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Gas Prices up 33 Cents in Two Weeks; New Air Strike in Libya; Congressional Hearings on Radical Islam in America; Protesters on Capitol Hill Say Muslims Being Demonized; Temperatures Plummet in Northeast; Philadelphia Church Leaders to be Charged With Conspiracy; Oil Tops $106 a Barrel
Aired March 07, 2011 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR, "CNN NEWSROOM": Good morning to both of you. I'll take that hand over. It's 9:00 a.m. on the East Coast, 6:00 a.m. in West. I'm Randi Kaye, in for Kyra Phillips this morning. Glad you're with us.
Right now in Libya, Moammar Gadhafi's forces might have taken one town, while rebels tried to hold on to control of a key city. The U.N. warning there could be more carnage in the days ahead.
A mystery in Spain. A college student from the U.S. has been missing for more than a week now. His family desperate for answers.
A volcano in Hawaii blows lava 65 feet in the air after the crater floor drops out.
Today new fighting rages in Libya. And control of the country hangs in the balance. More on that in just a moment.
But first, the reverberations that are reaching all the way to your corner gas station. You probably know gas prices are up. But you may be surprised by just how much. Just two weeks ago we were paying $3.18 a gallon, today the national average is $3.51 a gallon.
The Lundberg Survey says that $.033 a gallon spike is the second biggest price jump ever. And even higher prices are on the way.
Christine Romans is part of the CNN Money team.
Christine, good morning to you. Good to see you. First off --
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Randi.
KAYE: This is not just about the fighting in Libya, but the uncertainty across the entire region, right?
ROMANS: That's absolutely true. It's also about a global economy that's been recovering. So you had gas prices moving up and oil prices moving up even before that because the world's factories have been revving up and people have been consuming more oil around the world.
Even though that hasn't really been happening in the U.S., the demand wasn't really up in the U.S., it was up elsewhere. All of these things factoring in. When you look at gas prices in the U.S. right now, you're right, two-week -- really an epic jump, $0.34 cents, and where you live depends on what you're paying.
In California, Hawaii, in Alaska, those where the highest prices are. You can see Chicago $3.75 a gallon there.
Will they continue to go higher? Well, some analysts this morning are telling me yes, but they hope that the big bulk of the move, that $.034 has already been -- already been factored in. $106 crude oil is what we have right now.
And an analyst in Deutsch Bank, Randi, saying that you won't see $4 gasoline unless or until crude oil hits $125 a barrel. So don't worry about $4 gallon gas, he says, until then. So watching crude oil prices this morning, too -- Randi.
KAYE: Yes. Lots of folks of course are still worrying, though. And now a lot of talk coming from the Obama administration about tapping into the nation's strategic oil reserves.
How likely do you think that is?
ROMANS: Well, many people this morning are telling me it's pretty unlikely. But just having the administration talking about the Strategic Petroleum Reserve shows you that they want us all to know that they are on this. It's very rare for them to tap into this. What is it, it's crude oil that's stored in underground salt caverns basically. And we have 727 million barrels.
It's -- by definition it is there to keep the market going in case there are supply disruptions. And right now we know there's been a tiny supply disruption from Libya, about a million barrels per day. But OPEC and Saudi Arabia, they say they're going to make up for that. So there really isn't a supply disruption just yet.
We've only tapped it twice. Once in the first Gulf War, once during Katrina. And then Hurricanes Ike and Gustav -- remember those in 2008, Randi? There was an exchange. Oil companies were allowed to do an exchange with the Strategic Petroleum Reserve at that time. But other than that it is very, very rare to see us tap into that.
Couple of things that the government can also do, it can maybe weigh in and get rid of the gas tax? That was something they talked about in 2008. But it did not happen. Also government price controls. Something that they tried in the 1970s. But remember the political climate is get the government out of my life, don't get the government further into my life. So that seems very unlikely, too.
KAYE: All right. Christine Romans for us in New York. Christine, thank you.
Now let's get back to Libya. Bloody fighting is intensifying between government troops and rebel fighters as they wrestle for control town by town. Earlier today Moammar Gadhafi's war planes bombed the rebel stronghold of Ras Lanuf. Fire fighters there -- fighters there say that they pushed back the government offensive and still control the city.
Witnesses say Gadhafi's troops also failed to recapture the town of Misrata. And get this, they say some civilians were armed only with sticks but still beat back Gadhafi's tanks and artillery.
Estimates on the death toll now range as high as 2,000. The international community is scrambling to ease Gadhafi out of power and Libya appears on the verge of civil war.
Let's get the latest now from CNN's Nic Robertson. He's in Tripoli this morning and joins us by phone.
Nic, good morning. So many competing claims of victory this weekend. Who seems to have more support as far as you can tell -- the opposition or Gadhafi? Or is it simply just changing day by day?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (via phone): I think it's very hard to tell. I think for anyone that's sort of living in the capital Tripoli, they would be very confused but probably very worried. They would have seen the big demonstrations yesterday by the government, by the government supporters.
They would have heard the government claims that they have taken control of the towns of Zawir and Misrata and Ras Lanuf. But those who were listening -- able to listen to international media will realize those claims ring hollow. That they are not true.
We've also managed to talk to people here who have vehemently anti the regime, anti-Gadhafi's regime, and they say that their voice is being put down. There are people being arrested. And they say they are living in fear because they say Gadhafi supporters in the city here are well armed. And there's nothing that they -- the anti-Gadhafi elements can do about it.
So it's a -- it's a very confusing picture up here. But clearly we're getting into a situation where the government cannot deal a decisive blow with the army even against small rebel pockets and against the rebels east of the country. They are having no easy victories either. It's looking -- a long battle here -- Randi.
KAYE: Yes. And how well armed is the opposition? I mean we hear about some of these rebel forces using sticks. But how long can they hang on against the Libyan army?
ROBERTSON: Well, if you take Zawir (INAUDIBLE), as one of the examples, there are perhaps 100 or so fighters -- also in the city there. They probably got some heavy weapons, a couple of tanks, some anti-aircraft bombs, (INAUDIBLE), heavy weapons, rocket-propelled grenade.
It sounds like a lot, but they are facing off against an army, an army that has supply depots, can resupply their ammunition. These fighters might be able to get in and out of the city center, to farms to get food, medical supplies, maybe, but what they don't have ready access to is the ammunition.
And in some places like Tripoli, the anti-government people here simply don't have weapons or simply not enough to get and come out against -- what people already have seen in the streets in these pro- government demonstrations, very well armed Gadhafi supporters.
It's clear that the government is keeping a lot of people on their side in this city well-armed and the opposition has nothing to match that here -- Randi.
KAYE: Nic Robertson for us this morning in Tripoli. Nic, thank you.
In the Indian Ocean pirates and the U.S. Navy to the rescue. The USS Boeckly stopped gunman from taking over a Japanese oil tanker about 375 miles southeast of Oman yesterday. The warship, part of a NATO counter-piracy force secured the tanker and captured four suspected pirates without gunfire. The crew had taken refuge in the ship's so- called citadel.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates choking up today during a surprise trip to Afghanistan. It happened during a question and answer session with troops at Bagram Air Field. Gates got emotional when a service member asked the secretary what keeps him up at night.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT GATES, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: I would tell you that you all keep me up at night. I think a lot about the people out here. And what you are having to put up with and the conditions you live in and the sacrifices you make.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Gates also meeting today with Afghan President Hamid Karzai who may give him an earful. Karzai is complaining about civilian deaths from NATO air strikes. The Afghan leader told General David Petreaus yesterday that expressing regret at the deaths of nine Afghan boys in an air strike last week is not enough.
Air strikes have become a source of tension between Kabul and Washington.
This week Congress takes a closer look at radical Islam in America. One lawmaker says the Muslim community isn't helping police enough. The Muslim community says it's being singled out, demonized, in fact, for the actions of just a few.
We'll ask a Muslim woman whose son was killed on 9/11 what she thinks.
NHL fights are part of the game but at what cost to the players? Researchers have looked into the brain of a former enforcer and found evidence of trauma.
Who will Kate Middleton be wearing when she says "I do" to Prince William? The princess-to-be may share a look with Lady Gaga. We'll explain. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: This week Congress holds hearings on radical Islam in America. The head of the House Homeland Security Committee Peter King thinks al Qaeda is recruiting and that the Muslim community isn't cooperating enough with authorities.
King thinks the government needs to investigate.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. PETER KING (R), HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE: And I have said time and time again the overwhelming majority of Muslims are outstanding Americans. But at this state in our history there is an effort to radicalize elements within the Muslim community.
And I've said, when we were going after the Mafia, we looked at the Italian community; the Westies, the Irish community. In New York, they go after the Russian mob, they go into the Russian community in Brighton Beach and Coney Island.
And right now, there is an effort -- and this isn't just me saying this. Eric Holder has said he stays awake at night worrying about the numbers of young Muslim men who are being radicalized.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Protesters showed up Sunday in the New York rain to denounce the hearings. They say Congressman King is basically demonizing the Muslim community.
We could see more of these protests as the week goes on.
Let's talk now with Talat Hamdani about this. Her son was a Muslim and a paramedic and died trying to save others at ground zero on 9/11.
Talat, are you opposed to Congressman King's hearings or do you simply think that they should include more faiths and not just Muslims?
TALAT HAMDANI, SON KILLED IN 9/11: I don't oppose the hearing. I agree, we do need to investigate radicalism and terrorism -- domestic terrorism in all aspect, you know? Because we have had our Gabby -- the attack on Congresswoman Gabby, we have Timothy McVeighs.
We have also the attack on Muslim mosques which was prevented. They were having a funeral in California and an American guy, you know, Christian Caucasian, was attacking it with, you know, a bomb over there. He was arrested just before the event.
We need to investigate, but not only just one community, especially a faith-based community. Because this is an indictment of our faith which is not fair. We need to prevent another 9/11 having paid the ultimate price. Who else would be more concerned to get -- to have a more secure America, but not at the cost of our liberties, our civil rights, our constitutional rights. What Peter King is doing, he is demonizing, stigmatizing the American Muslims. Even today -- and Eric Holder did not say any such thing that he is claiming. Yes, he stays awake at night, but not because of terrorism, because of Muslim radicalization. Terrorism because of radicalization in the general domestic population over here.
There are a lot of militia that is against the government. We have to investigate and look into them also.
KAYE: I know that -- as I mentioned your son died on 9/11. He was a paramedic. He was a police cadet. He tried -- he died trying to save people. We have some video of you from that area looking actually for your son after 9/11.
What is it that concerns you most about the hearings? Are you -- are you concerned that Muslims would be targeted in America?
HAMDANI: Not would be. They are. We are being persecuted.
KAYE: I mean even more so.
HAMDANI: It's not a "would be." Well, he's trying to make us second class citizens, take away our rights to pursue a faith of our choice, which is our constitutional right, and nobody can do that. Even today, the White House came out with a statement. They sent a national security person, Denis McDonough, I think, and he's also said that we -- yes, we need to look into radicalization across the board and we are also responsible to stand by our people. We are all Americans.
KAYE: And what do you make of the fact that Congressman King says that Muslims have not been cooperative with the law?
HAMDANI: He is very wrong. If he was true on that, then he would invite someone from law enforcement to testify. The fact nobody from the law enforcement is testifying is evidence of the fact that he cannot back up his claims.
KAYE: All right --
HAMDANI: And even Keith -- Congressman Keith Ellison also says we need to look across the board, expand it, look into all domestic terrorism. Terrorists exist in all faiths, in all races, and in all ethnicities. To demonize one faith is very wrong. It's unfair, it's un-American.
KAYE: All right, Talat Hamdani, we'll have to leave it there. We appreciate your thoughts this morning. Thank you. And you can read --
HAMDANI: Thank you.
KAYE: Talat's op-ed on CNN.com. It's called "This is My Son's America, Too."
Hockey fans love the adrenaline rush of fights, but what about the players' long-term concerns? Doctors went inside a tough guy's brain, and we'll tell you what they found.
Hawaii's sleeping giant has awakened. A fresh eruption of the Kilauea volcano has sent a spectacular display of lava spewing in the air.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Rob Marciano is in the Weather Center, and he's following this volcano in Hawaii. Those pictures are incredible.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, they never get old. This thing's been erupting for a good 20 years, now. But a new fissure opening up on the Big Island, and volcano spewing 60, 65 feet into the air. So, they had to shut down parts of the park over the weekend, and we bring you these colorful, eruptive pictures for you from the Big Island of Hawaii, there.
They're monitoring this, obviously. If it gets any worse, they may have to alert some of the folks who live close by. Nonetheless, this stuff continues to spew downhill, making that island even bigger.
All right, speaking of flowing downhill, some rainfall across parts Indiana. Flooding still an issue there, especially south and west of Indianapolis. The White River continues to flood. It'll crest probably tomorrow morning, tomorrow afternoon because of the two bouts of rain that they had over the weekend. Probably going to see a little bit more in the way of rainfall as we go through later this week.
All right. What have we got going on as far as weather is concerned? Storm across the northeast. Drying out across parts of the southeast. And then, a pretty complex system across parts of the Midwest.
Let's talk about the Northeast, first. This is some of the rainfall that we've seen. For the most part, this is 24 hours. Windsor Locks, it's just north of Hartford, seeing over three inches, Orange seeing -- Massachusetts, seeing over three inches, as well.
So, we've had some isolated areas of flooding with this system, and then some snow, obviously, where it's cold enough for that. Parts of central and upstate New York seeing over 20 inches. Burlington, Vermont seeing 19 inches. High above Cayuga's waters in Ithaca, 15 inches, and Stowe, Vermont, 14.
Temperatures today will be OK, milder temperatures getting into the 40s across parts of New York. And then, watch this next system come out of the Rockies, and that will bring more rain, wind, some snow, and some severe weather across the eastern two thirds of the country tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday. Back over to you.
KAYE: All right, Rob, thank you.
MARCIANO: You've got it.
KAYE: Here are some stories making news Cross Country. New trouble for the scandal-plagued Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Attorneys plan to file a lawsuit today accusing church leaders of conspiring to cover up or ignore sex crimes by priests committed against children. The suit names the archdiocese and six of its leaders, including the current and former archbishop.
And here's something we've seen before, a fire onboard an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico. Coast Guard helicopters rushed to the platform yesterday, about 150 miles on Grand Isle, Louisiana. They put out the fire and rescued two workers who were working on it. The platform was shut two weeks ago and not producing any oil.
In New Orleans, Mardi Gras festivities are in fully swing, despite some bad weather over the weekend. The big party reaches a crescendo tomorrow with Fat Tuesday.
A major knockout in a minor league hockey game. Take a look at this Central Hockey League video that has gone viral. Judd Blackwater lands a jab, knocking Jim Jorgensen to the ice. As soon as Jorgensen gets back up, Blackwater sends him back down again -- with one punch. Fight over.
It's not just the fights in hockey that can be dangerous. Concussions can come from checks, like a blindside hit to the head. Now, doctors are concerned about long-term consequences from concussions. CNN's Jason Carroll is in New York with the story for us this morning. Good morning, Jason.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning to you, Randi. Lots of concerns about this. You've probably heard about it happening to football players and to boxers. Now, research shows it is happening to hockey players, as well.
Researchers at Boston University, Randi, have found a brain degeneration disease in two former NHL players, most recently, in Bob Probert. You remember, he died last year at the age of 45 from heart failure. In hockey terms, Probert was the type of player called an enforcer, known for fighting opposing players. The result? Years of blows to the head.
Well, head trauma is one of the major causes of chronic, traumatic encephalopathy or CTE. The co-director of Boston University's program says the NHL has taken some action, but he says, Randi, it does not go far enough.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT CANTU, DOCTOR, BOSTON UNIVERSITY: The NHL stepped up, put a foot forward and said you can't blindside hit the head anymore. That's one step forward. Now they have to put the other step forward and simply say that all purposeful hits to the head need to be taken out of ice hockey.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CARROLL: Randi, as it stands right now, you can only determine if someone has CTE after they have died. The news about Probert has deeply concerned many former and current NHL players.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROB RAY, FORMER NHL PLAYER: When you start hearing things about Bob Probert and other guys that played in other pro sports, you really start to think about it. You look back and you go, hey, I wouldn't have changed anything I did. I lived my dream, I was able to play in the NHL. But at what price?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CARROLL: Both the NHL and its union are aware of the research. When we reached out to both of them, they would not give us an on-camera interview, Randi. They did respond with this particular statement, the NHL telling us, quote, "The findings are interesting and certainly something we'll add to a much broader body of knowledge. But we're not going to react or make changes based on findings related to just one player."
Dr. Cantu says he hopes to study more NHL players soon, especially those skill players that, Randi, don't take the same type of abuse that the enforcers do.
We can also tell you, when it comes to Probert, Randi, that in terms of some of the research, it shows 246 fights in 16 seasons. So you can imagine with all of that fighting, in addition to all of the physical activity going on on the ice, that is a lot to deal with.
KAYE: And so much to contend with, because the fans really love the fights at the hockey games. So, it's such a serious issue but, of course, they enjoy it so much. All right, Jason Carroll, we'll leave it there. Thank you, Jason.
In Libya, both sides are claiming control of major cities. And between bouts of fighting, there are rallies to celebrate victories from both opposition forces and Gadhafi supporters. So, is Libya entering into a civil war?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Welcome back. Coming up on half past the hour, here. Oil prices keep soaring. They topped $104 a barrel last week, and today, the situation is getting worse. Alison Kosik is at the New York Stock Exchange with details for us. Hi, Alison.
ALISON KOSIK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Randi. Yes, we are watching oil on the move right now, topping $105 a barrel. It did hit $106 a barrel early this morning, it's the highest price in two and a half years.
And look how prices have been over the past month. They've just been rising and rising, they're up almost 20 percent.
Now, the funny thing is, oil supplies, they're are okay. Which means that the trade that you're watching happen with oil is really being driven by speculation. The fear of what will happen if the Libyan conflict spreads to other Mideast nation. We are expecting a flat open because of higher oil prices. Keep that in mind as we get the day underway. Now, a big reminder, it is tax time, and the early numbers are beginning to roll in. The average refund so far? Sitting at about $3,129. Last year it was around $3,000.
But the average is likely to drop just a bit as tax season progresses, because people who expect those big refunds, they file right away. They want to get their money fast. But it's the filers who wait for a more last-minute -- they're the ones actually who owe money to Uncle Sam. Funny thing about that, you want to hold onto the money as long as you can. Randi?
KAYE: All right, Alison, thank you.
Thirty minutes past the hour. Time to check some of our top stories. Alison Kosik just talked about oil prices. Well, they're causes gas prices to jump here in the U.S. Just over the past two weeks the national average has spiked 33 cents a gallon. That's the second biggest jump in history.
From the Midwest to the deep south, millions of Americans are either reeling from flood waters or bracing for them. This is the scene from Indianapolis, where heavy rains flooded some low-lying areas there. Today flood warnings are in effect for much of Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi.
Right now the space shuttle Discovery is wrapping up its final mission and on its way home. Astronauts undocked from the International Space Station. The shuttle program has been around nearly 30 years and is scheduled to end later this year.
The U.N. says expect more carnage in Libya in the coming days. Parts of the country are under opposition control while in Tripoli, a pro- government rally rocked Green Square. Some demonstrators there holding weapons, others holding posters of Moammar Gadhafi, as you can see. Intense fighting is said to be now less than 200 miles from Libya's capital.
In Misrata, both sides are claiming victory in the country's third largest city. Eyewitness accounts say opposition forces are holding ground with machine guns, sticks, whatever they can gather, while pro- Gadhafi forces are fortified with tanks, heavy artillery and air strikes.
The phrase on the lips of many watching the bloody fighting in Libya is civil war. Author Ronald Bruce St. John is a Libya scholar.
Bruce, good morning to you.
You've examined four decades of Libya. Now this really doesn't look like a protest like we saw in Egypt. This is a war, civil war, really. Both sides digging in, pushing back.
So, what would you say is the end game here? How long can we expect this to go on? RONALD BRUCE ST. JOHN, LIBYA SCHOLAR: Well, first of all, Randi, it's important to consider it may be more as a revolution than a civil war. A revolution in the sense that you've got a large number, the majority of Libyans, most of which are in their 20s, 30s and 40s saying enough is enough. We've had enough of Gadhafi and we want to get rid of him.
I think the end game will be that Gadhafi will be overthrown. How long that will take? A matter of days? Probably not. A matter of weeks? Very likely. Because he looks like he's determined to fight on until the bitter end and that means that the protesters, the revolutionaries are going to have to get themselves organized militarily to the point where they could push him completely out of power.
Also in Egypt, we saw a short list of people who might take over when President Mubarak stepped down. Is there any type of list, a short list if you will, or any names being tossed around if Gadhafi goes?
JOHN: No. I think that's a very real difference between what happened in Egypt and Tunisia, maybe to a lesser degree. This is a very much a people's revolution driven by young Libyans. They have formed over the weekend a transitional consul headed by a former justice minister Mustafa Jamil (ph) of the Gadhafi regime. But, I think what's important here is while we're going to need some kind of a transitional government, which will draw on military and political figures from the old regime, I think in the end, you're going to find these young revolutionaries are going to want to make the revolution themselves and in the end, create their own form of government.
KAYE: All right. Author Ronald Bruce St. John, thank you very much for joining us this morning.
In India, it was an inferno that could be seen for miles. Two thousand homes were lost, including a home of one of the actors from "Slumdog Millionaire."
Newt Gingrich joins five other Republicans who may be running for president in Iowa today. We'll tell you what's bringing them there in our political update.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Checking stories making news today. President Obama holds his first White House meeting with Australia's prime minister. That meeting coming up in just about 45 minutes. The two will discuss shared interests, including Afghanistan and a pull out of NATO troops this summer.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wants to put more emphasis on women's issues. She's launching 100 women initiative at the State Department. It comes during a week-long series of events. Marking international women's day, which is tomorrow. The initiative encourages international exchanges aimed at giving women more control of their own lives.
The so-called sweat lodge trial of James Arthur Ray resumes in Arizona. Ray has pleaded not-guilty to three counts of manslaughter . Three people died in a sweat lodge gathering you may recall near Sedona in October of 2009.
Listen closely to what Senator John McCain told ABC's "This Week," then see if you can figure out what's wrong with his statement.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: I would also point out if you'd emptied that house, there if you'd left a computer there or an iPad or an iPhone, those are built in the United States of America. And as the president said, continuously and I agree with him, innovation is the key to us being able to restore our economy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: So you think about that and we'll tell you the mistake when we come back.
Also in preparation of the holiest period in the Catholic calendar, it's time for folks in Brazil to drink, celebrate and samba. More on Carnival coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Well, Senator John McCain may need to check with a techie after he misspoke during an interview. McCain told ABC's "This Week" that iPads and iPhones are American-made.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MCCAIN: I would also point out that if you'd emptied that house there, if you'd left a computer there or an iPad or an iPhone, those are built in the United States of America. And as the president said continuously and I agree with him, innovation is the key to us being able to restore our economy. And that's got to be exports.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: The iPad, the iPhone and the iTouch each have the words "Designed by Apple in California, assembled in China" right on the back. McCain's office tells CNN the senator is aware of that.
So let's bring in our deputy political director Paul Steinhauser. Paul, this is getting a lot of attention. Is the senator aware of that or not?
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: He says he's aware of it. But it's interesting, Randi. This story is the lead right now for the CNN political ticker and it's doing a lot of traffic online, as you mentioned, generating a lot of interest online.
One thing I thought that was interesting from that sound -- from the Senator there, he said he agreed with the President. Barack Obama and John McCain rivals last time around 2008. They don't always agree but they say they agree here. Talking about John McCain, what about some Republicans who want to become the next presidential nominee? It is a big day in Iowa, today, Randi. You've got -- I guess you could call it the first real cattle call of the state that kicks off the presidential primary and caucus calendar.
Check this graphic we made. Listen, there's a forum out there today by the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition, it's a major social conservative in Iowa. Look who's going to be there today, Newt Gingrich, Tim Pawlenty, the former Minnesota governor, Rick Santorum, former senator from Pennsylvania, Herman Cain, the businessman, radio talk show host, and Buddy Roemer. They're all going to be at this what's called the spring event. And then Ron Paul, the Congressman from Texas who ran last time, he speaks to another social conservative group out there, the Family Leaders. A big day in Iowa and we've got our Jessica Yellin, Peter Hamby and Kevin Bon (ph) out there. That's how big a day it is, Randi.
KAYE: Also another probable GOP presidential candidate, quite feisty this weekend. What can you tell us about this?
STEINHAUSER: Yes. Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts who ran last time, he's very much interested, probably going to do it again, run again.
You know what, though? His Achilles' heel some people say is the health care plan he implemented when he was in Massachusetts about five years ago, when he was the governor there. Romney this past week up in New Hampshire, the state that holds the first primary, speaking to a Republican county group.
Listen to what he said about the criticism about his health care plan and about the Obama health care plan.
Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MITT ROMNEY, FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR: Our experiment wasn't perfect. Some things worked. Some things didn't. Some things I'd change. But one thing I would never do is usurp the constitutional power of states with a one size fits all federal takeover. I would repeal Obama care.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STEINHAUSER: Some fighting words there for Mitt Romney. A lot of other Republicans are criticizing him for what he did, Randi, up there in Massachusetts. And even the White House complimented him, which I guess in a way, you could say, could hurt him -- Randi.
KAYE: All right, Paul. Good to see you. Thank you.
We'll have your next political update in one hour. And a reminder for all the latest political news go to our web site, CNNPolitics.com. Here are some stories making news Cross Country now. The daughter of the last World War I veteran would like his body to lie in repose in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. Frank Buckles died last Sunday at the age of 110. But congressional leaders are not supporting a resolution that would allow this. They say a service at Arlington National Cemetery would be more appropriate.
A server at a Mexican restaurant in Atlanta is credited with saving a customer's life. A security camera caught it all on tape. Check this out, Matthew McConnell performed the Heimlich maneuver on a customer who had been choking on some food for more than 30 seconds. McConnell says it was just part of his training and he does not consider himself a hero.
And how do you help young children concentrate? Well, teachers at a school in upstate New York are using stability balls to help their students keep focused. Experts say the balls help improve posture and require concentration so that you don't fall off.
It is one of the most anticipated articles of clothing ever -- Kate Middleton's royal wedding gown. The designer may be one of fashion's most rebellious.
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KAYE: We're going to color outside the lines now, go outside our own borders and take a look at some of the big international stories. Jacques Chirac is the ex-leader of France to face criminal charges since World War II. Prosecutors say back when he was mayor or Paris, Chirac gave friends and political allies ghost jobs and big salaries. The 78-year-old will stand trial despite claims he has Alzheimer's disease.
In Spain they are still searching for a missing American exchange student, 22-year-old Austin Bice of San Diego was last seen leaving a Madrid nightclub nine days ago. Friends of complaint Spanish authorities have moved too slowly in the search. And now his father has flown in to help.
You may remember the actress Rubina Ali from the movie, "Slum Dog Millionaire", well, her home was one of 2,000 lost in a fire in Mumbai, Indi. The blaze could be seen for miles Friday evening. No casualties reported.
And it's carnival in Brazil. There is a big fight in the world of entomology and you don't want to get those guys going on the origin of the word "carnival". Since it comes just before the period when Catholics go without meat, some claim "carnival" means remove meat or farewell to the flesh. Either way this party is actually in preparation to that holiest period on the Catholic calendar, Lent.
Here is a question for you, what do Lady Gaga and Kate Middleton have in common? The fashion house behind some of Gaga's eccentric looks may be designing the royal wedding dress. Yes it's true.
CNN's Mark Saunders is live at Buckingham Palace for us this morning. Mark, good morning. There are some reports saying that the label will be Alexander McQueen. But McQueen's fashion house denying this. Are they obligated to keep this a secret if it is true?
MARK SAUNDERS, ROYAL BIOGRAPHER: I think, yes, though, they would pretty much have to be. This is, of course, the -- the one subject that is the most interesting of all of this wedding. They would have a contract that said under no circumstances were they be allowed to confirm it. Because if you remember, when it was first announced that Catherine would be involved in designing her own wedding dress we were told that we would be given no details until the actual date.
Now, Buckingham Palace behind me has refused to confirm or deny this story which pretty much is what they've been doing from the start with all aspects of this wedding. But we have to emphasize there has been no confirmation as you say from the House of McQueen.
But the more as this day goes on, the more it does look like Sarah Burton the creative designer for the House of McQueen will be designing the dress.
And it's actually, we're told, being designed here at Buckingham Palace.
KAYE: And I know that Alexander McQueen's fashions certainly have a lot of fans including First Lady Michelle Obama here in the U.S. Any idea what this dress might look like?
SAUNDERS: Well, I think the first thing we have to remember is that this is a church wedding, a church service, and not a fashion parade. It will be conservative, though I know many people really described Catherine's whole style as being conservative. We do know that the dress will have sleeves, but that really is it.
Now an interesting point, Catherine has been using the ballroom at St. James Palace to practice her wedding walk. Now that does suggest there could be significant train on this wedding dress.
KAYE: And -- and you say it might be conservative. Do you think that -- that Sarah Burton was chosen to help design this because she is low profile?
SAUNDERS: Yes, she's low profile but also remember, she is a very experienced designer. She's been at the House of McQueen for, I think, it's 16 years now. Catherine has always said that she wants to be involved in the design of this dress, so I think that Sarah Burton's experience in working alongside Catherine will be beneficial. I think that's what Catherine is -- is looking for. Because it's unlikely that Catherine Middleton has -- has the skill to just design her own wedding dress.
I think Sarah Burton will be helping her with that significantly.
KAYE: All right. Well, I know a lot of people have great anticipation. I can't wait to see what this dress is going to look like on the day of the royal wedding.
Mark Saunders from London, thank you.
KAYE: We'll update you on the latest in Libya at the top of the hour.
We're following lots of other developments as well in the next hour of CNN NEWSROOM. Let's check first with Jim Acosta in the nation's capital -- Jim.
JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi Randi, I'm following Mitt Romney's new message on the health care law he signed when he was governor of Massachusetts. How does that new message square with what he has said in the past? I'll have a story on that coming up.
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS NEWS CORRESPONDENT: And I'm Stephanie Elam in Los Angeles. Do you think your city is already taxing you enough for things? Well, they're getting creative here out west. I'll tell what you they're doing to tax some of the residents. That's coming up in the next hour.
KAYE: All right, thanks, guys.
And in Libya the fighting intensifies and the concerns grow. The United Nations issues a dire warning as government troops launch a new offensive. We'll have the latest.
Plus, the end is near or at least that's what one church group thinks. They are so convinced that the end of days will happen this May that they are traveling the country to warn anyone who will listen, their story ahead.
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KAYE: And welcome back. Some NBA stars were crying after they lost yesterday.
Jeff Fischel from HLN Sports is here to tell all about that. Tears, huh?
JEFF FISCHEL, HLN SPORTS ANCHOR: Yes, the Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra he says his guys are really down. You can't blame them; they've now lost four in a row. The Heat were taking on the Chicago Bulls yesterday; the Heat are supposed to be the team to beat in the NBA this year, right with Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. But it just wasn't working right.
Watch the Bulls slowing them down and D. Rose going to the hoop for two. The Heat may have the big three including Dwyane Wade but Chicago has the big one, yes, Derek Rose, the point guard, drawing all the contact, making everything happen. Nothing going right for the Heat. The final seconds the Heat had a chance. The Heat go down to the Chicago Bulls by one point.
The Spurs have won 22 in a row at home taking on the Lakers. There we go. Ron Artest the block, the flex, and the kiss. When you're a kid, that's what the coaches teach you, right is this block, flex, kiss. Teammates love that. Artest not done. Trying to save the loose ball, dives into the first row giving the fans the full experience. That's not a coke or a beer. That's coffee. Fortunately the guy said it was not hot. Lakers brought plenty of cream and sugar. They won easily in San Antonio.
All right. Drive fast, turn left, Nascar in Vegas. Last week's winner Jeff Gordon cuts a tire. Snuggles with the wall. He had to be towed off the track. Not a good day for Gordon.
Down the stretch they come, Carl Edwards dominant again; his 19th career win. No Carl Edwards' win is complete without the back flip. It's his third win his last five starts.
Danica Patrick made history this weekend. She finished fourth in the nationwide series race in Vegas on Saturday. She is in the lime green number 7 car. Fourth is the best Nascar finish ever by a woman. You have to go back to 1949 for the last time a woman finished in the top five in a Nascar race. It will be huge if and when Patrick wins a Nascar race.
Ok. A different kind much of racing now. Ready, set, mush. It's the start of the Iditarod race in Alaska. Of course they go from Anchorage to Nome. It's about 1150 miles, in all. There are 62 teams. You add up all the dogs, you're talking about 1,000 dogs. Each team has 12 to 16 dogs.
Over the years it has picked up the title the last great race on earth. The favorite is guy Lance Mackey; he's going for his fifth straight Iditarod title. Temperatures, by the way, are below zero and there's also wind. So it's not going to be warm.
But they do say that the winner gets not only $50,000 but also a truck and, Randi, I guess that means, on the ride home, the dogs get something, too, maybe -- I don't know, put their heads out the window.
KAYE: Yes. A new bone, maybe a little extra kibble. I don't know, something. I hope they get something after all that hard work.
FISCHEL: They have a long way to go. Still about 1,000 miles left. They still have a long way to go.
KAYE: All right.
Jeff Fischel, thank you. Good to see you.
FISCHEL: Ok. Appreciate it.
