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American Morning
The Road Ahead for George W.Bush; Possible Security Threat in Boston
Aired January 20, 2005 - 07:00 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.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Saying America must answer a calling from beyond the stars, President Bush preparing a message meant to inspire the nation and the world, his second inauguration as president of the United States on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the steps of the United States Capitol in Washington, this is AMERICAN MORNING, with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.
O'BRIEN: And good morning and welcome from Washington, D.C., and welcome to our special coverage of the inauguration.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: It is a chilly day here as we wait for the sun to come up and once it does, it's not likely to get higher than 35 degrees. Might even see a bit of snow today. Saw it yesterday, a whole bunch here, pretty much what you expect for Washington in the month of January.
Still, the city and nation ready for a big day today. President Bush raising his hand to take the oath of office at noon, as spelled out by the Constitution. Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who we have not seen in public since he began cancer treatment in October, will swear in the president at noon.
O'BRIEN: After the ceremony, the president following the traditional parade route down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. At least 100,000 people are expected to watch under extremely tight security.
CNN is spread out across the city to bring you special coverage this morning; Judy Woodruff, Anderson Cooper, Bob Franken, Suzanne Malveaux and Kelly Wallace with us this morning.
HEMMER: Also, joining us today, our guests, here, Senator Trent Lott who heads up the Inaugural Committee, former presidential adviser, David Gergen is here, and Republican Senator Chuck Hagel stops by, as well. Three hours.
O'BRIEN: A major theme of the president's inaugural address today is going to be the importance of spreading democracy.
The White House released a picture of President Bush rehearsing his speech yesterday, along with some excerpts, including this one: "America has need of idealism and courage because we have essential work at home. The unfinished work of American freedom. In a world moving toward liberty, we're determined to show the meaning and promise of liberty."
HEMMER: After the speech, Soledad, it's the parade back to Lafayette Park in front of the White House. Bob Franken is at Freedom Plaza, along the route. Let's check in with Bob, this morning, now.
Hey, Bob, good morning.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT, AMERICAN MORNING: Good morning.
Now, this is the tradition that goes all the way back to the first presidency, George Washington. His parade actually was his procession from Mount Vernon to New York. And along the way rag-tag militia groups would join him.
A lot more organized now. The president, after lunch, will be coming up Pennsylvania past our location, on his way to the White House. Past the bleachers, which have seats that cost some money to be used.
He will be going past protesters on many occasions. Don't know exactly how many, not entirely sure what their activities are going to be.
They even have bleachers, and at one point they are complaining about the fact they're not having the freedom to go around, that they'd like to have. But one of the facts of life this year is the fact that there is intense security. We're in a new era now. We had a taste of it in Boston and New York City at the conventions.
This is considered another national security event making moving around the city extremely difficult. But with all the security -- and you can see the evidence of flashing lights in back of me -- with all the security, this is still supposed to be a celebration of the nation, the inauguration, the 55th one, President George W. Bush will be going past us here, and then going to his reviewing stand to celebrate the beginning of his second term -- Bill?
HEMMER: Bob, let me try and clear up something. Do we have any idea how many protesters are expected today?
FRANKEN: No, they don't tell us. And by the way, the security forces aren't telling us how many they have here, either. Nor will the protesters tell us exactly what they're doing. The thing we've heard more often than not is that as President Bush goes by, one of their groups, they plan to turn their backs, as an act of symbolism. But there will be other activities, counter inaugural marches, and the like, and probably some surprises.
HEMMER: All right, Bob, thanks.
Bob Franken, along the parade route, exactly 1.7 miles from our location here on Capitol Hill.
Thank you, Bob, talk to you later this morning.
Here's Soledad, again. O'BRIEN: There is no questioning the extraordinary success of the Bush family in American politics, but do they qualify as a White House dynasty?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GEORGE H.W. BUSH, FMR. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I, George Herbert Walker Bush, do solemnly wear.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I, George Walker Bush, do solemnly swear.
O'BRIEN: By the end of the day, the Bush family will have achieved something no other political family has ever done.
WAYNE SLATER, "DALLAS MORNING NEWS": The Bush family is the only family to have two presidents, two governors of the major states, to have a U.S. senator, and to have a son, George W. who is in his second term.
O'BRIEN: That hasn't been accomplished by the Kennedys, the Roosevelts, or even the Adams, who had a one-term father, and a one- term son in the White House. But a dynasty?
LARRY KING, CNN ANCHOR, LARRY KING LIVE: Do you ever think of your family in the terms of dynasty?
BARBARA BUSH, FMR. FIRST LADY: No, I do not. We are far from perfect -- and, no.
SLATER: The Bushes hate the word dynasty. They think that it suggests a form of entitlement.
O'BRIEN: Entitled or not, George W.'s pedigree certainly paved his political path.
BARBARA KELLERMAN, JOHN F. KENNEDY SCHOOL OF GOV'T.: The father was something of a genteel Northeastern internationalist. This is much more the cowboy, much more driven it would seem, and possibly determined to avenge the political failure that is the defeat of his father at the polls.
O'BRIEN: Just this week, the president was asked whether his reelection was some sort of vindication for him or his family.
GEORGE W. BUSH: I really don't view this in personal terms, John. I view it as a celebratory moment for America.
O'BRIEN: He may be focused on this inauguration, but some are already looking ahead to the next assuming another Bush may already be considering a bid for the White House.
GOV. JEB BUSH (R), FLORIDA: I'm not running for president in 2008.
QUESTION: Might you change your mind, between now and then? J BUSH: No, God.
QUESTION: Why not?
J BUSH: Why am I not believable on the subject? It's just driving me nuts.
O'BRIEN: Even if we take Jeb at his word, he's not the last of the Bushes.
KELLERMAN: Jeb has a son, George P. Bush, who is very good looking and very personable, and most observers agree that he is slowly starting to pave the way for his own entry into politics.
O'BRIEN: George Prescott Bush is only 28, just married and has recently begun working as a lawyer. But if history and pedigree mean anything, we may some day see him in a new role. Just give him a few years.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: Our next guest knows something about powerful political families, and the Bushes, in particular. Doug Wead's newest book is called, "The Raising of a President: The Mothers and Fathers of our Nation's Leaders". He was also personal assistant to both George H.W. Bush, and the current president, as well.
Nice to see you. Thanks for being with us.
DOUG WEAD, AUTHOR, "RAISING OF A PRESIDENT": Thanks.
O'BRIEN: How would the current President Bush take being called part of a political dynasty? Enjoy that term, or not?
WEAD: He recoils with horror. But they know what's going on. I mean, 17 years ago, I talked with George W. Bush about running for president and John Quincy Adams' son. So they've discussed this. In 1990, Neil Bush had some trouble, and a member of the family said, the plan was for Neil to run for governor of Colorado, Jeb to run for governor of Florida and George to run for governor of Texas. That was 17 years ago.
O'BRIEN: You write a lot about in the book actually about how there's anointed children, in powerful political families. The Bushes are no exception to this rule?
WEAD: No, this was an extraordinary trend. It's not a perfect trend, but again and again, you'll find a very ambitious parent or in the case of the Bushes an ambitious family tradition. And there's a son on receiving end of that, who is anointed, who is supposed to succeed. And there's a third son in the shadows who looks on with a bit of sadness or envy. And again and again it's the son in the shadows who becomes president of the United States. You see it in the Eisenhowers and Kennedys, you see it in George Washington, and you see it in the Bushes. O'BRIEN: How much of that was a motivation for George Bush, the current president, to become as powerful and -- I mean, you hear the word "vindication" in the piece I did. Do you think that's a fair word even though he recoils at the word?
WEAD: No, I think you're right on the money. In the little pop art documentary "Journeys with George", Alexandra Pelosi brings him to the front of the bus at the end of the movie and she says to him, What about the little guy? If you're elected president of the United States, what do you do for the little guy? He says, "I am the little guy. Jeb is 6'4", I'm 5'11".
I remember in 1988 when 41 was elected president, I went out to dinner with Marvin Bush. I said, do any of you guys, your generation have an interest in politics? The naive me. He says, well we think Jeb might do something. I said what about George? He's the oldest in the family. And Marvin laughed at me. He said George is the family clown. So this is the story. The boy in the shadows. It's George Washington not Lawrence, it's Jack Kennedy, not Joe Junior.
O'BRIEN: How has 9/11 helped define his mission as president, do you think?
WEAD: Well, you know, 17 years ago, when I thought of him as a potential president, I thought at the time, he's the most decisive person I have met in my life. I thought, boy, if he ever becomes president he will either be a tremendous president or a terrible president, or maybe both. Because he's the most decisive person I had ever met. I do believe his presidency is going to be pivotal, for good or bad, because of his nature.
O'BRIEN: Doug Wead, the book is called, "The Raising of a President", a look back at all the powerful families that have eventually made their way to the highest office in the land.
O'BRIEN: Thank you very much.
WEAD: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: Our pleasure.
CNN's special live inauguration coverage begins at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Stay with CNN throughout the day for "The Road Ahead" from the arrivals, to the swearing in and, of course, to the very big parties tonight.
HEMMER: Weather is going to be a story today, Soledad, we know that already. Normal highs in Washington this time of year is about 42 degrees. I don't think we're going to get quite there to 42 today. It's chilly already. Check out things with Chad Myers.
Good morning, Chad. How we looking back there?
(WEATHER FORECAST)
HEMMER: Listen, 1985, Chad, it was 2 below. CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST, AMERICAN MORNING: Yes, I know.
HEMMER: They had to move the whole thing indoors, much better than that. Talk to you later. Want to get to Heidi Collins with a look at the other headlines this morning.
Good morning to you.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN NEWS ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Good morning to you, Bill and good morning to everybody.
"Now in the News" this morning, a possible delay in the confirmation of Condoleezza Rice as secretary of State. Sources telling CNN some Democrats may try to prolong the process. Aids say California Senator Barbara Boxer and West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd are planning to deliver long speeches that could extend today's debate and force the vote to be pushed back until next week.
Yesterday, members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee supported Rice's nomination with a 16-2 vote.
A disturbing report out of Iraq surrounding upcoming elections. A top Iraqi police official says intelligence sources estimate 150 car bombings and 250 suicide attackers are preparing to strike in the coming days. The announcement comes one day after a wave of suicide bombings killed at least 25 people. The official telling CNN the information came to light during recent interrogations of detained insurgents.
Back here in the United States, a couple accused of kidnapping their own children from foster care gunpoint are in police custody this morning. Authorities say they were found yesterday in a rural home near the North Carolina-Virginia borderline.
The two children are said to be doing well. It is not clear if they will be reunited with their foster family.
And a new study suggests women who consume light to moderate amounts of alcohol may help keep their minds sharp. Researchers say limited amounts appear to improve blood flow to the brain and may reduce the risk of small strokes. The study focused on 12,000 elderly women. Those findings appear in today's "New England Journal of Medicine".
Back now to Washington, D.C.
HEMMER: All right, Heidi, thanks for that.
O'BRIEN: Well, an anonymous phone call puts one big city on edge. Details of an alleged dirty bomb plot just ahead.
HEMMER: Also, back here in Washington, unprecedented security. How are officials getting ready for a possible chemical or biological attacks on our nation's capitol? We'll look at that.
O'BRIEN: And three women, one family, and one hot button issue. What kind of Social Security reform, if any, do Americans want in the second Bush term? Thoughts from three generations ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Morning, everyone. Welcome back to our special coverage, live on Capitol Hill, as we await the inauguration, the swearing in of George Bush to begin his second term at Noon Eastern Time here in our nation's capitol.
While we watch the story here in Washington, a story broke late yesterday afternoon out of Boston. Authorities in the Northeast on the lookout now for four people wanted for questioning in a possible dirty bomb plot.
It's our "CNN Security Watch" this morning and some officials, though, expressing some skepticism about the source of that information. Deborah Feyerick is on the beat there, in Framingham, Massachusetts with more.
Deborah, Good morning.
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT, AMERICAN MORNING: Morning, Bill.
The reason for that is that the information comes from one anonymous caller. Law enforcement sources say that four Chinese nationals, and two Iraqis, were smuggled from Mexico into the United States. And either they had, or were planning to get, some sort of dangerous material. The plot, to bring it to Boston, possibly via New York.
The Boston mayor dismissed reports that this alleged dangerous material was part of some sort of radiological dirty bomb plot, or that somehow it involved fuel tankers. Two are just two of the many theories -- or rumors, some say -- floating around Boston yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAN CALDWELL, FBI SPOKESWOMAN: We receive hundreds, if not thousands of these tips every single day. And we have to investigate these tips every day. And this unfortunately was released to the public prematurely.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FEYERICK: Now, the FBI office in Boston says it is unclear whether in fact any of this information is reliable. The call came from one person, and one person only. And though it does mention Boston, there's no real information, no specific details on the kind of potential threat, or the kind of potential attack.
So who are these people? You have two men and two women. And up until yesterday, they were on no sort of formal government watch list. In addition, to use FBI jargon, they have not been classified as, quote, "persons of interest", unquote. Boston has not raised the threat level. It's the same as it was last month and the month before that. One law enforcement source says this may have nothing really to do with any sort of terrorist activity, but may have everything to do with the ordinary kind of smuggling.
Now, as for the two Iraqis who had initially been mentioned in FBI reports, well, no word on them. Authorities here only looking for those four Chinese citizens -- Bill.
HEMMER: Deborah, the other thing officials talked out about yesterday, out of the Northeast, was they get hundreds of calls on a weekly basis. But they chose to go public with this one. Does it have any connection with the events here in Washington?
FEYERICK: Well, it's interesting because it's not so much that they chose to go public. They had to go public because somehow the information leaked out. Word got to several of the local stations here in Boston. And then everybody picked up on it.
So really what was spent yesterday, is rather than the FBI being able to look at the information and debunk the kind of details that were there, they really just had say this is what's going on, it is premature. It shouldn't have been released; it got out there. But this is the kind of lead we track down everyday. We have to run it to the ground. Until we do, obviously, they take it seriously.
HEMMER: Yes, caused quite a stir, too, when the news was broken yesterday. Deborah Feyerick there in Framingham, Massachusetts.
Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
Soledad?
O'BRIEN: More than 100,000 people are expected to witness the swearing in ceremony at the Capitol and security here has never been tighter. Homeland Security Correspondent Jeanne Meserve has this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SEC. CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Anti-aircraft systems arrayed around the Capitol; checkpoints for trucks approaching the city; manhole covers welded shut; cameras and command centers augmenting 6,000 law enforcement officers, signs of how 9/11 and the war in Iraq have made this inauguration unlike any other. Tim Koerner of the Secret Service is the security plans' grand architect.
TIM KOERNER, U.S. SECRET SERVICE: The security picture is 360 degrees from the top to the bottom, underneath the ground, to over in the sky.
MESERVE: In the city's subway system, that means canine teams, a heftier patrol presence and several closed stations. The air space restrictions over the National Mall four years ago were a fraction of the size of those being imposed this year covering the entire Baltimore-Washington area. And officials say almost all commercial flights into the region will carry air marshals.
The health community has been strategizing for months. A health surveillance system has been put in high gear to detect a chemical or biological attack. New gear is being rolled out for paramedics.
OPA CLEGG, D.C. DEPT. OF HEALTH: Big difference, big difference, four years ago, it was laid back. It was kind of OK, this is inauguration, just in case something happens. But now our frame of thinking is, we know something possibly could happen. So we're prepared for that.
MESERVE (on camera): All that's what you can see. Officials say it's just the tip of the iceberg. They say there's plenty of security that is invisible, protecting the celebration, the city, and the citizens -- Jeanne Meserve, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: D.C. Police say there will be a security officer every seven to 10 feet along both sides of the parade route.
HEMMER: The topic of Social Security likely to be a focal point in the president's seconds term. What kind of reform, if any, do Americans want? We'll have a look at that today.
But first, now, some inauguration trivia for you. Which presidents gave the shortest and the longest inaugural addresses? The answer's ahead here on AMERICAN MORNING, live in Washington.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Live picture of the parade route. That is Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House, 1.7 miles in length, as that parade gets underway in the early afternoon today.
Before the break, we asked you which presidents gave the shortest and longest inaugural addresses. The answer? George Washington with the shortest, second time around, 135 words. William Henry Harrison, the longest, almost 8,500 words, one hour and 40 minutes in length. That speech translated into the shortest term in office, too. He refused to wear a coat that day.
O'BRIEN: Or a hat.
HEMMER: He got a cold, he developed pneumonia, and died about a month later. Now you know.
O'BRIEN: And it's a similar thing could happen. It's a little bit chilly out here. But we have seen everybody more bundled up this time around.
HEMMER: It's January, right? O'BRIEN: It's appropriate for the time of year, as Chad would say. It is time for the "Cafferty File" and the "Question of the Day" from Jack this morning.
Hey, Jack, good morning.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Winter time. Nice and warm here in the studio in New York, though.
HEMMER: I bet.
O'BRIEN: We're so happy for you.
CAFFERTY: Yes, me, too.
President Bush has a huge agenda for his second term. He wants to overhaul Social Security and reform the tax code, and change the immigration laws, and impose limits on malpractice lawsuits and all the while doing all these things he wants to cut the deficit. Then, of course, there's that war in Iraq, that pesky war.
Elections looming there in ten days. The violence continues to escalate. And post-election Iraq, assuming the elections are held, remains a huge unknown. According to a "New York Times"/CBS News poll, out today, almost 80 percent of Americans say it just can't all be done.
But the president is an optimistic and determined man. Here's the question. What should be the most important part of President Bush's agenda, in his second term? Am@cnn.com. We'll read some e-mails as we move through the next two, three hours.
Back to you guys.
HEMMER: All right. A lot of talk down here about Social Security, Jack. Certainly on the list. Thank you, talk to you later.
O'BRIEN: Security is so tight here in Washington, D.C., even the tickets have a special design. What makes it so unique? We'll talk to a lawmaker who had a big hand in the planning. Senator Trent Lott, just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Well, what a beautiful shot of all the preparations this morning and the sun hasn't even really risen yet. It is just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING. Welcome back, everybody.
And we are in Washington, D.C. for our special coverage of the inauguration, here by the steps of the Capitol, where in about four and a half hours George W. Bush is going to be sworn in for his second term as president.
His inaugural address is said to focus on the theme of spreading freedom throughout the world. The speech is expected to last between 20 and 30 minutes. And it is meant to inspire, not really focus on policy initiatives.
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Aired January 20, 2005 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Saying America must answer a calling from beyond the stars, President Bush preparing a message meant to inspire the nation and the world, his second inauguration as president of the United States on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the steps of the United States Capitol in Washington, this is AMERICAN MORNING, with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.
O'BRIEN: And good morning and welcome from Washington, D.C., and welcome to our special coverage of the inauguration.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: It is a chilly day here as we wait for the sun to come up and once it does, it's not likely to get higher than 35 degrees. Might even see a bit of snow today. Saw it yesterday, a whole bunch here, pretty much what you expect for Washington in the month of January.
Still, the city and nation ready for a big day today. President Bush raising his hand to take the oath of office at noon, as spelled out by the Constitution. Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who we have not seen in public since he began cancer treatment in October, will swear in the president at noon.
O'BRIEN: After the ceremony, the president following the traditional parade route down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. At least 100,000 people are expected to watch under extremely tight security.
CNN is spread out across the city to bring you special coverage this morning; Judy Woodruff, Anderson Cooper, Bob Franken, Suzanne Malveaux and Kelly Wallace with us this morning.
HEMMER: Also, joining us today, our guests, here, Senator Trent Lott who heads up the Inaugural Committee, former presidential adviser, David Gergen is here, and Republican Senator Chuck Hagel stops by, as well. Three hours.
O'BRIEN: A major theme of the president's inaugural address today is going to be the importance of spreading democracy.
The White House released a picture of President Bush rehearsing his speech yesterday, along with some excerpts, including this one: "America has need of idealism and courage because we have essential work at home. The unfinished work of American freedom. In a world moving toward liberty, we're determined to show the meaning and promise of liberty."
HEMMER: After the speech, Soledad, it's the parade back to Lafayette Park in front of the White House. Bob Franken is at Freedom Plaza, along the route. Let's check in with Bob, this morning, now.
Hey, Bob, good morning.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT, AMERICAN MORNING: Good morning.
Now, this is the tradition that goes all the way back to the first presidency, George Washington. His parade actually was his procession from Mount Vernon to New York. And along the way rag-tag militia groups would join him.
A lot more organized now. The president, after lunch, will be coming up Pennsylvania past our location, on his way to the White House. Past the bleachers, which have seats that cost some money to be used.
He will be going past protesters on many occasions. Don't know exactly how many, not entirely sure what their activities are going to be.
They even have bleachers, and at one point they are complaining about the fact they're not having the freedom to go around, that they'd like to have. But one of the facts of life this year is the fact that there is intense security. We're in a new era now. We had a taste of it in Boston and New York City at the conventions.
This is considered another national security event making moving around the city extremely difficult. But with all the security -- and you can see the evidence of flashing lights in back of me -- with all the security, this is still supposed to be a celebration of the nation, the inauguration, the 55th one, President George W. Bush will be going past us here, and then going to his reviewing stand to celebrate the beginning of his second term -- Bill?
HEMMER: Bob, let me try and clear up something. Do we have any idea how many protesters are expected today?
FRANKEN: No, they don't tell us. And by the way, the security forces aren't telling us how many they have here, either. Nor will the protesters tell us exactly what they're doing. The thing we've heard more often than not is that as President Bush goes by, one of their groups, they plan to turn their backs, as an act of symbolism. But there will be other activities, counter inaugural marches, and the like, and probably some surprises.
HEMMER: All right, Bob, thanks.
Bob Franken, along the parade route, exactly 1.7 miles from our location here on Capitol Hill.
Thank you, Bob, talk to you later this morning.
Here's Soledad, again. O'BRIEN: There is no questioning the extraordinary success of the Bush family in American politics, but do they qualify as a White House dynasty?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GEORGE H.W. BUSH, FMR. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I, George Herbert Walker Bush, do solemnly wear.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I, George Walker Bush, do solemnly swear.
O'BRIEN: By the end of the day, the Bush family will have achieved something no other political family has ever done.
WAYNE SLATER, "DALLAS MORNING NEWS": The Bush family is the only family to have two presidents, two governors of the major states, to have a U.S. senator, and to have a son, George W. who is in his second term.
O'BRIEN: That hasn't been accomplished by the Kennedys, the Roosevelts, or even the Adams, who had a one-term father, and a one- term son in the White House. But a dynasty?
LARRY KING, CNN ANCHOR, LARRY KING LIVE: Do you ever think of your family in the terms of dynasty?
BARBARA BUSH, FMR. FIRST LADY: No, I do not. We are far from perfect -- and, no.
SLATER: The Bushes hate the word dynasty. They think that it suggests a form of entitlement.
O'BRIEN: Entitled or not, George W.'s pedigree certainly paved his political path.
BARBARA KELLERMAN, JOHN F. KENNEDY SCHOOL OF GOV'T.: The father was something of a genteel Northeastern internationalist. This is much more the cowboy, much more driven it would seem, and possibly determined to avenge the political failure that is the defeat of his father at the polls.
O'BRIEN: Just this week, the president was asked whether his reelection was some sort of vindication for him or his family.
GEORGE W. BUSH: I really don't view this in personal terms, John. I view it as a celebratory moment for America.
O'BRIEN: He may be focused on this inauguration, but some are already looking ahead to the next assuming another Bush may already be considering a bid for the White House.
GOV. JEB BUSH (R), FLORIDA: I'm not running for president in 2008.
QUESTION: Might you change your mind, between now and then? J BUSH: No, God.
QUESTION: Why not?
J BUSH: Why am I not believable on the subject? It's just driving me nuts.
O'BRIEN: Even if we take Jeb at his word, he's not the last of the Bushes.
KELLERMAN: Jeb has a son, George P. Bush, who is very good looking and very personable, and most observers agree that he is slowly starting to pave the way for his own entry into politics.
O'BRIEN: George Prescott Bush is only 28, just married and has recently begun working as a lawyer. But if history and pedigree mean anything, we may some day see him in a new role. Just give him a few years.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: Our next guest knows something about powerful political families, and the Bushes, in particular. Doug Wead's newest book is called, "The Raising of a President: The Mothers and Fathers of our Nation's Leaders". He was also personal assistant to both George H.W. Bush, and the current president, as well.
Nice to see you. Thanks for being with us.
DOUG WEAD, AUTHOR, "RAISING OF A PRESIDENT": Thanks.
O'BRIEN: How would the current President Bush take being called part of a political dynasty? Enjoy that term, or not?
WEAD: He recoils with horror. But they know what's going on. I mean, 17 years ago, I talked with George W. Bush about running for president and John Quincy Adams' son. So they've discussed this. In 1990, Neil Bush had some trouble, and a member of the family said, the plan was for Neil to run for governor of Colorado, Jeb to run for governor of Florida and George to run for governor of Texas. That was 17 years ago.
O'BRIEN: You write a lot about in the book actually about how there's anointed children, in powerful political families. The Bushes are no exception to this rule?
WEAD: No, this was an extraordinary trend. It's not a perfect trend, but again and again, you'll find a very ambitious parent or in the case of the Bushes an ambitious family tradition. And there's a son on receiving end of that, who is anointed, who is supposed to succeed. And there's a third son in the shadows who looks on with a bit of sadness or envy. And again and again it's the son in the shadows who becomes president of the United States. You see it in the Eisenhowers and Kennedys, you see it in George Washington, and you see it in the Bushes. O'BRIEN: How much of that was a motivation for George Bush, the current president, to become as powerful and -- I mean, you hear the word "vindication" in the piece I did. Do you think that's a fair word even though he recoils at the word?
WEAD: No, I think you're right on the money. In the little pop art documentary "Journeys with George", Alexandra Pelosi brings him to the front of the bus at the end of the movie and she says to him, What about the little guy? If you're elected president of the United States, what do you do for the little guy? He says, "I am the little guy. Jeb is 6'4", I'm 5'11".
I remember in 1988 when 41 was elected president, I went out to dinner with Marvin Bush. I said, do any of you guys, your generation have an interest in politics? The naive me. He says, well we think Jeb might do something. I said what about George? He's the oldest in the family. And Marvin laughed at me. He said George is the family clown. So this is the story. The boy in the shadows. It's George Washington not Lawrence, it's Jack Kennedy, not Joe Junior.
O'BRIEN: How has 9/11 helped define his mission as president, do you think?
WEAD: Well, you know, 17 years ago, when I thought of him as a potential president, I thought at the time, he's the most decisive person I have met in my life. I thought, boy, if he ever becomes president he will either be a tremendous president or a terrible president, or maybe both. Because he's the most decisive person I had ever met. I do believe his presidency is going to be pivotal, for good or bad, because of his nature.
O'BRIEN: Doug Wead, the book is called, "The Raising of a President", a look back at all the powerful families that have eventually made their way to the highest office in the land.
O'BRIEN: Thank you very much.
WEAD: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: Our pleasure.
CNN's special live inauguration coverage begins at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Stay with CNN throughout the day for "The Road Ahead" from the arrivals, to the swearing in and, of course, to the very big parties tonight.
HEMMER: Weather is going to be a story today, Soledad, we know that already. Normal highs in Washington this time of year is about 42 degrees. I don't think we're going to get quite there to 42 today. It's chilly already. Check out things with Chad Myers.
Good morning, Chad. How we looking back there?
(WEATHER FORECAST)
HEMMER: Listen, 1985, Chad, it was 2 below. CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST, AMERICAN MORNING: Yes, I know.
HEMMER: They had to move the whole thing indoors, much better than that. Talk to you later. Want to get to Heidi Collins with a look at the other headlines this morning.
Good morning to you.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN NEWS ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Good morning to you, Bill and good morning to everybody.
"Now in the News" this morning, a possible delay in the confirmation of Condoleezza Rice as secretary of State. Sources telling CNN some Democrats may try to prolong the process. Aids say California Senator Barbara Boxer and West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd are planning to deliver long speeches that could extend today's debate and force the vote to be pushed back until next week.
Yesterday, members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee supported Rice's nomination with a 16-2 vote.
A disturbing report out of Iraq surrounding upcoming elections. A top Iraqi police official says intelligence sources estimate 150 car bombings and 250 suicide attackers are preparing to strike in the coming days. The announcement comes one day after a wave of suicide bombings killed at least 25 people. The official telling CNN the information came to light during recent interrogations of detained insurgents.
Back here in the United States, a couple accused of kidnapping their own children from foster care gunpoint are in police custody this morning. Authorities say they were found yesterday in a rural home near the North Carolina-Virginia borderline.
The two children are said to be doing well. It is not clear if they will be reunited with their foster family.
And a new study suggests women who consume light to moderate amounts of alcohol may help keep their minds sharp. Researchers say limited amounts appear to improve blood flow to the brain and may reduce the risk of small strokes. The study focused on 12,000 elderly women. Those findings appear in today's "New England Journal of Medicine".
Back now to Washington, D.C.
HEMMER: All right, Heidi, thanks for that.
O'BRIEN: Well, an anonymous phone call puts one big city on edge. Details of an alleged dirty bomb plot just ahead.
HEMMER: Also, back here in Washington, unprecedented security. How are officials getting ready for a possible chemical or biological attacks on our nation's capitol? We'll look at that.
O'BRIEN: And three women, one family, and one hot button issue. What kind of Social Security reform, if any, do Americans want in the second Bush term? Thoughts from three generations ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Morning, everyone. Welcome back to our special coverage, live on Capitol Hill, as we await the inauguration, the swearing in of George Bush to begin his second term at Noon Eastern Time here in our nation's capitol.
While we watch the story here in Washington, a story broke late yesterday afternoon out of Boston. Authorities in the Northeast on the lookout now for four people wanted for questioning in a possible dirty bomb plot.
It's our "CNN Security Watch" this morning and some officials, though, expressing some skepticism about the source of that information. Deborah Feyerick is on the beat there, in Framingham, Massachusetts with more.
Deborah, Good morning.
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT, AMERICAN MORNING: Morning, Bill.
The reason for that is that the information comes from one anonymous caller. Law enforcement sources say that four Chinese nationals, and two Iraqis, were smuggled from Mexico into the United States. And either they had, or were planning to get, some sort of dangerous material. The plot, to bring it to Boston, possibly via New York.
The Boston mayor dismissed reports that this alleged dangerous material was part of some sort of radiological dirty bomb plot, or that somehow it involved fuel tankers. Two are just two of the many theories -- or rumors, some say -- floating around Boston yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAN CALDWELL, FBI SPOKESWOMAN: We receive hundreds, if not thousands of these tips every single day. And we have to investigate these tips every day. And this unfortunately was released to the public prematurely.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FEYERICK: Now, the FBI office in Boston says it is unclear whether in fact any of this information is reliable. The call came from one person, and one person only. And though it does mention Boston, there's no real information, no specific details on the kind of potential threat, or the kind of potential attack.
So who are these people? You have two men and two women. And up until yesterday, they were on no sort of formal government watch list. In addition, to use FBI jargon, they have not been classified as, quote, "persons of interest", unquote. Boston has not raised the threat level. It's the same as it was last month and the month before that. One law enforcement source says this may have nothing really to do with any sort of terrorist activity, but may have everything to do with the ordinary kind of smuggling.
Now, as for the two Iraqis who had initially been mentioned in FBI reports, well, no word on them. Authorities here only looking for those four Chinese citizens -- Bill.
HEMMER: Deborah, the other thing officials talked out about yesterday, out of the Northeast, was they get hundreds of calls on a weekly basis. But they chose to go public with this one. Does it have any connection with the events here in Washington?
FEYERICK: Well, it's interesting because it's not so much that they chose to go public. They had to go public because somehow the information leaked out. Word got to several of the local stations here in Boston. And then everybody picked up on it.
So really what was spent yesterday, is rather than the FBI being able to look at the information and debunk the kind of details that were there, they really just had say this is what's going on, it is premature. It shouldn't have been released; it got out there. But this is the kind of lead we track down everyday. We have to run it to the ground. Until we do, obviously, they take it seriously.
HEMMER: Yes, caused quite a stir, too, when the news was broken yesterday. Deborah Feyerick there in Framingham, Massachusetts.
Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
Soledad?
O'BRIEN: More than 100,000 people are expected to witness the swearing in ceremony at the Capitol and security here has never been tighter. Homeland Security Correspondent Jeanne Meserve has this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SEC. CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Anti-aircraft systems arrayed around the Capitol; checkpoints for trucks approaching the city; manhole covers welded shut; cameras and command centers augmenting 6,000 law enforcement officers, signs of how 9/11 and the war in Iraq have made this inauguration unlike any other. Tim Koerner of the Secret Service is the security plans' grand architect.
TIM KOERNER, U.S. SECRET SERVICE: The security picture is 360 degrees from the top to the bottom, underneath the ground, to over in the sky.
MESERVE: In the city's subway system, that means canine teams, a heftier patrol presence and several closed stations. The air space restrictions over the National Mall four years ago were a fraction of the size of those being imposed this year covering the entire Baltimore-Washington area. And officials say almost all commercial flights into the region will carry air marshals.
The health community has been strategizing for months. A health surveillance system has been put in high gear to detect a chemical or biological attack. New gear is being rolled out for paramedics.
OPA CLEGG, D.C. DEPT. OF HEALTH: Big difference, big difference, four years ago, it was laid back. It was kind of OK, this is inauguration, just in case something happens. But now our frame of thinking is, we know something possibly could happen. So we're prepared for that.
MESERVE (on camera): All that's what you can see. Officials say it's just the tip of the iceberg. They say there's plenty of security that is invisible, protecting the celebration, the city, and the citizens -- Jeanne Meserve, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: D.C. Police say there will be a security officer every seven to 10 feet along both sides of the parade route.
HEMMER: The topic of Social Security likely to be a focal point in the president's seconds term. What kind of reform, if any, do Americans want? We'll have a look at that today.
But first, now, some inauguration trivia for you. Which presidents gave the shortest and the longest inaugural addresses? The answer's ahead here on AMERICAN MORNING, live in Washington.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Live picture of the parade route. That is Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House, 1.7 miles in length, as that parade gets underway in the early afternoon today.
Before the break, we asked you which presidents gave the shortest and longest inaugural addresses. The answer? George Washington with the shortest, second time around, 135 words. William Henry Harrison, the longest, almost 8,500 words, one hour and 40 minutes in length. That speech translated into the shortest term in office, too. He refused to wear a coat that day.
O'BRIEN: Or a hat.
HEMMER: He got a cold, he developed pneumonia, and died about a month later. Now you know.
O'BRIEN: And it's a similar thing could happen. It's a little bit chilly out here. But we have seen everybody more bundled up this time around.
HEMMER: It's January, right? O'BRIEN: It's appropriate for the time of year, as Chad would say. It is time for the "Cafferty File" and the "Question of the Day" from Jack this morning.
Hey, Jack, good morning.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Winter time. Nice and warm here in the studio in New York, though.
HEMMER: I bet.
O'BRIEN: We're so happy for you.
CAFFERTY: Yes, me, too.
President Bush has a huge agenda for his second term. He wants to overhaul Social Security and reform the tax code, and change the immigration laws, and impose limits on malpractice lawsuits and all the while doing all these things he wants to cut the deficit. Then, of course, there's that war in Iraq, that pesky war.
Elections looming there in ten days. The violence continues to escalate. And post-election Iraq, assuming the elections are held, remains a huge unknown. According to a "New York Times"/CBS News poll, out today, almost 80 percent of Americans say it just can't all be done.
But the president is an optimistic and determined man. Here's the question. What should be the most important part of President Bush's agenda, in his second term? Am@cnn.com. We'll read some e-mails as we move through the next two, three hours.
Back to you guys.
HEMMER: All right. A lot of talk down here about Social Security, Jack. Certainly on the list. Thank you, talk to you later.
O'BRIEN: Security is so tight here in Washington, D.C., even the tickets have a special design. What makes it so unique? We'll talk to a lawmaker who had a big hand in the planning. Senator Trent Lott, just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Well, what a beautiful shot of all the preparations this morning and the sun hasn't even really risen yet. It is just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING. Welcome back, everybody.
And we are in Washington, D.C. for our special coverage of the inauguration, here by the steps of the Capitol, where in about four and a half hours George W. Bush is going to be sworn in for his second term as president.
His inaugural address is said to focus on the theme of spreading freedom throughout the world. The speech is expected to last between 20 and 30 minutes. And it is meant to inspire, not really focus on policy initiatives.
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