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CNN Crew Caught in Libyan Ambush; Mistrial in Roger Clemens Case; What Libyan People Face in Fight Against Moammar Gadhafi; Checking The Truth-O-Meter; The Help Desk; Arctic Science Lab

Aired July 14, 2011 - 12:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: It's the top of the hour. I'm Suzanne Malveaux. Want to get you up to speed.

News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch says, sorry, he can't make it Tuesday. That's when British lawmakers wanted him to testify about the phone hacking and police bribery scandal that has rocked his London newspapers. Parliament plans to issue a formal summons, but it's not clear that Murdoch can be forced to testify. He's not a British citizen.

India says it didn't even see it coming. Officials say there was no intelligence indicating a terror attack was imminent. The three bombs that exploded in Mumbai yesterday killed 18 people. Investigators still don't know who is behind the explosions.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PALANIAPPAN CHIDAMBARAM, INDIAN INTERIOR MINISTER: The fact that the three blasts took place within minutes of each other, separated by perhaps about eight to 10 minutes, shows that it was a coordinated terror attack.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Moody's, the credit rating agency, says it is considering a downgrade on U.S. debt. Now, that could make it costlier for Washington to borrow money. Moody's is concerned that debt ceiling talks haven't produced a deal yet. The president and congressional leaders need an agreement by August 2nd, or the U.S. risks defaulting on its bills.

Now, both sides, they're going to meet again today. This is the sixth time since last Thursday.

Things got a bit hot yesterday. The president told House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, "Don't call my bluff." President Obama abruptly left the room.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: The president sort of told the entire group that this is exactly what Americans think of as Washington at its worst, Washington catering to the base, catering to politics, putting their own political future ahead of doing important things, and taking on the big issues. And I do have it confirmed that this president really did say, you know, "With my presidency at stake, I will not yield on this issue."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: A section of a suspension bridge collapses in China and a tour bus goes down with it. Chinese news agencies say one person was killed, 22 hurt. A huge slap of concrete highway broke away from the suspension wires. Now, this bridge is relatively new, just 12 years old.

MALVEAUX: Nineteen Emmy nominations for "Mad Men." The AMC drama led all TV series in the 2011 Emmy nominations announced in Los Angeles today. "Mad Men" now has an opportunity to win best drama for the fourth straight year.

Find a complete list of Emmy nominations at CNN.com.

Well, everybody seems to be cheering for the U.S. women's World Cup soccer team. The U.S. beat France 3-1 to earn a spot in the championship game. The Americans play Japan on Sunday.

I talked with team forward Abby Wambach last hour from Frankfurt, Germany.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ABBY WAMBACH, U.S. WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM: You know, it's pretty amazing how much support we've felt and we have received from back home. We've seen some of the videos, the footage of people reacting to not just the Brazil's goal, but yesterday's match.

And we really want to make everybody back home proud. So we're going to keep this thing going. We have got this huge game on Sunday. And if we can all play well and keep giving our most, and leave everything on the field, hopefully we'll come home as World Cup champs

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Libya's war may no longer be front-page news, but CNN is on the frontlines there and has not left. Battles are raging between government troops and rebel forces. And CNN was investigating reports of rebels beating civilians and looting their homes and business when our CNN crew got caught in the fire near the town of Qawalish.

CNN Senior International Correspondent Ben Wedeman was among those ambushed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wait! Wait!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wait! Wait!

WEDEMAN: We're leaving this area because there's gunfire all around us. We are rushing out of this area.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: So we're happy to report that the crew is safe.

Senior International Correspondent Ben Wedeman, he joins us live now from the Libyan town of Zintan.

Ben, first of all, just glad you're OK. Glad to see that the crew is all right as well.

What happened there? Can you tell us what that was like?

WEDEMAN: Yes. Well, we were coming on to this town, Qawalish, which we had heard, according to the Human Rights Watch organization, there had been abuses by rebel fighters. That's why we went there.

But the problem, Suzanne, in this part of Libya, there's very little in the way of communication. Cell phone system really doesn't work. And so you go along and you ask at every checkpoint, what's going on?

So we got to this checkpoint. There were two teenage boys with rifles there who told us that Gadhafi's forces had entered the town of Qawalish, which on the 6th of July had fallen to the rebels.

So two of our drivers went to an adjacent hill to see what was going on in the town itself. When they got to the top of the hill, they saw right in front of them, just about 150 yards away, two cars full of Libyan army soldiers. Moments later, they came running down the hill, and that's when you hear all of that gunfire that's going on, and that's when we pulled out of the area.

So, really, we just drove up to it, had no idea that that was about to happen -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: And Ben, if you could, remind our viewers what is taking place there on the ground. A lot of people, they have not been paying attention. But what is it like for the Libyan people?

WEDEMAN: Well, it's been difficult. I mean, for instance, in this town itself, it was coming under intense rocket bombardment from Libyan forces for months and months and months. In fact, a previous crew that was here, led by Nic Robertson, they clocked 60 rocket attacks on this town alone in one day.

Now the situation has improved. They have been able to push the Libyan army forces well away.

I mean, Qawalish, is about a 45-minute drive from here. So they have been pushed gradually away from this area, and they are getting closer and closer to Tripoli.

At this point, they're just about 60 miles away from the capital. But the closer they get, the stiffer the resistance they're encountering. So there's no indication that somehow there's going to be a breakthrough soon and the rebels will be in Tripoli. Still a while to go -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: And Ben, we know that you're no stranger to putting your life on the line to bring us the news. We are reminded of the time that you were shot in Gaza.

Why is this story so important that you are on the ground now facing potential danger again?

WEDEMAN: This is just a continuation of this series of Arab revolts that we have seen since the beginning of the year in Tunisia. And of course this is one revolt that is taking a lot longer than elsewhere. There's a lot at play here.

There is, on the one hand, many Libyans who are tired of 42 years of dictatorial rule by Moammar Gadhafi, but Moammar Gadhafi has proven to be far more capable at sort of working through this situation. It was thought when we came in here on the 22nd of February that it was a matter of weeks before he fell, but he has put up quite a fight.

He has got a lot of resources. Let's not forget that Libya is an oil-rich country. He has got lots of money. Over the years, he has been able to accumulate a lot of weapons, and so a fight that everybody thought would take weeks is taking months and months and months -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: Ben, we appreciate the work that you do and the sacrifice that you make to bring us that story. Thank you, Ben.

(NEWSBREAK)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: So, this just in. Second thoughts, apparently, from News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch. Murdoch had said that he wouldn't be able to attend next Tuesday's hearing before the British parliament. Lawmakers are looking into the phone hacking and police bribery scandal that has engulfed his London newspapers.

Well, now News Corp subsidiary News International tells CNN both Murdoch and his son James will be there. Former "News of the World" editor Rebekah Brooks will also testify.

Also, following the developing story. Roger Clemens, former baseball great, a mistrial now.

The judge presiding over Clemens' perjury trial has declared a mistrial over evidence revealed to the jury that he believed prejudiced the jury against the former baseball star. Clemens' attorneys questioned from the very beginning the legitimacy of this congressional investigation into whether or not he used steroids. And it was that investigation that led to this criminal trial.

You may recall, Clemens testified three years ago before Congress, denying that ever used performance-enhancing drugs. He has been charged with lying in making those denials under oath. Now, his attorney, Clemens' attorney, questions from the very beginning whether or not that hearing into allegations of his drug use exceeded Congress's authority. But prosecutors said, no, Congress has a legitimate interest in regulating steroids in baseball because it relates to the U.S. drug policy.

All of this in question, whether or not any of this is going to move forward. That is because the judge presiding over Clemens' perjury trial has now declared a mistrial in this case.

We're going to be following this as it continues to develop.

Well, we've got three great stories for you, but only one is going to air. This is your chance to "Choose the News." Here are your choices.

First, banning churches in China, a crackdown on Christianity by the state. What it means for believers.

Second, in a country still racked by protests, homemade guns are making their way onto the streets of Egypt.

Third, a science lab in the Arctic. A team of researchers digs below the ice to crack the secrets of the ocean.

So you can vote by texting 22360. Text 1 for "Churches in China"; 2 for "Egyptian Guns"; or 3 for "Arctic Science."

The winning story is going to air later this hour.

All right. So, gridlock, right, might be a way for drivers in L.A. But even L.A.'s road warriors are dreading the traffic jams that are expected this weekend. Right? Because you've got a 10-mile stretch of the 405 Freeway that's going to be shut down, and they are calling this thing "Carmageddon." And ironically, the freeway close- down is designed to eventually reduce the traffic congestion. Crews plan to widen the highway, add a high-occupancy vehicle lane as well.

Well, getting stuck in "Carmageddon," it's going to be a nightmare for a lot of folks, but comedians, it looks like they are getting the last laugh.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAY LENO, "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO": Some of the local news stations here are trying to help commute with alternate routes. Well, here. Take a look. Here's the story.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If you want to avoid the 405, try a scenic route like Pacific Coast Highway. PCH will take you on a five-mile drive to Topanga Canyon. Once you hit the canyon, hike up the Santa Monica Mountains. Simply cross the 300-foot canyon and repel down.

Now take the L.A. River. This will bring you into the San Fernando Valley, that will take you to the 27 and back on the 101 Freeway. It's as simple as that. (APPLAUSE)

LENO: Very simple. Very simple.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Not so simple.

(WEATHER BREAK)

MALVEAUX: Unclear battle lines. Journalists now caught in the middle.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wait! Wait! Wait!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wait! Wait!

WEDEMAN: We're leaving this area, because they're gunfire all around us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Well, public attention has faded, but we're going to put Libya's civil war back in sharp focus.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: Following a developing story here, breaking news, that the judge presiding over Roger Clemens' perjury trial has actually declared a mistrial in this case.

I want to go to Sunny Hostin. She's our legal contributor for "In Session" on CNN's sister network, truTV. She joins us from New York.

And Sunny, first of all, explain to us what this means. Is there any recourse? Do they take this any further? Or is this just over and done with?

SUNNY HOSTIN, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION," TRUTV: It's not over and done with. I have reached out to my contacts at the U.S. Attorney's Office in D.C. As many probably know, that is the office that I used to prosecute cases for, and I haven't heard about back next steps.

It's certainly possible after a mistrial to prosecute someone again. But what happened here -- and this certainly is a blow to the prosecution -- is Judge Reggie Walton -- he's a federal judge, he has also been an assistant United States attorney, he was also a defense attorney. A very well respected judge. I have appeared in front of him.

Judge Walton ruled that certain evidence could not come in the state's case in chief, in the United States case in chief, but it could come in, in rebuttal. And that evidence was a video that showed Representative Elijah Cummings, a Democrat out of Maryland, during the 2008 congressional hearing talking about a deposition from the wife of a former Yankee player Andy Pettitte.

Now, remember, Andy Pettitte was probably going to be one of the witnesses in this case against Roger Clemens, because he had testified that Roger Clemens told him that, in fact, he did use steroids and human growth hormone. And so, apparently, some of these statements came in, in the government's case in chief. That would have violated Judge Walton's order, and the judge declared a mistrial.

MALVEAUX: So, Sunny, what happens next?

HOSTIN: Well, again, it's a mistrial, so it's back to square one. The government can prosecute Roger Clemens again. Double jeopardy has not attached because the case didn't go all the way to verdict.

I don't know what the plans are at the U.S. Attorney's Office yet. They have not issued a press release in terms of next steps. I have reached out. I hope to hear from them shortly. But at this point, there is a mistrial, and it is possible that Roger Clemens could be tried again.

MALVEAUX: OK. Sunny, thank you very much for breaking it down for us. Appreciate it.

HOSTIN: Thank you.

MALVEAUX: Well, it's a tragedy when we get used to something as terrible as war, but after almost four months of U.S. involvement in Libya, the war has been mostly out of the headlines. Well, on this show, we're not going to let it happen.

Our Michael Holmes is here to go "Beyond the Headlines" with what the people of Libya are enduring in their fight against the dictator.

Well, Michael, we just saw a dramatic tape of Ben Wedeman caught in a crossfire. I know you have been in a similar situation like that.

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I've been in exactly that situation. It's terrifying.

MALVEAUX: When you see that, what does that tell you about the state on the ground, what is taking place, what the Libyan people are facing?

HOLMES: Well, what it shows is the confusion that's going on there and the lack of clarity. There are front lines, but they are so fluid that they are not really like set front lines.

This town that Ben was near, Qawalish, now, this is only 100 kilometers from Tripoli. So the rebels are making some advances. But they took this down and then basically left it in the hands of a few teenagers with old guns. And so the Gadhafi forces came back in. I can't tell you how close that was for those guys, too. You could hear the bullets crack. And when you get that crack sound, as opposed to a bang, those bullets are right on top of you.

And as I said, in '04, in Iraq, we were in a similar situation when our vehicles were attacked. And actually we had two people killed. But brave reporting by Ben and Mary and Alex. And I'm just glad they're safe.

It does show the lack of preparedness and the lack of training and the lack of weaponry for the rebels, but they are slowly, incrementally getting closer to Tripoli. What happens next is so hard to tell though.

MALVEAUX: And Michael, do we have any sense of Moammar Gadhafi' power? Is he in power? Is he in charge? I mean, who is running the country now?

HOLMES: Well, ostensibly, he is. He and his sons are still running the country.

They're still in Tripoli. They're still obviously controlling the military, and the military is going back and forth with the rebels. So he's still there. I mean, he's still running things.

What's been interesting is, in the last few weeks, there has been a lot of reports of emissaries going out to various countries around Europe, sort of feeling out the possibility of, what if Moammar Gadhafi left, what if he did this, what if he did that?

MALVEAUX: Right?

HOLMES: Sort of looking for some sort of end game.

It's also important to know that on Friday, the -- tomorrow, the Libyan Contact Group is meeting. I think they're meeting in Turkey, the 40 nations that are going to be -- Secretary Clinton will be there, and we'll have another conversation about what's going on.

MALVEAUX: Why is it different in Libya? Why is this not a situation like we saw in Egypt and Tunisia, where they were able to just get rid of the guy?

HOLMES: Well, the big difference is that Gadhafi has got a military that's prepared to fire on his own people. And they were the big differences in those other two countries, where you had a military that wasn't going to shoot the people. And that -- well, obviously, that makes all the difference.

And so, en Egypt, for example, you had the popular uprising. The military wasn't going to shoot the people.

MALVEAUX: Right.

HOLMES: It was people power. In this situation, Gadhafi is saying go in there and kill people. MALVEAUX: Well, Michael, we're going to keep a close eye. We're always going to keep a close eye on this --

HOLMES: Yes. Good. Yes, it's an important story.

MALVEAUX: -- because this is -- I mean, four months now, the conflict continues. A very dangerous situation on the ground, as we saw, for the Libyan people, as well as our own Ben Wedeman.

HOLMES: Yes. Glad those guys are safe. It was close.

MALVEAUX: Yes. All right. Thanks, Michael.

Well, ready to hit the roof over the debt ceiling crisis. We're going to take the story from the White House to our house, what it means for the typical American family.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVUEAX: Here's a rundown of some of the stories that we are working on. Next, tough words from GE's top boss, criticizing U.S. businesses for not hiring.

Then could your Social Security check be held up if Congress doesn't compromise on the debt ceiling? We're going to take it to the Truth-O-Meter.

Well, the news about jobs and unemployment has been pretty bleak lately. President Obama's point man on jobs discusses some of the reasons why. Poppy Harlow of CNNmoney.com sat down with Jeff Immelt to talk jobs and the economy.

So Poppy, tell us what did he say on the impact on the job market if we don't see an agreement on the debt ceiling?

POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM: Right. Of course, Suzanne. That was the first question for him because it's on everyone's mind. This is a man that runs a multinational, huge multi-multibillion dollar company. They employ actually now, Suzanne, about 60 percent of their employees outside the U.S., and about 40 percent here. We spent a day yesterday touring a factory in South Carolina with him.

But I asked him what happened if lawmakers in Washington cannot come to a consensus on the debt ceiling by August 2nd. And what was interesting to me is that he said it really matters so much more to small businesses in America that employ half of all Americans than it does to big businesses like his. Here is his answer. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEFFREY IMMELT, CHAIRMAN/CEO, GE: I would ask people, don't think about GE so much. Think about a small business person who really do create a lot of jobs in this country. They are petrified right now.

HARLOW: What are they scared of? IMMELT: Look, what happens if the government doesn't roll over its debt? Why would you invest into that? And if the budget deficit means super-high tax rates for them and things like that, again, that to me is the piece that is missing. There has been bad new business generation, small businesses have gotten hurt coming out of this recession. Guys like us that have a global footprint and global demand, we're going to power through this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: That's a very interesting point, Suzanne. The impact he thinks it will have on mom and pop small businesses, he said bottom line here, when it comes to jobs, there is absolutely no confidence out there right now, especially for the small businesses. They are not going to hire.

And this whole debt ceiling debate, the longer it lasts, the harder it's going to be for them to get any confidence in our government's ability to pay its bills. So why would they bring on extra costs to their company? Suzanne?

MALVEAUX: So, Poppy, did he have any recommendations for how to create jobs?

HARLOW: He did. He is the head of the president's jobs counsel, he and a number of other CEOs, union leaders. That is their job, to make recommendations. They came out last month, Suzanne, and made five recommendations, everything from increased training especially at community colleges for skilled labor to putting the two million American construction workers that are out of work now back to work on those big infrastructure projects.

But when I asked him, look, do you push back at the administration, at the Obama administration and say there are changes you need to make immediately to put Americans back to work, not to put them to work in a year or two, here was his suggestion. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: What we wanted to do was start with things that could be implemented. Visitor visas, right? We have not eight-week cycle; our competitors have a one-week cycle. We have lost half of the market share in people coming to this country. That can be changed very quickly, and the market share responds very quickly. And we hire more people in the travel and leisure industry.

Now, look, you can argue maybe that's not as sexy as one of these factory jobs or engineering jobs, but it's a job.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: To get people to come to this country, spend more money, increase our economy, and that way, Suzanne, he said finally, you have to cut the red tape, the unnecessary regulation. Sounds a lot like most business leaders. Cut it. He thinks that will happen, he is hopeful. before the 2012 election to help put folks back to work.

But a lot more with him in our interview right here on CNNmoney. One of the world's biggest business leaders now also the president's right hand man on jobs, Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: All right, Poppy, thank you. Appreciate it.

The debt limit debate is producing some political drama in Washington. Not surprising, high stakes, and what would a failure to raise the debt limit mean for your personal finances? CNN's Tom Foreman, he explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We're all hearing about trillions of dollars of government spending. It's very hard to keep track of. But it's easier to think of in terms of your own home. Fundamentally what you have to be aware of is if we went into default, the concern is it would upset the value of the dollar and interest rates, which, as you know, can affect almost anything.

It's just a theory. We have never been here before. This is what people are talking about.

For example, the value of your home. Interest rates could rise, and that could mean that you pay more for your mortgage, depending on the value of your house, where you are buying it, what kind of mortgage you get. Same thing could be true of cars. The cost of buying a car could rise. Gas prices could increase, because the prices are increasing everywhere. That would be one of the things that go up. Plus, the roads could be in poor quality, frankly because if the government is having trouble paying for everything, they are not going to be able to do certain things.

Look at the breadwinners in the household here. Here's Dad over here. Let's say he has a job, he has a chance of becoming unemployed obviously, if his employer gets in trouble with money. He could be losing money in his retirement accounts. Plus, if he is trying to run his own business, he could have a hard time getting a loan, because money tightens up in a circumstance like this. What about mom? Let's say she works for the government. She could wind up furloughed, obviously. Credit card rates rise as well. What about the daughter here? Let's say she's in the military. Same sort of problem. Her salary could be wind up being limited or delayed. She possibly could get IOUs from the government until they work out all their problems.

And think about this. All the private contractors who supply things and services for her to do her job and for all sorts of government offices might lay off people because again, those services, those things may be something the government simply can't afford.

What about the son over here? He's trying to go to college. Student loans could become harder to obtain. There could be restrictions on financial aid he has not seen before. Even Grandma down here could end up with Social Security delays, retirement benefits reduced. And here is the trick in all of this. You may note that many elements are things that are also being talked about in trying to control the budget. So one way or the other, we could be seeing elements of many of these things. That's why so many people here in Washington feel like homeowners across the country, average citizens, really are with them, between a rock and hard place.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEUAX: Still time to vote for Choose the News story you'd like to see. Cast your vote by texting to 22360. Text 1 for a crack down on Christian churches in China. Text 2 for homemade guns in flooding into the streets of Cairo. Or 3 for the science lab at the top of the world as researchers probe the Arctic Sea. Winning story is going to air at the end of the hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: Admirers of the late former first lady, Betty Ford, got a chance to attend her public viewing in Michigan this morning. She will be buried later today after a private ceremony. Joining me from the presidential library in Grand Rapids is Ted Rowlands. And Ted, give us a sense of, I imagine, a lot of people have come out to pay their respects.

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, a lot of folks here in Grand Rapids, obviously touched by the Ford family over the years. While after they left Washington they lived basically in California and Colorado, this really is home. This of course is the spot where Betty Ford will be laid to rest next to her husband, Gerald, here at the museum. That will follow a prayer service.

Right now inside the museum, the Ford family is inside spending some time at the casket. They will be escorting the casket over to the Grace Episcopal Church for a funeral service. That begins in about 90 minutes from now, expected at 10 (INAUDIBLE). Include President Clinton, the Cheneys, the Rumsfelds, Barbara Bush. Lynne Cheney will deliver one of the eulogies. Following that service, they will all come back here - the family will come back here -- for a private burial service. And Betty Ford will be laid to rest next to her husband, Gerald, ironically on what would have been his 98th birthday here. Suzanne?

MALVEUAX: All right. Ted Rowlands, thank you very much.

Well, no debt ceiling deal, no Social Security checks? The president say it could happen in august. We will do a presidential fact check in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: Deadlock over revolving the nation's debt crisis is prompting some startling statements out of Washington. Angie Holan is a reporter for the St. Petersburg Times, and she and others at Politifact.com have been putting some of those quotes through the Truth-o-Meter. Angie, tell us about this one from President Obama, got a lot of attention. He said Social Security and other federal checks may not go out on August 3rd if the debt ceiling is not increased. What do you think?

ANGIE HOLAN, POLITIFACT.COM: We rated this one-half true. Now, what we're talking about, it's not a traditional government shutdown. What it means is the government can't borrow money to pay the bills that are coming in. It's a cash flow problem.

So, the independent experts we spoke with said Social Security payments could be prioritized, probably. They were not 100 percent sure about this. And if the Social Security payments are made, other payments may not get made. So, there is a lot of uncertainty here.

Additionally, we did not find consensus on whether there's legal authority to prioritize payments. Again, conflicting opinion. We're in a new situation. Many uncertainties.

MALVEAUX: OK, uncharted territory there.

Let's look at this statement from Mitt Romney. The former Massachusetts governor says, "by the end of his first term," that is President Obama's first term, "will have added as much debt as all the prior 43 presidents combined." Is that true?

HOLAN: We rated this one mostly true. The fine print is that it's a projection. There may be changes before the end of the term. And there are a few different ways to look at the numbers. We go into some detail on our Web site. But, overall, mostly true.

MALVEAUX: OK. And Sarah Palin, she says that Slim Jims just recently cost 99 cents, but now they cost $2.69." Slim Jims. What do we know about Slim Jims?

HOLAN: We rated this one false. We just couldn't resist checking on snack food when we got the chance. Basically there has been some food inflation lately, and not quite that much, and we called the Slim Jim company and they said prices have not dramatically increased, but there is a new, larger Slim Jim size and that might be the source of the confusion. The larger size costs more.

MALVEAUX: I haven't even Slim Jims -- have you had Slim Jims lately, Angie? I don't know, I mean most people say it's not bread, milk to weigh their -- what food costs these days.

HOLAN: Not in a while.

MALVEAUX: But Slim Jims? OK.

All right, Angie Holan, thank you so much.

Well, don't forget to vote for the news you'd like to see. You can cast your vote by texting 22360. Text "1" for a crack down on Christian churches in China, "2" for homemade guns flooding to the streets in Cairo, or "3" for a science lab at the top of the world. The winning story is going to air at the end of the show.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: Foreclosure filings plunged almost 30 percent in the first half of the year, so that sounds good but it's not really all that it seems. Our Alison Kosik, she's at the New York Stock Exchange.

Alison, break this down for us. There -- I understand this is not good news.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Suzanne, I mean you said it, the headline, it sounds good. But then, you know what, read into the report and you really find out why it's offering false hope. The reality here is, is that banks, they're taking their time foreclosing on these properties because of this robo signing scandal last year. Remember that, when banks got into trouble for signing off on foreclosures without following all the proper protocols.

So now what you're seeing happening is they're crossing their t's, they're dotting their i's and it's taking a lot longer to foreclose. In fact, it's taking 318, almost a year, to process the average foreclosure from that initial notice to the final sale. So what you're seeing happening here, just kind of kicking that can down the road and -- meaning, you know, get ready to see the market flooded with yet 1 million more foreclosures.

Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: So, Alison, when is all this going to be worked out in the housing market so it can start to get back to normal?

KOSIK: You know what analysts are saying? They're saying it could be years. The housing market, it still hasn't found a bottom. It may not happen until the onslaught of foreclosures are really worked through. In fact, analysts say, you know what, don't expect the housing market to return to normal for five years. Not good.

MALVEAUX: Wow. Wow, that's a long time. Is the market reacting to any of this news?

KOSIK: You know what, we saw the market rally at the open. We got strong earnings from JP Morgan Chase. But we're seeing the gains fizzle out. Now we're in the red. The Dow down 17, the Nasdaq off 22. This is after comments from Fed Chief Ben Bernanke. He's back on Capitol Hill testifying. He said that the Fed is willing to step in with more stimulus if the economy slows down, but the problem is, as far as investors see it, that the Fed's not ready at this point to take immediate action to boost the economy. So that is why they are selling again.

Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: All right, Alison Kosik, thank you so much.

We want to turn around and bring you some live pictures here. We understand that this is the baseball great Roger Clemens. I understand it's not live, it's actually tape that we are going to show you, leaving the courthouse. This is a dramatic development. You see him there. This was after a judge declared a mistrial in the perjury case against the baseball great, Roger Clemens. So it is unclear as to whether or not the prosecution tries once more again to charge him with perjury. This all stems from originally statements that he had made under oath before Congress. Congress that was investigating whether or not he was using steroids. And that being a part of a larger issue that the Congress was looking at in terms of U.S. drug policy.

And there you see him leaving the courthouse. This after that perjury trial was declared a mistrial by the judge. So still uncertain his fate, Roger Clemens' fate, legally, but for now there is -- there charges, as well as that trial, no longer on the table. We're going to have more after the break.

POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM: Well, time now for "The Help Desk," where we get answers to your financial questions. Joining me this hour, we have Jack Otter, the executive editor the cbsmoneywatch.com, and Ryan Mack, the president of Optimum Capital Management.

Thanks for being here, guys.

JACK OTTER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR, CBSMONEYWATCH.COM: Great to be with you.

RYAN MACK, PRESIDENT, OPTIMUM CAPITAL MANAGEMENT: Thank you.

HARLOW: Interesting questions today. Carol in New York writes this. "I have a credit card that is charging me an annual fee of $59. My credit is good and I make my payments on time. Should I close this card and pay it off? I have another credit card that does not charge an annual fee."

So, what do you think, Ryan, does she need these two?

RYAN MACK, PRESIDENT, OPTIMUM CAPITAL MANAGEMENT: Well, first of all, before you get a credit card, I always advocate individuals not get a card with an annual fee attached to it. I've never heard somebody getting rich off of frequent flyer miles. So we have to get those things out of the way.

But since she does have that card, the question that she has to ask is, looking at her emergency fund, does she have nine to 12 months living expenses and are three of the six of those living expenses covered by her line of credit? And in the elimination of that credit card, cut in to her total line of credit that she would need for a case of emergency? If it does, I probably wouldn't cut it off and try to maximize the different perks that come with the card. But if it doesn't, and she has enough, then cancel that credit card.

But just understand, 30 percent of your FICO score is your balance to your (INAUDIBLE) limit ratio. When you cancel the score, the FICO score is going to decrease a little bit. Give yourself about six months to try to recoup and reestablish that FICO score after you (INAUDIBLE). HARLOW: That's why you don't want 10 credit cards and then cancel them left and right.

MACK: Exactly.

HARLOW: A question for you, Jack, from Linda in Georgia. Linda writes, "I want to retire in June 2012. I will turn 66 in November 2012. I've been delaying filing for Social Security until November. Can I still receive full benefits?"

JACK OTTER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR, CBSMONEYWATCH.COM: I hope she means November of 2012. She can't -- well, she could start this November. She would get some benefits. But her FRA, as they call it, the full retirement age, doesn't occur until she turns 66 in November 2012. So I would encourage her to wait until then to tap Social Security. Even better, if possible, for every year she waits until age 70, her monthly benefit goes up. If she's got a history of longevity in her family, if she could be living into her 80s or 90s, she'd be really happy if she waits until age 70 to take those benefits. If not, at least wait until 66.

HARLOW: So delay gratification. It will make it a lot easier the older you get, obviously.

OTTER: Exactly.

HARLOW: Thank you guys so much.

And if you have a question that you want answered, just send us an e-mail any time to cnnhelpdesk@cnn.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: You told us what you'd like to see. Here's your "Choose The News" winner. It's a science lab at the top of the world. Researchers probing for answers in the Arctic.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A light- hearted beginning to a frigid day's work.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you. Working day started. Over.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Spirits are high as the team prepares to collect another piece of the oceanic story below them. Which, quite oddly enough, includes some exercise. Helen pedals outside a sampling tent on a custom-made stationary bike. A wall of igloo blocks protects her from the wind.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. Go ahead down.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The bicycle lowers and raises scientific equipment in and out of the hole used to collect samples and data from the water column.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A little bit more.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The team inside enjoys a comfortable environment just above the freezing mark.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Stop! Stop!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To conduct research, these scientists must understand a whole list of variables. Victoria is studying sea ice loss, and this instrument helps her map out the data. A sort of scientific snapshot of the water.

Each of the scientists rotates through to take samples for their particular line of research. Next up is Helen, who's deploying an empty cylinder called a niskin (ph) into the water column.

HELEN: And it's basically just a bottle which we -- has a (INAUDIBLE) on either side, so it allows us to capture a particular part of water at a particular depth. So it has a string which releases the trigger and closes when you get to a certain depth that we want to be at.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: If your choice did not win or you just want to check out the runners up, I'll have links to them on my page at facebook.com/suzannecnn.

CNN NEWSROOM continues right now with Randi Kaye.

Hey, Randi.