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CNN Sunday Morning
Wildfire Emergency in Arizona; Huntsman Set to Join the Race; Still Feeling the Pain
Aired June 19, 2011 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANNOUNCER: From CNN's World Headquarters, bringing you news and analysis from across the nation and around the globe, live from Studio 7, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING with T.J. Holmes.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
For years, wherever Bruce Springsteen played, Clarence Clemons was at his side. And now, Bruce Springsteen is mourning the death of his famous sidekick.
Also this morning, half a million acres of Arizona scorched. Firefighters say they don't know what started all of these fires, but long-time Senator John McCain says he knows how some of them started in his state. Illegal immigrants are responsible, he says.
Also, we'll try to make a Father's Day a little bit brighter for at least one dad fighting in Afghanistan. You'll want to stick around for this.
So good morning to you all, from the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia, this is your CNN SUNDAY MORNING for this June 19. Happy Father's Day to you all. I'm T.J. Holmes. And as always, we want to say a special good morning to our service men and women who are watching us right now in the Armed Forces Network. Thank you for what you. Thank you for being here with us.
But we do need to start with this sad news that Clarence Clemons has died. Clemons and his saxophone were the backbone of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. "Born to Run" for you this morning.
Clemons was by Springsteen's side for 40 years. He's also the sax of choice for a wide range of artists from Aretha Franklin, Twisted Sister, even Lady Gaga. Clemons suffered a stroke a week ago. A spokesperson for the band says Clemons was surrounded by family members in Palm Beach, Florida when he died.
Meanwhile, Bruce Springsteen did post this on his website, and I quote, "He was my great friend, my partner and with Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music. His life, his memory and his love will live on in that story and in our band." Clarence Clemons was 69 years old.
We turn now to Arizona and what we have been watching for the past several weeks now. And firefighters are saying it just can't get any worse. That's coming from at least one fire official dealing with the fires there in Southern Arizona.
One is the so-called monument fire, it has burned more than 20,000 acres. And the head of the U.S. Forest Service says that fire is the number one priority. More than 700 firefighters are working to control the fire right now. This fire is near the Mexican Border.
Now, even though firefighters are saying they don't exactly know what the causes of these fires are, Arizona Senator John McCain gave his insights. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: We are concerned about particularly areas down on the border where there is substantial evidence that some of these fires are caused by people who have crossed our border illegally. They have set fires because they want to signal others. They have set fires to keep warm. And they have set fires in order to divert law enforcement agents and agencies from - from them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: McCain did not go on to elaborate and tell exactly what that evidence is that illegal immigrants are the cause of some of these fires right now.
But at least one civil rights activist is calling McCain's comments, quote, "careless and reckless." The head of the Forest Service says they know when and where the fire started but they are still investigating exactly how it started.
Meanwhile, another one to tell you about here that's already burned 225,000 acres in Southeast Georgia. Firefighters were able to get a break at least with rain this weekend as much as an inch fell in parts of the area. Fire officials say the rain wasn't enough to put all the fires out, bring in a tropical storm, maybe that will do the trick.
Also, take a look at what this falling tree. We had a lot of - some severe thunderstorms. But look at this. Look at this guy's house. Tree fell on his house. This is a suburb of Atlanta and not just a tree falling on his house, another tree fell and took out his two cars. But nobody in the family was hurt. So that's something.
Reynolds Wolf here with me now. Good morning to you my friend. It's kind of a rough night here in Georgia.
REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes. But in the way (ph) you said it's everything. If people weren't hurt, you know, you can replace the other stuff.
HOLMES: Yes.
WOLF: Absolutely. I mean, make your insurance people happy. Let's show you what we have up there. You know, the rough weather has really been the top story that we have at this moment. What I'm talking about, of course, we mention the fires. But we have a couple of tornado watches that are now in effect where they're usual suspects and in places like over towards St. Louis and along the Eastern Seaboard we see some strong storms. But the heaviest and worst weather we're seeing is now moving to the east and southeast of St. Louis. If you're turning in safe from Cape Girardeau, then you've already heard that just the incredible thunder.
Also, you're going to notice the shape of this line of storms, they indicate a great deal of wind that's coming in right behind it, just kind of bowing out, if you will. So what you can expect is possibly some straight line winds that could cause some damage, a tornado certainly a possibility, but I'd say the biggest damage culprit that we can have right now is going to be just this straight line winds.
The tornado watch will remain in effect for parts of Indiana into Illinois and, of course, Kentucky and just a sliver of Tennessee just along the northern half of 65 where it enters the State of Kentucky.
Meanwhile, again, back to the fires. Let's talk about those for a moment. The conditions in parts of Georgia, a little bit better because of the rainfall yesterday. But no relief whatsoever for parts of the desert southwest. And now that now moves into parts of Texas and into the Central Plains, extremely critical and critical conditions that we have. Very low humidity, strong winds around this area of low pressure that's pulling just to north.
And in terms of the dry conditions, in terms of red flag warnings and watches, they extend for - through seven states at this point and now back up through Kansas and as far south as parts of Texas along the board of the Rio Grande Valley. Big Ben National Park, of course, having some issue there. No fires just yet, but (INAUDIBLE) of situation even along I-35, where if there are any - any kind of fires that are set, they're going to burn possibly very quickly a lot of the foliage, a lot of the chaparral, a lot of the grass. It's very dry. These Texas oaks even back over towards parts of Albuquerque, we have a different variety of fauna. You could, of course, have more of those fires developing in parts of Arizona and into New Mexico, even into Colorado at this point.
So it's definitely a mess. It could be a mess later on today. We have a whole different variety. We're talking about a moderate risk of severe storms into the Northern Plains. All the components are there. We've got a lifting mechanism, primarily this area of low pressure. The Gulf of Mexico is wide open, just a conveyer belt bringing in a lot of moisture. That combined with this frontal boundary and daytime heating could make for a very, very unstable air mass over the Central Plains.
So if you happen to be, say, in Lincoln, Nebraska, perhaps in Northern Kansas, maybe even into the Dakotas, by late afternoon there will be a chance of tornadoes, large hail, damaging winds, maybe even some flash flooding and, of course, the heavy rain that goes there from time to time.
Your temperatures are just ridiculous in parts of Texas. Take a look of what we have today - 102 in Dallas, 98 degrees in Houston, definitely is going to be fairly warm, but with the high humidity, it feels warmer, as we wrap things up, Chicago 83 to high 84 in Minneapolis, 63 in Billings, 64 in Seattle, 72 in San Francisco. Back out to the East Coast we go, a string of 80s from New York and Washington, 79 in Boston and 95 in Atlanta.
T.J., that is the look of your forecast. Let's pitch it right back to you.
HOLMES: All right. Reynolds, we appreciate it as always, buddy. Thank you so much.
We turn now to some politics and another candidate who's about to officially join the Republican parade of presidential hopefuls.
CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser has the rundown for the week ahead.
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Hey. Good morning, T.J.
John Huntsman formally declares his candidacy for presidency this week.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JON HUNTSMAN (R), FMR. UTAH GOVERNOR: This is not just a time for choosing new leaders. This is the hour when we choose our future.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STEINHAUSER: The former Utah governor and former U.S. Ambassador to China announces Tuesday at Liberty State Park in New Jersey with the Statue of Liberty as his backdrop. You know, that's the same place for Ronald Reagan kicked off his bid for the White House back in 1980.
After his announcement, Huntsman kicks off a swing through the early voting states in New Hampshire where he appears to be concentrating his firepower. Huntsman says he's ready to roll.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTSMAN: We've gone from zero to 60 about as fast as any campaign I've - I've ever seen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STEINHAUSER: Later this week, the other Republican White House hopefuls, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul and Herman Cain, they speak at the National Right to Life Convention in Jacksonville, Florida. It's another sign of just how important social conservatives are in picking the GOP nominee. Now, behind the scenes, all the candidates concentrate this week on raising campaign cash with the second quarter fund-raising coming to a close at the end of the month - T.J.
HOLMES: All right. Thanks as always to our Paul Steinhauser.
And we do have a winner in the straw poll that was taken at that Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans. We were telling you about this conference yesterday. Voters there chose Ron Paul by a fairly significant margin as you see there.
Meanwhile, John Huntsman, we just told you will declare this week, he finished second and he wasn't even at the conference. And Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann came in third.
Also, many of the country's mayors are gathering in Baltimore for the U.S. Conference on Mayors and they're weighing in on foreign policy. The group offered up a resolution calling for the quick withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. They want the money currently going overseas to be spent on creating jobs and infrastructure projects right here instead. The Mayors Group is scheduled to meet with the president tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the First Lady Michelle Obama, she's headed to Africa. It's part of her trip there. She's going to be meeting with some leaders there, also taking the kids on safari. Her first stop is going to be in South Africa. She'll meet with President Jacob Zuma. Also speak at a forum for Young Women Leaders. Later, she'll head over to Botswana where she'll be part of a community service project and then it's off to safari with her daughters, also her mother, a niece and a nephew as well.
Also, coming up on this Father's Day, we're going to try a little something this morning. You see there's a young man, a little guy who's in Massachusetts, but his dad is in Kabul, Afghanistan and then his dad is in Colorado. We're going to bring them all together on this Father's Day right here. You'll want to stick around for that on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SSG. BENJAMIN CANADY, U.S. ARMY: Hi. I'm Sergeant Benjamin Canady, stationed at Camp Taji in Iraq. I just want to say Happy Father's Day, dad. I love you, mom, dad, miss you. Hopefully see you in a couple of weeks.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Eleven minutes past the hour now.
A shoddy autopsy, that's what one forensic expert said on the stand in the Casey Anthony trial yesterday. The defense witness who says he's performed more than 60,000 autopsies argued that the actual cause of death cannot be determined because the medical examiner never cut open little Caylee Anthony's skull. And he used a prop skull to make his point.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. WERNER SPITZ, MEDICAL EXAMINER: To not open the head, I think is a failure, a failure of the autopsy. And I'll tell you another thing that if an autopsy was done in corresponding to what I think every forensic pathologist will tell you, where the head is not opened, that tells me about a shoddy autopsy. Excuse me the expression but you provoked it. A shoddy autopsy, because if the head is not opened, what else wasn't examined?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Now, Casey Anthony, of course, accused of killing her 2- year-old daughter Caylee. The judge accused the attorneys of playing games with their witnesses. He also said he may find the lead defense attorney in contempt of court when the trial finally wraps up.
Also, we turn to Italy now where five prison inmates testified yesterday in the appeal hearing of American student Amanda Knox. Two of the inmates testified Knox was not involved in the killing of her roommate, but they gave different versions of who the actual killers are. Knox was sentenced last year to 26 years in prison for killing her British roommate back in 2007 and she's now appealing that conviction.
Well, Same-Sex Marriage Bill being pushed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo could come up for a vote tomorrow. The legislation needs one vote to pass. A recent poll indicates 58 percent of New Yorkers favor allowing same-sex marriage. If approved, New York could become the sixth state to allow same-sex marriages.
Also, 250 soldiers, a lot of them dads came home to cheering crowds at Fort Carlson near Colorado Springs. Look at this.
These are always great scenes. And the timing is pretty good here. They've been fighting in Afghanistan for the past year and, yes, coming up on Father's Day now, it can't get any better than this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It feels great. I was hoping that we would make it home in time for Father's Day and that was kind of the nervous part because I really wanted to spend Father's Day with my son.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Now, some of those troops are making it back just in time for their very first Father's Day.
Now, also our loved ones welcoming back sailors on the carrier that buried Osama Bin Laden at sea.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Daddy! (END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Oh, that's a cutie there. Oh, she's pretty excited. Come on, dad, get over here. All right.
More than 5,000 crew members of the "USS Carl Vincent" returned to the States this week after six months at sea. A lot of people were certainly eager to get all those guys home.
Well, small businesses certainly got slammed in the economic downturn. And now a new report suggests many are still struggling and will not be hiring any time soon. That is next.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAJ. JEREMY FISCHMAN, U.S. AIR FORCE: Hi. I'm Major Jeremy Fischman. I just want to say hello to my dad, Mark Fischman. He's in Columbus, Georgia, and Happy Father's Day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Sixteen minutes past the hour now.
Now, look ahead at this week in Washington and on Wall Street. Nervous investors will be keeping a close eye on the Federal Reserves which meets next week and probably (ph) our Poppy Harlow has that.
But first, our Kate Bolduan tells us about a key confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill and a potential showdown over Libya.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Kate Bolduan on Capitol Hill.
Coming up this week, General David Petraeus faces a confirmation hearing in the Senate Thursday for his new post as the director of the CIA. He could also, though, face some question on Afghanistan, the size and timetable of the planned U.S. pullout this summer of U.S. forces there. Petraeus, of course, is currently the Commander of the War in Afghanistan.
And the House, the House could be headed for a showdown with the White House over U.S. involvement in military operations in Libya. Speaker John Boehner and other lawmakers were not so satisfied with the White House's response to questions and growing concern up here, that the president did not adequately consult with the Congress on the ongoing efforts in Libya. Some lawmakers have threatened to use the power of the purse possibly defunding the operation as an option.
POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY. COM: I'm Poppy Harlow in New York.
A critical week ahead for Wall Street with the Federal Reserve set to meet. No major changes are expected on interest rates, but investors are waiting to hear how the Feds plans to tackle the challenges of the slowing economic recovery. Since the Central Bank's last meeting, job growth has slowed, stocks have stumbled and prices have risen.
Also ahead this week, the latest home sales numbers, those are critical. And on Friday, we'll get the final revision of first quarter GDP so we can actually see how much the U.S. economy grew in the first three months of this year. So a lot of head for the market to digest. We'll cover it all on CNNMoney.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: And something else we'll certainly be keeping a close eye on this week the - on the economic front, the debt crisis in Greece that has the potential to have an impact here in the U.S. and a lot of places around the world, so something else to watch.
Meanwhile, small businesses have been hit hard by the economic downturn. And experts say a sign we're digging ourselves out of the economic hard times is when they start hiring again. But a new report suggests that's not going to be happening in the next few months.
Here now our Sandra Endo.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SHELLEY JENNINGS, SMALL BUSINESS OWNER: OK. Now, is all of our stock out?
SANDRA ENDO, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At Collectible Treasures Gift Shop in Fairfax, Virginia, to stay afloat in this tough economic time, strategy is key.
JENNINGS: Profit margins are down because - because of the economy. We have to do more sales. We have to do more promos.
ENDO (on camera): Anything to get customers, right?
JENNINGS: Right.
ENDO (voice-over): With millions of Americans out of work, owner Shelley Jennings wishes she could hire more employees to help run her three shops. But with sluggish sales, hiring workers is just too expensive, especially for small businesses.
JENNINGS: You have to be competitive. There is a minimum wage but you can't offer minimum wage because nobody wants to work for that. You also have to pay - so match the Social Security that the employee has taken out of theirs, you have to do unemployment taxes. You have to pay federal insurance and all that other stuff. So it - it adds up to be quite a hefty sum.
ENDO: Which is one reason the 9.1 percent national unemployment rate isn't getting better. The latest monthly report from the National Federation of Independent Business shows the worst hiring prospects in eight months, and a continuing decline in optimism. JEAN CARD, NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESS: We look at hiring. We look at sales. We look at desire to expand. And it wasn't good news on any those fronts. So sales have been a challenge for small businesses for some time now. They are reluctant to hire at best. And when - when it comes to expansion, no, they're staying put.
ENDO: For now, Jennings is hoping to just ride out these tough times.
JENNINGS: Thank you very much. Have a great weekend.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.
JENNINGS: Bye-bye.
Have mercy on the small retailer because we're trying to do the best we can.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Oh, we have stats out there that show some small businesses are making 30 to 50 percent less than they did just a few years ago.
Well, have you been seeing what this young Irishman is doing at the U.S. Open? He is making it look easy and he has guys who are much older than he is been out playing a lot longer than he has, standing up and applauding him. We'll tell you the extraordinary story of Rory McIlroy, coming up.
Also, the dress no one can forget from the Marilyn Monroe movie, "The Seven-Year Itch." Well, it sells for a tiny fortune at a Beverly Hills auction.
Also on this Father's Day, we have been asking you, what is the advice - some of the best advice you've ever gotten from your dad over the years? Here's some of the favorites you've been sharing with us.
Person called Oiler41 (sic) said his dad told him, "There are only two things in the world that no one can ever take away from you, your knowledge and your integrity."
Another reader got this from his father, "Money won't buy you happiness. It just gives you options." That's pretty good.
Have you got some advice you'd like to share with us, I'm going to be posting this question as a reminder. Also just telling you right now, you can send your answers and the advice to our blog at CNN.com/TJ. Also, you know where to find me on Facebook, that's @TJHolmesCNN and at Twitter it's simply @TJHolmes. We're going to be reading more of those responses. The best advice you've ever got from your dad, send it to us.
It's 22 minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HOLMES: Twenty-five minutes past the hour.
Have you seen what this young man is doing at the U.S. Open right now? If you don't know the name and the face yet, you will soon. Rory McIlroy is his name. He's a 22-year-old Irishman. And now he has set the record after three rounds, the best three rounds ever at this tournament. He's built up an eight-shot lead heading in today's final round.
Now, still, a lot of people will remember that at the Master's he had a pretty good lead going into the final round and he just imploded there, blew that lead, ended up losing that tournament. But he is well out front today. It would take something monumental for him to break down. But this would be his first major title and people are talking about him now as being the guy, not Tiger Woods, to challenge Jack Nicklaus in winning the most majors of all time.
Also, football, are we going to have NFL football or not? We're just a couple away - months away from what is supposed to be the start of the NFL preseason at least. But still, this lockout is in place. No deal between the owners and the players.
And now according to ESPN, this isn't the best news, but they're saying a handful of NFL owners are actually hesitant to accept the deal that's being negotiated right now with players. They say it doesn't address the issues raised in the 2006 collective bargaining agreement.
Also, Wimbledon is kicking off tomorrow and we've got the sisters back - the Williams sisters. Venus and Serena, both will be making a comeback. They had to take some time off with injuries. On the men's side, Roger Federer will be there. He's going after his seventh title, but he's going to go through that guy, Rafi Nadal and also Novak Djokovic also doing well this year.
Meanwhile, we'll turn to Hollywood and some Hollywood history. Going on sale in Beverly Hills, everybody wanted a piece of Marilyn Monroe. And take a look. This is the iconic subway dress you'll remember, the one she made famous in the movie "Seven Year Itch." Well, it sold at auction, listen to this, $4.6 million at auction yesterday. Bidders also shelled out another 2.7 million for three other of her outfits.
Other items from movie history sold at the auction include the cotton dress that was made for Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz" and also one of Charlie Chaplin's signature bowler hats sold for about $135,000. All these items were accumulated by actress and singer Debbie Reynolds over the last 50 years. She decided to sell them after it became too expensive to keep them.
On this Father's Day, something we always get a kick out of doing on Father's Day, Mother's Day, holidays, is linking up soldiers who are serving abroad with their families here at home. And we've got a doozy for you this morning. It's coming up next. Stay with us on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SSG. STEVEN STRICKLER, U.S. ARMY: Hey, guys. Staff Sergeant Steven Strickler. I just wanted to say hey to my dad, Happy Father's Day. I'm in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. I'll be home soon.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Bottom of the hour here on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING on this Father's Day. I'm T.J. Holmes. Thank you all for being here. Give you a look at some of the stories that are making headlines right now.
The New York State Senate could vote as early as tomorrow on legalizing same-sex marriage. Legislation needs only one more Republican vote to pass.
But with lawmakers set to break for summer recess on Monday, it's not clear he'll even be allowed to come up for a vote. If the bill is approved, Governor Andrew Cuomo says he will sign it making the New York the sixth state to allow same-sex marriage.
Ron Paul, the winner a straw poll taken at the Republican Leadership Conference this weekend. The three-day event wrapped up yesterday, finishing first with 612 votes.
But get this, John Huntsman who will declare his candidacy this week finished second with 382 votes. He also didn't even attend the conference. Also, coming in third is Michele Bachmann.
Also it just can't get any worse. That is the word from one fire official about a fire that is burning in Southern Arizona near the Mexican border.
This is the so-called monument fire. It's burned some 20,000 acres. The head of the U.S. Forest Service says the fire is the number one priority. There are more than 700 firefighters working to control that fire right now.
The U.S. has thousands of military dads serving in every branch of the armed service. And today, on Father's Day as we know, many of them are deployed overseas, one of them, Lieutenant Nick Benes.
He is serving -- that's a great picture this morning, isn't it? That is him with son, Ian. Now, Lieutenant Benes has been serving in Afghanistan for nine months now. He joins me from Kabul.
There he is, sir, thank you for spending time with us. I know the wind is kicking up there. We'll just deal with it, but hope you can hear me all right.
Tell me first all on a Father's Day, how is this different from other holidays when you have to be away? A lot of people are away for Thanksgiving, for Christmas and other holidays, but how is this one different and more difficult to be away? LT. NICK BENES, NATIONAL GUARD: Well, it's definitely much more difficult to be away from home and to be away from my son and wife. I was fortunate enough to be home last month for an R & R, so I got to see them.
We celebrated a little bit early, but usually when I'm away for holidays it's with them and this is -- you know, this is especially celebrating parenthood. It's hard to be away from family then.
HOLMES: How long have you been away on this latest deployment? And how long do you anticipate still being away? How long before you actually get to come home?
BENES: I've been gone for almost 10 months now. Again, I was home last month for a brief visit and then I'll go home in two months. I'm really looking forward to that.
HOLMES: All right. Well, now, I know you're looking forward to as well. I know you get to talk to her a bit, but still you'll get to talk to her now, your wife Maureen and your son, Ian, and joining us live from Newton, Massachusetts.
Maureen, let me bring you two in. Good morning and there's Ian as well. Maureen, good morning to you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good morning.
HOLMES: Let me ask you as well, having dad away, your husband away for other holidays, how does this one feel a little different that he's gone on Father's Day?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, Father's Day is to celebrate specifically the dad and it's hard to not have him here. Mother's Day was sad for me, but I know this is sad for him as well. We wish he was home with us.
HOLMES: All right. Maureen, I will give you a chance. I will step out for a second. I will let you be the CNN news anchor for a moment and you conduct the interview if you will.
You go ahead. There's a little bit of a delay there, but go ahead and talk to your husband and let your son there if he can get a couple words out.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK.
HOLMES: Talk to dad on Father's Day.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Great. Hi, honey.
BENES: Hi, Maureen. How are you?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi, happy Father's Day. We miss you. Can you say hi to daddy, honey? We can't see you unfortunately.
BENES: I miss you too. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, we miss you. Can you say hi to daddy? Let's show daddy our sign. He drew a sign with a lot of suns on it. It says, I miss you, daddy, happy Father's Day. And he's showing you his notepad, too.
BENES: Thank you so much. That's really nice.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He drew a lot of suns just now when he was nervous. Happy Father's Day.
HOLMES: Maureen, let me ask you, how aware is Ian? Ian is 2 years old now, Maureen. Help us understand, how aware is Ian of how dad has been gone over the past? He's just two and dad has been gone for a while during his young life.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right. Well, they bonded really well, Ian's first year. They spent a lot of time together. So when Nick left Ian was already talking about his dad and -- it's OK, sweetie. You can see yourself on the video. Yes.
He was already talking about his dad and he talks about him every day. He'll say mama, where's daddy? I say he went on a plane on a long trip. He'll be back soon and he talks about him a lot. It's really sweet. They talk on the phone sometimes.
HOLMES: Lieutenant Benes, I want you to stick around. Don't go anywhere. You knew you were going to be talking to your wife and son this morning, but we've got a little something else for Lieutenant Benes right after the break.
We're also going to try to get Ian to calm down a little bit there. But quick break on this Father's Day and I'm right back with something else for Lieutenant Benes this morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: It's 39 minutes past this hour on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING this Father's Day. Before the break we sat back and watched the conversation between Lieutenant Nick Benes, serving in Afghanistan, checked him with his wife and son who are back home in Massachusetts.
Now Nick Benes and his wife and son are still with us. Maureen and Ian, but Nick didn't know we're going to throw something else into this mix. We actually will have a big old family reunion now because Lieutenant Benes, Nick Benes, we actually have your dad.
We woke him up in Colorado this morning because he wanted to be here, and then there he goes. We just lost the signal. You know what, Nick, you stay with me. As soon as we brought you up with your dad, he actually lost the signal there.
So we're going to try to get that back. Technology is beautiful, ain't it, folks? But Nick, you stand by. Is Maureen still with me? His wife and son are gone as well. Nick, you stay with me for a second. We'll get that back up. But you tell me, you are a dad now and you deal with your issues of trying to parent from a distance. But I guess, still, I understand you're pretty close with your father as well. What kind of advice does he give you or what is your relationship now that you have to be away from him in such a way?
BENES: It's definitely strange being away from everybody and it was good to be back. Last month, I got to see my father as well that was nice so when he does get back on, Happy Father's day to him. I got to talk to him yesterday.
It's just good to have somebody to talk with in addition to Maureen and to talk to Ian and see him on Skype every once in a while. It's good to be able to talk to my parents with my dad and mom and my brother, too. He'll probably be a father one of these days, too. He just got married. Yes, it's really been helpful.
HOLMES: Lieutenant Benes, help me understand and a lot of us back here at home, what are the conversations like on bases on a day like this over in Afghanistan with a lot of members of the military who are fathers, of course. I guess, what is this day like for all of you all and the conversations you have amongst yourselves?
BENES: It's definitely strange. I think Father's Day and Mother's Day were probably two of the strangest. For other holidays, we're all celebrating together. We're kind of sharing it, but Father's Day and Mother's Day, everybody that were celebrating, the relationships that we're celebrating are back home.
So it makes it a little bit different. We try to pull together as much as we can. We had a barbecue today and had some cards and stuff that people put together. It was just a really good celebration or at least as good as it can be out here away from home.
HOLMES: What is the advice or counsel you still get to this day from your dad?
BENES: He gives me a lot of good advice. What are some of the things? Some of the things that come to mind at first, computer things, I've been doing a lot of computer work. Everything I learned about that is basically from him.
All the work around the house and work on the cars, things like that, I give him a call pretty often when I'm back home. I've had to carry some of that stuff over here as well because everything -- not everything, but there are things that fall apart every once in a while so we have to patch them back together.
HOLMES: All right, well, Lieutenant Benes, we had your family, we had your wife and son there for a minute. We had your dad up for a quick second and then the satellite signal disappeared. Not sure what happened there. We're trying to get that worked out.
But still I want to thank you for taking the time out this morning. I know you get a chance to talk to your wife and family often. But still it's nice for us to be able to allow our viewers to see you and your family.
And to hear about some of the struggles and what you all are dealing with, which has been a trying few years for members of our military. So, sir, thank you so much for taking the time out.
BENES: Thank you, T.J.
HOLMES: All right. We are about a quarter to the top of the hour here on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Quick break. We're coming right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Nadia Bilchik joining me with our "Morning Passport." We just had in May some people were predicting the end of the world. That did happen. A lot of people are looking ahead to the apocalypse. According to the mind calendar, they say December of next year.
NADIA BILCHIK, EDITORIAL PRODUCER: December 21st, 2012. Some people believe what they esoteric, believe that the end of the world is coming.
HOLMES: I want to survive it. What do I need to do?
BILCHIK: There are some stories you just can't make this up. According to certain esoterics, there's a belief that a place in Bugarach (ph) in southwest France, this is going to be the place that will save you the apocalypse.
What you're seeing now is what they call the sacred mountain, the Peak of the Bugarach. It's believed in this mountain there are actually aliens, some believe, that are going to save you.
HOLMES: OK, aliens are in the mountain right now?
BILCHIK: Some people believe that, T.J., but let's look at this mountain. Essentially fascinating because usually you'd have older rock at the bottom and newer rock on the top, but in this mountain you have a complete inversion.
It's a scientific anomaly. This has been of grave concern to the mayor of Bugarach. People go there to hike, to see the views, to find beautiful orchids. He's very concerned that you'll get 2,000, 3,000 people converging on this little town.
HOLMES: Are they starting to do this already?
BILCHIK: People are already booking. They're booking apartments and bed and breakfast to come in for this period. Some residents actually report that there are people walking up the mountain, some in white robes, some naked.
But the concern here, T.J., is sects. A government agency sent us an alert this week that's why it's so topical. Warning people about sects, there's a concern like we saw with (inaudible). What happens is you get people who are very vulnerable, one of the thing they've warned people is people who have cancer, people who ill, they may be susceptible to these kind of cults. That's the concern here.
HOLMES: Now, again, how seriously do people -- is this another one of these things, are reasonable people starting to come in or is it --
BILCHIK: It is questionable, but if you look on the internet, the concern by the French government agency is how prolific it is, how many people actually believe this.
HOLMES: They're taking it seriously enough to act if you will.
BILCHIK: Exactly and of course, the mayor is going I don't want my town to be known for lunatics and fanatics and apocalypse and people who are seeking or are concerned about the end of the world.
So it's really become quite controversial. Interesting enough, this is the place where George Burns (ph) spoke about in journey to the center of the earth and Spielberg spoke about in encounters of the third kind.
So a very beautiful place, but a great concern right now to the mayor and to French authorities that there may be a group of people who are taking this far too seriously and who may influence others to take it seriously.
HOLMES: It is beautiful, aliens inside the mountain.
BILCHIK: Inside the sacred mountain, La Peak de Bugarach.
HOLMES: Nadia Bilchik. All right, folks. I would say you're your tickets, but that's exactly what they don't want you to do, people to descend on this place. Nadia with our "Morning Passport."
BILCHIK: We'll speak (inaudible) December 21st, 2012.
HOLMES: But will we speak on the 22nd is the question I guess. Nadia, thank you, as always.
Now they are deciding on a drawdown plan for Afghanistan. General Petraeus lays out the options for President Obama. More on those discussions, next.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF CATHERINE BIONDINI, ARMY, IRAQ: I'm Chief Catherine Biondini stationed at Joint Base, Iraq. I'd like to wish a happy Father's day to my dad, Alfred Kelly in California and happy birthday, dad, 79, you're awesome. You're my hero and my example. I just love you. Wish all my friends there a hello. Thanks for supporting me and God bless you all.
(END VIDEO CLIP) (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: It's 52 minutes past the hour now. NATO is keeping the pressure off on Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in launching airstrikes almost daily on the capital of Tripoli.
U.S. Embassy personnel are also keeping an eye on the developments there and offering advice when they can. They aren't in Libya. They're actually at the State Department in Washington.
The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli was evacuated February. We'll be speaking with a NATO spokesperson about the growing tensions in Libya, coming up at the top of the hour.
Meanwhile, (inaudible) now President Obama held important meetings last week to look at drawdown details when and how to bring home the troops. CNN's Pentagon correspondent, Chris Lawrence has more on these discussions.
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, T.J. here's something that every soldier, marine, airman and sailor involved in the war will probably want to pay attention to. How fast will they be coming home from Afghanistan? We know a withdrawal is coming.
General David Petraeus was here in Washington over the past few days. He met with President Barack Obama and according to the White House press secretary. He laid out several options for the president in terms of how many troops to bring home and how quickly to do so.
Initially, we had heard this might only be a token withdraw, 3,000 to 4,000 troops at most. The pressure has really been building after the killing of Osama Bin Laden to make this a more significant reduction, perhaps 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000 troops or more.
We'll get an answer very, very soon. When you look at the affect the war has taken on troops, nothing brings it home quite like this latest statistic from the Army. May was the worst month from suicides and potential suicides in the active duty arm in a year, 21 potential cases.
One has been confirmed, 20 they're still investigating, but I have to tell you, most of the time when they investigate and look at these. They do turn out to be suicide.
You know, an Army official says, a spike doesn't necessarily indicate a trend, but it's something that the Pentagon is very, very concerned about. T.J. --
HOLMES: All right. Thanks to our Chris Lawrence as always at the Pentagon. Well, coming up, a love story you won't believe. They just say young people are meeting each other online these days. Nope. A 90-year-old woman just met her beau. How Mollie met Eddie, that's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HOLMES: We're coming up and the top of the hour now. A feel- good story here for you, the story about love and maybe how it's never too late, especially in the digital age, right?
But you wouldn't expect a 90-year-old to be trolling on match.com looking for her beau. Do you? Well, it's happening and it happened as WCTV's Ashley Mitchell reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ASHLEY MITCHELL, WCTV: Meet 90-year-old Mollie Holder and her groom, 82-year-old Ed Nisbet. The two will walk down the aisle on Saturday, but you may be surprised to know that this whirlwind romance started on match.com.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't know why I did it. It was an impulse sort of thing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A picture she had on match.com really didn't do her justice.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Isn't he sweet?
MITCHELL: In January, the two love birds met in person for the first time.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'll be sitting in the lobby with a yellow rose.
MITCHELL: From there, sparks flew.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We both love poetry. He's just an incurable romantic. He's so sweet.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not too often you find a lady who likes scotch.
MITCHELL: And by Valentine's Day they were engaged.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He sat real close, you know, and he said, I want to marry you. I said, well, that's nice, because I want to marry you. I should have say if you want to marry me, get down on your knee and ask me.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My knees are not what they used to be.
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At our age, you don't want to waste time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Top of the hour here now. Good morning to you all.
Half a million acres in Arizona scorched. Firefighters say they don't know what started many of these blazes, but Senator John McCain claims that he knows how some of them started. He's blaming illegal immigrants.
Also, for years, wherever Bruce Springsteen played, Clarence Clemons was at his side. And now, Springsteen is mourning the death of his famous sidekick.
From the CNN Center, this is your CNN SUNDAY MORNING on this June 19th. Happy Father's Day out there, folks. And good morning to you all. I'm T.J. Holmes.
We start, though, this hour with accusations of a NATO airstrike on a residential neighborhood in the Libyan city of Tripoli. Libyan state television reporting at least three people have been killed.
Joining us on the phone, from Naples, Italy, we get the NATO side of this. Spokesperson Mike Bracken, commander, is on the line with us.
Sir, we appreciate you taking the time.
So, have you been able to confirm, how much of what the Libyan governments saying about this mistaken NATO strike that has killed civilians is true?
CMDR. MIKE BRACKEN, NATO SPOKESMAN (via telephone): T.J., nice to talk you in Atlanta.
NATO is looking into this matter. And we take this sort of reporting very seriously indeed. Now, we've heard a lot of propaganda from -- and accusations from the Gadhafi regime over the last few weeks. But on this occasion, we are very carefully looking at this matter and, you know, we have to look carefully because NATO were operating in Tripoli last night. We were operating in northern Tripoli. We identify (INAUDIBLE) what was being used and, therefore, you know, we have to take them out, because it was putting huge risk on the civilians in the area and also threatening our forces themselves. (INAUDIBLE) is a very dangerous weapon.
HOLMES: And, Commander Bracken, I know, and many of us know, will have to be careful about some of the information that the government of Libya is putting out, but still it sounds like you are saying you are checking this out and you know you did have operations in this area. So, it is possible that a mistake was made.
BRACKEN: You know, at the end of the day, our pilots and our crews are very well trained. And we use very sophisticated precision- guided weapons to avoid civilian casualties. But let's be clear. You know, you can reduce risk in every way possible, but you can never make them zero in a military campaign.
I can give an example last week where we had a missile in the air aimed at the target. And the crew were able to literally after weapon had left the aircraft divert that weapon because a number of people had stepped in front of the target area and, therefore, there would have been a risk of civilian casualty. So, crew, at the very last minute, took that weapon away from the site and put it into a piece of clear ground away from the target. HOLMES: Commander Bracken, like you said, in cases like this, you can never make sure that the casualty number is zero. You try to avoid civilian casualty as much as you can. And I know there have been other incidents where you checked out and mistakes have been made, in some cases, were on opposition forces have mistakenly been hit.
So, what do you know? How many mistakes has NATO made in this campaign and that has led to how many casualties?
BRACKEN: Well, we do not have people on the ground. NATO does not have people on the ground in Libya or in Tripoli. So, it t will take us time for us to review all these matters.
And one you refer to, which is a completely separate instance, I might add, was a column of military vehicles that were hit on Friday by a NATO strike. And that's a completely complex scenario. And it was assessed that the vehicles were a threat to the civilian community.
We've seen Gadhafi forces operating in the area and fighting has been going on. And what later came to our knowledge was that the column of vehicles were, in fact, part of an opposition patrol. And, you know, that is regretful and, you know, the loss and injuries caused by that is unfortunate.
But we do strive to operate at all times with precision and care to avoid civilian casualties.
HOLMES: And, Commander Bracken, can you tell me, you said you had NATO -- at least back to the incident from last evening where at least the government is claiming that a residential area was hit, civilians were killed -- what were the targets? Can you tell us that? If this mistake was made, you don't know for sure yet, but what would be the targets that you were going after?
BRACKEN: Well, the target in the area was a surface-to-air missile. It could be launched either at civilians by just releasing it into the air and letting it fall on residential or whatever, or it could have been used against the NATO forces as in the NATO aircraft in the area.
We are trying to establish the facts. We're very crowded (ph) at the moment, but we are a fact-based organization. We've been very open for the last three months with the operation we've carried out.
You know, I'd ask you to look at our record of accuracy over the last three months. And the use of these precision weapons has been very, very carefully planned. We've been conducted 11,500 sorties during that time of which 4,400 strike sorties. And we've hit 2,100- plus legitimate and legal targets during this operation. (INAUDIBLE) dominantly on command and control units.
HOLMES: And, Commander, last thing to you, you said there, and talked about some of the targets you're going after. But, as you know, there has been back and forth and certainly from the Libyan government as well, that you are specifically targeting individuals within the government or even in Gadhafi's family, can you tell me again -- is that still not the case and won't be the case that you will not be and have not been going after directly trying to target Moammar Gadhafi?
BRACKEN: We have not targeted individuals during this campaign. As you said, this is the last opportunity. NATO deeply regrets any civilian loss of life during this operation. And we're very, very sorry if the review of this incident concludes that it was a NATO weapon that hit this reported area.
HOLMES: All right. Commander Mike Bracken, NATO spokesperson, we appreciate you giving us sometime this morning and hearing the NATO side of this. Sir, thank you so much for your time.
BRACKEN: T.J., thank you very much.
HOLMES: All right. Six minutes past the hour.
We turn back to what's happening in this country. And they're saying it just can't get any worse out in Arizona. Fire officials, that's how one of them at least describing the wildfire in southern Arizona. This one called, the so-called "monument fire." It's burned at least 20,000 acres.
The U.S. Forest Service, the head of that U.S. Forest Services says this is the number one priority. This fire -- they've got 700 firefighters out there working to control this thing. And also this fire is near the Mexican border.
And that is something that Arizona Senator John McCain wanted to emphasize when he stepped to the microphone and gave what he thought might be the cause of some of these fires.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: We are concerned about particularly areas down on the border where there is substantial evidence that some of these fires were caused by people who have crossed our border illegally. They have set fires because they want to signal others. They have set fires to keep warm. And they have set fires in order to divert law enforcement agents and agencies from them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: At least one civil rights activist now calling McCain's comments careless and reckless.
The head of the forest service says they know when and where the fire start, but they are still investigating exactly how.
We say good morning once again to our Reynolds Wolf who is keeping an eye on all things weather related.
Weather has been a big part of the fires in Arizona, also fires in Georgia.
REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: In Georgia, though, one thing has worked well for them -- we did have some rain yesterday, and some places around an inch, which helps.
But out to the West, there is absolutely nothing that is working in the favor of the firefighters. It's just been brutal, very low humidity. At the same time, strong winds have been pushing those flames everywhere. One fire has already ripped away some 500,000 acres. The other one you heard just moments ago, the monument fire that T.J. was talking about, 20,000 acres, up in smoke. It is just a nightmare scenario.
Something else that's going to be a nightmare possibly, potential nightmare, could be a band of rough weather. They could really affect parts of the center of the U.S., right to the north and central plains. We could have a moderate risk from the Storm Prediction Center, out of Norman, Oklahoma, forcing strong storms.
Speaking of strong storms, that is precisely what we have right now. In fact, as you look at radar, just the east of St. Louis yesterday morning, St. Louis was just hammered by some strong storms. Now, another system driving eastward, just to the east of Evansville at this point, south of Jasper, we have one tornado warning currently which is currently in effect. This reddish area, you can just barely see this thing -- that is your tornado watch that will be in effect for a good part of this morning.
Something else you're going to be seeing as this line comes through. It's almost like an inverted backwards C-shape, if you will. That's an indication of the strong winds, straight line winds that are developing behind this system. That's a powerful one at that and there's a potential of not only tornadoes but also large hail, damaging winds, just a mess.
That will extend through the eastern seaboard and into the Carolinas, perhaps into the outer banks before the day is out. And what a contrast, what an amazing contrast we're seeing in the four corners, the dry and, of course, breezy conditions.
Chance of showers for much of the central and northern Rockies; out west, a mix of sunshine and clouds. For much of the Northeast, New York and Boston, a beautiful morning for you.
High temperatures in the Northeast will rise into the 70s and 80s -- 79 in Boston, 83 in New York, 83 in Chicago, 95 in Atlanta, 96 in New Orleans. Back to Albuquerque and El Paso, mainly 90s and 100s, 102 in Dallas, 98 degrees in Houston. The heat is just relentless in Texas, 64 in Seattle and 63 for our friends in Billings.
All right. There's a look at our forecast. Let's zip that out of there.
Back to you, T.J.
HOLMES: All right. Reynolds, appreciate you as always. Thanks so much.
Ten minutes past the hour now.
Sad news for a lot of music fans out there. Clarence Clemons has died. Clemons and his saxophone were the backbone of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band.
Clemons was by Springsteen's side by nearly 40 years. He was also the sax of choice for a number of artists, Aretha Franklin, Twisted Sister and Lady Gaga among them. Clemons suffered a stroke last week. Spokesperson for the man says Clemons was surrounded by family members in Palm Beach, Florida, when he died.
Bruce Springsteen calls his loss immeasurable. Clarence Clemons was 69 years old.
Also on this Father's Day, taking a look at a new film that is encouraging fathers in the African-American community -- from fatherless to fatherhood. That's after the break.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LCPL. ROBERT WIGGINTON, MARINES: Lance Corporal Robert Wigginton. Located in Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. I just want to say Happy Father's Day to my dad, Robbie Wigginton. I love you, dad. Can't wait to see you. Happy Father's Day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Quarter past the hour on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING and on this Father's Day.
I want to tell you about a new film that's getting attention now. This film aims to generate discussions about the value of effective fatherhood in the African-American community.
Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fatherhood means protect his family, provider and gives lots of love and wisdom and knowledge, especially about God. That's what a father means to me.
HOLMES (voice-over): The new documentary "From Fatherless to Fatherhood" explores the role of fathers in the African-American community.
KOBIE BROWN, PRODUCER, "FROM FATHERLESS TO FATHERHOOD": The purpose of this documentary is really to ignite discussion throughout the African-American community about the importance of fatherhood -- to let people understand that, especially young people understand, that in a lot of cases their situation is not unique, that their lives are not determined by the absence of their father, that they can move beyond that and succeed nonetheless.
HOLMES: Producer Kobie Brown started this project two years ago. He says he gained insight from the many men and women he's met.
BROWN: We're bombarded with all these images and stories of absent fathers. There are positive fathers out there and this project reveals who some of them are.
HOLMES: Jwyanza Nuriddin is one of those fathers. He's busy with a full-time job, runs a small business with his wife. But still -- he makes it a priority to spend quality time with his three active sons, ages 4, 5 and 6.
JWYANZA NURIDDIN, FATHER OF THREE: It's a juggling act. That's the bottom line. Do I a lot of multitasking. I'm motivated to be a good example for my children, an example of a good husband, a strong worker and example of a good father. I want them to know and see that work equals reward.
HOLMES: Nuriddin says his faith and his wife, Dawn, both play a pivotal role in his relationship with his sons, especially since his wife is more of the disciplinarian.
NURIDDIN: There's no us without her. And we have a great balance with our sons that allow us to, I believe, do an effective job. But I am probably more of the father that's a friend than a disciplinarian. One of my challenges with this is I look at my sons and I see the best in them. And one of the challenges is I have to know and realize bringing out that best in them often requires discipline, not necessarily just friendship.
HOLMES: He's hopeful his presence in their lives now will better prepare them for the future.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: All right. And coming up next, a story that really made us feel good this weekend -- a school principal in Philadelphia, facing tough budget choices like so many other school administrators. He has to cut two teachers from his staff or he could fire himself. Hear his explanation, coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Twenty-one minutes past the hour now. You don't hear this too often -- somebody in this economy giving up a high-paying job. Well, this man had a good reason for it. He's doing it so co- workers could stay employed.
This is the story of a Philadelphia principal, his name is Dr. Angelo Milicia. He decided to take retirement from his $180,000 a year job so two of his teachers wouldn't lose their job. I got a chance to talk to him this weekend about his decision.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) DR. ANGELO MILICIA, PRINCIPAL (via telephone): I had come to the budget table at a very difficult, a very difficult time in Philadelphia and probably all over the nation with educational budgets. And I had figured out a budget. I had made a mistake and when I walked away from the budget table, I had lost half I my music staff, at least two of them for sure. And a very devastating situation.
I gave it some thought over the spring vacation and thought to myself, maybe it's time for me to go. What could do I creatively with this? I made a proposal to my assistant principal about taking over for me if I could make that happen, because we're two guys that share the same vision. And what I proposed to him was that if she took my place, there would be no assistant principal.
The teachers were shocked, just by the fact that I was leaving. But, then, when -- you know, when they heard what was happening, they really did think that was magnanimous. My biggest concern is that, you know, I don't want people getting the impression that the place can be run without two administrators. It will be a rough road next year.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Milicia went on to say that he wanted to make sure before he left that that money he was giving up, the $180,000, would go to specifically saving the jobs of those two teachers and wouldn't just go to some other budget need.
Well, coming up, we've been telling you about the Republican leadership conference taking place in New Orleans this weekend. A lot of people there, including the GOP hopefuls, all criticizing the president.
But that guy, his criticism was so great -- it got him pulled of the stage. We'll tell you what this Obama impersonator said to get his routine cut short.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: All right. You heard so much about the golf summit. Well, it happened, without any fisticuffs. Yes, the president and House Speaker John Boehner. Now, this is build as them really going at it on the golf course. But, actually, they teamed up, they played together.
You see afterwards here, they had a little sit down for drinks.
CNN White House correspondent Brianna Keilar has more on yesterday's match.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: President Obama and Speaker Boehner teamed up against Vice President Biden and Ohio Governor John Kasich. And according to the White House and the speaker's office, the winner was the president and the speaker, and they won on the 18th hole. So, it was a bit of a cliff-hanger.
Now, sparing perhaps some of these players from some embarrassment, they didn't play stroke play. So, we don't have numeric scores for each individual player. They played match play, which meant for each hole that was won by a team, they would get one point.
And as we understand it, the president and the speaker walked off the course with a whopping $2 each. So, a little tiny wager there.
But, you know, fun and games aside, on this round of golf today at Andrews Air Force Base, there are some very serious issues that Congress and the White House are dealing with right now. And this was a round, it lasted about four hours, giving the president and the speaker certainly a chance to communicate about the debt ceiling negotiations, if they wanted, that are going on on Capitol Hill -- Vice President Biden leading the charge there for the White House, talking to Democrats and Republicans.
And, then, also the issue of Libya, quite a thorny issue where the speaker and joined by a number of Republicans and Democrats, is saying that President Obama needs to get congressional authorization to have American troops committed to this operation in Libya or else he's breaking the law. Of course, the White House doesn't see it that way.
So, this coming at a very opportune time, when there's significant economic and also national security issues for the president and the speaker and the vice president to discuss.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: All right. Thanks to our Brianna Keilar.
Well, just how tough was the criticism of Barack Obama in front of a group of Republicans? So tough that they even want the person who was criticizing the president pulled offstage. What you're seeing here is an Obama impersonator who was brought in at the Republican Leadership Conference this weekend.
His name is Reggie Brown. Now, part of his routine had jokes about the president's birth certificate. But he had some other topics he hit on, also had some more racially tinged remarks as well. Let me let you listen to a bit of this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REGGIE BROWN, OBAMA IMPERSONATOR: The state of our Union is not good. The debt is rapidly growing. Unemployment is quickly rising. And people are being forced from their homes. I feel their pain, because in two years that could be me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Now, that was one of the easier ones. The video you're seeing now, one of the organizers came up and got him before his routine was done and got him off the stage, when he moved on to trying to start to criticize some of the Republican candidates. But, a rough routine.
I'm back at the top of the hour.
Sanjay Gupta right now.
