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President-elect Takes Historic Train Ride in Washington; Recovery of Flight 1549; Don King Sounds Off
Aired January 17, 2009 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Oh boy, you have seen Don King's antics before. But what is he ranting about now. Here's a hint -- George Bush, Barack Obama and the U.S. constitution.
And singing his praises. One song changed these students' lives and won them a load of cash from Oprah, now a trip to the inauguration. Tonight, we update you on America's newest superstars. We're live. And our special coverage of the inauguration of Barack Obama starts right now.
Good evening, everyone. I'm Don Lemon live at the National Mall on an extremely cold night in Washington, D.C. In just a few days, the world's attention turns to this very place, where millions of people from all around the world, will witness history. Already, the excitement is beginning to build. A free, star-studded concert kicks off tomorrow at the other end of the mall on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
And just a few hours ago, the 44th president-to-be, his family and the family of his vice president Joe Biden arrived in Washington after a 137-mile train trip, an old-fashioned whistle-stop tour, retracing Abraham Lincoln's inaugural route back in 1861.
It started in Philadelphia, where the president-elect called on Americans to renew their faith in the country's founding principles.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENT-ELECT: I believe that our future is our choice, and that if we could just recognize ourselves in one another and bring everyone together -- Democrats, Republicans and independents, north, south, east, west, black, white, Latino, Asians, native Americans, gay and straight and disabled and not,...
(APPLAUSE)
OBAMA: ...then not only would we restore hope and opportunity in places that yearn for both, but maybe, just maybe, we might perfect our union in the process.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Wilmington, Delaware was the next stop to pick up Joe Biden, the vice president-elect.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. JOE BIDEN (D), VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT: I promised you we will not let you down. We have promises to keep, promises to our children and our grandchildren, promises to one another and quite frankly, promises to the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: More speeches, more greetings, even choirs. 40,000 people turned out in Baltimore and listen to the choir sing.
And the last stop tonight was a quiet one. It was right here in Washington, D.C. at Union Station, where the president-elect and his wife and children got off looking really more presidential than ever.
You know, the route was historic and the crowds were electric as the president-elect rolled through small towns and big cities on his way here to the nation's capital and Tuesday's historic inauguration. Our senior political correspondent Candy Crowley went along for the ride.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): This is not a train. It is a symbol with wheels. It took Barack Obama from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. along the same route Abraham Lincoln took to his inauguration, a historic trip into the future.
OBAMA: What's required is a new declaration of independence, not just in our nation but in our own lives. Independence from ideology and small thinking. Independence from prejudice and bigotry. Independence from selfishness. An appeal not to our easy instincts but to our better angels.
CROWLEY: Along the way, on the 135-mile trip, they came to stand by the tracks where the hillsides and wave. During the preplanned slow roll towns, he stood on the back of his vintage train and waved back. But even when the train raced past without fanfare, people showed up mostly in small groups with signs and flags, a way to claim just a piece of the history being made. They wanted to see him, and he wants to hang on to them, the people who sent him on this journey.
OBAMA: Let's make sure this election is not the end of what we do to change America, but just the beginning.
CROWLEY: Hope meets reality Wednesday when the new president walks into the Oval Office with the worst economy in decades, a war he wants to end, another he wants to step up. The man who campaigned on the urgency of now needs people to give him time.
OBAMA: There will be false starts, there will be setbacks. There'll be frustrations and disappointments. I will make some mistakes. But we will be called to show patience even as we act with fierce urgency.
CROWLEY: His speeches contained phrases and paragraphs of campaign rhetoric, but in the end, this was not about him, but about them -- the people who listened, who clapped, who only stood to see. They have a lot riding on the train that went by. (on camera): As you can see, by the time Barack Obama left Baltimore, it was pitch black. As he headed for his new home in Washington D.C., still, we can see people outside near the tracks waving. Those are the people interested in the history and the hope, the same people who Wednesday morning will be looking for help.
Candy Crowley, CNN, aboard the "Obama Express."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: All right, Candy. Well, early tonight, I spoke with Lisa Hazirjian and her partner Michelle Kaiser. They were among the lucky people who got to join president-elect Obama on today's whistle-stop tour. I asked them what that was like?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LISA HAZIRJIAN, RODE ABOARD "OBAMA EXPRESS": Unbelievable, unbelievable. It was so amazing. It was really just an incredible day.
MICHELLE KAIZER, RODE ABOARD "OBAMA EXPRESS": Yes. Words can't really describe it. It was the best day ever. I just kept getting better and better.
LEMON: Really
KAIZER: Yes.
LEMON: Why do you say that?
KAIZER: Well, the people on the -- on the express...
LEMON: Yes?
KAIZER: The 41 of us. Everybody has a compelling story. Everybody is really energized. It's wonderful getting to meet them. And we got to meet the Obamas.
LEMON: Yes.
KAIZER: I mean, what else can I say? We got to have conversations with them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: And as we quickly came to realize when we got here and you will over the coming days that this inauguration will be about -- actually is about pilgrimages from all across America, even all across the world. This morning, I took the exact same trip by train as Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and I was not alone. It was a very special journey that started with a letter to Oprah. But first, I had to travel from Washington to Philadelphia to meet my special guest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) LEMON (on camera): Look, the sun is starting to come out as we make our way to Philly. I think we're going to arrive late. I don't know if we'll make it all the way to Philly. We have to jump off the train and then meet Krupali as she takes us to meet them.
Fifteen minutes until 8:00, right on the nose. And we're late. Obviously. I don't think we're going to make it to Philadelphia. I just spoke with Krupali. She is videotaping. She's at 30th street station. She's been talking with her family, taking video of the streets of Philadelphia.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Boarding at Gate 3 track train 131 headed to Washington.
LEMON: Right here. There she is! Krupali, hey! You made it! You made did! You made it!
KRUPALI TEJURA, INAUGURATION ATTENDEE: Oh, my God!
LEMON: How are you?
K. TEJURA: I am fabulous.
LEMON: Are you excited?
K. TEJURA: Oh, my gosh. You can see us on the train, with people on the train.
LEMON: All right. We have to get on. Come on.
K. TEJURA Here is my mom.
LEMON: Hi, mom. It's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for coming to do this.
HANSA TEJURA, KRUPALI'S MOTHER: Welcome.
LEMON: How is your journey so far?
H. TEJURA: Oh, it was fantastic.
LEMON: Are you tired?
H. TEJURA: No, I'm excited.
LEMON: Finally, we're here.
K. TEJURA: Finally.
LEMON: What are you thinking?
K. TEJURA: To be honest, I just think this is a real experience. I don't think it's hit me yet. It's too amazing for words. When I first saw him at the Democratic National Convention speaking in June of 2004, I saw something that I've never seen before, and it was just inspiration. LEMON: You got official tickets from? How did you do that, Krupali?
K. TEJURA: You know...
LEMON: What did you say, mom?
H. TEJURA: She got luck.
LEMON: Luck and persistence, right?
K. TEJURA: Luck, no. November 5th, I booked a flight to D.C. by myself because I knew I was going to be in D.C. no matter what, with or without an official ticket. It's an experience of a lifetime. I don't think we'll ever feel like this again, ever.
H. TEJURA: Never.
K. TEJURA: It's a moment of history not only for America but for the world.
Welcome to Washington D.C.
LEMON: Ah! Cold.
Excited? We're here.
K. TEJURA: We are here. We are in the land -- the capital of our nation ready to celebration the inauguration of Barack Obama.
H. TEJURA: Yes.
K. TEJURA: We're excited. We had a wonderful train ride. We met so many people there.
LEMON: Let's go! Come on, mom.
H. TEJURA, K. TEJURA: Let's go. Let's go.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Well, you know Krupali Tejura's support for Barack Obama really started long before this week. And in fact, she was inspired by a contest on the "Oprah Show." She wrote a letter and also wrote a jingle and ended up performing it on the show. Tonight, she told me that her enthusiasm for Barack Obama eventually paid off.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. TEJURA: I had to be here. November 4th, I had an election party at my house. November 5th, my flight was booked. I had no hotel. I didn't know where I was going to stay. I didn't have inauguration tickets. I e-mailed both my senator and my congressman, thinking there's no chance of me getting a ticket. Over 80,000 people wrote to the senator to get tickets. December 16th, 2008, four years the day the "Oprah Show" called me for the tickets to the "Oprah Show", Senator Diane Feinstein's office called with two tickets. (END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: All right. That was Krupali Tejura and her mom. Very special folks. They're making a journey all the way from California.
You know, we want to know what's on your mind tonight. We want you to join in on our conversation. Make sure you go to Twitter, to Facebook, to MySpace or iReport.com. Log on. Tell us what you're thinking. And you know, we do read your responses on the air.
And guess what? You, too, can be a part of history. CNN is teaming up with Facebook to bring you complete coverage of the inauguration online. You can connect with and engage with other users while watching live inaugural events on CNN.com.
And Tuesday, make sure you watch the historic swearing-in of Barack Obama right here on CNN. That's where Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, they'll be leading our coverage along with the Best Political Team on Television.
Well, you know, it is no huge headline here, of course. It is cold. It is cold, but it's getting even colder. And what's it going to be like for the inauguration?
Also, check out these guys. They're all dressed up and they're going to Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED CHILDREN, SINGING: Dear Obama, bop, bop, bop. Dear Obama, bop, bop, bop. Dear Obama, bop, bop, bop.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: That was just a little dress rehearsal. I checked in with the inspiring kids from Atlanta's Ron Clark Academy. Believe me, you're going to be singing their song, too.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: You know, this isn't really (INAUDIBLE) than I hope. It is cold. This is Delaware.
You guys?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Cleveland.
OBAMA: Cleveland.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
OBAMA: Where we just were. I had a wonderful time.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's right. We were on the way to the airport.
OBAMA: You don't have to drive or go to work.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. We have skis. (INAUDIBLE). We have skis on the mountains. You know, we have the other on one side and on the other side of the river.
OBAMA: Do we have anybody from Montana?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have some members of the (INAUDIBLE) tribes here.
OBAMA: Oh, good.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Looks like no eating and a whole lot of talking there in the dining car aboard Amtrak. Barack Obama talking with passengers on board the train as he makes his way from Philly to Washington.
And boy, was it cold outside, Jackie Jeras. And it looks like it didn't stop, you know, those people from lining up along the route and shaking hands with Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I know. People were out there for hours waiting. Just amazing. But I suppose overall, it could have been worst, right? And believe it or not, Don, I know you probably don't want to hear this, but the temperature is actually been getting warmer, even though I know you feel like it's been colder just because you've been out there for a while.
LEMON: No, you know what? It feels a little warmer here.
JERAS: It is?
LEMON: Yes, it felt...
JERAS: All right.
LEMON: When it started that little flurry, it started to feel colder, but since I've been out here since earlier, it started to warm up, just a little bit.
JERAS: All right, then. Then your senses are correct.
(WEATHER REPORT)
JERAS: Don, I love the hat, love the ear muffs. You are dressed for the weather, my friend. Good job.
LEMON: Hey, Jacqui, I know you love kids. You know...
JERAS: Of course. LEMON: Just as much as I love kids. Remember the kids from Ron Clark? They're singing "Dear Obama, bop, bop, bop." Remember those kids?
JERAS: They were awesome. Can you sing that again?
LEMON: Yes, they're awesome. Not now. I went to check in with them yesterday -- no, the day before yesterday, just before I left for Washington. Man, you won't believe. So, take a look at this. I want you to pay attention to this.
Of all of the people, Jacqui, heading to Washington, few could be as excited as the kids from Atlanta's Ron Clark Academy and their very proud founder. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RON CLARK, FOUNDER, RON CLARK ACADEMY: And basically -- we're going to the inauguration!
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: You know, that was Tuesday when they got the news they'll be performing their song "Dear Obama" at four -- count them -- four inaugural balls. I was with them as they prepared for the black-tie events. Check them out trying on those tuxedos.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED BOY: I was going to put them.
LEMON: They're bow ties? All right. Let's do that.
CLARK: This is even beyond my dreams. For my students to be going to the inauguration, to be going to all of the balls, and to be singing and performing and -- just as they have such a light about them and excitement about politics and history and what's going on now. It's great.
UNIDENTIFIED BOY: It's amazing. It is fantastic. I've never imagined that we'd be going to the inauguration. It's hard for me to get some sleep because I'm thinking -- hopefully, really hopefully, I will meet Barack Obama.
LEMON: But what is it personally mean to you to be -- to have the honor of going to the inauguration for this?
UNIDENTIFIED GIRL: This is a big opportunity. And this is like -- this is my first time actually getting to do something this exciting.
UNIDENTIFIED GIRL: Barack Obama has done so many things that I am so proud of. And he has like broken down doors for us.
UNIDENTIFIED BOY: Wow. We have our first African-American president and it's kind of like you want to go back in time and really live it over and over again.
CLARK: They didn't care if I said, yes, we've got to walk to the inauguration. When you start walking -- they said, let's get it, Mr. Clark. These kids are so excited to fly to Raleigh, drive six hours, bus, train, whatever. They don't care because they're going, and they're going to be there.
LEMON: You look good. You like it? What do you think? You can't stop smiling, can you? What do you think? He's checking himself out. Good, good.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: You got to love it. Tomorrow night, the kids from Ron Clark Academy, they'll join me live to talk -- you know, to talk about their inaugural plans. Can't wait to see that.
Israel launches a unilateral cease-fire in Gaza. We'll keep tabs to see if that holds.
Also, the latest from the "Miracle on the Hudson." New footage of the crash and plenty of new details for you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: We know that there's work to be done. Together, we know that America faces its own crossroads -- a nation at war, an economy in turmoil, an American dream that feels like it's slipping away. Together, we know that the American people are facing adversity, that the time has come to pick ourselves up once again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: That's Barack Obama speaking at a train stop in Wilmington, Delaware. That was just one stop on the president-elect's historic train ride to Washington.
Meantime, other news to tell you about. In New York, the long, tedious process has become to lift Flight 1549 out of the icy Hudson River. Now, it could take all night. You're looking at live pictures now on the scene from New York 1 -- New York 1 affiliate in New York. They're trying to get that plane up. Just a few hours ago, the NTSB said the right engine is still attached to the plane after all. It also believes a left engine has been located at the bottom of the river. Investigators say the US Airways plane was climbing at about 3,000 feet when it encountered a large flock of birds on Thursday afternoon.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KITTY HIGGINS, NSTB BOARD MEMBER: The first officer reported that somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 feet, he way a flock of birds to the right of the nose of the plane and he commented that they were in a perfect line formation. The captain was the monitoring pilot. So, his head was down, but when he looked up, he said the wind screen was filled with birds. This was after the fist officer spotted them. It all happened quickly. And this was after he first officers had spotted them. So, it all happened very quickly, but the first officer said it literally was filled with big, dark brown birds.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Well, that's right. Knocked out both engines and the pilot quickly decided against trying to glide to the nearest airport because it would be catastrophic if they didn't make it. So, he opted to put the crippled airliner down in the river. It was successful.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has announced a unilateral cease- fire in the Israeli assault against Hamas. The cease-fire takes effect tonight. Olmert says the three-week offensive has achieved its goals. The Israeli troops will stay on the ground for now. Hamas leaders say they don't consider this cease-fire as long as -- a cease- fire as long as the Israeli troops are in Gaza. Live pictures now of the sun rising over Gaza.
The Pentagon says six detainees at Guantanamo Bay have been transferred elsewhere. A Defense spokesman says four were sent to Iraq, one to Algeria and one to Afghanistan. All had been at the facility for several years, but not charged for any crime. The six were among 60 detainees the U.S. has identified for possible release. 224 detainees -- 244, I should say, still remain at Gitmo, down from a high of 770 in the years right after 9/11. President-elect Obama has pledged to close the prison.
We want to know what's on your mind tonight about this story -- any of the stories we have been telling you. Make sure you log on to Twitter, to Facebook, iReport or MySpace, and tell us what's on your mind. We will get them on the air.
Also, we're dukin' it out in D.C. Oh, my gosh. When Don King comes on your show, you're in trouble. Yes, that is Don King. He stopped by a little bit earlier, and you won't believe what he said. Maybe you will. He's always up to something.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: That is the president-elect and the future first lady greeting crowds and cheering onlookers in Baltimore. You know, 40,000 people showed up in Baltimore, one of the stops in this historic train ride from Philly all the way to Washington. It ended right here at Union Station in Washington just a couple of hours ago.
I had a conversation with Don King. You know, he is no shrinking violet. He will tell you what he thinks whether you ask him or not, and he will not shut up if you try to rap him to go to a break. The famous promoter is in Washington for Tuesday's inauguration. But four years ago, he was squarely in the Republican camp. He supported George Bush. I asked him about that when he stopped by tonight and I got an earful.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) DON KING, DON KING PRODUCTIONS: First, let me say I'm a Republic- crat, and I am for whoever is good for the American people, black and white alike. And when -- in 2004, it was George Walker Bush. George Walker Bush did the world of inclusiveness. This is the most important world we had because we were left out. We were invisible. And so, what has happened is you got George Walker Bush put a high- level performance, positions, and policy-making decisions Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Rod Paige from Education and (INAUDIBLE). That was then.
LEMON: That was then?
KING: That was then.
LEMON: This is now? Talking about now?
KING: And the transition comes -- when Barack Obama went out and when they started the first of the caucuses, I endorsed him for president.
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: OK. Listen to this. So 2004, you endorsed -- you endorsed President Bush?
KING: Yes.
LEMON: But since then, his approval rating -- not a lot of people would agree with you. Not a lot of people are endorsing President Bush right now. His approval rating as he leaves office is low.
KING: Well, what they are doing is looking from different points of view that everything is normal, rational and even and everybody was one land, indivisible, believing in justice for all. Then you have a rating. But you got to understand, bringing in inclusiveness and bringing us in, now these goals pave the roads that show that people can make these decisions and do the right thing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: That interview was over an hour ago and Don King is somewhere still talking around here. All right. Don King, thanks for joining us. He's always fun to watch.
On the way to history.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: I think we're going to be able to hang onto one of these. Now, my working assumption...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Feeling it tonight.
OBAMA: This is not new.
(END VIDEO CLIP) LEMON: And you know what? Our John King asked the president-elect about it, about everything he is feeling. You will hear straight answers from him from our John King tonight.
Also, they're called Generation O, and they were the key to Barack Obama's White House win. But what's next for them? A live interview coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: We're back now live from Washington, where the excitement is building, building as we get closer and ready for Tuesday's inauguration. Just a few hours ago, President-elect Barack Obama got off a train at Union Station after a 137-mile whistle-stop trip from Philadelphia. The trip covered part of the same route Abraham Lincoln used on the way to his inauguration in 1861. Well, the president-elect waved at thousands of cheering supporters gathered along those tracks, and CNN's Joe Johns talked to two of them.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): You guys came out to see Obama, right?
UNIDENTIFIED BOY: Yes.
JOHNS: What's your name?
UNIDENTIFIED BOY: My name is Jayden.
JOHNS: Jayden, and what's your name?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Kai.
JOHNS: Kai. All right. So, where are you guys from?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Edgewood.
JOHNS: And turn around and look at the camera for me, huh? You're from?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Edgewood.
JOHNS: I see. So, was this the first time you ever got to see him?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Yes.
JOHNS: All right. Good, good, good. All right. I can't tell. People are talking to me. Are we seen in the camera? And how old are you guys?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: 7.
JOHNS: 7. UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: And I'm 9.
JOHNS: OK. All right. So, what do you think about him becoming the next president in a few days?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: I think that he will give us a lot and do a lot of stuff for us and change a lot of things.
JOHNS: All right. What about you?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: I think it's cool for him to become the president.
JOHNS: All right, all right. Thanks, guys.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: They're cute kids. The end of the line, right here, in Washington, where the president-elect will take the oath of office come Tuesday. And the world will be watching that.
President-elect Barack Obama is well aware of the historic significance of his election victory. He talked about it Friday when he sat down with CNN's John King at an Ohio factory, where Mr. Obama was pushing his economic stimulus plan.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENT-ELECT: If you think about the journey that this country has made. Then it can't help but stir your heart. Obviously, it's an extraordinary personal moment. But, you know, we don't have to go back to slavery. You can think about what Washington, D.C. was like 50 years ago or 60 years ago. And the notion that I now will be standing there and sworn in as the 44th president, I think, is something that, hopefully, our children take for granted. But our grandparents, I think, are still stung by and it's a remarkable moment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: You can see more of John King's interview with President-elect Barack Obama. That is tomorrow. It is called "STATE OF THE UNION." It premieres 9:00 a.m. Eastern only on CNN. 9:00 a.m. Eastern, "STATE OF THE UNION" with John King. You don't want to miss that. It's going to be a good show.
All right. Let's talk about generation X, from generation X to generation "O" as in Obama. So many young people, so many of them have been inspired and motivated into action, and two of them are with me tonight, eagerly awaiting Tuesday's inauguration. 18-year-old Molly Kawahata. She's from Palo Alto, California. She's a former national high school director -- national high school director for Students for Obama, an umbrella group for Obama for America. And when she went off to college, Adam Scholl of Bethesda, Maryland, took over her position.
Welcome to you both. It's sort of like a McCain handoff to Obama. Is that so?
ADAM SCHOLL, OBAMA FOR AMERICA: Yes, kind of.
LEMON: You said you're freezing?
SCHOLL: I am very, very cold.
LEMON: You're very cold. All right, you'll be fine. You have a couple minutes and then we'll get you inside our warm election express. Thank you guys for joining us. So, where were you on election night? And what was your reaction?
MOLLY KAWAHATA, FMR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DIRECTOR: I was in Berkeley, California on campus, the UC Berkeley, where thousands of students cried to the streets, you know, running up and down the hills and dancing and turning at the library. And so it was a pretty crazy time but people were really, really excited.
LEMON: We have been hearing so much about this youth vote, about this youth movement. Do you think you really played -- it was that big a factor?
SCHOLL: Absolutely. What catapulted him into the forefront was his winning the Iowa caucuses, which was largely as a result of his youth support, especially among high school students, because -- where college towns may only cover a single precinct, and he can win that precinct by an incredible margin. High schools are a mere population density. So they're actually spread all over the state. So his support among high school students enabled him partially to win the Iowa caucus.
LEMON: This -- especially for young people, this is unprecedented, the way this campaign used, you know, Facebook and social networking sites and using the internet and what have you. We always hear that, you know, it's going to be this huge youth movement and then they never show up at the polls. This time, though, they said they did show up at the polls, and that they were under-polled when it came to people asking them questions, because they don't have home phones. Do you agree with that?
KAWAHATA: Yes. Absolutely.
SCHOLL: My family doesn't even have a home phone. So, I use my cell phone.
LEMON: Yes?
SCHOLL: Yes.
LEMON: How did you guys do it? I mean, were you taking your cues from the campaign? Or were they listening to you? Was it a mutual thing to get what to do, to how to get people involved?
KAWAHATA: One thing that was definitely different in this campaign was that they really used the students (INAUDIBLE) and so the students that were joining the campaign weren't stuck behind photocopiers and filing and stuff. They were really leading the movement. And so, I think that's one huge difference we have this year.
LEMON: I can't tell you how many like MySpace and Facebook, things like that. Were you involved in that?
SCHOLL: I was flooded with those requests as well.
LEMON: I still get them. Join this Obama group. Join that Obama group. Is that part -- was that part of the mission as well?
SCHOLL: I don't think that was organized directly by the campaign, but...
LEMON: So come Tuesday, what are you going to be doing and how are you feeling about it?
SCHOLL: Well, I am going to be at the swearing-in and I am thrilled.
LEMON: Molly?
KAWAHATA: Yes, I'll be at the swearing-in and then youth ball that night. So, it's like a future leaders' event. And that will be very exciting.
LEMON: You will be at the youth ball?
KAWAHATA: Yes, yes.
LEMON: I need to get tickets to that. That's the only thing I can't get tickets to. Thank you, guys. It was a pleasure meeting you. And go inside and warm up, will you? And wear your gloves, by the way.
SCHOLL: Yes.
LEMON: All right. Oh, well, young people. Thank you, guys. Enjoy.
KAWAHATA: Thank you.
LEMON: Well, speaking of the youth vote, check them out. Two of our iReporters who -- they won our first-ever iReport film festival and they are turning their camera on their fellow students. There they are. They're joining us via Web cam. The latest -- their latest videos, straight ahead. Look, they got haircuts, too.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: All right. You know what, a little music along the Whistle Stop Tour. The Morgan State University Choir performing today in Baltimore for President-elect Barack Obama. Boy, were they spectacular. It was a spectacular trip to watch.
Meantime, two talented people will be going to the inauguration. Coming here to Washington. They will be going -- I believe they will be here on Monday. So Tuesday they will be documenting it. And they are going courtesy of CNN. They won the Audience Choice Award at CNN's first iReport Film Festival. And they are kind of regulars on our show. I'd like to call them contributors -- Zack Hawrot and Franco Carapellotti.
Did I say that right, Franco?
FRANCO CARAPELLOTTI, IREPORTER: Carapellotti.
LEMON: Carapellotti, OK. They are the winners of that prize, and they join me now via Web cam as they always do on a Saturday or Sunday night. Thanks, guys.
So you are excited about being here. You won the trip here. You got official tickets and passes to report. You got to be like ready to go. You're ready to go like two days ago, I'm sure?
ZACH HAWROT, IREPORTER: Oh, yes. It's just very exciting. You turn on the news and this is all they are talking about. And it's pretty crazy that we get to be a part of such a big event.
LEMON: Yes. I understand that you guys have been talking to people, your friends, talking to people on campus there in Ohio about what's going on, and about the excitement building up to the inauguration. Did you prepare a little video or something for us?
CARAPELLOTTI: Yes. We made a short film today or a few days -- in the past couple days and we focus on what the college students felt about how the next couple of years would be with Obama as president and how they thought about the inauguration day being such an historic event.
LEMON: All right. Let's look at it.
HAWROT: All right.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CARAPELLOTTI: President-elect Barack Obama is now only days away. And we have heard commentaries and opinions from many adults and analysts alike.
HAWROT: But since the younger population is so vital in this election, we wanted to bring to you the view points and opinions of college students regarding this election in our new president.
CARAPELLOTTI: Here are some of those opinions now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Obama's election campaign was successful, because it inspires America, especially its youth, to work collectively towards achieving a goal -- electing Obama.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Part of what I'm looking forward to is seeing his inaugural address.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For the next four years, I have to see those who is supporting Obama and those who did not come together for a more united America. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE) this day is just finally here. Everyone's been talking about this for so long and what Barack Obama can do and we finally have our fresh start and a chance for him to put all of his plans into action.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: With the economy being the way it is, we really need Barack Obama to step in and help the smaller cities.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm really excited about the inauguration. And I'm staying to Washington as much as possible in between my classes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: January 20th is going to be a huge celebration. And it's going to be a birth of a new era for not only the United States but the whole world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAWROT: Those are some very interesting responses, but we asked the students one more questions.
CARAPELLOTTI: We asked them to summarize in one word their feelings for the next four years. We're going to leave you with that now.
HAWROT: We hope you enjoy this, and we're looking forward to seeing you in Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Enthusiastic.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: History.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Revolutionary.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anticipation.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Optimism.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Unity.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Very good, guys. Very good. I loved what you got there. So, first thing you do, you get here on Monday. First thing you're going to do?
HAWROT: Start rolling on the video camera. We're trying to soak in every moment we can, and just try to capture the moment so we will always have it.
LEMON: Yes. You know what, I have been saying that this inauguration is really about pilgrimages. We've seen people from all over America, really all over the world, I've seen New Zealand, I've seen Australia, I've seen Italy, I've seen Germany, and people have been here. Some of them have been here for a week or so. What is it?
CARAPELLOTTI: Just people want to be part of this historic event. And something like this doesn't come around in one lifetime, let alone a few lifetimes. So anybody that can jump on the opportunity to be the actor doing that, and they just want to be part of this historic event.
HAWROT: My friend John Hummel (ph) was just over in Europe, and he said over there the election may have been even bigger or seen than it was here. So even they paid a lot of attention to our news and president.
LEMON: All right. Zach and Franco. You guys owe me dinner man or something when you get here.
HAWROT: We'll get a snack halfway.
LEMON: Make sure you dress warmly. And what are the haircuts for? You just want to be neat and clean for the inauguration?
HAWROT: We want to be you!
LEMON: OH, come on. All right, guys. Thank you. We'll see you when you get here. Travel safely.
HAWROT AND CARAPELLOTTI: Thank you.
LEMON: All right, thanks, guys.
We want to know what's on your mind, so make sure you logon and join the conversation -- Twitter, Facebook, MySpace or iReport.com. Tell us what you're thinking.
And a real case of art imitating life. The pop art portrait that helped launched a presidential campaign. You will meet the artist behind this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: All right. Just north of Washington and New York City. Take a look at that. Live pictures coming from New York City and Hudson River. That is a plane, that and U.S. Airlines plane being lifted out of the water. We heard about this horrific accident last week when it started coming into the CNN NEWSROOM.
It was -- there were reports of a plane that was landing in the Hudson River, turns out to be true. U.S. Airways Flight 1549, 158 people on board. All of them, plus passenger and crew members, all of them -- all of them survived. Some of them with minor injuries. But, again, there it is. That airplane being lifted out of the water. It is being called the Miracle on the Hudson.
As we get more information from the NTSB who held a press conference tonight saying this could have been a catastrophic event had the pilot not acted in the manner in which he did. That plane moving now. You see it up being hoisted up. And they are taking it, either possibly by truck, I'm not exactly sure, or by ship. We're not exactly sure. By barge, we are being told, so that it can be checked out by the NTSB and other investigators to see exactly what happened. But they are believing that a flock of birds, possibly geese, are the cause for that crash into the Hudson River last week. Details to come. Make sure you stick here right here to CNN.
We have been asking you about your responses tonight about anything you've seen on our air, on our broadcast, and here's what Cityguy2675 says, "Obama has inspired a new generation of voters. This is the new Reagan revolution that may affect politics for years to come."
WDT44, "Is CNN planning a documentary of the entire inaugural event to be air later? I don't know. I'm sure we will.
Netfeather says, "Watched the coverage today. I am very proud to be an American."
Queencrab says, "Watched Obama express on CNN all day today. Truly was moved. We'll be watching on Tuesday as well. This means so much. Thanks."
Well, don't thank us. We thank you. Thank you for watching and thank you for your responses. Also, any time you want to talk to us, especially this show and me, go on to Twitter, to Facebook, iReport or MySpace, tell us what you're thinking. We will surely get your responses on the air. Again, thank you for those presences.
Also, make sure you stay tuned to CNN, really, 24 hours. Up until now, up until Wednesday, we want you watching all the time. But you can watch the inauguration. You can participate on facebook.com. We have cnn.com, which will be -- we'll have live -- online interaction. But Facebook, go on, interact, with our anchors and CNN. And we will make sure that we get your responses and you get to play as well.
So make sure you watch Tuesday, this historic swearing-in, Obama, right here on CNN. Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, they'll be leading our coverage along with the Best Political Team on Television. We've got you online. We've got you on television, and we will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: All right. Well, maybe the name Shepard Fairey doesn't ring a bell to you. But we're certain you have seen his work as pop art portrait of Barack Obama became one of the most prominent symbols of the campaign. As our Ted Rowlands explains, the fame that has followed is sweet vindication for an artist who's often bucked the establishment.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SHEPARD FAIREY, ARTIST: This is the official inauguration poster.
TED ROWLANDS, CNN GENERAL ASSIGNMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice over): On one hand, it makes perfect sense that Shepard Ferry was chosen to create the official Obama inauguration poster. After all, he's the artist behind this image of the president-elect that became synonymous with the Obama campaign. On the other hand, picking Shepard Fairey could be seen as controversial.
FAIREY: I'm an artist with a somewhat sordid past in terms of doing street art that some people consider illegal.
ROWLANDS: Ferry is a street art legend. If you live in an urban area, chances are you've seen his work and there's a good chance it was put up illegally. By his own account, Fairey has been arrested more than a dozen times. Go to YouTube and you can find videos of him in action. So how did this guy get hooked up with Obama.
FAIREY: When he announced he was running for president, I thought, I would love to lend my talents in support of his campaign in any way possible.
ROWLANDS: He says he contacted the campaign. They gave him an unofficial go-ahead to submit work, and he came up with this.
FAIREY: The original image that I did said "progress" and the campaign got in touch with me after that. I had been out for about a week, and said do you mind using "hope," we like the word hope.
ROWLANDS: The "hope" poster was an instant hit. After that, he made "change," then, "vote."
FAIREY: I've received a letter from Barack Obama thanking me, only a month after creating the "hope" poster, saying, thank you for lending your support to -- your artistic support to my campaign.
ROWLANDS: The Smithsonian is adding his Obama art to the permanent collection at the National Portrait Gallery, and "Time" magazine commissioned Fairey to create its "Person of the Year" cover.
FAIREY: A lot of people feel like they're spectators in a democracy for big business and power brokers and that's just not the case. This proves that's not the case.
ROWLANDS: Fairey's latest work, the inauguration poster, will be featured at several official inaugural events. And who knows, it may end up on a few street corners as well.
Ted Rowlands, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: An historic ride on the rails to the nation's capital. Well, witness some of the highlights on the way from Philadelphia to Washington when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: You know, the route was historic and the crowds were simply electric as Barack Obama, the president-elect, rolled through small towns and big cities on his way here to the nation's capital and Tuesday's historic inauguration. Here are a few special moments along the way.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: We are here to mark the beginning of our journey to Washington, and this is fitting because it was here in this city that our American journey began.
We're looking forward to our run. Are we going on this one? OK, let's go.
JOE BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT: Happy birthday, kid! Welcome to Wilmington.
I promise you we will not let you down. We have promises to keep, promises to our children and our grandchildren, promises to one another and quite frankly, promises to the world.
OBAMA: We know that there's work to be done. Together, we know that America faces its own crossroads, a nation at war, an economy in turmoil, an American dream that feels like it's slipping away. Together, we know that the American people are facing adversity, that time has come to pick ourselves up once again.
But Joe and I were standing. And you can toot the horn, which...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Really?
OBAMA: Which you're never too old to think, this is fun.
We are here today, not simply to pay tribute to those patriots who founded our nation in Philadelphia or defended it in Baltimore, but to take up the cause for which they gave so much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Special moments along the way -- that Whistle-Stop Tour. "CNN SUNDAY MORNING" picks up our special inaugural coverage at 6:00 a.m. Eastern, everyone. If you're planning on coming anywhere this way to the inaugural, dress in layers and be warm. I'm Don Lemon. I'll see you from the mall right here tomorrow night beginning at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Have a good one, everyone. Thanks for watching.
