Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

President Obama Speaks to Troops at Fort Bragg; Fraud Investigation At FAMU; Iraqis On End To Their War; Driving and Cell Phones

Aired December 14, 2011 - 12:26   ET

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

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: All right. The president of the United states at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, giving a big "thank you" to troops there, also a big welcome home as the war in Iraq draws down to that deadline of December 31st.

And reiterating a commitment to help U.S. troops reintegrate with all the resources available, with all the benefits available. And he credited troops with helping to "turn the tide toward peace in Iraq."

We have our team coverage. We have got Gloria Borger and David Gergen joining us with some analysis. But we also have our David Mattingly, who is right there in Fort Bragg.

And David, rousing applause coming from the troops there, glad to see the president there. But I wonder, too, if they have kind of mixed feelings about this welcoming home since some 200 troops were killed in the war in Iraq, who all hailed from Fort Bragg.

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right.

Fredricka, I had a chance to talk to quite a few veterans of Iraq prior to the president's arrival here at Fort Bragg. And they were telling me there were two main questions on their mind.

They wanted to know if the president really understood the sacrifices that were made while they were there in Iraq, not just by them, but by their families. Another question they had was, now that we have served our country, how will our country be serving us and our needs as the years go on?

Well, they seemed to get answers to both of those questions. The president going into great detail about the sacrifices that were made, the dangers the soldiers faced while they were over there on the ground in Iraq, and the accomplishments that they were able to make while they were there over the past eight years or so.

Now, what they also heard, though, and it was probably something that was hitting very much home more immediately right now, they are coming home right now at a time when there is a great deal of uncertainty about budget cuts in the military and things like that. They're very worried about their continued benefits, about their continued access to health care, to counseling, to help them with all sorts of problems they might be coming home with.

The president, very specifically, said, you stood up for America and now America will stand up for you, answering that question very directly. So those two main questions, it appears that President Obama has answered those questions here at Fort Bragg.

WHITFIELD: All right. David Mattingly, thanks so much from Fort Bragg there.

Our Gloria Borger and David Gergen also listening intently to the president's remarks.

A few things standing out. "The president saying that Iraq is not a perfect place, but America is leaving behind a sovereign, stable and self-reliant Iraq."

And David, you first. This had to have been a difficult thing for the president to say, because as U.S. senator, he did not endorse this war in Iraq. But now he had to certainly say, these are the great things that came from the U.S. involvement in Iraq.

Why was that necessary, for this commander-in-chief to spell it out that way?

DAVID GERGEN, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, I think that while he did oppose the war, and, in fact, he won the presidency or won the nomination of the Democratic Party in large part because of his opposition to the war in Iraq, I think that he, as president, has embraced the goal that George W. Bush set, which was to withdraw now. And I think he feels proud of the way he has done it.

And he's got reason to feel proud. And I must say today, his speech was a gracious healing speech, one of the best of his presidency, one where he revived memories of the Obama of old, because he played a unifying role today as commander-in-chief. I think he reached out to everyone.

I did not find, as David Mattingly found, reassurance about the Pentagon budget. He said, we're going to stand with you, but I didn't feel that meant he was going to defend the Pentagon against a lot of cuts that may be just over the horizon. Overall, it was a very, very gracious healing speech and a good one.

WHITFIELD: Gloria, how did you see it?

GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: I really felt the same way. I mean, the president came to Fort Bragg to pay homage to the troops and to their successes and to their great achievement in bringing this to a close.

He said we're ending it not with a final battle, but with a final march toward home. He made it very clear, look, this was controversial and we don't leave Iraq as a perfect place.

I think he sort of set a realistic tone here, but he wanted these troops to understand that Americans value their service and will continue to stand with them. I think it's also important to say that the first lady here has essentially has devoted a large chunk of her time.

Her mission as first lady is to be serving military families. This is sort of a theme that she's carried on since the president took office. So today, you know, he didn't go there with a banner, but he went there to say thank you.

WHITFIELD: Yes, and the first lady underscoring her point saying, quote, "with this nation doesn't end as the war ends." Gloria Borger and David Gergen, thanks so much. Appreciate your analysis.

Again, we are going to leave you with these pictures of the president and first lady there. Handshakes and greetings, lots of smiles to the U.S. troops there at Fort Bragg. We'll much more from the NEWSROOM after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, this just in. A new turn in the development of that Florida A&M University investigation of the alleged hazing incident that led to the death of a drummer. George Howell, just back from spending time there at Florida A&M. What's going on now?

GEORGE HOWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you just within the last hour, we were able to confirm that there is a brand new, another investigation in the Florida A&M University.

This time it's through the FDLE, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. That is the group that is basically overseeing this investigation into Robert Champion's death. Robert Champion, the drum major, Fredricka, who died on November 19th from alleged hazing.

The FDLE basically says that through the course of their investigation, they came across what they believe to be financial fraud by an employee at FAMU. They can't get into specifics, clearly an ongoing investigation.

But they say it's due to financial irregularity that they came across during the investigation so a brand new investigation at FAMU into one of its employees.

WHITFIELD: And that being linked -- that investigation being linked to the investigation of the death of the one student and the possible other investigating involving hazing incidents?

HOWELL: Very interesting. I was able to confirm through Gerald Baylee who is the commissioner for the FDLE. He says that because of the investigation into Robert Champion.

They came across this new information about financial irregularities and now they have launched another investigation independent of that Robert Champion.

Keep in mind the case of Brea Hunter. That's also out there. We just saw three people arrested, James Harris, Sean Hubson and Aaron Goldson arrested in that case. So, really, you have three separate situations, cases with FAMU at this point.

WHITFIELD: Incredible. All right, thanks so much. George Howell, appreciate that.

Your chance to talk back on one of the big stories of the day. Today, we're actually talking about marriage. Turns out it's not so popular anymore, at least here in the U.S.

Carol Costello joins me now from New York. So Carol, Americans are not feeling the love like you and I. We're married women.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I know. We both enjoy it so much. But apparently a lot of people don't think it would be a fun thing. They're in fact saying, who needs a spouse?

It turns out not many of us. According to the Pew Research Center, just over half of Americans are married that's down from 72 percent in the 1960s.

It seems I do is fast becoming I don't ever. The question is, why? Kim Kardashian, married for 72 days, certainly a sign of how our culture views marriage or is it? We could point to so many examples of how little marriage means. Elizabeth Taylor was married eight times. God rest her soul, but why did she bother?

Some conservatives blame gay marriage and lament the fact the defense of marriage act was found unconstitutional. That act defined marriage as between a man and a woman. Others say the feminist movement killed I do.

Who needs a man anyway when a woman can make her own money and bee her own sperm? Others blame men who some say never much liked marriage anyway. Maybe it's more simple than that.

In 2012, maybe we don't need to be married anymore. The talkback question today, is marriage becoming obsolete? Facebook.com/carolcnn. I'll read your responses in about 15, 20 minutes.

WHITFIELD: OK, your Facebook page back up and running, no problems and filling up with lots of responses. Good, Carol. Thanks so much.

All right, you saw it here on CNN, President Barack Obama thanking the American troops for their service in the Iraq war. We go to Baghdad and Kuwait to see how soldiers and Iraqis are feeling about whether the mission has been accomplished.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, President Barack Obama thanking U.S. troops for their service and sacrifice in Iraq as the war winds down at a speech at Fort Bragg North Carolina just moments ago.

The president praised the troops for their patriotism and commitment and he reflected on the end of the war almost nine years ago. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: We knew this day would come and known it for some time. But still, there is something profound about the end of a war that has lasted so long.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right, let's find out what kind of reaction the president is getting. Martin Savidge is in Kuwait and Arwa Damon in Baghdad.

So Martin, let's begin with you. You've been covering the flow of the troops out of Iraq making their stop into Kuwait. What were people hoping the president might say?

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was interesting, Fredricka, I was over at the recreation tent, games and pool going on and chess and eating. There weren't really many soldiers paying attention at first.

But then they turned up the volume and more and more soldiers realized the president was speaking and realized the president was speaking about them. And things sort of stopped and eyes began focusing on the screen and ears began listening to what was said.

Afterwards, I had a quick opportunity to ask a number of soldiers what did you think? It was clear they were quite actually impressed and they were moved by what the president had to say.

They realized that these soldiers are at a significant point in history. This is the drawdown and end of U.S. presence in Iraq and they are a part of that.

And of course, any soldier would tell you that they like to see the end of a war much better than they like to see the beginning of the war. So they found the statements coming from the president and sincerity and the fact he was expressing gratefulness of a nation.

Really meant more to them than they first thought it would mean when they sat down and began watching television. But for the most part here, they're focused on one thing, and that's going home and for most of them, it will be very, very soon. In fact, most we spoke to will be leaving in the next 24 hours.

WHITFIELD: Family members can't wait to see them when they arrive on U.S. soil. Thanks so much, Martin.

Meantime, Arwa Damon in Baghdad. So I wonder, how are people there kind of measuring the accomplishments from this war?

ARWA DAMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's incredibly difficult for them because they cannot define it as being a success or a failure because even though the U.S. might be ending its military role here.

For the Iraqis, this is a battle that is very much ongoing. Just today for example four people were killed, 27 wounded when two car bombs went off in the marketplace. So Iraqis here continue to live with this uncertainty.

Even though the attacks have gone down, they still don't know when they leave their home if they're ever going back.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAMON (voice-over): The beauty and manicured lawn, she say, is a glimpse of what she dreamed the American invasion would bring to Iraq. Instead, scars from shrapnel from insurgents and a bridge blown up a few years ago and one of Saddam Hussein's former palaces that was used as U.S. military base in what was a notoriously dangerous neighborhood.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): When I came here, Iraq was heaven.

DAMON: She says she is still happy the Americans came, but has 100 questions. Why did the Americans make so many mistakes? Was it out of ignorance? Was it deliberate?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The Americans are leaving Iraq fragile. They haven't even planted the seeds to give us hope that we are heading towards democracy, rule of law and a civil society.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DAMON: That woman you saw there, that is (inaudible). She lost her husband in an explosion back in 2007. Just imagine this. She had to go to the morgue to identify his charred remains.

There were a number of other bodies in the morgue at the same time, her husband and them were all melted into a gruesome mess. The only way she could identify her husband was from a pin to his knee. And so, for her, this war cannot be defined as a success or a failure. And she, like so many other Iraqis, Fredericka, they don't understand why they had to pay such a heavy price. What was their crime? Why did they have to get involved? Why did there have to be so much random, understandable violence in Iraq?

WHITFIELD: All right, Arwa Damon, thanks so much, from Baghdad.

Meantime, back in this country, a federal board wants to outlaw drivers from using cell phones all together. That means no texting, no phone calls. It's a problem for a lot of drivers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Actually, I really shouldn't and I know I shouldn't. It's just out of habit. And I don't know why. And I actually have the voice system on my phone. I don't know, I still do it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Idiots that can't drive are the ones that are talking on the phone.

(END VIDEO CLIP) (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: More than 3,000 people died last year in accidents caused by distracted drivers. Now the National Transportation Safety Board wants to ban cell phones in cars for texting or talking. CNN's Christine Romans spoke with the NTSB's chairwoman about it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I think people, when they're using the phone or when they're texting, they don't think they're impaired.

DEBBIE HERSMAN, NTSB CHAIRWOMAN: Well, you're right. And I know how difficult this is because I used to talk on my phone as well until I understood the dangers of it. And two years ago we put a ban on all our employees from talking or texting hand-held or hands-free.

And I'll tell you, when I hung up my phone and I stopped talking on the phone while I was driving, it was like becoming sober and seeing that everyone around you was drinking. You notice the people who are distracted. They're not keeping up with traffic, they're not maintaining their speed, they're driving erratically, they're not holding their lane position. It is distracting. And I think people recognize that, but they think, do as I say, not as I do. They don't want other people doing it but they don't want to stop themselves.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: So how distracting are we talking? Exactly how far does the car actually travel when you, say, take your eyes off the road to send a text? CNN's Tom Foreman checked it out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Researchers say people who are texting routinely take their eyes off of the road for nearly five seconds. And that's not to complete it. That's just at a time. So, watch what happens.

Once again. Here we go. Twenty-five miles an hour, right here, I started texting. I do it for 4.6 seconds. And by the time I get on the brake, look where I wind up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: That's incredible, right? Many states already have laws in place banning different levels of cell phone use by drivers. CNN's Carl Azuz has been looking into this.

So, Carl, you know, how is this new federal proposal likely to make a difference and how is it going over?

CARL AZUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It remains to be seen. I think in some places it's not going to go over very well. And part of the reason for that is, I brought a prop for you, Fredricka. This is a hands-free headset. And a lot of people, you know, use these. They presumably allow you to keep both hands on the wheel while you're talking on the phone and driving. The NTSB says it's time to get rid of these things as well. They want a total ban on all hand-held use in all 50 states. So it's significantly further reaching than what we've got now, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Wow. Incredible. So, it means each state adopting these recommendations or moving forward with it. This is not a federal mandate, but a federal recommendation.

AZUZ: That's right. And the NTSB has very limited -- it doesn't have the legislative authority of Congress. So it can't force states to comply with this. And you have to keep in mind, in many states, like Georgia, for instance, it's going to be an unpopular proposal because while drivers in Georgia know they cannot text while drive, many people are used to talking on the phone, whether it's through the hands-free headset I showed you or by holding the thing up to their ear. And to sort of take away something they're allowed to do now, it's not something that's going to go over in some legislatures, at least among those lawmakers who want to get re-elected.

WHITFIELD: So there are some states already that ban cell phone use all together?

AZUZ: No, there's no state, according to the Governor's Highway Safety Association, no state has a total ban on all cell phone use by all drivers. Now you see nine states, plus Nevada, is going to institute a hand-held cell phone ban next year. So that's a total of 10 states with a hand-held ban. But, in many of these place, they still allow the hands-free headset.

And as far as texting goes, there are 35 states that currently ban texting while driving. And the NTSB, I mean you heard the chairwoman mention a moment ago, that this is sort of like -- one official with the NTSB says, this is sort of like the new DUI. This distracted driving with cell phones. So they're saying, you know, it's time to hang up and drive. There are going to be some people who say, well, you know, we can. We can do this. I can still talk on my phone and drive safely. So that's why you're going to see some of the pushback, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: So it's an issue of safety versus convenience.

AZUZ: Uh-huh. It's -- depending on how you look at it, yes, some people are going to say, I can handle it.

WHITFIELD: Right, that's how it's going to go. Right. All right, Carl Azuz, thanks so much.

AZUZ: Thank you very much. Appreciate it.

WHITFIELD: All right, you have a lot to say about today's "Talk Back" question as well. It's not on cell phones but instead it's about marriage. Is it becoming obsolete? Daniel writes, "I can't even afford myself, let alone anyone else. It's not off my list, but it's nowhere near the top right now." Carol's got more of your responses coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, time to check stories making news across country right now.

This is what can happen if you get distracted while driving. A Miami police officer says he was picking up a pen when his cruiser got stuck on some wires and ended up just like this, upright. The officer is OK.

And you've heard about companies going out of businesses that are giving way the store, right? Well, this is a medical marijuana dispensary in Orangevale, California. Magnolia Wellness is closing its doors Friday after holding a free pot party. And we're not talking about the dishes here.

And in New York, stunning jewelry worn by actress Liz Taylor brought in some pretty stunning prices at action. This Cartier necklace sold for $11.8 million. Christie's said it was the highest recorded price ever of pearl jewelry sold at auction. Part of the proceeds will go to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: OK, so you have been sounding off on today's "Talk Back" question, is marriage becoming obsolete? Carol Costello joins me now from New York.

So, Carol, what are they saying?

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A big response to this question, is marriage becoming obsolete?

This from Zach. "Maybe it's because monogamy is an unrealistic standard for the times in which we live. Is it possible that it's impossible to have just one partner?"

This from Luis. "I'd venture to say that both divorce lawyers and family court judges have killed the marriage institution. Plus the eagerness to get the heck out once they are in it at the least bit of trouble or disappointment. Marriages used to be partnerships where both parties worked hard to keep it alive and bearable."

This from Sherie. "I've been married 43 years and haven't regretted. Can't say that we haven't fallen in and out of love a few times. It's about working hard at a relationship and maintaining respect. Might not be for everyone, but I just don't think people go into relationships with realistic expectations. It ain't 'Leave It To Beaver' folks."

And this from Owen. "No, I don't believe marriage is obsolete. The real problem is the inherent selfishness of our culture. Marriage is about the ability to get outside of your own interests and put another person before yourself."

Please, keep the conversation going. It's been so fascinating today. Facebook.com/carolcnn. And thanks, as always, for your comments.

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks, Carol, for bringing that to us. Appreciate that.

I'm Fredericka Whitfield. Much more of the CNN NEWSROOM right after this. Oh, there. There he is. Oh, my colleague, Don Lemon.

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Right after me?

WHITFIELD: I didn't know. I wasn't sure.

Hi, Don.

LEMON: Are you trying to get rid of me? Be nice, it's the holidays. We're supposed to like each other.

WHITFIELD: No, I would never try to get rid of you. We can do the show just like this. I always like you. In fact, I love you.

LEMON: I love you too.

WHITFIELD: We could do the show just like this and we could share.

LEMON: All right. Let's do it.

WHITFIELD: OK.

LEMON: Thank you. Appreciate it, Fred. Have a great day.

WHITFIELD: All right. Bye.