[Cho:] Ronald Reagan's Inauguration may have been the coldest on record, but we're giving it a run for the money.
[Holmes:] A little run.
[Cho:] It is cold. If you haven't been outside yet, let me tell you, it is cold out there, even here in "Hotlanta." But we want to show you what it looks like in Minneapolis, the bitter cold temperatures have made things tough throughout the Midwest, the Northeast, even into the South. In Detroit, they closed about 300 schools because of the frigid temperatures.
[Holmes:] Well, what do you think? Should the government be spending the remaining money from that financial bailout?
[Cho:] What America really thinks about the Troubled Asset Relief Program, otherwise known as
[Tarp. Holmes:] Also, how far would you go to get that precious, and in some cases just you know, it's unattainable for a lot of folks, but that ticket to the Inauguration, how far would you go?
[Cho:] Welcome back. Barack Obama says it is critical that Congress approves an economic stimulus plan as soon as possible. CNN's deputy political director Paul Steinhauser joins us now from the bureau in Washington. Hey, Paul, good morning. You know, most lawmakers agree that a plan is needed. Most Americans agree that a plan is need. But there are some sticking points, right?
[Paul Steinhauser, Cnn Deputy Political Editor:] There sure are. They differ on a lot of things. They don't see eye to eye on how much money we should spend and where the money should go. Now this plan is so important that Barack Obama went on the road yesterday to sell his plan. He went to Ohio and he visited a plant that makes wind turbines, a plant outside of Cleveland. And that's part of the deal here, because what he wants to do is create jobs in clean
[Barack Obama, President-elect:] The first job of my administration is to put people back to work and get our economy moving again. That's why I've moved quickly to work with my economic team and leaders of both parties on an American recovery and reinvestment plan that will immediately jump-start job creation and long-term growth. And I'm pleased that Congress has seen the urgency as well and is moving quickly to consider such a plan.
[Steinhauser:] And as for the timetable, I think he wants to see a bill on his desk passed by Congress probably by the middle of next month. So that's where we stand right now Alina.
[Cho:] I want to talk a little bit more about the bailout that has been getting so much attention, Paul, you know. Congress, as you know, late last week agreed to release the second half of the funds, $350 billion. So what's going to be done with that money?
[Steinhauser:] Well, that money is to rescue financial institutions, banks that are facing tough times. Since the first $350 billion went out, more banks are facing tough times and are getting deeper and deeper into the red. But what do Americans think about this bailout? They don't like it so much. Our new CNNOpinion Research Corporation poll said six in 10 Americans, 61 percent, were against the extra $350 billion of taxpayer money going towards this bailout. They don't like that. Take a look at that, 61 percent say no more. Don't spend anymore. And here's the reason why, 86 percent of those we questioned, 86 percent say that the financial bailout so far is not working, the first $350 billion that has been spent since last fall. They don't like this one bit. And I think these poll numbers are pretty clear Alina.
[Cho:] Yes, New York Times this morning quoting one person who said it's like putting money in a pothole that keeps getting bigger. So Americans clearly speaking their mind on that one. Paul Steinhauser, CNN's deputy political director, Paul, thank you forgetting up early. Good to see you.
[Steinhauser:] Sure. Thank you. Thanks.
[Cho: T.j. Holmes:] All right. Well, pack up the boxes, put the kids in the car, it's moving time. It's not maybe going to be quite like that for the incoming first family, the Obamas. Still, they've got a whole lot to do in a very short time. Our Elaine Quijano is at the White House early for us this morning. Good morning to you. So are you starting to see U-Hauls pull up to the front door of the White House yet?
[Elaine Quijano, Cnn White House Correspondent:] You know what, not yet. But there's a whole lot of mess right now, I've got to tell you, T.J., right on Pennsylvania Avenue. It's kind of a maze to get in because of all the work that's being done. But you know what, there is a lot of work to do, not just moving but, of course, when it comes to dealing with the challenges facing the country, President-elect Barack Obama, in fact, in his radio address this weekend will talk about how he feels ready to tackle these challenges, including the economy, but also keeping the nation safe. And you know, on that point it was just this past week that members of the Obama transition team came here to the White House campus to sit down with their counterparts from the outgoing Bush administration to run through a table top exercise what they might do, how they might handle a hypothetical terrorist attack against the United States. So that's one example, sort of the serious nature of this transition. But again, T.J., on the lighter side, things are starting to look a little bit different around here at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I have to tell you, one example, early this morning the lights were on in Dana Perino, White House press secretary's office. I took a little peek in, I have to say, T.J., as I was walking by, empty shelves. Didn't see any boxes. Again, clearly, this is a White House in transition. We'll let you know though, T.J., if we do see any U-Haul trucks pulling up any time soon.
[Holmes:] All right. And, Elaine, be careful. I don't think you're supposed to be snooping around the Bushes, peeking through windows at the White House.
[Quijano:] I could see just from walking by. I wasn't stalking. I just kind of happened to see.
[Holmes:] OK. We understand. But also, help the people understand a little better. You know, we all move from house to house sometimes.
[Quijano:] That's right.
[Holmes:] But how is this a little different? What exactly I know a lot of things a lot of moving out going on, a lot of things are going to be different around there. But exactly how does the I mean, how does Barack Obama get his 50-inch flat screen into his bedroom and stuff like that? How does that work?
[Quijano:] Yes, well, I can tell you that the way it has worked in the past, T.J., is on January 20th, which will basically have a bunch of trucks pulling up to the South Lawn of the White House. They will be taking whatever possessions the outgoing administration, the family, whatever it is that they might want moved, they will be taking that away. And then at the same time, you will be having just a little bit after that trucks rolling in to unload the personal belongings of the Obama family. Now, in the meantime, as you know, the Obamas are staying over at Blair House. But I have to say that talking to people here, they is, look, the Bush family really doesn't have a whole lot of personal belongings here. They've got a lot of books. But mostly, at this point, there's just not a lot to move out. But there will be basically the sight of moving trucks on the South Lawn rolling in and then taking stuff away, and then another set of moving trucks coming in on January 20th. Probably won't be actually able to see that, but it's the way it's worked in the past, T.J. Really fascinating stuff because this is, after all, a residence, not just the place, of course, where the president works. So we'll let you know though if maybe we see anything coming up early
[T.j. Holmes:] Well, I'm sure you will be peeking in the windows like you do.
[Quijano:] That's right.
[Holmes:] Elaine Quijano for us from the White House, thank you so much.
[Cho:] You know, in a country with in countries across the world with coups and the like and dictatorships, it's really extraordinary to see a peaceful transition of power. We're going to be following it all for you right here on CNN in the coming days. Barack Obama, by the way, is obviously going to be inaugurated, sworn in on January 20th. A lot of the Inaugural traditions and ceremonies and balls are on Tuesday but he's doing something else that very few presidents have done, you know.
[Holmes:] He has asked a poet to take part in the ceremony as part of an effort to bring the country together. Josh Levs spoke to this poet. He joins us now live. Good morning to you, sir.
[Josh Levs, Cnn Correspondent:] Good morning, to you guys. So you all must remember, just like I do, Maya Angelou, right?
[Holmes:] Oh, yes.
[Cho:] Of course.
[Levs:] Clinton's Inauguration, 1991 [sic]. A lot of us do remember that, those powerful words that she had to say that day. Well, now this woman, Elizabeth Alexander, has been asked to speak. And she is hard at work preparing. She won't give me any details about what she is going to say, but she did give us a sense of what to expect.
[Elizabeth Alexander, Inauguration Poet:] You can expect a poem that hopefully will give people a moment in the midst of this tremendous occasion, this sober occasion, this joyful occasion, a moment to be shifted a little bit by language that is pulling from the everyday but also giving us a way to look at the everyday in a new fashion. I think it's very important to think about how our history has brought us to this moment, to look back at that history as a way of looking forward to the challenges, to the work and to the possibilities that are ahead of us.
[Levs:] I asked the committee that's organizing all the ceremonies for why they decided to invite you to take part in this. I just want to read you part of the statement. It says: "The president-elect has long admired Ms. Alexander's work as a poet, essayist, playwright and teacher." It goes on to say that by selecting you this "demonstrates the important role that the arts and literature can play in helping to bring our country together." Talking about that, your role in this respect, is there something that you as a poet can do to help bring the country together?
[Alexander:] Well, I think that what poetry does is it offers us examples of language distilled, language as its very, very best. And I think that when we put ourselves forth in our very, very finest language, our most careful language, that that's the way that we're best able to build coalitions across differences.
[Levs:] You're only the fourth poet ever to take place in an Inauguration, and it's distinguished company. Robert Frost in 1961 for John F. Kennedy's Inauguration, Maya Angelou in 1993 for Bill Clinton, and then Miller Williams for again, for Bill Clinton in 1997. Have you gone back and looked at what they said to try to draw inspiration or to gain some kind of focus?
[Alexander:] I certainly have. And I am so pleased to be in that company.
[Levs:] How do you take this opportunity and reach people who wouldn't usually read or choose to read poems but have it really mean something to them?
[Alexander:] I've tried to write a poem that is elegant and rich and careful with language and that takes each word as precious, but I've also tried to write a poem that has a kind of a clarity that I really feel anybody can meet. I think that I've written something that many, many, many, many, many people can come to. That was my true intention. And I think it's useful for us to remember that the great gift of poetry is the gift of a moment of pause.
[Levs:] Now, as you saw right there, she actually has known Barack Obama for years. She has known him since the mid 1990s when they were both at the faculty of the University of Chicago there. And apparently that is when he got to know a lot of her work. He says he has a lot of admiration. But she says her words are not going to be about him so much, guys, as the moment and what the Inauguration can mean to everybody Alina,
[T.j. Cho:] What a moment that will be. My goodness. What a high honor. All right. Josh, thank you.
[Levs:] Thanks a lot.
[Cho:] Still ahead, the hunt for Osama bin Laden, could the new administration change tactics?
[Holmes:] Also, coming up at 8:00, a look at some of the ways advertisers are tapping into the Obama campaign's theme of hope. All right. Well, CNN is following the stories of small business owners who are surviving this brutal economy. Today we take a look at a California man recycling his way to success. Our Melissa Long shows us how he got started.
[Melissa Long, Cnn Correspondent:] There is no such thing as garbage for Joe Szuecs, owner of Renga Arts where everything is handcrafted from reclaimed or recycled materials.
[Joe Szuecs, Owner, Renga Arts:] We actually have come up with a line of
[Long:] Inspiration came early from his Depression-era father.
[Szuecs:] The way I was raised, you know, is like to not waste. These are old watch faces.
[Long:] This former dot-com exec had a solid five-year business plan before he invested his own money to start up. He keeps costs low by tapping his wife's expertise in the craft industry. She buys well- selected products that can fit the unique profile of the business. His background in interactive media influenced a fresh approach to customer service that generates both buzz and repeat business.
[Szuecs:] The way I've structured this store is that people come in and they can be inspired. People enjoy the novelty and cleverness of using something else.
[Long:] He hopes to expand his store online when the time is right.
[Szuecs:] I still look at this store as a test tube for ideas, which eventually will be fully realized in some kind of online version.