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Casey Anthony Cleared in Daughter's Death; Reactions to and Reviews of the Verdict; Republicans Talk Debt Crisis; Obama to Make Remarks Soon; Casey Anthony's Dad Comments

Aired July 05, 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: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM, top of the hour, breaking news.

Casey Anthony, the 25-year-old woman there in Orlando who is on trial for allegations of murdering her young 2.5-year-old girl, Caylee, the verdict has been in just within the last two hours or so.

I want to go through the juror forms, the verdict forms here. This is what the jury would have been checking off, count one, verdict, first degree murder, not guilty. Count two, aggravated child abuse, not guilty. Count three, aggravated manslaughter of a child, not guilty.

And then on the final counts, four, five and six, providing false information to a law enforcement officer, guilty. Keep in mind, she has already been serving time for the last three years, so presumably when she is sentenced at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time Thursday morning, Casey Anthony, given the time she's already served, could be walking out of that courthouse a free woman.

All kinds of mixed reaction. We have correspondent Martin Savidge, who was inside that courtroom. We will talk to him about how everyone appeared, the members of the Anthony family and members within the court and, of course, the jurors in just a moment.

But in case you missed it, let's take it back to when the verdict was handed down. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUDGE BELVIN PERRY, ORANGE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT: Will the defendant rise, along with counsel?

Madam clerk, you may publish the verdicts.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you, Judge.

Thank you, Judge.

"In the Circuit Court for the Ninth Judicial Circuit in and for Orange County Florida, the State of Florida Versus Casey Marie Anthony, as to case number 2008DF15606-0, as to the charge of first- degree murder, verdict as to count one, we, the jury, find the defendant not guilty, so say we all, dated at Orlando, Orange County, Florida, on this 5th day of July, 2001," signed "Foreperson."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: And there you have it, an emotional Casey Anthony listening as she's hearing these counts read one through seven.

I want to go to Martin Savidge. What a unique perspective. He was actually sitting inside that courtroom and can talk to me a little bit more about, Martin, I imagine the silence. I'm sure could have heard a pin drop before the verdict was handed down.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was -- to be inside that courtroom -- first of all, as we waited, you could see that after Casey was brought into the courtroom there, she was shaking. She was definitely very fearful as to what the verdict was going to be.

And there was a moment where Jose Baez and then Cheney Mason, her two attorneys, came down. Jose Baez actually bent on his knee and went and spoke very closely. They were trying to reassure her. But then of course they hear the verdict and an absolute stunner for everybody who was inside that courtroom. You could literally hear everybody breathe in with this sudden ingest of air as they heard the first not guilty and then not guilty and not guilty on those first three charges.

And then most people didn't even hear the rest, because they were just so stunned by what they had heard. And then at that moment came the realization for the defense team. Casey had been holding on to the happened of Jose Baez. But after the verdicts were all read, they went into this huge group hug and then they was just sobbing.

And the entire defense team broke down as they realized that they had won a remarkable victory. But that was the only noise in the courtroom. Everyone else filed out very quickly and very quietly. It was stunning.

BALDWIN: Martin, what about her parents and even her brother? What about Cindy and George and Lee? How far away were they sitting from Casey and how did they react? Could you tell?

(CROSSTALK)

SAVIDGE: We haven't see Lee in the courtroom for a couple of days. And that was notable, of course. That's her brother. He was not there. And he wasn't there for what was the preeminent moment, where you get the verdict.

Cindy and George were there. They were seated where they have always been seated. They were directly below. I sit in the balcony and they were right below me. And the other interesting thing, as soon as the verdict was read there, they were gone, bolted out the door.

So, you would love to know what it was they thought. There has to be a great sense of relief. Their daughter is not going to face the death penalty. How they feel about the rest of it, we will not know until we actually hear it from them. And of course we wanted to hear from the jurors, but that's not going to happen, at least not now.

BALDWIN: I know you were the one chosen to get the first question into those members of the jury, and as we have learned, the seven women, the five men, total 12, they will not be speaking.

Their names will not be released, at least not yet. We have heard that we will be hearing from two, but they are just two alternates. But did you notice at all, Martin, was there any emotion within that 12 when the verdict was handed down?

SAVIDGE: Well, we didn't -- you mean did I notice emotion coming from the jurors themselves as far as when they watched this?

BALDWIN: Yes. Yes.

SAVIDGE: No. They were very stoic about it. We were trying to -- of course, you know, you're constantly rotating your eyes between one side of the room and the other.

But, no, they came in. I watched them as they came in. And, at first, I thought, boy, this isn't going to go well for the defendant because they did not appear to want to make eyes or have any eye contact. Or those that did with Casey quickly looked the other way.

And, of course, we tend to read into that that's a bad thing for the defendant. But clearly that was not the case, but no real reaction. We didn't see anything in their -- in the way they walked in or the way they presented themselves.

The only minor thing I will point out we noticed this morning was that a number of them came dressed very well. In other words, they were dressed not in the comfortable clothes they normally wear for deliberation. They came dressed as if this was going to be an important day, AKA, that they also knew this was probably going to be a verdict day.

BALDWIN: Wow, just 11 hours of deliberations.

Martin Savidge, that's an interesting point, that they came dressed.

Let's go to our senior legal analyst, Jeff Toobin, for a little reaction here.

And, Jeff, I'm just curious before we talk -- Jeff is not there.

Well, let's go here to my left and Holly Hughes.

Good thing you're sitting here.

I am interested by the fact that it just took -- and I shouldn't say just -- maybe that's a lot of time, maybe it isn't at 11 hours. They were prepared clearly this morning to have a verdict. Does that surprise you? Was it quick? Was it not quick? HOLLY HUGHES, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: I thought that had they convicted, it would have been just about the right amount of time.

But obviously they went the opposite direction. They had listened very carefully, taken all their notes. And what they thought was there's not enough evidence here, because they didn't ask one question. They didn't send out a note saying, can we get a read-back, can you tell us what this evidence was or a transcript read-back?

(CROSSTALK)

HUGHES: So they pretty much when they went in there had made up their minds. OK, let's review this evidence and that was all the time they needed. So we can never say that a jury is too quick or too short, because they took it seriously, they took the time they needed, and they rendered the decision that they think the evidence supported.

BALDWIN: Sunny Hostin -- do we still have Sunny standing by? I have a question for Sunny.

Sunny Hostin, my question is this.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Two points. One, we know the sentencing hearing will be 9:00 a.m. Thursday morning. But given the fact that Casey Anthony has already served three years, could she theoretically be walking away Thursday morning a free woman?

And, number two, I do want to ask you about the fact that an acquittal can never be appealed.

SUNNY HOSTIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Well, that's right. In answer to your second question, yes, an acquittal cannot be appealed.

In answer to your first question, she was convicted of four counts of providing false information to a police officer. Those are first degree misdemeanors, punishable of up to one year in prison, as well as $1,000 fine for each count.

So if Judge Perry on Thursday determines that she should be sentenced consecutively, that means one after the other after the other, she would get four years. But you're right. She has already served I think a little over three years, which means, conceivably, with time -- good time credit, she could possibly get out almost immediately, or she could spend a little bit more time in prison and then be released. So we could be seeing Casey Anthony going home?

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Why didn't her team ask for bail today, you think?

HOSTIN: I think it -- well, she again was convicted of four counts, first degree misdemeanors.

I think perhaps, in the scheme of things, they forgot to do that, but I think more likely it was -- sentencing is on Thursday, four counts in front of this judge. It is likely that she's going to get consecutive sentences. So I would imagine that that went into the equation of what they thought to do.

BALDWIN: OK. Sunny Hostin, stand by for me.

Let's go to Richard Herman.

And, Richard Herman, I want your reaction to this verdict first and foremost. And, secondly, what do you make of the fact that we will not be hearing, at least not yet, from a single one of these 12 jurors today?

RICHARD HERMAN, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: I think the jurors may fear for themselves, the crowds outside every day lining up.

You know, they -- I think they just want to get home safely and get out of this jurisdiction. So, I think that's probably the reason we didn't hear from them. And we may not hear from them. We may hear from them when they make book deals or they do media interviews some time after today.

But, today, they're not going to talk to the press in front of anything. They want to get out of Dodge. And as far as the determination of this jury, the jury has spoken. I have seen it all. I really have, Brooke. And this is just an amazing turnaround.

I mean, if you look at the way the defense was put up, you know, all I can say is, Baez fought with passion. I'm not sure he really was well-versed in the rules of evidence. I'm not sure that that opening was the best thing to do. And nine out of 10 times, I don't know that this is the result you're going to get.

But, having said all that, I ate crow. I apologize for some of my criticism of him. And, look, this guy is a big winner. There are winners today, Baez. Your words were eloquent after court. You were a gentleman. Your client is a big winner. You're a big winner. The criminal justice system is a big winner.

And this was an absolute repudiation, Brooke, of the forensic case put on by the state. This court -- this court -- Debra Opri, this court has about a 95 percent conviction rate with reasonable doubt, so 95 percent. This was really an unlikely result.

And, look, congratulations to the entire Baez team, Cheney Mason, everyone on that staff. Wonderful result for you. Casey gets her life --

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: You mentioned Debra Opri.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: I see you shaking your hand, Deb Opri. Go ahead. Lay in. DEBRA OPRI, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Yes. Rich, you're right. It has a 95 percent conviction rate, which enforces my true belief that this jury knew they were going to be scrutinized.

They were tired. They took a position, hung their hat on the reasonable doubt, because they did believe that this was a leap of faith prosecution case, where they really had to hang there in suspension of belief in completing a puzzle that they didn't want to complete. And by them going home and not talking to the media, the message was clear: I have had my say. I don't need to explain it. I'm going to hang my verdict on reasonable doubt.

And Baez gave them that open door, and they took it.

BALDWIN: Deb Opri, Richard Herman, I thank you both. Stand by for me.

We have now heard -- we haven't heard from the jury, but we have heard from members of the defense team and also the prosecution, both of whom saying this is an example of how the justice system, it ran its course and it did work.

We're going to have much more here on this breaking story, more color inside the courtroom and hearing from people and their reactions as crowds are still outside of this courtroom. Folks, the show is over. The spectacle is over. They're not leaving yet. We will have more pictures from Orlando.

Also want to remind you, in just about half-an-hour, we will be hearing from the president. He will be addressing the debt ceiling. You know the deadline, August 2, set by Tim Geithner, treasury secretary. We have heard from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, essentially saying, hey, Mr. President, members of Congress, let's talk, extending an invitation to negotiate. We will be hearing from the president 4:40 p.m. Eastern time. We will take it live here on CNN.

More breaking news right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Welcome back here.

Breaking news. Casey Anthony has been found not guilty of murder in the first degree, not guilty, aggravated child abuse, not guilty, aggravated manslaughter. She could be walking away Thursday morning after that sentencing hearing a free woman.

I want to go to Holly Hughes, former prosecutor, criminal defense attorney. And you know, look, the question I -- the fact of the matter is we have a toddler who is dead and we may never know how Caylee Anthony died. Is it possible that we could see a prosecution, another prosecution for her death?

HUGHES: I don't think so because if we look at the facts, Brooke -- you know, we say that a trial is a search for the truth. And you know, I did a blog on this a couple weeks ago. Y'all are going to be let down because you're never going to get the answers that you want.

They searched for the truth here, and I don't think the truth came out. You know, they said to the prosecution, You didn't prove to me beyond a reasonable doubt that Casey killed her.

But just use your common sense. Casey was the last one seen with that little baby. She was dressed in clothes that Cindy testified did not come from George and Cindy's house. So we know the little girl left the house with Casey, but beyond that, we don't know. And we may never know.

Yes, and I was -- you know, I was talking earlier and I said that no matter what happens, we are left with two emotions. We are horrified and we are heartbroken. And that's what I think about George and Cindy Anthony right now. They are horrified that they still don't know what happened to that grandbaby that they loved so much and they're heartbroken because they're never going to get her back.

BALDWIN: How do they continue life in this community, Cindy, Lee, George, Casey, given the fact that their faces have been splattered all over television and newspapers for some time now?

HUGHES: Right.

BALDWIN: I mean, right now, there's a security perimeter around the Anthony home, right, to keep them safe and secure. How do they move forward?

HUGHES: It is a task beyond comprehension. You think about what happened in this trial. You know, we've talked about it from the aspect of why was the trial so fascinating. And I have always maintained that it's because you had a duality. You had the legality, and then you had the humanity and you had all the different issues that arose with this family.

And what we've seen, Brooke, is this family torn apart, and especially by allegations made by the defense team in opening. Now, they were doing what they had to do. They were trying to save her life. And guess what? They succeeded. But now, how do you step back? And how does that father, George Anthony, look at his daughter, knowing that she called him a child rapist and she called her brother a molester? How do you go back and say, Just kidding. You know, That was to just get me off, right? You understand that, right? Wow!

BALDWIN: Let me get Sunny Hostin to weigh in here. I mean, sunny -- how do they move forward? Can they even move forward in this community? Can they even keep this family together?

HOSTIN: I think it's going to be very difficult. I mean, certainly, they became -- at least, George Anthony became a villain in this trial. He was vilified by this defense team, who alleged that he had been sexually been abusing Casey Anthony and who also alleged just a lot of things, that he was complicit in the cover-up of this accidental death, a theory, quite frankly, that I don't think anyone thought made a lot of sense. And then you have Cindy Anthony, who was on the witness stand, I counted, about six times, Brooke. And many people think she tried to perjure herself and tried to lie on the witness stand when she said she performed the searches for chloroform on the Anthony home computer --

BALDWIN: Right.

HOSTIN: -- rather than Casey. And it was shown later that, actually, she had been at work.

So I think they are very conflicted by this. I know that they left the courtroom right after the verdict was rendered. They did not stare at their daughter. They did not share that moment. And so I think you have a lot of conflict that lives with them because, as Holly says, you have a dead grandbaby here, but your daughter now is not going to be put to death for that.

So can they put their lives back together? I think so. As a former prosecutor, I dealt with so many victims and I can tell you that there is life after a crime has happened. So I think they have a lot of work to be done, but hopefully, this family can somehow be put back together.

BALDWIN: A lot of work to be done, but still, as we look at these pictures of little Caylee Anthony, forever mourning the loss of this precious, precious little girl. Sunny, thank you.

And when I come back, a woman who drove 100 miles -- 100 miles -- from her home to the Anthonys' home today. What motivates a person to turn a spectator -- to turn into a spectator for a trial like this? I'll ask her next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Quick note here before I go to this woman on the phone who drove 100 miles to Orlando today. You're looking at a bunch of boxes on your screen. Why are we showing these to you? As we've been telling you, we will be hearing from the president. He will be speaking in 20 minutes from now, 4:40 Eastern time, talking about the debt, and again, that looming deadline set by the Treasury Department, August 2nd. That is the date upon which we can go before the nation defaults.

So we have the president then, but we have now learned that in about eight minutes from now, we will be hearing from Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill to talk debt. We will bring both of those to you live.

But let me talk now about the story that we have been all over here the last couple of hours, Casey Anthony. And I want to go now -- on the phone, I have a woman, Melanie McMullen. And Melanie, if you're with me -- I know you're from Vero Beach -- you hopped in your car today. You drove 100 miles to Orlando because why?

MELANIE MCMULLEN, MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER (via telephone): Well, I thought today would be justice for Caylee. I've been watching this case since I've been pregnant almost three years ago. I have a 2-and- a-half daughter now. Every time I look at her, touch her, kiss her, hug her, I think of Caylee.

And I can't imagine my child being out of my sight for, you know, a couple minutes let alone 31 days and going out and partying and doing the things, even if Casey didn't kill her, which I guess we have to follow the justice system -- and I knew there was a lot of reasonable doubt, but I just thought that in itself, to go 31 days without reporting or letting any family members know what was happening is totally just shocking to me.

BALDWIN: Now, Melanie, as you just mentioned, you're a mom of a little toddler. You're also a middle school teacher. And from what I've been told, you drove all the way past the Anthony home. You drove around the area where little Caylee's remains were found today. It's one thing to sit and watch the trial on television. What was it in you that possessed you to get in your car to go see this in person today?

MCMULLEN: I think because of the family dynamics. And I wanted to see up close after watching all the trial, you know, putting it actually in front of me. It was unbelievably shocking how close the Anthony home was to where the remains were found, and just wanted to be where the investigators were and kind of get a feel for myself what it's like on that street. And from the pictures, you really -- it looks completely different. It's -- everything is so close up. The neighborhood is exactly like many of the Florida neighborhoods, middle class families.

BALDWIN: So what I'm hearing is --

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Being there made it real for you. How did you feel --

MCMULLEN: Yes.

BALDWIN: How did you feel being there, near where her remains were found?

WILLIAMS: To tell you the truth, my mom and I were chewed up with mosquitoes just being there the time that we were there. It was just to see the conditions. Without really having a tropical storm or anything, it was very, very mucky. You could see further in where it was swamp-like. But just to think that right there, that's where she was, was so sad.

BALDWIN: Melanie McMullen, I know you're -- you're using this trial for your students, your middle school students, perhaps teaching them how the justice system works. I thank you so much for calling in -- Melanie McMullen, mom of a 2-and-a-half-year-old, the same age little Caylee Anthony was when she died. Thank you for calling in.

Quick reminder. We are waiting for the president. The president of the United States should be speaking about debt here in just about 15 minutes time. We should also be hearing from members of the GOP on Capitol Hill, Republican senators talking debt, as well. We got to get a quick break in. More breaking news. Be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: All right, welcome back here.

We are awaiting two items. First up, in a matter of minutes here, we'll be hearing from the Senate GOP, talking debt from Capitol Hill. And then 10 minutes later, we will be hearing from the president from the White House, talking debt, as well, specifically hearing that he'll be giving brief remarks to discuss the balanced approach to deficit reduction.

But I do want to talk specifically about debt. And about this poll, right? Americans were polled about, what?

E.D. HILL, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Americans were polled about who they think would be responsible if the debt ceiling was increased, if this goes to the last minute. Especially in the past week and a half, two week, both parties have become entrenched. They've dug their heels in because they believe that their -- I think primarily the primary voters will support them.

But this poll shows that -- if you look at it, the GOP has something to be concern about. Who is to blame if no debt ceiling is reached? Thirty-three percent say the president, 42 percent say the GOP, 13 percent both of them. So, it's a plus, minus of about 4 percentage points there.

So, I'm not sure that Republicans will look at that and read that much into it. I think that they truly believe, as do the Democrats, that their primary voters -- right now, we're talking political season. We're talking 2012.

BALDWIN: Right.

HILL: That's what this is about. Where do they need to be positioned? How steadfast should they hold to what they say they're going to do in order to fare well with the voters next year?

BALDWIN: We know that congressional Democrats, we also know the president will be speaking tomorrow coming to the table, negotiating over some factors, this August 2 deadline, you know, getting closer and closer. And, really, it's July 22nd, because that's when they have the proposal to then send it Congress for an ultimate vote. But Republicans are saying what today?

HILL: Well, Mitch McConnell was just out on the Senate floor speaking. And let's listen to it. We've got the sound.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY), MINORITY LEADER: I think the best way to solve this impasse is for the president to hear what needs to be done and how we can do it, hear what can actually pass here in Congress. It's easy to understand the principles at stake here from our point of view.

It's not about rich and poor. It's not about an election. It's about making Washington take the hit for a change. It's about having Washington make some tough choices for a change.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: And that is what drives me nuts. They all say the same thing. It's about tough choices. Washington is going to take a look at this and we got to take the tough choices. The president needs to hear what will pass.

BALDWIN: Yes.

HILL: Just tell me. If you're the president, tell me what is your bottom line deal? If you are Mitch McConnell, what's the bottom line? What will you take? Because everyone keeps saying the same thing, and no one puts out those specifics because they are painful. They're going to be painful for all of us.

BALDWIN: Senator DeMint has come forward and said, look, let's talk about this amendment where you, Democrats, you come forward and we'll say, OK, we'll vote to raise the debt ceiling, you know, $14.3 trillion, if you say, OK, we'll balance the budget -- you know, easier said than done, I suppose, but at least some good news and progress.

We're now learning from the White House is the president is coming forward. And, again, we should be hearing from him in a matter of minutes. But the president is saying to both the leaders to the both the Republican Party and also leaders of the Democrats in both the House and Senate sides, look, let's all talk about this. Let's come to the table this week to negotiate.

But to your point, it's like the specifics beyond the rhetoric, what's going on?

HILL: Also, it's not about the Senate. It's what will pass the House Republicans. That's where the fiercest opposition is, that's where the sale has to be made.

And I'm not sure how you get there. In addition, Speaker Boehner has come out and he said, August 2nd, you know, that is a deadline, but it really doesn't mean the sky is going to fall. It means that we pick and choose which bills we're paying, we finance interest debt. But the military is still going to get paid. The country will continue to run.

However, this is a huge problem that we as a nation have to address. There are clearly going to be cuts in a lot of places. The Democrats, of course, are saying that there have to be revenue increases, which means, somehow, you're going to be paying higher taxes.

BALDWIN: The (INAUDIBLE) way of saying --

HILL: The question is, are you wealthy? Are you what they consider wealthy? The president has said $250,000 a year, if you're a couple, $200,000 if you're single. And even on a lot of Democrats say, no, you've got to jack that up a lot higher to be able to count as the wealthy right now in America.

BALDWIN: Will you stay with me? I want you to stay right here, E.D. Hill, because we are again awaiting both the president and Republican senators to be speaking in a matter of moments, talking debt. What will they say? Who will come to the table?

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Welcome back here to THE NEWSROOM. We've got two pictures up for you, juxtaposing perhaps two different views. You have the Senate Republicans who we'll be hearing from momentarily, talking about the debt. And then the White House, and the president coming out to address the debt crisis.

Again that debt ceiling deadline is looming. That date is August 2nd. We are clearly within that one-month mark.

Remind you all that I am joined by colleague E.D. Hill who will be filling in for me the next couple of days as I cover the shuttle launch, which fingers crossed, will be launching Friday morning, 11:26 a.m.

But back to the White House and I know we have Dan Lothian here.

Because, Dan, what kind of guidance have you been given? What specifically do we anticipate hearing from the president?

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, what we're hearing from our team up on Capitol Hill, that the president is expected to reach out to not only Democratic leadership, but also Republican leadership, to invite them here to the White House later this week for discussions, as you have been reporting.

You know, leaders have been really at impasse here, not being able to get passed really what has been tax hikes. Republicans are saying it's a no-go. Democrats saying that the wealthier Americans need to pay a little bit more. And the president is saying there's no reason why some of these hedge fund managers who are making so much money are paying much less than they were decades ago.

So, that's really been the sticking point and Republicans have been calling for the president to get actively involved, to come up to Capitol Hill. You heard that from Mitch McConnell earlier today. So, instead, what we're hearing from the sources is that the president is inviting the leadership here to the White House later this week for discussions.

BALDWIN: So, he has ultimately been accepting the Senate minority leader's invitation. That's I guess inversely inviting them to the White House and saying, hey, guys and gals

LOTHIAN: That's right. Who's inviting him up to the Hill -- that's right.

BALDWIN: Yes, got it. So, do we have any more specifics, Dan? Do we know when?

LOTHIAN: We don't. And the president expected to come out here in just about a minute or so. And so, we should get more details on exactly when that will happen. But we do expect that to happen this week.

There is this looming deadline of August 2nd. And the White House has been very clear about painting the dire consequences of what will happen if the debt ceiling is not raised. And so, that's the message, no doubt, we'll continue to hear from the president when he comes out here today.

HILL: One of my concerns is that, with what they're saying there, Dan -- you know, the president is saying dire consequences. If we end up at June or at August 2nd and everything doesn't go, you know, hell in hand basket as the saying is in Texas -- what then will people think? What kind of stock will they put --

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: What kind of message does that send to America?

HILL: Right. And, you know, leaders who are saying, this guy will fall, everything will grind to a halt. If it doesn't in August 2nd, my fear is that, that might embolden them to take things even closer to deadlines. You know, I just wish they, you know, adult up and address it.

BALDWIN: And perhaps they will, if that meeting later on in the week.

We're waiting to hear from the president.

Dan, did I hear you correctly that are we within the one-minute warning -- one-minute of the president?

LOTHIAN: We did not get that one-minute warning.

BALDWIN: My apologies.

LOTHIAN: He was supposed to come out here about now. Actually, he's a little late. But we have not gotten to two-minute warning yet.

BALDWIN: My apologies. I thought that's what I heard and I didn't want to go off to Capitol Hill without hearing from the president. Dan Lothian, stand by for me then, and just holler when the president is ready to speak.

Meantime, I do want to go to my colleague Kate Bolduan on Capitol Hill.

And, Kate, I understand some members of the Republican Party are speaking. Do we know what they're saying this afternoon? KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Brooke, the Republican Party, well, I can tell you that -- oh, sorry, probably getting some news right now. But we'll pick that up later.

BALDWIN: If you need to look, go ahead. We're all in the breaking news game.

BOLDUAN: Right. Exactly. Today, I've spoken to a few Republicans that have come here. You know, as we know, the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, he said that he had to cancel this schedule July 4 week recess in order to take on these very big issues talking about the debt, the debt crisis and the stalled negotiations.

Well, today, what was actually being debated on the floor was a resolution having to do with Libya and U.S. involvement in that military operation in Libya. And what we've been hearing on the Senate floor today is the House is not back until tomorrow.

A couple of Republicans are just reeling against the fact that they've all been called back here to take on what is the most pressing issue right now for Congress and this White House -- taking on, trying to come to some agreement to raise the debt ceiling ahead of this August 2nd deadline. And they kind of flabbergasted that they're all debating a resolution on Libya.

So, that's one thing we've definitely been hearing up here today. But we'll see exactly -- of course, we'll always wait to hear what the president has to say. It's to the president's discretion. We'll have to get some reaction after that, to hear exactly what people are saying, because a lot of what we have been hearing up here is, we're here, let's talk, why haven't the main negotiators here have been meeting and talking. And it sounds like we have at least an invitation to begin once again -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: Kate Bolduan, I want to look down at your BlackBerry, I want to know if there's any news being made up there on the hill.

I also want to sneak a quick break in. Again, we're waiting for the president to speak. Let's get a break in. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: All right. I'm told that Kate Bolduan, our correspondent on Capitol, does have some news to break here.

Kate, to you. What are you learning?

BOLDUAN: Hey there. I'm learning now -- fortunately, I did pick up that phone call after all, Brooke -- I'm learning no uh that we have heard that it will be the "big eight," as they call it, which will be involved in this invitation and this meeting at the White House, that the president is expected to extend the invitation when he makes his remarks very shortly.

And the "big eight" are the top two members of each party in each house. To list them off, it would be the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Dick Durbin, Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate, Jon Kyl, the speaker of the House, John Boehner, as well as Eric Cantor. So, that would be the group we're hearing would be involved in the invitation to go over to the White House and talk about the debt crisis.

And I'm also told that meeting, pardon me for looking at my BlackBerry, is tentatively scheduled for Thursday. So that's the latest we have here from Capitol Hill.

BALDWIN: Thursday, Kate, at the White House?

BOLDUAN: That's what we're hearing right now, yes.

BALDWIN: OK, Kate Bolduan, thank you. I'm glad we got you to pick up your Blackberry. Before we were talking about a bipartisan group, bicameral group, it was a gang of six. Now we're hearing that the big eight so that's make sense.

HILL: They've got a date.

BALDWIN: They've got a date. That is the news, E.D. Hill. This is the news this Thursday tentatively at the White House. Again, we're waiting to hear from the president.

But to you point as you and I have been chatting back and forth during commercial break, your concern is the message that sends. If we hit that August 2nd deadline, nothing is done. No compromise is met, what message is that sends to America.

HILL: Right, even as the administration has started changing the exact wording they're using, instead of saying America won't meet its bills.

They're now saying America won't be able to pay some of its bills, we'll have to choose what things we can pay right there because it won't stop. The country clearly doesn't stop functioning.

It continues - the interest rates and everything else and just the image. Standard and Poor's, Moody's, they've all threatened to downgrade America. You just don't want it. Isn't it - no, you don't want it though because it makes everything worse at a time where we desperately need the economy to get better.

BALDWIN: It's not time to play politics. We realize that going into an election year.

HILL: So Senator Sessions, I spoke with him last week. I spoke to Senator Cornyn and Kyl. And Senator Sessions and the president on the exact same day within about an hour or two of each other, both said, we're not leaving and going on this long July 4 break, stay here, let's get the work done.

Because are they going to get any work done? No. It just no one wants to be seen going out and vacationing when there is this, as they're putting it, crisis looming. How can you go home and go out fish on the bass boat? You have to stay there and do some work. But as we just saw, they said that last week. They just now decided to meet on Thursday? It's Tuesday. Get it together and get together.

BALDWIN: E.D. Hill in Atlanta.

HILL: That's my thought.

BALDWIN: I like it, E.D. Hill. Stand by, you stand by. We're waiting again for the president. We'll hear what words he decides to choose here as we await the big eight meeting, tentatively set for this Thursday.

Again, packed house there in the White House briefing room. Got to get another break in. CNN NEWSROOM will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: Live pictures, we have gotten the two-minute warning. Now we're probably just inside the 60 seconds. You are looking at live pictures inside that White House daily briefing room and we're waiting to hear from the president.

We heard from some members, some Republican senators on the Hill. Apparently, the Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell earlier today extended the invitation to this man to talk debt.

Let's listen.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: -- negotiations that we've been having for the last several weeks and I want to wish again everybody a happy Fourth of July. Over the July 4th weekend, my team and I had a series of discussions with congressional leaders in both parties.

We've made progress and I believe that greater progress is within site, but I don't want to fool anybody. We still have to work through some real differences. Now, I've heard reports that there may be some in Congress who want to do just enough to make sure that America avoids defaulting on our debt on the short term.

But then wants to kick the can down the road when it comes to solving the larger problem of our deficit. I don't share that view. I don't think the American people here sent us here to avoid tough problems.

It's, in fact, what drives them nuts about Washington when both parties simply take the path of least resistance. I don't want to do that here. I believe that right now we have a unique opportunity to do something big, to tackle our deficit in a way that forces our government to live within its means, that puts our economy on a stronger footing for the future and still allows us to invest in that future. Most of us already agreed that to truly solve our deficit problem, we need to find trillions in savings over the next decade and significantly more in the decade that follow. That's what the Bipartisan Fiscal Commission said, that's the amount that I put forward in the framework I announced a few months ago.

That's around the same amount that Republicans have put forward in their own plans. And that's the kind of substantial progress that we should be aiming for here. To get there, I believe we need a balanced approach.

We need to take on spending in domestic programs, in defense programs, in defense programs, in entitlement programs and we need to take on spending in the tax code, spending on certain tax breaks and deductions for the wealthiest of Americans.

This will require both parties to get out of our comfort zones and both parties to agree on real compromise. I'm ready to do that. I believe there are enough people in each party that are willing to do that.

What I know is that we need to come together over the next two weeks to reach a deal that reduces the deficit and upholds the full faith and credit of the United States government and the credit of the American people.

That's why if we continue discussions today and tomorrow. I've asked leaders of both parties and both Houses of Congress to come here to the White House on Thursday so we can build on the work that's already been done and drive towards a final agreement. That's my hope that everybody is going to leave their ultimatums at the door.

That we all leave our political rhetoric at the door and that we're going to do what's best for our economy and do what's best for our people. I want to emphasize. I said this in my press conference. This should not come down to the last second. I think it's important for us to show the American people and their leaders that we can find common ground and solve our problems in a responsible way. We know that it's going to require tough decisions. I think it's better for us to make those tough decisions sooner rather than later.

That's what the American people expect of us. That's what a healthy economy is going to require. That's the kind of progress I expect to make. So I promise I will keep you guys updated as time goes on. All right?

BALDWIN: There you have it, no questions, pretty short and sweet there, the president addressing the nations' debt crisis. The news that was made was actually broken by Kate Bolduan on the Hill.

The fact that he's invited what they're now calling the big eight leaders in both parties, both Houses to come to the White House on Thursday to begin hopefully hushing out a deal.

E.D. Hill, I made note of your favorite phrase, tough decisions, common ground, phrases we have heard before when we're talking the deficit.

HILL: And we've really heard -- the president just summarized exactly what the problem is and it's not that both sides don't agree on what that area is, they do. They just disagree on how you fix it and that is the economy.

He said we need an economy on stronger footing. Obviously, Democrats by and large believe that that comes from taking away some tax breaks that have been given to people, companies, and corporate jets. I mean, it's minuscule it's tossed in there and it sounds good.

Republicans believe that you don't do that because you need the people that it can create jobs to have the extra money to do that. They are the ones, the only ones who have the disposable income right now.

So it's not that they disagree on what's wrong, it's that they completely have different views on how that gets fixed.

BALDWIN: It's what makes this group different from the last, the group of six that we saw, you know, Kyl and Cantor bail those discussions with the vice president over issues, I guess, they couldn't ultimately come to a compromise so it's what will make this different this time with all of your points. We'll just have to wait and see.

HILL: Defense, I believe has been thrown.

BALDWIN: Issue, not just domestic, not just entitlement, but defense as well. I do want to get to Kate Bolduan to finish up our coverage here.

Kate, you know, I'm glad you picked up your Blackberry because you were right in breaking that news. They will all be meeting I'm assuming members of both parties, both Houses have accepted this invitation and will be at the White House come Thursday?

BOLDUAN: I'm working on getting that all of that confirmed, but I do know the Senate majority leader, the Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has accepted the invitation as well as the Republican leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell. They have both accepted the invitation.

At least, you can be sure that we have often heard from many people, when you're invited to the White House, it's an invitation that you should probably accept. You can guess that they can probably all be there barring some unforeseen reason they couldn't go. But as you said, this is a real opportunity, Brooke, to get these stalled talks moving once again.

BALDWIN: Reignited.

BOLDUAN: Reignited. But it will really come down to, just because they're getting in the room, doesn't necessarily mean that there's going to be a deal right after that meeting. They have -- Republicans and Democrats in both sides of this, have really been dug in over the past several weeks on this issue of taxes. And as we say last week, it got pretty contentious on the Senate floor with some real political theatre over these corporate tax breaks, things like that that we've been talking so much about.

So it's going to take -- it's going to be a pretty bitter pill on both sides for what may ultimately have to come together for them to accept, all with the eye towards 2012 and everyone having to face an election season, which is why a lot of this has heightened the rhetoric if you will a little bit.

BALDWIN: Politics pervasive through all these talks I'm sure both parties guilty there. But this is a symbolic gesture everyone coming forward.

But to everyone point here, it's a matter of what action, what compromise will be taken. Kate Baldwin, thank you. E.D. Hill, my thanks to you.

Here's a break, be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: We began this hour with breaking news on the fate of Casey Anthony. She has been serving time and we have now learned the verdict has been handed down. She was found not guilty of first degree murder, not guilty of aggravated child abuse, not guilty of aggravated manslaughter.

But a lot of emphasis not just put on Casey Anthony, but also her parents. I want to read something to you to end this hour from her parents' attorney. He issued the following statement on behalf of Lee, George and Cindy Anthony.

With regard to today's verdict saying this, quote, "While the family may never know what happened to Caylee Marie Anthony, they now have closure for this chapter of their life. They will now begin the long process of rebuilding their lives.

Despite the baseless defense chosen by Casey Anthony, the family believes that the jury made a fair decision based on the evidence presented. The testimony presented, the scientific information presented and the rules that were given to them by the honorable Judge Perry to guide them.

The family hopes that they will be given the time by the media to reflect on the verdict and decide the best way to move forward privately." That's from the attorney of Casey Anthony's parents, Cindy and George Anthony.

And now that is it for me to my colleague Joe Johns in for Wolf Blitzer, "THE SITUATION ROOM" starts right now.