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McCain Goes Public with Medical Records; Obama Campaigns in Florida; Crane Collapses in Missouri

Aired May 23, 2008 - 10:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: ...you ask them. Why are you keeping it?

PAMELA JESSOP, FLDS MOTHER: A hundred times.

MATTINGLY: Is that something you ask everyday.

JESSOP: Oh, yes.

MATTINGLY: The state says any disputed minor who proves they are an adult is released. But Pamela Jessop stands by her story. Her attorney say they may file a federal lawsuit claiming a violation of Jessop's civil rights.

David Mattingly, CNN, Eldorado, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello again, everyone. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Tony Harris. Welcome to the CNN NEWSROOM. Stay informed all day.

Here's what's on the rundown. John McCain going pubic with his medical records this hour. Also, fallout from his foot with a pair of evangelical preachers.

WHITFIELD: The children of polygamist. The court says Texas has no right to take them from their parents. Will the kids go home now/

HARRIS: SUV owners take a hit at the bank. Gas prices cause their value to tank today, Friday, May 23.

You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

WHITFIELD: John McCain trying to show that he is fit to be president. This hour, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta gets a look at McCain's medical records. But some details are already starting to stream out. Sanjay, live from Fountain Hill, Arizona, what have we learned thus far?

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, over the last eight years. There has been about 1200 pages of medical records generated. That's the starting point. The last time they released these records was back in 1999. A couple of key points. People are focused on his skin history, more specifically his melanoma history. The fact that he has had malignant melanoma has been pretty well documented. But he is getting regular skin checkups. The most recent one was May 12th.

According to his dermatologist, Dr. Susan Connolly (ph), everything was OK at that point. He did have a cancerous lesion known as a squamous cell carcinoma removed in February. That's sort of what we are starting to learn about his skin history. We are going to have more on that. He has had also some benign polyps removed from his colon back in March. So, these are all sort of related to his cancer. Anything with regards to a 70-year-old man or anybody really with regards to the heart history is going to be important as well.

He has had a stress test of his heart where he was able to stay on a treadmill for about ten minutes. So, that was really important, obviously, for his overall health assessment of his heart. He takes a medication for his cholesterol, known as simvastatin. He used to be on Vytorin but you remember, Fred, that medication got a lot of bad press. His doctors switched him over to simvastatin. He also takes a baby aspirin.

Back in 2000 he complained of episodes of dizziness. When he went from sitting to standing, he would get dizzy. The doctors, you know, sort of looked at that and diagnosed him as something known as vertigo. Which is something that can cause dizziness. That's what we are starting to hear. I will point out as well, Fredricka, we have not seen anything about his mental health which was something that was discussed prominently in 1999. We haven't seen specific numbers. We don't know exactly what his cholesterol is, we don't know what his blood pressure, we don't know the overall vital signs. These are going to be things that we're looking for as well and important in anyone certainly, Fred.

WHITFIELD: In the meantime, releasing these records is optional?

GUPTA: Yes. You know, it is. It sort of interesting and Senator McCain is the first. Senator Obama and Senator Clinton have not done that. So, he's the first person to do that. Obviously, a lot of people are asking for these records. But there is no requirement to do that. In fact, just a quick historical thing, Tsongas in 1992 was diagnosed with cancer and he said that there was no recurrence of his cancer when he was running for president. Turns out in retrospect there was a recurrence and he died three years later. And there is no sort of regulation of this. There's no - it's not mandatory to do this. So it's sort of an interesting situation.

WHITFIELD: It is interesting, indeed. All right. Sanjay Gupta, thanks so much. And you're going to get a chance to get through all thee files when the time permits. Appreciate it.

GUPTA: It will be like medical school, residency, all over again.

WHITFIELD: That's tight. Everything is always full circle, isn't. All right. Thanks a lot, Sanjay.

GUPTA: That's right.

WHITFIELD: All right. A reminder, you can see more of Dr. Gupta this weekend as he explores the health demands of being commander in chief and the challenge facing presidential doctors. A one-hour special report "SIU: The First Patient." Catch that Saturday and Sunday at 8:00 and 11:00 p.m. Eastern.

HARRIS: A new picture in to CNN. Let's take you to Kansas City, Missouri, right now. The story of this crane collapsing, as you can see here on its side. And boy, you need to understand the size of this crane to get a better idea of what officials, firefighters, and everyone else, what they are dealing with right now. This is a 200- foot tall crane that has collapsed at a power plant. This is in Platte County. The local affiliate there providing these pictures, KMBC out of Kansas City reporting that emergency crews are all over this scene.

Authorities are not saying at this point if there are any injuries but there was a caller who has provided some information to KMBC that indicates that as many as 25 people may have been hurt. Clearly, a situation that we are going continue to follow and get you some additional information. No additional word. I'm trying to figure out in this release if there is any more information from the spokesperson for the power plant.

Kansas City Power and Light only confirming that there has been an accident at the plant. May have been blown over by wind. But, again, we are going to continue to watch this. As you can see, a pretty dramatic scene right now. it would be amazing, miraculous if everyone came out OK.

WHITFIELD: This incident would have to now start to highlight -

HARRIS: Yes.

WHITFIELD: A string of incidences have taken place.

HARRIS: Absolutely. Florida, New York-

WHITFIELD: Yes, within the past year alone involving cranes.

HARRIS: So we will continue to watch this story and get some additional information for you.

Let's talk politics now. Barack Obama campaigning in Florida again today. And reaching out to an influential group, Cuban-American voters. John Zarrella live from Miami.

John, good to see you. I believe this is the same group John McCain spoke to earlier this week. And if I recall correctly here, he received quite an enthusiastic response. What can Barack Obama expect today?

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, probably not the same response and not the kind of response that Senator McCain, the Republican, you know, got. This is really for Barack Obama. Kind of like going into the lion's den. The Cuban-American National Foundation for decades has been hugely influential. Senator Obama going to be speaking to them about 12:30 today at a luncheon. The Cuban American National Foundation of course always staunchly backing the Republican Party and Republican candidate. But times may be changing. And that's one reason Barack Obama is here.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GIANCARLO SOPO, CUBAN AMERICAN OBAMA SUPPORTER: ...if you limit outside influence -

ZARRELLA (voice-over): You are looking at a rare individual, Giancarlo Sopo is a Cuban-American who publicly supports a Democrat for president.

SOPO: My family is on board with Barack Obama.

ZARRELLA: For decades Cuban-American have been powerful allies of the Republican Party and its candidates. Staunchly backing a no- compromise standing against Cuba. Sopo represents a growing trend, young Cuban-Americans weary of what they say are Republican promises not delivered.

SOPO: In reality all they give to Cuban Americans are lip service and I think Cuban Americans of my generation and Cuban Americans of previous generations are tired of the lip service.

ZARRELLA: Many in this community would like what Senator Obama is promising, loosening travel restrictions on visiting relatives in Cuba and making it easier to send money to their families. But where Obama loses Cuban American voters is by proclaiming his willingness to meet with Raul Castro. In Miami, something akin to heresy.

NINOSKA PEREZ CASTELLON, CONSERVATIVE EXILE RADIO SHOW HOST: I think the fact that Obama walks in and says we can sit down and talk to Raul Castro because it hasn't worked the other way, it's absurd.

ZARRELLA: Ninoska Perez Castellon hosts a Spanish language radio program. Perez says the vast majority of Cuban-Americans will vote for John McCain and against change.

CASTELLON: The fact that he's firm on Cuba, that he is not willing to lift those sanctions is going to help him in South Florida.

ZARRELLA: Historically at least 70 percent of Cuban Americans turn out to vote. Large turnout that has given this small immigrant community plenty of influence and plenty of important visitors.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ZARRELLA: Now, it has often been said that Cuban Americans on bread and butter issues are far more in line with the Democratic Party than they ever would be with the Republican Party. But when it comes to Cuba they align themselves with the Republicans and Cuba is the wedge issue that determines how for the past many decades, Tony, Cuban Americans have voted and that is Republican.

HARRIS: Yes. A question on that point, John. What's the climate in South Florida generally speaking for Republicans? We know there are some Republicans facing some serious challenges there.

ZARRELLA: Yes. No question about it. It's very, very interesting. Three Cuban American members of Congress are Ilana Ros- Lehtinen, Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart, all powerful Cuban Americans here in this community. All Republican and all facing very stiff challenges from Democrats. The Democratic Party really believing that there is an opportunity to hear, to unseat one or more of those incumbents. So, the climate may, in fact, be changing. Although a lot of Cuban American, the powerbrokers will tell you no way in November we are going to see that there isn't really any change. So, it is going to be very interesting here -- Tony.

HARRIS: We'll see. John Zarrella in Miami for us.

John, appreciate it. Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Meantime, thanks but no thanks. John McCain rejecting endorsements from two influential but controversial televangelists. Mary Snow is live from Fountain Hill, Arizona just outside Phoenix there.

Tell us about McCain's problems with these pastors.

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Fredricka, problems with pastors and the question is how long will it hurt him going forward? The first one was the story we broke on CNN. John Hagee. He is an influential televangelist from Texas who endorsed McCain. It was an endorsement that McCain had sought. He made a number of controversial comments that McCain has been distancing himself from. But yesterday came time for McCain to draw the line. This after it became known that John Hagee in the 1990s had said that Adolf Hitler had be en sent by god to force Jews to go back to the land of Israel.

When McCain heard that he said he did not - he was not aware of those comments and he rejected the endorsement. And Hagee came out and then withdrew his endorse. Also, shortly after that came a second rejection. This from an Ohio preacher, Rob Parsley, who have made some very critical comments about the religion of Islam, calling it inherently violent.

This was an endorsement also that John McCain rejected. On the campaign trail yesterday in California, McCain was asked about these comments, particularly about Hagee. He said the comments were crazy and unacceptable. But he also tried to distance himself from the situation that his Democratic rival, Senator Barack Obama had faced with the Reverend Jeremiah Wright. And this is what McCain had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: But also I would like to make something else clear. My church that I attend, is the North Phoenix Baptist Church. My pastor and spiritual guide is Pastor Dan Neary. I have never been in Pastor Hagee's church or Pastor Parsley's church. I didn't attend their church for 20 years. And I'm not a member of their church. I have received their endorsement which did not mean that I endorse their views.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNOW: So John McCain trying to distance himself from the problems that Barack Obama had faced with Reverend Jeremiah Wright because he was a member of Reverend Wright's church. Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Mary, I wonder how much this stands to upstage what is to take place this weekend at the McCain home there in Arizona? He calls it a social event but there are other rumblings that there's talk of potential vice president or running mates.

SNOW: Right. And you know, as the Democrats have been battling it out. The presumptive Republican nominee has had time to get out on the campaign trail and also he is saying very little about the process of choosing a vice president. But he has said that it - the process had begun, three names that are often talked about as potential running mates. Mitt Romney, his former presidential rival, also Charlie Crist, the Florida governor who endorsed McCain during the in Florida primary and turned out to be crucial. And also, the governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal.

These are three names that had been talked about among the list. They are all going to be at Senator McCain's ranch in Sedona. They're getting here today actually or expected to arrive today. What he is saying is a social gathering. Of course, that has not stopped the speculation about whether or not this is kind of an informal tryout for them.

WHITFIELD: All right. Mary Snow, thanks so much, from Fountain Hills, Arizona. Appreciate it. Tony.

HARRIS: More political news now. We want to get to our Suzanne Malveaux who is so deep into the campaign trail now with some news on the Obama and Clinton camps. And Suzanne if we could, let's take a moment here. Let me phrase this to you as a question.

Is there some reporting out there, indications that the Clinton camp is actually reaching out to the Obama camp to begin discussions on an exit strategy for Senator Clinton? Maybe that's the best way to put it.

VOICE OF SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Tony. We have been on the phone with a lot of folks at the last 24 hours late into the evening and early morning. And both of the campaigns, they are saying that there are no formal talks. There are no talks that are going on between these two campaigns, that they still fiercely fighting the nomination. What is happening here is that there are supporters and insiders in Clinton 's camp that are reaching out to the Obama camp with some possible scenarios here for a graceful exit strategy. Something that would allow these two sides to come together and that they realize that this might be a difficult process.

One of these scenarios, which a number of Clinton supporters say, would not be acceptable as if there was a sense of that Obama was just moving on with the vice presidential offer without considering her. They say that it was full dismissal, unacceptable, one person put it this way. She said, you know, this would be an open civil war within the party. That there are to be real resentment here. So, there is a real push from Clinton supporters that at the very least they would hope that Obama would reach out and make the offer to join the ticket. There is concern that if that were to happen, however, that if were to accept it, that that is not necessarily something that the -- the Obama supporters would care for. So it's a very delicate balancing act.

And what the Clinton supporters and insiders are saying is that they would really like for the two candidates at some point very soon to sit down and to work it all out and hash it all out and figure out what would be acceptable to both sides. This is something that Clinton supporters say, look, she's still very much in the race. To the very end. She is campaigning for the top job. And she's not necessarily considering whether or not she wants to be the vice president. But what they are saying is that they feel that she should at least be offered the position. That would be a grace saving measure from the Obama campaign.

That they would feel that she would be able - as well as her supporters, to move forward and to campaign and in a very vigorous fashion. Now, the Obama campaign officially, Bill Burton, who is the national spokesperson as well as the chief strategist David Axelrod, both of them are saying look, these campaigns are in a real competition. They are not having any talks about exit strategies. But there's clearly a move from some of the Clinton supporters and insiders that to push this agenda along and to push this message along. That they would like for her to be treated in such a way at the very least there would be some sort of offer and an offer whether or not she accepts, they have no idea. But an offer, nevertheless, that they believe would allow the party to come together.

HARRIS: My goodness. And I know that there are still - that you're still working your sources on this story, Suzanne. But it is odd to suggest that folks in the Clinton campaign may be on some low level, maybe reaching out to the Obama campaign about talks on an exit strategy. Without indicating at least at this point what she would want or what she believes she has earned by virtue of the race that she has run. It seems that she would be obligated to at least through whatever intermediaries that might be holding discussions to suggest what - what she might.

MALVEAUX: Well, Tony, it is actually not unusual. In the last couple of weeks there have been a lot of back and forth with surrogates and supporters who have been suggesting taking many different kinds of suggestions about since the last primary, when the numbers looking bad, how is it that we bring these two teams together. There's a sense from the - a lot of the women's groups on Clinton's camp that Obama really needs to make some sort of gesture, some sort of public gesture, that would be acceptable to Hillary Clinton and acceptable to them.

They are obviously going to be raising money. They're going to be campaigning We heard Hillary Clinton talking about how she has been on the road campaigning for the party no matter what. We heard the same form Obama but definitely the supporters are - they are adamant. There is a sense of tension. There is a sense of resentment and there's also a sense of how do we make this happen, how do we bring these two sides together without necessarily saying that one person or the other needs to drop out of the race or is going to drop out of the race.

But satisfies both sides here. And that's what's happening. You know, this kind of back and forth from supporters and surrogates who are trying to push forward a way to make this happen. And one of those ways, that they are aggressively pursuing is this notion of at lease getting some sort of offer on the table. Whether or not she wants it or not. This would be a gesture that would allow her to move forward.

HARRIS: That is so interesting. Boy. Trust seems to be a real issue for both of these groups. Suzanne Malveaux on the phone with us this morning.

Suzanne, appreciate it. Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Meantime, presumptive Republican nominee, some other problems in the shape of pastor problems. Political reporters on his rejection of two endorsements and his search for a running mate. We are talking politics in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: You're in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. A teacher and a student wrestling in the classroom. School of Hard Knocks.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: A very frightening moment in Platte County, Missouri. You are looking at a 200-foot tall crane that simply collapsed at this construction site. It's Unclear exactly why this happened. Initial reports indicate that it may have been wind. That has blown down this construction overhead crane there at this construction site. It is unclear, however, how many people might have been put in danger from this. But of course, we are going to continue to follow the developments. It's just alarming to look at the size of that crane now horizontal there, knowing what they look like when they are erect at these construction sites. Certainly, a dangerous situation here at the beginning of the investigation.

HARRIS: A presidential candidate repudiating comments from a controversial pastor. This time the candidate is John McCain. Joining us to talk about that and vice presidential contender, Susan Page. Susan, good to see you. Washington bureau chief for "USA Today." And Roger Simon, chief political columnist for politico. Roger, good to see you as well. Both joining us from Washington, D.C.. You know what, before we get to the vice presidential contenders, I want to get to some of the reporting that Suzanne is working on for us this morning.

Let me ask it this way. Is the Clinton camp, according to your sources, Roger, let me start with you, talking to the Obama camp about an exit strategy? What does she want? And what do you think she has earned by virtue of the race she has run?

ROGER SIMON, CHIEF POLITICAL COLUMNIST, POLITICO: I think Clinton supporters have been reaching out to the Obama campaign for a little while now, urging him to pick her as the vice president. And I think that they believe that she has had at least earned consideration for the job. I don't think that they feel they can demand the spot. But they are making arguments for her, not demands. They're saying, look, she attracts support in key states.

She attracts support with key backers that Democrats are going to need. You really have to consider this person. And basically, the basic argument is, it is not a matter of unity anymore, it is a matter of respect. Has Hillary Clinton been treated respectfully as a woman during this campaign? Many of her supporters think no. And they think this is the best way that Barack Obama could send a message of respect.

HARRIS: Susan, what do you think? Has - what's your view of this? Has Hillary Clinton been treated badly? Has she been disrespected? As many of her supporters believe in this process - what's your view on this?

SUSAN PAGE, WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF, "USA TODAY": Well you know, there have been some sexist incidents I think through the campaign. But is that basically why she's not emerging as a nominee? I don't think so. I don't think that's a fundamental reason. I also think that if Barack -- one of the calculations that Barack Obama has to make, is if you offer her the vice presidency as a sign of respect, you better be prepared for her to accept it. And then she'll be on the tickets.

There are a lot of stories from 1960 about whether John Kennedy really thought Lyndon Johnson was going to accept the vice presidency when he was nominated. He did even though those two sides didn't get along, maybe some parallels this year with that, with that year.

HARRIS: Hey, Roger, does Hillary Clinton with Barack Obama, does she undermine his change message?

SIMON: I think that's your biggest problem. I wouldn't use the word undermine exactly. But the biggest question for Barack Obama is does Hillary Clinton really turn the page? Is, as you say, is she an agent of change? Which is the overarching theme of the Obama campaign. This is what he is running on. And it is change versus George W. Bush's third term. So, he has to support a vice president who supports that message. And he spent, you know that last several months really attacking Hillary Clinton as being someone who is of Washington ways and doesn't represent change.

PAGE: You know, I guess I would say that the biggest problem with Hillary Clinton isn't the change issue because Barack Obama is going to represent change no matter who his vice president is. I think the biggest issue might be Bill Clinton. Do you want Bill Clinton as the husband of the vice president? And, you know, kind of a force of nature, somebody that's going to be hard to control. You know, somebody who may have his own agenda, not your agenda. I think that may be one of the biggest issues that the Obama camp would have to debate if they were thinking about it -

HARRIS: Right.

PAGE: Offering this role to Hillary Clinton.

HARRIS: Well, let's continue with the VP sweepstakes here. John McCain, with the governors this weekend in Arizona, Crist, Romney, Jindal. Is this Roger Moore than the social event that the McCain campaign would have you believe it is?

SIMON: I suppose it is and I suppose it's also to step on the story of his medical records.

HARRIS: Yes.

SIMON: Which are also being released. And the three named are certainly, I think are going to be considered but I don't think they're really at the top of the short list. And I'm also not exactly sure why he's doing a public cattle call. There have been two methods in the past that the presumptive nominee does a public cattle call of people coming forward and publicly having their names thrown out. And doing it privately on the other hand. The public way risks a lot of discontent when these men don't get it. Only one of them will. And I've never heard of anyone who has gone through one of these public events and not gotten it, been very happy afterwards.

HARRIS: Susan, what do you think? Why is it being handled this way?

PAGE: Well, you know, I think Roger hit it right on the head when he said that John McCain wants this all debating, who the VP is going to be and what not his health is at age 71. And that age story, that health story is why the vice president is more important for John McCain than it is for Barack Obama. People are going to be looking for somebody who is younger and vigorous and quite prepared immediately to step into the presidency. That's one going to be the issue that he faces. With Obama, you know, the calculations are how can I unite the party and perhaps reassure people on national security, I think that's an easier thing to do than the task that John McCain faces with this pick.

HARRIS: And final question. Roger, with John McCain now having to disavow two pastors, two strong evangelical leaders here, Rod Parsley and John Hagee, is the pastor issue a wash now? No real advantage for Barack Obama or John McCain at this point? SIMON: I think this is the year when the candidates decide that endorsements and surrogates have not been worth it. They lose you more votes than get you. I think both these nominees if Barack Obama is the nominee are going to campaign on their own records and their own statements. And I don't think they want to have to support or defend the statements of their surrogates and supporters anymore.

HARRIS: And Susan, a final word from you on this one.

PAGE: Bigger problem, I think, for Barack Obama. He went to Jeremiah Wright's church for 20 years. It goes to questions that some people have about his patriotism, his feelings towards America. I think it is a much more difficult and long-lasting problem for him than it is for John McCain.

HARRIS: Should John McCain have vetted these gentlemen better?

PAGE: I know you'd say yes this moment. Don't you think?

HARRIS: Yes.

SIMON: You wonder if any of these candidates ever heard of google?

HARRIS: Exactly. All right. Susan Page and Roger Simon, thank you both. Have a great weekend.

PAGE: Thank you.

SIMON: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right. Let's talk about your money. Your e-mail questions. Well, they've been filling up the inbox and now it's time to clean it out by way of answering them. Personal finance editor Gerri Willis is here to answer all these questions about your money, your home.

How are you doing?

GERRI WILLIS, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: I'm very good.

Let's go with the first question.

WHITFIELD: OK. And the first one is from Shaun, in Arizona saying, "Explain the difference between a home equity loan and a reverse mortgage."

WILLIS: Now, there's a great question from Shaun.

You know, a homeowner can tap the equity in their home, thorough a home equity loan, provided you have equity in your home. And the borrower can then use that money to finance improvements, college, medical bills. And of course you've got to pay that loan back.

On the other hand, reverse mortgages work just the opposite. They're for seniors who need to tap their equity for retirement or other purposes. Now on a reverse mortgage, you have to be over 62 years old to convert a portion of your equity into cash. And in this case, your home loses equity and you may not be able to pass that house along to your heirs.

Unlike a home equity loan, no payment is required until you move.

For more info on reverse mortgages, lots of people have questions about them, aarp.org has a great report.

WHITFIELD: Interesting. All right, and this from Betty in California who says, "We have a rental property. We owe more than the value of the house. We sent a let to our lender asking for help and were denied. What will happen if we just walk away?"

WILLIS: Betty, Betty, Betty. A lot of people in this situation. You just simply don't want to walk away.

If you're missing mortgage payments, your lender will start the foreclosure process. But if the amount your house is auctioned off for is less than what you owe on the mortgage, watch out. Lenders can go after you for the difference.

Not only will you have a foreclosure you credit report, but if you have other assets like a primary home, the lender can put a lien on that property.

WHITFIELD: Ooh, they want their money.

WILLIS: Yes, exactly. Instead, you want to be more persistent with your lenders. Make sure you not only write letters, but you call the lender, take notes on every conversation you have. You want to show that you've been proactive.

And if that doesn't work, call the HOPE hotline. Talk to a counselor and the number 888-995-HOPE.

WHITFIELD: Yes, you would hope there's a little compassion out there somewhere.

All right, Tina, from Arizona, is saying, "What are the best options for my son who wants to invest in a retirement fund? He's 22 and his employer does offer any type of 401(k) plan."

What's the options?

WILLIS: Well you know, Tina, your son is amazing.

Your best bet though, for your son, is to open a Roth IRA account. Although the money he puts into the Roth isn't tax deductible. When he takes the money out at retirement, he'll get those distributions tax-free.

Now given that your son is probably going to be in a higher tax bracket when he retires, this is really a smart move.

Check out low-cost companies like Fidelity, Vanguard, T. Rowe Price, to find the kinds of investments that will work really well in your Roth IRA.

WHITFIELD: All right, this from an anonymous e-mailer who says, "I have an adjustable rate mortgage on a second home. My bad is I didn't lock in a fixed rate. The payment is almost $1,000 more per month. Is it worth refinancing now?"

WILLIS: Yes, yes and yes. Look, it's definitely worth investigating, especially if you won't be able to make the payment every month.

Thirty year fixed rates right now at 5.9 percent. Now this is really low by historical standards. You want to think about refinancing with your current lender first. Remember, with any re-fi you are probably go to pay 2 percent to 3 percent the cost of the loan, to re-fi. But if you want to hold on to that vacation house, now is a good time to shop.

And I have to tell you, Fred. We got a really great tip from a viewer on how to save gas. Listen to this.

The viewer writes, if you don't have cruise control and can't seem to slow down, move your driver's seat back about a half inch. It changes the pressure of your foot on the gas pedal.

And it works really easily, isn't that great?

WHITFIELD: I don't know if I feel good about that.

Is that driver comfortable behind the wheel with his seat further back? How's his steering ability? I don't know, I'm just talking about safety on the roads.

WILLIS: I love that. I love that. Well you have to think about your safety. You obviously can't get so far away that you can't push down the pedal. That would be a disaster.

WHITFIELD: That's right, we got a problem.

All right, "ISSUE #1" straight ahead, noon hour, what's on tap?

WILLIS: Well, why you may have a hard time unloading that SUV for a more fuel-efficient car, and what you can do about it. Plus, a new way to lock in the price you pay for a gallon of gas.

We've got some great stuff coming. You definitely want to join us, noon Eastern. We'll also be answering your e-mails, live in the noon hour.

WHITFIELD: Oh, Perfect. And of course, we never miss that noon hour.

ISSUE #1. Thanks so much, Gerri.

WILLIS: My pleasure.

HARRIS: Day care damaged. Tornado rips through the playground, but the kids are safe. The center's director talks about what happened and their quick action. Straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: A soldier killed in Iraq, now a father, 18 months after his death. We'll talk to his widow and the mother of his child.

Straight ahead in the CNN NEWSROOM.

HARRIS: Boy, a tornado leaving devastation in its wake in northern Colorado. Take a look at the pictures here. Dozens of homes, businesses and farms have been damaged or destroyed. One person was killed, 13 others injured.

The twister bounced through several towns. On its way through the area yesterday. The same storm system also pounded the region with golf-ball sized hail. Winds swept cars and trucks off roads and pushed rail cars over. The governor's declared a local state emergency. Damage assessment teams are going into the hardest hit areas today.

WHITFIELD: All right, so picture this. A tornado bearing down on a day care center. Very scary sight for any adult. So imagine what it was like for those preschoolers. Kids at a Windsor, Colorado, day care went through all of that yesterday. But thanks to their caregivers, they all came out safe.

Krysti Bernhardt, director of the Windmill Child Enrichment Center is here to tell the story.

All right, good to see you Christie. What frightening moments.

KRYSTI BERNHARDT, DIRECTOR, WINDMILL CHILD ENRICHMENT CTR.: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: So take me back to those moments of, you know, when you were aware of the winds, the weather was changing and it was threatening.

What did you do? You have these kids from ages 4 months to 8 years.

BERNHARDT: Well, we thought it was just the hail and wind. We didn't know the tornado had come this close yet. So we evacuated them to the gym and area where we get them in from any windows, this sort of thing. And then it just came.

WHITFIELD: Well, how were the kids holding up during all of this? I mean, were they aware that this was a frightening situation? Or did they feel like oh OK, we're just in the gym, this is a new kind of scenario for play time and all of us together.

BERNHARDT: No. No, no, no. They were very terrified. But they did great. My staff is amazing. They did wonderful with the kids.

WHITFIELD: So there were really quick thinking here.

This is not an area that is usually subjected to tornadoes, though, is it?

BERNHARDT: No. Not at all. This is new to us.

WHITFIELD: All right, so how did you know what to do?

BERNHARDT: You know, we have procedures that we follow for tornado drills. We practice them. We practice fire drills a lot. So that really, really helped in this instance.

WHITFIELD: Wow. So because you practice them a lot, it was still kind of fresh in your mind. There wasn't a moment for you where you guys kind of thought uh-oh, what do we do?

BERNHARDT: No. I think there's always that moment. But I think when you're working with kids, you really, you know, A, have to be on your top game. And, B, that's your number one concern. So the teachers really kicked it into gear and my staff and I worked really hard with that adrenaline pumping.

WHITFIELD: Wow. And so once you emerged and saw -- you know, there was some damage in the area, what were your thoughts then?

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WHITFIELD: A soldier killed in Iraq, now a father, 18 months after his death. We'll talk with his widow and the mother of his child.

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WHITFIELD: Life after death. A baby boy, born 18 months after his father was killed in Iraq. His birth is a promise kept.

Joining us now, new mom, Maria Sutherland and son, Stephen, named after his dad, Army Sergeant Stephen Sutherland.

Good to see both of you.

MARIA SUTHERLAND, IRAQ WAR WIDOW: Good to be here.

WHITFIELD: All right, Maria. I know this is going to be a bit of a challenge. But that's OK, we understand, he's 18 months old.

So first of all, let's kind of backtrack. Your husband was deployed to Iraq. And that came after your plans had already started moving forward on in vitro. And then just days before he was to return home, he gets killed.

At what point did you make a decision that you are going to go forward with in vitro anyway?

SUTHERLAND: About four months after he died, I decided to start, you know, looking into the process because I knew it was going to be even harder than it normally is because of the fact that he was deceased. And the doctor that was originally going to do it, had already told me that if I went through with it, that he wasn't going to do it.

WHITFIELD: Yes. But you were kind of were already halfway there. What -- you know, before he actually was even deployed, so to speak.

But you decided, you know, after that grieving period and -- I know you are still grieving, you wanted to carry on with trying to see if you could get pregnant through in vitro. You did get pregnant. But you -- I guess emotionally, you had to make some decisions as to whether this was really the right thing to do and the honorable thing to do for your late husband.

SUTHERLAND: Yes. I went through, you know, eight months of counseling, talking to a counselor. Making sure I was going to do it for the right reasons. Not trying to, I guess, you know, in a way replace my husband because you can't do that through a child. And just making sure that I -- you know, that I was going to be a good mother to the baby and be -- that I was stable enough to have a child.

WHITFIELD: And then after apparently right -- that the first try with in vitro you actually did get pregnant.

And it has been a good pregnancy for you. And we see the results now. You now have a beautiful boy that you decided to name after your husband. This has to be incredibly bittersweet.

SUTHERLAND: It is. I know you know, my husband loves children. He adopted my two other children from my prior marriage. And, you know, we've always wanted to have more. Actually we wanted to have like a little basketball team but I told him, hey, you know. And I figured, you know, carry on his legacy and his name. And, you know, what better way than to name him after him, and honor the sacrifice he made for all of us.

WHITFIELD: And how much of your late husband, Sergeant Stephen Sutherland, do you see in little Stephen?

SUTHERLAND: Well, I don't know, I guess I'm biased because I see everything, you know, about him and in him. The way he smiles, the way he looks. We try to put food in his right hand, he switches it to his left hand. And you know, my husband was left-handed.

So everything that he does, you know, reminds me of the things you know, my husband used to do. And just looking at his baby pictures that his mother and sister gave to me, I mean, I see a lot of everything in him. Even his hair, his hairline. Everything.

WHITFIELD: Wow. Well, how so incredibly sweet. And our hearts certainly go out to you for the loss of your husband. But, congratulations, at the same time. Which is a very difficult juxtaposition.

But congratulations at the same time for your beautiful and seemingly very healthy 18-month-old boy named after your late husband.

SUTHERLAND: Thank you. WHITFIELD: Maria Sutherland, thanks so much for your time.

SUTHERLAND: Thank you.

HARRIS: His age raising questions about his health. John McCain releasing his medical records.

Our Dr. Sanjay Gupta, in Arizona. Let's take a look.

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BERNHARDT: And, B, that's your one concern. So you know, the teachers really kicked it into gear, and my staff and I worked really hard with that adrenaline pumping, so.

WHITFIELD: Wow. So once you emerged and saw there was some damage in the area, what were your thoughts then?

BERNHARDT: You know, our main focus was still getting the kids out, getting them to safety. So we evacuated the building as well, and then went to the bank, and then we made a trip to the Kodak building as with well, so.

WHITFIELD: So all ended up just fine. No one was injured. Quick thinking. Krysti Bernhardt, thanks so much. I know a lot of the parents are extremely thankful of your actions as well, the Windmill Child Daycare Service. Pretty extraordinary moments there. Quick thinking. And it's tough, you know, in those like that when everything is happening so quickly at great volume and velocity.

HARRIS: Well, I've got to tell you something, we were looking at the pictures from China, those amazing pictures right after the quake. And I'm trying to imagine myself in that setting and what my reaction might be, and how about the situation when you are dealing with kids and you're herding them around, and your first thought is to get them someplace safe.

WHITFIELD: They certainly rose to the situation.

HARRIS: They really did.

(WEATHER REPORT)

Reynolds wolf, good to see you. Good morning.

WHITFIELD: And of course just in time for the holiday weekend, the cost of gas shoots up. And guess what. And guess what, the resale value of that SUV in your driveway? It's plummeting.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Some '07s were worth $50,000, $50,000 just three, four weeks ago, and they're the high 30s now. It's amazing.

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WHITFIELD: And that's the way it is on the lot as well -- market turned upside down.

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WHITFIELD: Senator John McCain has released his medical records. And our chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta is there in Fountain Hills, Arizona, and he's among those who'd had the first look.

So what did you see?

GUPTA: Well, we're just starting to make our way through the medical records. It must be so hard to have people go through all of these specific data points about somebody. He's 5'6. He weighs about 163 pounds. That's heavy. I was very interested, as I mentioned, Fred, in his overall heart health. Some things starting to emerge about that, specifically his blood pressure, about 134/84. That's a one-time reading. That's a pretty good number.

A little bit more concerning, his total cholesterol of 192. It was as high as 226 back in 2003. He started taking medication and it has come down, although a lot of cardiologists like that number even lower. And when you split the total cholesterol into what's called the good cholesterol and the bad cholesterol, he doesn't have enough of the good cholesterol and he has a little too much of the bad cholesterol. So for example, his good cholesterol number is 42. Doctors typically like that around 60 or 70, and his bad cholesterol number around 123, and doctors like that a little lower, below 100.

So you know, you are starting to see a bit of a picture emerging. We're obviously, very focused on a couple of things. His skin history. You got to really take a close look at the operations that were performed on his face, and also his mental health, something that was discussed widely back in 1999. It has not been discussed yet today at all. We are making our way through those records. As you know he was a prisoner of war. He had some records in the Navy, and then he had some records from his own doctors as well.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thanks. We're going to talk with you at the top of the hour, give you a little more time to go through some more records, and we will dissect him from there as well. Thanks so much, from Fountain Hills, Arizona.

GUPTA: Thank you.