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New Fears Over Iraq's Future; McCain Rips Obama's Leadership; Ron Paul Gets Testy Over Newsletters; Arab League Monitors Syrian Abuses; The Economy in 2011; Flying Dogs to Freedom; Babies Talking, Cats Hugging

Aired December 22, 2011 - 09:00   ET

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

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Ali, it's been -- Ali, we need to talk. I haven't talked to you for quite some time. We need to catch up.

ALI VELSHI, CNN ANCHOR, "AMERICAN MORNING": I know, I know.

HOLMES: We can't do this right here.

VELSHI: We do have to do that. You do your show, I'll be around.

HOLMES: All right.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR, "AMERICAN MORNING": You don't want to talk to me?

HOLMES: Well, I talk to you all the time, Christine. Ali, Christine, good to see you, guys, as always. Talk soon.

We're at the top of the hour now. I am, the aforementioned, T.J. Holmes, in today for Kyra Phillips, and all eyes are on Congress, the calendar and literally the clock.

Take a look at this. You think the White House is getting their point across? That is a countdown clock showing just nine days. That's how much time Congress has to act to extend the payroll tax cut or your taxes are going to go up.

American can go to this site and actually share their stories of what will happen to them if they lose their $40 per paycheck. That's the average an American will lose.

Let me bring in Dan Lothian and get right at this.

And, Dan, this is a -- it seems like a full-on PR campaign by the White House. They're keeping the pressure up and even -- I don't know if people saw it there on the screen. It said, this is what happened if Congress doesn't act. It has actually crossed out the word Congress and specifically says the House doesn't act.

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right. And you know they've been keeping the pressure now on House Republicans all week and now it's another effort by this White House to drive that point home today when the president will be holding an event here at the White House shortly after noon to show what's at stake.

You've been talking about how the White House has been framing this as hitting the middle class. Those families making $50,000 a year, standing to lose about $40 per paycheck. And so they started this big media blitz through their blog, through Twitter, asking Americans to weigh in, to say what they would do with that $40.

And the White House says that more than 20,000 people have participated in it. So today, some of those folks who did weigh in will be here at the White House along with others who say they'll be impacted by not having that $40 per paycheck. They'll be here with the president as he continues to put pressure on House Republicans to pass this compromise bill, then work on something, a more long-term package next year.

HOLMES: And by most accounts the president is winning this battle, at least in the hearts and minds of the American people right now. But, still the president is getting some criticism, at least, and maybe some expected criticism from the other side.

Let's listen to Senator John McCain from a little earlier this morning on CNN.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALI VELSHI, ANCHOR, CNN'S AMERICAN MORNING: Is it really fair to put as much heat as you're putting on the president on this one? I mean -- a lot of eyes are pointing to House Republican leadership right now as being intransigent.

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: I think that that is a legitimate to an extent, but I also think that in times like these and in the past four presidents that I have served under they have exerted a lot more leadership than going shopping.

And by the way, I also feel that in the upcoming election which is less than a year from now, no incumbent is safe nor should they be.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: And he, of course, making a reference there to the video we saw of the president yesterday out shopping with the dog, with the Petsmart, and picked up some things for the girls at Best Buy.

A couple of things here, Dan, first of all, is the president hoping to get or trying to get more involved in these negotiations or is he going to kind of just step back and continue to reap the benefits of this political fight? And, also, we know nothing is done, really, without careful discussion at the White House about how you put the president out and where he goes. Why go on this shopping trip?

LOTHIAN Right. Well, first of all, you know, I think that the White House tends not to want to talk about whether the president is winning or losing here. Whenever you ask that question, they'll simply say that what the president is most concerned about is helping hard-working Americans hang on to their money.

So they're not concerned about, you know, whether or not his numbers are up or down. But for those who watch this, certainly the president is benefiting from this.

As for whether or not he's going to get engage, again, that is something that the White House says the president has always been working very hard behind the scenes and sometimes picking up the phone, as he did yesterday, and talking to John Boehner directly, but still Republicans saying, look, he hasn't been doing enough to reach out to them.

But, as you pointed out, he did go shopping yesterday. Picking up some presidents not only -- presents, rather, not only for the first pet, but also for the first daughters.

HOLMES: Yes. The man is a president, but still, he's kind of home alone with the dog right now.

LOTHIAN Yes.

HOLMES: And just waiting on the Congress and the House to make a move right now. But Dan Lothian, we got a lot coming up the next couple of hours. We're going to hear from John Boehner. Also the president coming up at 12:15, as you mentioned, as well. So a lot more we'll be talking to Dan about.

Thank you, as always.

And a reminder, the president, that event coming up in the noon Eastern hour. We'll certainly have it for you right here on CNN.

But at five minutes past the hour, we need to turn to Iraq. And this morning there are some new concerns about the future of that country just days after the last American troops pull out. A wave of bombings has killed at least 63 people, wounded another 200. The explosions come after an arrest warrant. Was issued for the nation's vice president.

CNN's Arwa Damon in the capital with the latest for us.

Arwa, you were telling us, as people were back here at least seeing those pictures and some way celebrating the U.S. getting out, and American troops coming home, you were one to quick to say there is turmoil still in Iraq.

ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and we're also quick to remind everyone that even though the war militarily speaking may have been over for the U.S., it most certainly is not for the Iraqis and the violence today is really creating such a nightmare scenario for this nation because it comes, as you were mentioning there briefly, it seems that the government is collapsing like a house of cards.

The explosions, the violence that took place here earlier this morning, 16 explosions, T.J., all of them happening within two hours during rush hour. They were targeting mostly civilians. One of the bombs went off just outside of a school as children were arriving, others in marketplaces, crowded intersections.

No claim of responsibility just yet, but this restirring many fears amongst people about the stability of their country and the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces. That coupled with the political instability taking place here right now is really causing a lot of the Iraqis to wonder what kind of an America the U.S. has really left behind -- T.J..

HOLMES: And this sectarian strife we're talking about here, yes, the vice president. There's an arrest warrant for him on some kind of a terrorism charge. What is that doing? I mean one thing to have some political back and forth, it's a young democracy and we get that, but still, now, the vice president being accused of these types of charges.

What is that lending to this -- to the situation?

DAMON: Yes, and the gravity of those charges and the potential implications we cannot stress just how serious all of this is. What's happened is that the Iraqi government is accusing the Sunni vice president, Tariq al-Hashimi, of being involved in acts of terror. Effectively running hit squads. They aired these confessions on state television.

The vice president is now up in the semi-autonomous Iraqi region of Kurdistan effectively being protected by the Kurds. The prime minister in a press conference is demanding that the Kurdish authorities hand him over to central Iraq. They, at this point, are not doing that. He, the vice president, is willing to stay on trial but saying that he wants it to happen in a neutral area like the Kurdish north.

All of this is polarizing the government to such a degree that many are questioning whether or not the various political leaders are going to be able to dial back from the edge of this abyss.

HOLMES: All right. Our Arwa Damon with the update on the violent day in Iraq. Thank you so much.

Well, we are just passing eight minutes past the hour now and with Ron Paul leading in a new Iowa poll, the presidential candidate is now facing renewed questions about racially inflammatory writings. These writings were published during the 1980s and '90s. They appeared in newsletters bearing Paul's name but they rarely carried a byline.

The liberal "New Republic" covered the story some three years ago. More recently that same reporter writing for the conservative "Weekly Standard" flushed out even more details.

Also, other news organizations from the "New York Times" to CNN have come up on new details as well. And what we have all now uncovered are items like this from a 1992 newsletter shortly after the L.A. riots and this one titled "Special Issue on Racial Terrorism." One line reads, "Order was only restored in L.A. when it came time for the blacks to pick up their welfare checks," end quote.

In fact the order was, as you know, restored when the National Guard moved in.

And also two years earlier, before that, in another Ron Paul publication, an article criticized President Reagan for signing legislation approving the creation of the Federal Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. And this line read, quote, "We can thank him for our annual Hate Whitey Day," end quote.

And in 1996 when Paul was running for Congress, Democrats dug up other passages from his newsletters that he did not deny at the time writing. Talking about the crime in Washington, again, I quote, "Given the inefficiencies of what D.C. laughingly calls the criminal justice system, I think we can safely assume that 95 percent of black males in that city are semi-criminal or entirely criminal," end quote.

Ron Paul defended himself yesterday talking to our Gloria Borger. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: So you read them but you didn't do anything about it at the time.

REP. RON PAUL (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I never read that stuff. I never -- I would never read it. I came -- I was probably aware of it 10 years after it was written and it has been going on 20 years that people have pestered me about this and CNN does every single time. So when are you going to wear yourself out?

BORGER: You know, is it legitimate? I mean when you say -- no, but you know?

PAUL: When are you going to do that?

BORGER: Is it legitimate? I mean is it a legitimate question to ask that something went out under your name --

PAUL: Yes, when you get the -- and when you get the answers, it's legitimate that you sort of take the answers I give. You know what the answer is? I didn't write them, I didn't read them at the time and I disavowed them. That is the answer.

BORGER: But you made money off of them.

PAUL: If you knew -- if you knew I made money on it, you know more about my finances than I do.

BORGER: Do you know that you didn't? I mean --

PAUL: I don't even know what you're talking about. I mean, you know, if it was published for 10 years, so, if that was 1 percent of all the newsletter I made money off -- you know, talking about gold stocks, I think you're confused on that.

BORGER: OK. Well, it's just a question. I mean, it's legitimate. It's legitimate. These things are pretty incendiary.. You know the --

PAUL: Only because of people like you.

BORGER: No, no, no, come on. Some of the stuff was very incendiary and you know saying that in 1993 the Israelis were responsible for the bombing of the World Trade Center, that kind of stuff.

PAUL: Yes.

BORGER: So --

PAUL: Good bye.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Well, Ron Paul, again, several years ago did not deny some of the writings. Again, didn't appear with a byline necessarily, but today he's saying he did not write any of that stuff even though his spokesman said he did take some moral responsibility for those being published in a newsletter that had his name.

Next hour, we will talk more about this and other things political with our political analyst, Patricia Murphy and Will Cain, they will be along.

And a reminder for all the latest political news, you know the spot, CNNpolitics.com.

Let me turn now to my good friend, Reynolds Wolf. People trying to get home for the holidays. It's going to be a little tricky for some.

REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: It's going to be tough for a lot of people that are going to try to fly and some people who are going to drive. Whatever poison you choose, it could be poison, it really could. Especially in parts of Colorado.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HOLMES: Thank you, kind sir. We'll see Reynolds coming up soon.

We're 13 minutes past the hour and take a look and listen.

Citizens protesting in Syria and the government launches a brutal crackdown. Now some Arab neighbors are stepping in. That story straight ahead.

Also, two sailors making history in Virginia with this kiss. Sharing the coveted first kiss after one of them returned from sea.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HOLMES: Your look now at some stories making news across country.

Wal-Mart has recalled cans of baby formula after a 10-day-old baby in Missouri died from a rare bacterial infection. The company that makes Enfamil Newborn says it's testing the formula, the water used to make it and other factors. Wal-Mart customers can return the formula for a refund or exchange.

Also, "Sports Illustrated" fans voted Rutgers defensive Eric LaGrand as to the cover as the best moment of 2011. It's the first time the magazine let fans to choose and the first Rutgers athlete to appear on the cover. LeGrand, as you know the story, he was paralyzed in a football game in 2010. He led his team on to the field before a game in October.

And in Virginia, a kiss for the history books is what you're seeing right there. Two female sailors became the U.S. Navy's first gay couple chosen to kiss first after a ship's return. The crew of the dock landing ship Oak Hill and their loved ones bought raffle tickets for the opportunity and they won.

Seventeen minutes past the hour.

I want to turn back overseas, this time to Syria. The repressive Middle Eastern country that has now closed its borders to journalists. Protesters have been trying to topple the regime and videos posted online claim that troops have retaliated with widespread attacks on civilians.

Today, the Arab League is responding to the international outcry in dispatching monitors to report on the abuses.

Let me bring in CNN's Leone Lakhani. She's in Abu Dhabi for us now.

What are these monitors supposed to help? Can they help?

LEONE LAKHANI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: T.J., the team that's going in today is an advance team of about 10 people, and what they're doing is paving the way for a broader observer mission that will consist of about 100 officials and their task is to gauge the situation on the ground and really look at what the military there is doing.

Now, there's a lot of questions about how effective they will be because they will be supervised when they're on the ground. There's also questions about the makeup of this mission.

And, also, T.J., this is part of a broader initiative in which Syria has been asked to stop the violence, withdraw military troops from residential areas and release detainees, and they haven't agreed to do any of that.

And as you mentioned, the violence is continuing. The U.N.'s latest figure for the death toll is at about 5,000, but activists keep reporting that the violence continues on a daily basis, T.J.

HOLMES: This comes after we just saw new, recent actions there. What is the timeline -- if you can, tell me quickly -- for these monitors? This was the advance team, but when is that larger teams supposed to get in there?

LAKHANI: The advance team will be there for 24 to 48 hours. We don't know the exact date of when the other mission gets in, but that observer mission will be in for about a month, T.J.

HOLMES: All right. Leone Lakhani, thank you for the update from Abu Dhabi for us.

And coming up on 20 minutes past the hour now, we're going to get back to politics in this country -- the politics of that payroll tax dispute.

Our contributors Will Cain and L.Z. Granderson joining us to talk about the fight and your frustration.

Also, get ready for a White Christmas. A Betty White Christmas. Are you ready for some football?

Stay with me.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: And a week and a half your paycheck is going to get smaller. Don't you worry, Congress is on the case. Actually, Congress is not really on the case because Congress went home for the holidays with no deal on extending the payroll tax cut and jobless benefits.

The bickering has folks frustrated from coast to coast. No bickering right now, though, with our CNN contributors Will Cain and L.Z. Granderson. They are both with us now.

Quickly, guys, we're going back and forth.

I'll start with you this time, Will. There is no way, no way they're going to allow this to go through. They're not going to allow our taxes to go up, are they? They can't do that.

WILL CAIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: You wouldn't think so. You think they'll work out a deal if not before Christmas, then shortly after the New Year. I agree with you. There's no way they are going to extend the payroll tax cut, eventually.

HOLMES: OK. Simple as that then, L.Z. You agree? I mean, we see this and we're going through this exercise right now, but there is no way. Is that fair to say?

L.Z. GRANDERSON, CNN.COM CONTRIBUTOR: I would say so. You know, it's really sad now that we keep doing this over and over again. It feels like Groundhog Day. But, you know, this is where we are at right now. And because of the 2012 election, people can't make a basic decision. They want to make everything overly dramatic.

HOLMES: So, L.Z., what are we getting out of this exercise besides frustration from the American people and once again seeing Congress appearing not to be able to get something done and taking it right up to the last minute?

GRANDERSON: I think we're seeing an exercise in 2012 politics. That's what we're seeing. Everything is being positioned so that there's an argument to be made during the general election about who's better for the American people.

And they're playing chicken with each other, both parties to blame.

HOLMES: Will, let me come back to you. Both parties are to blame. Some people want to put the blame squarely on Republicans. Who will Americans blame at the end of all this?

Let's say, of course, they'll save it and make sure people's taxes don't go up. But still, Americans are not going to appreciate during the holidays having to even go through this and worry about this.

CAIN: Politically, I do think this is going to land on the shoulders of the Republican Party largely because they can't agree on a message within themselves about what the approach should be and in the long run, the message, the political message that gets out is now the Republican Party is opposing a tax cut, a tax cut for the middle class? Are they only for tax cuts for the rich guys?

Again, T.J., that's politically what will come off. That doesn't mean that's the truth.

HOLMES: That's a good point there because that's all people know right now is that, wait a minute, there's a tax cut, but --

CAIN: Can I explain that, T.J.?

HOLMES: Go, please. By all means.

CAIN: Let me explain "the should."

HOLMES: The should.

CAIN: The Republican position on the economy should be. Let me show you something. I drew something, a little prepared for this.

HOLMES: This ought to be good.

CAIN: Let's right here, let's pretend like the economy is out in front of me. This is the mother board. These are the knobs and dials on the economy.

The Republican position ought to be, set the dials to actual (ph) positions, low taxes, preferably, simple, understandable regulations and let the economy play out. That should be their position.

Now, the liberal position is, you can adjust these knobs and dials to even out the jagged line of progress as Jeb Bush wrote in "The Wall Street Journal" the other day. The payroll tax cut in that extent is a knob on the economy, a dial just like short-term stimulus, just like an $80 billion stimulus, just like a jobs bill -- it's temporary and insufficient. That should have been the argument that Republicans made.

HOLMES: Well, L.Z., you got anything you want to show and tell?

GRANDERSON: Absolutely. Let me tell you the logic here -- everything that we do is short term, OK? There's nothing that we can put in place that's going to last this country forever and ever, amen.

So, this idea that this is a short-term solution, I think that's a misnomer. Everything is being adjusted as our society, the economy adjusts evolves. That's because of the global impact on our economy. So, both sides are going to have to do adjustments every couple years or so. This is nothing new.

The thing that's really upsetting about this process right now is that the American people are the ones actually being the Ping-Pong ball itself. We're being paddled from one side to the other because we're not really being concerned with what ultimately should be the best interest for us.

It's all about the politicians. It's all about D.C. It's all about the White House. It's not about the American people.

HOLMES: All right. Well, it seems a little late to get it done before Christmas, but your all's prediction, as I go here. They'll get the deal done before Christmas or in the week before New Year. Will?

CAIN: In the week before New Year. If you're pinning me down, let me say something --this argument is tough. I had to draw a chart for you. It's much easier to pull people in like President Obama is doing and demagogue, you know, middle class Americans -- look at this people.

HOLMES: L.Z., next week?

GRANDERSON: Next week, yes.

HOLMES: All right. L.Z., Will, always good to talk to you both. I know we're going to see you plenty between now --

CAIN: I hope L.Z. gets out of that hostage situation he's in, that video.

HOLMES: He's Skyping from home. It's his office, he's working.

GRANDERSON: Congress has been hostage.

HOLMES: There it is. Guys, thanks as always. We'll talk to you both soon.

Coming up on the bottom of the hour and this payroll tax dispute catch really a rollercoaster year for the economy. We're going to do a little rewind to remind you. Stay with me.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Coming up on the bottom of the hour, give you a look at some of the stories making headlines.

Look at that -- millions of Americans driving somewhere to spend the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Auto group AAA predicts close to 84 million will hit the road, weather permitting, of course. There will be some weather issues out there.

And that number 84 million is about 2 percent increase over last year.

Also in Baghdad, we've been hit by a wave of coordinated attacks just days after U.S. troops left the country. A series of bombings killed more than 60 people and wounded about 185.

Also, 12 million bottles of Motrin are being pulled from store shelves. Testing showed some caplets may not dissolve as quickly as they're supposed to near the expiration date. Johnson & Johnson says the pain relievers are safe. They don't need to be returned.

All right. If you do crunch the numbers, the economy is ending 2011 on a bit of an upswing, but plenty of folks aren't necessarily feeling that way.

Alison Kosik doesn't feel that way, necessarily. Everybody has been frustrated the past couple of years, but the economy has had kind of a frustrating year.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and frustrating is a great way to put it. You know, you think about what happens here on Wall Street on a daily basis and it's only about a month ago that traders began walking up to me and telling me, you know what, Alison, investors are getting fed up with these markets this year and they're closing the books on 2011.

You know, any way you look at it, a frustrating year for the economy and politicians and consumers are also more than ready to say good-bye.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KOSIK (voice-over): The recovery is slow.

BEN BERNANKE, FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN: At a rate that is both uneven across sectors and frustrating slow.

KOSIK: Congress deadlocked.

REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R-OH), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: A House cannot pass a bill that raises taxes on job creators.

SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV), MAJORITY LEADER: All 53 of us have informed the speaker that his legislation was doomed in the Senate.

KOSIK: Europe a mess.

And Wall Street occupied.

(on camera): The U.S. economy actually grew in 2011, but barely.

TIMOTHY GEITHNER, TREASURY SECRETARY: Even as economic growth continues, we continue to face very substantial economic challenges.

KOSIK (voice-over): Challenges like the housing market, home prices dropped about 4 percent and jobs, over 13 million Americans are still out of work. Politicians and business leaders search for solutions.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Pass this bill.

Pass this jobs bill.

Pass this jobs bill.

JEFF IMMELT, GENERAL ELECTRIC CEO: I think a balanced approach, ultimately, is what most business people, most CEOs would like to see.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We, too, have to do something.

KOSIK (on camera): It's been a frustrating year for the U.S. economy, but it could have been worse, it could have been Europe.

(voice-over): Debt crises threatened the economies of Greece, Italy, Spain and others, leaving leaders scrambling to hold the eurozone together and save the common currency. And the U.S. investors holding their breath.

(on camera): 2011 started with big gain games for stock. The Dow soared past 12,000, holding its own while governments toppled in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.

(voice-over): But then Japan, the devastating earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster threatened our fragile recovery.

And over the summer, Congress' debt ceiling stalemate pulled the rug out from under the market.

BOEHNER: We have a spending problem.

OBAMA: There are a lot of crises in the world that we can't always predict or avoid. This isn't one of those crises.

KOSIK: The Dow dropped 512 points on August 4th, another 630- plus points on August 8th as S&P downgraded its rating on the United States that left investors dizzy.

(on camera): And Americans angry. Some took to the streets -- a fight for financial fairness began in September here in New York's Zuccotti Park and spread across the country.

(voice-over): Many sought retail therapy. The biggest Black Friday and Cyber Monday on record.

(on camera): The Dow recovered the summer's loses and has a chance to end the year in positive territory -- call it a little Christmas cheer at the end of an economic year to forget.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOSIK: OK. So, what's in store for the economy next year? Well, economists are predicting slow growth to continue. The crisis in Europe, that's expected to continue to be a major concern, but there are some positive indicators in recent weeks, T.J., specifically on jobs and housing. And if -- if -- some of those trends improve and 2012, believe it or not, has a chance of being a little better than 2011, we can only hope.

HOLMES: We'll take that. I like the "ifs" you threw in there. But how is Wall Street? What are we expecting?

KOSIK: Hey, we're starting off in the green. Some modest gains right now. The jobless claims, they dropped to 364,000 last week. It's actually the lowest level in 3 1/2 years. Now, they only fell about 4,000, but Wall Street expected an increase.

So, that's some good news on the jobs front and shows fewer layoffs and possibly new some hiring. However, we also learned, T.J., that the economy, the growth is still weak. Third quarter GDP was revised to just 1.8 percent, not necessarily the greatest news on that front, but Wall Street at least right now is shrugging that off. We'll see what happens as we go through the day -- T.J.

HOLMES: All right. Alison Kosik, thank you, as always.

Well, we're 34 minutes past the hour. And legendary actress Betty White, she's ready for some football. I'll tell you what she'll be up to on Monday night.

And a little later, they are out of the war zone. Three hundred soldiers back home just in time for the holidays.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: It is what everybody's dreaming of, right? Not just a white Christmas, but a Betty White Christmas.

Let me bring in "Showbiz Tonight's" Kareen Wynter in L.A.

Hello to you.

And Betty White. This ought to be good.

KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Hi, T.J.

HOLMES: This ought to be good.

WYNTER: I love that play on words. Betty White Christmas, I love it.

Well, you know, Betty, she's up for a little football. You know how ESPN, T.J., opens Monday night football with a celebrity, usually a former football star. Well, next Monday, that celebrity will be Betty White.

You know the 89-year-old actress, she can do anything. And that includes, T.J., kicking off an NFL game. After all, it was a Super Bowl commercial, remember that, that helped launch her career renaissance. And her popularity, let me tell you, it is as strong as ever.

NBC is having a televised 90th birthday party for White next month and the guest list, quite impressive, will include co-stars from "Mary Tyler Moore" show like, of course, Mary Tyler Moore, Ed Asner and Valerie Harper. Plus, stars like Carol Burnett, Jay Leno, Hugh Jackman and her co-stars from her very popular show "Hot in Cleveland." The show, by the way, T.J., it will air January 16th, the day before White turns 90.

HOLMES: Wow.

WYNTER: I just hope we're doing that well, T.J., you and I when we turn 90. I've said it before, I'll say it again -- White shows snow signs of slowing down. Good for her.

HOLMES: Ninety years old and to see her -- it's weird to see her career taking off again. She's been through so much over her --

WYNTER: It's impressive.

HOLMES: It's very impressive.

But tell me, I got a Mariah Carey note here I'm supposed to go to next. Is that what we're talking about here?

WYNTER: We are talking about Mariah Carey and her twins.

HOLMES: All right.

WYNTER: They are so cute, T.J. Mariah's new Christmas video, it may feature John legend. But in my mind, the video stars are her twins that are making their big music video debut.

And we have a treat for you. Take a look at her singing with "When Christmas Comes" with her beautiful family.

(VIDEO CLIP PLAYS)

WYNTER: Makes you want to say, awww. There's Moroccan and Monroe. They're only 8 months old, T.J., but ready to follow in mom and dad's footsteps.

And, Mariah, she does do Christmas songs quite well. Her version of "All I Want for Christmas" is still a huge hit every year. But look at those precious faces. The twins.

And my producer just told me, their nickname Roc and Roe. How unique and how creative.

HOLMES: Oh my -- you said Roc and Roe? Is that what you said?

WYNTER: Roc and Roe, yes, Moroccan, Monroe. Roc, Roe, get it?

HOLMES: Kareen, sometimes (INAUDIBLE).

Kareen Wynter, always good to talk to you. Thanks so much.

WYNTER: Thanks, T.J.

HOLMES: And next hour, we'll have an interview that might change the way you think about actor and comedian Will Ferrell. He's talking with our Alina Cho for our Christmas special, "Big Stars, Big Giving." She'll be along with a preview of that.

Also, coming up, meeting a new family member for the first time. Look at this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CILP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do you guys think here?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Absolutely beautiful.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: And it's not that simple, though. You will see the remarkable journey these dogs have to take to find a new home.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Well, Pilot Mike Young has made it his mission to help more than 100 rescue dogs who are in need of a new home -- but not in a way that you might be thinking. We meet his very special cargo.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKE YOUNG, VOLUNTEER PILOT: My dog's name was Conan. He was a German shepherd.

We paid good money to have the cancer treated, he responded well to the chemo but his kidneys failed. And that's ultimately why we had to put him to sleep.

Now, I'm on Pilot and Pause, which is a Web site that people have dogs that have to be transported. These are rescuers we pulled from high kill shelters post on this Web site that they have dogs to move from point A to point B. And pilots like me get e-mail saying another request has been posted.

And I scan through them to see if there are any rescue flights that are within my area that I can do.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, you dog (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey. How's life treating you this fine day?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're doing good.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Save some more dogs.

YOUNG: It's OK, Bo. It's OK.

They actually look like they know that they're about to be saved. This is different there's people loving them, there's other dogs around them. And they always know that they're going to be going to their forever home.

All right, Bo seems to want to be in the back seat. You know what; he just managed to get to the front.

Transporting dogs is one of the most important steps in saving dogs. You have to move them from rural areas, typically, to more urban areas where there's a higher probability that they're going to get rescued.

Here you go.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's beautiful.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi, sweetie.

YOUNG: What do you guys think of your new addition to your family?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Absolutely beautiful. We love her.

YOUNG: When you look into the new owner's eyes, for the first time they're going to get to hold their dog.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You want to hold her, buddy?

YOUNG: And they just hold their dog like they just had it forever. And they were waiting forever for this dog. You know that dog is going to have a good life.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you, sir. Oh have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year and thank you. You actually made our Christmas.

YOUNG: So, how can I not spend my time and money giving to these dogs? Giving the owners of these new dogs the opportunity to have the love that I have for these dogs and, really, that's what it is all about.

(END VIDEO CLIP) HOLMES: And you can see CNN's "GIVING IN FOCUS" special at 4:30 Eastern Time Christmas Day hosted by our own Tom Foreman.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: All right. Ten minutes at the top of the hour. I'll give you a look at some of the stories making news across country. Take a look and listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a swell time --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Ok, I know, maybe you thought these were just your everyday carollers but no this was in Pembroke Pines, Florida, where they sing about more than just Christmas.

This is outside the office of U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Protesters singing songs like "Jail Bail Rock" and "Frosty the Jailer Man." The group is angry about the planned building of a large prison in the community.

Also in New York now, you've got to hear this one. The most expensive apartment in Manhattan ever has now been sold at a price tag of $88 million. It was bought by a millionaire -- excuse me, a billionaire, a Russian billionaire. But get this, he didn't buy it for himself. He bought it for his daughter.

So a 22-year-old young woman is going to be living in New York in the most expensive apartment ever. It covers the length of a city block, had ten rooms, ten wood burning fireplaces, and I am in search of a new friend.

Also in Fort Knox, Kentucky, 300 soldiers returning home just in time for the holidays. This is always great. Oh she's excited there. They spent the year in Afghanistan helping the country's security forces there.

A lot of these homecomings we've been seeing. And they all are just as touching as the last.

We'll be following a lot of developments in the next hour of the CNN NEWSROOM. Let's hear from our correspondents. Let's start with Kate Bolduan up on Capitol Hill.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey there T.J., will they get a deal? That is the question so many Americans are asking. We'll be hearing from House Speaker John Boehner coming up in the next hour. And I'll have more on all of that.

GEORGE HOWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And I'm George Howell in Atlanta. It has now been more than a month since drum major Robert Champion was killed in a hazing-related incident. Still no arrests. So we turn to a law enforcement expert to explain why it's taking so long. That story coming up at the top of the hour.

REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: And I'm CNN meteorologist Reynolds Wolf. The top story we had today in weather is the chance of severe weather in parts of the southeast. In fact take a look at this, we've got an area shaded in parts of Mississippi and back in Louisiana. A tornado watch that will be in effect until 1:00 local time. More on that coming up in a few moments -- T.J. back to you.

HOLMES: All right, we will see you all in a moment. Kate, George, Reynolds, thank you all.

All right ahead, the best videos of the year? You've got to see this. Stay with me.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: All right. I know you've been waiting. NBA, the season actually finally kicks off Christmas Day. Jeff's here, our good friend from HLN Sports. All right, man here we go. But we already have a problem.

JEFF FISCHEL, ANCHOR, HLN SPORTS: Well, yes. You know, it's not the best of days right now for Kobe Bryant --

HOLMES: Yes, yes.

FISCHEL: -- the Lakers star. We know he's getting a divorce. He thought he'd get to have all-star Chris Paul as a teammate but the commissioner blocked the deal. And now mix in an injury and stir. He has a torn ligament in his right wrist. It happened in Monday night's pre-season game against the Clippers. His day today.

Last night the two teams played again. The final warm-up before the regular season as T.J. mentioned starts on Christmas. Watch Blake. He is outstanding. I know it's just pre-season. It's a short one because of the lockout. But look at Chris Paul and Blake Griffin hook up.

Of course, Paul now, on the Clippers instead of the Lakers. Those two together are going to be fantastic. There's Griffin again. The Clippers beat the Lakers again. Who's the best team in L.A.? I thought so. The season starts Christmas Day.

College hoops, North Carolina hosted Texas, watch Tar Heels freshman P.J. Hairston posterizes (ph) Julian Lewis. Texas had actually won the last four meetings between these teams. Not this time. The fifth ranked Heels rolled 82-63.

College football TCU taking on Louisiana 2nd Poinsettia Bowl -- some say Poinsetta, you make the call. Louisiana Tech's Quinton Patton keeps a foot inbounds. Touchdown. Patton even made a better play before the game. He and a teammate donated their Bowl Gifts. $300 gift cards to Make-a-Wish Foundation. That's pretty cool.

Late in the game, TCU's Casey Pachall to Sky Dawson, 41-yard touchdown. Horned Frogs win in San Diego, 31-24. (INAUDIBLE) in San Diego.

NHL, watch this. Stars and Flyers leaving the ice after the first period. Flyers coach, Peter Laviolette, impatient man, wants to get by Stars enforcer Steve Ott and gives out a shove. Ott called the coach later "arrogant."

On the ice the Flyers Claude Giroux took over. A goal, three assists; it's his first game back from a concussion. Flyers won 4-1. The coach may have to answer to the league for that push though. Hey, he's just setting an example for the team, right? It's a tough game.

HOLMES: Really? That push might get him in a little trouble?

FISCHEL: Well, you have to behave. You're representing the league when you're a coach.

HOLMES: They let them fight on the ice.

FISCHEL: I'm thinking if it's anything, it's just a little slap on the wrist.

(CROSSTALK)

HOLMES: All right. Appreciate you as always. Thanks so much, my man.

Well, they are apparently the videos you watched most this year. Jeanne Moose with a look back.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The thing about YouTube videos is that some you get and some seem like gibberish.

For instance in this year's top ten most viewed videos, the number five spot went to a very annoying cat. The number ten spot went to a very adorable cat; a mother cat hugging its kitten while the two of them take a cat nap. The number nine was Volkswagen's super volt commercial called "The Force."

Number eight was a cute 11-year-old Canadian singing Lady Gaga's hit. Lady Gaga was so impressed she invited Maria Aragon to sing a duet in concert.

Number seven was a dance comedy video. YouTube is the place if you want people to --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Look at me now.

MOOS: At least 56 million people looked at the twin talking babies who seem to understand each other perfectly. Adults enjoyed adding subtitles and nominating them for best foreign language film.

Comedy music videos were popular. And we might as well acknowledge the number one video that got over 180 million views.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: -- it's Friday, Friday --

MOOS: Ok. That's enough acknowledgment. But it's the video that came in at number two that is number one in my heart. And since it's my story, that's the one we're going to concentrate on.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know what the meat drawer is, right?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. What was in there?

MOOS: There is just something riveting about the talking dog being teased.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know that bacon that's like maple -- got maple flavoring?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The maple kind. Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, so --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I took that out and I thought, I know who would like that. Me. So I ate it.

ANDREW GRANTHAM, CREATOR, "TALKING ANIMALS": Looks like he's getting his hopes up and then they're dashed. And then he gets his hopes up again and then they're dashed again.

MOOS: Former ad agency guy, Canadian Andrew Grantham now makes a living creating and voicing talking animals. People submit thousands of videos and he adds the dialogue.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Cheese.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow.

MOOS: Andrew wouldn't say how much his advertising partnership with YouTube pays. But Clark the Dog now has a Facebook fan page with a joke bacon tree and a bacon T-shirt. And if you're wondering --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're kidding me.

MOOS: What he really said in dog speak.

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)