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NFL Player Killed; Mideast Peace Conference Begins
Aired November 27, 2007 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Big smiles, high ideals, a promising start to the Midwest peace conference under way in Maryland, but only a start -- the inside source from Annapolis this hour.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Fans loved him. Opponents feared him. Others, well, they misunderstood him, NFL phenom Sean Taylor, in the words of his grieving father. We will get the latest on the search for Taylor's killer.
Hello, everyone. I'm Don Lemon, live at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta.
PHILLIPS: And I'm Kyra Phillips. You're live in the CNN NEWSROOM.
A star on the field, a victim in his home. Miami police are searching around the clock for an unknown killer who shot NFL star Sean Taylor early yesterday in his suburban Miami home. The 24-year- old Washington Redskins player died early today. And an autopsy is expected this afternoon.
Rosh Lowe from our affiliate WSVN has more from outside Taylor's house.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROSH LOWE, WSVN REPORTER: It was very emotional last night, because Pedro Taylor, the father of Sean Taylor, after he was shot outside the Ryder Trauma Center, gave a very hopeful news conference, saying that Sean was responding to doctors.
But as nighttime would turn into daytime, that hope would fade and it would turn to sadness, as the news would come out that Sean Taylor has passed away. Now we really have the criminal investigation. Detectives for Miami-Dade police, they have been out here all morning long going into Sean Taylor's home here in Palmetto Bay. They are looking for any bit of evidence, any clue.
Here are the details as we know them. We know that Sean Taylor was sleeping in his bedroom, with his girlfriend, his 1-year-old daughter. According to police, an intruder burst through the bedroom door. Two shots were fired. Taylor was hit, rushed to the Ryder Trauma Center, where he later died.
This morning, though, police are not releasing any suspect information. And we spoke to them this morning and what they said was basically this. Hey, it's difficult right now because the girlfriend was actually hiding underneath the covers when she heard the loud noises. So, she may not have seen who the suspect was.
We do know, and we have confirmed this with Sean Taylor's attorney, that when she went to call 911, the phone was dead. Perhaps the phone lines were cut. So, she actually had to get in contact with 911 with Miami-Dade police through her cell phone.
And precious moments were lost. But there was a massive effort to save Sean Taylor's life. He was somebody who grew up here in the community in Miami, went to preparatory school not far from here, was a star at the University of Miami, was a star with the Washington Redskins.
And now the big question in Miami this afternoon is who would want to kill Sean Taylor?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: And that was Rosh Lowe from CNN affiliate WSVN reporting.
Just a short time ago, we got a statement from Taylor's father, Pedro, a small town police chief in Florida.
He writes about his son, "Others misunderstood him, many appreciated him, and his family loved him. I can only hope and pray that Sean's life was not in vain, that it might touch others in a special way" -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: CNN has found Taylor's last-known interview given during training camp in August of this year. He talks about getting picked for the Pro Bowl in Hawaii last year, but he appears humble, even downplaying his talents.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEAN TAYLOR, NFL PLAYER: There's too many people out in the NFL that make hard hits every week. I thank them for voting me that, but that means nothing and that buys me nothing.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you take pride, though, in being an intimidating factor out there?
TAYLOR: I don't think I'm an intimidating factor.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You don't?
TAYLOR: People aren't scared of Sean.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, I think I would beg to differ. Receivers don't want to run into you out there in the middle.
(CROSSTALK)
TAYLOR: No, I'm a good person.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You're a good person, but you're a hard- hitting safety out on the field, right? TAYLOR: Not at all.
Hawaii was definitely an experience I thought I would never get to have and it was definitely a wonderful time out there for me and my dad. I took my dad out there.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
TAYLOR: And, I mean, I had a pretty good time. It was just kind of nice, me being able to meet other players from different teams and just be able to talk to them and sit down with them, and, you know, know that it wasn't all about football. You can actually talk to these guys and see how -- you know, see that it's more to them than football.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: And his teammate say that Taylor matured after the birth of his daughter.
LEMON: Flowers, teddy bears, tears. Fans are remembering Sean Taylor at a part in Ashburn, Virginia, near the Washington Redskins training camp. They have set up a makeshift memorial. Redskins owners Daniel Snyder calls Taylor's killing the worst imaginable tragedy.
PHILLIPS: A new push for lasting peace in the Middle East. Israelis and Palestinians are sitting down this hour at a U.S.- sponsored summit in Annapolis, Maryland. As the talks got under way, President Bush announced both sides had agreed to a plan to reach a permanent treaty by the end of next year.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EHUD OLMERT, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): I had many good reasons not to come here to this meeting. Memory of failures in the near and distant past weighs heavy upon us. The dreadful terrorism perpetrated by Palestinian terrorist organizations has affected thousands of Israeli citizens.
MAHMOUD ABBAS, PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY PRESIDENT (through translator): This opportunity might not be repeated. And if it were to be repeated, it might not enjoy the same unanimity and impetus.
Mr. President, what we are facing today is not just the challenge of peace, but we are facing a test of our credibility as a whole.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Minutes from now, we are going to talk with former presidential adviser David Gergen about the summit and how it might affect President Bush's legacy.
LEMON: Fire crews in Southern California have fully contained the blaze that tore through the Malibu canyons this weekend. But a new worry on the horizon. Santa Ana winds are expected to kick up over the next 24 hours. And they could stir up the flames again. The Malibu fire scorched nearly 5,000 acres and destroyed more than 50 homes.
(WEATHER UPDATE)
LEMON: All right.
A stop at a convenience store turned definitely inconvenient for a Missouri woman. Witnesses say she had just gotten back into her car and slammed the door when the ground opened up -- look at this -- and just swallowed both of them, plus another empty car. It took rescue crews about a half-hour to pull the woman to safety. She was treated at a hospital, obviously OK, because she was released.
PHILLIPS: She let students name the class teddy bear. Now the teacher could learn a cultural lesson the hard way.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: It is 3:13 here in the East.
Three of the stories we are working on for you right here in the CNN NEWSROOM: Now comes the real work. Opening today's Midwest peace -- Mideast summit in Annapolis Maryland, Israeli and Palestinian leaders agreed on joint set of goals, chief among them, reaching a peace treaty before the end of next year.
A manhunt is on right now for an escaped convicted murder in northwest Pennsylvania. Police say 53-year-old Malcolm Kysor hid in a garbage can which was driven away from a prison loading dock.
Miami-area police are searching for the killer of NFL star Sean Taylor. An autopsy is expected this afternoon on the Washington Redskins player who was shot early yesterday by an intruder at his suburban Miami home -- more NEWSROOM in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Brokering a peace deal in the Middle East in his final year in office could help boost President Bush's legacy. The Mideast summit is under way right now in Annapolis, Maryland.
And here to help us explore their potential impact on President Bush's place in the history books, former adviser to four presidents David Gergen, who is now with Harvard University.
And I have to ask you this. Do you think this is a genuine move, David?
First of all, thank you for joining us.
DAVID GERGEN, FORMER PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER: Thank you.
LEMON: Do you think it's a genuine move towards diplomacy, or is the president trying to leave behind a legacy here?
GERGEN: I think it's both.
I think he sees the opportunity, Condi Rice sees an opportunity to possibly bring the parties together. That's in part because of the failures in Iraq. The failures in Iraq have strengthened Iran, a Shia nation, and that has really scared some of the Sunni nations, like the Saudis and the Egyptians. And they want to hold down militancy in the Middle East.
And one of the ways they think they can do that is see if they can broker a peace deal between the Palestinians and the Israelis. That would take away some of the fuel for the militancy of the Shia. So, that is what has given -- partly opened the door to this.
And, so, I think the president saw that. I think Condi Rice saw that. They have been wise to seize upon this. But I don't think we should have any illusions about how tough this is going to be.
LEMON: Yes. And, you know, when it comes to foreign policy, I mean, the administration, it's no secret, it's been questioned a lot -- or criticized a lot, I should say -- for going it alone and not really seeking diplomacy.
Do you think that this is a genuine turn towards diplomacy for the administration?
GERGEN: I think it is, because I think they feel they need the Arab nations there at the table.
And what -- what is different today than where we were about six months ago is that finally the peace process -- there is a peace process that is under way again. And that stalled out. It was in paralysis for seven years.
And the second thing that's very important is that the Arab nations are there at the same table, which helps the Palestinian leader. And I think the president does deserve credit for that. I think Condi Rice deserves credit.
But I have to tell you, the three principal parties to this conversation, the U.S., the Palestinians, the Israelis, are all headed by people who are dealing with a weak hand. President Bush is a lame duck. President -- Mr. Abbas and the Palestinians, he could be overthrown at any time.
And, in Israel, Olmert, the prime minister, is presiding over a coalition that could fall apart if he makes too many concessions.
LEMON: Yes, but what's the weak link here? Is this a weak link because Palestinians are not at the table? Palestinian leadership, Hamas, is not at the table.
GERGEN: Yes.
LEMON: Is that a weak link here?
GERGEN: Absolutely.
You have a divided Palestinian people, with Gaza under control of the Hamas, the militant types, and West Bank sort of held by Fatah, more moderate, but there was violence today against -- in the West Bank against the Palestinian leader, who was in Annapolis, which I think underscores it's so easy for the hard-liners, the extremists to throw bombs into the middle of this process.
And the United States, very strikingly, unlike past peace talks -- usually, the United States has been at the table being the broker between. This time, we are leaving it up to the two parties. I think it's usually been -- it's been important in the past to get the parties to keep talking and when there's violence in the area, to have the United States there.
So, I'm surprised the United States will not be at this table.
LEMON: And, David, if I'm not mistaken, I think President Clinton spent like the last year of his administration trying to broker some sort of peace deal in the Middle East. Is there anything that the Bush administration can learn from this, especially as it pertains to these talks in Annapolis?
GERGEN: That's a darn good question. And, you know, for a long time, President Bush was swearing he was not going to do this, just as he wasn't going to -- nation-building.
And, yet, here again there's a parallel to what President Clinton was trying to do. Here, Bush is trying to get this pulled off in this last year.
I think the big thing was that there were so many concessions on both sides last time, in the Clinton time, and then, when Arafat turned around and put a knife in Clinton's back, it really hurt that they were that far down the road without having a firmness to the negotiations.
LEMON: Yes.
GERGEN: That is the main lesson...
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: Yes, I remember this. I remember that.
And, David, real quick, what does this mean for the next administration? If there isn't a peace deal that is going to be brokered here, it's going to be very tough to do it. So, they are going to carry that on.
GERGEN: Well, I think the next administration -- the main thing you don't want to have happen here is to have this blow up.
LEMON: Yes.
GERGEN: If it blows up, see, it's a real setback to the moderate forces in the area, and then you really do have extremists coming up. And that would beleaguer the next administration.
LEMON: David Gergen, much appreciated, as always.
GERGEN: Thank you.
LEMON: Well, it is a town older than the nation itself and one involved in numerous history-making events. Now Annapolis is once again on history's center stage.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON (voice-over): Annapolis was founded in 1649 on the banks of the Severn River on the Chesapeake Bay. If not for religious intolerance, that event may never have taken place. Puritans living in 17th century Virginia faced threat of severe punishment if they didn't bow to the dictates of the Anglican Church.
Before matters could reach a boiling point, the Puritans accepted an offer to move to Maryland in return for freedom of worship. They settled in the area of present-day Annapolis. The city was named in honor of Britain's Queen Anne and became the capital of Maryland in 1694. During the years leading up to the Revolutionary War, Annapolis thrived as a political, social and economic hub of Maryland.
For about one year, it served as the new nation's first peacetime national capital. In 1784, the Treaty of Paris, ending the American Revolution, was ratified in Annapolis. It may seem a little odd to hold the latest Middle East peace conference at the U.S. Naval Academy, the place where future Navy and Marine officers learn to wage war, but the academy's tight security and the fact that Washington is only 30 miles away made it a logical choice.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(BUSINESS REPORT)
LEMON: Well, if you had to give an example of an innocent, wholesome, non-offensive activity, picking a name for a classroom teddy bear might be high on that list, expect in Sudan. There's a British teacher in jail and facing possible lashing.
CNN's Phil Black reports from London.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Gillian Gibbons is a teacher at Khartoum's Unity School. It is a British international school, co-educational and multifaith.
Her 7-year-old students were asked to choose a name for a class teddy bear by voting. The winning suggestion was Muhammad.
A member of the Sudanese government has told CNN, some members of the school community considered that offensive to the Muslim prophet.
MUTRIF SIDDIG, UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, SUDAN: To give the name of Muhammad to this teddy bear, it was considered an insult by some parents. And this school is mixed. It's not all Christian students.
BLACK: The 54-year-old teacher has been arrested, accused of blasphemy. Under Sudan's Muslim law, she could be punished with up to 40 lashes or time in jail.
Gillian Gibbons former colleagues in the English city of Liverpool were shocked to hear of her predicament. They describe her as a respected teacher, committed, and conscientious.
RICK WIDDOWSON, FORMER COLLEAGUE: I think she is doing it out of all innocence. All I know is that Jill wouldn't go out of her way to offend anybody.
GILL LANGWORTHY, FORMER COLLEAGUE: She is a very adventurous woman. You know, she likes to do things by the norm, and she's always been a fabulous traveler. She will just travel anywhere and really immerse herself into the culture.
BLACK: If Gillian Gibbons can prove she didn't mean to offend Sudan's culture, the government says she could be free without penalty.
SIDDIG: We are having a very efficient system, and we will be considerate to the intentions. If the intentions are good, definitely she will be absolved.
BLACK: But colleagues at her school in Khartoum say they fear Gibbons will pay a high price for allowing children to name a teddy bear.
Phil Black, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: He had a record on the field and off the field. We are going to take a closer look at Sean Taylor's past.
LEMON: Nobody ever said brain surgery was easy, but some things are pretty basic. You won't believe what went wrong not once, not twice, but three times at Rhode Island Hospital.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Hello, everyone.
I'm Kyra Phillips live at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta.
LEMON: And I'm Don Lemon.
You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
PHILLIPS: An NFL star is slain, his unknown killer still on the loose. Miami police working around the clock. An autopsy is expected this afternoon on Washington Redskins player Sean Taylor. He died early today, at 24. Taylor was shot in the leg at his suburban Miami home. Flowers have been left at the gate, where friends and family are gathered and to mourn and where the locks are now being changed. Police say an intruder broke in as Taylor, his girlfriend and their baby slept.
Here's what Taylor's former lawyer told CNN.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RICHARD SHARPSTEIN, TAYLOR'S FORMER ATTORNEY: Apparently there was some noise out in the living room. Sean and she were sleeping in the bedroom with their 18-month-old daughter. They heard noise -- a thump. They went out. Sean locked the bedroom door. Before he could do anything, the door was kicked in. It's unknown how many assailants were there. Jackie hid under the covers.
Two shots rang out. One hit him in the leg, piercing his thigh and his femoral artery. He bled out profusely. By the time Jackie waited for people to clear, she got down and he was breathing heavily and chest heaving, eyes back in his head. He was pretty much unconscious and non-responsive from that point on. He never really recovered.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Another break-in was reported at Taylor's home November 18th. No one was there at the time and Taylor's dad Pedro, a small town police chief, has put out a statement. Pedro Taylor says that he hopes his son's life was not in vain and that it might touch others.
LEMON: He had run-ins with players on the field, run-ins with the law off the field. Earlier, CNN Sports' Larry Smith gave us some insight into Sean Taylor's world.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
LARRY SMITH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Off the field there's no question. I mean he did some things -- some stupid things, as a young man would do sometimes...
LEMON: Legal troubles.
SMITH: He was in some legal troubles. I mean, well, first, he skipped part of his rookie symposium. That's a mandatory thing in the NFL. That was a fine.
He had a DUI charge that was later overturned.
He had several incidents on the field in terms of his behavior, late hits, things like that.
And there was a thing in 2005 that he talked -- that also he talked about in his -- some of what we talked about that we had from him in August 2005, where he is alleged -- aggravated assault charges. He later -- last summer -- it happened in 2005. Last summer he came -- he pled no contest to it and said it was like a cloud lifted off him. And, in fact, we have a comment that he made about that back in 2005.
Let's listen to that.
LEMON: All right.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEAN TAYLOR, WASHINGTON REDSKINS PLAYER: You've seen a couple players in the last couple of weeks, you know, be subjects to shootings. And it's just a life changing thing where one shot of a bullet or whatever the case is, you know, it changes lives. So it's just -- basically just staying away from those type of things and staying out of harm's danger -- harm's way, really.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And you had said that family and football all of a sudden became a lot more important.
TAYLOR: Yes. Well, family's always been important, but you seem to, in tough times, pull them even more closer. And, you know, that's what you need to support you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Yes, Sean Taylor, 24 years old. And even his head coach, Joe Gibbs of the Redskins, his teammates Clinton Portis and James Thrash, among others, all have said that he really -- they saw a maturation in him once his daughter was born...
LEMON: Yes.
SMITH: And she's now 18 months old.
LEMON: I was just looking at that sound bite. I mean, he was a baby -- only 24 years old, very young. Obviously, obviously, his family very devastated. We've been watching the pictures coming out of our affiliates in Miami from the team.
What impact do you think this will have on the team?
SMITH: Well, I think from a playing standpoint, he was injured, and so he didn't play the last two weeks. So from an Xs and Os, you know, they're going to know how to play without him.
But it's an emotional thing. You've lost a part of your family.
LEMON: Yes.
SMITH: You have to be close when you're on a team like that. And so there's no question that that's going to take a long time to heal. This is not someone facing a charge or just being suspended or whatever. This was a life that was taken. He's not there anymore.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
LEMON: And that was sports anchor -- CNN sports anchor Larry Smith just a short time ago. Redskins owner Daniel Snyder calls Taylor's killing "the worst imaginable tragedy."
PHILLIPS: We all make mistakes, right?
And brain surgeons, unfortunately, are no exception. Still, three different surgeons at one Rhode Island Hospital somehow managed to operate on the wrong sides of three patients' brains.
Reporter Audrey Desrosiers with CNN affiliate WPRI in Providence has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
AUDREY DESROSIERS, WPRI CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The 82-year- old patient was in the neurosurgical intensive care unit here at Rhode Island Hospital on Friday when the department's chief resident began a procedure on the patient's brain to treat a blood clot. According to Rhode Island Hospital, prior to entering the skull, the procedure was stopped when it was discovered they were operating on the wrong side. And now another family is once again asking how can this keep happening?
Left and right. It's pretty -- pretty straightforward.
Back in 1999, Amy Sherman's infant son had a procedure performed on the wrong side of his body while he was patient at Rhode Island Hospital. Luckily, so far the procedure doesn't appear to have caused him any lasting damage. But at the time it was devastating for Amy and her family.
AMY SHERMAN, SON HAD SURGERY: It makes you cringe. It brings back memories that hit close to home. I feel for the families.
DR. DAVID GIFFORD, RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: I think three in a year is a lot.
DESROSIERS: Dr. David Gifford says the Department of Health has fined the hospital $50,000 after an unannounced investigation that revealed several deficiencies in the hospital's pre-surgical procedures outside the operating room. In August, the Department of Health required the hospital to undergo significant changes to its system and protocol for surgeries.
GIFFORD: And they've made changes in the operating room and, for the most part, implemented those. But this did not seem to translate out for procedures done outside of the operating room.
DESROSIERS: A Rhode Island Hospital spokesperson says: "We have talented, dedicated professionals working hard to provide the best care to our patients, but we clearly need to do more. Our policies and procedures cannot be effective unless every person understands them and follows them to the letter."
(END VIDEO TAPE) PHILLIPS: Patients from two of this year's surgical mistakes are OK. But in August, a third patient died after a doctor operated on the wrong side of his brain.
LEMON: It's been almost three months since Steve Fossett took off on a solo flight over the Sierra Nevada and he disappeared. Now Peggy Fossett is asking a court in Chicago to declare her husband dead. She writes in court papers: "I no longer hold out any hope that Steve has survived." She's asking that the millionaire adventurer's will be admitted to probate.
PHILLIPS: A new chapter in a polygamist sect leader's legal woes is about to begin. Warren Jeffs' lawyer wants a change of venue for his Arizona trial. Jeffs faces charges for arranging marriages between two teenaged girls and their older relatives in 2005. Last week, Jeffs was sentenced in Utah for being an accomplice to rape for arranging a marriage between an underage girl and her cousin. His attorney says Kingman, Arizona is too close to St. George, Utah, for Jeffs to get a fair trial.
LEMON: Showdown in St. Pete as the Republicans get ready to rumble in Florida. The party chairman joins us for a debate -- a debate preview and a debate with Kyra maybe.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: It's his party so he'll brag if he wants to. Florida's Republican chairman is getting ready to play host for tomorrow's big CNN/YouTube debate, but he's also keeping an eye on how his state could be big player in the '08 presidential race.
Jim Greer joins us live from St. Petersburg.
Jim, this is a big time for the big state.
JIM GREER, FLORIDA GOP CHAIRMAN: It is, absolutely. Republicans are looking forward to not only this debate, but the upcoming primary on January 29th.
PHILLIPS: Let's get down to it.
Why is it such an important state?
GREER: Well, I think Florida is the melting pot of the nation. Our citizens come from all states around the country. And what Floridians think is what the nation is thinking. Florida is the prize going into Super Tuesday.
PHILLIPS: And, you know, immigration -- you bring up a good point about just Florida and the type of people that are there. A lot of Latinos in that area. Immigration is something Republicans have hit hard, wanting to kick out all of the illegals.
GREER: Immigration, like all issues, to citizens, is important. It's an issue that needs to be discussed among everyone who has a stake at it. And immigration, along with everything, is what's going to be discussed here in Florida.
PHILLIPS: All right, Jim, you're sounding too much like a politician right now.
Let's get down and dirty, OK?
GREER: All right.
PHILLIPS: We now -- loosen up and really talk to me now about Florida.
GREER: All right. All right.
PHILLIPS: OK?
GREER: All right.
PHILLIPS: What is going to be...
GREER: All right.
PHILLIPS: What are the hot issues, what are the debates, what are the conversations, what's going to take this, tomorrow night, to the next level?
GREER: Well, I think tomorrow night's debate is going to help distinguish between the candidates. The Republican candidates are now engaged in talking about the issues that are important. They're talking about the distinguishing factors between each one of them. And that's what the nation is going to see tomorrow night. As we move into January 29th and Super Tuesday, the Republican candidates are going to start talking about issues that are important and showing the difference in their positions.
PHILLIPS: And what's up with Giuliani and Romney?
It's getting ugly between these two.
GREER: Well, I wouldn't say it's ugly. I think it goes back to they're distinguishing themselves. They're showing that they have different views on different issues and ultimately they're demonstrating to the voters of this country why one of them should be president of the United States.
PHILLIPS: Even Florida -- the governor of Florida getting in and submitting his questions for the debate.
Let's take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. CHARLIE CRIST (R), FLORIDA: Here in Florida, our Hurricane Catastrophe Fund has provided protection against catastrophic losses to insurers and, ultimately, homeowners.
Would you support a national fund that would provide similar protection for homeowners throughout our country -- protection from wildfires, floods, tornadoes and other catastrophes?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: That could create good conversation.
What do you think, Jim?
GREER: Well, I think Governor Crist is demonstrating great leadership. He's recognizing what's important to Floridians and he is truly showing that there's a new approach to governing in Florida. And, hopefully, Washington will get the hint -- putting the people first and partisan politics as side.
PHILLIPS: Well, you know, '06 was a pretty bad election for Republicans. But there was a bright spot, and that was Governor Crist -- for the Republicans, that is, because he played it right down the middle.
Is this what you think candidates should do this time around?
GREER: Well, absolutely. I mean Governor Crist demonstrated leadership that puts the partisan politics aside. He's shown that when you put the people first, great things can be accomplished. He is working on lower property taxes in Florida. He's been an inclusive governor -- asking everyone who has a stake in an issue to have a seat at the table. And this is the new dynamics of politics and I think this is what the nation needs to look at, particularly in Washington, D.C.
PHILLIPS: Florida's Republican chairman, Jim Greer, joining us from St. Petersburg.
Thanks, Jim.
GREER: Absolutely.
Thank you.
I look forward to tomorrow night.
PHILLIPS: All right, we'll all be watching.
LEMON: Absolutely.
And no -- no such thing as a stupid question, right?
Well, no comment from us. But we -- we can point out that not every question submitted on YouTube for tomorrow night's Republican debate will actually be put to a candidate. That's not to say the questioners uploaded in vain.
There's always Jeanne Moos.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Remember when Mitt Romney had doubts about doing a YouTube debate because he didn't think it was dignified to take questions from a snowman?
Well, how about questions from a devil?
(YOUTUBE VIDEO)
MOOS: Or an Elvis wannabe?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM YOUTUBE.COM)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would like the GOP, but this is no joking matter.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: Or a ninja?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM YOUTUBE.COM)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sorry, I'm just filing my nails.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: But don't worry, Mitt, CNN producers are unlikely to subject you to the chicken lady for V.P. or the singing snake.
(YOUTUBE VIDEO)
MOOS: In fact, we can almost guarantee the candidates they won't have to say yes or no to questions like this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM YOUTUBE.COM) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you were really drunk, would you hook up with Ann Coulter?
You know, maybe you just won the election. This is the after party.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: We combed the 5,000 or so entries for questions that are stunningly superficial.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM YOUTUBE.COM)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do any of you wear toupees?
That's fake hair.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: Shockingly sophomoric.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM YOUTUBE.COM)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would you use it to save the world?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: Completely incomprehensible...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM YOUTUBE.COM)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What does it feel like to be a funky fresh pimp nizle (ph)?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: And totally irrelevant.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM YOUTUBE.COM)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you see "The Simpsons" movie?
And if so, did you like it?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS (on camera): Watch enough of these YouTube debate questions and you'll fear for the future of the nation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM YOUTUBE.COM)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is Frankenstein.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello, this is me.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am the ghost of Richard Nixon.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hi, America. It's me, Christopher Watkins (ph).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: An impersonator gave Rudy a hard time.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM YOUTUBE.COM)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why do you keep bringing up 9/11 in all of your speeches?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: Rudy in particular...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM YOUTUBE.COM)
RUDY GIULIANI (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Hello, dear.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: ...seemed to get a lot of jokey questions.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM YOUTUBE.COM) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To the...
(CELL PHONE RINGING)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Whoops, that's my girlfriend.
Yes, dear?
Mr. Giuliani, I was wondering if you had any response to the idea that your call at the NRA speech was staged.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: Of course, comedy teams like Red State Update got into the act.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM YOUTUBE.COM)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So my question to you is this -- what in the hell are we doing?
Is this the best we've got?
Look around up there. It's like a wax museum of failure.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you think it may someday be possible for humans to see, hear and send images and sounds back and forth to each other's brains without using a telephone, by just thinking back and forth?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: From rambling to concise...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM YOUTUBE.COM)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you believe every word of this book?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you could be any kitchen appliance, what would you be?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have you ever been in a fist fight?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: Save it for the debate.
Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
LEMON: OK. Be sure to watch tomorrow night, 8:00 Eastern, when your voice will be heard. The CNN/YouTube Republican presidential debate -- only on CNN, your home for politics.
More NEWSROOM in a moment. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Paula White is self-described messed up girl from Mississippi. But she's also the pastor of a church with a huge television ministry. White is one of the Evangelists that Senator Charles Grassley asked for financial records.
Well, last night, she spoke with CNN's Larry King about her announcement that she's getting a divorce from her husband and about the scrutiny of her finances.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "LARRY KING LIVE")
LARRY KING, HOST: Senator Grassley is trying to change the law with regard to a tax break because he feels if someone is in the church and they can afford a plane, why do they get a tax break?
PAULA WHITE, TELEVANGELIST: But there are...
KING: That's a fair question.
WHITE: ...already current laws on the books and there are -- and jurisdictions. The IRS can come in and do any kind of investigation of a person.
KING: Do you have any qualms about having a great deal of money?
WHITE: Do I -- for me personally?
KING: Yes.
WHITE: Or for other people?
KING: For you.
WHITE: You know, to me, it's never been about money. I mean and it's not -- so when you say I don't look at it and say -- I don't sit down and say, boy, I'm thinking about getting a great deal of money or I'm not going to have any money.
I believe that prosperity has a purpose. And my definition of prosperity would be quite different than what most people probably imagine or think, because I think that a wholeness word that means nothing missing, nothing broken. It's not finances or materialism.
So let's say financially. Financially, I personally believe that you should have enough to do the assignment that you feel is part of your life. And whatever that is to do, you're going to need. Like, this is quite expensive to do -- what it is you're doing, but you're doing it effectively and bringing information to the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Tonight, Larry's guest will be actress Sharon Stone. She'll talk about her support for finding a cure for AIDS.
PHILLIPS: So what would you call this little cutie?
The San Diego Zoo's newest panda cub has been waiting on a name and now she's got one. She turned 100 days old yesterday and that's when Chinese tradition says it's time for a name. Zoo visitors submitted more than 2,400 of them and one name won out -- Zhen Zhen, which means precious.
LEMON: I'd call her fluffy.
Did you see that, that little fluffy cuties?
How much would you pay for an egg?
Well, this one is going on the auction block. And get your checkbooks ready.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(AUDIO CLIP OF HEAVY METAL MUSIC)
PHILLIPS: Oh, yes.
LEMON: Yes.
PHILLIPS: This takes us all back to a so-called good time. If you were in high school in the early '80s, you probably did a little more than a little head banging to Quiet Riot. Kevin Dubrow was the front man and unfortunately he was found dead Sunday at his home in Las Vegas. The cause isn't clear, but foul play is not suspected. Quiet Riot was the first heavy metal band to score a number one album on the Billboard chart. You'll remember 1983's "Mental Health". Their hits included "Come On Feel the Noise," "Bang Your Head," and "Mama, We're All Crazy Now." Kevin Dubrow was 52 years old.
LEMON: I remember listening to that in my crib.
PHILLIPS: I remember -- in your crib.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: I remember Wolf Blitzer. He had a bandana. He had a mullet.
LEMON: Yes. He liked Quiet Riot...
PHILLIPS: Yes.
LEMON: and Def Leppard, I think that was the band.
PHILLIPS: I think -- and Loverboy.
LEMON: And Loverboy.
PHILLIPS: I think those were his favorites.
WOLF BLITZER, HOST, "THE SITUATION ROOM": Un-nnh. PHILLIPS: Hi, Wolf.
BLITZER: Yes, they were my favorites.
LEMON: OK.
BLITZER: All right, guys, thanks very much.
Coming up at the top of the hour, there's new hope that Palestinians and Israelis can live in peace side by side. A pivotal Middle East peace conference is underway in Annapolis. We'll talk about that and a lot more with Democratic presidential hopeful Chris Dodd about the prospects for a so-called two state solution.
Also, they're a powerful voting bloc, but are African-Americans getting ignored by the presidential candidates?
We're going to be taking a closer look at that.
And it could be one of the most lucrative book deals ever.
Just how many millions will Senator Ted Kennedy get for writing his memoir?
We're going to tell all that we know about this story.
The question is, will he tell all in that book?
We're checking this out.
All of that guys, coming up in "THE SITUATION ROOM."
PHILLIPS: Van Halen maybe?
BLITZER: Beatles. Beatles.
PHILLIPS: Beatles?
LEMON: He looks more like a "Frankie Goes To Hollywood" kind of guy.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Oh, boy. I didn't say it, Wolf.
LEMON: All right, thanks, Wolf.
PHILLIPS: Love you, Wolf.
The closing bell is about to ring on Wall Street.
LEMON: Susan Lisovicz is standing by with a final look at the trading day -- hey, Susan, were you...
SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi.
LEMON: Did you like...
PHILLIPS: Oh, you're talking...
LEMON: ...that Quiet Riot?
PHILLIPS: Oh, you're talking to the music queen right here.
LEMON: Oh, really?
PHILLIPS: Oh, yes.
LISOVICZ: Well, you know, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin rang the opening bell here a couple of years ago and he did the opening riffs to "Whole Lotta Love". And I was standing on the trading floor. It was like a giant mosh pit.
LEMON: You don't get much better than cashmere and...
LISOVICZ: You don't.
LEMON: Oh my gosh.
PHILLIPS: That's pretty awesome.
LEMON: Yes.
PHILLIPS: That's pretty awesome.
LISOVICZ: Yes, it was pretty great. It was pretty great. There was a guy, a trader next to me had the original vinyl to the second Led Zeppelin album.
LEMON: Oh, wow!
LISOVICZ: And it was like everybody was kids again and reliving our youth and all that.
PHILLIPS: Did you save any of your vinyls?
LISOVICZ: No.
PHILLIPS: No?
LISOVICZ: No, I gave them away.
LEMON: I've got mine from the '80s. They're still at my mom's house.
PHILLIPS: Yes.
LEMON: Mom, I hope they're still there.
LISOVICZ: Yes. And they're probably going to be collectibles at some point. You know what's also a collectible?
Something that will be auctioned tomorrow in London -- a Faberge egg. Top estimate -- $18.6 million. It was a 1902 engagement gift to a baron who I never heard of. That's when they gave really good engagement gifts. A little rooster pops out every hour and...
(AUDIO)
LISOVICZ: ...you heard him. Yes, I guess this is a little crow (ph). And all of that can be yours if you have a big check.
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
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