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Trump Won't Run; Imams Charged; Casey Anthony Jury Selection; Bounce House Flies Away; "Rent Too Damn High" Guy Back
Aired May 16, 2011 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Now I want to take you to Washington, as always, to check in with Wolf Blitzer to see what the latest stories are crossing the CNN political ticker.
And Wolf, I would be remiss to say that in a matter of minutes we'll be speaking to our colleague, Piers Morgan, who most definitely knows Donald Trump. The big news item -- front page, CNN.com, you know, the fact that Mr. Trump will not be running for president. We'll talk to Piers about that here momentarily, to get his take on it.
But what else do you have today?
WOLF BLITZER, HOST, "THE SITUATION ROOM": Well, three other Republican presidential hopefuls, potential candidates, the three of them, what do they have in common? We're talking about Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, and Jon Huntsman, who's the former U.S. ambassador to China, former governor of Utah. All of them three of them -- none of them have TV shows. All of them look like they are running for president of the United States -- as you know, Donald Trump and Mike Huckabee, they have TV shows. So, they are not running for president of the United States.
It's obvious Mitt Romney is way deep into this. He's in Las Vegas today. He's at a fundraising event. He's trying to kick off $2 million to $3 million in fundraising at what the Romney campaign is calling -- called volunteers at the Las Vegas convention, making phone calls all over the country.
Tim Pawlenty spent a lot of time in Iowa and New Hampshire. But, now, he's spending considerable time in the third contest in the Republican race for the White House. So, that would be South Carolina, hiring South Carolina political veteran, others, to make sure that he has a presence there. Tim Pawlenty, he's running for president of the United States for the Republican nomination.
And Jon Huntsman, as I said, the former governor of Utah, he's making indication, showing signs he's very, very seriously thinking of a Republican run for the nomination. He's now agreed on June 3rd, here in Washington, all the time, Ralph Reed's group, the Faith and Freedom Conference and Strategy Briefing, where a lot of the Republican presidential hopefuls will be making presentations, including Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann, congresswoman from Minnesota, Ron Paul, congressman of Texas, and Senator Rick Santorum.
So, Jon Huntsman, just back from China, thinking about running for the Republican presidential nomination as well.
So, it's getting interesting out there, although, it's true as you say, without Donald Trump and Mike Huckabee in the contest, not perhaps as lively as it could have been.
BALDWIN: It made it interesting, Wolf Blitzer. It certainly did. Wolf, thank you.
And speaking of, let's begin this hour with the news. Donald Trump says, nope, will not be running for the White House. Nope, I will not be talking about a possible President Trump.
Here's the story. Shortly afternoon today, Donald Trump released a statement saying he'd have won the Republican nomination, that goes on and say he would have beaten the president as well. But he suggested that he ran half-heartedly, that's his word, because he'd rather remain in business.
I want to go to my colleague, CNN's Piers Morgan is acquainted right here, it's a fair way to say it, acquainted with Donald Trump. Plus --
PIERS MORGAN, HOST, "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT": Yes.
BALDWIN: -- acquainted. And, you know, a lot of folks are saying, so many people on Twitter to me is saying, told you, publicity stunt from the get. What do you think having had myriad conversations with him? Was he ever serious about running for president, or was this all show?
MORGAN: No, I think he was serious. And, in fact, he told me he was seriously considering running. And I was expecting him, actually, if the polls continued to show that he was surging ahead in the Republican field, that he would announce that he was going to run.
But I think the events happened, as they always do in politics, and I think the killing of bin Laden definitely changed the mood. It put everything back behind President Obama, gave him a great push-up in the polls and you can see Donald Trump's poll ratings collapsing almost overnight. It followed also the White House Correspondents dinner where he got mocked a lot by both the president and Seth Meyers. And so, I think that weekend became a bit of a killer weekend for him quite literally.
Now, I think that he looked to the ratings and realized he probably wasn't going to win the Republican nomination. So, he is a winner when he becomes second or third. So, for him, it was either yes, I'm definitely going to win this nomination or, no, I'm not even going to try.
BALDWIN: So, that's interesting. So, I would be wondering if I had Donald Trump on right now. I want to know what specifically -- what was the catalyst to finally say, no, I'm not interested. And so, I don't know what sort of intel you have. But, so, you're saying potentially because of the OBL raid, the death, that weekend in Washington, you think that was the moment when he said no? MORGAN: Yes, because remember, it came on the back of the birther issue being resolved by the production of the birth certificate. And, you know, I'm still quite mystified why it took the White House so long to reveal that birth certificate. But once they did, that ended one of Donald Trump's, you know, main focuses of getting attention and of getting the Republican voters to think that he might be a good idea. And I think just when he was looking for something to take him on, you had this huge event which completely kibosh everything.
I think Donald Trump, he's a pragmatist, very successful businessman. I think that he was seriously tempted. I know he was, because I talked to him about it.
BALDWIN: Yes.
MORGAN: And I think he was really poised to potentially do this. But, you know, as often happens in politics, things happen which changed his mind.
BALDWIN: So, maybe this was a smart business decision on his point. You bring up some polls, Piers Morgan. Stand by, I want you to go through this with me, because we polled up a couple of polls.
MORGAN: OK.
BALDWIN: This is what we learned, a couple of CNN/Opinion Research polls. First, you have: can Trump manage the economy effectively? Thirty-seven percent yes, 60 percent no. Next: is Trump in touch with ordinary Americans? Twenty-six percent say yes, 73 percent no. Next one: is Trump honest and trustworthy? Thirty-four percent yes, 61 percent no.
On more: is Trump a person you admire? Thirty-two percent yes, 68 percent no.
So, Piers -- "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT" there, I know you're no a political analyst, but it seems pretty obvious that looking at those numbers, whatever it was that Trump was selling, Americans were not buying that.
MORGAN: Well, first of all, I am a political analyst actually, a small one (ph). That's one of my many talents.
BALDWIN: Oh, really?
MORGAN: Like yours. Let me show you a bit of my expertise. I would be in the lower category because of all those answers because I do think he's trustworthy. I do think he's a great businessman. I think he's a great showman.
BALDWIN: But Americans disagree with you, Mr. Morgan.
MORGAN: No, no, the majority of Americans disagree with me. But a third of them agree with me, and that's a lot of people. That's about 100 million, isn't it, if you work out the math. So, 100 million people agree with me, Brooke. BALDWIN: OK. I'll give you that what about. What about --
(CROSSTALK)
BALDWIN: What about -- I want to ask you because you've talked to him so much, though, because this is also fascinating, let me put my you know, journalist hat on. Look, you know, guilty as charged in terms of -- he was a big get for a lot of us, right? The back and forth between Trump and the media, you talked to Trump. He was huge on the TV for about six to eight weeks there.
Which do you think benefited the most, Piers? Do you think it was Trump or do you think it was us and TV and newspaper land?
MORGAN: Well, indisputably, the media had a field day. And I'm actually personally, what I'm saying if he's running, he would have been a cracking story. I know, as you and I know, he's been great for ratings, great for stories, for newspapers, for television networks and so on.
You know, Donald Trump brings with him a great energy and dynamism, and a kind of oxygen that definitely helps him. He's definitely promoted himself. And he's very good at that.
BALDWIN: He's a great self-promoter.
MORGAN: You know, I was on this "Apprentice" last night, some of the apprentice, judging the final four contestants. And I spoke to him about it. And, you know, he's a very charismatic, dynamic guy. In a world at the moment in politics, full of dare I say it, quite a few boring people.
I mean, Wolf Blitzer hit on the head, without him and without Huckabee and a few others, it's looking a little bit dull in the race. And what we as a media love to do is say, oh, Donald Trump is a ridiculous, that it was quietly framed that he runs because it will make it all so much more fun. Yes.
BALDWIN: We like a good character.
Final question, Piers: is he done with politics?
MORGAN: I suspect come the next election campaign, he'll pop up again because he knows it's good for ratings, it's good for his brand.
BALDWIN: Do you think?
MORGAN: Yes. And, eventually, you know, he may well have a (INAUDIBLE) there. I mean, he'll probably see what happens. I mean, think about Donald Trump, I would never underestimate him. Whether you love him or hate him, the guy has made billions of dollars of being an incredibly successful businessman. And I think a lot of Americans may find it a little bit too brusk for their liking. But lots of other Americans I know actually really like Donald Trump, like the sense of fun and showbiz that he brings to life.
And, you know what, the whole system is a more fun place with people like him around. I'm fed up with boring politicians.
BALDWIN: Well, it makes your show more interesting. It might as well. I'll check back with you in 2016 and see if you're calling that right. If we'll see the Donald back. Piers Morgan, great to see you. Special, special stuff.
MORGAN: That's all it took (ph), Brooke.
BALDWIN: Thank you, Piers. We'll see you at 9:00.
And now, take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BALDWIN: The FBI arrests two religious leaders in Florida for helping Taliban terrorist in Pakistan. The feds right now are searching for even more possible suspects in the U.S.
I'm Brooke Baldwin. The news is now.
(voice-over): He's one of the most powerful financial guys in the world -- and today, this man appears in court, accused of trying to rape a woman at a luxury hotel in New York. Find out what a hotel maid says he did and how this close this whole thing came to becoming an international chase.
The warning down South: get out now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Trying to save my home.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: As floodwaters rush towards homes, families pack up everything they can, furniture, pictures, even toys.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where are we going? What are we going to do?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: As the river rises, so do fears.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She can't win. She won't be able to make it out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: We'll go live to the evacuation zone.
Also, horrifying scene as a children's bounce house goes flying.
(END VIDEOTAPE) (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: He is rich. He is powerful. And he is in the world of trouble.
I'm talking about Dominique Strauss-Kahn. He's the head of the IMF. That's the International Monetary Fund. This is the bank of last resort, and he has the power to bail out countries in financial crisis.
The same Dominique Strauss-Kahn who is leading in polls as the top potential candidate to become the next president of France. Strauss- Kahn was dragged off of an airplane at JFK International Airport after a maid accused him of grabbing and sexually assaulting her in a $3,000 a night hotel suite. Strauss-Kahn is facing extremely serious charges, including sexual abuse and attempted rape.
And today, he was in court for the very first time. Attorneys argued whether he should be freed on bail.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN MCCONNELL, ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY: (INAUDIBLE) of the case as it now stands and potential for additional evidence to be generated, the defendant has additional motivation to flee. We also know that the defendant has the personal, political, and financial resort to in fact flee and take (INAUDIBLE).
BENJAMIN BRAFMAN, STRAUSS-KAHN ATTORNEY: The defendant is a well- known, well-respected international person. He is also probably the most easily identified individual in the world today as a result of the publicity that has been generated during the past 72 hours. I also would add, for the benefit of the defendant, that he denies these charges, that he is presumed innocent.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Those were the two sides. The judge agreed with the prosecutors, ordered Strauss-Kahn held in jail without bond. The first court appearance was delayed and Strauss-Kahn could be examined for evidence.
I want to you listen to what a New York state detective told me they were probably looking for.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVE KARDIAN, FORMER N.Y. STATE POLICE DETECTIVE: They are looking for DNA, hair, and fiber evidence that would likely be on his body. To my understanding, he left rather quickly. So, it is very likely that there's DNA. It is highly probable that there is DNA evidence on his body, including possible marks that the victim may have left on him, according to police reports.
BALDWIN: And so, using maybe some DNA that was found, I don't know, under finger nails, what then -- how could they connect that? Is that what they'll use potentially down the line?
KARDIAN: Yes, the DNA is going to make this case, based upon the victim's statement about what happened. The DNA is going to confirm her account in this investigative process and it's going to be very valuable evidence to the prosecution.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: This is a crime story here in this country, but in France, many people expected him to run for president next year. And not just run, expected to win. So, in terms of French politics, Strauss-Kahn's arrest is a -- let me let a French political analyst describe it for you. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRISTIAN MALLARD, FRANCE TV3 POLITICAL ANALYST: I think the word be astounding, amazing. I would even use the word the secretary of general of the Socialist Party, Martine Aubry, saying it's just a thunderstorm. And I would say, if Strauss-Kahn is out of the political process for the presidential elections, definitely, we will be starting about a political tsunami.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: While France sorts out all the political ramifications here, Dominique Strauss-Kahn sits in jail. His next court appearance scheduled for Friday.
Two south Florida imams, a father and son, were scheduled to be arraigned in Miami today on terrorism charges. But just a short time ago, we learned their case was delayed. Both received Saturday by the FBI, the elder at this modest mosque, this is in Miami. The son arrested in a larger mosque near Fort Lauderdale.
Hafiz and Izhar Khan are among six people charged with funding money to Pakistan to support Pakistani Taliban. Three of the six charged are at large in Pakistan. The fourth has been arrested in Los Angeles, and five of the six appear to be related.
It's important to note here that this modest mosque in Miami where the elder Khan preached, it's not named in the four court indictment and neither are either any of the other mosques -- just the Khans and this one alleged associate.
I want you to listen to a man who worships here at this mosque. It's called the Flagler Mosque.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SHAMEEM AKHTAR, WORSHIPPER: As a matter of fact that we didn't know exactly anything, because we are here most of us, and we are very transparent. We know each other very well. But what I do after here, you don't know, right? And who does what inside or what the other people do, like, for example, I was going (ph) to Pakistan, what matters I do there, we don't know.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Also of note today, the statement today from a coalition of south Florida Muslim organization. Here's what it says, in fact, quote, "We stand together with the U.S. attorney and the men and women of the FBI, and have been and will be cooperating with law enforcement to our fullest ability," end quote. The group says the elder Khan has been suspended from his mosque.
Joining me now from Miami, Jay Weaver of the "Miami Herald."
Jay, I want t just begin with the sort of late-breaking news this afternoon that this arraignment was delayed. Do you know why? And were the two charged imams even there?
JAY WEAVER, MIAMI HERALD (via telephone): Of course, they were there. They are in custody. And it was a standing room-only scene in the federal court, which is unusual, because it doesn't always attract that much, you know, television media. It was a mob scene.
And, you know, the elderly Muslim cleric, who's 76, you know, was wearing, the traditional head covering, thick-rimmed glasses, long flowing white beard. He seemed completely bewildered as he stood before the magistrate judge on these charges. His son, who is only 24 and an imam of another mosque in the Fort Lauderdale area, you know, was a bit more alert, asking the judge if he could have a federal public defender and the judge said, no, you have enough wherewithal to hire your own lawyer.
They were not arraigned today because that's not what happens procedurally. What happens is that they have to establish who their lawyers are first. The elder imam, Hafiz Khan, does have a lawyer, an experienced lawyer in terrorism cases. The other son will soon have one.
And what it comes down to is a detention hearing will be held next Monday after their lawyers are established, and that will determine whether or not it will be held before trial. The prosecutor in the case already signaled that he's going to seek that they'd be held behind bars before trial.
BALDWIN: OK. So, next Monday is the next time we'll see the two of them in a court to determine, as you said, if this goes to trial. I read an article, this is from your colleague, Curtis Morgan (ph), from "The Herald" this morning, and this jumped out at me as it jumps out of my producer, this is from -- this is a quote from the U.S. attorney down where you are, saying, "They are as American as apple pie," they being Muslim Americans -- what are you seeing?
Do people, you know, do people down in south Florida agree with that? They are American as apple pie? And what's the reaction among Muslim Americans down there? Is it surprised that these men have been arrested or is it more fearful of backlash?
WEAVER: No, I think it's a combination of all of those things. But, I mean, that there's generally a disbelief at the mosque in Miami, at the mosque in Margate, which is near Fort Lauderdale, that these two men have been charged. And let's bear in mind, they've been charged with, you know, financing, sending some $50,000 to the Pakistani Taliban.
BALDWIN: There's a disbelief -- there's a disbelief, meaning people, colleagues, friends, they don't believe that they are guilty?
WEAVER: They don't, because these men, especially the elder one, are known as just being very quiet, very religious, very scholarly and very committed. I mean, if you saw the elder man, you know, the elder imam in court, he looked like he was frail, like he was at death's door. He really is, you know, very old and looks very old.
And so, the notion that he could have had extremist activities going on behind the scenes, that seems farfetched.
BALDWIN: The Islamic school he founded back in Pakistan.
WEAVER: Right. But the fact is, is that the community is also saying, look, you know, let's see where the charges go, let's see if it goes to trial and let's use the American justice system to see if he can be vindicated.
BALDWIN: Looking ahead, Jay, are authorities looking for possibly more suspects as part of this case?
WEAVER: Well, yes. But I mean, at the same time, the Khan family really is at the root of this case. They have been under investigation for three years. They've got the elder imam on tape, recorded conversations, talking about sending money over there, talking about whether certain people with the Taliban received the money.
You know, this is a conspiracy case. So, the evidence is strong. They have this bank account transfers. They have tens and thousands of dollars being sent over there. All of this will weigh very heavily on him. This is strong evidence.
But at the same time, you know, he will fight it. He's got a good lawyer and this will probably end up going to trial. I don't see any quick plea deals. I don't see any cooperation deals because they are the targets of this investigation.
BALDWIN: Like you said, the root of this whole thing investigated for three years and we'll be checking back in Monday when they are back in court. Jay Weaver, "Miami Herald," thanks so much for hopping on the phone.
WEAVER: You're welcome.
BALDWIN: And from the Deep South to the national spotlight, our colleague Don Lemon has written a book about his struggles through his own life, including his decision to publicly acknowledge his sexuality. Don Lemon in his own words, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BALDWIN: The struggles of race, homosexuality, abuse -- my own colleague, Don Lemon, covers all of these three of these tough subjects in his new book he's written. It's called "Transparent." And in the book, Don talks about his own life growing up as a black man from the Deep South, his journey through the world of television news, which landed, as you see him, all the time here at CNN, at the national anchor desk.
And through this book, he opens about his walk through life with comes with many battles lost and won, and the many, many lessons he learned along the way.
And, now, we get to talk to Don Lemon. There he is live in New York.
And, Don, you know, I know this is probably a tough stuff to have to talk about on TV, let alone, you know, writing about in your own book. You write, you know, the book is called "Transparent" and that's precisely what you are, especially when it comes to the whole story line about being sexually abused by a teenage neighbor. How long did that happen to you?
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: It went on from -- I guess I was about 4 or 5 years old until about 3 or 4 years before my dad died. My dad died when I was 7, and so, it went on until my teens, until I started to go to junior high school or so. So, it went on for a couple of years. My mom remarried after my real dad died and we moved out of that neighborhood and that sort of took me out of the purview of my abuser. So, it went on for quite some time.
BALDWIN: I want to you do me a favor, because this much better in your own words than mine, I want to you read this excerpt from the book where you talk about that part of your life.
LEMON: OK. So you want me to do this. I wanted you to read it, but I will do it. I have to tell you, I'm a little nervous. I've never really talked about this on national television before.
So, it's kind of weird to be on a show sometimes, anchor and talking about myself. So, it's a little odd here. But this is from the book.
BALDWIN: OK.
LEMON: And it said, what started at my grandmother's house is a rare but painful experience, became a sad and frequent part of my life. I was 30 years old before I even told my mother what happened to me. The shame, confusion, and sense of humiliation runs that deep and becomes that twisted.
Even though some experts estimate that nearly a third of all adults were molested as children, they can't be sure. Childhood sexual abuse goes often unreported and unpunished. Most children who are molested know their abusers, which was the case for me.
And that was a neighbor, one of my mom's very dear friends. It was her son. And he was older than me and that was my abuser. And I didn't want to tell anyone because I thought that I was doing something wrong and, you know, he would threaten us and say, you know, I would just say it's your fault.
BALDWIN: See, but, Don, you said you were five when this started. You say in this -- you were 30 before you even told your --
LEMON: I don't really remember how old -- yes, I don't remember how old I was. I think, as I said --
BALDWIN: You were young.
LEMON: It could have been -- it could have been younger than that. But from what I remember, I know it was a few years before my father passed and my father died when I was 7 years old.
BALDWIN: And so you were 30 before you could even tell your mom who I know you talk about all the time. You're so close with her. Yet it's something you held so close to the vests. Why?
LEMON: Because you don't want to think about it, you know? And that is the last thing that a man wants to talk about, is being abused as a child, especially when it happens from someone who is a male, another male.
But let me just say this and I'll go on and continue to talk about that. Some people try t equate being gay with being abused. And the two are -- couldn't be further apart because most abusers are heterosexual and they choose people, choose children from the opposite sex. So, those two are not connected.
They just happened to be the road that I travel. It is part of my life. And I figured if I'm going to be a journalist and I'm going to ask people to tell me the truth, and I'm going to try to expose truth, then I need to be truthful about who I am.
Not that it's some confession that I need to make. I'm not ashamed of who I am.
BALDWIN: Yes.
LEMON: And, you know, Brooke, certainly, you and I are friends, and you certainly know about me.
BALDWIN: Yes.
LEMON: And most people at work do know about me, but it's not something that people talk about. It's like the neighbor. It used to be, oh, my neighbors are really nice people. Do you know they are black? And you whisper about it. But it's not something you say.
So, why not talk about it? And that's why I wrote the book.
BALDWIN: So, you're talking about it, you wrote the book. I noticed, though, also, Don, you dedicated the book to Tyler Clemente. We talked a lot about here at CNN, he was that Rutgers freshman who committed suicide after his roommate, right, streamed him inside his dorm room with another guy online. He killed himself. LEMON: His roommate and his dormmates, yes, his roommate and his dormmates, they put up a web cam and got him in a compromising position with his friend. I just like to say, if they put his personal business online for the world to see and he couldn't handle it. He had to deal with the repercussions from people who I'm sure were making fun of him, were mocking him and then worry about his privacy being streamed online and where that would go.
BALDWIN: Horrendous.
LEMON: And so, he jumped off the bridge.
But there are many -- he's not the only one it happens to. There are many young people who do that, and especially gay teens are three or four times more likely to commit suicide than most teenagers. Teenagers are susceptible any way, more susceptible than just about anyone. But gay teens are even more susceptible.
So, you know, if -- hang on one second. If there were people like me who -- I'm nervous about it and I don't know what's going to happen, but who chose to live their life honestly and not have to not lie and not talk about it, if that had happened for me when I was young, it wouldn't have taken me 45 years to get to this point and there wouldn't be people like Tyler Clemente, teenagers.
BALDWIN: You used the word nervous. Why nervous? And I know also part of the book maybe and this is part of the answer is, you say, it was particularly tough because being a black man. Why?
LEMON: Yes. Well, because -- I mean, let's be honest, I'm an African-American anchor and my base is you -- one would think, would be African-Americans, would be black folks, as we say. And so, that's it. And in the black community -- I mean, quite honestly, it's the worst thing that you can be in the culture, is to be a gay man. Because men are supposed to be masculine, they're supposed to be head of the family, they're supposed to be these tough guys.
And there is this assumption that because someone is gay, that they are feminine or effeminate or they are not a man. There is nothing about me that wants to be a woman. I don't want to wear a dress, I don't want to wear makeup except for the powder, the little bit that I put on for television. And I don't even want to wear that.
So, it's not about being a woman. It's not about being effeminate. It's about doing what is natural and living in what is natural to you.
So, people will say that it's not natural. But natural means in your nature. And in my nature is what I am. And so in black culture, because of the church, because of I guess racism and how people have been treated in the past here in the United States --
BALDWIN: It's just tough.
LEMON: You know, we are suffering as African-Americans and we are suffering the sort of vestiges of that. And all of that comes with African-Americans who don't want to accept it, who think that they are pray the gay away, that the church can somehow beat this out of you, that it doesn't exist. And that's all such a bunch of bull.
BALDWIN: Well, Don Lemon, as you said, we are friends. I love that you are who you are, on TV, off TV. And that's one of the really special things about you --
LEMON: Thank you, Brooke.
BALDWIN: And I just really -- I salute you for being so transparent and honest in your book, and hopefully you will help others as they read your own story. "Transparent." Don Lemon. I know you have a busy, busy next couple of days in New York, but thanks for coming on. I appreciate it.
LEMON: Thank you, Brooke. And really, your words mean a lot. They are very powerful. And for all of the people who have sent me e-mails and Facebook messages and tweets and texts, thank you so much. I haven't had a chance to read not even a third of them because I've been stuck on a plane all day.
But thank you so much. I really appreciate the support. And I hope that you continue to support not only me but other people who chose to come out.
BALDWIN: Don Lemon, thank you.
LEMON: Thank you.
BALDWIN: And now to Libya. If Moammar Gadhafi is not already a wanted man, it could soon become official. International prosecutors want to issue an arrest warrant for the Libyan leader for the murders of his young people. But they are not stopping with him. Find out who else may face warrants, and why it could be the start of a major man hunt.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court wants Moammar Gadhafi arrested and says that he can charge him with crimes against humanity. I'll go live now to Tripoli, Libyan capital now, to Nima Elbagir. And Nena, what are the alleged crimes against humanity that we're talking about here?
NINA ELBAGIR, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the chief prosecutor is alleging that Moammar Gadhafi was responsible for the killing of civilians that he himself commanded, the use of live rounds directed at civilian demonstrators. And that he has himself effectively been commanding and controlling the operations against civilians, the clampdown of the pro-reform movement here in Libya.
And also in terms of the two other ones that we've seen. One of them is for Saif, Gadhafi's son and the other one is for his brother-in- law, who is the chief of his intelligence staff. And they have both been basically accused of being -- the ones who have been carrying out Gadhafi's orders to clamp down on this rebellion, Brooke.
BALDWIN: Okay. So it would also be Moammar Gadhafi, his son, and brother-in-law. If the arrest warrant is granted, who would have the authority to arrest him?
ELBAGIR: Well, all members (AUDIO GAPS), and there is alsi conversation that is being had, whether under the U.N. resolution as it stands, whether NATO and those in the international community who are currently supporting the action, in Libya, whether they would have an actual obligation to carry out this warrant.
But to be really honest with you at the moment this is the least of Gadhafi's problems. On the same day that the warrant came out, we've had another direct hit on Gadhafi's compount. This is the second daylight strike that we've seen in a row.
So there is a sense, as far as the Libyan government is concerned, that is something that is a little way in the future because the prosecutors still has to wait for the judges at the ICC to come back and okay his request for an arrest warrant. They might come back and ask for more evidence. But for the Libyan government what they're dealing with right here, right now, they are dealing with an intensified NATO strike. And that's really what is foremost on their minds here, Brooke.
BALDWIN: But Nima, if that additional evidence is put forth and they officially can go and try to arrest him, how would that process even happen because there are many outstanding arrest warrants for other world leaders that haven't even been served. So how would this be any different?
ELBAGIR: Absolutely. You're very right. And that's one of the things the Libyan government has responded by saying. That there's an outstanding arrest warrant for the Sudanese president, who not only continues to rule Sudan but he also continues to freely travel. So, they're saying, we're not a (AUDIO GAP) of the ICC international law. They believe they don't have an obligation to hand out the order.
What the general prosecutors are saying is that under the terms of the U.N. resolution against Libya, you do have an obligation to hand Moammar Gadhafi over and in fact, he's hoping that it's the Libyans themselves who will hand Gadhafi over. But the main concern here is that -- we've been speaking a little bit about the cease fire that is currently -- they are trying to negotiate -- the Libyans invited an envoy here and the major issue is now what impact this will have on that. Whether the Libyans will have an impetus to reach a cease- firewith the rebels or fight to the bitter end now, Brooke.
BALDWIN: Well, we know that Moammar Gadhafi in the past has called for a cease fire and we know that hasn't happened. So, we'll wait and see. Nima Elbagir in Tripoli. Nima, thank you.
And now this --
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She can't swim. She hears all of the stories of everyone that the water is rising. So, she's scared she won't be able to make it out.
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BALDWIN: Look at those dimples! Kids and their families forced to leave everything behind as floodwaters rush South. Coming up, you'll hear their stories.
And we're just getting in brand-new information. Video from inside that flood zone. Stay right there.
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BALDWIN: Let me tell you about what we're calling a flooding Catch 22. You have some folks who are spared, others will lose everything. Talking about what's happening right now after the Army Corps of Engineers opened several flood gates there at the Morganza Spillway. They did it to save both New Orleans and Baton Rouge, but here's what this means. It means people living in this low lying areas to the west, to south may lose their homes completely and everything they can't pick up, pack, and take with them.
Want to go to Martin Savidge, who's live for me in Vicksburg. As I said before Martin, it really looks like you're sitting in front of this model, in front of this movie set, when in actuality this is al too real for those in Mississippi.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It certainly is. I mean, Vicksburg is a beautiful old town and some wonderful old buildings in it. But as you can see, look at the railroad station right down there on the waterfront there. And the water is continuing to rise, and that's the concern here. It's not expected to crest until later in the week. Maybe another foot to go.
We went on a boat ride today, thanks to the Sheriff Martin Pace with the Warren County Sheriff's Department. And he showed us some subdivisions that are located just to the north of town. The images that we saw were really quite striking. So many homes, over a hundred under water. Sometimes the water is all the way up to the roof. In other cases you see homes sticking out of the water and you think, hey, that's not that bad. But actually, those are up on stilts and they, too, have water in them. And of course, another foot to go.
So, even though they thought they built them to the point where they could never get flooded, they have been flooded. And that's just one subdivision. There are hundreds of homes and there are essentially about 1,700 people that have been forced to flee the rising waters. Either they have water in their neighborhoods now, or the fear is that they could get water or that they could be a levee that breaks and then they really have a problem.
So they had people move ahead of time, Brooke. And that's how it stands right now as they wait to see how thigh will go.
BALDWIN: 1,700 forced to flee. We know that number will change. Martin Savidge in a beautiful Vicksburg. I know it's beautiful town. I've been there. Martin, thank you.
Just days before Casey Anthony's trial is supposed to begin, lawyers and prosecutors still having a tough time finding a jury. More potential jurors are behaving badly again. Sunny Hostin is "On The Case." That's next.
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BALDWIN: No jury yet for the trial of Casey Anthony who is charged with killing her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee. I want to bring in Sunny Hostin on the case, as always.
Sunny, we talked about this last week, still an issue this week. Jury selection, we know it was supposed to be wrapped up by now, right? So opening statements could begin tomorrow, I guess, that's not happening anymore, A. And, B, are they even getting close to sitting a jury?
SUNNY HOSTIN, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION" ON TRUTV: Well, I would say that they are getting closer. I don't know that they are close yet. We were supposed to have our jury selected by today. Opening statements were supposed to start tomorrow.
Now we are on day seven of jury selection. We have about 16 potential jurors in the box. But, of course, the attorneys haven't used their strikes against those 16.
So it's quite possible that come tomorrow, if those strikes are used, we would be starting basically all over again. So we won't know until tomorrow, but I wouldn't say that we're going to be any closer by tomorrow.
BALDWIN: And this is also kind of interesting. Those attorneys are asking potential jurors if they have Facebook or Twitter accounts. In asking that, what are they looking for?
HOSTIN: They want to know everything that they can about these potential jurors because during jury selection, Brooke, you get so little information about each potential juror and you try to ask as many questions as you can to peel back the layers.
But you don't really know enough. When I was a prosecutor, we didn't have Twitter and Facebook. Now that's a really great tool for investigators and defense attorneys and prosecutors to sort of find out what are these folks talking about? What do they really believe? It's a really valuable investigative tool.
BALDWIN: So that's fascinating. So they are going to go to their homework and look at their Twitter and Facebook accounts and see if they would be a good juror or not. That's interesting.
HOSTIN: That's right.
BALDWIN: What about the judge here - the judge has said that this trial could be bigger than the O.J. Simpson murder trial. Really, do you agree with that?
HOSTIN: Yes. You know, I didn't agree with it at first and I thought, well, you know, yes, a dead child potentially in the hands of her own young mother. I didn't think it was going to be this big. But I've got to tell you, I walked down the street and people talked to me about the Casey Anthony case. They talk to me about my commentary of the case, the Anthony case.
A lot of people are watching. So it could possibly be as big or bigger than the O.J. Simpson case. They are talking about the trial again of the century.
BALDWIN: That's interesting. Good litmus test. People on the streets, what are they asking about. Sunny Hostin, there you have it. The people are smart. Thank you.
And you know you've made it when you're imitated and good old "Saturday Night Live" just had a little fun with one of our own. That's next.
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BALDWIN: A sunny afternoon in a bounce house. Kind of sounds like a kid's dream so how did it end up more or less apparent to nightmare? You got to see this.
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BALDWIN (voice-over): Strong winds blew this jumping castle away on Friday afternoon during a fifth grade graduation party in Tucson. Look at this thing. There you can see it flying around. There it goes.
Fortunately, parents and teachers got the kids out in time before this thing sort of flipped all around in the air. We understand some of the kids did have minor injuries just because of some of the flying debris from this thing.
This is the third time this year a jumping castle has been swept away by wind injuring several children.
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BALDWIN: And in a couple of minutes from now as always, we get to watch "THE SITUATION ROOM" with Wolf Blitzer and he joins me with a little preview. But, first, Wolf Blitzer, if I may, first, you know, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Let's watch.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Earlier this week, President Barack Obama spoke in El Paso, Texas, and while the topic of the speech was immigration reform, it also seemed as though the president was taking a victory lap after the capture and death of Osama Bin Laden. Let's take a look.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not sure if you heard the news, we killed Bin Laden!
(END VIDEO CLIP) BALDWIN: OK. So, Wolf, we have -- I know you've seen it so many times. I'm sure your cousins, your aunts, your wife send you this clip. Here's what I want to know. Did you send Jason an e-mail and say, buddy, pretty good job, but I work on this, this, and this?
WOLF BLITZER, THE SITUATION ROOM: I think he does an excellent job. The whole attire, he looks good, sounds good. I don't think I mumble like that, but maybe I do mumble a little bit.
But it's nice -- you know, they have been having some fun at my expense for 21 years at "Saturday Night Live." But going back to -- you're not old enough, Brooke, to remember Wayne's World.
BALDWIN: Come on now.
BLITZER: They accused me of making up my name. They thought it was their explosion guy. That was during the first Gulf War and then you probably don't remember during the Clinton administration, Janet Reno's dance parties. Do you remember that on "Saturday Night Live?" Yes, I was one of the guys.
BALDWIN: You were at the dance party. I know what I'm doing at 5:01, watching you of course. But I've got a few --
BLITZER: They have a lot of fun at my expense over the years and I appreciate it. I like it. It's sort of a nice tribute that they think that we're important enough to be part of a skit on "Saturday Night Live."
BALDWIN: I like it.
BLITZER: I would really love it if they would ever want to invite me on "Saturday Night Live" to be part of the skit or to be a host or whatever, I would be thrilled to do that, of course.
BALDWIN: Maybe Lauren is listening. Who knows?
BLITZER: I could co-anchor with Seth Myers.
BALDWIN: I think that would be hilarious. OK, so all joking in SNL aside --
BLITZER: Did I tell you how good you looked, by the way, at the White House Correspondents dinner this year, Brooke?
BALDWIN: Thank you very much, Wolf Blitzer. I appreciate it. I felt like Cinderella. Anyway, what do you have coming up in a few minutes?
BLITZER: We have a lot of very important news, a lot of serious news coming up. Not too much on "Saturday Night Live." Did you notice Newt Gingrich when he was in Georgia where you are? He said this the other day.
He said President Obama is the most successful food stamped president in American history. Now, there are a lot of folks out there who would think that is code, racial code, if you will. Donna Brazile is here, Mary Matilin is here in our strategy session.
We're going to dissect what Newt Gingrich who's a Republican presidential candidate now, what he meant by that and the history of those kinds of words. It's going to be a good discussion, I'm sure, and we'll do all of the other day's news as well.
BALDWIN: We will see you in five minutes, Wolf Blitzer. Thanks and always good to talk to you. I know, Wolf, you remember - do you remember the rent is too damn high guy? Well, guess what, he's mad about another issue and that's next.
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BALDWIN: I know you remember this guy. The rent is to damn high guy. Well, he's back. He has something new to say that you have just got to hear.
Joe Johns is here with the "Political Pop" and Joe Johns, what's too high this time?
JOE JOHNS, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT: Well, Brooke, you know, it's gas. OK, I'll just go ahead and tell you right off the top. It's funny about this guy, though, you look at him and you try to figure out who does he look like?
His name is Jimmy McMillan and he is the guy who surfaced last year in the governor's race in New York, of course, and let's listen a little bit to his spiel that he was saying last year that made himself famous.
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JIMMY MCMILLAN: Rent, it's too damn high.
JOHNS: All right. So that is Jimmy McMillan from last year. He looks like Colonel Sanders or something I don't know. Now, let's fast forward to this year and take a look at the gas thing he is doing. Here we go.
MCMILLAN: Gasoline, it's too damn high. Yes. This is insane. You won't be able to get there. Right now, the way it look, but you won't be able to get there, but you won't be able to come back here.
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JOHNS: All right. He does have his detractors. OK, he has been called a political anger puppet and they are people that say he's got more than his 15 minutes of fame but, it's just funny.
BALDWIN: He's funny and I think a lot of people agree with him this time around.
JOHNS: The gas is too high.
BALDWIN: It is. Too damn high. Joe Johns, thank you so much. That does it for us here in Atlanta. Here now to Wolf Blitzer in Washington for "THE SITUATION ROOM." Wolf to you.
