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CNN Sunday Morning
Hillary Clinton Criticizes Obama; Change of Leadership in Cuba
Aired February 24, 2008 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: So, shame on you, Barack Obama. It is time you ran a campaign consistent with your messages in public.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
T.J. HOLMES, CO-HOST: What did he do?
BETTY NGUYEN, CO-HOST: Stay tuned to find out. She is upset.
HOLMES: It is tense out there folks, a visibly angry Hillary Clinton lashing out at Barack Obama. And we will tell you why.
NGUYEN: Also: History being made in Cuba today, voters electing their first new president in almost 50 years. Plus this --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was like a taste of home just to have a moment of affection both for and from the dog. It was just priceless.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Man's best friend making life more bearable for troops deployed in war zones. Let me tell you about "Operation Baghdad Pups": A great program and a heart warming story.
From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is February 24th, good morning everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.
HOLMES: And I'm T.J. Holmes. Let's forget who we are right now. Let's get to the Clinton/Obama drama. One candidate telling the other as you heard there at the top: Shame on you. Hillary Clinton going after Barack Obama and in a major way.
NGUYEN: Yes, and you can see how mad Clinton was yesterday in Cincinnati when she went on the offensive. She accuses Obama of sending out campaign fliers that misrepresent her positions on health care and trade.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLINTON: Let's have a real campaign. Enough with the speeches and the big rallies and then, using tactics that are right out of Karl Rove's playbook. This is wrong and every Democrat should be outraged. Because this is the kind of attack that not only undermines poor Democratic values, but gives aid and comfort to the very special interests and their allies in the Republican Party who are against doing what we want to do for America. So, shame on you, Barack Obama. It is time you ran a campaign consistent with your messages in public. That's what I expect from you. Meet me in Ohio, let's have a debate about your tactics and your behavior in this campaign.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Could you feel it? Clinton's comment came as the Democratic rivals campaign across Ohio, one of two big states with primaries on March 4th. Now, Obama fired back in Akron, calling Clinton's complaint a political ploy and insisting the mailings are accurate.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BARACK OBAMA, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: For example, the truth is, this is part of what got her upset, the truth is that Senator Clinton supported NAFTA before she ran for president. I mean that is indisputable. She called it a victory in her book. She told people it has proved its worth. Those are facts. So, we pointed out that she supported NAFTA and we thought it was a bad idea because it didn't provide enough protections for labor and environment and Senator Clinton took offense of that. But you can't be for something or take credit for an administration and 35 years of experience and then, when you run for president, suggest somehow you didn't really mean what you said back then. It doesn't work that way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: All right. So, who's right here? Well, we're keeping them honest on some of these issues that you care about the most in the campaign and we're talking about health care, the Democratic candidates' plans as well. We're going to give you a fact check. That is coming up at the half hour.
HOLMES: Well Senator Clinton wasn't angry all day. She did manage to attend an event in New Orleans. She was the only presidential candidate actually, to attend the annual State of the Black Union forum there in New Orleans. She answered a question about something her husband said in the run-up to the South Carolina primary. If you remember, some people thought Bill Clinton was suggesting an Obama win in that state would be mainly because of his race.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLINTON: If anyone was offended by anything that was said, whether it was meant or not, whether it was misinterpreted or not, then obviously, I regret that. But I believe that our task is to go forward with the agenda that all of us agree upon.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Well, Senator Clinton campaigns in Rhode Island and Boston today. Senator Obama stumps in Ohio.
NGUYEN: And Barack Obama meanwhile is sharpening his criticism of John McCain. Obama is taking on the likely Republican nominee over his relationship with lobbyists and on a trail in Ohio, Obama said McCain has top advisers who do lobbying business from the campaign bus. McCain's camp fired back saying Obama was using a lobbyist issue to distract attention from his own record. McCain's link to a lobbyist has been talked about a lot lately, after an article last week in "The New York Times", now it suggested that he gave special treatment to a female lobbyist.
HOLMES: Well, John McCain meanwhile spoke last night to Republican governors at their annual dinner in Washington. He told them he needs their help to reunite the party. He also mentioned that he believes that Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will have a big role in the future of the Republican Party. President Bush scheduled to speak to the governor's group tomorrow.
NGUYEN: Senator McCain is also leaving no doubt that his views of Cuba won't change even though Fidel Castro has resigned his office. Here's what he said a little bit earlier in the week.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Apparently, he's trying to groom his brother Raul. My friends, Raul is worst in many respects than Fidel was. The people of Cuba deserve to have the prisons emptied. They will deserve human rights organizations working there and they deserve free and fair elections. That's our goal for Cuba. Not perpetuation of the Fidel Castro regime. And we ought to make it very, very clear, that we will not provide aid or assistance until the prisons are emptied of the political prisoners.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Well, Cuba will elect a new president just a few hours from now and don't be misled, ordinary Cubans won't be voting. The island's 11 million people will have the decision made for them. And don't expect a major change. As you heard from John McCain, it appears likely the new president will be Castro's younger brother, Raul. He's been running the country since 2006. CNN Havana bureau chief, Morgan Neill joins us live as that country prepares for a new president.
MORGAN NEILL, CNN HAVANA BUREAU CHIEF: That's right, Betty. And that's a good point you make. But what's going to happen today is within three hours, a new national assembly will begin to meet. Now, this national assembly's 614 deputies who are just chosen a few weeks ago in elections in which there were no opposing candidates. So, you're absolutely right to point that out. Now, this national assembly will then choose a counsel of state, among that counsel of state: president, first vice president and various other vice presidents. The most likely candidate absolutely appears to be Raul Castro who's been running the country for the last year and a half on an interim basis or provisional basis we were told. However, both he and Fidel Castro talked about the need for a new generation of leaders to emerge. So, we could see some younger names within the government to take on more responsibility. As the day moves forward, we'll just have to watch and see. Betty.
NGUYEN: OK, Morgan. With younger names possibly coming into this new government under this new leadership, do we expect Raul to change much though, or will he lead essentially the way his brother has led?
NEILL: Well, what many are expect -- many analysts are saying is: over the last year and a half, we heard Raul talk about the need for structural changes, economic changes. He said that there are just too many prohibitions in this country. So, the changes that some do expect to see are just that, are economic changes. We're not talking about democratic reforms here. We're talking about things like doing something about the problem Cuba has with its double economy, in which people are paid in one currency and have to buy many goods in another that's worth 24 times as much; things like daily restrictions; a lot of red tape that impedes production here; perhaps, an opening to more foreign investment. These are the kinds of things we're talking about. We are not talking about the kind of democratic reforms that many may be hoping for.
NGUYEN: Got you. All right. CNN's Havana bureau chief, Morgan Neill joining us live today as Cuba will decide its new president. Thank you, Morgan.
And of course, we will have much more on today's historic change of leadership in Cuba at 9:00 a.m. Eastern. Fidel Castro's only daughter, Alina Fernandez joins us from Miami to share her thoughts on what this day means both for Cubans and for Americans.
HOLMES: All right. We've been talking some politics this morning. We're going to talk the lighter side because the other stuff was a little heavy.
NGUYEN: It was. A little dramatic, wasn't it?
HOLMES: We will turn to the lighter side and we're talking Mike Huckabee here on "Saturday Night Live". Did you see him?
NGUYEN: I saw him, yes. Do you really see anything else? Do you know? Really, get a little lesson in delegate math here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SETH ROGEN, SNL HOST: Basically, it takes 1,191 delegates to clench your party's nomination and even if you won every remaining unpledged delegate, you would still fall 200 delegates short.
MIKE HUCKABEE, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Wow. Seth, that was an excellent explanation there. But I'm afraid that you overlooked the all important superdelegates. Don't forget about them.
ROGEN: Well, I won't forget about them but the superdelegates are only in the Democratic primary.
HUCKABEE: They can't vote in the Republican primary?
ROGEN: They cannot.
HUCKABEE: That's not good news. You know Seth? I was counting on the superdelegates.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: It was actually pretty good. I thought he'd done it really well.
HOLMES: He is. He's a funny guy of course, anyway, he was cracking jokes. But at the end of that of the wrap up folks, they didn't see it, they played on him not getting out of the race of course, he wouldn't leave the set. They kept telling him, thank you, we're done and he wasn't leaving.
NGUYEN: He'd stick around. Did he play the bass guitar?
HOLMES: He did not. I don't think he play last night, no. But the musical guest, the country singer girl, Carrie Underwood.
NGUYEN: How could you forget Carrie, the country singer girl, what?
HOLMES: I'm sorry.
NGUYEN: Apparently, not your musical taste, right?
HOLMES: Not exactly. But no, he didn't play with her last night, no. I don't believe.
NGUYEN: Carrie, if you're watching, don't worry about that.
HOLMES: That's OK.
NGUYEN: Well, Mike Huckabee will be Blitzer's guest this morning on LATE EDITION. That is at 11:00 Eastern only on CNN.
HOLMES: And remember folks, we give you a chance to hear from the candidates beyond the sound bytes unfiltered in their own words on CNN's BALLOT BOWL. That's coming your way today at 2:00 o'clock Eastern time.
NGUYEN: And we are also giving you another chance to see the Democrats square off face to face. Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton on the issues in the Democratic debate from Austin, Texas. You can see our special debate replay at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.
HOLMES: Well, before it was Rosa Parks there was Johnnie Carr. We'll remember the civil rights pioneer and we'll also say good morning now to Reynolds Wolf.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: That's right. Country music girl. We're going to show you what we're talking about weatherwise around the nation. I'll tell you, out west, it's going to get pretty nasty, especially as we make our way later on through the day. Some scattered showers right now in the parts of the Deep South but it's going to be rain, sleet and even some heavy snowfall for the golden state. More on that coming up in just a few moments right here on CNN SUNDAY.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Now, we'll take a look at some other stories making headlines today.
NGUYEN: Yes, Johnnie Carr, considered one of mothers of the civil rights moment has died. Carr joined childhood friend, Rosa Parks in the historic Montgomery bus boycott and became a prominent civil rights activist. Johnnie Carr died Friday in Montgomery, Alabama after suffering a stroke earlier this month. She was 97.
HOLMES: Also: Another civil rights soldier to tell you about now, were saying goodbye too. Hundreds gather to honor Reverend James Orange in Atlanta. He was a close confidant of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. Orange died February 16th after suffering complications from gall bladder surgery.
NGUYEN: Well, check it out. It looks like a relief truck. But inside, a deadly suicide switch. U.S. forces in Iraq said they found a truck rigged to kill. The military says, the truck was parked in a heavily populated part of Mosul. They removed it and detonated 5,000 pounds of explosives.
HOLMES: Firefighters trying to control of three grassfires in west Texas. The fires has cover nearly 5,000 acres around Snyder. That's about 70 miles west of Abilene, a nursing home and Western Texas College have been evacuated. Dry conditions in the state have firefighters on high alert. A red flag alert has been extended through tomorrow. Now, in one of grassfires was caused by a blown transformer, another by power lines.
NGUYEN: Well, that just shows you, with the blown transformer, I mean, I'm not expert here, Reynolds, but you would think that conditions would have to be awfully dry for something like that to spark a fire?
WOLF: Yes, that basically what they have, gust there parts of Texas. They've really low humidity and low dew points and you have the wind that was really strong. Some gusts up to 50 miles an hour. So, that with the dry foliage, any kinds of spark, any kind of flame would really cause that fire to spread quickly. So, it certainly rough times there. Rough times now in parts for California, you know, it seems like the Pacific Ocean has just been a battering ram for the golden state just over the last couple of weeks and months. And today, that cannot going to be much different. We're going to see it all, rain, sleet, snow and of course, some wind. Wind, very strong even along the coast, from San Francisco southward even to places like Shell Beach, 40 to even 70-mile-per-hour gusts are possible. Flash flood watches are in effect for the burn areas where we had the wild fires a few months back. Still, those hillsides are completely bare of vegetation. So, when the rainfalls and it soaked sand, there's going to be a potential for some mudslides. That's one part of the scenario. Another part of the scenario which plays out not just in California but into parts of the Wasatch Range and even into the Rockies, we're looking at some heavy snowfall. Let's start with the Sierra Nevada first and work our way eastward. It looks like anywhere from two to four feet from Donner Pass all the ways to Yosemite. But then, when you get to the L.A. basin, at the St. Gabriel Mountains, right outside of the city, you can see anywhere from one to two feet in the highest spots. Now, let's take you back over to places like say, Salt Lake City and even into, well, Colorado. Salt Lake City is not too bad. But when you get back to Snow Bird, southward along I15 in Provo, one to two feet in the highest spots and also, a few locations like say Steamboat Springs, southwards to Durango, you could see just about, I'd say, a foot or so, maybe some places as much as 18 inches of snowfall. But still, you have the strong winds there, too: 70-mile-per-hour gusts. Gusts are going to be a possibility. OK. That's your forecast. Let's send it back to you.
NGUYEN: OK, thank you, Reynolds.
REYNOLDS: You bet, guys.
HOLMES: Well, from the worst that Hollywood had to offer last year.
NGUYEN: Bad.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Her identical twin sister. Well, hospitals make mistakes, we could have been separated at birth.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Oh, and we could just let it go on but I think we will continue with this.
HOLMES: Fine acting. Good stuff.
NGUYEN: Did you think that is, really? Did you laugh, did you cry?
HOLMES: Did you not see this movie?
NGUYEN: No, I didn't. I have to tell you the truth.
HOLMES: It is. OK, I didn't even.
NGUYEN: Exactly. All right. So, from that to the very best.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. If it is any consolation, I have heart burn that is radiating at my kneecaps.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I didn't even know you were sexually active.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Well, she's pregnant now. She was in the movie. The red carpet is out and the gold rush is on.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: All right. So, you probably heard of the products: the stick up bulb, the full flat calendar, you know the commercials.
HOLMES: I give those gifts to you every --
NGUYEN: Yes, you do. He's not joking. I get those only seen on TV gifts (ph) all of the time.
HOLMES: And you're welcome and (INAUDIBLE).
NGUYEN: Yes, thanks.
HOLMES: But what do you know about the man behind the Telebrands. CNN's Christine Romans is Right On Your Money.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): He's known as the infomercial king. AJ Khubani is the president and CEO of Telebrands, the original "as seen on TV" company.
AJ KHUBANI, PRESIDENT AND CEO, TELEBRANDS: We come up with creative products and make life a little easier. We sell them first through direct response television and then we launched into national retail chains.
ROMANS: Khubani's love of gadget started at the young age and developed into a passion to come with innovative products.
KHUBANI: We know specific categories that work best for us. Anything that solves a common problem the house and anything that saves time in the kitchen is a big deal.
ROMANS: But now, he's using his expertise to invest in other inventors.
KHUBANI: Every single week, we review dozens of products and at least two to four times a month, we invite inventors to come in and show us their products. Even if we don't cut a deal with the inventor, at least we can provide some valuable feed back for the invention.
ROMANS: Khubani says, inventors need to come up with as many ideas as possible and keep putting them out there.
KHUBANI: My word of advice for anyone wanting to get into the business is first of all: Don't fall into love with a product, because if you fall in love with a product, you can end up wasting a lot of money. You've got to know when to move to the next level.
ROMANS: Christine Romans, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Well, Lindsay Lohan, Eddie Murphy, they have entered the record books.
NGUYEN: Yes, for dubious reasons though. We're going to tell you why, coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Well, Lindsay Lohan has scored the trifecta, the Razzie Awards last night. She got three statues.
NGUYEN: That's not a good trifecta.
HOLMES: She got three though, for her role in the movie, "I know who killed me". Well, OK, you get awards, it's not like you got a pretty suite but the Razzies are for the worst movies and the worst performances ever.
NGUYEN: But you know what? She's not alone. Because tying Lohan and helping to shut out the competition, Eddie Murphy for playing three characters in "Norbit". You have that on DVD, don't you.
HOLMES: I do, the limited edition.
NGUYEN: Murphy was handed the award for being the worst actor and worst supporting actress and most ethnically insensitive actor. So, congratulations folks.
HOLMES: I heard a lot of say people say, they like the movie and it was funny.
NGUYEN: Well, it just did. This is fun of kind of thing, you don't expect Oscar winning performances with you go see "Norbit", right? I'm just saying.
HOLMES: Also handed out yesterday: The Spirit Awards for the best independent films of 2007.
NGUYEN: And "Juno", the movie about a pregnant teen won top prize, best feature film. Ellen Page won best actress for playing the teen, and screen writer, Diablo Cody, took home the best first screenplay award. His first screenplay up for an Oscar or at least the actresses. Page and Cody, yes, are both up for Oscars tonight. We'll see what happens. And no matter what, glitz and glamour will shine on the red carpet tonight, because a lot of folks just interested in the red carpet portion of the Oscars. Also up for the best actress Oscar, Julie Christie.
HOLMES: And many folks are saying, she is this year's front- runner. Here now our Brook Anderson.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(MOVIE CLIP FROM "AWAY FROM HER" PLAYING)
BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Grace and extraordinary talent who've made British actress, Julie Christie a film legend. She won an Oscar the first time she was nominated for a 1965's "Darling"; she was nominated again in 1972 for "McCabe and Mrs. Miller"; in 1998, for "Afterglow"; and now, more than four decades after winning best actress, she is in contention again for her performance as a woman slipping into Alzheimer's in "Away From Her".
(MOVIE CLIP PLAYING)
ANDERSON (on camera): How important would it be for you to win another Oscar?
CHRISTIE: The only importance would be, would be for the film. If a few people might see our film, which is very small, and they may be scared by the subject. But of course, it isn't scary at all.
ANDERSON (voice over): The selective Christie was initially hesitant to take the part but Director Sarah Polley's months of persuasion paid off.
SARAH POLLEY, DIRECTOR, "AWAY FROM HER": She's really good friend and she's someone who loves to be directed, she's so incredible in the role.
(MOVIE CLIP PLAYING)
ANDERSON: Christie has already earned a Golden Globe and SAG Awards for the role but accolades and self-promotion don't interest her.
(on camera): This isn't your thing, it's the awards season and hoopla?
CHRISTIE: I don't terribly like being in the public eye. So, I'm not very happy on that kind of situation.
ANDERSON (voice over): Christie famously wore a mini skirt to the Academy Awards once, as for the SAG Awards attire?
CHRISTIE: My own pants. I don't buy into the walking advertisement thing.
ANDERSON: Part iconic class, part icon.
Brooke Anderson, CNN, Hollywood.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: And certainly, CNN will be on the red carpet at the Academy Awards tonight.
HOLMES: We don't ever get those assignments.
NGUYEN: No, never.
HOLMES: You can join our A.J. Hammer, Brooke Anderson and Kareen Wynter. They do have that assignment. They're will be out there for Hollywood's gold rush airing tonight at 7:00 o'clock Eastern.
NGUYEN: So, what's a presidential campaign without a little drama? And boy, is there a drama? Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama going at it on the topic of healthcare. CNN's Josh Levs is keeping them honest. He joins us now. Man, it is a showdown.
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's a showdown and it's a big deal and it's a critical issue in the campaign. But you know what? Enough of the she said, he said. We are going to clear up this issue about affording their health care plans. That is coming up right here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Good morning, everybody. Welcome back. I'm T.J. Holmes.
NGUYEN: Yes. Good morning on a Sunday. I'm Betty Nguyen. In about two and a half hours, Cuba's National Assembly meets to name the country's first new president in nearly 50 years. Fidel Castro announced his resignation last week and observers say today's assembly vote will unlikely hold any surprises. Yes, big surprise there. Raul Castro, Fidel's 76-year-old younger brother is likely to be named Cuba's new leader. He became acting president in 2006 when his brother underwent intestinal surgery.
HOLMES: And to other top stories today. Politics in the U.S.. On the campaign trail, Barack Obama stumps in Ohio and Hillary Clinton campaigned in Rhode Island, also attending a fundraiser in Boston. On the republican side of things, frontrunner John McCain has a down day really in D.C.. Last night, he addressed the nation's republican governors, telling them he's a staunch supporter of state rights. Meanwhile, Mike Huckabee, well, not exactly campaigning. Well, campaigning in a way. Look at him, he was mocking himself last night during an appearance on "Saturday Night Live," saying he won't overstay his welcome in the GOP race. Some would argue he already has. Huckabee will be a guest today on CNN's "Late Edition" with Wolf Blitzer where he is always welcome as long as he like. You can watch that beginning at 11:00 Eastern this morning.
NGUYEN: Well, you know, we had been reporting this morning on that war of words between Clinton and Obama, those campaigns over healthcare. Man, did it heat up with even Hillary Clinton saying, "shame on you, Obama."
HOLMES: And the way she said it. I mean, the words are one thing. She was upset when she said it. But we also have a lot of e- mails from folks out there, you folks wanting to know more about this particular issue. Josh Levs. Mr. Reality, has been looking into these stuff and getting folks real answers without the spin.
JOSH LEVS, CNN, CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Because you know what happened yesterday we were inviting questions, anything you want to know about the democrats. A bunch of people asked about this, boom came this thing. Some of the people we heard from yesterday, Joseph Parish and Carrie Jackson. They were among the people who were asking about this and that was before the whole he said she said thing between these candidates.
All right. Let's get to the reality. This her is an image of a mailer that Obama has been sending out to voters in key states. Now, the accusation, I just tell you here is that Clinton's plan forces everyone to buy insurance even if they cannot afford it. That's the key argument that he's making. On the back it says, his plan will be affordable. Factcheck.org took this on and said this about the mailers. We'll show you what they say, "Clinton's plan does require everyone to have health insurance, and there will be some kind of penalty for those who don't comply. The mailer is correct on that point. But, now follow me here, the Obama mailer leaves out any information on cost reduction measures and low-income help that Clinton's plan offers. While it touts such measures found in his plan -- some of which very closely mirror Clinton's.
The short version of what I just read you. Her plan is being about affordable too. They both are. Both of these plans are based on the concept of making health insurance affordable. Clinton says she has never argued that people will have to buy something that they cannot afford. Now, take a look at this list. I've done this and I've gone through their plans and this will show you steps that they will take they say to make their plans affordable. They list the same things: Disease management for chronic care, malpractice reform, importation of prescription drugs, increasing generic drug competition.
Now, these and a dozen more are in both their plans. The whole idea you're about to see the exact same thing, literally the exact same thing under Obama's plan. So, both of these plans, they're 95% similar. The whole idea behind both of them is being affordable. I will tell those of you who are real wonkish like me, you really want to see more specifics you can dig into on their web sites and you'll see there are different studies that's say different things. But the gist of it is that the Obama mailer does not acknowledge that Clinton's plan like his is also about being affordable. And that's what she seems to be so upset about.
HOLMES: Seems to be?
LEVS: Is. NGUYEN: Yes. But just to be very clear, hers is you have to buy it, and if you don't, you will be penalized but we'll make it so you'll have some cost reductions and you can afford it.
LEVS: I mean, when you think about the key distinctions, she's saying, you're going to have one. Yes, you're going to have to buy one. He's saying, mine is going to be affordable, so you'll want to buy one. But if you look at the plan, they're doing the same things to make them affordable. So, she's saying, yes, the affordability thing is still supposed to be about the same.
NGUYEN: So, bottom line, how many people will this affect?
LEVS: About 46 million at least, which is a ton of Americans. One in seven Americans don't have health insurance. It could be more, which is why this is so important. And the whole nation loses money, worker productivity.
NGUYEN: Well, that's why it's such a big issue in this candidacy. OK. Thank you, Josh.
HOLMES: Josh, we appreciate you.
And our "Ballot Bowl" is back today. That will give you a chance to hear from the candidates unfiltered in their own words, comes your way at 2:00 Eastern time.
NGUYEN: And we're also giving you another chance to see the democrats square off, face to face. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on the issues in the democratic debate from Austin, Texas. You can see our special debate replay at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.
HOLMES: So, politics and religion. Those are the two subjects people are supposed to avoid at the breakfast table.
NGUYEN: Oh, yes.
HOLMES: Well, we're going to give you a healthy dosing of it this morning. We're going to tackle both of these issues, a closer look at issues of faith on the campaign trail and also we've got this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT HARRIS, MEGAMILLION LOTTERY WINNER: I will not be working no more. I'm going to retire.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Man, that's something we all wish we could do especially if we only had that ticket. I meant to buy a ticket the other day. Well, now this man says, you can take that job and shove it. We'll introduce you to my new best friend.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN, METEOROLOGIST: I'm Reynolds Wolf with a look at today's cold and flu report. You know, there's that old saying, misery loves company. Well, if you happen to have a case of cold and flu, you got plenty of company around the country. Because the map behind me is shaded almost entirely in red -- north, south, east, west and that red shade means we have widespread cases of the cold and flu. However in Florida, you're shaded in blue which means regional cases and that is nothing to sneeze at. That's a look at today's cold and flu season report.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Religion and patriotism often go side by side in American politics. And in our "Faces of Faith" this morning, we talk with one of the country's evangelical leaders about which issues the candidates should talk about. There he is Brian McLaren, founder of the Cedar Ridge Community Church in Spencerville, Maryland and author of several books, including this one you're seeing there, "Everything Must Change." He joins us now from Dallas. Good morning to you, kind sir. How are you doing?
PASTOR BRIAN MCLAREN, CEDAR RIDGE CHURCH: I'm just great. Great to be with you.
HOLMES: Thank you so much, sir. We talked to you in the intro about the issues that the candidates should be talking about. Are the candidates or those that are left now at least, are they talking about the issues that are important to you and to evangelical Christians?
MCLAREN: Well, I think, we're at a very exciting time because. For the last five or ten years, it seems that only two issues have risen to the top whenever faith and politics come up. I think now we're starting to pay attention to a broader range of issues. There are four, I'm especially interested in making sure our candidates address.
HOLMES: You say four. I guess the two you're talking about often times, gay marriage and abortion are the issues that often have come up when you talk about evangelical Christians. What are the others now that you think are critical/
MCLAREN: Well, actually what I talk about in this book, "Everything Must Change," is that we need to look at our biggest global crises. And I summarized them as four. First is the crisis of the planet that we're living an unsustainable lifestyle especially here in the west. We would need four to five planet earths to sustain our lifestyle. So, this to me is a very, very significant issue.
HOLMES: OK.
MCLAREN: Second is poverty. The gap between rich and poor within countries and around the world is so great. And this is a deeply important issue to people of faith. Third is the issue of peace that we could start working on pre-emptive peace making instead of pre-emptive war and then fourth is the issue of religion itself. Because so often our religions are actually making the other three problems worse, instead of making progress.
HOLMES: What has happened to, I guess, broaden the scope of issues that important to evangelical Christians. Because so many times and the Bush administration and Bush during the campaign has been accused of, I guess, making those wedge issues that got him elected. I'm talking about abortion. I'm talking about gay marriage. So, I guess why what has happened to kind of broaden that scope of issues now?
MCLAREN: I think two things have happened. The first is that I think a lot of evangelicals have looked back and said they've had this relationship with the republican party and it hasn't produced the results they hoped for either politically or even within their churches because I think what they're finding is that they've alienated so many people. Secondly, I think there's a generational shift going on. And this is significant. I think the younger generation coming up is not willing to limit moral issues to two. They want to look in a much more global and holistic way.
HOLMES: So, it sounds like the republicans can no longer depend on evangelical Christians as a voting bloc. Well, if that's the case, do we think many of those evangelical Christians will maybe begin to side with democrats or do you think as many have speculated they just might sit out this next election if they are not happy with what they see from the republican candidate?
MCLAREN: Well, of course, this is one of the complexities. The evangelical community has always been a lot broader and more diverse than people realize. I think there is a strong kind of right wing core of the evangelical community that will stay with the republicans no matter what. But what I'm very interested in is how the younger generation now is in many ways maturing and seeing the relationship between faith and public life in a new much more nuisances and intelligent way. And so, I think what's going to happen in this election is we're going to see increasing diversity in the evangelical community and we're going to see an awful lot, especially of younger evangelicals move away from the republican party.
HOLMES: Oh, wow. That is probably not something republican party would like to see and certainly doesn't like to hear. Maybe even made them cringe and throw up some of their breakfast this morning listening to that. But, sir, good to see you. Good luck with the book "Everything Must Change." Brian McLaren, again, head of the Cedar Ridge Community Church in Spencerville, Maryland. Sir, we appreciate you some spending time with us on this "Faces of Faith" segment. We're glad to have you this morning.
MCLAREN: Great to be with you. Thank you.
HOLMES: All right. Betty.
NGUYEN: Well, from a war zone to a real home.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARK FEFFER, NAVY RESERVIST: It was like a taste of home just to have a moment of affection both for and from the dog is just priceless.
NGUYEN: How operation Baghdad pups is bringing soldiers and they're best friends together.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT HARRIS, MEGAMILLION LOTTERY WINNER: Two dollars for 270 million. What a blessing. No, I won't have to get out there and work.
NGUYEN: I don't think that man will ever work again in his life. Maybe his children won't have to work. Maybe his grandchildren won't have to work.
HOLMES: Why is he holding it like that? That thing should be locked up somewhere. You're just standing out there like you said you would jump across and grab that thing and take off running.
NGUYEN: I would jump across, grab that thing and take off running. No, I'm kidding but I thought about it.
HOLMES: The one winning ticket in the mega millions lottery drawing. Robert and Tanya Harris have it. $270 million. That's about 500,000 after Taxes. I'm just kidding. No, it's not. They used the birthdays of their grandchildren to pick those lucky lotto numbers.
NGUYEN: So those children, I'm sure will get a little bit of something from it?
HOLMES: Probably not.
NGUYEN: They can't spend all that. I could but I'm not sure most folks --
HOLMES: In a weekend. So what's next. They are going to buy a new truck and going to be retiring and I'm sure some other things.
NGUYEN: Yes. That list is going to get long. Wait until it sets in. All of wonderful things to buy. All right. We'll move on because I'm getting lost it in that.
In case you missed it, "Saturday Night Live" was back on the air last night.
HOLMES: Yes, of course, the writers are back. Their first show since that strike ended and they welcomed a special guest for the weekend update. See if you recognize this guy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SETH MEYERS, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE": Now that you know that, are you going to drop out of the race?
MIKE HUCKABEE (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, fortunately, Seth, I'm not a math guy. I'm more of a miracle guy. So, at this point I'm going to focus on the miracle part. But if that miracle, doesn't happen, let me assure the American people that Mike Huckabee does not overstay his welcome. When it's time for me to go, I'll know and I'll exit out with class and grace.
MEYERS: Well, that is really good to know. We appreciate you stopping by, Governor. Governor Mike Huckabee, everyone.
HUCKABEE: Thank you, Seth.
MEYERS: Thank you so much for stopping by.
HUCKABEE: Thank you. Great to be here.
AMY POEHLER, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE": It was great having you.
HUCKABEE: It is great being here, too.
MEYERS: Governor Mike Huckabee, everyone.
Governor Huckabee?
HUCKABEE: Seth.
MEYERS: I think we're done now, sir.
HUCKABEE: Oh, right. Normally I would pick up on those things. Sorry.
MEYERS: Governor Mike Huckabee, everybody.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Whatever, he's still sitting on that set right now.
HOLMES: "SNL" is about doing the live time really. He was taking advantage of it and he did well. We all know he's a funny guy.
LEVS: That's how I feel when I'm here with you guys and I have to leave. There's so much more to say.
NGUYEN: Except when we have someone with a hook that literally take you --
LEVS: Did you see that?
HOLMES: Bruce bruise. Definitely. Just in time. OK.
All right. Last week we showed another "SNL" clip featuring one of the candidates. And this is one of your ...
LEVS: That's right. Now, let's watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Love soft as an easy chair. Love fresh as the morning ...
NGUYEN (voice-over): Please make it stop now. Please. Oh, my ears.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: I felt it. Did you feel the goose bumps? It was great.
NGUYEN: I had shivers.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know it's good to see these guys go and do this. I mean, it's got the humanizing effect on. You know, it takes off the sheen and you can kind of relate to them a little bit better. Actually the first candidate, wasn't it Jesse Jackson like years ago and started he read green eggs and ham.
NGUYEN: Yes, he did.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is unbelievable. And a lot of people, I think that really opened their eyes.
NGUYEN: So, you want to hear more of McCain singing? Is that what you're telling me?
HOLMES: Bring it on.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have Obama.
NGUYEN: Yes, we do have Obama. Remember him from last year, he was dressed as himself at a Halloween party and he also got to say the line that everyone wants to deliver. Live from New York, it's "Saturday Night Live."
HOLMES: He was playing on last year the fact that he doesn't have to be something else to run for president. He didn't have to be something else when he shows up at the Halloween party. He can be himself. That's Hillary and Bill Clinton there.
NGUYEN: That was a good skit.
HOLMES: It was for me.
LEVS: It was Bill Clinton.
HOLMES: Come one, it's a skit. What do you do?
NGUYEN: Josh, Mr. Reality.
LEVS: I'll Tivo it. Hey.
HOLMES: This is exactly what we're talking about. This is why we don't let you stay longer.
NGUYEN: Where's the person with the hook. We need him now.
LEVS: This is what they do in the commercial break.
HOLMES: See you.
NGUYEN: No, we really do like you Josh.
True friends, we're talking about this. Besides these guys, true friends in the war zone. That's what we're talking about. Especially dogs are getting a new start in the U.S. and it is all thanks to soldiers that adopted them.
HOLMES: Operation Baghdad Pup coming up on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Iraqi dogs are getting a chance for a better life right here in the United States. U.S. troops in Iraq are finding though, when they help some of the country's most desperate animals, in many cases those animals are returning the favor.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN (voice-over): She was found in the middle of Baghdad only able to take a few steps before falling over. Now, Liberty is walking tall on American soil. The unit that found her just lost three soldiers. The commanding officer was so concerned about their morale that he was looking for help then he noticed a change. The change was Liberty.
AMANDA LEHNEKE, WIFE OF U.S. ARMY LIEUTENANT: They work so hard and they work so many hours, that when they do get some down time, just a little bit. It's reminds them of home. It's the next best thing to being home.
NGUYEN: Charlie was found close to death walking the streets of Baghdad. In his blog, "Eighty Deuce on the Loose," Sergeant Ed Watson wrote that Charlie couldn't have been more than a couple weeks old and looked like he could have died any minute. He followed the soldiers from Charlie company and they gave him a name and fattened him up on their MREs, meals ready to eat. Charlie quickly became their unofficial mascot. The first to welcome them back from a mission. It's against army regulations to befriend animals but many have welcomed dogs to their camps.
TERRI CRISP, DIR., OPERATION BAGHDAD PUPS: This human-animal bond that formed between these soldiers and these animals. For many of them, this is what has gotten them through an incredibly tough time.
NGUYEN: Mark Feffer knows this well. While stationed outside Kandahar, he met Cinnamon wandering around his base.
MARK FEFFER, NAVY RESERVIST: It was like a taste of home. A moment of affection both for and from the dog is just priceless. NGUYEN: The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has launched "Operation: Baghdad Pups" to bring the animals that have meant so much to the troops back to U.S.. The SPCA thinks it's important when servicemen and women return home there are as many friendly faces as possible to welcome them back, especially the furry ones.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Let's take a closer look at efforts to rescue some of the dogs from Iraq. Terri Crisp is with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and she has an international special escort with the SPCA. She has rescued animals from Iraq and disaster areas all around the world and she joins us live from New York. Thanks for being with us today. Good morning.
TERRI CRISP: Good morning. Good to be here.
NGUYEN: Well, this is such a wonderful program. And you know, it's one thing to see it on this end of it when the animals are here in the U.S. but how difficult is it to actually get those animals out of Iraq and transport them here?
CRISP: Well, it's not a real easy process but when you care as much about the outcome and you see the relationship that the soldiers have with these animals, it's obvious we're going to do anything we can to get them here. So, SPCA International has been working very hard to work with a number of resources. Our network is growing all the time to facilitate more of these dogs coming back to the states.
NGUYEN: Is it only dogs? Or are you also bringing in other types of animals?
CRISP: We are doing companion animals, so it's dogs and cats. We have gotten a growing number of requests. We now have 22 more dogs and cats that we're working on and as a part of this program. We feel that we're working just as hard to help animals as we are people.
NGUYEN: What do mean by you've gotten growing number of requests and how do people know the stories of these animals, just from talking with their loved ones over there serving in Iraq?
CRISP: Exactly. And through our website spca.com, we're receiving e-mails from soldiers and when you read these stories, they are so compelling that we just can't turn our back on them. So, that's why we're working so hard to bring these reunions about and to get these animals back here to the states to the life that they deserve.
NGUYEN: Let me ask you this though, on the other end of it though, is it hard for the troops serving there who really get close to these animals to let them go, to let them come to the states and become adopted with another family.
CRISP: Well, actually, it's the soldiers who are going to get the animals a home. At SPCA International, we have very strict criteria because really, we don't want to become the animal control agency for Baghdad. We're being very selective in the animals that come and the soldiers that request the help, they are the ones that will be giving these animals a home. They're not coming back here to the states and then we're going to try and see if we can find them a home.
NGUYEN: Right. But the animals obviously, you know, intermingling with some of the other people that are serving there. So, it's kind of hard too to see it go.
CRISP: It is hard and one thing though is we have to get these animals back before the soldiers return because the soldiers have to do the leg work on the ground over there.
So, Charlie, which is our first dog that came back. Sergeant Watson is going to be returning home mid March, and we're really looking forward to reuniting him with the whole unit.
NGUYEN: Yes. It's such a great program. And Terri, we do thank you for what you do and for coming on the show today to share a little with us about the process in getting these animals to the state. Thank you.
CRISP: Well, we're very happy. Thanks.
NGUYEN: The next hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING, it begins right now.
HOLMES: A historic day in Cuba. For the first time in 49 years, a new president will be named. Who will replace Fidel Castro? We're live in Havana.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: So, shame on you, Barack Obama. It is time you run a campaign consistent with your messages in public.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Anger on the campaign trail: Clinton says that Obama's campaign is using tactics from the Karl Rove playbook. Obama questions her sudden change in tone. We are going to get you caught up on all of this drama.
HOLMES: And some fighting words. Well, let's get some comic relief out there on the campaign trail, huh? "Saturday Night Live" is back, and no candidates or CNN anchor is safe. We will bring you some of those laughs from last night, folks.
NGUYEN: Its good stuff. Good morning, everybody. From the CNN Center in Atlanta. It's Sunday, February 24th. I'm Betty Nguyen.
HOLMES: And I'm T.J. Holmes. Thank you so much for being with us this morning. We will start in Cuba, where Cuba is electing a new president today. But wait a minute, don't let that statement fool you here. Ordinary Cubans are not voting. Its 11 million people will have the decision made for them.
NGUYEN: And don't expect a major change. The new president likely will be Fidel Castro's younger brother, Raul. He's been running the country since 2006, now he's been on a low key, but very important figure in the 49 years since Fidel Castro came to power. Raul Castro is 76 and the architect of the Cuban military, which is a powerful institution that he's led for 50 years. Raul Castro was a key player in the Cuban revolution. And CNN Havana bureau chief, Morgan Neill, he joins us live with the latest on this historic day. Hi there, Morgan.
NEILL: Hi, Betty. Yes, just two hours from now, Cuba's national assembly will begin a session, a session in which they will name the successor to Fidel Castro, as you see, after nearly 50 years running this country. So, the session gets underway in about two hours. We're not expecting an announcement on the new president until some hours later. Now, Raul Castro is the odds on favorite here. He's been leading the country for the last year and a half. He's talked about the need for some structural changes, primarily economic changes, but so far, hasn't delivered on that kind of change. But both Raul Castro and Fidel Castro talked about the need for younger leaders to emerge. So, within the new council of state, we could see some younger leaders take on greater responsibility, perhaps someone like current vice president, Carlos Lage, 56 years old, or the current foreign minister, Felipe Perez Roque. We could see some of these people take on greater roles within the government today, Betty.
NGUYEN: Well, that could lead to change but in the interim, as this vote is being made today, what are the people in the streets saying? Do they feel like change could be on the horizon?
NEILL: Well, this has been a very interesting time to watch in Cuba while we see these headlines around the world about this remarkable decision by Fidel Castro to resign, here in Cuba the reaction has been very subdued. A lot of this is because Cubans have had a year and a half to get used to the idea that Fidel Castro is no longer leading the country. Today, people are watching, to see who's name, everyone, Cubans here expect to see Raul Castro become their next president. But what they really watching is signs for: will there be some changes? Will there be economic changes? Things that will make their life easier, something that could lead to greater salaries, make some of the basic goods here more affordable. Perhaps, more space for some small, private enterprise. These are the things that Cubans are watching for. Betty.
NGUYEN: It sounds like they are cautiously optimistic as they watch this unfold today. Havana Bureau Chief Morgan Neill, joining us live. Thank you, Morgan. And of course, we will have much more on today's historic change of leadership in Cuba. At 9:00 a.m. Eastern, Fidel Castro's only daughter, Alina Fernandez joins us from Miami to share her thoughts on what this day means both for Cubans and for Americans. Well, as soon as Fidel Castro announced that he was stepping down as president, the U.S. presidential candidates weighed in their thoughts on future relations between the U.S. and Cuba. Won't you take a listen to Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama from last week's debate in Austin?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLINTON: I would not meet with them until there is evidence that change was happening. Because I think it's important that they demonstrate clearly that they are committed to change the direction. Then I think, you know, something like diplomatic encounters and negotiations, over specifics could take place. But we've had this conversation before, Senator Obama and myself, and I believe that we should have full diplomatic engagement, where appropriate. But a presidential visit should not be offered and given without some evidence that it will demonstrate the kind of progress that is in our interest and in this case, in the interest of the Cuban people.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Liberty has not existed throughout the Castro regime, and we now have an opportunity to potentially change the relationship between the United States and Cuba after over half a century. I would meet without preconditions, although Senator Clinton is right that there has to be preparation. It is very important for us to make sure there was an agenda, and on that agenda was human rights: releasing of political prisoners, opening up the press. And that preparation might take some time. But I do think that it's important for the United States, not just to talk to its friends, but also to talk to its enemies.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Well. That is a plan Senator John McCain is not ready for. Talking tough on Cuba he says, nothing has changed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The time to aid Cuba, the time to sit down with the Cuban leadership, will only be after they have emptied their prisons, when the human rights organizations are functioning and they have held free elections. Raul, in many ways, has a worse record, than Fidel.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: McCain says lifting the U.S. trade embargo too soon could lead to another repressive regime.
HOLMES: Well, back to the campaign trail now and John McCain spoke last night to Republican governors at their annual dinner in Washington. He told them he needs their help to reunite the party. He also mentioned that he believes that Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will have a big role in the future of the Republican Party. President Bush is scheduled to speak to the governor's group tomorrow.
And to the Democratic race now. Some pretty tough talk, tough, angry talk, would you call it?
NGUYEN: Both.
HOLMES: Yes, and we're talking about an angry Hillary Clinton here, telling Barack Obama shame on you. She accuses Obama of sending out campaign fliers that misrepresent her positions on health care and trade.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLINTON: Let's have a real campaign. Enough with the speeches and the big rallies and then, using tactics that are right out of Karl Rove's playbook. This is wrong and every Democrat should be outraged because this is the kind of attack that not only undermines core Democratic values but gives aid and comfort to the very special interests and their allies in the Republican Party who are against doing what we want to do for America. So, shame on you, Barack Obama. It is time you ran a campaign consistent with your messages in public. That's what I expect from you. Meet me in Ohio. Let's have a debate about your tactics and your behavior in this campaign.
OBAMA: Yes, I think that they need to take a look at what they have been doing. In terms of the two mailers that she specifically referred to here, these are mailers that, by the way, went out -- started going out several days ago, if not weeks ago. So, I'm puzzled by the sudden change in tone unless these were just brought to her attention. It makes me think that there's something tactical about her getting so exorcised this morning.
CLINTON: That is not the new politics.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Wow. Sounds like fighting words. She said, meet me in Ohio. That's kind of like meet me out back.
NGUYEN: Meet me at the schoolyard.
HOLMES: My goodness. Well, this verbal sparring came as the Democrat rivals campaigned across Ohio, one of two big states of course on the primaries we're going to see on March 4th. Obama insists these campaign mailings are accurate.
NGUYEN: Yes, he does.
HOLMES: Well, the dodging the campaign drama. Presidential candidates like Mike Huckabee. You know, he went to SNL, got some late night laughs. We're going to share of it with you.
NGUYEN: And it's an award that nobody wants to win. So, we're going to show you which stars actually walked away with a Razzie.
And: Look at this. Grassfires are scorching parts of Texas this morning. We got details on the areas affected. You are in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: A red-flag fire warning is in effect for western Texas right now. Dry conditions have already led to three big grassfires around Snyder, Texas. Now, that's about 250 miles west of Dallas. About 5,000 acres had burned there, leading to the evacuation of a nursing home and Western Texas College. So far, there have been no injuries reported.
HOLMES: Well, the weather is just all over the map, all over Reynolds' map, literally. I mean, we talk about dry conditions in Texas, we got snow out west. We just get a little bit of everything. Good morning to you, again, sir.
WOLF: Good morning to all of you. What we're seeing this morning is that big wind maker that we have in parts of west Texas is actually a rainmaker. Getting a little potential of snow back towards St. Louis near gateway park southward in the places like Union City, Tennessee and Nashville this morning and just to the north of Hoover, Alabama, just some sporadic activity at this point. However, out west, we're seeing something entirely different. A major storm is beginning ramp up in parts of the Pacific, now sweeping onshore from San Francisco over on the other side of the bay near Oakland. Places like Pier 39, and Alcatraz, it's going to be a nasty day for you there, scattered showers. But up slope, in the high elevations, we're not talking about rain, we are talking about snow. And not just for the Sierra Nevada, but also back into places like, well, the Central Rockies, it's going to be especially heavy. Most of the heavy snowfall though will occur in the Sierra Nevada, looking at a range anywhere from two to four feet from about 6,000 feet and upwards. And also high slopes, you're going to be dealing with some strong winds. Strong winds topping 70 miles per hour at time. These gusts, it may also be felt just outside the L.A. basin, in the St. Gabriel's where they could deal with anywhere from one to two feet of snow, so, a messy time on the grapevine for you. And as we make our way back into the Central Rockies from Salt Lake City, southward to Provo along 15, it is going to be kind of interesting, especially into the afternoon and into tomorrow morning in terms of your drive. Be careful. We're looking at one to two feet there and about a foot to maybe 18 inches of snowfall in spots like, say, Craig, southward to Montrose and even to a few locations like Steamboat Springs. So, it looks like a big snowmaker out to the west. In terms of temperatures to the west coast from Seattle southward to Portland and even into San Francisco and Los Angeles, it's going to be a big range. Always is. Mainly some 50s to 30s in Salt Lake City; 33 in Minneapolis; 36 in Chicago; 47 the high today in Nashville; 59 in Atlanta; and New York, plenty of sunshine but a high temperature of 40 degrees. That's your forecast. Let's send it back to you.
NGUYEN: All right, Reynolds, what a Sunday it's shaping up to be. Thanks.
Well, last-minute prep, they are in full swing. Yes, the stars are aligned tonight in Tinsel Town, so are the rain clouds, I understand. Boy, it could be a bit of a mess for some folks. But it is indeed the biggest night of the year: The 80th Annual Oscars. HOLMES: And Jon Stewart, the comedian, he's hosting tonight's event at the Kodak Theatre. It's the second time that he's actually hosted this event. And CNN will be on the red carpet at the Academy Awards, you can be assured.
NGUYEN: That's right. Our A.J. Hammer, Brooke Anderson and Kareen Wynter for Hollywood's gold rush, that airs tonight at 7:00 Eastern.
HOLMES: Well, Lindsay Lohan, I don't know if she's going to be at the Oscars. But she had some awards to pick up -- the Razzie awards.
NGUYEN: What lady wouldn't want a Razzie award?
HOLMES: She got three. She actually spray painted. I didn't realize this.
NGUYEN: Yes, I think they only cost about four bucks.
HOLMES: Really? Who saw the movie "I know who killed me"?
NGUYEN: I didn't.
HOLMES: We should solicit e-mails. If anybody saw this movie, "I know who killed me", send us an e-mail and let us know.
NGUYEN: And why. Let us know why you went to see it.
HOLMES: Well, nothing to actually be proud of this, of course, if you know the Razzies, it's not something to be thankful for.
NGUYEN: At all. But you know? Hey, she's in good company. Because tying Lohan, and helping to shut out the competition, good ole Eddie Murphy. Yes, that's him under all of that mess there. Playing the three roles, actually, he got the Razzie for playing three roles in "Norbit", T.J.'s favorite movie of the year.
HOLMES: It was a fine film.
NGUYEN: It was. Murphy was handed awards for being the worst actor, the worst supporting actress, you can see why there, and the most ethnically insensitive actor. So, congratulations, Eddie.
HOLMES: Oh, my goodness.
NGUYEN: I know that something that you want to be proud of but you know.
HOLMES: See, I want to go and watch those movies.
NGUYEN: I think the movie was fine.
HOLMES: You didn't see it?
NGUYEN: I didn't see either of those movies. I don't go that often. I have to get up early on the weekends. Come on. I mean, I don't take in movies.
HOLMES: Oh, please. Well, Oscars, Emmys, Grammies, Razzies, so many awards. But not quite enough, so, we want to bring you our own.
NGUYEN: Of course we do, the political awards of the week from CNN's Tom Foreman. Enjoy.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OBAMA: Houston, I think we've achieved liftoff here.
TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Yes, after 11 box office wins in a row, Barack Obama takes the prize for best performance in a primary or caucus.
OBAMA: We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal -- just words.
FOREMAN: But he also picked up best unoriginal screen play.
GOV. DEVAL PATRICK, MASSACHUSETTS: We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal -- just words.
CLINTON: The best words in the world aren't enough unless you match them with action.
FOREMAN: And while Hillary Clinton took the honors in the subtle attack category, she also took the Polly (ph) for an election night speech you really, really don't want to make.
CLINTON: This campaign goes on and this campaign moves forward.
FOREMAN: To no one's surprise, Mike Huckabee was unbeatable for the most creative reason to continue in a hopeless cause.
MIKE HUCKABEE, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: My not staying in the race hurts the GOP.
FOREMAN: He thinks but please stop helping me Polly (ph) with a tough one category. Bill Clinton was in the running.
BILL CLINTON, FMR U.S. PRESIDENT: If she wins in Texas and Ohio, I think she'd be the nominee. If you don't deliver for her, I don't think she can be.
FOREMAN: But no one could top Michelle Obama's performance.
MICHELLE OBAMA, BARACK OBAMA'S WIFE: For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country.
FOREMAN: And a surprise candidate, Cindy McCain took the award for best attack by a supporting spouse.
CINDY MCCAIN, JOHN MCCAIN'S WIFE: I'm proud of my country. I don't know about you, if you heard those words earlier. I'm very proud of my country. FOREMAN: John McCain was not pleased to get the Polly (ph) for possible past peccadilloes.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I was disappointed in the "New York Times" piece. It's not true.
FOREMAN: But he's amazing performance of the repeated use of a single phrase in one speech will almost certainly stand for years. Who does he thank?
MCCAIN: My friends, my friends, my friends, my friends, my friends, my friends, my friends, my friends, my friends, my friends, my friends, my friends, my friends, my friends.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Thank goodness he didn't say my friends one more time.
HOLMES: I appreciate the my friends. It's inviting. I like it. Tom Foreman in THIS WEEK IN POLITICS, you can join him for movie- related political fun, the big events playing as part of the political race. THIS WEEK IN POLITICS comes your way at 1:00 o'clock Eastern.
NGUYEN: Well, the writer's strike, it is over. There is new material, new scripts, and we never have to worry about that, right?
HOLMES: We don't have that issue.
And "Saturday Night Live" had fun with presidential candidate, Mike Huckabee. Those laughs: straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Well, this just in to us at the CNN Newsroom. Iraqi police says, a suicide bomber kill at least 10 people, wounded at least another 20 today. Iraqi officials say, the attack on Iraqi pilgrims happened south of Baghdad. The pilgrims were headed to the holy city of Karbala to commemorate the martyrdom of a major Shiite figure buried there. We are on top of this story. So, more updates to come.
NGUYEN: Well, a disturbing story out of Orange County, California to tell you about. A 14-year-old boy called 911 and said, he and his brother were shot by their father. Police found the boy alive but they'd also found the dead bodies of eight and nine-year-old girls and also, a five-year-old boy and a woman. A man's body was found nearby with a shotgun and police say, it appears to be a murder- suicide.
HOLMES: OK. Well, a nice little story to tell you here, out of East St. Louis. A 12-year-old girl broke out of a second floor window and helped her brother and sister jump out of their burning house. Her 9-year-old brother actually broke his ankle in the fall, but he went back into that burning house looking for another sister. Thankfully though, she had already gotten out. The boy now is in the hospital with burns on his arms. But these siblings, coming together. NGUYEN: Looking out for each other.
HOLMES: Looking out for each other, absolutely.
NGUYEN: Former Arkansas governor, presidential candidate, now "Saturday Night Live" comedian? It could only be Mike Huckabee.
HOLMES: Of course, Josh Levs is here with the highlight of the morning really.
LEVS: What happens to (INAUDIBLE) today?
HOLMES: It is good.
LEVS: He's funny guy.
NGUYEN: He is a funny guy.
LEVS: Yes, we knew he was a funny guy. But unless (ph), when they make fun of their own widespread, whatever it is, take a look. He really made fun of himself last night.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SETH ROGEN, SNL HOST: Basically, it takes 1,191 delegates to clinch your party's nomination, and even if you won every remaining unpledged delegate, you would still fall 200 delegates short.
HUCKABEE: Wow. Seth, that was an excellent explanation there. But I'm afraid you overlooked the all important superdelegates. Don't forget about them.
ROGEN: I won't forget about them, but the superdelegates are only in the Democratic primary.
(LAUGHTER)
HUCKABEE: They can't vote in the Republican primary?
ROGEN: They cannot.
HUCKABEE: That's not good news. You know, Seth, I was counting on the superdelegates.
(LAUGHTER)
ROGEN: Our very best to you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEVS: That was a highlight. That was one of the better parts of the night. We've seen some clips today, right?
NGUYEN: He's got good comedic timing.
LEVS: He is good. We move to other news politically is that they were accusing at Obama last night.
NGUYEN: Well, they're trying to.
LEVS: Trying to, what do you guys think? All right. Yes, we're all like (INAUDIBLE). I mean, it spread arms (ph) and he's a regular (ph). Let's take a look and you can help us rate his Obama-ness.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In this country, the president is hearing his same old refrain. Just give us the news, not your personal opinion.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEVS: Yes, so that was it. I mean, it's nothing too exciting. It's just kind of there.
NGUYEN: What do you think about Obama girl.
LEVS: Obama girl is showing up last night.
NGUYEN: I knew would you like that.
LEVS: They're actually supposedly making fun of us, like the whole first eight minutes was supposed to be CNN.
NGUYEN: Making fun of (INAUDIBLE) news as hilarious.
LEVS: Yes, they didn't try to simulate us, but they had fun. Anyway, let us know what you think. You see at all, Obamaesque? Let SNL know, too. Maybe give him some time, season him a little bit, maybe he'll, you know, learn the mannerisms.
NGUYEN: All right, Josh, Mr. Reality. Thank you.
LEVS: See you.
NGUYEN: OK, from that to no laughing matter.
HOLMES: Yes, a man posts a cartoon at work, but not everybody thinks it's funny. Hear the punch line. Next on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: All right. Readers of the popular cartoon "Dilbert", may have noticed the scripts this week were a bit edgier than usual because they're actually based on a real incident.
NGUYEN: Yes, a long-time casino worker in Iowa was fired back in October after surveillance video showed he posted this "Dilbert" cartoon in the break room. It compared managers to drunken lemurs. * HOLMES: Probably not the best post.
NGUYEN: What's wrong with that? Come on. HOLMES: Well, management didn't see the humor and fired him. He was also denied unemployment benefits until a judge rule on his favor. Well, in Saturday's cartoon, Dilbert follows up on the firing and asks the boss if he worships Satan.
NGUYEN: Lovely.
HOLMES: Or simply admires his no nonsense approach to discipline.
NGUYEN: Yes, just don't post that one, OK?
HOLMES: There's going to be a follow-up to that story coming.
NGUYEN: I'm sure.
HOLMES: Well, folks, of course, you know, it's Sunday. You know, everybody is relaxing now. But a lot of people are actually preparing to bring you something on Monday.
NGUYEN: Let's check in with Kiran Chetry in New York.
KIRAN CHETRY, CNN AMERICAN MORNING HOST: Hey, Betty and T.J., coming up next week, we go inside North Korea. Our Alina Cho will be live from Pyongyang and we'll have an update on some potentially troubling news, a holds up and the dismantling of their main nuclear reactor. But we're also going along on a mission of musical diplomacy. The New York philharmonic will be making history by playing a concert there Tuesday.
Alina caught up with one of the musicians born in Korea and she has a personal stake in this mission.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This might not solve the nuclear weapons, this might not solve the problems with the U.S. politically, but this will certainly be in their hearts as something to remember that's very positive.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: Alina herself is on a personal journey with her parents and grandmother, they're searching for family members they have not seen since the Korean war. It's going to be a very emotional trip for Alina. We're going to have it on AMERICAN MORNING. But you can follow it all online. Check out her blog: Inside North Korea. It's on our Web site: CNN.com/AM.
Meanwhile, back here in the States, you've got some brand new crash test that you'll want to see. It's with midsized SUVs. They are really built like cars. So how do they hold up in an accident? Our Greg Hunter is looking out for you.
Also, the morning after Hollywood's big night. I've heard about your raging Oscar parties down there in Atlanta. So set a couple of alarm clocks, because we will have the wrap-up of the night, the awards, the fashions and the speeches. Hope to see you Monday for "American Morning." It all begins at 6:00 a.m. Eastern. Betty and T.J., have a great weekend. Back to you.
NGUYEN: All right, well, we are counting down the hours until there is a new leader in Cuba, following that story closely.
HOLMES: Yes, coming up at the top of the hour, we'll talk live with Fidel Castro's daughter, but first, "HOUSE CALL" with CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, starts right now.
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