Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
Gadhafi Forces Launch Attacks; U.S. May Cut Diplomatic Ties with Libya; Gas Reaching $4 a Gallon in Some Cities; Police Take Custody of Charlie Sheen's Twins; Senate Set to Vote on Government Extension
Aired March 02, 2011 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Enough to make your head spin. Thanks so much, Ali, Kiran. Have a great day.
It's 9:00 a.m. on the East Coast, 6:00 out West.
A new twist in the Charlie Sheen story. Authorities take away his twin sons. A camera caught the moment. We'll show you that video in just a few minutes.
You're probably going to pay more for gas today than you did yesterday. Prices inch up farther as Libya's chaos deepens but the cost of flying could double.
And in just a couple of hours the Senate passes a bill to keep the federal government running. A shutdown avoided for now.
But we begin in Libya. A dictator strikes back, a nation teeters and your gas prices hang in the balance.
Earlier this morning, Moammar Gadhafi unleashed new military attacks on rebel strongholds. One of them affects your wallet. The town of al-Brega is a giant hub of Libya's oil industry. Also under siege today rebel camps near Ajdabiya.
Today a civil war looks more likely and some fear a desperate Gadhafi could carry out a massacre. "The New York Times" is reporting that some opposition leaders believe U.N. air strikes on Gadhafi's military could prevent that.
Later this hour, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is scheduled to testify on Capitol Hill. This spiraling crisis is sure to be a focus.
This is the image Gadhafi wants the world to see right now. For the last couple of hours, he appeared before cheering supporters vowing that he will not step down.
We have CNN correspondents covering all the latest developments. We were trying to go to Nic Robertson but he is stuck in that room where Gadhafi has been speaking now for two and a half hours.
So instead, let's start with Ben Wedeman. He's in Benghazi. He joins us by phone.
And I understand, Ben, you just heard a bomb drop?
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I just saw a bomb dropped about 40 yards from me. We are outside the town of Brega where this ongoing battle is happening. And we watched this Libyan Air Force plane flew overhead.
First dropped a bomb about two miles away from us, then it flew right overhead and I looked up and then I heard -- just right now 40 yards from where we're standing, a huge explosion, a great big cloud of black smoke and sand coming up.
This was in an area where a lot of the anti-Gadhafi forces were concentrated so it's kind of an obvious target. In this particularly -- particular bombing run, however, nobody was hurt in the incident. Just a lot of people sort of --
COSTELLO: A couple of days ago, you heard another -- you saw planes flying overhead. There was an air strike and apparently the target was ammunition compounds on the ground.
Was the target -- I mean is there any way to tell what exactly was targeted? Was it people this time?
WEDEMAN: No. I can tell you exactly what the target was. It was us. It was us and the people all around us, which was, I'd say, about 250 individuals, most of them volunteer fighters getting ready to move ahead forward into Brega to engage the Libyan forces. So I guess, yes, we were the target, nothing else.
COSTELLO: So the opposition forces in -- where you are, do they have weapons to fight back?
WEDEMAN: They do have weapons. They have a lot of automatic rifles. They have anti-tank guns, they have anti-aircraft guns which they use against sort of on the ground. They also have shoulder launched surface-to-air missiles. But they -- and they have a few tanks. But the tanks are being used basically in a defensive posture.
In terms of expensive equipment, the things I mentioned is all they have. What they don't have is air power which makes them sitting ducks for the Libyan Air Force in this area.
As far as the pro-Gadhafi forces in Brega, we understand that there are a lot of basically Toyota pickup trucks which have seated on top of them anti-aircraft guns, heavy machine guns, anti-tank guns, and of course, as I said, they are supported by attack aircraft.
COSTELLO: Frightening developments in Libya. Thank you so much, Ben Wedeman. We'll get back to you.
We want to take you to the White House now and CNN's Ed Henry.
And Ed, the White House is thinking about cutting diplomatic ties to Libya but there are some concerns it's a move that could actually to backfire. So walk us through these discussions behind closed doors. ED HENRY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right. The administration is considering this because, frankly, they are looking for any lever, any option they may have at their disposal to try to put more pressure on Colonel Gadhafi to finally stop the violence that Ben is reporting on so directly.
The bottom line is, it has some risks, however, as you noted, because even amid this crisis, the U.S. has had some contact with Libyan officials and that has been critical in terms of helping to get Americans and others out of the Tripoli safely.
So if you were to cut off all those ties, that could put some of the remaining Americans, obviously, in some jeopardy.
Why would the U.S. then take such a dramatic step and cut off all diplomatic ties? It's because that was a big deal for Colonel Gadhafi a few years ago when the George W. Bush administration finally said he was no longer a rogue state, that they would recognize him diplomatically because he came forward with his weapons programs.
And so if all of a sudden the U.S. cut off all ties, that would he remove even more -- if there is even a shred of legitimacy left for Gadhafi, it would remove it once and for all. And so that would be the pressure point because that is something he has craved for so long is to have some legitimacy on the world stage.
Of course, given what Ben is reporting, given what's happening on the ground right now, it's doubtful he has any legitimacy but the U.S. is looking for any lever at all that they can push right now.
COSTELLO: Well, Ed, I got to ask you about what's on many Americans' minds. Now that it appears that there are -- there are bombs being dropped on Libya's people and opposition forces where Ben is in Libya, some rebel leaders have asked for military support from the United States.
As the violence escalates and as this maybe turns into an all-out civil war in Libya, how likely is it that the United States will get involved militarily?
HENRY: Right now, it seems unlikely because senior U.S. officials have stressed that military action is one of their last options that they want to put all these other diplomatic options we have been talking about ahead of all of that.
However, as this violence continues, as you lay this out, as you just said and as a humanitarian crisis spreads perhaps, that is going put more pressure not just on the U.S. but with its key allies like Britain, France, others, to step up to the plated and have some sort of military action, if not U.S. military action, they could be NATO action.
But bottom line is, the U.S. would have to get -- could not do this unilaterally. It will probably have to be with getting some allies on board. They were to go to the U.N. Security Council, it seems unlikely China, Russia, others would be on board with endorsing military action right now.
And finally, the U.S. has tried very hard to not have it look like the U.S. is pushing Gadhafi out, that the U.S. is driving this. And if all of a sudden you take military action, then obviously it makes it look like you are.
COSTELLO: Ed Henry reporting live from the White House.
You heard Ed mentioned it. At the bottom of the hour we're going to take a closer look at the human toll of this crisis. An exodus of 150,000 men, women and children trying to escape the violence and finding themselves in limbo.
Wisconsin's budget needs to be balanced two weeks from today. Governor Scott Walker says if Democratic lawmakers who left the state don't come back now, major layoffs could be next.
Walker's new budget calls for major cuts including $1.5 billion targeting schools and local governments. His budget repair bill also cuts the collective bargaining rights of most public workers. That's what brought the protesters and inspired those 14 Democrats to leave the state so they don't have to vote.
Walker talked about where he sees this going.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. SCOTT WALKER (R), WISCONSIN: I have been asked a lot, over the past few weeks, what happens next. Well, I'm an optimist. I believe that after our budget repair bill passes, tempers will cool and we will find a way to continue to work together to help grow our economy.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Democrats are blasting Walker from afar. CNN talked with one Democrat and Republican supporter of the governor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALI VELSHI, CNN SENIOR BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: When are you guys going to come back to the state capital?
JON ERPENBACH (D), WISCONSIN STATE SENATOR: Well, we would love to go back today. That's a great question. We could be up in Madison in a couple of hours and we could vote on this if they would agree to drop the union busting language that the governor insists on holding on to.
The budget is all about balancing dollars. That's all it's about. And the collective bargaining language has absolutely nothing to do with the money. As a matter of fact, the money isn't even an issue anymore. The governor has his money --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is an issue.
ERPENBACH: -- so we would love to come home and vote on this. We just want to -- we -- no, it's not an issue because he's got the money.
Glenn, you know that. It's all about balancing the budget and you got the money.
VELSHI: All right.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, we don't have the money.
ERPENBACH: So we'd love to get rid of the language.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: There you have it. One Republican lawmaker went to Illinois to talk with absentee Democrats. He says union pressure is keeping some of them out of state.
And just a couple of hours from now the U.S. Senate probably will approve a bill to keep the federal government up and running. It's only effective for a couple of weeks. And cuts spending by some $4 billion. The House approved it yesterday.
The next step could be a lot tougher for Republicans and Democrats, negotiating what to spend for the rest of the year.
We have fires in Florida and floods in the Midwest this morning. Meteorologist Rob Marciano has more.
God, the weather has been so nasty.
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, it has. And, you know, we're getting a little bit of a break but this flooding thing is going to be with us, you know, on and off throughout the spring because of the heavy snow pack that we've seen in a number flood warnings right now.
(WEATHER REPORT)
MARCIANO: Meanwhile, spring comes early in the south, trees are blooming. Not a bad way to welcome it in here. Nice to have you in Atlanta a little while, Carol.
COSTELLO: I know. And selfishly, I'm glad the weather is going to be good for me.
MARCIANO: Yes. That a girl.
COSTELLO: Thank you, Rob.
MARCIANO: All right.
COSTELLO: Still ahead, getting ready for spring and summer travel? Better be prepared to pay more. Airlines hit hard by rising fuel prices are raising their fares. How much? You won't believe one estimate.
And Michael Vick, he gets lots of kudos for his performance on the gridiron. Now one Virginia group says he deserves to be recognized as a hero. We'll talk to the head of that organization to find out why a little later.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Time now to travel Cross Country for news from our affiliates. First stop, New York's Times Square, where police and the FBI have posted this billboard in the hopes of catching a serial rapist. The so-called East Coast Rapist is believed to be responsible for attacks on 17 women since '97. Similar billboards featuring sketches of the suspect are also posted in four states where the rapes occurred, from Virginia to Rhode Island.
If you're looking for a metered parking space on South Ocean Boulevard in West Palm Beach, Florida, be ready to pay five bucks an hour. That's a big jump from the days when it only cost $2 an hour.
Finally, to Lipan, Texas, where nothing could keep coach Amber Branson from being with her high school basketball team at the state championships. Not even the birth of her baby girl. Branson went into labor in her hotel room last Friday night, but she was back on the court for the winning game by 2:00 PM Saturday. Branson says it was emotions and adrenaline that kept her going. I so admire her.
Oil and gas prices are still shooting up due to the crisis in Libya, and fear and unrest could spread to other major oil producers. The price for crude oil is hovering around $100 a barrel. Standing at $99.88 at last check this morning. Gasoline prices soaring, too. Look at this. A gallon of supreme gas at this Los Angeles station selling for more 4 bucks a gallon. But nationwide, AAA says the average for a gallon of regular gas is about $3.39.
Let's talk about jet fuel, because it's also skyrocketing, and that means it's going to cost you more to fly. One travel analyst warns airfares could actually double by this summer. Let's get the low down on that from CNN's Christine Romans. Double? Really?
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. From Best Fares.com, domestic US airfares -- and that is the advice from Tom Parsons, there, who told CNN radio, look, if you see a good deal for an airfare right now, buy it. If you see a good deal for a trip this summer, take it. Because it's only going to get more expensive.
So, that's for your planning purposes. Because, look. You've got airlines that are cutting capacity. American Airlines says it's going to cut capacity growth, Carol, by about one percent.
That's probably going to mean fewer seats. That means they're going to be able to more easily raise prices on the seats that they are flying. And other carriers will likely follow suit. About a third of their costs are fuel costs, and as fuel costs go up, so do fuel surcharges.
If you're going to Europe, you're a traveler who's been looking for that European vacation for the summer or business travel, you've already noticed this. Because the fuel surcharges to Europe, it's about 90 percent of the flights, and those surcharges are about $400 -- COSTELLO: Oh!
ROMANS: For an international flight. So, you've already noticed this if you're an international traveler. We know, Carol, that the airlines, the major airlines have tried to stick four or five, I think five, now, airfare increases just since the beginning of the year. And they're are not really sticking. Sometimes they have to roll them back by half, because consumers are still pretty picky.
Consumers are still holding onto the money that's in their pocket, and the low-cost airlines have not been raising their fares, so that has provided some competition for the big carriers, but as these airfare -- as the fuel costs continue to go up, a lot of specialists, including Tom Parsons over at Best Fares saying that, indeed, you will see airfares continue to rise. That will be the direction into the summer. Carol?
COSTELLO: OK, I'm going online now. Thanks, Christine.
ROMANS: You're welcome.
COSTELLO: Lawmakers in one state clearly are not fans of security pat-downs and body scans at the airport. They want TSA agents who perform them charged with sexual assault. I'm not kidding. Republican lawmakers in the state of New Hampshire have offered up a bill that, quote, "makes the touching or viewing with a technological device of a person's breasts or genitals by a government security agent without probable cause a sexual assault."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREW MANUSE, NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE HOUSE: Let's put their name on our sex offender registry, and maybe that will tell them, look. New Hampshire means business.
GEORGE LAMBERT, NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE HOUSE: That is a crime in this state, and we should charge them every single time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: The TSA says security checkpoints are a federal, not a state, matter. A congresswoman from New Hampshire says any changes will have to come at the federal level so, even if they pass that bill, it won't make any difference.
New trouble for actor Charlie Sheen. Police take custody of his twin boys. We'll show you the pictures in three minutes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Actor Charlie Sheen is dealing with a new controversy today. There is a video online showing police taking custody of Sheen's twin boys. The move comes after ex-wife Brooke Mueller says Sheen threatened her, saying, "I will cut your head off, put it in a box, and send it to your mom." Sheen denies making that threat, first reported by TMZ. Mueller says she and her mother will take care of the twin boys but, speaking this morning on NBC's "Today Show," Sheen says he wasn't sure of the boys' whereabouts.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHARLIE SHEEN, ACTOR: At this moment, on live television, I do not know where my children are. But I'm not panicking. This is not about emotions, it's not about ego. It's just about getting very focused and getting very much in touch with what I have to do to complete the task of bringing these two beautiful young men back to the home that they deserve to be raised in.
There's nothing -- there's more love, compassion, support, childcare -- and everything else you could possibly want for a child in this lovely home.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: In his Twitter account, opened just last night, Sheen apparently made a reference to the boys. "My sons are fine. My path is now clear. Defeat is not an option." That was his message.
We want to stress that we don't know what, if any, mental health issues Charlie Sheen may have. At the same time, Sheen's recent behavior has led to speculation he may have bipolar disease. Nearly 6 million American adults are bipolar, but few people openly talk about this chronic condition. Our Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta joins me to shed some light on this mental illness. So, Sanjay, how can you tell if someone is bipolar?
SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it's hard to hear some of those things that have been coming out of Charlie Sheen lately. But you're right, we don't know. And it can be difficult to tell, even for doctors who are examining patients.
Carol, let me just give you a couple of quick things. You talk about bipolar disorder sort of being the highest of highs for someone, and also the lowest of lows. Manic episodes, typically characterized by things that you might expect. Overly euphoric feelings, jumpy, agitated behavior, pushed or racing speech, impulsive behavior.
Those are some of the characters, people have an episode of mania, that sort of makes them -- people thinking about the possibility, is this actually part of bipolar, where they also have the lowest of lows. Again, depressive episodes, these sorts of characteristics. Loss of interest in things that you'd otherwise find fun.
What is amazing to me, Carol, is this idea now, there's new research coming out sort of looking at the fact that people's brains could be different. Someone who, for example, is going through a manic episode.
Let me show you this, Carol, because I think this is really fascinating. On the left, here, is sort of what a normal brain looks like. You see the activity on this functional MRI. This is the frontal lobe, for example. Think of that, Carol, as the filter. You think about something before you say it, you think about something before you do it. That's regulated over here.
Now, look at the brain of someone in a manic episode. There's hardly any activity here. There's hardly any filter activating, Carol. And that's what's so interesting, the impulsive behavior, you can see objective evidence of why that might be on a scan like this, Carol.
COSTELLO: I know several people who have relatives who are bipolar. It's incredibly difficult to deal with them when they're in that manic state. So, how do people deal with them, and what's next? You showed us this research, you kind of know what happens in the brain. Is there any way to fix it, really?
GUPTA: There are existing treatments. There have been -- and psychiatrists, obviously, have methods of not only diagnosing but also treating and figuring out if the treatment's working now. But what I think is interesting here, Carol, is that you have -- you have -- it's not available for everybody yet. This is still part of research, but you could have a way of diagnosing people with objective scans.
And also, if they're given treatment, whether it be medications, perhaps, in certain situations. Whether it be talk therapy in other situations. You might be able to get some sense as to whether that treatment is working by actually looking into their brain.
This may be where mental health diagnosis and the sort of measuring the effectiveness of treatment is headed. So, obviously, it's a terrible disease, and it can disrupt families, disrupt lives tremendously. But this is a little bit of where the science is heading.
COSTELLO: Fascinating. Thank you, very much, Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
GUPTA: Thank you.
COSTELLO: When you hear the word "hero," do you think Michael Vick? Well, a Virginia group say he's the epitome of a hero, and they're going to honor him. We'll tell you why.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(MAN SPEAKING ARABIC IN MEGAPHONE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
First, the growing refugee crisis in Libya. Civilians try to flee the violence and find only have new dangers awaiting. We'll have their story, just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(STOCK MARKET REPORT) COSTELLO: Checking our top stories now. All eyes on Capitol Hill. In about 90 minutes from now the Senate is set to vote on keeping the government going another two weeks. The House passed the short-term spending bill yesterday. House Republicans overwhelmingly supported the measure while Democrats were sharply divided.
In central Florida a 16,000 acre wildfire is still threatening hundreds of homes. One firefighter suffered second-degree burns to his face while fighting a hot spot yesterday. More than 150 firefighters still battling the blaze.
If you're already tired of your iPad there is word that apple will unveil the iPad 2 today. Apple is holding a major event in San Francisco at 1:00 p.m. Eastern. We'll keep you posted. Techies say the new device will likely feature dual cameras and a revamped operating system.
Right now Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is on Capitol Hill. It was scheduled some time ago as a routine discussion of foreign policy but today, of course, there a new urgency. What will she say about the deepening crisis in Libya?
Here's what we know at this hour. Embattled leader Moammar Gadhafi launched rebel offenses against rebel strongholds. One target is al Brega, it's a major hub of Libya's oil and gas industries. Gadhafi's military also bombed rebel camps on the outskirts in a town in northeastern Libya.
Caught in the middle of all of that violence and uncertainty, the civilians. Many are not choosing sides, they're choosing safety. One hundred fifty thousand men, women and children have streamed across the border and are finding only new dangers awaiting them. Ivan Watson is in one such border town in Tunisia.
Ivan, tell us what it's like there.
IVAN WATSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You've got about (AUDIO GAP) exhausted, very tired but very relieved Egyptians right now behind me (AUDIO GAP) one-by-one on an Egyptian Navy that's been sent to evacuate them.
But the United Nations warns that this is a drop in the bucket because tens of thousands, and perhaps more than 15,000 people a day are crossing the border from Libya into Tunisia, fleeing in what's being described as a humanitarian crisis that could turn into a humanitarian catastrophe.
You've got aid organizations, the Tunisian government providing food and water and some temporary shelter for the hordes of people that are fleeing across the border. But it's simply not enough because only 2,000 to 3,000 people are being evacuated from Tunisia every day.
And the people we're talking to really tell the same stories over and over and describe getting robbed by Libyan police and soldiers. They say that the soldiers steal their cell phones steal their computers, their laptops and in some cases even steal their money. And that's a big deal because a lot of these people are migrant laborers. They work as construction workers, as steel workers, as hairdressers tying to eke out a living. And then imagine, they get caught in a conflict, a growing (AUDIO GAP) and then get their last earnings, meager earnings stolen at gunpoint before they flee Libya -- Sarah?
COSTELLO: It's Carol out here, Ivan. I just wanted to ask you how the countries themselves are handling all of these refugees, like the country of Tunisia.
WATSON: Well, this is very difficult. It's been really actually heart-warming to see ordinary Tunisians the way they've stepped up, they way they've been giving free food, water as well.
In one case an Egyptian man said that some Tunisian he just met gave (AUDIO GAP) a cell phone one had been stolen from him by Libyan soldiers and that allowed him to call his family in Egypt and tell them that he was OK. He said his daughter then said, please, daddy, never leave home again.
So the Tunisian civil society here as well as the Tunisian (AUDIO GAP) are trying to help but it's not enough. It (AUDIO GAP) right now. It experienced a revolution in January, saw its own dictator overthrown and it's politically unstable right now. These are small towns and villages that just can't cope with the hordes of people coming across their board.
United Nations issued an urgent appeal for other governments to send planes and ships to help move these people back to their original countries.
COSTELLO: Ivan Watson, live on the border of Tunisia. Many thanks.
If you are away from your TV and want all of the latest information on this continually developing story, just logon on to our web site. CNN.com. has all the latest on the violence, the refugees and the international reaction.
Michael Vick, from NFL star, to convicted felon, to hero? One Virginia group says Vick has redeemed himself and his good qualities need to be recognized.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Michael Vick is again a star. Some say that's as it should be. He served his time for dog fighting and he did have a great couple of years with the Philadelphia Eagles. President Obama even called the Eagles and thanked them for giving Vick a second chance.
Today a Virginia group is putting an exclamation point on that. It's chosen Vick for its hero award. Just four years after he was convicted for running an illegal dog-fighting ring and a couple of years after he served a 23-month sentence, that Virginia group says what Vick has accomplished after serving his time is a true example of life success for all to emulate. Joining me now is Michael Muhammad, chairman of the Southeastern Virginia Arts Association.
Thank you, sir, for being with us today.
MICHAEL MUHAMMAD, CHAIRMAN, SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA ARTS ASSOCIATION: Good morning, ma'am.
COSTELLO: Your organization is all about arts, culture, and scholarship for young people. Vick is all about football.
Why did you decide to honor Michael Vick this way?
MUHAMMAD: Well, first of all, let me thank you for having us this morning. We chose to honor Michael Vick because of the work that he is doing, not only on the court but off the court.
Michael has gone the breadth and width of America in and out of youth facilities, juvenile facilities, schools, talking to young people not only about the detriments and dangers of dog fighting, but also about the things that they need to do to keep their life on the right track, as not to follow the path he has gone. And, for that, we see that a as heroic.
COSTELLO: Let's talk about that word hero because we throw around the word hero a lot in this this country a lot. Now, I'm 100 percent sure out Military men and women are heroes. They put their lives on the line.
MUHAMMAD: Absolutely.
COSTELLO: But Michael Vick? Why would he be a hero and how do you define the word hero?
MUHAMMAD: Well, you know, the thing about it is in the community that Michael comes from and in urban communities and what are called depressed communities in a city communities throughout America, many young people don't have the role models that they need to see themselves in the proper manner.
So Michael represents for us a change. He represents for us an opportunity after having had a shortcoming to put himself in the position where his life is an example. And, for that, that is heroic.
We see a hero as one who selflessly gives of himself. Michael is an athlete, as you stated earlier, and, as such, Michael could go on and do the things that many athletes do. He makes enough money to enjoy a comfortable life. But he takes the time and he goes back into the community.
In fact, just yesterday in an interview, he talked about the joy of working with young people and how that has given him a new direction and a new lease on life. Those types of things are heroic.
COSTELLO: I get what you're saying. I guess if I was sending my child to your organization, I would want them, perhaps, to talk to a man who has not served time in prison, who has truly set an example throughout his entire life and has achieved this hero status that you're talking about.
MUHAMMAD: Well, the thing is it's called the correction -- department of corrections. And if it is in truth of department of corrections, having been released from the department of corrections, if it is a working system, then Michael is an example of that.
I don't see why he should not be honored for the good if he is criticized for the negative. What is he supposed to do? Go and live under a rock the rest of his life and never see the light of day? No. The man is a contributing citizen. He's a taxpayer. He's living his life in a protective manner and just as he was demonfied (sic) and vilified, he should be glorified for the good. And that's what we intend to do with the Southeastern Virginia Arts Association's black tie gala.
COSTELLO: Do you think he will show up? I mean, he didn't show up for his Oprah interview. He didn't show up for other events.
Do you think that he'll show up?
MUHAMMAD: Yes. We have confidence that Michael will show. I think that is so mean-spirited to point out that Michael didn't show up.
In Michael's profession as a celebrity, there are many people who miss appointments for scheduling conflicts, travel conflicts. And to point out Michael's one or two incidents or instances where he did not show up is really unfortunate.
You talk about heroes. We are honoring also at this gala a Military veteran, a veteran of the Desert Storm war and attorney Carl LaMondue, who fights on behalf of the down trotted. In fact, right here in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where a homeless man was run over by a trash talk, Michael Knockett (ph), this attorney is fighting on behalf of that young man.
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: I understand.
MUHAMMAD: -- only on Michael because we recognize Michael for the good that he's doing.
COSTELLO: OK. Well, we'll let our viewers decide whether Michael Vick is a hero, and the other gentleman you are honoring whether he is the true hero.
Thank you for joining us. We appreciate it, though, Michael Muhammad.
MUHAMMAD: Thank you for your time and thank you for the opportunity.
COSTELLO: Sure.
Newt Gingrich's political team quashes a report on his presidential intentions. Our political update is next. And after 13 rejections, the convicted killer of Robert F. Kennedy makes another bid for freedom today. We'll tell you what is different this time around for Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Newt Gingrich's political team scrambles to beat down a report on his White House intentions.
Our senior political editor Mark Preston is here with that story. So what's up Mark?
MARK PRESTON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL EDITOR: Well, Carol yes, a lot of confusion about what exactly Newt Gingrich is going to announce tomorrow. He's going to be in Georgia, the state where he launched his political career. He has a meeting with the governor down there in Nathan Deal who he endorsed back in the primary.
The question is: is Newt Gingrich going to announce he's running for president or at least looking for it? Well, yesterday here at CNN we announced that he would be forming an exploratory committee. That means he will be filing papers with the Federal Election Commission, able to raise money as he considers a presidential run.
However, late last night, his team clarified exactly what he's going to do. They said he is not going to be filing paper work but we've been given guidance that he will, in fact, say he is entering an exploratory phase to run for president.
So a little confusion among some of the team about figuring how they are going to roll-out his presidential announcement. I guess the reason is, is that he does have a lot of business he needs to untie before he runs including his contract with Fox News Channel.
Now, I suspect if he is in an exploratory phase he probably can stay on Fox News. If he filed papers with the Federal Election Commission it would probably get a little bit more confusing -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Let's talk about another possible presidential contender who has a show on Fox, Mike Huckabee. He said he misspoke in this radio interview when he talked about President Obama. So let's listen to it and then I'll get your take.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MIKE HUCKABEE (R), FORMER ARKANSAS GOVERNOR: I would love to know more but what I know is troubling enough. And one thing that I do know is his having grown up in Kenya, his view of the Brits, for example, very different than -- than the average Americans.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Ok, so Mike Huckabee is saying President Obama grew up in Kenya except President Obama did not grow up in Kenya.
PRESTON: He did not grow up in Kenya. And the question is why did he even bring up the fact; that is, Mike Huckabee bring up the fact --
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: Bingo.
PRESTON: -- that he grew up in Kenya.
Let's go with what the facts are. He has a Kenyan father. He grew up in Hawaii. He did spend some time growing up in Indonesia with his mother.
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: He was six.
PRESTON: And -- well, exactly. And it brings up the question is Mike Huckabee wondering if President Obama is in fact, a U.S. citizen? Well, his spokesman said in fact that he does believe that he is a U.S. citizen.
You know, Huckabee also said that -- one of the reasons why he believes that President Obama is a U.S. citizen is that the Clintons -- when Hillary Clinton was running against him would have been able to dig it up and if they had been able to dig it up they would have used it against him.
But the spokesman yesterday in response to the big media hype that came out regarding this interview that he did with WR Radio is -- he said that the governor would however like to know more about where President Obama's liberal policies come from and what else the President plans to do to this country as do most Americans.
He doesn't really answer the question why he brought up Kenya though.
COSTELLO: No. But it -- but it does imply that if President Obama spent the years six through 10 in Indonesia that that somehow colored -- colored his whole political ideology.
(CROSSTALK)
PRESTON: Yes, well --
COSTELLO: As a 6-year-old he learned that in Indonesia. I don't know. I just wish that this all would stop because it's just ridiculous.
PRESTON: And unfortunately, I don't think it's going to as we head into the next presidential election -- Carol.
COSTELLO: I think you're right. Mark Preston thanks.
We'll have your next political update in one hour. And a reminder: for all the latest political news go to our Web site, CNNPolitics.com.
Let's take a quick look ahead of some -- some of the stories we are keeping our eyes on for later today. In California a parole hearing is scheduled in about seven hours for the convicted assassin of Robert F. Kennedy. Sixty-six year old Sirhan Sirhan is serving a life -- a life sentence for the 1968 RFK killing.
He's expected to make a personal appearance before the parole board, It's his 14th shot at parole and he reportedly has a couple of psychologists who are expected to testify that Sirhan Sirhan is no longer a threat to society.
Quincy Jones, Harper Lee, Sonny Rollins, Meryl Streep and James Taylor are among those to be honored by President Obama as recipient of the 2010 National Medal of Arts Awards. The ceremony is set for later this afternoon at the White House.
And in about a half hour from now astronauts aboard the International Space Station are set to begin their second and final spacewalk of the "Discovery" mission. The maintenance work highlights the estimated six and a half hour spacewalk.
Plus, the scandal surrounding high fashion designer John Galliano and his alleged anti-Semitic remarks. The House of Dior fired the -- fired the designer and then of course as you might expect the Paris fashion scene is all abuzz. We'll have a live report next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Bookmark this, royal wedding watchers, www.officialroyalwedding2011.org, that is the official Web site for the wedding of Britain's Prince William to Kate Middleton. It was launched today with accompanying royal family announcement. The wedding is April 29th at Westminster Abbey in case you've forgotten.
We're following lots of developments in the next hour of CNN NEWSROOM. Let's check in first with senior congressional correspondent, Dana Bash she's live in Washington. Hey, Dana.
DANA BASH, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey, there Carol. Well, the Senate will vote this morning on legislation, spending legislation to keep the government running, avoid a government shutdown, but it's only a temporary solution. I'll have more on that at the top of the hour.
MARCIANO: And I'm Rob Marciano in the CNN Severe Weather Center, a mild day across much of the Eastern Seaboard, but another blast of winter weather driving down from Canada just to remind us that March doesn't mean the end of winter. Another storm also rocketing in to the West Coast, details in the next hour.
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS NEWS CORRESPONDENT: And I'm Stephanie Elam in New York. And dag-nab it men, you're still ahead of women and in a lot of different ways, but there's one way that we're actually catching up. I'll explain. That's coming up in the next hour.
COSTELLO: Dag-nab it. Thanks, everyone.
Forbes.com has put out a list of the most miserable sports cities. Not just where teams are bad, but where teams get fans hopes up and then breaks their hearts. And as a person from Cleveland I understand that. Actually Phoenix is the third most miserable sports city. Buffalo number four, San Diego number five. Two cities were in a neck and neck race for the title. When we come back, we'll tell you who won. Or who lost, rather.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Life is not easy when you're on top of the college basketball world. Jeff Fischel, from HLN Sports, is here. Being ranked number one doesn't really sound like a bad thing.
JEFF FISCHEL, HLN SPORTS: No, but three weeks ago Ohio State was number one. They lost. Since then Duke and Kansas have tried it on for size. It hasn't fit them either. Finally Ohio State is back at number one and it looks like it might fit them just fine this time.
Ohio States' John Diebler, Buckeye fans call them Dribbler because he's just awesome from three-point range. Last night he gives Penn State -- he drilled everything. He had 30 points, that's a career- high -- all on three pointers. He has 10 three-pointers, 10 of 12 from three-point range. Ohio state beat Penn State 82-61. Number one Ohio State has clinched a share of the big ten conference title.
Let's do NBA, Knicks and Magic; both teams having big guys that are superstars. But when it's winning time, they turn to a little guy. Watch the Knicks' new Carmelo Anthony, the superstar drills the three. Of course the Magic has their guy down low, as well. Dwight Howard turns (INAUDIBLE) at 30 points.
But when the Magic really needed the points, they turned to 6-foot point guard Jameer. He had 26 points, 23 in the second half and the Magic go on to win 116-110.
Hockey now. Alex Ovechkin, the great eight to Washington Capitals' fans turning on the jets, some sweet moves in overtime. Goes end to end against the New York Islanders. That's the game winner in OT, his 25th goal of the season. In the final, the Caps 2, Islanders 1.
A soccer match turned into a dog park. Two unsuspecting Brazilian teams and then I don't know where -- there is the police dog. Ran onto the field and stole the ball. Now, there's either something suspicious hiding in that ball or the dog needs some more training. The fans love it, perhaps more than the match itself.
All right. We talked about this before the break. What is the worst sports town in the country? Number one -- do I hear a drum roll, Carol? Thank you. It's Seattle. Sorry, Seattle fans. You're the worst. Seattle's pro teams have won just one championship, that's the Sonics.
Atlanta's the same, just one title, but Forbes says the two teams neck and neck, but Seattle gets bonus bad points because the NBA Sonics were so unhappy in Seattle they actually moved a couple of years ago to Oklahoma City to become the Thunder. So Seattle gets the embarrassing title, worst --
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: I thought it was going to be Detroit, but there is always the hockey team there. And that always like pushes it.
FISCHEL: That's right. As a Lions fan, you know like one playoff win in 40 some years, but the Red Wings keep Detroit going. They have something at least to route for in Detroit.
COSTELLO: Next year, Jeff. The Lions' got (INAUDIBLE) better last year.
FISCHEL: They did. They did, they got that.
COSTELLO: But there will probably be a strike and it won't matter.
FISCHEL: Keep holding out hope.
COSTELLO: I'm going to.
