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CNN Sunday Morning
Haiti Detains Americans Taking Kids Across Border; Edwards' Denial of Baby Was Final Straw, Aide Writes
Aired January 31, 2010 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Thanks for being with us today, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: It said, 'It's Betty Nguyen.' And - did you see that?
NGUYEN: Yes, I saw that.
(LAUGHTER)
HOLMES: OK. I love when we start off like that, with something weird in the prompter. They try to throw us off every once in awhile.
I'm T.J. Holmes. It's 6 a.m. here in Atlanta where we sit; 3 a.m. out in Seattle. Wherever you may be, thank you for being here.
And wow, we have...
NGUYEN: Oh my goodness.
HOLMES: ...an explosive new book...
NGUYEN: Yes.
HOLMES: ...that has come out, talking about payoffs, talking about sex tapes.
NGUYEN: Mm-hmm.
HOLMES: And all about a guy who wanted to be president. John Edwards, of course, has now come out in saying he did father a child with his mistress. Well, the new book is called "The Politician," written by his right-hand man for so long.
NGUYEN: Mm-hmm.
HOLMES: We're going to get into some details about that book.
NGUYEN: Yes, the same guy who, according to - or the book, Edwards asked him to claim...
HOLMES: That he was the father.
NGUYEN: ...his love child. So there's a lot of, like, (INAUDIBLE) explosive stuff in that. Want to talk to you about that, get your comments on it.
Plus this: Ten Americans charged with child trafficking in Haiti. They're accused of trying to bus some 33 kids into the Dominican Republican - Republic, I should say. And they're in an Idaho charity called New Life, children's refuge. Many kids did not have passports or documents. We're gong to get the details on this.
HOLMES: All right. But first, want to check some of the top stories we're keeping an eye on.
Including Toyota, that big recall. They are now finalizing plans to fix that problem, that gas-pedal problem, which is at the center of his huge recall that involves millions of vehicles. A spokesman for the company would not give an exact timeline as of yesterday. But the AP is reporting that some dealerships expect to receive replacement parts as early as Thursday.
NGUYEN: Right now, NATO is promising a full investigation into an apparent mix-up that left four Afghan soldiers. Early reports indicate that it was a case of mistaken identity. Afghan soldiers supposedly thought a group of U.S. special forces and Afghan commandos were Taliban militants.
Both sides mistook the other for enemy combatants.
HOLMES: And it's getting on out of there. That powerful winter storm that swept through Southern and Mid-Atlantic states finally moving out. Cleanup crews are now working to clear up some of that - with all those roads and the mess that was left.
Again, North Carolina is one of the states that was hit pretty hard. You're looking at some of the video here. The governor there declared a state of emergency. More than a dozen shelters are open across - excuse me - across the state.
NGUYEN: You better work on that cough, T.J. I know you got those cough drop in that's been used (ph).
HOLMES: I'm actually feeling better.
NGUYEN: I know. You do. You look better.
(LAUGHTER)
NGUYEN: Well, a disturbing story though, in fact, coming out of Haiti this morning. Get this: Ten Americans charged with child trafficking.
HOLMES: Yes, these Americans are actually from Idaho. There's a charity that's called New Life Children's Refuge. They're doing work though in Haiti.
They were arrested at the border with the Dominican Republic. One of those arrested says it was just a misunderstanding over the documentation.
NGUYEN: Yes, our Karl Penhaul has more now from Port-au-Prince.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KARL PENHAUL, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The 10 Americans are spending the night in Spartan Haitian jail cells in Port-au- Prince, close to the airport. They say that in the course of the afternoon, a Haitian judge charged them with child trafficking.
Those charges stem from the group's efforts to bus 33 Haitian children, some as young as two months old, out from Haiti and into the neighbor - neighboring Dominican Republic.
According to the group leader, Laura Silsby, the intention was to take the children to a converted hotel in the Dominican Republic, where they would be given temporary shelter. She says that there were no attempts ever to send those children abroad in adoption, and there was no attempt to send them to the United States or any other country.
She does, however, concede that none of the children had passports, and none of them had any documentation provided by the Haitian government that would permit them to travel. At one point, the group says that Haitian authorities accused them of trying to sell the children, charges, again, that they deny.
LAURY SILSBY, NEW LIFE CHILDREN'S REFUGE: We're just trusting that truth will be revealed, because we know that what the truth ultimately is, is that we came here to help the children, and we know that God will reveal truth. And we're just praying for that and trusting him.
PENHAUL: Since the earthquake, Haitian authorities have introduced stringent measures to try and prevent the risk of child trafficking. United Nations organizations and other international aid groups have also warned that given the confusion, it is very dangerous to pursue adoptions or to send orphans abroad at this time because of the increased risk of trafficking.
Karl Penhaul, CNN, Port-au-Prince.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Well, the father of one of the women organize - who organized the trip is defending this group.
Mel Coulter, of Meridian, Idaho, says his daughter, Terisa (ph), and the New Life Children's Refuge group just wanted to help orphan children.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MEL COULTER, DAUGHTER ARRESTED IN HAITI: Their attempt was to share the best. They - they want to bring kids out who - who have no home, who have no parents, who - who have no hope. And this was an attempt to give them the hope that - that they've lost in Haiti.
(END VIDEO CLIP) Terisa Coulter and the others go before a Haitian judge tomorrow.
HOLMES: Well, there's no hope in the battle against hunger in Haiti's quake-stricken capital of Port-au-Prince. As the World Food Programme expands its emergency food distribution this morning, Haitian earthquake victims can go to any of the 16 distribution sites in Port-au-Prince to get food, but only women will be allowed to pick up the rations, described as 50-pound bags of rice. That could feed a family for up to two weeks.
The hope is to reach as many as two million of Haiti's hungry quake survivor.
Going to turn back to a big political story you're going to be hearing an awful lot about.
NGUYEN: Mm-hmm.
HOLMES: In particular, a book. Disturbing revelations about a man who could have been the president of the United States, a man Washington's insiders could have taken down the Democratic Party.
NGUYEN: Yes.
Well, last week, John Edwards, former Democratic presidential contender, admitted to fathering a child out of wedlock after lying to everyone about it. The lurid details all part of a book called "The Politician," which was written by Edwards' longtime confidant Andrew Young.
Now, Young spoke to ABC News about how he, Edwards and Edwards' mistress, Rielle Hunter, hatched this grandiose plan for Young to claim that he was the baby's father.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREW YOUNG, FORMER AIDE TO JOHN EDWARDS: There wasn't a lot of time to sit back and contemplate, 'Hey, is this logical?' What is it logical? No? Was it stupid? Yes. Did we do the right thing, morally? No. Absolutely not.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Andrew Young there also writes that he has a videotape that shows John Edwards having a sex with a woman that he says appears to be Rielle Hunter.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
YOUNG: There was one tape that was marked "special." And we're just aghast. But it's a sex tape of - of Rielle and - and - and John Edwards, made just a couple of months before the Iowa caucuses.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you absolutely sure that this is - this is John Edwards and - and Rielle Hunter?
YOUNG: It's definitely him. You never see her face. It -- it's a visibly pregnant woman.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Hmm.
Well, John Edwards' attorneys, they are weighing in on the release of the book. And here's what they're saying - quote - "While we have not had an opportunity to view the interview or read the book, we urge extreme caution by everyone involved. From media reports, it is obvious that there are many allegations which are simply false. It appears that Andrew Young is primarily motivated by financial gain and media attention."
All right. So we want you to weigh in this morning. You've heard some of the details that are in the book. Are you going to read the book? Are you even interested about this? What do you think?
Hit us up on our Facebook and Twitter sites. Or you can even leave a comment on our blog. There are the addresses on the screen.
Here's what someone has already said about the whole situation. The first person on our blog said, "Nah...I read to be inspired. And while I am making assumptions, I just don't think this book or the circumstances within it would qualify in that regard."
And that's on our blog this morning. But again, we want to hear from you, so let us know what you think on our Facebook and Twitter sites.
In the meantime though, thousands of people, they are without power this morning in the South and Southeast.
HOLMES: And look who's keeping an eye on things for us.
NGUYEN: Reynolds!
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hey, guys.
HOLMES: Reynolds, it's - it's been awhile, buddy.
NGUYEN: It has. Good to see you back.
WOLF: Yes, we're keeping a sharp eye on what's been happening in the Carolinas. I mean, certainly rough times there. But also, we've hard thousands of people without power in parts of Oklahoma also, and another winter storm brewing out west.
We're going to tackle all of it coming up in just a few moments.
HOLMES: All right. Hope you can tackle a razor over there, if you get a chance.
NGUYEN: Did you have a long night? What's up?
WOLF: (INAUDIBLE), guys. We'll talk about that coming up.
HOLMES: I know.
NGUYEN: OK.
HOLMES: You missed us, I know. You missed us (INAUDIBLE).
WOLF: Absolutely.
HOLMES: All right, buddy.
Also, we got some new numbers out today on just how many jobs that stimulus money funded.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: We're watching Reynolds find a chair.
WOLF: (INAUDIBLE). It happens occasionally.
HOLMES: You - you good?
NGUYEN: You good, Reynolds.
WOLF: (INAUDIBLE)
HOLMES: How you doing? Good to see you.
This is big for us. We haven't been together - the whole team, it seems like we haven't been together in awhile.
NGUYEN: A couple weeks it's been.
HOLMES: Yes.
WOLF: (INAUDIBLE)
NGUYEN: And you've been skiing in Steamboat, right?
WOLF: Yes, out there at a big weather summit. Had a really good time. Decided to grow this out a little bit.
You know, T.J. you've been growing out your hair. And I was figuring, if you keep going, you're going to look like Lionel Richie; I'm going to look like Santa Claus.
(LAUGHTER)
WOLF: So that's basically how we're going with this.
(LAUGHTER)
WOLF: So a little bit of a change. (INAUDIBLE)
HOLMES: Well, it looks good.
NGUYEN: Well, it's good to have you back.
WOLF: Good to be back.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: In the meantime though, the president's getting a little feisty with the GOP. He spoke at their Republican winter retreat, and he didn't hold back.
HOLMES: Yes, a lot of people were worried about this Democratic president going into, I guess, the lion's den of all these Republicans.
NGUYEN: Yes.
HOLMES: But a lot of people say he came out just fine. In fact, he did so well that some of the GOP aides say they shouldn't have even allowed the cameras to come in.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC, GWEN STEFANI, "RICH GIRL")
NGUYEN: All right. So we are grading the impact of the stimulus by way of job creation. And what we're asking is, how does it stack up so far?
We've been talking about this. Let's give you those new figures that are released from the White House. And it provides with us an updated snapshot, if you will.
HOLMES: All right. This is what we're getting now from the Obama administration: Just under 600,000 jobs were funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the stimulus bill, in the fourth quarter of last year. In all, now saying between 1.5 and two million jobs have been funded so far.
NGUYEN: All right. And here's something that we were just mentioning: the biggest beneficiary so far being the state of California, where - do the numbers, do the math here, look at these numbers -- $21.5 billion -- $21.5 billion credited with funding 71,000 jobs.
Seems like it would have funded more, $21.5 billion.
HOLMES: Well, California, the most populous state, also the state that got the biggest share...
NGUYEN: Right.
HOLMES: ...of the money. And the breakdown on the jobs, this is - the equation keeps changing... NGUYEN: Yes.
HOLMES: ...in a lot of ways. They changed the rules in October for how we calculate a job has been saved or created.
Now, the administration is getting away from that language of "saving or creating jobs," and simply saying, "funding jobs."
NGUYEN: Mmm.
HOLMES: Who knows what all of this means?
NGUYEN: What does that mean? Yes. Yes. It's a little confusing. We were kind of scratching our heads at it. But those are the latest numbers that we've received so far from - from the White House.
HOLMES: Yes, and something else that you saw last week, on Friday. Surprised a lot of folks. You don't see this a lot - you don't ever see this, really: a Democratic president addressing a strictly Republican gathering.
The president stepped into the lion's den, some say. And he did all right.
NGUYEN: Yes, he did - well, OK. Here - here's what we know. He attended a Republican retreat in Baltimore on Friday with this message: Can't we all just get along?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: We've got to close the gap a little bit between the rhetoric and the reality. I'm not suggesting that we're going to agree on everything, whether it's on health care or energy or what have you. But if the way these issues are being presented by the Republicans is that this is some wild-eyed plot to impose huge government in every aspect of our lives, what happens is you guys then don't have a lot of room to negotiate with me. You've given yourselves very little room to work in a bipartisan fashion, because what you've been telling your constituents is, 'This guy's doing all kinds of crazy stuff that's going to destroy America.'
And I - I would just say that we have to think about tone. It's not just on your side, by the way. It's - it's on our side as well. This is part of what's happened in our politics, where we demonize the other side so much, that when it comes to actually getting things done, it becomes tough to do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: And want to say, the president did all right. People watching outside, observers, were expecting him. And you know, the Republicans took their opportunities to really get at the president...
NGUYEN: Right. HOLMES: ...asking very longwinded questions and whatnot. But a lot of people gave him credit for holding his own and really, in a lot of ways, they say, made the Republicans look bad. And that's why Republican aides came out and said, 'We should not have let those cameras in.'
NGUYEN: And it was really the first time that we've seen cameras in the Q&A session...
HOLMES: We didn't expect to have it.
NGUYEN: ...of an event like this.
HOLMES: Right.
NGUYEN: Well, you know, we also heard about this, them accusing the president of brushing off some of their ideas, driving up the national debt. Obviously, that debate will continue for some time, and it will continue, following all of it for you, as - as we cover politics here on CNN.
But in the meantime, let's show you this: A big ice storm still affecting thousands of Americans this morning.
HOLMES: Yes, right now, the story is snow - how much are we talking about? Reynolds Wolf adding up the numbers.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Checking your top stories right now.
At least seven bullet-riddled bodies have been found in Juarez, Mexico. A Juarez police officials says the victims, all men, were killed in separate attacks.
Now, it's not clear if they were the latest victims of the city's drug wars. Local reports say 150 people have been killed in the northern Mexico city since the beginning of the year.
HOLMES: Well, former President George H.W. Bush, the first President Bush - Bush 41, I guess we could say - he's back at the White House. Apparently, his key still works.
He was there yesterday for a meeting with President Obama. White House officials say President Bush was in town for an unrelated event and that nothing specific on that agenda. Just wanted to stop by and say hi.
His son Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida, was also with him.
NGUYEN: Taking a look at President Obama's schedule this week, here's how it lines up: Tomorrow, he will outline his $3.8 trillion budget proposal that is being sent to Congress. Now, it includes major funding increases for education for the next fiscal year. In the afternoon, he'll answer questions from YouTube users in a live interview. And then later, he's going to attend a security and crisis-management meeting related to the upcoming Olympics.
Then on Tuesday, the president will talks jobs and the economy at a town hall in New Hampshire.
Wednesday, he'll meet with governors from across the country to discuss energy policy.
And on Thursday, he'll speak at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC, JASON DERULO, "WHATCHA SAY")
NGUYEN: All right. We've been asking you what you think about this new book that is out about former Democratic contender John Edwards. And in it, it claims him as being cold, calculating.
It's written by one of his closest aides, Andrew Young, the same man who Young says Edwards asked him to claim Edwards' love child. You following this now? There - there's a lot of different details in this.
Also believed to be a sex tape, which you read about a little bit in the book.
So we wanted to hear from you: What do you think about all this? Are you going to read the book? What do you think about the whole Edwards situation?
Let me take you first to my Twitter site. Let's see, simba786 says, "He deserves it. Acted like he was an angel. What an idiot. Abuse of power. The American political machine."
And scotthello says, "I suppose someone can be so smart as a lawyer and so dumb when it comes to his personal life."
And take you over to my Facebook page really quickly. And Pat says, "This guy is despicable to cheat on his sick wife. The aide just as despicable to claim the love child as his."
Again, those are just some of the comments that we're getting from you this morning. But keep them coming. We want to continue reading them on the air, want to know what you think.
You can go to our Facebook and Twitter sites. Also hit us up on our blog. It - very simple, CNN.com/Betty, or CNN.com/TJ. And we will be sharing your responses on the air.
HOLMES: Our president yesterday - it was - it was snowing yesterday...
NGUYEN: Mm-hmm. HOLMES: ...in the D.C. But the president was not snowed in.
NGUYEN: No.
HOLMES: He got out and about yesterday.
This was kind of cool, because I was watching this game, Georgetown vs. Duke. The president walks in, sits courtside. And he had a pretty big crew with him. The vice president was there, other members of the administration. But they were there on the front row; there's the vice president as well.
NGUYEN: Yes.
HOLMES: So kind of turned the place out, kind of exciting for the athletes as well.
But the cool thing was that the president actually went over with Clark Kellogg, who was calling the game, with the commentators, and sat and started doing play-by-play.
NGUYEN: Did he really?
HOLMES: It was the coolest, just a live event. And, you know, just - they had an exclusive, live with the president, on TV yesterday.
But it - it was just kind of a - a cool moment that just happened...
NGUYEN: Yes.
HOLMES: ...that nobody was really expecting.
NGUYEN: And it was unannounced, right? It wasn't announced that he was going to attend this game.
In fact, I also read that when he walked in - again, unannounced - he got a standing ovation, everyone just started clapping.
HOLMES: And kids were excited...
NGUYEN: Yes.
HOLMES: ...certainly about it. And Duke was blown out of the gym...
NGUYEN: Uh oh.
HOLMES: ...yesterday as well (ph).
NGUYEN: But doesn't his aide Reggie Love - didn't he used to play for Duke?
HOLMES: Reggie played at Duke.
NGUYEN: Ooh.
HOLMES: So he was not feeling that game.
NGUYEN: No, not - not too happy with that game.
HOLMES: And on another sports note for a lot of folks, we know that the Australian Open is going on.
NGUYEN: Yes.
HOLMES: Roger Federer has won now his 16th Grand Slam title.
NGUYEN: That game is on fire.
HOLMES: He just stays on fire. Nobody can really challenge him. Andy Murray was who he just took down.
NGUYEN: Mm-hmm.
HOLMES: But Nidal had - late going out (ph).
NGUYEN: Did you stay up late watching sports last night or what?
HOLMES: Well, no, it actually - because of the time difference, it started at 3:30 a.m. this morning.
NGUYEN: Yes.
HOLMES: So it's just wrapping up. So I've been watching the Australian Open.
NGUYEN: You've been awake all through the night.
HOLMES: I've been watching the Australian Open every morning because of the time difference. Yes.
NGUYEN: Yes, it - it's been good.
OK. Well, we're going to go to this story now, because Haitians climb the gates of their presidential palace, forcing him, the president, to come outside.
HOLMES: OK, now what exactly is the president going to say when he faces them and faces that mob scene?
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Welcome back to CNN SUNDAY MORNING. I'm T.J. Holmes.
NGUYEN: Yes, good morning everybody. Thanks for being with us. I'm Betty Nguyen.
HOLMES: Let's give you a quick look at some things we're keeping an eye on this morning. Toyota says they are finalizing plans to fix that gas pedal problem that is at the center of the massive recall. A spokesperson for the carmaker wouldn't give a timeline, exactly, for when it will all be done, but the AP is reporting some dealerships expect to receive replacement parts as early as this Thursday.
NGUYEN: Well, NATO is promising a full investigation into an apparent mix-up that left four Afghan soldiers dead. Early reports indicate it was a case of mistaken identity. Afghan soldiers supposedly thought a group of U.S. Special Forces and Afghan commandos were Taliban militants. Both sides mistook the other for enemy combatants.
HOLMES: Well, a rebel group in Yemen has agreed to a truce offered by the government back in August. It could end sporadic fighting that's lasted more than five years. The government's cease- fire terms includes removing checkpoints and releasing civilian and military personnel. Some 250,000 have fled the violence since 2004.
NGUYEN: Listen to this story is out of Haiti today. Ten Americans are expected to go before a Haitian judge tomorrow on child trafficking charges.
HOLMES: These folks are with a group out of Idaho. And Idaho- based charity called New Life Children's Refuge. They are accused of trying to take 33 children across the border into the Dominican Republican, but they didn't have passports, or other paperwork for the children. One group member calls this just a misunderstanding.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAURA SILSBY, NEW LIFE CHILDREN'S REFUGE: By the end of the day, we were basically held in jail. And the children were all taken from us, which honestly, our tears tonight have not been for ourselves because we are fine. It has been for the precious children who have lost everything and we have given them -- you know, we have been up several nights with them comforting them and caring with them throughout the night as they have we want and cried with their losses. And it hurts me greatly tonight to know they are in some camp, somewhere once again alone. And not, you know, without that comfort.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Well, since the earthquake on January 12th, the Haitian government enacted stringent measures in an attempt to prevent child trafficking.
NGUYEN: Well, more and more, we are seeing Haitians upset with their own government's handling with the aftermath from the earthquake.
HOLMES: Medical help was slow in reaching the country as well as food and other crucial supplies.
NGUYEN: Our Karl Penhaul reports now on the discord from Port- au-Prince. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KARL PENHAUL, CNN INT'L. CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A mob gathers outside the ruined presidential palace, clinging to the railings, pushing for a glimpse. Quiet-spoken Haitian President Renee Preval appears to face his angry critics. Many don't want to listen.
"Preval, you have to resign. We have not seen you since the earthquake," this man says. Some chant for deposed, priest-turned- president Bertrand Aristide, to return.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Obama, do something for this country! We are starving!
PENHAUL: Others call for U.S. President Barack Obama to govern Haiti. Preval is in a tough spot.
"They were asking me what I was doing for them. It was difficult for them to hear me. It is tough. There's 1.2 million people in the streets who need food and water. They are frustrated. They are angry," he says. And they are taking the law into their own hands.
A few city blocks from the palace, thousands loot ruined warehouses and fight among themselves. They scavenge for anything to build new homes. This man calls for the Americans to take over running Haiti in the only English he knows learned from the back of the dollar bill.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In God we trust.
PENHAUL: American soldiers around Port-au-Prince's streets but they have no mandate to stop the lawlessness.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is difficult, but it is what I've been asked to do, so that's what we are here to do.
PENHAUL: The Americans call in Haitian police to arrest the looters. One detainee self-confessed looter, Bryce Reginald, says high-level corruption, not his criminal behavior, is the biggest obstacle to the relief effort and reconstruction.
BRYCE REGINALD, ACCUSED OF LOOTING: Things ain't getting better. Things ain't getting better. The only things will get better is if white people stay in the country for life. As soon as you all go, Haiti will be the same. Because all brothers are criminal. All police is criminal. Our government is criminal.
PENHAUL: When I asked President Preval about the growing discontent on the streets, he warns of a potential new exodus of boat people.
"The country has no faith to give it to its children. They will go to the U.S., the Bahamas, the Dominican Republican, or Jamaica, anywhere where life is better," he says. But in a country of long coupes how long will desperate survivors refrain from trying to throw the president out first. Karl Penhaul, CNN, Port-au-Prince. (END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: You know, the weather is so bad in Tennessee even cleanup crews are having trouble getting around.
HOLMES: Yeah, that's a problem. It took everything the state's department of transportation had to push most of the mess out of the way. They scattered 2,000 tons of salt and about 5,000 miles of road. They are warning that it is dangerous to drive because of cold temperatures and also you have the possibility of a refreeze.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BILLY LYNCH, DIRECTOR OF METRO WORKS: I want people to be patient, use common sense. Don't go out on the roads unless they absolutely have to, and drive slow. Be conscious of the people that are also on the roads and be safe.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Well, Nashville police are saying an accident caused a snowplow to topple over. A salt truck then crashed in a separate accident; all kind of problems because of the slippery roadways.
HOLMES: It is a mess. I think snow is going to be an issue today. We are talking about the Rockies here?
Good morning to you, again, Reynolds.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It looks like the heavy snow is actually going to be off to the west, but they did get hammered in all those places you were talking about, not only in Tennessee but also parts of the Carolinas. Thousands are without power this morning, too.
You guys really nailed it, too. One of the things you have to do is say off the not only some of the interstates if you can help it, but many of those back roads that have been untreated, they are going to be a mess and plus they are going to be in the shadows today. So, with the cold temperatures in place, some of the ice will remain right on the road surfaces.
Meanwhile, we have the frontal boundary that brought all the rough snow into parts of the Eastern Seaboard now moving out to sea, certainly some great news there. But as we head back to the nation's midsection, we'll be seeing that colder air locked in place in Oklahoma City where we still have over 100,000 homes and businesses without power. But 35 shelters remain open for much of the region, so that's good news. If you need to get to shelters, there certainly will be some provided for you.
The heavy snow, that T.J. and Betty were talking about, the real heavy hitter, is right here into parts of the Central Rockies. It will be this particular area that, when all is said and done, could see several feet of snowfall when the day continues. Especially by late in the day and into tomorrow it will really pick up and intensify. The high mountain passes could see several feet of snow with strong winds of 30 to 40 miles an hour and gusts even stronger than that. Whiteout conditions will be possible.
For much of the West Coast, it looks pretty good with a mixture of sunshine and clouds. Back East, it will be fine for you if you don't mind that cold weather, because we certainly have it in spots like Washington, D.C, where this morning it is 17 degrees, as we speak. Warming up later on today, to about 39 degrees in D.C.
Speaking of Washington, D.C., we have a live shot for you of the nation's capitol. IT is the nation's capital. It looks pretty good there. You see a light breeze coming in there. Weather conditions should be fine for people flying out-people flying out, like giant pandas. Take a look at this video we have for you.
This cute guy, actually, a big guy, Tai Shan, he was born in the nation's capitol. You can confidently call him a Washingtonian. He is under an agreement with the Chinese government to be returned to his homeland at four and a half years old. He's going back with a beautiful female panda from Zoo Atlanta.
NGUYEN: That's cute.
WOLF: They are flying nonstop to take part in a breeding program. You know, when you travel with pandas, giant pandas, it is a nightmare.
NGUYEN: How do you know?
WOLF: They always want to be next to the window, they always go to the restroom a gazillion times. They always-anytime beverage cart comes by, they always order doubles. Every single time. Rough stuff.
NGUYEN: Did you say he was traveling with a girlfriend? Something like that?
WOLF: Yes, from Zoo Atlanta.
NGUYEN: He'll be distracted.
WOLF: Well, the thing is, he is an attractive panda. And I'm sure she's attractive , too. And there are only 1,600 of them left in the wild, according to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. This is part of a reestablishing program.
HOLMES: But you say the girl is from Atlanta?
WOLF: She's from Atlanta. An Atlanta lady, man, you know how that goes.
NGUYEN: Nice, a Georgia Peach taken with him to China.
(LAUGHTER)
WOLF: Good times, on the flight.
HOLMES: Thanks, Rennie. We'll see you soon, buddy.
We'll turn back to Haiti here for a second where doctors are now becoming increasingly frustrated because flights for the injured are now being stopped.
NGUYEN: We'll take a look at how folks there to help are actually coping with all this need. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Checking our top stories right now. The Mexican police have found at least seven bullet-riddled bodies in Juarez, along the Texas border. A police official says the victims, all men, were killed in separate attacks. It is still unclear if they were victims of the city's drug wars, but local reports say 150 people have been killed in Juarez this month alone.
HOLMES: The former President George H.W. Bush, the first President Bush, is back at the White House. He was there yesterday for a meeting with President Obama. White House officials say the former president was in town for an unrelated event, and that nothing specific on the agenda. He just wanted to stopped by and say hello. His son, Jeb Bush, the former governor Florida was also there with him.
NGUYEN: Taking a look at President Obama's schedule this week. Tomorrow he is going to outline the $3.8 trillion-budget proposal that is being sent to Congress. It includes major funding increases for education for the next fiscal year. In the afternoon he'll answer questions from YouTube users in a live interview. Then later he'll attend a security and crisis management meeting related to the upcoming Olympics.
On Tuesday the president talks jobs and the economy at a town hall he is hosting in New Hampshire. Then on Wednesday he'll meet with governors across the country to discuss energy policy. On Thursday he'll speak at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington.
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WOLF: Welcome back to CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
You know, over the last couple days we have been talking about the rough winter weather across the Central Plains and the Southeast. We are talking Oklahoma, Tennessee and North Carolina, as no exception. This morning we have Mark Boone with us. Mark is at WCNC.
And , Mark, we are going to talk to you a little bit. Can you lay the groundwork for us and give us an idea how things are going there?
MARK BOONE, WCNC NEWS: Yeah, we are in the south part of Charlotte, here, on one of the more heavily traveled secondary roads. You can look out there. It is a virtual skating rink on the secondary roads. We have seen people lose traction and wipe out, just down the road, falling into the ditch; dozens of accidents all over the city. This actually came down Friday night into early Saturday morning, about three inches of sleet and snow here in South Charlotte, and this stuff froze overnight. Temperatures right now are in the teens, so anything that melted yesterday has turned to ice. And we've seen dozens of accidents overnight, including three Charlotte police officers, also involved in wrecks. Those are the folks who have to be out and about.
Two of the squad cars hit by other drivers as those officers were responding to wrecks. One officer spun out and hit a power pole overnight, fortunately, minor injuries in those wrecks. But we have had one fatal collision here, weather related, here in Charlotte. But again, the police urging everyone here to stay off the roads.
These kinds of storms are unusual for us. Normally, we have snowfall one day, it is gone the next. We don't have a lot of crews experienced in equipment to plow these roads for conditions like this. So we have a lot of transplants here from the North who say I have plenty of experience driving in these kinds of conditions, but what they don't take into account is we don't have crews like they do in places like New York and Michigan to take care of roads like this. They get a false sense of confidence and they end up wiping out, Reynolds.
WOLF: Mark, you were talking about law enforcement is advising people to stay off the roads, I imagine they mean staying at home. Do you have many homes without power this morning?
BOONE: There are in the far western part of North Carolina up to the mountains of North Carolina. We understand there are thousands of people without power and the local power provider here is telling us that it could be Tuesday before all those folks out in the far western part of the state are seeing power restored. I can take a look up at the utility lines here where it says Marvin Road, up there, if the photographer pans over to the left, you can see some of the ice accumulation up there on the sign.
Fortunately, we have not had a lot of ice accumulation in the last day or so on the utility lines, or the trees that would bring down those limbs here in the Charlotte region that would cause a lot of power outages, so we have been very fortunate here in the city as opposed to the folks out in the mountains of western North Carolina.
Mark, fine reporting this morning. Thanks so much for your effort.
BOONE: Sure.
WOLF: Stay warm out there. Best of luck to our friend in the Queen (ph) City.
All right, man.
BOONE: Thanks.
WOLF: That's the latest we have on the weather situation. Again, he mentioned the power outages in the far western corner of the state. Many more in parts of Tennessee and, of course, Oklahoma. It will take for some people several weeks before things get back to normal. We'll send it back to the desk.
NGUYEN: All right. So I guess get ready for more of it to come. Oh, it is wintertime.
WOLF: It certainly is.
HOLMES: There's that. Thank you, Rennie.
WOLF: OK, guys.
HOLMES: Are you nervous about tonight?
NGUYEN: I'm so nervous.
HOLMES: I'm a little nervous.
NGUYEN: Why?
HOLMES: Because Taylor Swift is nominated for eight Grammy nominations.
NGUYEN: Are you nervous or should Kanye West be nervous?
HOLMES: I'm nervous if she gets on stage that many times it might not go well.
NGUYEN: Is he going to be there?
HOLMES: Don't know. If he's going to be let in the building.
NGUYEN: Definitely interesting.
NGUYEN: I'm really happy for you, I'm going to let you finish, but ...
I doubt we'll see that at tonight's Grammys, but here is another nominee, Dave Matthews we'll be seeing at the Grammys.
(MUSIC VIDEO CLIP)
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NGUYEN: Black-Eyed Peas, I'm feeling we are going to see a lot of them tonight.
HOLMES: Oh, yeah. Great album. I know you have it because I gave it to you.
NGUYEN: I love that album. You just have to throw that in.
HOLMES: I have to. But the Grammys, big night tonight. Not going to be able to do a Grammy party this year. I know you guys are going to be disappointed. WOLF: I'm crushed, seriously.
HOLMES: We still have the Oscars, coming.
WOLF: Yes, that's true. And we are all looking forward to that.
HOLMES: It's good to have you back. We have been missing your events.
WOLF: It's good to be back. I mean, we do have plenty of events to talk about. The Grammy awards, you mention. Last night, here in Atlanta, we had the Trumpet Awards.
NGUYEN: It really pales in comparison to some of the events that you really follow on the weekends, right?
WOLF: And there are quite a few of them. Well, like the Trumpet Awards. The Trumpet Awards that are taking place here in Atlanta.
NGUYEN: I was think the Mustard Festival, but OK.
WOLF: T.J. was there last night.
We have the Mustard Festival. We can definitely talk about that. The Mustard Festival, actually takes place in Napa Valley, which I thought that was more of wine country, in California. The Oregon Truffle Festival, that is in Eugene, Oregon. We mentioned the Trumpet Awards. The Low Country Oyster Festival, that is in Charleston, South Carolina. The Goldsboro (ph) Pirate Fest, and you have the NFL Pro Bowl, which is in Miami.
NGUYEN: That's cool, yeah.
WOLF: And then, of course, early February, Ground Hog Day, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
NGUYEN: Punxsutawney Phil.
WOLF: I know, yeah. A special thing. But they have many of those, many variations of those around the country. Some are little less tasty than others, but there you go, that is what we have.
Of course we have Taylor Swift, who is going to be performing, one of the big nominees. That is going to be taking place. She's- let's see, eight nominations. We had the Miss America Pageant, to talk about. That is in Las Vegas, Nevada. All kinds of huge things happening, not only this weekend, but of course, for the next couple of days. So, all kinds of amazing stuff. Plus, we had Miss America, that happened last night.
NGUYEN: Yes, did you watch?
WOLF: No, I was in snooze land, snooze land. Mrs. Wolf did stay up, Virginia, Miss Virginia Caressa Cameron won. Her talent was, well, she sang Beyonce. NGUYEN: It was pretty, yeah.
WOLF: Beautiful, beautiful lady. And you know, she's wearing yellow and a lot of the contestants really pay attention to what color dresses that they wear because the winner a few years back, also wore yellow. And then when you see the winner wear a certain color, everyone, all the local pageants will copy-cat.
HOLMES: You know your pageant history. I'm impressed.
NGUYEN: You do.
WOLF: Yes, I know. What can I tell you.
NGUYEN: Are the awards going to be impacted? Is this like foreshadowing, are the little ones going to be in a pageant one day?
WOLF: You know, you never say no to anything. You never know.
NGUYEN: You could be one of those parents right?
WOLF: Because you do. Very busy weekend. Congratulations to the big winners. And of course, tonight should be very interesting to say the very least.
NGUYEN: No doubt. All right, Reynolds, thank you.
WOLF: Good luck, guys.
NGUYEN: Well, you know, 10 Americans are, in fact, in custody today after being caught with a bus of full of Haitian children.
HOLMES: But the Americans say they were just trying to help. We'll explain. Stay here.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Well, Jordin Sparks and "Love Is A Battlefield."
Boy, speaking of that, there's a new book out that is quite explosive. It is about former presidential contender John Edwards. There's a lot of lurid details in there. Talks about a sex tape, it talks about his love child, and all kind of other things.
We have been asking you this morning, what do you think about the whole situation? Are you going to read this book? What do you think about Edwards? So we are getting some replies, let me go to my Facebook page first.
Scott says, "Shame, shame, shame on you, John Edwards, if for doing this to Elizabeth and the kids. I don't agree with the Andrew Young." That being the author of the book, "publicizing this tragic and personal event for financial gain. I mean, John Edwards did admit to it and it should be done with. I won't buy this book."
But then, let me take you to my Twitter site. Pete actually says, "I won't read the book, but I'd love to read Edwards' book when and if he writes one. I'm still an Edwards' fan.'
So, getting some mixed reaction on this. Some folks say, I've already heard it before. But there are a few details in the book that maybe we haven't heard before.
HOLMES: Yeah. All sides now, Mrs. Edwards has come out and said there's falsehoods in there. John Edwards' side has come out, his attorneys are saying some stuff is false. But so much of it is obviously going to be true since Edwards did admit that the child is his. We'll read more from Stuart, on our blog. You can also find us on our blog.
But one from Stuart is saying, "The whole Edwards saga would be disgusting were it not so pitiful. It is almost exploitive to listen to the allegations and the counter charges. We can only hope that all of those concerned get some help and move forward."
And you do, man, a lot of lives will be torn apart by this in a lot of ways. You have to remember, there is a little innocent child involved in this.
NGUYEN: There is. A child, who at first Edwards said, no, that is not my baby. And then the aide, the guy who wrote the book, actually, claimed the child was his under this grand plan hatched by Edwards, the aide, and the mother of the child. You know, boy, it is a tangled web.
HOLMES: Young says that is probably the moment that turned him off, where he knew he was done with John Edwards, when he refused to even call Real Hunter, the woman who had just given birth to his child, would not even call her. Was trying to have an aide call her, or something like that. That might have been the moment when he was completely done with John Edwards.
NGUYEN: Goodness. All right. Well, let us know what you think about the new book that is out. Are you going to read it? And just essentially your thoughts on the whole situation. Go to our Facebook and Twitter sites, and also reach us on our blogs. There's lots of ways to speak to us today. We'll be reading your responses on the air.
All right. It is the top of the hour for the CNN Center in Atlanta. This is CNN SUNDAY MORNING, January 31, last day of January, almost over. Good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.
HOLMES: And hello to you all. I'm T.J. Holmes. It's 7:00 a.m. here in Atlanta, Georgia, where we sit; 11:00 p.m. in Melbourne, Australia, where Roger Federer is celebrating his 16th grand slam title.
NGUYEN: Wow.
HOLMES: He just won the Australian Open just a short time ago.
Wherever you may be this morning, thank you for starting your day with us. We will, of course, continue to follow the book that just came out and in it, details of the man who while at the same time trying to be president was also trying to keep his pregnant mistress a secret. We are talking about John Edwards' new book, explosive details that we're talking about this morning.
NGUYEN: Yes. And this: 10 Americans have been charged with child trafficking in Haiti. They are accused of trying to bus 33 kids into the Dominican Republic. They are with an Idaho charity called New Life Children's Refuge. And many of the kids didn't have passports or documents. We'll get you the latest on this investigation.
HOLMES: A couple other things we're keeping an eye on this morning. A lot of you Toyota owners out there, there are millions of you who have these recalled vehicles. Well, you could get some kind of relief this week. We could find out as early as tomorrow how Toyota plans to fix all those recalled vehicles. And we're talking about millions of cars.
The "Associated Press" is reporting that some dealers expect an announcement tomorrow. At least one dealer says parts to replace the sticking gas may be available as early as Thursday.
NGUYEN: Well, this morning, NATO is promising a full investigation into an apparent mix-up that left four Afghan soldiers dead. Early reports indicate that it was a case of mistaken identity. Afghan soldiers supposedly thought a group of U.S. Special Forces and Afghan commandos were Taliban militants. Both sides mistook the other for enemy combatants.
HOLMES: And the White House hasn't officially backed out of holding the 9/11 terror trial in downtown Manhattan, but the "Associated Press" is reporting some Justice Department officials acknowledge they are, in fact, looking for a different venue. Some Democratic lawmakers have expressed some reservations about having it there in New York. They have concerns about the cost, about security.
Administration officials say President Obama is proposing a $200 million fund to help cover those costs. It will be included in a budget plan for 2011. The president is going to submit that to Congress tomorrow.
HOLMES: Well, 10 Americans are expected to go before a Haitian judge tomorrow. Excuse me, please.
NGUYEN: You have been dealing with that cough for a few days now.
HOLMES: I am so sorry. Forgive me. But, like I was saying, those 10 Americans are expected before a judge on charges of child trafficking in Haiti.
NGUYEN: Yes, the group is from the Idaho-based charity New Life Children's Refuge. And they are accused of trying to take 33 children across the border into the Dominican Republic, but the children didn't have passports or any paperwork. Well, one group member calls it all just a big is misunderstanding.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAURA SILSBY, NEW LIFE CHILDREN'S REFUGE: By the end of the day, we were basically held in jail and the children were all taken from us, which honestly our tears tonight have not been for ourselves because we are fine. It's been for these precious children who have lost everything and we have given them -- you know, we've been up several nights now with them, comforting them and caring for them through the night as they have wept and cried with their losses. And it hurts me greatly tonight to know that they are in some camp somewhere once again alone and not, you know, just without that comfort.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Well, since the earthquake on January 12th, the Haitian government has enacted stringent measures in an attempt to prevent child trafficking.
And the father of one of the women who organized that trip is defending the group. Mel Coulter of Meridian, Idaho, says his daughter Teresa (ph) is the New Life Children's Refuge group -- or she's with that group and all she wanted was to help orphan children.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MEL COULTER, DAUGHTER ARRESTED IN HAITI: Their attempt was to share the best. They want to bring kids out who have no home, who have no parents, who have no hope. And this was an attempt to give them the hope that they have lost in Haiti.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Teresa and the others go before a Haitian judge tomorrow.
HOLMES: Doctors, nurses and other medical workers who want to help Haiti's earthquake victims have run into yet another road block.
NGUYEN: Yes. Haitians needing medical attention will have to get -- get it there in Haiti.
Our Susan Candiotti has the details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: T.J. and Betty, good morning.
For now, Haitians in dire need of medical help will no longer be flown out of the country.
(voice-over): On the ground, volunteer doctors are scratching their heads.
DR. BARTH A. GREEN, CHAIR OF GLOBAL INSTITUTE, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI: This was working beautifully 48 hours ago.
CANDIOTTI: Without warning, things changed.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They needed to be out of here a week ago.
CANDIOTTI: But for now, the patients suffering frightening spinal cord injuries aren't going anywhere after 435 medevac flights -- suddenly, they are suspended. No more airlifts to get critically- ill patients out of the country for help.
GREEN: We have no explanation why suddenly it stopped.
CANDIOTTI: The military temporarily put the brakes on. At first, a spokesman said some states were unwilling to take any more patients. Then, the White House explained it's not a policy change, it's just that hospitals were starting to run out of room. Florida hospitals who've taken in more than 500 patients started to grumble about other states not pitching in.
GOV. CHARLIE CRIST (R), FLORIDA: I wrote a letter to Secretary Sebelius expressing that federal assistance would be helpful to us and if we could share that with some of our sister states, it would make a difference. Obviously, because of Florida's proximity to Haiti, we really born the brunt of it, but we're happy to continue.
CANDIOTTI: Happier if they get more emergency funding as requested.
GREEN: Public hospitals all over the southern United States are in a tremendous fiscal crisis and a lot of our states are as well. And this burden, although the heart is in the right place, was overwhelming.
CANDIOTTI: More volunteer specialists may be coming in and the White House says it's bringing in more beds. Dr. Barth Green has told as many as 500 in a couple of weeks. The White House plans also call for the USS Comfort offshore to take on more critical patients and transfer those less serious somewhere else.
But what about those who might be left behind?
GREEN: Some of them are going to die.
CANDIOTTI: Volunteer doctors are getting increasingly frustrated.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: With this leg in this condition, she's not going to be able to walk. If it stays that way, she's going to be frozen in that position.
CANDIOTTI (on camera): A cry for help, one of many in a country where medical needs alone are staggering -- T.J., Betty.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: My goodness. That just shows you how large the problem is.
And we were talking to Karl Penhaul yesterday saying that, you know, it was already in a bad situation in Haiti to begin with. And now, it's one problem on top of another, on top of another.
HOLMES: And disaster is just like he said, it's just a perpetual state of disasters happening right now.
We are three weeks now after the earthquake and, of course, our Dr. Sanjay Gupta has been there since that earthquake hit. He's going to be investigating whether there are -- or actually, listen to this, too many doctors in Haiti?
NGUYEN: Which is interesting when you compare it to Susan Candiotti story when they needed help with certain situations there. So, what can be done to better coordinate efforts to get care where it is still critically needed? We're going to delve into that coming up at 7:30 Eastern, right here on CNN.
In the meantime, though, we do want to turn to politics. It is only the end of January, and we're already gearing up for crucial elections.
HOLMES: Yes. Our CNN deputy political director Paul Steinhauser has the week ahead.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Good morning, guys.
Let the primary season begin. Illinois holds the first primaries ahead of this November's crucial midterm elections. Up for grabs this Tuesday, the Democratic and Republican nominations for Illinois governor and senator. That Senate office used to be held by a guy named Barack Obama. Keep an eye on that race as the Democrats try to hold on to the president's old Senate seat.
Later in the week, the political spotlight shifts to Nashville, Tennessee. That's where the first national tea party convention is being held. It all kicks off Thursday and culminates with a speech Saturday night by former Republican vice presidential nominee and former Alaska governor, Sarah Palin.
But this convention is not without controversy due to its for- profit status. It's just another example of how energetic and powerful yet fractured the tea party movement is right now.
Back to you, guys.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Well, he was trying to keep his pregnant mistress a secret while at the same time trying to be president of the United States. A new book by a campaign insider details reckless behavior by John Edwards. HOLMES: Also, our Reynolds Wolf is back with us. The whole team is back together this morning.
Good morning to you, again. And you got another busy weekend.
REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, it sure looks that way, guys. Right now, people were waking up, thousands of Americans, without power this morning due to a bunch of winter storm that moved throughout the country. And yet, we have another that's becoming to develop over parts of the north and central Rockies. We're going to talk more about that coming up in a few minutes.
You are watching CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
NGUYEN: Man, it is cold outside.
WOLF: It is. It really is.
NGUYEN: Is that why you are growing this little scruff right here for warmth?
WOLF: I'm pretty grizzly, Betty. I am. There, exactly.
(LAUGHTER)
WOLF: Yes. Well, it may not be a bad idea for people to stay warm today. We have a lot of people that are waking up, families, a lot of people, elderly people that are waking up without power in parts of Tennessee and across parts of the Carolinas.
You see this video here from Maryland where the snow came down, in some places, four to eight inches of snow. Over in Asheville, North Carolina, it's the same story. We even have some iReports which really tell the story, also, that our viewers sent it. Again, pretty staggering stuff to see this kind of snow.
It's funny, you know -- well, we have a smiley face there, certainly trying to put a good spin on things. And a little bit of snow can make a difference really in whatever part of the country you happen to be.
Back in the Rockies, not a big deal. Eastern seaboard, it is. And you see these iReport shots sent in from George Boneilo.
Now, one of the places where you had some issues has been in Oklahoma City. And we have a tower cam from Oklahoma City. And it is certainly a cold morning there for many people. Thirty-five shelters remain open. You have over 100,000 customers and businesses without power this morning. So, it's going to tough for them.
Roadways have been treated, but still slippery spots it's going to remain. And it's never going to be perfect. You're always going to have a few places on the road where you're going to have some slick conditions. The best thing you can possibly do is just take it really easy out there. I mean, everything you do in terms of turning and slowing down, speeding up, everything has got to really, really be just slow and go. That's the best way to do it.
And with temperatures like these, right at 22 degrees just north of the city, about 30 or so south, it's going to remain locked in place. Something else is going to remain locked in place a little bit is some of the snowfall, at least locked in place for a good part of the day and into tomorrow because you have stationary front stretching over parts of the central and northern Rockies. And that could bring you about a foot or two of snowfall in some spots. The highest elevations could see a little more.
And I would say in the valleys, the winds could be anywhere from 25 to 35 miles an hour. Higher gusts are possible in the upper elevations. Almost whiteout conditions, in fact. Anyone traveling over this ridge of the Rockies is going to certainly have a bumpy ride.
Not the case, though, in the southeast. Still, you have many people without power. Today is going to be a cleanup day as temperatures slowly begin to warm up. Western New York in spots like, say, Syracuse, you could certainly see a few places where you're going to get snow, especially Syracuse -- I'd say Rochester, certainly, you're going to be in the mix today. And Michigan may see snowfall up north.
Now, high temperatures: Kansas City, 36 degrees; Minneapolis, Twin Cities, about 15; 44 in Memphis and up in Mud Island; 54 in Dallas as you wrap it; Tampa and Miami, into the 60s and the 70s; 32 in Boston; 38 in New York. And back out in San Francisco and L.A., 50s and 60s; Seattle with 51.
All right. You're up to speed. That's a look at your forecast with things warming up for everyone across the nation over the next couple of days.
Let's send it back to you.
NGUYEN: Look at that, a little ray of sunshine for us. So good to have you back, Reynolds.
WOLF: There you go. Good to be here.
HOLMES: Thanks, Reynie.
Well, couples out will there, some don't last a year, some don't last eight months, eight minutes -- but eight decades, really?
NGUYEN: Really? Eighty years.
HOLMES: Eighty years, the same person.
NGUYEN: Look at that. We are going to introduce you to some lovebirds who have been married, yes, for 80 years. That is quite a feat.
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(MUSIC)
NGUYEN: Yes, so many times, we get approached and people want good news, right? They want some positivity in their life.
HOLMES: It's great news.
NGUYEN: This is a fantastic story.
OK. A couple, they're not just celebrating any anniversary, they are celebrating 80 years of marriage, folks -- 80 years. Mitchell and Mady Atkins (ph), there they are. They were married on January 14th, 1930, after nine months of dating. He was 17, she was 23. They had no honeymoon or reception, but they have seen quite a lot in these years -- the end of the Great Depression, the civil rights movement. Get this -- they have 19 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, 12 great-great grandchildren.
This is just a great story, considering that the national divorce rate is 50 percent. So they have totally beaten the odds. They look pretty good, don't they?
HOLMES: Yes. Don't you hear that all the time, so many people I meet have been married a long time, they say, yes, we got married after seven months, eight months, nine months? That wasn't like a long courtship. I hear that so many times and them as well, nine months. And now, they've been together 80 years.
NGUYEN: So, maybe the trick is: don't wait too long.
HOLMES: You're going to talk yourself out of it if you wait too long.
NGUYEN: Right. Go ahead and get down to the altar.
HOLMES: Well, congratulations to them. It's great to be able to share a story like that this morning.
NGUYEN: Yes.
HOLMES: Well, let's turn back to stimulus, all right, and jobs. We got another tally -- another tally of how many jobs the stimulus bill has created.
NGUYEN: All right. So for those of you keeping track, we're going to explain why the administration is no longer counting the number of jobs being created or saved.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Checking the top stories for you now.
At least seven bullet-riddled bodies have been found in Juarez, Mexico. A Juarez police official says the victims, all of them men, were killed in separate attacks. Now, it is not clear if they were the latest victims of the city's drug wars. Local reports say 150 people have been killed in Juarez since the beginning of the year.
HOLMES: Well, former President George H.W. Bush, he's back at the White House, apparently his key apparently still works. He was there yesterday for a meeting with President Obama. White House officials say President Bush was in town for an unrelated event and that nothing specific on the agenda, he just wanted to stop by and hang out, I guess. His son, Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida, was also with him.
NGUYEN: We're taking a look at President Obama's schedule this week.
Tomorrow, he will outline his $3.8 trillion budget proposal. It includes major funding increases for education for the next fiscal year. In the afternoon, he'll answer questions from YouTube users in a live interview. And then later, he'll attend a security and crisis management meeting related to the upcoming Olympics.
All right. So, on Tuesday, the president will talk jobs and the economy in a town hall that he is hosting in New Hampshire.
On Wednesday, he's going to meet with governors from across the country to discuss energy policy.
Then, on Thursday, he'll speak at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington.
HOLMES: All right. This guy is just too good at making it look too easy. Once again, Roger Federer, he has won another major. This is his 16th now. He's already the record holder, but now, he's just adding to the total. He actually beat Andy Murray, a lot of hopes were riding on Andy Murray. He was attempted to be the first Brit to win a major in like 70-plus years, but Roger wasn't trying to hear that. So, he wins his 16th grand slam title.
Also, we know Serena Williams...
NGUYEN: Yes, she won.
HOLMES: ... won the final as well in the women side.
NGUYEN: You stayed up late watching that.
HOLMES: Well, I can't because the time...
NGUYEN: It comes on, you know, overnight.
HOLMES: ... is on at 3:30 a.m.
NGUYEN: Yes.
HOLMES: That's when it starts here and I've been watching it.
NGUYEN: Well, now that it's over, you can finally get some sleep, right?
HOLMES: Maybe...
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: There's other sports, though, I'm sure.
OK. So, the political aide -- we'll get to this story now -- the political aide in the middle of the John Edwards baby cover-up, he has released a new tell-all book.
HOLMES: Yes. His name is Andrew Young. The book is called "The Politician." It was put out yesterday and right now, number 12 on Amazon.com. The book isn't exactly a glowing tribute, if you will, to the former presidential candidate.
CNN political director Mark Preston with the details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARK PRESON, CNN POLITICAL EDITOR: Another book looking back at the 2008 presidential campaign appeared in stores this weekend, except this one focuses primarily on one candidate, and it isn't pretty.
A one-time political aide to former Senator John Edwards has written a tell-all that paints the once rising Democratic star as a cold, calculating and reckless politician willing to deny fathering a daughter, risking his marriage, and putting the Democratic Party in potential political jeopardy -- all in the name of trying to win the presidency.
The former Edwards's aide, Andrew Young, details his own efforts to help the Democratic presidential hopeful conceal an extramarital affair with Rielle Hunter, that included an elaborate plan allowing Edwards to maintain a relationship with Hunter while he was campaigning for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.
A federal grand jury is investigating payments made to Hunter by the former senator's campaign and supporters. Edwards has admitted to the affair and recently acknowledged that he is, indeed, the father of a baby girl born to Hunter in February 2008.
Initially, Young said he was the father of Hunter's daughter. He said he was urged to do so by Edwards who was in the middle of the campaign for his party's nomination.
Edwards, the 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee, did not perform well enough in the early voting states in 2008, and eventually dropped out of the race.
John Edwards and his wife Elizabeth issued separate statements disputing aspects of the book. They are now legally separated.
In addition to offering specific details of helping to cover up the affair, Young also claims he possesses a sex tape of Edwards and Hunter and he makes specific statements that seem to contradict Edwards' efforts to be seen as a champion for the poor and the middle class -- Betty, T.J.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: All right. Well, John Edwards' attorneys are weighing in on the release of this book. Here's what they are saying and I'm quoting here, "While we have not had an opportunity to view the interview or read the book, we urge extreme caution by everyone involved. From media reports, it is obvious that there are many allegations which are simply false. It appears Andrew Young is primarily motivated by financial gain and media attention."
All right. So, we have been asking you to weigh in on this whole situation today. One, what do you think about it? Two, are you going to buy the book? Are you even interested? And you've been talking to us on the Twitter and Facebook sites, as well as our blog here at CNN.
Let me take you to my Facebook sites. First of all, Jackie says, "I'll read the book regarding Edwards. I hope this ruins any opportunity for him and his future. He has ruined the life of his wife that she -- or of life that she thought she had and denied a baby for two years and has older children that are being forced into a life that carries the repercussions of his outrageous actions. To ever look at this man as a trusted representative of our government is ludicrous."
So, we are getting some really harsh comments. Although, some other people are saying, you know what, he made a mistake, we've heard about it, let's get over it and move on.
But we still want to hear from you this morning. Send your responses to our Facebook and Twitter sites. We'll be reading them on the air.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MELISSA DAWN JOHNSON, MORNING MOTIVATIONAL MINUTE: Good morning. This is Melissa Dawn Johnson, your global branding and personal transformation strategist. And this is your motivational minute.
How many of you get a little frustrated in trying to accomplish your goal? I was talking with a friend on Facebook and she said, "You know what? I'm really frustrated because I don't feel like I'm making positive progression."
Well, I'm here to tell you that the road to success starts with celebrating small victories. So this week, think about all that you have accomplished. At the end of the day, don't look and get overwhelmed by what you haven't done, celebrate the tasks that you have been able to accomplish and you'll begin to see that you are making positive progression in the right direction.
Until next week, make every single day brandtastic.
(END VIDEOTAPE) (MUSIC)
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: That was Maxwell, indeed it was. Grammys are tonight in L.A.
HOLMES: And you saw him in concert actually here in Atlanta. How was the show?
NGUYEN: I did. The ladies loved them some Maxwell.
HOLMES: What do you mean them? You were there, too.
NGUYEN: Well, yes. I mean, he put on a good show.
HOLMES: And here was something.
NGUYEN: Yes, it was.
HOLMES: But yes.
NGUYEN: I'll leave it at that.
HOLMES: He's one of the big names. A lot of the big names, all of them, the biggest.
NGUYEN: Taylor Swift?
HOLMES: I am -- I became a huge fan after the whole Kanye thing actually.
NGUYEN: Yes. She handled herself well.
HOLMES: She really did. But she's one of the big nominees -- eight Grammy nominations for her.
NGUYEN: I think Beyonce got 10 Grammy nominations as well this year. I imagine both of those ladies will be racking it up today as the Grammys kick off tonight. Dave Matthews, he's also nominated for Album of the Year. One of several albums that are -- the nominees are performing.
And, again -- oh, you know what? I'm learning that Beyonce is expected to perform tonight. So, that will be interesting.
HOLMES: Always is.
And one other thing to note, Paris and Prince are going to be on stage. But maybe not the Paris and Prince you know about or think about when you think Grammys, but the children of Michael Jackson are going to take part in a tribute this evening. So, that should be interesting -- the two oldest, Paris and Prince. So, we'll see what happens this evening.
But you know what's going to happen here in about 30 minutes. Betty and I are going to be back with more live news.
NGUYEN: But "SANJAY GUPTA, M.D." starts right now.
