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Brazilian Authorities Recover Three More Bodies From Doomed Air France Flight; Gingrich Reframes His Tweet; 41 Killed In Daycare Fire; White House Starts Health Care Push; Last House Standing

Aired June 07, 2009 - 14:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: An American killed inside Iraq's green zone today. Five American contractors are in custody.

And President Obama just arriving back in the U.S. after his trip to Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Live pictures right now as they get the jet way prepared for Air Force One, which has just arrived at Edwards Air Force Base in the Washington D.C. area. We'll elaborate a little a bit further on comments made this past week involving the president in his message to Muslims and non-Muslims around the world.

And it is being called the Amazon of the sea. A new wondrous discovery that may rival some of the most popular and spectacular sites ever seen underwater.

I'm Fredricka Whitfield and you are in the CNN NEWSROOM.

More now on the investigation off the coast of Brazil. Three more bodies have been found off the coast, where Air France Flight 447 disappeared one week ago. That brings the total number of bodies discovered now to five. The search continues for remains and for clues.

CNN's Karl Penhaul is on the phone with us.

So, Karl, you attended the news conference, again, this morning. What more did you learn?

KARL PENHAUL, CNN INT'L. CORRESPONDENT: Yes, exactly. The Brazilian authorities are saying those three bodies were recovered this morning. They now are on board a Brazilian navy vessel and being brought back toward dry land.

Now authorities said that they couldn't yet determine what sex those victims were. That seems to be some kind of indication either the bodies were bloated after being so many days in the sea, or perhaps that they had been mangled in some other way in the course of the air crash.

But they say, for reasons of good taste, and also not to overly distress the families they would only give information about the exact state of the bodies to the family members themselves. Now, in addition to those bodies, they also say that they have recovered at least two seats with the Air France logo on, just as a final confirmation that those are, in fact, from the 447 flight. They are checking serial numbers with details held by Air France.

And they also say that literally hundreds of other items of debris and luggage have been recovered from the ocean. They do say, though, again, they're not giving too many details of the luggage items recovered because they don't want to alarm the families if they happen to recognize descriptions of their loved ones' belongings, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Karl, does it appear the recovery of these newest items were all discovered in the same location as yesterday's discoveries?

PENHAUL: That's correct, yes. The authorities here say that the location where the items were recovered this morning is the same location as the -- as yesterday. They say that that is about 700 miles off the mainland of Brazil in a very deep ocean area, as well. They say the depth of the water there goes down to about 8,000 meters. A mammoth task recovering these items. But they also say that while that is the area where they're retrieving items, they're still searching in an overall area that is 200,000 square kilometers, that's about the size of the state of Nebraska, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Wow, pretty extraordinary. Thanks so much, Karl Penhaul for that report.

Meantime, overseas a mystery in Iraq. Five U.S. security contractors had been detained in the killing of another American contractor. It happened in Baghdad's heavily secured green zone. CNN's Phil Black is in Baghdad.

So, Phil, if any of the five detainees named as suspects can they be charged and prosecuted in Iraq or would that happen elsewhere?

PHIL BLACK, CNN INT'L. CORRESPONDENT: Well, potentially, indeed they could, is the short answer.

Let's begin, Fredricka, by going straight to the images of these men. The images that you should be seeing on screen now are the five American security contractors who have been picked up in connection with the murder of another American. They are being detained in a jail in the green zone. These images were made exclusively available to CNN through an Iraqi security source.

They all work, I can confirm, for the security company, CTU, or Corporate Training Unlimited. The names of those five men are Donald Feeney, he is the founder and CEO of that company. Michael Milligan (ph), another Donald Feeney, that is the other's son, Mark Bridges (ph) and Jason Morton (ph). They were all arrested early in the hours of Friday morning by Iraqi and U.S. forces in connection with the murder of James Kitterman. He is an American contractor, 60-year-old man from Houston, Texas, who operates - owns and operates a construction company that has some business here. He was found stabbed and bound in a vehicle in Baghdad's heavily fortified green zone.

Now, we are told that U.S. embassy officials have met with these five men and they are said to be in good spirits. The embassy's offering consular assistance.

In terms of a possible link between the alleged victim and these men, I spoke to the sons of one of the men who has -- is being held here now, that is, Donald Feeney, the founder of that company. He says his father does, in fact, know James Kitterman. They are lifelong friends, very close. They served together in the military, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Oh, a very sad sordid set of details. Thanks so much, Phil Black from Baghdad. More information as we get it on that.

Meantime, after almost a week overseas, President Barack Obama returns home as this was the scene just moments ago. The president stepping off of Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base making his way to Marine One for a short trip to the White House.

The president's overseas trip took him to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Germany, and France. It included his much-anticipated speech to the Muslim world.

I'm not sure -we're not looking at live pictures of Marine One getting ready to take off before it makes its way to the White House.

His speech marking the 65th anniversary of D-Day also took place, that was yesterday. CNN White House Correspondent Dan Lothian followed the president on this trip throughout. And he reports that the fanfare is over the diplomatic work now begins.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): He gave a handshake and hug to the Muslim world, then delivered a prescription for peace. Now, President Obama's trying to show the world that it was more than a goodwill gesture and a sightseeing trip. This week sending his special Middle East envoy George Mitchell to the region.

BARACK OBAMA, (D) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think the moment is now for us to act on what we all know to be the truth, which is each side is going to have to make some difficult compromises.

LOTHIAN: Mr. Obama is counting on world leaders like Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah and Egypt's Hosni Mubarak to be key players in dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Iran's nuclear ambitions; and fighting again terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan. German Chancellor Angela Merkel assured the president she's on the same page.

ANGELA MERKEL, GERMAN CHANCELLOR: I said, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany, that we would like to try and be helpful in this peace process to the extent this is possible to us.

LOTHIAN: There is the increasingly troubling question of what to do about North Korea, with its nuclear tests and missile launches. Meeting with French President Nicholas Sarkozy in Normandy, President Obama suggested there's a limit to his patience. OBAMA: I don't think that there should be an assumption that we will simply continue down a path in which North Korea is constantly destabilizing the region and we just react in the same ways by - after they have done these things for a while, then we reward them.

LOTHIAN (On camera): On his overseas trip, Mr. Obama also visited the Buchenwald Concentration Camp, and attended the 65th anniversary of D-Day, all part of a common theme: That the world community should engage to make sure that right triumphs over wrong.

Dan Lothian, CNN, Paris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Tomorrow, President Obama is set to meet with Vice President Joe Biden at the White House, talking about economic recovery. Thursday, the president travels to Green Bay, Wisconsin, for a town hall meeting.

The Associated Press reports a man who allegedly threatened to kill President Obama could appear in court tomorrow. Thirty-six-year- old Daniel James Murray arrested in Nevada this week. He is accused of making the threat while at a bank in Utah last month. His father and former neighbors are quoted as saying Murray is troubled, but not dangerous.

Grieving parents are beginning to bury their children after a day care fire killed dozens of infants and toddlers in northwestern Mexico. The death toll rose today to 41, after three more children died in hospitals. Witnesses tell CNN that parents rammed their cars into the building to try to free their trapped children.

CNN's Thelma Gutierrez, who is there, says one of the center's two doors was padlocked and windows were too high for the children to actually reach. Investigators still don't know exactly what caused the fire. They say it started in a warehouse next door. About two dozen children are hospitalized, many still in critical condition.

Two of the most badly burned children were transported to Sacramento, California. They are being treated by burn specialists at Shriner's Hospital for Children.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. TINA PALMIERI, SHRINER'S HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN: There are times when you to weigh the risk of the transport against the benefit. And when the risk is that it's likely the patient's going to die, pretty much most transports will show a benefit.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Both children are three years old. A little girl is in critical condition with burns over 80 percent of her body. The boy arrived at the hospital late yesterday. No other information on him has been released by the hospital. A team of medical experts is deciding if more burn victims will be brought to the U.S. for care. The sale of Chrysler runs into a roadblock. And for the dealers forced to shut their doors, what happens to all of those cars now sitting on the lots? We'll tell you about one possible solution.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Welcome back. Voting ended about two hours ago in Lebanon, where the anti-Western Hezbollah movement is trying to win control of parliament. CNN's Cal Perry is in Beirut.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CAL PERRY, CNN INT'L. CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Unprecedented security for an historic day in Lebanon.

The first time the entire country has voted on a single day. Sunday's vote will decide who becomes the majority bloc in the next parliament.

The March 14th Coalition currently holds that position; led by Saad Hariri and backed by the West, it is facing off against the March 8th Coalition, supported by Syria and Iran, and led by Hezbollah.

More than 200 international observers are watching the election. One of the monitors former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. I asked him about how this election could affect U.S.-Lebanese relations, and his thoughts on the last election he monitored here in the Middle East, Hamas' victory three years ago in Gaza.

JIMMY CARTER, FMR. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: That turned out to be a disaster. Hamas won fairly and squarely. Then Israel and the United States decided that it would not support a unity government and it has resulted in a split in the Palestinians and a very difficult situation there. I think they learned a hard lesson, that they should accept the results of an election.

PERRY: More than two dozen political parties make up the two major political blocs in Lebanon. And it may not be Shia or Sunni voters who decide the outcome.

(On camera): Now this election is expected to be very close, which means it could be the Christian community that really decides which way the election swings. For every thumb that is dipped in that ink, especially in this neighborhood, where it's majority Christian, that's a key vote. Because the Christian community is evenly split, some people believe, between the March 14th bloc and the March 8th bloc, so this is really a battleground neighborhood.

(Voice over): The battle at this polling station today seems to be logistics, too many people, too little space.

(On camera): We can already say that at this polling station, at least, crowd control has become an issue. The Lebanese security forces here are trying to deal with the amount of people that have come out to vote. Voter turn out has been very high in this district.

(Voice over): One of the reasons for the large voter turnout, tens of thousands of Lebanese citizens have flown in from abroad to cast their vote.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm from LA. I just came to Lebanon to vote. As much as I like to vote, it's just such a chaos.

It's because look at this, there is no line. There is no law. It's lawless. This is the country of Lebanon.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Impossible! Unbearable!

PERRY: Still, for all of the hiccups, democracy ruled the day in Lebanon. The question now, after every finger is dipped in purple ink, is Lebanon closer or farther away from long-term political stability?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And Cal Perry is with us now live. What happens once we do get the result?

PERRY: Well, Fredricka, you know, we've really crossed sort of the first major barrier, which was 12 hours of the polls opening with no reports of violence across the country. The coming days are almost more important than today's voting because that's going to be really we'll see the horse trading going on, the deals being made behind the scenes, to see how this government is really formed.

One we know whether it's the March 14th bloc, or the March 8th bloc that has a majority in the parliament, then they need to reconcile. These two groups are going to need to come to some kind of a consensus on the major issues, or this government will be in deadlock, as it really has been since 2005. Granted, there was a large war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006. But shortly thereafter these two political blocs have really been at a stalemate since, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And the outcomes could certainly dictate the response from the U.S. government as well, right?

PERRY: And the government of Israel. Certainly, that's something that's hanging over this vote, is how these two governments are actually going to react to the potential that the March 8th bloc comes into the majority of the parliament, as we heard from Jimmy Carter, there, he's hoping that lessons - as he says, have been learned by the new U.S. administration. That they would potentially open up some kind of engagement, some kind of a process of talking to Hezbollah.

WHITFIELD: Cal Perry, thanks so much from Beirut. Appreciate it.

All right. Here in this country the sale of Chrysler to Fiat could be delayed. Three Indiana pension funds filed papers with the Supreme Court early this morning in Washington asking the high court to block the sale. Their hope is to get a better deal with the -- with Fiat, rather.

Chrysler wants to sell most of its assets to Fiat as part of its plan to emerge from bankruptcy. A federal appeals court approved the sale on Friday.

Tuesday will mark the end of the road for nearly a 100 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealers. They'll no longer have the right to sell new Chrysler products. Among those being cut adrift, Carlos Planas, who has a Miami area dealership, and I spoke with him yesterday and asked him how many cars he still has and how he's going to unload them?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CARLOS PLANAS, CHRYSLER DEALER: I was one of the nice guys that believed in Chrysler and the chairman. I took over 300 units more. I have about 260 units left between now and Tuesday. I think I can move about 40 of them. So I will have approximately a little over 200 units.

WHITFIELD: So, you have about 260 units, or cars, we're talking, right? And you think you'll be able to sell them how, or move them how?

PLANAS: I will probably move about 40 or 50. The rest is on me -- the bad thing about it, after that day we no longer going to have hold backs, incentives, rebates, nothing. We have to take the loss on each one of them.

WHITFIELD: OK. So, you have to take big losses. Now, how willing are you to make these incredible deals in order to sell these vehicles? How do you do this? Are you saying you've got to have the cash only in order to make a purchase?

PLANAS: That's right, because the banks no longer go ahead and do any business with us. One of the things we're trying to do is to make sure that if Chrysler will do the same thing that GM is doing. They're paying them everything except about $300 less. So we are hoping that Jim Press and his comrades will go ahead and do the same thing that GM is doing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Tough situation for so many dealers. One option for Planas may be selling cars to a surviving Chrysler dealer. Chrysler factories are closed during the bankruptcy process, so no new orders will be filled until that process is complete.

All right, a wild stunt at the French Open. We'll show you what one fan did to get up close and personal with tennis star Roger Federer.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Roger Federer has become just the sixth man in tennis history to win all four Grand Slam championships. Federer defeated Robin Soderling to win the French Open today.

There was a brief delay, however, in the second set, when a spectator, waiving a flag, slipped on to the court. He tried to put a hat on Federer's head, oh, yeah, getting very close right there. Security guards eventually did manage to tackle him.

Play did resume after just a few moments. Even Federer said later, that he was just hoping to get back to going on the court and playing, but it was a little scary once he reflected on exactly what happened there.

Calvin Borel lost his bid to become the first jockey to win the Triple Crown riding three separate horses.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

Mine That Bird! And here is Summer Bird! And here is Summer Bird to win the Belmont Stakes!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Borel came in third on Mine That Bird at the Belmont Stakes yesterday. The winner, you heard the announcer there, another bird, an 11to 1 long shot. That horse named Summer Bird.

Let's talk about weather coming up. Thunderstorms, hail, possibly even tornadoes. Things could get quite messy in the Midwest today. Let's check in with Jacqui Jeras in the Severe Weather Center.

(WEATHER FORECAST)

WHITFIELD: All right. Well, he called her a racist and he's not taking it back. Instead, Newt Gingrich says he reframed what he said about Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: A quick look at what's happening right now. Five U.S. contractors have been detained in Iraq in connection with the death of another U.S. contractor. The dead man is identified as James Kitterman. He was found stabbed to death last month in a car parked in Baghdad's heavily protected green zone.

Votes are being counted in Lebanon after today's parliamentary election. The militant Hezbollah is hoping to oust Lebanon's pro- Western government.

President Barack Obama is back in the United States following his tour of the Middle East and Europe. First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha will remain in Paris for at least another day. Pictures right there after Marine One has landed back at White House; the president heading back now into the house.

Let's talk about what happens after the president gets unpacked and settled. CNN's Elaine Quijano is in Washington.

So, Elaine, let's talk, first, about North Korea, that is front and center for the president this week.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right, President Obama basically made clear this weekend that the U.S.' patience with North Korea is really wearing thin. Now, he didn't mention President Bush by name, but he criticized the Bush administration's approach on this issue. Now you remember it was last fall that Mr. Bush agreed to remove North Korea from the U.S.'s list of state sponsors of terrorism. This weekend Mr. Obama said his administration doesn't intend to continue, as he put it rewarding provocation. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: I don't think that there should be an assumption that we will simply continue down a path in which North Korea is constantly destabilizing the region, and we just react in the same ways, by after they have done these things for a while, then we reward them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUIJANO: Now, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the U.S. is looking at the possibility of putting North Korea back on the terrorism black list. But officials are also hoping that North Korea's provocative missile tests last month will lead to some tougher United Nations sanctions.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON, SECRETARY OF STATE: We do not take significant and effective action against the North Koreans now, we'll spark an arms race in Northeast Asia. I don't think anybody wants to see that.

QUIJANO: The bottom line is that there is enormous frustration among U.S. officials about how to really put pressure on the North Koreans and get them to do what they've promised to do, which is end their nuclear program -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And, Elaine, let's talk about something else happening in the near future.

This week, while President Obama just finished his five days overseas and he talked in large part about a message to the Middle East and to the Muslim community, I understand now special envoy no the Middle East, George Mitchell, is heading to the region to perhaps follow up on some of the things that the president said (INAUDIBLE).

QUIJANO: That's exactly right, Fredricka. Well, on the heels of President Obama's trip and that speech that you mentioned in the Muslim world, he is dispatching his envoy, George Mitchell, to the Middle East. And the hope really is that George Mitchell will be able to build momentum for Israel-Palestinian talks.

Now the big, immediate question, will there be any progress on getting Israel to freeze its settlement activity? That's something, of course, that we heard President Obama push for on this trip. Israel has so far resisted that call. We'll see whether anything changes on that front. Interesting to note, Fredricka, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now planning to give a major policy speech next week.

Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks so much, Elaine Quijano. All eyes will be on that region to see exactly what happens next.

All right, meantime, the Obama ladies, well, while the president is back home at the White House, they decided to stay abroad. First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia will stay another night in Paris. Sasha is actually spending her 8th birthday there. We're thinking the first lady and the first daughters will be bringing some, I guess, pretty full shopping bags home to the White House when they make their return.

All right. We'll be analyzing what was said during this presidential trip for some time to come. Here are some of the week's highlights.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I thought it was very important to come to the place where Islam began and to seek his majesty's counsel and to discuss with him many of the issues that we can find here in the Middle East.

Goodness. Wow, that's something there.

I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world. One based on mutual interest and mutual respect. And one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap and share common principles. Principles of justice and progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.

I think this is the best OTR so far.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, sir.

OBAMA: Huh?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Awesome.

OBAMA: Five guys is (ph) close.

That looks like me. Look at those ears.

Ultimately, the United States can't force peace upon the parties. But what we've tried to do is to clear away some of the misunderstandings so that we can at least begin to have frank dialogue. Now these sites have not lost their horror with the passage of time. As we were walking up, Elie said that these trees could talk. And there's a certain irony about the beauty of the landscape and the horror that took place here. More than half a century later, our grief and our outrage over what happened have not diminished. I will not forget what I have seen here today.

So when the ships landed here at Omaha, unimaginable hell rained down on the men inside. Many never made it out of the books. Amid the bleakest of circumstances, men who thought themselves ordinary found within themselves the ability to do something extraordinary. They fought for their moms and sweethearts back home, for the fellow warriors they came to know as brothers. To those men who achieved that victory 65 years ago, we thank you for your service. May God bless you. And may God bless the memory of all those who rest here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Again, President Obama back in the United States now. And, in fact, back at the White House as of just minutes ago.

Meantime, he gets to work on domestic issues now that he is back from his overseas travels. Tomorrow the president is set to meet with Vice President Joe Biden at the White House. They'll be talking about economic recovery. And then Thursday the president travels to Green Bay, Wisconsin, for a town hall meeting.

And his Supreme Court nominee will make more rounds in Washington. Critics have called Judge Sonia Sotomayor a racist. Well, today, one of those critics elaborated further. Let's talk about this with CNN deputy political director Paul Steinhauser.

Good to see you, Paul.

We're talking about Newt Gingrich, who, at the end of last week, had taken back the word racist. But then on morning television today, he kind of fudged on that a little bit, didn't he? A little bit of hedging where he says he's not rescinding it, but instead he is reframing his language. What does he mean?

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, exactly. Kind of rephrasing it because he still feels what she -- he's still troubled, very much troubled, with what she said, though he feels he shouldn't have used the word racist to label Sonia Sotomayor. Take a listen, as you mentioned, the former House speaker this morning on the Sunday talk shows. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HARRY SMITH, "FACE THE NATION": Let's talk about Sonia Sotomayor and what you said about her. You rescinded . . .

NEWT GINGRICH, FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER: Well, I reframed it. When I did a Twitter about her, having read what she said, I said that was racist. But I applied it to her as a person. The truth is, I don't know her as a person. It's clear that what she said was racist and it's clear, as far as somebody wrote we say racialist, if you prefer. And it's clear that she didn't just say it once. And I think one of the challenges for the administration is, having first chided me for language, then having said she didn't mean it, then having said she ought to restate it. Now they face the fact that she has said this, written about it, four or five times.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STEINHAUSER: Newt Gingrich there talking about that questionnaire, which Sonia Sotomayor gave to the Senate Judiciary Committee which says, in fact, yes, she used similar language about four or five times in speeches dating back to the early '90s. But, Fred, a lot of Republicans, I think, feel the same way that Newt Gingrich does, that these comments are troubling. It's not what she's done as a judge, but what she's said in her speeches where they have problems. But I think some Republicans may have quietly talked to Newt and said, listen, calling her a racist is not going to help our cause in the Senate.

WHITFIELD: Well, that's what makes it interesting because clearly there was that pressure coming from the GOP in the latter parts of the week, which is why he changed his language. But then coming out on morning television today, it seems like he's going back to the same kind of language that he said he was comfortable with using in the first place.

STEINHAUSER: Yes, except for the word "racist." He's not labeling her a racist anymore and he acknowledges maybe he shouldn't have gone so far. But, yes, he says that her language has some racist overtones. And it is a very fine line he's walking. And, remember, Newt Gingrich may be somebody who may want to run for the presidency for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012. And when you're somebody in that position, you need to be careful with what you say.

WHITFIELD: OK. Well, other people have opinions about Sonia Sotomayor and some recent polls indicate that. What do they say?

STEINHAUSER: Yes, take a look at these national numbers from Quinnipiac University. They polled over seven days. Almost 3,000 people polled. You can see here by more than a 2-1 margin, Americans approve of the nomination so far of Sonia Sotomayor to the high court. But take a look at that, 20 percent still very unsure. That's a lot of people who still haven't made up their minds. It's early yet. I think Americans will get to know this lady a lot better after the confirmation hearings.

When you break it down by party, there is a partisan divide. Take a look at these numbers. You can see Democrats overwhelmingly supporting her. Independents supporting her. Republicans, almost the majority against her. Only about three in 10 Republicans supporting her.

These numbers could change. It's very early, of course.

WHITFIELD: That's right. And still unclear whether it's going to be July or August, what the dates may be when Senate confirmations begin.

STEINHAUSER: Exactly. Democrats probably asking for July. Republicans would like to see it in September. Democrats have the votes, though, and they'll probably get their way.

Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks so much, Paul Steinhauser. Appreciate it.

STEINHAUSER: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right, let's talk about something else pretty disturbing. The death toll now from the Mexican daycare center fire rose to 41 today. Dozens of other children are in hospitals in Mexico and in the U.S. CNN's Thelma Gutierrez joins us now by phone from Hermosillo, Mexico, with the very latest.

So, Thelma, we understand that some of the funerals are actually taking place today. At same time, in the states, some children are recovering from critical burn injuries.

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's correct, Fredricka. This is a very, very sad scene here in (INAUDIBLE). This is the largest cemetery in Hermosillo (ph). And in a second you might be able to hear some music in the background. That's because they're playing some of the favorite music of some of the young victims as they wait for the mass funeral to begin.

Now, six children will be buried here today. Others are being interred at two other cemeteries in Hermosillo (ph). When we arrived, we saw dozens of workers digging graves and setting up chairs for all the parents. There are so many people here sitting down, waiting for this funeral to begin. Many are not related. They don't know the victim, but was say they are here to show their support.

But that death count, as you had mentioned, is now up to 41. Forty-one children who died in Friday's tragic ABC Daycare Center. One of the victims was two-year-old Paulette Avia (ph). Her mother, who runs a little cafe in town, told me that she never imagined that when she kissed her daughter good-bye on Friday morning, it would be the last time she would see her.

Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Oh, gosh, that's heartbreaking.

Now, Thelma, initially it was reported that there was a fire in a building, a structure nearby. Is that still the thinking? And, if so, what sparked that fire?

GUTIERREZ: Well, that is the big question. That is the question that is gnawing out here. One of these things, I can tell you, is that officials speculate that the fire did begin in a building that was nearby the daycare center. They believe it did not start in the actual center itself. But by the time it spread, one witness said that it was raining fire on the children because the fire spread along the ceiling.

Again, 26 children are now in the hospital and 12, Fredricka, I am told, are in very critical condition. Some have been flown to other states here in Mexico and two were flown to the Shriners Hospital in Sacramento, California, where they have a pediatric burn center. Just a terrible, terrible situation.

WHITFIELD: And all of these children five years and younger.

GUTIERREZ: Five years and younger.

WHITFIELD: Thelma Gutierrez, thanks so much, from Hermosillo, Mexico.

All right. Well, he wants it passed as soon as possible, but President Obama's government health care plan is hitting some roadblocks.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: President Obama arrived at the White House just minutes ago, wrapping up his trip to the Middle East and Europe. Before even before leaving France, the president was turning his attention to politics back home. He wants Congress to approve a new government-sponsored health insurance plan. CNN's Kate Bolduan reports the opposition is already digging in.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Winding down a trip focused on foreign policy, President Obama returns to make the big push on his number one domestic priority, health care reform.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The status quo is broken. We cannot continue this way. If we do nothing, everyone's health care will be put in jeopardy.

BOLDUAN: President Obama wants health care legislation on his desk by October. The White House and Democrats aim to ensure all Americans are covered. A draft bill by Senator Ted Kennedy, obtained by CNN, establishes a new government-run insurance option. Something Republicans strongly oppose, saying it threatens to drive private insurers from the market.

SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL, (R) MINORITY LEADER: The American people want health care decisions left up to families and doctors, not bureaucrats in Washington. They don't want a government takeover that denies or delays the care they need. And they don't want politicians telling them how much or what kind they can have.

BOLDUAN: Also under the draft bill, many individuals and employers would face penalties for going without insurance and it proposes the government subsidize premiums for people with incomes up to 500 percent of the poverty level. But the draft does not include specifics on how to pay for the health care overhaul.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you so much for coming.

BOLDUAN: This weekend, the Democratic Party's advocacy arm, Organizing for America, kicked off a campaign-style lobbying effort hosting meetings across the country to build public support for the health care push. Republicans, fighting for a seat at the bargaining table, say efforts like these aren't helping.

REP. ROY BLUNT, (R) MISSOURI: Activating the grassroots effort from the campaign is one way to keep your campaign effort alive. It's not a particularly effective way to create a bipartisan solution to an important problem.

BOLDUAN: Senator Kennedy's office insists the draft bill is just that, a draft, meaning it's not final and could change dramatically as the big health care debate begins in Congress.

Kate Bolduan, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Calling it the last home standing. Remember that image? We'll take you back to the shores of Galveston for a look at how they're recovering following Hurricane Ike.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. An extremely constructive day at the beach. Hundreds of architects had just that in Galveston, Texas, yesterday. They took part in a fiercely competitive sand castle building contest. The competition wasn't all about castles. Oh, quite elaborate. That's pretty cool. The sculptors competed in several different categories with winners receiving the highly coveted Golden Bucket Award.

All right, a drastically different scene on the same beach just nine months ago. On September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike roared ashore devastating Galveston County. CNN's meteorologist Jacqui Jeras recently visited that area again.

An eye-opening experience.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, it was.

WHITFIELD: And it's nice to see that there was a little departure with the sand castle building, but that's not what was going on when you were there.

JERAS: Oh, yes. Well, you know, a little bit of both, really. They're kind of in that in between stage.

WHITFIELD: Different kind of building.

JERAS: Well, yes, that kind of building too. But it's great to see, you know, all the tourists on the beach. That's a huge part of what they're relying on really . . .

WHITFIELD: Oh, they need that.

JERAS: Yes, to help recover. And you saw our story yesterday, the strand (ph) district. The historic business area in downtown Galveston also had a reopening this week. So there's a lot of progress being made.

But the one image, and, Fredricka, you know, I don't know if you remember off the top of your head, but as soon as you see these pictures, you're going to remember it, the image that stands in my mind when I think about Hurricane Ike is that yellow house that was all by itself.

WHITFIELD: I do remember that, actually. I know, I do remember that.

JERAS: Yes, on the Bolover (ph) peninsula. So we checked in with . . .

WHITFIELD: I was looking . . .

JERAS: Oh, is it there?

WHITFIELD: No, it's not there.

JERAS: Well, it's in the story.

WHITFIELD: I do remember that image.

JERAS: Yes, Pam and Warren Adams. They own that house. And we wanted to check in and see if they can get in the house and if it's livable and how they're recovering.

WHITFIELD: Yes, I'm curious.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The wind is crazy.

WARREN ADAMS, HURRICANE IKE VICTIM: So we're all sitting there glued to the TV watching. And as the chopper made its turn to go back to the west, its cameras came upon our house. And still emotional there. But we saw it.

JERAS (voice-over): Warren and Pam Adams' house became for some the symbol of hope along the Texas coast after Hurricane Ike. The last house standing was a sign that there would be a future. But what appeared to be a totally intact house turned into one of the greatest challenges of Warren Adams' life.

ADAMS: We got water inside and tore up this deck on this side. And a lot of sheet rock damage. All the floors were damaged. All the cabinets and stuff.

JERAS: The damage was worse than expected.

ADAMS: When the wind hits the house, you know, it sort of makes it -- twists it back and forth and it breaks the sheet rock in the joints. Breaks those loose.

This is my temporary quarters.

JERAS: Adams wasted no time moving into a trailer on the property to oversee every step of the repair project.

ADAMS: We're working out of our pocket right now, but we're getting to the point where we're going to have to rely on some finances that are due us.

All this stuff right here has to be cleaned.

JERAS: Despite financial frustrations with his insurance company, Adams' spirit remains high. He inspired others in the area over the holidays by putting up Christmas lights. And he hopes this new deck being constructed will now encourage others to rebuild.

ADAMS: A lot of people come to me for advise. I said if you want to build and your heart is set on building out there, go for it. Take your chances. That's what it's all about anyway, you know, right?

JERAS: Eight months after Ike, Adams' dream house he calls "Fantasy" is still the only one standing for 11.5 miles. He sits beachfront now, instead of three houses inland, but says the great view of the gulf doesn't match having great friends to share it with.

ADAMS: It's not going to be as great as it used to when you don't have all of your neighbors, you know, that were down here. But I'm sure, in time, people will come back. There's (ph) a lot of people like me who love the beach.

JERAS: Adams hopes that he can finish "Fantasy" by the end of July and get back to a relaxing retirement.

JERAS (on camera): Are you excited?

ADAMS: Sure, I am. Oh, I can't wait to get this thing back together. It's been so long. Like I said, it's eight months now. So I'm really looking forward to it. Looking forward to sitting right where we're sitting. But all the handrails painted white and the house back to its natural yellow color.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Wow. Seems very lonely, but I guess it is understandable why he would want to hold on to it. Well, what's his reason to why they want to stick it out and be the only one for 11 miles, the only house?

JERAS: Yes. Well, you know, this was the retirement home that he and his wife built together and this is how they want to spend their lives. He says he loves the beach and he said anywhere that you live, you're going to have risks. If you live in California, you have to worry about earthquakes and wildfires. If you live in the plains, you have to worry about tornados. And if you live on the beach, you've got to worry about hurricanes. WHITFIELD: They can't get insurance, though, can they?

JERAS: I'm not sure. He has insurance right now and he's gotten some money but not all of his insurance money. So he's been working a lot out of pocket and dipping into his 401(k). And that's, you know, a story that we've heard a lot with other people who are trying to rebuild in the area as well.

But he's just -- he's a man with a mission. He's very motivated and he definitely wants to stay on the beach. But, yes, he hopeful once everything is up, he's going to invite all of his friends down, he said, and hopefully that will help encourage them to keep him some company on the beach.

WHITFIELD: Oh, well, good for them. Good for them. Well, they have to consider themselves the lucky ones.

JERAS: Absolutely.

WHITFIELD: It's often when areas are devastated by hurricanes, it is difficult to -- in order to get insurance again because insurance companies figure it is just too high risk. But good for them that they are hanging in there. So I'm sure you'll be invited to the christening party when it happens.

JERAS: Yes. He said he's getting a big barbecue smoker and that, yes, me and the crew were invited down.

WHITFIELD: (INAUDIBLE). Excellent. All right, thanks so much, Jacqui, appreciate it. Appreciate the look back. Hard to believe just eight months ago.

All right. Much more in the NEWSROOM right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Welcome back do the NEWSROOM.

You know it's commencement season, but this particular commencement has to be up there with the most unique and most special. This man right here who's speaking, David St. Auven (ph), is a U.S. Army Reserve, but he's also a principal of a high school in Goodrich, Michigan. Right now he is serving in Baghdad, where he has been since November of 2008. And because he's a principal and he's a member of the Army Reserve, serving both country and dedicated to students, he is conducting the commencement address for the high school graduation for the class of 2009 of Goodrich High School and he is bringing his comments to them directly. Want to listen in just for a hot second. Just for a couple seconds.

DAVID ST. AUVEN: Outstanding. Absolutely outstanding. And, just, Bob . . .

WHITFIELD: Well, he's absolutely outstanding too. The principal and also Army reservist, now serving in Baghdad, delivering the commencement ceremonies for Goodrich High School in Goodrich, Michigan.

We'll have much more news straight ahead in the 4:00 Eastern hour.