is a continuing fallout from the nation's controversial June elections that declared incumbent president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the overwhelming winner. Tomorrow is Students Day in Iran, which marks the anniversary of the 1953 killing of three university students by former shah security forces. The government is warning Student Day participants not to demonstrate against the government. As some previous public gatherings have, Tehran is telling foreign media not to even venture outside to cover any events through Wednesday.
It is the great climate debate. At this hour, world leaders are gathering in Copenhagen to try to hash out a new deal regulating greenhouse gases. What does it mean to you? We'll take a closer look at what's on the table.
And a new message from Tiger Woods. What is he saying now?
And blizzard conditions, Jacqui Jeras? JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: That's right. There is major snow coming to a whole lot of people, Don. And believe it or not, this storm is going to impact nearly every inch of the country. We'll tell you about it, coming up.
LEMON: We'll see you in a bit.
We're talking to you. You're talking to us. You can do it through Twitter, MySpace, Facebook or iReport.com.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Well, it's an issue that is bringing more than 100 world leaders and 15,000 people to Denmark for a two-week summit starting tomorrow. It is global warming. There is wide agreement in many quarters on the issue, but it remains fiercely controversial in others.
Why does it matter? Well, for starter, scientists say a warmer earth has dangerous consequences: storms, droughts, and rising sea levels, while they support cuts in greenhouse gases to reduce and even reverse the impact of global warming. But critics say that's foolish. Global warming, if it is happening, they say is being exaggerated for political purposes.
It's this sometimes bitter debate that awaits President Obama when he heads to Copenhagen for the U.N. Climate Summit on December 18th.
Well, the talks in Copenhagen opened with a cloud of controversy hovering over the conference. It maybe called climate-gate -- look for that term to be used a lot -- a series of stolen e-mails that may cast some doubt on global warming research.
Our Mary Snow has the report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Two weeks after computers were hacked at the U.K.'s University of East Anglia, and e-mails between climate scientists were posted on the Internet, the head of the U.N.'s climate science body told the BBC Radio he wants an investigation.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
RAJENDRA PACHAURI, CHAIRMAN, IPCC: We're certainly going to go into the whole lot, and then -- and then, as I said, we'll take a position on it. So, we certainly don't want to brush anything under the carpet. We don't want to sweep it under the carpet. This is a serious issue, and we certainly will look into it in detail.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
SNOW: This U.N. probe is an addition to an investigation underway at the University of East Anglia, which says it's looking to see if there's any evidence that scientific data was manipulated or suppressed.
Bill Jones, the head of the university's climate research unit, has stepped down temporarily.
Those who question the effects of human activity on climate change have seized on the e-mails, accusing scientists of conspiring to hide evidence and trying to destroy data. Among them, Republican Senator James Inhofe, who's called global warming a hoax. This week, he called for hearings. No decisions yet.
And the e-mails were raised at a House hearing this week.
REP. JOHN SHADEGG (R), ARIZONA: Anyone who thinks that those e-mails are insignificant, that they don't damage the credibility of the entire movement, is naive.
SNOW: But at that hearing, a top government scientist said the e- mails do nothing to change the science.
JANE LUBCHENCHO, NATL. OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMIN.: E-mails really do nothing to undermine the very strong scientific consensus and the independent scientific analyses of thousands of scientists around the world that tell us that the earth is warming, and that the warming is largely a result of human activity.
GAVIN SCHMIDT, NASA GODDARD INSTITUTE FOR SPACE STUDIES: These are the temperature records from the U.S.
SNOW: Gavin Schmidt is a leading climate scientist with NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies. In the weeks since the e-mails were hacked and questions arose, he's been putting large volumes of data links on the Web site RealClimate.org that demonstrates a consistent trajectory of a potentially dangerous warming climate.
SCHMIDT: So what we've done is we've just said, you know, look, you know, you're not aware of that data. But here is all the data that's already existing.
SNOW: His name appeared on the e-mails and he says he has nothing to hide.
SCHMIDT: There is nothing in these e-mails that's problematic. You know, most of the stuff that has been talked about has been taken completely out of context and there is a lot of nonsense that's being spoken.
SNOW: Debate over these emails comes as world leaders head to Copenhagen next week for the U.N. Climate Change Conference.
As to what kind of impact these might have? The U.K.'s energy and climate secretaries quoted by the BBC as saying the idea that they could derail the conference is, in his words, nonsense.
Mary Snow, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE) LEMON: All right, Mary.
So, let's talk about all of this now with Howard Gould. He is the president of Equator Environmental and he joins us from Stanford, Connecticut.
Good to see you. Howard, so climate-gate, climate-gate, climate-gate. What's the importance, if any, of these e-mails?
HOWARD GOULD, PRES., EQUATOR ENVIRONMENTAL: I mean, I don't see any importance. The fact is that there's going to be an investigation that's ongoing and going to looking exactly what happens. I mean, I do think that a lot of this stuff was taken out of context. But I also think that let's just take all of it out of the picture, and you still look at all the other scientific institutions that are out there and they all say the same thing.
So, it's -- you know, I think people are making a big deal out of nothing. I think it's the climate debunkers that are out there, it's their last ray of hope, and they're trying to cling on to something. But it's really, you know, I think it's a bit of a joke.
LEMON: So, you don't think it's suppression at all as they claim of any evidence about global warming?
GOULD: Oh, I mean, I'm not -- I'm not saying that maybe certain scientists out there in their particular data sets might have done something at that university. I mean, that may well have occurred. I can't speak to that.
But I -- you know, my thought is that, OK, fine. Let's just take all of that data that's come out of that university off the table, and look -- I mean, you just heard yourself from the people over at NASA that look -- look at the data. It's -- you know, it says that climate change is occurring, and the globe is warming, and it is probably anthropogenic, or manmade.
LEMON: All right. Let's move on to Copenhagen. Why is it so important, this summit?
GOULD: Well, I think that, you know, unfortunately, the bloom fell off the rose on this one a little bit because -- you know, we're not going to achieve something. The United States isn't going to be able to come to the table with hard targets and kind of put their flag in the ground and say we're here.
But -- I think having the president now arrive later as opposed to earlier on in the -- during the summit, is a pretty good sign that it's basically saying, "Hey, you know what, we're here. We're sitting at the table. We want to play ball." Something that we haven't done for the last eight years.
LEMON: Likely to be achieved in this climate change summit? What can we look forward to?
GOULD: What do you mean a change? LEMON: Achieved. I said, what might be achieved?
GOULD: Oh, achieved.
LEMON: Yes.
GOULD: Yes. You know what? I mean, I think that, basically, the world is going to start saying this is an issue. We need to address this. I think that we're not going to be able to come out of it with any super, you know, targets or lines drawn in the sand. But I think the world will start to say, "Hey, you know what? Everybody is on board with this. As a planet, we need to do something all together."
And so, I think, now, what's happening is that we're going to have to shift some of this stuff from what was supposed to occur in Copenhagen to the meeting in Mexico City in 2010, which is unfortunate, because it's one more year later. And, you know, we're really sitting at a tipping point right now. We need to address these issues right now.
LEMON: What about other countries who have been saying, "You know what, the U.S. -- you've had your chance to grow. You've had your industrial revolution. It is our turn now. So don't be so tough on us when it's time for us to industrialize and to grow."
What do you say to that, Howard?
GOULD: Well, I think that's -- that's a great point. I mean, why can't they grow by building solar panels and by building wind turbines and geothermal plants? And -- you know, I mean, there's going to be a whole new world of stuff is really going to come out and -- of new energy systems, new types of cars, new types of home efficiency type things were going to see.
You know, these countries that, you know, are on their way up, they don't have to achieve larger growing middle classes and upper classes through oil and gas and coal. They can do it through other renewable resources. I mean, look, there are some countries out there that don't have these natural resources, and they still can participate in a lot of this stuff that we're talking about now. Because if the sun is shining and the wind is blowing, you know, there is always an opportunity for some of these things.
LEMON: And if you do want to have your industrial period or industrial revolution, you need to do it in a time -- in a timely manner and in a current manner that is safe for the environment. Is that what you're saying, right?
GOULD: Yes. I mean, I think that -- you know, look, moving forward, we really need to think about cleaning this -- cleaning our energy systems up, regardless of how you feel about climate change. The fact is that something like coal is a serious danger to human health. You know, you have a 70 times more chance of getting kidney disease or lung disease if you live in proximity to coal-fired plants.
And, you know, they're even saying now, I mean, some of the higher estimates are saying that there's 2.5 million premature deaths are due to combustion -- fossil-based combustion fuels. So, you know, people are dying and people are getting sick, and it's harming the environment. Why wouldn't we get off this stuff?
LEMON: Howard Gould, the president of Equator Environmental, get ready because you're going to be a busy man. And I can see that you're passionate about this topic. It is your time.
GOULD: Thanks a lot.
LEMON: We're going to be seeing a lot of you, I have a feeling. Thank you, Howard.
GOULD: All right, Don. Thanks a lot.
LEMON: All right.
Over the next two weeks, CNN has a Copenhagen Climate Summit covered as world leaders descend on the city to discuss plans to address global warming. Why it matters and what it means to you. Make sure you stay with CNN for the most complete coverage.
And be sure to watch tomorrow night, 8:00 p.m. Eastern, when Campbell Brown will take an in-depth look at the e-mail controversy surrounding the summit. We talked about it a bit with Howard Gould right there.
Riots break out in the capital of Greece. Two hundred protesters face off against police in masks and riot gear.
And blizzard conditions in Colorado, Iowa, and Minnesota. Jacqui Jeras will have the details on this massive storm. She's working on it now.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: In Athens, Greece, today is the one-year anniversary of a fatal shooting of a 15-year-old at the hands of police, and there is rioting in the streets. Some protesters are holed up in the university building, throwing rocks and burning garbage at police. More than 230 arrests have been made since the demonstrations began.
Tomorrow has been designated a national day of mourning in Russia for 112 people killed in a nightclub fire. The fire broke out Friday night in the city of Perm. There were an estimated 300 people in the club at the time. Five people, all associated with the nightclub, are facing charges that include violating fire safety regulations. Russian President Medvedev is calling for the harshest punishment possible.
We have blizzard watches and warnings posted for parts of Southern Colorado and Iowa, and then beyond. Jacqui Jeras is looking at all of it.
Wow. Blizzard warnings?
JERAS: Yes, they've just been coming in. You know, even though the warning have been issued already, it's a little early before the snow actually arrives. It's going to start kicking into place late tonight.
(WEATHER REPORT)
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Of course, Don, we'll walk you through it as we head through the days ahead. We're just getting started with this storm. It is going to be a mighty long week for a lot of people.
DON LEMON, CNN NEWS ANCHOR: You're doing a lot of motioning and whatever. So shake it out. You're busy over there, Jacqui. We'll check back, definitely. Thank you.
JERAS: OK.
LEMON: What do Americans think about additional troops heading to Afghanistan? We'll break down the numbers for you.
And a new message from Tiger Woods.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: I want to give you our top stories right now. President Obama on Capitol Hill. He met with Senate Democrats today, urging them to unite behind health care reform. Party moderates are balking at provisions related to a public insurance option, and the use of federal money for abortion coverage. Democrats need all 60 votes from their caucus if, if they hope to pass the measure.
The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles has elected a lesbian as an assistant bishop. The Reverend Mary Glasspool of Baltimore must still be approved by the majority of the Dioceses across the church. The Episcopal Church has already been divided over the consecration of its first openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. The Anglican leaders had asked for a moratorium on the election of gay bishops while they try to prevent a permanent break.
Congress and the military, they have all been weighing in on President Obama's new Afghan policy. A lot of strong opinions all around, but what do Americans really think? CNN deputy political director, Paul Steinhauser, has some answers -- Paul?
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Don, it appears most Americans see eye to eye when it comes to the war in Afghanistan. Our CNN Opinion Research Corporation poll indicates six in ten people support the president's announcement that he is sending 30,000 more troops to the war. Why? According to our new survey, a majority agrees with the arguments Mr. Obama made in his prime time speech last week. 64 percent agree with the president that America's safety and security are at stake in Afghanistan. A nearly equal amount also agree with Mr. Obama that U.S. action in Afghanistan is morally justified.
But the president also laid out some other goals in his speech.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We must deny al Qaeda a safe haven. We must reverse the Taliban's momentum and deny it the ability to overthrow the government. And we must strengthen the capacity of Afghanistan's security forces and government so that they can take lead responsibility for Afghanistan's future.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STEINHAUSER: Do Americans think all that can happen? Our poll indicates that less than four in 10 believe those goals will be reached -- Don?
LEMON: All right, thank you very much, Paul.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai is publicly talking about President Obama's troop plan. For the first time since Tuesday's announcement, he gave an exclusive interview to our Christiane Amanpour.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMID KARZAI, PRESIDENT OF AFGHANISTAN: We'll be there, and we'll make it with or without the help of the rest of the world. It's the rest of the world that needs to be in Afghanistan to bring them some security from the problems that they caused themselves, by promoting Islamic radicalism, by promoting fanaticism and radicals for the past 30 years, first against the Soviets, and then by abandoning Afghanistan. So I think the West needs to use this opportunity correctly to help Afghanistan and to help themselves.
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: President Karzai, do you think that the U.S. surge will finish the job in your country?
KARZAI: Well, the most important element in the new strategy on Afghanistan is concentration on protecting the population and doubling economic assistance to Afghanistan and also concentrating on the regional aspect of the problem. So as far as Afghanistan is concerned, Afghanistan welcomes this new strategy. And Afghanistan will do all it can to be a good partner in it.
AMANPOUR: You yourself have said, even in your inaugurations address, that it would take some five years to be able to hand over security to the Afghan forces.
KARZAI: We want to have in Afghanistan in another two years, the ability to lead operations and provide security for the Afghan people in many parts of the country, especially parts of the country where we have trouble fighting and terrorism and trying to bring violence down. By the end of five years' term of the current government, we plan to lead operations for the security of the Afghan people in all of Afghanistan, in the whole country. That is our objective. Now, we, as Afghans, must also try our very, very best to reach that goal, and we hope that our allies...
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: And a reminder for you. "Amanpour" airs every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. eastern right here on CNN.
The Senate Finance Committee chairman could find himself in the middle of an ethics investigation. Democrat Max Baucus is coming under fire for recommending his girlfriend for a U.S. attorney position in his home state of Montana. The woman, Melodee Hanes, later withdrew her name. Baucus says the move was an open and fair process and Hanes' name was one of six submitted. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele is calling for an investigation.
The president and first lady hosted a reception for the 2009 Kennedy Center honorees this evening. We told you a little bit about it and told you a little about it at the top of the show. The black-tie event took place in the East Room of the White House. The five American performing artists being performed include opera singer, Grace Bumbry; singer/songwriter, Bruce Springsteen; actor/director, Mel Brooks; actor/director, Robert de Niro; and pianist/composer, Dave Brubeck. President Obama quoted the first lady in his description of the five honorees and their importance to America.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: These performers are indeed the best. They are also living reminders of a simple truth. And I'm going to steal a line from Michelle here. The arts are not somehow apart from our national life. The arts are at the heart of our national life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: The whole show, Kennedy Center Honorees, airs December 29th nationwide.
A little good news at the pump. We'll tell you about that.
And at this time of year, you see them everywhere, right? What is it like to be a Salvation Army bell ringer? We'll get a unique perspective from a woman who owes quite a bit to this age-old tradition.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Prices at the pump are starting, starting to level off. The latest Lumberg survey shows the cost of filling up dropped one cent in the past few weeks to $2.64 a gallon. The highest is in San Francisco, where you'll be paying $2.92 a gallon. The lowest, Houston, Texas, at $2.45 a gallon.
You see them just about everywhere during the holiday season, those Salvation Army bell ringers. But you may be surprised at just how close you are to the people the charity actually helps.
Take a look at this from CNN's John Cowles.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DIANE EUBANKS, SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGER: Hello there, guys. Merry Christmas! You're in the spirit today.
My name is Diane Eubanks. I'm here working for the Salvation Army. We're taking in donations for the needy, the homeless.
Thank you very much. Merry Christmas.
I'm homeless, and I don't have a job. And I lost my job. My husband's work slowed up, and we started on unemployment. So we lived in our van on and off for about seven months. No work. It's hard to find a job.
Thank you very much.
OK, I'll go right here.
Thank you.
Last year at this time that I became homeless. Women's Salvation Army, they charge you $9 a night. I got hired as a bell ringer. So I'll be doing that tomorrow.
MAJ. ANDREW KELLY, SALVATIO ARMY ORLANDO COMMANDER: Diane is an example of how somebody who has had a difficulty, and is without a home, and so we're trying to provide a place for her to stay. And then when he is learned about the opportunities to ring the bell and make some income, we were glad to be able to help her with that.
EUBANKS: Good morning. Trying to stay a little warm.
KELLY: Bell ringers will gather together in the morning.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's going to be your kettle.
EUBANKS: OK.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're going grab a smock right there.
KELLY: They get assigned to whatever kettle location they'll be.
EUBANKS: It feels good. It feels good to help out, and it feels good to make a little money in the pocket. Is this bell OK?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's perfect.
EUBANKS: Great.
Do you keep the buckets with you or do they go back here?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just hold on to them.
EUBANKS: OK, thank you.
Yes, getting on the bus to get warm.
KELLY: They get in the vehicles, and are transported to those locations. They will be out there and ring the bells throughout the day.
EUBANKS: Good morning, happy holidays.
Thank you. Merry Christmas.
Thank you, hon, merry Christmas.
Actually, I don't know if you noticed, I get a little excited, the bell starts ringing a little faster. I feel great, because I know that money is going to go towards helping others.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Merry Christmas. That was CNN's John Cowles reporting. Very nice story there.
And still ahead, there you see him. Tiger Woods, well, a new message from him. We'll tell you what it is.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Thought you heard the last of the Tiger story? Probably not. Probably, didn't think, but in the wake of the auto accident that set off a sex scandal over his infidelities, or alleged infidelities, whatever you want to call them, Tiger Woods has released another statement apologizing for his absence from a weekend golf charity tournament. That tournament benefits his foundation.
In the message posted on his web site, Woods says, "I am sincerely sorry I was unable to fulfill my duties as host and player in this important event."
OK. So let's move on. A couple things. Let's bring in Rick Harrow early.
Rick?
He's our sports guru. We'll talk about Christmas shopping.
We see you have all of your stuff. I don't want to call it schlock because it's not.
RICK HARROW, SPORTS: Schlock?
LEMON: No.
(LAUGHTER)
HARROW: If you want to talk about schlock, we need to get into the Tiger stuff.
LEMON: We're going to talk about it. I'm must joking. It's not schlock.
HARROW: Yes.
LEMON: Listen, we haven't heard the end of this, right? People are lining up. I'm seeing billboards of people like this woman, that woman, oh, so far, it's five and it's six. What's going on?
HARROW: That's not going to stop, regardless of his statements. The worst thing about all of this is not whether Nike will stay with him, because they will, and the other brands. But remember, he has 10 million kids that he's serving with his foundation over 100 different charities, and just like he wasn't there to adequately raise dollars for this tournament this weekend, that's more of that ahead. That's really unfortunate.
LEMON: It's interesting. A lot of people, as we said last week when we discussed this, depend on Tiger Woods for their money, their income or whatever, their livelihood. The people who do really aren't saying anything. They're just kind of supporting him and not saying anything. The people who want to know are doing most of the talking are the pundits, right?
HARROW: You don't have to worry about the stimulus package. Tiger Woods is a built-in stimulus. Pro golfers, their 7,000 percent increase in the number of them. Obviously, people around golf tournaments, the sponsors, he's ratcheted up that industry. I think it's going to be fine, especially when he starts playing again, especially if he starts winning again. Boy, it's going to be a long five weeks. We're not done with this.
LEMON: Stimulus package, all that, I can't wait to see you on the comedy shows with that comment or the blogs.
HARROW: I understand. All right.
LEMON: Have fun, my friend. Let's talk about all this stuff you have. The armchair quarterback. It was pretty cold yesterday. I kind of Tivo'd the Florida State game to gloat. I could use a Snuggie, not a Florida Snuggie. But I could use a Saints Snuggie for Christmas.
HARROW: Here's the foundation for this. You realize, 200 million of us shopped on Black Friday, spent $40 billion. We're also hearing that we're spending 3 percent less on our loved ones this holiday. Never fear, the Harrow holiday hot list is here. Here are the gifts. We have ten. we don't have time for those. Maybe we start out with five. The Cisco camcorder, three ounces, 60 minutes of hi-def video, you plug it into your computer.
LEMON: That's cool. What's the next one, another good one?
HARROW: John Madden cabernet from the Madden ranch. He coaches well. 38 bucks. That's pretty high.
LEMON: What year is that?
HARROW: 2007. It was a good year. 38 bucks.
LEMON: That's not a bad year. 2005 was probably better. Keep going. What do you have?
HARROW: Keep going. Maria Sharapova, her official tote bag by Paul Hahn (ph). Her billboard over Times Square, by the way, cut into 100 pieces. This is one of those. I was promised body parts by the people who were sending me this for just 50 bucks. There ain't no body parts on here. But it's an interesting thing to give.
LEMON: All right, you're being a little bit creepy. What's that picture right there? Who is that?
HARROW: Who? Where? What are you talking about?
LEMON: Is there a black and white picture on the front? What is that?
HARROW: Oh, here? That's an official Tim McCarver CD. He's a play- by-play guy on FOX. He starts singing, if you want to do that. But that's not my top five. Here are a couple of others, which are really important. Collegiate Snuggies. Florida State University, Coach Bobby Badden (ph). You have to be 80 years old to wear this one, University of Florida Snuggie. You have to lose to Alabama to wear this one.
(LAUGHTER)
Final one. Final one. For the guy that has everything, the Big Papi and Suego (ph) Hot sauce, original five ounces, 100 percent natural, unlike Big Papi, steroids not included. There you go.
(LAUGHTER)
LEMON: Did you get through all of them?
HARROW: No, well, here are some iPod, iPhone holders with the club logo. Bernie Williams, a big tape. He was a former Yankee centerfielder. He sure can sing. Where's the lights? College lights for Christmas with your favorite colors. This is University of Southern California.
LEMON: For the tree or hang on your house?
HARROW: Yes. Oh, yes. Or outside.
LEMON: That's pretty cool.
HARROW: If you're a big fan and you like the terrible Southern Cal colors, you hang them on the -- now available to everybody. It's in all colors and colleges.
LEMON: I'd like a Saints Snuggie and some LSU lights.
HARROW: What else?
LEMLON: Can you get that for me?
HARROW: Yes. LEMON: Send it to me in the Maria Sharapova bag.
HARROW: Even better. I'm there next week live. I'll hand you some of this stuff.
(LAUGHTER)
LEMON: Rick, always good to see you. Thank you so much.
HARROW: All right, see you next week.
LEMON: I don't know what you're going to do with all of that. Donate it. Re-gifting.
HARROW: Re-gifting. That's a good answer. Thanks.
LEMON: Thank you, Rick.
Still ahead, to update you on a terrible story, the details on a bus accident involving a popular rock band. Wheezer, we're talking about.
And Roman Polanski hanging out at a swanky Swiss hideaway. Why the community where he's hanging out isn't too pleased with his latest flash of notoriety.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: The lead singer of Wheezer was injured today in a bus accident in New York State. Singer Rivers Cuomo, his wife, daughter and another passenger were in the band's bus that slid off the New York freeway after hitting a patch of ice. Cuomo and another passenger were hospitalized but their injuries are not believed to be life- threatening.
The Swiss government has yet to decide on the U.S. extradition request on Roman Polanski. Meantime, the film director has traded his jail cell for some ultra-posh surroundings. He's under house arrest at his Swiss chalet.
As our Morgan Neill explains, that means the surrounding community has become a player in the Polanski saga.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MORGAN NEILL, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Fresh out of a Swiss jail, Roman Polanski pulled into a new kind of confinement, one that would be the envy of those he left behind at his last address. Released after paying the equivalent of $4.5 million bail, the 76- year-old director has been moved to house arrest at his luxurious chalet in the Swiss Alps. His private security guards patrol outside. Polanski is inside, with his wife and children. He's outfitted with an electronic bracelet that will sound an alarm if he tries to take it off or leave his property.
But there's nothing to stop him from receiving friends or working on film projects. (on camera): Roman Polanski is just behind me in his chalet there. As you can see, the doors are shut, the windows are shut and the blinds are drawn. We have yet to hear anything from the famed director.
(voice-over): In a small sleepy resort town below, Polanski's arrival has brought a crush of media attention during what's normally a slow period.
ROGER SEIFRIZ, TOUR DIRECTOR: It's a very new experience for us and also for the people living here, because as of today, we were a holiday resort somewhere in the Swiss Alps. Now we are an arrest cell.
NEILL: The town is already a resort for the rich and famous with luxury shops like Cartier, Air Mist (ph), Prada and Rolex. But the mayor says it's not the luxuries that celebrities find most attractive, it's the sense of discretion.
ALDO KROPF, GSTAAD MAYOR: Here, we are used to be very discreet, so we don't speak to the people when we see them in the street or in the shops. They can move as everyone here.
NEILL: But are people here sympathetic to Polanski?
KROPF: Generally speaking, I'd say there's a 50/50.
