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Arizona Immigration Bill Controversy; Treasure From Space; Doctor Turns Heartbreak Into Hope
Aired April 23, 2010 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Here are the big stories for you in the CNN NEWSROOM for this Friday morning, April 23rd.
An oil rig sinks after an explosion, sparking fears of a potential environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Plus this story.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's like a hazing ritual or a badge of honor. How drunk can you get, how bad can you behave? How close to the edge can you go?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: What is going on here? Popular culture feeds a dirty-girl frenzy. The cruder, the lewder, the better? And this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They don't think that we're street smart and actually book smart, and it's our goal and up to us to get past that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: A Wall Street hotshot goes to Harlem teaching young people banking, mortgages and investments. It is today's "What Matters."
Good morning, everyone. I'm Tony Harris. Those stories and your comments right here, right now, in the CNN NEWSROOM.
Look at what we have here. We're talking about a firestorm of controversy coming to a head now in Arizona. Its governor, Jan Brewer, has until tomorrow to decide whether to sign or veto the toughest immigration bill in this country. If she does nothing, the bill becomes law.
Protesters have been out in full force. They fear the measure will lead to racial profiling by police.
Just moments ago, President Obama commented on the bill, blaming the federal government.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Our failure to act responsibly at the federal level will only open the door to irresponsibility by others, and that includes, for example, the recent efforts in Arizona which threaten to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and their communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe. In fact, I've instructed members of my administration to closely monitor the situation and examine the civil rights and other implications of this legislation. But if we continue to fail to act at a federal level, we will continue to see misguided efforts opening up around the country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Boy, this is a hot, hot story.
Our Casey Wian is in Phoenix.
And Casey, look, you've tried to track down Governor Brewer to talk about her pending decision here. What did you get?
CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we didn't get much.
Last night, Governor Brewer spoke to a large, influential group of Latinos here in Phoenix, and they urged here -- in fact, demanded in some cases -- that she veto this bill, SB-1070. We caught up with the governor after her speech and she refused to answer any questions about her plans. What she did say during that talk last night is that she is going to do what she believes is best for all people in the state of Arizona.
Now behind me, you can see some of the protesters against this bill, SB-1070, who actually spent the night out here out in front of Arizona's state capitol last night. We had hundreds of folks out here yesterday protesting, praying, chanting, demonstrating. We're expecting hundreds more, people from here in Arizona and from all over the country, gathering here to try to convince the governor to do what a lot of folks think she's not going do, and that's to veto this bill.
As you mentioned, this would be the toughest immigration law enforcement bill in the country. A lot of folks here are very upset by what they see as a failure of the federal government to do something about the issue of illegal immigration. And supporters of this bill say they basically have no choice but to impose these tough laws to try to get this issue under control.
The governor says, her office says, there's not going to be a decision this morning. As you mentioned, she has until midnight tomorrow night, and these protesters say they're going to be out here until she makes her decision and then beyond that -- Tony.
HARRIS: Well, Casey, a couple of things here. Look, you actually tried to track her down in the hallway there. I don't know exactly where you were and what building. We're trying to get the tape in.
What was the question that -- we have the tape, so let's watch the tape and it will speak for itself. WIAN: There's speculation that the governor may not take any action and just allow it to become law. That way she wouldn't have to really go on the record politically as taking a stand on the bill, and she could basically toss the issue to the courts.
We know there's going to be court challenges if this bill is, in fact, signed into law. And she's facing a very tough re-election campaign this year. She replaced Governor Janet Napolitano. She's never actually been elected. Jan Brewer has never been elected as governor of the state of Arizona, so politics are a very, very important factor for her to consider -- Tony.
HARRIS: And is it true here that 70 percent in recent polling of Arizonans want this to become law?
WIAN: That is what one poll did say. There haven't been that many. Overwhelmingly, Republicans favored this law. That poll reported that Democrats narrowly favored it, but I've got to tell you, the people who are out here protesting, the folks who are against it, are overwhelmingly outnumbering those who are in support of it -- Tony.
HARRIS: So -- all right. So right now it's legislation and it's waiting for the governor's signature. We'll find out what she decides.
Casey Wian for us.
Casey, appreciate it. Thank you.
Got to get you this -- the outrage story of the day.
They were supposed to be watching the economy. Instead, they were watching, yes, pornography on their government-issued computers during work hours. An investigation found staffers at the Securities and Exchange Commission surfing porn sites while the United States economy tanked, and the report cites evidence against 33 employees or contractors over five years.
The SEC just issued a statement saying, "The employees involved are being disciplined." The statement says, "We will not tolerate the transgressions of the very few who bring discredit to their thousands of hardworking colleagues."
Several bombs ripped through Baghdad -- it is a story we continue to follow here -- killing 61 people and wounding more than 100 more. Shiite worshippers were the main target of the attacks. No one has claimed responsibility so far, but authorities say such coordinated bombings resemble the work of al Qaeda in Iraq.
The Pentagon uninvites the Reverend Franklin Graham to a prayer event. That's after Graham told CNN true Islam cannot be practiced in this country. Quoting the evangelist, "You cannot murder your children if you think they've committed adultery."
He spoke with Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REV. FRANKLIN GRAHAM, PRESIDENT, BILLY GRAHAM EVANGELIC ASSOCIATION: Well, Barbara, I stand by, of course, what I have said. I love the people of Islam. I just -- the religion is what I have the problem with. I don't like the way they treat women, the way they treat minorities.
I just find it horrific. But, yet, we are a nation of many races and cultures and represent many religions. But, yet, the majority of religion of this nation by far is the Christian faith, about 89 percent.
So I certainly disagree with Islam, but I love the people of Islam. And I certainly identify with them.
A lot of my work, Barbara, is in the Middle East and in Arab countries, Muslim countries. And we've been working there for -- I've been involved there for 50 years, and it's part of the world I love very much. And I understand it, but yet I certainly disagree with their teaching.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Graham has also called Islam evil and wicked.
We are staying on top of the illegal immigration bill in Arizona. Just ahead, I will talk to one of the reporters covering the story. Then, next hour, Sunny Hostin, our "In Session" colleague, joins me to talk about the constitutionality of this bill.
We're back in a moment. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Well, now back to our lead story. Boy, it is a hot one, the toughest immigration bill in the country. Arizona's SB-1070 could become law tomorrow.
Joining me on the phone now from Phoenix, Alia Rau, reporter for "The Arizona Republic."
Alia, I appreciate your time here. I know you're really busy covering this story.
When are you hearing the governor could act on this?
ALIA RAU, REPORTER, "ARIZONA REPUBLIC": We're hearing some time today, but we've really got no indication as to exactly when that would be.
HARRIS: At some point today maybe. Is it true 70 percent of Arizonans support this legislation?
RAU: That's what a Rasmussen poll showed, and that's the only polling that we've seen done on the issue. So right now that's what we've got. HARRIS: All right. Talk in broader terms here and describe the frustration Arizonans, many, feel around this issue of illegal immigration, if you would, please.
RAU: Well, the ones we're hearing from publicly are by far the opposition to this bill. And there's kind of a broad range in concern. There's concern that this could -- you know, you'd have police targeting people based on color. You'd have people arrested and detained until they could prove they were legal citizens.
There are concerns that you could have legal citizens arrested. And basically, nobody knows what this law would look like when -- if it goes into effect. And I think that's the concern, a little bit of unknown and a little bit of racial profiling concerns. Kind of everything thrown into one. Some constitutionality concerns.
HARRIS: Right. Right.
Are there frustrations that, generally speaking, that the federal laws on the books just have not been enforced? I remember just a couple of weeks ago -- well, maybe it was just last week -- we had State Senator Pearce on the program, and even as we were talking to him, there was a huge ICE raid going down at the very moment.
Is the general frustration that people there in Arizona feel that the federal government has dropped the ball on this?
RAU: That's definitely a concern from a good part of the community. And Senator Pearce is the bill's sponsor. And those in the legislature that supported it, that was their primary concern, basically that we've given the federal government a chance to do this and they haven't done enough. There's still immigrants coming over the border, there's still drugs coming over the border, and we need to do something here. And that's definitely the consensus from those who are supporting the bill.
HARRIS: Yes. So, Alia, as a practical matter, as you understand what might be the actual in-the-field application of something like this, is this about pulling over Latinos with a busted tail light and running an immigration check, ,and then requiring them to produce some kind of a document?
Is that how this works practically?
RAU: Well, and there's still some debate about that. I mean, law enforcement that support it say this isn't something that they're going to have to do every time they come in contact with somebody. It's just one more tool for them to help combat crime here in Arizona.
However, those that oppose it definitely say that could be the case. You know, if you're walking down the street, and they have reasonable suspicion, which is the wording in the bill, they can stop you and ask for documentation.
HARRIS: Reasonable suspicion.
RAU: Right.
HARRIS: Where's Sunny Hostin when I need her? I need to talk about that one.
All right. Alia Rau for us.
Alia, appreciate it. Thank you.
Flaming rocks from outer space. A tiny Wisconsin town is in the spotlight after fragments from a meteorite sprinkled the area.
And rob Marciano is tracking a dangerous storm system that could spawn a tornado outbreak. We'll talk to Rob in just a couple of minutes, right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Tiny rocks from far out in space have put a small Midwestern town on the map. Livingston, Wisconsin, to be exact, is buzzing after pieces of a meteorite rained down on the area. And folks are coming from miles around to search for the treasure. Yes, it's considered treasure.
More now from CNN all-platform journalist Chris Welch.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRIS WELCH, CNN ALL-PLATFORM JOURNALIST: What are you looking for?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Meteorites.
WELCH: At Iowa-Grant school in southwest Wisconsin, swings and slides are so last week.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're doing this so we can cover the most ground.
WELCH: Ever since this fiery space rock ripped through the atmosphere --
TOM BROWN, VILLAGE PRESIDENT: It sounded like thunder, but it just kept going.
WELCH: -- the village of Livingston, Wisconsin, has had meteorite fever.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is this one?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That is not a meteorite. What you're looking for is a darker crust.
WELCH: It burst into countless fragments spread over miles of farmland, so Livingston, without so much as a stop light to call its own, has become a magnet for enthusiasts --
(voice-over): -- from internationally known professionals --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here's 150 grams that was found right there.
WELCH: -- to the family down the street that just loves rocks.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Something really small.
WELCH: Some two dozen pieces have turned up already, and the quest continues.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It will actually stay.
WELCH: It's a lot like a modern-day gold rush. Not everyone will tell you if or where they found one.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where did you find that at?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That way.
WELCH: Meteorites can go for a nice chunk of change.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm told it's worth maybe $1,000.
WELCH (on camera): The local convenience store has become a trading post of sorts, but I'll bet you've never seen a want ad like this.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Does anybody know somebody that thinks they found a meteorite?
WELCH (voice-over): Folks from Chicago's Field Museum and world famous experts held a school assembly and even offered tips on how to hunt. You might call it Meteorite 10.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Look down and walk slowly. Not quite there yet.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did I find it?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Holy cow, you did.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's a meteorite.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I get to keep it!
(SCREAMING)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, hold on to it.
WELCH: If the experts are right, folks here will be in store for years of discoveries.
Chris Welch, CNN, in Livingston, Wisconsin.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Good, good stuff.
With us now on the phone from Dodgeville, Wisconsin, Sheriff Steve Michek. Sheriff, good to talk to you.
SHERIFF STEVE MICHEK, IOWA COUNTY, WISCONSIN: Yes.
HARRIS: Would you tell for me -- maybe describe for me what has happened to your county since the fireball --was it April 14th or so?
MICHEK: Yes. That's correct. About 10:05 p.m. on April 14th is when we got the initial reports of something going on here in Iowa -- in Grant County, in southwestern Wisconsin.
HARRIS: So, what has been the reaction to this, and how have you handled all of the people who were descending upon your county?
MICHEK: Actually, the initial calls were somewhat frightening to most folks. They have never experienced, nor will they probably ever experience, something like this again. But we had numerous calls to all of the county 911 stations here in southwestern Wisconsin because of the very bright flash of light, the noise that was created. And then later, a few days later, the descending of meteorite searchers here in this area of the state.
HARRIS: Yes. Well, Sheriff Steve, you've got something of a sensation on your hands. Let me ask one of those reporter questions.
What has been the economic impact of having all of these meteorite hunters traipsing around your county? Are businesses there making some money?
MICHEK: Well, yes. From what we've heard, it's worked out very well.
We have had a minimal impact as far as law enforcement issues. As far as trespassers, the searchers have been quite courteous, although they are asking very often the same landowner permission to hunt meteorites on their property. And landowners have gotten tired of being asked to allow permission, but that's probably the worst of it all, and that's not bad.
The economic impact, though, has been -- quite a lot of those meteorite hunters are buying fuel, they're buying supplies, eating, and even, we understand, paying some of these local farmers a little bit to not work their fields here in this part of the state of Wisconsin.
HARRIS: Well, enjoy the boom. Make the money and then run them on out of town.
Sheriff Steve, we appreciate it. Thank you, sir. Thanks for your time. Have a good weekend.
MICHEK: Thank you very much.
HARRIS: Let's get to our top stories right now.
The Coast Guard says an oil rig that exploded and sank in the Gulf of Mexico did not rupture the wellhead. A spokeswoman says a one-by five-mile oil slick is from the explosion. Families say they've been told 11 missing rig workers are presumed dead.
Swiss diplomats visit three American hikers held in Iran. The families say the Swiss found two in pretty poor health.
Despite that, the captives are said to be considering a hunger strike. The Americans say they accidentally wandered into Iran last July while hiking in Iraq.
President Obama hosted a naturalization ceremony for active members of the military last hour. He used the opportunity to criticize Arizona's harsh immigration bill. Mr. Obama calls it misguided and says his administration will look at any impact on civil rights. The governor has not acted on the bill yet.
You know, you don't want to see this coming at you if you are driving. Take a look at that. Tornadoes dropped from the sky in the nation's midsection, and the Southeast is next in line.
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HARRIS: You know, some of the most vulnerable patients in a hospital are found in the neonatal intensive care unit, but often it's the whole family that struggles to survive all those costs on top of the emotional strain.
That's when our CNN Hero of the Week steps in. Have a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I entered the E.R. from a severe cold. I was 24 weeks pregnant. I had H1N1.
They put me in a coma to stabilize me. I was in a coma for roughly six weeks.
When I woke up, my husband said we had to take out the baby. And I immediately clenched my stomach, but he settled me down and was like, "No, no, he's OK. He's down in the NICU.
DR. SEAN DANESHMAND, CNN HERO: My daughter was born prematurely. And to see people hearing there's something wrong with their baby, and then to have to worry about everything else around them, I mean, life doesn't stop.
I'm Dr. Sean Daneshmand. I started an organization that provides assistance to families with babies in the NICU. I wanted to take some of the suffering that these women go through away from them so they can really focus on their baby.
It's emotionally draining. And the way the economy now is, people are suffering.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I didn't think this was going to be as hard. She's going to do it. She's going to be OK. DANESHMAND: They need extra money for clothing, diapers, medical expenses, rent. These are families that, all of a sudden, in a time of crisis, now need extra help. And that's what we're about.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They helped us with our mortgage, with gas.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Something as simple as gas cards to be able to make it to the NICU every day just helped tremendously.
DANESHMAND: I can't think of any other time in one's life where you need someone to be there for you.
You're good? You've got to stay strong right now.
I've got a very special rule in life. I never thought I'd be here. And, my God, I'm having a great time.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Boy. In less than six months, Dr. Daneshmand and his organization have assisted some 80 families.
If you'd like to nominate someone you think is changing the world, just go to CNN.com/heroes.
From girls gone wild to housewives gone mad, pop culture's being flooded with dirty girls. That's the tag. They're called dirty girls.
How do you explain that to your daughter? Someone tell me, quick.
A reality check on reality TV, that's next in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAPT. MICHAEL ROBERTS: We were at - on location around 2:30 that morning. At that time it was still dark, but you could pretty much see it ablaze. I mean, it - it sort of resembled I guess the sun coming over the horizon.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow, so you could see from far away it looked like the sun coming up?
ROBERTS: Yes, sir. Yes, sir. It was - it was plainly visible for at least 20 nautical miles out.
(END VIDEO CLIP) HARRIS: Wow. After receiving a distress call, Captain Michael Roberts and his crew rushed to the scene of the oil rig fire to help rescue survivors.
Now that the oil rig has sunk, crews are trying to head off a potential environmental disaster in the Gulf.
CNN's Ed Lavandera is on the story for us in New Orleans.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Coast Guard officials have resumed the search for 11 oil rig workers in the Gulf of Mexico, but officials here in Louisiana say the likelihood of finding them alive has all but dwindled, so the focus now really becomes on the environmental impact of this oil disaster.
LAVANDERA (voice-over): Right now, officials say that what they are seeing is a one mile by five mile wide sheen of what they called crude oil mix on the surface.
British Petroleum, which is - has been leasing the oil rig that collapsed into the Gulf of Mexico yesterday says they have dispatched some 32 vessels into the area to begin the clean-up process, but what they're most concerned about right now is what's happening 5,000 feet below the water's surface and it this - at the opening of that oil well and whether or not oil is continuing to spill into the Gulf of Mexico.
Right now, Coast Guard officials say there are no signs that oil continues to spill, but they don't know if that's because something called the blow out preventer has operated, which would lock up and not allow oil to flow into the Gulf of Mexico, or if it's because a bunch of equipment has collapsed and essentially plugged that oil well. They're still trying to figure that out.
However, Coast Guard officials still insists that this has the potential of still being an incredible environmental disaster.
REAR ADM. MARY LANDRY, COMMANDER, EIGHTH COAST GUARD DISTRICT: We're right off the coast of Louisiana. It's a really, really rich fisheries ground and we have to really respect the commercial and recreational fishermen who - who really, you know, rely on their livelihood in these waters. That's one aspect, and certainly the - the sensitive coastline of Louisiana.
We also have Mississippi, Alabama, very close by. So we'll be - we'll be working with these states, and we've already been in contact with them, to - to stay forward leaning. But we're going to - we're going to continue to monitor 24/7 and we're going to watch for and try to, you know, really control this at the source.
LAVANDERA (on camera): Of course, along the Louisiana and Mississippi coastline, many people are watching this situation closely. This U.S. Fish and Wildlife official say that this, obviously, will have a detrimental effect on commercial fishing out in that region, which is about 42 miles off the Louisiana coast.
This is an area very popular for commercial tuna fishing as well. But, so far, state officials in Louisiana and Mississippi say they have no signs that any state waters or state beaches have been affected in any way.
Ed Lavandera, CNN, New Orleans.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Making a list and checking it twice or even three times. President Obama weighs potential Supreme Court nominees. I will play the name game.
Where is Sunny? Sunny Hostin, contributor to "IN SESSION", next in the CNN NEWSROOM.
Good morning, Sunny.
SUNNY HOSTIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Good morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: President Obama in the process of picking a Supreme Court nominee this week. He met with senators who will handle the confirmation process. So who is on the list to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens?
"IN SESSION" contributor Sunny Hostin is here to play the Supreme Court name game with me. Sunny, good to see you.
HOSTIN: Good to see you.
HARRIS: Come on down here to Atlanta more often, would you, please?
HOSTIN: I would love to.
HARRIS: All right, so here are the names most often mentioned, right?
HOSTIN: Right. Right.
Let's start with the U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan, Federal Appeals Court Justice or Judge Merrick Garland, and then you hear the name Diane Wood, Federal Judge Diane Wood.
We have pictures of the leading contenders here? Because I'd like for folks to take a look.
All right, so what are the chances Elena Kagan is the pick, Sunny?
HOSTIN: You know, she is the front-runner by all accounts, but - but my problem with - with Elena Kagan is - of course, she's, you know, highly educated -
HARRIS: Oh, yes. HOSTIN: Went to Harvard Law School. She's never been a judge, Tony. She's never been a judge, and I think that that is very difficult because the person that is going to fill this seat really needs to have influence over Justice Kennedy.
HARRIS: Wait a minute -
HOSTIN: He will be (ph) the swing vote.
HARRIS: We've had - we've had politicians who have been justices in the past? So what is this that you have to be a judge to - to be in the running here? What is that, Sunny?
HOSTIN: Listen, that - that is true. We have had politicians, you know, appointed to the Supreme Court.
I think this seat, Tony, is a little bit different because, again, this Supreme Court, the way it stands now, is a very aggressive court. You know, you have Scalia, you have Alito, you have Roberts, you have Clarence Thomas. And, on the other side, you have the other justices.
With Stevens gone, he - you need a judge that has that sort of influence among the peers, and I don't think that someone that has never been a judge can have that sort of influence, that consensus building that you must have.
HARRIS: And - and it's - it's really the - the justice coming to this court who will be able to have some - some sway with Justice Kennedy. Is that - because I've heard this referred to as the Kennedy court over and over again.
HOSTIN: Well, he is the swing vote, so oftentimes he is the person that swings to one side or the other and can really determine. He's the deciding vote on a lot of these important cases.
And so, yes, this is a very important appointment for our president.
HARRIS: Judge Garland - what are the chances here?
HOSTIN: You know, he's got a wonderful reputation, again, you know, an Illinois native. He clerked for Justice Brennan. People think that he's, you know, considered a moderate, too liberal on the court, and he certainly is also a front-runner.
I don't think that he is the strongest choice. I think he's pretty moderate.
Again, can he appeal to Kennedy and swing that vote?
HARRIS: Yes. Well, what about Federal Judge Diane Wood? What are the - what are the chances that she is the president's pick?
HOSTIN: Well, you know, another Chicagoan. She was - worked in the Reagan, the Clinton Justice Department.
I - I think, again, she was a one-time law clerk on the Supreme Court for Justice Blackmun. People think that she is a very, very strong candidate.
But I've got a dark horse candidate -
HARRIS: Tell me.
HOSTIN: -- that I would like to talk about.
HARRIS: Tell me.
HOSTIN: Judge Anne Claire Williams.
HARRIS: Who?
HOSTIN: Judge Anne Claire Williams.
HARRIS: Anne Claire Williams? Who is that?
HOSTIN: She is also on the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. She was named to the federal bench by President Reagan, and I think that's -
HARRIS: Interesting.
HOSTIN: -- very important. She's already been confirmed, overwhelmingly unanimously.
She was appointed by Clinton to this very, you know, bench and - and one thing I'd like to mention is I think she went to the best law school in the country.
HARRIS: And that would be what?
HOSTIN: That would be Notre Dame Law School. My alma mater.
HARRIS: Spoken like an alum. Yes.
HOSTIN: And I - I will say, you know, I disagree with - with Jeff Toobin. He thinks Kagan is certainly the front-runner. I think that Judge Williams is the dark horse candidate, and I think we may see her on the Supreme Court.
She's known for being able to build consensus. She was a third grade teacher, then went to law school, so - and she was also at the U.S. Attorney's Office for nine years, so she's someone that has, you know, real-life, practical experience, also a federal prosecutor, also a federal judge, also an appellate judge.
HARRIS: You have gone out on a limb here.
HOSTIN: She's the lady. She's the lady. Yes. Yes.
HARRIS: All right, Sunny. All right. That's good stuff.
I'll see you next hour. We've got another hot one we need to talk about, that Arizona immigration legislation. Sunny will be back with us next hour. Top stories right now for you.
Keep your eyes on the sky if you live in the south. Much of the (INAUDIBLE) facing what could be a very dangerous week and a powerful storm front is expected to produce tornadoes, damaging hail and heavy rain.
Rob Marciano and Reynolds Wolf will be tracking this system all afternoon for you right here in the CNN Weather Center.
After an urgent call for help, the International Monetary Fund gets set to offer financial aid to Greece. The IMF says it is prepared to process the debt-ridden country's request for emergency loans.
We've got to tell you, first-time homebuyers frantic right now in this race to the finish. A lot of Americans are rushing to sign on the dotted line before a big tax credit runs out.
We're back with that story in just a moment. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: You know what? I've got to say it, eating on a tight budget doesn't mean a Ding Dong and corn chips for lunch.
In today's "Fit Nation" report, CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with a top chef about rich, robust foods that wouldn't make you poor in health or dollars.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With the economy in a slump, families are struggling to make ends meet, but you don't have to sacrifice good nutrition.
Where better to look for tips on healthy living on the cheap than a five-star French chef?
ERIC RIPERT, CHEF, LE BERNARDIN RESTAURANT: If you put a little bit of your interest into the food, it's easy to find ways to eat for a budget which is not too expensive, good food.
GUPTA: World renowned chef Eric Ripert says it's all about doing what works for you.
RIPERT: You can, for instance, buy a chicken, which is very inexpensive, instead of buying the chicken already cut or cooked. You buy it whole, and - and therefore, you save a lot of money.
If you - if you want something healthy and something inexpensive, you have to think seasonal. If you want to eat tomatoes in general, it's very expensive. Now, if in January you eat your root vegetables, if you make a soup with a squash, it's going to be very inexpensive.
GUPTA: So how does this French chef extraordinaire stay healthy himself, surrounded by top-notch cuisine all day long?
RIPERT: Just before I leave the house, I have a little bit of dark chocolate, of very good quality.
I leave my house around 10:00 and I walk through the streets of New York. It takes about 40, 45 minutes. I think it - it keeps me in a certain good health and - and in shape.
GUPTA: The bottom line, says Ripert.
RIPERT: I - I'm a strong believer that you can do a lot of things in terms of eating, which is you can eat burger, you can eat chocolate, you can have a little dessert here and there, but, again, it has to be in a quantity that is controlled. And you have to compensate with exercise.
GUPTA: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, reporting.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: For more information just log on to cnn.com/fitnation. And be sure to tune in this weekend for Sanjay Gupta M.D. He is talking about the danger of too much salt in your diet.
That's Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 Eastern right here on CNN.
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HARRIS: You know, credit rating agencies are usually the ones downgrading companies. This morning, a Senate subcommittee is doing the downgrading, giving Moody's and Standard and Poor's an "F".
Lawmakers say their investigation of the financial crisis found the agencies were too influenced by banks and failed to flag risky investments like subprime mortgages.
I got to tell you, it is a real race now to the finish line for first time homebuyers all across the country, and no wonder. The government is still offering free money. The $8,000 tax credit is available for one more week.
Stephanie Elam is in New York with details. And Stephanie, look, this tax credit is - is really making a huge difference in the economy, isn't it?
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Oh, it definitely is. I mean, when you say free money, it really is that, Tony, and today we learned new home sales were up 27 percent last month. That's huge. Yesterday, we saw previously-owned homes, the sales there jumping 7 percent.
So, for a lot of people, it's about this first-time homebuyer tax credit of $8,000 that's giving them reason to buy.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) ELAM (voice-over): With the homebuyer tax credit set to expire April 30th, existing home sales are up, thanks to a surge in first-time buyers like Nick and Kara Fiorello.
ELAM (on camera): When you look at the - the first-time homebuyers tax credit, how much did that spur you guys along to make sure you got out there and found a house?
NICK FIORELLO, FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER: A lot. It definitely pushed us.
You know, we were kind of halfheartedly looking early on, and then when I read about that, I said, Kara, we really - you know, we've got to move on this and get this done because it's never going to happen again.
ELAM (voice-over): The Fiorellos aren't alone. First timers have been jumping into the market since February of last year, encouraged by the government's $8,000 tax credit and some historically low interest rates.
REGINA ROGERS, VICE PRESIDENT, LAFFEY ASSOCIATES: We absolutely know that those first-time homebuyers are affecting the market. Year to year, the transactions are up 25 percent from January of 2009 to today, and it's the greatest increase that we've seen in, say, over six years.
ELAM: And she's just talking about metropolitan New York. With roughly 4 million new and existing homes sitting on the market nationwide, buyers have plenty of options.
But finding the right one isn't necessarily easy. The Fiorellos say they put in offers on more than 10 houses before finding their perfect place.
N. FIORELLO: People did not want to negotiate, to be honest with you. Sometimes we would put in a bid that would be, like, you know, $25,000 less, hoping to meet somewhere in the middle, and they would just be insulted.
ELAM: Many sellers are fighting to get back at least what they spent on their house, and nearly a quarter of all homeowners owe more on their mortgage than what their home is worth.
ROGERS: The overall market we know is down 25 to 30 percent from the height of where we once were.
ELAM: But it's a buyer's market, and for the Fiorellos, that meant getting into a neighborhood untouchable before the recession.
KARA FIORELLO: I love this house. (INAUDIBLE) think that we looked for so long, and I swear this house is made for us.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ELAM: So you see the glee there that the Fiorellos finally found a home, but they are not alone. The National Association of Realtors says there have been nearly 3 million first time homebuyers since the start of '09, so these first timers are really driving the market, making a difference there, Tony.
HARRIS: Yes. I love it. I love it. We need some help in that sector, that's for sure.
Stephanie, have a great weekend. Thank you, lady.
ELAM: You, too.
HARRIS: And here's what we're working on for the next hour in CNN NEWSROOM.
Employees who were supposed to be watching the economy, watching porn instead, staffers at the Securities and Exchange Commission visiting sex sites during the financial crisis. We have some of the outrageous details.
And investing in the future of inner city youth. Students in Harlem get lessons in money management from a Wall Street insider. That story in our "What Matters" segment.
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HARRIS: I got to tell you, it seems to be a bad girl's world these days. You just turn on the television set and there they are, out of control teens, real housewives. What's going on here?
Carol Costello with a closer look.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tony, there is what some call a curious social trend going on, and it involves women, young and not so young. You might call it a dirty girl culture, a celebration of being rude, crude and sometimes very, very drunk.
So, should mothers worry?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO (voice-over): Dirty girls - they're crude and sometimes violent, like the potty mouth tween in the movie "Kick-Ass".
CHLOE MORETZ, ACTRESS: So you want to play?
COSTELLO: And the popular comedian, Chelsea Handler.
CHELSEA HANDLER, COMEDIAN/TALK SHOW HOST: It's the same [bleep] body for three years.
COSTELLO: Whose raunchy sex talk and love of alcohol has fueled three best-sellers.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Finish the sentence, "A day without vodka is - "
HANDLEY: Not a real day. COSTELLO: Just ask pop star Kesha, whose hit songs celebrates promiscuity and drinking until you pass out in a stranger's bathtub.
KESHA SEBERT, SINGER: (SINGING).
COSTELLO: While it may be just a catchy dance tune, a clever movie and funny shtick, is it something women need to worry about?
NANCY GILES, SOCIAL COMMENTATOR: Now there seems to be this - this strange - it's like a hazing ritual or a badge of honor, how drunk can you get? How bad can you behave? How close to the edge can you go? I don't get it.
COSTELLO: Giles says it's as if girls are celebrating the worst of frat boy behavior as a way to female empowerment. And if you ask some young women, that's exactly it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, definitely. Yes, I think it's women trying to challenge men, for sure.
COSTELLO: When it comes to binge drinking, experts say, sadly, women are up to the challenge. According to Southern Illinois University, in 1996, 33 percent of women admitted to binge drinking or having five drinks in one sitting in the past two weeks. In 2008 that percentage shot up to nearly 41 percent.
JACLYN FRIEDMAN, EDITOR, "YES MEANS YES": It's a really troubling message.
COSTELLO: That's disturbing to feminist editor Jaclyn Friedman. She says women having fun or making stupid mistakes is one thing, but adopting destructive raunchy behavior is scary.
FRIEDMAN: When it comes to sexual assault, most rapists use alcohol to facilitate sexual assaults.
COSTELLO: So, do we need to worry, or is this just entertainment?
Experts say that's something parent ought to ask their daughters about...
