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Obama VP Drama; U.S. Troop Withdrawal From Iraq Scheduled for 2011; Russian Forces on the Move in Georgia; International Olympic Committee Investigates Age Controversy on China's Gymnastic Team
Aired August 22, 2008 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Yes. We think it could happen between the hours of nine and noon. So, make sure you stick around, everybody. You are in the CNN NEWSROOM.
I'm Heidi Collins. Tony Harris is back on Monday. See events come into the NEWSROOM live on Friday, August 22nd. Here's what's on the run down.
Coy candidate. Barack Obama says he's decided on a running mate. When will he let us in on the secret?
Withdrawal deal. The U.S. and Iraq say American GIs will be out by the end of 2011. There are ifs and buts.
Fay dawdles over northern Florida with the stick it running full blast. Sunless in the Sunshine state, in the NEWSROOM.
Stakeout in the veepstakes. Barack Obama could announce his choice for a running mate at any time. We are covering the story from all fronts, of course. We have CNN crews outside the homes of the potential picks -- at Midway Airport in Chicago and at Obama's home in Chicago.
He plans to send out a text message naming his running mate. And as soon as we get word, we, of course, will have live coverage and analysis from the best political team on television.
Barack Obama holds a rally with his VP choice tomorrow. He told reporters he'd made his decision. We're just waiting for him to reveal it to us.
Jessica Yellin is in Chicago now on the VP watch.
All right, Jessica, surely you know. You're going to tell us right here what you found out.
JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'd love to, Heidi. I wish I had the answer. I would be kidding if I said I did.
We're all sort of scratching our heads about why Obama has waited to make the announcement, you know, this late...
COLLINS: Yes.
YELLIN: ... when recent candidates have done it, you know, the week before the convention. And sort of the thinking on that is the Obama folks believe that this will give him a super bounce or mega momentum going into the convention, and it also sort of limits the amount of time the media has to vet whoever this candidate is.
You know, come out tomorrow together. There'll be a lot of energy and enthusiasm, presumably, and then just a day -- a little more than a day later the convention begins. So quick on to the next story is how they see this.
COLLINS: Yes, I mean...
YELLIN: Heidi?
COLLINS: When we're talking about momentum, I mean, we have seen a slide in the polls, and we have heard a little bit of concern from the campaign regarding that. And then from another perspective, absolutely, no concern whatsoever. They are going in, they say, with a ton of confidence.
But it seems to speak to this slide in the polls, waiting this long for this announcement.
YELLIN: You could analyze it that way. The truth is, though, I have been hearing for, at least 2, 2 1/2 weeks now, that they were thinking of announcing it on the Saturday before the convention.
That wasn't anything official, but the people I talked to, you know, close to the campaign, had some that to their thinking. So this isn't sort of a readjustment, in my view, in response to the recent polls we've seen, but it may have been their planning all along.
COLLINS: Just seems so...
YELLIN: Just a surprise to us.
COLLINS: Yes, to us. We hate that. It just seems so odd...
YELLIN: Right.
COLLINS: ... to do it on a -- on a Saturday. But we know that you are watching very, very closely and you will scream and yell that we need to come to you just as soon as you find out.
CNN's Jessica Yellin in Chicago this morning -- thanks, Jessica.
Wow. Convention fanfare. Democrats unveil their high-tech digs in Denver. Just a short time ago, we've got the first look at the podium that will be the centerpiece of the convention. Man.
The Democratic convention is just three days away. We're going to have a preview live from Denver a little bit later on this morning. Invesco Field there.
Breaking news now to tell you about out of the Iraq this morning. U.S. troop withdrawal to be completed by the end of 2011. The agreement reached by U.S. and Iraqi negotiators. We want to go live now to CNN's Arwa Damon in Baghdad this morning.
So, Arwa, both sides still, of course, need to agree to this deal and the details in it.
ARWA DAMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Heidi, at this point in time, the deal has been reached at the negotiator level. It still has to be approved by both governments, something that is going to prove to be quite the challenge for the Iraqi prime minister.
But here are the main highlights and the details of it, according to the head Iraqi negotiator. U.S. troops would be out of the main cities and towns on their bases by June 30th, 2009. That's less than a year away. And then by 2011, the end of that year, all U.S. troops would be gone.
However, there is the caveat that the Iraqi government can ask that U.S. forces re-enter the cities. It can ask for their backup and support at any point in time and it can even ask them to stay past 2011 if the security situation deems that necessary. They'll be having a joint committee set up to try to assess that.
There were a number of sticking points in these negotiations that actually took a lot longer than either side would have hoped with. A source close to the negotiations telling us that the U.S. actually gave up a lot more than it would have liked to.
On the issue of contractor immunity, that is going to be lifted. On the issue of jurisdiction over the U.S. military, that still stays firmly in America's hands, unless a major crime, such as a murder or -- as we have seen in the past -- a rape case, happens. If that happens, then a joint committee will be set up to assess that as well.
And on the issue of detainee authority, that is going to be happening only according to Iraqi law, which means that if the U.S. wants to arrest somebody, they need a warrant from an Iraqi court and in those military operations, we're seeing that sweep up, large numbers of detainees, they will all have to be turned over to the Iraqis within 24 hours -- Heidi?
COLLINS: All right. Well, we will be watching that story as well alongside you.
CNN's Arwa Damon coming to us this morning out of Baghdad -- Arwa, thank you.
Want to get you some of these live. Pictures now that we are looking at. We are learning -- again, live pictures there. You see some of the military vehicles in the Russia-Georgia conflict getting out of the area. This is, I believe, the Gori highway.
Once again, Russian troops have apparently begun a modest withdrawal from Georgia. This is according to the country's Interior Ministry. But they also added that Russians are, quote, "just changing hats" to make themselves look like peace keepers." Once again, those words coming to us from the Interior Ministry.
We will continue to watch that story very closely this morning. Obviously, there is a deadline here to talk about. So we'll keep our eye on that for you. Once again, live pictures coming into us.
Now to a city that's seen more than two feet of rainfall.
CNN's John Zarrella is in Melbourne where floodwaters have swallowed hundreds of homes there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Allens -- Ron and Mary -- left their home in the Lamplighter Village in such a hurry, they forgot their medicines. Florida wildlife officers in a swamp buggy brought them back in to get what they needed. The Allens hadn't seen their home since the floodwaters started rising.
(On camera): You lose a lot of stuff in your house?
RON ALLEN, HOMEOWNER: Don't know yet.
MARY ALLEN, HOMEOWNER: We have no idea. No idea.
R. ALLEN: It may be OK. I know the air conditioner will be gone.
ZARRELLA (voice-over): There are 1100 homes in the Allen's Melbourne neighborhood. Many of the residents are elderly. Many won't leave.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you decide you want to get out, you can give us a call.
ZARRELLA: One woman waves from her porch. Mary recognizes her.
M. ALLEN: I know her. She walks the dog every day. I can't believe she wants to stay in there.
ZARRELLA: On streets with names like Waterfront, one house after another is surrounded by water.
At the Allens' house, it's good news. Only the porch is under water.
(On camera): The lake is literally in your back...
R. ALLEN: Right.
ZARRELLA: .... Florida room here, family room.
(voice-over): The house is dry.
R. ALLEN: If it doesn't reach the bottom of the floor joist, I'm OK. You know? If it does, it will be a complete loss. ZARRELLA: Others are just that -- a complete loss.
(on camera): The houses over there and the houses over here were, at one time, separated by a lake. That's a lake right there in the middle. They're not separated any longer.
(voice-over): As the swamp buggy makes its way back out, the officers look for more people.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let me ask you this. Can you guys climb?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) She doesn't think she can.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You don't think she can? All right. I'll get a truck in here. We'll come and get you.
ZARRELLA: Even those who tried waiting out the water are finally giving up.
John Zarrella, CNN, Melbourne, Florida.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: So where is Fay headed right now? Meteorologist Rob Marciano is in the Severe Weather Center with all the answers on that.
Can we really tell yet?
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Oh yes. Well, at least it's on the move. That's a good thing.
COLLINS: Yes.
MARCIANO: And it's weakened somewhat. It is now 45 miles an hour. It's been knocked down a little bit. But still the winds do extend over 100 miles an hour from the center, tropical storm force.
So southern Georgia certainly will see some damaging winds and some flooding from this. And already at this hour, we have a tornado warning that's been lifted just off Interstate 16. We'll zoom in to the Savannah area.
Bullock and Effingham Counties here -- this tornado warning is not radar indicated. So not necessarily a spot on the ground but certainly there's some rotation in this cell as it motors off towards the northwest at about 20, 25 miles an hour.
So it's certainly following the circulation of Fay yet a couple hundred miles away from it. So that's certainly impressive with this system, not nearly as impressive as this thing is moving slow.
Here it is. The center of Gainesville, Cedar Key, west winds at 20. Daytona Beach, you've got south-southeast winds at 20.
Let's go to Daytona. Check out the -- I think I have a live shot fired up. This been blowing pretty good, not only Daytona but up the road in St. Augustine today and Jacksonville. And you can see certainly some rain on the lens and choppy seas.
Boy, two fatalities yesterday on the Florida beaches for people who are going out in the water when it's just way too rough. There will be rip currents from the Florida beaches all the way up to the South Carolina beaches as well. North Carolina beaches, too. So just stay out of the water for the next couple of days until things begin to simmer down.
All right, it's going to head to the west at about six miles an hour. This is the forecast for rainfall. You notice that it does get into Georgia. That's kind of good news because Georgia, South Carolina could use it. But it probably will be several days before all this moisture gets caught up in the flow and gets back around to where really the drought-stricken areas can use the rain.
Note the track. It goes back to the Gulf of Mexico. It's been three -- we'll have landfalls. That's -- last time we did that was back in 1960. We may have four. Heck, we could have five before this is done. So Fay winding down a little bit weaker, but flooding a big issue. Tornadoes a threat. And it could make another a couple of landfalls, Heidi, before Fay is done.
COLLINS: So weird. All right, Rob. We're glad you're watching it. Thank you.
MARCIANO: You got it.
COLLINS: Much of Texas now also dealing with heavy rain and flooding.
In Houston some streets filled with water. Strong, drenching storms have created a miserable week for Texans. In the southern part of the state, more than 1,000 homes damaged by floods. And in the north near the Oklahoma border, residents dealt with six straight days of downpours. In some areas, rainfall totals reached nine inches.
Zapping your leafy greens. The FDA says radiation will help kill bacteria. But what will it do to you?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: The Obama VP drama. Suspense worthy of a Hitchcock movie. CNN crews are keeping an eye on the key players this morning. There we have a camera outside of Senator Joe Biden's house and then we have one outside of Senator Evan Bayh's house on the right, and then that's a look at the DNC convention center there at Invesco Field, Denver.
So hang on, because this announcement could be coming anytime.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Detroit's ongoing saga. Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick back in court today. He's expected to enter a plea on felony assault charges.
Live pictures there for you. Kilpatrick is accused of shoving investigators as they try to serve a subpoena related to his perjury case.
Today, we could also hear if Kilpatrick will get the green light to attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver next week. As you know, he is superdelegate.
Right now, Kilpatrick is wearing a monitoring bracelet and is not allowed to leave the area.
Jobless claims are down and a new report says there may be more good job news on the way. Can you believe it?
Gerri Willis is here "Minding Your Business" now.
Good morning to you, Gerri. We like...
GERRI WILLIS, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, good morning, Heidi.
COLLINS: ... good news. What's in this report?
WILLIS: Well, let's stop -- start with some news we got just yesterday on weekly jobless claims. This was good news as well. The Department of Labor reporting for the past week that Americans' claims for unemployment checks down 13,000. It was a surprise second week in a row that that number has been down.
Could it be the beginning of a trend?
Well, there's a report out from the University of Michigan that suggests, yes, indeed, it could be the beginning of a trend.
Take a look at these numbers. This report suggests that over the next two years we could have an economy-wide gain of some 3.5 million jobs.
Now, of course, for the balance of 2008, we'll continue losing jobs. We've already lost some 460,000 on top of that. We'll lose another 237,000, according to this report, for a total of 700,000.
But look what happens after that -- big turnaround in the jobs market. By '09, 900,000 jobs, nearly a million, 2010, 2.6 million jobs.
Well, where would these come from? Great question. The author of this study says that it will come from some of the new technologies for alternative energy -- solar power, wind power, ethanol -- will require a lot of people to put these technologies into place.
What's more, Detroit is starting to build smaller cars. That, too, requires people to build those cars. Big demand for smaller cars because of the price of gas and oil.
Of course, this is just one point of view out there. There are people that think that the jobs market won't recover quite so handily and as soon. They cite what continues to be problems in the housing market. The wild card of the credit crunch that's going on. That continues to be a problem.
But some interesting numbers out from the University of Michigan this morning. A new study that shows, well, maybe the worst is over -- Heidi?
COLLINS: OK. I like the sound of that very much.
Gerri Willis, "Minding Your Business" this morning -- Gerri, we'll talk with you a little bit later on.
WILLIS: My pleasure.
COLLINS: The economy -- it is "ISSUE #1" and we'll bring you all the latest financial news weekdays at noon Eastern. It's info you need on the mortgage mess, the credit crunch, and more. "ISSUE #1" coming your way at noon Eastern.
"Making His Mark" by setting record. American swimmer Michael Phelps is our spotlight this week. Phelps becoming the first athlete to win eight gold medals in a single Olympics. Seven of his wins in Beijing were world records. Phelps now has a total of 14 gold medals in his career, the most of any Olympian ever.
The big tease.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I can say that I've -- I have made the selection, and that's all you're going to get. All right?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Barack Obama decides on a running mate. We're waiting for the big reveal.
ANNOUNCER: "Making Their Mark" is sponsored by...
Log on to CNN.com/newsroom for more on those making a difference in their communities.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: The VP watch is in high gear this morning. Barack Obama's announcement of his choice for a running mate expected literally at any time. So we, of course, are covering the story from all fronts. We have crews outside the home of potential picks.
Going to let you know that on the left there is Senator Joe Biden's house. On the right, Senator Evan Bayh's house and then that's a nice little shot of the DNC convention center there in Invesco Field in Denver.
As soon as we get word of his announcement, we, of course, will go crazy and have it for you live right here on CNN.
Getting sick from the deli counter? Canadian health officials are telling people to toss some ready-to-eat deli meat after an outbreak of listeriosis. The likely source, a plant owned by Maple Leaf Foods, although tests have not confirmed that yet. One person has died. More than a dozen other people have gotten sick.
Maple Leaf says it is recalling some of its products as a precautionary measure. And Toronto fast food chains are taking them off the menu.
Well, in the wake of the recent food poisoning scares, there's a new weapon to help protect the food supply. The FDA has signed off on it but not everybody is thrilled.
Chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta is here now to talk more about this.
So what is it and why are people so nervous about it?
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, we're talking about irradiating food here.
COLLINS: Wow.
GUPTA: We're talking about irradiating spinach and lettuce, and people have the exact same reaction that you have -- wow.
COLLINS: Yes.
GUPTA: I mean...
COLLINS: Do we really want to do that?
GUPTA: Zapping food. What does that mean? Should we be concerned about its safety? Should we be concerned about its taste?
Now one thing I'll tell you is that this -- you know, there's been over 20 food outbreaks over the last decade -- e. Coli, Salmonella -- we've talked a lot about that and there's a lot of concern out there. What is the best way to make food safe?
So this has been something that's sort of been in the works for some time when it comes to produce. Some of the benefits that people will cite are that it can actually get rid of some of these harmful bacteria, again, the e. Coli, the salmonella, may reduce spoilage.
Also there's something important to point out is this is not the first time it's been used. It has already been used for beef, for spices, for food containers. Some of that is already happening -- is already on in grocery stores right now.
Now the Grocery Manufacturing Association says this may be one tool to try and combat some of these food outbreaks. But there are concerns, as you point out.
COLLINS: Yes.
GUPTA: One of them is taste as well. And as part of our documentary, we had one of our producers, Stan Wilson, taste some of the food. We laid out irradiated spinach...
COLLINS: Well, that was nice of you.
GUPTA: Yes. So Stan, we have the perfect job for you.
COLLINS: Poor Stan.
GUPTA: Irradiated spinach and regular spinach, and we had him taste it. And he said -- he didn't like spinach in the first place. But he couldn't taste the difference between either one of them.
And I think that seems to be a common theme among most people who have done these sort of tastes.
COLLINS: Yes.
GUPTA: As you really can't tell the difference.
COLLINS: Well, it's very interesting for two reasons, to me, anyway. I bet a lot of people, for this irradiation, is already being used in beef...
GUPTA: Right.
COLLINS: ... in spices, and as what -- like you said have no idea, number one. Number two, you have to wonder if it's actually safe.
GUPTA: Right.
COLLINS: I mean, to me, the taste is secondary, but I want to know...
GUPTA: Right.
COLLINS: If it's OK to really put that in my body.
GUPTA: Yes. And some places will say that you have to label it as such. So food has been irradiated. Beef may have a little radiation symbol on it. And may have the same thing, yes, right away that makes people find it a little less palatable. But the same thing may happen with the vegetables such as spinach and lettuce.
So as far as safety goes, it's like so many things. The FDA says the thorough safety reviews have been done. They're comfortable with them. They're probably not long term enough. And it's hard to get those longer term studies.
COLLINS: Yes.
GUPTA: I think the bigger problem -- and a lot of critics have pointed to is that it may make the farms a little more lazy. If they don't think that they...
COLLINS: Yes, I can see that.
GUPTA: ... they have to worry about these bacteria getting into the food because it's just going to get irradiated. Are they going to be as diligent about keeping e. Coli and salmonella off the food the first place?
COLLINS: Well, I sure hope so and hopefully that is always going to be first step (INAUDIBLE).
GUPTA: That's right. And there's no mandate either. It doesn't mean you have to eat the sort of food, but once it starts hitting shelves, we'll come back and certainly tell you about it.
COLLINS: Yes, that'll be great. Of course, Stan, we'll have him taste some more.
GUPTA: If he's still alive by the way.
COLLINS: Good. Good.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thank you.
GUPTA: All right. Thank you.
COLLINS: Appreciate.
Back to Tropical Storm Fay now and a flooding emergency that's swamping much of the east coast of Florida. Rainfall totals are just staggering. Neighborhoods are under water and cities are on alert.
Reporter Casey Black is with CNN affiliate WJXT and joining us now from St. Augustine, Florida.
Boy, it certainly doesn't look pretty there, Casey.
CASEY BLACK, WJXT REPORTER: No, certainly not, Heidi. The sun is not shining here in the Sunshine state. As a matter of fact, you were talking about the flooding. And that's a problem we're seeing here along the first coast.
Take a look behind me. You can see this is just a portion of what we've seen. And this is only expected to rise because we're still a good four hours away from high tide here. So city officials are out in full force and they are blocking off roadways to make sure that traffic can't get through there.
And, you know, believe it or not, Heidi, people are trying to get through this deep water. And that's something that's not good. We've seen a few cars get stuck and have to be towed away.
Also over the beaches, pretty intense out there. Some strong surf and also some rip currents in Daytona. We know that one person did die after going into the water. And people in Jacksonville Beach, which is located in Duval County in northeastern Florida, there were some people that were out there swimming. And, of course, one person had to be rescued after going out there because, of course, of those strong winds and rip currents.
And I'm going to show you here to the left of me very quickly. This is the San Sebastian River here in St. John's County. I want to show you how high the water is getting. And like I said a moment ago, we're about four hours away from high tide.
This rain, Heidi, has not let up since we first got out here at about 4:00 this morning. So with all of the wind, all of the rain, that water is expected to rise. This flooding behind me, just a small portion of probably what we're in store for.
But for now we're live in St. John's County, Florida. Back to you.
COLLINS: All right, Casey Black, giving us a great look there of the situation in St. Augustine, Florida.
Thank you, Casey.
Well, it's a date and the U.S. and Iraq agree to bring American troops home in 2011. But there are conditions.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Hey, this is pretty cool. It's a live shot for you getting ready to open the bell. And they are doing it remotely from Beijing. Obviously, getting for the end of the games here.
There it is. Isn't that cool? They go playing the opening bell. Sound like that but just to give you an idea of who we are looking at here. Katie Hoff, you see her on the right there with her medal around her neck, bronze medal, swimmer, 400 meter individual medley. That was her bronze...
And she got the silver in the 400-meter freestyle. So that's pretty cool right there. And also the CEO, VISA incorporated, Joseph W. Saunders.
All right. So great. Ringing the bell from Beijing today. We will keep our eye on all the business stories and check in with Stephanie Elam a little bit later on.
Barack Obama could announce his choice for a running mate at any time now. We have crews in crucial locations watching the potential picks. Obama has made his choice. We know that much. We're just waiting for word on who it is. Give you an idea of what those live shots are for you.
On the left is a camera outside of Senator Joe Biden's house. On the right, Senator Evan Bayh's house and then a nice shot there of the convention center in Denver. We will have extensive live coverage just as soon as we know who the pick is. In fact, our entire political team on the VP watch this morning.
Joe Johns is in Denver at the site of the Democratic National Convention that begins in just three days.
Good morning to you, Joe.
JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Heidi.
Yes, that's right. We are watching and waiting. And as you said, we've got all the bases covered. At least to the extent we can, staking out various people whose names have been mentioned. Also watching the airport, as it were.
Barack Obama is in Chicago today. Has nothing on his public schedule. His next public appearance is in Springfield, Illinois, where the speculation is he'll appear with the vice presidential pick. Who that is, of course, is anybody's guess at this time, Heidi.
COLLINS: Yes, that's for sure. We are watching it really, really closely, especially for that text message that we've heard so much about because that's how apparently it's going to come to public knowledge.
Meanwhile, Joe, I want to talk to you a little bit about the DNC unveiling its new podium this morning.
JOHNS: That's right. Bright and early this morning here in Denver. I don't even know if the sun was still out. But inside, they did unveil that big podium. And it is quite a thing to see. Three television screens going from floor to ceiling. They are HD TV screens. Something you'd probably just love to have in your living room to watch Super Bow, but you probably wouldn't be able to get it in there.
And that is what we're going to see when the speeches come and go at least for the first three days of the convention here in Denver. Barack Obama, of course, is not going to deliver his speech, his acceptance speech in that room. He is going to deliver that speech at INVESCO Field, which is just a short distance from the Pepsi Arena.
So, whether Barack Obama actually walks into that room and sees just what a big party the DNC is throwing for him is anybody's guess, Heidi.
COLLINS: Yes. Forgive me. I've been saying INVESCO field which is nearby there. Actually, that shot that we have today is of the Pepsi Arena. And it is pretty snazzy looking, that's for sure. Joe Johns is out in Denver for us this morning.
Joe, we will continue to stay in touch with you. Thank you.
National polls say the presidential race is a dead heat. And now we have some new numbers from crucial swing states to share with you. An American research group poll from Florida shows McCain leading Obama by just one percentage point -- 47 percent to 46 percent. Then to New Hampshire, it's Obama over McCain, 46 percent to 45 percent. Both results are within the margin of error, of course.
And Obama has a ten-point lead over McCain in Minnesota -- 48 percent to 38 percent. And that is according to a poll by Minnesota public radio and the Humphrey Institute. So we're watching all of those numbers for you.
Well, the speculation will soon be over. Barack Obama has chosen his running mate and we're waiting for his announcement. Let's go ahead and bring in our political insiders now to talk a little bit about the veepstakes.
Bill Press is host of the "Bill Press Show," a nationally syndicated radio program.
Bill, thanks for being with us today.
BILL PRESS, "THE BILL PRESS SHOW": Hi, Heidi. Good to see you again.
COLLINS: Hi. You, too.
And Leslie Sanchez is a Republican strategist and CNN political contributor. They are both in Washington for us this morning.
All right, guys. Let's go ahead and get you to go out on a limb yet again.
Bill, who is it going to be?
PRESS: You know, the word is, and it's so correct that those who know aren't talking and those who are talking don't know. So, Leslie and I are joining the ones who are talking, not knowing a thing. Look. I think Gloria Borger reported this morning on CNN that Barack Obama was torn between somebody who would represent more change, as he does, or more experience. I happen to think he'll go to complement the ticket with someone with more experience. I'd have to put my money on Joe Biden.
COLLINS: Biden.
PRESS: I'm thinking, in this day of foreign policy crisis, Biden makes a lot of sense. But I spent all day yesterday on the phone with everybody I know in the Obama campaign. I couldn't find out anything. This machine does not leak.
COLLINS: Isn't that wild because usually there is some sort of leak.
Leslie, the name that is ringing in your head for this?
LESLIE SANCHEZ, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: I have to agree that it's conjecture at this point. You know, it's really fun, though, to watch -- it's fun to watch the houses. Isn't it like the publisher's clearing house? I mean, we're waiting for barrack to show up in event with some balloons and be like, you're it. And it's almost -- you know, it's a fallacy. It does play into this kind of over the top image. I will say that much.
And waiting until so close to the convention is an unusual tactic in itself. Is Barack Obama going to pick a political neophyte, give this pro-change kind of personality? I don't think so. I think the events of the recent conflict with Russia and Georgia, I think puts foreign policy back on the playing field. It's a very strong positive area for John McCain. And I think it's just a, you know, time to wait.
PRESS: You know, Heidi, I have to say Heidi that showing the front of those houses does remind me, though, that whoever Barack Obama picks, will know how many houses he owned.
COLLINS: All right. That was a cheap shot. Hey, let's do this real quickly for you, guys. I want to play some sound. This is what Senator Barack Obama actually told CBS about his pick. Let's listen for a moment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: Obviously, the most important question is, is this person prepared to be president? Second most important question from my perspective is, can this person help me govern? Are they going to be an effective partner in creating the kind of economic opportunity here at home and guiding us through some dangerous waters internationally.
And the third criteria for me, I think, was independence. I want somebody who is going to be able to challenge my thinking and not simply be a yes person when it comes to policymaking.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Well, Bill, to your point, Joe Biden is not a yes person. And we did hear Senator Barack Obama talking about international issues.
PRESS: Yes. And also, I have to say I think John McCain would probably make the very same arguments. I think he laid out what you are looking for in a vice president. I would have to say the person who comes the closest to meeting those definitions is a Joe Biden.
But Joe Biden is something else, too, which I think Obama needs. He can be as mean as a junkyard dog if you need it. You know, he's a good debater and a good -- I hate to use that phrase, attack dog, but I just think he would take it right to McCain. I think Obama needs that.
SANCHEZ: You know, fundamentally, in talking about Joe Biden, I mean, it's speculation at this point. But he is a street fighter. I mean, that's kind of a term. He's a very aggressive political campaigner. In some senses, that's very good. But there's a lot of conflict. You know, there's -- he's a flawed candidate as well, I think. And that's one of the things that would probably be raised. It's still hard to say. But there's no perfect fit.
COLLINS: Yes. Quickly because you guys brought up the issue of the houses and everything. We'll probably not going to have time to play the sound from the interchange there. But there was a question of this -- how many homes do you and Mrs. McCain own. And then Senator McCain kind of vacillated, well, I don't really know. I'd have to check with someone else.
Both sides, though, are not letting this thing go. I mean, Obama has been using it. McCain is firing back. I mean, why is something like this going to be an issue right before the Democratic convention? And as you mentioned with Georgia and Russia conflict going on, a war in Iraq and Afghanistan it just seems so bizarre to me.
PRESS: You know, what, Heidi, (INAUDIBLE) -- look, in campaigns you can't plan everything. Sometimes things happen that nobody expected and it becomes a whole pivotal turning point in a campaign. I think this is one of those moments with John McCain because people didn't know how wealthy he is. And if you don't know how many houses you own, I mean, how can you really relate to the average Americans?
COLLINS: (INAUDIBLE) quickly, Leslie.
(CROSSTALK)
SANCHEZ: The tackling -- very fair, it was a gaffe. It was probably poor staff work on that part. You know, the senator clearly was prepared for this before Iowa. And should have been prepared for it. But it just feeds into this idea of who can connect with working class voters. And they are both trying to paint each other as elitist. You know, the whole George Bush thing, doesn't know how the scanner works at the grocery store. There's a lot there in the undercurrent, and they're trying to see if it will catch on.
COLLINS: All right. To the both of you, we could talk forever, but then we might miss the announcement. So that would be really bad. Bill Press and Leslie Sanchez, thanks so much, guys. We are watching it closely. In fact, --
PRESS: Thanks, Heidi. Keep your fingers crossed.
COLLINS: For what? All right. Thanks, again.
PRESS: All right.
COLLINS: Quickly, we are watching it very closely. We want to show you some of the cameras that we have going here. It's the Obama VP drama. Suspense is building. Our crews are keeping an eye on key players.
We are looking at Tim Kaine's house. Guys, tell me which one that is. I have not seen his home before. The very first one in your upper left corner. Joe Biden's home on the upper right and Bayh's house on the lower left and then the Chicago Midway Airport just in case anybody goes through there. So those are our four cameras. We're on top of it.
COLLINS: Want to get to this story now as well. To Iraq and a timeline that is set. U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq to be completed by 2011. The head of Iraq's negotiating team says both sides have reached the agreement. But now, it's up to both governments to approve it. President Bush has long resisted a timetable for pulling out of Iraq despite the rising death toll and high cost of war. But in Baghdad, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice helps seal the withdrawal deal. It calls for U.S. troops to leave Iraqi towns and cities by next June. That could change if the security situation, though, suddenly worsens.
Turning now to the world's latest flash point. Breaking news. Russian forces on the move in Georgia. Apparently, keeping a promise to start pulling out. We're looking at some live pictures there. To south Ossetia now, Georgia. And CNN's Phil Black with the very latest.
So they are moving, we understand, Phil, but the word that has been used is moderately.
PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, I have just traveled into Georgia from South Ossetia. I'm in Skin Valley now having returned. We went with Russian soldiers down towards Gori. This is old proper Georgia, down towards even the capital of Tbilisi as well.
And what we saw there was quite an overwhelming Russian withdrawal. There is hundreds of vehicles on the road heading north towards South Ossetia, and we're told towards Russia. From the road to Tbilisi, we saw a long column of tanks, armored personal carriers, logistics, supply vehicles, medical vehicles as well. Took many, many minutes to pass us.
And from where we stood, we could look across to the town of Gori and see similar convoys making their way from there as well. On the way back to Skin Valley, we've joined some of those convoys. And it's pretty much that on pretty much every major road heading north, there are long columns of Russian vehicles moving out.
The question is, though, how long will it take for all of them to leave? We also traveled right down to the most forward point of the Russian side if you like. The most forward checkpoint they have, which is just on the outskirts of the Georgian capital Tbilisi. Even there, though, we did see tank columns preparing to roll north. So it's clear it's happening. It's just a question of when will it be finished? The Russian officials say most of it should be done today -- Heidi.
COLLINS: OK. That's so interesting, Phil. Did you get a sense of what the mood of the Russian soldiers is?
P. BLACK: Pretty happy, generally. I think they are certainly happy to be going home. There is the sense that this is a victor's retreat if you'd like. There are lots of smiling faces, lots of arms being punched in the air. They are flying the Russian flag as they drive. And of all those that we spoke to, they say they are happy to be going home. But also, there are no regrets about having come here in the first place. They pretty much overwhelmingly believe that it was absolutely the right thing for Russia to do -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. CNN's Phil Black for us this morning live from South Ossetia, Georgia.
Thank you, Phil.
Fay, the wanderer. We will get to the very latest on how far along Fay has been traveling, and where it seems like it will be going next.
But first, we want to get back to these live pictures for you because, clearly, this is the story of the day. The suspense is building over Barack Obama's vice presidential pick. We have crews all over the place this morning. Out in front of people's homes, in fact and at the airport. We're looking at Tim Kaine's house, Joe Biden's house, Evan Bayh's house and there you have the airport -- Midway Airport. That announcement could come anytime now. We're watching it, live, right here on CNN.
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COLLINS: Tracking Tropical Storm Fay expected to make landfall yet again. Meteorologist Rob Marciano is live in the severe weather center now.
OK, where is she?
(WEATHER REPORT)
COLLINS: Water, water everywhere. Rainfall totals from Fay are staggering as we've just talked about. Average amounts 10 to 20 inches. Maybe even 30 inches in some places. Veronica De La Cruz has been tracking your iReports.
Veronica, you have some good pictures here?
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN INTERNET CORRESPONDENT: Yes, we do. And water, water everywhere is right, Heidi. Melissa Smith sent us some shot of a pond that she says just normally isn't. She lives in Deland, Florida. And says that her apartment complex has been trying to pump out the water. Hasn't really been able to. That's the backyard. This is the parking lot. She says that parking lot, Heidi, was flooded in just two hours. Two hours.
COLLINS: Wow.
DE LA CRUZ: And she says she's also been struggling with power going in and out throughout the day. So that's Deland, Florida. Louise Mills sent us some video from Cape Canaveral, Florida. And she says she has not been able to leave her condo for a few days because of this water you're looking at.
So, she shot this video of her son and grandson coming to pay her a visit. So, he's got his waders on. He is carrying his son on his shoulders there. And let's go ahead and just pull back for a second and give you some perspective. She also sent us this photo, Heidi, of her entire condominium complex under water. If we can just take a look at that. That's shocking. Shocking. That is her entire complex under water.
Also in Cape Canaveral, Florida, Teresa Kasper shot some video of her beach community. Her neighborhood also flooded out. She says that the water there has been knee deep. And some of the homes have as much as five inches of water damage already. So there she is giving us a tour of her neighborhood there.
So if you have some pictures or video, go ahead and send them to us. All you have to do is logon to ireport.com. And, of course, Heidi, we're going to continue to get these on the air throughout the day.
COLLINS: Yes, really incredible. All right, Veronica De La Cruz, thank you.
DE LA CRUZ: Of course.
COLLINS: The Internet chatter about China's gold medal gymnasts just won't quit. Were they old enough to compete? Now, the International Olympics Committee steps in.
All right. We are also continuing to watch this. All four of those cameras there. The Obama VP drama. CNN crews keeping an eye on key players this morning. Tim Kaine's house, upper left, Joe Biden's house on the right, Evan Bayh's house on the lower left and the Chicago Midway Airport because an announcement could come any time now. We're watching it.
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COLLINS: Very quickly and just in here to the CNN NEWSROOM. I want to show you these new pictures that we have coming out of Las Vegas. Our affiliate there, KVBC. Boy, a nasty scene, a plane has crashed into a home. I will tell you what I know at this point. You can already see firefighters, of course, battling those frames. But apparently this plane crash happened near the north Las Vegas Airport. That would be in Southern Nevada. This call came in. It was a small plane apparently, private plane I'm imagining. Just before 6:30 in the morning.
Again, a single family house now engulfed in flames. As you can see the firefighters are doing their best to extinguish those flames. We do not have any word on whether someone was in that house or group of people in that house at the time. But boy, that's a pretty incredible wide shot there of the whole neighborhood. And you can't even see the plane that is apparently inside that house now. Probably, unfortunately, much smaller pieces that would be even harder to see.
Again, I believe this would be video that was from a little bit earlier when firefighters first arrived on the scene. Plane went right through the roof there. We'll continue to follow that. And just as soon as we get any more details, we'll bring them to you.
Were they too old -- excuse me. Were they old enough to compete? Now the International Olympic Committee wants to know it's asking gymnastics officials to check the age of China's team. There's been a lot of talk about this.
And CNN's John Vause reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN VAUSE, CNN BEIJING CORRESPONDENT: Weeks before the Olympics, even China's president was asking gymnast He Kexin how old she was. 16, she replies. It was an innocent exchange, but ever since then there had been questions. Is she really 16? The legal age to compete. Chinese officials have provided a passport as proof to the satisfaction of the International Olympic Committee.
The latest to challenge that is a U.S. security expert reportedly named Mike Walker who claims to have uncovered proof that He Kexin is, in fact, 14. On his blog, others are encouraged to go looking and so far dozens claimed to have found similar result.
REBECCA MACKINNON, HONG KONG UNIVERSITY: It's just citizens acting independently online to dig up information and then to share it around the Internet and it spread virally. And it's very, very difficult to stop.
VAUSE: Walker claims to have searched Google, Google China and a Chinese search engine Baidu. Many pages he says have been deleted, but the cache or snapshot summary of the search results were not. And there he alleges to have found two lists compiled by China's General Administration of Sport where He Kexin's date of birth is given as 1994. But there's no way to verify Walker's claim. An investigation, though, by the "New York Times" produced similar results. And it didn't just stop at her.
It found half of the Chinese team, these three girls in particular, could be underage. Their passports say they're all 16, but the "Times" uncovered a 2006 biography of her that listed her birthday as January 1, 1994. That would make her 14, not 16.
This girl Jiang Yuyuan recently competed in a local competition as a 14-year-old. And a Web site in China says this member of the team Jang Yilin is 15.
ED SWIFT, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Perception is reality in this instance. And if the world sees that China is cheating as far as the age of their gymnasts, they will discredit those medals.
VAUSE: In women's gymnastics, there's a big difference between 14-year-old girls where they are smaller, more agile and lighter frame and older competitors.
SWIFT: They are able to do tricks that they will not be able to do when their bodies mature.
VAUSE: If He had an unfair advantage, it paid off. She took gold on the uneven bars in a tie break over American over Nastia Liukin. The U.S. team coordinator said they have no proof He is underage but added --
MARTA KAROLYI, U.S. TEAM COORDINATOR: At the same time, too much talk about it and so if it's true what is the talk about that. It's a totally unfair situation for everybody else.
VAUSE: But now, it's a long way from over. In launching their investigation, an IOC spokesman says more information has come to light that did point to discrepancies.
(on camera): When asked about this latest controversy involving an alleged underage gymnast, China's sport bureau told CNN there was nothing to add to already issued denials, referring us to China's Olympic committee, which is yet to respond to our question.
John Vause, CNN, Beijing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: The Obama VP drama. CNN crews are keeping an eye on the key players this morning. We've got shots of Tim Kaine's house, Joe Biden's house, Evan Bayh's house, and, of course, the Chicago Midway Airport. An announcement could come, anytime.
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