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American Morning
Swimmer Michael Phelps Could Become the Greatest American Olympian in History; Georgia Says the Bombing Has Not Stopped Despite Russian's Claims; Pilots from Delta and Northwest Finally Agree to Merge; Secret Clinton Campaign Memos Leaked
Aired August 12, 2008 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JOHN ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR: Back to our breaking news now. Georgia says the bombing has not stopped despite Russia's claims. CNN's Frederick Pleitgen is live in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, for us this morning where more than 50,000 people have gathered there for a rally.
Fred, tell us something about the scene there on the ground and also what about these recent claims from the Georgian government that despite a pledge from Russia to stop the military action there, the bombing continues this morning.
FREDERICK PLEITGEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, John. We're here at this rally where about 50,000 people have showed up in central Tbilisi today. As you can hear, it is very loud here on the ground. Most people here are waving Georgian flags. They've been singing the Georgian National Anthem.
Now, officially this demo is a demo of what the people here say is Russian aggression against their country. Of course, the Russians have always been saying that from their point of view, it was the Georgians who started the aggression first.
Let me give you an update on the latest on the ground. We're also hearing from Georgian authorities that despite what the Russian president said, Dmitry Medvedev that the bombing was supposed to stop. The Georgian authorities are saying that there have been bomb attacks on two villages outside of Southern Ossetia, outside of that breakaway region here in Georgia.
Now, earlier today, there was another bombing in the town of Gori. That is where yesterday Georgian forces were forced to flee from that area as Russian troops moved closer and closer here to the capital of Tbilisi. Later yesterday, the Georgian forces regrouped outside of the capital of Tbilisi to prepare what they believe might be a Russian attack on their capital.
That, of course, has not materialized. The Russians say they never had the intention to march on Tbilisi, but certainly the Georgians are saying that despite Russian President Dmitry Medvedev of saying that his troops would cease fighting, their positions, their towns have still been bombed after that statement was made.
John? ROBERTS: Frederick, do people on the ground there and Georgians authorities hold out any hope that French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who also holds at present the rotating presidency of the European Union will have some success in his talks with Russian officials in obtaining a ceasefire?
PLEITGEN: Well, they say they certainly hope so. I mean, they do put a lot of hope in President Sarkozy. They are having -- he's going to be coming to the capital of Tbilisi here. But, quite frankly, the people that we've been talking to here on the ground say that the announcement of the Russian president to cease hostilities, to stop hostilities and stop the Russian offensive into Georgia, they say they believe that is a very good sign, but they don't know whether or not they can trust that yet.
But they do say that the mediation that's been going on by the European Union, of course, led by France, led by France's president Nicolas Sarkozy is definitely a very good sign, and they say they hope that a ceasefire agreement could be signed very, very soon.
John?
ROBERTS: Fred, what do they think about Russian intentions there, particularly after statement from Russian -- statements from Russian officials that they just do not trust the democratically elected government of Georgia?
PLEITGEN: Well, that's really one of the reasons why they're having this demonstration right here, right now, John. It is, of course, not only to show that they support their country, it's also to show that they support their government, which of course they believe it's very much a legitimate government.
Now, they say, many people here tell us, they believe that the true Russian intention behind going into Georgia, and especially pushing further than those breakaway republics of Southern Ossetia and of Abkhazia was to overthrow the elected government here in Georgia.
John?
ROBERTS: Fred Pleitgen for us today in the capital city of Tbilisi there in Georgia. Quite an incredible scene that you're in the midst of there. Fred, thanks very much for that.
KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: And as this entire conflict played out on the international stage, both candidates had some strong words yesterday for the Russians. Here's CNN's Ed Henry.
ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: John, Kiran, with Russian tanks rolling deeper and deeper into Georgia, John McCain is trying to seize upon the issue to show he's better prepared to be commander-in-chief.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HENRY (voice-over): Appearing in Pennsylvania with Tom Ridge, the former Homeland Security secretary, John McCain tried to showcase his own foreign policy credentials.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: The United States and our allies should continue efforts to bring a resolution before the United Nations Security Council condemning Russia's aggression.
HENRY: With Barack Obama vacationing in Hawaii, McCain has the stage to himself to try and show he has experience to handle a crisis. And claim he was ahead of the curve months ago when he started denouncing Russian leader Vladimir Putin's anti-democratic moves.
MCCAIN: We must remind Russia's leaders that the benefits they enjoy from being part of the civilized world require their respect for the values, stability and peace of the world.
HENRY: Obama has been getting briefings on the situation in Georgia and spoke out Friday, though he was not quite as forceful in denouncing Russia. But now he's talking tough
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: Russia has escalated its military campaign through strategic bombing. And the movement of its ground forces into the heart of Georgia. There is no possible justification for these attacks.
HENRY: McCain's offensive harkens back to the 3:00 a.m. ad. Hillary Clinton ran in the Democratic primaries to suggest Obama was not up to the job.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's 3:00 a.m. and your children are safe and asleep. But there's a phone in the White House and it's ringing. Who do you want answering the phone?
HENRY: The ad didn't work for Clinton, but the McCain camp thinks the issue may resonate more in the general election with independent voters concerned about security. Though McCain's claim to have a handle on national security could be slightly undermined by mispronouncing the name of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili three times.
MCCAIN: Mikhail Saashkavili. President Saashkavili. President Saashkavili.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HENRY: An ABC News "Washington Post" poll found last month, that when asked who they trust more to handle an unforeseen crisis, 50 percent said McCain, 41 percent said Obama. A nine point edge for the Republican, but not necessarily as big as one might expect.
For example, when asked who they trust more to handle the economy, 54 percent said Obama, 35 percent said McCain. A 19-point edge for the Democrat.
John?
Kiran? CHETRY: All right. Ed Henry for us, thanks so much. And we'll continue to follow that amazing pictures coming out of Georgia today, and continues the developments that have been happening on the show all morning, and we'll continue to bring them to you.
Meanwhile, pilots from Delta and Northwest finally agree to merge. Why consolidation may help airlines save money in the long run, but could end up costing you the next time you book your flight.
ROBERTS: Three down and five more to go for Michael Phelps. We'll take a closer look at the man trying to become the greatest swimmer of all time. He wants eight gold medals in these games.
CHETRY: And it's been Stiller's next big hit, but some say that its movie pushes the comedy envelope too far and ridicules the mentally disabled. Filmmakers, though, are standing their ground.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The studio says "Tropic Thunder" is finished and won't be changed before Wednesday's released. Stiller, the film's director, wants people to decide for themselves.
BEN STILLER, ACTOR: Now, I feel that people see the movie, I'm confident that they'll get where we're coming from in the film, and we didn't mean to find anybody in any way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: We'll have more on the controversy. You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHETRY: Boy, (INAUDIBLE) in a three-piece suit. (INAUDIBLE).
Welcome back to the "Most News in the Morning." You know, men have been on a clothes buying spree in the past year while women have cut back. We have recent data from a market research firm and it showed men's wear sales have not suffered while other businesses in the economy have. Rising almost one percent over the year period ending in May.
Women's sales of clothing actually fell though 3.5 percent. Fashion observers credit -- I love this -- the new slimmed down styles in suits and shirts.
It doesn't matter if you're going into debt. The slimmed down styles looks tempting. You know, you have no choice but to buy them. They says women's wear have painted themselves into a corner there a little bit. So, that's why men are...
ALI VELSHI, CNN SENIOR BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Who knew?
CHETRY: ...Spending money.
VELSHI: I like it.
CHETRY: Like crazy.
ROBERTS: Yes.
VELSHI: Well, you got money to spend, because you're not spending them on airlines because the fares have been going up a great deal and there are more changes.
I mean, this is really a busy airline year -- last year and this. The newest development, of course, is we know that Delta and Northwest are in the midst of trying to merge. Right now, the Airline Pilot's Association representing both of those. Sets of pilots have agreed to this merger. They've ratified the pact.
They're still a few things to happen, though, before these airlines can merge. I'll tell you, when it happens, it will be called Delta. They'll take the name of just one of those airlines and it will be headquartered in Atlanta. It will fly to 390 cities. It will be the world's biggest airline at that point. 67 countries with more than 800 airplanes and 75,000 employees.
Now, as a result of this merger, the two airlines are saying that they won't close any of their major hub cities. There are some analysts who think that over the long-term. That's not entirely going to be true because there are a couple of overlaps, particularly with Memphis being as close to Atlanta as it is. Atlanta and Delta (INAUDIBLE) in Northwest hub.
They'll keep their international hubs in Amsterdam and Tokyo. Those of course are working very well for both of those airlines. A lot of money to be made these day on international travel, and they'll be part of the Sky Team Alliance. Airline fares, however, continue to go up. We haven't seen an increase in a couple of weeks, but now you're seeing, you know, JetBlue adding the -- charging for pillows and stuff, so you're still likely to see fares going a little higher.
ROBERTS: If they merge, will this new airline be able to actually turn a profit?
VELSHI: Yes, because you can't pay less for oil. Oil is the number one issue right now for airlines. And a merge airline doesn't pay less for oil than an un-merge airline. Both of these airlines were in bankruptcy for a while, so you wonder what else they can cut to become more efficient. An airline doesn't just dodgy business right now. It's a hard business to be in.
ROBERTS: All right. Ali, thanks so much for that.
Rob Marciano, meantime, in the CNN weather center. He's checking on extreme weather for us on this Tuesday morning.
Good morning, Rob.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, John. A couple of things to talk about. We have a series of tropical waves that want to get their act together. One of which could take aim at the U.S. in a week or so. Talk about that. Plus a nasty weather that rolled across the northeast. It's still there. AMERICAN MORNING will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHETRY: Well, we certainly see some systems if we're taking a look at this mess in the Atlantic Ocean and beyond. Rob Marciano tracking it all for us.
Hasn't been too rough of a hurricane season for us here on the East Coast.
(WEATHER REPORT)
CHETRY: Yes, we love it. The AC shut off, saving electricity right and left. We'll take it.
ROBERTS: A little too much rain yesterday, but it will be nice today. Rob, thanks so much for that.
Hillary Clinton's communications director pointing fingers at John Edwards. Is he really to blame for her loss. And does it hurt the Democrats to be talking about this now?
And Michael Phelps on track so far to become the greatest Olympian ever. We'll update you on his chase for eight gold medals. You're watching the "Most News in the Morning." (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROBERTS: Welcome back to the "Most News in the Morning." Swimmer Michael Phelps takes another step toward history. He won the 200-meter freestyle. His third gold medal of the games. He needs to win five more to break the record. Larry Smith now with more on what's happening in Beijing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LARRY SMITH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He is much like the elements he works in, calm, cool and clear about what he's attempting to do. Only when he rips into the water do the waves start.
MICHAEL PHELPS, OLYMPIC SWIMMING GOLD MEDALIST: I want to do things that no one else in the sport has done.
SMITH: Michael Phelps has already done lots of things. Nine Olympic gold medals, 17 world championships and on hold world records and he's just 23.
NATALIE COUGHLIN, OLYMPIC SWIMMING GOLD MEDALIST: We're not even realizing what an incredible athlete he is. Like, obviously he's amazing. He breaks all these world records, but I think being a part of that, we almost take it for granted.
BOB BOWMAN, PHELPS SWIMMING COACH: It will remain to be where history ultimately places him, but clearly today he's the best swimmer we've seen.
SMITH: Bowman began coaching Phelps as an 11-year-old who had trouble focusing but none finding trouble.
BOWMAN: He's very active, never stopped moving and it's kind of hard to harness that at first. It's a little bit counterintuitive, because even though he was so rambunctious as a young swimmer when he raced he was very focused.
PHELPS: I always had dreams of being an Olympian, being a world record holder, being a professional athlete, and being a gold medalist. And I had to focus on those goals to achieve them, I knew that. And I think I just started focusing.
SMITH: Swimming nearly four miles per workout and often twice daily practices with hardly a day off will focus you. Although it is just that kind of intense work that may have cost Phelps much of his childhood.
BOWMAN: I think he's missed out on sort of maybe a normal progression of things, but I wouldn't say that he's missed anything. I would say that he would tell you what he's gained is a lot better than what he's missed.
PHELPS: I would never trade going to the Olympic games and standing atop of the medial podium or, you know, being able to turn professional or, you know, travel all over the world. I'd never turn that in. So, to me it was worth to it give it up.
SMITH: Now, he finds himself about to dive into history. Phelps has the opportunity to break the Olympics' most hallowed record and eclipse Mark Spitz's seven gold medals in the 1972 games. Even if he gets gold in just half the events he entered, Phelps will have the record for most gold medals in Olympic history and could plainly be called the greatest Olympian ever.
PHELPS: There are a lot of things people haven't done and you know, I want to change the sport. And then, you know, to be the first person to do these things.
SMITH: He spends so much time with his head underwater, who can blame him if he likes to stick it in the clouds as well.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: And if you think it ends here in Beijing for Michael Phelps, well, think again. He's only 23 years old and he has already said that he plans to compete again in 2012 in London. So, he may set these records in the pool to a level that no one will ever reach. Let's go back to you.
ROBERTS: Larry, it's just a -- it's a thing of beauty to watch him swim. And I notice that he has, at least in the freestyle, a stroke that's different from other swimmers. Rather than going one- two, one-two, he sort of goes, one-two (PAUSE), one-two (PAUSE). Has anybody talked to him about that? SMITH: You know, you're right. He's addressed that and he has said that in all the years he's been swimming the freestyle, he has never gotten his technique right. He admits that his technique is really not of the correct technique, but you know what? He's setting records and winning gold medals, so who's to say it's wrong?
ROBERTS: I tell you now. There's a lot of weird golf swings on the tour and they've got it working for them, so he does too. All right. Larry Smith. Thanks very much. Good to see you, bud.
SMITH: That's right.
ROBERTS: And here's a look at the latest medal counts in an "AM Extra." The United States back on top in total medals. The U.S. now with 21 to China's 18. South Korea's got 12. But the home team is still winning the race for gold. China's got 11 gold medals, the U.S. seven, and Korea with five.
CHETRY: And you're watching the "Most News in the Morning." Still ahead, Georgia says it is still under attack. This despite Russia's President saying he's called off the troops. Now the U.S. response to attacks on a close ally.
And newly released memos from the Clinton campaign show that Hillary Clinton refused to follow advice from a top strategist. The potential fallout ahead. You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHETRY: Welcome back to the "Most News in the Morning." Secret Clinton campaign memos leaked showing what she didn't want to do to win an election.
Plus, John Edwards admits to having an affair. What would have happened if this news had come out earlier, perhaps in the primary season? A lot to talk about and joining us now, liberal talk radio host, Stephanie Miller, and conservative radio talk show host, Michael Medved.
Stephanie, Michael, great to have you with us this morning. Thanks.
MICHAEL MEDVED, CONSERVATIVE RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Thank you.
STEPHANIE MILLER, LIBERAL RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Thank you.
CHETRY: So, I want to ask you about this, Michael, a former Clinton communications director, Howard Wolfson, telling ABC News that if this John Edwards affair had come out earlier, perhaps Hillary Clinton would be the presumptive Democratic nominee. Do you buy that?
MEDVED: Well, it's a lot of speculation. Look, the truth of the matter is that the reason that the Edwards revelation, I do think, hurt Obama is not just because it brings up the competition again between Clinton and Obama, but because it reinforces the conviction that a lot of Americans have that the news media aren't on the level, that they're biased.
Here were rumors that had been circulating and swirling literally for months and months and only the "National Enquirer" investigated them. That reinforces the idea that people are playing on the Democratic side, which most people believe anyway, I think, happens to be true. And certainly that kind of thing does hurt Obama.
CHETRY: Do you think, Stephanie, there were whispers about this earlier, perhaps in the primary season, perhaps before Iowa that were ignored?
MILLER: You know, Kiran, I know and love Michael and I'm tempted to say something completely unsubstantiated about his personal life right now and see if he can disprove it.
You know, this is the myth again, Kiran, of this, you know, liberal media. It's ridiculous. You can't report something that you don't have evidence on, you know. Until Edwards admitted this, there was no hard evidence. It's not something that you would report.
CHETRY: Yes. I mean -- and just in fairness, CNN was investigating this as well and, you know, there just weren't simply enough facts to go with it. And the other interesting thing is when you pay sources, I mean, do you get different reporting, Michael?
MEDVED: Sure. Sure you do. But the point about this is that Rielle Hunter and the principal involved have said to a number people that Edwards was father of her baby. I mean, look, this whole thing is seemly unseemly. It's unpleasant, but it does relate to Obama in another way.
John Edwards is one of those guys with a very, very thin resume. When he ran for president the first time, he'd been in the Senate only one term, never elected to any other office, he made a good speech, looked great on TV. Does that sound like anybody we know? I think it does and I think that that idea of somebody being a charismatic empty suit is one of the vulnerabilities of the Obama campaign as well.
CHETRY: Is that a fair comparison, though, Stephanie?
MILLER: Of course not.
MEDVED: How can you say that?
MILLER: You know, I mean, why is he ahead then? Why is he ahead, Michael? I mean, seriously, it's like I know you guys keep trying this - but always an empty suit, but you know what? People like his judgment's better than McCain's, I think.
MEDVED: The reason he's ahead is because people hate the Bush administration and it should be a Democratic year. The big question right now is why is it so close? And I think it's so close because people have confidence in McCain on foreign policy like the way that he handled this Georgian invasion.
MILLER: So, wait a minute, let me get this straight. Let me get this straight, Michael. So, the first credible black candidate in our history who nobody knew a year ago, who was a complete empty suit, who came out of nowhere is winning, but he's not winning by enough for you.
MEDVED: Well, I do think and I think you would probably agree with me that if Hillary Clinton had been the nominee, she'd probably be winning by more. This should be a Democratic year if you look at the issue set, but now with the Democrats blowing it on this issue of oil drilling...
MILLER: You and Howard Wilson...
MEDVED: ...oil drilling, which obviously 80 percent of Americans believe that we ought to get as much oil as we possibly can.
MILLER: Michael, first of all --
(CROSSTALK)
MILLER: You and Howard Wilson need to go have a hypothetical conversation because what he said is just as demonstrably false. Obama went on to win 11 primaries in a row after Edwards dropped out. So, it's just false.
MEDVED: Most of those were caucuses, actually.
CHETRY: All right. Let's listen to this. Speaking of hypotheticals, there's a really interesting article in "Atlantic Monthly" about what could have been if things had worked out for Hillary Clinton.
Joshua Green published some of the campaign memos that were leaked, the campaign memos. Attacking Senator Obama for not having American roots was one of the possible strategies. In fact, he writes that -- this is what Mark Penn wrote -- "Obama's boyhood in Indonesia and his life in Hawaii exposes a very strong weakness for him -- his roots to basic American values and culture are at best limited." And he goes on, "this is a strategy she refused to employ."
Stephanie, what does it say about what was going on in the campaign and how they were trying to undermine the competition by going this route about being un-American?
MILLER: Well, you know, it's disgusting and clearly John McCain's camp has picked up the playbook. You know, his very first ad was John McCain, the American president that Americans have been waiting for. You know, they certainly have taken a page out of this. And I think it's disgusting.
MEDVED: I agree. I think it's also disgusting. And I don't think McCain has been doing that. What McCain has been focusing on is not Barack Obama's roots, but Barack Obama's future and America's future. It's worrisome to the American people when Barack Obama tells 200,000 cheering Germans; I'm a citizen of the world. We want a president who's a citizen of the United States who puts America's interests first, last and always. CHETRY: Michael before you leave.
(CROSSTALK)
CHETRY: I just want to ask Michael to please elaborate a little bit on what you said earlier. You said that Rielle Hunter was telling people that John Edwards was the father of her child.
MEDVED: Yes, she was. I mean, again, that's what she said.
CHETRY: According to whom?
MEDVED: According to the "National Enquirer" and actually according to a number of people who came forward and said that they had heard from this lady who after all got $114,000 from the Edwards' campaign for making videos that for which she had no experience and traveled around the world, to Africa and elsewhere with Edwards.
Edwards is irrelevant right now. He's not going to be on the ticket. I think he probably will have a political future after he we go through this whole process of forgiveness and what have you. But I do think that Edwards' situation illustrates to people why it's important to look at somebody who isn't completely narcissistic driven by ego and self love and self regard and that's a weakness for Obama. People do have a sense that this is a guy who's rather deeply in love with himself and that's not necessarily a good feature in a presidential nominee.
CHETRY: Stephanie, I know you don't agree.
STEPHANIE MILLER, HOST "THE STEPHANIE MILLER SHOW": That's brand-new in politics, someone with an ego. Wow.
CHETRY: I want to thank both of you for being with us. Stephanie Miller and Michael Medved, thank you.
MILLER: Thank you.
JOHN ROBERTS, CNN, ANCHOR: 31 minutes after the hour. New this morning, at least 12 people are dead in Pakistan after a bombing on a Pakistani Air Force bus. Another 15 were wounded. The bomb was placed inside a car under a bridge and remotely detonated. It happened near the border with Afghanistan in an area populated by Islamic extremists. Pakistan's president facing growing political pressure to quit this morning.
Another one of Pakistan's four provincial assemblies passed a resolution calling for Pervez Musharraf to step down. A similar measure was passed yesterday. Musharraf has made it clear that he has no plans to resign.
Despite claims by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that he has called off military action in Georgia, there are new claims that Russian war planes have attacked two villages outside of the breakaway province of South Ossetia. Right now, Medvedev is meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy who's also the current president of the European Union.
And more video now of that huge pro-Georgia rally happening right now in downtown Tbilisi. Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili has appeared with the demonstrators. Earlier this morning, Russia's president said he had halted military action against Georgia, but within the last hour, Georgia says again that jets have attacked two villages.
President Bush back from Beijing and responding to Russia's attack on a close ally. Our state department correspondent Zain Verjee is live for us in Washington. And very tough talk from President Bush yesterday toward Russia. Tougher than I've ever heard before, Zain.
ZAIN VERJEE, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: Extremely tough words from President Bush. We're also learning from the state department, from a senior U.S. official that says that the Russian invasion was actually planned for some time and suggests that Russia could be retreating to its old Soviet ways.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VERJEE (voice-over): Russia advances inside Georgia, showing off its power on the world stage. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin appearing to dare the U.S. and the west to stop him. President Bush pushes back, warning Russia not to attack Georgia's capital, Tbilisi.
PRES. GEORGE W. BUSH, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: These Russian actions would represent a democratic and brutal escalation of the conflict in Georgia.
VERJEE: Mr. Bush says Russia's bent on getting rid of Georgia's president.
BUSH: Russia has invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people. Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century.
VERJEE: Unacceptable, but what can the U.S. do to stop it? Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is working with world leaders, sending envoy Matthew Bryza to Georgia to get a cease-fire. But the U.S. and NATO have made it clear they won't intervene militarily to defend their allies. One that President Bush has made a point of visiting and holding up as a beacon of democracy.
BUSH: The American people will stand with you!
VERJEE: Those close ties with the former soviet republic have angered Russia.
ROBERT HUNTER, RAND CORPORATION: This is a moment for the Russians to take a deep breath and say, are we going to be a real great power in the post-cold war era, or are we just going to go back and play hegemonic games, but frankly lead to their isolation over time.
VERJEE: And President Bush says Russia's actions have already damaged its standing in the world.
BUSH: And these actions jeopardize Russia's relations with the United States and Europe.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VERJEE: Washington's been pushing the U.N. security council to act, but, John, that's not likely to go anywhere because Russia's got veto power there. Also important, the U.S. needs Russia to help put pressure on Iran's nuclear program. And as you know, Iran is a top foreign policy priority for the Bush administration. John.
ROBERTS: Just to set the geography here, Zain, Georgia is hard against the southern border of Russia there. It's a democratically elected government. How much of this invasion is about battling the U.S. for influence in that region?
VERJEE: It's pretty significant. I mean, Russia's been feeling threatened because the U.S. has been increasing its own influence in Russia's backyard. The U.S. supports Georgia and Ukraine's entry into NATO. The U.S. also has missile defense plans in Poland and the Czech republic. So what experts are saying is that Russia really feels encircled and they're seeing U.S. actions in their region as really hostile. So the message that Russia's sending the U.S. in part is that Russia's in charge in this area and that the U.S. can't do anything in Russia's backyard without thinking about Russian interests. John.
ROBERTS: Zain Verjee for us this morning from Washington. Zain, thanks very much.
CHETRY: And Alina Cho joins us now with some other stories new this morning. How you doing?
ALINA CHO, CNN, CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, guys. Good morning, again.
ROBERTS: Good morning.
CHO: Good morning, everybody. New revelations about the lengths to which China went to put on their best face for the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. Apparently a seven-year-old girl was replaced in the ceremony by a girl considered cuter, seen there, who lip-synched the song. A Chinese official, -- Ashley Simpson on "Saturday Night Live," way back when. I was actually at that show.
Chinese officials say the move was, "in the national interests." There were also reports that China digitally enhanced the fireworks for television. Despite reports of major pollution problems in Beijing, China, of course, has been eager to present a perfect image to the world during the Olympic games.
New concerns about online privacy. "The Washington Post" reports that several internet and broadband companies admit that they've tracked people's web surfing behavior without their consent. The paper says google uses the internet tracking technology to better target customers. Microsoft and Yahoo! have also acknowledged using the practice. The revelations come in response to a congressional investigation. And Massachusetts democrat Ed Markie plans to introduce legislation for an online privacy bill of rights.
The humpback is making a comeback. Humpback whales are no longer threatened with extinction. That's according to the International Union for Conservation of nature. Their latest red list of endangered species will classify the humpback as "least concerned." The whales previous rating was vulnerable. Commercial hunting of all whales was banned in 1986.
And you can't miss this story. An Iowa weatherman had a close encounter with a large snake while reporting at a state fair in Des Moines. He agreed to kiss a python, that was his first mistake. The second, turns out the python had other ideas. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is how it all comes to an end, Steve. This is how it all comes to an end.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my god!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Only at the Iowa state fair, right.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I better you never knew, did you?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHO: Well, what do you say after that?
CHETRY: It's up his shorts?
CHO: Yes. That's KCCI meteorologist Curtis Gertz, by the way. He laughed and joked.
CHETRY: How did they get the python out?
CHO: No, I don't know. He laughed and joked through the thing. You know, I've covered my share of state fairs, but nothing quite like that has ever happened to me.
CHETRY: I mean, that's what they do, those things. You know.
CHO: Yes, they do.
ROBERTS: Run into a bad corn dog once in a while. Nothing like that.
CHO: Poor thing.
CHETRY: Poor snake.
ROBERTS: Thanks, Alina. Oh, goodness me.
CHETRY: We'll tell you how it ends tomorrow. Maybe he's still there, for all we know.
ROBERTS: You better do this?
CHETRY: He's crying. All right, fine.
Find out about the python for us though.
CHO: I will.
ROBERTS: Actually, I'm all right now.
All right. Here we go.
CHETRY: Go for it.
ROBERTS: Yes. Cause to boycott Ben Stiller's new comedy, "Tropic Thunder", advocates for the mentally disabled say they're offended by the film's liberal use of the "r" word. But the studio says it's making no changed. We take a look at the movie and the controversy.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROBERTS: 41 minutes after the hour. I want to take you live to Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia. Massive pro-Georgian demonstration out there right now. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili just finished an address. Looks like they're singing the national anthem now. Some 50,000 people assembled in the center of town.
Our Fredrick Pleitgen is there. He'd reporting from the scene all day. Georgia accusing Russia of continuing to bomb a couple of towns in Georgia despite pledges from Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that Russia has called off military action. So breaking story this morning. We'll continue to follow it for you here on CNN.
CHETRY: And meanwhile we're going to check in with Ali Velshi right now, who's "Minding Your Business" for us this morning. Hey, Ali.
ALI VELSHI, CNN, SENIOR BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kiran. I'm just following this news that we were talking about earlier. BP operates the pipelines in Georgia. They've just shut down two more pipelines. Now, there are four pipelines that operate in Georgia. Basically because the Caspian Sea, which has a lot of oil from central Asia is landlocked.
So those pipelines ran from Baku Azerbaijan through Georgia. One of them runs through the Black Sea port. That has just been shut down now this morning. One of them goes into Turkey to the Mediterranean to take oil to the middle east and Europe. That's been shut down for some time, because there was fighting in Turkey which damaged that pipeline.
That's not related to this particular tension that we've got right now. But as a result of tensions and fighting between Georgia and Russia, BP has shut down a natural gas pipeline and an oil pipeline which goes from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea. They said they are doing this as a precautionary measure, but there has been no damage to those pipelines, but there's the potential of damage as this fighting potentially escalates. So BP has just told us that they have shut down now three of four pipelines that they operate that go through Georgia. And that means less natural gas and less oil going through the rest of the world. Right now we've not seen an increase in the price of oil as a reaction to this, but we'll monitor that very closely.
ROBERTS: Ali, thanks so much for that. Keep us updated.
Ben Stiller's new comedy getting rave reviews in advance of its opening tomorrow, but groups representing the mentally disabled say it's offensive and humiliating. We take a look at the comedy controversy.
CHETRY: Also, Michael Phelps continues breaking records and winning medals in Beijing. We're going to update you on his pursuit of history. We'll give you the latest on the medal count as well. You're watching the most news in the morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROBERTS: Offensive from start to finish. That's what the American Association of People with Disabilities are saying about Ben Stiller's new movie, "Tropic Thunder." The big budget comedy opens nationwide tomorrow, but not everyone is laughing.
Here's CNN's Kareen Wynter.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Dreamworks' new movie "Tropic Thunder" hasn't even hit theaters and already it's generating controversy and leading to what some are calling the "r "word campaign.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everybody knows you never do a full retard.
WYNTER: Disability advocates say the film's liberal use of the "r" word is offensive. Ben Stiller and Robert Downey, Jr. play actors discussing how to win an Oscar playing a disabled character.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dustin Hoffman, "Rain man," look retarded, act retarded, not retarded. (inaudible) Autistic, show. Not retarded. You know, Tom Hanks, "Forest Gump," slow, yes, retarded, maybe, braces on his legs, but he won a ping-pong competition, that ain't retarded. Never go for retard.
TIM SHRIVER, SPECIAL OLYMPICS CHAIRMAN: We feel it is unnecessarily humiliating and degrading to people with intellectual disabilities. We feel that they're treated with a total disrespect in the film. 17 times in this film the "r" word is used. Once the "n" word. WYNTER: Timothy Shriver, a chairman of the special Olympics, protested at the film's Monday premier, along with the Andy Imparato, the CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities.
ANDY IMPARATO, AMERICAN ASSOC. OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: People are selling t-shirts on the internet right now that say, "don't go full retard." Well, what kind of a message does that send, what kind of bullying is that going to lead to in school.
WYNTER: Several of the concerned groups met with Dreamworks' representative last week. Imparato says he felt Dreamworks listened to their concern, but the studio says "Tropic Thunder" is finished and won't be changed before Wednesday's release. Stiller, the film's director, wants people to decide for themselves.
BEN STILLER, ACTOR-DIRECTOR: I feel that the people see the movie, I'm confident that they'll get where we're coming from in the film and we didn't mean to offend anybody in any way.
JACK BLACK, COMEDIAN: Everyone's entitled to their opinion. Obviously, that's what America's all about. If you've got something to say, you are free to say it.
WYNTER: Kareen Wynter, CNN, Los Angeles.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHETRY: CNN NEWSROOM just minutes away. Heidi Collins at the CNN Center with a look at what's ahead. Hello, Heidi.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, there, Kiran. That's right. On the NEWSROOM rundown this morning, Russia's president says he's told his troops to end their five-day military drive into the republic of Georgia. The French president in Moscow this hour for diplomacy. We'll tell you all about that.
And Florida police officers caught on tape and under investigation today. A handcuffed suspect repeatedly hit in the head and kicked.
And no tickling, bear hugs, or piggy back rides. An Ohio diocese sets touching rules between priests and children.
And Michael Phelps is golden again. Live from Beijing in the NEWSROOM top of the hour right here on CNN. Kiran.
CHETRY: Heidi, thanks.
Well, Michael Phelps tries to get halfway to his gold of eight gold medals. We're going to tell you what's up next for the champion swimmer.
ROBERTS: Eating healthy, losing weight, and all without having to cook. Our Dr. Gupta tells us how some people are doing it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) ROBERTS: Welcome back to the most news in the morning. Let's check on the latest medal count from the Olympics in Beijing. The U.S. still leads with total medals of 21, but China close behind with 20. And China's got 13 golds compared to only seven for the U.S.. South Korea third place with 12 medals overall. And helping to pad the U.S. total, Michael Phelps who won his third gold medal. This one in the 200-meter freestyle. He also set a world record in the process. Today, he can get halfway to his goal of eight gold medals when he competes in the 200-meter butterfly, which is one of his strongest events.
CHETRY: And one of the hardest swim strokes to ever master.
ROBERTS: Well, he makes it look easy.
CHETRY: He does, he does.
Well, eating healthy isn't always easy, but in this "Fit Nation" report, Dr. Sanjay Gupta shows us one way that people are getting good food delivered.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Drive- throughs and takeout, for busy young professionals, Tiffany Hoffine and her husband, eating was all about convenience.
TIFFANY HOFFINE, MEAL SERVICE CUSTOMER: We're going nonstop, I did not have wonderful eating habits before, because I was always going for what was convenient and what's convenient is not generally healthy and it's not generally inexpensive.
GUPTA: They were desperate for change. So Tiffany signed up for a new service in Atlanta called Fresh and Fit that drops off ready- made, healthy meals right in her neighborhood.
BRETT MCINTIRE, EXECUTIVE CHEF: This is the kitchen where we make everything here at Fresh and Fit.
GUPTA: Executive chef Brett McIntire oversees about 20 line cooks in the Fresh and Fit kitchen and makes sure the food tastes good.
MCINTIRE: There's sandwiches, there's wraps, everything from Caesar salad on to burgers and pastas.
GUPTA: Registered dietitian Ashley Owings makes sure it's all healthy.
ASHLEY OWINGS, REGISTERED DIETICIAN: We have two meal plans. The 1200 calorie, and the 2000-calorie. I would say it's not necessarily a diet plan, it's more of a lifestyle. And it also teaches you how to incorporate the right portions.
GUPTA: Eight months into the program, Tiffany says it has become a lifestyle change. She's eating better, understands what a true portion size looks like, and she's lost weight.
HOFFINE: I did not start doing this to lose weight, but just as a side fringe benefit, I've lost about ten pounds since the beginning of the year without feeling that I've deprived myself of anything.
GUPTA: In case you're curious, Fresh and Fit menu plans start at $18 a day. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHETRY: For more information on "Fit Nation" and to share your story with us here on AMERICAN MORNING, go to cnn.com/fitnation.
ROBERTS: John Edwards' affair is a hot topic, especially on the internet where bloggers and youtubers have having an absolutely field day with it. We take a look at all the on-line buzz.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROBERTS: Three minutes now to the top of the hour. It seems that everyone has an opinion about John Edwards' admitted affair and they're sharing it online.
CHETRY: As Jeanne Moos shows us, the scandal is steaming up the internet.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Make no mistake -
JOHN EDWARDS (D), FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I made a very serious mistake.
MOOS: Even before John Edwards admitted he crossed the line, his affair was splashed online and bloggers taunted the mainstream media for staying silent. Now the lines are being drawn online.
UNIDNETIFIED MALE: If he was one of my friends, I think I would like smack him in the face.
I stood up for him. I preached about him. I gave him my money and he does this [ bleep ] with this girl. What the hell's wrong with you? Shame on you, John Edwards. Shame on you!
MOOS: But defenders said it's just sex.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello! 2008, wake up! Extramarital affair, first of all, are not political business.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sex scandal rocks America my [ bleep ]. Millions of great men have had affairs. I call this all a load of crap.
MOOS: Remember the days when this was the YouTube video that drove the Edwards campaign nuts.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I feel pretty, oh, so pretty.
MOOS: That was pretty highbrow compared to the videos circulating now.
The folks who brought us Obama girl now present the "cheat team." John Edwards calls Bill Clinton for advice while hiding from reporters in a hotel bathroom.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right, cheat team, listen up. I've got John Edwards on the line and we've got ourselves a code blue.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John Edwards is stuck in the bathroom with nowhere to run. R. Kelly wants to know where the reporters are from?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're from the "Enquirer."
MOOS: And look what else you can find.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To receive the 2007 Father of the Year award, Senator John Edwards.
MOOS: Senator Edwards got the Father of the Year award not long after he says he broke off his affair.
EDWARDS: I'm not the best parent in my family. The best parent in my family is here with me today, it's my wife Elizabeth who's right down here.
MOOS: Comments posted long before the affair was known ranged from bravo to I can't believe this guy's not in first place. But now folks are posting comments like, piece of garbage, cheats on cancer- stricken wife. John Edwards even got the silent treatment. Nah, not from his wife, from someone doing sign language.
This interpreter wanted to bring the news about the Edwards affair to the hearing impaired. Here's she's saying what's worse is that John's mistress is pregnant. Well, actually, the baby is already born. Edwards denies he's the dad. Hard not to point fingers in signing.
Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHETRY: And there you have it. Well, thanks so much for joining us on this AMERICAN MORNING. Hope to see you back here tomorrow.
ROBERTS: Right now, here's CNN NEWSROOM. with Tony Harris and Heidi Collins.
