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The Nitty-Gritty of Budget Cuts; Possibility of Cease-Fire in Libya; 26-year-old Charl Schwartzel Takes the Masters; Gas Prices Getting Close to All-Time High
Aired April 11, 2011 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It is 10:00 a.m. on the East Coast, 7:00 in the West. I'm Carol Costello, sitting in for Kyra Phillips.
It is Monday morning and the government offices are open after that last-minute deal made over the weekend, actually Friday on Capitol Hill. That deal averted a federal shutdown by cutting more than $38 billion from this year's budget. Today, we will learn exactly what will be cut.
In Libya, talk of a cease-fire is being met with skepticism. Mediators from the African Union say Moammar Gadhafi has agreed to stop all hostilities and allow international peacekeepers to monitor a truce, but there is no mention of Gadhafi stepping down.
In northeastern Japan, another powerful earthquake has struck one month to the day since much of the region was devastated. Today's aftershock measured a 6.6 magnitude and triggered several landslides.
It took more than $38 billion in spending cuts to keep the government open this morning, but what gets sliced out of the 2011 budget? Some lawmakers are searching through thousands of line items to see what deals they can make. Here's what we do know -- about $13 billion in cuts will come out of the Departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services. Another $8 billion from the State Department and foreign aid. Housing assistance and some health care programs would also get cut. That's for 2011.
2012, you ask? The House budget committee chairman, Paul Ryan, wants big changes in 2012 for Medicare and Medicaid. Brianna Keilar in Washington.
Brianna, the president has also jumped on the Medicare bandwagon. What is he saying?
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: He is going to be laying out his plan for deficit reduction on Wednesday night. So it's going to be a very, very busy week on both sides of Pennsylvania Avenue. That was kind of like a $38.5 billion spending cut appetizer, if you will, Carol. Because it was a crazy week, but things are going to get even crazier this week. We're going to see tonight, we're expecting it could be late tonight, really exactly what those cuts are in that $38.5 billion for 2011 when this bill goes on line. We know some of the agencies that are seeing the cuts. We're going to learn specifically what programs get cut. And then the bill is supposed to be on line for three calendar days so that members of Congress can read it. Members of the public can read it. We could see a vote on that as soon as Wednesday. And then check this out -- as soon as that wraps up and the Senate follows suit, hopefully, to pass this and move on from the prospect of a government shutdown, the House is going to be taking up the 2012 budget, as you mentioned, unveiled last week by budget chairman Paul Ryan. Controversial Republican proposal to overhaul Medicare and Medicaid. And there is going to be a lot of rhetoric around that. We could see a vote on Friday. Busy week, Carol.
COSTELLO: And President Obama is also on Wednesday going to unveil his plan that will probably include changes to Medicare and Medicaid. Do you think there is an appetite for voters for a change like that?
KEILAR: You know, I think that a lot of people realize that you have to deal with the big stuff. You know, we talk about this $38.5 billion, you're talking in billions of dollars. It's a lot of money. But in the scheme of things, you've heard us say over and over it's a drop in the bucket. I think voters realize that. I think they realized that the big pieces of the pie here are entitlements, Medicare, Medicaid, social security.
But the proposals here are obviously going to be so far apart. Democrats have already panned Paul Ryan's plan. He wants to take Medicare and basically change it from a government-run insurance plan to a government-subsidized plan. He wants to take Medicaid, which is for poor Americans, and make it into block grant so that states get money and figure out how to divvy it up.
Democrats don't like this. They say this is dismantling the care and the benefits that poor Americans and elderly Americans have been able to have. And of course, you would expect that the democratic plan is going to be panned by Republicans, as well.
They're very far apart on how to do this even though there is this appetite for dealing with the big pieces of the pie.
COSTELLO: We'll see. More to come.
Brianna Keilar, live on Capitol Hill.
Here's a story affecting all of our wallets -- gas prices across the U.S. are climbing, and they're now approaching the all-time high. Today's national average runs from $3.77 for regular unleaded to more than $4 for premium. That's an increase of nearly 20 cents over just the past two weeks. But get ready for sticker shock -- when you compare prices to a year ago, regular, mid grade, or premium all were about 90 cents less per gallon.
Now let's turn our attention to Libya. Today's talk of a possible cease-fire taking shape. This morning the same mediators who sold Moammar Gadhafi on the peace plan are meeting with opposition leaders. And they're facing skepticism inside the meeting and outside on the streets. CNN's Frederik Pleitgen is in Tripoli. So explain this, Fred.
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly the rebel side of the equation doesn't really trust the mediators. They are, of course, from the African Union, Carol. And the African Union is very, very close to Moammar Gadhafi. He put a lot of money into that organization. Also put a lot of money into the member states of that organization.
Then you have the deal that was hammered out. Now they said that Gadhafi had agreed to this possible peace plan. But the big problem is that it doesn't say what would happen to Moammar Gadhafi, whether or not he would stay in power if indeed an agreement is reached. It just simply speaks of a transitional period where both sides are supposed to work out their differences.
And then, of course, there's the big problem that in the past there have been cease-fires that the Gadhafi government has talked about. However, NATO has always said that it never stuck to those cease-fires. And that Gadhafi's troops kept shelling civilian areas and, of course, trying to advance in the east of Libya. So very little trust toward the African Union on the part of the rebels.
And of course, there's the fact that Gadhafi's track record if you will on peace deals isn't exactly a positive one, Carol.
COSTELLO: So it's safe to say no one is really taking this very seriously?
PLEITGEN: Well, no, I wouldn't say no one's taking this very seriously because just simply the fact that these five and now four African leaders were allowed to fly into Libya, into Tripoli yesterday to try and make this happen, that NATO would lift its no-fly zone and allow them to come here, is something that shows that people some people think, at least, there could be some significance.
And at the same time, this is the first time where at least ideas are being exchanged as to how the situation could move forward. Because clearly the civil war as it drags on is taking a massive toll on both sides. This is clearly hurting both sides, not doing anyone any good. The carnage is getting bigger and bigger and of course, also the costs of this, the economic cost of this country are getting bigger by the day, as well.
So at least, this is something like a first proposal, one that isn't perfect by any means. And where there is, as I said, a lot of distrust especially on the part of the rebels. But at least it is maybe a chance for both sides to feel each other out as to how big the differences are and whether there may be common ground. Carol?
COSTELLO: Thanks, Frederik. And you know, the reason I asked Frederik that question is because much of the skepticism resolves around the African Union itself. The rebels say the group as being historically supportive of Gadhafi and unlikely to mediate fairly between the groups. Zain Verjee joins us live from London to -- you know, tell us about the African Union and how it relates to Gadhafi and why the rebels aren't so trustful?
ZAIN VERJEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, as far as it relates to Gadhafi, Carol, he's had a very strong relationship with a lot of these African leaders that goes back many years. Moammar Gadhafi has poured so much money into Africa to support different countries. There are so many investments that Libya has in countries like Chad, Mali, Togo, Zambia, South Africa, even Kenya, where I'm from, in just the last couple of years, every time I go home to Nairobi and just driving around the city, you see Oil Libya, Oil Libya, Oil Libya in various blocks. I've never seen that before.
The other relationship worth mentioning that he's had, he -- a few years ago he invited African kings and tribal leaders and (INAUDIBLE) to a meeting, and he made them all call him king of kings. His idea was to have kind of like a united states of Africa where there is one currency, one army and guess who would be the ruler?
COSTELLO: Moammar Gadhafi?
VERJEE: Bingo.
COSTELLO: Bingo.
There are other big developments this morning in Africa. I mean, a really big development. Tell us about that.
VERJEE: Yes, Ivory Coast -- I mean, there's been so much drama the last few days. It's kind of culminates in what's been going on for the last few months. There were two candidates for an election, both said that they won. And basically it came down to a bitter fight around the presidential palace. This one guy who was president but lost, Laurent Gbagbo, said that he won and he absolutely refused to go.
What's just happened a few moments ago was that he was hauled out of the presidential palace, in the bunker, where he was believed to be. He has been arrested. According to the Ivory Coast ambassador to the United Nations, he will be brought to justice.
Now the real winner is a guy called Alessane Ouattara. The U.S. and other countries around the world have backed this guy. So he's really going to have a tough time now. He'll have to heal a divided country. There's so much bitterness because a civil war has started over this. Also there's sectarian violence between Christians and Muslims. There are militias patrolling the streets everywhere.
And the number-one priority now is going to have to get those coker exports out because Ivory Coast is the biggest exporter of cocoa in the world. The big signal that the U.S. is sending here, Carol, is that if you lose, you can't stay president, you have to leave.
COSTELLO: It seems simple, doesn't it? VERJEE: It does.
COSTELLO: And now it seemingly happened, right? Zain Verjee live in London. Thank you.
Across Japan today, a tribute to the thousands of victims from last month's deadly earthquake and tsunami. Bells rang out, the exact moment 2:46 p.m. Tokyo time, when the 9.1 magnitude hit and a tsunami triggered by the quake, as you know, washed several miles inland.
The government now recommending evacuations for several towns beyond the current 12 1/2-mile area from that damaged nuclear plant. The latest toll, more than 13,000 dead, 14,000 still missing, and thousands and thousands left homeless.
Adding to Japan's troubles, several more aftershocks today. The latest, a 6.6 magnitude, and there are reports of casualties in a landslide. That landslide actually -- the aftershock knocked out power to nearly a quarter million customers. So they're dealing with that, too.
Let's head over to the Severe Weather Center and Rob Marciano. These aftershocks, you say they could last up to a year or more?
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes. I mean, the frequency is going to drop off and the intensity should drop off, but we're still in the thick of it obviously just a month down the road. And this 6.6-magnitude quake, that happened last night, this one hit inland. So that's one of the reasons you had more damage, you had landslides. Most of the aftershocks have been offshore, even the larger ones.
All right. Let's talk about what the larger ones have done. By the way, we've had almost 400 aftershocks, a 5.0 or greater, if you encompass all of the smaller ones, we're talking about hundreds if not over 1,000.
This is a list of the big ones. We listed USGS, which is of course the U.S. Geological Survey and the Japan Meteorological Association, or agency. They have some devices there that, you know, arguably give you more accurate readings.
Nonetheless, March 11, which is the day of the big one, this is the aftershock. 7.4, 7.7, 7.5. Major, major quakes. Three of them considered to be aftershocks. 7.4 had last week, remember that one? And 7.1, according to them this morning and 6.6 by the U.S. Geological Service. So keeping in mind that, statistically, Carol, after a quake of this size you get about one aftershock that's around 8.0.
We had one almost to that. And we've had about four or five that are right about 7.0. So we're about halfway through some of these aftershocks as far as the big intensity goes which means we're only halfway home. We've got at least six to 12 months more of these things to continue. But the frequency will quickly wane down just a little bit as we go over these couple of months.
COSTELLO: (INAUDIBLE) they're still dealing with the nuclear crisis so they could do without those aftershocks.
MARCIANO: Exactly.
COSTELLO: Rob, thanks.
MARCIANO: You bet actually, the Japanese government is recommending evacuations for several towns beyond the current 12 1/2- mile zone surrounding that damaged nuclear plant and this morning we had an exclusive look inside the exclusion zone. Watch.
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(SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
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COSTELLO: That beeping is the device used to measure nuclear radiation. CNN's Don Lemon asked the Japanese journalists about his trip into that zone.
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TETSUO JIMBO, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, VIDEONEWS.COM: When they've gone in there, you know, we hear a lot of strange rumors about the place. As a journalist, I need to go in there and find out in person what's actually happening in there.
There's no policemen, and no electricity, and basically it is a ghost town. But at the same time, you know, those Geiger counters, the radioactivity meter, is going up. But, you know, you don't feel a thing. And that's actually the most scary thing, you know. Radioactive particles hitting your body. But you don't -- it doesn't smell anything. You don't feel heat. You just don't feel a thing. And that's actually the most scary part of the whole thing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Brave guy.
Japan's chief cabinet secretary said today that the situation at the crippled nuclear plant "may turn for the worse."
A cease-fire and agreement in Libya, but no mention of Gadhafi stepping down. General Wesley Clark joins me to discuss that situation.
Plus, the mayor of Boston is fighting obesity. He is banning sugary drinks sold and advertised in the city of Boston. A look at stories cross country, next.
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COSTELLO: Now to Libya, we're hearing that phrase again -- cease-fire. African Union mediators say Moammar Gadhafi is on board with their plan and he will let peacekeepers come to monitor the agreement. Still, there's no mention of Gadhafi stepping down. General Wesley Clark joins me now to explain exactly what this means if anything. Welcome, general.
GEN. WESLEY CLARK (RET.), CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Thank you, Carol. Well, I think it means is this is part of a three-pronged strategy that Moammar Gadhafi's unfolding. First to try to destroy the rebels by military force, or by subversion and bribes and intimidation. Secondly, to stall through a peace process. And third, to build up strength through bringing in more mercenaries and outside support.
COSTELLO: So the African Union is offering this supposed deal. Are they like in collusion with Moammar Gadhafi then?
CLARK: Well, they're not exactly in collusion, but he has given a lot of support and assistance to them. Of course, everyone wants to see the fighting stopped, and Moammar Gadhafi wants to see the fighting stopped. He doesn't want to leave. And so he's brought this group in. He's invited them and I'm sure there were discussion before they came in, about what generally they would offer. And they have not called for his departure from the country. The rebels have said he must depart from the country.
COSTELLO: And his sons, by the way. Nic Robertson has reported air strikes are simply sort of enforcing a status quo. And even if NATO decides to put boots on the grounds, it might be too late for that. So what are we looking at here, General.
CLARK: Well, I think what you're looking at is a prolonged policy struggle here. As NATO comes to terms with how badly does it want Gadhafi out and then what is it willing to do to do that. So there are already some outsiders in with the rebels in Benghazi. Apparently, they're not there with the forces calling in air strikes yet. They're not actually doing the training. They may be assisting in some unpacking or delivery of weapons.
So all of these steps have to be decided. And then the alliance or the coalition would have to have a countervailing strategy to isolate Gadhafi, prevent the arrival of mercenaries and outside support, to use diplomacy to erode his will and to strengthen the rebels so they cause the clock to work against him.
Of course what Gadhafi's playing with is he's playing with the extremely overpowering capabilities of the United States of America and NATO in general. You've got the French president, the British prime minister, and President Obama saying "he's got to leave."
So his days are numbered. It's a question of how to bring it to closure.
COSTELLO: Right. And how long that's going to take. General Wesley Clark, thanks for joining us this morning.
CLARK: Thank you, too.
COSTELLO: The Bible has been around for a long time, as you know. Now someone is trying to create his own. But it has nothing to do with God. That story's next.
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COSTELLO: Checking stories making news across the country now.
In Boston, the mayor has issued an executive order banning sugary drinks. That goes for the advertisements on Boston City property, too. His reasoning is to curb obesity. The sugary drink ban will take effect in six months.
In California, a 70-year-old woman who enjoys opening her garage as a community center for her friends and family is being fined.
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MARYLIN WEBER: In the morning, if they call me, they say, oh, 6:30, I'm going to work, have coffee ready. I open the garage door, they come over, have their coffee, then they go to work.
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COSTELLO: Someone snapped a photograph of the woman in her garage and sent it to the homeowners association. It said she's using her garage as a living space. The woman is refusing to pay the fine.
In Georgia, 26-year-old Charl Schwartzel is the 2011 Masters champion. He finished 14 under par.
The bible, best-selling book of all time. So why not copy the way it's written to sell your own agenda? Even if that agenda has nothing to do with religion or god? One of the world's leading philosophers has written a book that some are calling a bible for the rest of us. It draws on many philosophical sources to instruct and inspire people. It's called "The Good Book: a Humanist Bible." And it even has its own set of 10 Commandments.
Here's one "Love well, seek the good in all things, harm no others, think for yourself, take responsibility, respect nature, do your utmost to be informed, be kind, be courageous, at least, sincerely try." Joining us now is the author, British philosopher, A.C. Grayling. Welcome.
A.C. GRAYLING, BRITISH PHILOSOPHER AND AUTHOR: Hello there, Carol.
COSTELLO: So I'll just come out and ask you, is this a bible for atheists?
GRAYLING: Well, no. It's a book, as you've pointed out, compiled out of all the great ethical traditions of both the Western and Eastern civilizations. And it's for everybody. I'm sure that people who has a religious commitment may find a great deal which resonates with them also.
COSTELLO: Who will read this book?
GRAYLING: Well, it's an offering really to the conversation that mankind has with itself about the good and well lived life. And there's such a great repository of wisdom, a treasure house really of wisdom in all the traditions of the past, not just religious ones. And what I sought to do with this book was to bring a great deal of that wealth of insight into the human condition from those traditions, and to just make it part of the resource that we all have for thinking about these things.
COSTELLO: But why copy the way the bible is written? Might that not offend some?
GRAYLING: Well, there's no intention to offend. There are two reasons why I chose to present it in the same kind of format. One is that the format is a very accessible and inviting one. So with that traditional way that the bible is written, it means people can read short passages or longer passages, they can take a few verses and reflect on them, think about them. So it's a very inviting way of presenting those ideas. Secondly because --
COSTELLO: Go ahead.
GRAYLING: I'm sorry, it just -- the cause, the intention of the book is to make a contribution to those resources for -- reflecting on one's life. That -- to present it has been in that same space, in that same tradition. And says something itself, says something about what it's attempting to do.
COSTELLO: But couldn't you get the same thing even if you didn't believe in god or Jesus from the Bible? Those same lessons?
GRAYLING: Well, there are some parts of the Bible which address themselves -- very much to how it is to be human and the kinds of problems that we face in the course of ordinary life but the great religious tradition however has a slightly different concern which is to talk about the relationship between individuals and the deity of that tradition.
This book focuses very much on what you might call the central humanist concern which is what is it to be human in the here and now and how to relate to other people around you. And in particular, how to build the thing which is very central to good life, and that is good relationships with those you love, your communities, with your fellow human beings.
COSTELLO: How is it selling so far, this book?
GRAYLING: As I understand it, and my publishers are the ones who have the facts and figures here. It's doing rather well.
COSTELLO: Thank you so much for joining us this morning. We appreciate it.
GRAYLING: A pleasure.
COSTELLO: That rude awakening you get every time you visit the gas pump is getting ruder. Prices are getting closer and closer to an all-time high, and we're still weeks away from Memorial Day weekend. We'll find out what's going on, coming up. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Gas prices aren't just high, they're getting close to an all-time high. Stephanie Elam, it's getting really ugly out there at the pump.
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it is, maybe people will break their bikes out again. At least the weather is starting to get nice around the country for some folks and they can actually handle being outside.
But yes, according to AAA, gas prices have been on the move, higher, for the last 20 days in a row. So, let's just take a look at where gas prices stand right now. If you go to the pump, the average is $3.77 a gallon, just for regular. Last year, we were at $2.86. Now, the record high was hit on July 11, to be exact, in 2008 of $4.11. As you see, we're kind of in spitting distance. We're getting very close to the all-time record high there.
Obviously, we know a few reasons why. There's the unrest we've seen in the Middle East and North Africa. We've seen that whole issue for the last couple of months now. That's playing into it. Also you've got this weak dollar and increased demand from other countries. All of that is factoring in.
Now here's the thing. It could actually be worse for us, but because of the economy, because it's been such a long recovery here, the refiners, retailers, they've been hesitant to pass on these oil prices, the hikes in oil prices on to consumers. But eventually, it's starting to make its way into the system. So, that's what we are seeing here.
And Carol, just because I know you're probably going to wonder this. Some states actually are already $4. -- actually are above $4.11. States like California. Hawaii is above it as well. Alaska. Probably not surprising that they are. And many cities like Chicago are already above $4.11 a gallon. So, a lot of people are already feeling the pain.
COSTELLO: Ouch. OK, so I know you have figures that might make us feel better but not really.
ELAM: Just be glad that you're an American and this is where you buy gas. That you don't do it in Europe. See? Starting to feel better now?
COSTELLO: Oh, yes, I feel great now!
ELAM: Because in Europe -- I know, some place you probably don't ever drive. At least when I go there I don't drive. It is way too expensive compared to what we pay.
But just take a look at this. We have some figures to show what it looks like. In Germany, how about $8.16 a gallon. The U.K., almost $8. Italy there behind it, Japan at $6.63. And France at $7.74. You may wonder why. The governments there put a lot of tariffs. It's all about the taxes there in those countries. So, that's why gas is so expensive for them.
But at the same time, there's some countries that actually have some cheap gas like Nigeria or Venezuela, and in those countries -- India and China, as well -- the governments are actually subsidizing gas prices so you may hear something like 12 cents or something, the equivalent of 12 cents in Nigeria for a gallon of gas.
COSTELLO: Well, that will never happen here.
ELAM: No. But it's also government's way there of controlling the population. Look, your gas is so cheap. See what we've done for you? Really?
So, yes, be happy you're not someplace else where it's more expensive. Feel better, enjoy driving. Yea! Happy summer.
COSETLLO: OK! Yes. Same to you. Thank you, Stephanie. We appreciate it.
ELAM: Sure.
COSTELLO: Checking our top stories now.
Laurent Gbagbo has been arrested in the Ivory Coast. He lost the presidency in the West African nation in a recent election but refused to step down. The global community now recognizes his rival as the legitimate president of Ivory Coast.
The search for a missing woman is expanding in New York State. Shannen Gilbert has not been seen since May, but eight women's bodies have been found on Long Island. And the search for Gilbert has become a manhunt for a possible serial killer.
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PAT BROWN, AUTHOR: So, he is going to be someone who is very heavily into sadistic stuff. He'll be watching a lot of hardcore porn, very violent ideation in his head.
So, he likes to torture these ladies and take his time with them. That kind of person extremely psychopathic, very cold-blooded, very unempathetic. So, somebody in that neighborhood, near that area where the women were dumped. I do believe he's a local. Would know who this guy is, they just haven't put two and two together yet.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: And we should get more details on the budget deal today. The House begins debate on which programs will actually get cut. A Wednesday vote is planned.
It is time for "Political Buzz. A lightning fast conversation hitting the hot political topics of the day. Each of our three political observers get 20 seconds to answer three seconds. Dana Loesch is a Tea Party supporter and conservative. Cornell Belcher leans left. And Pete Dominick is our guy with the unique political perspective.
So, first question -- who has the upper hand in budget battle number two? The 2012 budget? Dana?
DANA LOESCH, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Oh, goodness. I don't know if either party has the upper hand because on one hand, you have the Republicans that a lot of their base thinks perhaps compromise too much. Then you have Democrats who are starting to sound like Republicans when they talk about going after entitlement.
I think ultimately the Tea Party has the upper hand because they're actually defining the narrative and are really pushing to see which party can cut more. And you have parties arguing --
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COSTELLO: Out of time! Thank you, Dana. Let's go to Cornell.
CORNELL BELCHER, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: I'm going to disagree with Dana. Actually, I hate the way we've even sort of couched these in win/lose. Because frankly, what are you winning or losing? It's not like a championship -- is it a best of seven series?
What I think we saw over the weekend is I think the Tea Party loses because I think the Tea Party is pushing a social agenda that clearly Speaker Boehner had to push back on. And the most interesting fight now is not Democrat versus Republican but Republican versus Tea Partier as it moves forward.
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COSTELLO: All right, Pete?
PETE DOMINICK, SIRIUS XM RADIO HOST: Are you kidding me? The Republicans definitely have the upper hand. President Obama, Democrats seem to concede and fold before they even start dealing. I would love to buy a car from President Obama. "Well, it's going to be $25,000." "How about $10,000?" "Looks like you've got yourself a new car." "Deal."
I mean, they barely even negotiate at all. They definitely are losing -- the Democrats -- on this.
COSTELLO: Ooh! OK. So, Paul Ryan and Barack Obama talking entitlement cuts. Will we see a change in Medicare next year? Cornell?
BELCHER: I think this is where the interesting battle becomes. I mean, those loud and sounded and fury (ph) over the last week. But the fact is a drop in the bucket with what we have to do with the real budget here.
With entitlements, you're going to have to see some pulling back. I don't think we're going to see Ryan's sort of gutting Medicare and sort of $1.4 trillion sort of gutting of senior benefits. What --
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BELCHER: -- I think you will see from the president is he'll ask for greater sacrifice.
COSTELLO: Oh! Dana?
LOESCH: Medicare and other entitlements contribute the most to the deficit, and I actually think Barack Obama sounds like a Republican with this. He's going to be talking Wednesday about Medicare. They are moving to make $500 billion in cuts of Medicare Advantage. Medicare is going to change in that more seniors are forced to buy AARP membership. AARP is going to be the big winner in this --
COSTELLO: Woo hoo!
LOESCH: But he sounds like a Republican. I can't criticize it too much because he's listening to the conservatives.
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COSTELLO: Pete?
DOMINICK: Will there be changes in Medicare in 2012? Carol, of course there will be. Was nobody paying attention? Why is the media asking this question? The most sweeping health care reform legislation ever passed. The Patient Affordable and Protection Care Act. Yes, there will be changes. Not enough time to lay them all out for you. But of course, we'll see them. It's going to be huge.
COSTELLO: OK, we'll see. Next question, President Obama and speaker John Boehner actually joked with one another during budget negotiations. Is this the new "it" couple the country needs? Dana?
LOESCH: I hope that they get along. I hope that they get along better than we've seen some other people. We've seen Nancy Pelosi say the Republicans are going to take all the old people's food, and we've heard Louise Slaughter say that Republicans are going to kill all women. It would be interesting to see if they have the same accusations after the president's speech on Wednesday. But I'm happy to see people get along, period.
COSTELLO: Cornell?
BELCHER: I think that's right. I think in the end, you'll see the relationship between these two if the government works, these two are going to have to make it work.
But I'm going to take the rest of my time to sort of push back on some of this conversation about when the Republicans have a -- you know, they own the market on the idea of fiscal responsibility. The president and Democrats are talking about making tough choices and making cuts, investing in the future, that's not Republican. That's Democrat.
(BUZZER SOUNDS)
COSTELLO: Whoa! Pete?
DOMINICK: Well, are we going to see John Boehner and President Obama getting along a lot more -- hey, I want to know what they were joking about.
Listen, they have two things in common -- they both love them some golfing. And apparently they both smoke a lot, although the president says he hasn't been smoking that much. But we'll see them to continue to come out at microphones and lay blame on each other. And it's going to be great. I don't think they're going to be going to the Olive Garden any time soon together.
COSTELLO: Yes, I don't see that either! And Cornell, I must say I'm loving that shirt.
Thanks all of you for playing "Political Buzz" today. You'll be back again on Friday.
BELCHER: It's spring in Washington.
COSTELLO: It certainly it! Thanks to all of you.
BELCHER: Thanks.
COSTELLO: It is spring, and sometimes that means nasty weather, too. A tornado roars its way into a small Iowa town.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a strong tornado because the in-flow is just tremendous.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: More than half of this town wiped out. A look at severe weather in the Midwest, just ahead.
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COSTELLO: Taking a look now at severe weather across the country. In North Dakota, the town of Fargo is experiencing severe flooding. The Red River cresting at nearly 40 feet, and residents can expect things this to stay this way for a few more days.
In Texas, a wildfire raging out of control. About 1,700 acres destroyed by a wildfire. Dozens of families have lost their homes.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Real big! Whoa! (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Big trouble. (EXPLETIVE DELETED)
(END VIDEO CLIP) COSTELLO: Man, I'd be running away from that. The small town of Mapleton, Iowa, got one monstrous storm last night. That tornado you saw there packed winds of up to 165 miles per hour. Officials say 60 percent of the town leveled.
I just can't believe people film that stuff, Rob. I know we see it a lot. We don't really think much of it anymore. But that's just crazy.
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: You know what's -- we're very lucky that there weren't any serious injuries or fatalities with that storm Because EF-3, as you mentioned, 165 mile-per-hour winds. It happened pretty much at night. So visibility is obviously going to be down, people are home a lot at that time of day. So, very, very fortunate.
Other folks who are fortunate across part of north Texas. This is just -- just happened in the early morning hours today. Rough weather moving through the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, basically just south of those two cities. And in between, in Johnson County, this area seeing six homes destroyed, and -- you know, looks kind of like tornado damage. They'll send a crew out there to check out. No official reports of a tornado. But definitely at least 80- to 90 mile-per-hour winds there.
Let's go and reset what happened late Saturday across parts of Iowa. We've got a lot of video that Carol was showing. Also want to showpieces of this video. A house -- eerie this is when it happens at night. Because the only time you can see the funnel when the lightning lights it up. And there, actually a dual vortex -- you see kind of see a little satellite tornado on the left side there. Unbelievably scary, scary stuff.
All right. Rough stuff from Dallas is over, now moving off to the east. We are looking at the potential of seeing severe weather across parts of the Tennessee and Ohio River Valleys today and all the way up into western New York. This is all from heat that's built up over the past couple of days. We've seen record-breaking, high temperatures, and this energy will roll up along this front. So, temperatures today, again, Carol, are going to be in the 80s and 90s across much of the East Coast. And so, these storms will press east, but we don't expect to see as much severe weather today, or at least as intense as we saw yesterday. Still tornadoes are a possibility.
COSTELLO: OK. We'll keep an eye on it. Thank you, Rob.
France's controversial ban goes into effect today. Women can now be fined for wearing a face or body covering Islamic veils in public. We'll tell you why the law of passed and what people are saying about it, just ahead.
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COSTELLO: In France, a controversial new law that bans burquas and other Islamic face coverings goes into effect today. Women caught wearing certain Islmaic veils outdoors now face a $190 fine or public service, or maybe even jail.
Atika Shubert joins us live in Paris, where protest marches are already taking place. Do you see most women obeying this new order, Atika?
ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, to be fair, this law will only affect less than 2,000 women. That's how many women are estimated to be wearing the full face Islamic veil here in France. But many of those women say they will continue to wear their veils out on the street. And this is a ban that affects anybody who is walking on the street, sitting in a park, going to a movie or in a post office. Anywhere in public. The only place where it is allowed is in the privacy of your own home or in a vehicle.
So, many of the women that are wearing -- currently wearing the veil say they will continue that, even though they risk possible fine. So, we'll have to see whether or not this can really be enforced. That's the big test today. And we have seen a few protests today trying to define that law and challenge it. We have to wait and see how it goes the next few weeks.
COSTELLO: I was going to ask you, has anyone been fined as of yet? Do they get a warning? I mean, are French authorities out and about looking for women who are wearing veils?
SHUBERT: Well, you know, it's a gray area. And police really seem a little confused as to how to enforce this. They have been given guidelines. They've been told they cannot forcibly remove someone's veil. But if they encounter somebody who is wearing the full niqab or the burqa in public, they will get a warning. They will be asked to identify themselves, and if they still refuse to remove the veil, then they may be taken to the police station and given a fine.
What we have seen today is several people protesting. Just a few women wearing the full niqab, the full veil that really only reveals the eyes, in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral today. They were arrested for by police. But police say they were not arrested for wearing the veil, they say, but for holding a protest that hasn't been authorized by the police beforehand.
But in the next few days, we are likely to see these kinds of tests to authority.
COSTELLO: We'll check back. Atika Shubert, live in France today. Thank you.
A piece of history resting at the bottom of the English Channel. Take a look at this. That's sonar imaging of a World War II Nazi aircraft. It is preserved perfectly. It was shout down in 1940 during the Battle of Britain. The British Museum is trying to raise cash to bring it up to the surface. They say recreational divers and souvenir hunters are already taking bits to the surface, but they want to take it up intact and put it on display. Amazing.
And take a look at this. Brazil just built the tallest tower made out of Legos. They finished putting it up yesterday in Sao Paolo. It measures more than 100 feet tall.
And take a good look at Prince William and his bride-to-be Kate Middleton. This is their last official public appearance before the wedding. Take a look! The big day, as you probably know, is two weeks from Friday. Today, they opened a school and visited a park. And then they're going to go into hiding.
Well, the engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton has sparked a royal wedding souvenir frenzy. A lot of businesses are trying to cash in. Here's a look at some of the items being sold -- seven British fashion designers and stylists teamed up to create a Princess Catherine engagement doll. You can own the mini Middleton for just $57.
For those of you who cannot get enough of the royal love story, you can now buy the graphic novel. Or to toast the happy couple, Castle Rock Brewery created Kiss Me Kate beer.
So, what souvenir may just be the craziest of all? We'll tell you right after the break.
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COSTELLO: Before the break, we were talking about the crazy royal wedding souvenir frenzy, growing more intense as April 29 approaches. That's the wedding day.
What are some of the craziest we've seen? If you're sick of hearing about the upcoming nuptials, this is for you. It's a royal sick bag.
And the one souvenir that just seems to outdo them all -- condoms. Yes, you heard right. Condoms. A company called Crown Jewels is selling a box of royal wedding condoms in a box imprinted with a picture of the happy couple.
And now let's go right into politics! A new poll of Florida voters shows President Obama would have a tough time beating two possible GOP candidates. Guess which ones they are. I guess we don't have to because our CNN deputy political director, Paul Steinhauser, is here with the details.
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Oh, wait a minute, you put me after the royal wedding condom story?
COSTELLO: Yes. Somehow that was fitting, I don't know why, but --
STEINHAUSER: It's all right. I don't take it personally, Carol, so let's just move right to the politics. Yes.
You know what -- this is Florida we're talking about. A crucial state, of course, in the race for the White House. You remember what happened in the year 2000 down there. The president won Florida by a couple of percentage points back in 2008. A state that the Republicans did really well in midterm elections. Got two new polls show. Both show the Florida voters not so crazy about the president right now. His approval rating well under 50 percent. And most people there don't think he deserve to be re- elected, or at least the majority.
And Carol, yes, in head to heads with two -- two, Huckabee and Romney, two possible Republican presidential candidates, he's trailing. So, listen, the president's got his work cut out for him in Florida according to these two new polls.
COSTELLO: There were big ones, too, from two not-so-well known Republican challengers, right?
STEINHAUSER: Yes, two not so well known. Tim Pawlenty, the former governor of Minnesota who's most likely jumping into the race for the White House. He just made a really big hire. He announced it this morning. A guy called Nick Ayers. Most people don't have any clue who he is. But he is a top Republican strategist. He's going to be running -- if Pawlenty jumps in officially -- he will be the campaign manager. So, that's kind of a big effort for Pawlenty.
And Rick Santorum, Carol, the former senator from Pennsylvania who's almost most likely going to run for the White House -- he's been traveling man in all the early states. He won a crucial poll, a straw poll in South Carolina over the weekend. So, I guess that gives him a bit of a boost, as well. The race for the White House, no doubt definitely underway. Carol?
COSTELLO: Absolutely. Paul Steinhauser, thank you. 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.
In the next hour of NEWSROOM with Suzanne Malveaux, a trip to a virtual ghost town in Japan. We'll take you to a mandatory evacuation zone in the shadow of the Fukushima nuclear plant for a look at what some people left behind.
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COSTELLO: Taking a look at stories making news later today.
The L.A. Dodgers hold a fundraiser at its stadium parking lot for the San Francisco Giants fan beaten outside of the stadium. Brian Stowe, a paramedic, was beaten March 31 by two men. He remains in critical condition.
Former Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis may be looking for a new finish line to cross. He's expected to announce his candidacy for the New Jersey state senate this afternoon. Lewis is expected to run as a Democrat.
The jury in the Barry Bonds perjury trial resumes deliberations this morning. On Friday, the jurors wanted to review testimony from a woman who says she saw Bonds' personal trainer inject him.
That does it for me in the NEWSROOM. But I'll soon be with Suzanne Malveaux. Take it over -- you know, today's been a tough day for me, but I'm going to be great when I --
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: Tomorrow is just going to rock, though. It's going to be fantastic.
COSTELLO: I can see it.
MALVEAUX: OK, Carol. Well, you're going to back here in 10 minutes.
COSTELLO: I am.
MALVEAUX: So you're going to rock on our show. So don't worry.
COSTELLO: Awesome.
MALVEAUX: All right, Carol. Thanks.
