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Obama Talks Jobs; Obama's Hard Sell; Deeper Gaza Push?; Obama Lunches with D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty; Executive Coach Gives Advise on Keeping Your Job; Inauguration Day Prompts the Selling of Merchandise

Aired January 10, 2009 - 16:59   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello again. I'm Frederiricka Whitfield, and you're live in the CNN NEWSROOM.
Four million jobs, that's the figure President-elect Barack Obama gave today as he offered new details about his economic stimulus plan. He says it could say or create up to four million badly needed jobs and suggested it may be the only way to avoid double-digit unemployment.

CNN's Kate Bolduan joins us now from Washington with more -- Kate.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, Fredricka.

All eyes remain on the economy. The President-elect today, in his weekly address, using the latest devastating jobs numbers to underscore his urgent call for an economic stimulus package. Five hundred and twenty-four thousand jobs lost in December. That brings the total job loss for 2008 to 2.6 million, the worst since World War II.

Wow.

The general outline of Obama's economic proposal had been out there for a while, but the details and the total price tag still aren't finalized, though the transition has already released an internal report detailing how much help they say this plan could offer.

Listen here.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA (D-IL), PRESIDENT-ELECT: The report confirms that our plan will likely save or create three to four million jobs. Ninety percent of these jobs will be created in the private sector. The remaining 10 percent are mainly public sector jobs we save, like the teachers, police officers, firefighters, and others who provide vital services in our communities.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: Now, we should point out the report does acknowledge the findings are subject to significant margins of error since we don't know yet, of course, what the final package will look like once it emerges from Congress. Though to continue making his pitch, Obama's top economic advisers were on Capitol Hill this week discussing the recovery plan with House and Senate Democrats, but it wasn't entirely an easy sell. Congressional Democrats voiced some concern that not enough money would be directed towards infrastructure spending, while too much money may be going to business tax cuts under the current outline.

But Democrats, Fredricka, have made clear that they do plan to support in the end whatever economic stimulus bill they put together.

WHITFIELD: All right. Well, we'll see about that; right?

BOLDUAN: Right. Of course.

WHITFIELD: All right. Kate Bolduan, thanks so much, in Washington. Appreciate it.

All right. Well, who isn't worried about layoffs and salary freezes? In our next half-hour, we're bringing in an expert who advises some of the top executives in the country. Here's a peek now at just one of the strategies that we'll be discussing.

Our expert will explain why you should be taking on more right now. She'll have tips on how to make yourself necessary to your boss. Ten strategies to keep your job, 5:30 Eastern Time.

All right. Barack Obama's stimulus package, it is quite literally the sales challenge of a lifetime. The price tag is huge, and even lawmakers of his own party say they're not about to rubberstamp the plan, as you heard Kate explaining.

Well, here now is our Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley with more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): His inspirational campaign rhetoric has turned into an apocalyptic sales job.

OBAMA: For every day we wait and point fingers or drag our feet, more Americans will lose their jobs, and our nation will sink deeper into a crisis that at some point we may not be able to reverse.

CROWLEY: Barack Obama pushed Congress to move fast on his massive stimulus package in a stark speech; dire, urgent.

OBAMA: If nothing is done, this recession could linger for years. The unemployment rate could reach double digits.

CROWLEY: But on Capitol Hill, the problem isn't urgency, it's the specifics. A payroll tax cut

OBAMA: To get people spending again, 95 percent of working families will receive a $1,000 tax cut.

SEN. RON WYDEN (D), OREGON: We have an example with the first stimulus that indicated just giving people $500 and $600, while certainly welcome when there's all this economic hurt, may not be the best use of stimulus.

CROWLEY: That $3,000 tax credit to businesses for every new hire.

OBAMA: This plan must begin today. A plan I'm confident will save or create at least 3 million jobs over the next few years.

SEN. KENT CONRAD (D), NORTH DAKOTA: If you think about it, and business people are not going to hire people to produce products that are not selling. I mean, who is going to hire in the automobile industry if you give them a $3,000 credit to make cars that people are not buying?

CROWLEY: And there's what's missing, that campaign talk of rolling back Bush tax breaks for the wealthy. Seen as a bad idea now during a recession, the President-elect no longer talks about it, but Nancy Pelosi does.

REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Put me down as clearly as you possibly can as one who wants to have those tax cuts for the wealthiest in America repealed.

CROWLEY: Think about it, those are just the Democrats objecting. Minority Republicans, though pleased Obama agreed to business tax cuts are appalled at the price tag.

SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R), MINORITY LEADER: Well, given the deficit numbers, it really ought not to be a trillion-dollar spending bill. I think we can start by saying that.

CROWLEY: For the incoming President, the opening volleys in the stimulus debate are a lesson in the limits of presidential power. He will not get everything he wants.

But it also came on the same day his election became official with a Congressional count of electoral votes.

RICHARD CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Barack Obama of the state of Illinois has received for President of the United States 365 votes.

CROWLEY: And therein is a lesson for Congress. Barack Obama does not hold all the cards, but he sure owns the poll numbers. He'll get most of what he wants.

Candy Crowley, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right. Israel may be getting ready for another push into Gaza, deeper into Palestinian territory. Here's what we know right now.

Israeli planes dropped leaflets over Gaza warning of an escalation and urging civilians to stay away from Hamas militants. In the south, planes dropped bombs on tunnels linked to Gaza -- or rather linking Gaza with Egypt. CNN journalists saw Israeli fighter jets over Egyptian territory, but an Israeli government spokesman insists that Israeli planes are not violating Egyptian airspace. And President Bush continued efforts to stop the. He spoke with the president of Turkey and the prime minister of the Czech Republic, who is also the current president of the European Union.

CNN Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson is at the Israeli/Gaza border and joins us now live -- Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, the talk is all fighting talk from what we're hearing from Israeli and Hamas leaders. Perhaps that is because they're at the negotiating table, or they have people representing them as the negotiating table in the talks that are being held in Cairo and Egypt. Perhaps that's why we're hearing the tough talk, but certainly all the indications we're getting on the ground here is that the offensives are still well and truly under way.

That was another big explosion. That was another one again. We've heard a lot of those through this evening.

We've also heard from an Israeli minister today who said that the options are still open go for a greater military offensive or, perhaps, the peace option.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ISAAC HERZOG, ISRAELI SECURITY CABINET: On the one hand, if we will enlarge and increase our operation and go into the third phase, as we are preparing to do, it will take much longer. If there will be, of course, a diplomatic arrangement that will be satisfactory, robust enough, with enough securities and guarantees, of course that -- we are looking into that and reviewing it seriously.

But our enemies should understand and they should not misread us. We are prepared to go as far as possible to protect our citizens.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTSON: Well, what we saw today when we were outside an Israeli army base were reservists turning up. They've been called up by the government. They were saying good-bye to their families.

Certainly there's an expectation among them there's a potential they could be sent in to aid the other Israeli troops already in Gaza. But what we're hearing from Hamas officials -- their top political leader, Khaled Mashaal, spoke just in the past couple of hours. He said that Israel has lost any chance for peace at this time. He said that Israel is not having any impact on Hamas' capabilities.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KHALED MASHAAL, HAMAS LEADER (through translator): Did they manage to stop the rockets? Now they're only talking about how they can stop the rockets. They said they don't want the resistance in Gaza, but I assure you, the resistance is doing good.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTSON: Well, we certainly, from our vantage point here, we're not allowed into the Gaza Strip, we can't tell how the fighting's going. But according to sources inside the Gaza Strip, they say there's heavy fighting in the town of Khan Yunis, just south of Gaza City.

They say a U.N. school has been hit in that town. They say there was nobody in it at the time. But the U.N., as we know, because some of the other schools have been hit, have said that all their schools have been designated as safe places, that they've told Israeli troops about their locations. The U.N. expects them to be safe. Of course, it's very troubling for the U.N. as they consider whether or not to continue its humanitarian operations as well -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Nic Robertson, thanks so much, on the border there with Israel and Gaza. Appreciate it.

Well, the Gaza conflict, of course, continues to spur protests as well around the world. London today, an anti-Israel demonstration turned violent.

Thousands of protesters marched to the Israeli Embassy. Some actually threw sticks and stones and metal barriers at police. One officer was actually knocked unconscious. Three people were arrested. A pro- Israel demonstration is scheduled in London tomorrow.

And terrifying moments today on an interstate near Albany, New York. Police say a passenger in a taxicab opened fire on passing cars, including a state trooper.

Here you see the trooper pointing his gun at the suspect. Other troopers moved in, surrounded the taxi and arrested the suspect. The only person shot was indeed the suspect. It's unclear, however, if police shot him or if he might have shot himself.

All right. A huge fire is burning at an apartment building in Philadelphia. No injuries are reported so far.

The blaze is so big, and thick black smoke can be seen for miles. It broke out this morning, but it's unclear how the fire started. The Red Cross is setting up a shelter to house all the people who had to evacuate that building.

Gaza relief on hold. International aid workers stand down as rockets fly. We'll talk with a spokesman for the International Red Cross about exactly what's going on right now in Gaza.

And a power lunch with the President-elect. A big day for Washington's mayor. That was at a very popular place right in downtown.

The president-elect, along with the mayor of the city of Washington. And the mayor's actually going to join us to talk to us about what they talked about -- live in the NEWSROOM. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Take a very close look at these pictures from Gaza right there. You can see little white flickers in the smoke there. Well, those are actually leaflets being dropped from Israeli planes.

The leaflets contain a warning that Israel has not used all of its fire power as yet. More is actually coming.

So relief efforts in Gaza are on hold right now. Both the United Nations and the Red Cross pulling back after an aide worker was actually killed this week.

Bernard Barrett is with the International Red Cross. He's in Washington right now.

Well, give me an idea of what the situation is as best you know it.

BERNARD BARRETT, INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS: Well, first of all, it's becoming, obviously, increasingly perilous, precarious for the civilian population within Gaza. Our biggest concern is to be able to move around, to have access to those who have been injured, to those who need our assistance or maybe need to be evacuated because they're trapped by the fighting.

We did not suspend all of our operations, but for the last two days we've stopped convoys going from Gaza City towards the south of the Gaza Strip until we can work out better mechanisms with the Israeli authorities to make sure there was no repeats of the incidents of last Thursday.

WHITFIELD: And how honestly are you learning of who is in need and what kind of assistance needs to get in?

BARRETT: In many cases, we're receiving phone calls from people who are trapped. We've heard of one family, for example, who have been without water for many, many days. Now, there are 40 people there, including 20 children.

So some of them are calling us. Others, it's neighbors. Others, there are areas where we know there has been heavy fighting, and we're asking for access to be able to go in and to look for survivors, to look for those who have been injured in the fighting.

WHITFIELD: And what are the lengths that, whether it be the International Red Cross, or perhaps any non-government agency providing aid, can actually go to try to get basic needs such as water in?

BARRETT: Well, we've been table to get material to Gaza. We've been dealing mostly with medical supplies.

The other issue is there is material within Gaza. For example, fuel.

In the last couple of days, we haven't been able to deliver fuel to the generating station within Gaza from Gaza City. So that's a concern.

These are facilities run by the people of Gaza. Our role is really to try to coordinate with the Israeli authorities so that safe movements can be carried out either to rescue people, to send ambulances out for the wounded. We were able to, for example, coordinate today for five fire trucks to go and put out fires because of the shelling, and also for the delivery of supplies to medical institutions, hospitals, et cetera.

WHITFIELD: So when you hear about these leaflets that are being dropped by the Israeli planes, and on the leaflets it says, you know, to innocent civilians, to Palestinians, just simply stay away from Hamas-controlled areas, and if you stay away you're likely to avoid being hurt, how realistic is that?

BARRETT: One of the problems that we've had so far is that there are clear announcements by the Israelis that they want to allow humanitarian access, for example, but on the ground things don't work out properly that way. And these are the discussions we're having now with the Israeli authorities as to how to ensure it is carried out.

The other issue is, of course, the people in Gaza. It's a very small area. Don't know where to go, don't know where to find safety because there are places they've gone to where it has not been safe.

WHITFIELD: So when Israel says we are aware of the humanitarian obligations and we want to respect that and act responsibly, how do you interpret that?

BARRETT: What we have to ensure is that when the policy decisions are made, or when we have, for example, approval from the military headquarters to go to a certain area, that there is clear communication to the people on the ground that there's no misinterpretation, miscommunication resulting in incidents like we saw last Thursday.

WHITFIELD: How frustrating is this for a humanitarian such as yourself, International Red Cross, any other NGO who says, we simply want to get in and help people who are in greatest need?

BARRETT: It's extremely frustrating, particularly for our people who are in Gaza, and also for the Palestinian Red Crescent Society ambulance workers, the emergency medical people. They are receiving calls from people who are desperate, and extremely emotional calls. And they have to wait for the clearance to be able to go there. Sometimes this happens very quickly. Sometimes it can take quite a long time.

MURPHY: Bernard Barrett with the International Red Cross.

Thanks so much. And continued luck on the effort to try to get the aid to those in need.

BARRETT: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Vice President-elect Joe Biden, well, he's on a whirlwind visit to Afghanistan. He met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai today, also top U.S. military commanders in Afghanistan. At the top of his agenda, the expected increase in U.S. troops to fight a resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan.

And hail to the chief. President Bush commissions what he called an awesome ship that honors an awesome man. He was talking about his dad. A look at the USS George H. W. Bush.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Police are searching for a suspect in a Chicago drive-by school shooting. It happened last night outside Dunbar High School on the city's south side. Five people were hit by bullets, a sixth was injured in a fall. The trouble erupted as spectators left a basketball game at the school.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DERRICK WHITE, WITNESS: It was crazy. They came inside of the school with the gun and got to chasing kids, students, around the school with the gun. The students just got to running everywhere.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: What a shame. Well, police believe the incident may have been a gang-related incident. A police spokeswoman says none of the injuries appears to be life-threatening.

A shocking discovery at an airport checkpoint in Los Angeles. Police stopped a pickup truck and found 16 guns, two of them loaded, and nearly 1,000 rounds of ammunition.

The driver was arrested and charged with illegal transportation of an assault rifle. The driver's wife says her husband was planning to go target shooting after picking up a friend at the airport. Airport police says it appears the man did not intend to harm anyone.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: All right. President and Mrs. Bush traveled to Norfolk, Virginia, today to help commission the newest addition to the U.S. Navy. It's the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier the USS George H. W. Bush. It's named after the president's father, the 41st president of the United States.

The aircraft carrier is more than three football fields long. It's price tag pretty hefty -- $6.2 billion.

All right. President Bush's trip to Norfolk was probably his last one on Air Force One. Visitors to Washington for the inauguration will have a chance to see a replica, however, of the plane right there.

This mockup fuselage turned heads as it rolled down New York Avenue to the Washington Convention Center for the inaugural-fest. In a former life, the fuselage carried John Kerry during his campaign for president. Not a scene you see every day there. And this wasn't either. Not just any old lunch date in the nation's capital. We'll ask the mayor of D.C. what he and the president-elect may have talked about -- there's Adrian Fenty right there -- as they both took in great lunch at great stomping grounds, Ben's Chili Bowl.

The mayor right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. News that's happening right now.

Israel is warning Gaza residents to brace themselves for even more violence. During a lull in fighting today, Israeli aircraft dropped leaflets telling civilians operations against Hamas militants will escalate and urging residents to stay away from Hamas members.

The U.S. Navy's newest ship, take a look. The USS George H. W. Bush, an aircraft carrier named after former President Bush. He attended today's commissioning ceremony in Norfolk, Virginia, along with his son, President Bush.

And President-elect Barack Obama is revealing more details about his economic recovery plan. He says it will create between three and four million jobs, 90 percent of them in the private sector.

All right. January 20th is not just another Inauguration Day in Washington. It's historic on so many levels. And for residents in the city that traditionally hosts the occasion, a feeling of pride and inclusion unlike inaugurals past.

Today, the president-elect taking in a D.C. landmark with D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty. They ate at Ben's Chili Bowl and both had the house specialty, a Chili Half Smoke, which is a quarter pound of smoked sausage on a steamed bun with mustard, onions and chili sauce. The president-elect actually paid.

Joining us now, the mayor, Adrian Fenty. Good to see you.

MAYOR ADRIAN FENTY, MAYOR OF WASHINGTON, D.C.: Thanks for having me.

WHIT: That must have been quite the lunch date. Tell me what you guys actually talked about as well. We know what you ate. But what did you talk about?

FENTY: Well, we talked about the city a little bit. A lot of people don't realize that Barack Obama and his wife, the first lady to be, really do care about regular issues and they want to be a president and first lady that can help bring resources to education, to homeless issues, help with our voting right in D.C. So we talked about that. But there was a lot of light talk with people. There was one guy sitting next to us who said that he's been a lifelong Republican but voted for Barack Obama. He's a Pennsylvania resident visiting his daughter down there. A lot of light talk, a lot of cheese fries.

WHIT: I understand a lot of folks there, too, who did get a chance to talk with the president-elect even asked him whether he was a Maryland fan or a Georgetown fan, and he took the neutral approach, and said, if it's not a Chicago team, I'm non-committal.

FENTY: Yes, I think that's right. But in D.C., it's great having the president and the activity and energy that comes from the federal government. This is obviously taking it to another level. Obama coming in is going to be a boost to everything, civic life, the economy. So it's an exciting time for our city...

WHIT: Why do you think this will be different? You're a native Washingtonian. You've been to a lot of inaugurations in the past, as a kid growing up and now mayor of the city. What is it about this one that makes it so different, so much more inclusive, according to a lot of Washingtonians?

FENTY: Well, it's probably the way that he ran his campaign. He went to all states, all people in the process, young, old, rich, poor. I think that's new to politics. He won in a landside. He won in a landslide because he talked about one America. That's exciting because D.C., like lots of other big cities, is very diverse. People want to feel included. They want the president to be their president.

WHIT: Is there a lot of symbolism here, too? Here you are at Ben's Chili Bowl, right on the 14th and U (ph) area, which saw a lot of blight for so many years after Martin Luther King's assassination. 14th Street -- I know growing up in Silver Spring -- don't hold it against me -- that 14th street was just a dismal horrible place. And there's been this revitalization. I understand from people, who live at 14th and U (ph), they say election night was like New Year's. When Barack Obama was named, the man who won the race, that people filled the streets and were so excited like no one has ever seen in that area before.

FENTY: And I told the president-elect about what the owner of Ben's Chili Bowl told me -- 40 years ago, 1968 when Martin Luther King was assassinated, riots on the street at 14th and U (ph), forward the clock 40 years, when President -- when Obama gets elected, 5,000 to 10,000 people take the streets, all different races, celebrating, happy. It was really coming of a full circle. I told him that story. That's how people feel in D.C. I think that's how people all over the country feel.

WHIT: So do you think your meeting, your lunch with the president- elect today, is really just a prelude of the relationship that the D.C. mayor is going to be able to have with the White House, that there is going to be this sense of the first lady and the president who are, indeed, residents of the city. That they'll be just as engaged and interested in, say, the public school system, even though their kids will be going to a private school. But perhaps they'll be just as engaged and interested in what's going on in day-to-day life and even the whole taxation without representation issue that's gone on forever, maybe the license plates returning to the White House limos.

FENTY: That's exactly right. He's been in town less than a week and he's already out in the public, making impromptu stops like this one. That's the type of president he'll be. Not just for Washington, D.C. But Air Force One gets around fast. People will see him popping up in other places, just being in touch with the normal person.

WHIT: What a lot of folks perhaps don't even realize or recognize is that Washington, D.C. is actually financing a great part of the inauguration. That means security is going to be paramount. All of it taking place come January 20th. It's is really going to be unprecedented. Talk to me about the security measures, the preparations, and how maybe in part it's a bit of a headache for the city of Washington, too.

FENTY: It's not a headache. It's really an honor. It's just going to be an exciting time for us. It's a lot of work, though. One example is we have normally 4,000 officers in D.C. we've got to hire another 4,000 from around the country just to support this particular event. Then there's street closings and everything that comes with that. But it's an economic boom for the city. Hey, if it really gets the country this motivated, jump starts people's hopes for the country, we're just thrilled to host such a fabulous occasion.

WHIT: Mayor, what is this like for you personally, a native Washingtonian? You grew up in this city. Now, of course, you're the mayor. You're really living a huge dream. You're the mayor of this huge city. Then you get to get a front row seat to this kind of history being made. And you were playing a great part of it as well by being the host to the inauguration.

FENTY: Yeah, it's been an honor to support Obama since last year and to now help to put together his inauguration. As great as I feel for the city, it's the country that's headed in the right direction. I'm so excited to be an American these days, as I think so many others are.

WHIT: Mayor Fenty of Washington, D.C., thanks so much for your time.

FENTY: Thank you.

WHIT: All the best on inauguration day and beyond.

FENTY: See you at Ben's Chili Bowl.

WHIT: All right, thanks so much. It's a date.

Well, perhaps you are not worried about the inauguration, but you're worried about your job. And you're worried about keeping the one that you have, or maybe even getting the one you want. We'll talk with an expert who advises some of the country's top executives.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHIT: "Issue Number One," the economy and your job. The number of Americans without one surged in December. Companies cut more than a half million workers last month. That pushed the unemployment rate to 7.2 percent. Add up the cuts for all of 2008 and it comes to 2.6 million jobs lost.

Take a look at this map right here. The states in red are running a jobless rate higher than the national average. The Southeast, parts of the Midwest, and the West Coast are the hardest hit area.

With unemployment at a 16-year high, who isn't worried about keeping their job? Deb Bright counsels some of the country's top executives on how to stay employed. She joins us now on the phone.

All right, Deb, give us a guide post of what we need to do, and it's not stuff like that you need to be beef up of your resume. But it's really self-motivation, right? It's about getting your person in check.

DEB BRIGHT, EXECUTIVE COACH: That's right. And thank you, Fredricka, for having me on the program.

One of the things that recently happened was Ann Fisher interviewed me for an article that appeared in "Fortune" on your CNN Money website. I talked about ten tips. Because we're talking about helping people keep their jobs. When you get stressed, often times, what happens is your ability to think about what you have control of gets very blurred.

WHIT: OK.

BRIGHT: So when you talk about what can you do, right?

WHIT: Yes.

BRIGHT: And to go beyond keeping your resume up to date is you really do have control over your attitude. When you hear within the organization people being laid off or when you hear that people didn't get bonuses or those great promotions they were hoping to get, then all the sudden it's easy to let your attitude get negative.

WHIT: So don't sweat the stuff that's out of your control, but a lot of stuff that's in your control. For example, you need to create successes for yourself. It can be as simple as getting to the gym, working out, feeling good about yourself because at least you're going to work for the job that you do have with your chin up.

BRIGHT: That's right. That gives you some successes. That's what you're trying to do in an environment that tends to be negative. Then you look at all these statistics you keep showing for the television viewers, it's easy to get caught up in the momentum. So besides you know getting your exercise and watching what you eat, and sleeping, which is also in your control, I like what I've been coaching with the executives and managers, and I've been telling them to set 30 and 60- day goals.

WHIT: OK.

BRIGHT: Then on top of that, what I'm recommending is that every week they identify the top three or four priorities that they are going to achieve that coming week. Then what I'm recommending they do is pass that along to their boss, not to get permission, but to make sure they're aligned.

WHIT: So these are self-imposed 30 to 60-day goals, little things, like you could be saying you want to remind your boss, perhaps, of some of the great things that you did in the past week or two. Then you want to watch your attitude. What do you mean? Is it as simple as saying I want to be positive, I want to be on the upbeat, I want to have good vibes. And some of us do.

BRIGHT: Absolutely, because it's miserable to be around people who are negative and constantly a downer, tearing at the fabric of morale in the organization. If a boss does have some input as to whether or not to keep you on a job, you don't want to make it easy for the boss to turn around and pluck you from the organization because you've been disruptive and difficult to deal with. That attitude piece is important.

WHIT: Then you say keep your network active. In other words, keep your finger in the pulse of your industry. You want to update your skills as you do that. Make sure your work serves the larger goals of the organization. What do you mean by that? A lot of people are thinking what about me and climbing the ladder. You're saying you need to send the signal that you've got the whole organization in mind.

WRIGHT: Absolutely. What you're looking to do is always add value in the organization, not simply go through the motions of your work, but actually adding value. Remember, we still have customers we're dealing with. We still have updates in our technology to make sure are getting implemented within the organization. So you're looking always to what can you do to make a difference? In this kind of environment, with other people being negative and going around complaining, you're going on the stand out and shine.

WHIT: The next thing is going to ruffle a few feathers out there because you're saying forget about the work-life balance. In other words, you need to making the investment and trying to figure out how can I do right by this organization? Think less about how do I spend more time with the people in my life?

BRIGHT: Absolutely. The work-life balance, that whole concept is very confusing for people in the first place. I think, right now, what's most important is realizing the statistics are showing that there are going to be a lot more layoffs. What's most important, I think that's a lot more stress to lose your job than to have one and work a little bit longer, and making sure that you're staying tuned in with what's happening in the organization. And so this idea of letting hours dictate, you know, what equates to work-life balance, I think you need to do what needs to get done to be a value to your company.

BRIGHT: While everybody is thinking of their job, they're very consciousness of the economy now. You say one of the points, number eight, take a hard look at your finances. You need to have at least seven or eight months in the bank so if you do lose the job you've got some padding there. And number nine, never bad mouth anybody. No matter how hard it gets, you need to keep your mouth clean.

BRIGHT: Absolutely. And you know, I tell you, one of the managers that I coached forgot this. You know, when you're really upset about things happening -- because this is an emotional churning time because you're losing people that you've had, that worked with 15 years. I don't think bosses find this to be a fun time either. None of them go to bed thinking how can I make my team miserable the next day.

So when you get those times when you're really upset, you have to be very careful not to turn around and offend somebody by putting someone else down. Like my manager that I coached with that reorganization, he reported to the person that he bad mouthed only to have that new boss say, listen, I heard you said negative things about me.

WHIT: Number ten, final point, you are the product. You are the commodity, and you've got to do everything you can to protect that.

BRIGHT: Absolutely. We're in a service economy for many of us. So you want to look at yourself as a product. When you're a product, you have to keep your skills current. You have to make sure that you're energized in the workplace, you're focused.

And, of course, we've been talking about, Fredricka, you have to be clear about what's within your control and what isn't. The too many people spend too much time focusing on things that aren't in their control. And performing at your best every single day is in your control.

WHIT: Executive coach, Deb Bright, thanks so much.

Bottom line, keep it positive.

BRIGHT: You're welcome. Thanks for having me on.

WHIT: Much more of the newsroom straight ahead here in the "NEWSROOM."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHIT: Much more in the "NEWSROOM" straight ahead.

Don Lemon? What's that mean?

DON LEMON, CNN NEWS ANCHOR: A very, very busy day in the "NEWSROOM.". Did you realize that today was George Bush's last flight, official flight on Air Force One?

WHIT: No.

LEMON: He didn't even know it.

WHIT: Back to Washington.

LEMON: Yeah, back to Washington. We're going to talk about that coming up.

WHIT: Or we should say, as active president.

LEMON: As active president.

WHIT: Because he will be doing it again when he leaves, but he won't be president anymore.

LEMON: And it won't officially be Air Force One, yes.

WHIT: I know.

LEMON: We'll talk about that and this carjacking story, an amazing story. A carjacking victim outsmarts the guys that stole his car. He and his friend came up with an idea to text the thieves with a made-up story.

I want you to take a listen to this.

BVC

UNIDENTIFIED CAR THEFT VICTIM: He said, I'm going to tell him I've got a bunch of hot chicks, as if I'm texting you, and we've got some drugs too. We've got cocaine!

EVC

LEMON: Maybe this is a tactic that police with learn from, Fred. The carjackers took that bait and wait until you hear how this all ended.

Plus, we're going to do this. I know you're a gadget guru. Not quite like I am.

WHIT: You've got to be kidding! I can't believe you just said that. I'm always asking you, what do I do? How do I do that?

LEMON: How do I do this? How do I fix my Blackberry? We'll show you the newest, coolest gadgets right at your fingertips. Things you can't live out. We'll take you live to the largest consumer electronics show. You don't want to miss it. Look at this.

BVC

NICOLE (INAUDIBEL): The consumer electronics show in Las Vegas displays the latest and greatest in gadgetry and technology. You can soon watch movies in 3d. I'm Nicole (INAUDIBLE), and we'll show you the coolest stuff coming up.

EVC

LEMON: Does that mean we'll have to change all our televisions? We'll tell you.

WHIT: I know you're totally into that, because you're such a gadget guy. You love that stuff.

LEMON: You know it.

Also this, Fred, I want to tell you. Just a couple of days, really ten days until the inauguration of president-elect. He's speaking out on the sacrifices we're all going to have to make. In an interview earlier today, which is becoming quite controversial, he's saying that they may not be able to, you know, fulfill, at least at the pace they'd like, all of the promises they made on the campaign trail.

And of course we want you to send in your responses. Go to Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, iReport.com and we'll talk about that. So we shall see.

WHIT: We will look for that. Ten days to go. Hard to believe.

Coming up in the "Chat Room," Jacqui Jeras and I are going to talk about some of the chatzkies. Those folks are selling it. This is all about inauguration. This stuff is flying off the shelves.

LEMON: Oh, really? OK.

WHIT: So you'll pick out some of this stuff when you're in Washington too. Some of our props.

LEMON: Thank you. All right, I'll see you. Thank you, Fred.

WHIT: Anyway, we'll talk more about that...

LEMON: Is this for me?

(LAUGHTER)

WHIT: No, I think not. I have to return that merchandise, you know? But that's some of the stuff that is just flying off the shelves there all because of inauguration.

LEMON: We may need this if it's cold in D.C.

WHIT: OK.

LEMON: Thanks, Fred.

WHIT: Right back with much more ahead in the "NEWSROOM."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHIT: Time to start working on those New Year's resolutions, right? Well, if both losing weight and quitting smoking are on your list, then you know it's going to be a pretty tough year.

Our Dr. Sanjay Gupta has more information for you.

(FIT NATION)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHIT: All right. Welcome to the "Chat Room." It's back. Jackie and I talk about some fun little pop culture things.

So inauguration just ten days away. And you know what, people are not just clamoring for the tickets for the parade -- well, they're all sold out now -- or a vantage point on the National Mall. Instead, they're going for this kind of stuff.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: That amazes me.

WHIT: This stuff is selling like hot cakes.

JERAS: Obama, his image.

WHIT: People are cashing in on this. This is some of the bling, some of the fun things people are buying.

JERAS: Fake diamonds.

WHIT: It's all about fun. Mouse pads. We're going to talk to one...

(CROSSTALK)

WHIT: Yes, one of the vendors tomorrow, we're going to talk with him here in the "NEWSROOM," 5:00 eastern time.

JERAS: Everyone is very glitzy.

WHIT: I know. That's the idea. It's getting a lot of attention and people can just not get enough, particularly those who live in the Washington area who want a little piece of history and this kind of fashion. What do you think?

JERAS: I can see wearing this kind of stuff if you're going to the inauguration and you're going to be outside or whatever. But on a day to day --?

WHIT: Not quite the fashion statement you're trying to make.

JERAS: Can you see it? There it goes.

WHIT: Yes, very fun stuff. Mark Spence, the vendor who provided a lot of this material, he came out with a sweat suit that he's designed. And he says when he wears it, whether he's at the gas station, people stop and they're like, where'd you get that. And he's like, I actually sell it. And he sells out of that and the aprons. And this cup is just one...

JERAS: I like the cup.

WHIT: It has all of the presidents.

JERAS: That's cool. You could talk me into that.

WHIT: Yeah. Really interesting stuff. I can't wait to talk to him on the air a little bit more about how he came up with this idea and how it really is a cash cow.

JERAS: Unbelievable.

WHIT: He says in part, you know what, he's helping the economy.

JERAS: This is true.

WHIT: So free enterprise is bringing on a lot of this good stuff. JERAS: Absolutely. Kind of stylish.

WHIT: Yeah, yeah.

JERAS: It's not terrible.

WHIT: All right. Maybe we'll get you sporting something.

JERAS: Perhaps, for a day.

WHIT: Maybe not.

All right, Jacqui, thanks so much for playing. We'll talk a little bit for the about this tomorrow.

JERAS: It'll be fun.

WHIT: All right, the president inauguration just ten days away. Folks are very, very excited about all of that.

All right. Don lemon is coming up next in the "NEWSROOM."

LEMON: Changing of the guard. Live pictures now of the house that is at the center of the world's attention. What is going on inside that house right now as the Bushes pack up and the Obamas, while they prepare to move in? You know what? We're going to tell you.

I'm Don Lemon, in the CNN "NEWSROOM."