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Violence Continues in Afghanistan; GOP Presidential Candidates Campaign in Michigan; Financial Planner Gives Retirement Advice
Aired February 25, 2012 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RICHELLE CAREY, CNN ANCHOR: You're in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Richelle Carey in for Fredricka Whitfield.
In Afghanistan, two high ranking American officers are shot and killed. The Taliban say the Americans were killed in retaliation for the burning of Korans at a NATO base earlier this week. Protesters have been out on the streets for five days now furious over the Koran burning. We go live to Afghanistan for more details in a couple minutes.
Former South African president Nelson Mandela is in the hospital right now. His family tells us he had a hernia operation today and resting pretty comfortably. Nelson Mandela is 93 years old. The government official reassured everyone that the surgery was not an emergency. The family says Mandela will likely be released in the next two days. We'll keep you posted.
And prosecutors say a former Rutgers University student acted purposely when he secretly recorded and web streamed his roommate sexual encounter with another man. Dharun Ravi faces charges that include hate crimes. That roommate, Tyler Clementi, killed himself just days later. Ravi faces up to 10 years in prison if the jury decides that he acted out of gay prejudice.
A judge has dismissed the corruption case against former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. He was charged with bribery, but the judge rule that had the statute of limitations expired in the case. He survived a series of political corruption and sex scandals over his many years in power.
Let's get right to our top story out of Afghanistan where the Taliban are claiming they shot and killed two American officers.
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CAREY: Now, these killings come as rage grips Afghanistan for the fifth day. People are angry about the burning of Korans at a NATO base. This is new video of Afghan forces firing on protester as they attack the United Nations office earlier today. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh joins us from Kabul. Nick, two American officers killed in what would have been a secure area. What do we know about the kind shooter who was able on pull something like this off?
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, many different claims at this point. What we do know from ISAF is that this gunman was not a westerner. We also know that he is currently at large, so escaped from the scene of this shooting. As you say, the Taliban have named Abdul Rahman, saying he was acting for them as a result of anger from the Koran burning that happened nearly a week ago on an American base not far from where I'm standing.
But that's pretty much it at this point. U.S. officials very keen to stress they are still piecing together the facts here, although we have recently learned from the Department of Defense state side that in fact the Afghan defense minister has apologized for will incident and also pledged to investigate, cooperate in the investigation as to how it happened. So a hint there perhaps there maybe Afghan personnel are somehow involved in perpetrating this crime.
CAREY: Anyone in custody yet?
WALSH: No, absolutely not. No, there is a gunman still at large. And of course this will play enormously into that essential issue of trust between American soldiers and the Afghans who are here training. There's a very tight time table for NATO's withdrawal here and it's essential that Afghan security forces are ready to take over security in the country and train them up as vital. So the decision of ISAF's today to withdrawal all advisers from ministries in and around Kabul is a safety precaution is going to impact in the short term upon that vital mission.
CAREY: OK, Nick Paton Walsh live for us in Afghanistan. Thank you so much.
Osama bin Laden's compound will soon be no more. It is being torn down. Pakistani media are broadcasting video of what looks like a crane knocking down the compound's walls. We have a producer at the scene. We're hoping to bring you that video very shortly. This of course is footage of the hideout taken in the days after bin Laden's death. He was killed in a raid by U.S. forces last May. When we get that new video, we'll get it to you right away.
The Marine Corps have released the names of the seven killed in the helicopter crash on the Arizona-California border. The helicopters collided during a training mission Wednesday. The marines were preparing for a deployment to Afghanistan. They are Major Thomas Budrejko, Captain Michael Quin, Captain Benjamin Cerniglia, Captain Nathan Anderson, Sergeant Justin Everett, Lance Corporals Corey Little and Nickoulas Elliott. Investigators are still trying to federal government out how in the world that crash happened.
The youngest son of Robert F. Kennedy has been charged with misdemeanor, harassment, and child endangerment. This is after he allegedly tried to take his two day old son out of a New York hospital last month despite warnings from nurses. When they tried to stop him, he allegedly twisted one nurse's wrist and kicked another as she approached him. The nurse's attorney said they were trying to enforce hospital rules. He said the nurses didn't recognize Kennedy as the baby's father and intended to protect the child, who apparently had not been discharged.
Next, the showdown is Tuesday and the race is tight. GOP presidential hopefuls battle it out for Michigan and Arizona.
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CAREY: Republican presidential hopefuls are battling it out ahead of Tuesday's big showdown. Mitt Romney is under a lot of pressure to win Michigan. And Arizona's primary is the same day. Then after Washington state, Saturday it's super Tuesday. CNN's Joe Johns is in Troy, Michigan. A lot of focus on Michigan. So the press on Romney is obviously because this is his home state. So how is his team handling the pressure?
JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: Well, he's handling it I think as well as he could. He's been around the state talking about that, playing up the fact that he is from this area, that he grew up in Michigan. Both he and his wife just finished here on the stage in troy, Michigan. His wife spoke as well to the crowd.
And when Romney got an opportunity to talk, he really sort of zeroed in once again on Rick Santorum, his principle competitor for this nomination. And he talked among other things about the fact that Rick Santorum actually endorsed him four years ago when he, Romney, was running for president. Listen.
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MITT ROMNEY, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And I am a conservative. I can attest for my conservative credentials by quoting someone who endorsed me in my 2008 campaign. Senator Santorum was kind enough to say on the "Laura Ingraham Show," he said "Mitt Romney, this is a guy who is really conservative and who we can trust." And when he came out and endorsed me, he said these words. He said "He is the clear conservative candidate." He's right. I'm the conservative candidate, and what we need in the White House is principled conservative leadership, and I'll bring it.
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JOHNS: Now, for the record, Rick Santorum has said that he regrets endorsing Romney four years ago but that he chose him over John McCain who eventually went on to become the Republican nominee. Santorum also appearing at this gathering of conservatives in Troy, Michigan today. He really went straight after the conservative credentials of Mitt Romney.
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RICK SANTORUM, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I was for free market health care before conservatives were for free market health care. I've been a leader on conservative causes, on the most fundamental issue -- your health. It's what the progressive nirvana has been from the beginning. When they can get control of your health, they've seen it in other socialized countries in the world. When the government can convince you that you need on give them the power over your health, they got you. They got you.
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JOHNS: So Santorum was actually the first of those two candidates to speak here. Now he's moved on, in fact in Hixson, Tennessee. The main focus right now is on Michigan and also the primary in Arizona, both of those coming on February 28th.
CAREY: All right, and we have live pictures what you were just talking about. Joe Johns, thank you so much. Rick Santorum is live near Chattanooga. He's at a town hall meeting right now. When I look at these candidates, I don't know how they keep up these demanding schedules. But let's go ahead and listen.
SANTORUM: That phrase was a revolutionary phrase in the history of mankind. That phrase which is the foundation of our country, which said that rights come to us from god, and with rights come responsibilities. God didn't just give you rights and say, hey, do whatever you want. No. You have rights that come from a creator. And our founders understood what those rights were -- life, liberty, and --
CAREY: As you can see, that is Rick Santorum addressing a Tea Party crowd in Hixson right near Chattanooga, Tennessee. A lot coming up in the next few weeks, most immediately, though, Michigan and Arizona and then on to super Tuesday. We'll keep you posted.
Not enough money in your nest egg? Coming up, career and financial tips to maximize your retirement account.
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CAREY: With the tough economy and the downward trend in pension plans, many workers are having trouble saving for retirement. And 59 percent of American workers say they are currently saving for retirement. But 56 percent say they have less than $25,000 in savings and investments. So a lot of us aren't doing that well.
Every week we have ways that we focus on helping you get a jump-start in the workforce. Valorie Burton, author of "Successful Women Think Differently," joins us. That's a great title. Let's focus in on which generations specifically are having the toughest time. Who is it?
VALORIE BURTON, EXECUTIVE COACH: We always think of baby boomers because they're so many people in the last few years who are planning for retirement and they've had to change their retirement plan. But there really does need to be a wake-up call for generation x and younger, because if you really think about it, half as many people are having pensions as 30 years ago. There are a lot more independent contractors. Those people don't have 401(k) plans. So it's really important that you begin thinking about what do I need to do in order to be sure I can retire. Otherwise 30 years from now --
CAREY: We'll all be in a world of trouble. So what choices can you make that can help you? BURTON: The first thing that's really important is to just get a reality check.
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BURTON: It does look different. And even when we look at Social Security, the increase in taxes, we don't know what it's going to look like 30 years from now. So I always say plan as though you're not going to have any of those things. Plan as though you're entirely responsible for your retirement. And a part of that reality check is the fact that we don't learn these things in school. Employers are not required to teach them. So you want to invest in your own financial education.
CAREY: And you say do the math. What does that mean?
BURTON: A lot of people never do the math. They never say how much do I need and what is it going to take for me to be able to get there? When it comes to, for example, getting a job offer, a company that is going to give and you match versus one that perhaps isn't, are the matches going to be less. What's the long term difference going to be for you 10 or 30 years down the road if you take one job over the other? You have to sit down and do the math.
CAREY: And that should be a factor in deciding whether or not to take a job.
BURTON: Absolutely, because your career is not just about the title you get or moving up the ladder. It's about securing your financial future.
CAREY: And you also say set a goal date.
BURTON: Yes, have a dream.
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BURTON: You know, we always joke that baby boomers thought they would be forever young. But you know what, if you're under 40, there's a high likelihood that you haven't really thought about what is the dream, when am I going to retire? So set a goal and that will force to you see the actual action steps. What will you need to do a little bit differently than perhaps your parents or your grandparents did in order to be able to retire?
CAREY: And if you are lucky must have to still have a 401(k), you say figure out a way to maximize your company match.
BURTON: Yes. A lot of people just kind of ignore that but if your company match, you want to make sure that you're maximizing that. It's free money. And we hear it over and over again. But too many are not maximizing it. And when we look at retirement savings, for example, this is amazing. Almost half of people say they figured out how much they need for retirement by guessing. So again, this goes back to doing the math. CAREY: You can't do that. And I've also found I think we all have a thing that you procrastinate about the most scary stuff. Once you tackle it, it's not that bad.
BURTON: That's right.
CAREY: Valorie, thank you so much.
BURTON: Thanks, Richelle.
CAREY: All right, I want to ask you, what are you doing Sunday night? A lot of us will be watching the academy awards, right? Everyone will be checking out the nine best picture nominees. Will "The Help" keep up its momentum? In the best actress race, Viola Davis, Michelle Williams are in the running. Meryl Streep is looking for her third academy award. She's the most nominated actress ever. Wow.
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CAREY: This is the time of year when a lot of people head to the slopes for a key vacation, so how can you have a good time if you're still on a budget? Reynolds Wolf has tips in this "On the Go."
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REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Just because we're living in tough economic times doesn't mean you need to cancel your vacation. We're here in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, to let you know how to ski on a budget.
CHRIS RUFF, STEAMBOAT SKI CLERK: You need three things to get on the slopes. You need skis, boots and poles. The best place to find a discount is by booking early. Ask for package deals over the phone.
WOLF: I have got the gear. I even have the clothes I bought online during the offseason super cheap. And now it's time to find our way up the mountain.
LORYN KASTEN, STEAMBOAT PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER: The best advice is to have your lift ticket before you even get to the mountain. If you're going to walk up to the window, you'll pay a higher price.
WOLF: Here we go.
Just because we're done skiing doesn't mean we're through with the fun.
KASTEN: Most resorts have apps which with tell you where the best deals can be found, where the events that are happening the days that you're in town.
WOLF: Just a few tips for you for the next time you're on the slopes, or better yet, on the go.
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CAREY: Reynolds is lucky getting to do those stories.
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CAREY: Let's go over the top stories right now. In Afghanistan, two high ranking American officers have been shot and killed inside the interior ministry in Kabul. The shootings came as rage rips the country for a fifth day over the burning of Korans in a NATO base earlier this week. In response all military advisers for the international security forces are being pulled out of Afghan government ministries.
And in South Africa, Nelson Mandela is out of surgery and comfortable. The family tells us the former South African president had a successful hernia operation today. They expect him to leave the hospital tomorrow or Monday. Nelson Mandela is 93-years-old.
I'll be back in about 30 minutes. I'll be talking about the youngest son of Robert F. Kennedy has been charged with harassment and endangering the welfare of his new born. CNN's Susan Candiotti will have a live report on that story.
Stay with CNN. "Fashion Backstage Pass" with Alina Cho starts after the break.
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