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American Morning
Hurricane Ike Heads to Texas, National Weather Service Issues Dire Warnings; Sarah Palin Gives Her First TV Interview; Queen Noor of Jordan on the U.S. Presidential Race and Building Bridges
Aired September 12, 2008 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE, ABC WORLD NEWS)
CHARLIE GIBSON, ANCHOR, ABC WORLD NEWS: Did you ever travel outside the country prior to your trip to Kuwait and Germany last year?
GOV. SARAH PALIN (R), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Canada, Mexico.
GIBSON: Have you ever met a foreign head of state?
PALIN: There in the state of Alaska, our international trade activities bring in many leaders of other countries.
GIBSON: And all governors deal with trade delegations.
PALIN: Right.
GIBSON: Who act at the behest of their governments.
PALIN: Right, right.
GIBSON: I'm talking about somebody who is a head of state who can negotiate for that country. Ever met one?
PALIN: I have not.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CO-ANCHOR: U.S. health officials warning consumers about tainted baby formula made in China. The toxic chemical melamine was found in powdered formula and linked to more than 50 infant illnesses, including kidney stones. At least one baby has died.
The FDA says there are no reports of contaminated formula in the United States. Melamine can be used to mimic more expensive protein additives and is the same chemical that sickened and killed thousands of dogs and cats last year.
Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in France. It is his first visit there. As head of the Catholic Church, he is meeting with President Sarkozy ahead of a trip to the holy site of Lourdes.
And breaking news -- John, go ahead.
JOHN ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Either one of us can do it.
Breaking news this morning. Hurricane Ike is coming. Forecasters are predicting "extreme destruction." The storm is so huge it covers almost half of the Gulf of Mexico right now. And those hurricane force winds extend out about 100 miles from the center.
You could see tropical storm force winds along the Texas coast within a couple of hours now. Ike could be a Category three hurricane by the time it makes landfall. That will be either late tonight or early tomorrow.
The National Weather Service telling people in the Galveston area to evacuate or face "certain death." The last time they did that was three years ago for Hurricane Katrina. Or was that Rita? Rita, I believe.
The weather service also warns cars left behind will be swept way. Roads will be washed away cutting off entire coastal communities. A towering wall of water is forecast to go over Galveston Bay, 50-foot waves and up to a 22-foot storm surge.
We are your hurricane headquarters and staring down the storm right now are Rob Marciano who is live on Galveston Island; Sean Callebs live in Houston for us this morning; Jacqui Jeras at the weather center watching this storm grow.
Let's go to Jacqui first. It's closing in on the coastline there, Jacqui. Where does it look like the bull's eye is going to be?
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It is. Well, you know, it's going to be covering much of southeastern Texas. This is such a huge storm, that little skinny black line we don't want you to watch it. Just pay attention to the wider part of this storm.
And you mentioned that this storm is growing. It really is, John. In fact in my nine years working here at CNN, I don't remember a bigger storm. The cloud shield from this thing stretches across more than 900 miles wide, and the hurricane force winds stretch across about 240 miles; 105 miles per hour, that's your maximum sustained winds. We're feeling the impact across much of Louisiana at this hour with showers and thundershowers.
We've had a couple of tornado warnings. No ground troops just yet. But look at the tropical storm force, the sustained winds in Grand Isle and Bootsville, around 40 and 41 miles per hour. You're getting gusts well beyond that, a little bit of surge on the range of around three to six feet, too.
So here's that forecast cone that we're watching. Look at that bringing it in right towards the Galveston area. And the huge part of this storm, the biggest threat, the biggest concern is all about the size of this storm and what kind of surge it's going to be bringing in.
This is the forecast of where we're expecting the highest water levels and everywhere that you see this dark red here from Galveston extending all the way over to the state line and up the mouth of the river here, that is 15 to 18 feet of surge. You funnel all of that water up the bay and we're talking 20, maybe 25 feet storm surge. That is a lot of water. You can't run from water, but you can hide from the wind -- John.
ROBERTS: All right. Jacqui Jeras for us this morning watching the hurricane. Jacqui, we'll keep checking back with you, thanks.
COSTELLO: Let's head to Galveston, actually. Rob Marciano standing by there. It's a place that you heard Jacqui said that could be swallowed up by that storm surge.
Rob, please tell me it's a ghost town there?
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: For the most part, yes, Carol. The folks here, for the most part, have evacuated. But you know, of the 60,000 residents that live here, there's still a handful that have remained back. And you know, they haven't really felt the full brunt of the storm in many, many years not since 1983. And for the most part, the sea wall behind me has protected them.
So there has been a sense of security. There are a few high spots on the island, one right behind the camera which will back off as high tide approaches, which, by the way, will happen in about six hours. So, already, there you see, waves of the Gulf of Mexico typically a very tranquil body of water are lapping up against what should be a 16-foot sea wall.
But over the years, the sand has built up and it's really only about a 10-foot sea wall. We've see three feet of surge already, and the storm still a couple -- over a couple of hundred miles out there. And what typically should be a very smooth and tranquil lake-like setting is what looks to be a pretty angry ocean as Ike churns its way towards Galveston.
With a surge here of at least 15 feet, it will be easily be up and over this sea wall, likely up and over this road, where it could well be swallowing a great deal of this island. Not all this island, Carol, is protected by this sea wall. So, we will see some inundation, no doubt about that. And then the wind damage for sure will stretch far inland. This will be more than just a coastal event -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Also, the storm surge would have to be above what? 16 feet, right? And if that happens, the entire city of Galveston under water. Homes destroyed. Tell me what could happen.
MARCIANO: The entire island with the exception of maybe five percent could be under water. You got to remember, we have six feet of sand on top of what should be, you know, a 16-foot sea wall. So realistically, it's only about a 10-foot sea wall. So we will see inundations. There are a few high spots that will be island-like, but a good chance that 78 percent of the island will be inundated with water if we get that sort of surge -- Carol
COSTELLO: All right. Rob Marciano in Galveston this morning.
ROBERTS: The scenes on I-45 heading away from Galveston are reminders of the nightmares before Hurricane Rita. Sean Callebs live in Houston this morning to find out how evacuations are flowing this time around.
And, Sean, you were telling us earlier that the interstate at this point seems to be fairly lightly traveled which is a good indication that most people got out of town already.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, exactly. I think people down where Rob is, getting out of there as quickly as possible. You look behind me, I-45 leading up from Galveston and every place in between, pretty vacant right now.
And, John, they made some significant changes in the way they handle evacuations since Rita. What they did three years ago, they would talk about a town, Pasadena near here, perhaps about 50 thousand people saying, people evacuate there. So 50,000 people would get on the interstate. Now they're saying people who live in this zip code must get out.
So significantly, fewer people should be cramming on to these highways and that's what they're shooting for. Look, the authorities say we can stop roofs from being blown off. We can stop the storm surge, but we should be able to get people out in a timely and safe fashion.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CALLEBS (voice-over): For Spring Parent, it's simply reliving a bad dream.
SPRING PARENT, TEXAS EVACUEE: I swore to myself, if we were OK and we got away, we got back OK, I would not ever do this again, and I'm doing it again.
CALLEBS: Three years ago, the Parents were trapped in this asphalt purgatory, among hundreds of thousands trying to flee through Houston ahead of Hurricane Rita. Now, as Ike bears down, the town of La Porte is again under a mandatory evacuation.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All you need is your picture and a prayer.
CALLEBS: Windows and doors on their home are sealed. Valuables such as Spring's rodeo championship belt buckles stored as high as possible.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Can't replace those mommy. You're a great (INAUDIBLE). CALLEBS: You see, their home is only a short drive away from the shipping channel. This area could get a 15-foot storm surge. Governor Rick Perry's ultimate nightmare is a Cat five hurricane rolling up the channel unimpeded and cites a recent study.
GOVERNOR RICK PERRY, TEXAS: Without an evacuation, that model shows 1.5 million people dead. Yes, I did not misspeak.
CALLEBS: Hyperbole or not, Spring Parent believes citizens and the state are doing a much better job of evacuating than three years ago.
PARENT: It took people to die, literally die on the side of the road, overheated cars and, you know, elderly people. And it's been a more concentrated effort. I've seen a lot more organization this time.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CALLEBS: Yes, it's still early. Expect to see a lot more traffic on I-45 before the end of the day. And, John, the authorities tell us they want people off the highway by about noon. That's when tropical storm force winds should be buffeting this area.
ROBERTS: They're still looking at closing the airport there at about 2:00 this afternoon, Sean?
CALLEBS: Exactly. Closing the airport at 2:00 and they're not ruling out the idea of opening up both lanes of I-45 to get people out of the coastal area.
ROBERTS: Yes, that counter flow seems to work to get a lot of people out very quickly.
Sean Callebs for us in Houston watching the approaching storm. Sean, thanks so much.
COSTELLO: Here is what we're working on for you this morning. Barack Obama, John McCain on the same stage for the first time since they won the nomination. Hear what they think about having each other in their cabinet. We'll show you the highlights.
ROBERTS: And Governor Sarah Palin gives her first interview since being nominated for vice president. Find out her views on foreign policy, from Russia, to Iraq, to God's role. You're watching the "Most Politics in the Morning."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The fact is that people are living longer and they're more active and vigorous. And I'm here to tell you that's a fact. And --
(LAUGHTER) And --
(MAKES SNORING NOISE) (LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Oh, he can be really funny. Welcome back to the "Most Politics in the Morning."
That was John McCain poking some fun at his age during the presidential forum. After putting aside their differences to honor the victims of the September 11th attacks, it was back to campaigning for McCain and Barack Obama.
Suzanne Malveaux joins me now, and it was kind of nice to hear them talk about actual issues.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it was. And it was nice to see that light moment where he pretended to fall asleep. I thought it was interesting. I thought it was a fascinating forum.
Last night, we saw Obama and McCain really back on message. McCain was stressing his military service, his patriotism as his motivation for running for president.
Now, Barack Obama emphasized how community service shaped him. But make no mistake, they want voters to know all about their differences.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX (voice-over): The first fundamental difference between them, the role of government itself.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Part of my job I think as president is to make government cool again. I believe firmly that government should expand avenues of opportunity.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Government can't do it all. The essence of volunteerism starts at the grassroots level.
MALVEAUX: Despite their differences, they both took an almost identical swipe at President Bush for his response to the September 11th attacks.
OBAMA: Rather than tell the American people to shop, what I would have done is to say, now is the time for us to meet some great challenges.
MCCAIN: I would have called them to serve.
MALVEAUX: And despite the mostly civil tone of the discussion, they took some swipes at each other. MCCAIN: I think the tone of this whole campaign would have been very different if Senator Obama had accepted my request for us to appear in town hall meetings.
OBAMA: Washington is broken. My whole campaign has been premised from the start on the idea that we have to fundamentally change how Washington works.
MALVEAUX: Both candidates took on some unresolved conflicts from the increasingly bitter exchange from the campaign trail. McCain's running mate Sarah Palin's ridicule of Obama's work as a community organizer in Chicago.
OBAMA: I was surprised by several remarks around community organizing and belittling it.
MCCAIN: Governor Palin was responding to the criticism of her inexperience and her job as a mayor in a small town. That's what she was responding to. Of course, I respect community organizers.
MALVEAUX: And this admission, a potential opening for Obama, who's been accused of being out of touch with common people.
MCCAIN: It's easy for me to go to Washington and, frankly, be somewhat divorced from the day-to-day challenges people have.
MALVEAUX: A few lighter moments as well, over whether either candidate would serve as a cabinet-level community czar for the other?
MCCAIN: Yes.
OBAMA: This is the deal he wants to make right now. I am committed to appointing him to my cabinet.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX: Barack Obama now goes to New Hampshire to campaign. That, in a state that revived Hillary Clinton's run in the primaries while John McCain stays here in New York to appear on "The View" and "Rachael Ray," shows that cater to the important voting bloc, women. So, you know, government can be cool, you know. That's what Obama says.
COSTELLO: I'm trying to figure that out. Maybe he's on "Saturday Night Live."
MALVEAUX: OK.
COSTELLO: Can't get any cooler than that.
MALVEAUX: That's right. Exactly.
COSTELLO: Suzanne Malveaux, thanks.
MALVEAUX: Thanks.
ROBERTS: Running for cover.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL CHERTOFF, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: This is not a game of chicken. Mother Nature will win that game.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: A mass exodus as Hurricane Ike closes in on the Houston area. We're live in Texas with the very latest. You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROBERTS: 17 1/2 minutes after the hour. More than a week after she exploded on to the national political stage, Governor Sarah Palin gave her very first interview as a vice presidential candidate. Our Dana Bash here in New York this morning with more highlights for us. Good morning.
DANA BASH, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John.
Well, you know, she admitted in this interview that she's never met a foreign head of state. But she also said that someone's "big fat resume" isn't exactly what the American people want right now. And she did give her answer to the first question many people asked when they first heard her name.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BASH (voice-over): She's been Alaska's governor less than two years. Is she ready to be vice president? Perhaps president?
GOV. SARAH PALIN (R), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We'll be ready. I'm ready.
BASH: In her first interview since John McCain picked her as his running mate, Sarah Palin told ABC News she didn't hesitate when he asked.
PALIN: I answered him "yes" because I have the confidence and that readiness and knowing that you can't blink. You have to be wired in a way of being so committed to the mission, the mission that we're on.
BASH: Here's some of Palin's foreign policy positions finally revealed. She said she supports bringing the Ukraine and Georgia into the NATO alliance acknowledging that could mean war with Russia.
PALIN: Perhaps so. I mean, that is the agreement when you are a NATO ally is if another country is attacked you're going to be expected to be called upon and helped.
BASH: But it doesn't have to lead to war, she said, and mentioned economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure to "keep an eye on Russia's Vladimir Putin." Palin hesitated when asked about the controversial Bush Doctrine, the right to wage preemptive war.
CHARLIE GIBSON, ABC NEWS HOST: Do you agree with the Bush Doctrine?
PALIN: In what respect, Charlie?
GIBSON: What do you interpret it to be?
PALIN: His world view?
GIBSON: No, the Bush Doctrine enunciated September 2002, before the Iraq war.
PALIN: I believe that what President Bush has attempted to do is rid this world of Islamic extremism.
BASH: And on Pakistan, Palin didn't rule out crossing the border without permission to root out terrorists.
PALIN: America has to exercise all options in order to stop the terrorists who are hell bent on destroying America and our allies.
BASH: An apparent difference with McCain who mocked Barack Obama as naive for saying he'd be willing to strike terrorists in Pakistan, a U.S. ally.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTS: So a lot of talk this morning, Dana, about her answering, fielding that question on the Bush Doctrine. How is the McCain campaign responding to that?
BASH: Well, I talked to some of the senior advisers who are with here in Alaska last night, and they insisted that the term "Bush Doctrine" is journalistic Washington lingo. I know there's probably -- but no surprise to you there, and that the answer that she gave in terms of the substance of it, they insist was right on. That she said, you know, if we are -- if the United States feels vulnerable, then United States has a right to preemptively attack. But, you know, the reality is that exchange there is being played.
ROBERTS: You and I were both covering the Bush administration...
BASH: Exactly.
(CROSSTALK)
ROBERTS: And (INAUDIBLE) at that, they were freely talking about the Bush Doctrine. It was not a journalistic term.
BASH: It wasn't and the people who were working for Sarah Palin, they were in the Bush White House.
ROBERTS: All right. Dana Bash for us this morning. Dana, thanks so much.
BASH: Thank you.
ROBERTS: Carol?
COSTELLO: Here's what we're working on for you this morning. Hurricane Ike headed to Texas. Dire warnings from the National Weather Service.
You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Welcome back to the "Most News in the Morning" happening right now. It is the big story we're following for you.
Hurricane Ike bearing down on the Gulf Coast of Texas. The National Weather Service says residents ignoring the mandatory evacuation face "certain death."
ROBERTS: With fewer than eight weeks until Election Day, we want to help you decide who to vote for by letting you hear from the candidates. Here's John McCain at last night's presidential forum being asked about improving America's image around the world.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RICHARD STENGEL, MODERATOR: Should we be sending people, sending members of the Peace Corps to countries that don't like us, to help our esteem in the world, which of course has suffered since 9/11?
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Yes. And that's the best thing we can do...
(APPLAUSE)
... is expose the people in these countries to things we value, the things we stand for, the things we believe in. And there's no better representative of all that than Americans.
But also, I want to add, let's also have more people come here and be educated and trained and be exposed to the United States of America. We have found throughout the world, people that come and get educated here and return to the countries they came from as leaders, it's amazing.
And it establishes a base relationship that I think can also change the policies of a number of these countries that don't like us very much.
STENGEL: Would you give a green card to everybody, every foreign national who graduates with a Ph.D. in the sciences to stay in America?
MCCAIN: I certainly would do everything I can to keep those people in this country. I don't know if it would be an automatic green card, but I guarantee you that we'd love to have so many of these highly trained people stay in this country and ask any corporate executive in America, particularly those in the information technology business.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTS: And just ahead on the "Most News in the Morning," we are going to be speaking with Queen Noor of Jordan, about America's standing in the Middle East, its presence in Iraq, and her feelings on both the candidate. She participates in that same forum today.
You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROBERTS: Twenty-seven minutes now after the hour. Some common ground between the candidates when it comes to civility and service to this country, at least last evening. Senators John McCain and Barack Obama appearing back-to-back at the Service Nation Summit last night.
My next guest was at the forum today presents a panel of her own. Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan joins me now.
It's very good to see you this morning. Thanks for coming in.
QUEEN NOOR, JORDAN: It's great to see you.
ROBERTS: A late night and an early morning for you.
NOOR: You, too, thank you.
ROBERTS: But you said it was good to see the tone of last night's forum, summit with these two candidates. In what way?
QUEEN NOOR: I think that the conversation, which was, first of all, much more substantive than I think many of us have seen in a while in terms of the context of this campaign. And the fact that both of them I think presented much more the best of themselves in a way that they talked about the issues, talked about each other, and focused on, in fact, what is a great deal of common ground for not only, perhaps, the two of them, but also for the people not only in the audience who were very, very energized by this very positive display of the candidates, but also by the subject matter.
And I would add, the rest of the world also looks to this side of the United States. The one that they were both talking about, the one that service nation encapsulates in its mission.
ROBERTS: Because it is a central tenet of Islam, this idea of service.
QUEEN NOOR: Well, we are in the holy month of Ramadan right now, and the service, community service, reaching out to others is actually one of the pillars of Islam. And so, for Ramadan and Service Nation to be coinciding, for me as a Muslim, as an American in my heart, as a Jordanian in my heart, this was a moment that was very hopeful. And with the two candidates also reflecting this spirit and placing emphasis and committing themselves to bolstering the role of service in America and of America in service with the rest of the world was very, very encouraging.
ROBERTS: Let me come back to a point that you made just a minute ago, Your Majesty, where you said you appreciated the tone of this, getting away from what we have seen on the campaign trail. Has there been too much negativity? Has there been distraction in your opinion?
QUEEN NOOR: I think it disturbs -- it's very disturbing to everyone when a campaign -- when the campaign process disintegrates into distortion and trying to attack and sometimes viciously rather than focusing on the tissues. We're all interested in the issues. We're interested in the substantive positions which really demarcate these two campaigns and provide a real choice for the people of the country.
ROBERTS: You talked about the international community. There was an interesting poll recently that the BBC did where they surveyed people in 22 countries. We'll put out the results of that poll. 49 percent of people, across these 22 countries and of course, it varied from country to country, but on average, 49 percent wanted to see Barack Obama elected as the next president. 12 percent John McCain. What are you hearing in the international community about all of this?
NOOR: I think the key here is that the international community is desperately looking for change. They are looking for the United States to reassert its moral leadership, it's inspirational leadership in the world, whether you're talking about people in villages or cities in the Middle East or Europe or elsewhere in the world. The United States has traditionally been a beacon of justice and liberty and human rights and fair play. And a country that has shared its technology and its human resources through the peace corps and other service organizations that have really represented the best of this country.
And, yet, what has been seen in the recent period, and it seems to have overwhelmed people's perception of the United States today is more of a confrontational, provocative and militaristic face of the country. It's time to restore the balance. It's time to place a great deal more emphasis on what it is the rest of world finds inspiring about this country and which will enable this country to form far more effective relationships that can benefit national security, can benefit economic opportunity for Americans as well as well as others in the world. So, it's in America's interest to care about relationships with the rest of the world.
ROBERTS: And you've got a very good perspective on this because you were born in America.
QUEEN NOOR: I spent half of my life working and living abroad. And now my life is in both worlds completely. And my heart is very much a part of this country, lives in this country as well as lives in the Middle East.
ROBERTS: Queen Noor of Jordan, your Majesty. It's always good to see you. Thanks for coming in.
QUEEN NOOR: Thank you very, very much. Carol.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: 7:32 Eastern time. Here's this morning's top stories. At least 50 babies sickened and at least one killed by tainted baby formula in China. Melamine, a toxic chemical that can mimic expensive proteins was found in the powdered formula. The FDA says U.S baby food is safe. The tainted formula may be for sale illegally in some ethnic stores.
New numbers just out this morning show a record number of home foreclosure filings last month. According to reality track, foreclosures are up 27 percent over last year but growing at a slower rate than we've seen over the past few months. Nationwide one out of every 416 houses were in some state of foreclosure in August. 91,000 families lost their homes last month.
With Hurricane Ike heading to the Gulf Coast tonight, residents of coastal areas of Texas are warned of certain death if they ignore evacuation orders. Mandatory evacuations are in effect for many areas. Thousands of people have already hit the road and to get out of town before Ike comes. Jacqui Jeras is at the CNN weather center. Jacqui, can you pin point when this thing will hit?
JERAS: Well, you know, just a couple of hours from now, Carol, we think that those tropical storm force winds are going start to push on in. We're already starting to sea gusts around 20, 30 miles per hour in the coastal areas. So we'll watch those wind increase throughout the day. So, you know, the amount of time to get out if you haven't already done that that window is rapidly closing and those hurricane force winds will be pushing in by this evening with landfall likely taking place late tonight or early tomorrow morning.
Now, Louisiana feeling the brunt of the storm at this time in terms of getting in some heavy showers, the threat of tornadoes and you're also seeing some surge around three to six feet into the coastal areas and that will continue to be a problem throughout the day today. Here you could see that forecast track. You know, the storm is moving north northwest right now but we're expecting to take more of a northwesterly turn and then head on up to the north. Wind and surf will be the greatest impact with surge as strong as maybe 20 to 25 feet and winds as strong as a category 2, expected to move through Houston and even Dallas will feel tropical storm force winds. Power outages will be a big issue and that will be lasting for days and days and days. Carol.
COSTELLO: Jacqui, thanks.
ROBERTS: Sarah Palin taking a couple of days off the campaign trail. She's back in Alaska. She spoke at the Army deployment ceremony for her 19-year-old son, Track, who is going to be going to Iraq. Our Jessica Yellin joins us now. Jessica, what was the ceremony like yesterday?
JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John. Well, it was held on a very bright and chilly day in Fairbanks, Alaska. Palin's son, Track, joined about 5,000 other members of the First Striker Brigade for this formal ceremony and the Governor gave very brief remarks but she did speak without naming her son by name, she did speak very much as a mother.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. SARAH PALIN, VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: For us here at home, nothing will ever seem the same while you're away but never doubt that you are filling a crucial place in a just and vital cause. And never doubt that we're thinking of you and we're praying for, we will be. We will do our part as you are doing yours. We'll wait on you. We'll show you our pride. We'll pray for you as we pray now that the lord will bless you and keep you, keep his hand of protection on you and bring you safely home.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
YELLIN: Now, John, Sarah Palin's remarks at Wayne Wright are getting some notice this morning because of a comment she made when she said the soldiers heading out to Iraq will be protecting the world from the enemies who planned and carried out attacks on America. As you know the notion that there was any direct link between Iraq and September 11th has been widely discredited even by President Bush himself. The McCain campaign says the governor was never intending to suggest there was any sort of direct link.
Her son, Track, will deploy to Iraq in the next few weeks and she, Governor Palin is waking up in her home town in Wasilla with her family for the first time today since she became John McCain's running mate. John.
ROBERTS: Jessica Yellin in Anchorage, Alaska for us this morning. Jessica, thanks so much.
36 minutes after the hour. Christine Romans is here with a quick look ahead to what she will be talking about "Minding Your Business." We're talking about oil, oil prices, hurricanes.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right and this monster storm. A big one, John. Spared by Gustav. Critical Texas coast oil, gas and chemical production directly in the path of this monster storm, Ike, when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Christine Romans is here "Minding your Business." And you know, we're all worried about those oil refineries and the price of gas, frankly.
ROMANS: That's right. And the chemical production in that region along the Texas coast there. It's literally a lifeline for the powerful United States economy. You know, the gas and oil and chemicals that come through there, very important since Rita that we've seen these kinds of evacuations, this kind of precautions in a lot of these facilities. I just want to show you a picture of sort of all the refineries along there. This is so important for your gas and oil prices. You see Galveston there and Houston behind it. You can see all of these different kind of companies there that have their production. Ike taking out potentially 20 percent of U.S. refining capacity, a quarter of U.S. oil production is in the Gulf. 15 percent of natural gas production is in the Gulf.
I mean, these are a lot of numbers. What this means is that it's sort of crippling what's coming through there. Chemical production, just Dow Chemical alone has a free port facility that has 75 chemical plants. 27 billion pounds of chemical by-products produced every year. So they're taking all kinds of precautions to make sure that stuff is kind of battened down. It stays where it's supposed to be. And the Port of Houston is the second largest port in the country. So it's not just gas and oil, but all the stuff that's coming through there, agricultural products coming in and going out.
So this is a big one. In Gustav, they were spared from Gustav. But this one they're really - and since Rita we've seen really this important infrastructure right in the path of a big monster storm.
COSTELLO: So we can pretty much expect gas prices to go up?
ROMANS: I think they've been coming down for so long, I think you wouldn't be surprised to see gas prices go up a little bit here.
ROBERTS: All right. Christine, thanks so much for that.
20 minutes now to the top of the hour.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO (voice-over): Left in limbo.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I might have to leave everything that I worked so hard for.
COSTELLO: The school system so bad colleges are telling students their diplomas don't count.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's like a roller coaster.
COSTELLO: You're watching "the most news in the morning."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Welcome back to "the most news in the morning." Hurricane Ike, the big story we're following for you this morning. Right now Ike is a category 2 storm but could be a category 3 before it hits Texas tonight. Forecasters are warning of up to ten inches of rain and waves of up to 50 feet high.
ROBERTS: A Georgia school system has had its accreditation revoked. Now the future of 50,000 students is at stake. And soon to be grads worry that all their hard work is going to go up in smoke. CNN's Rusty Dornin investigates America's broken schools for us this morning.
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RUSTY DORMIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Genetta Reeves has dreamed of being valedictorian in her high school since the third grade. But Reeves and more than 50,000 other students learned on September 1st the school system in Clayton County, Georgia had its accreditation revoke. The first time that's happened in this country in 40 years. That means in the eyes of many colleges and universities, the schools have no ranking and high school diplomas from Clayton County don't count.
GENETTA REEVES, CLAYTON COUNTY, GEORGIA STUDENT: When I first heard the news I cried. I thought I might have to leave everything that I worked so hard for, you know, all of that could be at stake.
DORMIN: How did this happen? The agencies that make sure school districts adhere to certain standards found a deeply troubled school system.
The district had everything from a squabbling school board to crumbling academic standards.
MARK ELGARD, SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS: Since 2002 the school system is realizing a decline in student achievement, not an improvement.
DORMIN: After numerous complaints, the county hired a new school superintendent and the state removed four board members. But that didn't solve the problem. For Genetta Reeves and her parents it's been an unbelievable nightmare.
VERNETTA REEVES, GENETTA'S MOTHER: Emotionally, it's like a roller coaster. My days and nights had nothing to talk to about, all we talk about is Clayton County.
DORMIN: The Reeves just learned the college Genetta wants to attend will still accept her because of her high academic standing. But many anxious parents yanked their children out of school. What happens next, the district must prove it is adhering to nine mandates from ethics to academics. So far it's only met one.
JOHN THOMPSON, CLAYTON COUNT SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT: We have begun to address those issues. We will continue to address those issues.
DORMIN: The district has one year to reinstated or it must start from the beginning to gain accreditation, a two to three year process. If it fails it could impact Genetta's younger brother and sister who will enter high school next year.
VERNETTA REEVES: It's going to impact them hard and we will be in the same situation that we're in now. If we can't figure out an answer as far as which direction we're going, either we remain in Clayton County because we don't want to go through what we're going through now. It's too much. DORMIN: Superintendent John Thompson says the impacts reached far beyond the classroom.
THOMPSON: A whole community, 250,000 people to have to have education as an economic base. This whole thing has affected everyone.
DORMIN: Especially families like the Reeves where education is priority number one. Rusty Dornin, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTS (voice-over): All next week on "the most news in the morning", we're going back to school, taking you inside America's classrooms. The challenges facing your kids.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We seem to be wanting to lower the bar and give them an excuse not to succeed.
ROBERTS: Our teachers.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The parents have just lost their rationality.
ROBERTS: And the country's future.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: School supplies are really becoming a luxury item for a lot of these families.
ROBERTS: Broken schools revealed next week on "the most news in the morning."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: 48 minutes after the hour. Alina Cho is here with a look at some other stories this morning. Good morning.
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You came to visit us. Good to see you, Carol. John, good morning to both of you. And good morning, everybody.
New this morning, one of the men arrested in Denver for allegedly threatening Barack Obama will be in court today. He's facing a drug charge. Police say they arrested the suspect a day before the democratic convention along with two other people. Authorities say he was driving a truck that contained rifles, a wig, a bullet proof vest and fake I.D.s. Federal authorities later said the men were drug users and made racist threats but there was no firm assassination threat.
And an all white jury for O.J. Simpson in his kidnapping and robbery trial. Nine women and three men were seated yesterday in Las Vegas. Two of the six alternate jurors are black. Most potential jurors in the pool apparently said they disagreed with Simpson's acquittal in the murders of his wife, Nicole, and her friend Ron Goldman. Simpson this time is accused of stealing sports memorabilia from dealers at gunpoint. Simpson has said the items were rightfully his.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: TMZ always gets the video. Rapper Kanye West has been arrested after a scuffle with the paparazzi at L.A. International Airport. An airport spokesman says West smashed a camera belonging to a TMZ photographer. His bodyguard was also taken into custody after he allegedly threw the TV camera on the ground. Still got the pictures, though. West's bodyguard is booked on suspicion of felony vandalism and released on bail.
And guess what guys, Forbes is out with its second annual list of overpaid celebrities and this year's winner is Oscar winner Nicole Kidman. "Forbes" calls her the least bankable actor this year saying Kidman's films earn just $1 for every $1 she was paid. She made about $17 million for her last one. She knocked fellow Aussie, Russell Crowe, off the top spot and her ex, Tom Cruise, apparently isn't pull his weight at the box office either. He came in third. Cameron Diaz also made the list. Her films apparently bring in $4 for every dollar she earned. Most improved by the way, guys, is Russell Crowe, "American Gangster" last year raked in something like $265 million.
COSTELLO: I'm so happy for him.
CHO: Yes, I know.
ROBERTS: Remember who last year's winner was?
CHO: Last year's winner?
COSTELLO: You remember that?
CHO: Russell Crowe.
ROBERTS: No, I mean last year's - like who was the most bankable actor?
CHO: I think it was Matt Damon.
ROBERTS: Yes, Matt Damon.
CHO: Was it Matt Damon?
ROBERTS: He brought in the most money.
CHO: Those "Bourne Ultimatum," "Bourne" movies. Yes.
COSTELLO: And you never hear much about him except of course for the recent -
CHO: Now, underrated and you know, most bankable. COSTELLO: Interesting. Thanks, Alina.
CHO: You bet.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTS (voice-over): On the run -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is not a game of chicken with mother nature.
ROBERTS: And running out of time. Thousands sitting bumper to bumper in Texas trying to beat a 20-foot wall of water from Hurricane Ike.
And bombs bursting in air.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's critical to know exactly what it is that could destroy a plane.
ROBERTS: The Feds try to stop terrorists by thinking like killers.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ADMIRAL MICHAEL MULLEN, CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: No amount of troops in no amount of time can ever achieve all the objectives we seek in Afghanistan. And, frankly, we're running out of time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, expressing skepticism about the war in Afghanistan. Did the Bush administration make bad decisions that led to the current problem there? Admiral Mullen joins us now for an exclusive interview.
Admiral, it's great to see you this morning
MULLEN: Good morning.
ROBERTS: Thanks for coming in.
How real is the risk that we could lose in Afghanistan?
MULLEN: Well, Afghanistan has been an area that we've been in for some time, clearly. As I testified the other day, I'm concerned about the trends there. Our troops are doing spectacular work on the ground. They've made a difference. We've actually added troops over the last year. In addition, NATO's added troops, but it is - the insurgents are tougher. They are better organized. They have the safe haven in Pakistan. There's a thriving drug trade. It's a very poor country that needs a lot of work to be developed so it's - and we need to continue to try to assist that government. So a lot of things going on and right now a lot of the trends are not headed in the right direction.
ROBERTS: Yes, I mean, during your testimony you seemed to issue a pretty bleak assessment to the current situation.
MULLEN: Well, I am concerned and certainly that was part of my intent. And it's what I see in my visits. I was over there in July. I visit Afghanistan frequently. But I also said, in addition to concern - not convinced we're winning now, I think we can win. And it's not just up to the United States and it's a classic counter insurgency. In the end, I think the people have to be protected and we have to assist in that regard as we have done in Iraq.
ROBERTS: Had the policies up until now been a failure?
MULLEN: No. I wouldn't call the policies a failure at all. I think we recognize as in all of these -- as in Iraq, these policies evolve over time. And we're very focused on this. Secretary Gates, myself and very recently - including President Bush has focused heavily on Afghanistan in recent months. And I think rightfully so. I think it's in that focus that we see these trends and we're going to have to address them.
ROBERTS: But you do believe that there needs to be a comprehensive new strategy for the region. What needs to be done?
MULLEN: When I spoke of that, I was speaking of a military strategy and I've evolved on this myself. Initially very focused on Afghanistan, but I don't think we can focus just on Afghanistan because Afghanistan and Pakistan have been inextricably linked for a long time. They clearly are now. It's not just about the safe haven. It's about two countries that live next to each other. It's about engaging in a way militarily that brings the best effect on both sides of that border because that's such a serious issue now.
I've spent time with the leadership, military leadership of both countries. They're both committed to this. I think in the case of Pakistan, chief of staff of the army Kiani is the right guy. He will do the right thing for his country. And is committed to trying to get this right.
ROBERTS: You've said we need to forge closer ties with Pakistan in terms of working on these operations together.
MULLEN: Right.
ROBERTS: We just learned yesterday from "The New York Times" that in July President Bush issued a secret order in which special operations commandos could conduct cross border raids into Pakistan without prior authorization of the Pakistani government and the Pakistani government apparently very upset by this idea. Does that operation risk alienating the Pakistani government at the exact same time you say we need to forge closer ties? MULLEN: Well, I'm not going to talk about the specifics of any of our operations on that border, haven't in the past and won't now. I have been engaged over many months now with the leadership, the military leadership of Pakistan and I'm encouraged by, in fact, how General Kiani and the military -
ROBERTS: But you have said we can't kill our way to victory.
MULLEN: No, we can't. This gets to the counter insurgency aspect of it. It is really in the end about securing the people and providing a level of security that is sustainable so that the other factors, the development factors, can be brought in not unlike what we've done in Iraq.
ROBERTS: So are you optimistic or pessimistic about the chances?
MULLEN: I'm very concerned and will remain concerned. I want to keep focus on it and I'm optimistic in the long run this can be addressed.
ROBERTS: All right. Admiral Mike Mullen, it's great to see you. Thanks for coming in, sir. Always a pleasure.
MULLEN: Thanks, John. Good to see you.
ROBERTS: Carol.
