Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
Libya's Daunting New Challenges; Allied Air Strikes Led to Gadhafi's Death; Thousands Protest in Yemen; World Reacts to Gadhafi's Death; Cain to Announce New Plan; Gadhafi Killed; Wells Fargo Mixes Up Bank Statements; What's Next for "Arab Spring"?; "I Wish We Could Have Killed Him Twice"; Cain Becomes GOP Rising Star
Aired October 21, 2011 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Ditto. I'm going to say you and Christine tie for number one on my list. How about Poppy Harlow with KISS? That is just classic.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR, "AMERICAN MORNING": That's awesome.
PHILLIPS: Doesn't get better than that.
ROMANS: Very awesome.
PHILLIPS: That's right. That's our era.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR, "AMERICAN MORNING": That's true.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: All right.
Well, it's the top of the hour, 9:00 on the East Coast, and after 42 years, Libyans awaken this morning to a new beginning free of a murderous tyrant. An ambassador for Libya's transitional government says the death of Gadhafi means a black era has come to an end forever. And across the country, Libyans celebrated into the morning hours firing off guns and blasting car horns.
Libya's transitional government says DNA tests confirm the corpse was indeed Gadhafi and the International Criminal Court is allowing his burial in an unmarked grave.
Tomorrow Libya's liberation will be formally declared and the transition to democracy and a new government will officially begin.
CNN crews are in place around the world for all of you from the Pentagon to Tripoli, from Abu Dhabi to London. We are tracking every single development surrounding the death of Moammar Gadhafi.
Let's begin with Ivan Watson.
Ivan, Libya now faces two massive challenges here. Rebuild from war while reinventing itself as a democracy. What's the first step for the transitional government?
IVAN WATSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, they said they're going to be celebrating what they call liberation day on Sunday. Now for the first time Libya is waking up without Moammar Gadhafi, as you said, in nearly 42 years.
One of the officials from the Transitional National Council who we've spoken with today, he says that over the course of the next month a new prime minister should be appointed and he should be choosing some kind of a new interim cabinet, as well.
Meanwhile here, we just went to a mosque. Friday is the Muslim holy day of the week. People said that they gave prayers of thanks at that mosque. They welcomed the death of Moammar Gadhafi. The one man I talked to, Kyra, he said, as Muslims, we wish that he wasn't killed this way. Violently. They would have preferred that perhaps he went to court or to trial.
I saw in another part of town, people preparing to sacrifice, to kill a camel as a celebration here. That's a traditional mode of celebration here. But some Libyans that I've talked to have mixed feelings about the death of the man who ruled them for more than 40 years.
One man telling me, I feel ashamed that our former leader died this violently. He told me that his mother was crying last night.
We do have to remember that some people feel that this man was a symbol of the country, despite other people who called him a tyrant -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Ivan, what more do we know about Gadhafi's funeral and burial?
WATSON: Well, the officials from the transitional council here, they say that he will be buried, that that will be delayed some time because they want to get forensic reports to the International Criminal Court of his autopsy. And they want to leave open the possibility that the ICC could come and do their own autopsy to see how, in fact, he died.
They say they do not want a formal funeral or they want to bury his body in some nondescript, anonymous location -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Ivan Watson there live from Tripoli this morning. Ivan, thanks.
Now the military mission in Libya. Leaders of the NATO military alliance are scheduled to meet today and with Gadhafi's death the end of the mission is likely in sight.
Chris Lawrence is at the Pentagon.
Chris, what are the new details that we're learning about the airstrikes that actually led to Gadhafi's death? CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Kyra. We're now learning that the Gadhafi loyalists were boxed in to a particular area in the city of Sirte in between the rebels on the ground and a drone doing surveillance from the air. They had been monitoring this group for some time.
At about 8:30 in the morning, a large convoy, 75 vehicles, made a break for it. NATO says it was traveling at a high rate of speed, the convoy was heavily armed. They engaged in American predator drone and a French fighter jet, hitting one vehicle in the convoy disabling it. That disrupted the convoy.
Some people got out and ran away on foot. About 20 vehicles kept going at a high rate of speed and that's when the drone and the fighter jet came back around, disabled another 10 of those vehicles.
Now here's the point where the story starts to diverge, and we have to warn you, some of the video and the images with Moammar Gadhafi's last moments is extremely graphic for some of our viewers. But apparently he was found in a drainage pipe and forces that were loyal to him engaged the rebels in a firefight.
Now the official word from the NTC, from the rebel group, says that he was killed in the crossfire of a firefight, but the images show a still alive but wounded Gadhafi being manhandled on the hood of a car, people around him, grabbing him, pulling him. So the official word from the NTC doesn't exactly jive with what we see with our eyes and some of the images in the video -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right, Chris Lawrence there from the Pentagon, and you're right, just seeing that video, again, pretty gruesome images. We'll be talking more later in the morning.
Also, President Obama said that Moammar Gadhafi's death ends a long and painful chapter in Libya. But what about the next chapter? How do you make a peaceful transition after 42 years of dictatorship? We're going to talk with the president's former national security adviser, General Jim Jones, in 10 minutes.
And Gadhafi's death is now putting other Arab leaders on notice. In fact, thousands of protesters are marching in Yemen taunting the embattled president that he's next.
CNN's Mohammed Jamjoom is in Abu Dhabi.
Mohammed, how much of this had actually reenergized the anti- government movement there?
MOHAMMED JAMJOOM, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, according to the activists and opposition figures I've been speaking with in Yemen last night and today, it's reenergized the anti- government movement there in a very big way. We heard last night that there were demonstrations in Change Square in Sana'a.
Today we're told tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators also in Change Square in Sana'a, that they've been carrying the Libyan revolutionary flag, that they are singing songs saying, Gadhafi, where are you? Saleh, you are next.
We also spoke to two people who had this to say -- an opposition official, Ahmed Bahri, told us, "Saleh will not sleep after seeing what happened to Gadhafi," referring to Yemeni President Saleh. "He knows Gadhafi was more powerful than him but still fell. No will is stronger than that of the people."
A youth activist in Sana'a named Mohammed al-Salami said, "Look what happened to the other Arab dictators. This era is the era of the people. We will not accept being ruled by families who want to take our wealth."
And it's not just Yemen where this is happening. We've gotten reports today that in Syria there are tens of thousands of demonstrators in multiple cities there according to opposition activists in Syria. They are saying that they are overjoyed at this victory for the Libyan people and that there are chants being heard in several cities taunting Syrian leader Bashar Assad saying, look what happened to Gadhafi, Bashar, you are next -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Mohammed, we're going to talk more about Syria in just a second.
But first, death of a dictator, a tyrant, that's how Gadhafi's demise is being described in newspapers around the world this morning.
CNN's Zain Verjee is following all the reaction from London -- Zain.
ZAIN VERJEE, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Kyra, let's take look straight away at what "Gulf News" is saying. This is the headline, which reads, "He refused to see the writing on the wall." "Gadhafi's violent end in Sirte was inevitable. A man of such pride and self- belief would never be taken alive. The war is all but over. Gadhafi is gone. Now begins the real battle for all Libyans."
"Globe and Mail" from Canada says, "A clean slate will help Libya remake itself." "Moammar Gadhafi's death adds welcome momentum to the Arab revolution. If the country's interim rulers can stick to their plan to hold elections within eight months, it might even take less time to get there than either of Libya's revolutionary peers."
And finally check out the "Herald," Kyra. "Tyrant's death brings new hope." It says, "The man who had inflicted so much pain and suffering on his people for four decades lay dead on a street in Sirte. Few can regret his death. Though many Libyans must wish that he could been brought to justice and made to answer for his crimes."
Many analysts that I've spoken to today, Kyra, say the real challenge now is how the NTC is going to provide basic services to the people. Are there going to be enough capable technocrats who actually can run the country?
Libya doesn't have any significant institutions of state and governments like the -- governance like the judiciary, for example, in order to be able to run it effectively. And also, crucially, there's a very serious split, many say, between the liberal side of the NTC and the Islamist side. And that could pose a danger for the future if it's unable to be a real reconciliation within the country and within the NTC.
PHILLIPS: All right. Zain Verjee in -- Zain Verjee in London. Zain, thanks so much.
Now let's talk politics. Back here in the United States, shall we? You've heard about Herman Cain's 9-9-9 tax reform plan. Well, next hour the Republican presidential candidate is unveiling a new program to help small businesses.
Our deputy political director Paul Steinhauser joining us to talk about the opportunity zone plan. He definitely comes up with the catchy titles, doesn't he, Paul?
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: He sure does, Kyra. And listen, that 9-9-9 tax plan which he talks about all the time, no doubt about it. It turned the former Godfather's Pizza CEO from an afterthought in the battle for the nomination to a frontrunner just about. He surged in the polls.
But remember back earlier this week back in our debate in Las Vegas that 9-9-9 plan sure came under attack by the other Republican candidates because of that proposed nine percent national sales tax? And they said, you know what, Herman Cain, your plan would cost middle Americans and lower-income Americans more money.
After the debate, myself and a bunch of the other reporters were questioning Cain, and he said, guess what guys? Come in a couple of days, I'm going to give you more details, more on my economic plan.
That's what he's doing today. Michigan Central Station in Detroit, he's going to announce more of his economic plan.
And as you mentioned, Kyra, these opportunity zones. That's what he's going to talk about. He says it's going to help spur growth specifically, he says, some of the most attractive features will be a zero capital gains tax, immediate dispensing of business equipment, and no payroll taxes. He says, these are factory installed as part of his 9-9-9 plan and he says it will benefit the whole country.
About 90 minutes from now, stay tuned, we'll get more details from Herman Cain -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: OK. Paul, thanks.
Well, the Senate has blocked votes on two jobs bills, one pushed by Democrats, the other by Republicans. But first a plan to hire more teachers and first responders would have been paid by taxing millionaires. Republicans have rejected that idea.
Senators also blocked a GOP-backed plan that would hire repeal a withholding requirement for government contractors.
And we're going to have your next political update in just an hour and a reminder for all the latest political news you can always go to our Web site, 24/7, CNNPolitics.com.
All right. What do you think is running through Bashar al- Assad's mind right now? The Arab Spring took down Moammar Gadhafi. Could Assad be next? We're going to talk with President Obama's former national security adviser, General Jim Jones, next.
And big mistake at a big bank. Some Wells Fargo customers are getting other people's bank statements. We're going to go to New York to the Stock Exchange for more details, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, the Arab Spring took down a tyrant. Now the death of Moammar Gadhafi is putting other Arab leaders in Yemen and Syria on notice. And listen to what the vice president told our Candy Crowley. He thinks the NATO operation to take out Libya's dictator is a model for future missions.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: When, in fact, there is a cause that the Arab world could unite on and the west wants to help, and we don't have to -- yes, maybe, but we don't have to do it ourselves is the point. It is that the -- that the NATO alliance worked like it was designed to do. Burden sharing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, former NATO commander, national security adviser under Obama, General James Jones, joining me this morning with his perspective. He was also special envoy for Middle East regional security.
Jim, I want to talk more about NATO in just a moment. But, let's start with something that's happening right now in Syria. We'll go ahead and roll the video of these demonstrations. Not long after Gadhafi was killed, they flared up in Syria and people were chanting, "Gadhafi is finished; it's your turn now, Bashar." We can't confirm the authenticity of this video.
But, Jim, is Bashar al-Assad the next to fall and should he be worried that NATO will get involved there, as well?
GEN. JAMES JONES, FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: But I can't predict the future but I'm certain that Assad has watched what's going on in Libya, as he has in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, and other places. So, he's got to be very concerned about what might be coming to his own neighborhood. Whether NATO gets involved ever, that's another question, and for another -- perhaps for another time.
But Syria is a pivotal country in the region, very strategic. It would be a huge blow to Iran to lose an ally like Assad and it would be transformational, continued transformational in terms of what happens to the entire region. What's happening over in that part of the world, I think, is the biggest thing that's happened since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. I mean, it's on that scale of importance. And who knows where it's going to stop.
But I would be, if I were Assad, I would be very concerned about what might happen next.
PHILLIPS: You know, you bring up an interesting point. With your military background, you know, from NATO to then working in the White House, did you see this coming? Did you ever expect an Arab spring like this and to be witnessing such historic takedowns and changes in the Middle East?
JONES: Well, I know that in this administration and the previous administrations, particularly where President Mubarak, former President Mubarak was concerned in Egypt, we pressed quite hard over a long period of time that the situation in the Arab street, at least in this country was changing. I don't think anybody could have predicted the spark, but, I think that people knew that, ultimately, oppressive tyrannical regimes were not going to be the order of the day for the 21st century. And that the tremendous amount of knowledge and information that was being circulated on the Internet showed people who were disadvantaged, who felt disadvantaged, that their future could be brighter, but not under the current regimes that they're living under.
So, perhaps it could have been foreseen. I don't think anybody could have foreseen the exact timing. But I think our country spent a lot of time working with a number of leaders telling them that change is coming and you should do the things you need to do to get ready for it. Unfortunately, those kinds of leaders don't usually listen.
PHILLIPS: Yes. And we're seeing what happens when they don't listen.
JONES: Exactly.
PHILLIPS: Jim, let me take you back to Libya. There's so much concern now about civil war, a divided transitional council.
As former national security adviser, how do you prevent another Iraq and make sure that the transition of power works smoothly? I know that's a tough word to use in a situation like this -- because there's got to be concern about Gadhafi loyalists.
JONES: That's really the question of the moment, Kyra. Whether it's in Libya, of course, that's the topic of the day. But also, don't forget Egypt, don't forget Tunisia, and other countries, what's going on in Yemen. You know, how this comes out now and how it plays out is extremely important.
You can be sure that there are forces at work that want to make sure that democracy in any form doesn't -- doesn't win out. And, so, it's going to be extremely important that we and our friends and allies work together to make sure that security is maintained, order and discipline in the streets, and that people feel a sense of security and safety.
Second, that the economy gets revitalized as quickly as possible. Libya is a potentially very rich country and I think that with their connections with Europe and with our system, as well, that should be able to be done relatively quickly.
And, then, finally, the movement towards a parliamentary or democratic reform, which is what causes more transparency desired by the people, more say in how they're being governed. That has to be watched very, very closely to make sure that this uprising from the people supported by a great organization like NATO, in fact, becomes reality. And that their hopes are realized.
PHILLIPS: General Jim Jones weighing in from San Francisco this morning. You're always on the road. And thanks so much for making time for me this morning, Jim. I really appreciate it.
JONES: My pleasure, Kyra. Thank you.
PHILLIPS: You bet.
Still lots of questions about the death of Moammar Gadhafi. We're going to talk to the journalist who was in the thick of the action and see what's going on in Gadhafi's hometown today.
Also ahead, the fed up flight attendant who got instant celebrity by going rogue and using the plane's emergency exit -- well, he gets his day in court. We'll tell you the sentence that Steven Slater got.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Checking stories cross country now.
In New York, two men implicated in an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the U.S. have been indicted. Arraignment for one of the accused is set for Monday. A co-defendant remains at large.
In Los Angeles, the prosecution is expected to rest its case against Dr. Conrad Murray later today. Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson. Yesterday, a prosecution witness testified that Murray should have realized that Jackson had stopped breathing.
And Steven Slater, the former JetBlue flight attendant who earned instant fame from his dramatic exit from an airplane last year was sentenced to a year of probation. Slater must also pay $10,000 to the airline to repair that emergency evacuation chute that he used during the incident.
All right. Alison Kosik at the New York Stock Exchange following a big glitch at Wells Fargo.
Alison, we're hearing customers bank statements were mixed up. What exactly happened?
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Oh, yes. You're exactly right about that. You know, you can say it's a big oopsie for Wells Fargo because Wells Fargo has sent out bank statements to the wrong people. More specifically, it says that some September statements were actually mixed up with statements from other customers.
Now, the bank is not confusing news reports that thousands were affected, but only seems to be hitting accounts that were open in Florida and South Carolina. Our Jacksonville affiliate WJXT talked with one customer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Account number, name, my whopping balance of $16.45. Flip it over, different account number, different transactions. I gained, oh, about $115,000 overnight.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOSIK: Ah, can you imagine that? Well, Wells Fargo is blaming a faulty printer for this big mess up. And if you're wondering, they have taken that printer out of commission, not using that printer any more.
Now, for customers who were affected, Wells Fargo is going to be offering a one-year free of identity theft protection and the company is also saying, Kyra, that online banking statements are not affected in this mess -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Well, opening bell just a few minutes away, what are you expecting today?
KOSIK: It looks like we're going to be of to a stronger start in about five minutes. The Dow futures right now are pointing up about 100 points. This follows a rally happening overseas. The markets are pretty optimistic about Europe at this point. European leaders now are saying they're going to be meeting a few times over the next week. France and Germany are saying a plan to resolve Europe's debt crisis will be adopted by Wednesday.
There's also some talk happening that the U.S. Fed is thinking about another stimulus to boost the housing market. It's a stimulus that could also boost stocks and that's why you're seeing stocks much higher right now -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Alison, thanks.
Well, the death of Moammar Gadhafi means some long overdue payback for people like Brian Flynn.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRIAN FLYNN: It's too bad they couldn't kill him more than once.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Brian Flynn lost his brother in the Lockerbie bombing. Maybe now he and the other families can get some peace.
Plus, the Arab spring claims another leader, but will he be the last? We'll take a look around the region.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Checking top stories now.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Pakistan today, urging leaders there to go harder after terror groups. The U.S. has seen a greater movement by the militant Haqqani network from Pakistan into Afghanistan.
And the Senate has blocked votes on two jobs bills. Both bills were part of President Obama's broad jobs package.
And today marks five weeks for the "Occupy Wall Street" protests. People living in the area have had it with the demonstrators and the drumming. A local board will vote on limiting that to two hours a day.
Let's bring you up to date on the situation in Libya this morning -- a country beginning again after four decades of dictatorship. An ambassador for Libya's transitional government says the death of Gadhafi means a black era has come to an end forever. And across the country, Libyans celebrated until the morning hours, firing out guns and blasting car horns.
Libya's transitional government says DNA tests confirm the corpse was, indeed, Gadhafi and the International Criminal Court will allow his burial in an unmarked grave. That's expected in just a few days.
And tomorrow, Libya's liberation will be formally declared and the transition to democracy in a new government will officially begin.
Moammar Gadhafi died where he was born in the coastal city of Sirte. Now, the scene yesterday was both violent and jubilant.
Journalist Ben Farmer joins us on the line from Sirte now.
So, Ben, bring us up to date on what's going on. Celebrations, any more fighting?
BEN FARMER, JOURNALIST (via telephone): The fighting has certainly finished in Sirte. There's still some celebration, but it's much more subdued than yesterday. There are traveling around the streets, the streets are totally in the control of the new government. The fighters are driving around almost sightseeing, driving around leisurely.
There is still some firing and there is still the occasional explosion. But we understand that this is just fighters firing of rocket-propelled grenades either for fun or in celebration.
PHILLIPS: You know, Ben, this all unfolded early yesterday morning when we were on the air and there have been so many questions to exactly what happened and how Moammar Gadhafi died. You were there. Tell me what you saw and what you heard.
FARMER: He was captured after trying to make a break out of the city about 7:30, 8:00 in the morning local Libyan time. It seems after two weeks of heavy bombardment, he decided that it was worth a desperate gamble to try to leave the city. About 15 to 20 cars left westward and they parked about two miles outside the city and then they were hit by a NATO airstrike.
So, it seems they might have given the rebels a slip, but they were still under NATO surveillance. The airstrike caused absolute devastation. I saw about 25 bodies. Gadhafi then hid in a drain and that's where he was found. I've seen three pieces of film which show that he was alive, he was talking, yet confused, and he was bloodied perhaps from a wound to the head or to the upper body. But he was definitely alive when he was taken.
He was then driven towards Misrata which is two and a half hours away and all we know that he didn't reach alive. Somewhere along the way, he died from a bullet wound to the head. I'm hearing various reports that he died of his wounds sustained in the battle, died of wounds sustained in the airstrike, perhaps caught in the crossfire.
But also, many people are darkly hinting that he was just executed in cold blood.
PHILLIPS: So, Ben, when he was taken out of that drainage pipe, do you know exactly what he said? There are, obviously, a number of reports out there that he was begging for his life, he was begging for them not to shoot at him. Do you know?
FARMER: Yes. I've seen footage of him asking to be spared, asking not to be shot.
But two people I spoke to who were there at the time say the thing that struck them most was that he was very confused. He was saying, what's happening? What's going on? What are you doing?
He seems pathetic more than anything, weak and confused.
PHILLIPS: Ben Farmer, first-hand perspective there from Sirte, still there today. We'll talk with you still throughout the morning, as well. Ben, thanks.
And Moammar Gadhafi is just the latest strongman ousted in the Arab spring. In the last 10 months, we've seen three leaders toppled. Major protests across multiple countries and some civil uprising still going on as we speak.
Tim Lister gives us more perspective.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TIM LISTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Once untouchable, their rule ended in humiliation. Ben Ali in Libya, Mubarak in Egypt, Gadhafi in Libya. Between them in power for 95 years now gone.
But Alexis Tocqueville once wrote, in a revolution, as in a novel, the most difficult part to invent is the end.
Each Arab state in tumult has its own dynamics but all are strangers to democracy.
FAWAZ GERGES, DIR., MIDDLE EAST CENTRE, LONDON SCHOOL OF ECON.: There are considerable risks. Tremendous vulnerabilities -- economic vulnerabilities, political vulnerabilities and the most important vulnerability facing the Arab revolt is institutional building.
LISTER: Over the past 10 months, each eruption of popular protest has inspired and energized the next. First, Tunisia, then, Egypt, Jordan, if only briefly, and then Yemen. Monarchist King Abdullah in Jordan and Mohammed in Morocco have promised to surrender some of their power.
But in Syria, Bashar al-Assad is in a long and violent struggle against protests that now look more militant and organized.
Today, Syrian protesters will see in these images what is possible. As one Syrian activist put it, the clear fate of all who kill his people is to end up under the feet of the nation.
Gadhafi ruled Libya for four decades by manipulating divisions that may now burst into the open.
GERGES: The images that we have seen in Sirte and Bani Walid that have resisted the new government in Libya are extremely alarming.
We shall see whether out of this particular turmoil will emerge a unified government with a unified leadership or political -- or the political struggle basically will escalate and intensify.
LISTER: The Assad dynasty in Syria and Ali Abdullah Saleh in Yemen have also played off competing sectarian and communal interests.
Today, the Syrian regime warns of anarchy should the protesters it calls the terrorists get their way.
And victory is not always sweet. In Egypt, the euphoria of Tahrir Square has given way to disappointment. Pro-democracy forces have struggle to organize against a grim economic background.
There and in Tunisia, long band Islamist parties have taken advantage of the new political space. In this weekend's elections to a constituent assembly in Tunisia, the Islamist Ennadha Party is likely to emerge as the single largest force. It says it's committed to democracy.
The Goth kingdoms have largely emerged unscathed, if unnerved. The Saudis show that people with money sent troops to back the king of Bahrain and with Egypt preoccupied have become more assertive across the Arab world.
But in just a few months, so much has changed, with new parties, newspapers, the Pan Arab news channels and the liberating force of social media that the old Arab world can't be reinvented. Fear is gone.
FAREJ NAJEM, LIBYAN HISTORIAN/AUTHOR: This is the power of the people being exercised in the streets of the Arab world. And no one can claim credit for this. No party whether liberal, Islamist or what have you.
FOUAD AJAMI, SR. FELLOW, THE HOOVER INSTITUTION: This year is to the Arabs what 1989 was to the communist world. And as we look at the communist world, post-communism was never easy, but was good and people witnessed liberty. But the Arabs are now coming into ownership of their own history and we have to celebrate this.
LISTER: For Persian Iran which saw its own protests two years ago, a mixed message. Its main Arab ally, Assad under pressure; but its old enemy, Mubarak, gone.
And for Western powers mired on their own economic problems, a challenge.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: We know how hard democracy is and they're going to need a lot of assistance, not in money, but in other ways. And I think we should be eager to provide it.
LISTER: The Arab spring is still a work in uneven progress.
Tim Lister, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: And coming up next, we're going to hear from a man whose brother died in the Lockerbie bombing over Scotland. He said he wishes Gadhafi could have been killed twice.
And later, Herman Cain -- what makes him such a character? We'll look for the answer in the Republican candidate's own hometown.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Moammar Gadhafi pulled from a sewer, dragged through the streets and dying with no dignity. Relatives of those killed on Pan Am flight 103 which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, called that justice.
Zain Verjee in London with more reaction -- Zain.
ZAIN VERJEE, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Kyra, the tabloid paper that's really popular, "The Sun" has this headline that really kind of captures it in one sentence for all the families of the victims of the Lockerbie bombing. It says, "That's for Lockerbie" and it has this really gruesome picture of Moammar Gadhafi here on the home page.
Over the last 24 hours, we've heard so much from the Lockerbie families. And reactions have been in a little bit mixed. Many saying, you know, this really does give them closure, and some saying, too, that they would have preferred some kind of trial and justice that Moammar Gadhafi would have had to face. But many people saying he deserved this kind of death.
This, again, Kyra, this tabloid which captures it. "Here Lies the Rat." Many of the Lockerbie families are thinking just this -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Yes. I mean, how ironic that he's found hiding in a sewer like a rat when that's the word he used to describe those going against him while he was still alive.
Well, let's talk about what does Gadhafi's death mean for the Lockerbie investigation now, Zain?
VERJEE: Yes, a lot of people have been discussing this issue and it's an important one. Some say that they fear that what really happened over Lockerbie is going to die with Moammar Gadhafi. Many people, too, that say there's Abdelbasset Ali al-Megrahi who would know, the convicted Lockerbie bomber who was back in Libya. But he is someone who is dying and it is unclear where he is right now.
Although the Scottish authorities have come out, Kyra, and said that it doesn't matter if Moammar Gadhafi is dead, they are going to continue the investigation into what exactly happened. There was one report that quoted the former Libyan justice minister saying that he has evidence that Moammar Gadhafi had personally ordered the Lockerbie bombing.
One last thing to note, there's this guy, that just to keep a note of, his name is Abdullah Senussi, he was there former security chief for Moammar Gadhafi, he took off. He's in Niger, wanted by the International Criminal Court and many analysts say that he knows a lot of the answers to Lockerbie.
PHILLIPS: Zain Verjee, live out of London -- Zain, thanks.
The families of Pan Am 103 victims have been waiting a long time for this. In fact, the brother of one victims says it's a shame that Gadhafi could only die once.
Susan Candiotti reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: When you heard the news, what did you think?
BRIAN FLYNN, PAN AM 103 VICTIM'S BROTHER: I was thrilled. And I didn't expect to have that reaction. I had been dreaming about this for more than 20 years. But it always with the sense that you don't want to be the vengeful one that thinks I want my brother's murderer killed. I don't know why you do.
CANDIOTTI (voice-over): Flynn's big brother J.P. was coming home for Christmas after studying abroad when a bomb killed 270 people over Lockerbie, Scotland.
(on camera): To you and the other families, what did Gadhafi represent?
FLYNN: He was an unrepentant murderer of these innocent kids coming home for Christmas. So, he did represent, you know, the essence of evil to us.
CANDIOTTI (voice-over): We showed him video of Gadhafi's body for the first time.
FLYNN: It's too bad they couldn't kill him more than once.
CANDIOTTI (on camera): On a personal front, what are your reflections on this day about your brother?
FLYNN: I remember promising my brother that I wouldn't let it go unanswered. And I would do what I could to get him. I definitely believe that I've honored him and -- and fulfilled my promise by doing what I could.
CANDIOTTI: You know, I look at his picture over your shoulder.
FLYNN: Yes, that's where he usually was. So it makes sense. He was a classic big brother and today I feel as if, hopefully, he's proud.
Susan Candiotti, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Coming up, President Obama got some flak for how he handled the Libyan uprising, so, will he get any credit now for Moammar Gadhafi's death? Our senior political analyst David Gergen has an opinion. He's next.
Also ahead, Herman Cain. A rising star of the Republican Party, but will his candidacy make a bit of difference in the black community?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He might very well get my vote.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Up next, we visit Cain's hometown.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: He's quite a character, he doesn't hold back and says a lot of things that get a lot of attention. Not always good. But he is a GOP rising star.
So CNN's George Howell visits his hometown to find out more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GEORGE HOWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If you didn't know Herman Cain before his run for president, you probably know him now. The former CEO of Godfather's Pizza, now GOP frontrunner.
HERMAN CAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: But my point is this.
HOWELL: Known for being a straight talker like this comment about protesters on Wall Street.
CAIN: If you don't have a job and you are not rich, blame yourself.
JOE BEASLEY, HERMAN CAIN'S FRIEND: Let me just say this, I know where Herman Cain was born and where he was raised. And which was in public housing.
HOWELL: Many of Cain's political views are quite to the contrary of his friend and fellow church member Joe Beasley, an Atlanta activist and supporter of the worldwide Occupy Movement who believes more should be done to help the poor, despite their differences --
BEASLEY: He might very well get my vote.
HOWELL: Beasley say he's keeping an open mind.
CAIN: Simply because I --
HOWELL: Cain has taken issue with the notion that running as a conservative will cost him African-American voters.
CAIN: Many African-Americans have been brainwashed into not being open-minded and not even considering a conservative point of view.
HOWELL: It's a question even in his own Atlanta church, church leaders never returned our calls seeking comment about their long-time member, Reverend Gerald Durley of a nearby Atlanta church doesn't mind speaking out.
REV. GERALD DURLEY, PROVIDENCE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH: I think they see him as one that's carrying the banner for a party that has not been particularly favorable to the African-American community.
MATT TOWERY, POLLSTER, INSIDER ADVANTAGE: Herman may be able to take not a large slice of the African-American vote, no Republican is going to do that, I don't care who it is. But perhaps a sizable amount.
HOWELL: Pollster and friend Matt Towery believes Cain could take up to 10 percent of the African-American vote along with his big base of support from the Tea Party.
CAIN: Welcome back.
HOWELL: Towery believes the businessman turned radio talk show host became much more confident about his political calling after surviving colon cancer.
TOWERY: And then he got into this presidential race and he just kept continuing to have that positive attitude.
HOWELL: Experts at Cain's alma mater Morehouse College are watching his rise closely.
PROF. AARON PARKER, MOREHOUSE COLLEGE: I really think the majority of the African-American community is going to examine policies.
HOWELL (on camera): Herman Cain's friends tell us they respect his accomplishments now they are waiting to see if the differences that resonate in his hometown will make a difference on the national stage.
George Howell, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: And a reminder Cain is expected to defend his much criticized 9-9-9 tax plan in a speech at 10:30 Eastern time. We'll bring it to you live right here on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Stories making news later today.
12:45 Eastern time in Los Angeles, the involuntary manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson's physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, resumes.
At 2:30 Eastern in Washington, President Obama honors the recipients of the 2010 National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.
And at 6:00 in Washington a tribute to former Kansas Senator, Robert Dole, gets under way at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce building.
We're following lots of other developments for you in the next hour of the CNN Newsroom. Let's check in first with our Chris Lawrence -- Chris.
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Yes Kyra, you've probably seen the graphic video but what happened in the last minutes before Moammar Gadhafi was captured and then killed. Chris Lawrence at the Pentagon and I'll have some new details coming up.
VERJEE: Hi, I'm Zain in London and I'll tell you what the headlines are saying around the world about Moammar Gadhafi's death.
PHILLIPS: All right. Thanks guys.
Also ahead, remember the 2008 presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton questioned Obama's foreign policy experience. In a campaign ad, she asked, who do you want answering the 3:00 a.m. phone call? Fast forward, three years later our political buzz panel answers that question today.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well checking stories across country now. We start in Chicago where high winds and dangerous 25-foot waves force the shutdown of parts of Lake Michigan, Lakeshore Drive. Windows broken, some boats damaged but fortunately no injuries.
And out west, timing is everything, 8.5 million people taking part in the annual Great California shakeout. Earthquake preparedness drill when you guessed it, yes, here comes the tremors, two small earthquakes hit the San Francisco area. No one was hurt.
And finally in St. Louis, meet the Cardinal's oldest baseball fan, 98-year-old Clementine Wilkerson has been to every World Series game the team has ever played.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLEMENTINE WILKERSON, 98-YEAR-OLD CARDINALS FAN: I like to be with all of the people and see the banners and the noise. I just love everything about it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Her first game, 1926 when the Cardinals beat Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees. This is her 18th World Series.
Ok, Jeff, this doesn't get better than that. Isn't that incredible?
JEFF FISCHEL, ANCHOR, HLN SPORTS: That is a fan right there. That is a super fan.
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIPS: She saw great Babe. I love it.
FISCHEL: 18 World Series, and she's a Cardinals fan -- that is outstanding.
PHILLIPS: She should become an honorary player or something or let her be a bat girl for the day. FISCHEL: The team loves having fans like that. St. Louis truly one of the great baseball towns in the country, too. I mean the fans there love their Cardinals.
PHILLIPS: And you can tell I grew up in the area. Yes, that's right, big Cardinals fan.
Anyway, take it away.
FISCHEL: Of course, last night the Cardinals fans didn't like seeing how things turned out. In the ninth inning the Cardinals were on their way to a 2-0 World Series lead but you have to play all nine innings.
Pitching his defense on this one. Look at the great play in the fifth inning by Texas short stop Elvis Andrus. He stopped what could have been a run for the Rangers. The Cardinals thought, they finally get something going. In the bottom of the seventh, pinch hitter Allen Craig, the run scoring single. He also drove in the go- head run in Game one of the World Series.
So the Cardinals turn things over to their closer, Jason Mott in the ninth inning. But this time he does not get the job done. The rangers Josh Hamilton, the sacrifice fly to score in Kinsler. That ties the game.
Just as big, watch El Andrus, taking third on the throw. He would then come home on another sac fly but (INAUDIBLE) the Rangers come back and win with two in the ninth. They've tied the series, one game a piece. Game three tomorrow night in Texas.
Bad news for NBA fans. Talks between the owners and player, they broke off yesterday. They met for three straight days, 30 hours total including with a mediator but the two sides are still very far apart on splitting up revenue and on the salary cap. The union is accusing the owners of hijacking the meetings. No new talks are scheduled.
The next time you hear from the league it will be about more games being canceled. The first two weeks of the regular season are already gone and Kyra, David Stern, the commissioner warned you might not see any games before Christmas if they didn't get a deal done this week.
PHILLIPS: All right Jeff. Thanks.
FISCHEL: OK.