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CNN Saturday Morning News

President Bush Huddling With National Security and Defense Teams to Discuss Situation in Iraq

Aired October 21, 2006 - 09:30   ET

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

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR, CNN SATURDAY MORNING: Now in the news. President Bush huddling with his national security and defense teams this morning discussing the situation in Iraq. But the White House is stressing the meeting doesn't mean a change of strategy is imminent. We'll take you live to the White House in just a moment.
Iraq's national security minister is in Amarah this morning talking with rival tribal leaders. Clashes there over the past two days left as many as 25 dead. The streets in the southern city are relatively quiet now, but the remnants of the violence remain, including a burned out police station.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN CO-ANCHOR, CNN SATURDAY MORNING: And in the city of Ramadi a suspected suicide bomber is dead. The U.S. military says he was killed in a raid by coalition forces earlier today. Officials described the man as a senior leader of al Qaeda in Iraq.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is raising doubts about whether North Korea is softening its hard line. She says she has no confirmation of reports that North Korea pledged to stop its nuclear tests. Rice is in Moscow to discuss the crises with Russian leaders.

HOLMES: A tropical depression making waves off the coast of Mexico. Reynolds, what's going on?

REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well T.J. things getting pretty active in parts of the Pacific. And we are going to show again just as you mentioned, areas just west of Mexico, actually, it's southwest of Manzneo things are beginning to brew up and this is tropical depression 17E. The question is where is this thing going to go. Well the latest path that we have from the National Hurricane Center shows the storm is expected to become a tropical storm and then move more to the north by 11:00 p.m. Monday, and by 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday, just south of the Baja and then moving on shore into Mexico as a depression by 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Not expected to affect the U.S.

But still certainly can bring some rough conditions to western parts of Mexico as well as the Baja. We'll talk more about that, plus we are going to take a look at your forecast around the nation coming up in just a few moments.

Back to you.

HOLMES: All right. Reynolds thank you. We'll see you soon. And of course we run down the top stories every 15 minutes right here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING. In depth coverage all morning long for you, your next check of the headlines coming up at 9:15 Eastern.

NGUYEN: Well, the price of gas is falling. Did you notice? So, will that translate into cheaper heating oil this winter? Coming up at the bottom of the hour, predictions about the cost of keeping warm in the coming months.

Good morning everybody. From CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Betty Nguyen. This is CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

HOLMES: I'm T.J. Holmes. Thank you so much for starting your day right here with us.

In Iraq, the main focus of a high level meeting at the White House this morning. President Bush welcoming some of his top generals to discuss the increasing security problems in Iraq. Does that mean a change is coming in Iraq's strategy? CNN Elaine Quijano joins us now live from the White House. Good morning to you Elaine.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you T.J. Well the White House continues to insist that it's not looking to change its overall strategy but it is emphasizing that it's open to changing tactics. As part of that, White House officials are trying to down play the importance of this meeting that is taking place this morning by saying it happens once a week usually via secure teleconference.

Now, it comes, though, of course at a time when there have been no signs of violence in Iraq letting up any time soon. And the Bush White House finding itself under immense political pressure. Those factors certainly contributing to the sense of urgency as this meeting is taking place. This morning among those attending are top members of the president's national security and defense teams, including Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, General Peter Pace the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. John Brizaid the head of U.S. Central Command. Now Abizaid has already met with President Bush, he met with him for about 30 minutes yesterday for what aids call an inform an in formal discussion on strategy dealing with Afghanistan and Iraq.

October has already been a particularly deadly month for U.S. forces in Iraq, 75 U.S. troops have died so far. And the pressure certainly on the administration is mounting. Coming not just from Democrats, but also from some fellow Republicans. Iraq continues to be the singular issue dragging down the president's approval rating. It is an issue that makes his fellow Republicans very nervous, Republicans who are up for reelection in Congress. So while the president is remaining publicly resolute about his goal in Iraq that it can sustain itself, govern it, defend itself and be an ally in the terrorism fight.

We are also hearing him lately T.J. trying to emphasis that the administration remains flexible to changes its tactic.

T.J. HOLMES: Elaine, still pretty much the White House stands that this meeting is somewhat routine. And if the -- do you expect at all possibly to hear what might come out of this strategy session?

QUIJANO: Well we expect to get some readout later today, TJ. But as to whether or not there's going to be what critics have been calling for a "Major course correction," don't look for that any time soon. It's very clear that the White House wants to hold off on any kind of changes to its Iraq policy, major changes until after the congressional midterm elections. Obviously this is a sensitive time in the political process. We're coming down to the home stretch. November 7th is just around the corner. Certainly what I can tell you is it is usual for the generals to be present at the White House meeting with President Bush. The meeting itself, though, officials say usually takes place again via that secure video teleconference. They say it takes place once a week.

HOLMES: And as you say Elaine politics, always a part of the equation.

QUIJANO: Absolutely.

HOLMES: All right. Thank you so much from the White House this morning.

NGUYEN: Whether there's a strategy change in Iraq, well that could play a big part in what voters do in two weeks. Heading to the polls in the crucial mid term elections. With he blood of American troops foremost on their minds. CNN's Brian Todd has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The president famously quoted as saying he won't leave Iraq even if the only ones still with him are his wife and dog. Is he getting closer to that tiny constituency? Listen to key members of his own party.

SEN. CHUCK HAGEL, (R) NEBRASKA: We are going to have to find a new strategy. The American people are not going to continue to support, sustain a policy that puts American troops in the middle of a civil war.

SEN. JOHN WARNER, (R) VIRGINIA: In two or three months, if this hasn't come to fruition and if this level of violence is not under control and this government able to function, I think it's a responsibility of our government internally to determine is there a change of course that we should take.

TODD: Even Senator Kay Bailey-Hutchison a loyal Republican from the president's own state says it's time to think about partitioning Iraq into three parts, Shiites in the south and east, Sunni to the west and Kurdish to the north. And in the latest CNN poll a third of Republicans say they oppose the war, the highest percentage since the conflict began.

Analysts say many Republicans who had taken a wait and see approach are at the end of that rope now with the violence spiking. They say the Iraq war is by far the number one issue in this midterm election and GOP candidates are feeling the backlash on the campaign trail. Even the insurgents are playing to the election.

MAJ. GEN. WILLIAM CALDWELL, SPOKESMAN, MULTINATIONAL FORCE IRAQ: We also realize there's a midterm election that is taking place in the United States and that extremists elements understand the power of the media.

TODD: Does it all mean a full-scale hardy revolt against the president's course in Iraq?

STUART ROTHENBERG, ROTHENBERG POLITICAL REPORT: I would say not yet a mass defection. Growing doubts, growing concerns. After the election if the Republicans take the hit that many of us think they will, then I think we will start to see those massive defections.

TODD: That period after the midterm elections is also when the Iraq's study group, led by former Secretary of State James Baker, is due to present its report on what needs to be done in Iraq. If Baker's team recommends a completely new course analysts say the GOP defections could accelerate.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Well, this brings us to this morning's e-mail question. Here it is, should the U.S change its strategy in Iraq? Would you stay the course, would you withdraw troops or would you just try something completely different? E-mails us your thoughts at WEEKENDS@CNN.com. Get them in quickly because we're going to read some of those responses in less then 10 minutes.

HOLMES: Access denied. A Democratic staff were on the house intelligence committee has cut off from access to classified information. A decision follows the leak of an intelligence report on terrorism. The national intelligence estimate concluded the Iraq war has become a rallying call for terrorists. It was leaked to the "New York Times" last month. The house intelligence committee says the staffer requested the report shortly before it was leaked. The Republican chairman suspended the Democratic staffers access setting off an angry patrician exchange.

NGUYEN: Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York Senator or the next president? That question got a lot of mileage last night during her first debate with Republican challenger John Spencer.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, (D) NEW YORK: I am focused on this election. I'm focused on my work in the Senate. I have worked hard every day once New Yorkers did take a chance on me in 2000. Now, obviously people are talking about whether or not I will or should run for president. And I'm flattered by that. And if that is a concern to people, they should factor that into the election in November. But I have made no decisions.

JOHN SPENCER, (R) N.Y. SENATE CANDIDATE: Looking at the last six years, Senator Clinton has written a best-selling book, she has traveled the United States with hundreds of book signs, raised millions and billions of dollars for the Democratic National Party, she has raised $40 million for herself to run against me. I don't know about that. We all know what Senator Clinton's aspirations are and that takes away from New Yorkers.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: So how would Clinton do in 2008? Interestingly enough, that may depend on what name she goes by. Take a look at these new poll numbers, this poll done for us by the Opinion Research Corporation, 51 percent say they would pick Hillary Rodham Clinton over the Republican favorite John McCain. But lose the Rodham and lose the election. Only 47 percent would vote for Hillary Clinton and 48 percent for the same John McCain.

As Democrats and Republicans battle for Congress, the best political team and television investigates what's gone wrong with America's government. Every night next week at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, that is 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, tune in to CNN for special reports.

HOLMES: Well, are you working out and not getting the results you want? Is it time to look for solutions in a pill? Coming up on today's "Jerry's Jump Start," we'll look at the ingredients in some of those popular diet supplements.

NGUYEN: But first here's what's coming up at the bottom of the hour.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Coming up at 9:30 a.m. Eastern, "Open House." Gas prices are coming down but home energy prices are going up. We will take a closer look and see what it means for your wallet this winter.

Plus home improvement guru Bob Vila will show us how to inspect and prepare your home for the winter. And the 6 percent commission may not be the only option for those of your selling your home; we'll fill you in on some little known secrets of the real estate world. That's "Open House" 9:30 a.m. Eastern right here on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Now in the news, President Bush in a face-to-face meeting with some of his top generals. They came to the White House to discuss the situation in Iraq and the calls for a strategy change there.

A U.S. marine reportedly will plead guilty to charges surrounding the killing of an Iraqi civilian in Hamdaniya. The Associated Press "Private John Jock's (ph) father as saying a plea deal is done." Jock (ph) is expected to plead guilty next week to assault and obstruction of justice. Murder charges would be dropped. California is going to be shipping thousands of inmates to prisons in four other states next month. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says the transfers are needed to ease overcrowding in California's prison system.

And of course we run down the top stories for you every 15 minutes here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING with in depth coverage all morning long. Next check of the headlines coming at 9:30 Eastern.

NGUYEN: What could be more Seattle than the space needle, right? Well, look closely and see Seattle's new slogan. It is an 18-foot tall letters on the top of the needle, of course we are not showing that right now but we did, trust me. Here's what it says. Metronatural, say what? The Visitors Bureau says the idea is to highlight the cities urban excitement and its wilderness surroundings. Now Seattle's previous slogan was Say wa?

HOLMES: I don't know how Say WA will catch on either.

NGUYEN: I don't know if Metronatural is really going to catch on either. Reynolds Wolf you know he covers many of these states. What do you think, Reynolds?

WOLF: I don't know guys; I'm fair to partly cloudy on that. I thought Seattle was called the Emerald City.

NGUYEN: Say wa?

WOLF: That's exactly what I'm talking about.

NGUYEN: Who knows?

WOLF: That is a little coo coo for Coca Puffs. But you know what ever it takes. Beautiful city Seattle, and I will tell you what in Seattle they have a great place to play baseball, their stadium has a retractable roof. Things are pretty good there, low deck of clouds for the time being. But later on today those low clouds and fog is going to burn off giving way to beautiful sunshine from Seattle southward to, well, San Francisco to Los Angeles, even in San Diego. But, again, as I mentioned, it's going to be a rainy time in Detroit. I wish they did have a retractable roof for Comerica Park that is not going to be the case. I'm going to say it is going to be a rain out, but you're going to the game, bring your ponchos with you.

Also scattered showers possible in Central Plains, some snowfall west of Denver. Some places over a foot a snow possible. In terms of your highs for the day, 66 in Kansas City, 72 in Dallas, 70 for Washington, D.C. and 60's for both New York and for Boston 90s still holding on to the sunshine state of Florida. That is a look at your forecast.

Betty, say wa?

NGUYEN: Hey you have to be a metronatural to know what that's all about. WOLF: Betty we all need to be. I'll go look in the dictionary.

NGUYEN: All right Reynolds. We'll get back to you on that one.

HOLMES: And of course all morning long we've been asking you your thoughts on our e-mail question, should the U.S. change its strategy in Iraq. Here are some of the answers we are getting.

First from Sam Washington, "The war in Iraq must be won. The troop levels there must be kept. The Iraqi people are not ready nor able to defend themselves or the democracy the United States helped them install.

NGUYEN: Well Todd Hale from Fredericksburg, Virginia writes this, "As a former marine I can tell you it makes no strategic sense to have so many troops tied up in Anbar Province playing whack-a-mole. Pull the vast majority into Baghdad, and areas of all oil and electrical infrastructure. Do the best we can, pat the new sheriff on the back, then get the hell out of Dodge."

HOLMES: The mouth of this woman. Then finally Robert Stacy of Burbank, California says, "I think you have to have a strategy first before you can start thinking about changing it. If there actually is one, it is woefully unclear what it is."

Again from Robert Stacy in Burbank. Thank you all for sending those in. We have plenty more we would sure like to get to.

NGUYEN: In fact, that's the question all morning long. So if you have a though on what should be done in Iraq would you stay the course? Would you change the strategy? Would you do something completely different? Here's the question. Send us an e-mail at WEEKENDS@CNN.com. We'll read those replies later this morning.

HOLMES: Now you know those winter heating bills.

NGUYEN: Oh, yeah.

HOLMES: Throw them away. You can do something right now to lower your bills in the future.

NGUYEN: Bring it on.

HOLMES: We're going to tell you about this Betty coming up in 10 minutes. "Open House" gets you ready for the winter season.

NGUYEN: Up next, just what's in those diet supplement pills promising you quick and easy weight loss. "Jerry's Jump Start" is coming you way in less than three minutes. Get ready.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: You know what time it is. Today we're talking about fat burners, enhancers. Sound like a wacky science project. If you're searching for weight loss in bottles, those are some of the things you might see. What's in those pills and what does it mean for your body. We are joined by our fitness guru, Jerry Anderson from Los Angeles to help us sort it all out. Hi there Jerry, how are you doing?

JERRY ANDERSON, FITNESS EXPERT: I'm doing fantastic Betty. How are you doing?

NGUYEN: I'm doing OK. I'm really going to test you when it comes to these diet pills. First of all you are testing me on to pronounce these things, The L-Carnitine formula, what exactly is that?

ANDERSON: Well you know it is amazing L-carnitine is a protein that helps turn fat into muscles. What these manufactures claim but this is unbelievable that when you're driving in there, you burn more fat. But there is no study that says it does that. So you've got to watch these things. Because what happens, Betty, is your body burns fat when you move your muscles, not when you take it L-carnitine. It is unbelievable.

NGUYEN: What about chromium formulas. Is that another thing you need to watch?

ANDERSON: You have to watch this; what it does is it stimulates insulin. They say they increase your insulin you will dry more glucose. But glucose stored the muscle; if you have small muscles you have small storage. And it doesn't make you burn additional calories. Unbelievable and it says it builds muscle and burns fat, which is unbelievable.

NGUYEN: Well that sounds like something I might be interested in. But you say it doesn't work?

ANDERSON: I don't want you to do it. Studies show it doesn't even work. You don't know what the side effects are. But if it is going to build muscle there must be a steroid in there or something. How can you burn fat without moving?

NGUYEN: That's a very good point. What about the lypotropic formula.

ANDERSON: Yes this is a crazy formula also, because what it does is help stimulate the production of fat from the liver and then it says when it does that it helps you burn more fat. A lot of manufacturers recommend that it increases your blood pressure, your heart rate and it suppresses your appetite. Of course if you suppress your appetite you don't eat you lose weight.

NGUYEN: If you don't eat, though, just off topic for a second, does your body store that fat because it feels like you're not getting the nutrients that you need?

ANDERSON: Right. See what happens though Betty. A lot of people say if you don't eat, your body starts slowing down. It uses nutrients that are available. Once the nutrients are gone, then your body starts using it as muscle. It just slows down the metabolism just a little bit and starts using the available nutrients. You can't take a supplement in and make your body do what you want it to do. How could you stop it? You wouldn't have any control.

NGUYEN: Got you. Thermogenic products, what is that?

ANDERSON: This is unbelievable. This product is two to three different caffeine based products to stimulate that product ephedrine that was removed from the market. It is suppose to raise your body temperature to burn more calories.

NGUYEN: So it will heat you up.

ANDERSON: It will heat you up. It's like a fever instead of a fat burner. What happens is as you work your muscles, your temperature goes down, and you sweat because your body is cooling off. If you take this and increase your temperature, you'll dehydrate and pass out. This is crazy. What's amazing is this product is combining caffeine, bitter orange. And then what they're taking is all of this and putting it together and giving it to you to take.

NGUYEN: You're making me scared.

ANDERSON: I am trying to scare you a little bit.

NGUYEN: Bottom line, all of this is just a big, fat lie. There's no such thing as a fat burner out there?

ANDERSON: You know what burns fat? Muscle burns fat. Supplements cannot burn fat.

NGUYEN: That's the hard way, Jerry.

ANDERSON: People want flattery but in the end you want frankness. But the bottom line is you need strength training, aerobics, and low fat nutrition. Those are your fat burners, and if anybody wants to use a fat burner always consult your physician before taking any supplements. If you're taking medication it could create a negative reaction. You could be in big big trouble.

NGUYEN: Big, big trouble. But if I listen to you, and I hit the weights I could get some of those big guns.

ANDERSON: Two to three times a week and you can get this.

NGUYEN: Just settle down. We'll get to you next week.

ANDERSON: Thanks a lot.

NGUYEN: Coming up next we answer viewer emails about fitness problems. We want to hear from you. E-mail us at WEEKENDS@CNN.com. Jerry is going to answer your questions. You know he will. That is next week at 9:00 Eastern, right here on CNN. You can get some guns like that, TJ.

HOLMES: Jerry, that guy, what do you do?

NGUYEN: You need some work.

HOLMES: All right. We're going to talk about politics quickly now. Of course when you head to the polls next month and cast a ballot, is that thing going to be counted? Coming up at the top of the hour why a new high tech voting system is getting a failing grade.

But first if want to save money heating your home this winter, be sure to tune in to "Open House" with Gerri Willis. That is coming up in about five minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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