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Snowmageddon Hits East Coast, Drifting, Heavy Snow, Brings Everything To A Standstill; Obama Pep Talks DNC; Mudslides Hit Southern California; American Missionaries Remain in Haitian Prison

Aired February 06, 2010 - 16:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: President Barack Obama gave the Democratic National Committee a pep talk today at its winter meeting today. He says he hasn't given up on health care reform. And he urged Democrats to stay focused on their goals.

And out west, mud slides hit southern California damaging cars and homes and closing roads north of Los Angeles. The fire department said at least 41 homes have been damaged and 500 people have been evacuated.

And the American missionaries who tried to take allegedly 33 children out of Haiti will remain in jail as they await trial on kidnapping charges. The judge turned down a motion to free them while the case is being decided.

So this is what it looks like across a large part of the east right now. Take a look. Nearly two feet of snow covers the nation's capital. And Washington isn't alone. The storm area stretches from Virginia to Pennsylvania and New Jersey, from Indiana all the way to the eastern seaboard. Almost half our country, right? Philadelphia woke up to nearly 18 inches of accumulation.

With the snow still falling, road crews are having trouble keeping up with it all. Airports have been closed and trains have been cancelled. New Jersey governor Chris Christie is urging people to stay inside. And that's what we are hearing from a lot of government leaders in the mid-Atlantic states. Just simply stay inside. Because it's just too difficult to get around.

Bonnie Schneider in the severe weather center. Wow, this is one huge snowstorm - again!

BONNIE SCHNEIDER, AMS METEOROLOGIST: It's interesting for New Jersey. Half the state in a terrible snowstorm. The other half, what do you mean? It's not bad. The south is where the heaviest snow has accumulated, Fredricka. And one city that's been hit hard and will likely officially confirm that a record has been broken, I anticipate that, is Baltimore. We have over 26 inches of snow on the ground.

We have a live picture to show you of Baltimore at this hour. Yes, it is snowy, but you know, I have to say that we looked at the same picture earlier on. And it looked a lot worse. Because we did have the blowing snow across the region and that made for some tough travel conditions. We definitely saw a whiteout situation. We still have the blizzard warning going into effect until 10:00 p.m. tonight. So keep that in mind.

The latest picture right now shows the heaviest snow still over the Washington, D.C. area until you just can't catch a break. Because when we look at the D.C. area - I want to zoom in so you can get a better idea where the heavy bands of snow are. See the brighter white here on the radar? Each individual band comes sweeping through and you have those strong wind gusts as well. Snowfall rates could be up to two inches an hour. So it's not shutting off just yet. The snowstorm is perpetuating itself for quite some time.

We're also getting some improvements into the Philadelphia area. Some of the snow in this region is starting to shut down a bit from north to south. But we can still see in Glassburn, New Jersey, just on the border there of Pennsylvania/New Jersey we're still getting more snow, as I mentioned. So to the north, it's definitely a lot better than it is to the south.

How about the winds? The winds are intense. In Atlantic City winds are sustained at about 35 miles per hour. Even stronger at times and in Virginia Beach as well, very strong winds but we are looking at lighter winds the further westward you go. You know, this has been an incredible storm. And I wanted to show you the set up.

The low offshore manages to keep the snow almost at a complete horizontal line right through here. But then you see drying conditions through New England - this low is actually pulling down drier air, Fredricka, and that's acting as a blocking mechanism so it just shuts off, as I mentioned, half the state of New Jersey, you can see is just really, that's it. No more snow. It's really fascinating to watch the story.

WHITFIELD: Very severe like that, isn't?

SCHNEIDER: Yes. But it's not over yet. We still have the blizzard warnings until 10:00 tonight. And then tomorrow we'll wake up and we'll be shoveling out.

WHITFIELD: Oh, boy. Yes, that's the real hard work, especially when it kind of hardens and even heavier.

SCHNEIDER: Yes. And it will be cold, too.

WHITFIELD: Yes. All right. Thanks so much. You did say a record in Baltimore already?

SCHNEIDER: I'm anticipating that. Yes.

WHITFIELD: Well, let's see if D.C. is soon to follow. Our Sara Lee is in the nation's capital right now where it has been slow going in so many parts, even though you see that snow plow there. Kind of a rare sight lately, isn't, Sara?

SARA LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Certainly is. And you know, we're at the point, Fredricka, where we are not measuring the snow here in inches but in feet. So take a look at this as I walk through. We are in the National Mall, which you see behind me is the east wing of the National Gallery. Now full disclosure, I'm not a very big person, only about 5'2", but still this is an impressive amount of snowfall. And it has closed all the museums here at the Smithsonian which you know are usually open and free to the public so people are out and about, probably the best way for them to get around is by foot.

Even we're seeing some snow ski tracks here from cross-country skiers that came through here because the roads - they are doing their best to keep up, doing their best that they can, but still as you can see behind me, you're not seeing any black pavement right now because frankly locally the jurisdictions here are just running out of money.

Here's what we heard earlier from the district Department of Transportation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KARYN LE BLANCE, DC DEPT. FO TRANSPORTATION: We're not cutting back on any services. You know, we are a city. We are the nation's capital. We have to get people in here. We have a lot of people who have to come down here. The federal government, our own D.C. government as well as lots of retail and restaurant people that are relying on us to be open. So we have to get ourselves back open again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEE: So, again, a city that just cannot shut down. So they're going to do what they have to do to keep things operational. They're saying that they just have to take it one day at a time and figure out where that money is going to come from.

Now, really, when there is this much snowfall on the ground people really kind of have their inner child coming out. There was a massive snowball fight earlier today. It's probably still going on actually. Estimated thousands of people outside enjoying the snow, pelting each other.

WHITFIELD: Those must be George Washington University students or something.

LEE: Well, actually, I think just people in the neighborhood and frankly -

WHITFIELD: Really?

LEE: Only in Washington, D.C.. Apparently there was a full disclaimer that people had to sign off on to participate in that. Only in Washington, D.C.

WHITFIELD: I see. So this was a Facebook-organized snowball party bash something or other.

LEE: That's right. It went out on Facebook, went out on Twitter even. So they're saying, at least 1,000 people are out there and they divided themselves up by neighborhood. So it was sort of north Dupont Circle versus south Dupont Circle. Having lots of fun out there.

WHITFIELD: Very fun. All right, Sara Lee. We appreciate that.

All right. Well, President Barack Obama is on the defensive today in this snowy snowstorm weekend speaking at the winter meeting of the Democratic National Convention. He urged party members to focus on his agenda which includes getting Americans working again.

Let's bring in our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux. Oh, where is she?

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: I'm here, Fred.

WHITFIELD: That's hilarious. You finally got that, I don't know, hot cocoa from the Obamas there.

MALVEAUX: We're still working on that here but I could be anywhere -

WHITFIELD: You're in a winter wonderland.

MALVEAUX: The forest or I could be in someone's backyard but we're here at the White House. This is the north lawn. I wanted to show you real quick, this is Pebble Beach. And this is where obviously all of the bank of cameras, and lights and everything under about two feet of snow now. Many of our colleagues are home and inside, but we have been outside pretty much all day here.

I want to show you here, this is the north lawn and the north portico. The residence and obviously the first family has been snowed in all day. But they have done a really good job - not the president himself, but clearly the National Parks Service, in getting some of these vehicles out. You can see, it's pretty much cleared out there in the front driveway.

We have watched the National Park Service, the presidential snowmobile, if you will and snow blowers out here since the last 24 hours or so, making sure that the motorcade was able to get out of here and get out on time. The president went to a DNC winter meeting and that is where he is really trying to pump up, Fred, members of his own party to not abandon the Democratic agenda, not to abandon the administration's agenda. He focused on health care reform and he focused on creating jobs. It was really very much like a campaign event.

I want you to take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: For all the stories we have heard, after all the campaigns we've waged, after all the promises we've made, this is our best chance to deliver change that the American people need. And if we do that, if we speak to the hopes of the American people, instead of their fears, if we inspire them instead of divide them, if we respond to their challenges with the same sense of urgency they feel in their own lives we're not just going win elections, elections will take care of themselves. We will once again be the party that turns around the economy and moves this country forward and secures the American dream for another generation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: So, Fred, obviously what the president is trying to do is really encourage members of his own party to get out there and to be aggressive when it comes to the Democratic agenda. He especially wants them to come back, perhaps as early as Monday. We'll see how this weather cooperates, at least on the Senate side to get those Democrats back in full force to introduce a bipartisan jobs bill.

That would be a huge success for the president but clearly he's going to need to do a lot of convincing, some more convincing, when it comes to the Republicans. Fred.

WHITFIELD: And Suzanne this weather almost proved too treacherous for even the White House motorcade.

MALVEAUX: Well, it was really - kind of a scary moment. I want you to take a look at this video. This was the presidential motorcade, it was returning from that event that we had just seen. And there was a free branch that basically, under the weight of the snow snapped, and collapsed and fell on top of one of the vehicles in the presidential motorcade. It was not the president's vehicle.

Fortunately he was a couple of cars ahead. It was one of the press vehicles and immediately the White House spokesman and some others jumped out of the vehicle. They got that branch out of the way and were able to continue on, to move on. Nobody was hurt. The president was fine but clearly it was one of those moments where, you know, even if you're in the presidential motorcade this weather is pretty severe. And so everybody's trying to be careful.

WHITFIELD: And Suzanne, where you're standing right now. That's a postcard moment. I'm waiting to see little Beau and Sasha and Malia to kind of emerge there from the resident quarters.

MALVEAUX: I want that hot chocolate. I want the snowman, the whole thing.

WHITFIELD: Come on.

MALVEAUX: I just got an e-mail from my neighbors who said 25 inches of snow in my driveway. So after this day is done I think I got to start shoveling out.

WHITFIELD: You have a little shoveling to do. All right. Suzanne Malveaux, thanks so much at the White House.

MALVEAUX: Thanks, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. And be sure to catch the first lady Tuesday on CNN, a "Larry King Live" primetime exclusive with Michelle Obama on the first family's first year in the White House. "Larry King Live" Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. Eastern, only on CNN.

All right. To Haiti now. A group of American missionaries jailed there on charges of trying to kidnap Haitian children. We take a look at the group's controversial leader and her troubled history.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Ten Americans jailed in Haiti on kidnapping charges are awaiting a court hearing on Monday or Tuesday of next week. The group is accused of kidnapping 33 Haitian children and trying to take them out of the country. They were arrested trying to cross the border into the Dominican Republic.

U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton says this is a matter for the Haitian courts to decide. Well, the group's Haitian lawyer says nine of the Americans were caught up in actions they did not understand. Not so for group leader Laura Silsby. The attorney says she knew the missionaries could not take the children out of Haiti without proper paperwork.

CNN's Dan Simon has more on the woman who organized the ill-fated mission.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): She's been described as the consummate go-getter, a single mother who started her own business and helped disadvantaged children around the world.

BRYAN JACK, FMR. SILSBY EMPLOYEE: She has a way of getting what she asks for.

SIMON: But Bryan Jack, a manager at Laura Silsby's Idaho company says she also has another reputation with several employees.

JACK: It mainly comes down to promising a bill of goods that were never delivered.

SIMON: Silsby is facing deep financial problems. The bank foreclosed on her home and her business, an online retailer once thriving has been the target of numerous lawsuits which have alleged she's been delinquent with payments. Employee Bryan Jack filed suit just this week complaining he'd been told repeatedly he would be paid for back wages but wasn't.

(on camera): Silsby's world was closing in as she left Idaho for Haiti and that may help explain why the mission was so disorganized. Many have wondered why for such an ambitious mission she and the group failed to clear the basic hurdles such as paperwork to transport Haitian children and registration as an adoption agency.

JACK: In my heart, I think she probably went down there with good intentions to help people that were in trouble, but it's a lack of foresight and planning once again. She did it in her business life and it seems to follow her in her personal life.

SIMON (voice-over): This is what Silsby told CNN shortly after being taken into custody.

SILSBY: We know that the truth ultimately is we came here to help the children. And we know god will reveal truth. And we're just praying for that and trusting him. Because we came here knowing this was his mission, not ours.

SIMON: As the questions began to mount in recent days, her church pastor came to her defense. I asked whether he had any concerns about Silsby never running an orphanage.

(on camera): Is that problematic?

REV. CLINT HENRY, CENTRAL VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH: Well, you know, we're talking about a mom for one thing. And she's raised children. We're also talking about a woman who has been a businesswoman. So the idea of knowing how to run a business, all of that was already in place.

LAURA SILSBY: It is such an honor to be here.

SIMON: In 2006 Silsby won an award from a national women's business group. The committee made note of her charitable work saying she'd given hope to countless families around the world. She is also a respected member of her church and that's why several members jumped at the chance to join her in establishing an orphanage.

SEAN LANKFORD, WIFE AND DAUGHTER CHARGED: They were actually, were asked if they would like to help. When they were asked they both said, yes!

SIMON: Sean Lankford's wife and daughter volunteered to go with Silsby, just a few days before leaving.

LANKFORD: I know their character. I know that they did not believe that they were doing anything that was illegal. I absolutely know that. I mean, I'd stake my life on that.

SIMON: Now the question is whether their leader led them down an illegal path.

Dan Simon, CNN, Meridian, Idaho.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And a double whammy in southern California. Last summer's wildfires left the hills bare. Well, now torrential rains are triggering mud slides.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: A look at our top stories now. U.S. military officials are searching for an American civilian who disappeared in Baghdad last month. (INAUDIBLE) of El Calhoun, California, worked for the U.S. Army. It's not clear whether he's the man who appears in a newly surface video on an Iraqi web site. And a 14-year-old Madison, Alabama boy has been charged with murder. Police say he shot a classmate at a local middle school and calmly walked off as panic erupted. Madison is a city of 38,500 residents near Huntsville. A town meeting is set for tomorrow.

A positive sign for Prius owners worried about problems with brakes. Toyota is promising to unveil a fix soon. The automaker blames the trouble on a software glitch and says it's already taken care of cars on its production lines and dealers could get word of a solution to the braking issue for all the sold vehicles by next week.

An intense winter storm is bringing mud slides and flooding to areas of southern California hit by wildfires last summer. A raging wall of mud and water damaged at least 10 homes in the Los Angeles suburbs of La Canada, Flintridge today.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Let's talk more about what's taking place in southern California. Huge mud slides are taking place in the very area that was hit hard last summer by storms in the form of fire. So all the fire just kind of stripped the hillsides bare and now you've got a whole lot of rain taking place in southern California. And it is causing the kind of mud slides you see right there with cars simply deluged by mud.

So on the phone with us now, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Nicole Nishida. I understand you're about to go into a briefing. Nicole, what can you tell me right now about how widespread this damage is?

NICOLE NISHIDA, L.A. COUNTY SHERIFF DEPT. SPOKESPERSON (ON THE PHONE): Well, at this point, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is approximately 500 homes we are going to (INAUDIBLE) evacuate 500 homes in the (INAUDIBLE) area. It's reported that the next weather storm system is coming in around 1:00 to 2:00 with intense rainfall.

So we want to get these residents out of harm's way. We are doing it by doing door-to-door notifications as well as utilizing the reverse 9-1-1 system.

WHITFIELD: My goodness. We are looking at the images right now. And these are no ordinary mud slides. This is in a very big way. You mentioned about hundred homes or just say 500 homes?

NISHIDA: About 500 homes. Some of the footage you may be seeing is in the Ocean View area which were 16 homes, but we have additionally incorporated 500 homes like previously two weeks ago that we did evacuate. And these are homes that are in harm's way of mud and debris.

WHITFIELD: How are you assisting in the evacuation since from these images a lot of roads are simply impassable and, you know, cars are being tossed around by this mud which is running like a strong river? NISHIDA: It is very hard at this point. I have seen a lot of tow trucks because k-rails and vehicles have been pushed so far. I mean blocks away from where they were situated on the street. Tow trucks are coming to get cars out of the way. We have had a lot of bulldozers in the area to get the mud and debris off the streets but it's hard for access into these roads that have been affected.

WHITFIELD: Nicole Nishida, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's spokesperson, we're going to let you go into that briefing and we'll touch base with you after the briefing momentarily.

All right. Well from the mud slides to blizzards. Getting around outside today is presenting a whole lot of challenges out there, especially for people living in the nation's capital. Take a look at these live pictures right now. Weather updates straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Another Nicholas Sparks romance comes to the big screen in "Dear John" and John Travolta is sporting a completely new look in the action flick "From Paris With Love."

Ben Mankiewicz, host of "Turner Classic Movies," is in Los Angeles. You are just all over the place. Vegas, D.C., Atlanta and now Los Angeles. Good to see you.

BEN MANKIEWICZ, "TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES" HOST: You, too, Fred. How are you?

WHITFIELD: I'm doing pretty good. OK. Let's talk about "Dear John," Channing Tatum, a new heart throb - maybe he's not new but he's new to me -

MANKIEWICZ: He's also not little.

WHITFIELD: OK, true. He's not little. He's a handsome young man. Let's watch this clip.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dear John, two weeks together. That's all it took. Two weeks for me to fall in love with you. Now we're one year apart but one's year apart if we're two weeks like that together.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: So, what are your thoughts on this one?

MANKIEWICZ: Oh, I'm sorry. Is that clip over? I drifted off.

WHITFIELD: Oh, man.

MANKIEWICZ: You know -

(LAUGHTER) WHITFIELD: It was a moment.

MANKIEWICZ: It was a moment and actually the guy you're seeing right there Richard Jenkins, he plays Channing Tatum's father. And Richard Jenkins is such a good actor that he really elevates the movie. It's actually, I'm making fun of it a little bit there, but it is actually not that bad. I think it falls somewhere in the middle of the Nicholas Sparks adaptations. It's certainly not as good as "The Notebook", but it is better than many. It's OK.

WHITFIELD: It looks like it is a tearjerker, too. Did it make you cry?

MANKIEWICZ: It's a tearjerker, but it is such a deliberate tearjerker that it takes away some of the authenticity and it requires sort of such intense emotion from the actors. And I don't think either of them quite delivers. She's better than he is, but he's so stoic, it never moves beyond stoic as a soldier who, following 9/11, has to go back overseas and keeps re-upping, delaying his time with her. Meanwhile, she falls in love with somebody else.

There is something about him. You see what is-he has great charisma and he has a screen presence. In a guide to understanding your saints and also in fighting he's been pretty good. He's just not quite good enough here to carry this. It's all right. It's not bad. It's exactly what you expect it to be. The ending is a bit of a surprise. I'll give them some credit for that. It's a very average film. I give it a C. I feared it would be unwatchable and it's certainly not unwatchable.

The director Les Halstrom who did has done "The Cider House Rules", the "Chocolate", among other films. He knows what he's doing so it makes it less of a stereotype cal boiler plant than you might expect.

WHITFIELD: OK, good. "From Paris With Love", John Travolta. Folks just love to go see him no matter what he plays. Will they be happy with the movie?

MANKIEWICZ: Well -- you know, I don't know. I think that not if they care about movies. After I saw this movie, I immediately went home and I read reviews from other critics, Fred. Because my big fear was that I was missing something. I thought, is this a satire?

WHITFIELD: Hold it right there. Let's see if we feel the same way. By this little clip.

(BEGIN MOVIE CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's a suicide bomber inside the embassy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've got you working with our top operative, Charlie Wax.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Until death do us part.

(END MOVIE CLIP)

WHITFIELD: OK, you can continue.

MANKIEWICZ: All right. I legitimately thought, is this a satire? Is this a parody? Am I missing something. Is this a parody of action movies? Because I really -- you know, when you're a film critic you try not to engage in over the top superlatives. This is one of the worst movies I have seen in some time.

WHITFIELD: Oh, no.

MANKIEWICZ: It's terrible. It's a series of sort of gratuitously violent moments that have no sort of connection to the previous gratuitously violent moment. John Travolta is so over the top that I actually got a little uncomfortable. He's sporting a new look. It is a series of bad guys who have guns like Travolta, but as you are seeing right here, what they do is they run up into the open where there is no cover, so they can be shot by him. It happens like maybe 70 times.

WHITFIELD: But probably so they could do a really good slow-mo.

MANKIEWICZ: Yes, it doesn't feel like there is any-- there is no flow to the violence either. It doesn't make any sense. Jonathan Rhys-Myers sounds like an Irish guy trying to do an American accent. I thought he was joking. I really don't understand what happened with this film. It is directed by Pierre Morel, who did "Taken" last year, which was so surprisingly good. But I really think this is a disaster. This is an F.

WHITFIELD: Oh, yikes. That's harsh.

MANKIEWICZ: Sorry.

WHITFIELD: We'll truncate this a little bit and we are not going to talk about DVD's. Usually we save that for the second hit we have with you, but we'll squeeze it in right now. Two in particular, "Zombieland" and "Amelia." Let's talk about "Zombieland" first.

MANKIEWICZ: "Zombieland" I really enjoyed. There is no question about it. "Zombieland" is a parody. "Zombieland" is a satire. It's tough. Also when you're a critic you don't want to rule out a genre, you don't want to have blanket assumptions about not liking certain kinds of movies.

I'm not a the biggest fan of zombie movies, so I may not be the perfect candidate to totally get a satire of zombie movies, but this is done so well. Woody Harrelson is very good. Jessie Isenberg (ph) is good. The script is really sharp, it really moves along. This is a successful movie. I gave it a B-plus. I liked it a lot.

WHITFIELD: So no surprises, with the title, "Zombieland", you know it's about zombies. How about "Amelia"? Amelia Earhart.

MANKIEWICZ: But again, it is really. Amelia Earhart, you know, bio pics they carry a fairly significant burden with them. This one I would call largely a failure. This is surprisingly dull.

WHITFIELD: You were not willing to take flight with it.

MANKIEWICZ: I was not willing to take flight with "Amelia". It didn't do very well. It wasn't that well received. It's easy to understand why. It's not terrible, but if we are going to do it quickly, I would say, by and large, you should skip "Amelia".

WHITFIELD: All right. We'll talk about Oscars -- sort of, kind of, in a way even though they haven't happened yet, we have heard about the nominees.

Oscars will actually be handed out next month, however next time we see you, Ben, you will talk about who might be going home with the golden statue.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: OK, so Oscar is trying something new. The field of contenders has expanded. Ten films are nominated in best picture race. That's double what we have seen in the past. Ben Mankiewicz, host of Turner Classic Movies is here to share his thoughts on the changes. Do you like the idea that they have, you know, kind of widened the berth here?

MANKIEWICZ: Yes, I do, Fred. I liked when they announced they were going to do it and I like it now. I don't think there is anything wrong -- certainly there is basically up to ten worthy movies a year. I would like to see them go up to ten. Like next year it might be eight, or it might be seven, it might be as many as ten.

I don't think there is anything wrong. I don't think it diminishes it. And you see movies like "The Blindside" and "Up" and "District 9" that wouldn't have been nominated. I think it is OK, that those movies now get nominations.

WHITFIELD: Do you have any favorites then? For best picture?

MANKIEWICZ: I think "The Hurt Locker" will win. I don't think the Academy will be like the Golden Globes and give it to "Avatar." You know, keep in mind that 21 percent of those who vote for the Oscars are actors. And despite the marketing campaign to remind people of the performances the actors gave in "Avatar", I don't think it will work. I think actors are very unlikely to vote for "Avatar"

There is a very complicated scoring system in a way that they keep counting the votes again and again. But I think it is not going to help passion movies like "Avatar". Many people will put out -some people will put out that it is number one, but a lot will have it at the bottom of their list. I think that will hurt it. So, I think "The Hurt Locker" will win.

I would vote for "Inglorious Bastards", of these movies. But I think "The Hurt Locker" is a worthy one.

WHITFIELD: Oh, see it is interesting that you talk about "The Hurt Locker" and we are also looking at "Avatar" because when it comes down to best director, James Cameron also up against the director of "The Hurt Locker" Kathryn Bigelow. And they have an interesting past. But then they somehow -- he really is kind of behind her on this one, he says.

MANKIEWICZ: Yeah. Well, I mean, I'm sure he'd like to win. He did win at the Golden Globes, but significantly, she won the Directors' Guild Award. I think this is where people are going to feel comfortable giving an award to "Avatar". I think he'll win this.

Frequently those awards do not get split. The best picture goes with the best director. If I were a betting man -- and again, I am -- I would go with "The Hurt Locker" for best picture. But I think James Cameron because that movie is on such a grand scale. It's so impressive in many ways that I suspect Jim Cameron will win the best director.

WHITFIELD: And tell us about your locks. That's movie critic lingo for who you think will take best supporting actress, actor, et cetera.

MANKIEWICZ: It's also gambling lingo and there is no such thing as a lock, but in this case, I do think there are three locks. I think Jeff Bridges is going to win for best actor for "Crazy Heart." I don't think there is a doubt about it. He's loved by other actors. They think he already should have won. He'll win this. You see it there.

I think Monique will be best supporting actress for "Precious." I think there is no question about that. And maybe the best performance of the year. Although, Monique's is outstanding, too. The two best performances of the year are Christoph Alt in "Inglorious Bastards" and Monique in "Precious." I think those will-there is no suspense with any of those, three awards. All those people will win and I think they will win easily. We don't foresee the numbers, but my hunch it will be a landslide.

WHITFIELD: And best actress?

MANKIEWICZ: Best actress is close and competitive. Sandra Bullock is the number one box office star in the country right now. I think her competition, she's won every significant award along the way indicating that she'll probably win at the Academy. But, man, I just have a tough time seeing it for "Blindside." I don't mean she's not worthy, but it would be surprising, a little like when Julia Roberts won for "Erin Brockovitch." She'll get some competition from Meryl Streep in "Julie & Julia". There is some suspense there. My hunch is that Sandra Bullock will win, but there is some suspense from Meryl Streep. But it's about time the Academy recognized Meryl Streep. She's been struggling and no one knows who she is. She's been doing small independent features and now finally a chance to breakthrough. It is nice to see her finally get a nomination -- her 16th.

WHITFIELD: Do you think overall it's been a good year in movies?

MANKIEWICZ: I think it has been a pretty good year in movies. I do. It finished strong. They always seem to finish strong. I think last year was better. There were movies I felt a lot more passionately about, such as "The Wrestler", which wasn't even nominated. It's been a good year. "Avatar" is the highest grossing movie ever. It's interesting to see a movie like "Blindside" catch on with people, it carries so much by word of mouth. Some great movies weren't nominated that I had on my top 11 list. "Sin Nombre" was my number one movie.

WHITFIELD: They didn't call and consult you. What were they thinking?

MANKIEWICZ: I don't know. They're crazy. It was a good year, not great. A good year for actors, certainly. A lot of actors movies.

WHITFIELD: Great. Ben Mankiewicz, thank you so much. I appreciate it. We look forward to watching the Oscars. Before we get to that point, we'll be seeing you next weekend, right?

MANKIEWICZ: Of course. Always good to talk to you.

WHITFIELD: Thank you so much. Have a great weekend.

Let's look at the top stories now.

President Obama speaking at the winter meeting of the Democratic National Convention today, calling for bipartisan support to help the American people. The president also vowed he's not going to walk away from the challenge of reforming health care.

And a second day of workshops for hundreds attending the Tea Party Convention in Nashville. The activist group is raising money in hopes of impacting some 20 mid-term races in November. One of the big complaints is government spending. They say it is out of control.

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is their keynote speaker tonight. CNN will have live coverage of tonight's speech beginning at 9:00 Eastern Time.

A tribute today to the late Ronald Reagan; they are celebrating what would have been his 99th birthday at his presidential library in Simi Valley, California. The keynote speaker is former Reagan Cabinet member Elizabeth Dole. Today's ceremony includes a color guard, 21- gun salute and a fly over by a squadron of the Navy fighter jets.

Let's take a look at some nasty weather out there. It has been tough for the East Coast all winter long. Some are now predicting whether this will be a record breaker particularly for Washington, D.C. area. We heard Bonnie Schneider mention earlier that possibly for Baltimore this might be a record-breaker. Here are images of Philadelphia. People shoveling right there. Many jurisdictions are talking about being hit so hard this winter that they simply can't afford to get the snow plows out there. I'm not sure if that's the situation here. But many cities are still getting the snow plows out. They are just trying to figure out how they are going to be able to pay for it all.

Bonnie Schneider in the Severe Weather Center. It's nasty now and the snow plows are definitely going to be need in a big way.

SCHNIEDER: They sure are, Fredricka. They will continue to be needed tomorrow because the winter storm warnings and the blizzard warnings continue for tonight.

We have been talking about Washington, D.C., where many residents are shoveling out. D.C. is a popular tourist city, so a lot of people are visiting from out of town, like our iReporter visiting Washington, D.C. from Dallas, Texas.

Brenda Chitunhu, that's pictures of her family there in the distance, walking down New Hampshire Avenue near Dupont Circle. Look at the cars covered with snow. Having a little fun, kicking the snow and ice. Appreciate that.

Brenda says the plan was to leave Washington, D.C. today. Well, we know that didn't happen. Because no flights are going in or out of Washington, D.C. Great iReport, Brenda. Send in more. We'll show them tonight and tomorrow.

Here's Flight Explorer. Not many planes out there. We have a feature on Flight Explorer where we can filter planes going in and out of certain airports. I checked Baltimore, both airports in Washington. There are no planes are going in and out of those airports now. The airports are open, so you can get a cup of coffee and hang out, but you won't get in or out.

The snow persists for the D.C. area. It's not shutting off yet. We're monitoring that and watching for blustery winds that are just battering the coastline really hard. That's blowing those snow drifts out and about, Fredricka. It will be a problematic straight through tonight.

One piece of good news is that some of the blizzard warnings no in this area, in New Jersey will end earlier, at 7:00 o'clock, And D.C., into Baltimore, you have until 10:00 o'clock for the blizzard warning to expire. Eventually the storm will push off to sea. Eventually. Tomorrow.

WHITFIELD: Just be patient everybody.

All right, Bonnie, appreciate it.

"Fortune" magazine is out with its list of the 100 best companies to work for. And 22 of those businesses have at least 500 job openings each, including Intel with more than 1,200 and Accenture, with 45,000. We're taking a closer look at some of the other companies on Fortune's top 100 list. See if you can guess the name of this next business.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice over): It's a bear business that's gone to the dogs. What company lets you work side by side with your four-legged friend? Find out after the break.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What company lets employees bring their dog to work? Build-a-Bear workshop and kids are welcome, too.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I feel so well taken care of here because of the family environment that we have.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: At the toy store's head quarters in St. Louis, employees can opt for a compressed work week, but other benefits also make working more bearable. A concierge takes care of dry cleaning, on site oil changes and even Fido can be picked up for doggie day care.

Build a bear workshop is 80th on "Fortune" magazine's list of 100 best companies to work for.

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WHITFIELD: All right. Tomorrow the Indianapolis Colts face off against the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV. Colts' wide receiver Pierre Garcon is one of the few Haitians playing in the NFL. When he takes to the field tomorrow he'll be playing with a mission. CNN Sports Reporter Joe Carter has the story.

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PIERRE GARCON, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS, NFL: A good friend of mine from New York called and told me, did you hear about the earthquake in Haiti? I went home, turned on the TV, CNN and there it was. People running around, dust everywhere, and buildings collapsed.

JOE CARTER, CNN SPORTS REPORTER (voice over): As one of the few Haitian players in the NFL, last month's earthquake hit home for Colts receiver Pierre Garcon. Though born and raised in the United States after his parents emigrated, most of his relatives still live in Haiti.

GARCON: This is my cousin, in Haiti. They live there now. They're doing fine. They're doing great. They had no harm to themselves.

CARTER: After learning his relatives were safe, Garcon's Helping Hands Foundation teamed up with a Haitian missionary to raise money. He also began to dedicate his play to the people of Haiti. After a record performance in the colts' AFC championship win over the Jets Garcon paraded around the field with the Haitian flag bringing publicity to his cause.

GARCON: A lot more football fans are recognizing that I'm Haitian now and that my country needs help. They have told me they donated. They appreciate what I'm doing to bring the awareness. That helps Haiti.

JOSEPH ADDAI, GARCON'S TEAMMATE: Pierre putting up the flag, representing Haiti, that touched a lot of people in Haiti. A lot of people on the team saw it and they wanted to be a part of it.

It's a great flag. Just look at it and you realize it says a lot. Like, "Feel Our Force," "Together We're Strong". That's what it says at the bottom. That's what we are trying to do right now is come together, get out of a bad situation and be strong.

CARTER: With a win on Sunday in a game that will be televised in over 200 countries and territories around the world, Garcon hopes to keep the momentum of relief efforts going.

GARCON: It's not over. Still people probably under the rubble still right now. They're still searching and there is a rebuilding process that hasn't even started yet. Whatever I do, I'm just trying to represent them in the best manner, have the flag with me. You know, saying we're still trying to help you guys out.

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WHITFIELD: And Joe Carter joins us now live from Miami. Garcon was not a household name before this. So what is his path all about?

CARTER: He's got an interesting story. He went to Mount Union College which is a Division-3 college in Northern Ohio. He's only played two seasons in the NFL and really emerged as a star on the team this year because of injury. It's a great story. As you saw in the piece, this is a guy in his early 20s who's balancing so much on his plate, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Wow. Joe Carter, thank you so much. Appreciate that from Miami.

So it's not just Miami getting a Super Bowl bump, by the way. It's the Saints' first appearance at the big dance and Mardi Gras is only a few days away. New Orleans is filling up with people who want to be a part of all this excitement. Joining me is the David Teich, he's the manager of the Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans.

Good to see you.

DAVID TEICH, MANAGER, WINDSOR COURT HOTEL: Thank you, Fredricka. They told me you're a good football player. Ready?

WHITFIELD: Oh, yes. Bring it on. No problem.

TEICH: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: You now it is interesting is most cities when their team is going to the Super Bowl, everyone wants to get to that Super Bowl city and watch their team. This is very different. Folks are converging on New Orleans because they say, you know, this is the place where the party is going to happen. What has it meant for your bookings at your hotel? How much of a boon for business has it been?

TEICH: Well, you know, I want to start on behalf of all the hotels in town and the 70,000 hospitality employees in thanking the Saints, and all of their players for an awesome season. It's been an amazing run. Go Saints tomorrow.

But yes, you are right. The impact for the city has been tremendous. All through the playoffs, remember, we have had two home playoff games so far. So in January we had a tremendous boost in the two middle weekends of January which are not necessarily a very busy time for us. Now Super Bowl weekend, it is number one it's expensive to go to Miami, to get tickets for the game, to get hotels and all. And this city is known for being a great party place. This is Mardi Gras weekend. We have a mayoral election today. It's a tremendous boost, all weekend, for the city and restaurants, bars, the hotels and for everybody.

WHITFIELD: So you and a lot of the other businesses, restaurants and hotels already had, you know, a fairly good booking leading up to Mardi Gras, as you mentioned. Once it was a done deal that the Saints would be heading to Miami, how did that immediately impact your reservations? Are you 100 percent booked now?

TEICH: Well, we are. Our hotel is. Historically the first weekend of Mardi Gras Friday and Saturday night are very busy, absolutely. But this is added Sunday night into the mix and a full sell-out all nights. It's a great feeling in the city. All the associates of the hotel and all the hotels and the hospitality industry and all the people of the city have come together so strong for it. It's really fun.

WHITFIELD: It's exciting. Everyone feels that lump in their throat. They are rooting for New Orleans. It's a wonderful story. This is a nice little icing on the cake of what's been a very tough last few years.

David Teich, of the Windsor Court hotel, one of my favorites in New Orleans.

TEICH: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Have a great weekend and enjoy the celebrations all weekend long.

TEICH: Thank you very much. It's a great time. Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks so much.

I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Thanks for joining us. We're learning more about today's southern California mudslides by the minute. Don Lemon will be up next with more on that and the day's news after this.

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