Return to Transcripts main page

NEWS STREAM

Republican Presidential Candidates Prepare for First Debate; Confusion Over Certainty Of Plane Part Belonging to MH370; More Plane Debris Found on Reunion Island; Historic Floods in India Displace Thousands; Jon Stewart Signs Off Tonight; Japan Prays for Peace on 70th Anniversary of Hiroshima Bombing. Aired 8:00a-9:00p ET

Aired August 06, 2015 - 8:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


[08:00:03] KRISTIE LU STOUT, HOST: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. And welcome to News Stream.

Now the pain of knowing what happened to their loved ones on MH370 as Malaysia says more debris apparently from a plane is found on Reunion

Island.

We go deep into the flood hit districts of India where the rising water has made hundreds of thousands of people homeless.

And can anyone trump Donald Trump? U.S. Republican candidates face off in their first major presidential debate.

Now we are following breaking news from Reunion Island. Malaysia's transport minister tells CNN more plane debris that appears to be seat

cushions and window panes has been discovered on the island.

Now earlier, Malaysia's prime minister said that part of a plane wing found last week is from missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370.

But French investigators say there is only a strong presumption it is.

Now meanwhile, Chinese relatives of MH370 passengers are angry.

Now somebody stormed into the Beijing office of Malaysia Airlines today. They say that they don't believe the debris is from MH370. They

have demanded to know the truth.

Now let's get more from Saima Mohsin now. She joins me now from near Toulouse, France where the plane debris investigation is being done. She

joins us now live.

And Saima, a Malaysian official says new debris, plane debris has washed up on Reunion. Exactly what was found?

SAIMA MOHSIN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kristie.

Yes, Malaysia officials have told us that they have found materials like a plane window pane, aluminum foil and seat cushions. They are saying

like, Kristie.

In fact, let me just interrupt. We understand the investigators are walking behind us. We've seen them walking around this complex, Kristie.

And by the way, that new debris is likely to come here -- I'm going to step aside so we can show you the investigators at the DGA laboratories

here in the south of France. Of course, these are investigators from the United States NTSB, Malaysian officials from their civil aviation

authority, Malaysia Airlines. French authorities and of course Boeing specialists as well as joined by Chinese officials and Australian

officials.

It's a huge group of people that have come to this laboratory to test the flaperon that arrived here over the weekend, that washed up on Reunion

Island last Thursday and this new debris. And I'll remind everyone once more, the Malaysian transportation ministry has spoken to CNN and told us

that they have found debris like a window pane, aluminum foil and seat cushions, which they believe crucially does belong to an aircraft, but they

cannot -- and we cannot -- confirm if that belongs to flight MH370 just yet.

It will have to come here to be tested, to run through those tests they're running right now behind us before they can confirm it's from

MH370.

And also, let's remind everyone, that -- of two points. We really don't know what condition this debris is in. How can they tell that it's

from MH370? It's been in the water for such a long time? And secondly, Kristie, this is the right time and the right place for any debris related

to MH370 to have washed up given where they're searching, given where Maritime specialists say given the weather patterns and wave patterns it

should have washed up from that search zone -- Kristie.

LU STOUT: So we have these reports today from Malaysian officials of new plane debris found on Reunion Island. Separately, there's that debris

that was found last week. The wing component, the flaperon. And the Malaysian prime minister confirms it is indeed from MH370, but how do the

Malaysians know for certain it is indeed from the missing plane?

MOHSIN: Yeah, it's the absolute certainty that the family members are so desperate for. We saw just a moment ago when you were coming to me the

Chinese family members so upset.

They want closure, but they want 100 percent certainty, don't they?

Now the Malaysians believe they have it. And they have told us, my colleague Andrew Stevens was told earlier this morning, that a serial

number matched MH370 on this flaperon that's from the plane wing. The paint work matched Malaysia Airlines paint, specific to this aircraft,

Kristie. Those are the kind of details that they can look at that match up not just to an airline, but to the specific aircraft.

And they say there was an MAF, that's Malaysia Airlines maintenance seal on this flaperon.

Now those are the three factors that led the Malaysian transportation ministry officials and the Malaysia Airlines officials here to say yes,

this flaperon is sadly from Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and that's why Prime Minister Najib Razak made that very confident conclusive statement

last night.

Very disparate, though, of course, as you said, from the French prosecutor's statement. And that is likely, Kristie, because of course the

French prosecutor is running a manslaughter case. He has to look at this in legal terms. And the Malaysian prime minister, of course, leading a

nation that's deeply hurt by this disappearance, one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries.

And speaking to the family members who really wanted to know very quickly whether they believed this belonged to flight MH370.

More tests to come here in the days and weeks ahead, though, Kristie. The investigators are working incredibly hard. They've been here since

first thing this morning -- back to you.

[08:06:01] LU STOUT: Indeed, indeed. Saima Mohsin reporting live from near Toulouse, France. Thank you, Saima.

Now even if the latest debris does turn out to be from missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, there are still many unanswered questions.

We still do not know why the plane went down or even where. And we won't likely know the answers to those questions until the aircraft is found.

Now with more on the family reaction, let's go straight to Will Ripley. He joins me now live from Beijing. And Will, reports of this new

plane debris found on Reunion Island, this after the Malaysian prime minister confirmed that the debris found last week is from 370. How are

families there in China taking it all in?

WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it seems as if there was some sort of miscommunication when this announcement was made. And family

members sadly were hurt by it, Kristie, because they received the group email and some of them received phone calls telling them to tune in to

watch the very important statement on live television from the Malaysian prime minister. He goes on the air and says that they have conclusively

confirmed that that portion of the wing, the flaperon, is from MH370.

But then, you know, less than an hour later they hear the French prosecutor say that they do not have 100 percent confirmation, but they

believe that it's very likely from the missing plane.

So, people certainly on the ground here in China immediately were telling us that their distrust for the Malaysian government is even

stronger than ever. They feel that the authorities in Kuala Lumpur are trying to force a conclusion to this, trying to put it to rest, to move on

before the facts are in.

And so, again, they really do feel that until this plane is found, until they have human remains, they are still going to hold on to some very

small shred of hope, they're still going to live in this awful state of limbo that they've been in for 515 days, Kristie.

LU STOUT: So more uncertainty, more emotional turmoil for the families there in China. Many thanks, indeed, for that update. Will Ripley

reporting live from Beijing.

Now torrential monsoon rains and the aftermath of Cyclone Komen have killed hundreds and displaced millions across South Asia. India is among

the hardest hit countries. Hundreds of thousands of people have been moved to relief camps to escape the floods. And the heavy rains have destroyed

homes and left entire villages under water.

Sumnima Udas is in the flood zone.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUMNIMA UDAS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The state of West Bengal is some to some of the biggest rivers in the country flowing all the

way down from the Himalayas, and many of them are now flowing over the danger level.

Now in some areas like this, the water level is starting to recede, but in the new line parts of West Bengal the situation is still very

desperate.

Kilometers and kilometers of flood water as far as the eyes can see. Conocol (ph) district in eastern India is one of the worst affected.

The main river is actually seven kilometers from here, roughly around five miles, but you can see how far inland the water has come. And people

have started fishing on what used to be the farmland.

Hundreds dead, hundreds of thousands of homes damaged, roads submerged, wading through the flood water is the only option for many.

We hitch a ride with a wedding party. The groom rented his neighbor's rickety boat because he had no other way to bring his bride home.

"What can I do? I can't change the wedding date, can I? So I had to get married even in these conditions," he says.

Rambinjarat Sagar (ph) is a potato trader. He says his entire supply for the season has been destroyed.

I ask him how he's going to support his new bride. I don't know, he says.

Throughout the journey, the village priest blows his auspicious conch shell.

All of this used to be rice paddy fields. And it's actually planting season right now. But as you can see, the entire area has turned into a

mini-lake of sorts. And it's actually quite deep as well, about 10 to 15 feet.

Those who don't have access to boats are stranded. Entire villages cut off from the outside world for almost a week.

The homes are unlivable, so they found this dry patch of land and they've built this makeshift shelters over here. They've moved all their

livestock as well, but so far they say they've received absolutely no help.

Floods are not uncommon here. They happen every monsoon season. But this is the worst its been in years, they say.

After a long journey, Rambinjarat and Kamala (ph) are finally home, a welcoming ritual is performed. The holy water may not be as clean as it

should be, the celebrations perhaps not perfect, people making the best of it even in the worst of times.

Something has to be said about the resilience of the people here. They deal with so much hardship on the day to day basis, and floods like

these are a huge setback for them. But still, they persevere.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: Dangerously high water level there is India. That was Sumnima Udas reporting.

Now a powerful typhoon is taking aim at Taiwan and China. Let's go straight to our CNN meteorologist Chad Myers for the latest -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Kristie Lu, a very large typhoon. At one point, it was a super typhoon, 150 miles per hour, 260, 280 kilometers

per hour storm.

It has lost some intensity, because the water right here is not that warm. The intensity, the heat content is not that warm. But right here is

where the water is very warm. And it's going to run back into that warm water, and you can think of water that's hot like gasoline in a car. The

hotter it is, the stronger the storm will get. And I'm afraid as this storm approaches Taiwan, we're at about 215 kilometers per hour.

This is a big storm.

This will approach the east coast of Taiwan here. The good news is the population density is not that high here. It's been hit so many times

with typhoons. The population is actually on the west coast in the channel between China and also into Taiwan.

Here comes the wind. It is going to be strong. 180 kilometers per hour. Everywhere that you see that pink and that's the problem, the eye

will sit right on top of Taiwan for hours.

Now, let me get you to a different graphic, kind of get you an idea of what this looks like. The west coast, right through here, this is where

the people live. There is a mountain range right here. I can walk right up that mountain range. This is the area that we're worried about for

flash flooding. The water is going to come up. It's going to rain. There's going to be a half a meter of rain on top of this mountain right

where I am. And it is going to go straight back into the ocean and wash away a lot of land. A lot of mudslides are going to happen right here on

this side of the island.

We'll still have wind damage on the populated side, but the real flooding, the real threat, I believe, is going to be here on the east side,

Kristie.

LU STOUT: All right. Chad Myers there tracking the storm and the vulnerable areas it could very well hit. Chad, thank you.

Rescuers are scouring the waters off the coast of Libya in search of as many as 200 migrants feared dead after their boat sank on Wednesday.

The Italian coast guard says that more than 370 people were rescued and 25 bodies were found.

Now rescue ships responded to distress calls from the boat. A witness described a chaotic scene with people just trying desperately to cling to

anything they could.

And according to the International Organization for Migration more than 2,000 migrants have died trying to cross the Mediterranean this

(inaudible) alone.

Now the race for the White House is about to hit a higher gear. Republican front-runner Donald Trump and nine other Republicans are to

square off in the campaign season's first big debate. We'll have a preview.

Also ahead on the program, Egypt completes a multi-billion dollar expansion of the Suez Canal. We'll look back on the history of this

crucial waterway.

Plus, Japan marks 70 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The legacy of that attack and the impact on those who visit the site today.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:15:56] LU STOUT: Welcome back.

Now, we're still 15 months away from election day in the U.S., but Americans are about to get a closer look at some of the candidates running

for the White House. 10 Republicans will share the stage in Cleveland, Ohio for the campaign season's first big debate.

Now CNN political reporter Sara Murray is there. She joins me now live. And Sara, we've got to talk about Donald Trump. All eyes on him.

So how will the other candidates maneuver with him there on stage?

SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, I think that's definitely right. A lot of attention being paid to Donald Trump today.

But the other reality is this is the first big debate. Candidates are coming into this rusty. And they are a little bit nervous.

Let's take a look at how they're preparing to face off on stage tonight.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MURRAY (voice-over): It's debate day, the biggest day in the campaign so far, when ten Republican candidates make their case to voters and

possibly score political points against their rivals. Marco Rubio spent the night before the first GOP debate in a bar in Cleveland.

SEN. MARCO RUBIO (R-FL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I came in early today, trying to convince LeBron James to come back to Miami. Just wanted

you to know.

(BOOS)

MURRAY: Ahead of tonight's debate, the candidates are deploying all kinds of tactics to prepare and to shake off their nerves. After a couple

of political stumbles this week...

JEB BUSH (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You could take dollar for dollar, although I'm not sure we need a half a billion dollars for women's

health issues.

MURRAY: ... Jeb Bush will spend the morning going to mass.

And Scott Walker is kicking off his day at the Wisconsin State Fair before hopping a flight to Ohio.

But the man who is overshadowing them all, Donald Trump, is laying low. He's expected to land in Cleveland this afternoon, debate and depart

the very same night. His rival campaigns say they don't have much interest in taking on Trump onstage, a strategy that would be high risk.

MICHAEL COHEN, TRUMP ORGANIZATION: If you attack Donald Trump, and look what happened to Lindsey Graham, not even in the debate. Look what

happened to Rick Perry, not even in the debate. If you attack Donald Trump, he's going to come back at you twice as hard.

MURRAY: Instead, candidates like Chris Christie and Scott Walker are hoping for a chance to take Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton to task

on issues from the Iran deal to her support for Planned Parenthood.

You can bet every candidate on that stage is looking for a breakout moment. But for now, they're keeping their strategies close to the vest.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MURRAY: Now remember tonight's debate is a doubleheader. There's an earlier debate at 5:00 p.m. for the candidates who are trailing in the

polls. So we're going to be waiting to see if anyone has a breakout moment in that debate. As for the 9:00 p.m. primetime event, everyone is going to

be watching Donald Trump to see if sparks fly between him and any of his rivals on stage.

Back to you, Kristie.

LU STOUT: Wow, the GOP contenders set to collide there in Cleveland. Sara Murray and the CNN team is there. Thank you very much indeed for

that, Sara.

Now Egypt is set to officially inaugurate an extension to the Suez Canal, one of the world's greatest maritime shortcuts. At a pricetag of

$8.5 billion, the expanded route allows for two-way traffic on this east- west link. It is also central to the president's plan to boost the country's international standing after years of turmoil.

Now Nick Glass explains the significance behind this key trade route.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK GLASS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Unlike the men who built it, we can now look down on their extraordinary handiwork from above From the Red Sea

in the south, the Suez Canal first meanders and then cuts across the desert, channel after channel ever straight right up to the Mediterranean

in the north. For almost 150 years now, it's been an essential trade route between east and west.

Cutting through it is frankly a monotonous journey: 160 kilometers through featureless desert. But the canal earns Egypt billions of dollars

in toll fees every year and remains the greatest of maritime shortcuts used by ships of all flags.

Napoleon Bonaparte was the first to seriously consider a permanent canal after he invaded Egypt in 1798, but was told it was unfeasible.

Half a century later, in 1854, a French diplomat and entrepreneur Ferdinand de la Ceps (ph) persuaded the ruling Egyptian viceroy that it

could be done.

Construction work began 1859 and took 10 years. A workforce of tens of thousands of Egyptians, in effect, slave labor.

The Europeans eventually brought in steam-driven dredging machines to help. The canal opened with much fanfare in 1869, just seven meters deep

and at its widest 90 meters across.

The operating company had a 99 year lease. Investors, mostly French, made vast profits, as did the British.

ANNOUNCER: The Suez Canal, storm center of controversy for weeks now becomes a cause of war in a lightning sequence of diplomatic and military

moves.

GLASS: In 1956, the canal was nationalized by Egypt's president Nasser. In this, the Suez crisis, France and Britain ultimately lost their

controlling influence.

ANNOUNCER: War in the Middle East.

GLASS: The canal featured in the Arab-Israeli conflict in 1967, the so-called sixth day war, and remained closed for eight years.

Now, perhaps more than ever, the current Egyptian government is promoting it as a symbol of nationhood. And, in its expanded form, as some

kind of rebirth. This time, only Egyptians were allowed to invest.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: And that was Nick Glass reporting.

From the outset, everything about this project has been ambitious. The funds needed for the new 70 kilometers of canal were raised in just

eight days, and that was with a pool of investors limited to Egyptian nationals. And, as for the financial payoff, the government wants to more

than double the canal's earnings in less than 10 years.

You're watching News Stream. And coming up on the program, a somber anniversary in Hiroshima, Japan as people remember the horror of 70 years

ago when an atomic bomb was dropped for the first time ever.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:26:03] LU STOUT: Coming to you live from Hong Kong, you're back watching News Stream.

Now in Hiroshima, Japan, many have spent the day marking a somber anniversary. 70 years ago, hundreds of thousands of people were killed

when an atomic bomb was dropped for the first time. Ivan Watson shows us how the day is being remembered.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

IVAN WATSON, CNN CORRESPONDNET: A bell tolls marking the exact moment 70 years ago when a radioactive inferno exploded over Hiroshima.

A somber anniversary for the first and only country to ever be hit by an atomic bomb.

On a day that led to the deaths of some 200,000 people, the Japanese make an appeal for peace.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urging the world to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. Among those in the crowd, U.S. Ambassador Caroline

Kennedy, representing the country that dropped the bomb.

Three days after bombing Hiroshima, the U.S. dropped a second atomic bomb on the city of Nagasaki, a devastating attack that forced Japan's

unconditional surrender.

Many here today hope the horrific memories of 1945 will make people think twice before taking the path to war.

MOEKO SUENAGA, UNIVERSITY STUDENT: I think the best way to the world peace is to come and see with their eyes, their own eyes and think about by

themselves.

WATSON: These volunteer guides say August 6 is not just a day for tears.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, I've heard it is sad. But it's -- I've heard there's hope, too, because there were many young people there

together.

WATSON: There is a strong focus here on passing on stories of the A- bomb to future generations. Afterall, the bomb killed tens of thousands of innocent children.

This is one of the most personally poignant places here in Hiroshima. It's the children's peace monument. And it's dedicated to a two year old

girl who survived the atomic bomb and died some 10 years later as a result of leukemia. People come here and they hang up these delicately folded

paper cranes in honor of the child victims of the A-bomb.

70 years after the sky burned with atomic fire, this city prays for peace, hoping the world will stop and listen before it's too late.

Ivan Watson, CNN, Hiroshima, Japan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:31:17] LU STOUT: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. You're watching News Stream. And these are your world headlines.

Now Malaysia's transport minister tells CNN more plane debris that appears to be seat cushions and window panes has been discovered on Reunion

Island. Now hours earlier, Malaysia's prime minister said part of a plane wing found last week on the Island is from missing Malaysia Airlines flight

370. Now French investigator say that there is a only a strong presumption it is.

Now monsoon rain and severe flooding have forced hundreds of thousands of people into relief camps in India. disaster officials say more than 200

people have died. The severe weather is also battering several other countries across South Asia, including Myanmar and Bangladesh. Both

Cyclone Komen and seasonal monsoon rains are to blame.

Now people on Hiroshima, Japan have spent the day marking 70 years since the atomic bomb was dropped there. Lanterns have been sent along a

river to honor the victims. At a ceremony, the Japanese prime minister called for a world without nuclear weapons.

Egypt inaugurates an extension to the Suez Canal, a project that cost $8.5 billion. It is central to the president's plan to boost the country's

international standing after years of turmoil. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi hopes it will breath new life to Egypt's flagging economy.

Now tonight, one of the most popular voices of political satire will be bidding his TV audience farewell. After 16 years, Jon Stewart is

signing off The Daily Show. Now CNN's Brian Stelter joins us from outside The Daily Show studio in New York. And Brian, I can't believe it, today is

the grand finale. What can we expect?

BRIAN STELTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Today is the grand finale. Comedy Central is trying to keep it a secret. They're going to reveal which

guests are going to be here in the studio. They're not going to reveal much about the show ahead of time, but Stewart is going to go extra long,

50 minutes long. And even the taping is still eight or 10 hours away, you can see there's a long line here already of Stewart's fans who want to be

in the room when he signs off.

And there's going to be a few VIPs, but mostly ordinary fans who get to be in the audience.

I tried to pick just five of Stewart's top moments over the years. Here's our list of what really stood out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: More than 15 years after he took charge of "The Daily Show", Jon Stewart is stepping down. So

before new host Trevor Noah takes over we wanted to look back at some of Stewart's best and most memorable moments starting with Indecision 2000.

The 2000 election that started in November and didn't end until mid- December was perfect fodder for Stewart.

STEVE CARELL, ACTOR: Jon, please address me as President-elect Carell.

JON STEWART, TALK SHOW HOST: I'm sorry. What?

CARELL: I'm assuming the presidency.

STEWART: Steve, you can't do that.

CARELL: Bush did.

STELTER: But Stewart is not just about laughs as he showed on his first broadcast after 9/11.

STEWART: Are you OK? And we pray that you are and that your family is.

STELTER: While difficult to watch it is remembered as one of Stewart's most heartfelt moments. More often he was a prankster, a jokester.

Poking fun at political idiocy and sometimes making people think. At the height of the Tea Party movement. Stewart and Stephen Colbert brought

thousands of people to D.C. for a rally they said to restore sanity.

STEWART: Why would you work with Marxists, actively subverting our constitution? Or racists and homophobes who see no one's humanity but their

own.

STELTER: But his criticisms were not just limited to the Right- wing. "The Daily Show's" recurring Guantanamo Bay watch segment took aim at

President Obama. For not following through on a campaign promise to shut down the prison. And Stewart tried to hold the news media accountable, too.

He critiqued us here at CNN all the time.

STEWART: Giant floor maps, big fake airplanes. Little fake airplanes. Holographic airplanes. No airplane detail left unspoken.

STELTER: The only channel he mocked more often was Fox News.

SEAN HANNITY, FOX NEWS HOST: President Obama and the entitlement society that he enabled.

STEWART: This is the core of (EXPLETIVE DELETED) mountain

STELTER: This time we'll let Jon Stewart have the last word.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

STELTER: Stewart really was a sharp media critic, among other things. And the tributes are pouring in, as you know. Even the back page of The

New York Times has a full page ad from comedy central saying thank you, Jon for everything over the years.

LU STOUT: Yeah, with that hashtag Jonvoyage. Very nice gesture there.

Now, Brian, we've got to talk to you about the incoming Daily Show host, the South African comic Trevor Noah. How will the show change with

him at the helm?

STELTER: I asked the president of Comedy Central that, Michele Ganeless. She says they're going to start having a lot of creative

meetings about 10 days from now to plan the Trevor Noah era, which will start off September 28. So there will be a big gap in between the Stewart

and Noah versions of The Daily Show.

It's definitely going to change in some ways, but the network says they're not quite sure yet.

I think we'll hear a little less Fox News jokes, a little more BuzzFeed. You know, it'll be more about the internet generation.

Definitely the big difference, of course, is Trevor Noah is of a brand new generation. Comedy Central says that'll be the biggest difference in

the show. But I think it'll evolve over the years the same way Stewart's Daily Show did. Certainly the show that he was doing 15 years ago is not

the show he is doing now. The same will be true for Trevor Noah.

LU STOUT: Yeah. And I know you'll be all across covering the transition and how Trevor Noah makes his mark. Brian Stelter, we'll leave

it at that. Thank you very much indeed. Take care.

Now some of the most memorable moments in the U.S. presidential debates. Now before tonight's big clash in Cleveland, we look back at some

of the gaffes and one-liners we will never forget.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LU STOUT: Welcome back.

Now, Facebook has unveiled its own live streaming app to take on the likes of periscope, but there's a twist.

Now, Facebook's live for mentions is only for verified users, public figures like celebrities, athletes, politicians or even journalists.

Now if they have a verified public page on Facebook they can broadcast to fans and followers. So far Facebook boasts that it has broadcasts from

people like Martha Stewart, Serena Williams and Dwayne Johnson, the wrestler turned actor who you may know better as The Rock.

Now no one ever said that the road to the White House was a smooth one. As Republican candidates prepare for their first debate on Thursday

night, CNN's Jeanne Moos takes a look back at some oops moments from debates past.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Don't we tend to watch debates -

FORMER GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN (R), ALASKA: Can I call you Joe?

MOOS: ...hoping to see a train wreck? Instead, we're left with memorable moments. Sarah Palin winking.

PALIN: How long have I been at this? Like five weeks?

MOOS: Ronald Reagan demanding the sound system not be turned off.

RONALD REAGAN, 42nd PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I am paying for this microphone...

MOOS: A line he picked up...

SPENCER TRACY, ACTOR, "STATE OF THE UNION": Don't you shut me off. I'm paying for this broadcast!

MOOS: From Spencer Tracy in the movie "State of the Union." TV magnifies everything from the sweat glistening on Nixon's chin that he had

to wipe out to Al Gore's exaggerated --

[08:40:07] GEORGE W. BUSH, 44th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In Texas, that's what a governor gets to do.

AL GORE, FRM. VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: (Sighing)

MOOS: Exasperated sighs.

BUSH: There's differences...

GORE: (Sighing)

BUSH: Resuscitated by SNL.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Rome came to life -

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Sighing)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ...and Gladiator..

MOOS (on camera): What was I going to say again? Oh, yeah, there were some unforgettable forgetful moments.

FORMER GOVERNOR RICK PERRY (R), TEXAS: Commerce, education, and the -- what's the third one there? Let's see.

MOOS (voice-over): Rick Perry's oops moments.

PERRY: Oops.

MOOS: And Arizona Governor Jan Brewer's brain freeze.

FORMER GOVERNOR JAN BREWER (R), ARIZONA: That we could possibly do --

MOOS: And this was just her opening statement.

(on camera): You know what a televised debate isn't the time for?

(voice-over): Checking the time, as President George Bush did.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How has the national debt -- MOOS: Debates are a time for memorable zingers.

FORMER SENATOR LLOYD BENTSEN (D), TEXAS: Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy.

MOOS: And one-liners, for instance from a relatively unknown candidate for vice president.

VICE ADM. JAMES STOCKDALE, FRM. VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Who am I? Why am I here?

(LAUGHTER)

MOOS (on camera): And whatever you do, candidates, don't invade your opponent's personal space.

(voice-over): As Hillary's Senate rival once did.

HILLARY CLINTON, FRM. SECRETARY OF STATE: Would you give me...

RICK LAZIO, FORMER U.S. REPRESENTATIVE: Right here. Sign it right now.

CLINTON: We'll shake on this, Rick.

LAZIO: No, no, I want your signature.

MOOS: Or when Al Gore crept up on George Bush.

GORE: But can you get things done?

BUSH: And I believe I can.

MOOS: There is nothing like debatable behavior to liven up a debate.

BUSH: There's differences.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: You're likable enough, Hillary.

MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN.

TINA FEY, ACTRESS: Are we not doing the talent portion?

(AUDIENCE LAUGHTER)

MOOS: New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: Now, before we go, we have some breaking news out of Saudi Arabia, there has been an explosion at a mosque in the southern part of the

country. The state-run Saudi press agency says at least 13 people have been killed and nine wounded

Now it's suspected that the explosion was caused by a suicide attacker. We'll bring you more information as it becomes available to us

here at CNN.

I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. And World Sport with Alex Thomas is next.

END