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Gulf Coast Residents Head for Higher Ground; Senate Hearing for Bush CIA Chief Nominee Begins; Interview with Patti Labelle
Aired September 14, 2004 - 14:28 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back. From the CNN Center here in Atlanta, this is LIVE FROM. I'm Betty Nguyen.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Kyra Phillips. Here's what's all new this half hour.
JASON BELLINI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Jason Bellini in New Orleans, a very uneasy Big Easy as government officials and residents are being forced to consider the unthinkable. I'll have that story coming up.
PHILLIPS: And we'll also talk with singer Patti LaBelle in just a few minutes. But first, what's happening now in the news.
NGUYEN: People who live on the Gulf coast are boarding up and heading for higher ground. Hurricane Ivan is expected to smash into the coast on Thursday. Landfall could be anywhere from the Florida Panhandle to the border of Texas and Louisiana. Officials in Louisiana and Alabama have ordered evacuations in some places.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CRAIG FUGATE, EOC STATE COORDINATING OFFICER: If the storm makes landfall, the size of it is still going to impact the western end of Florida. Unless this thing goes to Texas, we're not going to get out of this one.
The further it comes to the east, the greater the impact will be moving east. And that's why that watch went up. But really, focusing on where it makes landfall, for most of Florida right now, is pretty much irrelevant.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: And a Republican Congressman told a Senate Committee that he's not too partisan to become the next director of the CIA. The Senate hearing for Porter Goss began this morning. Goss, former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, was nominated by President Bush to take over the agency.
The cost of mailing a letter will not change until 2006. The Postmaster General told the Postal Board of Governor's meeting in Boston, the price of a first-class stamp will stay at 37 cents.
PHILLIPS: Well, Floridians are no strangers to hurricanes, especially this frightening season, and now those in the Panhandle are packing up and moving out yet again.
Darwin Singleton of CNN affiliate WPMI joins me now live from Pensacola with the latest from their beachfront.
DARWIN SINGLETON, REPORTER, WPMI: Kyra, it is very deceptive. You can take a look right now behind me here. You see a lot of people actually taking a look at the surf on the beach. The sun is shining. Yes, the red flags are out. That's nothing unusual for Pensacola Beach.
What is unusual is to have a hurricane offshore and bearing down on you in just a few hours. There's a good chance that could be happening here. Pensacola Beach is in the northeast quadrant of the storm. That traditionally is where the winds are strongest.
While the eye may not come here, folks here are already boarding up. We did a little trip down the beach a little while ago, and they've already started putting boards on the windows, taking down things from -- like awnings, even a huge crab being lowered from a restaurant here -- fiberglass crab, much larger than me, that they're afraid might blow away in the storm.
So, taking it very seriously in Pensacola. You may remember, in 1995, it was Hurricane Opal that actually, where I'm standing now, would have already been engulfed with water from the Gulf of Mexico. So, they take no chances when they hear the word hurricane here in Pensacola and Pensacola Beach.
In fact, evacuations are already underway here on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key. They have probably until 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning when tropical storm-force winds close the only bridge leading on to -- from Pensacola to Pensacola Beach.
So, folks are taking this very seriously, and they are getting ready to get out, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Darwin Singleton and WPMI, thanks so much for that report.
Well, in New Orleans, residents have been warned get out or get to higher ground. CNN's Jason Bellini is among those waiting for the storm. He's live with a report now -- I guess you'd say on a little bit of higher ground.
Hi, Jason.
BELLINI: Hi, Kyra.
That's right. I'm actually in one of the highest parts of this city. It's a levy right on the Mississippi River right here beside me.
Now, it's a nice, quiet day out here. People are walking, strolling along as if there's nothing wrong. But government officials are warning people that there's a lot to be worried about. This river could overflow its banks if there were to be not even a direct hit by hurricane Ivan on this city. An indirect hit could cause enough water sheer for it to overflow the banks.
And as you know, Kyra, this city is basically a bowl. It could fill up with water. This city could be under 14 feet of water. The French Quarter back there could be under 14 feet of water.
Now the mayor, Ray Nagin, he spoke earlier today, and he told residents you need to either get out or get ready.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR RAY NAGIN, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: This is a very dangerous storm. It's 100 miles from the start to the center. So, even if it doesn't come to New Orleans directly, if it's within 100 miles of hitting New Orleans, we will have hurricane-force winds.
So, I just want to make sure everybody understands that, and we don't put our guards down just in case this storm veers a little to our east.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BELLINI: Now, the mayor didn't issue an evacuation warning. He said that it'd virtually be impossible to evacuate the city, especially with so little time left, and also because there are over 100,000 people in New Orleans who don't have vehicles. They rely on public transportation.
So, he's encouraged them to evacuate vertically -- in other words, go into some higher buildings, go into the fourth or fifth floor of one of the big hotels here. But emergency planners here know that it would really be a doom-day scenario if Ivan were to hit this city directly, that there could be tens of thousands of people killed by the hurricane.
Right now, they're praying that they'll dodge the bullet -- Kyra?
PHILLIPS: Jason, you're bringing back memories for me, because I used to live and work there. And I remember having to cover a hurricane. And you probably know this, too -- the drainage system, it's just not very good. And the flooding is just unreal when hurricanes come through there.
What have emergency planners done, or they have they done anything to prepare for that?
BELLINI: Well, they've been preparing over the years for this eventuality. And they have pumps to pump water out when there's flooding. And you know, there's even sometimes flooding if there's just a hard rainfall.
I was talking to someone earlier yesterday in the French Quarter who was saying that, you know, we'll be under several inches of rain, and it takes a while for those pumps to get the water out.
Now, those pumps could themselves be underwater if the river overflowed its banks. And under the worst-case scenario, it could actually take months to dry out this city. And who knows what would be left afterwards?
Hopefully, we won't have to consider the scenario. But really, under the worst-case scenario, there's not a whole lot that can be done at this point -- Kyra?
PHILLIPS: And I know it well. Jason Bellini, live from New Orleans. Thanks, Jason.
Well, stay with CNN for our continuing coverage of Hurricane Ivan. We'll be tracking the storm as it makes its way across the U.S.
NGUYEN: Now, more on the Senate Intelligence Committee hearings on Porter Goss. In his opening statement this morning, the Florida Republican pledged to keep Congress in the loop if confirmed to head the CIA.
Joining us now is CNN contributor Bob Barr here to talk about what's likely to happen during these hearings. Thanks for being with us today.
BOB BARR, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Thank you.
NGUYEN: First off, let's talk about Porter Goss, the man. The White House has nominated him. What does he bring to the table?
BARR: He brings both a tremendous background in intelligence oversight, having served for several years as the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, as well as a very lengthy background in several aspects of intelligence directly with the CIA, going back to the 1960s and through the 1970s.
So, he brings a very unusual blend of Congressional experience and direct CIA experience. But of course, some of his critics say that that makes him too close to the intelligence community and not able to sort of step back and bring reforms to bear.
NGUYEN: Yes, let's talk about that a little bit, because Democrats no doubt have some concern about Porter Goss.
Want to take a listen to a little of the exchange that happened during today's hearing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN ROCKEFELLER (D), WEST VIRGINIA: You have made a number of statements relative to intelligence matters, many in the past year, that are highly, in my judgment, partisan and display a willingness on your part to use intelligence issues as a political broadsword against members of the Democratic party.
REP. PORTER GOSS (R-FL), CIA DIRECTOR NOMINEE: Rest assured, however, that I do understand completely the difference in obligations the position of DCI carries with it, and that which the role of Congressman carries.
These are two completely distinct jobs in our form of government. I understand those distinctions, and if confirmed, I commit myself to a nonpartisan approach to the job of DCI.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: After listening to that, what are some of the other sticking points for Goss critics?
BARR: Well, of course, there have been many criticisms leveled at both the CIA and American foreign intelligence, in general, in the wake of the invasion of Iraq, the failure to find weapons of mass destruction and so forth. And then, of course, overlaid on all of this consideration of a new head for the CIA are issues regarding the very structure of our intelligence business.
So, Porter Goss could be confirmed to a position that will change dramatically within the first few months of next year. So, those who are considering his nomination, the Senators, really have to probe not only as we saw there in the piece that you just played: Is he going to be fair and nonpartisan -- and I think he'll be on that score -- but also, will he be able to cope with the changes that inevitably are coming down the road? And that's very much an open question.
NGUYEN: Well, he's expected to go ahead and get approval.
We want to take a look at this process. Want to put up on the screen a look at the Senate Intelligence Committee, all those who make up that committee.
Talk to us about the process, and who do you think is going to be posing some of the tough questions?
BARR: Well, of course, some questions will come directly from the chairman of the committee, Pat Roberts, a Republican. Senator Roberts has already proposed a dramatic reform of the Central Intelligence Agency -- parts of which the administration does not agree with, and he may have some very tough questions for Porter Goss.
Of course, on the Democrat side, probably Evan Bayh and Richard Durbin, Ron Wyden, and Senator Rockefeller will ask some very tough questions.
This is an election year, and unlike virtually any other election year that I can remember, intelligence, which is normally sort of kept hush-hush, is very much going to be front and center, and that creates a climate that is very unusual here. So, I think we're going to see more sparks than normal in a confirmation for CIA director.
NGUYEN: All right. CNN contributor Bob Barr, thanks so much for your insights.
BARR: Sure.
NGUYEN: Kyra?
PHILLIPS: Straight ahead -- fed up with politics? Now you can take out your frustrations with your feet, your thumbs, and your pet. Jeanne Moos brings us the best political toys of the season. And R&B singer extraordinaire Patti LaBelle -- there she is, live shot from L.A. Dang! She looks hot! Wait until you hear her new CD. Patti's coming up right after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, diva Patti Labelle has been thrilling music fans for more than four decades. She's known for her powerful voice and boundless energy, and she has a new CD. It's called "Timeless Journey." But here's something you may not know. She was diagnosed with diabetes ten years ago and has become a spokeswoman for early intervention. Patti Labelle joins us live from Los Angeles to talk about that, and of course her music. Wow, everyone is talking about you, Patti, everybody.
PATTI LABELLE, SINGER: Gosh, well, thank you. I'm happy to be able to talk back to you.
PHILLIPS: Are you sure you're 60?
LABELLE: I'm 60. May 24, I was 60. Yes, girl, I'm sure I'm 60.
PHILLIPS: You're positive.
LABELLE: I'm positive. But so many people say, you don't look it. I say what is 60 supposed to look like? What is 60 supposed to act like? Whatever it is, I'm blessed. Thank you.
PHILLIPS: I've got to ask -- you look great, but I got to tell you, heads were turning at the DNC. You got to tell me about this dress you were wearing, spinning some 45s. Who made this dress? What's up with this?
LABELLE: OK, this dress was made by a fabulous designer who lives in Los Angeles. Her name is Linda Stokes and it was old Motown records, Capitol records, no Patti Labelle records but it was just a dress made of records.
And so when I finished, Hillary said, "Patti, what is this on the dress?" She said, "oh, records." She said, "Bill, I told you Patti was wearing a record dress."
So they loved the dress and the girl is just -- she's a fabulous designer from Los Angeles. Linda Stokes.
PHILLIPS: Well, Berry Gordy is probably really happy about that. But anyway, let's talk about "Timeless Journey." A lot of songs about relationships. Are you realizing as you get older that it's all about the true friendships and who has really stuck by you through all those decades of craziness?
LABELLE: Yes, it's all about the real. It's all about life that's been real and good to me, and even the life that hasn't been so good to me has made me a woman that I am still today. A strong black woman. And the album -- you and I were talking about this earlier -- I write a song about my divorce, about, you know, I'm human. Women and men, they get married and soon they divorce but stay friendly if you can. And we have maintained that friendliness. And I talk about songs like I have a song for my friend Celia Cruz that we were talking about who passed not so long ago.
PHILLIPS: She is amazing.
LABELLE: Yes. Santana and my friend Sammy Martini (ph) and myself just wrote this beautiful song about her smile. And of course it goes for all my girlfriends who have passed like Nina Simone, and some of my guys, Barry White, Gregory Hines, Ray Charles, Rick James, Marlon Brando. It's just -- and the album is dedicated to Luther who is doing so much better.
PHILLIPS: Boy, you have just -- I mean, you've maintained some incredible friendships not just with Celia Cruz, we're looking at some video of her right there but there are so many different people that join you on your albums, I guess I should say CDs now, that's the right word.
LABELLE: They call them CDs. I still call them albums. Go ahead, you're all right. Go ahead.
PHILLIPS: I'm feeling old right now. I try. You got to say CDs. I'm telling you.
LABELLE: Well, you know I'm 60.
PHILLIPS: That's true! My goodness.
Who do you think has been just one of those really true friends to you within the 60 years, all those albums, CDs, cassettes, eight- tracks, you know, let's say them all. Who's been that real solid friend to you?
LABELLE: Most of them are gone. Phyllis Hyman and Nina Simone. And Celia Cruz. We understood nothing that each other said but we had this bond. And those are people that I learned things from and I have a great friendship with Dolly Parton. We don't talk very often, but I have great friends who teach me a lot.
PHILLIPS: Why do you always sing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow?" I wanted to ask you that. You always have that in your concert.
LABELLE: Really? That's the last song in my show because I believe that if birds fly high, so can I. I believe if you dream, your dream should come true. And it's a positive song, it's an uplifting song for so many people. And it gives you hope. It gives me hope. I'm still hoping. So it's still giving me hope.
PHILLIPS: Let's talk about Prince. You two have a pretty interesting relationship. Friendship, I guess I could say.
LABELLE: Prince, that's like my -- he could be like a son, like a brother, like a whatever. But he always calls me to his shows, and I did go to his show in Philadelphia. And he pointed to me, and I broke my neck and got on that stage and we went buck wild. I had no clue what song he was singing, but I made up lyrics, and at the end of the show when he saw me he said, "girl, when you sang one line, you blew me away." I don't know what line it was, but we have this thing, this friendship. It's beautiful.
PHILLIPS: Define "buck wild" for me.
LABELLE: Crazy. It's a black thing.
PHILLIPS: I don't know, Patti, I think I can do the buck wild thing.
LABELLE: Yes, you can. But, see, Prince knew he had to take it easy with me because I'm diabetic, and he knows he has to treat me like -- like something precious because I'm not always well, and he didn't know if my blood sugar was high that night or what. But we worked it. I talked to him that night about my diabetic freedom. It's called diabetes freedom. It's, like, when you have diabetes but it doesn't have you so you are able to go up on stage and kick butt, do whatever you can do, and we have this survey of everybody's writing in letters to Diabetesfreedom.com about what diabetes freedom means to you. And it means that can you keep living and you can go on stage with Prince or any of those young kids and kick butt. You can do whatever, you know...
PHILLIPS: Well, you've written cookbooks too, right?
LABELLE: I've written...
PHILLIPS: Because your diet had to change quite a bit because of that?
LABELLE: It's called light cuisine because of my mother dying of diabetes after having her legs amputated. My aunt going blind. My uncle dying of it. Knowing that Luther Vandross had a big scare that put a lot of people back on the track and you know it's just that it's a state of mind, it's a way of life. You have to really, like, live with this diabetes, and don't let it take you out. And I'm not letting it take me out. I'm going to be around for another 60 years.
PHILLIPS: You know, I believe that. Life just begins at 60. Right, Patti?
LABELLE: For me.
PHILLIPS: That's right.
LABELLE: And you know for those who are fortunate -- and I love doing this interview with you. You're very...
PHILLIPS: You want to keep talking? My producer is probably going to get mad. Oh, man, I'm getting the wrap. All right. I'll ask -- give me a little...
LABELLE: The main thing is this diabetes freedom. Just check into Diabetesfreedom.com to get all the information about the contest. The contest winners, five of them will meet me, I'll probably cook for them or whatever. We'll go out and maybe go to a Prince concert. I'll take them to a Prince concert, if I'm not performing, and just write about what diabetes means to you, the freedom of diabetes and not the death sentence. It's not a death sentence.
PHILLIPS: Well, you're living proof of that. The new CD is "Timeless Journey." OK, just as we go, I just got to hear you belt it out. Give me a new attitude.
LABELLE (singing): I got a new attitude
PHILLIPS: Yes!
LABELLE: I'm kind of hoarse, though.
PHILLIPS: Patti LaBelle, you're an amazing woman.
LABELLE: Watch me tomorrow night with OutKast on the video show -- the World Video Show in Vegas. Watch me, OK?
PHILLIPS: Oh, we'll be watching you.
LABELLE: I'm going to show you something, OK?
PHILLIPS: All right. All right. Give me a little groove.
All right, we're going to go to break.
LABELLE: I love you.
PHILLIPS: I love you more.
LABELLE: I love your attitude, too. Thank you. Bye.
PHILLIPS: Bye, Patti.
We're going to take a quick break. She is just amazing. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: OK, are you sticking a sign in your lawn for your candidate this election season? That is so old millennium.
CNN's Jeanne Moos looks at new ways of marketing George Bush and John Kerry.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): OK, they're a little hard to make out while you're moving, but why settle for old- fashioned bumper stickers when you can stick President Bush on your hubcaps, or Kerry condoms that say "Redefeat Bush," or take a knock- out punch at John Kerry, or give President Bush the boot...
(on camera): I think you missed a spot.
(voice-over): ... with the Bush doormat?
God bless the Internet. It's opened up a whole new world of political merchandise.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Love it! love it!
MOOS: So does the head of the Democratic National Committee. Terry McAuliffe has one outside his door.
(on camera): Now, is that nice to do to our president?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't like him.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I wouldn't wipe my feet on George Bush.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Disrespectful.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You're too young for that.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, he not.
MOOS (voice-over): Or maybe you'd prefer to let your pet do the dirty work. That is, if your pet isn't petrified of politics. At politicalpettoys.com, you can choose to chew on Bush or Kerry for 13 bucks apiece.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get him, Ripley. Chew him up.
MOOS: Their slogan?
(on camera): You can't get even, but your pet can.
(voice-over): No wonder. They also sell Saddam and Osama.
(on camera): Finally, someone who can catch Osama!
(voice-over): If you want a more compassionate canine, cafepress.com offers the John Kerry "That Dog Won't Hunt" T-shirt, as well as the "Anyone but Bush" T-shirt modeled by Julius.
You can turn your baby into a political poster child.
(on camera): Mommy, this mess is nothing compared to Bush's war in Iraq.
(voice-over): Though Nate modeled the bib, his dad is a Republican.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: His dad let him spit up all over it.
MOOS: Which Nate did seconds after we removed the bib.
You can count down to Election Day with timepieces from electionwatches.com. At wafflewatch.com, you can get Senator Kerry flipping waffles. A Bush growing-nose watch is in the works, similar to the Bush Pinocchio masks favored by protesters. As for the hubcaps honoring President Bush, we tooled around in them, but got very few comments.
(on camera): Would you put these hubcaps on your car?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure, you give them to me?
MOOS (voice-over): Try clevercovers.com for 70 bucks.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They have a toilet lid?
MOOS: Not that we know of.
Nader supporters might enjoy Julius gnawing on Kerry on a Bush doormat. These guys could teach even the candidates a thing or two about mudslinging.
Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: All right, this seems like a good time to hand things over to Judy Woodruff for "INSIDE POLITICS." Hi, Judy.
JUDY WOODRUFF, HOST, "INSIDE POLITICS": Hubcaps, that's a new way to advertise your choice in this election.
PHILLIPS: There you go, always spinning.
WOODRUFF: OK. Kyra, thanks very much. Appreciate it.
Well, it is another day of the president's National Guard record topping the headlines. But is the controversy really hurting Mr. Bush? Our Bill Schneider takes a look at impact the issue is having on the race for the White House.
Plus, it's a story, you could say, of the lion and the lamb. We'll take a look at how the vice presidential contenders are helping shape this year's election. "INSIDE POLITICS" begins in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired September 14, 2004 - 14:28 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back. From the CNN Center here in Atlanta, this is LIVE FROM. I'm Betty Nguyen.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Kyra Phillips. Here's what's all new this half hour.
JASON BELLINI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Jason Bellini in New Orleans, a very uneasy Big Easy as government officials and residents are being forced to consider the unthinkable. I'll have that story coming up.
PHILLIPS: And we'll also talk with singer Patti LaBelle in just a few minutes. But first, what's happening now in the news.
NGUYEN: People who live on the Gulf coast are boarding up and heading for higher ground. Hurricane Ivan is expected to smash into the coast on Thursday. Landfall could be anywhere from the Florida Panhandle to the border of Texas and Louisiana. Officials in Louisiana and Alabama have ordered evacuations in some places.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CRAIG FUGATE, EOC STATE COORDINATING OFFICER: If the storm makes landfall, the size of it is still going to impact the western end of Florida. Unless this thing goes to Texas, we're not going to get out of this one.
The further it comes to the east, the greater the impact will be moving east. And that's why that watch went up. But really, focusing on where it makes landfall, for most of Florida right now, is pretty much irrelevant.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: And a Republican Congressman told a Senate Committee that he's not too partisan to become the next director of the CIA. The Senate hearing for Porter Goss began this morning. Goss, former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, was nominated by President Bush to take over the agency.
The cost of mailing a letter will not change until 2006. The Postmaster General told the Postal Board of Governor's meeting in Boston, the price of a first-class stamp will stay at 37 cents.
PHILLIPS: Well, Floridians are no strangers to hurricanes, especially this frightening season, and now those in the Panhandle are packing up and moving out yet again.
Darwin Singleton of CNN affiliate WPMI joins me now live from Pensacola with the latest from their beachfront.
DARWIN SINGLETON, REPORTER, WPMI: Kyra, it is very deceptive. You can take a look right now behind me here. You see a lot of people actually taking a look at the surf on the beach. The sun is shining. Yes, the red flags are out. That's nothing unusual for Pensacola Beach.
What is unusual is to have a hurricane offshore and bearing down on you in just a few hours. There's a good chance that could be happening here. Pensacola Beach is in the northeast quadrant of the storm. That traditionally is where the winds are strongest.
While the eye may not come here, folks here are already boarding up. We did a little trip down the beach a little while ago, and they've already started putting boards on the windows, taking down things from -- like awnings, even a huge crab being lowered from a restaurant here -- fiberglass crab, much larger than me, that they're afraid might blow away in the storm.
So, taking it very seriously in Pensacola. You may remember, in 1995, it was Hurricane Opal that actually, where I'm standing now, would have already been engulfed with water from the Gulf of Mexico. So, they take no chances when they hear the word hurricane here in Pensacola and Pensacola Beach.
In fact, evacuations are already underway here on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key. They have probably until 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning when tropical storm-force winds close the only bridge leading on to -- from Pensacola to Pensacola Beach.
So, folks are taking this very seriously, and they are getting ready to get out, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Darwin Singleton and WPMI, thanks so much for that report.
Well, in New Orleans, residents have been warned get out or get to higher ground. CNN's Jason Bellini is among those waiting for the storm. He's live with a report now -- I guess you'd say on a little bit of higher ground.
Hi, Jason.
BELLINI: Hi, Kyra.
That's right. I'm actually in one of the highest parts of this city. It's a levy right on the Mississippi River right here beside me.
Now, it's a nice, quiet day out here. People are walking, strolling along as if there's nothing wrong. But government officials are warning people that there's a lot to be worried about. This river could overflow its banks if there were to be not even a direct hit by hurricane Ivan on this city. An indirect hit could cause enough water sheer for it to overflow the banks.
And as you know, Kyra, this city is basically a bowl. It could fill up with water. This city could be under 14 feet of water. The French Quarter back there could be under 14 feet of water.
Now the mayor, Ray Nagin, he spoke earlier today, and he told residents you need to either get out or get ready.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR RAY NAGIN, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: This is a very dangerous storm. It's 100 miles from the start to the center. So, even if it doesn't come to New Orleans directly, if it's within 100 miles of hitting New Orleans, we will have hurricane-force winds.
So, I just want to make sure everybody understands that, and we don't put our guards down just in case this storm veers a little to our east.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BELLINI: Now, the mayor didn't issue an evacuation warning. He said that it'd virtually be impossible to evacuate the city, especially with so little time left, and also because there are over 100,000 people in New Orleans who don't have vehicles. They rely on public transportation.
So, he's encouraged them to evacuate vertically -- in other words, go into some higher buildings, go into the fourth or fifth floor of one of the big hotels here. But emergency planners here know that it would really be a doom-day scenario if Ivan were to hit this city directly, that there could be tens of thousands of people killed by the hurricane.
Right now, they're praying that they'll dodge the bullet -- Kyra?
PHILLIPS: Jason, you're bringing back memories for me, because I used to live and work there. And I remember having to cover a hurricane. And you probably know this, too -- the drainage system, it's just not very good. And the flooding is just unreal when hurricanes come through there.
What have emergency planners done, or they have they done anything to prepare for that?
BELLINI: Well, they've been preparing over the years for this eventuality. And they have pumps to pump water out when there's flooding. And you know, there's even sometimes flooding if there's just a hard rainfall.
I was talking to someone earlier yesterday in the French Quarter who was saying that, you know, we'll be under several inches of rain, and it takes a while for those pumps to get the water out.
Now, those pumps could themselves be underwater if the river overflowed its banks. And under the worst-case scenario, it could actually take months to dry out this city. And who knows what would be left afterwards?
Hopefully, we won't have to consider the scenario. But really, under the worst-case scenario, there's not a whole lot that can be done at this point -- Kyra?
PHILLIPS: And I know it well. Jason Bellini, live from New Orleans. Thanks, Jason.
Well, stay with CNN for our continuing coverage of Hurricane Ivan. We'll be tracking the storm as it makes its way across the U.S.
NGUYEN: Now, more on the Senate Intelligence Committee hearings on Porter Goss. In his opening statement this morning, the Florida Republican pledged to keep Congress in the loop if confirmed to head the CIA.
Joining us now is CNN contributor Bob Barr here to talk about what's likely to happen during these hearings. Thanks for being with us today.
BOB BARR, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Thank you.
NGUYEN: First off, let's talk about Porter Goss, the man. The White House has nominated him. What does he bring to the table?
BARR: He brings both a tremendous background in intelligence oversight, having served for several years as the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, as well as a very lengthy background in several aspects of intelligence directly with the CIA, going back to the 1960s and through the 1970s.
So, he brings a very unusual blend of Congressional experience and direct CIA experience. But of course, some of his critics say that that makes him too close to the intelligence community and not able to sort of step back and bring reforms to bear.
NGUYEN: Yes, let's talk about that a little bit, because Democrats no doubt have some concern about Porter Goss.
Want to take a listen to a little of the exchange that happened during today's hearing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN ROCKEFELLER (D), WEST VIRGINIA: You have made a number of statements relative to intelligence matters, many in the past year, that are highly, in my judgment, partisan and display a willingness on your part to use intelligence issues as a political broadsword against members of the Democratic party.
REP. PORTER GOSS (R-FL), CIA DIRECTOR NOMINEE: Rest assured, however, that I do understand completely the difference in obligations the position of DCI carries with it, and that which the role of Congressman carries.
These are two completely distinct jobs in our form of government. I understand those distinctions, and if confirmed, I commit myself to a nonpartisan approach to the job of DCI.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: After listening to that, what are some of the other sticking points for Goss critics?
BARR: Well, of course, there have been many criticisms leveled at both the CIA and American foreign intelligence, in general, in the wake of the invasion of Iraq, the failure to find weapons of mass destruction and so forth. And then, of course, overlaid on all of this consideration of a new head for the CIA are issues regarding the very structure of our intelligence business.
So, Porter Goss could be confirmed to a position that will change dramatically within the first few months of next year. So, those who are considering his nomination, the Senators, really have to probe not only as we saw there in the piece that you just played: Is he going to be fair and nonpartisan -- and I think he'll be on that score -- but also, will he be able to cope with the changes that inevitably are coming down the road? And that's very much an open question.
NGUYEN: Well, he's expected to go ahead and get approval.
We want to take a look at this process. Want to put up on the screen a look at the Senate Intelligence Committee, all those who make up that committee.
Talk to us about the process, and who do you think is going to be posing some of the tough questions?
BARR: Well, of course, some questions will come directly from the chairman of the committee, Pat Roberts, a Republican. Senator Roberts has already proposed a dramatic reform of the Central Intelligence Agency -- parts of which the administration does not agree with, and he may have some very tough questions for Porter Goss.
Of course, on the Democrat side, probably Evan Bayh and Richard Durbin, Ron Wyden, and Senator Rockefeller will ask some very tough questions.
This is an election year, and unlike virtually any other election year that I can remember, intelligence, which is normally sort of kept hush-hush, is very much going to be front and center, and that creates a climate that is very unusual here. So, I think we're going to see more sparks than normal in a confirmation for CIA director.
NGUYEN: All right. CNN contributor Bob Barr, thanks so much for your insights.
BARR: Sure.
NGUYEN: Kyra?
PHILLIPS: Straight ahead -- fed up with politics? Now you can take out your frustrations with your feet, your thumbs, and your pet. Jeanne Moos brings us the best political toys of the season. And R&B singer extraordinaire Patti LaBelle -- there she is, live shot from L.A. Dang! She looks hot! Wait until you hear her new CD. Patti's coming up right after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, diva Patti Labelle has been thrilling music fans for more than four decades. She's known for her powerful voice and boundless energy, and she has a new CD. It's called "Timeless Journey." But here's something you may not know. She was diagnosed with diabetes ten years ago and has become a spokeswoman for early intervention. Patti Labelle joins us live from Los Angeles to talk about that, and of course her music. Wow, everyone is talking about you, Patti, everybody.
PATTI LABELLE, SINGER: Gosh, well, thank you. I'm happy to be able to talk back to you.
PHILLIPS: Are you sure you're 60?
LABELLE: I'm 60. May 24, I was 60. Yes, girl, I'm sure I'm 60.
PHILLIPS: You're positive.
LABELLE: I'm positive. But so many people say, you don't look it. I say what is 60 supposed to look like? What is 60 supposed to act like? Whatever it is, I'm blessed. Thank you.
PHILLIPS: I've got to ask -- you look great, but I got to tell you, heads were turning at the DNC. You got to tell me about this dress you were wearing, spinning some 45s. Who made this dress? What's up with this?
LABELLE: OK, this dress was made by a fabulous designer who lives in Los Angeles. Her name is Linda Stokes and it was old Motown records, Capitol records, no Patti Labelle records but it was just a dress made of records.
And so when I finished, Hillary said, "Patti, what is this on the dress?" She said, "oh, records." She said, "Bill, I told you Patti was wearing a record dress."
So they loved the dress and the girl is just -- she's a fabulous designer from Los Angeles. Linda Stokes.
PHILLIPS: Well, Berry Gordy is probably really happy about that. But anyway, let's talk about "Timeless Journey." A lot of songs about relationships. Are you realizing as you get older that it's all about the true friendships and who has really stuck by you through all those decades of craziness?
LABELLE: Yes, it's all about the real. It's all about life that's been real and good to me, and even the life that hasn't been so good to me has made me a woman that I am still today. A strong black woman. And the album -- you and I were talking about this earlier -- I write a song about my divorce, about, you know, I'm human. Women and men, they get married and soon they divorce but stay friendly if you can. And we have maintained that friendliness. And I talk about songs like I have a song for my friend Celia Cruz that we were talking about who passed not so long ago.
PHILLIPS: She is amazing.
LABELLE: Yes. Santana and my friend Sammy Martini (ph) and myself just wrote this beautiful song about her smile. And of course it goes for all my girlfriends who have passed like Nina Simone, and some of my guys, Barry White, Gregory Hines, Ray Charles, Rick James, Marlon Brando. It's just -- and the album is dedicated to Luther who is doing so much better.
PHILLIPS: Boy, you have just -- I mean, you've maintained some incredible friendships not just with Celia Cruz, we're looking at some video of her right there but there are so many different people that join you on your albums, I guess I should say CDs now, that's the right word.
LABELLE: They call them CDs. I still call them albums. Go ahead, you're all right. Go ahead.
PHILLIPS: I'm feeling old right now. I try. You got to say CDs. I'm telling you.
LABELLE: Well, you know I'm 60.
PHILLIPS: That's true! My goodness.
Who do you think has been just one of those really true friends to you within the 60 years, all those albums, CDs, cassettes, eight- tracks, you know, let's say them all. Who's been that real solid friend to you?
LABELLE: Most of them are gone. Phyllis Hyman and Nina Simone. And Celia Cruz. We understood nothing that each other said but we had this bond. And those are people that I learned things from and I have a great friendship with Dolly Parton. We don't talk very often, but I have great friends who teach me a lot.
PHILLIPS: Why do you always sing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow?" I wanted to ask you that. You always have that in your concert.
LABELLE: Really? That's the last song in my show because I believe that if birds fly high, so can I. I believe if you dream, your dream should come true. And it's a positive song, it's an uplifting song for so many people. And it gives you hope. It gives me hope. I'm still hoping. So it's still giving me hope.
PHILLIPS: Let's talk about Prince. You two have a pretty interesting relationship. Friendship, I guess I could say.
LABELLE: Prince, that's like my -- he could be like a son, like a brother, like a whatever. But he always calls me to his shows, and I did go to his show in Philadelphia. And he pointed to me, and I broke my neck and got on that stage and we went buck wild. I had no clue what song he was singing, but I made up lyrics, and at the end of the show when he saw me he said, "girl, when you sang one line, you blew me away." I don't know what line it was, but we have this thing, this friendship. It's beautiful.
PHILLIPS: Define "buck wild" for me.
LABELLE: Crazy. It's a black thing.
PHILLIPS: I don't know, Patti, I think I can do the buck wild thing.
LABELLE: Yes, you can. But, see, Prince knew he had to take it easy with me because I'm diabetic, and he knows he has to treat me like -- like something precious because I'm not always well, and he didn't know if my blood sugar was high that night or what. But we worked it. I talked to him that night about my diabetic freedom. It's called diabetes freedom. It's, like, when you have diabetes but it doesn't have you so you are able to go up on stage and kick butt, do whatever you can do, and we have this survey of everybody's writing in letters to Diabetesfreedom.com about what diabetes freedom means to you. And it means that can you keep living and you can go on stage with Prince or any of those young kids and kick butt. You can do whatever, you know...
PHILLIPS: Well, you've written cookbooks too, right?
LABELLE: I've written...
PHILLIPS: Because your diet had to change quite a bit because of that?
LABELLE: It's called light cuisine because of my mother dying of diabetes after having her legs amputated. My aunt going blind. My uncle dying of it. Knowing that Luther Vandross had a big scare that put a lot of people back on the track and you know it's just that it's a state of mind, it's a way of life. You have to really, like, live with this diabetes, and don't let it take you out. And I'm not letting it take me out. I'm going to be around for another 60 years.
PHILLIPS: You know, I believe that. Life just begins at 60. Right, Patti?
LABELLE: For me.
PHILLIPS: That's right.
LABELLE: And you know for those who are fortunate -- and I love doing this interview with you. You're very...
PHILLIPS: You want to keep talking? My producer is probably going to get mad. Oh, man, I'm getting the wrap. All right. I'll ask -- give me a little...
LABELLE: The main thing is this diabetes freedom. Just check into Diabetesfreedom.com to get all the information about the contest. The contest winners, five of them will meet me, I'll probably cook for them or whatever. We'll go out and maybe go to a Prince concert. I'll take them to a Prince concert, if I'm not performing, and just write about what diabetes means to you, the freedom of diabetes and not the death sentence. It's not a death sentence.
PHILLIPS: Well, you're living proof of that. The new CD is "Timeless Journey." OK, just as we go, I just got to hear you belt it out. Give me a new attitude.
LABELLE (singing): I got a new attitude
PHILLIPS: Yes!
LABELLE: I'm kind of hoarse, though.
PHILLIPS: Patti LaBelle, you're an amazing woman.
LABELLE: Watch me tomorrow night with OutKast on the video show -- the World Video Show in Vegas. Watch me, OK?
PHILLIPS: Oh, we'll be watching you.
LABELLE: I'm going to show you something, OK?
PHILLIPS: All right. All right. Give me a little groove.
All right, we're going to go to break.
LABELLE: I love you.
PHILLIPS: I love you more.
LABELLE: I love your attitude, too. Thank you. Bye.
PHILLIPS: Bye, Patti.
We're going to take a quick break. She is just amazing. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: OK, are you sticking a sign in your lawn for your candidate this election season? That is so old millennium.
CNN's Jeanne Moos looks at new ways of marketing George Bush and John Kerry.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): OK, they're a little hard to make out while you're moving, but why settle for old- fashioned bumper stickers when you can stick President Bush on your hubcaps, or Kerry condoms that say "Redefeat Bush," or take a knock- out punch at John Kerry, or give President Bush the boot...
(on camera): I think you missed a spot.
(voice-over): ... with the Bush doormat?
God bless the Internet. It's opened up a whole new world of political merchandise.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Love it! love it!
MOOS: So does the head of the Democratic National Committee. Terry McAuliffe has one outside his door.
(on camera): Now, is that nice to do to our president?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't like him.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I wouldn't wipe my feet on George Bush.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Disrespectful.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You're too young for that.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, he not.
MOOS (voice-over): Or maybe you'd prefer to let your pet do the dirty work. That is, if your pet isn't petrified of politics. At politicalpettoys.com, you can choose to chew on Bush or Kerry for 13 bucks apiece.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get him, Ripley. Chew him up.
MOOS: Their slogan?
(on camera): You can't get even, but your pet can.
(voice-over): No wonder. They also sell Saddam and Osama.
(on camera): Finally, someone who can catch Osama!
(voice-over): If you want a more compassionate canine, cafepress.com offers the John Kerry "That Dog Won't Hunt" T-shirt, as well as the "Anyone but Bush" T-shirt modeled by Julius.
You can turn your baby into a political poster child.
(on camera): Mommy, this mess is nothing compared to Bush's war in Iraq.
(voice-over): Though Nate modeled the bib, his dad is a Republican.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: His dad let him spit up all over it.
MOOS: Which Nate did seconds after we removed the bib.
You can count down to Election Day with timepieces from electionwatches.com. At wafflewatch.com, you can get Senator Kerry flipping waffles. A Bush growing-nose watch is in the works, similar to the Bush Pinocchio masks favored by protesters. As for the hubcaps honoring President Bush, we tooled around in them, but got very few comments.
(on camera): Would you put these hubcaps on your car?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure, you give them to me?
MOOS (voice-over): Try clevercovers.com for 70 bucks.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They have a toilet lid?
MOOS: Not that we know of.
Nader supporters might enjoy Julius gnawing on Kerry on a Bush doormat. These guys could teach even the candidates a thing or two about mudslinging.
Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: All right, this seems like a good time to hand things over to Judy Woodruff for "INSIDE POLITICS." Hi, Judy.
JUDY WOODRUFF, HOST, "INSIDE POLITICS": Hubcaps, that's a new way to advertise your choice in this election.
PHILLIPS: There you go, always spinning.
WOODRUFF: OK. Kyra, thanks very much. Appreciate it.
Well, it is another day of the president's National Guard record topping the headlines. But is the controversy really hurting Mr. Bush? Our Bill Schneider takes a look at impact the issue is having on the race for the White House.
Plus, it's a story, you could say, of the lion and the lamb. We'll take a look at how the vice presidential contenders are helping shape this year's election. "INSIDE POLITICS" begins in just a moment.
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