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GOP Debates Social Security; Bank of America to Cut Jobs; 77 Americans Injured in Attack; New Poll: Perry Widens Lead; Stocks Set to Sell Off; NASA Launches GRAIL Moon Mission; Greene: Will the War Ever be Over?
Aired September 12, 2011 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, you guys. Thanks so much.
Well, just hours from now, eight presidential candidates will square off in Tampa, Florida. Rick Perry, the front-runner, and that means he'll also be the main target of his fellow Republicans. And Perry may have made the bull's eye even bigger by attacking Social Security, a program considered sacred by millions of older Americans.
Jim Acosta is in Tampa.
Jim, let's go ahead and begin with word of a new endorsement we're just hearing about this morning.
JIM ACOSTA, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right. If Mitt Romney was looking for a spark to help his campaign, he may have gotten it this morning. Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has announced through the Romney campaign that he is getting behind the former Massachusetts governor. So that is good news for Mitt Romney.
But this debate comes this evening, Kyra, as a new CNN/ORC poll shows that there is a big lead for Rick Perry. The race is basically boiling down to Rick Perry and whoever can keep up.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ACOSTA (voice-over): Texas Governor Rick Perry has ditched his cowboy boots for his running shoes, staying far ahead of the Republican pack. The latest poll CNN/ORC poll finds Perry way out in front with 30 percent. The nearest rival, Mitt Romney at 18 percent.
With the rest of the field looking to play catch-up, the CNN/Tea Party debate in Florida could be a Social Security smackdown in a state where the program is crucial to seniors.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. RICK PERRY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It is a Ponzi scheme to tell our kids that are 25 or 30 years old today you're paying into a program that's going to be there.
ACOSTA: After Perry doubled down on his call for an overhaul of Social Security at the last debate, Romney pounced. MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The governor says, look, states ought to be able to opt out of Social Security. Our nominee has to be someone who isn't committed to abolishing Social Security.
ACOSTA: On CNN's "JK USA," Michele Bachmann piled on.
REP. MICHELE BACHMANN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What I think is that America needs to keep its promise to senior citizens. I talk with them all the time. I love senior citizens.
ALEX CASTELLANOS, CNN POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR: You usually don't start a campaign by setting grandma's hair on fire. But that's what Rick Perry did when he not called Social Security not only a Ponzi scheme, he implied he might undo it if he could go back 70 years.
ACOSTA: That kind of clash could make the debate another road sign indicating where the GOP is heading, towards more conservative Tea Party candidates like Perry or moderate contenders like Romney. The former Massachusetts governor stepped up his courtship of Tea Partiers only after his poll numbers started sagging.
BRIAN WILLIAMS, DEBATE MODERATOR: Are you a member of the Tea Party?
ROMNEY: I don't think you carry cards in the Tea Party.
ACOSTA: Some Republicans say there's good reason for caution. Perry's doubts about climate change might appeal to Tea Party voters.
PERRY: Just because you have a group of scientists that have stood up and said here is the fact, Galileo got out-voted for a spell.
ACOSTA: But centrists like Jon Huntsman worry those views could alienate independent voters and cost Republicans the White House.
JON HUNTSMAN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: In order for the Republican Party to win, we can't run from science.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ACOSTA: And this debate tonight could be tailor made for Tea Party candidates, Tea Party favorites like Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann. That's because Tea Party activists will actually have the opportunity to ask questions of the candidates. But that could also mean trouble might be brewing for folks like Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Jim Acosta in Tampa. Jim, thanks.
Well, our deputy political director Paul Steinhauser is crunching the numbers and tracking the trends for us.
Paul, Michele Bachmann, a star of the Tea Party, but her standing has definitely plunged in recent weeks. So has the Tea Party already moved on? PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: It seems that way. Remember she had her biggest victory on August 13th at that straw poll in Ames, Iowa. That was the very same day Rick Perry announced for president. He's been stealing a lot of her thunder since then.
I know you and Jim just talked about CNN/ORC poll put out this morning. Look at this, we broke it down by Tea Party supporters and non-Tea Party supporters in the Republican Party.
Look at that. Rick Perry has a huge lead among Tea Party supporters, you could see right there, at 38 percent. Romney at 16. Palin is not even in the top four.
But what's also interesting, Kyra, look at the people who say they are Republicans but not really Tea Party supporters or activists. Perry is doing OK there as well. It's kind of within -- right around tied with Romney right there when you take a -- when you put in the sampling error. And it is very interesting.
One of the numbers I wanted to show you as well, and this is which candidate has the best chance of beating Barack Obama. Electability. This is so important.
Kyra, three out of four Republicans say that is the most important thing, we want a candidate who can beat Barack Obama. Who is that person? You can see right there, our poll indicates Republicans say they think Rick Perry has the best chance. That could hurt Mitt Romney. That's his argument right now. You may not love me, but I'm the guy who can beat Barack Obama -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Let's talk Florida real quickly. You know the location for this debate, Paul. It's definitely taking on a new level of importance.
STEINHAUSER: Oh, yes. It's always been an important state in the general election. Of course remember back in 2000, you know the Republican presidential convention is going to be right here in Tampa next year. But it's also an important state in the primaries. Very important. We see all the candidates coming down here. Florida is going to pretty early in the primary caucus calendar. It's going to vote pretty early right after New Hampshire, and Iowa, and South Carolina. It looks like.
So this state has become a real power player in the battle for the nomination. And of course, Kyra, a lot of senior citizens and people nearing retirement age here in Florida. That's why that Social Security fight we saw between Romney and Perry last week, well, round two could be very important right here in Florida -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Yes. No doubt. Paul, thanks. And join us tonight as CNN hosts the Republican debate with the Tea Party express and several other Tea Party groups. That's 8:00 Eastern from Tampa right here on CNN.
Now next hour, President Obama is going to step into the White House Rose Garden to make a pitch for his jobs plan. He's going to announce that he's sending the bill to the capital tonight for the return of Congress.
Here's a quick look at the American Jobs Acts. The estimated price tag, $447 billion. The plan calls for the current cut in payroll taxes to be extended, even expanded. The president also wants unemployment benefits extended for a longer length of time, and it would offer tax incentives for small businesses to hire the long-term unemployed.
We will take it live as soon as he steps up to the podium, about 10:40 Eastern Time.
Now let's head to Wall Street. Could be another rough day. This hour, Bank of America is expected to give details on possibly slashing as many as 40,000 jobs.
Christine Romans in New York to talk more about this.
Christine, and how it's going to impact the markets in less than 20 minutes.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: And how it's going to impact Bank of America as well.
So this conference call going on right now. An investor call with the CEO Brian Moynihan. No word yet on just how many job cuts it will be and also how many branches that will be closed. But no question this is a company going through -- will be going through a huge restructuring as it tries to get itself in line with new realities.
Remember it bought Countrywide, Merrill Lynch. It's got a big, sprawling, huge banking business. And demand is declining. The economy has been weak. It's got a lot of mortgage problems and mortgage overhangs. So this company has really got to get its act together. The stock has fallen below $7 a share.
Kyra, you probably have this in a 401(k) somewhere because it's a widely held in a lot of mutual funds. So if you're a customer, an employee, or just a regular Joe investor, this a story that's going to affect you. We still don't have the official word yet on how many jobs will be cut.
And I want to segue real quickly here to world markets down sharply. Stock futures are down sharply. But it's not about Bank of America, Kyra. It's about the global debt problem, the debt problem specifically in Europe, concerns about Greece, concerns about a new property tax in Greece that will likely spark strikes and layoffs and protests in Greece, and worries that this country, having trouble getting its act together. And that's going to hurt French banks, European banks, and the rest of the eurozone -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Yes. We saw the stocks on Friday. And we watched that fear push to the sell.
All right, we'll be watching the numbers, Christine. Thanks so much.
Now just one day before 9/11, a suicide truck bomber attempts to kill as many American troops as possible. Well, he fails. And it was in the same exact province that terrorists took down one of our own helicopters, killing 30 of our men and women, including 17 Navy SEALs.
CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr joining us now.
So, Barbara, a message just one day before 9/11 possibly, the anniversary?
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Kyra, that is what U.S. military officials now believe that this timing of this attack on Saturday had a lot to do with the approaching decade anniversary, yesterday, Sunday, of the 9/11 attacks.
A truck, a large truck, carrying as much as 1500 pounds of explosives, we are told, approached the gate at this combat outpost in a remote area of eastern central Afghanistan. Longtime stronghold of the insurgents. Detonated bomb. Seventy-seven Americans injured in this blast, most with concussion injuries.
The majority of the blast was absorbed by protective barriers. But still 77 Americans at the base, troops, suffering concussion injuries, most expected to very quickly still return to duty. But it was a signal from the insurgents clearly that they still want to make their mark on what is still considered fragile progress in Afghanistan -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Well, what exactly are the commanders out there in Afghanistan saying about the attack?
STARR: Well, very interesting. Our own Suzanne Malvauex had an interview with the General John Allen, the top U.S. and NATO commander there. Have a listen to what General Allen had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEN. JOHN ALLEN, COMMANDER, ISAF: This attack was a high profile attack. It was a pretty significant suicide vehicle bomb. But they have been ejected from the population in so many places around the country that their only ability to influence the battlefield in many cases -- on many occasions, is simply high profile attack.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
STARR: A high profile attack. But still in a very remote area. So, you know, one of the key things that investigators are going to be looking at is were the insurgents actually maybe trying to get to Kabul, to the capital, and launch an even more high profile attack, but security there so tight they couldn't make it. So their only option was this outpost in eastern Afghanistan. Still a lot of questions -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: We'll stay on the story. Thanks, Barbara. And coming up, Texas Governor Rick Perry calls himself a straight shooter. Did he shoot himself in the foot with his harsh words on Social Security? We'll talk about that and tonight's debate.
And world markets way down on new default fears in Greece. Wall Street opens at the bottom of the hour. We'll take you there live.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Checking stories "Cross Country."
Military jets scrambling to shadow two commercial airline flights yesterday on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Nobody wanted to take any chances. In both cases, passengers were acting suspiciously, but police found no real threats.
And check out the wildfire devastation from the air in Bastrop County, Texas, right near Austin. More than 1500 homes destroyed, hundreds of thousands of acres burned. People will be allowed back into some of their neighborhoods thankfully today.
And police accuse a church called the Phoenix Goddess Temple for running a house of prostitution masquerading as religion. They arrested 20 women and two men. Investigators say that the church offered sexual acts in exchange for monetary donations.
Well, tonight eight presidential candidates square off in Florida, a key battleground state. And one filled with millions of older Americans who depend on Social Security. So now the question is, how popular will Rick Perry remain after blasting it?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PERRY: It is a monstrous lie. It is a Ponzi scheme. To tell our kids that are 25 or 30 years old today, you are paying into a program that is going to be there.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, even Republican strategist Karl Rove says those comments are out of line.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KARL ROVE, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: They're toxic in a general election environment and they're also toxic in a Republican primary. I mean if you say Social Security is a failure and ought to be replaced by a state level program, then people are going to say, what do you mean by that? And make a judgment based on your answer to it.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: All right. Well, let's kick this around with our guests. Alex Castellanos is one of the Republican Party's best-known and most successful media consultants and strategist. Dana Loesch hosts her own radio talk show, "The Dana Show." She's also an organizer and blogger for the Nationwide Tea Party Coalition.
Alex, I got to start with you because you definitely had the quote that cracked me up. Not a good idea to set grandma's hair on fire.
(LAUGHTER)
ALEX CASTELLANOS, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: No. Especially, you know, not only in a state like Florida, which is a key state and, of course, has a large senior citizen population. And whether you're a Republican or a Democrat, you depend on that Social Security check.
But, you know, it's also important all around the country. And if you're going to -- I think the thing that this latest CNN survey tells us is that Republicans want to beat Barack Obama. They think that's more important than even agreeing with a Republican candidate on the issues.
And if Republicans begin to sense that, well, maybe this candidate couldn't beat Obama because he'd lose seniors, it might even begin to affect his ability to get the Republican nomination.
PHILLIPS: So, Dana, what do you think? Were the remarks damaging?
DANA LOESCH, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: I don't think so. I don't think when you tell the truth that it's damaging. However, what I do think that Perry needs to do is follow up his tough talk with his plans for how he would ensure that retirees or near retirees would continue to receive their benefits, that their benefits would be saved -- while at the same time explaining to the younger generation how in fact they would be able to have a choice, what they want to do with their money, whether they want to invest it themselves or allow the government to handle it.
So, that's something that I hope in tonight's debate, Perry is going to have to answer that question. He's going to have to roll that out there.
PHILLIPS: Well, he's --
CASTELLANO: Yes. He did that --
PHILLIPS: Go ahead, Alex.
CASTELLANOS: I'm sorry. He did that today in the "USA Today" editorial. You know, he's going to I think -- exactly right, Dana, he's going to have to say, you know, yes, it's a Ponzi scheme, but I'm the guy you can trust to tell you the truth about the Ponzi scheme and to fix it, and make sure that Social Security remains viable for everybody.
PHILLIPS: Well, in light of what he said, those are strong words, a Ponzi scheme, a monstrous lie. Dana, do you think that Perry will play it safe tonight on other topics?
LOESCH: I hope not. He's going to have to be a lot stronger, especially when it comes to defense. And he seemed to -- he lost that tough talk a little bit during the last debate. And I think a lot of people have grown to expect him to be really, really aggressive, which he is going to have to be, especially if he wants to keep up the narrative that this is a two-man race and have this work in his favor.
Otherwise, if he doesn't perform as well, he's not going to solidify himself as a front-runner. He has to be very aggressive, very forceful. He needs to continue with that language. In fact, I think he should double down on it.
PHILLIPS: Alex, final thoughts?
LOESCH: Triple down on it.
PHILLIPS: Dana says triple down.
CASTELLANOS: I think it's going to be interesting to watch -- it's going to be interesting to watch Mitt Romney tonight because this is Rick Perry's crowd. This is a crowd that's very angry at Washington, wants tough, straight talk. And, you know, Mitt Romney is the jobs candidate, but not the anger candidate. And so tonight, he's got his work cut out for him.
PHILLIPS: All right. We'll all be watching. Alex, Dana, thanks, you guys.
And coming up, it's the rise of e-books. There's talk that an e-book rental program could be coming to your Kindle very soon.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: All right. Checking your showbiz headlines now.
Jennifer Lopez and "Hangover" start Bradley Cooper set the blogosphere abuzz after the two were spotted together over the weekend. "People" magazine reports they were seen having dinner at a New York City restaurant. They say it was just a meeting to talk over an upcoming project.
Justin Timberlake winning a primetime Creative Emmy for hosting "Saturday Night Live." He was named best guest actor in a comedy series.
(VIDEO CLIP PLAYS)
PHILLIPS: That's Gwyneth Paltrow, also winning an Emmy for her three-episode stint on "Glee." She was named best guest actress in a comedy series. The main Emmys show airs live September 18th on FOX.
And "Contagion," the big winner at the box office, pulling in more than $23 million. "The Help" dropped down to number two.
(MUSIC)
PHILLIPS: Alison Kosik at the New York Stock Exchange. We are expecting a pretty big bruising I guess you could say at opening bell. It's just a few minutes away -- Alison.
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Oh, yes. You said it.
PHILLIPS: Yes. I guess we know what we're going to expect.
KOSIK: Yes, expect the bears to take center stage today, Kyra. All the major averages are down more than 1.5 percent as far as the premarket goes. And it's following what's happening around the world -- markets in London, in Paris, in Frankfurt, Japan, falling anywhere from 2 percent to 4 percent.
And guess what the problem is today? It's Europe. Now, these problems haven't gone away, but there are new concerns that Greece will actually default on its debt, possibly as early as this week. Now, what Greece is in part trying to do as well is they're putting out a property tax to help plug its budget hole. But, you know, some German politicians say that an orderly bankruptcy of Greece may really be part of a solution.
Also another problem today, France. There are new worries that several French banks could be downgraded by Moody's because of their exposure to Greece's debt. Of course, it didn't help that the G-7 meeting that happened over the weekend, it failed to deliver any new answers to problems that had been hanging around all summer.
So, we get to see probably a triple digit decline at the open today -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: We are also hearing about a possible new program that's like Netflix but for books?
KOSIK: Yes. This is great if you're an avid reader. Just keep in mind, though, it's not a done deal yet, Kyra. But you know what? It's an interesting concept. This coming out of the "Wall Street Journal" saying that Amazon is actually talking to book publishers about a Netflix like program for e-books.
And what would happen is you'd pay an annual fee to have access to a big e-library. It's another possible revenue source for retailers, but guess what? Publishers -- they are not so keen on this. They may not sign on right away -- because publishers want you to buy traditional paper books. Renting e-books could wind up watering down the value of traditional books. So, that's what they say.
But, you know what? The upside to this is, of course, it could increase our interest in reading and we'll read even more and more, just like we can't stop watching movies because of Netflix, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: That's true. We were talking about what to do with our Netflix account over the weekend. Alison, thanks. We're going to go back to you for the opening bell, of course. That will be in just a few minutes. Looking to be a pretty grim Monday morning.
Also ahead, tonight's presidential debate is the first of its kind. CNN is teaming up with the Tea Party Express. We got a preview for you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Checking top stories now:
The powerful 9/11 Memorial in New York opens to the public today. The memorial pools with all the names of those killed inscribed in bronze was first visited by victims' families at yesterday's 10th anniversary event.
One of Moammar Gadhafi's sons has been allowed into Niger on humanitarian grounds. Saadi Gadhafi is not considered a high profile target by Interpol, the international police organization.
And the average price of a gallon of gas, $3.67, up six cents from two weeks ago. But the Lundberg Survey says that rise is not a trend.
Well, signs point to a selloff with Wall Street just about to open for the day. We're about two minutes away. We got Alison at the stock exchange and also Christine Romans in our New York bureau.
Two big stories going on.
Christine, let's go ahead and start with you. Those fears about the Greece default definitely impacted the numbers on Friday. And more than likely will impact them today as well.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: And the fears that were at work in the market on Friday, Kyra, quite frankly only grew over the weekend. The new property tax for Greek citizens, most likely, that's going to mean strikes, and it's going to mean people taking to the streets.
And you got this tug of war between the rich countries in Europe and the poor countries in trouble, the countries in big trouble in Europe like Greece. And that's really wearing at the very foundation of the European Union. And that's got a lot of people very, very nervous. French bank exposure to Greece's problems.
And also all of this debt turmoil in Europe has raised the borrowing costs for countries and for banks and the like. And all of this is just a big toxic brew that's been a problem for the banks and for these countries, and it's not going away anytime soon. The path of least resistance quite frankly is still global concern about these banks, about sovereign debt, and about a slowing economy worldwide. No reason this morning why that's any different, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Yes. And, Alison, you know, any idea of when things could level off?
KOSIK: Oh, gosh, if I knew, I'd start selling those crystal balls.
You know what's going to help things improve? I think -- especially here in the U.S., if we see some improvement in economic data that we get.
We're going to get some important reports this week. We're going to get some manufacturing reports, what's called a Philly Fed report and Empire manufacturing report.
What everybody really wants to see is improvement. They want to see these numbers move higher.
What's been happening is the manufacturing reports have been showing sharp contraction, and that's not a good sign because if you think about in the last recession, manufacturing was one of the bright spots. It really helped pull us out of the last recession. We saw a hiring going on in manufacturing. You saw hours increasing. And when you see contraction in the manufacturing sector, that is really worrisome.
We are also getting a consumer sentiment report. That's going to show how you and me, how regular Americans, feel about the economy moving forward. That number plunged last month. And that's not good because that's going to keep consumers from spending. And we need consumer to spend because consumer spending is really the lion's share of economic activity.
So, really you'll see Wall Street, you're going to see just everyday Americans looking for this data, and they really want to see it improve. And so we can feel good about our own economy. Of course, we can't forget about Europe. We want to see Europe fix its debt problems as well.
We are starting in the red right now. The opening bell just rang. The Dow falling. Right now, 67 points and it continues to drop. Kyra?
PHILLIPS: And Christine, we'll also be talking to you about the Bank of America news and possibly the loss of 40,000 jobs.
ROMANS: Yes. We don't know yet how many jobs are going to be lost or how many branches are going to be closed, quite frankly. But this is -- one time the biggest bank in the country. And it spent a decade getting bigger and bigger and bigger and buying companies and acquiring new lines of business.
And now this new CEO, Brian Moynihan, is going to be in the process of making it smaller and more profitable again, proving in that whole bubble vision of the bigger we are, is just not true. So, this is a company will have to close branches, maybe hundreds of them. It's going to have to cut workers, maybe tens of thousands of then. Wejust don't know yet how many.
There's a conference call happening right now -- an investor conference happening right now where Brian Moynihan, the CEO, right at this minute, is speaking with top investors about what he plans to do. So, as soon as we know, we'll let you know.
PHILLIPS: And of course, we'll follow the seriousness of the numbers and also the Bank of America story.
But ladies, just had to point out there, I don't know if you watch "Entourage," one of my favorite shows. Eric (sic) Connolly ringing the bell there, pumping community service, right Alison?
KOSIK: Exactly! They all yelled USA. Yes, we watched that the last installment of "Entourage" last night. And also a 9/11 action group was here as well. They're happy. They're excited despite the fact that we are down 131 points on the Dow. Who can't love "Entourage?"
ROMANS: How do you have time to watch TV? You have two babies, you've got this job? I mean, my goodness.
PHILLIPS: I Tivo! C'mon, you know it.
KOSIK: There's always time!
PHILLIPS: That's right. Thanks, guys. Thanks for weighing in. We'll be talking more.
All right. Now let's get to tonight's GOP presidential debate in Tampa. CNN is teaming up with the Tea Party Express to co-host. Peter Hamby is live for us in Florida. Now, Peter, you have new poll numbers this morning showing that Rick Perry is widening that lead.
PETER HAMBY, CNN POLITICAL PRODUCER: Exactly. We have a new poll out today. There's a lot of data in here if you're a real political junkie. But you're right. The top line numbers are very good news for Rick Perry. After that last debate and heading into tonight, he leads the GOP field at 30 percent. He's followed by Mitt Romney, who used to be the Republican frontrunner not a month ago, who's at 18 percent.
And look at Michele Bachmann, if you go down there. Granted, these numbers include Sarah {alin who is not yet a candidate. But Bachmann, who was the Iowa frontrunner all through the summer, is now at four percent nationally. She really has to come out tonight and mix things up if she wants to change those numbers.
But there's another sign of bad news in these polls for Mitt Romney. If you look farther down, we asked which Republican candidate do you think is the strongest leader on the economy -- to get the economy moving again. Excuse me. Rick Perry leads at 35 percent, while Mitt Romney is at 26 percent. The economy is all Mitt Romney talks about. The economy and jobs is right in his wheelhouse. And when you see him losing to Rick Perry on the economy, you know that that's a problem for Mitt Romney, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Peter Hamby, we will have all eyes on that debate tonight. And thanks for watching the numbers for us. We appreciate it. Now, coming up, Tea Party members will be asking some of the questions tonight in tonight's GOP presidential debate. After the break, we'll ask our contributors Will Cain and LZ Granderson what they want to hear.
And Serena Williams losing her cool. Then loses her match. We have U.S. Open Women's Finals highlights, straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: I have breaking news for you. We are getting word out of West Palm Beach. the federal courthouse has been evacuated. Scott chase from West Palm Beach police on the phone with me now. Public affairs officer.
Scott, can you tell us what the scene is like right now and what you know?
CHASE SCOTT, PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER, WEST PALM BEACH (on the phone): Hi, Kyra. Actually, it's Chase Scott.
Basically, we got a telephone call about 8:00 a.m. this morning of a suspicious vehicle parked in the lot adjacent to the courthouse. Upon initial investigation, with one of our explosives K -9s, the dog alerted to a portion of the vehicle. A rental-type truck that we're dealing with at this point.
And so we immediately evacuated the courthouse and adjacent buildings, including the state health department facility, closed the post office, cordoned off an area, and have our bomb squad on scene investigating exactly what we're dealing with here. It's also in cooperation with Homeland Security, U.S. marshals, Palm Beach County sheriff, and West Palm Beach fire. They are all on scene to handle this.
PHILLIPS: So, Chase, how long has that truck been there in front of the courthouse?
SCOTT: My understanding is that we know of it being here at least for one day at this point. It is a vacant rental-type vehicle.
PHILLIPS: OK. And at this point, you -- no one has approached it -- the bomb squad has not approached it or has approached it and do you have any information of -- have they been able to locate anything unusual inside the truck?
SCOTT: Part of the truck is open. And visually there is no issue there. But where the explosives K-9 activated, that area is -- you can't see that. So that's why they are determining the best way to approach the vehicle. It is the federal courthouse. And given the timing and the rental vehicle, we're doing this out of an abundance of caution.
PHILLIPS: Oh, got it. So, the K-9 definitely detected something suspicious? SCOTT: The K-9 did alert to the vehicle. That doesn't always mean there's something there, but it just gives us an extra reason to be cautious in dealing with it.
PHILLIPS: Got it. Chase Scott, public affairs officer there with West Palm Beach calling us from the scene. Chase, thanks so much. We'll continue to stay in touch with you. Bring us any information that develops, please.
SCOTT: Will do.
PHILLIPS: OK.
As we've been telling you, eight candidates are going to face off in tonight's primetime GOP presidential debate. Mitt Romney and Rick Perry are getting most of the attention right now. We talked to a couple of the other candidates this morning, and they say it's still early in the race, and they are sticking to their core messages.
First, Herman Cain.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HERMAIN CAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, the polls are fine. But, you know, like you indicated earlier, Michele Bachmann was the flavor of the week a few weeks ago.
VELSHI: Right.
CAIN: Now, Rick Perry is the flavor of the week. My supporters -- they are consistent, and they don't defect. So, we are going to continue to move up. And the more people find out about my nine-nine- nine economic growth and jobs plan, the more they are going to be attracted to what I'm talking about, because that is a difference maker.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: And we put the same question to former Utah governor Jon Huntsman.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JON HUNTSMAN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN: These are early days, Ali, and we have been in this for about two months. We are just beginning to introduce ourselves to the American people. And as we do, they will see we bring together the elements of success.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: CNN is co-hosting tonight's debate with the Tea Party Express, as you know. And CNN contributors Will Cain and LZ Granderson are here with us. They'll be paying close attention. So, Will, what do you want to hear tonight?
WILL CAIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Kyra, I'd like to hear some element of an anti-populist backbone in some of these candidates. And what I mean is that populism is the desire to tell the common voter whatever it is they want to hear. And often there's very little connection to the truth there. It's essentially racing to the front of the pack.
But I want to hear somebody who is brave enough to actually tell the truth. Now, that sounds like a lot of, you know, happy touchy feeley talk. But let me give you a substanitive example. Every one of these candidates is giving lip service to tax reform, to simplifying the tax code. But very few are willing to say what that means, doing away with deductions, tax expenditures, like the very popular mortgage interest rate deduction.
I'd like to hear a candidate be very clear and up front with some of these kind of issues. They win a lot of points with me for being brave. I can't say how they would do with the mass amount of voters because populism, the thing about that is, it's popular.
PHILLIPS: LZ?
LZ GRANDERSON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, you know, I definitely agree with Will. I want to hear some specifics. I want to hear some honestly.
What I don't want to hear is President Obama's name. The reason why I say that is because that is just a real easy out that when you get a difficult question, you flip it around and start bashing the president.
I get it. You don't like the president. But what are you going to do if you get into the White House? I need to hear those type of specifics and less about bashing President Obama.
PHILLIPS: All right. Let me ask you guys about - yes, go ahead, Will.
CAIN: I just want to say, you know, sometimes we make a mistake. I make the mistake of thinking that the presidency is a legislative position, that you're essentially the chief legislator. And it's not. It's about being prepared for what's unforeseen, for trying to be able to make calls on the fly. I also look forward to seeing what Wolf does to keep the candidates on their toes, to keep them thinking, to pull them off their talking points. Because it's the best we can do to try to think about what they would really make decisions on, how they would make decisions.
PHILLIPS: Believe me, Wolf will do it.
All right. Let me ask you about Michele Bachmann. Definitely lit up the stage in June. Was the darling of the Tea Party. Then she took a big nose dive. So, what do you think? Can she get back in the game, or has her base moved on? LZ?
GRANDERSON: She was never in the game. And I'm glad we have finally caught onto the joke. I mean, it was great that she was able to motivate a base. She was a little popular. But no one deep within the GOP really wanted to see her win that ticket because they didn't view her as electable. And now we are starting to see that.
Rick Perry gives them somebody that they feel that they can kind of massage and make into a more appealing candidate for the middle. But Michele Bachmann was never that person. She was never going to win the ticket. And what you're seeing now is reality setting in the poll numbers.
PHILLIPS: Will?
CAIN: Yes, I think LZ is right. Increased exposure has not been good for Michele Bachmann. The more camera time she has gotten, you've heard about things like promises about $2 gas. The fact that she would never, ever, ever, raise the debt ceiling. These kind of things don't play well for somebody that wants to be president of the United States. So, I don't know if the base has moved on, but it is moving on rapidly.
PHILLIPS: All right, guys. We'll all be watching tonight. We'll talk again. LZ, Will, great to see you guys.
GRANDERSON: Thanks, Kyra.
CAIN: You too.
PHILLIPS: You bet.
On the day after the tenth anniversary of 9/11, we are looking at America's long war on terror. Just when will we know it's over? We'll talk about that in just a few moments.
And he won a Purple Heart in combat, but now he is giving his heart away. We'll show you about a surprise marriage proposal in three minutes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Checking stories across the country.
Near Bakersfield, California, a huge wildfire is 95 percent contained. It scorched nearly 15,000 acres, destroying homes and businesses. A plane crash that killed two people actually started that fire.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Four, three, two, one, zero and liftoff of the Delta 2 --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: And in Cape Canaveral, Florida, after two weather delays, NASA finally launched its newest unmanned moon mission. Two satellites called GRAIL A & B will now orbit the moon and study how it was formed.
And in Indianapolis two -- two National Guard vets rather there is taking on a new mission, marriage. Sgt. Jesse Fordyce, a Purple Heart recipient surprised his girlfriend Kelly Osborn at the airport and proposed right there in front of family and friends. She said yes, by the way. The couple plans to get married within the next six months.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SGT. JESSE FORDYCE, NATIONAL GUARD: I love you.
KELLY OSBORN, NATIONAL GUARD: I love you too.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, this is the day after the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. And within that decade, Osama bin Laden is dead, other Arab nations are protesting for change, and thank God there hasn't been another catastrophic attack on U.S. soil.
But the war isn't over. So will we ever have closure? CNN.com opinion writer Bob Greene says the war quote, "Almost guarantees a succession of mornings-after without end".
Bob joins us live from Chicago. So Bob, are you saying that peace will never come? And how do you compare this thought with other wars come and gone?
BOB GREENE, OPINION WRITER, CNN.COM: Well, with World War II, of course, as terrible and heartbreaking as it was for all of those American families, the treaty was signed on the -- on the Battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay in September of 1945, and it was over.
Yesterday as -- as beautiful and -- and heartbreaking and sad and inspiring as the memorial ceremonies were, we wake up today and the war still goes on. We were -- we were warned at the very beginning that in this war, the enemy flies no flag, and wears no uniform. And it's turned out of course to be true.
And I found myself wondering, 100 years from now, 150 years ago, when there is no one left alive who remembers September 11th, 2001, what will the legacy of the 9/11 attacks be? And essentially, will the war even be over?
PHILLIPS: And it is a very unconventional war, as you mentioned. World War II, we knew who the enemies; was the uniforms, the flags, the battle lines. There's none of that in this war. So is this what generations of Americans will be living with from this point on?
GREENE: Well, there has been -- there have been a couple of phrases that were always used in wartime. One is "for the duration", meaning that life was going to change for the duration of the war. But what happens when the duration is infinite? What happened when the -- when the duration -- there is no end to it?
And the other thing is, we are told during wartime we're on "full alert". But of course full alert is an emergency response. No body, the human body or the body politic, is prepared to remain on full alert, on emergency alert, forever.
Inevitably, through no one's fault, just out of pure fatigue, there is a letdown. The guard is let down. And so this is so different than any other wars that you just wonder, who is there to surrender? Who is there to give up? We don't know the answer.
PHILLIPS: And I think we'll be fighting terrorists for as long as we live. Bob thanks.
You can read Bob's piece at CNN.com/Opinion. And if you like, join the conversation. Leave him a comment. He loves it.
Still ahead, the buzz over Serena Williams is not about her playing but it's about her yelling. Serena loses a point, then loses an argument and then later loses the match. We'll have all the juicy details in sports in seven minutes.
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PHILLIPS: Well, checking stories making news later today.
President Obama makes his pitch for a jobs creation plan in the Rose Garden in a speech next hour, 10:40 Eastern Time. We will bring that to you live.
And members of Congress holding a remembrance ceremony for the victims of 9/11 on the Capitol's east front steps, that's at 6:00 Eastern.
And eight Republican presidential candidates take part in the first ever CNN TEA PARTY DEBATE 8:00 Eastern tonight in Tampa. You'll see it live right here on CNN.
We're following lots of developments in the next hour of the CNN NEWSROOM. Let's check in first with our Jim Acosta -- Jim.
JIM ACOSTA, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra. As the clock ticks towards the CNN TEA PARTY DEBATE, Rick Perry is certainly in the driver's seat. But will his position on Social Security take his campaign over a cliff? I'll have that story coming up.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: I'm Christine Romans in New York where I'm following the President and his big sales job on his jobs plan. Remember, the unemployment rate was 7.8 percent when Barack Obama became President. It's now above nine percent. What will he do today and this week to convince Americans he's got what it takes now to make the job situation better? I'll have that at the top of the hour.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: I'm Barbara Starr at the Pentagon. A bomb blast in Afghanistan over the weekend injured dozens of U.S. troops. Was it a pre-9/11 warning? I'll have details coming up.
PHILLIPS: All right. Thanks, guys. And also in just a month, Rick Perry has shot to the top of the presidential polls and widened his lead. What's behind his fast rise? That's ahead in the next hour.
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PHILLIPS: Live at the New York Stock Exchange. Let's take a look at the big board. The Dow Industrials is down 58 points right now. You know the markets dropped sharply on Friday after all those rumors about a possible Greek default.
And so, we're keeping a close eye on the numbers today. To see how the markets will rule, whether or not something will happen in Greece. We're still going to -- obviously we're still seeing the impact. Fear's driving those numbers right now.
Jeff Fischel, a lot of highlights from the NFL over the weekend.
JEFF FISCHEL, ANCHOR, HLN SPORTS: First Sunday of the NFL season. And of course, we're glad to have the NFL back. We weren't sure it would come back right so fast after the lockout. Two teams have high expectations, the Jets and the Cowboys, a great opening night game.
In New York, the Jets down by two touchdowns with 12 minutes left. Plaxico Burress, welcome back to the NFL. The touchdown catch, his first game since 2008. Remember, he spent time in jail on the gun charge. He helps the Jets comeback to win on a field goal in the final minute, 27-24 over the Cowboys.
Speaking of rookies, the top draft pick made a big splash. Cam Newton.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here comes Cam Newton and puts it up. He's got it in.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FISCHEL: Deep to Steve Smith for a 77-yard carry on a Panther touchdown. The Panther's QB Cam Newton finished with 422 yards passing. That is a record for a rookie in his first opening game but the Cardinals did beat Carolina 28-21.
U.S. Open, the women's final on Sunday in New York. Serena Williams playing Samantha Stozer and yelling before Stozer could return the shot. The chair umpire awards the point to Stozer saying Serena deliberately hindered her opponent. Serena vehemently argues. Listen to her.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SERENA WILLIAMS, PRO TENNIS PLAYER: You're the one that screwed me over last time here? Yes. You are. You have it out for me. And I promise you. That's not cool. That's totally not cool. I truly despise you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FISCHEL: I despise you and she went on during the break. She called the umpire a hater and said the umpire was unattractive on the inside which I guess, you know --
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIPS: What does that mean?
FISCHEL: -- it was kind of a polite way to be extremely rude. Stozer would go on to win in straight sets 6-2, 6-3. Serena learns today if she'll be fined for her outburst. Unattractive on the inside. Again, not the rudest thing you could have said. There weren't any cuss words. But you know.
PHILLIPS: That is right, she might have learned her lesson on the front, I want to mention the final "b". If indeed she gets one.
FISCHEL: It could be -- it could be up to $85,000. I mean, there could be a suspension. But I don't expect that. It was just saying she was unattractive on the inside.
PHILLIPS: We will follow it. Thanks, Jeff.
FISCHEL: Ok.
