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American Morning
CIA Leak Case; Thanksgiving in Iraq; Week Of Giving
Aired November 22, 2005 - 07:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Got some numbers for you, 186,000 pounds of turkey, 82,000 pounds of stuffing, 108,000 pounds of ham, 21,204 pounds of pie. No, it's not Soledad's dinner party this year. I remember last year you and I spent so much time talking about that. That's what our troops . . .
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: We've spent too many holidays together evidently.
SANCHEZ: Yes, we do, don't we.
O'BRIEN: Yes.
SANCHEZ: That's what . . .
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Say what?
O'BRIEN: Working.
COSTELLO: Oh, OK.
SANCHEZ: Right. Right. Nobody else. But that's what our troops are going to be eating and that's -- they've got to get all that stuff over to them. It's an incredible effort. We're going to talk to somebody who's handling that.
O'BRIEN: Yes, but the logistics are quite tricky, I would imagine.
SANCHEZ: Yes. And it's a man with two first names, by the way.
O'BRIEN: Really?
SANCHEZ: Just (INAUDIBLE).
O'BRIEN: We look forward to that.
There are other stories making news as well. Some of them out of Iraq. Not good news to report.
COSTELLO: No. In fact, we have developing news this morning.
A mortar has exploded. It happened during a handover ceremony in Tikrit. Now we just got these pictures in, actually. The U.S. ambassador to Iraq and other military officials ducked for cover. You'll see it shortly after they heard an explosion. There we see it. You see them ducking for cover. A U.S. military spokesman says nobody was hurt in this incident. The mortar attack took place as U.S. forces were formally handing over a forward operating base to the Iraqi government.
In the mean time, the war of words over the war. Vice President Dick Cheney fires back, delivering a strong message to Democrats who have accused the Bush administration of deceiving the American people on pre-war intelligence.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If you politicians are suggesting these brave Americans were sent into battle for a deliberate falsehood, this is revisionism of the most corrupt and shameless variety. It has no place anywhere in American politics, much less in the United States Senate.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Cheney also said the United States will not withdrawal from Iraq prematurely, saying an early pullout would play into the hands of Iraqi insurgents.
After months of political wrangling, Germany now officially has its first woman chancellor. You hear it there, a round of applause after Conservative Angela Merkel won a confirmation vote by Germany's parliament just a couple of hours ago. Merkel faces some tough challenges, like reviving Germany's economy, Europe's largest. She also wants to repair U.S.-German relations damaged by opposition to the Iraq war by the outgoing chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder.
Prosecutors in Washington State are laying out their case against a young man accused of shooting up a mall in Tacoma, Washington. Twenty-year-old Dominick Maldonado pleaded not guilty on Monday. He's being held on $2 million bail. He's accused of wounding six people, one critically, and holding four hostages before giving himself up. An ex-girlfriend says Maldonado sent her a text message just before the attack, saying the world would, "feel my anger, feel my pain."
The U.S. slapping a ban on poultry for mainland British Columbia for now. That's after a duck in the Canadian province tested positive for a form of bird flu. The Agriculture Department says the ban will remain in effect until Canadian authorities do more tests. It's not clear whether the duck has the same flu strain that's killed as many as 67 people in Asia.
A six-mile police chase and then this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Drop it! You better drop it!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: That's a 47-year-old Florida man getting out of his truck. He was initially stopped by sheriff's deputies for pointing his rifle at passing cars. The deputy's dashboard camera is catching all of this. You see the man's pickup truck. You see it rolled away into traffic but, of course, the Camden County, Georgia, deputy keeps his eye on the gun. The deputy said he was forced to shoot. The man would not drop his gun. You see the man going out of frame. That's when the shooting occurred, Soledad. The man was killed by the deputy. The deputy is now on administrative leave. As you know, they always do investigating when these kind of things happened. But that 47-year-old man from Florida dead this morning.
Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Wow, that's an amazing picture. Gosh. All right, Carol, thanks.
Well, we all know now that Bob Woodward is involved in the CIA leak investigation. Here he is on "Larry King" last night talking about that. Let's listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOB WOODWARD, "THE WASHINGTON POST": You know, the significance of this is yet to be determined. And what's the good news in all of this is, when it all comes out, and hopefully it will come out, people will see how casual and offhand this was.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: Casual. Offhand. What does this all mean for the White House now? We should mention "Larry King Live" airs 9 p.m. Eastern every night. Let's get right to our senior legal analyst, Jeff Toobin, with an update on that.
Good morning. Nice to see you.
JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
O'BRIEN: Two points I thought came out of what we heard from Bob Woodward last night. One, casual, offhand. He really emphasized that. And number two, the timing. He says, in fact, you know, well before -- a full month before it became public, he knew Valerie Plame's name. What's the impact of those two things?
TOOBIN: Well, part of the theory of the prosecution of Lewis Libby is that Libby, and perhaps others in the Bush administration, were kind of conspiring to get Joe Wilson and his wife, Valerie Plame, because Wilson had turned against the Bush administration on the weapons of mass destruction issue. The Woodward story throws a little bit of a chink in the government -- in the case because he says, look, there was no big conspiracy of Wilson, of Lewis Libby, the vice president's chief of staff. This was someone else just sort of mentioning in an offhand way. They weren't trying to get Valerie Plame, they were just sort of passing office gossip. Now it's not clear how much that would actually help Lewis Libby in courtroom. But in terms of understanding the story, it does make it a little murkier.
O'BRIEN: Let's talk about two points then. Does it help the White House? TOOBIN: No. I don't think it helps the White House at all because it keeps the story alive. What happened was, almost immediately after Woodward made this disclosure, Patrick Fitzgerald, the prosecutor, went and said, I need a new grand jury, I'm going to be doing more investigating, I'm going to be subpoenaing more people, bringing in more testimony, possibly bringing more charges. The best thing that could happen to the White House with this story, is the whole thing just goes away and people forget about it. That's not going to happen.
O'BRIEN: Why is Scooter Libby not off the hook?
TOOBIN: Because Scooter Libby is charged with lying to the grand jury about his conversations with reporters. When Bob Woodward heard about this is not directly, and maybe not even indirectly, relevant to the question of, did Scooter Libby lie to the grand jury. So I don't think it helps him that much, although it may help on certain issues of motive and whether he really did forget because he may say, look, everybody was just sort of chatting about this, how can I remember? But it's not a direct help, I don't think.
O'BRIEN: What about the new source? Bob Woodward says that the new source notified Pat Fitzgerald after Bob Woodward told the source that he remembered this conversation. Let's listen to a little bit more from "Larry King" last night.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WOODWARD: I then went into incredibly aggressive reporting mode and called the source the beginning of the next week and said, do you realize when we talked about this and exactly what was said? And the source in this case, at this moment, it's a very interesting moment in all of this, said, "I have to go to the prosecutor."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: What does this mean for "the source"?
TOOBIN: It depends. Does -- has the source spoken previously to the prosecutor? Did this subsequent conversation contradict what he or she said earlier? I don't know. I mean, this is where we're really into speculation without know who "the source" is and whether "the source" had any prior dealings with the prosecutor. Because it could be nothing at all. It could have no impact on "the source's" status or it could be a big problem.
O'BRIEN: With a new grand jury, clearly it's not going away?
TOOBIN: No. And, you know, they will have to ask related people about this conversation. You can't just ask one person and close things down. You've got to sort of tie it all up. That will take some time.
O'BRIEN: A whole new direction in the investigation, I dare say.
TOOBIN: Yes, that's (INAUDIBLE). O'BRIEN: More for us to talk about as the days continue.
TOOBIN: Indeed. Absolutely.
O'BRIEN: Thank you. He's our senior legal analyst, obviously. And again, a reminder, "Larry King Live" airs every night 9 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.
Rick.
SANCHEZ: Well, we've got Thanksgiving just around the corner, and if you have a grocery list that you have to go out and compile or actually go shop for on this day or perhaps tomorrow, you're thinking that's kind of a tough thing to do. But imagine tracking down about 186,000 pounds of turkey. Imagine tracking down, finding, delivering 82,000 pounds of stuffing mix or dressing, depending on what part of the country you're from. And 108,000 pounds of ham and more than 21,000 pies. That is what the man that you're about to meet, Chief Warrant Officer Peleti Peleti has to do. He's in charge of making sure the troops in Iraq get proper Thanksgiving dinners. And he's good enough to join us now from Kuwait.
What are we talking about, like 160,000 troops? Sounds like a daunting task, to say the least.
CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER PELETI PELETI, U.S. ARMY: Yes, sir. I would submit to you that it is a challenge here. Trying to support that amount of troops here, especially in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. What it takes, in terms of x amount of containers from the states to here to Kuwait and then move it up to the front lines.
SANCHEZ: How do you get it to the front lines? I mean, I'm thinking the way things are going over there that it might actually be dangerous because you've got to use convoys, right?
PELETI: Well, sir, I will submit to you that, yes, it is a challenge and it is dangerous. However, as you know, we here in the military, whether it be soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, we stand up to the fight in support of the global war on terrorism.
SANCHEZ: I imagine that this is a very important task because it brings a little bit of home back to these guys and gals who really are in need of it and are doing such a wonderful job for us over there. But, in your words, what does it mean to you, what does it mean to them to be able to celebrate a Thanksgiving Americana style?
PELETI: I would tell you that when you bring something from home here to this theater, it makes a big difference. And for me to have an impact on the welfare and the morale of the soldiers, it does mean a lot to them. And to know that they are receiving the same traditional Thanksgiving meal that you have back home here on the front lines and to support them, it means a lot.
SANCHEZ: I think we've got a menu. Can you share with us what they're going to be getting this year? I'll tell you what we have up and, you know, you can add to it or delete if want. We're talking roasted turkey with herbs, prime rib, Cornish game hen, country ham. And then this year you've got jumbo shrimp on there. That's interesting.
PELETI: Yes, sir.
SANCHEZ: Is that new?
PELETI: Yes, sir. We have breaded shrimp, to include cocktail shrimp, which kind of brings a little dazzle to the menu. But I would submit to you that whatever we can do for the soldiers means a lot.
SANCHEZ: What about desserts? What are we going to have this year for these guys and gals out there?
PELETI: Yes, sir. The dessert consists of pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, apple pie, cherry pie, and not to mention the Baskin Robbins ice cream.
SANCHEZ: And fruitcake?
PELETI: Fruitcake as well, sir.
SANCHEZ: What's the toughest part about getting this job done?
PELETI: Sir, I tell you, like I mentioned before, trying to locate certain individuals at certain locations to insure that the food gets to certain areas on a certain -- a particular time to make sure that the soldiers get to prepare the meals for the troops.
SANCHEZ: Make sure everybody gets their share. Chief Warrant Officer Peleti Peleti, a man with two first names or last names, depending on how you look at it, thanks so much, sir, for being with us on this day. We certainly appreciate your task as well and your job well done.
PELETI: Thank you, sir.
SANCHEZ: Let's check back now on the weather. Jacqui Jeras is at the CNN Center with the very latest weather update.
I imagine you've already got your groceries all shopped out for Thanksgiving, Jacqui?
(WEATHER REPORT)
O'BRIEN: Ahead this morning -- even though I'm a cynic , we're going to move on, you know, because Miles does bad puns and you do bad jokes. If you're flying home for Thanksgiving, Andy says you're going to pay more for less service. She's "Minding Your Business" just ahead this morning.
SANCHEZ: Also, our special series, "Week of Giving." We're going to take you to an elite prep school doing its part in helping young Katrina victims. We'll tell you what they're doing. It's a $35,000 education on the house and it's next on AMERICAN MORNING. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: All this week we are celebrating a "Week of Giving" here on AMERICAN MORNING, highlighting stories of the victims of hurricanes and the kind people who gave a helping hand. Here's our very own Miles O'Brien.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): For Will Tebo, this is the calm after the storm. Warm weather, fast friends, a golden autumn in a very special place, the elite Georgetown Prep School outside Washington.
WILL TEBO, KATRINA EVACUEE: It was devastating. After the first couple of hours, I couldn't watch anymore.
MILES O'BRIEN: He's talking about the day Katrina scraped across his hometown of New Orleans. It was his 16th birthday. The Tebo family home and Will's school, Jesuit High, were swamped. At the outset of Will's 17th year, things suddenly looked very grim. Homeless and schoolless. But at Georgetown Prep, they were also watching and instantly they knew they could handle an extra 20 boys. Father Bill George is the school's president. A school where boarders pay a $35,000 tuition.
REV. BILL GEORGE S.J., PRESIDENT, GEORGETOWN PREP: The parents would call from New Orleans and they'd say, but we can't afford prep. And we would say, well we're not going to charge you anything.
MILES O'BRIEN: The Tebos didn't waste a moment getting their boy here.
CECILE TEBO, WILL'S MOTHER: We have so much to be thankful for in the midst of this horrible tragedy. We have just had arms reach out special embrace us.
MILES O'BRIEN: Embraced indeed by a new family. His roommates, fellow sophomores T.J. Villamil and Mike Lesusa.
MIKE LESUSA, WILL'S ROOMMATE: They were trying to put the beds downstairs and these rooms are like half the size. So I offered for the dean to take him up here.
MILES O'BRIEN: T.J. is from Miami and knows a little something about hurricanes.
T.J. VILLAMIL, WILL'S ROOMMATE: I mean, there are tough times, you know, when he really misses home and we feel the same because we miss home but at least, you know, we can go back to it.
MILES O'BRIEN: Parents and alumni have pitched in as well, clothes, books, posters, frisbees and footballs, the stuff of a teenager's life. Will has settled in for the semester. He's doing the lights for the upcoming school play, "Damn Yankees." Those these particular Yankees have done pretty good by him. GEORGE: We said to ourselves, these boys will be a blessing one way or another. And one of the blessings is that they teach our kids here how much they have.
WILL TEBO: I give them my thanks. Hopefully one day I can come back here and do something. I wish there was a way I could repay them.
CECILE TEBO: This was all new.
MILES O'BRIEN: Back home, the Tebos are rebuilding their flooded home. At Will's school, they're cleaning up for a reopening. Will hopes to be home for good by Christmas, drawing on some important lessons learned here.
WILL TEBO: I've learned so many life skills, so many things that I've never -- not even thought about.
CECILE TEBO: They've taken over for me. They really have and they've done such a beautiful job in making decisions and then helping him to make decisions. They just had to take his mom's place for a while.
MILES O'BRIEN: In the meantime, there is homework to do, a play to put on, games to play in a special place, a refuge from the storm.
Miles O'Brien, CNN, Bethesda, Maryland.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: That's nice to see.
Tomorrow on AMERICAN MORNING, in our "Week of Giving," you're going to meet a New Orleans woman who's giving everything she's got to fellow hurricane victims, including her own home. It's another remarkable story. We know we've been lucky to highlight just a few.
SANCHEZ: There's nothing more you can do for a person, I know for me, than to do something for my kids. I mean . . .
O'BRIEN: Yes.
ANDY SERWER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Real emotion there.
SANCHEZ: It's a big difference, isn't it?
SERWER: Yes, it's true.
SANCHEZ: Andy Serwer joining us now to let us know what's going on in the world of business. SERWER: Yes. Well, if you're flying this weekend, Rick, of course, you are not alone but we're going to tell you about some new fees by airlines that are going to surprise you. Stay tuned for that on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) SANCHEZ: Billie Jean King, huh?
O'BRIEN: Yes, she looks good. I saw her the other day.
SANCHEZ: Yes?
O'BRIEN: Yes, she looks really good.
SANCHEZ: Did she play a little tennis with you?
O'BRIEN: No, she was hosting an event for the Women's Sports Foundation.
SERWER: Right (INAUDIBLE).
O'BRIEN: She looks like a million bucks.
SANCHEZ: Wow, that's fabulous.
Well, everybody's going to try to get home for the holidays pretty soon and I guess it's not going to be quite as comfortable as we might want it to be?
SERWER: Yes, times have changed, Rick. And 4.6 million Americans will be flying this holiday, including me if weather allows. And we all know it's not what it used to be. No more free pretzels. You have to pay $1 for trail mix, $2 for the sky cap. But there are some new fees that are really going to blow your mind here. First of all, this one. If you're flying on Air Canada and you want a pillow, you're going to have to buy it.
O'BRIEN: No!
SERWER: $2 for the comfort zone kit!
O'BRIEN: No!
SERWER: Yes, it's an inflatable plastic pillow with a little cloth cover and a blanky that comes with it. You get to keep the pillow.
O'BRIEN: Well, yes, I'd hope so for $2.
SERWER: You know, right.
SANCHEZ: Like something else to carry around.
SERWER: I know Carol Costello always complains about those pillows and now she doesn't have to. She doesn't have to buy one.
Another one here, check this out, United Airlines. If you get a seat in an exit row, it's going to cost you.
O'BRIEN: What?
SERWER: $25 to $99 more to get a seat in the exit row because leg room, you know, I guess it sort of makes sense. If you want it, you're going to have to pay for it, honey.
O'BRIEN: And if you have to in some way help with an emergency, do you get to bill the airline back $99 for opening the exit door?
SERWER: That's right. Yes. Before I help people out, you've got to -- yes, right.
There's a story in "The Wall Street Journal." Want to talk about the markets yesterday. Interestingly enough, one of the stocks leading the charge was Boeing, which had big orders from Dubai. The stock was up. You can see here, averages up across the board.
O'BRIEN: Oh, that is just insane. All right.
SERWER: Got to pay up.
O'BRIEN: Yes, and I'm not talking about the market, I'm talking about the airlines.
SANCHEZ: We'll have a pillow for you when you come back . . .
O'BRIEN: Yes, for a fee, right!
SANCHEZ: Yes.
O'BRIEN: Ahead this morning, not even Thanksgiving yet, but Oprah Winfrey played Santa Claus for an audience full of Katrina volunteers. We're going to take a look at the huge surprise that she had in store for them ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: When should U.S. troops come home? The heated debate shows no sign of slowing down. All of Washington seemingly boiling over. A live report's ahead.
New details out of Pennsylvania in the case of a mother and father gunned down inside their own home. Their daughter now says she willingly ran off with the accused shooter to get married and start a new life. We'll have more on that ahead.
And casualties of corporate downsizing. Tens of thousands of GM workers now searching for new jobs on this AMERICAN MORNING.
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