Return to Transcripts main page
American Morning: Wake Up Call
Wall Street Protesters Ready to Resist; Devastating Flood; Protesters Prepare For Police; Dr. Conrad Murray Trial; Solyndra CEO Resigns
Aired October 14, 2011 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Happening right now:
The clock is ticking closer to that 7:00 a.m. deadline for hundreds of Wall Street protesters to leave a park in Lower Manhattan so it can be cleaned. But those protesters are saying, "We are staying put."
A devastating scene out of Thailand, and residents are being told it could get worse. Hundreds of people are dead, historical sites underwater, elephants stranded on rooftops.
And they have been up all night. Hundreds of people are waiting for the release of the new Apple iPhone 4S. Leading the pack in California, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.
Good morning to you. It is Friday. Happy Friday. It's October 14th.
This is your A.M. WAKE-UP CALL. I'm Carol Costello, joining you live from New York this morning.
It's a countdown to a showdown.
The mayor of New York says protesters need to leave Zuccotti Park by 7:00 a.m. Eastern so it can be cleaned. But staying true to their name, Occupy Wall Street protest organizers say they are staying right where they are. In fact, the protesters have begun cleaning up the park themselves.
As they see it, the mayor's cleanup is really an eviction notice.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DANIEL MINTZ, CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR, MOVEON.ORG: The mayor would do a lot better cleaning up Wall Street than cleaning up the plaza. Not only that, we also have more than 650,000 signatures from every country in the world, supporting the people for occupying Wall Street. The mayor needs to not evict them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: They've been there for almost a month, protesting the weak economy and a political system many of them deem corrupt.
Lawmakers are pondering the best response to the alleged Iranian plot to kill the Saudi ambassador on American soil. Top White House official tells a Senate committee that sanctions are paying off and they vow to ratchet up the pressure on Tehran. Several lawmakers want stronger measures like crippling their Iran's currency by sanctioning its central bank or pressuring other countries to stop buying their oil.
Senator Bob Corker sees the plot as a provocation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BOB CORKER (R), TENNESSEE: If you really boil it down, they were willing to do something here in our country that likely would have created a war. And that's been our response to these kind of things in the past. So if you really just take A to B to C, it's very evident that the Iranian government was willing to conduct an act of terrorism on our soil knowing the history of the way Americans have responded to that. They were willing -- it appears, to me -- to provoke a war.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: In the meantime, a friend of one of the men charged says he was too disorganized and forgetful to pull it off a plot. Manssor Arbabsiar is accused of conspiracy to murder an official among other things. The second suspect remains at large.
President Obama will bring a special guest along as he heads to Michigan today to tout jobs. He'll be joined by the president of South Korea. The president hosted Mr. Lee and his wife at a White House state dinner last night. He praised the free trade agreement passed by Congress this week, saying it's a win for both countries.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: From aerospace to electronics, it will increase American manufacturing exports, including those produced by our small businesses. It will open Korea's lucrative services market and I'm very pleased that it will help level the playing field for American automakers.
As a former executive, President Lee will understand when I say that just as Americans buy Hyundais and Kias, I hope that South Koreans will buy more Fords, Chryslers and Chevys.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Today, the two leaders will visit a General Motors plant in Michigan where a new car, the Chevy Sonic, is being built. Engineers and designers from both countries collaborated on the car.
With the president's jobs bill stalling in Congress a group of Republican senators have unveiled their own plan. It contains GOP staples like capping the top income tax rate at 25 percent. It would also repeal the president's health care plan.
The lawmakers say it's a blueprint for economic recovery. Still, Senator Rand Paul knows it'll take -- knows it'll take a lot for the other side to buy into it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. RAND PAUL (R), KENTUCKY: You will get rid of joblessness and unemployment when your economy grows again. We think our package can create over 5 million jobs. We are ready to discuss it with the president. We welcome having him come down.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Democrats say the GOP plan would not create jobs, with Senator Chuck Schumer calling it a political fig leaf.
The first new device without Steve Jobs at Apple's helm goes on sale today. People have been camping out al night long to be among the first to get the new iPhone 4S. At the head of the line at one California Apple store, Jobs' old partner Steve Wozniak. You see him there.
He talked with iPhone enthusiasts working up and down the line on a Segway.
Pre-orders for the 4S have broken an Apple record, 1 million in the first 24 hours.
With the release in the new phone, what better way to honor Steve Jobs than a day set aside in his honor? People around the globe are invited to participate by visiting an Apple Store or by leaving messages on Facebook, Twitter or the Web site SteveJobsDay2011.com.
Jobs died last week after a long battle with cancer.
Now, let's head to Atlanta and check in with Rob Marciano.
Heavy storms coming to some people in the United States. Tell us about it.
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, and last night, some rough weather, including some reports of tornadoes across parts of Virginia, also flooding rains in through D.C. and the Baltimore area.
Here's some of the video coming to us from yesterday afternoon. Yesterday evening. Slowing down traffic -- no doubt about that. A bit of a disaster there. WJLA, our affiliate, giving us that. And the firefighters were out for rescue efforts there.
Where is the rain right now? Some of it shifted up towards the Northeast. Here it is on the radar scope. We're going to see some travel delays because of this. Some rotating to Upstate New York, parts of northern New England. But right now, New York City is for the most part on the dry side.
This is a larger system and there's more rain moving into Virginia, so the areas that got hit hard last night will see another influx of rain, lesser in the way of severe thunderstorms but nonetheless, it's going to be a rough day. So, if you are traveling today -- I'm one of them -- New York metros are going to see some delays maybe up over an hour because of wind and rain. So, even when it's not raining or there are thunderstorms there will be winds. They will be gustiest in Chicago. Detroit thunderstorm and some gusty winds there as well.
As far as the rest of the country, Southeast continues to be warm and toasty with daytime highs there. Ninety-one degrees in Los Angeles, 88 degrees in Dallas, 70 in New York and 65 or so in Toronto.
By the way, speaking of Toronto, a 100-year-old marathon runner is scheduled to -- well, run the marathon up there. How about that? There he is.
His name is Fauja Singh. And he's got an interesting nickname. If he finishes the marathon, he'll be the oldest man to do so. And he did it about eight years ago. The guy loves to run. How about that? Still kicking.
COSTELLO: I think his nickname is the Turban Torpedo. And you can see why.
MARCIANO: Yes, how about that? I mean, probably not as fast as a torpedo but get as far as wearing the turban, that's -- and 100 years old, come on! That's fantastic stuff.
COSTELLO: That's amazing. Good for him.
MARCIANO: We'll be following him.
COSTELLO: He is my new hero.
MARCIANO: Yes. Guinness Book of World Records will monitor the progress of the Turban Torpedo.
COSTELLO: And just as an aside, the Tigers did win and they go back to Texas.
MARCIANO: They did. Your boy came out strong, so good luck to them.
COSTELLO: He did, Justin Verlander and it was a crazy sixth inning.
Thank you, Rob Marciano. We appreciate it.
MARCIANO: See you, Carol.
COSTELLO: Although the alleged Iranian terror plot is serious, comedians could not help but have fun with it.
Here's your punch line.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)
JAY LENO, COMEDIAN: This Iranian terror plot suspect, one of them was an American -- Iran-American. He went by the name Manssor and he owned a used car lot in Texas. Yes, this is real. You know, they were running some of his old ads on cable TV from the used car lot and you can see there was -- well, here, you be the judge.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Howdy, howdy there, friends and neighbors. It's your old friend crazy Manssor and I'm declaring jihad (INAUDIBLE). This cargo van is priced at $4,299. Plus, it's free if you're planning to use it to smuggle terrorists in from Mexico.
And I'll do anything to get you behind the wheel of this SUV if you drive a group of hit men to a restaurant frequented by the Saudi Arabian ambassador in Washington, D.C. So, come on down to crazy Manssor's death to America days. Everybody's cars are Shiite.
(END VIDEO CLIPS)
COSTELLO: Wow. The pictures coming in to us out of Thailand this morning. You have to see them. They're sad and they're difficult to believe.
High floodwaters are destroying neighborhoods and historical sites. Residents being told it's about to get first -- to get worse, rather.
But, first, our "Quote of the Day." This is the quote, "It's been a rough month. We have been brutalized and beaten up and chewed up in the press to where I need this today," end quote.
Who said this? We'll have the answer for you in 90 seconds.
It's nine minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: It's 11 minutes past the hour. This is your A.M. WAKE-UP CALL.
Now, back to our "Quote of the Day." This is a quote: "It's been a rough month. We have been brutalized and beaten up and chewed up in the press. We are brutalized by our opponents and our own party," end quote.
Who was that? That was Anita Perry, the wife of Texas Governor Rick Perry. She was talking about last week's fallout when a pastor encouraged voters to choose Rick Perry over Romney because Romney is a Mormon. He also called Mormonism a cult.
The Transportation Security Administration says it will not meet its December 31st deadline requiring the inspection of all cargo on all international passenger flights. In 2007, Congress mandated 100 percent of air cargo be inspected for explosives. The TSA met the goal for flights originating in the United States last year. But so far, it has not met that requirement for flights coming into the United States.
Thailand's devastating floodwaters are draining toward Bangkok today and residents have been told to prepare for the worst.
Let's go around the world with Paula Hancocks. She is live in Bangkok. These pictures, Paula, you know, these floodwaters around these historical sites are just sad.
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Well, Carol, I'm not sure if you can hear me. It's a particularly bad line because at the moment, I'm on the back of a military truck in the area of Sangka (ph). This is the eastern suburb of Bangkok and it is completely flooded. And it has been for about three days we're being told so parts of the capital are suffering very badly from this rain.
Now, the only way to get around these areas is by boat. That's what we've been doing and seeing people evacuating from homes that are just being submerged by the waters. Now, it is very difficult for people here to get food and water. There are volunteers in the navy is carrying out donations and drops to those people that can't get any help.
Now, this is one of the most difficult areas for residents because they -- the water that is here would ordinarily go into the inner city of Bangkok, the business district of Bangkok, before heading out to the sea. But the government has decided to sacrifice this area among others to make sure that the hotels and the businesses are not affected.
So people here are suffering mean more than they would ordinarily. Now, everybody I've spoken said they have never seen floods like this.
I spoke to a 78-year-old woman yesterday who said never had her lifetime had she seen anything like this. It is really quite significant, the amount of water that is here -- Carol.
COSTELLO: We have heard stories, Paula, about elephants on rooftops. We've heard stories about historical sites completely submerged by water.
HANCOCKS: That's right, yes. We went to an Ayutthaya, which is an ancient city and we could see for ourselves just how many historical monuments and Buddhas had been covered by water. Now, the big fear is if this water stays for a long time, then there could be permanent damage to these very significant structures.
We've just been inside a temple which was almost completely submerged but the ground floor was OK and so there were a lot of people staying there. But, again, the monk was telling me if this stays for too long, there will be significant damage.
We spoke to a government spokesperson who said this could take months for the waters to recede and that if there's no significant storms and no typhoons and that is a big if at the moment -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Paula Hancocks reporting live for us from Bangkok, Thailand, this morning -- thanks so much.
Even though he's on top right now, some conservatives still question if Herman Cain can cut it in a nationwide race. But he's getting a boost from one Southern governor and he's a powerful one. We'll have more details for you, just ahead.
It's 15 minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Sixteen minutes past the hour. Welcome back.
Comedians have been joking about all the big names in politics. But lately, they're honing in on just one. And that would be Herman Cain.
Here's your punch line.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)
DAVID LETTERMAN, COMEDIAN: We have put together for you an educational video. Get to know the 9-9-9 plan. Here, watch this.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The 9-9-9 plan takes the issue of taxing Americans fairly. U.S. citizens under the age of 9 pay a 9 percent plat tax while older than 9 but younger than 99 pay a 9 percent flat tax plus a 9 percent national sales tax. The 9-9-9 plan does not tax individuals older than 99.
Corporations pay a 9 percent tax on revenues with installments payable on the 9th of each month. A simple formula results in 99 percent of charitable contributions qualifying for a 0.9 percent reduction in a 9 percent flat tax on those contributions.
LENO: Former Godfather Pizza CEO Herman Cain surging in the polls. Many polls have him ahead of Mitt Romney. Now, he hasn't said who he would choose as his running mate yet. But according to a report, he'd had several meetings with Papa John. So, there could be
(END VIDEO CLIPS)
COSTELLO: Hey, any publicity is good publicity.
It's time now for your Political Ticker with Tim Farley, host of "Morning Briefing" on Sirius POTUS, live from Washington.
Good morning, Tim.
TIM FARLEY, SIRIUS POTUS: You know, I was told long ago, Caro, that in radio, you keep it simple stupid. Just sort of like the 9-9-9, which is why I have been able to have a career in radio. Keeping it simple and stupid. Good morning.
COSTELLO: Good morning.
Let's talk more about Herman Cain because he seems to be the topic of the day. Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour came out and kind of sort of supported Herman Cain. He said he believes that Cain could actually beat President Obama.
Here's Barbour on "The Laura Ingraham Show."
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
GOV. HALEY BARBOUR (R), MISSISSIPPI: If Herman Cain is running against Barack Obama, I think he'll sweep the South. He is likeable. He does not give you the impression that he's full of himself, but rather that he is a straight talking person who will tell you -- calls them like he sees them. He's not trying to sugar coat anything.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Haley Barbour knows what he's talking about, but like as the question still hangs out there -- will Southern voters vote for Herman Cain?
FARLEY: Well, the bigger question really is why is Haley Barbour saying this? I mean, Haley Barbour, like you said, smart man. He's been the head of the Republican National Committee. At one time, people thought he would actually run for president.
This is a savvy politician. So, you ask yourself, whether they've determined who the nominee is, why is he touting Herman Cain? Well, part of it maybe a signal to Mitt Romney and Rick Perry that there is a race to be won here and you have some work to do, cut out for you to be able to go out and get that nomination.
I still think it's looking way beyond things to think that Herman is going to get the nomination. He's certainly is popular now, but we haven't even begun to have the primaries. He doesn't have a ground game, or an organization in Iowa. He doesn't have one in New Hampshire. And that's where this will tell.
But that said, I think that what we've heard from Haley Barbour is just the first step in saying we need to figure out who will get there and people need to pick up his game. And that's not saying that he's not sincere about some of the things he's saying about Herman Cain. I just think that there's another message there somewhere, Carol.
COSTELLO: Maybe so. It is interesting that Rick Perry is making the rounds of the network morning shows this morning. He doesn't normally appear on such shows. So, he's trying to sell himself out there and maybe recover from that terrible debate performance last week or was it Tuesday. There are many debates, I lose track.
Let's talk about President Obama for a bit. He's going to Michigan. He's bringing the South Korean president with him and they're going to tout jobs.
Will this resonate at all with people?
FARLEY: Well, it makes a lot of sense from a couple of different standpoints as you mentioned at the top. It's a plant that manufactures the Sonic, which is made with Korean parts and the president of South Korea with a president just off the end of that -- the passage of the free trade deals with -- included South Korea. So, the president is able to get a three-fer.
He can tout the free trade deals. He can tout the fact that he was able to help save G.M. and Chrysler with the bailout and he can also talk about Congress not doing anything with the American Jobs Act. And also, by the way, throw in a couple of hits against Mitt Romney who had not favored the bailout.
Mitt Romney's father, George, was governor of Michigan, and if Mitt Romney is indeed the nominee eventually for the Republicans, the president can start once again those early pummelings that we were talking about yesterday and he can do it in a state where there's about 11 percent unemployment right now.
So, he also has to make nice with unions. He's been on out (ph) with them lately a little bit, Carol.
COSTELLO: Yes, he needs that money and that support.
Tim Farley, live this morning from Washington, D.C., on Sirius POTUS Radio.
FARLEY: Have a great weekend.
COSTELLO: You too, Tim. Thank you.
Don't shoot the messenger, ladies. But if you are using birth control pills, could it be they are causing you to choose men who aren't that attractive? That's not all. A new study, I'll tell you more about it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Twenty-four minutes past the hour.
A disturbing trend to tell you about in underage drinking. If you haven't already heard, children are soaking Gummy Bears in alcohol. These videos are popping up all over the YouTube. By soaking Gummy Bears in liquor, teens are free to roam the streets popping them in plain sight whenever they want a buzz.
A warning has been sent out to some schools and to parents to be aware.
The overall rate of heart disease is dropping across the country but the South still has the highest rate. The Centers for Disease Control also says, despite the decline, heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States. It kills about the same number of Americans each year as cancer, other respiratory diseases and accidents combined.
And does taking the birth control pill lower women's expectations when it comes to dating men? A study relates Tuesday out of Scotland suggests women who take the pill tend to go for men who are less attractive and, shall we say, bad in bed. Researchers suspect the pill messes with the subconscious chemistry by which a woman chooses her man. The good news is women who met their men while on the pill had longer relationships. Researchers questioned about 2,500 women in the U.S., the Czech Republic, Britain and Canada who had at least one child. Take that how you want it. I'm just the messenger.
Will they stay or will they go? A big showdown looming in Lower Manhattan in just about a half hour. "Occupy Wall Street protesters have been ordered to leave the month they called home for about a month. They vow to stay. We'll have a live report for you next.
It's 26 past.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Good morning. Happy Friday.
This is your A.M. WAKE-UP CALL. I'm Carol Costello joining you live from New York this morning. It's just about 30 minutes past the hour.
We could see a great big showdown in Lower Manhattan this morning as "Occupy Wall Street" protesters brace for a confrontation with New York City police. Those protesters have been asked to evacuate Zuccotti Park so that city workers can clean the park, but protesters believe the whole thing is a ploy to get them out, and they are vowing to stay put.
CNN national correspondent, Susan Candiotti, is live in Lower Manhattan. So, Susan, just about a half hour from now is the deadline. What's the mood out there right now?
VOICE OF SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's more crowded than I've ever seen this hour, Carol. We've been out here at this hour quite a few times. Everyone is usually densely. They're not now.
The park is full of people. There are a fairly large -- there is a fairly large contingent of police officers out here, but people are up and about and awake and feeling, I guess, it would be safe to say excited and hopeful, and certainly, seem like they're not intending to go anywhere, not if they can help it.
COSTELLO: I know the protesters are trying to clean up the park on their own. Would that be enough for Mayor Bloomberg and the city?
CANDIOTTI: That's right, and they have been cleaning off and on all night. A few more people joined the group about midnight or so. Of course, we had a pretty hard rainstorm in the overnight hours.
And so, in fact, there's a -- Russell Simmons has even tweeted overnight, hip-hop mogul and business entrepreneur, saying that he is offering to pay as much as it takes to go get everything cleaned up in hopes of getting the mayor who he considers a friend of his, he says, to change his mind.
But at this hour, it seems like the city and the people, the company that owns this property have dug in their heels, well, so have the protesters.
COSTELLO: So, if the protesters don't leave and the New York City police want them to leave, what might happen?
CANDIOTTI: Well, the early word is that they're insisting, the protesters are, that they may very well passively resist. That could mean sitting down, locking arm, this kind of thing. And that if the police are going to make them move, that they're going to have to pick them up and remove them. They're not going to leave willingly, Carol.
COSTELLO: Susan Candiotti, you're going to stay right there, and you'll join us for "American Morning." Thanks so much. Susan Candiotti live from Lower Manhattan.
A big vote over abortion in the House of Representatives.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We must protect the sanctity of an innocent human life.
REP. ALCEE HASTINGS, (R) FLORIDA: This is beyond irresponsible. It is, indeed, reprehensible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: We'll tell you how it all played out and what the White House is planning to do. That's just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Here's a quick rundown on some stories you'll be hearing a lot about today.
The trial of Michael Jackson's personal physician will not be in session today, but, attorneys for both sides are expected in court. Court adjourned yesterday with more damaging testimony against Dr. Conrad Murray.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're aware that when Dr. Murray discovered Michael Jackson, he immediately performed CPR?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Objection.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You think that's wrong? He shouldn't have done that.
DR. NADER KAMANGAR, PULMONARY/SLEEP EXPERT, UCLA MEDICAL CENTER: I think he should have called for help.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Dr. Murray also told police he comforted Jackson's children in the emergency room the day the singer died, but Jackson's oldest son disputes that. Murray could face four years in prison if he's found guilty. Guilty on all counts. That was the verdict for this man. He is the second man convicted in a horrific Connecticut home invasion back in 2007. You probably remember this case. Two men broke into the Petit family home, tying up the father before killing his wife and two daughters.
After that, the two men set the house on fire. The other man, Steven Hayes has been sentenced to death. Mr. Petit was asked if the verdict gave him any kind of closure. Here's what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. WILLIAM PETIT, SOLE SURVIVOR: It's not clear to me that time heals all wounds, but you form some form of scars that, like I said in some interview, that sort of jagged a hole in your heart, you smooth out the edges a little bit, and you just take it one day at a time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: 251 for 170 against. The House of Representatives has passed a bill that amends the healthcare law to prevent federal funding for health plans that provide abortion services. The bill called the Protect Life Act responsive (ph) by Pennsylvania Republican and quickly gathered Republican support. Only two republicans voted against it along with all but 15 Democrats. The White House says it will veto the measure.
The CEO of Solyndra has resigned. Brian Harrison and Solyndra have been under fire since the California solar energy company filed for bankruptcy protection after receiving a half billion dollar loan guarantee from the federal government. Harrison was among the company execs who took the fifth and refused to testify during a Congressional hearing into the controversy.
Thousands are expected in Washington this weekend for the official dedication of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial. The dedication was supposed to happen in August to coincide with the 48th anniversary of the march on Washington and King's "I have a dream" speech, but it had to be postponed because of Hurricane Irene. President Obama is expected to speak at the dedication ceremony on Sunday.
The Fitch credit rating agency has its eye on 13 banks it's looking to downgrade. We'll tell you which ones they are and what it means for them and for your portfolio. It's 36 minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Thirty-eight minutes past the hour for. For morning money news, let's head to Christine Romans. She's live here in New York with me. So, Christine let's start with the unlucky 13. Thirteen banks under review by Fitch, the credit rating agency and those banks are, what, headed for a downgrade by Fitch?
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Yes. They've been put on notice that if things continue the way they're going or there's a shock to the system, they could be downgraded. So, it's put on watch for a potential downgrade, and the reason why, this is just one of the three credit rating agencies I want to point out.
Fitch is just one of them, of course, and some says it doesn't carry the same weight as S&P, but it does feed into this narrative, Carol, that it's difficult environment for the banks and the financial sector, and that people are very worried about exposure to the mortgage crisis still in the United States, Bank of America, in particular on that one, and the investment banks, and they're trading desks aren't making money like they used it, and also concerns about Europe.
So, all of these banks that you're seeing on your screen put on notice of a potential downgrade, and actually downgraded were three European bank, RBS, Lloyd's and UBS. So, watching the banking sector very carefully, because if there are downgrades, it can make it more difficult to raise money from investors.
It can make it more difficult to go out in the funding markets, and when banks have difficult raising money, you start talking about 2008 territory again. I will say that Fitch makes a very clear point in its analysis of the conditions of these banks, very concerned about the slowing economy, about potential shocks from Europe and other things like that.
But they very clearly point out that these banks are in better shape today than they were before the financial crisis in 2008. So, that's the good news in there, Carol.
COSTELLO: Yes, that's a bit of a brighter note, but whenever you hear banks in trouble in any way, you think --
ROMANS: I know.
COSTELLO: Bailout. Nobody is for that anymore. I can tell you that.
ROMANS: I know. You're right.
COSTELLO: Christine Romans, I'll see you in a bit.
ROMANS: OK.
COSTELLO: In the world of sports, NBA commissioner, David Stern, says if there is no labor agreement by Tuesday, there will be no NBA games played on Christmas. Tuesday is when the owners and players scheduled to meet with a federal mediator. Christmas is traditionally one of the first big days of the NBA season. The first two weeks of their regular season have already been canceled.
On to baseball now and game four of the National League Championship series with the Brewers. They're trying to even things up against the St. Louis Cardinals. Randy Wolf pitched seven strong innings, and Ryan Braun, he's the hero of the series. You see there. He got two more hits to lift the Brewers to a 42 victory over St. Louis. As there, it is now tied at two all. The Brewers back at home this weekend. Yes, Tony Crush (ph) did his part, too. In the American League, the Detroit Tigers facing elimination came out swinging against Texas Rangers, four home runs on the night. That's a record. It's a sixth inning now with the game tied at two. Miguel Cabrera doubles down the third baseline. Yes, the ball got a lucky bounce, but who cares? Tigers win 7-5. Texas still leads that series, three games to two. The Detroit Tigers head to Texas.
I'm keeping my fingers and my toes crossed, but that sixth inning was wild. I think it was a single, a double, a triple and a homerun all hit in that one inning, and I don't think that's ever happened in baseball before.
Now, let's head to Atlanta and Rob Marciano. It was one exciting game, Rob.
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: It was. I missed most of that excitement, sadly. I turned it on. It was the Tigers had already a commanding lead at that point, but --
COSTELLO: How about that sixth inning?
MARCIANO: MLB postseason, baby. Even without the Yankees or the Red Sox, and I hate to say it, the drama is right there. If you are enduring some travel today, you're going to have some drama, I think. Take a look at the radar. Across parts of the northeast, we've got a decent size storm system here that's really just getting organized, and as it does so, it's going to spin rain, some thunderstorms.
We had some rough weather move across Virginia yesterday with flooding rains and even reports of tornadoes. Damage certainly reminiscent of that, and we'll get official word of whether or not there were actual tornadoes later on today, but eight reports of tornadoes across parts of Virginia yesterday.
We don't expect as much rough weather today, but certainly, there's going to be a decent amount of rainfall. You see, it's beginning to fill in there across the radar (ph) through D.C. area. Right now, New York is dry as is Philadelphia, but throughout the day today, thunderstorms will be a possibility, and the winds are going to slow things down.
Pretty much everywhere. New York, Boston, Philly, you can throw D.C. in there. Certainly, Chicago in the back side of this. System is going to have some gusty winds and Detroit for some thunderstorms. Hey, they managed to get the game in last night without any sort of range delay which was impressive.
Behind the system, certainly some wind and desert southwest, and SoCal, after some record setting temperatures in the last couple of days, it will be toasty once again. Ninety-one degrees expected in Los Angeles, 61 degrees in Chicago, and 70 degrees in New York City.
Congratulations on your Tigers surviving the game six. We'll see what they do on Saturday, Carol. Have a good weekend. Actually, we'll see you in about --
COSTELLO: You, too. Thank you, Rob.
The mayor of New York says protesters need to leave Zuccotti Park by 7:00 a.m. eastern so the park can be cleaned, but the protesters say, hey, we're staying put.
People have been camping out to be among the first to get the new iPhone 4s. Yes. Let's talk about something good, too. We'll head live to New York and to the Apple Store.
But first, on this day in history, October 14th, 1962, marked the beginning of the Cuban missile crisis, and that's brought the United States and the Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear conflict. It's 44 minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Good morning and Happy Friday to you. It is October 14th. This is your A.M. WAKE-UP CALL. I'm Carol Costello joining you live this morning from New York. It's 46 minutes past the hour. It's a countdown to a showdown.
The mayor of New York says protesters need to leave Zuccotti Park by 7:00 a.m. eastern so it can be cleaned, but staying true to their name, Occupy Wall Street protesters say they are staying right where they are. In fact, the protesters have begun cleaning up the park themselves. As they see it, the mayor's cleanup order is really an eviction notice.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DANIEL MINTZ, CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR, MOVEON.ORG: Mayor would do a lot better cleaning up Wall Street than cleaning up Zuccotti Park. And not only that, we also have more than 650,000 signatures from every country in the world, supporting the people who are occupying Wall Street. The mayor needs to not evict them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: These protesters have been there for almost a month protesting the weak economy and a political system many deem corrupt.
Lawmakers are pondering the best response to the alleged Iranian plot to kill the Saudi ambassador on American soil. Top White House officials tell a Senate Committee, economic sanctions are paying offer, and they now want to ratchet up the pressure on Tehran.
Several lawmakers want stronger measures like crippling Iran's currency by sanctioning its central bank or pressuring other countries to stop buying their oil. Senator Bob Corker sees the plot as a provocation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BOB CORKER, (R) TENNESSEE: They were willing to do something here in our country that likely would have created a war. I mean, that's been our response to these kind of things in the past. So, if you really just take "A" to "B" to "C," it's very evident that the Iranian government was willing to conduct an act of terrorism on our soil knowing the history of the way Americans have responded to that, they were willing, it appears to me, to provoke a war.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: In the meantime, a friend of one of the men charged says he was too disorganized and forgetful to pull off such a plot. Manssor Arbabsiar is accused of conspiracy to murder a foreign officials among other things. The second suspect remains at large.
President Obama will bring a special guest along as he heads to Michigan to tell jobs today. He'll be joined By President Lee of South Korea. The president hosted Mr. Lee and his wife at a White House state dinner last night. He praised the free trade agreement passed by Congress this week saying, it's a win for both countries.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: From aerospace to electronics, it will increase American manufacturing exports, including those produced by our small businesses. It will open Korea's lucrative services market, and I'm very pleased that it will help level the playing field for American automakers. As a former executive, President Lee will understand when I say that just as Americans buy Hyundais and Kias, I hope that South Koreans will buy more Fords, Chryslers, Chevys.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Today, the two leaders will visit a GM plant in Michigan where a new car, the Chevy Sonic, is being built. Engineers and designers from both countries collaborated on the car.
With the president's jobs bill stalling in Congress, a group of Republican senators have unveiled their own plan. It contains GOP staples like capping the top income tax rate at 25 percent. It would also repeal the president's healthcare plan. The lawmakers say it's a blueprint for economic recovery. Still, Senator Rand Paul knows it'll take a lot for the other side to buy in.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. RAND PAUL, (R) KENTUCKY: You will get rid of joblessness and unemployment when your economy grows again. We think our package can create over five million jobs. We are ready to discuss it with the president. We welcome having him come down.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Democrats say the GOP plan would not create jobs with Senator Chuck Schumer calling it a political fig leaf.
The first new device without Steve Jobs at Apple's helm goes on sale today. People have been camping out all night long to be among the first to get the new iPhone 4s. There are lines around the block in some cities. CNNMoney's Laurie Segall is at New York's Apple Store. People line up there to get their hands on that new iPhone. What does it look like out there?
VOICE OF LAURIE SEGALL, CNNMONEY REPORTER: 200 people right now in line. I spoke to the first people in line. They've been here for two weeks before the iPhone announcement even happened. They decided to camp out and anticipation of the announcement and, you know, these events always bring out the best of characters.
People in line are on their iPhones. They're on their iPads. And, you know what's interesting is right at the front of the store and this is the flagship store in New York City, there are still flowers and people have brought apples to kind of remember Steve Jobs. It's a pretty exciting crew out here.
COSTELLO: We're seeing pictures on our television screens of Steve Wozniak. We understand he is at the head of the line at a California Apple Store, and it's just a nice gesture to Steve Jobs in remembrance of him people are coming up and asking him for his autograph. Are people lining up more you think to honor Steve Jobs or is it their great, great, great desire to have this new iPhone?
SEGALL: You know, I think it's a bit of both. I spoke to one girl on line, and she told me, she said she's never had an iPhone before, but after listening to what everybody has been saying about Steve Jobs. She says she has a ton of admiration for him, and you know, this is what she wanted to do. She wanted to get an iPhone, and she wanted to see what all the hype is about.
And she said, you know, I have an iPad. This has affected my life, and I didn't realize it until recently. So, people -- I think everybody is thinking about it, but then, at the same time, Steve Jobs did such a great job with designs.
That's a great job product building that these people in line are, you know, they are people that have been in line for every iPhone release, and they will be in line for every iPhone release, because they're so addicted to these products.
COSTELLO: Well, the thing I find interesting is this is an iPhone -- it's not iPhone 5, right? It's an iPhone 4s, so it isn't even a complete upgrade, and they've had a record number of preorders for this thing.
SEGALL: Yes. You know, I think a lot of analysts said, maybe, there's a disappointment, and people were disappointed it wasn't the iPhone 5, but if you talk to a lot of people who are actually, you know, who are purchasing it, a lot of techies and I cover technology, so I talk to a lot of start-up people. They say, you know, this is actually a pretty great upgrade, you know?
This is going to mean a faster phone. You've got an updated keys at a camera that's going to -- essentially going to make your phone kind of like a point and shoot camera. You have (INAUDIBLE) which is this really cool application that everybody in this iPhone -- in this line can't stop talking about.
It's essentially a built-in app to your phone that's going to serve as a personal assistant and could, one day, if it actually works, take on Google or something like that. So, you know, I don't think people here -- I mean, at least the people in this line. You know, you don't line up in the rain, and sometimes, for more than nine days if you're not excited about the release.
COSTELLO: Yes, you got that right. Laurie Segall, producer for CNN. Thank you so much for filling us in this morning. We appreciate it.
It's just good news and more good news for Google. Details ahead live from the NASDAQ MarketSite.
But first, let's take a look at the word of the day. It's toki doki. Find out what it means and why you need to know right after a break. It's 54 minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: It is three minutes until the top of the hour. This is your A.M. WAKE-UP CALL.
Today's word of the day. toki doki. What does it mean? Well, it means sometimes in Japanese. It's in the headlines because the new Barbie doll toki doki will feature tattoos. Yes, a Barbie doll with tattoo. Every mother's dream present for their daughter.
Let's head live to the NASDAQ MarketSite right now to check on the numbers. Carter Evans is there. Good morning.
CARTER EVANS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I have to say it. Kids these day, wow. Tattoos on Barbie. What's next?
COSTELLO: I know.
EVANS: All right. We've got reports on retail sales coming up today. Those are always important. Also, one on consumer sentiment. In the meantime, our futures are looking fairly good. Hopefully, we can end the week on a positive note. Dow futures up 77 points right now. NASDAQ up about 17. S&P 500 up about 8 1/2 points.
COSTELLO: Give us a quick look at what's making headlines on CNNMoney.com
EVANS: Well, everybody over at CNNMoney.com is talking about Google and Google's third quarter earnings. Google's revenue just soaring. Sales up 33 percent to nearly $10 billion, and Google+, this is Google's answer to Facebook. Started out with 10 million users in the beginning of the quarter, now, there are 40 million -- I almost said 40 million losers.
(LAUGHTER)
EVANS: Forty million users on Google+.
(LAUGHTER)
COSTELLO: Yes, certainly not losers. EVANS: Not at all.
COSTELLO: Are you going to be out standing in line later this morning to get a new iPhone 4s.?
EVANS: No. I don't think so. There are plenty of them. You don't need to stand in line, I don't think.
COSTELLO: You're not going to partake in all the craziness?
EVANS: No. I'll watch it on TV.
COSTELLO: There are 200 people already in line at the Apple Store New York City.
EVANS: That's incredible. That's incredible. I can't believe it. Not me. Not me. I like to wake up and come in here early in the morning.
(LAUGHTER)
COSTELLO: That's because you're -- I think I'd rather be waiting in line at the Apple Store.
EVANS: Yes. I'm crazier here. Yes. Exactly.
COSTELLO: You're (ph) crazy. Carter Evans, many thanks, as usual. We appreciate it.
"AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.
