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Palin Accused of Going Rogue; Body of Jennifer Hudson's Nephew Found; Iraqi Fighter Pilots Earn Wings; Obama Speaks to Supporters
Aired October 27, 2008 - 13:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KYRA PHILLIPS, HOST (voice-over): Is John McCain's No. 2 looking out for No. 1? Eight days left. The gloves are coming off, the charges being hurled inside the Republican ticket.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have to not only train them to be pilots and have the skill to operate the aircraft, but we're also training them to be warriors.
PHILLIPS: Rebuilding the Iraqi air force from the ground up. I saw the training first-hand. Today, we see how far those fliers have come.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It means so much to all of us. It's not just a house.
PHILLIPS: In times like these, one homeowner's misery is a smart investor's opportunity for kindness.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Hello, everyone. I'm Kyra Phillips at the CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta. You're live in the CNN NEWSROOM. Let's get right to it.
If you didn't know, this week was the last full week of a presidential race that's almost two years old. You could probably guess from the candidates' travels this hour alone: Barack Obama is campaigning in Ohio, Sarah Palin in Virginia, John McCain also in Ohio. And next hour, we'll see Joe Biden in North Carolina. Obama is making what his camp calls a closing argument in a state that no Republican has ever won the White House without.
CNN's latest Ohio poll of polls shows Obama leading McCain by four points. His poll of poll lead in Virginia stands at five. And in North Carolina, a CNN/"TIME"/Opinion Research poll last week showed Obama up by four.
Now you don't have to be Candy Crowley to know that presidential campaigns often get nasty, brutish. They're long. And personal attacks are not only not off limits; they're not always from the other side.
Case in point, Sarah Palin being called a diva, a rogue, the hardest running mate ever to get up to speed on key issues. Well, those aren't Democrats talking: they're associates, aides and advisers of John McCain or of Palin herself.
CNN's Ed Henry following McCain today in Dayton, Ohio.
Ed, is this just campaign stress and strain or is the honeymoon over?
ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, you can hear they're doing the warm-up music behind me. I'm not sure everybody's singing from the same song sheet right now, and that's a problem for John McCain. He needs, in the final eight days, for he and his running mate, all their staffers to be on the same team, pushing in the same direction, and focused on one thing. And that's Barack Obama.
And instead, over the last couple of days, you've seen some sniping back and forth. Basically, the McCain people feel, well, maybe Sarah Palin's going her own way. Maybe she's looking ahead to next week, thinking John McCain will lose and thinking, well, maybe I'll be the party leader in 2009 and beyond, so I'll get ready and go my own way and start no longer reading from the talking points.
The Palin people feel just the opposite. They feel that she is on board and that, basically, she's gotten -- she's been ill-served by the McCain team and that they sort of botched her role up.
I think, obviously, the quickest thing John McCain needs to do is to get all that behind him and focus on his bringing his team back together, because they've got to worry about Barack Obama. They can't let this overshadow it, because they're already behind. The last thing they need are more distractions, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Well, what do you think? Is Palin thinking about her political future?
HENRY: Well, look. I think, obviously, in the back of her mind, Sarah Palin has to be thinking about the fact that she's virtually come from nowhere to being very, very popular out here on the stump.
I mean, right now this McCain event that I'm at is inside. That's -- all the McCain events are inside, because they're smaller and so you can make it look like it's really crowded when it's inside an arena like this, when there's only a few hundred or a thousand people.
Sarah Palin's rallies are 10,000, 12,000 people, sometimes more than that. So in the back of her mind, at the very least, she has to be thinking, "Well, if this doesn't work out, obviously, I have a future."
But I don't think it's fair to assume that she's already looking past this election. Her staff insists that she's focused on helping John McCain win. After that, obviously, all bets will be off. She clearly has gotten a lot of name recognition, not all for the better. She's also become a lightening rod. But think about it. We weren't really talking about her two, three months ago. Now, all of a sudden, in some ways, she's overshadowed John McCain, Kyra. PHILLIPS: Ed Henry, we'll keep checking in with you. We'll take part of that rally live when it happens. Thanks.
Well, missing for three days and now thought to be the third victim. The Chicago FBI says that a body found this morning in an SUV is believed to be the nephew of actress Jennifer Hudson. Seven-year- old Julian King hasn't been seen since Friday, when the bodies of Hudson's mom and brother were found, shot to death in their South Side home.
CNN's Susan Roesgen has the latest now for us -- Susan.
SUSAN ROESGEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kyra.
I'm here outside Chicago police headquarters where, in three hours, they're going to have a news conference to give us the latest on this case. As you mentioned, although the Chicago police would not confirm that it is the 7-year-old nephew now dead, FBI in Washington has said that, yes, they believe the body that was found in a white SUV this morning, a stolen white SUV, is that of the 7-year-old nephew of Jennifer Hudson.
It is such a sad story, Kyra. Jennifer Hudson, the hometown girl who was working at a Burger King when she tried out for "American Idol." Of course, now she's an Oscar-winning actress and singer. She is apparently still here in Chicago now, dealing with the murders of her mother and her brother. And now apparently, they have found the body of her nephew, murdered, as well.
The police said over the weekend, Kyra, that they believed this was some sort of domestic situation, but now, we're not sure. The one person that they had -- that they still have in custody is a person of interest, William Balfour. That is the stepfather of the child and the estranged husband of Jennifer Hudson's sister.
He is still only a person of interest, Kyra. He has not been named a suspect. He is now in custody on a parole violation. That's the only way they could keep him locked up, because they just did not have enough evidence to charge him with this, if he indeed winds up being charged.
He's in, actually, Illinois State Department of Corrections custody right now on a parole violation, because he did seven years in prison for an attempted murder and carjacking, not related to this case -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. We'll continue to follow the investigation with you. Susan Roesgen, thanks so much.
Flames lighting up the sky this morning in Seattle. This fire broke out in an old apartment building that was set to be torn down. An elderly man was apparently the only person inside. Firefighters pulled him from that blaze, but he died at the scene. They got the fire under control about an hour later. No word yet on that cause. One firefighter suffered a minor injury. Well, it's time to start spreading the bailout money. The first 125 billion of the $700 billion package goes out this week to nine big banks. The government will buy banks stocks to get credit flowing again.
New home sales were slightly up in September, but they're still down more than 33 percent from a year ago, and the median price for a home hits its lowest level in four years now.
Plus, there's been a sell-a-thon in the global market. Stock markets from Hong Kong to London to Frankfurt, all taking a beating today.
Let's get straight to Stephanie Elam at the New York Stock Exchange for a look at how U.S. investors are reacting right now.
Hey, Steph.
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kyra.
Yes, you had some bad news to start off the show with, and really, for once, I'm not part of that bad news wave. This is a moment in time, obviously, but right now, the markets are doing much better than we expected.
The Dow is down more than 20 percent this month alone, and it closed at its lowest level in five and a half years. We saw overseas markets selling off this morning and last night for us. And we saw our futures looking really low.
But at this point, the Dow is actually on the upside by 128 points, at 80 -- 8508. So it's up about 1.5 percent. NASDAQ up fractionally. Same thing for the -- same story with the S&P 500. So much better than we expected.
We have seen a wide swing today. The Dow's been up about 150 points, and it's been down about 170 points. So we've been watching the swings today.
But one thing that has helped out is the surprise jump in new home sales in September. A lot of that had to do with lower prices, but analysts say we shouldn't expect that for the rest of the year. It probably will not be so strong.
Also bank stocks, they're doing well today. They're helped out by that news that the government is starting to dole out funds from the bailout bill. So all of that factoring in today.
But we'll see if we can keep it happening, make it stay through 4 p.m. We know that last hour of trading, Kyra, everything can change.
PHILLIPS: Isn't that true? By the second. Thanks, Stephanie.
ELAM: By the second, exactly.
PHILLIPS: Straight ahead, the top guns of Iraq. They've graduated, got their wings and are ready to move onto their next mission.
And how about the big hug for the total stranger who bought your fore closed home and then give it back to you? Random acts of kindness rarely get this big.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: In eastern Congo today, thousands of civilians threw Molotov cocktails and rocks at a U.N. mission. A U.N. spokesperson actually said the peacekeepers inside the compound opened fire in a bid to disperse the crowd. Several people reportedly were killed.
People in the area are angry that a large, U.N. peacekeeping force has been unable to protect them from a rebel attack a few miles away. The fighting has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes.
And high tensions today along the Syrian/Iraqi border. A U.S. source tells CNN that American military helicopters and Special Operations forces carried out a, quote, "successful attack" inside Syria yesterday. The target, a man suspected of working with al Qaeda to smuggle money, weapons and foreign fighters across the border into Iraq.
Syria calls the attack terrorist aggression. It says the strike was launched from Iraq and killed at least seven civilians.
Well, history was made in Iraq this week, and the good news is it didn't involve a death count. I'm talking about the new Iraqi air force. When I was on assignment in Iraq earlier this year, I heard about these young Iraqi pilots and their shared goal of fighting strike fighters. As a matter of fact, the movie, "Top Gun," actually inspired a number of these men to want to fly.
And after profiling these new officers, I realized they were taking on one of the biggest challenges in Iraq: rebuilding its military and creating air power that hasn't existed since the fall of Saddam Hussein.
These pilots have now taken flight into history. They've graduated, and they have their wings. And here's how it all began, with Lieutenant Majid (ph).
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS (voice-over): The old Iraqi air force flew its first sortie in 1939.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: First, for a takeoff, hold the brakes. Take off.
Down a little bit. OK.
OK. Nose down, a little bit.
PHILLIPS (on camera): Nose down a little bit? OK. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fifty-five knots (ph).
PHILLIPS (voice-over): Now, in 2008, it's like starting over, again.
(on camera) Put me in a tough situation. Give me a...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tough situation.
PHILLIPS: Yes, a tough situation. OK.
(BEEPING NOISE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Push.
PHILLIPS: OK.
OK. Come back up. Come back up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pull, pull.
PHILLIPS: Pull?
(voice-over) Majid (ph) is teaching me how he learned to fly.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Treat it like a woman.
PHILLIPS (on camera): Treat it like a woman.
(voice-over) An engineering grad from Baghdad University, this 25-year-old officer is Iraq's future.
(on camera) So why do you want to be a pilot?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have three answers. First, it is my dream. And I want to help my country. And actually, "Top Gun."
PHILLIPS: "Top Gun?"
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
PHILLIPS: The movie, "Top Gun"?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I saw this movie three times. It motivated me to be a pilot.
PHILLIPS: So you're Maverick and I'm Goose?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are.
PHILLIPS: Do you ever get nervous?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can understand (ph).
PHILLIPS: Yes?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In the beginning, all of us get nervous. We think of our family, and this is dangerous for them.
PHILLIPS: What does it feel like to be flying a plane, being at the controls?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ten thousand feet above the ground, you feel like a bird. Just fly and it's wonderful.
PHILLIPS (voice-over): We're now airborne with Majid. It's his first formation.
LT. COL. MARK BENNETT, 52ND EXPEDITIONARY FTS: We have to not only train them to be pilots and have the skill to operate the aircraft, but we're also training them to be warriors.
Majid is a highly educated, very motivated individual. And the coalition air force training team is partnering with the Iraqis to build an air force that can protect the sovereignty of the nation. And they just have to be dedicated to the cause.
PHILLIPS: Majid, without a doubt, knows his cause.
(on camera) Why does Iraq need this air force?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Every country needs an air force, especially in Iraq, because we're not insurgents, not terrorists. Not terrorists. So we must fight them.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Well now, one of the pilots who helped them take off, literally. Joining me from the Pentagon, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Bennett of the U.S. Air Force.
Mark, great to see you.
BENNETT: Hi, Kyra. How are you today? Thanks for having me on.
PHILLIPS: It's a pleasure. When you told me about the graduation, I couldn't have been more excited, because I remember, it was a couple years ago. I was trying to do a story on this, and you guys weren't even up and running. Now Majid and the guys have graduated.
And you know, let's talk about for a minute, in that piece I actually had to blur out Majid's face. Now, we're looking at these graduation pictures, and there they are, proud to be able to show their identity.
Tell me about how this change in security, and -- what it has done for their confidence and for the program, and so now they can show face?
BENNETT: Well, it's just a great example of the progress that we're making. You know, these brave, young men that are willing to stand up now and actually take that next step and show their identity, it's just phenomenal to see that Majid and his classmates are really an inspiration for the Iraqi people by, you know, putting themselves at risk and their families. And they're willing to support the cause, like we talked about. It's just a fantastic achievement.
PHILLIPS: And let's talk about Majid for a minute. I mean, all these guys were just such incredible young men and class acts, but Majid was very unique. And of course, I loved the fact that he watched "Top Gun" and this is what wanted him to become a part of this program.
Tell me why Majid was your ideal fighter pilot. What's going to make him so good?
BENNETT: Well, they all were highly motivated. They believed in what they were doing. They understood the significance and the need of an air force and the role that it plays in the security of a nation and, you know, building towards their air sovereignty, which is the goal for Iraq.
You know, these brave, young men standing up and just taking the torch from the old regime and ready to protect the skies and protect the nation. It's really inspirational.
PHILLIPS: Well, and there -- well, and there was a trust factor, too, Mark. Right? I mean, you -- how did you develop that? How did you know you could trust these former Saddam pilots and take in these young Iraqi men to, you know, become a part of this program?
BENNETT: Well, you know, we relied on the individuals in Baghdad that were part of the coalition air force training team. They vetted them. And you know, the Iraqis that were partnering with their -- as part of the Iraqi air force also helped us out with a vetting process.
We always had to be a little cautious to make sure that, you know, they didn't have any bad intentions. But once we got to know them, we really felt that they're -- they were, they really believed in what they were doing. And they -- we didn't feel threatened at all at any time by any of them.
PHILLIPS: Well, it was an honor to be introduced to the program and to meet you. And appreciate just letting you know that they graduated and seeing the pictures. I mean, I think it makes a lot of people proud.
Lieutenant Colonel Mark Bennett, thanks so much, Mark.
BENNETT: Thank you, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Want to take you live now to Ohio -- Canton, Ohio. Barack Obama just began his rally. Let's go ahead and listen in.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: .. that that's just a fear at the time when we need hope. In one week, at this defining moment in history, you can give this country the change we need. You can do that. You know, we began this journey in the depths of winter nearly two years ago, on the steps of the old state capital in Springfield, Illinois, the place where Abraham Lincoln served so many years. Now back then, we didn't have much money, and we didn't have many endorsements. We weren't given much of a chance by the polls or pundits, and we knew how steep our climb would be.
But I also knew this. I knew that the size of our challenges had outgrown the smallness of our politics. I believed that Democrats and Republicans and Americans of every political stripe were hungry for new ideas and new leadership and a new kind of politics, one -- one that favors common sense over ideology; one that focuses on those values and ideals that we hold in common as Americans.
Most of all, I believed in you. I believed in your ability to make change happen. I knew that the American people were a decent, generous people who are willing to work hard and sacrifice for future generations. And I was absolutely convinced that, when we come together, our voices are more powerful than the most entrenched lobbyist or the most vicious political attacks, or the full force of a status quo in Washington that wants to keep things just the way they are.
And 21 months later, my faith in the American people has been vindicated. That's how we've come so far, how we've come so close, because of you. That's how we'll change this country, with your help. That's why we cannot afford to slow down or sit back. We cannot let up for one day, or one minute or one second in this last week. Not now, not when there's as much at stake. One week.
We are in the middle of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. I don't have to tell you, Ohio. Seven hundred and sixty thousand workers that lost their jobs so far this year. Businesses and families can't get credit. Home values are falling. Pensions are disappearing. Wages are lower than they've been in a decade at a time when the cost of everything from health care to college have never been higher.
It's getting harder and harder to make the mortgage or fill up your gas tank, or even keep the electricity on at the end of the month. At a moment like this, the last thing we can afford is four more years of the tired, worn-out old theory that says -- that says we should give more to billionaires and big corporations and hope that prosperity trickles down on everybody else.
The last thing -- the last thing we can afford is four more years where no one in Washington is watching anyone on Wall Street, because politicians and lobbyists killed common-sense regulations. Those are the theories that got us into this mess. They haven't worked. And it is time for change, and that's why I'm running for president of the United States of America.
Now, Senator McCain has served this country honorably. And Senator McCain can point to a few moments, like torture, where he has broken with George Bush over the past eight years. He deserves credit for that. He deserves credit for that. But when it comes to the economy, when it comes to the central issue of our time, the central issue of this election, the plain truth is that John McCain has stood with this president every step of the way: voting for the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy that he once opposed; voting for the Bush budgets that spent us into debt; calling for less regulation 21 times just this year. Those are the facts.
And now, after 21 months and three debates, Senator McCain still has not been able to tell the American people a single major thing he'd do differently from George Bush when it comes to the economy. Not one thing.
Senator McCain says we can't spend the next four years waiting for our luck to change, but you understand that the biggest gamble we can take is to embrace the same old Bush policies that have failed us for the last eight years. We can't afford to take that risk.
It's not change when John McCain wants to give a $700,000 tax cut to the average Fortune 500 CEO. It's not change when he wants to give $200 billion to the biggest corporations or $4 billion to the oil companies or 300 billion to the same Wall Street banks that got us into this mess. It's not change when he comes up with a tax plan that doesn't give a penny of relief to more than 100 million middle-class Americans. That is not change.
So look, Ohio, we have tried it John McCain's way. We have tried it George Bush's way. And deep down -- deep down, Senator McCain knows that, which is why his campaign said that, "if we keep talking about the economy, we're going to lose." That's why he's spending these last weeks calling me every name in the book, because that's how you play the game in Washington. If you can't beat your opponent's ideas, you distort those ideas and maybe make some up. If you don't have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run away from. You make -- you make a big election about small things.
Ohio, we're here to say, not this time. Not this year. Not when so much is at stake.
John McCain might be worried about losing an election, but I'm worried about Americans who are losing their homes, and their jobs and their life savings. I can take one more week of John McCain's attacks, but this country can't take four more years of the same failed politics and the same failed policies. It's time to try something new. It is time, Canton, to try something new.
The question in this election is not are you better off than you were four years ago? We all know the answer to that. The real question is, will this country be better off four years from now?
I know these are difficult times. They're difficult times for Ohio. They're difficult times for America. But I also know that we've faced difficult times before. The American story has never been about things coming easy. It's been about rising to the moment when the moment was hard. It's about seeing (ph) the highest mountain top from the deepest of valleys. It's about rejecting fear and division for unity of purpose. That's how we overcame war and depression. That's how we've won great struggles for civil rights and women's rights and workers' rights. That's how we'll emerge from this crisis stronger and more prosperous than we were before, as one nation and as one people.
Remember, we still have the most talented, most productive workers of any country on earth. We're still home to innovation and technology; colleges and universities that are the envy of the world. Some of the biggest, brightest ideas in history have come from our small businesses, in the back of somebody's garage, in our research facilities. So there's no reason why we can't make this American century another American century. We just need -- we juts need a new direction. We just need a new politics.
Now, understand, I don't believe that government can or should try to solve all our problems. You don't believe that either. But I do believe that government should do that which we cannot do for ourselves: protect us from harm; provide a decent education for all children; invest in new roads and bridges, in new science and technology.
Our government should reward drive and innovation and encourage growth in the free market. But it should also make sure businesses live up to their responsibility, to create American jobs and look out for American workers and play by the rules of the road.
It should ensure a shot at success, not just for those with money and power and influence, but for every single American who is willing to work. That's how we create not just more millionaires or more billionaires, but how we create more middle class families. That's how we make sure businesses have customers that can afford their products or services. That's how we've always grown the American economy, from the bottom up. John McCain calls it socialism, I call it opportunity. And there's nothing more American than that.
(APPLAUSE)
AUDIENCE: Obama! Obama! Obama! Obama! Obama!
OBAMA: Thank you. Look, if we want to get through this crisis -- if we want to get through this crisis, we need to get beyond the old ideological debates and divides between the left and the right. We don't need bigger government or smaller government; we need better government. We need a more confident government. We need a government that upholds the value we hold in common as Americans.
We don't have to choose between allowing our financial system to collapse and spending billions of dollars of taxpayer money to bail out Wall Street banks. As president, I will ensure the financial rescue plan helps stop foreclosures and protects your money instead of enriching CEOs. And I'll put in place the common sense regulation that I've been calling for throughout this campaign so that Wall Street can never cause a crisis like this again. That's the change we need.
The choice -- the choice in this election isn't between tax cuts and no tax cuts, it's about whether you believe we should only reward wealth or whether we should also reward the workers -- and workers who create wealth. I will give a tax break to 95 percent of Americans who work every day and get taxes taken out of their paychecks every week.
(APPLAUSE)
I'll eliminate income taxes for seniors making under $50,000. And we're going to give homeowners and working parents more of a break.
(APPLAUSE)
And yes, I'll help pay for this by asking the folks who are making more than $250,000 a year to go back to the tax rate they were paying in the 1990s.
(APPLAUSE)
No matter what John McCain may claim, here are the facts. If you make under $250,000 a year, you will not see your taxes increase by a single dime. Not your income taxes, your payroll taxes, not your capital gains taxes -- no taxes. Because the last thing we should do in this economy is raise taxes on the middle class. And we have been saying that throughout this campaign.
Now, when it comes to jobs, the choice in this election is not between putting up a wall around America or allowing every job to disappear overseas. The truth is, we won't be able to bring back every single job that we've lost here in Ohio or across the country, but that doesn't mean we should follow John McCain's plan, to keep giving tax breaks to corporations that send American jobs overseas. I will end those breaks as president. I will give American businesses a $3,000 tax credit for every job they create right here in Ohio, right here in the United States of America.
(APPLAUSE)
I'll eliminate capital gains taxes for small businesses and startup companies that are the engine of job creation in this country. We'll create 2 million new jobs by rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges and schools, by laying broadband lines to reach every corner of the country. And I will invest $15 billion a year in renewable sources of energy to create 5 million new energy jobs over the next decade. Jobs that pay well, jobs that can't be outsourced, jobs building solar panels and wind turbines and a new electricity grid, jobs building the fuel efficient cars of tomorrow, not in Japan, not in South Korea, but right here in the U.S. of A.
(APPLAUSE)
Jobs that will help us eliminate the oil we import from the Middle East in 10 years and help save the planet in the bargain (ph). That's how America can lead again.
When it comes to health care, we don't have to choose between a government-run health care system and the unaffordable one we have now. If you already have health insurance, the only thing that will change under my plan is that we will lower your premiums.
(APPLAUSE)
If you don't have health insurance, you'll be able to get the same kind of health insurance that members of Congress give themselves.
(APPLAUSE)
We'll invest in preventive care and new technology to finally lower the cost of health care for families and businesses and the entire economy. And as someone -- as someone who watched his own mother spend the final months of her life arguing with insurance companies because they claimed her cancer was a preexisting condition, they didn't want to pay for the treatment, I will stop insurance companies from discriminating against those who are sick and need care the most. You can count on that.
(APPLAUSE)
When it comes to giving every child a world class education so they can compete in this global economy for the jobs of the 21st century, the choice is not between more money and more reform because our schools need both. As president, I will invest in early childhood education to close the achievement gap. We'll recruit an army of new teaches, we'll pay them more money, we'll give them more support. But I will also demand higher standards and more accountability from everybody. From our teachers, and principals and our schools. And I will make a deal with every young American who has the drive and the will but not the money to go to college. If you commit to serving your community, or your country, in national service, we will make sure you can afford your tuition.
(APPLAUSE)
You invest in America, America will invest in you. Together, we'll move this country forward.
(APPLAUSE)
When it comes to keeping this country safe, we don't have to choose between retreating from the world and fighting a war without end in Iraq. It is time to stop spending $10 billion a month in Iraq while the Iraqi government sits on a huge surplus.
(APPLAUSE)
As president, I will end this war by asking -- by asking the Iraqi government to step up and finally finish the fight against bin Laden and the al Qaeda terrorists who attacked us on 9/11. I will never hesitate to defend this nation, but I will only send our troops into harms way with a clear mission and a sacred commitment to give them the equipment they need in battle and the care and benefits they deserve when they come home. We will treat our veterans with honor and respect.
(APPLAUSE)
I will build new partnerships to defeat the threats of the 21st century and I will restore our moral standard so that America is once again viewed as that last best hope, for all who are called to the cause of freedom, who long for lives of peace, who yearn for a better future.
Now, I won't stand here and pretend that any of this will be easy, especially now. The cost of this economic crisis, the cost of the war in Iraq, means that Washington will have to tighten its belt and put out of spending on things we can afford to do without. On this, there is no other choice. As president, I will go through the federal budget, line by line, ending programs that we don't need, making the ones we do need work better and cost less. But as I have said from the day we began this journey all those months ago, the change we need isn't just about new programs and policies. It's about a new attitude, it's about new politics. A politics that calls on our better angels, instead of encouraging our worst instincts, one that reminds us of the obligations we have to ourselves and one another.
But part of the reason this economic crisis occurred is because we've been living through an era of profound irresponsibility. On Wall Street, easy money, and an ethic of what's good for me is good enough blinded greedy executives to the dangers in decisions that they were making. On Main Street, lenders tricked people into buying homes they couldn't afford. So folks knew they couldn't afford those houses, and bought them anyway. In Washington, politicians spent money they didn't have and allowed lobbyists to set the agenda. They scored political points instead of solving our problems. And even after the greatest attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor, all we were asked to do by our president was to go out and shop.
That's why what we've lost in these last eight years can't be measured just by lost wages or bigger trade deficits. What's also been lost is the idea that in this American story, each of us has a role to play. Each of us have responsibilities to work hard, to look after ourselves and our families, and each of us has a responsibility to look out for each other, our fellow citizens. That's what's been lost these last eight years -- our common sense of purpose, our sense of higher purpose. That's what we need to restore right now. That's one of the reasons I'm running for president of the United States of America.
(APPLAUSE)
So, yes, government must lead the way on energy independence. But each of us must do our part to make our homes and businesses more efficient. Yes, we must provide more ladders to success for young men who have fall into lives of crime and despair, but all of us have to do our part as parents to turn off the TV set and read to our children, to take responsibility for providing love and guidance.
(APPLAUSE)
Yes, we can argue and debate our positions passionately, but all of us must summon the strength and grace to bridge our differences and unite in common effort, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native-American, Democrat, Republican, young, old, rich, poor, gay, straight, disabled or not. All of us have to come together.
(APPLAUSE)
Ohio, in this election, we cannot afford the same political games and tactics that are being used to pit us against one another, to make us afraid of one another. The stakes are too high to divide us by class and region and background, by who we are or what we believe. Because despite what our opponents may claim, there are no real or fake parts of this country. There's no city or town that's more pro- America than anywhere else. We're one nation. All of us proud, all of us patriots.
(APPLAUSE)
There are patriots who supported this war in Iraq and patriots who opposed it. Patriots who believed in Democratic policies and those who believe in Republican policies. The men and women who serve in our battle fields, some may be Democrats, some may be Republicans, others Independents, but they fought together and they bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a red America or a blue America. They served the United States of America.
(APPLAUSE)
It won't be easy, Ohio. It won't be easy. It won't be quick. But you and I know that it is time to come together and change this country. Some of you may be cynical. Some of you may be fed up with politics. A lot of you may be disappointed and even angry with your leaders. And you have every right to be. But despite all of this, I ask of you what's been asked of Americans throughout history -- I ask you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about change, but in yours. I know this change is possible because I've seen it.
I've seen it over the last 21 months. Because in this campaign, I've had the privilege to witness what is best in America. I've seen it in the lines of voters that stretched around schools and churches, in the young people who cast their ballots for the very first time, and those not so young folks who got involved again a very long time. I've seen it in the workers who would rather cut back their hours than see their friends lose their jobs, in the neighbors who take in a stranger when the flood waters rise, in the soldiers who reenlist after losing a limb. I've seen it in the faces of men and women I've met at countless rallies and town halls across the country, men and women who speak of their struggles, but also of their hopes, of their dreams.
I still remember the e-mail that a woman named Robin (ph) sent me after I met her in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Sometime after our event her son nearly went into cardiac arrest. He was diagnosed with a heart condition that could only be treated with a procedure that costs tens of thousands of dollars. Her insurance company refused to pay, and their family didn't have that kind of money. In her e-mail, Robin wrote, I ask only this of you. On the days where you feel so tired, you can't think of uttering another word to the people, think of us. When those who oppose you have you down, reach deep and fight back harder.
(APPLAUSE)
Ohio, that's what hope is. That thing inside us that insists, despite all evidence to the contrary, that something better is waiting around the bend, it insists there are better days ahead, if we're willing to work for it, if we're willing to shed our fears and doubts, if we're willing to reach deep down inside ourselves when we're tired, when we're worn out and we come back fighting harder. Hope, that's what kept some of our parents and grandparents going when times were tough, what led them to say, maybe I can't go to college, but if I save a little bit each week, my child can go to college. Maybe I can't have my own business, but if I work really hard, my child can open one of her own.
Hope, it's what led immigrants from distant lands to come these shores against great odds, and carve a new life for their families in America, what led those who couldn't vote to march and organize and stand for freedom, that led them to cry out, it may look dark tonight, but if I hold on to hope, tomorrow will be brighter. That's what this election's about. That's the choice we face right now.
(APPLAUSE)
Don't believe for a second this election's over. Don't think for a minute that power concedes. We have a lot of work to do. We have to work like our future depends on it in this last week because it does depend on it this week.
(APPLAUSE)
In one week's time, we can choose an economy that rewards work and creates new jobs and fuels prosperity from the bottom up. In one week, we can choose to invest in health care for our families and education for our kids and renewable energy for our future. In one week, we can choose hope over fear and unity over division, the promise of change over the power of the status quo. In one week, we can come together as one nation and one people and once more choose our better history. That's what's at stake. That's what we're fighting for. And if in this last week, you'll knock on some doors for me and make some calls more me and talk to your neighbors and convince your friends, if you'll stand with me and fight with me and give me your vote, then I promise you, we will not just win Ohio, we will win this election and together, we'll change this country and we will change the world.
(APPLAUSE)
God bless you. God bless the United States of America.
Let's get to work.
PHILLIPS: Cue the music, cue the cheers. We just heard Barack Obama's closing argument, as he calls it, to voters in Ohio. CNN's Josh Levs heard it too. He did some checking -- fact checking.
I'll tell you what, whether it's McCain or Obama, they are getting everybody riled up at these rallies -- what -- how many days now, eight days?
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, hey, we're -- the hour glass is ticking. I'm feeling a little hoarse for him right now, aren't you?
PHILLIPS: That's the point. They see how much they can scream. Who loses their voice first I guess --
LEVS: Remember back in the primary when everyone was losing their voices? I remember that now. And obviously we're going to be hearing a bunch of speeches in the coming days. We know this is coming.
What I want to do is just take a few seconds here to point to some facts that we have followed at the CNN Truth Squad, that involve some of what you just heard. Now, you know we have big fancy boards. People like to make fun of it sometimes. Sometimes the way to go is low-tech. I want to zoom in on this screen and show you what I did. Check this out.
We got excerpts in advance, of what Barack Obama was going to say in this speech, being billed as his closing argument. I just transferred it to a Word document and I turned these into hyperlinks, which means these words will take us to places on the Truth Squad web site. We can show you what's true or not.
Let's start off with right here. This is a big one. He says John McCain's plan does not give a penny of relief to more than 100 million middle-class Americans. Well, that's something we followed before at the Truth Squad. Let's zoom in on the screen right here. Is that accurate? McCain plans gives 100 million no relief? We're going to zoom down to the verdict. And we've got a verdict right here. False.
The Obama campaign bases that assertion on just one part of the plan while ignoring the consequences of the rest of the plan.
Let's do one more. This is pretty cool. $300 billion to the same Wall Street banks that got us into this mess. Is that's what John McCain wants to give $300 billion to the big Wall Street banks? Well, we've got the answer for you again, right here. Let's take a look at that. Is McCain proposing $300 billion in tax cuts? And we show you that the quote is specifically to wealthiest corporations. And our verdict on this, misleading. Lots of details online.
Now, one more thing before we go. I'll just show you. You're going to be hearing a lot of this during the week. And one thing we're going to do, Kyra, this is really cool. We're going to post some of this online so you'll be able to follow this speech and link to lots of Truth Squads. And we're doing it from both sides. John McCain and Barack Obama. So, you'll be able to hear that all week and you'll be able to see online every little Truth Squad that we have that can possibly help you understand what you're seeing in the speeches.
PHILLIPS: It's still all very confusing, by the way.
LEVS: Yes, I know.
PHILLIPS: But, thanks, Josh.
LEVS: All right. You got it. Thanks a lot.
PHILLIPS: All right.
Well, home is where the heart is. And when the bank forecloses, home is where the heart break is. That's for sure. But, thanks to the kindness of a total stranger, one woman can go home again.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, just think about the emotional roller coaster that a Texas woman rode over the weekend. One minute, bargain bidders are feeding on her foreclosed homes. She's down, nearly out. But, a funny and heartwarming thing happened on the way to the auction block.
Monica Diaz, from our Dallas affiliate, WFAA, tells us the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MONICA DIAZ, WFAA REPORTER (voice-over): It's the misfortune of others that has lured hundreds of people to this foreclosure auction at the Dallas Convention Center. They came looking for a deal. Tracy came to find a closure.
TRACY ORR, HOME AUCTIONED: It means so much to all of us. It's not just a house.
DIAZ: A mother in tears, devastated by foreclosure.
ORR: I don't know where my (INAUDIBLE). I mean, this is my family. They've been through so much with me on helping me with the house and everything else. And then --
DIAZ: Tracy took a seat in the sea of investors, bargain hunters and strangers to say good-bye to her home. In this fast-paced intense, energetic event, her sadness didn't go unnoticed.
MARILYN MOCK, BOUGHT AUCTIONED HOUSE She was crying. And I just asked her what she was upset about. And you know, she lost her house.
DIAZ: Tracy's home in Pottsboro, just west of Denison, number 73, finally came up. And Marilyn Mock from Rockwall, raised her hand. There isn't even a picture of the property in the auction book.
MOCK: Well, I just kept asking her, you know, is it worth it? And she said, yes. And so, you know, then I went again. Then I said, is it worth it? And she said yes. So, just taking her word. DIAZ: On her word, bid after bid, Marilyn kept going.
ORR: They say on those (INAUDIBLE) she's doing that for me. Then she had it.
DIAZ: A second chance from a stranger.
MOCK: And that way they can -- yes, she can move right back into it. And so, wherever Pottsboro is. I'll have to look it up on the map.
DIAZ: A random act of kindness in a housing crisis where for some, a bailout is out of reach. Marilyn stepped in despite the risk.
MOCK: Because people need to help each other. And that's all there is to it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: And that was Monica Diaz, from our Dallas affiliate, WFAA. Both ladies talked with CNN's Kiran Chetry, this morning, about how they'll work all this out. Tracy Orr still can't talk about it without crying.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOCK: As soon as closing ends, then she's going to move right back into it. And then we'll get together at some point and figure everything out from there. And guess we'll be friends from here on out.
KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: And I see Tracy, you're tearing up just listen to Marilyn talk about it again. What was it like for you to realize? I mean, you had gone there basically, you know with all planning to have to say good-bye to your house. And it ends up you can still live there.
What was that like?
ORR: I'm still in shock. Seems like a dream and I'm going to wake up here in the next couple of days. And it's just -- I don't know. I'm still in shock.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, the deal isn't quite done yet. Fannie Mae still has to approve the purchase price.
The liberal landslide. What happens if the Democrats win the White House and sweep to overwhelming majorities in Congress? We're going to look to the past for clues.
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