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Military Confirms President's Plan to Remove Troops From Iraq; What the President's Plan Means For Each Individual American; Certain Indian Spices May Cure What Ails You Better Than Modern Medicines; Continued Coverage of Reactions to the President's Speech

Aired February 25, 2009 - 10:00   ET

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

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Not quitters. These words...

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Very special guests sitting with First Lady Michelle Obama last night. High Schooler Ty'Sheoma Bethea in the middle there, of course. She's got her mother and the first lady on either side of her. Very special for her. The South Carolina student sent a letter To President Obama and to her congressman asking for help for her school. The president talked about the school in Dillon, South Carolina. He visited there earlier this year where he saw leaky ceilings and classes stopped because of the noise from trains passing by.

Casualties at the crash site. At least nine people dead as an airliner goes down in Amsterdam. We have a live update.

And also, the president's pledge.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: But I will do whatever it takes to help the small business that can't pay its workers or the family that has saved and still can't get a mortgage. That's what this is about. It's not about helping banks. It's about helping people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: President Obama assuring Americans about the recovery plan. This hour, are you convinced?

Plus, the pain of recession. We talk live with four people from different segments of our society who are really feeling it. It's Wednesday, February 25th, I'm Heidi Collins and you are in the CNN NEWSROOM.

More than 100 people walked away from an airplane crash this morning. The Turkish Airline 737 broke into three pieces when it hit the ground on approach to Amsterdam's Schipol Airport. Dutch officials say nine people are dead. 125 people escaped.

CNN's Ivan Watson is joining us now live from Istanbul, Turkey where family members, I'm sure, have been put on planes now bound for Amsterdam, fir this terrible news, at least for those families of those nine, Ivan.

IVAN WATSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Heidi. Turkish Airlines has been trying to scramble, put a flight together to take some of the loved ones and relatives of these passengers, and crew members. It was about 127 passengers and seven crew members who were aboard this flight which slammed into the ground, about 500 yards short of the air strip at the airport outside Amsterdam.

One survivor described it as something that felt like turbulence as the plane was coming in for its landing. And then described the pilot, he thought it was the pilot gunning the engines before wham, the plane slammed into the ground. And we heard accounts from at least two passengers, Heidi, who actually were able to step away, walk away from their seats, walk through the gaps in the - in the shattered plane and walk away unharmed. Unfortunately, nine people so far reported killed in this catastrophe.

COLLINS: And Ivan, just so you know, we are looking at some of the pictures of the authorities and the first responders now on the scene. And this is video that was sent into us quite a while ago. So obviously, very, very tragic for the family members of those nine people. But whenever we see a plane go down, especially a commercial plane like this, a 737, for me, anyway, it's amazing when someone does walk away. What's next now with the investigation as to what actually brought it down to begin with?

WATSON: Well, Turkish authorities insist that this plane had no record of malfunctions. Turkish Airlines is the flagship carrier for Turkey. They say that the plane was inspected as recently as December of last year. The airline itself has a pretty good safety record, though, in 2003, Heidi, another domestic flight experienced a tragedy when a Turkish Airlines jet slammed into a hillside near the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir.

Turkish Airlines has been posting lists of the names of the passengers and crew on board the plane. They're trying to rush families and loved ones to Amsterdam to be by the sides of the survivors of this crash.

COLLINS: Sure.

WATSON: As far as the cause of it, we're still not getting an answer right now.

COLLINS: Yes.

WATSON: The Turks have discounted the possibility of any meteorological problem being behind this accident.

COLLINS: Real quickly, anymore, at least at this point, Ivan, because we expect it will take a while for that investigation to be conducted and then the answers to really be found, but there was sort of this major discrepancy between the Turkish authorities and the Dutch authorities, as to the casualties in this - in this crash.

WATSON: Yes. This was an unfortunate turn of events, in addition to the plane crash. Now the Turkish authorities, they set up a crisis center within two hours of the accident. We had a Turkish Transport Ministry officials putting out press conferences, trying to reassure people, and insisting, again, and again, that there were no fatalities in this accident.

Now, about three, four hours after the crash, Dutch authorities then gave their first press conference and said, very tragically, that nine people were killed. You can just imagine, Heidi, how rough that was, how awful that was, for the people who were waiting on the edge of their seats to hear when they learned that suddenly, in fact, people had been killed.

COLLINS: Absolutely. All right. Ivan Watson, we sure do appreciate the report, coming to us live from Istanbul. Thanks so much, Ivan.

And we have now seen three commercial airplane crashes in just over a month. You remember the remarkable job done by Captain "Sully" Sullenberger bringing down U.S. Airways flight 1549 in the Hudson River. All 155 passengers and crew were able to get off the plane safely. The crash was blamed on a double bird strike. That was January 15th.

But on February 12th, we had the horrible Continental connection crash near Buffalo, New York. All 49 people on board, and one person on the ground died in that crash. The investigation into the cause focused maim on the issue of icing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: The impact of this recession is real, and it is everywhere. But while our economy may be weakened, and our confidence shaken, we are living through difficult and uncertain times, tonight I want every American to know this. We will rebuild. We will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: Rousing words and a rallying message. President Barack Obama vows to lead the nation out of its economic crisis. His words stirring a lot of talk today. CNN White House correspondent Dan Lothian begins our coverage now this morning. Dan, good morning.

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Heidi, well the White House obviously pleased with the president's speech. Senior administration officials saying that the president was able to lay out clearly for the American people the challenges that this country faces with regards to the economy and he was able to also show a clear way of getting out of this crisis. Now, you heard the president last night focusing on that $787 billion stimulus package, talking about how he believes it is working and how it will put some 3.5 million people to work. The president also talking about stressing education reform. New energy and also health care. These are all what the White House believes are components of the economic agenda. The president, though, while he laid out this crisis in very dark terms also sounded optimistic.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: Well, that day of reckoning has arrived, and the time to take charge of our future is here. Now is the time to act boldly and wisely. To not only revive this economy, but to build a new foundation for lasting prosperity.

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LOTHIAN: Now, the republican response came from rising star in the republican party, Bobby Jindal, the governor of the state of Louisiana. Recent days, he had been critical of the administration, saying that he would not take some of the money from the stimulus package. He believes that in the long run, it would be bad for their economy, would lead to higher taxes. He again went after the administration and his response last night. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. BOBBY JINDAL (R), LOUISIANA: Republicans want to work with President Obama. We appreciate his message of hope. But sometimes it seems like we look for hope in different places. Democratic leaders in Washington, they place their hope in the federal government. We place our hope in you, the American people.

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LOTHIAN: Now, responding to criticism that the president's speech last night was short on details and also the math simply didn't add up, senior administration official telling me that the president will be unveiling more details when he unveils his budget tomorrow, and that there will be additional details forthcoming in the days ahead, Heidi.

COLLINS: Dan Lothian at the White House. Dan, thank you.

Looking beyond the numbers now at the economy, paychecks disappear, homes slip away. The American dream for some fades. Minutes from now, we'll talk to several Americans who are living the day-to-day struggle.

President Obama looking beyond our borders to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Here's what he had to say in last night's speech.

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OBAMA: I am now carefully reviewing our policies in both wars. And I will soon announce a way forward in Iraq that leaves Iraq to its people and responsibly ends this war.

And with our friends and allies, we will forge a new and comprehensive strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan to defeat Al Qaeda and combat extremism.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: A short time ago, a clearer image of those plans. Several U.S. military officials tell CNN the president will likely announce the withdrawal of most combat troops from Iraq within 19 months.

We want to get the very latest now from CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr.

Good morning to you, Barbara. 19 months, is that what we have been hearing all along as far as what the president wanted to do here?

BARBARA STARR, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well you know, Heidi, back during the campaign, the president was saying a 16-month withdrawal was what he would go for it he won the White House.

Well now that he's in the Oval Office, by all accounts, it's Pentagon officials that are letting it be known they believe that sometime this week, it is most likely President Obama will approve a plan for a 19-month withdrawal of most combat forces, most U.S. forces from Iraq. That's a little bit longer than the 16-month campaign pledge. The president was actually given three options by the Pentagon.

They took a look at his 16-month option, then he asked for some other ideas. They gave him the 19-month option, which was the middle of the road, if you will, and then a longer 23-month option. Every expectation is, he's going to go for that middle option. 19 months, combat forces out of Iraq. But a residual force that could be still tens of thousands of troops staying in the country, to work as trainers and advisors. But, you know, Iraq is Iraq. Even the U.S. troops that will be trainers may well find themselves in a combat environment. So it will still be very dangerous times for U.S. forces on the ground. Heidi.

COLLINS: So the news will be residual troops with combat training.

STARR: Right. That these residual forces will stay for some time to help continue to train up the Iraqis. As you know, the agreement reached between Baghdad and Washington is all U.S. forces out by the end of 2011, and with that in mind, the U.S. military has already begun practicing some of its exit routes, if you will, from Iraq.

Looking at how they would ship people and equipment out through Jordan to the west, and Kuwait to the south. Already looking at those exit routes, and once the president does make that final decision, which Pentagon officials emphasized he doesn't done yet. Once he does, all of that should start moving into gear. Heidi? COLLINS: All right. CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr for us this morning. Barbara, thank you.

Well Iraq police officers did not kill an American soldier, which is what the military thought had happened originally. That's according to Iraqi officials. They say rebels dressed like police carried out that attack. It happened at a police station in Mosul yesterday. An Iraqi translator also died. Three other American troops were hurt. Authorities are looking for two suspects now.

Next hour, President Obama will announce his nominee for Commerce Secretary. His choice, according to two senior administration officials, this man, former Washington governor, Gary Locke. He would be the president's third choice to become commerce secretary.

The first two withdrew their names amid controversy. That announcement is scheduled for 11:00 Eastern. And, of course, we will carry it for you live when it happens.

And it's the first day of a new job for Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, as is the custom, Labor Department employees turned out in full force this morning to welcome their new boss. The Senate confirmed her as labor secretary yesterday.

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COLLINS: Well, all morning long, we have been hearing from you about the president's speech, and the Republican response, as well. Our Josh Levs has been gauging all of the reaction, and joins us now. Hey, Josh.

JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, Heidi. You know what, some of the latest posts we're getting are really broadening out this discussion. I'll tell you coming up how viewers are responding not only to President Obama, but also to Governor Jindal and House Speaker Pelosi.

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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID KRONMILLER, IREPORTER: I was inspired by Obama reminding all these politicians' room that they are not just politicians that they are people who earned a job of service to this country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: So what did you think of the president's speech? We have a new national poll gauging the public's reaction to it. Here now to share some of those insights, CNN's deputy political director Paul Steinhauser. Hi there, Paul. So what do these polls actually say about the public's reaction?

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it seems like speech watchers are giving President Obama two thumbs up. Take a look at our brand-new numbers. As you mentioned from CNN opinion research corporation and 68 percent, that's two out of three Americans say very positive. That was their reaction to the speech.

Twenty-four percent say somewhat positive, and only eight percent had a negative reaction to the speech, among people who actually watched it. That's 68 percent, Heidi looks like a good number. But compared to President Bush when he get his first speech back in 2001, February of '01, it's pretty much the same numbers.

So it looks like people like the new president and they felt the same way about George Bush back then. Heidi.

COLLINS: We should probably point out too about some of the things that you were sharing with us about the audience and who they are, and how weighted or not weighted it might be.

STEINHAUSER: Exactly. These are speech-watchers, not just average Americans. These are people who specifically watch the speech, and of those people, they're more democrats than you would normally see in a regular sample of Americans, because more democrats watched his speech last night and that was reflected in our poll, so it's a little heavily more skewed toward the democrats.

A couple other numbers out there though. Do you think President Obama's policies will help with the economy? Will they work? And look at this, eight out of 10 say, yes, they will improve the economy. That's pretty good numbers right there. And one other thing. Check this out. 88 percent said, yes, President Obama's policies will move the country in the right direction. That's up 17 points from before the speech, Heidi.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Anything else stand out to you in this?

STEINHAUSER: You know what overall, as I said, two thumbs up. Most Americans are like that, watch the speech, liked it, but, again, we haven't seen the details yet. And that's really what counts.

COLLINS: Yes, absolutely. All right. Our deputy political director Paul Steinhauser. Paul, thanks for that.

STEINHAUSER: Thank you.

COLLINS: Coming up, in just a few minutes. More of your comments on the president's speech last night.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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JOE BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We have announced that 95 percent of Americans are going to see their paychecks go up, because withholding taxes are going to fall. And that will be no later than April 1st, and we have already announced that the first tranche of recovery money is being given to the state just 10 days after the bill was signed, $15 billion to help health care for children and seniors, and the needy is already on the way. And today, the department of Housing and Urban Development is taking the first step to awarding $10 billion to state and local governments to fund and create jobs through projects of making public housing more energy-efficient, making improvements in affordable housing, and also making sure that we actually begin to fund the lead- based paint removal program, all of which are going to not only increase the public health, but energy efficiency, but they're going to create jobs.

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COLLINS: All right. Just want to give you an idea of what you were listening to there. Some new video that's just coming into us here at CNN, Vice President Joe Biden, who's sort of been putting into that watchdog role, if you will. This is his first recovery plan implementation meeting coming to us from the Roosevelt room. And you also saw on his forehead the ashes, of course, today being Ash Wednesday.

So what did you think of the President's speech and the Republican response? Our Josh Levs has been hearing from you all morning long. He joins us now with some of your views. Hey, Josh.

LEVS: Hey there, Heidi. I told you last hour what we have been hearing is very heavily in favor of President Obama, it still is. But the conversation has broadened out a little bit. Let's zoom in on this one who is not in support of what he said last night. Daniel says "I love the part where Nancy Pelosi stood for applause seconds before Obama mentioned the unfairness of the NAFTA treaty. Funny, since Bill Clinton was the president who passed that one. Congratulations America. It is the misinformed public that will help this country into socialism. That's Daniel weighing in at Facebook.

Let's go to this one from Joshua. "Last night's reassurances maintained a positive tone of cautious optimism amidst the unprecedented perfect storm of economic crisis, we find ourselves with at present."

And another one here from Valerie. "I read through people responses, and I agree, agree like most Americans, we now have a chance to come out of this crisis better and stronger than ever before. Thanks to our new president, I feel like he understands what the people want."

Now we're also hearing today from people via e-mail, as well, not just Facebook. We go to one of this quickly. It comes to us from Bob, making largely the same point, saying, wow, did anyone hear what this president said? This is socialism."

We're going to keep the conservation going all day long. You can join the conversation at Facebook, or - at joshlevs@cnn. Our e-mail - there you go. Johnlevscnn. Our e-mail is cnnnewsroom@CNN.com. And Heidi I'll tell you, our viewers clearly has some fascinating and very passionate views. Always good to hear from them.

COLLINS: All right. Very good. Josh, you're right. Thank you. LEVS: Thanks.

COLLINS: So did the president's message resonate with everyone? We're going to talk with real people feeling the really effects from four corners of the economy. We'll see how the ideas played in New York, Miami, Los Angeles and Phoenix.

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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: This time, CEOs won't be able to use taxpayer money to pad their paychecks or buy fancy drapes or disappear on a private jet. Those days are over.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: Pleading for patience. President Obama laying out plans to help the economy. The message means different things, though, to different people. We've gathered a diverse group to talk about it this morning from Phoenix. We have Eric Bell, who recently lost his job. Faith Smith is a small-business owner from Los Angeles. Carlos Rodriguez works at the food bank in New York. And Anthony Askowitz is a Realtor from Miami.

Why don't we begin with you, Eric. First want to just find out how the job hunt is going for you.

ERIC BELL, LAID OFF FROM FINANCIAL SERVICES CO.: Well, after an eight-month layoff, I've started in the last couple weeks a contract position. It feels good to have a regular routine again.

COLLINS: All right!

BELL: Although I'm still unemployed, still looking -- or underemployed, looking for that full-time opportunity, but enjoying the chance to solve problems again.

COLLINS: Sure. Absolutely. Use your brain. And, you know, a lot of people have talked about sort of entertaining other options that they didn't think about before. Not just full-time, but maybe starting with part-time and some -- excuse me, consulting like this for you.

Wondering, though, what you might have heard last night in the president's address. Specifically that spoke to you and other people like you who are without full-time work right now.

BELL: Yes. I'm positive on the message I heard last night. My concern is, it's going to be a while for the jobs to come. A recent study I read from the Kauffman Foundation mentioned that from 1980 through 2005, entrepreneurial businesses or small businesses drove our job growth. If you take out that -- the jobs created during that period from small business, we're basically flat.

So my concern is, is there enough in the stimulus package to help small businesses? And I know there is some money in there. Is it enough?

COLLINS: Yes, well, hey, guess what, Eric, we have someone to talk about just that. Thank you for your sort of dissection of what you heard last night. Small businesses are feeling the squeeze. Faith Smith is a small business owner is a small business owner in Los Angeles joing us this morning. Faith, what did you hear last night with regard to small business owners?

FAITH SMITH, SMALL-BUSINESS OWNER: Well, I was impressed with the speech. He actually mentioned small business and entrepreneurship more than I actually thought he would. My concern is that the money goes to small business. And a lot of the money that's going to the banks is going to be going to small business to SBA loans to fuel small business and entrepreneurship.

From the past, my past experience, most of the money that goes, SBA lending and bank lending does not go to the actual entrepreneur, the small-business person. Most of those -- that money goes to large business and large corporations. So, I'm hoping that that's not going to happen, and I'm also hoping that most -- a lot of the money that's going to the banks is going to be specifically set aside for entrepreneurship and small business.

COLLINS: Yes. And obviously, there's been talk about nationalizing at least some of the banks, and people wondering what that means for the creation of small business.

SMITH: I think small business and entrepreneurship is going to be the fuel of the economy. He mentions, you know, the flow of credit is really going to be the lifeblood of the economy that's going to get us back on our feet.

Every person that I know has a passion for something. And I think that if there is enough money for people to actually pursue their passions and start their own businesses, they can be successful, produce jobs here in the United States, and that would revitalize the economy. I think the whole future is with small business and entrepreneurs.

COLLINS: Faith Smith, we sure do appreciate that. Thank you.

You know, the tough economy has met a drop in charitable donations, as well. Carlos Rodriguez from the Food Bank of New York City is joining us now to talk a little bit more about that. First, if you would, Carlos, tell us the situation there.

CARLOS RODRIGUEZ, FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY: Well, the Food Bank for New York City focuses on ending hunger by addressing poverty. And we have seen an incredible increase of family and individuals who need our services, and we're expecting that the problem is only going to get worse. One in four New Yorkers here lack savings to fall back on, and if they lost their jobs, they would immediately not be able to afford food.

COLLINS: So, did you hear anything last night, as you listened to the president, regarding your everyday work, and as we look at people here in our video that come to the food banks in New York City?

RODRIGUEZ: Yes, we heard -- I heard an important second step. So, what we basically need to do, what we know from the front lines is that we need to put food on the table, and money in the hands of New Yorkers who need it the most. Whether you're recently unemployed or underemployed, until the jobs kick in, and the economy takes a turn for the better, we need to make sure that basic needs are met. And that's what the food bank does through our food distribution, as well as by preparing taxes for the working poor and connecting families with important benefits like food stamps.

COLLINS: So, I guess what I'm trying to understand is, you heard from the president that the food banks will be stocked better? That there will be some sort of donation, that you will be able to keep food on your shelves?

RODRIGUEZ: The stimulus package that was just signed is going to increase government commodities. It's going to provide tax credits to the working poor and those who are recently unemployed who worked last year. And there also going to be improvements and increases to the food stamp program, as well.

COLLINS: All right. We sure do appreciate your time, Carlos Rodriguez out of New York City this morning.

Want to get now to Anthony Askowitz. The president talked a lot last night about the real estate market and mortgages, of course. Anthony is a Realtor/broker in Miami. Anthony, give us the picture there, other than looking beautiful behind you.

ANTHONY ASKOWITZ, REALTOR: Well, thank you, Heidi. If you're a buyer, looking to buy, there are many opportunities for you if you can get financing. Sellers, on the other hand, a lot of them are finding themselves upside down, where they owe more money on their mortgage than the house is worth. And those who have equity are actually competing against banks and foreclosures to sell their homes.

COLLINS: So, what about that? I mean, how do you get that financing, and how do you sell that house before you can get the financing to get the new house?

ASKOWITZ: Well, it's difficult. You oftentimes need a lot of money to put down, or through FHA financing, basically you can buy with 4.5 percent down and sellers can contribute towards your closing costs.

COLLINS: And you've also got to have something like near-perfect credit. Talk about foreclosures quickly, if you would.

ASKOWITZ: Foreclosures are the mainstay of our real estate economy, basically, right now in Miami. Almost 50 percent of all of our sales are foreclosure sales. But they are selling, and people are purchasing.

COLLINS: And you were happy or dissatisfied with what the president said to regard of foreclosures last night? ASKOWITZ: I'm very happy and very satisfied with what President Obama said last night. I think he hit on two main points that are very crucial to our real estate recovery. One is for those who are making payments or who are basically -- have potential, he is going to allow them to refinance their mortgage, and with that, it will come to about a $2,000 a month -- $2,000 a year savings.

Second thing that President Obama mentioned was that he's going to hold banks responsible to lend. Indeed, they -- he's going to want to see that they are lending this money and held accountable for all of the money that they have received.

COLLINS: All right. We appreciate your view, as well, Anthony Askowitz. And thanks to all of our guests, Anthony, Carlos Rodriguez, Faith Smith and Eric Bell. Sort of a snapshot across America. Thanks, guys, so much.

And we want to tell you about this. Our special documentary, "BLACK IN AMERICA," airs tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern. Soledad O'Brien explores the lives of african-American women and their families. She talks to them about single parenthood, the devastating toll of AIDS in the black community and progress of black women in the workplace.

How is the president's speech affecting the markets today? We're checking on that. Plus, a new report on existing home sales.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Big cuts coming at Ford. Executives taking a hit in the wallet as part of the plan to stay solvent.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: I'm proud that we passed a recovery plan free of earmarks. And I want to pass a budget next year that ensures that each dollar we spend reflects only our most important national priorities.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: On Wall Street, the current recession has ravaged the markets, pushing the Dow and the S&P 500 to nearly 12-year lows earlier this week. And when you look at some individual companies, you get a greater sense of the magnitude of the losses.

Susan Lisovicz is on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange now with some more details here. Susan, right now, about an hour into the trading day, a little more, we're down about 175 points for the Dow.

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Heidi. Yes, we got the Bernanke bounce, but we did not get the Obama ovation, and some of the things that traders are saying is there just wasn't really any specifics. With Bernanke, remember, he has prepared testimony. And then there's a lot of Q and A, so there was detail that went along with it. But to go along with your toss to me, Heidi, we have a little exercise that I'd like you to play along with.

COLLINS: OK.

LISOVICZ: All right. What costs more, Heidi, a spark plug or a share of GM, the largest American automaker?

COLLINS: Spark plug.

LISOVICZ: That is correct. The grease monkey that you are. I knew that! I knew you would know that.

COLLINS: Oh, and plus, we have the graphic up now that I can see and cheat.

(LAUGHTER)

LISOVICZ: Oh, I can't see that. I can't see that. The spark plug costs about $3. GM share costs under $2.50. It closed Friday at a price that we had last seen in the 1930s. OK, well, I guess you can see the screen.

COLLINS: I won't look.

LISOVICZ: What costs more, an ATM fee or a share of Citigroup, one of the largest financial companies?

COLLINS: An ATM fee.

LISOVICZ: Yes. And you should always go in network like I do. That's a pet peeve for me. That's right. ATM fees, on average, cost about $3. Citigroup shares trading under $2.50, compared to $55 a share in 2007.

Last question for you. What costs more, Heidi -- and all of America can play. A GE phone or a share of GE, a diversified company that has been known for consistent earnings and strong management? Heidi, I ask you.

COLLINS: Phone! A phone.

LISOVICZ: Yes. Yes. A GE phone at Target...

COLLINS: I am so smart.

LISOVICZ: ... retails for about $18. A GE share right now...

COLLINS: $9.08.

LISOVICZ: Under $9 -- or, I mean, this is just -- you know, for a younger investor, this is a buying opportunity. But these are also tricky times, because we have seen some actual bankruptcies, Linens 'n Things among them, Circuit City. And today, as you mentioned, stocks are pulling back.

Historically, Heidi, I just want to mention, "Investor's Business Daily" pointing out that the biggest -- oftentimes, the biggest one- day rallies occur during bear markets. And what we're seeing is the market pull back. The Dow is down 185 points. The Nasdaq is down 36. It's a roller-coaster ride again on Wall Street.

COLLINS: Yes. Where are the wizards that can tell us whether or not the market has hit the bottom?

LISOVICZ: Well, you know, actually there are -- you know, there was a forecast earlier this week from the National Association of Business Economics that says the S&P will end up at about $9.75 this year. And just so you know, that's the broadest of three major averages at 752 right now. So, it would be an increase of about 26 percent. So, there is optimism there. Whether it holds true, whether it comes true, we don't know just yet.

COLLINS: Yes. Absolutely. All right, I'm going to buy some spark plugs. Susan Lisovicz, thank you.

LISOVICZ: You're welcome.

COLLINS: Appreciate that.

This video just into us now. A warm welcome for Labor Secretary Hilda Solis. This is her first workday. As the custom, the Labor Department employees turned out in full force this morning to welcome their new boss. The Senate confirmed Solis as labor secretary just yesterday. Solis, who is from California, becomes the first Latina and the first person of Central American heritage to be apoimtded to a senior post in a Cabinet-level department.

Boy, I hope you have some severe weather over there to talk about now, because we sort of pulled out all of the stops and gave you your little animation, Rob Marciano.

ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: It's currently 61 degrees in Dallas.

COLLINS: That's rough.

MARCIANO: Might hit 80, yes. That's extreme. Thank you for playing that animation, though. We were having an internal debate with the producers in the control room, and I appreciate that. There will be severe weather somewhere in the world today and actually will be likely some tomorrow as well here in the U.S., so just be aware of that.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COLLINS: Rob Marciano, thank you, appreciate it.

MARCIANO: Sure thing.

COLLINS: Spice things up a bit. It's healthy. We take a trip to the spice market to show you what's good for you, and even in the middle of a recession, one automaker's success rolls on.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COLLINS: A trip to the market for spices may be better for your health than going to the medicine cabinet. Our chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, checks out some spices in India that you can also find closer to home.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: We're here at Old Dehli in the spice market. This may be one of the largest spice markets in all of Asia. Just look around you. All these carts and all these various stalls piled high with spices. Got to tell you, just being here reminds me very much of my mother. Our house was always filled with a distinctive smell of spices everywhere. She cooked these tasty, delicious foods that were often served with a healthy dose of, it's good for you. that's what she said.

Well, it turns out she may have been right. Science is starting to catch up with my mom. Several examples of spices here that have health benefits. Cumin, for example. Cumin is a very tasty sort of seed. It is thought to ward off prostate cancer, help with indigestion and asthma, as well.

When it comes to the star of the spice world, that title may belong to turmeric. It's got that golden yellow color, so distinctive. It is thought to boost brain power by warding off those plaques that can sometimes cause Alzheimer's.

There's also chili pepper. Everyone thinks of chili peppers when they think of spaces. They are very, very hot. I've had them. If they're too hot for you, know this, that you can get some beneficial effects of chili peppers without ever eating them. They take these chili peppers, put them into a body cream and use the active ingredient, known as capcazin, to help reduce arthritis.

And finally, ginger. Ginger's a staple of just about any Asian diet. One of the benefits of ginger, it can help reduce motion sickness. So, just some of the health benefits of the spices that we see here. I think I'm going to buy some. (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) Seventy rupees.

I'm Dr. Sanjay Gupta reporting from India.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Well, here's one ride the recession has not put the brakes on, believe it or not. You're looking at a live picture now from where the Rolls Royce rolls out.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Pay cuts are part of Ford's plan to stay afloat. The company's top two executives are taking a 30 percent hit for two years. Performance bonuses for employees and executives also being eliminated. This morning, the you United Auto Workers president urged members to approve contract concessions from Ford. Ford, unlike Chrysler and GM, did not get any federal bailout money. It's a different story at Rolls Royce. The luxury car company says sales are up. So, how are they doing so well? CNN's Jim Boulden takes us live now this morning to the manufacturing plant in Goodwood, England. Hey there, Jim.

JIM BOULDEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Heidi. What do you think? Beautiful. Dark blue car.

COLLINS: I'll take two.

BOULDEN: It's yours for 3 to $400,000. You know? It's amazing, isn't it? Last year, their sales for Rolls Royce, believe it or not, were up 20 percent for the entire 2008. That doesn't mean everything is going that well, though. Sales were down 10 percent in January.

But these are the super luxury cars. We used to think these were immune to recessions. But we've seen companies like Bentley, Aston Martin, Maserati, they've all said they are seeing sales falling.

Now, Rolls Royce is very positive about 2009. They have another car coming out later this year or early next year. It's going to be smaller than this huge car. It's going to cost a little less, as well, maybe around $240,000 to start.

But they think that's actually going to get more customers, especially North America, interested in Rolls Royce. Because believe it or not, North America is still the most important market for these beautiful cars. Nearly 40 percent of sales are coming from places like the U.S.

COLLINS: All right, Jim, something that we certainly hadn't thought about. Sure do appreciate it. Thanks so much, live from the plant there at Rolls Royce.

I'm Heidi Collins. You can join us again tomorrow morning beginning at 9 a.m. Eastern. For now, CNN NEWSROOM continues with Tony Harris.