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American Morning
China Responds to President Bush's Criticism Over Human Rights Record; U.S. Nuclear Submarine Leaking Radioactive Water Since 2006; Party Leaders Give President Musharraf Ultimatum
Aired August 07, 2008 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: Well, breaking this morning in Pakistan. The country's ruling coalition party leaders telling President Pervez Musharraf he needs to seek a confidence vote or face impeachment. Musharraf has been facing opposition since February after his allies lost their seats in the elections. The coalition has a majority, and that would make it difficult for Musharraf to survive a confidence vote.
We're also following breaking news this morning, China responding to President Bush's criticism over its human rights record. The country's leaders saying that outsiders should not interfere with its affairs. President Bush says the U.S. opposes the way China treats citizens and called for a free press, free assembly and labor rights. The President is about to arrive in Beijing for the start of the Olympics tomorrow.
Christian activists have been removed once again from Tiananmen Square. They were protesting forced abortions and the banning of the spiritual movement Falun Gong. Meantime, a Colorado man, chased away after protesting in Beijing yesterday is missing this morning. Police there, though, say he was not arrested.
The U.S. Navy says the USS Houston has been leaking radioactive water during port calls in Japan and other Asian countries as far back as 2006. Officials say the leak was discovered last month while the sub was in dry dock. This morning, Japan says it appreciates being notified, but wants a full explanation of what happened.
Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr, is watching this story for us and she has details.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Kiran, Rob, Japan now says it wants a full explanation of what happened. The U.S. Navy now acknowledging one of its nuclear submarines had been leaking trace amounts of radioactive water for years, rather than just over a period of months as it made port calls in Japan and across Asia.
Last week, Navy officials told Japan that the USS Houston had made only one port call in March 2008 while leaking the contaminated fluid. But after reviewing records of the sub, the Navy said the Houston had been leaking much longer, since June 2006, and had made several port calls in Japan.
Officials also told the governments of Malaysia and Singapore that the sub had made port calls to those countries while leaking the radioactive water. The Houston also made stops in Guam and Hawaii.
The problem was discovered last month when a buildup of leaking water popped a covered valve and poured that water on to a sailor's leg while the submarine was in dry dock. All of those countries now wanting an explanation from the U.S. on how this could have happened -- Kiran, Rob?
ROB MARCIANO, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news this morning, the search is on for eight firefighters and a crewmember missing and presumed dead after their helicopter crashed in flames. It went down Tuesday, shortly after picking up firefighters battling a blaze in a northern California forest. Yesterday, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke about the tragedy and the recovery efforts.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA: This is a tragic day for firefighters everywhere. And the people of California are profoundly aware of the tremendous sacrifices that those heroes and their families make day in and day out to keep us safe. We are praying for the swift recovery of all the victims and our hearts go out to their loved ones.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARCIANO: Four others on board the helicopter were hospitalized with severe burns.
CHETRY: Also new this morning, reports that Madeleine McCann may have been kidnapped by a pedophile ring in Belgium. That ring is believed to have made an order for a young girl just three days before her kidnapping from a Portuguese resort.
This new information was discovered in an e-mail sent from a London investigator to local police, according to British newspapers. The investigator wrote, quote, "Somebody connected to this group saw Maddie took a photograph of her and sent it to Belgium. The purchaser agreed the girl was suitable and Maddie was taken." That's a quotation now.
Interpol was asked now to investigate this, but it did not lead to a break in the case. The case that drew world headlines has been closed. However, Maddie's parents are getting new information because they are no longer considered suspects in the case. And they say they're going to have private investigators follow all of these leads as they continue to search for their missing little girl -- Rob.
MARCIANO: Kiran, the "Most Politics in the Morning" now. Energy and the economy will be front and center once again as John McCain holds a town hall meeting in Ohio. It's the second day McCain is campaigning in the pivotal swing state. And CNN's Ed Henry is live in Ohio this morning.
Ed, what is McCain saying in the "Buckeye State"?
ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Rob. He's going to be showcasing sort of a new message he's been delivering out here on the campaign trail and also in new TV ads, basically a one-two punch, trying to both be positive and negative.
The first punch, McCain asserting that Washington is broken. He has the experience and the plan to fix the economy and the energy situation. The second punch, where he's basically launching these blistering attacks, asserting flat out, Obama is not ready to be president.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: My opponent, Senator Obama, opposes both storage and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. He opposes offshore drilling immediately and he's out of touch.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HENRY: But these attacks may make McCain look too negative. That's why he's trying to leaven it with some positive talk about what agenda he would have as president. The challenge, though, for McCain is that every time he talks about Washington being broken, Obama points out McCain has been in Washington for 26 years.
So, the key for McCain is to try and restore his reputation as a maverick, not as a Washington insider. He did that a bit back when he resuscitated his campaign in New Hampshire with those town hall meetings a few months ago. That's why he's trying to do what he calls straight talk once again here in a pivotal state at these town hall meetings. Rob?
MARCIANO: Interesting times. Ed Henry in Lima, Ohio.
Thanks, Ed -- Kiran.
CHETRY: At home with the Obama's, like few have ever seen them before. We're going to be talking to the editor-in-chief of "Essence" magazine for some insight on who could be America's next First Family.
MARCIANO: Man on a wire.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is somebody out there on the tightrope walking between the two towers of the World Trade Center.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARCIANO: Walking 1,300 feet above New York City with no safety net.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have no choice. I am being pulled by this magnificent life waiting for me in the clouds.
(END VIDEO CLIP) MARCIANO: Looking back at this historic performance.
You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHETRY: I hope Jon Stewart's watching because this is more subtle, a song he made fun of our song choices. This is "Mr. Brightside."
MARCIANO: Let me tell you, that actually describes you, I think.
ALI VELSHI, CNN SENIOR BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Life has really changed. Nothing like a two-week vacation. I come back, gas prices are down. The things are happening.
Hey, look, I want to tell you about some changes that we don't typically follow because I'm normally telling you about disastrous oil or gas prices and markets.
The Census Bureau has come out with some numbers about population change in 2007 in the United States by county. They surveyed all the counties and we've picked a couple of the highlights for you, which are kind of interesting.
The counties in the United States, which added the most people in 2007, was Maricopa County, Arizona. Phoenix is part of that county. The southwest has been a big growth area for some time. It added 102,000 residents. Now, obviously, that's -- you know, we're measuring counties all over the United States. But the sheer number of residents in Maricopa County was the biggest gain.
If you look at Los Angeles County, where Los Angeles is, it is the most diverse county in the United States. 71 percent of the population of Los Angeles are a minority -- members of a minority group.
And the largest Latino concentration in the United States is in Starr County, Texas, 97 percent Latino. Interesting to look that study up because this has got all sort of things about the greatest concentration of African-Americans, largest populations, greatest community.
In fact, Los Angeles County also has the largest. Claiborne County, Mississippi, by the way, is the largest concentration of African-Americans, 85 percent. L.A. County has the largest number of people who are identified as white in the country, because it's a very large county first of all. So, even though, it's got the highest minority population, still has the largest number of people who identify themselves as white. So, pretty interesting little side.
These things actually irrelevant for business because, you know, these trends become very relevant about how you plan your business. While we may be in a downturn, some people call it a recession right now, the bottom line is proper businesses plan for how things are going to be five and ten years down the road. And as you see population trends that makes you make a decision. Do I move here? Do I open up another store?
CHETRY: Right. And they really got ahead of that whole hybrid vehicle and electric car thing.
VELSHI: Yes. That's exactly right.
MARCIANO: You know we're seeing less of diversity wise as guys who walk the tightrope.
VELSHI: Yes, yes, yes.
(CROSSTALK)
CHETRY: Not figuratively speaking, but literally walk.
MARCIANO: Exactly. Do you remember this guy? Boy, I think it was like in the 70s. Man on a wire. There's a new film about the tightrope walker that strung up a line between the World Trade Centers' 1,300 feet high. Yes, we're going to have a sneak peek at that documentary when we come back.
CHETRY: Hilton versus McCain, a battle of the celebrity ad. Jeanne Moos gives us an insider's look at Paris' response.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Paint the White House pink.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: She catwalks into politics and starts a movement.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This could be Paris Hilton's come back, among the inteligencia, sort of.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did she ever have something to come back from?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARCIANO: Welcome back to the "Most News in the Morning."
You know as part of our commitment to help you make a more inform decision in the presidential election, we're playing longer versions of the candidates in their own words, so you can hear about the issues they're talking about on the campaign trail.
Here's Barack Obama in Indiana. He's addressing Republican attacks and the need for a new approach on energy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: If you need one more example with what's wrong with our energy policy or George Bush's policies in general, there's a new report today some of you may have read in the newspaper.
Iraq has been getting a windfall because of rising oil prices. They have a $79 billion budget surplus. At a time when we're spending $10 billion a month in Iraq, they've got almost $80 billion that's not being invested in services for suffering Iraqis or reconstruction. Some of this money is sitting in American banks in New York on Wall Street, collecting interest, while you, the taxpayer, are paying for reconstruction efforts in Iraq.
That's why we've got to bring about fundamental change. Because if we're going to solve the problems of the American people, then we've got to have somebody in Washington who is fighting for the American people and listening to the voices of the American people and that's why I'm running for president of the United States of America.
(APPLAUSE)
I know that Senator McCain likes to call himself a maverick, and the fact is there have been times where, in the past, he did show some independence, but the price he paid for his party's nomination has been to reverse himself on position after position, and now he embraces the failed Bush policies of the last eight years.
The politics that helped break Washington in the first place, and that doesn't meet my definition of a maverick. You can't be a maverick when politically it's working for you, and then not a maverick when it doesn't work for you, and you're seeking your party's nomination.
By the way, while we're on the subject of Senator McCain contradicting himself. A few days ago, somebody asked me what they could do personally to help America save energy. So I said something that some of you have heard, which is all of us could get better gas mileage, and save oil in the process just by keeping our tires inflated. Turns out the experts agree. Turns out that we could save three to four percent on our total oil consumption just by keeping our cars tuned up and inflating our tires.
Senator McCain and the Republican National Committee, though, mocked the idea. They've been going around sending tire gauges to reporters saying 'Barack Obama's Energy Plan.' Well, that sounded clever, except, last night, after all that, Senator McCain actually said he agreed that keeping our tires inflated was a good idea.
(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)
Which makes sense because it turns out, NASCAR, which knows something about tires, apparently said the same thing. So did the AAA. And so, in the coming days, it's going to be interesting to watch this debate between John McCain and John McCain.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARCIANO: And in about 20 minutes, we'll hear from John McCain on the energy crisis and the economy.
CHETRY: Well, it's a sight that no one will ever see again. A man walking a tightrope between the twin towers, no net. A new documentary relives that feat that enthralled New Yorkers 34 years ago.
MARCIANO: No net when Reynolds Wolf was dodging Hurricane Dolly just about a week ago. He's back, alive and well, at the CNN center in Atlanta.
Hi, Reynolds.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: That's right, guys. And today, the big weather story is going to be all the heat we're expecting in parts of the southeast, but into the afternoon we could have a massive cool down accompanied with few scattered showers and storms. We're going to be talking with that coming up in a few moments right here on CNN in AMERICAN MORNING, you're "Most News in the Morning."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHETRY: Welcome back to AMERICAN MORNING -- 30 minutes past the hour. Now, we check in with Reynolds Wolf. He's tracking extreme weather for us. It's all about the heat today, Reynolds.
(WEATHER REPORT)
CHETRY: Reynolds, good to see you. Thanks.
MARCIANO: Well, it was an act that stunned much of the city and the world. It happened about 34 years ago today. Philippe Petit mesmerized New Yorkers on this date back in 1974 when he walked several times between the towers of the World Trade Center. A lot of tightrope, no net. Now a new film is celebrating Petit's death- defying feat.
CNN's Brooke Anderson has the story -- Brooke?
BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Kiran and Rob, 34 years ago, New Yorkers woke to a sight they'll never see again. A man tightrope walking between the World Trade Center towers. Now the story of the Frenchman who pulled off that death-defying feat is being told in the new film, "Man on Wire."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Philippe Petit stunned his native friends by walking a high wire across Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris in 1971.
I spent the whole night rigging the wire and then waiting for the people to arrive to the Cathedral. So, it was an amazing adventure. ANDERSON: That was just a warm-up for an even greater feat, one told in the documentary, "Man on Wire." As New York City's World Trade Center towers were being built in the late 60s and early 70s, Petit became obsessed with tightrope walking between them.
PHILIPPE PETIT, TIGHTROPE WALKER: I have no choice. I am being pulled by this magnificent life waiting for me in the clouds. And passion is a great motto to do something, to do the impossible.
ANDERSON: Using fake I.D.'s, Petit and a team snuck wire cable to the building top. In a scene recreated in the film, they strung it between the towers with a help of a bow and arrow. On the morning of August 7th, 1974, Petit stepped out on a wire more than 1,300 feet above the ground without a net.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is somebody out there in a tightrope walk between the two towers of the World Trade Center right at the tippy top.
ANDERSON: For 45 minutes, Petit walked above the street. He not only walked, he knelt, he laid down, he smiled.
PETIT: I would describe it exhilarating.
ANDERSON: Petit was arrested, but eventually the charges were dropped. He calls what he did a performance. I am a man of theater. A man who has a life wish and who sees the wire as a strange, narrow, yet a stage on which to inspire people.
Inspiring even though the actual stage for that performance no longer exists.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They were destroyed in the most horrific manner possible, but the film is not about that. It's about those buildings as a stage for something beautiful.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: "Man on Wire" is currently playing in New York and will begin expanding to theaters nationwide this weekend -- Kiran, Rob.
MARCIANO: Truly amazing.
CHETRY: It is fascinating.
MARCIANO: Yes. And he's an artist, which is well done.
CHETRY: And the other amazing -- I can't even imagine looking down and he was able to walk for 45 minutes back and forth.
MARCIANO: You know, the winds up there are tremendous. And even on a calm day, so quite a feat, no doubt about it.
Well, showdown in Pakistan. An ultimatum for Pervez Musharraf. Why his presidential days may be numbered, when we come back. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHETRY: Well to the "Most Politics in the Morning" now.
Michelle Obama speaking to ABC's "Good Morning America" about the public and also the media's appetite for info about her family. Also some advice that Senator Hillary Clinton as well as Tipper Gore gave her.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHELLE OBAMA, BARACK OBAMA'S WIFE: I had a great conversation with Hillary Clinton. And also talked to Tipper Gore. Lots of folks who have had great advice on how do you make sure that your kids are whole and grounded, and part of it is keeping them -- keeping their world very much their own. So we're learning and growing and figuring it out and making some decisions and changing our minds and moving forward.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: In the September issue of "Essence" magazine, the Obamas get up close and personal revealing what life is like on and off the campaign trail. Joining us now to tell us more about the Obamas is "Essence" magazine's editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray.
Great to have you with us this morning.
ANGELA BURT-MURRAY, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, "ESSENCE" MAGAZINE: Thank you. Good morning.
CHETRY: I know this was a labor of love for you guys. You tried for a year.
BURT-MURRAY: We did.
CHETRY: To finally get them. You were the first African- American media outlet to actually get this inside look.
So, did your team get a chance to see the real Obamas?
BURT-MURRAY: I think we did. We went to their home on south side Chicago, and it was just wonderful to see them as a family just interacting with each other and see the girls skipping around the house, just acting like it's a normal everyday occurrence to have the camera crew in their home. And you know, secret service, you know, at different points throughout the house and around the yard. But it really didn't seem to impact the girls in any way.
CHETRY: It's interesting because much was made. They did that televised interview with their daughters and then they said, looking back, maybe we probably wouldn't have done that again.
BURT-MURRAY: Right.
CHETRY: How do they balance that? There is so much interest, I guess you could say about their family, and yet they want to protect their girls. So, how do they sort of balance that?
BURT-MURRAY: Well, I think it's like you heard Michelle say earlier, they try to take a look at, you know, who is around the family and make sure that they keep things as structured as possible.
But also, you have instances where magazines like "Essence" show up to take photographs, but the girls are very relaxed because they're in their home environment, and I think that's the difference between what you saw at our photo shoot versus what they did on television taking the girls outside of their home and putting them in the spotlight is probably a bit more challenging for them as parents.
CHETRY: Very interesting. You know, they also deal with competing stereotypes, if you will. And they were parodied as the angry black radicals and then also this Ivy League elitist. And it was interesting because in the magazine, Gwen Eiffel who did this wrote, "the Obamas pride themselves on creating a family picture that is authentically black with shades of Black with shades of Norman Rockwell."
Explain that and then how are they getting that image off.
BURT-MURRAY: I think it's just the idea that they are A, an average American family. You know, they have strong family values. They are deeply rooted in their community and they want to show their girls a great example of achievement.
But they also want to be a model for the rest of their community. The Obamas talk about in our story how important it is for them to continue to live in their south side Chicago neighborhood because it's a neighborhood in transition.
So, you have children who have the opportunity to see an African- American man run for the highest office in the nation right in their neighborhood. So, they're modeling not only for their children, but also for the larger community.
CHETRY: They do live in a gated community. A $1.6 million home. I mean, it is out of reach for many who live not far away.
BURT-MURRAY: Right. But it's so accessible. I mean, while we were there photographing them for "Essence," you could see the cars going by and stopping and people getting out to take photographs. And you know, the girls are on the porch and people could see them.
And, you know, so it's just -- there is some normalcy there, but it's also obviously something very special and different.
CHETRY: It's also interesting what they talked about in the magazine, and they said that race has been very prominent on the campaign trail. Barack Obama told Eiffel that race is, quote, "a national obsession."
He thinks that the racial divide in this country is not as big as it's been made out to be.
BURT-MURRAY: Right.
CHETRY: What are your thoughts?
BURT-MURRAY: Well, I think that as evidence by the success that he's had with his campaign, you can certainly see that attitudes are shifting. But there are still challenges, obviously, that's still need to be address and it keeps coming up throughout the campaign. So it will be interesting to see what happens when the country goes to the polls in November.
CHETRY: Well, congratulations to you guys for getting this inside look and for our viewers, here's the magazine once again.
BURT-MURRAY: Thank you.
CHETRY: And on the cover, the Barack Obama family. Very neat. Angela Burt-Murray, editor-in-chief of "Essence," thanks for joining us today.
BURT-MURRAY: Thank you so much.
MARCIANO: Breaking news this morning, President Bush expected to arrive in Beijing near the top of the hour as China responds to his criticism over its human rights record. The country says outsiders should not interfere with its affairs, President Bush said the U.S. doesn't agree with the way China treats citizens and calls for a free press, free assembly and labor rights.
And the U.S. Navy this morning says once of its subs has been leaking radiation for years, not months, when it made several port calls to Japan. The Navy informed Japan's government just a few hours ago that the fast attack sub, the USS Houston had leaked miniscules, small amounts of radioactive water since June 2006. Previously, the Navy had told Japan that Houston had made only one stop while oozing the water. Japan says it wants to know the cause.
And breaking news this morning, in Pakistan, the country's ruling coalition will ask President Pervez Musharraf to seek a confidence in Parliament or face impeachment. Musharraf has been facing opposition since February after his allies lost their seats in elections.
With more on this, our State Department correspondent Zain Verjee joins us live from Washington this morning.
Zain, how likely is it this actually happens, that Musharraf will actually be knocked out of power completely?
ZAIN VERJEE, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: Well, Rob, I'd say it's probably 50/50 in general. Look, the heat has been turned up on Musharraf. The government coalition has been deeply divided on whether to impeach them or not. What they've been doing over the past few days is holding these marathon talks. And they now seem to have a united position and they're going to make an announcement soon. They also have a majority in Parliament. Anything that goes on in there would be difficult for Musharraf. He would really struggle to stay afloat. His own power has been pretty eroded. Look, he's politically sidelined. He's no longer the chief of the Army. But the real critical question here is how will the Pakistani military react to any effort to get rid of him? Impeachment so many argued is really unlikely to succeed because the Army won't like it and they're the ones who will not tolerate the humiliation, if you will, of a former Army chief. So it's 50/50.
MARCIANO: Zain, now what are your sources at the State Department saying whether this is considered to be a threat or maybe a step towards democracy?
VERJEE: Well, from the U.S. point of view, any political turmoil in Pakistan is bad news for U.S. goals in the region. The senior state department officials that we've talked to say they're really worried and that Pakistani leaders are just too busy fighting each other and that's distracting from the number one goal in the region, which is the war on terror. U.S. security, regional security fighting Al Qaeda and the Taliban.
Officials, though, have been bracing for a while now, Rob, for a possible Musharraf ousting. They're telling us that if his departure results in a degree of political unity in Pakistan and consolidation and they can articulate a positive way forward on counter terrorism, they say they're fine with it -- Rob.
VERJEE: Zain Verjee, live for us in Washington, D.C. Thanks.
CHETRY: This just in to CNN now, North and South Korea will not march together at the Olympic opening ceremonies. Negotiations for a joint march which were going on have failed. According to the president of the Olympic Committee, he calls it a, "setback for peace." The two Koreas marched together under the same uniform under a unification flag both in 2000 and 2004. North and South Korea have technically been at war since 1950.
MARCIANO: That's a long time. Alina Cho here with more other stories that are happening this morning.
Hi, Alina.
ALINA CHO, CNN, CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, guys. Good morning to you. Good morning, everybody.
And new this morning, case closed into the death of the actor Heath Ledger. Central prosecutors have decided to drop their drug probe and not pursue criminal charges. They were looking at how Ledger got powerful pain killers that contributed to his overdose back in January. The decision comes right after recent reports that actress Mary Kate Olsen was demanding immunity before answering any questions about Ledger's drug use.
Brett Favre is now going to be a New York Jet. The Green Bay packer shipped away the team's most beloved player in franchise history for a draft pick. It happened late last night and it ends one of the longest soap operas in NFL's off season history. Back in March, you may recall that Favre tearfully announced his retirement. Well, it didn't last long. He asked the NFL to reinstate him, but the Packers apparently had already moved on and after 16 years, they've parted ways. And he is a man for all seasons, at least that's what the headlines says.
CHETRY: Who is that?
CHO: Rob Marciano's spread in "V Man" magazine. The issue appears in the fall issue. Get out there. It's on the news stand this week.
CHETRY: you should read slower so you can get some of these.
CHO: Yes. Several pages. Lest you think it's just a bunch of pretty pictures, there is actually an article in there. My favorite line is the first one right here. Rob Marciano raises the temperatures in ways most meteorologists don't.
The other good quote in here is that where is it?
MARCIANO: No, we've got to go. We've got to wrap here.
(CROSSTALK)
CHETRY: We got a lot of time, Alina. Go ahead.
CHO: He's got a hot and bothered online fan base.
MARCIANO: If we continue this I'm going to be hot and bothered and that's for sure.
CHO: Who said a weather man can't be a sex symbol.
CHETRY: There you have it.
CHO: I could go on and on.
MARCIANO: OK. Right on. Kudos to the photographer who managed to work with limited talent there.
CHETRY: I said you could have a backup career. You said you couldn't take it.
CHO: What are you wearing around your neck in that photo?
MARCIANO: I was a little chilly. You know. I just stood there, for crying out loud. For eight hours, eight pictures.
CHO: Is that an animal?
CHETRY: He has a pet, chinchilla as well. They included that in the article.
MARCIANO: Eight hours, eight pictures. I mean, take this guy to my family reunion and we would there for a year. But he is very talented. CHETRY: They did a very nice job with your eyebrows, I will say that.
MARCIANO: Get the manicure. It's only been a few months going there.
CHO: Well, you can count on Kiran to point out the eyebrows.
MARCIANO: All right. Time to move on to yet another magazine, this one, "Vogue." It breaks the color barrier in it's Italian issue. Only black models are featured on the pages and we'll look at how this decision is playing out in the fashion circles.
CHETRY: And also John McCain, he says that the surge has succeeded in Iraq and now he says we need a surge to boost the U.S. economy. We're going to hear about his plan to create more American jobs in his own words, still ahead.
Paris Hilton's parody. You've seen the beauty. Now meet the brains.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We pretty much gave her a call. She called her back and told her idea and she was into it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: Jeanne Moos introduces us to the creator of Paris' political ad. You're watching the most news in the morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHETRY: Well, as part of our commitment to help you make an informed choice in the presidential election, we're playing longer versions of the candidates in their own words. Things they're talking about, issues out on the campaign trail. So here's John McCain in Ohio talking about creating jobs and also calling out Congress.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Energy prices are too high. We're losing jobs. Our housing market is on the decline. And the cost of everything is going up and in the face of this Washington is on vacation. In the face of a severe energy crisis, the Congress decides to go on a five-week vacation. When I'm president of the United States, I will call the Congress back in session and tell him to act and not to leave town to take their vacation or their pay raise until they address this energy crisis and now is the time for action.
We need an all of the above plan to address our energy crisis with alternative energy, drilling and nuclear power. That means drilling here, drilling now. In the United States of America, and off the United States of America's coast. Everybody knows that drilling is a vital part of bridging our gap between our dependence on foreign oil, which is transferring $700 billion a year to countries that don't like us very much. And we have the resources to be explored and exploited and we could obtain some of the benefit of that within months.
My opponent, Senator Obama, opposes both storage and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. He opposes off-shore drilling immediately and he's out of touch. We need to take action to support American businesses so that we can stop jobs from going overseas and create more jobs here at home. America has the second highest business rate in the entire world. It's any wonder that jobs are moving overseas and we're taxing them out of the country.
Unfortunately, Senator Obama's plans would raise taxes on businesses even more. He's promised tax increases on income, tax increases on investment, tax increases on small businesses. That's exactly, exactly the long strategy. Raising taxes in a bad economy is about the worst thing you can do. Because it will kill even more jobs when what we need are policies that create jobs.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARCIANO: Up next, a fashion magazine featuring only black models. So what's the reaction to this surprising new issue. You're watching the most news in the morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARCIANO: Well, one of fashion's most influential magazines is breaking the color barrier. The current issue of Italian "Vogue" features only black models on its cover and on its pages. Our Lola Ogunnaike joins us more with details on this.
You know, I'm surprised to hear that this is so ground breaking. Being 2008, I mean that's never been done before?
LOLA OGUNNAIKE, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: It's never been done before. This is unprecedented. I mean, it's all the most amazing black models from the past and the present from Iman to Chanel, all in one magazine, shot by the world renowned photographer Steve Mizel. This has been revolutionary in the publishing world. It sold out in 72 hours and they had to reprint 40,000 more copies just to meet the demand last week.
MARCIANO: Those people actually know what they're doing, clearly.
OGUNNAIKE: Yes.
MARCIANO: What is the inspiration? How did this whole thing get going?
OGUNNAIKE: Well, a woman named Betty Ann Harding who is a very influential player in the fashion industry in New York decided that she had trouble with the black models. She started having town hall meetings last September and this has been one of the products of that. MARCIANO: And, you know, when you talk about things like this, ground breaking movements, it impacts society, it impacts the industry, what kind of impact are we talking about the industry?
OGUNNAIKE: And that's the question everyone is asking right now, Rob. Yes, it's great that there are all these black models that have been celebrated. Yes, the issue sold out, but what will it mean in the short-term for black models and what will it mean in the long- term? I spoke with a number of people in the fashion industry, and they say immediately you'll probably see more black models come September during Fashion Week.
See more black models on the runway, but they're a little worried that this may end up being the skinny girl debate of a few years ago. They don't want this to be something that's just addressed in the immediate and then not dealt with in the long-term. So people are very guarded about their praise of the issues. They love it but they want to make sure this is not just an isolated incident, that you don't just save the black girls for one issue and then you're done with it. They want to see them have more of a presence throughout the year and throughout the industry.
MARCIANO: We hope that trend continues. The Italian "Vogue" magazine. My props out to my Italian brethren for doing this.
OGUNNAIKE: Exactly. And congratulations on your debut.
MARCIANO: Well, yes, that was a big moment for me.
OGUNNAIKE: Give me your best blue steel. I love it.
MARCIANO: See you later, Lola. Thank you -- Kiran.
CHETRY: Thanks to both you guys. Hey, we're following some breaking news out of Pakistan this morning. Some international political turmoil and we're going to be on it in just a moment.
Also, second-hand smoke, we know the dangers associated with regular cigarettes. Does the same hold true for marijuana smoking. Well, we're opening Dr. Gupta's mailbag. Still ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHETRY: We have breaking news right now out of Pakistan. The president of that nation, Pervez Musharraf, now facing impeachment. We've been tracking this story for you all morning. State Department correspondent Zain Verjee joins us now with more on this.
What are you learning about what exactly is going on there?
VERJEE: Well, Kiran, this is a really significant and dramatic move by the Pakistani Coalition government. They've been wrangling for weeks and weeks about whether to do this or not. Its power lies the government there. They've been unable to focus on the war on terror, they've been unable to deal with the economic issues in this country with high food and fuel prices. The coalition leader is saying that it is imperative to move now against Pervez Musharraf. He calls it good news for democracy and as I say it has been out there for a while.
For the U.S.'s part, from the State Department's point of view, they've been telling us that it's not just been good for the war on terror. Overall, what they say is that whatever happens whether Musharraf stays or whether Musharraf goes, the key is to have a government that functions, that can articulate a clear way forward for Pakistan and focus on what's key for the U.S.
Also, what's really key here, Kiran, is the Pakistani military. They're really the powerhouse in this country. Other than the politicians, the military that calls the shots, and they're not going to like this. They're not going to want to see the humiliation of a former Army chief. So it is unlikely we will let impeachment happen. One senior government official told me that it would be better if Musharraf just resigns. So far, he's been able to resist the pressure but there is a 50/50 chance that he may finally be ousted.
CHETRY: Zain Verjee following the latest development that has been changing minute by minute out of Pakistan for us this morning.
Thanks, Zain.
MARCIANO: Well, it's Thursday and that means it's time to check in with CNN's chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta who is reaching into his mailbag to answer your questions.
CHETRY: That's right. Dr. Gupta joins us this morning from Los Angeles.
Hey, Sanjay, good to see you.
MARCIANO: Hi, Sanjay.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: This is my favorite segment of the week. I'm excited.
CHETRY: Well, we love talking to you about it and our first question comes from Al of Pennsylvania. He says: "Thank you for your report on robots in the O.R. I was just diagnosed with prostate cancer and you put me more at ease. My question is, if I treat the cancer, do I have to worry about a recurrence later in life?"
GUPTA: Well, you know, Al, it's a great questions and the particular segment that you're referring to was about robotic prostatectomy where they're using a robot to try and remove the prostate in a less invasive way with less incisions. As far as recurrence goes, it depends on what stage your cancer was in the first place. The good news about prostate cancer is that it is typically a slow-growing tumor and in the early stages, if you catch it in the early stages, you have about a 100 percent chance, it's one of the few cancers that have a 100 percent chance of a five-year survival rate. So it is probably good news overall.
You can also get a blood test afterward to find out if your PSA tests are actually going up or down after the operation. Good luck with that, Al.
MARCIANO: That's certainly a groaned-breaking procedure.
Our next question, Sanjay, comes from Steve in Sacramento. He writes: "Earlier this week you talked about benefits of omega 3 supplements. I'm wondering what other supplements actually work." Good question. We could save some money here -- Sanjay.
GUPTA: Well, you know, and Rob, you and I have probably talk about this, but I'm not a big supplements overall because I think it's hard to get the good stuff, if you will, out of food and put it into a pill. Great idea. Tough to do. I do take fish oil because I do think the omega 3 fatty acids are a pretty good source. They can ward off heart disease and possibly ward off strokes later on in life. So I think that's a good supplement.
I think calcium is good for women worried who are worried about osteoporosis, folic acid, something Kiran knows well about, prenatal vitamins for pregnant women, women who are breast-feeding. But beyond that, it's really hard. The N.I.H. doesn't say any of those other supplements really work. Ginko, for example is a supplement a lot of people talk about. There's never been evidence to show that it improves your memory. Echinacea is something a lot of people take. There's never been evidence to show that it wards off colds. So save your money I think, Rob. I think overall don't waste your money on a lot of supplements.
MARCIANO: All right. Good advice. Maybe I should stock up on fish oil.
CHETRY: Yes, he has his only mackerel farm because of the way you said.
All right. This question comes from Sanjay CNN health blog. MCM writes "Is the notion that marijuana smoke less harmful than tobacco smoke? True or False?"
GUPTA: MCM? Well, this is interesting because there is a lot of literature written about this and I think what people are typically talking about is that it has been very hard to draw a link between marijuana smoke and lung cancer. A lot of people sort of seize on that. They say you see marijuana smoke is safer, not so far. But what we do know is that marijuana smoke overall contains 70 percent more carcinogens than tobacco smoke. That's a starting point.
We also know people have higher rates of lung infections. They have higher rates of cough. The idea is they often times breath in these carcinogens for a longer period of time. They sit in the lungs longer before they breathe it out. They have not been able to establish that link so clearly between marijuana smoke and lung cancer -- took a long time by the way to do tobacco smoke in lung cancer as well. So, don't be under the pretense that marijuana is in some way safer. They may in fact be more dangerous.
MARCIANO: Are you OK? You're coughing there for a little bit?
CHETRY: Very funny. I'll stick with fish oil only.
MARCIANO: Sanjay.
CHETRY: The only supplement.
MARCIANO: There you go.
GUPTA: Don't smoke --
MARCIANO: Sanjay, thanks for getting for us. God, you're all over the place, out there in L.A.
GUPTA: Glad to do it. Thanks, guys.
CHETRY: I don't think he sleeps.
MARCIANO: No, he never sleeps. It must be the fish oil. Thanks, Sanjay.
Well, Paris Hilton, she's at it again. The pop culture candidate. You better believe it with a platform that's pure parody. We're going to talk with the creators of the "Paris for president" video.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARCIANO: We can just see the bumper stickers. Paris Hilton for president.
CHETRY: That's right. It's the "Most News in the Morning."
Here's Jeanne.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS (voice-over): Thanks to these two jokers, a funny thing happened to Paris Hilton.
PARIS HILTON, SOCIALITE: Then that wrinkly white-haired guy used me in his campaign ad, which I guess means I'm running for president --
MOOS: She did a parody response ad to John McCain's real ad.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, MCCAIN CAMPAIGN AD)
NARRATOR: He's the biggest celebrity in the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: And the response to Paris was good.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I'm going to bump it up to maybe a seven.
HILTON: I'm just hot. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nine out of ten.
MOOS (on camera): This could be Paris Hilton's come back among the inteligencia, sort of.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did she ever have something to come back from?
MOOS (voice-over): Now she does. These two made her a political star.
ADAM MCKAY, FUNNYORDIE.COM: Yes. We called her. We pretty much straight up gave her a call. She called back. We told her our idea, and she was into it.
MOOS: Adam McKay and Chris Henchy -- Chris happens to be married to actress Brooke Shields -- are the brains behind Will Ferrell's comedy Web site Funny or Die. They wrote the parody and shot it out in the Hamptons with Paris contributing lines.
CHRIS HENCHY, FUNNYORDIE.COM: Paint the White House pink, wasn't that hers?
MCKAY: That was hers.
PARIS: I'll see you at the White House. Oh, and I might paint it pink.
MOOS: But it was Paris' energy policy --
PARIS: Why don't we do a hybrid of both candidates' ideas?
MOOS: -- That went over big even, with real pundits.
JOE SCARBOROUGH, HOST, "MORNING JOE": Her energy policy, if you just look at the words, really better than Barack Obama's and John McCain's.
MOOS: Her biggest laugh line included the word that rhymes with witches.
HILTON: I'll see you at the debates (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
MOOS: Even Jay Leno was impressed.
JAY LENO, HOST, "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO": Paris Hilton making sense. Wow!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She's a plunker. She really is a plunker.
MOOS: A whatter (ph)?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A plunker. She's an idiot.
MOOS (on camera): Now, if you think Paris Hilton is such an airhead, consider this. She wasn't using a teleprompter like I am. She memorized all that and did it in about four takes.
(voice-over): Yes, she can.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good morning. Paris for president?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And Paris for president?
MOOS: T-shirts are already available. Vote Paris, not old dude.
HILTON: Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go pick out a vice president. I'm thinking Rihanna.
MOOS: Though there were other potential running mates.
MCKAY: We considered the 40-pound cat.
HENCHY: That's right.
MCKAY: It was one we talked about. The Montauk sea creature was mentioned.
MOOS: And speaking of sea creatures, what's with the leopard cut out swimsuit?
MCKAY: Classic Paris.
HENCHY: That was classic Paris.
MCKAY: She answered the door in that suit.
MOOS: As one person posted, "just be glad it's Paris talking politics and not McCain releasing a sex video."
That would wake up this faker.
HILTON: I'm Paris Hilton and I approve this message, because I think it's totally hot.
MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MARCIANO: The drama builds as we get closer to November.
CHETRY: It sure does.
MARCIANO: Will she win?
CHETRY: Hopefully she'll be the only presidential candidate wearing a cut-out leopard suit.
MARCIANO: Hopefully for us.
CHETRY: Well, thanks so much for joining us here on AMERICAN MORNING. We'll see you back here tomorrow.
MARCIANO: Right now, it's time for "CNN NEWSROOM" with Tony Harris and Heidi Collins.
