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American Morning: Wake Up Call
Debt Ceiling Debate Resumes; Verdict Today for Anthony?; NBA, NFL Lockout Wars Wage On; Ballerinas Get Locked Out, Too
Aired July 05, 2011 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ALI VELSHI, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. It's Tuesday, July 5th. This is your A.M. WAKE-UP CALL.
I'm Ali Velshi, joining you this morning from New York.
I want to start with the story that could rock your world more than any other. It is about the nation's debt ceiling. It's not the sexiest story out there, but it is probably the most important.
Lawmakers will try to hammer out a deal today -- I'm not holding my breath -- but if they miss the August 2nd deadline to raise the debt ceiling, it's like missing a payment on your credit card.
Now, every credit, you know, that even missing one payment on a single card can make your interest rates skyrocket on your other cards and make it make harder for you to borrow money. Same with the U.S. government, you could end paying more for the government's problem with higher interest rates on things like home loans, car loans and student loans. And you can see your tax services reduced, your tax dollars will buy fewer services.
Watch for a verdict to break today in the Casey Anthony trial today. The jury reconvenes 3 1/2 hours from now to decide whether the young woman murdered her daughter, Caylee.
The prosecution wrapped things up with a simple question.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LINDA DRANE BURDICK, PROSECUTOR: Whose life was better? That's the only question you need to answer -- in considering why Caylee Marie Anthony was left on the side of the road, dead. There's your answer.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELSHI: The little girl drowned in the Anthony's pool. If jury convicts Casey Anthony of first degree murder, she could get the death penalty.
Quick update on that nightmare fishing trip in the Gulf of California. The Coast Guard tells us eight people are still missing after rough weather sank a tour boat, a fishing boat. Mexican officials were thinking about switching focus now in searching for bodies rather than survivors. About 35 people were rescued.
Here's what one American survivor's wife said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAN ASKEW, WIFE OF SURVIVOR: We got awakened at about 2:30. They had to jump off the boat. They had life jackets on.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELSHI: One person is confirmed dead. That one person is an American.
And this happened late last night on the West Coast. A bus taking firefighters to battle a fire in the Angeles National Forest outside L.A. crashed in Palmdale. Apparently, it was the only vehicle involved. We understand about nine people were hurt. Our affiliate KTLA reports some of them were trapped on the bus. We'll keep an eye out for more details as this story evolves through the morning.
We told you that Manhattan sex assault case against Dominique Strauss- Kahn might be falling apart. A separate but similar case against him could be building in France. A French writer claims the former IMF chief sexually assaulted her eight years ago. Why didn't she say something then? She has said she was afraid that her career would be damaged if she did. A criminal complaint could be filed today in Paris. Strauss-Kahn's lawyer has already filed a counter claim, saying the woman is lying.
When you hear this story, you might think you're having a nightmare. But, no, you're awake and it's really happening. This guy right here, Kyle Richards, he's in jailbird, serving time for bank robbery, suing the state of Michigan because -- drum roll, please -- he's not allow porn material in his cell. He says a lot of raunchy reading material has left him with poor standard of living and sensory deprivation.
The sheriff isn't too sympathetic. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERIFF ANTHONY WICKERSHAM, MACOMB COUNTY, MICHIGAN: We haven't had it here. There's no need for it. He's not going to get it, you know, from this sheriff. You know, we have, you know, female officers, female inmates, female staff that works in this facility. And there's no place for it here in our county jail.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELSHI: Sadly for Mr. Richards, the Bill of Rights hasn't gotten around for addressing the issue of porn behind the bars. The ACLU isn't touching this one either. So, don't look for Richards versus Michigan to be the next Miranda versus Arizona or Gideon versus Wainwright. I think this one dies right where it is. He's not getting porn in his cell.
Let's go across the ocean to Hong Kong to see how money is moving across the world this morning.
Good morning to you, Kristie. We've got bigger things to deal than porn in cells. Tell how are world markets are looking.
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Sure. Good morning, Ali.
Now, insurgency is overshadowing trade on world market this Tuesday. Now, the main cost for caution on Asia's markets is the prospect of more monetary tightening in China, as reactions to spiraling inflation there. Now, investors meanwhile in Europe are also struggling to find many reasons to buy.
And in your part of the world, Ali, futures suggest mostly higher open, but that could all change going forward.
VELSHI: You know, there's a big question that I have here about trading partners. We were looking just yesterday at some evolution of some countries and populations over the next 40 years. There's a new report out that says that in 40 years out, India is going to become -- it's going to push the U.S. out of the number two spot and become the second largest trader in the world.
STOUT: That's right. We already heard, though, that China is set to be the world's biggest trader by 2015. But according to this new report by Citi, India is to take over the United States as the world's second largest trading nation by 2015. Now, this is a huge surprise. I mean, India is not even in the top 10 of the world's biggest traders.
So, what is behind the country's rise? Well, India will benefit from the rise in trade between emerging markets. We're seeing new trade routes between the brick economies and they're creating new winners and that will include India.
VELSHI: Very interesting. Yes. The report from the U.S. Census projections indicate that India will also become the most populous country, about 1.3 billion people by 2050. So, we'll keep an eye both on China and India.
Kristie, stay here. Take a look at this video with me. It's a little creepy.
It's a dentist robot. A lifelike patient that dentist in training practice on in Japan. It's made of silicone. So, it's pretty realistic looking.
The robot -- look at this. It's creepy. It can sneeze, move her head. Cough, talk a little bit. Act like an actual person in the dentist chair. The dentist can get actual training without actually hurting anyone.
I'm not sure I want to be the person in the dentist chair anyway. So, I'm probably a little -- I'm happier that it's a robot. The doll, by the way, is based on a Japanese love doll.
STOUT: Yes. You know, I decided to check out the Web site of this dental training doll is based on. It's a company called Orient Industry based in Tokyo. And, Ali, it is not safe for work. I did the homework for you. You don't need to click there. And I love "Mr. Roboto." Whoever, you know, is sound tracking six right now, this is brilliant.
VELSHI: Good music. Not safe for work.
Always good to be telling people early in the morning so that they don't immediately get to work and start logging on, checking out dolls.
STOUT: Don't click there.
VELSHI: Very good. Kristie, I'll check in with you later in the show. Kristie Lu Stout for us in Hong Kong.
Let's check out the weather situation. Jacqui Jeras joining us live from Atlanta.
Good morning to you, Jacqui. How is your morning? And how is the morning looking for flyers?
JACQUI JERAS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: You know, we're starting OK. We had some delays about half an hour ago at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the world's busiest airport. And that's one of the places we're going to be watching today for more delays.
This morning low clouds, this afternoon, we'll get some thunderstorms again, and that's why we're expecting to see some problems.
All right. Who else is going to have trouble out there for today? San Francisco, some low clouds and fog. Just this morning, delays are under an hour. But looking better by the afternoon. Minneapolis looking for showers and thunderstorms. They're just another couple of hours away. It should be clearing up, say, after the 2:00 today. And then Denver and Omaha looking for some thunderstorms this afternoon, delay should stay under an hour as well.
So, everybody, kind of in that moderate category. A little bit of good news. Lot of heat to talk about today as well, Ali. Back to you in New York.
VELSHI: All right. Jacqui, watch this with me by the way.
A shark caught off the Texas coast. This is an eight-pound, four-inch bull shark, 300 pounds. Forty-five minutes to reel it in. At least two sharks have been caught by fishermen recently in the area. Large sharks in the Gulf are creating a bunch of scares. Experts say you're more likely to get hit by lightning however than be bitten by shark.
That said, Jacqui, I wouldn't be going out of my way to catch one.
JERAS: Yes. Wouldn't you just kind of clip the line as opposed to reel that thing in?
VELSHI: That's exactly what I would do.
Jacqui, good to see you this morning. I'll check in with you a little later, Jacqui Jeras in the weather center in Atlanta.
Looks like FOX News has gotten control of its Twitter account back after yesterday's false tweets about President Obama's death. But that is not enough for the Secret Service. They are looking into the matter.
And here's today's quote of the day, "People don't make accidents look like murder. That's absurd." Find out which newsmaker said it and why -- coming up after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VELSHI: It is 12 minutes after the hour.
Let's get back to the quote of the day. It was made by one of the prosecutors in the Casey Anthony murder trial. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEFF ASHTON, PROSECUTOR: People don't make accidents look like murder. That's absurd.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELSHI: That's Jeff Ashton. He's the lead prosecutor. The case is with the jury right now. We may get a result as early as today.
A year earlier than usual -- an important endorsement for President Obama. The nation's largest teachers union is voting yesterday to endorse the president for re-election in 2012. Now, the union usually waits for the summer before an election. But this year, union leaders say they voted early to provide strong support for a candidate who's on the side of students and working families. The National Education Association represents 3.2 million teachers and administrators.
Well, you're seeing town halls and you've seen town halls. But President Obama is planning a Twitter town hall set for tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. The White House made the announcement, of course, on Twitter.
Send your question at #AskObama. By the way, the president has almost 9 million Twitter followers.
Vice President Biden has only 8,000 Twitter followers. But we'll cut him some slack. He just got into the Twitter game yesterday. So, it's not bad for a day.
Last time we checked, he had one tweet to his name, wishing folks a happy Independence Day. By the way, his Twitter handle is @VP.
While we're talking Twitter, remember yesterday, we told you about the FOX News politics Twitter that was hacked. Well, things are back to normal there now.
But the story may not be over. See, the hackers posted erroneous tweets about President Obama being shot and killed. Now, the Secret Service is investigation.
Let's go to -- talk about the Political Ticker now, with Tim Farley, host of "The Morning Briefing" on Sirius XM, joining us from Washington.
Tim, back to work today for most Americans, back to work for the Senate. They're looking at trying to figure out this debt ceiling situation before it's too late.
TIM FARLEY, "THE MORNING BRIEFING," SIRIUS XM: I heard you mention that at the top of the show, Ali, and you are absolutely right. This is -- may be not the sexiest stories but one of the more important ones because of the market reaction and other reactions that might happen if the debt ceiling is not raised.
The Senate is back, no scheduled meetings for today. And they need to get something done fairly quickly because believe it or not, the House of Representatives is scheduled to go on vacation in just a couple of weeks. Obviously, legislation has to be written and they have to figure out exactly what they're going to give and what they're not going to give. And there doesn't seem to be any clear path right now to an agreement between Democrats, Republicans and, of course, something that the president will sign.
VELSHI: Yes. No clear path, less than a month to go.
Tim, President Obama is meeting with his Afghanistan team today. What's that about?
FARLEY: It's the changing of the guard, Ali. As you know, that they're going to be the beginning of the drawdown this month in Afghanistan. He's got the new secretary of defense, Leon Panetta, in the office with him. In addition to that, Lieutenant General John Allen, who is taking over from David Petraeus, and Ryan Crocker who was on Friday confirmed as the newest ambassador to Afghanistan.
So, we've got new players who are going to help make the decisions that the president is going to be making over the next several months and maybe years, having to do with the numbers of troops in place and the relationship between the United States government and the government of Afghanistan.
VELSHI: All right, Tim. Good stuff to look forward to today. It should be in everybody's radar. Thanks for joining us this morning.
Tim Farley, joining us from Washington.
Well, how would you like to wake up to $11 billion this morning? It happened at a temple overseas. And we're not just talking about a big pile of cash. We're talking about real ancient buried treasure. Find out exactly what was found after this quick break.
And if you are up this early today, could be your special day. Special shout-out this morning to all the workaholics out there. Tuesday, July 5th is Workaholics Day.
You know who you are. You're watching me right now. Good ahead. I dare to try and give work, life balance a shot. Try it. I dare you.
Sixteen minutes after the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VELSHI: Nineteen minutes after the hour. Here are three things that need to be on your radar today. The Senate is back in session. They're going to try to come to an agreement on the debt ceiling. The House is back tomorrow.
This morning at 9:00 Eastern Time, the new International Monetary Fund Director Christine Lagarde will be officially seated in Washington. She's France's finance minister.
And at 9:30 Eastern, former Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards will be back in court on federal criminal charges.
Let me tell you a little bit more about Christine Lagarde, the new head of the IMF. She's the first woman to run the financial institution. She replaces Dominique Strauss-Kahn who, as you know, is under investigation right now on sexual assault charges in New York.
Lagarde will serve a five-year term as the IMF's managing director and chairman. She used to be finance minister in her native country, France, just like Dominique Strauss-Kahn, also from France.
And you'll see more of her in the days and weeks to come.
OK. Have you heard about this? This 2-year-old falls out of a window, plummets 10 stories. But there's a happy ending. A woman on the ground reaches up and grabs her, saving the toddler's life. She's being called the most beautiful mother in China for her heroic action. It's happened over the weekend in east China's Zhejiang province.
The woman who has seven months old son herself managed to break the child's fall and stop her from hitting ground at full force. This hero mom is now recovering from a broken arm. It's kind of nice.
Another amazing story -- well, the price tag, anyway. Christie's Auction says this portrait of an 18th century racehorse is one of the most valuable old master's paintings they've ever sold. It's expected to go for about $20 million pounds. That's about $33 million.
Let's go around the world. Monita Rajpal is joining us from London.
Monita, the mystery of Hugo Chavez and where he's going end up is solved. He showed up back in Caracas, Venezuela, yesterday morning.
MONITA RAJPAL, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: He did, Ali. Good morning to you.
Yes, he assured his supporters from the balcony of his presidential palace that he was on the mend. And he gave a 30-minute speech. And if you know anything about Hugo Chavez and familiar with his speeches, it is actually quite short being 30 minutes. He was dressed in military fatigues, it's something that he usually wear, but also donning a red beret.
Here's the taste of the kind of message and what he had to say to his people.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRES. HUGO CHAVEZ, VENEZUELA (through translator): How much time has just passed? How many days? Ten days. It is incredible, I tell you, that I was there. You wouldn't believe, it is like a miracle, but I have to be careful to the extreme with this process of recuperation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RAJPAL: Now, as we know the Venezuelan president was in Cuba for about a month where he underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. They had said, his people had said that he was going go back to Venezuela in about six months. So, it was quite unexpected that he showed up much earlier than what we were told, Ali.
VELSHI: This may have been brought on by some pressure because there had been discussions about how long he could actually be away from Venezuela for and still be in charge.
RAJPAL: Well, that's the thing. I think he's also up for reelection next year. And a lot of people are wondering whether or not he's going to be able to go undergo or actually carry out his duties for now.
VELSHI: Yes.
RAJPAL: The vice president has assumed the presidency right now. But, again, there's many questions of whether or not he's going to be able to continue his rule there.
VELSHI: Monita, I know you spent a lot of time to Asia. I don't know if you travel Tiger Airways ever. What's the story with Tiger Airways?
RAJPAL: Yes. This is interesting. Tiger Airways is a low-cost carrier that services Southeast Asia and Australia. And in this particular instance, I guess it's focusing on Tiger Airways Australia.
In March, the Civil Safety Authority in Australia had issued them a notice that the airline will be grounded for a week, that was last Friday. That's when the grounded situation started. That was because they had concerns over what they're calling serious and imminent risk to air safety. And that was back in March where these concerns had begun.
Then, what's happening now is the CSA is looking to extend this period of grounding of these flights because of another situation that took place last month in June when two pilots were flying curiously very low over Melbourne airports. And now, the CSA wants to extend this period of grounding of these airlines.
And, of course, many people now, many passenger are wondering if their flights are going to take off and that is what the Tiger Airways Australia is trying to fight.
VELSHI: All right. We'll keep an eye on that. And, of course, as you heard, Monita, the charges against Dominique Strauss-Kahn here in the United States seem to be losing steam. But then there's a new -- there's a new allegation -- an old allegation, I guess, that's resurfacing in France. Any word on the effect that' having?
RAJPAL: Yes, if Dominique Strauss-Kahn thought his legal troubles were perhaps on the way to be over it's not so much the case. A 32- year-old journalist in France is now going to be filing a criminal case. Her lawyer's going be criminal case against Dominique Strauss- Kahn for a situation that took place about eight years ago. She's claiming that she was sexually assaulted by Dominique Strauss-Kahn.
And now, what the defense is going to be doing is filing this case and they're going to find out that there's going to be enough evidence to support her case. Many people are wondering why this has taken so long and why now, why she's bringing up this case now. Well, the thing is, back then, when she told her mother of this situation, her mother who worked for the socialist party, which was the party that Dominique Strauss-Kahn was supporting, had said, you know what, don't say anything right now. Let's just keep this you under wraps.
VELSHI: Right.
RAJPAL: But when all of this blew up in New York, I think her mother said, OK, you know what, maybe you need to say something. And interestingly enough, Dominique Strauss-Kahn is planning to file a counterclaim against her.
VELSHI: Right. OK. Monita, we'll follow that one closely.
I want you to stick around for this. You know, my guilty pleasure is that I read a lot of mystery novels and they all seem to revolve around finding hidden treasure. So, listen about to this one -- $11 billion in treasure found under a temple in India.
Here's what they found -- we're talking real treasure here -- rubies, sapphires, emeralds, pearls, chunks of pure gold in the shape of coconut shell, hundreds of thousands of gold and silver coins, 18-foot long gold chain. This is in a temple in India.
Who gets this stuff?
RAJPAL: Yu know, this is such a fascinating story. They're amounting to almost -- some orts are stating that this is going to be worth some $22 billion, and they're also saying that the amount that all of this is worth is like three times the size of Kerala, which is in the south of India, where all this is found, their annual budget.
VELSHI: Wow.
RAJPAL: And it's just absolutely amazing. Who gets it? Apparently, they're saying that the temple gets to keep these treasures that are found. And it's ironic because we're talking about a country where 37 percent of the population lives under the poverty line. So, you got to wonder, is that fair?
VELSHI: Yes, money goes a long way in India. All right. Monita, we'll check in with you later. Monita Rajpal joining us from London.
All right. Businessman special time. Bacon, if you're a carnivore, you probably love it. Your dog worships it. A BLT would just be a lame, worthless LT without it. It's about to get more expensive. Oh, the humanity.
We're asking Christine Romans about it when we come back.
It's 26 minutes after the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VELSHI: Good morning. It is Tuesday, July 5th. This is your A.M. WAKE-UP CALL.
I'm Ali Velshi, joining you from New York this morning. It is 30 minutes after the hour.
Watch for a verdict to break today in the Casey Anthony trial today. The jury reconvenes three hours from now to decide if the young woman murdered her daughter, Caylee. The prosecution wrapped things up with this question --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LINDA DRANE BURDICK, PROSECUTOR: Whose life was better? That's the only question you need to answer -- in considering why Caylee Marie Anthony was left on the side of the road, dead. There's your answer.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELSHI: The defense claims the little girl drowned in the Anthony's pool. If the jury convicts Casey Anthony of first-degree murder, she could get the death penalty.
Safety first at next year's Olympic Games in London. Police and other security forces plan to run through more than ten exercises to plan for a wide-range of safety issues, including possible terror attacks. Their security budget is up to $1 billion.
Yellowstone River running through the famous national park is still bleeding oil and ExxonMobil pipeline burst Friday and up to 42,000 gallons of black oil (ph) leaked. Crews are on the scene, but the water's strong currents are making clean-up almost impossible. Absorbent pads and 32,000 feet of boom are in place to help sup up the oil.
Fun and fanfare at the White House as the Obamas hosted military families for a July 4th celebration. President Obama thanked the troops. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: You've done everything we could have asked of you. Your families have served alongside of you with strength and devotion.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELSHI: The president then met with families for barbecue and fireworks.
Ever want to pay to zip through those airport security lines. A new survey shows that 45 percent of people would likely cough up an extra -- get this -- $150 a year to go through a background check and skip the line. "The L.A. Times" reports the idea has the support of the guy in charge of the TSA. Interesting idea. I'd try it.
Christine Romans joins us now to see how your money might be moving today. Good morning, Christine. Markets back in business today. Yesterday, I asked you for a firm prediction of what markets were going to do which you could do because U.S. markets are closed. Today, I suspect, you're more renascent.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: I'm a little more renascent, but I'm going to say, you know, my call, my morning market call is really flat. We got four hours at the opening bell, but Ali, look, it was huge week last week. Stocks were up some five percent. We have jobs report on Friday.
So, you really got the action of the first few days of this week. We bookended by what happened last week, a really great rally, and then, Friday's jobs report was really, you know, that's going to really direct where we think the economy is ahead. We also have (inaudible) 10 o'clock for May today, so we could see some action around that, Ali.
VELSHI: OK. Debt ceiling, August 2nd. The Senate is back in business today. The House comes back tomorrow. I can't say this enough, because people don't seem to be taking seriously how missing this deadline could actually affect plain old Americans.
ROMANS: I'm with you. You missed this deadline. And then, the credit rating agencies and the rest of the world looks at us and said, well, America can't pay all of its bills. It's deciding which bills to pay. Maybe, we're going to demand higher interest rates for the money we loan in the United States, and then, suddenly, you got interest rates going up for things that you need it for like, you know, student loan, credit card, car, a house, all that kind of stuff.
So, not to mention the fact that insecurity and the unpredictable nature of what global capital markets will think about the U.S.
VELSHI: Right.
ROMANS: It's just not a good time for any and all of that. So, I'm going to give you another deadline. I'm going to say, maybe, July 22nd or 23rd. I mean, if the deadline is really August 2nd, you got to give the government some time to actually make the legislation and sign the legislation because bills have to be paid August 2nd.
VELSHI: Yes. And by the way, that second point you made about capital markets, I keep on reminding people about Lehman Brothers. More people made that decision that it would be OK. Let Lehman Brothers fail, markets will take it in stride. Remember what happened the next day? The world's credit markets came to a grinding halt.
ROMANS: Oh, yes. It was pandemonium. It wasn't pretty. And you've also got Greece that we're worried about. Still watching oil prices there down, but economists worried about Greece and about oil price -- there's lot of uncertainties in the global, you know, international markets. All of that is just not good.
VELSHI: Hey, it's early in the morning. People might be going out to get a bacon sandwich or bacon and eggs. What's going on with bacon?
ROMANS: OK. Reports that bacon prices are going to go up is just an ugly rumor. No. Bacon prices are going up, and I'll tell you a couple of reasons, Ali. It's because the BLT season, A. B, you got huge increases in grain prices this year which means, you know, farmers who work on a little kind of a longer lead time, they were watching those beef (ph) prices go up. So, they didn't really add to their hog supplies this year.
The hog herds are only up about one percent this summer over last year. Not a lot. And you've also got some heat -- these pictures are making my mouth water. You got this heat in the Midwest and sweltering. Heat, of course, can affect, you know, the size of the hog herd. So, there you go.
VELSHI: Christine, I've known you for a long time. And I'm smiling only because, A, I know you love bacon, and B, most people don't know about your roots as a commodity's reporter. So, --
ROMANS: I actually covered pork belly futures. I'm one of the rare reporters who decided to cover pork belly futures. And, as a consumer, I will say one of my new year's resolution was to eat bacon only once a day.
(LAUGHTER)
VELSHI: Christine, I will see you in 25 minutes on "American Morning." Christine Romans and your businessman's special
Ballerinas are getting locked out just like pro ball stars right now. Ballerinas. I'll tell you why after the break.
But before we go, time to get our smart question of the day. Twitter announces that it has hit a new milestone. Can you guess how many tweets are being sent per day worldwide? Here are your choices, two million, 200 million, or two billion?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) VELSHI: Thirty-nine minutes after the hour. Right before the break, our get smart question of the day. Twitter announces it has hit a new milestone. Can you guess how many tweets are being sent per day worldwide? Here are your choices, two million, 200 million, or two billion. The answer is B, 200 million tweets per day according to folks at Twitter. That equals 8,163 copies of war and peace.
A book that has been read many times over by our senior political editor, Mark Preston, who joins me now on the phone with the "Political Ticker." Good morning, Mark. I know a guy like you, this isn't even early for you. So, I got some tough questions for you. President Obama just getting a big endorsement from an influential union, that part is not surprising. The union backed the Democrat. It is surprising, though, because it's 2011. It's July of 2011. It's a little early for that, isn't it?
MARK PRESTON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL EDITOR: You're right, Ali. You know, the National Education Association which is the largest teachers union just endorsed President Obama yesterday, and as you said, they usually wait the year right before the election to do so. However, they're doing it two years early. I mean, doing it for two reasons, perhaps, three reasons. The first reason is the concern about the Republican gains in the state legislatures.
It was a concern about the Republican gains in Congress. This all happened in the midterm elections, and now, Ali, they're worried that the president might not be able to win re-election next year. It's interesting that this union represents 3.2 million people, Ali. So, that's a lot of folks that could help the president win re-election.
VELSHI: Mark, you polling closely. I remember, you and me on a bus across the country, cross country tour, I think, it was spring of 2008. The economy was the number one issue on people's minds, going into this presidential election. The economy once again is going to be the number one issue on people's minds and that's what Republican candidates are going to be talking about today.
PRESTON: You're right, Ali. In fact, you schooled me a lot on that bus trip across the country, because you talked about how the economy was such a big issue before a lot of people were really catching on. Well, now, we're hearing from these Republican candidates. Look at two of them specifically today. Republican front-runner, Mitt Romney, is going to be in New Hampshire, and he's going to continue to talk about the economy.
He's going to hold the town hall up there, and then, later, he's going to meet with small business owners. You know, just yesterday, Ali, Romney doubled down on his criticism of the president saying that Obama has, quote, "made the recession deeper and longer than it needed to be."
Now, we do know that independent organization (INAUDIBLE) recession officially ended back in June 2009 but still keep people hurting. Meanwhile, out in Iowa, the long-shot candidate, Rick Santorum, who's really big from this presidential campaign on a pyramid for social conservative voters kicks off a jobs tour in Iowa. So, expect to hear a lot about the jobs and the economy as the main theme for the GOP candidates on the trail today, and of course, Ali, in the coming months.
VELSHI: And Rick Santorum will be on "American Morning: a couple of hours from now. So, you can hear it directly from him. Mark, good to see you as always, my friend. Have a good rest of your morning. Those are things got to look out for in politics. It is 42 minutes after the hour right now.
Here are three things that need to be on your radar today. The jury tried to decide whether accused murder, Casey Anthony is guilty or not guilty? Their deliberations continue at 8:30 this morning eastern time. They even have a verdict today.
Plus, the Senate is back in session today, trying to come to an agreement on the debt ceiling. You're going to want to pay attention to this today, because it could influence the money in your wallet. The House comes back tomorrow to try to achieve the same thing.
And today, In Minnesota, formal meetings continue on the government shutdown. Like many married couples, lawmakers in the land of 10,000 lakes were not able to come to agreement on the budget. The state government has been shut down since Friday.
Hey, time now for sports with no football to play. Eagles Wide Receiver, DeSean Jackson, is horsing around during the NFL lockout, exposing himself to injuries like an ACL tear. Along the way, Jackson is one of the NFL's top players. It's been a setback in ending now that lockout. Retired players complained Monday because they want a piece of the money pie to cover pension and disability benefits.
Meantime, the NBA lockout which started Friday midnight as a lot of people worried that if it will, then it will dwarf the clashes in pro football.
But get this, get this, not just baseball players and football players, ballerinas are facing their own lockouts. Dancers in Chicago's Joffrey Ballet, one of the best ballet companies in the country, won't get to perform for part of the season. Their union could not agree on a new contract. Ballerinas got letters telling them they must clean out their lockers by Thursday. Sad.
And an American wins at the Tour de France on July 4th. Tyler Farrar finished first yesterday in this league of the journey. He's part of the team Garmin-Cervelo which even doing pretty well. It's day four of the tour which stretches through 2,100 miles of France. The race runs through July 24th. That's a whole lot of cycling.
Time now for sports with "Sports Illustrated" Pablo Torre joins us live from New York. Pablo, let's talk about a competitive event watched every year. They even call the competitors athletes right here in New York, the Nathan's hot dog eating contest.
PABLO TORRE, REPORTER, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Yes, nothing says American exceptionalism quite like stuffing 62 hot dogs and 62 hot dog buns in your mouth in ten minutes. And that's exactly what 27-year-old American, Joey Chestnut did, winning the Nathan's hot dog eating contest. A legendary gurgitation (ph) challenger just talked about yesterday --
VELSHI: Look at that.
TORRE: At Coney Island. And notably, Ali, 62 HDBs, and HDB if you didn't know is the official unit of measurement for a Nathan's hot dog eating contest. A hot dog plus bun did not break Chestnut's own record of 68, the world record in 2009, but it was still enough to win. The second-place winner, Patrick "Deep Dish" Bertoletti only had 53 HDBs, which is obviously just embarrassing for any normal human. And Chestnut is in California won $20,000, which, of course, is about a $1 per calorie.
He also had 1246 grams of fat, over 40,000 grams of sodium. Just disgusting and yet amazing at the same time.
VELSHI: All right. Now, here's the thing that a lot of people may not know. Joey Chestnut is a famous name in hot dog eating. There's another famous name in hot dog eating, Kobayashi (ph). Kobayashi (ph) was not allowed to compete, but he held a separate hot dog eating thing on his side and actually ate more hot dogs. What is this about?
TORRE: Yes, I mean, there's no shortage of controversy in the world of competitive eating. Of course, Kobayashi, famously last year tried to rush the stage at Nathan's, was arrested, his contract dispute prevented him from competing. This year, he hold a simulcast personal showdown against the live eat from Nathan's (INAUDIBLE) breaks the world record at 69 HDB's, of course, but those organizers are still ongoing.
So, they don't officially recognize that 69 HD mark. And so, again, controversy reins in the world of competitive gurgitation. Kobayashi is claiming he's the winner. Joey Chestnut is claiming he's the winner. Only we can decide with the rise who is the ultimate champion, I guess.
VELSHI: HDB, the measure of success in hot dog eating. Good to see you, my friend. Pablo Torre from "Sports Illustrated." We'll keep you posted on the controversy and how it plays out.
Check out the calendar. This day in history, July 5th, 1946, French designer, Louis Reard introduces the bikini at a popular swimming pool in Paris. Tell you more about it in two minutes.
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VELSHI: Forty-nine minutes after the hour. Good morning. It is Tuesday, July 5th. This is your A.M. WAKE-UP CALL. I'm Ali Velshi joining you from New York this morning,
It's time to go around the world with Monita Rajpal live from London. Monita, new developments on that capsized boat off the coast of Mexico. What do we know?
RAJPAL: Yes, as you know, the Mexican authorities as well as the U.S. coast guard are still scouring the waters off of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula in search of what they're saying now up to eight people are still missing when this tourist boat capsized. And you know, you broke the story on WAKE-UP CALL yesterday morning. Eight people are still missing.
There were 44 people, as many as 44 people who were on this boat. Most of them survived except for one American who is the lone fatality. All 16 crew members also survived. There are many who actually some swam to shore and alerted authorities to what had happened. There was bad weather there in the area at the time, but again, the U.S. coast guard and Mexican authorities are still trying to find the eight people that are still missing there. And again, as the day goes by, it does become a major concern as time is on the essences in the cases like this, Ali.
VELSHI: All right. Monita, let's talk about Dominique Strauss-Kahn. It looks like the case against him here in New York is falling apart. Meanwhile, a new one developing for him in France.
RAJPAL: Yes, his legal troubles are far from over for Dominique Strauss-Kahn. If he thought that because of the New York case as they were describing as crumbling, there are new cases against him, especially one new case against him, I should say, in France, where a journalist and through her lawyer has filed a criminal complaint against him for a situation that took place some eight years ago. She's accusing Dominique Strauss-Kahn of sexually assaulting her.
Now, people, are wondering whether or not -- actually, wondering why it took this long for her to file this complaint. I guess, it goes back to the fact that her mother had advised her not to file this complaint, because her mother was working for the socialist party which Dominique Strauss-Kahn was working for as well. So, we'll have to wait and see if there's going to be enough evidence in this complaint to take this legal proceeding further -- Ali.
VELSHI: Monita, we'll stand top of it with you. Thanks very much. Monita Rajpal joining us this morning from London.
The nation's debt ceiling here in the United States, it's not the sexiest story you'll hear today, it is probably the most important. Lawmakers are trying to hammer out a deal again. If they miss the August 2nd deadline to raise the ceiling, it is like you missing a payment on your credit card. Now, remember, even if you miss one payment on just one of your credit cards, it can you're your interest rates for all of them skyrocket and make it harder for you to borrow money.
You could end up paying for the debt ceiling problem with higher interest rates on things like home loans, car loans, or student loans. It's got nothing to do with you. It's got to do with what the government does. You could also see fewer services for your tax dollars.
Of course, a lot of people will have their eyes glue to the TV today, watching for a verdict in the Casey Anthony trial. Remember anything like this since the O.J. Simpson trial 16 years ago? The jury reconvenes at 8:30 a.m. eastern to decide if the young woman murdered her daughter, Caylee. The prosecution wrapped things up with this question.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BURDICK: Whose life was better? That's the only question you need to answer in considering why Caylee Marie Anthony was left on the side of the road, dead. There's your answer.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELSHI: Claims the little girl drowned -- the defense claims the little girl drowned in the Anthony's pool. If the jury convicts Casey Anthony a first-degree murder, she could get the death penalty.
Congress is talking about cutting off money for the microbiological data program. You know who could be the big winner if that happens? E. Coli. We're talking about the only national government program that checks produce (ph) for the kind of E. coli bacteria that killed people in Germany. The produce (ph) industry says the program is redundant and unnecessary because other agencies already do the same job.
OK. When you hear this story, you might think you're having a nightmare, but no, you're awake, and it's really happening. This guy right here, Kyle Richards, a jailbird, serving time for bank robbery, suing the state of Michigan because he can't have pornography in his cell. He says his rights are being trampled. What the founding fathers do? Well, we know what the sheriff is doing. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERIFF ANTHONY WICKERSHAM, MACOMB COUNTRY, MICHIGAN: We haven't had it here. There was no need for it. He's not going to get it, you know, from this sheriff. You know, we have female officers, female inmates, and female staff that works in this facility, and there's no place for it here in our county jail.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELSHI: The American civil liberties union isn't touching this case.
And check out this video from Prince Edward Island in Canada. Prince William is flying that helicopter, splashed it down to a lake. It's OK, though. He was meant to do that. It was part of an emergency landing exercise. His bride, Catherine, watched from the shore. The royal couple is in Canada all week. They'll be in California this weekend. He is trained to do this, by the way. Jacqui Jeras live from Atlanta. Any flight delays this morning, Jacqui.
JACQUI JERAS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Not yet, Ali, but we're watching my hometown, Minneapolis-St. Paul. There is a cluster of thunderstorms in that area right now and that could cause some delays. Good news is we really think everybody's going to stay under an hour of possible delay, especially later today in Atlanta. San Francisco will see some low clouds and fog. So, just a morning issues there, and then, Denver and Omaha looking for some minor delays, probably even under 30 minutes due to afternoon thunderstorms. Ali, I like the vest you put it on this morning.
VELSHI: It's a reverse strip tease.
(CROSSTALK)
(LAUGHTER)
VELSHI: Jacqui, good to see you. I'll catch up with you a little later on "American Morning"
And today's word of the day, milky brown. Find out what it means and why you need to know about it right after this short break
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VELSHI: Fifty-eight minutes after the hour. Time now to tell you more about today's word of the day. Milky brown, it's obviously a color in the story of the oil spill in Montana. It's the color of the residue from the oil in the Yellowstone River. According to the ExxonMobil, as much as a thousand barrels of oil have spilled into the river after a pipeline ruptured on Friday.
Here are three things that need to be on your radar today. The senate is back in session. They're going to try to come to an agreement on the debt ceiling. The House comes back tomorrow.
This morning at 9:00 a.m. eastern, the new International Monetary Fund director, Christine Lagarde, will officially be seated in Washington. And at 9:30 eastern this morning, former vice presidential nominee, John Edwards, former senator will be back in court on federal criminal charges.
Let's go over to Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong this morning. She's following your money -- Kristie.
STOUT: Ali, visions across the world suffering about uncertainty this Tuesday and that is translating to lack of movement on the markets. The main cause for caution here in Asia is the prospect of more monetary tightening in China as a reaction to spiraling inflation. All the main indices in Europe are currently hovering, relatively close to the flat lien. And in your part of the world, Ali, futures suggest a mostly higher start to the first trading session of the week -- Ali.
VELSHI: Let's hope those debt talks go well. Hey, Nestle in talks with a Chinese sweet maker, Chinese candy maker. This deal, I'm hearing, that could be worth over $2 billion?
STOUT: Yes, and I will say that the deal makes sense. Nestle needs cash, and it needs better access to a key emerging market in China. This company, the candy maker in China (INAUDIBLE) has six percent exposure to the candy market there and has strong cash flow as well, but acquisition deals are difficult to wrap up in the country due to China's strict regulatory system. Similar deals have been rejected before. For example, you may remember Coca-Cola, and it's failed big for China (ph) back in 2009 -- Ali.
VELSHI: All right. Kristie, we'll keep an eye on all of that. Great to see you as always this morning. Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong.
AMERICAN MORNING begins right now.
