Topics and Guests, Dec. 31, Jan. 1

Happy New Year's ...

Wednesday, Dec. 31

Brian Wilson reports: Americans prepare to ring in the New Year. How will federal officials keep the usual New Year's gathering spots -- such as Times Square and Las Vegas -- safe for holiday revelers?

David Piper reports: Iraq welcomes a New Year free from the rule of Saddam Hussein (search ). David Piper gives a live report from Baghdad.

Mike Emanuel reports: The Pentagon is cutting off ties with the oil firm Halliburton (search ). Who will pick up where they leave off?

Major Garrett reports: More political infighting along the Democratic presidential campaign field. We'll have the fallout.

Carl Cameron reports: This past fall Gen. Wesley Clark (search ) jumped into the pool of hopeful Democratic presidential contenders. Does he have what it takes to make it to the front of the pack?

GUEST PREVIEW: Michael Barone, U.S. News & World Report and co-author of The Almanac of American Politics, assesses the race for the Democratic endorsement.

Thursday, Jan.1

Spend the first day of the New Year with us! Which Democratic presidential candidate most likely will receive the Party's endorsement?  Do any have a real shot at beating President Bush (search) in the presidential election?

And what about the upcoming House and Senate races? Who has the most to lose and which Party will most likely gain -- the Democrats or Republicans?

Our political roundtable separates all the fact from fiction and tells you what you need to know as we head into Election Year 2004.

Details on those stories and more on Special Report with Brit Hume at 6 p.m. ET.

— Guests and topics are subject to change