Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
Romney Responds to Obama's Open-Mic Comments; Colorado Wildfire Burns Out of Control; Gingrich Charging for Photos to Raise Funds; Syrian Government Accepts Peace Plan; Supreme Court Hearings on Healthcare Enter Second Day
Aired March 27, 2012 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks for joining us, everybody. I'm Kyra Phillips. It's 11:00 on the east coast, 8:00 on the west. We've got a really busy hour. Let's right to the news.
After more than a year of violence, the Syrian government has accepted the peace plan offered by U.N./Arab League envoy, Kofi Annan. Shortly after we learned that, Syrian state TV aired this.
That's right. That is President Bashar al-Assad walking the streets in Baba Amr. That's the neighborhood that activists say al- Assad's forces have relentlessly attacked and shelled.
But even with the news of this peace plan, opposition activists say at least 53 people were killed today alone.
Meanwhile, Annan is in China rallying support for the peace plan today. Both China and Russia have opposed previous attempts to take tough actions against the Syrian regime.
Well, we are now in the second hour of the second day of historic Supreme Court arguments on the Affordable Care Act, health insurance for all. Four separate issues are taking up six hours of court time over three days.
But today, the biggie, whether Americans could be required to buy health insurance or pay a penalty. Critics say it's unconstitutional, but supporters say getting everybody in the pool is the only way to spread out the risk and manage costs.
Besides, they say, everybody consumes health care. The only question is who pays. Today's session ends at noon, Eastern. We should hear audio recordings shortly after that.
And never before seen details on the police report of Trayvon Martin's killing paint a very different picture of that deadly encounter. The "Orlando Sentinel" reports that the neighborhood watch captain, George Zimmerman, was bleeding from the face and head when police arrived. And they claim that Trayvon attacked him before shots were fired.
Up until now, accounts from witnesses and Zimmerman's own phone calls to police strongly suggested Zimmerman was the aggressor. The fact that he hasn't been arrested has set off a nationwide outcry. A march in Washington is set to begin next hour and Trayvon Martin's parents are due on Capitol Hill.
Well, act like a thug, die like a thug. A New Orleans police officer is suspended without pay for posting that quote online about Trayvon Martin. The police superintendent says he's furious and right now the city's NAACP is holding a news conference. We'll bring you the comments soon as we get them.
Well, the self-proclaimed al Qaeda jihadist killed after a standoff in southern France has left behind gut-wrenching evidence of his alleged killing spree. We are talking about 25 minutes of video that actually document the shootings as they're happening.
Al Jazeera received that tape in the mail. The suspect, Mohammed Merah, was wanted for killing seven people, including a rabbi and three children at a Jewish school.
Al Jazeera says that the edited footage shows images of the seven victims along with music, religious singing, and readings from the Koran. The network says it will not broadcast the video, citing its code of ethics.
A massive wildfire in Colorado has now turned deadly. It's killed one person and right now is threatening hundreds of others. The fire is in a mountainous area just southwest of Denver where flames have already scorched more than 3,000 acres.
And dry, windy conditions right now are not helping firefighters. You're looking at live pictures via our affiliate, KMGH. Local fire crews called for backup and more than 450 firefighters are being ordered to the scene today. Air support was also called in.
Emergency crews have contacted 900 households. Many have been evacuated already, but that wildfire is moving fast and it's torched up to 25 homes.
And the Defense Department is denying reports that a controversial malaria drug may have played a role in the killing of 17 Afghan civilians by Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales.
The Defense Department says, quote, "The department-wide review of mefloquine prescription practices has no connection to the Staff Sergeant Robert Bales investigation. Assistant secretary of health affairs, Jonathan Woodson, requested this review in January to ensure each service conducts proper screening, patient education and medical documentation.
Mefloquine, also called Lariam, can cause severe psychiatric side effects and has been implicated in numerous military suicides and homicides.
And a new poll shows that America's support for the war in Afghanistan is at an all-time low. The CBS/"New York Times" survey show that a large majority believe we should not be involved. Less an quarter think we are doing the right thing.
Numerous presidents have done it before. Now, it's President Obama's turn as the open mike and these remarks to the Russian president.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This is my last election. After my election, I have more flexibility.
RUSSIAN PRESIDENT DMITRY MEDVEDEV: I understand you. I transmit this information to Vladimir and I stand with you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, the two leaders were having a supposedly private chat during the nuclear security summit in South Korea. Here is what Mr. Obama had to say about it today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: Are the mikes on? Look, what I said yesterday is, Ben, I think something that everybody in this room understands. Arms control is extraordinarily complex, very technical and the only way it gets done if you can consult and build a strong basis of understanding both between countries as well as within countries.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, the president is now on his way back home, due back in D.C. tonight.
A beauty contestant booted from Miss Universe Canada after organizers find out she was born a boy. Twenty-three-year-old Jenna Talackova, a transgender, was one of the 65 finalists, but got disqualified. The Miss Universe organization says she lied on her application and did not meet the requirements of being born female to compete.
Talackova says that it's discrimination and plans to consult with a lawyer now.
Well, listen up if you drive a "Beemer." BMW is recalling 367,000 cars because a battery cable cover in the trunk may have been incorrectly installed. BMW says it could lead to electrical problems and fire in extreme cases.
Five- and 6-series from 2003 to 2010 model years are involved. If you're affected, you'll be notified by mail and BMW will fix it, no charge.
Senseless killing or self-defense? That critical question still looming large over the Trayvon Martin tragedy. Now, new reports about what George Zimmerman says happened that day and why he says he was forced to pull the trigger.
Plus, Trayvon's parents head to Washington. Stay with us. We've got more.
But first, her courage is simply impossible to forget. Stephanie Decker is finally going home after three weeks in the hospital.
You may remember Stephanie's the mom who lost her legs while saving her kids from not one, but two massive tornados by using her body as a shield. And, when she finally got home, she was overwhelmed by the kindness of others.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEPHANIE DECKER, TORNADO SURVIVOR: They stocked my cabinets. They have done absolutely -- I'm getting choked up -- they have done absolutely everything for me. And I'm very, very appreciative for what everyone has done for me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: And nothing is slowing this mom down either. Stephanie is adamant she'll be walking soon.
Stephanie, you're not just a hero to your kids and your family. You are our rock star.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: The parents of Trayvon Martin are due on Capitol Hill about four hours from now for what's being called a briefing on racial profiling and hate crimes hosted by Democrats on the House judiciary committee
A month and a day after Trayvon was shot to death by a block watch volunteer in Sanford, Florida, the outrage and grief are unabated. More rallies and marches are in the works from Tampa to Washington to Lansing, Michigan.
But new reports are raising new questions about what really happened during the last few minutes of Trayvon's life. The "Orlando Sentinel" quotes the police report as saying Trayvon's killer, George Zimmerman, was bleeding from the nose and back of his head.
Zimmerman says that Trayvon attacked him, unprovoked and a long- time friend says Zimmerman continues to suffer from that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE OLIVER, FRIEND OF TRAYVON MARTIN'S KILLER: He hasn't been back to his apartment, which is in that complex, ever since that happened. And he's being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder, for depression, for insomnia.
He cried for days after this happened. The George Zimmerman I know is not here anymore because he knows that he took someone else's life and he's extremely remorseful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: CNN's Athena Jones is following the events in Washington. So, Athena, what are we expecting today?
ATHENA JONES, , CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly in a few hours, members of the House judiciary committee, the Democrat side, are hosting what they are calling a forum to look at hate crimes and racial profiling and also to examine those "stand your ground" law that we've been hearing so much about.
Now, of course, these new details have emerged and I asked a staffer of Texas congresswoman, Sheila Jackson Lee, whether or not any of that was likely to come up. These details are emerging in that "Sentinel" report from the police report.
And he said that the whole point of this forum is to look at these issues, at the racial profiling, at hate crimes. Not really to talk about a specific case.
Now, of course, this is all happening in the context of the Trayvon Martin case and we know that Martin's parents are set to be in the audience at this briefing. They are not on the witness list.
Their lawyer, Benjamin Crump, however, is on the witness list along with representatives from the Justice Department, from the American Civil Liberties Union, from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, and others.
And so we don't know yet whether someone will raise this question of what's been revealed about why he was suspended.
We do, of course, that Martin's parents believe the reason he was suspended from school has no bearing and no relevance to what happened on the night of February 26th, Kyra.
I should mention, though, this all comes as our own CNN polling shows that nearly three-quarters of those polled, 73 percent, 67 percent whites and 86 percent of non-whites believe that George Zimmerman should be arrested.
So today's events are just another example how this case is getting national attention.
PHILLIPS: All right, we also talked about these protests headed to the White House, demanding a federal investigation. DOJ is already investigating this, correct? And where does that stand?
JONES: Certainly, this is all just beginning. As far as we know, we are at the beginning stages of this. But you have this group of high school students you're talking about from a school called the School Without Walls here in Washington. They are going to march to the White House in support of Trayvon Martin.
And. you know, they were very interested in this case. They started a letter-writing campaign to draw attention to this case. Of course, there's already a lot of attention on this case. They just want to add their voices to the mix. A Maryland church is also going to hold a protest outside the Justice Department. They are holding what they are calling a "Justice for Trayvon" rally.
And so the idea here seems to be just to keep the pressure on to keep the attention on, to make sure that these investigations carry forward, and that we learn what is being discovered as we go forward, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Athena Jones in Washington for us, thanks so much.
JONES: Thanks.
PHILLIPS: Well, one-in-three Americans want the Supreme Court to overturn President Obama's health care law.
But it seems an even larger number really don't fuller understand it. In about two minutes, Sanjay Gupta answers some questions for all of us and how that law really impacts you. The doctor is in.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, right now the Supreme Court is hearing arguments on a mandate that requires all of us to buy health insurance. So here is my question.
Do all of you really understand what it means for you and your health coverage? Because what we've realized by dealing with this story is that so many of you still don't understand the law or how it's going to affect you.
So, our Dr. Sanjay Gupta is here. I understand you've got hundreds of viewer questions, is that right?
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Lots of people very interested in this. And you're right -- a lot of people still don't understand the details. It's 2,700 pages long, you know, this whole bill.
PHILLIPS: Did you read all 2,700 pages?
GUPTA: Twice actually.
PHILLIPS: Did you really?
GUPTA: Yes, I did.
PHILLIPS: I guess you have to because you're a doctor and journalist.
GUPTA: Right and it's intricate, so you really want to make sure you understand it.
PHILLIPS: OK, well, what we did as a group is we put together some of the questions that we thought, OK, this is perfect. Things that were on our mind as well as what you got sent into you. Why don't we start with this one? This is a blogger wrote in this one. I keep hearing the new law expands Medicaid. Why would that be a bad thing?
GUPTA: It's a good question. I mean, you know, Medicaid is a joint program with the states, federal government that helps support about 50 million people with health insurance now.
But, you know, you talk about expanding it, so raising the income level at which people would qualify. That brings more people into the system.
The federal government says they will pay for the initial costs, but then it goes to the states to pick up the rest of the cost.
And that's why part of this lawsuit is happening. Twenty-eight states are saying, you're forcing us to pay for this and we don't have the money to do it. So it's a bad thing potentially for the states.
PHILLIPS: OK, why don't we do this one from Twitter? It says their, quote, "daughter was diagnosed with brain disorder. How will repealing the health care law affect pre-existing condition status?" That's something we've all been talking about.
GUPTA: Yes and the pre-existing condition issue is a big one. A lot of people are looking forward to that.
There are sort of two issues here. As the Supreme Court is listening to these arguments, one of the things they are going to also decide if we do think this mandate is unconstitutional, can we separate that from the rest of the bill, things like pre-existing conditions that can help her.
And, if they can separate it, then maybe the law will stay in effect.
But it also is about money. Again, bringing money into the system because you're forcing more people to get health care insurance helps pay for people with pre-existing conditions. If more money is not coming in, it may be difficult for it to stay.
PHILLIPS: OK, let's do another question from Twitter. Isn't preventive care supposed to be free? I received a bill last week after my yearly check-up.
GUPTA: Yes, I mean, that was part of this act as well or is part of this act, to eliminate co-pays, to eliminate extra fees as well. So, unclear exactly why that would happen.
There could be two things. One is that people were grandfathered in under the old insurance plans because this took effect September of 2010. If insurance is before that, they may not get those fees eliminated.
Also, depends how your doctor classifies a visit. It could be a preventive visit in your mind, but if the doctor classified it as a sick visit, that would also lead to fees. Talk to your doctor.
PHILLIPS: OK, how about this one from Facebook? I am a Medicare patient and received a check to help pay for my prescription drugs. Will I get another one?
GUPTA: This is the so-called donut hole. You know, the way that works is you pay a certain amount of money for medications then you fall into the hole where you're responsible for all the costs and then you get to the other side of the donut where you can get coverage again. They are trying to shrink that hole. This was a one-time check for $250. Next year when people fall into that donut hall, they get 50 percent off brand name drugs. That helps shrink their costs.
PHILLIPS: I'm just curious. We talked about the fact you read the 2,700 pages twice and dissected it.
GUPTA: It changed a little bit between the two versions because there were still some things being tinkered with.
PHILLIPS: Well, as a doctor, just kind of step out of the correspondent role for a moment and, as a doctor, what is coming up in your mind over and over again as you're paying attention to the Supreme Court arguments and also all these questions from our viewers?
GUPTA: Well, you know, the biggest thing seems to hinge on this mandate. It's a sort of societal question as well as a medical question. Can you force somebody to buy something?
The insurance companies, the reason they are part of this whole health care reform act is because they believe if the mandate takes effect, a lot of healthy people will buy health care insurance and that will help the insurance companies pay for everybody else.
You know, car insurance is an example, something we are forced to buy. They say that's by states as opposed to federally, so, you know, I don't know. My guess is that probably it will be held up as constitutional because there are other precedents for this.
PHILLIPS: Thank you so much, Doc. Appreciate it.
GUPTA: Thanks. You got it.
PHILLIPS: Coming up the next hour, my colleagues, Wolf Blitzer and Ashleigh Banfield, are going to host a special two-hour edition of CNN "Newsroom" with a special in-depth look at the critical questions in the health care case, so be sure to keep it right here today at noon, Eastern.
So, is it a president who cares or political propaganda? Brand- new images from the Syrian regime showing Bashar Assad touring the worst-hit area.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, after 12 bloody months, a glimmer of hope of possible peace. We're talking about Syria. The government accepted the peace plan being offered by U.N./Arab League envoy, Kofi Annan.
Then shortly thereafter, Syrian state TV aired this. That's President Bashar al-Assad walking the streets in Baba Amr, a neighborhood in Homs where activists say al-Assad's forces have relentlessly attacked and shelled.
Now, despite news of the peace plan, opposition activists say that there are no signs of peace anywhere. They say at least 53 people were killed today alone.
Let's get straight to Ben Wedeman who is monitoring the situation from Beirut. So, Ben, we'll get to the six-point plan in just a second, but what can you tell me about al-Assad's visit to Baba Amr?
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it certainly comes as something of a surprise, Kyra. Normally, the Syrian president shied away from those parts of the country where there has been unrest.
What we know from opponents of the regime is, in fact, that Syrian security forces, they say, were in the area the night before, basically clearing people out and replacing them with people from adjacent neighborhoods that are more friendly to the regime.
Kyra?
PHILLIPS: So, obviously, we thought this was unusual and calculated in many ways. It's interesting what you are saying now, how this was conducted. What about the timing? Why would he do this today?
WEDEMAN: Certainly, given the situation and given the fact the government has been so harshly criticized for its handling of the uprising, potentially that's one of the reasons why he's there.
What we did see in the Syrian Arab news agency, the official agency of the regime, is that he went and told people that law and order and stability must be imposed on the country, but certainly for most Syrians, there isn't much law, order, or stability at the moment.
Kyra?
PHILLIPS: No and we continue to see the images and I want to warn our viewers that some of these images that we just got in -- you'll see in the lower part of your screen -- are pretty disturbing.
While he is saying one thing, we are seeing this, Ben. In particular, the children at this field hospital and the violence we've been talking about today. This is not peaceful at all.
WEDEMAN: Yes, those images, those very disturbing images, is a field hospital where children who live in the neighborhood of Bayada in Homs are being treated. They were injured in an artillery barrage.
And I hate to say this has become the normal in Homs. Every day, we are seeing videos out of there. We're speaking to people in Homs and they are telling us of a continued government crackdown, of random shelling of civilian areas, of a civilian population that has very little in the way of power, fuel, electricity, or even food.
In fact, we got video from Homs yesterday showing that people are basically eating dry, old bread to try to survive. So, certainly, it's very jarring compared to the message President Bashar al-Assad is putting out on his very orchestrated trip to Homs.
Kyra?
PHILLIPS: So, this orchestrated trip, the realities that you have just pointed out, we are also seeing the video. Now, you know, how do we even talk about the six-point peace plan and how this would be implemented? What is the reaction on this while we see these images and get these mixed messages?
WEDEMAN: Well, the opposition has already brushed aside this initiative. And what this initiative is is a rehash of the Arab League action plan from back in November, which took weeks of negotiations with the Syrian government who initially agreed to it, to actually begin its implementation.
And its implementation, if anything, was a harbinger for a further crackdown by the Syrian government. So, the opposition has very little faith in this peace plan, so they're called, if you want to call it that.
It's a peace plan that calls for two hours every day of a humanitarian ceasefire, for Syrians to be released from prison who have been arrested over the last year, for the beginning of a dialogue with the opposition, but many of the opposition are simply saying this is too little, too late. And it's really an old initiative to start with anyway.
PHILLIPS: Ben Wedeman, thanks so much.
Well, straight ahead, Sarah Palin said she could see Russia from her house. Now Mitt Romney, well, we'll tell you what he is saying about that country.
Plus, 50 bucks a pop can get you a lot these days. Now, it can get you a picture with Newt Gingrich. We're not kidding, folks.
All this and a little more next in "Fair Game."
But first, our "Political Junkie" question, who was the last Republican president to run for re-election as a third-party candidate? Tweet me your answer @kyraCNN. I'll give a shout out to the first right answer.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Before the break I asked, who was the last Republican president to run again as a third party candidate. Teddy Roosevelt. He was president from 1904 to 1908 and lost as the Progressive Party candidate in the 1912 election to Woodrow Wilson. Congrats to Greg in Atlanta for tweeting me the right answer.
An open mic can be a president's worst enemy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This is my last election. After the election, I have more flexibility.
DMITRI MEDVEDEV, OUTGOING PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA: I understand you. I transmit this message to Vladimir and I stand with you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: This is his opponents' most lethal weapon. The conversation between President Obama and Russia's president just got more interesting.
Time for "Fair Game" with CNN contributor and Democratic strategist, Maria Cardona; and Gentry Collins, former political director for the Republican National Committee.
Maria, what stands out more, confidence in another term or how he is dealing with nukes?
MARIA CARDONA, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Actually, I think it's the first one you said, Kyra. I was so surprised at Romney's answer here because it should have been Romney saying, wow, he's confident he's going to get re-elected, and go into his message why he maybe isn't going to get re-elected per Romney. Instead he goes on to talk about how Russia is actually the United States' number-one geopolitical foe. Really, Romney? You do know we are not in the Cold War and this is not the Cuban Missile Crisis. I think Romney hurt himself more than the president did on that one.
PHILLIPS: Gentry, hold on just a second since Maria already went there. Let's roll Romney's response.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MITT ROMNEY, (R), FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR & PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: These are very unfortunate developments, and if he is planning on doing more and suggest to Russia that he has things he's willing to do with them he's not willing to tell the American people -- this is to Russia. This is, without question, our number-one geopolitical foe.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Gentry, number-one geopolitical foe, Russia?
GENTRY COLLINS, FORMER POLITICAL DIRECTOR, REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE: To Maria's point, Mitt Romney didn't respond to the politics. He responded to the substance. The substance is clear here. Russia has opposed the United States' interests around the world. They supported a murderous regime in Syria. They support Iran's nuclear ambitions. They helped Iran build a missile defense system, which is precisely what they are asking the United States not to do in Eastern Europe. Did Mitt Romney say this precisely right? Probably not. The point remains, if you want a strong America with a strong president, Mitt Romney is your guy. If you want a president who will kowtow to Russian bullies, then President Obama is probably your guy.
CARDONA: If you want a president who understands our foreign policies in this world, then you don't want a president who thinks Russia is our number-one geopolitical foe.
PHILLIPS: Let's stay on the theme of awkward moments, or maybe he was a little confused. Santorum saying things like this --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RICK SANTORUM, (R), FORMER PENNSYLVANIA SENATOR & PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: He is the worst Republican in the country to put up against Barack Obama.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: -- but at the same time, Santorum is saying that he would consider second place on the ticket.
Gentry, how do you explain this?
COLLINS: Well, I think you explain it simply by saying that this nominating contest is clearly in its final phases, and Mitt Romney is going to be the nominee of the Republican Party. The Santorum campaign clearly is not ready to quite throw in the towel. This is an indication Santorum himself understands the hand writing is on the wall and he and all other Republicans are going to unite behind Mitt Romney as the nominee of our party. Mitt Romney remembers the guy Santorum endorsed as the most conservative in the race four years ago.
PHILLIPS: Maria?
CARDONA: I sort of agree with Gentry on this. I have to say if Santorum continues to try to be the one for conservatives to rally around and continues to say Mitt Romney is the worst want to put up against President Obama on the issue of health care, which frankly he's absolutely right on that because Romney care was the nurturing mother of Obama-care, then it's going to be very difficult for him to really be considered for the slot of V.P., in my opinion.
PHILLIPS: Gentry mentioned throwing in the towel.
(LAUGHTER)
Let's talk about the fact that Newt Gingrich now, his campaign is coming forward saying, if you want to take a picture with me, it's going to cost you 50 bucks. I'm not kidding. He's charging $50 to have a picture taken with him. Guys, is he that desperate for cash?
Gentry?
COLLINS: I think he probably is. His campaign has been kept afloat by his federal super PAC, funded largely by one single individual. Whether he knows it or not, his campaign is probably over. The question is about president Obama's treatment of his donors. 250 major donors and bundlers to the Obama campaign have gotten access to the White House, special invitation to events. That is the campaign finance issue we ought to be talking about here.
PHILLIPS: Maria?
CARDONA: Clearly, Gingrich, I do think, sees the writing on the wall. Look, the guy has to raise money somehow. I think he should consider selling his hair. He's got a great head of hair. He has a great head of hair here.
(LAUGHTER)
He could make more money that way than selling pictures of himself.
PHILLIPS: I started doing my research. You guys are supposed to be -- take one each -- is supposed to take a side. I went on the Internet and found this photo of the two of you with Newt.
(LAUGHTER)
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIPS: I want to know, Gentry, how much you paid.
Maria, I want to know how much you paid. Maria?
CARDONA: Newt Gingrich paid me to take that picture with him.
(LAUGHTER)
COLLINS: I haven't written my check yet, but he hasn't asked.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: I never knew Polaroid was still him.
Thanks, guys.
COLLINS: Thank you.
CARDONA: Thank you, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Maria, Gentry.
That's "Fair Game."
OK, 3,000 acres are now burning out of control in Colorado. Take a look at these pictures. Several homes have been lost. So far, one life has been lost. We're talking zero containment as crews are racing to calm these flames. We're live on the ground up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) PHILLIPS: We are keeping a close eye on the fast-moving wildfire in Colorado. The situation is growing more urgent today. High winds, dry conditions, fueling the blaze. It torched more than 3,000 acres around an area near Denver. That wildfire has already killed one person and is threatening hundreds more.
Let's get straight to Christine Chang at our affiliate, KMGH.
Christine, you're there on the ground. An army of firefighters on the scene and we're talking zero containment?
CHRISTINE CHANG, CORRESPONDENT, KMGH: Zero containment at this point, Kyra. About 3,050 acres have burned from that fire known as Lower Northfork Fire. The command center is about three miles away from the fire zone. The fire is west of Denver in the foot hills, about a 30 minute drive from here. Again, 15 to 25 homes we are talking about here were likely destroyed in the fire. That number could go up as the wind picks up today. Hopefully, not by much, because it is calmer right now.
You saw in the video earlier from the air, you can see some of the Houses, unfortunately, completely gone. We're talking about ashes here, for some just the concrete left standing. 900 homes evacuated late night. More could be evacuated today. It depends on the wind.
We are expecting 450 firefighters locally in Colorado along with out of state, as well. We got word that crews are in around from Utah, Arizona, along with North Dakota, to help fight this fire. Again, winds right now, you can tell it's calmer. It's probably between five to 10 miles per hour compared to the 30 or 40 we saw yesterday.
As for the cause of the fire at this time, the sheriff's county -- Jefferson County Sheriff's Department telling us there was a controlled burn here in the same area last week. Is there a chance it wasn't completely put out and that, combined with the wind yesterday, could have easily blew up this fire to the degree that it is right now. So far again, 3,050 acres burned from here -- Kyra?
PHILLIPS: Christine Chang from our affiliate, KMGH. Thank you so much.
Before we head to break, I want to clear something up. In a tease earlier, we wrote that Sarah Palin said she could see Russia from her house. That was not the case. That was actually Tina Fey that said that with a "Saturday Night Live" skit. Blurring of late- night TV and reality, sorry about that, folks.
Still ahead, today, Jeremy Lin's got nothing on this guy. The up-and-coming basketball star who made a shot you have got to see to believe. Did I mention he's in the third grade?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: The markets are taking a breather after yesterday's triple-digit rally on Wall Street. Right now, you can see the Dow Industrials down about 5.5 points. If you don't like stocks, take a look at houses. A new report shows that home prices have fallen to their lowest levels in more than nine years.
Other stories making news at "Street Level."
First to Vermont, where police believe they found the body of a missing teenager. A single mom reported missing on Sunday. Police found her SUV a short doe distance from the home and her 2-year-old found inside. Police are not saying where that body was found, but an autopsy is being done today.
In New Orleans, an outcry on one cop's take on the Trayvon Martin case. An officer suspended without pay posted this online. "Act like a thug, die like one." Martin is the unarmed Florida teen who was shot to death by a block watch volunteer who claims he acted in self- defense. The New Orleans chapter of the NAACP was due to brief a report earlier this hour. We hope to get some comment shortly.
In Orange County, Florida, the investigation into the hazing death of a Florida A&M University student is finished. 26-year-old Robert Champion a brand drum major, died after he was beaten on a bus in November. The sheriff's office says it interviewed over 40 people regarding this case. It's now in the hands of prosecutors who will make a decision on possible charges.
The people in charge of college admission tests say they've learned a thing or two about cheating and how to stop it. In the aftermath of a scandal over kids paying other kids to take the SAT or ACT, authorities announced a simple fix. Starting in the fall, test takers will have to upload photos of themselves along with their applications. The pics will be printed on admission tickets so be sure the kids are who they say they are.
And folks in Illinois are a mouse click away from buying a Mega- millions ticket. That's right. You can buy them online. No more tickets to keep track of. Illinois became the first state to do it on Sunday. We're told in a few hours there were more than $6,000 in sales.
Keys, Oklahoma, a long way from the final four. Give Austin Wortham (ph) you some time.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(SHOUTING)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Austin.
(SHOUTING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: That's right. Half court, at the buzzer. You saw that shot before. But never from a third-grader. Austin's team closed out the third quarter up 21-4. Moving on to Portland, Oregon, a dramatic rescue. The horse was grazing in her pasture when she fell into an old septic tank which collapsed under her weight. 34-year-old Roxie was going into shock with trying to get out. Firefighters were able to get her out. Except for cuts and bruises, she seems to be fine.
Mitt Romney headed to the west coast today to help fatten his campaign wallet. He's not getting the warm welcome he might have wanted. We'll explain coming up next.
But first, Bobby Brown, a name synonymous with train wreck. Proving once again why. Brown got himself arrested yesterday in L.A., charged with DUI. Really, Bobby? Your daughter just lost her mother, your ex-wife last month. Large part to drug abuse. Sure, Bobbi Kristina is 19 but she needs a parent, a responsible parent. Someone who can guide her in the years ahead, help her deal with her mother's death. She's only got you and already you're showing what you're about, again. We know it's always been your prerogative to do what you want to do, but you should grow up. Be a dad. Bobby Brown, you're 15 minutes are up.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Numerous presidents have done it before, now it's president Obama's turn to make an open mic gaffe in remarks to the Russian president.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: This is my last election. After my election, I have more flexibility.
MEDVEDEV: I understand you. I transmit this information to Vladimir.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: So here's the deal. The two leaders were supposedly having a private conversation during the nuclear security summit in South Korea. Here's what Mr. Obama had to say about it today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: First of all, are the mics on?
(LAUGHTER)
Look, what -- what I said yesterday is I think something that everybody in this room understands. Arms control is extraordinarily complex, very technical, and the only way it gets done is if you can consult and build a strong basis of understanding, both between countries as well as within countries.
(END VIDEO CLIP) PHILLIPS: The president is now on his way back home, due in D.C. tonight.
Checking our latest delegate count for the Republican presidential candidates, Mitt Romney has a 2-1 lead over Rick Santorum. Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul trailing way behind in third and fourth place. The next contest for delegates isn't until April 3, so what are the candidates doing with all of their free time? One is on the money stump in L.A.
Here to bring us up to speed, Peter Hamby.
We'll talk about Romney but, Peter, while I have you, Newt Gingrich, 50 bucks a pop to take a picture with him? Seriously?
(LAUGHTER)
PETER HAMBY, CNN POLITICAL DIRECTOR: He needs it. He absolutely needs it. Newt Gingrich has a lot of staff. He has a lot of consultants, has to do payroll. At the end of the day, your super PAC can only get you so much. You have to run a campaign. Whatever works for Speaker Gingrich -- Kyra?
PHILLIPS: I want to see who is getting these pictures taken and if they are bargaining, like could we get two photos here for $25. I mean, Peter, you have to investigate this and let us know how it's going.
HAMBY: Don't forget, Newt Gingrich is a political celebrity along with being a presidential candidate he can attract crowds. This is a nice way to leverage that, perhaps. Don't forget.
PHILLIPS: Taking advantage.
All right. Let's talk about Mitt Romney now. What's the deal?
HAMBY: Well, Mitt Romney like you said, free time. He thinks he can afford to take a little down time and raise money. He burned through most of the money he raised last month. He is in California today at a fund-raiser. He had a fundraiser last night. He was greeted by protesters, unfortunately for him. He will spend the rest of the week in Texas raising money. There are big bucks there. Basically, the Romney campaign is comfortable where they are at. They know they can't let up. They have a comfortable enough delegate lead and even going on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno tonight to get his face out there. Most of his money is from big donors. Only a sliver is from these small grassroots donors that are kind of giving more to Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich.
PHILLIPS: And what about the fact that Romney's camp is spending so much money on ads in Wisconsin. It's a little deja vu, yes?
HAMBY: Yes. Exactly. The April 3 primary on Tuesday, the familiar pattern is playing out here that has played out in other states. The Romney campaign bought about $700,000 of ad time through Tuesday. The super PAC supporting Mitt Romney has spent almost $2 million. The Santorum campaign spent a tiny fraction of that on ads there. The Romney campaign and his allies outspending Santorum 6-1 in Wisconsin. This happened in many states, most of the ads are negative. They want to disqualify Rick Santorum in the minds of those who might be sympathetic. He is going town to town, Beaver Dam and Janesville, trying to get his face on local television to help make up for that ad spending disparity -- Kyra?
PHILLIPS: Peter, thanks so much.
HAMBY: Thank you.
PHILLIPS: I don't know, Michael, if we can take a shot, I'm sandwiched in between Sanjay Gupta and Elizabeth Cohen.
(LAUGHTER)
Am I OK?
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: We're here to help.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: I'm not having an anxiety attack. I'm fine.
In all seriousness --
(CROSSTALK)
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: They are doing fabulous, thank you so much.
The specialists are going to be talking about health care and what's happening at the Supreme Court. So I'll kind of groove my way out of here and let you take over.
Thank you for watching, everybody. A special edition of CNN NEWSROOM continues with these guys, and Wolf Blitzer and Ashleigh Banfield.
(LAUGHTER)
