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American Morning
Barack Obama Makes History as the First Black Major Party Nominee; Biden on the Attack; Bill Clinton Endorses Obama-Biden Ticket; One-on-One Interview with Michelle Obama
Aired August 28, 2008 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: History for Barack Obama.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: God bless you. God bless America.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: Closure for Hillary Clinton.
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SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: Let's declare together in one voice right here, right now.
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CHETRY: Redemption for President Clinton.
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BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Barack Obama is on the right side of history.
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CHETRY: Tonight, the country's first major party black presidential nominee accepts at Mile High. It's the final day of the DNC, live from Denver, on the "Most Politics in the Morning."
And welcome. It is Thursday, August 28th. I'm Kiran Chetry here in New York. Glad you're with us. John Roberts out in a new location.
Really it is amazing, John, if people could have seen the scramble behind the scene for everyone to move from the Pepsi Center to where you are today.
JOHN ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR: There are a lot of people here at INVESCO Field Mile High Stadium who have not slept in quite a while, Kiran. They took all of the setup that was inside that hall with the exception of the big screens and they moved it all here across Interstate 25 over here to INVESCO Field, where tonight Barack Obama will give his speech accepting the nomination for the Democratic Party. The first, as you said, African-American candidate to head up a major national party for the presidency.
We are counting down this morning to Senator Barack Obama's historic speech after becoming, as we said, the first African-American to be nominated by a major political party. And before Obama stopped by INVESCO Field last night for a walk through, he surprised delegates and drove home his message of change.
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SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Change is brought about because ordinary people do extraordinary things. And so we want to open up this convention to make sure that everybody who wants to come can join in the party and join in the effort to take America back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: And former President Bill Clinton following the lead of his wife not only electrified but unified the hall as he gave a resounding endorsement of Senator Obama.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Barack Obama is ready to honor the oath to preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the United States. Barack Obama is ready to be president of the United States.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: And shortly after that, Obama's vice presidential nominee, Senator Joe Biden, embraced his role of attack dog arguing it's the Republicans who botched America's standing overseas.
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SEN. JOE BIDEN, DEM. VICE PRES. NOMINEE: As we gather here tonight, our country is less secure and more isolated than it has been any time in recent history. The Bush foreign policy has dug us into a very deep hole with very few friends to help us climb out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: And as we await Obama's speech tonight on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" address, there is word this morning that Senator John McCain has made up his mind as to who he wants to put on the Republican ticket with him. Sources say he will appear with that person tomorrow at a rally in Ohio. We hope to learn the name later on today -- Kiran.
CHETRY: That's right. And it's interesting because a little later in our show we're going to have one of his possible short listers. That's Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty so we're going to be talking to him a little bit later in the show.
Meanwhile, any concerns that the Democratic Party would splinter last night were put to rest after a rousing old style roll call of the state and that was brought to a close by Senator Hillary Clinton. Now one party marches toward INVESCO Field.
Here's CNN's Jessica Yellin.
JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Kiran, John, Democrats wake up happy this morning after a night that many here in Denver say brought the party together.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
YELLIN (voice-over): The night started with a show of unity when Hillary Clinton called for a unanimous vote for Obama.
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: I move Senator Barack Obama of Illinois be selected by this convention by acclamation as the nominee of the Democratic Party for president of the United States!
YELLIN: Later her husband brought the crowd to its feet.
He showed up his critics delivering an impassioned endorsement of Obama, drawing parallel to his own candidacy 16 years ago.
BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Together, we prevailed in a hard campaign in which the Republicans said I was too young and too inexperienced to be commander in chief.
(APPLAUSE)
Sound familiar? It didn't work in 1992 because we were on the right side of history. And it will not work in 2008 because Barack Obama is on the right side of history.
YELLIN: The theme of the night was national security. Vice presidential nominee Joseph Biden, a man with considerable foreign policy experience, stepped into the spotlight and hit Senator John McCain hard on foreign policy judgment.
SEN. JOE BIDEN, DEM. VICE PRES. NOMINEE: And as we gather here tonight, our country is less secure and more isolated than it has been any time in recent history. The Bush foreign policy has dug us into a very deep hole with very few friends to help us climb out.
YELLIN: It was a crowd pleaser, topped only by the night's biggest surprise.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I just wanted to come out here for a little -- little something to say.
YELLIN: The new nominee made it clear the party is putting old divisions to rest.
OBAMA: If I'm not mistaken, Hillary Clinton rocked the house last night.
YELLIN: A message this crowd seemed relieved to hear.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
YELLIN: The biggest challenge is next when Barack Obama addresses more than 75,000 people tonight with a speech that's supposed to woo undecideds, make skeptics believers, and energize supporters for the rough fight ahead -- Kiran, John.
CHETRY: Jessica Yellin for us, thanks.
And last night the vice presidential nominee, Senator Joe Biden, laid out the case for Barack Obama arguing the question is not about experience, but judgment.
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SEN. JOE BIDEN, DEM. VICE PRES. NOMINEE: You know, John McCain is my friend. And I know you hear that phrase used all the time in politics. I mean it. John McCain is my friend.
We've traveled the world together. It's a friendship that goes beyond politics, and the personal courage and heroism demonstrated by John still amazes me. But I profoundly, I profoundly disagree with the direction John wants to take this country from Afghanistan to Iraq.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: Biden was introduced by his son Beau who said that he won't be able to stand by his father this fall. He's scheduled to ship out for Iraq in October with the Army National Guard in Delaware. He is going to be going for a year-long deployment.
Let's send it back over to John.
ROBERTS: Yes. Very interesting, Kiran, that not only the attorney general of the state of Delaware but also the son of a vice presidential nominee being deployed to Iraq in just a few weeks' time.
Democrats are preparing for tonight's convention's closing ceremony. Bill Clinton followed the tone set by his wife the night before and urged the Democratic Party to come together and put Barack Obama in the White House. But did it take too long for the Clintons to exit the stage here at the convention?
Joining us now is Republican strategist Leslie Sanchez and independent analyst John Avlon. Thanks for being up early this morning, folks, because it was an awfully late night last night.
Let's listen to a little bit of Bill Clinton's speech last night. This, for me, having covered him as a White House correspondent, was the absolute money line of the evening.
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BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Everything I learned in my eight years as president, and in the work I have done since in America and across the globe, has convinced me that Barack Obama is the man for this job.
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ROBERTS: So that really was a ringing endorsement from Bill Clinton. Did you take it that way, John?
JOHN AVLON, INDEPENDENT POLITICAL ANALYST: Absolutely. Look, if today is game day for Barack Obama, last night was the perfect pre- game rally. And Bill Clinton gave a masterful speech. And he sort of completed what Hillary Clinton began the night before. He gave a full-throated endorsement of Barack Obama making clear the case that he is ready to be president. That's what's needed to be done, and Bill Clinton got that ball down the field.
LESLIE SANCHEZ, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Oh, these game analogies, you can hear them already. It's like wow. OK.
ROBERTS: It happened to him in a football stadium.
SANCHEZ: Yes. It tends to but -- I think if anything, Bill Clinton talked about being ready so many times it's like he overcompensated for what Hillary Clinton did not say. Yes, he's ready. It was almost like he was trying to convince himself. And I think there was another interesting point when he --
ROBERTS: You didn't see this as the second act of a play that she began?
SANCHEZ: Not at all. But I do have to say a great thing, all the talk of unity for the last four days, one thing it did, bringing out Hillary and then Bill Clinton together unified the Republican Party. I think they're going to mobilize us better.
But also you talked about inexperience and that he was challenged on his experience level. He was a disaster those first two years he was in office, but it led to a Republican takeover in Congress after the first time in 40 years. So for Bill Clinton to say that --
ROBERTS: Well, I think he would argue that he wasn't.
SANCHEZ: I think that Congress and American public that threw out the Democrats in Congress would argue that he was.
ROBERTS: John, what about the fact that even though this was very, very carefully scripted and choreographed, it took three days for this to be turned over to Barack Obama. Were the Clintons on the stage too long here in Denver?
AVLON: I do think that the Clintons absorbed a little bit too much oxygen at the Mile High convention. No question. But last night, things finally came around and it became Barack Obama's convention. The combination of Bill Clinton's speech, the national security theme. You had former Republican Rear Admiral saying -- accusing the Bush administration of incompetence and arrogance. Those things really motivated, and Joe Biden's speech brought it all together for an Obama/Biden party that's really ready for the fall.
SANCHEZ: I think Biden started very well. I think he was very pedestrian in nature overall. It fell flat but his son's introduction was fantastic. I think when he was compelling, he was talking about his mom. You're always right when you're talking about mom.
ROBERTS: Brought tears to Michelle Obama's eyes.
SANCHEZ: It brought tears to just about everybody in the hall. He was really honest and sincere. It was a very nice side of Joe Biden to see. And then it became the hatchet man, which is kind of unfortunate.
ROBERTS: All right. Let's bring you back in a little while. We'll talk about what we might see here tonight at INVESCO Field.
Leslie Sanchez, John Avlon, good to see you this morning.
AVLON: Good to see you.
ROBERTS: Kiran.
CHETRY: John, thanks. You know, we're also following a developing weather story that could turn into a huge, huge problem for the gulf coast. Tropical Storm Gustav on the move again in the northern Caribbean. This storm is headed toward the Gulf of Mexico and it could restrengthen to a dangerous hurricane early next week.
Residents from Texas to Florida being told to brace for a hit. Gustav has already battered Haiti and the Dominican Republic causing massive flooding and landslides that have claimed at least 23 lives.
Our Rob Marciano tracking it for us, and we'll check in with him in just a couple of minutes.
Also, Michelle Obama talks about the challenges and rewards she's found during the long campaign. You're going to hear John's exclusive one-on-one interview with the first lady -- the would be first lady.
Prime time preview.
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SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Little something to say.
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CHETRY: In the shadow of JFK and Martin Luther King Jr., Dana bash looks at what Obama needs to do to hit one out of the park.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Everybody who wants to come can join in the party.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I just wanted to come out here for a little -- little something to say. I want everybody to now understand why I am so proud to have Joe Biden and Jill Biden and Beau Biden and Mama Biden and the whole Biden family with me on this journey to take America back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: And that's Barack Obama applauding his vice presidential nominee, Senator Joe Biden, who spoke last night. And tonight, Obama takes the party to INVESCO Field where he'll address an estimated 75,000 supporters.
CNN's Dana Bash is live in Denver at the CNN Grill. You know, if people could understand just, first of all, how unbelievable it is that everyone was able to make the move from Pepsi Center to INVESCO Field, what a huge undertaking that was in preparation for tonight's big speech.
DANA BASH, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. And that is because tonight Barack Obama is going to mark his history- making moment with nothing short of an extravaganza, Kiran. But when it comes to the speech, he is going to have to mix the stirring rhetoric that he is known for with a specific case for his candidacy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Thank you so much.
BASH (voice-over): The first hint of the history to come.
OBAMA: There is not a liberal America and a conservative America. There is the United States of America.
BASH: Just four years later --
REP. NANCY PELOSI (D), HOUSE SPEAKER: Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee for president of the United States by acclamation.
BASH: He is now officially the Democratic nominee. And tonight, he'll deliver an elaborately orchestrated acceptance speech before some 75,000 people in this stadium. The first candidate to trade the convention hall for an open to the public venue since John Kennedy in 1960. Not the only historic symbolism. It's also the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech.
Obama's lofty oratory catapulted him to this moment. But it also has been used by his opponents as proof he's out of touch.
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: I have to say that there is a difference between speeches and solutions, between rhetoric and results.
BASH: Obama allies say his challenge tonight is to bring his soaring rhetoric down to earth, to connect with voters and prove he's one of them.
RAHM EMANUEL (D), ILLINOIS: The most important thing that Barack has to do is to communicate to the American people he understands the challenges they're facing, the economic squeeze they're facing, and that he has a recipe for that.
BASH: Many Democratic strategists say his most critical goal is making a convincing case he's got what it takes to be commander in chief and that he's got the stomach to fight for the change he preaches. At a rally en route to Denver, an acceptance speech preview.
OBAMA: I am going to fight as hard as I can over the next 70 days to make clear to the American people that they deserve a president and a White House that is fighting for them.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BASH: Now, Obama says the goal of bringing people to INVESCO Field is to bring more people into the fold. They're actually going to use it as an organizing tool, explaining to people when they're there how to text message to get people to the polls for Obama in November.
But in terms of the setup, Kiran, Republicans are already mocking it as over the top. And I think we have a live picture of what they're talking about.
There is a roman-like stage with columns and all. And that is something that the McCain campaign is already saying is an example of what they have been calling Obama's arrogance. In fact, they already have a name for it. They're calling it "Barackapolis" (ph) -- Kiran.
CHETRY: Yes. It's on the front page of the "New York Post" today as well. So they're going to get some mileage out of that one.
Dana Bash, thanks.
Michelle's mission.
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ROBERTS: Have you got a signature issue that you'd like to make your own?
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CHETRY: Her plan if she makes it to the White House.
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MICHELLE OBAMA, BARACK OBAMA'S WIFE: There's more that we need to do.
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CHETRY: One on one with the woman who could be the next first lady. You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOE BIDEN, DEM VICE PRES. NOMINEE: Let me say this simply as I can. Yes. Yes, I accept your nomination to run and serve with Barack Obama, the next president of the United States of America!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: 20 minutes after the hour. Now vice presidential nominee Joe Biden enthusiastically accepts his party's nomination on a night when former President Bill Clinton gave his blessing to the Democratic ticket.
Joining me now to talk about more about this and where we're headed from here is John Dickerson, CNN political analyst and he's also the chief political correspondent for Slate.com. What did you think of the speech last night?
JOHN DICKERSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, which one? You know, the Biden speech was good. It was authentic Joe Biden.
But, of course, the big speech last night was Bill Clinton. He did all the things he needed to do by finally supporting Barack Obama in this full-throated way. So that was -- you know, we had two big speeches last night.
ROBERTS: Let's talk a little bit about the Biden speech because the traditional role for the vice presidential nominee is to be the attack dog. And he went on the attack yesterday with some very aggressive compare and contrasts, particularly keying on the side of how well he knows John McCain. Let's listen to that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOE BIDEN, DEM VICE PRES. NOMINEE: John McCain is my friend. We've traveled the world together. It's a friendship that goes beyond politics. But I profoundly, I profoundly disagree with the direction John wants to take this country from Afghanistan to Iraq.
(END VIDEO CLIP) ROBERTS: John, does it make it a more effective compare and contrast when he says, look, I'll tell you, this guy is my friend. I've known him for a long time, and as much as it pains me to tell you, he's wrong.
DICKERSON: That's exactly right. Now, this is a bit of a political tick. You know, politicians always say, well, they're my dear friend. And that's usually the signal they're about to wallop them.
But Joe Biden has known John McCain a long time and he does this very well, which is this sort of more in sorrow than in anger. And then he lays out these detailed case, went on it some length about why John McCain is not qualified. So, yes, it is quite effective.
ROBERTS: All right. Let's take a look at Bill Clinton's speech last night. You and I both covered the Clinton White House and we know how he uses words. A master wordsmith here.
Let's take a listen to this -- this one part where he's talking about Barack Obama and Joe Biden being qualified to lead the top of the ticket.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: With Joe Biden's experience and wisdom supporting Barack Obama's proven understanding, instincts and insight, America will have the national security leadership we need.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: Now, deconstruct that line for me.
DICKERSON: Well, Biden's got the experience. Obama doesn't. So he gives -- he talks about Biden having experience and Obama's got instinct, which you don't need to be alive very many years to have. And so, he kind of pairs the two of them and doesn't make the claim that would have been hard for him to make which is that Obama has the experience.
We remember that Hillary Clinton in her campaign and Bill Clinton in waging that campaign for her made the case that Barack Obama didn't have the experience to be commander in chief.
ROBERTS: And, of course, the McCain campaign still using her words against Barack Obama.
John Dickerson, good to see you this morning. Thanks for being with us.
DICKERSON: Thanks, John.
ROBERTS: Kiran.
CHETRY: Well, John McCain has picked his running mate. That's what he's saying. So will Republicans try to upstage Barack Obama's big night with their own announcement?
One on one with Michelle Obama.
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MICHELLE OBAMA, BARACK OBAMA'S WIFE: I am not the policy person.
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CHETRY: A sneak peek inside an Obama White House.
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MICHELLE OBAMA, BARACK OBAMA'S WIFE: I don't know if tough is the word, but I definitely would let him know.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: The woman who could be the next first lady. You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROBERTS: A dramatic night at the Democratic Convention. Michelle Obama was caught up in the emotion as Joe Biden delivered his acceptance speech last evening.
While she is in Denver, the senator's wife is doing her part to give American troops overseas a taste of home. I sat down with Michelle Obama to discuss her role in the campaign and possibly the White House.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHELLE OBAMA, BARACK OBAMA'S WIFE: We are preparing care packages for the troops this morning. And this is something that the DNC, the Obama campaign, the party has wanted to do to make sure that we're giving back to the city that we're basically taking over for the next four days. So in addition to this project, there are going to be service projects all over the city. And all the delegates have been asked to go out and serve.
And it's also part of one of the signature pieces of Barack's platform and that's expanding national service. And making sure that while our troops are away at home that we're doing the best we can do to serve our country here at home.
ROBERTS: One of the things we're trying to do here at CNN in this election cycle is to present to voters sort of the idea of what it would be like if. So I wanted to ask you, how would you define your role as first lady if your husband wins the election? Have you got a signature issue that you'd like to make your own that would help define your term in the White House?
OBAMA: Yes. You know, I joke that my first job is going to be mom in chief because with little kids, you know, I have to make sure that their feet are on the ground. So that's going to be an important priority for our family as it has been during the course of this campaign.
But there are definitely signature events. And one of them is drawing more attention to the challenges that military families face when troops are deployed. You know, we look at today's economic crisis. People losing their homes, jobs disappearing, education systems not where they need to be. And you take all those issues and pack that on top of families who are dealing with members who are on their second or third tour of duty, and there's a high level of stress that affects the families back at home. And there's more that we need to do.
And I've been having conversations with military spouses all around the country, hearing their stories, the amount of mental stress that they're under without any support. Not being able to hold down jobs because they're moving from place to place to place. And I was surprised at the challenges they face and I know that if more Americans heard those stories, we would get some more attention and some more support for initiatives that are designed to help these families.
ROBERTS: We're getting down to the short strokes here in the campaign, and we've talked to several supporters of your husband. Very ardent supporters who are starting to get a little bit anxious. And the reason for their anxiety is they see this magic and they're wondering if it's going to continue. Do you ever experience the same thoughts?
OBAMA: You know, this has been an amazing 19 months. And those questions have been a part of this conversation about Barack Obama for this entire year. Is he who he appears to be? Will the magic continue?
People always get a little anxious, but look at where we are. Tomorrow Barack will be nominated the Democratic candidate to run for president of the United States and that's because the magic has continued. That people have not only been inspired to believe and hope, but they've been inspired to put their shoulder to the wheel and get out and vote and to, you know, talk to their neighbors and to educate and to debate about the future of this country.
That has been going on for the -- for the last 19 months. And there's no reason for me to believe that it won't continue through November. The issues won't change. The choices are still the same. People are still, you know, feeling the weight of an economy that just isn't going where it needs to. And I think Barack and most people will learn as they learn more about these candidates, and we enter the debates, that there's some real differences between these candidates on issues that matter most to the people.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTS: And we'll have more of my interview with Michelle Obama coming up in our next hour here on the "Most News in the Morning." Just about 30 minutes past the hour right now. We are live at INVESCO Field at Mile High where this morning the home of the Denver broncos has been transformed into a stage where Barack Obama will address a crowd of 75,000 people.
It was no easy task to move the party down the street. Hundreds of engineers, producers, and technical operators have been working around the clock for the past several days. And it was just hours ago Barack Obama walked along the stage where he will make his address 45 years to the day that Reverend Martin Luther King delivered his "I have a dream speech."
And this morning, there is no question that the Clintons appear to have buried the bitterness from the primary campaign and are now throwing their political weight behind Senator Obama.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Last night, Hillary told us in no uncertain terms that she is going to do everything she can to elect Barack Obama. That makes two of us. Actually, that makes 18 million of us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: And after former President Bill Clinton's speech last night, vice presidential nominee Senator Joe Biden rallied the crowd, defining Obama as a leader who can deliver the change America needs.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN (D), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: These are extraordinary times. This is an extraordinary election. The American people are ready. I am ready. Barack is ready. This is his time. This is our time. This is America's time. God bless America and may God protect our troops! Thank you very much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: Biden also talked about his own deep foreign policy experience, an area many considered to be Obama's weak spot.
CNN has learned that John McCain has picked his running mate and is expected to make that announcement Friday morning. CNN's Ed Henry looks at McCain's short list which includes a former bitter rival.
ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: John, Kiran, John McCain is expected to announce his VP selection Friday. And Mitt Romney was saying all the right things in his last public tryout for the job.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Governor Mitt Romney.
HENRY (voice-over): Mitt Romney in the key swing state of Nevada. Auditioning to be John McCain's running mate.
MITT ROMNEY (R), FMR. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We didn't all agree a few months ago about what the direction of our party ought to be, but we sure agree now that John McCain needs to be the next president of the United States.
HENRY: He deflected questions about the job during an interview with CNN. But sure sounded like someone comfortable with being number two.
ROMNEY: I'm campaigning across the country to help John McCain get elected. My turn is over. I'm anticipating continuing to work for Senator McCain and his ticket until November and a victory, I sure hope. And so, this is about him. It's not about me.
HENRY: Based on the reception he received from conservatives here, it's easy to see why he's high on McCain's short list. As a former businessman he could complement McCain's national security credentials.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's really good on economic issues. I think he'd be a strong vice presidential candidate.
HENRY: With the election so tight, McCain advisers privately say it's tantalizing to consider. Romney might deliver the 17 electoral votes of Michigan, where his late father served as governor. But in the Republican primaries, McCain and Romney were bitter rivals.
ROMNEY: He voted twice against the Bush tax cuts. Only two Republicans did that.
HENRY: That question of chemistry is a big reason other contenders are still in the hunt for the veep slot including 47-year- old Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty.
GOV. TIM PAWLENTY (R), MINNESOTA: When you see the difference between John McCain and Barack Obama, it's not even a close call.
HENRY: With two Senate insiders now on the Democratic ticket, McCain could benefit with a fresh faced outsider. But Pawlenty could be too new as Republicans stress experience. McCain could highlight his maverick image and win some independents by tapping Joe Lieberman or Tom Ridge. Both of whom support abortion rights. But conservatives would be furious, which is why all eyes are back on Romney, who's trying to show he hit it off with McCain during a weekend together.
ROMNEY: I didn't realize he's such a great barbecue chef. I didn't know that he also just is with his family all the time, loves being with his kids. He had his two daughters and one of his sons who was on leave from the military there. He was a proud father. He could not get enough of his son.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HENRY: Democrats say if Romney gets the nod, they'll make a big deal out of his wealth. But when I asked him how many homes he owns, Romney said four. Quote, "one less than John Kerry." So it's clear. He's ready to turn this around on Democrats -- John, Kiran.
ROBERTS: Ed Henry for us this morning reporting.
Bill Clinton and Joe Biden scored big with convention delegates. But how are the speeches playing with Republicans? Mike Huckabee's former campaign chairman gives us his reaction.
CHETRY: On alert.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everybody's panicking.
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CHETRY: Tracking a killer storm as it churns toward the Gulf.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're not trying to panic anyone but everybody should look at their plans and prepare.
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CHETRY: The latest on Gustav. You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHETRY: Welcome back to the "Most News in the Morning." Politics not the only big story today. We're also tracking Tropical Storm Gustav as it makes its march toward the Gulf of Mexico and could strengthen into a dangerous hurricane early next week. Gustav already battering Haiti and the Dominican Republic killing at least 23 people. Many of them dying from mud slides in Haiti. Residents from Texas to Florida are being told to stay on stand by. And last night we caught up with New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin as the city braces for what could be another hit.
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MAYOR RAY NAGIN (D), NEW ORLEANS: Since Katrina we have been working cooperatively together. We've tested our plans. We have gone through mock drills. And it all seems to be in place. Now, we've got a new player and a new governor who has a better relationship with the president. So hopefully up and down the line there will be better communication.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: CNN's Rob Marciano is tracking the storm. He joins me live now from the CNN hurricane headquarters.
It will be three years to the week that Katrina hit. And you have all of the officials in Louisiana really on high alert for the possibility that this could happen.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: And they should be. But not only Louisiana, but Texas -- the Upper Texas coastline, even the Panhandle of Florida. There is still not a whole lot of confidence as to where this thing is going to go and how strong it's going to be when it gets in the Gulf of Mexico later on this weekend and the beginning part of next week.
Already, there was a surprise this morning when a Hurricane Hunter aircraft went into the storm and discovered that -- you know, the center actually just kind of shifted well down to the south. Now, that shifted the track dramatically as well and it also has brought Jamaica into the mix.
Winds now 50 miles an hour, and this thing is definitely getting stronger, and we expect it to continue with the strengthening process here over the next several hours and several days. It will scoot underneath Jamaica now, likely the tropical storm then getting into a hurricane status by tomorrow or Saturday morning into Category One, through the Yucatan Channel Category Two, into the Gulf of Mexico potentially as a Category Three.
And then we're talking the Panhandle of Florida and through parts of the Upper Texas coastline. It looks like it has slowed down a little bit to where the potential for a U.S. landfall would be likely sometime late Monday or early Tuesday. Of course, that can change as can the direction and strength of this thing.
So, still a lot of questions. Obviously, New Orleans in the path as well Galveston and parts of say Tallahassee and Pensacola. One quick note, Kiran. Just this morning tropical depression number eight just outside the Caribbean. We'll have to watch this for development as it heads towards the Bahamas and potentially towards the southeast coast at the end of next week. So, lots of action in the tropics. It is prime time for this.
CHETRY: It sure is. I know you guys are tracking every step of it. Thanks so much, Rob.
MARCIANO: You got it.
CHETRY: Glory days.
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B. CLINTON: Look what happened.
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CHETRY: How much better off were we?
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B. CLINTON: They took us from record surpluses to an exploding debt.
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CHETRY: Christine Romans checks the facts. Who's really to blame for where we are now?
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CLINTON: From over 22 million new jobs to just 5 million.
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CHETRY: You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
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CLINTON: Hillary told us in no uncertain terms that she is going to do everything she can to elect Barack Obama. That makes two of us.
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CHETRY: Well, former President Bill Clinton doing his part for party unity. He gave a ringing endorsement of Barack Obama last night. The Clinton speech and one delivered by vice presidential nominee Joe Biden scored big with the Democrat delegates. But how was the convention rhetoric playing with Republicans?
Ed Rollins, Republican strategist and CNN contributor, joins us now.
Ed, good to see you this morning.
ED ROLLINS, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Good morning. How are you?
CHETRY: Did Clinton deliver it last night?
ROLLINS: Oh, he certainly did. He's a tremendous speaker and I still had nightmares as I watched him again reminding of all the times that he gave great speeches, and last night was one of his greatest.
CHETRY: Did he do what he needed to do, though, which is to reassure people that Barack Obama does indeed have the experience to lead from day one.
ROLLINS: I don't think his endorsement of Barack as a commander- in-chief gives a great credence. He certainly as the spouse of the opponent who ran against him, he did what he had to do to say, I endorse him, she endorses him. But it's awful hard to argue the guy has been in the United States Senate for three years, two of which he's been running for president, qualifies him to be commander-in- chief.
CHETRY: You had Joe Biden last night, the V.P. pick for the Democrats and now all eyes are going to be on who John McCain picks, an announcement set for tomorrow morning. Let's talk about some of the people rumored to be on the short list, and get your take. Mitt Romney -- this is a guy who was a front-runner from the very beginning. What do you think about him?
ROLLINS: Spent a substantial sum of money, probably more money (INAUDIBLE) in our primary, but did well. Didn't win but did well. You know, he has a lot of conservatives that are supportive of him, and I think would be a choice that would not be unpopular.
CHETRY: But what is his weakness now given the Joe Biden pick.
ROLLINS: I think the weaknesses are people would go look at his business deals that he did. He made a lot of money as investment banker. He -- a lot of jobs were lost. I think to a certain extent that will be what they'll focus on. That and the combination of McCain's houses and his houses make a lot of houses hard to argue in a time of great need.
CHETRY: Politico Web site is reporting that Karl Rove, who's not involved in a formal way with the McCain campaign, called Lieberman, according to three sources they say, urging him to withdraw his name from the possibility. Why is Lieberman such a red herring and why would he be a problem pick for John McCain?
ROLLINS: He's been supportive of the Bush administration on the war, which is a good thing. He's been a liberal Democrat on every other issue. He was the V.P. candidate in 2000, obviously didn't make a difference there. You know, I just think it's an unusual pick. They have great friendship, McCain and him. But I think at the end of the day, a lot of Republicans would think, there's a Republican out there somewhere that you could pick that could be a good running mate.
CHETRY: One of them is a fresh face, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. The problem, some say, is that he doesn't necessarily have the foreign policy credentials to stand up in a debate.
ROLLINS: Well, you know -- either does Barack Obama. So, I mean, the critical thing here is you pick someone who helps you a little and doesn't hurt you. Pawlenty definitely would help a little bit. He's well known. He's liked by Evangelicals. Different state, obviously -- Minnesota, and very lucky with that state. He may make a difference in there.
CHETRY: Ed Rollins, we'll see you a little bit later in the show. Thanks.
ROLLINS: Great. Thank you.
CHETRY: Roll call.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Barack Obama!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Barack Obama!
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CHETRY: Jeanne Moos dives into the crowd for another unconventional moment.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Barack Obama!
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CHETRY: You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
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B. CLINTON: I am here first to support Barack Obama. And second, I'm here to warm up the crowd for Joe Biden.
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ROBERTS: Nine minutes now to the top of the hour. Love was in the thin air of the Mile High City when the Democratic delegates put Barack Obama over the top in yesterday's roll call vote for the nomination. CNN's Jeanne Moos captures the magic in this unconventional moment.
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JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): During the roll call his name rolled off tongues.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Barack Obama!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Barack Obama!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Barack Obama!
MOOS: When a blond head was spotted bobbing through the crowd, that's when the thrill factor went up a notch. Hillary Clinton made her way to the New York delegation and made her peace with Barack Obama.
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D), FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Let's declare together in one voice right here, right now that Barack Obama is our candidate and he will be our president!
CROWD: Hillary! Hillary! Hillary!
MOOS: And then nomination by acclamation was just a formality.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is there a second? Please say aye.
MOOS: It was Obama's over the top moment. And what song did they play?
("LOVE TRAIN" SONG PLAYING)
MOOS: After playing the part of peacemaker, Hillary left the floor.
("LOVE TRAIN" SONG PLAYING)
MOOS: There were some tears, happy about Obama, sad for Hillary, both, who knows. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tried to get back to business. But she got drowned out. No match for the love train. Tickets, please. The Obama/Biden ticket.
With an unconventional moment, I'm Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
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CHETRY: The nominee's wife.
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M. OBAMA: If I can be a voice around this set of issues.
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CHETRY: John's exclusive one on one with Michelle Obama.
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M. OBAMA: By giving people an ear to the president.
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CHETRY: How she sees life as first lady.
Plus, the "O" effect.
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ROBERTS: A shot inside INVESCO Field, Mile High Stadium here in Denver. And a picture of where Barack Obama is going to be giving his acceptance speech tonight. There you're seeing circularly at the end of the stage there. If you go a little bit to the right, it looks almost like an ancient Greek temple. Doric Columns there what some people have already nicknamed the "Barackopolis," which is where he'll be appearing later on this evening.
Of course, we'll have complete coverage of that all day long here on CNN as we continue to be your home for politics.
Is big business shelling out big money to entertain the Democrats? Both Barack Obama and John McCain criticize them in public, but lobbyists seem to be spending record amounts of dough at the convention.
CNN's Joe Johns is here now with a look at this corporate cash machine. How much are they spending?
JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John, both candidates have paid plenty of lib service to lobbying reform this year. But no matter how you slice it, conventions, politics and money just go together. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHNS (voice-over): Corporate interests appear to be rolling out the red carpet for Democrats despite ethics rules put in place by the House and Senate that were supposed to crack down on lobbying.
JOAN CLAYBROOK, PUBLIC CITIZEN: With the amount of money being spent is surely larger than in past years. No question about that. But this is always a one stop shopping center for the lobbyists. They come here to rub shoulders, get people in informal conversations, get their little points across, and they pay a lot of money to do that. And they think it's really worthwhile.
JOHNS: So how could they be paying more? New ethics rules say you can't throw a party for a single member of Congress but big blowouts are OK, as long as a bunch of people who aren't in Congress are there. Final spending totals won't be reported for months. But if lobbyists are spending more, some are definitely trying to keep their profiles low. Absolutely no videotaping was allowed inside an event featuring rap superstar Kanye West sponsored in part by the recording industry.
Same story at a reception thrown by credit card interests to honor Democratic freshman members of Congress. We were left standing on the sidewalk. So, why is secrecy? Some lobbyists may feel they're under attack since both Barack Obama and John McCain have repeatedly trashed them in public.
HEATHER PODESTA, LOBBYIST: During this campaign lobbyists have become front and center for all the negative attention of what's wrong with Washington. And candidates always want to run against Washington.
JOHNS: Well known Washington lobbyists Tony and Heather Podesta have taken to wearing embroidered scarlet letters underscoring the stigma they say they're stuck with.
PODESTA: And so, I felt like there was a marked. That I was marked as the lobbyist. And so, we're turning back to grade school and we have all read the Scarlet Letter. And instead of wearing an A for adulterer, we're wearing Ls for lobbyists.
JOHNS: But watchdog Joan Claybrook argues the issue is not about the lobbyists per se. It's all about the money.
CLAYBROOK: When you connect it to the money that's when the harm occurs. Because that means that there are two levels of lobbyists. The wealthy ones who get particular access, who get their bills taken care of first and then the rest of us -- the public. And that's where the harm occurs.
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JOHNS: Still, the bottom line, spending money the way you want to is often viewed by courts as a form of free speech. So every time there's a new lobbying reform, somebody finds a loophole that sticks. ROBERTS: So they're going to be in politics for a long time to come?
JOHNS: I'd guess.
ROBERTS: Joe Johns, thanks very much for that.
JOHNS: You bet, John.
