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American Morning
Don Imus in Hot Water Again; Missouri Residents Fight Rising Water; GM Offers Car Incentives; California First Couple Split on Party Lines; McCain Adviser Apologizes for Terror Attack Comments
Aired June 24, 2008 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANNOUNCER: Imus under fire again. Another remark about another black athlete.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DON IMUS, RADIO HOST: What color is he?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's African-American.
IMUS: There you go. Now we know.
ANNOUNCER: We're waiting for what he'll say this morning.
Plus, politics of terror. A McCain adviser apologizing after saying an attack would boost his campaign. On this AMERICAN MORNING.
JOHN ROBERTS, CNN HOST: I've just been informed all day it's Tuesday, june 24th. Glad you're with us.
KIRAN CHETRY, CNN HOST: You never know. You get up so early, you're thinking to yourself is it still Monday or are we at Wednesday already?
ROBERTS: Outspoken radio host Don Imus back in hot water. This morning trying to explain comments he made on the air yesterday again about race. They come more than a year after he was fired for making sexist and racially-charged remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team.
CNN'S Alina Cho covered that story and she joins us now with more on this latest dust-up. What happened?
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it seems like April '07 was just yesterday and here we go again, as you said, John. Good morning.
That's right. And Imus at this hour is hitting the airwaves, John. He's expected to explain the controversial comments he made on his show yesterday. Of course, it brings back memories of similar comments he made 14 months ago. But this time he is not expected to lose his job.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHO (voice-over): For the second time in a little more than a year, radio mainstay Don Imus is defending himself against comments some are calling racially biased. Imus stirred up a new round of controversy Monday morning. Listen to what happened when an on-air co-host brought up an NFL star, Adam "Pacman" Jones, and his run-ins with the law.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WOLF: Here's a guy suspended all of 2007 following a shooting at a Vegas nightclub.
DON IMUS: Well, stuff happens. You're in a nightclub for God's sake. What do you think is going to happen in a nightclub? People are drinking and doing drugs.
WOLF: Yes.
IMUS: There are women there, and people have guns. So there, go ahead.
WOLF: Well, he's also -- he's been arrested six times since being drafted by Tennessee in 2005.
IMUS: What color is he?
WOLF: He's African-American.
IMUS: Well, there you go. Now we know.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: Imus says he wasn't making any link between Jones' race and his legal trouble. Instead, Imus tells the "New York Times," "I meant he was being picked on because he's black."
But it's shaping as another controversial episode for the man whose career was nearly ruined last year after making this comment about the Rutgers women's basketball team.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
IMUS: That's some nappy-headed hos there, I'm going to tell you that now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: That led to a slew of protests and calls for CBS radio to fire Imus from the show that bear his name. The company obliged, and Imus' once legendary career looks dead, until ABC hired him. His new show hit the airwaves just seven months ago. Now, some are wondering if his long time on air seat is in jeopardy again.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHO: And the NFL star at the center of Imus' latest comments, Adam "Pacman" Jones, told the "Dallas Morning News" that he didn't hear about what happened until a reporter played a tape for him last night. Jones said, "I'm truly upset about the comment. Obviously, Mr. Imus has problems with African-Americans. I'm upset and I hope the station he works for handles it accordingly." He ended by saying, "I will pray for him."
And again, John, Imus is on the air right now. He is expected to make some comments about what he said yesterday. We're waiting to hear what he says.
ROBERTS: All right. And we know that you'll bring that to us just as soon as he does.
CHO: I will.
ROBERTS: Alina, thanks so much.
Here's an "AM EXTRA" look at some of Imus' other public missteps. He is accused of calling prominent black journalist Gwen Ifill of PBS a "cleaning lady" and described "New York Times" columnist William Rhoden as a "quota hire." He was also sued by a former nanny after he called her a terrorist on the air.
Imus also took some heat after joking about Bill Clinton's infidelities when he hosted the White House Correspondents Association Dinner, at one point calling Clinton a "pot-smoking weasel."
KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: Well, the "Most Politics in the Morning" now. And John McCain distancing himself from comments made by one of his senior advisers. Charlie Black apologizing after suggesting to "Fortune" magazine that another terrorist attack on U.S. soil would be "a big advantage" for McCain's presidential prospect.
He also said Benazir Bhutto's assassination last December was an unfortunate event but that it helped McCain win in New Hampshire by focusing attention on national security. McCain addressed the comments while campaigning in California.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I cannot imagine why he would say it. It's not true. It's -- I've worked tirelessly since 9/11 to prevent another attack on the United States of America. My record is very clear.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: We'll speak to the man who interviewed Charlie Black. That's "Fortune" editor-at-large, David Whitford, coming up later this hour.
The Obama campaign quick to jump on Charlie Black's remarks, calling them "a complete disgrace and an example of cynical and divisive politics."
Meanwhile, Barack Obama is reaching out to female voters. He met with working women in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and also talked about the economic challenges they face.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I want my daughters to grow up in an America where they have the exact same opportunities as the boys have. Opportunities that are greater than their mother had or their grandmother or their great grandmother. An America where they truly have the same opportunities as sons.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: Obama and Hillary Clinton will campaign together for the first time Friday at a rally in New Hampshire.
And it's back to business as usual today for Hillary Clinton. The New York senator is scheduled to return to work on Capitol Hill. Aides say she'll be there this morning in time to cast her vote on a housing bill.
Evangelical leader James Dobson is accusing Barack Obama of distorting the Bible. In a radio program airing today, Dobson refers to a speech in which Obama explains why it would be unfair to govern based on the word of the Bible.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAMES DOBSON, FOCUS ON THE FAMILY: What the senator is saying there in essence is that I can't seek the past legislation, for example, that bans partial birth abortion because there are people in the culture who don't see that as a moral issue. And if I can't get everyone to agree with me, it is undemocratic to try to pass legislation that I find offensive to the scripture. Now, that is a fruitcake interpretation of the constitution.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: The Obama campaign says he is committed to reaching out to people of faith.
ROBERTS: Breaking news coming to us from Iraq this morning. Several Americans have been killed in an explosion in Sadr City this morning. That's according to "The Associated Press." We're going to be going live to Baghdad. Our Morgan Neill is there following the story.
But as we understand it happened at a council building, a local council building in the Sadr City district. At least two of the dead are said to be civilian employees of the State Department. There may be a couple of U.S. soldiers who were involved in that as well.
Again, our Morgan Neill is -- two U.S. soldiers, two U.S. embassy employees we understand. Our Morgan Neill again working his sources there in Baghdad. We'll have more on that this morning. Again, it happened at a local council building in Sadr City.
Also new this morning, the United Nations Security Council are condemning the president of Zimbabwe's government after months of violence and political infighting. The council issuing its first public statement saying the beatings, intimidation and arrests have made it impossible for that nation to have a free and fair runoff election. It was scheduled for this Friday. The country's opposition leader has dropped out of the reelection saying he fears for his life.
Two new government reports issued on Iraq. One by the Pentagon points to security gains saying violence is down between 40 and 80 percent since the so-called surge. It began 18 months ago, but it warns al- Qaeda is still a threat and economic gains remain fragile, reversible and uneven. A report by the investigative arm of Congress says the administration lacks a post-surge strategy.
CHETRY: Well, they're sandbagging around the clock along the Mississippi River in Missouri. Officials in Lincoln County asking volunteers to help fill 50,000 sandbags to shore up levees strained from the pressure of rising water. Homes, businesses and farmland still threatened in the town of Winfield and forecasters say they expect the river to crest by the end of the week. It will then stay at that level for days.
United Airlines says it plans to lay off 950 pilots by the end of the summer. It's the second round of job cuts in a week as the nation's second largest airline tries to cope with soaring fuel prices. Last Wednesday United announced it was laying off 1,600 employees.
ROBERTS: A sweet deal to get you to buy an SUV. GM says no interest for six years. The latest gimmick to get gas guzzlers off the lot.
CHETRY: Also, California Statehouse divided. Governor Schwarzenegger supporting John McCain. Maria Shriver backing Barack Obama. And apparently, that's a similar situation in many households around the country. We're going to see how it's working out at the California's first couple house.
ROBERTS: And later on, another story of survival. This one a young woman stranded in the Alps saved after sending out an SOS with her sports bra. You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROBERTS: My old buddy, Tom Cochrane.
CHETRY: How about that?
ROBERTS: "Life is a Highway" this morning. And if --
CHETRY: If you can afford to fill up your gas tank, it is.
ROBERTS: Exactly.
FELICIA TAYLOR, BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Actually, it was very funny. Somebody told me a great story this morning about how they went to a gas station, tried to use their credit card and they were turned down. They would only accept cash because now the gas stations have to pay.
ROBERTS: Incredible. Hey, if you live at least part of your life on the highway you're going to want to hear about this. Felicia Taylor in this morning for Ali Velshi who's up in the tar sands with his plastic shovel playing in this big sandbox up there. And you got some deals on some vehicles, deal with some wheels. TAYLOR: Well, if you're in the market then you might like this deal. We've got that coming up in just a second.
But for the first time in what feels like ages, gas prices are down albeit ever so slightly by a tenth of a cent. Oil prices are though trading higher, up about $1.45 at a $138 a barrel in early morning trade.
So if you've been in the market to buy a truck or SUV, this could be your lucky week. General Motors is looking to clear out a little inventory and plans to offer large financing incentives to get rid of some of the 2008 models. But you only have until Monday to take advantage of the offer.
People just, of course, are not buying the trucks and SUVs lately mostly because they cost too much to fill up. Also bringing down sales, you might remember work stoppages last spring and the strike at American Axel, which put a damp on the bottom line.
From May 2007 until May of this year, overall sales have been down 28 percent. But for trucks and SUVs, sales have fallen 37 percent if you can imagine that overall.
OK. So taking a look at what people are buying, as you can imagine, the more fuel efficient cars like the Pontiac Vibe, the Chevy Aveo, and the Malibu. Those sales are obviously better because you get better mileage on the highway.
But if you want one of the new 2009 models, prices are going up on average by about 3.5 percent. And by the way, Citibank has been brought on to GM to review the company's Hummer SUV and whether or not to discontinue that.
ROBERTS: Somehow it seems appropriate that Citibank is looking after the Hummer.
TAYLOR: I know.
ROBERTS: Go figure. Thanks, Felicia.
TAYLOR: Thank you.
ROBERTS: We'll see you again soon.
TAYLOR: OK.
CHETRY: You know one of John McCain's senior advisers apologizes after telling one magazine that a terrorist attack on this country would be good for his boss's campaign. We're going to talk to the man who interviewed that adviser, Charlie Black, coming up.
And we have Jacqui Jeras with us. She is watching extreme weather. A lot going on especially with the wildfire situation out west. Hi, Jacqui.
JACQUI JERAS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes. Hi, Kiran. We're going to talk about that wildfire situation. What it's doing to the air quality as well. And you know many of them are caused by lightning strikes. We'll have some more lightning trivia for you as this is Lightning Safety Awareness Week. You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHETRY: More than 800 wildfires now burning in northern California. In fact, it's so bad there firefighters -- the crews from Nevada and Oregon have been called in to try to help back them up. One of the largest fires is in Napa County. It covers more than six square miles. Firefighters say that they were ignited by more than 5,000 dry lightning strikes that happened last week.
ROBERTS: Sixteen minutes after the hour. Jacqui Jeras is in for Rob Marciano. She's at the weather center in Atlanta with the fire forecast. What about the air quality too from all that smoke, Jacqui?
JERAS: Really bad, yes. You know, the good news is that the weather conditions have improved a little bit. So the humidity is up and so that's giving the firefighters a better handle on controlling these fires. But the air a little bit more stagnant as well. So that's kind of keeping the smoke into the area. And the red codes are just all over the place, especially in the San Joaquin Valley. So be aware of that.
You can really see the smoke here on our visible satellite picture as well. All across northern and central California we even see interior parts there of southern California, so people with respiratory problems in particular are really dealing with some issues here over the next couple of days.
All right. A lot of those fires sparked by lightning. It's Lightning Safety Awareness Week. How hot is lightning?
Well, it can reach temperatures of 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit. It's the rapid heating and cooling of the air surrounding the lightning that actually causes the sound that you hear, the thunder. And each lightning strike can generate 100 million to one billion volts. And that is enough to keep lit your average light bulb for three months. Yes, that's a lot of electricity.
And speaking of lightning, we've got a lot of that across parts of the plains this morning all along the I-80 corridor and parts of Nebraska, also just north of Kansas City and also into St. Joseph. Some of these storms may be severe as we head into the afternoon. So be aware of that threat and some of that rain, yes, moving over the flooded areas of Iowa in the next couple of days -- John.
ROBERTS: Jacqui, thanks so much.
CHETRY: The last thing we need.
ROBERTS: Yes, absolutely.
CHETRY: Thanks, Jacqui. Well, California's first couple split along party lines. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger backing John McCain and First Lady Maria Shriver supporting Barack Obama. Political experts are saying that this election season this is a pretty common situation. We're going to take a closer look.
ROBERTS: And a woman stranded for days in the Alps is alive this morning after some quick thinking and her sports bra. You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROBERTS: Nineteen minutes after the hour. Welcome back to the "Most Politics in the Morning."
A house divided against itself cannot stand. Or can it? John McCain is going to be in California today teaming up with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to talk about energy and the environment. Schwarzenegger is a staunch McCain supporter while his wife, Maria Shriver, a member of the Kennedy clan, is firmly in Barack Obama's corner. So can they survive?
CNN's Kareen Wynter has more on this house divided.
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John and Kiran. This type of political divide is a lot more common than you may think.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WYNTER (voice-over): She's backing Barack.
MARIA SHRIVER, CALIFORNIA FIRST LADY: He's about empowering all of us.
WYNTER: He's putting his political muscle behind McCain.
GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGER (R), CALIFORNIA: He's a great American hero.
WYNTER: California's first couple -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver. Partners split on the presidential ticket. They even placed competing campaign signs outside their home.
CELINDA LAKE, DEMOCRATIC POLLSTER: It's going to make for some very interesting dinner night conversations.
WYNTER: Even their children are involved in that conversation. Schwarzenegger says his daughters support Obama and his sons back McCain. Democratic pollster Celinda Lake says when it comes to politically mixed marriages, Schwarzenegger and Shriver's dueling party preference isn't unique.
LAKE: You're going to see men and women disagreeing about races. But I think what's different now is it's usually been more private. I think a lot of women went into the ballot box knowing they're disagreeing with their husbands, but they weren't putting yard signs out in their yard. Now, you see it playing out publicly.
WYNTER: According to the battleground survey, Lake says more women tend to vote Democratic and men Republican, although married women are less likely to vote for the Democrats. Lake says an estimated 7.5 million married people will vote differently from their spouses in this election.
ALAN NICHOLS, MCCAIN SUPPORTER: McCain is not as good at that.
WYNTER: Barbara and Alan Nichols live under the same roof but root for different political parties.
BARBARA NICHOLS, OBAMA SUPPORTER: He's gotten more vocal about it, and it does make me mad. So -- and sometimes I just have to let it go.
A. NICHOLS: I don't see this issue as a killer issue. People can still get along.
WYNTER: Sentiments this powerhouse couple also share. The governor recently discussed his secret to their political marriage saying, "I sleep with a Democrat every night."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WYNTER: Schwarzenegger has also said in the past, his wife isn't afraid to express her opinion and that he has a lot of "yes" people around him. And says, that's the last thing he needs in a wife -- John and Kiran.
ROBERTS: All right, Kareen Wynter for us this morning. Kareen, thanks.
A top McCain strategist backs off a startling remark that he made to "Fortune" magazine about the political advantage for John McCain of a terror attack. Coming up, we're going to talk to the man who interviewed McCain's chief strategist, Charlie Black. Stay with us.
CHETRY: Ahead on AMERICAN MORNING --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's been a dream of mine for many years.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: A man who went from sitcoms to a coveted job at the Supreme Court and did it while going blind.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was obviously some devastating news.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: How he kept himself going and the gadgets that are helping him survive. You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN")
DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST, THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN: John McCain and Barack Obama bickering. And you know what they're bickering about now? What to do when they catch Osama bin Laden. That's right. Obama wants to bring him to trial, but John McCain wants to shoot him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: David Letterman last night as the two candidates have been hurling some harsh words at each other over how to bring terrorists to justice. The attacks come as senior McCain adviser, Charlie Black, was quoted as saying that a terrorist attack would benefit McCain's presidential prospects. The Obama camp called the remark a "complete disgrace."
Joining me now is the man who block made the comments. Who? David Whitford. He's the editor-at-large for "Fortune" magazine.
David, thanks for being with us this morning. What did you think when Charlie Black said that to you?
DAVID WHITFORD, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Well, I was surprised. I mean, not by the sentiment but by the fact that he would express it. I think that that's the news here.
ROBERTS: So you think that this was just something that a campaign strategist would probably be thinking but something that you probably would never expect him to say in public?
WHITFORD: I suppose. I mean, I don't think there's anybody in either camp who would dispute the essential, you know, truth of what Charlie Black told me. The surprise was that he expressed it.
ROBERTS: Right. And so, I mean, how would that benefit John McCain?
WHITFORD: Well, this is what the McCain campaign feels. That he is the one with national security experience. That he has the age, experience in Washington, and that he's the kind of leader that Americans would trust if they feared for their safety.
You know, I think that's debatable, but I think essentially that's true. And certainly that's the way that the McCain campaign is proceeding with the understanding that if this comes down to an election about national security, then he has a big advantage.
ROBERTS: Right. So --
WHITFORD: Now, what they also acknowledge is that that's probably not the biggest issue most Americans worry about today. The biggest issues are the war in Iraq and the state of the economy.
ROBERTS: Right.
WHITFORD: Both of which are problematic for McCain.
ROBERTS: Right. Now, it wasn't long after your story posted and it went public that John McCain himself came out and disassociated himself from Charlie Black's comments. Let's take a listen to what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I cannot imagine why he would say it. It's not true. It's -- I've worked tirelessly since 9/11 to prevent another attack on the United States of America. My record is very clear.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: So it may, in fact, be as you've said, that John McCain could benefit in a particular horrible instance like that. But when it comes to the politics of this whole thing, it's never good, is it, for the candidate to come out and have to disassociate himself, distance himself from the comments that one of his closest advisers made?
WHITFORD: Right. Charlie Black has been a top strategist for McCain and this is problematic for the campaign. You know, here's what it comes down to, I think, in terms of where we go from here.
The question is whether we can acknowledge that a national security event would be a benefit to McCain. I think the Obama campaign would acknowledge that, and I think the McCain campaign acknowledges that. The question is, how will the McCain campaign proceed now? Will they seek to make national security issues -- put national security issues front and center?
ROBERTS: Right.
WHITFORD: Will the McCain campaign seek to frighten the American electorate or not?
ROBERTS: Right.
WHITFORD: It's a question of taking the high road or the low road here.
ROBERTS: So the Obama campaign came right out and lashed out at Senator McCain as well and Charlie Black. Bill Burton from the Obama campaign saying, "The fact that John McCain's top advisor says that a terrorist attack on American soil would be a 'big advantage' for their political campaign is a complete disgrace, and is exactly the kind of politics that needs to change."
The politics of fear worked well for Republicans in 2002 and again in 2004. Does it work in 2008, David?
WHITFORD: Well, I guess that remains to be seen. Again, it's a question, I think, of how the McCain campaign proceeds from here. Will they seek to exploit this and do what they can to inspire fear in the American electorate, with the understanding that that would probably help their cause? Or will they now take the high road?
ROBERTS: All right. We'll see. David Whitford from "Fortune" magazine. Good to be with you this morning. Thanks for joining us there from Massachusetts.
WHITFORD: Thank you, John.
ROBERTS: All right. Take care.
Just coming up to the half hour now. We're paying just a little bit less for gas this morning. AAA reporting the average price of a gallon of unleaded regular is down three-tenths of a penny from yesterday. Now, just under $4.07 a gallon. It crashed through that $4.07 mark, and that's good news.
With high gas and food prices straining household budgets, there is word that utility companies are disconnecting more customers for late paying their electric bills. A new report says electricity and natural gas shutoffs are up at least 15 percent. In Michigan, Detroit Edison reports disconnects in one in every five customers.
The mayor of Gloucester, Massachusetts says there is absolutely no evidence that 17 girls made a pact to get pregnant. Yesterday she cast out on claims made by the principal who said the teenage girls actively sought to get pregnant and raised their children together.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR CAROLYN KIRK, GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS: We have not been able to confirm the existence of a pact. We are seeking to understand whether it's based in rumor or in fact.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: School officials say that they usually only see about four student pregnancies a year and that they're having a difficult time explaining why so many this year.
Well, this just in to CNN. Do you remember a few minutes ago we told you about new comments that Don Imus made on the racial front. Well, moments ago on the air, Imus explained the comments that he made yesterday when talking about Adam Pacman Jones, a football player for the Dallas Cowboys. Imus says that he was defending the guy.
CNN's Alina Cho is following the story. She's been listening in this morning.
What did he say?
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, he said a lot. And I think he's done with it for now, John, Kiran. Good morning. You know, Imus is on the air right now. And just moments ago, he began his radio show by talking about those comments that got him in big trouble yesterday. The radio host, while talking about a suspended NFL player -- you just heard his name -- Adam Jones, asked his co-host what color is he. When the co-host replied he's African-American, Imus said, there you go. Now we know. That's the background. Here's how Imus responded to those comments this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DON IMUS, IMUS MORNING SHOW: What did I mean by the Pacman Jones remark? I thought, well -- what I meant was when Warner and I were talking yesterday about Pacman Jones being arrested six times in which I think was just -- you know, was obviously they're picking on him.
So I asked Warner what color he was. Obviously, I already knew what color he was. The point was, in order to make a sarcastic point, I asked Warner what color he was. Warner told me. I said, well, there you go. That's the point.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Exactly.
IMUS: Yes. What people should be outraged about is that they arrest blacks for no reason. I mean, there's no reason to arrest this kid six times. I mean, maybe he did something once. But, I mean, everybody does something once. Well, I have.
And -- but, I mean, that just -- when does it simply become harassment. I didn't -- yes, exactly. They shoot blacks for no reason. We know about that in New York City. I mean, we already understand all this.
So -- and that, in light of, I'm thinking, this current addition of the Imus Morning Program, in which -- I guess, if you can't see it on TV you don't know, but the producer of the Imus Morning Program, Todd Bowman (ph) is black. Two of the co-hosts, cast members of the program are black. Karith Foster and Tony Powell.
How insane would I have to be? What would I be thinking -- what would I mean, why would I sit here and say -- oh, yes, there you go. I mean, how does anyone -- how does anybody -- how do you make that connection?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know. And particularly now after the past nearly year. My God.
IMUS: So, I mean, nobody has no -- no white man with a radio or television program has done -- has had more discussions about race relations since December 3rd than I have. It was with the Louise Patterson and Jesse Jackson, Dr. Peter Gorman (ph) and Dr. Debra Dickerson, Dick Gregory, Carl Jeffers. I mean --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: May I point out -
You know, Kara Foster, Tony Powell. I mean, we talk about it all the time.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Which is precisely what you said would be the thrust of this program.
I mean, why not report on that? I mean, I know there's some people want to get me. But this -- you're not going to get me for -- this is ridiculous.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: There you heard it from the man himself. The NFL star, the center of Imus' latest comments, by the way, Adam Jones told the Dallas Morning News that he didn't hear about what happened until a reporter played a tape for him last night.
Jones said, I'm truly upset about the comments. Obviously, Mr. Imus has problems with African-Americans. I'm upset and I hope the station he works for handles it accordingly.
And John and Kiran, of course, this happened just 14 months after he made those controversial comments about Rutgers University and the women's basketball team. Those comments got him fired. This time he is expected to keep his job.
KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: It's interesting, though, because one of his biggest critics at the time was Reverend Al Sharpton who publicly called for him to lose his job because of those comments. We're talking to Al Sharpton in just a couple of hours here on this program as well to see what he thinks about not only the comments but how Imus explained it this morning.
CHO: He said they're investigating and they're reserving judgment for now. So we'll have to wait and see.
CHETRY: Thanks, Alina.
CHO: You bet.
CHETRY: Breaking news out of Iraq this morning and sad news to report. Four deaths. Two American soldiers and two embassy workers killed in a blast that happened in the Sadr City neighborhood of Baghdad.
Our Morgan Neil is live in Baghdad with more for us.
Morgan?
MORGAN NEILL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Kiran. Details of this incident are still emerging. But what U.S. officials are telling us at this point is that a blast in this massive Shiite district in Baghdad has gone off in a municipal -- or in a building used by the District Advisory Council killing two U.S. soldiers, two U.S. government employees, and wounding three members of the District Advisory Council.
Now, an Iraqi official earlier told us that six Iraqis were killed in the blast and ten people wounded. Now the explosion went off just before 9:30 in the morning here in Baghdad. And U.S. military is blaming it on what it calls special group. That's a term it uses to refer to militia that it accuses of receiving backing from Iran.
Now, the building where the blast went off is in the southern third of Sadr City. That's an area that the U.S. has walled off in an attempt both to project its force into this area that's been the site of a great deal of militia violence and to stop mortar attacks on the international zone.
Kiran?
CHETRY: Morgan Neill for us in Baghdad this morning. Thank you.
ROBERTS: Early termination fees for cell phone contracts can cost you hundreds of dollars. Well, now the courts are getting involved. Our Sunny Hostin breaks down the case and what it means for you. That's coming up.
CHETRY: Also a presidential candidate in hiding. Afraid for his life. His supporters beaten and killed. You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
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CHETRY: The United Nations Security Council issuing its first public statement after months of violence and political in-fighting in Zimbabwe. The council accusing President Robert Mugabe of waging a campaign of terror that's made it impossible to hold a fair election. The violence forcing Mugabe's challenger to withdraw and go into hiding.
CNN's Zain Verjee has more.
ZAIN VERJEE, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: John, Kiran, the best way to win an election is to be the only candidate. That's Robert Mugabe's plan.
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VERJEE (voice-over): Imagine this November, you vote for the man you want to be president of the U.S. and get beaten or killed for it. That's what's happening in Zimbabwe and the U.S. can't do much.
TOM CASEY, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: There's no secret that we, the United States, have limited ability to influence Mugabe and his regime.
VERJEE: Anarchy in the streets has pro-Mugabe gangs chase down opposition supporters. Just weeks ago, their leader was running for president. Now Morgan Tsvangirai is running for his life, hiding out at the Dutch embassy after pulling out of the election to save his supporters from more bloodshed. The world is outraged.
DAVID MILBAND, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY: Robert Mugabe and his thugs made an election impossible.
VERJEE: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says without a fair election the government cannot be considered legitimate. Washington wants the United Nations Security Council to turn up the heat and wants African leaders, especially South African president, Thabo Mbeki, to get tough on Mugabe. So far they haven't delivered.
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE: I don't see anything that President Mugabe has done that has been helpful for the Zimbabwean people. So maybe it's time for international pressure.
VERJEE: Zimbabwe's crops used to feed much of Africa, but under Mugabe it's descended into chaos. Most disturbing with inflation so high, few can afford food. Now the government's been using food aid as a weapon. Seizing food from opposition supporters and giving it to Mugabe's cronies.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VERJEE: The U.S. and Europe are calling on the world to recognize Morgan Tsvangirai as Zimbabwe's real president because he won an earlier election round. They say without a free and fair runoff, those results should stand.
John?
Kiran?
ROBERTS: Zain Verjee for us this morning.
Zain, thanks.
If you cancel a cell phone plan, you're often hit with a hefty penalty, sometimes topping more than $200. Well now, those fees are at the center of a new lawsuit. And our Sunny Hostin has got the details for you.
CHETRY: You could be getting some money back if you're one of those people.
Also, it's Barack Obama unsealed. His very presidential-looking logo has suddenly disappeared. Jeanne Moos looks at what happened. You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
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ROBERTS: 43 minutes after the hour. The flood danger for many in the Midwest is far from over. People in Lincoln County, Missouri, are still waiting for the rising Mississippi River to crest. They're hoping that some 50,000 sandbags will shore up a 2-1/2-mile-long levee. Forecasters say the danger will not end with the river's crest. Water is expected to stay at that level for days.
CHETRY: Well, for anyone who owns a cell phone, if you decide to liberate yourself, as you might call it, from a one or two-year contract that you agreed to, chances are you'll be hit with a hefty fine. Oftentimes, it can cost hundreds of dollars. Well now, that fee is at the heart of a lawsuit.
AMERICAN MORNING's legal analyst, Sunny Hostin, is here to explain. Thanks for being with us.
SUNNY HOSTIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Thank you.
CHETRY: A lot of people are hit with these fees and you just think, well, I've got to pay them. That's what they say.
HOSTIN: Exactly.
CHETRY: What is this lawsuit about?
HOSTIN: And I've been hit with the fees. Well, this is -- there are four class action lawsuits actually, Kiran, pending in California. All the big carriers are involved -- Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Cingular, Sprint has already been in litigation. Claims from about all the other 49 states have been consolidated into an arbitration in New York.
So, this is covering every single part of the cell phone industry. Now, consumers are claiming that this early termination fees are unreasonable and that they really are penalizing the customers as opposed to anything else. And we got some statements from the plaintiffs' attorney. Take a look at this.
They say, "After gouging consumers with unfair, unjust and unnecessary fees, cell phone companies are now asking for legal immunity to avoid being held responsible for their fraud."
Very, very strong statement. Now also, carriers, though on the other hand, are saying these fees aren't penalties. They're saying it covers them from money they lose on cell phones and other costs when consumers break their contracts.
Verizon is actually being sued now. But we tried to get comment from them. They won't comment on pending litigation. However, Sprint released this statement to us yesterday.
Sprint says, "The jury verdict speaks for itself. We're pleased that upon hearing all the testimony and examining all the evidence, the jury recognized that Sprint makes a significant investment in its customers through reduced handset prices and discounted monthly rates."
And so, everyone is weighing in on this. And this is something that we're going to be following.
CHETRY: So, what verdict is Sprint talking about?
HOSTIN: Sprint actually also litigated this. And there are four, again, class action lawsuits. Sprint was the first company involved. And by Sprint's account, they won the battle. There are three more to go.
CHETRY: Well, the FCC is reviewing these early termination fees. And if they do review it, what could that mean for all cell phones? HOSTIN: Sure. And Kiran, there are 255 million cell phone subscribers. And so, if they're victorious -- the consumers, it's going to be money in everyone's pocket.
However, the FCC is trying to weigh in. And if the FCC proposal is accepted -- this is what they're proposing. The FCC wants the fees to be related to the cost of the phone, prorated over the life of the contract and contracts should be for a reasonable length of time.
However, I think people need to know, if this proposal is accepted, it would take away the authority of states to regulate termination charges. And so, no money in consumers' pockets if that FCC proposal is accepted.
CHETRY: All right. We'll see how it goes. Sunny, thank you.
HOSTIN: Thanks.
ROBERTS: Barack Obama's presidential-looking seal. Find out why some say he's jumping the gun on the White House look.
Coming up on AMERICAN MORNING -- weighing in at work.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.
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ROBERTS: The crackdown on waist size. How would you measure up?
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's difficult to imagine this.
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ROBERTS: How a 34-inch waist could get you in trouble with the boss. You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
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ROBERTS: Well, here's the sign that Barack Obama may have put the proverbial cart before the horse in this general election campaign. We're talking about his all too presidential looking seal.
CHETRY: That's right. As our Jeanne Moos tells us, the candidate's public relations move isn't exactly getting the seal of approval.
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JEANNE MOSS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): No, Senator Obama, don't sit. Don't sit there.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: Good morning, everybody. MOSS: His fate is sealed. Does this remind you of anything?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Presidential seal.
MOSS: Same layout, same eagle, holding arrows and an olive branch.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's very presumptuous.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, he's assuming he's already president.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He ain't president yet or he ain't nowhere near it.
MOSS: Maybe not. But just like the presidential seal, Obama's has a Latin inscription "Vero Possumus," loosely translated, "Yes, We Can." The campaign slogan. The Obama seal is already being sold on T-shirts and mugs. But the opposition is up in arms. The audacity of him. Ego gone wild. One person commented by posting that old Carly Simon song
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You're so vain.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So whoever said a presidential candidate is humble?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's nothing wrong with him being optimistic.
MOSS: But some right wing blogs question the legality of Obama's seal. It's illegal to display a likeness of the seal it conveys a false impression of government approval.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Smart marketing. That's all it is.
MOSS: But the critics weren't just the usual opponents.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's a tinge of presumptuousness and I am a Barack Obama supporter.
MOSS: On the other hand --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I, myself, is an honest conservative and I think that's marvelous. I think it's funny. It's out of mad magazine.
MOSS: Reminds us of the flap about John McCain's lime green background, which the campaign dumped after much ridicule and challenge by Steven Colbert for viewers to come out with more exciting backgrounds ranging from the Three Studies to the Hinddenberg.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: Entitlement programs encroaching bankruptcy.
MOSS: But when it comes to Obama's seal -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You don't think there's a touch of (INAUDIBLE) here?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think the brother's confident.
MOSS: As for the "Yes, We Can" Latin slogan, the Baltimore sun's political blog suggested they may want to rethink the Latin inscription "Vero Possumus." It made me think of opossum.
I don't think the campaign wants people thinking of opossum when they look at Obama. But it was the seal that ended up as road kill. The Obama campaign says it was a one-time thing for a one-time event. So hold that criticism.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What a mistake.
MOSS (on camera): Wait. I wanted to show you.
Get lost.
MOSS (voice-over): Letting the seal, get lost, is what the Obama campaign is doing. Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
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CHETRY: New frequency, new controversy.
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IMUS: What color is he?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's African-American.
IMUS: There you go. Now we know.
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CHETRY: Don Imus brings race into his radio show again. His reaction the morning after, ahead.
Plus, saved by a sports bra.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The workmen saw it a little while later and he knew someone was missing.
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CHETRY: A hiker trapped on a snowy mountain for two days sends a spandex signal. You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
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ROBERTS: Welcome back to the "Most News in the Morning."
And topping your "Political Ticker" this Tuesday. Evangelical leader James Dobson is accusing Barack Obama of distorting the bible. In a radio program airing today, Dobson refers to a speech in which Obama explains why it would be unfair to govern based on the word of the bible.
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JAMES DOBSON, EVANGELICAL LEADER: What the senator is saying there in essence is that, I can't seek to pass legislation, for example, that bans partial birth abortion because there are people in the culture who don't see that as a moral issue.
And if I can't get everyone to agree with me, it is undemocratic to try to pass legislation that I find offensive to the scripture. Now, that is a fruitcake interpretation of the constitution.
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ROBERTS: The Obama campaign says he is committed to reaching out to people of faith.
Voters in Worcester, Massachusetts, could be going to the supermarket this Election Day. Discussions are underway to move the polling places to a location where people are more likely to be instead of a school. Three supermarkets already agreed to host the elections.
CHETRY: One of Senator John McCain's political advisers says he quote, "Deeply regrets saying that McCain would benefit from a terrorist attack on the United States." He made the comments to "Fortune" magazine, but now says they were inappropriate.
A campaign official says adviser Charlie Black was just trying to emphasize that McCain is stronger on national security issues.
Senator Hillary Clinton also looking for some help with her campaign debt. In a new video on her Web site, she tells supporters, quote, "I still need your help." Her campaign is about $20 million in debt including $10 million and Clinton owes herself.
For more up to the minute political news head to cnn.com/ticker.
ROBERTS: Three minutes to the top of the hour. Back to Capitol Hill full time today for Senator Hillary Clinton. She is going to return to the Senate today for the first time since she ended her historic presidential bid two weeks ago.
Barack Obama will try to make peace with Senator Clinton this week in a town called Unity -- Unity, New Hampshire. Not so subtle symbolism either. The town actually split its 214 primary votes evenly for the two candidates back in January. We get more on all this now from WMUR's Jean Mackin.
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JEAN MACKIN, WMUR REPORTER (voice-over): Some townspeople in Unity say it's the biggest thing to happen in this small community -- well, as long as they can recall, it was all the buzz at the town hall meeting.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're first in the nation. I think that's exciting.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm really excited. I'm definitely going to try and be there.
MACKIN: What do you think of the whole world's eyes being focused on Unity on Friday?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Aren't they lucky?
MACKIN: Select men Willard Hathaway received the confirmation. Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton will hold their first joint general election appearance in Unity. The unite for change rally makes sense to Unity residents.
They say it's not just the town name, not just the political landscape here where each candidate received exactly 107 votes in January's presidential primary. They give credit to the whole state too.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's logical. New Hampshire's the first place, the first leader in the country for voting.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I figured that that's why they picked us out of the entire country to come to Unity because New Hampshire's important.
MACKIN: Unity boasts about 1,600 residents, one store, the library, fire department, town hall, and the school.
ROBERTA CALLUM, TOWN HISTORIAN: I just wondered how they found Unity.
MACKIN: Town historian Roberta Callum who helped write the history book says Unity was founded in 1764 as a place for people to unite.
CALLUM: To all appearances this new land was unifying these people who had no land of their own elsewhere.
MACKIN: Do you think history is being made here on Friday?
CALLUM: Probably for Unity, it is.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTS: Hillary Clinton won the first in the nation New Hampshire primary by just two percentage points back in January. John McCain, of course, won on the Republican side.
CHETRY: Well, we're coming up almost to the top of the hour now. We have some breaking news out of Baghdad this morning. Four Americans killed in the blast in one of Baghdad's most dangerous neighborhoods. It happened about 90 minutes ago in the Sadr City area. Two soldiers and two U.S. embassy workers were killed in an explosion at a local council building.
Iraqi police saying that at least six Iraqi civilians were also killed and that bombers were apparently targeting Americans visiting that building. More than 800 people are missing and feared dead. Rescue efforts underway right now. All of this happening in the Philippines after a boat capsized during a powerful typhoon three days ago.
