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CNN Saturday Morning News

GOP Forces and Wins Vote on Keeping Troops in Iraq; New Orleans University Strikes Out On Plan for Reconstruction; Return of Students In January

Aired November 19, 2005 - 09:00   ET

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

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: As long as I'm the commander in chief our strategy in Iraq will be driven by the sober judgment of our military commanders on the ground.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROB MARCIANO, CNN ANCHOR, CNN SATURDAY MORNING: President Bush strikes back at his critics over the war in Iraq.

From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Rob Marciano. Tony Harris has the night -- the morning off. I can't figure out what time of the day it is.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR, CNN SATURDAY MORNING: You get up so early it all just kind of runs together, doesn't it?

MARCIANO: It is CNN SATURDAY MORNING and I'm happy to be here.

NGUYEN: We're glad you're here, too, Rob. I'm Betty Nguyen.

Good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen. We want to thank you for starting your day with us.

Our top story in a moment, but first here's a look at what's happening right "Now in the News".

President Bush is in Beijing today in the midst of his eight-day trip to Asia. Earlier, while in South Korea, he spoke to U.S. troops rejecting calls for a quick troop pullout from Iraq. The issue has been front and center this week after a call for withdrawal from senior House Democrat John Murtha.

Congressman Murtha's call triggered a bitter debate in the House last night. GOP leaders tried to force Democrats to take a stand on the issue. Republicans brought a resolution calling for an immediate military withdrawal from Iraq. Democrats called the move a stunt and it was overwhelmingly defeated.

In Baghdad now: Two separate car bombings killed 12 civilians and left 30 people wounded today. The first went off in a market in the southeastern portion of the city, killing 11 and wounding 20. The second bomb detonated in central Baghdad targeting a police patrol. One civilian was killed in that attack. Ten people were wounded including four Iraqi police officers.

There are new developments in the bombings of two Shiite mosques, which happened on Friday. The Associated Press reports Iraqi police have arrested four people. One of them an apparent suicide bomber who failed to carry out his mission. The mosque bombings killed at least 55 people.

MARCIANO: President Bush is in Beijing right now where it's just after 10:00 p.m. Before leaving for China he gave a pep talk to troops stationed in South Korea and he added sharp words for his critics in Congress who say the U.S. should pull out of Iraq. For more on that story here's CNN's Suzanne Malveaux.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BUSH: Our nation is grateful for your service. Your service for freedom and peace.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): President Bush at the Osan Air Base in South Korea promoting his global agenda, but also continuing to strike back at those who have been calling for an immediate pullout of U.S. troops in Iraq.

BUSH: In Washington there are some who say that the sacrifice is too great, and they urge us to set a date for withdrawal before we have completed our mission. Those who are in the fight know better.

MALVEAUX: Eager to prove that point, in Washington House Republicans introduce a resolution for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops to try to force Democrats to take a stand on a quick exit from Iraq.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We do not support a precipitous pullout from Iraq.

MALVEAUX: Democrats denounced move as a stunt and joined the GOP in rejecting the resolution outright. The White House used the failed measure to argue Congress was on the president's side. In a statement released from South Korea, the press secretary said, "Congress in strong, bipartisan fashion rejected the call to cut and run."

The Republican maneuver was prompted by a call made the day before from the powerful Democratic hawk Congressman John Murtha to withdraw troops within six months. The White House painted the decorated veteran as out of the mainstream.

BUSH: One of our top commanders in Iraq, Major General William Webster, says that setting a deadline for our withdrawal from Iraq would be, quote, "a recipe for disaster". General Webster's right.

MALVEAUX: But a senior Defense official tells CNN a withdrawal plan for U.S. troops in Iraq has already been submitted to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld by the top U.S. commander there, General George Casey. The official said the plan had numerous options and recommends that brigades begin leaving Iraq by early 2006. The official says the plan has yet to be signed by Rumsfeld and is conditioned on whether certain milestones are met.

(On camera): One of the milestones are the elections in mid- December when they Iraqis transition to fully governing themselves. Suzanne Malveaux, CNN, Osan Air Base, South Korea.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Now, the so-called exit vote last night in the House was obviously intended to embarrass Murtha and his supporters. CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider joins us from Washington, with his perspective on the escalating rhetoric.

Some are calling it an actual war of words. So Bill, let's get some perspective here. Let's listen to what Senator John Murtha had to say, which touched off this firestorm.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JOHN MURTHA (D-PA): This war has been so mishandled from the very start, not only was the intelligence bad, the way they disbanded the troops. There are all kind of mistakes have been made. They don't deserve to continue to suffer!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: All right. That is what Representative Murtha had to say. Now, others fired back but before we get to that I want to ask you was he asking for -- to be clear here, an immediate withdrawal, right now?

WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST: Not quite. He was talking about a timely redeployment of American forces. The resolution he proposed said that the forces should be redeployed, many of them to remain within the region, but he said that could last as long as six months. Their claim -- the Democrats claim -- is that the motion for an immediate withdrawal went far beyond what John Murtha was proposing.

NGUYEN: All right. Now, which gets touts firestorm that occurred after that. I know that you have some sound from a representative who sparked things off as well.

SCHNEIDER: That's right. The Democrats -- I'm sorry, the Republicans might have had the advantage here because a lot of Democrats did not support what John Murtha was calling for, including the leader of the Democrats. They said it was provocative, but they didn't endorse it. It was his own position.

A lot of Democrats say immediate or even timely redeployment with that kind of a time scale is a little bit more than they would be willing to support. But then it degenerated into name-calling and here I think Republicans got themselves in trouble. Here's a member of the House of Ohio Jean Schmidt quoting a constituent about what Murtha said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) REP. JEAN SCHMIDT (R-OH): He asked me to send Congress a message. Stay the course. He also asked me to send congressman Murtha a message. That cowards cut and run, Marines never do.

(AUDIENCE SHOUTING)

Danny, and the rest of America and the world want the assurance from this body that we will see this through!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The House will be in order! The House will be in order! The House will be in order!

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Hmm, hmm, Bill Schneider.

SCHNEIDER: That was a very dramatic moment.

NGUYEN: Yeah.

SCHNEIDER: But what had happened is, I think Republicans lost any advantage they might have had on this vote by allowing it to degenerate into that kind of name-calling. Of course, the White House in a way started it by calling Congressman Murtha another Michael Moore and a Left-wing Democrat.

This man who was a decorated combat veteran in Vietnam; who was the distinguished and respected chairman of a -- he's a ranking member of a subcommittee that is -- he's an expert on Defense policy, long respected and considered a Democratic hawk. To start calling him -- well, the words they used, you just heard, cowardly, shameful, wanting to cut and run, emboldening our enemies, surrender. Those were words that Democrats bristled at and that became really at the heart of this debate, personal insults.

NGUYEN: And bottom line, despite where you stand on how you feel about Murtha's comments, is it really putting pressure on the White House to layout a plan?

SCHNEIDER: Yes. I think what Murtha was expressing, whatever the details of his plan -- which, again, I say most Democrats probably didn't support -- whatever the details is clearly pressure coming there from the public to at least see an exit strategy. Not necessarily specific dates, immediate timeline, six months.

Americans want to see the light at the end of tunnel. They want to know that this engagement will have an end and that the Iraqis will be prepared to take over and so congress, the senate has passed a resolution that would require the administration to give regular reports about progress toward that end.

NGUYEN: Sure did. All right, CNN's Bill Schneider. Thank you, Bill, as always, we appreciate it.

We do want to know what you think about the House vote last night. It was a of support for the troops or a plain old political stunt? E-mail us your thoughts. Our address on the screen, weekends@cnn.com.

MARCIANO: Been getting some good ones. Keep them coming. Makes for an interesting morning that's for sure.

It's been nearly three months since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. Now students at Dillard University in New Orleans are getting an opportunity to return to campus, but what are they finding and how long will they stay? Dillard University President Marvalene Hughes joins us next and she'll talk about the school's future after the storm.

NGUYEN: And hurricane survivors face the dilemma of not having their hotel housing paid for by FEMA, come December 1st. That's not too far away. We'll talk about one family about the deadline and what it means for them coming up in our next hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Wow, look at that shot.

MARCIANO: That's terrific this is a pretty good gig you guys have.

NGUYEN: It's not too bad. Nobody's complaining.

MARCIANO: Someone told me this is their favorite part of the show, coming up.

NGUYEN: The weather?

MARCIANO: That's right.

(WEATHER FORECAST)

NGUYEN: I do want to welcome you back to CNN SATURDAY MORNING. Here's a quick look at what's happening right now.

President Bush says pulling out of Iraq is, quote, "a recipe for failure". He spoke earlier today in South Korea's Osan Air Base and continues to defend the military's efforts in Iraq while Congress debates on when troops should withdraw.

Iraqi leaders are in Egypt today for a U.S.-sponsored Iraqi reconciliation conference. Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak says Iraq's success will depend on whether it can overcome religious and racial divisions. The leader of Iraq's the largest Shiite political party refused to attend the conference.

And calmer winds are helping firefighters battle a Southern California wildfire. The blaze has burned at least 4,000 acres north of Los Angeles. Some of the residents have evacuated.

MARCIANO: Well, it's another busy weekend in New Orleans as more residents return. Work crews are disinfecting builds, cleaning up debris and sweeping up clutter in the streets. However, some college students and faculty are seeing the devastation of Katrina for the first time. Dillard University students are returning to campus to try to find their belongings and they're attending town hall meetings where they can learn more about the future of their education at Dillard.

Joining us from Shreveport, Louisiana is Dillard President Marvalene Hughes.

Ms. Hughes, thank you very much for joining us. To say the least, the fall semester has been a disaster.

Tell folks who don't know where is Dillard located in New Orleans and what kind of damage did you sustain?

MARVALENE HUGHES, PRESIDENT, DILLARD UNIVERSITY: Dillard is located on Gentilly (ph) Boulevard in New Orleans and it was very close to the levee that broke. As a result of that it incurred the most damage. We were about a quarter of a mile away from it.

So our campus was actually under water, submerged for about three weeks, especially the first floors of most buildings. Actually the first floors of all buildings except for our chapel. And we also encouraged some fire damage for three of our residence halls -- but that is all changing. That is all changing now. And so much progress is being made that I feel very optimistic about the future.

MARCIANO: Well, tell us about some of the things. Give us a progress report. It sounds like you're more optimistic now than you were three months ago.

HUGHES: Absolutely. Absolutely, because our buildings have been remediated, which means that they're now prepared for construction, and we are now in the process of identifying our construction contractors so that they can become actively involved in restoring all of those buildings.

Some will be newly constructed, some will demolished and constructed, and others will be restored. But the important issue for us now is that we know we are focused on a new Dillard University with a new master plan, not just for facilities, but also we are re- envisioning the curriculum.

Part of the reason I am out now on the road for all of the town hall summits is because I wanted very much to touch base with our students and parents and have them receive answers to all of the questions that we can answer about our January opening. We are opening in January, perhaps most of our time will be spent in the consortium that has been formed with Tulane University, Xavier University and Loyola University. But we are bringing our students back home in January and I can report to you that they, and their parents, are very excited about coming home.

MARCIANO: What would you say -- I have to imagine there are some students who are saying, I've seen these pictures. I'm not even going back. What would you say to those students who are thinking of not even coming back?

HUGHES: I must tell you, honestly, that I have not heard that statement from a student.

MARCIANO: Great.

HUGHES: They are all wondering when can we come back? When can we come home? They acknowledge that they've had wonderful experiences at their host institutions. And, of course, we are all grateful for that, but they want to come to their fair Dillard University. There's something so special about Dillard to students who choose and attend there, that nothing substitutes for it in any way.

MARCIANO: Well, I've got to tell you, Marvalene Hughes, thank you very much. It sounds like you're very positive -- your students as well. That is terrific to hear that most, if not all of them are anxious or at least excited to come back. And, of course, you have a long road ahead still. We wish you the best of luck and thanks for joining us this morning.

HUGHES: Thank you, we'll make it happen.

NGUYEN: Yes, she will.

Well, some of you have been pretty busy on the Internet already today. What's the hot link on the web this morning? Check it out. Here's one of the stories that is peaking your interest.

Dealing with the Robert Blake civil trial. Plus, some other popular hits when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: All right. Robert Blake and Tom Cruise, interesting combination here, both are Hollywood celebs who are making waves with web surfers this morning. Veronica de la Cruz joins us to talk about that -- in separate stories, of course.

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN.COMDESK: In separate stories. Tom Cruise, you have to feel sorry for this guy. You have to feel sorry for this guy.

NGUYEN: He's a father-to-be, Katie Holmes.

CRUZ: Right. And that's a good thing.

NGUYEN: Jumping on Oprah's couch

CRUZ: But wait until you hear the story I'm going to tell you.

NGUYEN: OK.

CRUZ: Because Comedy Central's highest-rated show "South Park" is taking swipes at him, Betty.

But before we get to that, web users, curious about the verdict in Robert Blake's civil trial, a jury in Burbank, California, has awarded Bonnie Bakeley's children, $30 million in damages. We've been talking about this story. They filed that wrongful death civil suit against Blake in 2002. And keep in mind that Blake was acquitted at his criminal trial, just eight months ago. So pretty amazing.

All right. Here we go. Tom Cruise, is he out of control?

NGUYEN: Good question.

CRUZ: Well, the people at "South Park" seem to think so because the latest episode pokes fun at Scientology and revolves around him being, quote, "stuck in the closet".

NGUYEN: Uh-uh!?

CRUZ: Yes, listen to this. In this episode Tom Cruise visits Stan's house and ends up stuck in the closet.

NGUYEN: What are they trying to say here?

CRUZ: Well, here I go. So Stan turns to his father and says, Daddy, why won't Tom Cruise come out of the closet?

NGUYEN: Uh-uh?

CRUZ: Yes.

But wait this, goes on and on until a bunch of celebrities and the Parkview police show up on Stan's door, demanding that Cruise come out of the closet!

NGUYEN: You've got to be kidding me?

CRUZ: And then, Nicole Kidman, she even makes a brief appearance begging Tom to, what else? Come out of the closet.

NGUYEN: Come out of the closet.

MARCIANO: Was she wearing a beard?

NGUYEN: Rob!

CRUZ: That was really bad.

Finally another piece of video popular on cnn.com. Take a look at this. And they're off!

NGUYEN: What are they? Oh, babies!

CRUZ: And they're off! All right. Maybe not. Maybe not.

These little once were taking part in the Baby Derby in New York. A different set of babies tried the same thing in Chicago earlier this month and even though some of these little ones didn't even make it off the starting line, they all got some toys at the end.

NGUYEN: They're so cute!

CRUZ: Too cute!

NGUYEN: Too cute, too cute.

CRUZ: Won't listen, but cute. That's all that matter, right?

NGUYEN: Yes. Yes.

CRUZ: They're all crawling. You can find them online at cnn.com/video, just click on most watched.

NGUYEN: Well, after that description, you know what everyone is clicking on. The Tom Cruise cartoon.

CRUZ: You guys have to see it. It is hysterical. I missed the episode, but watch the video. It's too funny.

NGUYEN: Oh, my goodness. He's not going to be happy about that.

CRUZ: I feel bad for him, but the guy can't catch a break.

MARCIANO: And we're not endorsing the cartoon.

CRUZ: No.

NGUYEN: No. We're not even back there?

CRUZ: It's there for your viewing pleasure and that's it.

NGUYEN: Thank you, Veronica.

We've been talking about the House vote last night rejecting a resolution for an early withdrawal from Iraq. It was a show of support for the troops or just a political stunt? That is the question today and we are getting your response.

We've you've got to e-mail them, though. This is from Gary and Donna. They say, I guess, Gary writes here: "My wife and I are proud to be Republicans today after months of listening to the Democrats lie about the president and the war. Last night they proved what hypocrites they really are."

MARCIANO: And Hugh Jones, from Georgia says, "Speaking of cowards, I'm ashamed of calling myself a Republican after the farce last night.

NGUYEN: And Marcia writes, "Political stunt? Does Congress know any other kind? The only time I've seen them act faster on a vote is when they give themselves a pay raise. Of course, with opposite results."

We want to thank you for al those response, depending on which side you're on, we want to know. E-mail us weekends@cnn.com. Here's the question one more time.

Friday's House vote on immediate troop withdrawal from Iraq, was it a show of support or just a political stunt? We'll read those on the air coming up at the top of the hour we have a lot more to come. We are live from Iraq where two separate car bombs have again wrecked the streets of Baghdad.

MARCIANO: Plus FEMA is about to stop paying for hurricane evacuees to live in hotels. Where do they go next? A New Orleans evacuee shares her story, live. That, and more, at the top of the hour.

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