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President Obama's New Americas Policy; Richard Phillips: Reluctant Hero; CNN Hero: Erika Vohman; Fighting for Gay Rights; Hefty Passenger Penalties; Palin Returns to National Stage

Aired April 18, 2009 - 10:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: And some new video just into us here at CNN, President Obama at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago. This is day two of the summit. Some pretty groundbreaking, some remarkable moments and pictures we have been seeing. The president really kind of attempting to warm up relations between the U.S. and Cuba, and also between the U.S. and Venezuela.

Well, on the Venezuelan front, a handshake could mean the change in diplomatic relations. All things seem to be possible now.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: And you know the calendar may say spring, but if you are waking up in Denver, this is what you're looking at -- three feet of snow, and just a mess on the roadways. This storm has actually stranded hundreds of people in shelters and closed an 80-mile stretch of I-70.

From the CNN Center, this is CNN NEWSROOM. It is Saturday, April 18th.

Good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.

HOLMES: And good morning to you all. I'm T.J. Holmes. 10:00 here in Atlanta, Georgia; 7:00 a.m. out in Denver, Colorado.

We'll be taking you live there at the half-hour. They are digging out from their spring snowstorm. Those things don't usually go together, but, yes, a spring snowstorm.

NGUYEN: Yes. They are today.

All right. But first, we do want to get you to this.

Some of the best video so far from the summit shows the new camaraderie between President Obama and Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. Want to show you some video of him actually giving President Obama book. This happening just this morning. That book called "The Open Veins of Latin America."

Now, CNN White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is traveling with the president.

Suzanne, you've been watching this play out. We had a handshake and smile yesterday. We've got a book today, a gift, by Hugo Chavez to President Obama.

Does this mean this relationship is actually building on something that could lead to more?

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: It certainly could. It was very interesting to watch Hugo Chavez basically take the spotlight once again this morning in front of all those cameras.

He gave him the book. It's 500 pages in Spanish. Already, we've managed to ask President Obama what he thought about it, and he said he thought perhaps it was one of Chavez's own books, personal books, that he gave him. And so President Obama said he'll have to return the favor and go ahead and give him one of his books.

We think he was kind of joking, but obviously he was also asked, does this pave the way, open up the possibility of these two meeting later down the road? He said there is certainly some progress that is being made here at the summit. And, of course, that is what this is all about.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX (voice-over): The past (ph), a handshake between the leaders of two countries that would have been unthinkable just 100 days ago. President Obama walks over to Venezuela's president, Hugo Chavez, and introduces himself.

According to Venezuelan officials, and not disputed by the White House, Chavez says, "With this same hand I greeted Bush eight years ago. I want to be your friend." This from the man who once called President Bush the devil.

Minutes later, the president of Nicaragua spent nearly an hour in a tirade against previous U.S. presidents' treatment of Latin America. Mr. Obama made a joke of it to lighten the mood.

BARACK H. OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm grateful that President Ortega did not blame me for things that happened when I was 3 months old.

MALVEAUX: President Obama is pledging change with Latin America, and so far both sides seem to be embracing it.

OBAMA: That's part of the change that has to take place.

MALVEAUX: At a summit in Trinidad with Latin American leaders, Obama also said he wants the Cold War between the U.S. and Cuba to end.

OBAMA: The United States seeks a new beginning with Cuba.

MALVEAUX: Mr. Obama's message was in direct response to the offer by Cuba's president, Raul Castro, to engage in unconditional talks with the U.S.

RAUL CASTRO, CUBAN PRESIDENT (through translator): We are ready when they want to discuss everything -- human rights, freedom of the press, political prisoners, everything. Everything, everything they want to discuss, but on equal terms. MALVEAUX: But Mr. Obama also made it clear he wants to see action on those issues from Cuba, not just talk.

OBAMA: Now, let me be clear. I'm not interested in talking just for the sake of talking. But I do believe that we can move U.S./Cuban relations in a new direction.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: Now, this weekend you have 34 leaders of countries, including the United States, gathered here at the Summit of the Americas. The only country in the western hemisphere that is not represented here is Cuba, and that's one of the things that we keep hearing from Latin American leaders, pressing the United States, pressing President Obama, to bring Cuba back into the fold, to be a part of this organization.

Obviously, they want a more active role. That is something that they have been lobbying this administration and this president over the last 24 hours or so -- Betty, T.J.

NGUYEN: Let's look at the big picture for just a second. What do the handshake and all the changes in our policy towards Cuba mean for Latin Americans there?

MALVEAUX: Well, certainly, I mean, this really is just the beginning. It's a symbolic gesture.

Obviously, they're looking for anything, any sign of thawing of relations, whether it's with Venezuela, whether it's with Cuba. A lot of the leaders here talking about the economic crisis here, the global recession.

They're looking to the United States, looking to President Obama for some leadership here, to show that he is responding, that he is dealing with this. Because a lot of these countries, as you know, Betty, very much affected. Open trade, very important, very much impacted by what has happened in the United States.

It has spilled over to their own countries. They are looking for some sort of answer, some sort of solution, when it comes to dealing with jobs, homes, that kind of thing, because it does impact the people in their own home countries -- Betty.

NGUYEN: All right. CNN's Suzanne Malveaux, joining us live.

Thank you, Suzanne.

HOLMES: All right. You might not know the name Jeffrey Zients, but a really important guy, and let me tell you why.

He is a businessman who now has a new job as chief performance officer. That's what the president has appointed him to. Zients, he's supposed to do what? Find ways to cut government waste. That's a pretty important job, and it's a goal the president talked about in his weekly address. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: In the coming weeks, I will be announcing the elimination of dozens of government programs shown to be wasteful or ineffective. In this effort, there will be no sacred cows and no pet projects.

All across America, families are making hard choices, and it's time their government did the same. And that's why I've assembled a team of management, technology and budget experts to guide us in this work, leaders who will help us revamp government operations from top to bottom and ensure that the federal government is truly working for the American people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Well, the president also naming Aneesh Chopra as chief technology officer. Chopra has been serving as Virginia's secretary of technology.

Well, when it comes to trimming the federal budget, the Republicans are in agreement with the president. However, they just don't believe that the president is really serious about it when he speaks about it, as California Congressman Kevin MCCARTHY says in the Republican address.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. KEVIN MCCARTHY (R), CALIFORNIA: It's irresponsible to borrow more than all previous American presidents combined. And it must stop if we want to get our economy moving again -- the trillion- dollar stimulus bill, the $410 billion omnibus spending bill, and the massive, fiscally irresponsible Democratic budget that doubles the debt in just over five years and triples the debt in just over 10 years.

All this money, but why are we funding a skateboard park in Rhode Island and new bike racks in Washington, D.C.? The Democratic governor of Ohio is planning to use $57 million in stimulus funds on studies instead of shovel-ready projects that could create jobs now. And don't forget that same stimulus bill authorized those outrageous AIG bonuses.

When will all this spending and borrowing end?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Well, McCarthy also announced a new Web site from House Republicans called Washington Watch. It's designed to track government waste.

NGUYEN: President Obama heads into a busy week as soon as he gets back from Trinidad. He's expected to meet with his cabinet to find ways to cut government spending. Congress reconvenes Monday, after a two-week recess, and tackles more of the president's agenda. And on Wednesday, President Obama will travel to Iowa to celebrate Earth Day. HOLMES: Well, he is back on American soil. He is back home -- Captain Phillips, Captain Richard Phillips.

He was greeted by red, white and blue, and a lot of yellow ribbons around his hometown yesterday. His family was there to greet him as well when he landed at the airport in Vermont. He spent five days, of course, out there held hostage by pirates at sea. The captain now being called a reluctant hero.

Listen to him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAPT. RICHARD PHILLIPS, MAERSK ALABAMA: I just want to thank you for your prayers and support of my family while I was gone. I really appreciate that. I wasn't here to do it.

If you see the military, you can thank them for me. If you're in the airport, having a restaurant (ph), down the street, thank them. They're doing an impossible job. I would not be here without them.

I'm not a hero. It's just -- it just floors me about the -- everything I've read, and shown the support that you've done.

Also, I want to thank my crew. We did it. I told you it wasn't going to be if, it's going to be when. And we did what we were trained to do.

We're just seamen. We do the best with what we've got. And my crew did an excellent job, and I'm so proud of them, that they're all home, and they are with their loved ones.

I'm not the hero. The military is the hero. Thank them. Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

PHILLIPS: Excuse me? Indescribable. Indescribable.

Once again, I'm not a hero, the military is. Thank them whenever you see them. The military did it.

Thank you. God bless America.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Yes, the military. Specifically he's probably talking about three Navy snipers who took out three pirates with three bullets.

Our Susan Candiotti joins us from Phillips' hometown in Underhill, Vermont. Of course, we know that the family kind of wants some quiet time and be left alone, but the city wants to celebrate. So, how are they trying to reconcile the two things? What is the city still like right now? How are they still trying to honor him without necessarily bothering him?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You know, T.J., because of this overcast today and kind of misty, you might think that the mood here is somewhat gloomy, but far from it. The town here is still very upbeat. Kind of a low-key high, you would say. Thrilled to be the hometown of Captain Richard Phillips.

And as you can understand, they want to follow his lead right now and see what he wants to do before they make any special plans. But everyone here is convinced it's just a matter of when, not whether, they will have a town celebration for him.

And as we drove around, and you saw a lot of the signs that are out and about here saying, "Welcome Home," "Welcome Home," but one in particular struck us, because before he came home, it read, "Rescued and safe." And now it reads, "Rescued, safe and home."

So I think that's the best way to explain how people feel around here. They're just relieved that he's back.

HOLMES: Well, Susan, it's good -- I know they're glad to have him back. And we can understand him wanting some privacy now.

Our Susan Candiotti out there for us.

Thank you so much.

Meanwhile, there was a sole surviving pirate of this whole ordeal. He will now be brought to this country, to the U.S., to New York, specifically, to stand trial. But just how do modern day courts handle the first case of its kind in decades? We're taking a look in our next half-hour.

NGUYEN: Let's talk about North Korea for just a minute, because it now says that it's going to consider any sanctions or pressure after its recent rocket launch a declaration of war.

This week, the U.N. Security Council condemned the launch which fizzled out over the water almost two weeks ago. The U.N. says North Korea violated a 2006 resolution banning ballistic missile tests. Well, North Korea accuses the U.N. of violating its sovereignty, and this week the communist country decided to kick out U.N. inspectors.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HOLMES: All right. We have been following this story. It's an American journalist who had been put on trial in Iran, accused of spying. Well, we have a verdict in her case. We'll have that for you in just a moment.

NGUYEN: Also, another American far from home is saving a culture on the brink of extinction. We're going to catch up with this CNN Hero.

HOLMES: Also, we'll talk about Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska. What had her on the brink of tears? It's a speech that touched a lot of people. And actually, she broke some news, some stuff people didn't know about her. Also, some are saying this thing is really going to shape her political future.

All that, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: This week's CNN Hero is a woman with a dual mission -- to save the rain forest and to feed the hungry. That's a lot.

HOLMES: That's what our heroes do a lot. Don't they?

NGUYEN: Yes, they do.

HOLMES: Our CNN Hero, she is fighting both battles with a plant that's indigenous to the region.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER (voice-over): This is "CNN Heroes."

ERIKA VOHMAN, CNN HERO: People throughout Central America were living in extreme poverty. They often don't have enough food. There's days when people will just have one meal if they're lucky.

When I first came to Guatemala, it was just incredible, seeing where people were cutting down rain forests to plant food. It was devastating, so I decided to go back to school so I could help people produce enough food without destroying the environment.

I came across the Maya nut tree. It provided the staple food for the Maya civilization. For some reason, people have stopped eating this food, which is one of the most nutritious foods you can get. And it's free. You just collect it off the ground. And they don't eat it, because they don't know.

I'm Erika Vohman, and I teach people about the lost indigenous Maya nut for food and for reinforced conservation.

Our workshops are just for women so they can acquire the skills and knowledge to feed their families and better their lives. It's fun.

We're having an impact on the environment, we're having an economic impact. And also motivating reforestation. It's really amazing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Yes, it is amazing.

OK, so to find out more about Erika's mission, or if you'd like to help, just go to CNN.com/heroes.

HOLMES: Also, if you know somebody that's doing great things, something extraordinary, please tell us about it. They could be our next CNN Hero.

NGUYEN: So, do you think you know the GOP's position on gay marriage? Well, after this weekend, you may want to think again, because we're going to show you about a push to change policy.

HOLMES: Also, what do you think about this, a major airline telling its overweight passengers they need to pay more or get off the plane? Should you be charged extra if you're carrying a few extra pounds that aren't necessarily in your luggage?

You could tell us about what you think. You have been sounding off all morning. Betty and I have been reading these things since about 6:00 a.m. And tell us on our Facebook pages, also our Twitter pages. We will have your responses coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: All right. So a surprising challenge from the man who ran John McCain's presidential campaign.

In his first appearance since the presidential election, Steve Schmidt urged Republicans to support gay marriage. Here it is, in his own words.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEVE SCHMIDT, FMR. JOHN MCCAIN CAMPAIGN MANAGER: It cannot be argued that marriage between people of the same sex is un-American or threatens the rights of others. And our great Republican Party should always be on the side of expanding freedom and equal rights.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Schmidt isn't the only one arguing for gay rights.

I want to introduce you to a couple facing a very difficult dilemma. Let me outline the story for you.

Stacy Beardsley and Karla Thomas are partners. Both are extremely well educated. Karla is a native of Trinidad here on a work visa. She was laid off, which means she will soon have to leave the country.

The couple joins us now from Chicago.

And really, there are two issues at play here. One dealing with job loss, the other dealing with marital status.

Let's start with job loss, Karla, because you are a citizen of Trinidad. You are here on a work visa, but your department was eliminated in the recent cuts. So, if you don't get a job within a certain amount of time, if you don't leave the country on your own, you will be deported.

So, tell me, exactly how much time do you have and how worried are you?

KARLA THOMAS, TRINIDAD NATIVE: Well, I work until the end of June, and I probably have about roughly 10 days after that to leave the country.

NGUYEN: Just 10 days. And I'm sure you've been frantically looking for a job. I mean, you have a master's degree, also an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering.

How difficult has it been to find a job?

THOMAS: Well, I get lots of calls from many recruiters, but as soon as they hear the word "H1-B Visa," that's pretty much the end of the conversation.

NGUYEN: Really? Why is that?

THOMAS: Right now, aside from the cost, which essentially is not that great for a company to sponsor an H1-B candidate, there's just a huge stigma around the present economy and hiring immigrants.

NGUYEN: So that means that in order to hire you, they have to prove that an American worker cannot do that job? Is that true?

THOMAS: Absolutely, yes.

NGUYEN: All right.

THOMAS: And it's tough to prove in this economy.

NGUYEN: That is very tough. And as we know, millions of Americans are without jobs.

Stacy, let me get to the marriage status and talk to you a minute about that, because you live in a state, Illinois, where it does not recognize same-sex marriage. Now, if you were allowed to marry, how would this whole situation be different, given her visa status?

STACY BEARDSLEY, FMR. PUBLIC SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: Well, certainly if we had equivalent rights to a heterosexual couple, I would have the opportunity to be able to sponsor Karla to stay in the country, which would allow us to stay together, to continue to support each other, and to maintain the home and family that we have today.

NGUYEN: You've been together for three years. And I understand that if she does have to leave the country because she doesn't get a job in time, she has to wait one year, at least one year, before reapplying for a visa.

How difficult is that going to be on your relationship?

BEARDSLEY: That's challenging. It's, you know, obviously challenging. I think anybody in a situation can think about the impact that that has on a relationship.

And this is a situation -- you know, there are couples right now that have situations where jobs are in separate states. This is a situation where it literally could be a job in another country or halfway around the world.

It presents a lot of challenges in regards to maintaining our home here, maintaining a relationship. It's difficult. And this is probably the most important support structure that we have in our lives in regards to pushing ourselves to be better people and to be more productive in society and in our lives.

NGUYEN: So, what are you hoping will happen, Karla? I know you're petitioning lawmakers. Are you going to get much support? Because there are many Americans that will say, look, we are out of a job. If you're not here illegally -- if you're not here legally, and you do get a job, then that's just taking a job away from an American who needs it.

THOMAS: Well, I have no intentions of staying in the country illegally, but I also say that this is not a matter of pure immigration, but it's a matter of equal rights. If I were a straight individual, I would be married at this point, and I would have the ability to stay. I would be sponsored by Stacy. So, this would not be a question if we were given equal rights, same-sex couples were given equal rights as married, straight couples.

NGUYEN: So, what do you want lawmakers to do? What are you hoping to happen, especially with other people who may be facing the same situation?

THOMAS: Well, you know, we have a little time on our hands. There are so many people living outside the country now who are already torn apart by this inequality. And we are doing a letter- writing campaign to Dick Durbin, to Senator Feinstein, to Senator Kohl in Wisconsin, and trying to get a lot of these senators to sign on to the UAFA bill, which is The Uniting Americans Family Act.

It has been in Congress probably five times in the last eight years, and it sort of just died away. So we're really trying to get as many people to put support behind it this time as possible to get it passed.

NGUYEN: And time is ticking away, because I understand that 10 days for you to find a job begins at the end of June.

So, best of luck to you both. Thanks so much for staring your story and your dilemma with us.

BEARDSLEY: Thank you.

HOLMES: All right. That's a tough situation.

NGUYEN: That's tough, isn't it?

HOLMES: And those H1-B visas, you really do -- they are tougher and tougher to get. And you have to always prove that there's not another American that can do that job.

NGUYEN: An American who can do that job. And with so many Americans without a job, there are a lot of Americans who are going to say, yes, you know what? I can do that job, so give it to me.

HOLMES: It is a tricky situation with some of those visas. But good luck to them.

Meanwhile, we're still talking about the pirate ordeal. Another legal issue here.

The captain is home now. The crew is home as well.

What's next? Lawyers may have to navigate now some uncharted legal waters to convict the lone surviving pirate.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: And welcome back to you all. Welcome back to the CNN NEWSROOM for this Saturday, April 18th.

I'm T.J. Holmes.

NGUYEN: Yes. Hello, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.

All right. So new video into the NEWSROOM this morning. Take a look.

President Obama at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago. Well, this day is actually day two of that summit, and already some remarkable developments to tell you about.

The president has attempted to warm up relationships between the U.S., Cuba and Venezuela. In fact, a handshake, a welcoming conversation, all possible new beginnings taking place there.

HOLMES: Yes, things are going on there. Trinidad and Tobago, a lot of people like to go there for vacation.

Would you like to go? Well, you can get away, even though you don't want to part with that hard-earned cash.

Let's take a turn here and bring you CNN's Melissa Long, who is going to show you how some airline tickets to some places are really cheap.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MELISSA LONG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The global financial crisis doesn't have to affect your travel plans. Now is a great time to take your dream vacation.

CHRIS MCGINNIS, TRAVELSKILLS.COM: Well, airfares have plummeted in recent months by 40 or 50 percent compared to this time last year, and we've seen the return of certain flights like $200 roundtrip, coast to coast. LONG: Fly cheaply to locations like Florida, Las Vegas, or Hawaii. And land a few deals at a hotel when you reach your destination.

MCGINNIS: You know, since businesses have been slashing travels to meetings and conventions, you'll find the very best deals at big downtown convention hotels. And at resorts, you'll find big discounts at normally expensive add-ons like spa treatments or recreational activities like golf.

LONG: Also, ask your concierge about special perks such as free parking and breakfast, restaurant credits, and room upgrades.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: And coming up, the story hat has frequent fliers, frequent eaters, frequent everybody upset. Another major airline says it will charge overweight passengers extra fees.

Is that fair?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Well, the U.S. hasn't seen a pirate case like the one involving the Maersk Alabama since at least World War I. So, as you can imagine now, building a case against the one pirate hits some new territory here.

CNN's Jeanne Meserve tells us how the U.S. expects to handle the case.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The lone surviving Somali pirate was recently moved from the USS Boxer to the USNS Walter Diehl, a refueling ship. U.S. defense officials say he will be helicoptered off the Diehl to the U.S. base in Djibouti early next week, where he is expected to be handed over to the Department of Justice for prosecution.

Sources say he is likely to be flown directly to New York to avoid the possibility of his claiming asylum or asserting other legal rights.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They put the person on the plane and just start flying. And as many times as it's required to refuel without landing and/or switch pilots, that's what they can do.

MESERVE: Because this act of piracy involved U.S. citizens and a U.S. ship and took place in international waters, experts say the U.S. has clear jurisdiction. International and U.S. laws on both piracy and hostage taking could be used by prosecutors. The FBI has been collecting evidence, but the strongest element in the U.S. government case is likely to be the firsthand accounts of eyewitness.

DAVID LAUFMAN, DEFENSE LAWYER, FMR. PROSECUTOR: One is the shipmate who got into a scuffle with this young man and reportedly stabbed him in the hand. And the other, of course, is the captain, who was detained at sea in a small life raft by this individual and his confederates.

MESERVE (on camera): If there is a conviction, the maximum penalty is life in prison. The exact age of the pirate is unknown, but because he is young and because no Americans died, experts say prosecutors are likely to request a lesser penalty.

Jeanne Meserve, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: And some breaking newspapers out of Tehran this morning to tell you about.

An Iranian court has convicted an American journalist of spying and sentenced her to eight years in prison. The 31-year-old journalist was arrested for working without press credentials, but she was tried for spying. She's lived in Iran for the last six years and has dual citizenship. Her lawyer says he is going to appeal the verdict.

HOLMES: Detroit's acting mayor, Kenneth Cockrel Jr., says the Motor City needs to diversify its employment base. I talked to him a little earlier this morning from Detroit, and he warned the bankruptcy of any of the big three automakers, Ford, GM, or Chrysler, would pose major problems for the already troubled city.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: The Obama administration would allow a couple of the big three to go bankrupt. If that is allowed to happen, do you think the administration is also allowing Detroit to fail if they allow these companies to fail?

ACTING MAYOR KENNETH COCKREL JR., DETROIT: Well, bankruptcy has a number of problems as far as the auto industry is concerned. I mean -- and I think a lot of those problems, frankly, are related to credibility and image.

What it really comes down to, in my view is, who is going to want to buy a car from a bankrupt company? And if somebody's already bought a car from an auto company that's in bankruptcy, there's a lot of questions that get raised about, how does that affect my service agreement, how does that affect my warranty. Those are legitimate and serious credibility and image issues, which I think we have to contend with.

HOLMES: So, but are the two so -- Detroit and the auto industry -- so inextricably linked that if you allow one to fail, you're essentially allowing the other to fail?

COCKREL: Well, ,I would tend to disagree. Now, yes, it is a reality that if you look overall in Michigan, about the -- if you look at the total number of the state's autoworkers, about a third of the state's autoworkers actually live in the city of Detroit. So, clearly, we are very much dependent and tied on the auto industry.

However, it's my firm belief and one of the things that I'm working towards is diversifying our economy. We cannot continue to put the majority of our eggs in the auto industry basket. We have to attract green industries, for example, as well as support the growth and development of small businesses and help them go to the next level. That's how we get out of being too dependent on the auto industry, and that has been a major focus in my administration.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Now, Cockrel says about $35 million in federal stimulus plan money already has reached their city. He's looking for more, however.

Detroit holds a special general election on May 5th to decide if Cockrel will then be elected to fill out the seat that Kilpatrick left, or another man who's running, Dave Bing.

NGUYEN: Well, the EPA's new ruling could affect the vehicles Detroit makes and the factories that crank them out. The agency has declared that carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases pose a danger to the nation's health. And that could mean cars, factories, power plants will have to deal with tighter limits on pollution.

Now, critics believe the ruling is an excuse to enact a national energy tax. Environmentalists say it is a milestone in dealing with climate change.

Someone has been giving millions and millions of dollars away without asking for publicity or credit. And, in fact, they don't want anyone to know who is giving this money away. And it's to universities across the nation.

HOLMES: And you know they need it, but they have to sign agreements that say they won't even try to find out who gave the money.

NGUYEN: Yes. Don't go checking.

HOLMES: This is an interesting story, but it's happening. It's pretty remarkable. Good news you'll want to hear. That's coming up.

Also, we're going to be talking about the Alaska governor, Sarah Palin. We hear from her every now and then. Sometimes always not good news. There's been some stuff about her grandchild's father here lately you've probably been seeing in the news.

But a speech she made just last night is getting some attention. And this one almost moved her to tears.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) NGUYEN: All right. Here's a story that everybody has been talking about this morning, especially around here.

If you are obese and you want to fly, you may have to pay double or else find another flight.

HOLMES: Yes, some people call it just downright cruel. Some say it's fair, even.

But CNN's Carol Costello telling us that, yes, yet another airline is adding, yes, another fee.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: T.J., and Betty, United has joined eight other American airlines and will now require obese passengers to buy an extra seat if one is not available. Some are not happy about this.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO (voice-over): It's all the rage in the world of flight, to "charge the large," as Slate online puts it. United Airlines is the latest to jump on board.

It will now require passengers who are unable to fit into a single seat, buckle the seatbelt, or put the seat's armrest down to pay for an extra seat if one is not available. If they refuse, they're booted from the flight.

It's not sitting well with everyone.

BRANDON MACSATA, ASSOCIATION FOR AIRLINE PASSENGER RIGHTS: It's clearly a money-making thing that the airlines have engulfed themselves in once again. And we're really not surprised because they seem to be at it almost weekly now.

COSTELLO: United doesn't see it that way saying it cares about all of its customers. It just wants to ensure that everyone's travel experiences are comfortable and pleasant. Plus, the airline says it's gotten hundreds of complaints from thinner passengers who have been made extremely uncomfortable by what United calls infringement. People we talked with were more charitable.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Two seats is just out of control.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think to some degree, it's kind of like discriminating. To me -- my personal opinion, it's not cool.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's not fair. That because they're heavy or overweight or whatever, they have to buy two tickets. I find that to be ridiculous.

COSTELLO: And others say the airlines themselves caused the infringement problem by cramming in too many seats.

MACSATA: I'm six feet, I weigh about 190 pounds. Most coach seats, I'm crammed in like a sardine. And if somebody is next to me of the same build which is not overweight, we're fighting over the armrest. If somebody in front of me goes to recline their chair, now, I can't even use my laptop because I'm crammed in.

COSTELLO: So why not charge "Mr. Long Legs" extra or people with crying babies? Don't they infringe on pleasant travel experiences too?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Canadian airlines considered this policy, too, but Canada ruled charging the obese amounts to discrimination, because Canada considers being morbidly obese a disability and requires airlines like Air Canada to provide a second seat for free for its large customers -- T.J., Betty.

NGUYEN: All right.

So, what do you think about it? Well, you are sounding off today.

HOLMES: Yes.

NGUYEN: We are getting some really interesting replies to our Facebook or Twitter pages.

Let me go to my Twitter pace -- my Twitter page.

HOLMES: It's tough to say. It is.

NGUYEN: Yes.

First up, this person says, "Let's face it, if you have ever spent six hours on a flight next to an overweight passenger, this makes sense."

But, you know, on the other hand if you go to my Facebook page, Rob Moody (ph) says this: "The airlines are in the shipping business, shipping people. Like packages and luggage, the more you weigh, or volume you have, the more you pay." He says it's fair.

HOLMES: And you can turn right there to the right. I have my Twitter page up here as well.

Twan, we'll take his at the top here. It says, "If you pay $25 for an extra bag, you should pay more if you are carrying extra baggage on your person," referring to, I guess, people being larger.

But let's go down to another here.

Someone says, "It's time to boycott United Air. It's discrimination. Don't screaming kids and reclining seats in front of you cause an unpleasant flight experience as well?"

So, if that's the point, then there are a lot of things on a flight that can make it unpleasant.

NGUYEN: Make you upset, yes.

You know, and a lot of people are saying discrimination when it comes to this. But at the same time, other people are saying, look, if I can't do what I need to do in my seat, and I paid for that, then, yes, you're going to have to pay a little bit extra so that I'm uncomfortable, because I paid for what I supposedly should have.

HOLMES: It just seems mean. You know, it just seems mean to do it to somebody like that.

But we appreciate your responses.

Again, Betty and I both have Facebook pages, also the Twitter accounts as well. We appreciate it. Keep them coming.

Governor Sarah Palin, she gave another major speech. Some are saying this could be another or maybe even the first big step on her comeback trail.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Well, Governor Sarah Palin has made her first big speech outside Alaska since the election. And you have to think it's not going to be her last.

HOLMES: Probably not. She headlined a pro-life dinner Thursday night in Evansville, Indiana. She didn't just talk about abortion, she also worked in a few shots at the president, the current president's economic recovery plan.

NGUYEN: Absolutely.

Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(APPLAUSE)

GOV. SARAH PALIN (R), ALASKA: Thank you so much.

(APPLAUSE)

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): She came.

PALIN: Thank you, Indiana.

CROWLEY: She spoke.

PALIN: It is great to be in Indiana, the crossroads of America.

CROWLEY: She rocked the house.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

CROWLEY: Officials at the Vanderburgh County Indiana Right to Life Banquet didn't think there was much chance Alaska Governor Sarah Palin would accept their invitation to the group's biggest fund- raiser. But she did.

MARY ELLEN VAN DYKE, VANDERBURGH COUNTY RIGHT TO LIFE: We immediately sold out before, actually, it was released to the public.

CROWLEY: She talked about stimulus money, the beauty of Alaska, her days on the campaign trail. And to this room full of abortion opponents, about her 1-year-old son Trig, a Down syndrome child.

PALIN: I had to call upon my faith and ask that my heart be filled up. And I'll tell you, the moment that he was born, I knew for sure that my prayer was answered. And my heart overflowed with joy.

CROWLEY: The anti-abortion movement is a core constituency in the Republican Party, and the speech was Governor Palin's first this year in the lower 48.

It does have people talking about her 2012 intentions and parsing her words.

PALIN: I have a feeling that I'm going to leave here with new energy, and with inspiration, and I will restart my engine.

CROWLEY: Personally, professionally, it's been a rough road for the governor since the Republican ticket was defeated in November. Her relationship with Levi Johnston, father of her grandchild, is the stuff of soap operas. Her dealings with state lawmakers are not much better.

Legislative battles have been bitter. Democrats and a few Republicans complain the Indiana trip shows the governor is more interested in her national ambitions than in state business.

PALIN: Which is ironic, because these are the things critics who would love to see me outside the state forever permanently, you know, outside the governor's office, anyway.

CROWLEY: 2012 is political light years away. It's not likely anyone, including Sarah Palin, has decided whether to run for president, but she has set up a political action committee. She took the trek from Alaska to Indiana for a pretty well-covered mini show. At the very least, she's laying down a marker.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: You are in the CNN NEWSROOM.

The news is unfolding live on this Saturday. It is the 18th day of April.

Hello, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.

HOLMES: And hello to you all,. I'm T.J. Holmes, 18th day of April, 89th day of the Obama administration. And the president is in Port of Spain on the island of Trinidad.