"Deep Throat" Has Died; Inauguration Outrage on Rick Warren
JOHN ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Breaking news. "Deep Throat" is dead. The former G-man who blew the whistle on Watergate.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He saw something wrong in the government. And what should he have done?</s>ROBERTS: This morning, Carl Bernstein talks about journalism's best kept secret. Plus, the family business.</s>CAROLINE KENNEDY, SEEKING SENATE SEAT: This is a time when nobody can afford to sit out.</s>ROBERTS: Caroline Kennedy making a serious Senate run. But is she more than just a name? We'll ask the Reverend Al Sharpton live on this AMERICAN MORNING.</s>ROBERTS: And good morning. Thanks very much for being with us on this Friday, December 19th. We got all that. We got a huge snowstorm making its way into the northeast as well. How much are we going to get?</s>KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: Six to ten inches, which is, you know, terrifying when you think about it trying to drive in that.</s>ROBERTS: Exactly. Yes. So we got complete coverage of that. We got our whole team out across the northeast and the Midwest to bring you the latest on the weather.</s>CHETRY: I know. You're from Canada, this is nothing.</s>ROBERTS: All right. I love driving in the snow. It's great.</s>CNN. CHETRY: And meanwhile, we begin with news that broke overnight about Watergate's "Deep Throat," the news of his passing. Mark Felt has died in California. He was 95 years old. Felt's identity was Washington's best kept secret for three decades. In 2005, Felt told "Vanity Fair" that he was the source who secretly supplied Bob Woodward with leads in the Watergate affair that brought down President Nixon. He was number two at the FBI at the time. The White House says an orderly bankruptcy could be just what the doctor ordered for U.S. lawmakers. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson says bankruptcy should be avoided if possible, but an orderly reorganization may be the best way to keep the industry from collapsing. General Motors and Chrysler are awaiting a White House decision on billions of dollars in emergency federal loans. And much of the country is getting an early taste of winter. This is what we were talking about. The northeast bracing for a powerful storm that dumped more than a foot of snow from Arizona to Illinois. The National Weather Service issuing a storm warning, a winter storm warning for the entire New York metropolitan area. And ice storm warnings issued for parts of five states in the Midwest. So far, more than 100 flights canceled at Chicago's two main airports. And we are tracking the extreme weather. Reynolds Wolf is at the CNN weather center for us in Atlanta. We have Susan Roesgen at Chicago's O'Hare Airport. And that's where we start today. So the weather really paralyzing the airports in the Windy City. Hey there, Susan.</s>SUSAN ROESGEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, you know, Kiran, actually those 100 flights canceled, those flights were canceled by 4:00 yesterday afternoon. That's how concerned people where here in Chicago about what we might be getting. Here this morning in the airport, things are moving pretty smoothly. I'm going to check the cancellations and departures board here. Well, I'd say about a tenth of the flights are canceled so far this morning, but that could change because right now there isn't a lot of snow on the ground right outside the airport. They've had the plows out. And also Chicago does snow well. This is what Chicago prepares for. I talked to the folks at the street and sanitation department this morning, and they tell me that they have about 9,500 miles to plow. They have 274 trucks with salt and the plows on them already. You know, 9,500 miles, Kiran, that would be from Chicago to Australia. They know they have a big job. They're used to it. They do have the plows ready. They have the salt ready. And they actually say that this is the eighth, the eighth winter storm that we've had so far. We're only in December. The last really, really big storm here was almost ten years ago, January of 1999 when they got more than 20 inches in two days. But it looks like so far we may not get that much -- Kiran.</s>CHETRY: All right. Susan Roesgen for us in Chicago this morning. Thanks.</s>ROBERTS: Our Reynolds Wolf is tracking all the extreme weather for you from the extreme weather center down there in Atlanta. Reynolds, you know, a tradition we hold here particularly in New York that the more we make of these storms on the way in, the less they deliver. What are we looking at today?</s>REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Right now in Chicago, you know Susan is actually right, the storm not expected to deliver a great deal of snowfall in Chicago. About one to three inches of accumulation is expected, but you have to remember some of that is going to come in the form of ice. And ice is going to be the big danger for many locations. Now currently in Chicago, you see a lot of white popping up on radar. Obviously that's your snowfall where you see pink that's a bit of a mix. Now, from Chicago southward, it looks like the best potential for dealing with ice. However, when you get north of Chicago up towards Milwaukee, that's where you see the snowfall totals get much closer to about a foot or so. Farther north you go the better likelihood you're going to be seeing by dealing with some issues with that snowfall. But in Chicago, again, one to three expected. We have no delays to report anywhere in the nation right now. That is going to change I guarantee you for both airports in Chicago. As we pull away a bit more to the east, you're going to see some snow forming in parts of Michigan. From Cleveland to Toledo, at this time, primarily it's an ice storm or ice event at this time. From State College in Pennsylvania to Allentown, we're seeing just a little bit of a wintry mix right now. But back in New York, it hasn't happened yet but later on, we're expecting this morning for the snow to begin to pile up. New York City, I'm thinking anywhere from four to eight inches of snowfall for the downtown area. However, there will be some places that could get anywhere from six to ten over towards Brooklyn. Certainly a possibility in Yonkers. When you get farther to the north to Schenectady, anywhere from six to 12, possibly six to 12 back into Finger Lakes in New York. So it's going to be a tremendous mess. Boston, listen up, very carefully. In Boston, you might be seeing over a foot of snowfall, maybe up to 15 inches of snowfall as we ran up the weekend all due to the storm system that is several hundred miles in width all drifting off towards the east. It is going to be a better day for you in Chicago. I'd say the next couple of hours, I would think things are going to begin to slow down in terms of that precipitation. But remember, guys, key thing is with all that precipitation, all that ice, all that snow on the ground with temperatures below freezing today, it's not going anywhere. Let's send it back to you.</s>ROBERTS: Reynolds, as you were saying, three to six inches yesterday max -- sorry, one to three inches max in New York yesterday. And now you're saying four to eight?</s>WOLF: Absolutely. Just a little bit of a shift. You know, we may have to change these numbers again. Anytime we have new computer models they come in that show the track of the slope. Maybe going a bit farther to the south, maybe going a bit farther to the north. A couple of them with the interaction of the cold air could change everything. No question.</s>ROBERTS: That's the great thing about meteorology. If you don't like what you got now, just wait a little while because it will probably change.</s>WOLF: There you go.</s>ROBERTS: Reynolds, thanks so much for that. We'll keep in touch with you -- close touch with you this morning. Thanks, buddy. Happening right now, production at all 30 of Chrysler's plants coming to a screeching halt this morning. They're going to be shut down for the next month. Right now, President Bush still mulling his bailout options but for the first time yesterday, the White House said it's looking at orderly bankruptcy as a potential way to deal with this auto crisis. The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush is now appealing for mercy. A spokesman for Iraq's prime minister says Muntadar al-Zaidi apologized in a letter calling the incident a "great ugly act" and pleaded for leniency. He's expected to stand trial shortly. The shoe thrower's brother says he doubts that any such letter was sent, though. A U.S. commander casting doubt that North Korea's reclusive leader is ill. Yesterday, Admiral Tim Keating said 66-year-old Kim Jong-Il is alive and remains in control of North Korea's government. There has been speculation about his health since September when he didn't appear at a military parade marking North Korea's 68th anniversary. And Pastor Rick Warren responding to the outcry over his role at the inauguration. Warren commends Barack Obama for his courage to pick him and take enormous heat from gay Americans, their supporters and liberal groups. CNN's Jason Carroll has been looking into this. He's got more on this firestorm. Good morning to you.</s>JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you. Obama is the one who's really being criticized by some of his supporters, even saying this is an incredibly sensitive move. Those on the left and some on the right are calling it a betrayal. President-elect Obama says he hopes his choice will help bring America together on social issues. What it shows is how far apart both sides really are.</s>CARROLL (voice-over): Liberal bloggers are in an uproar.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Emotionally, it felt like a kick in the gut. It's also just very puzzling.</s>CARROLL: They're writing headlines such as "Obama picks homophobe." To his followers, Pastor Rick Warren is a spiritual leader. But his critics say the choice for him to do the invocation at the inauguration is a slap in the face.</s>KATHRYN KOLBERT, PEOPLE FOR THE AMERICAN WAY: He has taken positions against women in America, against gays and lesbians in America.</s>CARROLL: Why so much anger? Warren is against a woman's right to choose and same-sex marriage, which he appears to compare to incest and pedophilia.</s>PASTOR RICK WARREN, SADDLEBACK CHURCH: I'm opposed to having a brother and sister being together and call that marriage. I'm opposed to an older guy marrying a child.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And you think those are equivalent to gays getting married?</s>WARREN: Oh, I do.</s>CARROLL: So why would President-elect Obama choose such a controversial figure for such a historic day?</s>BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENT-ELECT: I was invited to Rick Warren's church to speak despite his awareness that I held views that were entirely contrary to his. And that dialogue, I think, is part of what my campaign has been all about.</s>CARROLL: Some of those who supported Obama during his campaign say they feel betrayed.</s>HARRY KNOX, HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN: We worked very hard for Senator Obama's election. For us to not be respected by his choices in this case is really very disappointing.</s>CARROLL: Disappointment not just from the left. Some Evangelicals say Warren has no business preaching at the inauguration.</s>DAVID BRODY, CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING NETWORK: My e-mail box is flooded with pro-life conservatives saying this is ridiculous. So why is Rick Warren associating himself with Barack Obama on such a historic day?</s>CARROLL: Does anyone think Obama made the right choice? Politically some analysts say he may have.</s>STEPHEN HAYES, "THE WEEKLY STANDARD": You have criticism from the left as he heads into his first 100 days. That could be helpful as he looks to sort of quickly pass several bills. He's going to need centrist help.</s>CARROLL: And this morning, Democratic Congressman Barney Frank is also slamming Obama's choice of Warren calling it disappointing. Pastor Warren has responded to the backlash. He commended Obama for his courage in selecting someone with views different than his own. Warren says, "Hopefully individuals passionately expressing opinions from the left and from the right will recognize that both of us have shown a commitment to model civility in America."</s>ROBERTS: And at this point, does it seem like there's any chance that Barack Obama will change his mind? So I guess they're just going to --</s>CARROLL: Not yet. But definitely there are some of his critics who were saying he should.</s>ROBERTS: Yes. Well, I think they look like they're prepared to take the heat. So we'll see which way this goes. Jason, good to see you this morning. Thanks.</s>CARROLL: All right.</s>CHETRY: Well, as we mentioned just a moment ago, the most famous anonymous source in American history has died. Mark Felt, better known as "Deep Throat" was the whistle blower who exposed the Watergate scandal and help bring down the Nixon White House. CNN's Fredricka Whitfield looks at Felt's life and his unique place in American history.</s>FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): William Mark Felt could have been a footnote in the history of the FBI. Remembered as its associate director in the early '70s, except for one crucial thing. He was journalism's best kept secret. He was "Deep Throat" as portrayed in the movie "All the President's Men," code name for the mysterious informant who leaked information about Watergate to "Washington Post" reporters' Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Like all complicated relationships, he said, "Push me. I've been a street agent in the FBI and you don't get anywhere unless you push people like hell. So go ahead."</s>WHITFIELD: Felt's clues helped expose a cover up by the Nixon administration about the botched 1972 burglary at the National Democratic Committee headquarters in the Watergate Hotel. Born August 17, 1913 in Twin Falls, Idaho, graduating from the University of Idaho and George Washington University law school, he joined the FBI in 1942. As a G-man, Felt hunted Nazi spies during World War II. He had a bag of counterintelligence tricks honed during his long career with the bureau. In retrospect, some say clandestine meetings in a garage were not out of character, they were part of his game.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I appreciate you coming out like that.</s>WHITFIELD: It wasn't until he was 91, four years after a stroke, Felt revealed his secret. A California lawyer enlisted by Felt's daughter wrote a tell-all article for "Vanity Fair" magazine in 2005.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're all so proud of him not only for his role in history for that, but the character that he is.</s>STATEMENT FROM MARK FELT, JR.: We believe our father. William Mark Felt Sr. was an American hero. He went well above and beyond the call of duty at risk to himself to save this country from a horrible injustice.</s>WHITFIELD: Some speculated that Felt resented being passed over by Nixon for the top role at the FBI following J. Edgar Hoover's death in 1972. Ironically, Felt's life was a paradox. He was eventually convicted of authorizing unrelated illegal FBI break-ins himself. He was pardoned by President Ronald Reagan and never served any time in prison. While he spent his career serving several presidents --</s>ROBERT REDFORD, ACTOR AND DIRECTOR: Why he did it is certainly an interesting notion, but for me it's just a fundamental fact that he did it is what changed everything.</s>WHITFIELD: He'll be remembered for helping to bring down one commander in chief.</s>ROBERTS: End of an era in America and American politics.</s>CHETRY: Sure is. It's very interesting, you know, how history comes full circle when he talked about -- when he was convicted of the wiretapping, it was Weather Underground. It was the radical anti-war group of the 1970s that came up in this election because of William Ayers.</s>ROBERTS: It was so incongruous too in 2005. This nice little old man standing on the porch of his home and he was the guy that helped bring down a president.</s>CHETRY: Exactly.</s>ROBERTS: Pretty incredible.</s>CHETRY: Well, Caroline Kennedy wants to succeed Hillary Clinton in the Senate. But is she qualified to serve? We're going to talk with one prominent New Yorker who's convinced that Kennedy has the right stuff.</s>ROBERTS: And secret donors revealed. Bill Clinton disclosing who gave millions of dollars to his charity. Does the donor list present a problem for Hillary Clinton as secretary of state? We'll find out. It's 13 minutes after the hour.</s>CHETRY: The Detroit City blues.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Detroit needs help. It's just kicking the city in the stomach.</s>CHETRY: The big three in big trouble. Sky-high unemployment and a team that just can't win. And it could get worse. You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."