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Neil Armstrong Dies; Tropical Storm Isaac Heads Toward Florida, Gulf Coast; Republican National Convention to Start Monday in Tampa
Aired August 25, 2012 - 22:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN HOST: I'm Don Lemon. Stories you're talking about in a moment. But first, get you up-to-speed on the day's headlines.
Twelve people have walked on the moon and Neil Armstrong was the very first one. Today, the legendary astronaut died. His family say complications followed a heart operation earlier this month. Neil Armstrong was 82 years old. President Obama called him one of the greatest of American's heroes.
Police gunfire injured nine people yesterday and people witnessing a shooting outside the empire State building. The nine were hit as NYPD officers fired 16 shots at a man who had killed a former co-worker. The gunman was killed in that exchange.
The looming threat of tropical storm Isaac have caused Republicans to rearrange their convention plans. All of the major events have been pushed back to begin no sooner than Tuesday afternoon. The GOP will be left with a three-day convention.
Let's talk about tropical storm Isaac now, taking aim at south Florida as it cuts a path across the Caribbean. Our Rob Marciano is in the CNN severe weather center.
When can we expect Isaac to reach Florida, Rob?
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, the southern tip will, Don, as early as tomorrow. It will start to just feel the effects in the key west or the keys and even in Miami as this thing makes its way there. It's about 350 miles from key west with 60-mile-an-hour winds so it doesn't done much the past couple of hours. But it's just now re- emerging into the Caribbean or the southern Atlantic and eventually into the Florida straits.
The forecast track for this thing brings it towards key west. Looks like tomorrow afternoon into tomorrow night and probably get tropical storm if not hurricane conditions and eastern sides.
Miami, up to Fort Lauderdale, you'll get action here as far as strong winds and heavy rain. Tampa will feel it as well probably in the form of some gusty winds. Potentially tropical storm force winds and the main reason they put it up.
Monday is going to be an ugly day in Tampa and at times could be very well be dangerous. Landfall looks like anywhere from New Orleans back through Cedar Key, Florida as a category two storm late Tuesday, possibly into Wednesday morning.
Don, we will have an update in about 50 minutes.
LEMON: All right Rob, stick around. We will need you.
Wait until you see what else we are working on for you tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: It's silly season out there.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He is trying to hand over the sovereignty of the university.
LEMON: A civil war if President Obama is re-elected? Birthday certificates, liars, felons. Enough already. What is real? What is BS? We will tell you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They have the flag up now and you can see the stars and the stripes.
LEMON: Two and a half hours on the moon and forever a part of history.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To measure precisely by laser beam reflection the exact distance between moon and earth.
LEMON: Tonight, we take you back to the moon with Neil Armstrong. Plus, something Armstrong would have been proud of.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's hard to imagine the future without these things.
LEMON: No. It's not a bird, not a clip from "Star Wars." It's the future.
All that, plus bearing it all. The royal family jewels revealed and reality bites.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: All right. So, I have a question for you. Are you tired as we are of all the crazy stuff we are hearing in the presidential campaign?
Tonight, we are going to put aside the anchor desk and we are going to look at the some of the most extreme examples of just that and trying to break down the barrier here and involve you a little bit more. This crazy talk.
We are going to sort through the noise. We are going to tell you what is true and frankly what is BS and we will tell you what you can do to put an end to the silly season, the silly side of the race to the White House.
So, let's start with an obvious example now and one of the most recent. Here is Missouri congressman Todd Akin. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. TODD AKIN (R), MISSOURI: It seems to me first of all, from what I understand from doctors that's really rare. If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut down the whole thing. But let's assume maybe that didn't work or something. You know, I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be in the rapist and not attacking the child.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Ana Navarro, Omar Ali, they are both here. Ana is a Republican strategist. Omar is an associate professor at the University of North Carolina among any other titles. So, we are going to go to Ana first.
And Ana, because you're a woman. So tell us, legitimate? I mean, what is this?
ANA NAVARRO, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: It's legitimately stupid, Don.
Listen. I don't think the comments made by congressman Todd Akin are silly. I think they are ignorant. I think they are stupid and I think have no place and no room in today's society. And you've seen a very strong reaction. That's why you saw the reaction you've seen from so many leaders in the Republican party saying, look. We condemn these words. We don't think this is right and we are not going to accept it. We don't want any part of it. That's why he is not here now facing a hurricane the way the rest of us are!
LEMON: Yes. But, Omar he is still in the race and still could win.
OMAR ALI, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA- GREENSBORO: Yes. I mean, look. What's happening is that more and more people are rejecting this kind of silliness as you describe and that's why, you know, you have so many people leaving basically not just the Republican and Democratic Party but basically the electoral system as a whole.
What I think is important is that independents, which are the fastest group of American voters right now, really stay in and assert their voices. Because it's really the future that is important in terms of changing the political culture. Because without a change in the political culture we are just going to keep going down this road of silliness.
LEMON: OK. So, I'm going to get through a number of these. Next, this one, he says it was a joke. But whatever it was, we are not debating that, whatever it is. But why, why, why did Mitt Romney even go there yesterday? Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I love being home in this place where Ann and I were raised, where both of us were born. Ann was born in Henry Ford hospital and I was born in Harper hospital. No one's ever asked to see my birth certificate. They know this is the place that we were born and raised.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: OK. Ana, as I said, we are not going to debate why he said it. But the president has shown his birth certificate. In a word, Ana, where was the president born?
NAVARRO: The United States of America in Hawaii.
LEMON: All right. Omar?
ALI: As far as we all know, USA.
LEMON: All right. Good. That's it. It wasn't one word but you know what I meant. I just wanted you to give it to me.
NAVARRO: Don, Don, Don, the problem is -- Don, the problem is some people aren't -- you know, some people aren't funny and they don't know it. I think Mitt Romney should stick to the serious issues.
LEMON: Yes. And the interesting thing is people were saying, well, you know, when people said why would he say something like that? It was uncalled for. Many people saw it as partisan. But the reason people said that is because he is trying to focus. He and Paul Ryan are trying to focus on the economy, they say, and by bringing this up that changes the focus and that was a headline from yesterday and this weekend and not the focus on the economy.
But I want to say, we are not just calling out Republicans now. I want you to check out this Obama super PAC ad. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When Mitt Romney and Bain closed the plant, I lost my health care and my family lost their health care and a short time after that, my wife became ill. I don't know how long she was sick and I think maybe she didn't say anything because she knew we couldn't afford the insurance. And then one day, she became ill and I took her up to the Jackson county hospital and admitted her for pneumonia and that is when they found the cancer and by then, it was stage four. There was nothing they could do for her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: So this is basically implying that Mitt Romney's business practices somehow caused this woman's death. Omar, truth or dare or is it just outrageous?
ALI: I mean, look. All of these things are really silly claims. I don't really want to get into the details of it because in some ways that is feeding into this game to tit for tat where the Democratic and Republican parties play with each other to basically keep the American people divided. And that's not the way that we should be going forward. So, in some ways, whatever the case may be, let's look at the larger issue which is the issue of the partisanship in America and what can be done about that and something that could be done is President Obama could come out very strongly in favor of nonpartisan reforms and re-connect the independents the way that he did in 2008 in which won him the presidency.
LEMON: And we are going to talk more about that in the next segment. So, just stand by, Omar. And you bring up a very good point. That is a very legitimate point.
Ana, what do you say to that?
NAVARRO: I say to that ad it was egregiously inaccurate. It was really outrageous. They are playing with people's emotions. And I think what you saw in that ad is the influence of super PACs. This was a super PAC made ad and super PAC give candidates the ability to deny having any association. But we know in truth that these are super PACs that support a specific candidate. A candidate can condemn an ad. They cannot coordinate with the super PAC, but certainly say publicly we don't apt that ad playing. I wish President Obama had had the leadership and character to say that.
LEMON: And we can say that Mitt Romney did not cause this woman's cancer death. So, if anyone implies that or says Mitt Romney did, it's not true. It's BS.
OK. So, how is this for crazy? An all-out civil war if President Obama is re-elected. That's what one judge says. BS or not?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: We are talking politics tonight. Crazy talking politics and we are going to cut through some of the craziness. Why there's so much of it and what you can do about it. So, how is this for soaking the flames of fear into your vision.
A Texas judge, the man in charge of his county's emergency planning committee, in fact, says a civil war could erupt if President Obama bets re-elected. Roll.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM HEAD, LUBBOCK COUNTY JUDGE, TEXAS: He is going to try to hand over the sovereignty to the United States to the U.N. OK, what is going to happen when that happens? I'm thinking worst case scenario.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right. I understand.
HEAD: Civil unrest, civil disobedience, civil war maybe. And we are not talking just a few riots here and demonstrations. We are talking Lexington, Concord, take up arms and get rid of the guy. (END VIDEO CLIP)
(LAUGHTER)
LEMON: Ana, quickly! Yes or no. Is President Obama ever going to turn control of the U.S. over to the U.N. ever?
NAVARRO: Don, you want a quick answer to that one? Baker at him. He should be committed. That is just crazy talk but, you know, crazy doesn't have a party, honey. There is crazies on the Democrats and crazy on the Republican side.
LEMON: Omar, same question to you.
ALI: Yes, I mean. No, it's ridiculous. I mean, it's a silly claim and it is just ridiculous.
LEMON: All right. So, listen. Here is a two-fer. Again, so we say we are not just picking the Republicans, this is everyone.
Now, from Obama campaign adviser's Stephanie Cutter. First, she accused Mitt Romney lying about his tenure at Bain capital. Here it is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEPHANIE CUTTER, OBAMA DEPUTY CAMPAIGN MANAGER: Either Mitt Romney, through his own words and his own signature, was misrepresenting his position at Bain to the SEC which is a felony, or he was misrepresenting his position at Bain to the American people to avoid respond for some of the consequences of his investments.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Omar, just the other day, the president told reporters no one on his team had accused Romney of being a felon, you say what to that?
ALI: No, I mean. Again, you know, these are things that are being done in order to strike fear and to demonize which why in some ways people are saying enough already. So silliness.
LEMON: Ana?
NAVARRO: Beyond the pail, irresponsible, slanderous.
LEMON: All right. Number two. Cutter comparing President Obama's job creation numbers to president Reagan. Roll it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CUTTER: And in the last 27 months we created 4.75 million private sector jobs. That's more jobs than in the Bush recovery and Reagan recovery.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: That was her on MSNBC on "Morning Joe". Right wing blog went crazy over this one. But hear the facts, no matter how you crunch the numbers, no matter what metrics you use that statement is untrue. Reagan created more than seven million jobs during his recovery. Obama more than four million jobs so far.
So Ana, as President George W. Bush used to say, that's some fuzzy math. George - no, President one. First President Bush.
NAVARRO: I would tell you that's beyond fuzzy math, you know? I think there Miss Cutter is spinning like a yo-yo.
LEMON: Yes. So, here is the thing.
Omar, with this and with other things, I'm wondering if people ever think that no one is going to check on this? And these are -- these are people who are smart, at least they are book smart.
ALI: Yes.
LEMON: So, Omar, what is going on here? Why are they doing it and what is the solution?
ALI: Well, OK. So basically we have a system that thrives on the winner take all and it's not a very democratic system, small d, right? So basically, in that kind of a bipartisan system where you're trying to win it, you do it at all costs and that means basically throwing around numbers that may or may not be true. And, in some ways, if they repeat the numbers enough, some people or some segment of the population will believe that.
The solution really is in terms of going beyond this is breaking up the control that parties have over the political process and increasing the participation of Americans. And that's where in some ways independents come in. The independents are really the hope of the future in America. Forty two percent of Americans now self- identify as independent. And in North Carolina where I am, two out of three new registered voters are register is as unaffiliated. And the reason why is because partisanship is broadly recognized amongst all Americans as the problem in America.
We have brilliant solutions to things. But they don't get all of the way to some ways in terms of policy because they are blocked for partisan reasons by special interests, et cetera. In fact, a great new book I want to mention , Jacqueline Sailor's (ph) "independents rising" which details in some ways the rise of independents which continues to be really sort of related to as sort of a side thing in American politics. It's fundamental now. And it's a growing phenomena in America.
LEMON: And Omar and Ana, I've heard this a number of times. And this sort of this whole thing that we are doing now sort of came about when I was on vacation recently where I went with a big group and we are sitting around at dinner. And people are saying well you know, I'm conservative on this. I'm liberal on this. I feel one way about this and another way about that . But I don't feel like I identify with either Democrats or Republicans because most of the time, it's just bickering.
So what happens? And independents, I'm just being honest, Omar, they don't feel that independents have the power to really make that big a difference here.
Ana, I know you are a Republican strategist. But you -- I'm sure you've heard that before and you understand the disconnect here.
NAVARRO: But I think -- I think that's -- that's completely wrong and you should tell your independent friends. In fact, they are the most powerful voters in America right now. Because the country is so polarized that there is a very decided electorate on both sides, the Democrats and the Republicans. And we're all fighting over a very small portion of independent voters who can make or break the election and the very important battleground states.
And you know why they do this? You know why this do the silly ads? Because they can, Don, because they can. Because there's no penalty to pay. And I think until voters, you know, really get turned off, really start saying no more, look. We're not going to take it. We are going to be educated about what the truth is. I think, you know, they are going to continue doing it. So, it's up to the voters. There is power in voting. There is power in democracy and we have to take it back.
LEMON: Yes. And in the meantime, the people in the middle, the voters are saying we don't care who is bigger and who created more jobs. Whatever. We just want a job and we want to be able to pay our bills!
We got to run. We are out of time. Omar, we will have you guys back. And Omar, definitely will have you back, one of our original independents. Thank you so much.
ALI: Thank you, Don.
LEMON: One thing we can agree on for sure, the political bickering needs to go. So, here is an idea for you. No more Republicans and no more Democrats. How about that? That is next.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: So you're out and about and you are not in front of the TV to stay connected to CNN? You can. You can pull it up on your cell phone like I do or you can watch it from your computer even at work. Just go to CNN.com/TV. Tell them Don Lemon sent you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: We just finished talking about all the crazy stuff going on in the presidential race from cancer deaths to birth certificates to a potential civil war. It is enough to make you not want to vote for either of these people. The one-on-one party rivalry between Republican and Democrats is fueling this craziness and that's why my next two guests said enough is enough and left their traditional party affiliation and struck out on their own.
Gary Johnson is former and future Republican governor or New Mexico. He is now running for president as a Libertarian. Buddy Roemer, my home state of Louisiana, a former governor of Louisiana who ran in this year's GOP primaries. He now chairs thereformproject.org.
And Mister Roemer, you're an independent now, right? BUDDY ROEMER, CHAIRMAN, THE REFORMPROJECT.ORG: That's correct. I changed. I was a Democrat for 20 years and a Republican 20 years. I'm going to try independent.
LEMON: All right. So, good to see both of you. I'll start with you, first, Gary. Is this two-party system broken?
GARY JOHNSON, LIBERTARIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Yes. I think that it's vote between twiddle Dee and twiddle Dum and I think people really care about ending the wars and stopping spending. And I think I'm going to end up being that third voice.
LEMON: Yes, listen. When you say Gary Johnson, people will say well, I've heard of Mitt Romney. I heard of President Obama. Obviously, you know, I've heard of Paul Ryan but who is this Gary Johnson guy? Do you feel like you are shut out of the process in any way?
JOHNSON: Well, completely. And if it were reported tomorrow that I was at five percent of the national vote, the overwhelming reaction to that would be well, who the hell is Gary Johnson? And that would be a great thing.
So, just being on your show here, Don, thank you. I mean, if it drives people to GaryJohnson2012.com, I feel good about the results that people will actually look up and maybe take to heart.
LEMON: All right. So that was a shameless plug and I allowed it. So, listen.
JOHNSON: Shameless? Well, shameless is what this is all about, isn't it?
LEMON: Yes. Listen, Mister Roemer. Do you mind if I call you Buddy because --
ROEMER: Call me Buddy.
LEMON: What do you say? Is this two-party system, is it broken?
ROEMER: It is broken. The largest party in America are the independents. The party growing the fastest in America today and check the facts is the independent party. We have 90 million Americans that won't vote in November, 90 million!
This country is in trouble and most people feel like there are no choices. I think they like Barack Obama but are certainly not sold on his policies. And I don't think they really like Mitt Romney or know any of his policies. Yet, all of the media talks about twiddle Dee and twiddle Dum as Gary says. The issue is reform. Can we build our country and neither party has an answer.
LEMON: OK. So, you said all of the media talks about twiddle Dee and twiddle Dum. So, let's talk about the media. I've heard Gary Johnson and others, people who say, listen. I'm not a part of the two major political parties. I don't get invited, Don, to CNN or to any other network to be in the debates. I'm not part of the polling. So, do you think the media is part of the problem and that needs to be fixed as well?
ROEMER: And the two parties. They are in concert together. Gary Johnson was a two-term governor of New Mexico. Did one hell of a job in New Mexico. He is a private business who has built a fantastic company. He and I walked through New Hampshire together. There were 23 nationally televised debates in the Republican primary. You know how many Gary got invited to? Two. And I might be exaggerating. Maybe it was only one. There is a man that qualified and the Republicans didn't even let him on the stage.
LEMON: What would it take to create a true sort of third party movement, a party that has influence, Mister Johnson, who could be a part of the process and maybe start the ball rolling so these two polarized sides don't have a monopoly on the process?
JOHNSON: Well, that's what I'm engaged in and I will just ditto that when it comes to Buddy. Very complimentary but the same, Buddy. Very distinguished services both as a Democrat and Republican. And if there is anybody out there who should have been able to talked authoritatively on both parties, it would have been Buddy, but he was shut out.
So, Buddy and I are in New Hampshire and I'm knocking on 20 doors in the afternoon. Guess how many people I reached?
LEMON: What do we do then?
JOHNSON: Well, in this case, really there an exclusion by the media. I was excluded from debates where I was told that I had to be at one percent in a, b, and c polls. I wasn't in a, b, c polls. So, how do you get into the debate if you're not in the polls and very, very exclusionary. This is the battle, you know, I'm looking at this --
LEMON: Hang on, Mr. Johnson. I want Mr. Roemer to get in here. But quickly, because I'm really out of time. My producers are saying we got to go. We got to go. Answer the question. What do you think, Buddy, what is it going to take to break the monopoly?
ROEMER: Campaign reform. Get the big checks and money out of the room. Let's the American people get in it. Campaign reform. Neither candidate is talking about campaign reform. Super PACs, bundle money, special interest money, wall street money, less let the American people stand up and I tell you how it's going to happen. When someday we let a woman or a man voice those sentiments on national television with the two-party candidates standing right there. They don't have an answer.
LEMON: Instead, we are talking about dogs on roofs, birth certificates.
ROEMER: That's right.
LEMON: Legitimate rapes, all of those things and the American people are going what is going on? I wish I had more time.
Thank you Gary Johnson. Thank you, Buddy Roemer. I really appreciate it though.
ROEMER: Thanks, Don.
LEMON: All right.
Tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, CNN will present a profile on Mitt Romney. Romney reveals family faith and road to power and we followed at 9:30 by live convention preview.
And then, while we are on the subject of politics and pole dancing. The two have more in common than you think and you want to fasten your seat belts for this story.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: You got to see this next story. Once a thing a fantasy and fiction and flying speed or bikes are no longer for the force of indoor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He over there! Two more of them!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I see them. Wait, Laya!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, wait!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Hovering just above the ground, the speeder bikes from "return to the Jedi." Fascinating audiences and the idea seemed outrageous or did it? Take a look at this.
The company called Aerolex has created a hover bike and does just what it says it does. You're looking at a fundamental change in transportation as we know it, people.
I spoke with the Aerolex founder, an engineer Mark Deroche earlier about this creation.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: It took you a couple of years. First of all, this is really cool. How did you come up with it and how long did it take you to do this?
MARK DEROCHE, AEROLEX ENGINEER: We have been working on the project since about 2002 so about ten years. We had our first flight in 2008 and ran into problems right away. But it's been the last ten months that we have seen our rapid success.
LEMON: What took you so long to do it? Because it's almost like a flying bicycle, right?
DEROCHE: Almost exactly like that. The difficulty came in the control. They started these things in the '60s and they gave up on them. And we ran into the same problems that they did at around 2010. And mostly through persistence rather than genius, we worked our ways through the issues to come up with what you see today. And it really is just a control just like a bike. But the pilot is really not in the same control he thinks he is. The vehicle reacts to the pilot.
LEMON: Wow.
DEROCHE: Because it's too big for him to influence.
LEMON: So, it's intuitive. Before we get to that, you said you ran into the same sorts of issues that they did, starting from the 1960s. And that was stability or instability.
DEROCHE: Yes, exactly. So, what they did in the '60s is they went to an artificial stability system which add a lot of complexity. For us, that would have been out of the question. So, if we had to go that route, we would have given up the project. And so we tried to work around it by just getting simpler and simpler and we were able to solve the problem by getting the pilot in the loop.
LEMON: OK. So, tell us how it works. One would think it's all computerized and fancy or whatever. It is intuitive but how does it work? You said it works depending on the motion or it sort of knows where you're going to go and what you want to do?
DEROCHE: There's not a computer on the system. All it is, the vehicle itself, the interface is such it tracks the pilot's movement. So, if he leans left, the vehicle reacts by following the pilot and moves it left. It gives the pilot the sensation that his leaning created the left bank and it's the same going forward. As the pilot leans forward, the nose goes down and the vehicle coasts forward and same with stopping. Pilot leans back, nose up, and then it stops.
LEMON: OK. So, when you did your test, you did you another run recently in the desert in California and here is a video we have been showing.
DEROCHE: Yes.
LEMON: So, tell us what is going on in this video? How does it work because it looks like it' just above the ground. Sometimes you're higher, sometimes you are lower. Is the fans underneath? What is making it do that?
DEROCHE: Great question. It is. There's two fans. One in front of the other like on a motorcycle but the wheels are turned horizontal. And what is essentially happened there is when a pilot gives throttle; that gives you altitude. And we fly at about five feet off the ground and we haven't gone faster than 30 miles an hour. That wasn't the intent of this vehicle. But as you need to change the thrust factor simply by moving the nose up or down or the rolling left or right. But them just to turn is similar to a bike. You just turn the handlebars.
LEMON: So, do you think that there is a market and we will be using these fairly soon? DEROCHE: I can't imagine the future where these vehicles are not prevalent. We are first going to come out with an unmanned vehicle. Same thing as you see there but unmanned robotic for agriculture. It is a big market that really benefits from aerial applications. But then, we will move the technology from the robotic one back into the man one and you probably see the man one on the market first for border patrol where you have a lot of borders that don't have roads.
LEMON: Well, I wonder who would regulate it. Would it be like the DMV or the FAA?
DEROCHE: As long as we stay right on ground for this vehicle, about this size, is about 15 feet. And as long as you're under that in ground effect, the FAA doesn't consider you an aircraft.
LEMON: Yes. So, the only at 30 miles an hour. Do you think it would be safe any faster than that?
DEROCHE: Yes. We know it will be because the vehicles in the '60s, they were able to go 75 miles an hour.
LEMON: But there has been some criticism, though, that it's not stable when it's that fast but you say that's over, that's done?
DEROCHE: That is correct. And again, the stability issue will have to creep up on slowly and find out where we see these gremlins in the -- in its flying. But at 30, we are doing fine. We know physically it can get up to 70.
LEMON: How much money? Let's say they go on the market. The one that you have now, this prototype, how much does it cost?
DEROCHE: I'm embarrassed to say how much it costs, but if we were to count the sum of the parts, we would get a pretty good indication but it's a pretty insert, because if you look at trying to build something that is flight quality and safe, you probably couldn't get it to market under $50,000.
And if you were to look at the high end and if it were over a hundred thousand dollars, well then you missed your market and we would have to redesign and go back to the drawing board. So, it can't be that expensive and it can't be too cheap. So, you're probably looking somewhere in between there.
LEMON: Mark Deroche, thank you. So cool. Love it.
DEROCHE: Thanks, Don. Appreciate it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: I want one of those. Those are one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Mark and his team hope to have a robotic version of the vehicle out by next year and maneuverings for civil agencies a year or two after that.
Rain or shine, come tropical storm or high water, Republicans will be going to the polls at the RNC in Tampa. Not those poles. These poles! The gloves are ready!
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Hurricanes seem to like to rain on the Republican parade. The last time one disrupted a republic national convention was the last one in 2008. Can mother nature be a Democrat?
But first, the elephant in the room often comes with dollar bills. Republicans coming to the Tampa convention and may need a big and bountiful strip club. Dancers say they could make more than a thousand bucks a day. Talk about a grand ole party.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SASHA, EXOTIC DANCER, THE DOLLHOUSE: But we hired my trainer. I'm actually working with three different trainers right now to get myself right back in shape in the next week and a half or so like as quickly as possible. So I definitely pushing myself a lot harden and I know a lot of the girls here have as well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: She is training. This is like the strip Olympics.
(LAUGHTER)
LEMON: Joining us now is political comedian Dean Obeidallah and Republican strategist Ana Navarro.
Dean to you first.
DEAN OBEIDALLAH, POLITICAL COMEDIAN: Yes.
LEMON: This is non-scientific and formal study, it found Republicans spend a hundred bucks more per person in adult clubs and dance. Why do you think?
OBEIDALLAH: This is a Republican stimulus package. It how to get the economy working again. It's trickled down and cause some to mentor trickle up. So, it really works, Don, well. Let them have fun. You know what? Buddy Roemer was just here, the governor of Louisiana, said the Republicans have more fun in their conventions. There is nothing really wrong with that. Let that be legal. Let them have a good time.
LEMON: Ana, what do you say?
NAVARRO: Look. Republicans tip better. What can I tell you? You know, look. Strippers can vote too, Don. I think maybe it's just voter outreach and maybe Republicans are out there doing their own unscientific polls. They are citizens. They can vote. It's political outreach, my friend.
LEMON: Oh, my God.
OBEIDALLAH: They are probably independents. I would imagine most of the strippers are independents so it's a tough market to get but good to them. Ana is right.
LEMON: Every vote you can get.
Moving on now. Let's talk about Isaac. And remember this one. Gustav was a hurricane that forced some cancellations at the 2008 republic national convention sending McCain, Laura Bush from the convention stage, they rallied Americans.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CINDY MCCAIN, SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN'S WIFE: As John has been saying for the last several days, this is a time when we take off our Republican hats and put on our American hats.
LAURA BUSH, GEORGE W. BUSH'S WIFE: Americans are known for coming to the aid of their fellow citizens. Let's work together.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: So, Ana, is mother nature a democrat?
NAVARRO: No, I don't think mother nature is a Democrat. But I certainly think mother nature is having some fun with Republicans. This is actually, Don, the third one that gets disrupted in some way consecutively by this. I remember being in New York in 2004 and we had another hurricane that was coming from Florida. In fact, Jeb Bush, the brother of the then president, didn't go.
But, you know, look. This happens. It's August in Florida, you know? We are a paradise in the winter and we get some hurricanes and storms in the summer. Actually, that one you just played was in Minnesota so we weren't getting the hurricane then.
LEMON: Well, it was because of what was happening down in the gulf and it would look bad own so that is what happened. Dean, I don't have time for you --
NAVARRO: By the way, before we --
LEMON: I can't, Ana. I don't have any time.
Dean, I have going to cut you all on this one because I know what you're going to say. You are going to say, this is payback for not believing in global warming. Anyway.
OBEIDALLAH: Exactly.
LEMON: So, let this one marinate for a moment everybody.
Prince Harry and Snooki. Never thought I would say those names in the same sentence. Why, you ask is it I'll tell you next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: OK, everyone. Stop what you're doing and listen up. We are following major news right now. We have it on good authority that American treasure and master thespian Nicole Snooki (INAUDIBLE), is in a New Jersey hospital and that any time, may deliver into the world the nation's next reality TV star.
CNN is following this event throughout the night and I'll be here live commercial-free. No bathroom breaks.
I'm just pulling your leg. Not about Snooki and labor part. Not that. But, we have that on good authority, we are told it's true.
Dean Obeidallah, Ana Navarro are back. I want to talk about something far more high borrow than that.
Prince Harry, he embarrassed the queen again this week. Naked high Jinx in Las Vegas.
Dean, why do people care so much? Listen. Most of the guys I talk to, younger people were like, hey, man, have your fun. I wish I was a prince and 27 years old and single. They didn't think it was a big deal.
OBEIDALLAH: It's not. He is the Charlie Sheen of reality, this guy. He is living that life. I mean, he is their Charlie Sheen.
You know what, this is step up. Remember, he got in trouble for being in a Nazi uniform. It's rather he is naked than in a Nazi uniform. So, I think he should be applauded, the young guy and taking a step forward and apparently he is naked but didn't have a Prince Albert! You know, he is not a Prince Albert, so that's a good thing.
LEMON: Ana, Listen. He probably should not have been doing that. I mean, he probably should be more careful, I should say. But if he is single, he's 27 years old, I mean, who cares?
NAVARRO: Don, all I can tell you is I'm glad I'm not a 27-year-old prince. Because if there are pictures of everything I shouldn't be doing, there would be a lot of pictures out there.
Look. You know, I think Prince Harry just found out whatever happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas. It went worldwide and I think he got up pretty big talking to from his grandmother I get the sense.
LEMON: Well, they have to change their slogan what happens in Vegas, doesn't necessarily stay in Vegas if you're a member of the royal family.
Thank you guys. Ana, Dean, we have to end it there. Thank you.
OBEIDALLAH: Thanks, Don.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARCIANO: Good evening. I'm Rob Marciano in the CNN severe weather center. Here is the latest update from the national hurricane center regarding Isaac which is not a hurricane yet but we anticipate it being that. 60-mile-an-hour winds right now, still a tropical storm moving to the west, but northwest at 17-miles-an-hour. It just centered just off the coast of Cuba about 340 miles from Key West and heading in that direction. Some of the moisture associated with it reaching out towards southern Florida and doing that all day.
All right. Let's talk about the updated forecast track. We get into the Florida straits tonight. Tomorrow, we start experiencing potentially hurricane force conditions across Florida keys, even tropical storm force conditions and through Miami tomorrow afternoon, tomorrow night and then into the gulf of Mexico. Tampa gets the worst of their weather on Monday, likely tropical storm type of weather and category two storm heading towards the Florida panhandle on Tuesday night, Wednesday morning.
LEMON: All right Rob, you got to be a busy man. Thank you, sir.
MARCIANO: You got it.
LEMON: Next.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They got the flag up now. You can see the stars and stripes.
LEMON: Two and a half hours on the moon and forever a part of history.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To measure precisely by laser beam reflection the exact distance between moon and earth.
LEMON: Tonight, we take you back to the moon with Neil Armstrong.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JONNY IMERMAN, CNN HERO: All of a sudden, it was like someone took a syringe and stabbed me directly in my left testicle. At 26, I was diagnosed with cancer. In the hospital, I saw these people by themselves, I could see the fear, my goal was to get in there and motivate patients so that they wanted to jump out of their chemo bed and start swinging at this thing.
My name is Jonny Imerman. I'm a two-time testicular cancer survivor. And I created and organization to make sure that people that are diagnosed with cancer able to reach a survivor.
Listen to your body, it will tell you what you need to do.
It started with just a few survivors sharing one to one with somebody diagnosed with the exact same cancer.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: At 29-year-old, helping the young adult. Cancer is not a part of our language. I'm really very happy that we have this community that Johnny has built.
IMERMAN: We have helped people in over 60 countries. We matched over 8,000 totals to perfection.
It's a brotherhood and a sisterhood, and that's for sure. We help people of all ages, care givers, spouses, we help the parents to get hooked up with other parents, and we just get a ton of young adults. We share stories, we listen, we learn.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was 30 years old when I was diagnosed and I wanted to make it until my son was at least five and I'm here today.
IMERMAN: Was with each other.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's the kind of information that you need to hear from someone who through it. There is really no other way.
IMERMAN: I don't really need to count the days I have cancer because every day is a good day, like you're happy you got out of bed this morning, life's amazing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: You're about to see one of the coolest things ever broadcast on television, so stick around.
America lost a legend today with the passing of former astronaut Neil Armstrong. The first man to ever walk on the moon. We take you back to that moment in history, July 20th, 1969.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ten seconds. Guidance is internal. Twelve. 11. 10. Nine. Ignition sequence start. Six, five, four, three, two, one, zero. All engines running. We have a liftoff of Apollo 11.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Forward. To the right a little.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 30 seconds.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. Engine stop. The eagle has landed.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Roger, tranquility. We copy you on the ground.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Whew! Armstrong is on the moon. Neil Armstrong, 38-year-old American standing on the surface of the moon on this July 20th, 1969.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That looks beautiful.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It has a beauty all its own. It's like a high desert in the United States. It's different, but it's very pretty.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Beautiful, beautiful.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Isn't that something?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Amazing. Good night.
