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American Morning
Baja Quake Rattles U.S.; Blasts Target U.S. Consulate; Tiger Woods to Return to Augusta; Launch of Shuttle Discovery
Aired April 05, 2010 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JOHN ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR: Good Monday morning to you. And thanks very much for joining us on this April the 5th. I'm John Roberts.
ALINA CHO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Good morning, everybody. I'm Alina Cho. Kiran has the day off today. Here are the big stories we'll be telling you about in the next 15 minutes.
At least 20 million people felt the earth shake and reports of damage are widening this morning along the U.S./Mexico border after the largest earthquake in the region in nearly two decades. More strong aftershocks are expected. We are there with a look at how bad it is right now.
ROBERTS: Tiger Woods making his return to the pro golf tour this week before teeing it up at the Masters on Thursday. He'll meet the media today for the first time since the scandal that sent his life spiraling out of control.
CHO: Minus 21 minutes and counting, final preparations are under way for the predawn launch of the space shuttle "Discovery." Seven astronauts will be in space for the next 13 days. We have three spacewalks planned. We're going to take you live to Cape Canaveral to see the liftoff as it happens in just a couple of minutes right here on the Most News in the Morning.
And as always, the amFIX blog is up and running. Join the live conversation right now. The Pacific Coast earthquake, Tiger's return to golf, anything you want to talk about. Send in your questions about the space shuttle launch to A.M.'s own residence space expert, astronaut Cady Coleman. She's going to be here live to answer those questions and to CNN.com/amFIX. We'll be reading your comments throughout the morning.
ROBERTS: We begin this morning with a developing story. Southern California bracing for the possibility of more strong aftershocks after the largest earthquake to hit the region in 18 years. The 7.2 magnitude quake was centered in Baja, California, but 20 million people may have felt it from Tijuana to Los Angeles, and from Phoenix to Las Vegas. There's new video coming into us this morning of homes shaking, chandeliers swinging around, waters slashing in swimming pools as the quake took place. South of the border, officials say two people have died. One of them in a building collapse.
Our Ted Rowlands has an up close look at the aftermath so far.
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John and Alina, we are in Mexicali, Mexico, and the biggest problem is the fact that it is pitch dark here. The power is out throughout the city to get an idea of the damage.
This is what we're seeing basically. Most of the buildings are standing, but you could see the destruction in terms of the glass everywhere and you could see that this is a furniture store. And there's significant damage here. These folks are outside the furniture store. They work here and they want to make sure that nobody comes and loots anything. This is something we're seeing throughout the city here.
Meanwhile, there are issues because there is no power with medical care. The hospitals are functioning, but they are treating people outside.
RIGABERTO LASOYA, MEDICAL COORDINATOR, STATE OF BAJA: We haven't stopped giving the assistance. Yes, humanitarian assistance. We have two clinics working right now in Mexicali. Two clinics and we have some resources from all-state of Baja deployed to this special part of the state so to re-force the medical attention, the medical assistance, these clinics. We're helping the people on the outside. There's no electricity and there's no water in the inside. So we're doing it on the outside. But we are keeping on working.
ROWLANDS: This is the clinic and they're working off generators, mainly. There's the physician here on staff. We talked to them early. They said they've seen about 100 people here alone. Injuries ranging from broken legs, scraped arms and legs because of falling debris.
This woman back here is pregnant. She is concerned for her baby, one of the many people that have come for medical attention. The big problem here at this point is power. There's no power, no water and no fuel. They're hoping that they can restore power as soon as possible. We'll get more of an idea of what they're dealing with when the sun comes up in a few hours -- John and Alina.
CHO: A lot of questions about what's next, of course, in the coming hours and days. Rob Marciano in the extreme weather center monitoring the aftershocks this morning.
So, Rob, tell us what could be on tap. There has already been three, one measuring 5.5. More in store I suppose.
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Oh, absolutely. And there's been several, well over 50 that were smaller than 3.5. So, this whole region definitely still moving around quite a bit.
On the fault, well it's close to the San Andreas fault, was not official in there. But generally speaking, you still have the movement from the Pacific plate and the North American plate strikes slipped faulting and that's where we have the seismic zone that Southern California know all too well. But this particular one, centered just south of the border and the smaller aftershocks have made their way north into Southern California. So we've seen a number of aftershocks in this zone across Southern California and a lot of people have been feeling this action.
This is the map that shows reports of shaking, Southern California, the Coachella Valley down south towards Brawley (ph). Some of those folks felt some strong shaking. And as far as what the computer models show, most of the damage is where Ted Rowlands is there. And it going into Southern California, shouldn't be a terrible amount of damage at least in the larger cities but a certainly a rude awakening for Easter Sunday afternoon. The earth plates, guys, seem to be a little bit unstable certainly in the past couple of months and that trend doesn't seem to want to stop. We'll talk much more a little bit later in the program -- John, Alina.
ROBERTS: Rob, thanks very much. We'll also be talking with Amy Vaughan from the U.S. Geological Survey, coming up in just a couple of minutes more about that earthquake.
More breaking news to tell you about this morning. This time out of Pakistan. Several blasts are being reported near the U.S. consulate in Peshawar. Sources say the building was targeted.
Our Paula Newton has got details on this breaking story for us. She's live in Islamabad this morning.
Good morning, Paula.
PAULA NEWTON, CNN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: And good morning, John. Quite a bold attack here in Peshawar, northwest of Pakistan on the American consulate. U.S. officials confirm to us, John, that the consulate there remains in lockdown, that they are bringing in bomb disposal units to make sure that there aren't any other ordinance there on the compound.
Let me explain what happened. There were three consecutive blasts. Quite strong, John. You can see from the video this really rattled the entire southern sector of that city. It would have rattled the consulate itself. What happened was one car bomb apparently detonated. And after that, several militants emerged from a car and the firefight ensued. That firefight went on for quite some time. But again, this would be on the outer ring of security that is manned by the Pakistani security officials.
We now have confirmation that four militants are dead, one civilian and one Pakistani security officer. We have no reports that any Americans were either injured at this point in time. And as we say, U.S. officials say American consulate in Peshawar right now remains in lockdown -- John.
ROBERTS: Paula Newton for us today in Islamabad. Paula, thanks so much.
Six minutes after the hour. And the stage is set for Tiger Woods' return to professional golf in the year's first major tournament, the Masters. He's coming back to one of the most celebrated sites in golf, Augusta National.
CHO: Yes, that's right. Woods has won their four times, but more importantly this week, it's a place where decorum rules and where Tiger may be able to control the chaos.
Samantha Hayes has our report in Augusta.
SAMANTHA HAYES, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Alina and John. Tiger Woods always brings star power to this tournament, the first major of the year. But this year is unique in so many ways.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAYES (voice-over): While the glory of a fifth green jacket is Tiger Woods primary focus, he may have other reasons for his much anticipated return to the game of golf in Augusta, a city full of southern charm and southern manners. Golf pro Chris Verdery says Woods appreciates the respectful tone and tightly controlled atmosphere.
CHRIS VERDERY, GOLF PRO: This makes sense. People really love him here in Augusta. He's been wonderful for the Masters, for the city of Augusta. And everybody is excited to have him back.
HAYES: While Augusta is accustomed to hosting one of the biggest events in sports every April, the sort of drama now associated with Woods is new. The four-time Masters champion recently admitted to multiple extramarital affairs. Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver says the spotlight is less on the sport and more on the spectacle.
DEKE COPENHAVER, AUGUSTA MAYOR: "TMZ," "Entertainment Weekly" and "People" magazine, along with "Extra" are once again just typical calls that I don't get come Masters week.
HAYES: As a star athlete, Tiger Woods' is supported in Augusta. Lots of folks are rooting for him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I like his golf, and that's what we're here for. That's what I like to see and I really don't care about his personal life.
HAYES: But ask about his personal life and at least off the course you get a different answer.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That kind of humiliation is very hurtful and I'm sure that he, you know, he wakes up and wonders what the hell was I doing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAYES: Woods starts with a practice round this morning, followed by a solo news conference in the afternoon.
In Augusta, Georgia, I'm Samantha Hayes. John and Alina, back to you.
ROBERTS: All right. Samantha, thanks so much.
And still to come on the Most News in the Morning, a strong earthquake strikes Mexico and parts of Southern California. We're going to get the latest on the quake form the U.S. Geological Survey, coming up next.
CHO: And the space shuttle "Discovery" just minutes away from launch. We're going to take you live to the Kennedy Space Center for the liftoff. Coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHO: Eleven minutes after the hour. Welcome back to the Most News in the Morning. "Minding Your Business" now.
Evaporating revenues are driving up water rates around the country. Great news there. Bills rising by as much as nine percent in some markets. Home foreclosures and failing businesses mean water usage is down. That's the reason and that is forcing utilities to raise prices to make up for those losses.
ROBERTS: We want to go back to a developing story we've been telling you about this morning. A major earthquake shaking Southern California and parts of two other states.
CHO: And that's right. It was centered in Baja, California, and has killed at least two people across the border in Mexico. It was felt though as far away as Phoenix, Vegas. In Los Angeles, meanwhile, the city fire department went on earthquake status. People were stuck in elevators but no major damage is being reported there.
Joining us now from Golden, Colorado, is USGS geophysicist Amy Vaughan.
Amy, good morning. Thank you for joining us.
AMY VAUGHAN, USGS GEOPHYSICIST, GOLDEN, COLORADO (via telephone): You're very welcome. And good morning.
ROBERTS: Amy, what can you tell us about this earthquake. My understanding of it is it was down near Mexicali, sort of southeast of Tijuana. It was near the San Andreas fault but not exactly on it. Can you tell us what fault system was involved and the sort of -- give us the analysis of this earthquake.
VAUGHAN: Yes. Right now, we do know that it's basically a similar mechanism is the San Andreas fault but not directly on it. This is one that pretty much lies parallel. We think that it might be on the Laguna Salada fault, but there's going to have to be more investigation to determine for sure based on probably some more daylight time looking for sort of rupturing and things like this.
CHO: We're looking at a 7.2 magnitude earthquake based on early reporting. Two people killed, about 100 injured. You know, it's interesting when you compare it to the earthquake in January in Haiti, 7.0 quake there, slightly less severe, though 230,000 people were killed. I mean, explain the difference in these two quakes. Why so much damage in one, not as much in the other? Or have we not seen the extent of the damage yet.
VAUGHAN: I think that we don't know everything yet for sure. But I do believe there's also a certain preparedness that exists here because these people were well aware that they live in a seismically active zone so they probably prepare better. And certainly we know it was in the United States. California has very strict seismic codes, for instance, and building codes as such. And in Haiti I think with them having less of a seismic history, even know we know it's a basically active region, or at least potentially so, I think it was more unexpected in that area. And as we've learned, unfortunately, their building codes were not as well structured as ours are perhaps.
ROBERTS: You know, any time, Amy, you mention the San Andreas fault, it brings fears of the big one that we've been expecting for some time. This parallel fault, as you described it, my understanding is its' been fairly seismically active over the last year or so. Most of the activity around a magnitude 3. You know, for folks in Southern California and up in San Francisco where the San Andreas fault runs right through, what should they be thinking this morning?
VAUGHAN: Honestly, probably the same thing they should be thinking any time. You know, the unexpected can happen at any moment. We do know that this is a very seismically active region and a large earthquake could occur at any time. Not necessarily because of this one but just that's the way earthquakes are triggered as we well know. Anywhere in the world they can happen at any given point.
CHO: You know, Amy, you know, you mentioned this is, you know, a large magnitude earthquake in the region, largest in 18 years. You know, we've heard about so many in recent months. Haiti then Chile, 8.8 magnitude there. Are we just hearing more about earthquakes or is there more seismic activity on the whole?
VAUGHAN: Based on what we know, it does appear that this is all within what we call norm. I think like you're kind of pointing out, greater attention has been drawn to earthquakes based on the number of destructive earthquakes we've seen recently, and I think that there's a perhaps perception that we're out of that physical (ph) norm. But, really, we're not. It's just they're kind of lumped on top of each other, unfortunately, right now.
ROBERTS: So -- so any perception that, Amy, that people might have that the -- the earth is a little restive right now, it -- it pretty much is within the norm?
VAUGHAN: Yes. Right now, we have a certain number of earthquakes we'd expect to fall within certain magnitude ranges, and right now it appears, you know, if you look like that on an annual basis, we're within that range.
ROBERTS: All right. Amy Vaughan for us this morning from the U.S. Geological Survey. Amy, it's great to talk to you. Thanks so much for joining us.
VAUGHAN: Thank you.
CHO: Next on the Most News in the Morning, the countdown is on, the space shuttle Discovery on the launch pad, ready to lift off in just a few minutes, less than six minutes, actually.
We're going to take you live to the Kennedy Space Center for the launch, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHO: That's appropriate.
Nineteen minutes after the hour. Welcome back to the Most News in the Morning.
We're just about two and a half minutes away from the launch of the space shuttle Discovery.
ROBERTS: Our John Zarrella is live at the Kennedy Space Center this morning. He's got a very special guest along with him, Cady Coleman, the NASA astronaut that we've been tracking here at AMERICAN MORNING, ahead of her trip to the International Space Station in December.
Good morning to you, John and Cady.
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John, Alina.
Yes, we're here on the roof of the Orlando Centennial building, our observation point for the shuttle launch. It's in under two minutes now, a minute and a half before launch, and, as you said, joining me for this launch -- it's so great to have you live with us, Cady.
We've been seeing you on tape for the last five months as we're following Cady as she gets ready for her launch next December, and she wouldn't be going on a space shuttle. You'll be going on a Soyuz rocket out of very cold December Baikonur Russia.
You know, you've flown twice on space shuttles, coming up on a minute to launch here, and what's going on right now?
CADY COLEMAN, NASA ASTRONAUT: You know, everybody is just ready. Visors down -- I mean, I -- I think you almost don't have time to be excited because you're just focused on what you are doing. It's your job.
You know, your job is to, you know, be ready for launch, so I think people are just really, really excited but trying to keep that a little bit in the back, because they've got a -- a job to do, you know, all the way through ascent.
ZARRELLA: What are you thinking? You know, we're here 45 seconds now. What's going through your mind now? You know, you've flown twice. This is it. You're going. You're pretty -- what -- what's going through your mind? COLEMAN: We actually -- actually aborted about nine -- eight or nine seconds before launch, so it can happen, you know? They wanted -- when it's the safe thing to do, that's what happens. But I have a good feeling about this morning, today.
ZARRELLA: And now, about -- yes, knock on wood here, 30 seconds to go. And, you know, we're talking real quick, four -- well, three women on this flight, right?
COLEMAN: I know. It is great.
ZARRELLA: The third time in the history of the U.S. Space Program, three women.
COLEMAN: And when they get up to the station, it's going to be four, with Tracy Caldwell. So, four women in space.
You know, basically a lot of people up in space, a lot of different kinds of folks.
ZARRELLA: Ten seconds. Let's listen in.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Three engines up and ready. Three, two, one, zero, booster ignition and liftoff of Discovery, blazing a trail to scientific discoveries aboard the Space Station.
(INAUDIBLE) Discovery roll (ph) program.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a roll, Discovery.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: ... space shuttle Discovery. It's rolling into a heads down position, getting it on course, 51.6 (ph) degrees, (INAUDIBLE) orbit, and eventually the International Space Station.
ZARRELLA: It's really hard to talk over that sonic boom where they go over the -- the noise of the -- the space shuttle, you know, that reverberation of the -- we're in that shock wave that comes across here now. And, you know, so -- you can't even hear yourself think, but --
COLEMAN: You can feel it.
ZARRELLA: You can really -- it shakes and you feel it go to throttle (ph).
Now, we're in really the most critical part of this flight, up until about two minutes when you come off of those solid rocket boosters, you're at the mercy of this machine working right.
COLEMAN: And you know when that happens, because at two minutes, that is a big, big noise. You feel them coming away. It looks like they fall down. They actually go up another 150,000 feet.
ZARRELLA: John, Alina, we're watching. It looks picture perfect from here. You can see the solid rocket boosters burning, and those three main engines burning. And, you know, we just saw the Space Station go overhead just a little while ago, at about 6:06, so -- and of course they're on their way to the Space Station -- John, Alina.
ROBERTS: Good -- good to know that they're pointing in the right direction, John. I tell you, those night time or early morning launches, very impressive with that plume of flame coming out.
You know, Cady, maybe you can tell us, and you alluded to a little bit of this with the noise when the solid rocket boosters come off of it. What is it like when you're sitting in your seat and they light that candle up and it takes off?
COLEMAN: You just know that you are going somewhere, really fast, and you are not stopping. I mean, the inability to stop is so clear --
And there's the solid rocket boosters jettisoned. Good jettison. You see the -- the three main engines there. So we're going to go the rest of the way, another five and a half minutes, six and a half minutes up to ECO on those main engines.
ZARRELLA: That's when an engine cutoff, for all of those who don't know NASA speak.
ROBERTS: I'm wondering, though, how hard are you pressed back in the seat? Can you -- can you -- can you lift your hand? Can you even think about moving? Do your cheeks sag back to the back of your head?
COLEMAN: I hope not. But I -- I tell people it's like having a gorilla sit on your chest. I've never actually had that happen.
CHO: Oh, my God.
COLEMAN: But it's just really sort of smushing you into your chest there.
It is hard to move. It's a -- a couple times greater than what you'll ever fear -- feel in an amusement park ride, and it is just totally amazing because you know you are on your way to space.
CHO: Cady, let's talk about that --
ZARRELLA: You know, Sally Ride said in her famous -- oh, go ahead.
No, I was going to say Sally Ride's famous statement was it was like an E attraction at Disney, which was the old days when they gave out the little tickets with the different kind of rides.
CHO: That's right.
Cady, I want to ask you, you've traveled around the world more than 250 times. You've logged 500 hours in space. You know, you call it a magical place that's addictive. Let's talk about the destination. I mean, just what is it like -- so few people have done it. What is it like to live in space? What is it like to experience that weightlessness?
COLEMAN: Well, I -- I tell people that it's like something out of Peter Pan where you feel like everybody has been sprinkled with that fairy dust and suddenly you can -- everyone can fly. And even with just the touch of a finger, first you walk around with your -- gripping things, but then you realize you just need your pinky to -- to float somewhere and to go somewhere.
It's delightful.
ZARRELLA: And -- and you know, John, Alina, the hair is important too. Cady says, you know, you've got to keep it a little short now because it's more manageable when the hair is short.
COLEMAN: You know, actually, I -- I had long hair. It's no problem. Not even a little bit, although I'm hoping for a ponytail length by the time I go, just to get it out of the way.
ROBERTS: Well, it's very, very, very fashionable. It looks terrific, Cady.
Let me -- let me ask you this question. When you go to the International Space Station and, you know, John has done such a terrific job of following your progress here, headed to lift off. You've got a family at home. Your separation is going to be at least six months. That's going to be tough.
COLEMAN: You know, we're going to get to talk every day. We have video conferences.
I know it's not the same, but in some ways during the training, that's a lot of what happens. I spend a lot of my time in Russia, Japan and Europe, and so we actually, you know, do our reading stories over, you know, over the internet or over the phone and --
ZARRELLA: Skype (INAUDIBLE).
COLEMAN: -- trying to be in touch. Yes. Just trying to be in touch and trying to, you know, experience things even though you can't actually be there.
But it -- it is hard and it's just pretty neat to have them here tonight to be able to experience a launch together.
CHO: Well it's a good thing you can do that.
ZARRELLA: Yes. Her family is here with her.
CHO: Yes. Well, it's a good thing you can do that because I know your third grader, Cady, just took a -- a standardized test for the first time, so we hope he did -- did well on that.
COLEMAN: It's true. But, you know, I -- I tell people, it's amazing to watch a launch, and every time I'm here, I mean, I probably cry at every one. It's just -- it's so amazing to be there and to feel that power and realize there's seven people inside headed to the Space Station.
ROBERTS: Well, I -- I don't know if we --
ZARRELLA: Well, we're going to send it back to you guys.
ROBERTS: Great. Thanks, John.
I don't know, Cady, if we'll get a chance to see you live when you take off from Baikonur, but --
CHO: Oh, it'd be great.
ROBERTS: Yes. Well, tell us -- tell us -- because I'm sure that we'd be in touch. Would you tell us whether or not you cried during that launch?
Cady Coleman, John Zarrella.
COLEMAN: You know, actually, when I'm in the shuttle -- no.
ROBERTS: When in you're in the shuttle, you don't cry?
Well, I would cry either. I think I'd (INAUDIBLE).
COLEMAN: Nope. You're working.
ROBERTS: All right. Thanks so much. John Zarrella, Cady Coleman, great to see you this morning.
Coming up in the Most News in the Morning, coalition forces gearing up for one last push against the Taliban in Afghanistan. We'll take a look at why the timing of this surge during the poppy harvest could make the military's job that much more difficult.
It's 27 minutes after the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHO: A little U2 to wake you up on a Monday morning.
ROBERTS: Yes, sure.
CHO: Thirty minutes after the hour. That means time for this morning's top stories.
A major earthquake rocking the Pacific coast. The 7.2 magnitude quake has killed two people in Mexico and triggered several strong aftershocks. People in San Diego, Los Angeles, Phoenix, as far away as Las Vegas say they felt the ground shake.
Well, Tiger Woods is teeing off soon on the pro-golf tour. He's making his return this week at the Masters. It is his first tournament since the sex scandal erupted. He played a practice round at Augusta National on Sunday. He will hold a news conference this afternoon.
And a series of bombings is targeting the U.S. consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan. One of three large explosions was actually captured on videotape. Six people confirmed dead, including four militants. Officials say the American consulate building is now on lockdown -- John.
ROBERTS: Thank you, Alina.
News of an economic rebound does not mean much if you're one of almost 10 percent of the country still unemployed. Monthly job creation is the highest that it's been in nearly three years. There is more pressure than ever on President Obama to reverse the economy's downtrend.
On CNN's "STATE OF THE UNION" with Candy Crowley, the president's top economic adviser tempered those expectations.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAWRENCE H. SUMMERS, DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL: We've got a long way to go. We've inherited a terrible situation and most pressing economic problems since the Great Depression in our country. It is the president's preoccupation to put people back to work.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: Well, here to talk more about getting Americans back to work as well as recent scandal inside the RNC, our senior political analyst, Republican strategist Ed Rollins, and Democrat strategist Robert Zimmerman.
Great to see both of you this morning.
ROBERT ZIMMERMAN, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Good to be with you.
ROBERTS: Thanks so much for coming in on this Monday morning.
So, you heard Summers saying that, you know, the economy is up, still a long way to go. President Obama said he thinks the worst is over.
But, Ed, how do you see this election year shaping? With health care now gone -- is the rest of this midterm election year going to all be about jobs, jobs, jobs?
ED ROLLINS, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: It is about jobs, jobs, jobs. It's still 15 million people unemployed. And I think any positive number is good. But at the end of the day, there's not a confidence yet. And until there's a confidence that people think, people are going to go back to work and things are going to be more stable. There's liability to those that are incumbents, particularly with Democrats.
ZIMMERMAN: You know, managing expectations is the least of the challenges this administration faces. The greater challenge is to renew confidence that the recovery is on the way, not that the recession is over, but we're seeing the first signs of a recovery. I mean, the most recent CNN/Opinion Research poll showed that we're in August, 13 -- by margin of 13 percent, the country had confidence in Democrats handling the economy. Now, it shows a margin of 3 percent favoring the Republicans.
And so, I think what's important is you see the shift. It's important for the administration to regain the narrative. And I think the recent job numbers gave them that opportunity to do so.
ROBERTS: Yes. Well, let's look at the numbers you talked about, Bob, just a little closer. Recent CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll: which party would do a better job on the economy? Look at the numbers -- August, it was 52 percent of people saying the Democrats would; 39 percent for the Republicans. But look how those numbers have changed -- 45 percent now for the Democrats; 48 percent for the Republicans.
Bob, you said that it was a margin of three points. But it's the swing here that's really important.
ZIMMERMAN: Absolutely that counts. That's what you have to watch, the trend --
ROBERTS: Yes.
ZIMMERMAN: -- which clearly is towards the Republicans, because there's been a tremendous frustration over how this economy is progressing and whether people are seeing the return on their investments. But I think, having the best job report in three years, seeing construction jobs increased by 15,000, first time since June of 2007, it gives good material to build a narrative.
ROBERTS: These public opinion polls though, Ed, the trust on which party would do better, if you're a Republican, do you like what you're seeing?
ROLLINS: I absolutely like what I'm seeing. And our base is energized. I think Democrats are still going to fight a little bit among themselves and obviously are very worried as they should be.
I think the bottom line her is you got 50 or 60 incumbent Democrats that are real races in the House, you got six or seven at least in the Senate. And I think the pressure is on. I think what people are now starting to view Republicans as sort of the protector of the long-term growth. And I think that's a good place to be.
ROBERTS: Let me switch gears and talk about the RNC. You know, Kevin McCarthy, congressman, who is the chairman of the NRCC said that there needs to be, quote, "accountability with the RNC." We saw Tony Perkins from the Family Research Council last week, come out and say, "Don't give your money to the RNC, give it directly to candidates." Republicans Governors Association is coming out and saying, "Give your money to us, not the RNC."
What's got to happen here?
ROLLINS: Well, Michael Steele's tenure has been a disaster. There's no question it's been a disaster. And I think at the end of the day, fortunately, there's other places Republicans can give money, to the governors association, the congressional committee, and the Senate committee, and they will.
But the problem is that fundraising apparatus of the national committee is the backup. And I think that people have lost confidence in Steele and they lost confidence that if you make a donation, your money is not going to be wasted. That's a bad place to be.
ZIMMERMAN: You know, Ed made a point before, which is correct, the Democrats are disenchanted. And there's actually -- election results show that.
But we're throwing spitballs compared to the poison darts Republicans are shooting at each other. And don't kid yourself. This has nothing to do with morality, as Tony Perkins like to phrase it.
All of these different groups are fighting over the same dollar. And, of course, the scandal confronting the Republican Party has given them an opening now to each increase their own fundraising capacity from the same contributor. And, of course, Tony Perkins, that concern about morality, maybe he'd speak up a bit more about Senators Vitter and Ensign when they had their sex scandals.
To paraphrase Mae West, "Goodness has nothing to do with this."
ROBERTS: Does the RNC need new leadership, Ed?
ROLLINS: Well, I -- you know, we can't survive a battle, right, and then throw him out. If you wanted to volunteer, there would be a lot of sighs of relief around Washington, D.C., I don't think that's going to happen. Michael, unfortunately, has a big ego and I think, to a certain extent, he needs to basically keep his mouth shut, raise money and get his team in place -- and I think in order, not necessarily in place.
ROBERTS: All right. Ed Rollins, Robert Zimmerman, great to see you this morning.
ZIMMERMAN: Good to be with you.
ROBERTS: Thanks for coming in.
ROLLINS: Thank you very much.
ROBERTS: Alina?
CHO: All right. Thanks, John.
Next on the Most News in the Morning, the next push against the Taliban could be a tough one. We have Chris Lawrence live in Afghanistan -- next.
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ROBERTS: Thirty-nine minutes after the hour. Welcome back to the Most News in the Morning.
It's time for an "A.M. Original," something that you will see only here on AMERICAN MORNING.
Afghan and coalition forces are gearing up for a major offensive to drive Taliban militants out of Kandahar. But the planned June mission coincides with Afghanistan's poppy harvest. And that could present a major obstacle to success.
Chris Lawrence has spent time in Helmand Province where most of the poppy is grown and harvested. This morning, he's live in Kandahar and he's got more details on all of this.
Good morning, Chris.
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John.
Yes, we saw enough poppy in Helmand alone to feed the world's heroin habit. And all the cash from the crop, that biggest one (ph), will cause problems for some of the troops right here.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LAWRENCE (voice-over): Two months from now, NATO troops will launch a major offensive in Kandahar, at the exact moment the Taliban will be flushed with new cash.
CAPT. JEREMY WILKINSON, U.S. MARINE CORPS.: What I could see is you may see a spike in violence in June -- you know, June time frame.
LAWRENCE: The poppy fields are like the Taliban's bank. Right now, the plants are blooming. In just before the big offensive, the harvest wraps up and the poppies sold up to make heroin.
WILKINSON: And that poppy harvest does aid and support the moneys that they use for fighting.
LAWRENCE (on camera): And the money that they're going to make off that harvest come June -- does that only stay with insurgents of the Taliban right here in Helmand Province?
WILKINSON: It would impact insurgents across the spectrum of -- everything because the enemy is so fluid.
LAWRENCE: We traced the money trail back through northern Helmand Province to Sofla, where the U.S. Marine Corps is facing down the Taliban.
LT. CODY HARDENBURGH, U.S. MARINES CORPS: From what I believe, this is the forward line of enemy troops. Every other day, we're taking indirect fire.
LAWRENCE: Second Lieutenant Cody Hardenburgh's Marines can fire back at the Taliban but can't stop the farmers that are funding them.
HARDENBURGH: It is frustrating.
LAWRENCE (on camera): The Taliban has got its fingers really deep into the poppy crop up in this area. In fact, take a look. No more than 400 meters from the Marine Corps base, you can see those farmers openly cultivating their poppy crop. We're told that every few days or so, the Taliban will come by, pick off some bulbs.
HARDENBURGH: What they'll do and we've seen them doing at night, they'll hack a few plants that are ready to go and put it on a donkey and just head north.
LAWRENCE (voice-over): But the Marines aren't here for counternarcotics. They're not allowed to slash and burn these fields because it could turn the entire village against them.
HARDENBURGH: This is the only thing they know to produce quick money for themselves and for their families.
LAWRENCE: But the heroin money that blooms here in April could buy the weapons and bombs used in June.
WILKINSON: That's fair to say the insurgents in Kandahar could be very well recipients of moneys of poppy that is harvested away from their zone.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LAWRENCE: So, you think why don't the Marines just, you know, bite the bullet and go through some of those fields?
Well, some of those farmers are being intimidated by the Taliban and they're growing poppy. Others are literally, as the lieutenant said, just so poor they don't have another option. And making friends with the farmers is paying dividends in other areas. We saw instances where the villagers were starting to tell Marines exactly where certain IEDs were placed ahead of time.
So, you wish this was a black and white sort of situation. It's not. It's a very murky, murky shade of gray -- John.
ROBERTS: All right. Chris Lawrence for us this morning in Kandahar -- Chris, thanks so much.
CHO: Forty-two minutes after the hour. We are watching the Pacific coast earthquake, a 7.2 magnitude quake hit along the U.S.- Mexico border. Rob is watching this very closely, the aftershock situation, along with this morning's travel forecast. That will be right after the break.
ROBERTS: And in 10 minutes time, Facebook and Twitter, why they are so yesterday? How a new app called Four Square could change the social networking scenes.
Stay with us.
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CHO: Forty-five minutes after the hour. Take a look at that shot of New York. Just a beautiful weekend here, and it's going up to 71 degrees. That will be nice.
ROBERTS: Yes, very nice. Sun coming up over the long island sound there. Let's get a quick check on this morning's weather headlines. Rob Marciano is at the weather center in Atlanta this morning with a look, and we had a beautiful weekend here, Rob, in Atlanta too. What's today looking like?
MARCIANO: Almost as nice as the weekend. Amazingly warm temperatures, certainly, happening across much of the eastern two thirds of the country, in the 50 still in New York and D.C. with the cherry blossoms bloom and they had festival, looking gorgeous there. And then temperatures are going to be, maybe record-breaking again in spots. Check out some of these numbers, 94 degrees in Childress, Texas, but Boston, with Sox Yankees opening day, felt like the middle of June rather than the first day of the baseball season, and today, most teams get things under way as well. So, finally spring is here.
Some showers rolling across parts of Western Pennsylvania. These probably won't get over the Appalachians today, so looks to be mostly dry across parts of the east, but a storm that really feels more like the middle of February across parts of California, San Francisco and eventually all the way down to Los Angeles, we expect to see some showers with this and then snow, heavy snow. Winter storm warnings posted for the Sierras.
And then in between, severe storms are going to flare up across parts of the Midwest, from Chicago back through Kansas City where we expect the rough weather to accumulate throughout the afternoon. If you're doing some travel today, D.C. will see some wind delays as well the New York metro airports, but 78 degrees in D.C. and 70 degrees in New York City. That's not too bad. Not the record-breaking stuff we had a little (ph) week, but I'm sure you, guys, will take that -- John and Alina.
ROBERTS: Not bad at all. It's very nice. Hey Rob, we have a moment here, more about the earthquake. It was just south of the border between California and the Baja, California part of Mexico. This was a real strong one, too.
MARCIANO: Very strong, yes. I guess what everybody is scratching their heads about is this is really the third major earthquake in pretty populated areas over the last few months, so, that's rattling the nerves. But the geologist, as you guys talked to, made the point statistically speaking; we're not of above or below the number of earthquakes that we should see in a 12-month period. So, it just seems to have been fairly active certainly over the past several months. We'll talk more about that at the top of the hour. CHO: That's right, but having said that, I mean, what should residents out there this morning they looking out for, because we've got three aftershocks already recorded, including one that was a 5.5 magnitude aftershock. I mean, that could rattle some nerves as well as the buildings out there for the next couple of days or weeks even, right?
MARCIANO: Yes, you know, we've seen -- I lost count, actually. A little over 50 aftershocks since this thing came through, most have been very small. There's been two or three, as you mentioned, in the four to five and a half range, and those certainly can happen for the next couple of weeks, because, you know, Chile is still rumbling, and some spots in Haiti, they're still feeling some aftershocks. So, these will begin to wind down but still in California especially east of the San Diego is where the aftershocks are most likely to occur, and they'll do that for several days if not several weeks to come.
CHO: All right. Rob, thank you. Sorry about your Yankees.
MARCIANO: It's just the first game.
CHO: All right.
ROBERTS: Let's hope it doesn't set the tone.
MARCIANO: See you, guys.
ROBERTS: This morning's top stories just minutes away, including homes collapsing across the border. Skyscrapers are shaking in several states this Rob was just telling us. We'll show you the aftermath of that major earthquake in the southwest.
CHO: At 25 after, Corey Haim, Heath Ledger, Anna Nicole, and the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, Hollywood's dirty little secret that helped them stay hooked. It's part of a new series you'll see only on AMERICAN MORNING that we're calling "Addicted."
ROBERTS: And at half past the hour, he won the U.S. open on a broken leg, but how will he perform with a shattered reputation. Sports illustrated golf guru on Tiger's return to the Masters. Those stories and more coming your way at the top of the hour.
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CHO: Welcome back to the Most News in the Morning. When it comes to the web, the next big thing is all about location, location, location, location. Applications that let your friends know exactly where you are so you can maybe meet up. The biggest contender right now is Foursquare. So, how exactly does it work and is it a really good idea to let people know where you are all the time? Minding your business, I talked to the founder of four square and some users to find out.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHO (voice-over): It's Friday, Twanna Hines wants to meet up with friends at sweet revenge, a wine and cup cake bar in New York. So, what does she do? She sends out a virtual all points bulletin using Foursquare of pre-application she's downloaded onto her cell phone.
TWANNA HINES, FOURSQUARE USER: If I have a friend three blocks away, it sends them a ping and they see that I'm here so they can say, "oh wow! Twanna see a ride (ph).
CHO: All of Twanna's friends who are also on Foursquare and live in New York get the message.
HINES: So, it kind of eliminates the need to like call five people and say, "hey, what are you doing tonight or where are you right now?"
CHO: It works. Twanna is already with one friend when another shows up.
NICHELLE STEPHENS, FOURSQUARE USER: It facilitated serendipity, but I think that's really what it is. It facilitates, you know, meeting up with people at a moment's nowadays.
CHO: Foursquare, Gowalla, Loopt, and Whirled even Google is getting into it, mixing social networking with where you are.
PETE CASHMORE, CEO, MASHABLE.COM: Really, the space is so large. It's the next wave of the web.
CHO: What makes foursquare different from its competitors is that it's also a game. Members are in virtual badges like those who check in often at the gym, can get gym rat badges. Some also vi to be mayors of their favorite joints by being a repeat visitor.
UNKNOWN MALE: I'm from North Carolina, and I'm the mayor of a hotel in Minneapolis.
UNKNOWN MALE: I play a very fierce battle with my wife with mayor of my host.
UNKNOWN MALE: I'm going to check in/
CHO: Yaw Etse is the mayor of Jay's pizza in New York, because he's chehecked in here more than anyone else.
YAW ETSE, FOURSQUARE USER: I mean it's great to brag, especially if you really like the place.
CHO: It's not embarrassing that you're the mayor of a pizzeria?
ETSE: Absolutely not.
CHO: I guess it's good, right? Pizza is good.
ETSE: Great pizza.
CHO: Being mayor can also mean purse (ph) like discounts and freebies which is how Foursquare through partnerships with businesses will begin to make money. A 33-year-old Dennis Crowley is Foursquare's co-founder and CEO.
Everybody wants to be the next Facebook. Everyone wants to be the next twitter. Why do you think you might be the next twitter?
DENNIS CROWLEY, CEO & CO-FOUNDER; FOURSQUARES: I think some of the stuff we're doing, it really, you know, it changes the way that people experience their Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. And like we see this all the time. It's helping people make decisions about whether should go and with the places they should explore.
CHO: How much money could these founders make?
CASHMORE: We're kind of bottom level of acquisition of social networking startups, you're talking 50 million. I would imagine if they're able to build traction they could be hitting the 100 million plus mark.
CHO: So far, 7 00,000 people have signed up, including --
UNKNOWN FEMALE: Did you check in.?
CHO: Twanna Hines.
HINES: I compare Foursquare now to what cell phones were many years ago. The value it provides, it's like I can't imagine how I went out without Foursquare, like it makes it much easier.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHO: Can you imagine? I mean --
ROBERTS: Convenient. There's something to be said for convenience. But what if you don't want everybody to know where you are?
CHO: That's true and there's --
ROBERTS: Just a few and not everybody.
CHO: There is a little bit of that privacy concern. Obviously, those early adopters don't care about that. I mean, they want their friends to know where they are. But really, when you talk to the smart minds in this world about this they say, you want to be like. You want to be like Facebook. You want to be part of the plumbing if you will.
So, friend is (ph), if another Foursquare comes up and there are a few other contenders. Another Foursquare comes up, you know, and all of your other friends are already on Foursquare, you're going to use Foursquare because your friends are on it, and it's going to be easy to sort of get in there and everybody else is there. But you know, we'll have to wait and see, 700,000 people and counting but --
ROBERTS: Amazing the potential for money making, isn't it?
CHO: 50 million, 100 million. I mean bottom level --
ROBERTS: And look at the guys from YouTube. How much that company is worth? Just amazing.
We got a couple of minutes to the top of the hour. We'll have your top stories coming your way right after the break. Stay with us.
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