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Mitt Romney Predicting Win in Wisconsin Primary; Tiger Woods Heads to Masters; Obama Beating Romney in Key States; Experts Say Cries on 911 Tape Aren't Zimmerman's
Aired April 02, 2012 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning, everyone. I am Kyra Phillips. It's 11:00 on the East Coast, 8:00 on the West. Let's get straight to the news.
First, anguished cries from a life-and death struggle captured in the background of a call to 911 the night Trayvon Martin was killed by neighborhood watch volunteer, George Zimmerman.
Zimmerman says he was the one who was desperately screaming for help, but now two separate and independent audio analyses say that's not George Zimmerman's voice.
We're going to get much more in a live report from Sanford, Florida, moments from now.
Malfunction and pilot error are the two leading theories in the crash today of a commuter plane in Russia with 43 people on board. Thirty-one people were killed. Survivors badly hurt.
The pilot reportedly was trying to make an emergency landing shortly after take off for reasons still unknown. Experts from Canada, France and Britain will help with the investigation.
And the top Republican presidential candidates are in Wisconsin. They're planning for tomorrow's battle of the Badgers State. Wisconsin is one of three primary contests tomorrow.
Voters in Maryland and the District of Columbia also make their pick, Wisconsin, the biggest prize. It is a key swing state come November and the chair of the RNC says Tuesday's results could be pivotal in finally deciding this race.
Now, Wisconsin is seen as just one of 12 swing states in the race, so that means they could go either way, but a new USA Today/Gallup poll shows that President Obama has a pretty big advantage in those states.
You can see here he's ahead of Romney by nine points.
As for an Obama-Santorum race, well, looks like pretty much the same, 11 points.
Besides Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida, and Virginia are on the list. All three of those were Romney victories in the primaries. Now, points or not former president, Bill Clinton, says President Obama will win, quote, "handedly."
In an interview with ABC News, Mr. Clinton talked about the problems facing Mitt Romney's run.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON: The problem that Governor Romney has is his character attack was, you don't really know what he believes. He did this. He says that.
And the poor man who got in trouble for the Etch-A-Sketch remark, that's like saying there is nothing more damaging in politics than telling the truth.
I mean, the truth is that's what he has to do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: As for 2016, he didn't rule out a run by his wife, Hillary Clinton. He says it is her decision, but he also says he is looking forward to spending more time with her at home.
Former vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, is trying out a new role tomorrow, starting tomorrow -- morning TV host. Palin will be guest hosting "The Today Show" alongside Matt Lauer.
Lauer reached out to Palin by phone during the show this morning to see what Palin is doing to prepare.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MATT LAUER, ABC NEWS' "THE TODAY SHOW" HOST: What are you doing to prepare? Are you reading some newspapers?
SARAH PALIN, FORMER VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Oh, oh.
UNIDENTIED FEMALE: Whoa.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And it begins.
UNIDENTIED FEMALE: You can still turn that plane around, Governor.
PALIN: Great. OK, that's a fine how-do-you do. That's a great start. Here we go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: It's certainly going to be interesting. The newspaper dig, of course, was aimed at Palin's interview with Katie Couric who has asked Palin during the 2008 campaign what newspapers she read.
Couric, of course, is guest hosting down the dial at "Good Morning, America" all this week. Well, almost a year after Navy Seals killed Osama bin laden, a Pakistani judge has sentenced the al Qaeda's leaders three widows and two daughters to 45 days home detention.
The five were living in Pakistan illegally and face deportation to their home countries after they serve their sentence. That's if Yemen and Saudi Arabia will take them.
The wife you see here, bin Laden's fifth, have given authorities their clearest picture yet of Osama bin laden's post 9/11 life in hiding.
And this woman spent 20 years under house arrest in Myanmar, but take a look at her now. Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party are claiming victories in at least 43 of the 44 parliament seats they contested in yesterday's elections.
Official results may still be days away. Control of parliament won't change, regardless. Still, reformers are haling a triumph of the people.
And Hillary Clinton says wins for pro-democracy candidates would be a significant step.
The soldier who died saving a little girl's life is being remembered as a hero. A memorial service was held today in Providence, Rhode Island, for 29-year-old Dennis Weichel.
Weichel, a sergeant in the Rhode Island National Guard, died in Afghanistan almost two weeks ago. He was hit and killed by an armored vehicle while trying to save a little girl who ran into the road to pick up shell casings.
Hundreds of people gathered for his funeral. That little girl survived, by the way.
Weichel leaves behind his fiance and three children.
A bit of good news to go along with your expensive airline ticket and added fees. Flying is actually getting better. So says the airline quality rating study released today.
It reports, when it comes to on time performance, baggage handling, fewer customer complaints, and overbooked flights, U.S. airlines are actually performing at their highest level in at least 22 years.
Also in the study? Te three best performing airlines, AirTran, Hawaiian, and JetBlue.
Well, after getting slammed by a monster wave, the Coast Guard rescues four sailors from an Australian yacht. They were taking part in an around-the-world race when the wave actually disabled the yacht's main steering and some of its communication equipment.
Two sailors were seriously injured and transferred to a Coast Guard cutter. They'll be flown to San Francisco for additional attention.
And a new twist in the Trayvon Martin case and new questions over whose cries for help are heard on the 911 call. The shooter, George Zimmerman, says he is the one screaming for help.
But now, audio experts are saying no way. That's next.
Well, Shaun White, Tony hawk, look out, guys. You've got some serious competition. Check out Tom Schaar on the ramp or should I say off the ramp? Not bad for a sixth-grader.
Now, watch carefully because this 12-year-old is about to pull off a trick that the world's best pros can't even do, the first 1080.
What's a 1080, you ask? Three full rotations, airborne. All right, let's try in slow-mo and you can count with me. You ready?
One, two, three, and a half. That, my friends, is one for the record books. The first 1080 ever. Twelve-years-old and already making skateboarding history.
That move right there, Tom, makes you our rock star.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, the search for answers in the Trayvon Martin case always comes back to one question. Who was threatening whom?
We have George Zimmerman's account of that deadly encounter on a rainy night in February, but there are chilling sounds captured on a phone call to 911.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
911: Does he look hurt to you?
CALLER: I can't see him. I don't want to go out there. I don't know what's going on.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).
CALLER: They're sending.
911: So, you think he's yelling help?
CALLER: Yes.
911: All right, what is your ...
(END AUDIO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, Zimmerman says the teen was attacking him in the face and head and those screams were his. The Sanford, Florida, police report quotes the neighborhood watch volunteer telling paramedics, quote, "I was yelling for someone to help me but no one would help me." Trayvon Martin's family and friends say otherwise. They say the screams were Trayvon's and now two respected audio experts say that Trayvon's mom and dad are probably right.
Tom Owen is a forensic consultant and chairman emeritus of the American Board of Recorded Evidence.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM OWEN, FORENSIC AUDIO EXPERT: We have the tape of Zimmerman, we have the tape of the screams, and then we can start the comparison and, basically, it's going to do this comparison if you can see the screen now.
And it's going to give me false rejection rates, some false acceptance rates, and a likelihood ratio, OK?
And this gray dot over here designates the very lower end of the scale which in essence is translated as it is not him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: CNN's George Howell is following all the latest news out of Sanford.
So, George, do these expert opinions -- and they're just opinions -- change anything?
GEORGE HOWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, Kyra, certainly very compelling information coming from these two audio experts.
This is what they do and, according to them, they believe that the voice, the screams that you hear on the 911 audio, they believe that voice is that of Trayvon Martin.
But again, it is important to point out that these tests are not 100 percent accurate. There's no way to prove with exact certainty that that is indeed Trayvon Martin's voice.
And you'll remember on the police report the investigator pointed out that he believed that the screams were coming from George Zimmerman.
And again, Zimmerman's brother, his father, they've indicated that they believe the voice that you hear on the 911 audio is coming from Zimmerman.
PHILLIPS: And, George, we're also hearing that Trayvon's parents want the federal investigation widened. Can you explain what that is about?
HOWELL: Well, you know, they are looking to talk to the Department of Justice to file a new request to have investigators look into the actions of the state attorney, Norm Wolfinger.
Now, Norm Wolfinger is no longer handling this case. It has been turned over to a different state attorney, but he was the first person to handle the case.
He was the person really at the end of the day who decided not to file charges in this case. They are looking to see if somehow Wolfinger interfered with investigators, with Sanford police, as they were determining whether to file charges.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DARYL PARKS, MARTIN FAMILY ATTORNEY: We have some strong concerns about the process that took place here and possible influence that may have went into that decision.
As you know, when we met with the Justice Department they told us that any concerns that we my have had about this situation in totality that if we raise those concerns to them, that they would look into it.
So, we have a concern our clients have expressed to us, we have relayed that on to the Justice Department, and we hope they would continue to look into this to determine what was the process, was there some influence that probably should not have taken place and to lead to that decision?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOWELL: So, Kyra, we have been in touch with the attorneys and, at this point, we know that they plan to file today.
We also know that they expect to hear back as to whether the Department of Justice will look into this.
PHILLIPS: And still no let up in the hearts-and-minds campaign, as well. Miami saw a big rally.
HOWELL: A lot of rallies, a lot of people coming together, in fact we saw big rallies over the weekend and we were told by civil rights leaders that will continue. The message that people who came together, the message they say is clear, to arrest George Zimmerman.
PHILLIPS: All right. George Howell, thanks so much.
Well, Syria's president must go. Those strong words from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Bashar al-Assad as international pressure mounts on his embattled regime.
Up next, why several nations, including the U.S., are paying Syrian opposition to resist that government.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS; Well, some big news out of Syria. The Syrian National Council, not President Bashar al-Assad's regime, is formally being recognized by international leaders as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.
And despite al-Assad's promise to accept a peace plan, well, a crackdown against opposition forces is intensifying. At least 30 people were killed today and the opposition says al- Assad's troops have launched an arrest campaign and are burning the homes of activists.
Now, the U.S. promises to double its humanitarian aid.
Let's turn to Ben Wedeman. He's monitoring the entire situation from Beirut.
So, Ben, the Syrian National Council is being recognized by a group of international leaders called the Friends of the Syrian People. What more can you tell us about the Syrian National Council?
BEN WEDEMAN, SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: This was a council formed in the summer of last year. It's intended to be sort of an umbrella organization for the Syrian opposition, but it really does -- the umbrella has a few holes in it.
Just last month, in fact, three members resigned from that group because they felt it was too corrupt and it was really just a liberal facade for the Muslim Brotherhood. Two of them were later convinced to join it again.
Now, this is an organization that these Friends of Syria yesterday did declare as a legitimate representative of the Syrian people.
It receives good deal of funding from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, but it doesn't necessarily have an awful lot of support on the ground.
In fact, our colleague, Ivan Watson, yesterday quoted one Syrian refugee on the Turkish Syrian border calling the SNC "losers."
Kyra?
PHILLIPS: And, Ben, you know, I mentioned the humanitarian aid factor and I see that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that the U.S. is going to add $12 million to humanitarian aid. That's nearly double the aid to Syria.
But, according to the Syrian National Council, it is still not enough.
WEDEMAN: Yes, because the Syrian National Council has committed to paying the wages of the members of the Free Syrian Army and by one estimate that's a million dollars a day.
Now, the U.S. aid, in addition to $800,000 being provided or to be provided by the British government, it is mostly going to communications equipment, possibly medical equipment as well.
They've made it very clear that they're not going to be paying for lethal aid, for weapons, or ammunition, and that is really what the Syrian National Council and the Free Syrian Army want.
They want weapons. They want a repetition of the scenario of Libya where weapons were provided and not necessarily from the United States, but from other sources and some sort of air cover and the United States and its Western allies to date have said that's not something they're ready to do.
Kyra?
PHILLIPS: Final thought, Ben. Meanwhile, what happened to this peace promise or plan proposed by Kofi Annan?
WEDEMAN: Well, certainly, it was accepted by the Syrian government last Tuesday, but very little has actually materialized on the ground.
According to opposition sources more than 40 people have been killed today alone and we're just receiving news from the opposition local coordination committees that one group of anti-regime fighters who took over a hospital in Homs today found 75 unidentified bodies.
We don't have any more details, however, at this point.
Kyra?
PHILLIPS: Ben Wedeman, thanks so much.
Well, famed war reporter, Marie Colvin, and French journalist, Remi Ochlik, were just two of the 9,000 people the U.N. estimates have died since the violence began.
We're now getting an exclusive, rare look inside the house where Colvin and Ochlik were killed in Homs.
British photographer, Paul Conroy, was one of the journalists trapped inside during the relentless siege.
Well, Conroy and other journalists, including Colvin, were using that house as a base. Conroy was seriously wounded when that house was bombed and he recorded this during his escape shortly after his colleague Marie Colvin was killed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL CONROY, PHOTOJOURNALIST: We took a lot of hits on the house today. All of a sudden, the guys, the Free Syrian Army, run in and just said, "Get ready to go," threw us in trucks and we've just been through an arduous journey to get out of Baba Amr and we're now heading to a relatively safe place.
Hey, guys. Well done. No more Baba Amr.
This was a guy who was in the same house as Marie and myself when Marie was killed when the explosion happened and he was one of the people that dragged me to safety where my leg was in pieces.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Now, Conroy credits opposition activists with saving not only his life, but the lives of countless others.
He says what you just saw was nothing compared to the hell Syrians are living daily.
Now, for all of you procrastinators out there, you've got two weeks left, just two weeks before you have to bite the bullet and file those taxes.
But have no fear. Alison Kosik has some great info on doing that dreaded yearly duty.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, have you done your taxes yet or are you putting them off until the very last second?
Well, the good news is that you get two extra days. April 17th is the deadline this year.
So, Alison Kosik, what's the average refund looking like this year?
ALISON KOSIK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, if you're lucking enough to get a refund, the average refund, says the IRS, is coming in at about $2,860.
That's down a few dollars from last year's amount and, yes, if you're one of the procrastinators waiting until the last minute, no, no, no, you're not alone.
TurboTax says 27 percent of taxpayers admit they wait until the last two weeks of tax season to file their returns.
And, if you live in San Francisco, New York, or Washington, D.C., TurboTax says you claim the honor of the top three procrastinating cities when it comes to filing your taxes.
Dropping off the list this year, a few Texas towns, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, with Chicago, too, Kyra, so they are stepping it up a bit, doing their taxes a little earlier.
Kyra?
PHILLIPS: All right, so, if you are looking at your account and thinking there is no way I can pay these taxes on time, what do I do?
KOSIK: OK, so if you can't pay the full amount you owe, the IRS says you want to still I will too the return by the April 17th deadline and pay as much as you can to avoid penalties and interest.
You will also set up an installment payment plan with the agency. Now, you can request a six-month extension that will take to you October 15th to file your taxes.
But remember, you still have to pay. You're not getting off scot-free. If you haven't paid 90 percent of your total taxes you could get hit with an estimated tax penalty.
So, you know what? The bottom line with this, go ahead and call the IRS at the following number, 1-800-829-1040 and figure out what your options are and what you qualify for, Kyra. You don't want to not just pay them and not do anything.
PHILLIPS: That's true. Alison, thanks so much.
Well, he's got the delegates, he's got the money, and he's got the lead, but, in spite of all of that, is Mitt Romney's wife his biggest asset?
Up next, Ann Romney's big role in her husband's campaign and her rising star status.
But first, our political junkie question. The District of Columbia's primary is tomorrow. What year did D.C. residents finally get a vote in the presidential election?
Tweet the answer @KyraCNN. I'll give you a shout-out for the first right answer.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Before the break I asked when residents of Washington, D.C., got an official vote in the presidential race. That answer, 1961. That's when Congress passed the 23rd Amendment giving D.C. the vote. They have gone Democratic in every election sense. Congrats to John for tweeting me the right answer.
Mitt Romney is predicting victory in Wisconsin tomorrow but the state is still "Fair Game." It is one of three contests on the calendar.
And joining me to talk about it, Republican strategist, Ana Navarro, and Democratic strategist, Keith Boykin.
And as I said, three contests, Wisconsin, Maryland, D.C. So let's talk about why the candidates only seem to be focusing on one state -- Keith?
KEITH BOYKIN, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Wisconsin is a swing state in the fall election. Maryland and D.C. are reliably blue states. You know the Democrats will win those in November. It is an important race but the reality is Mitt Romney is likely to win in all three states. He is ahead in the polls in all three states. It is not a surprise that people would be focused on that state of Wisconsin.
PHILLIPS: Ana?
ANA NAVARRO, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: I absolutely agree. I think the fact that Wisconsin is a swing state is what is driving the attention. Also, it is the closest race that we have tomorrow. In Maryland and D.C., Mitt Romney has a huge lead. The polls are showing him with over 20 points of a lead. There is still a little bit of suspense related to Wisconsin. There the race seems to be under 10 points. And this has gone on for a really long time, so any little bit of suspense we can get to keep us excited and keep our attention going is a good thing at this point.
(LAUGHTER)
(CROSSTALK)
NAVARRO: That's the problem.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: I don't necessarily know if Mitch McConnell did that. Take a listen to him over the weekend.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL, (R-KY), SENATE MINORITY LEADER: The people of Wisconsin will speak Tuesday in the District of Columbia and Maryland. I have not felt they need any advice from me as to what to do. I think it is absolutely apparent that it is in the best interests of our party, at this particular point, to get behind the person who is obviously going to be our nominee, and to begin to make the case against the president of the United States.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Not really a ringing endorsement. It's like, OK, let's deal with this and move on. Keith?
BOYKIN: Sounds like, OK, if I have to, I guess I will endorse the guy.
(LAUGHTER)
You know, the reality is he can see the writing on the wall that Romney is likely to be the nominee and the Republican establishment is starting to rally around him. It is one of the most lukewarm endorsements we have ever seen.
PHILLIPS: Ana, why is that? Why the lack of enthusiasm or the lukewarm endorsements? Not really endorsing, just lukewarm, OK, whatever.
NAVARRO: Put things in perspective. OK? This is Mitch McConnell.
(LAUGHTER)
He is not exactly the most excitable or most exciting guy in America.
(CROSSTALK)
(LAUGHTER)
NAVARRO: You know, I think that for Mitch McConnell's standards, he is doing pretty well here. I think what he is saying is, let's forget about -- let's not focus on who we like, who we don't like. Let's not focus on the candidates anymore. Let's shift the focus on beating Barack Obama in the fall. I think you have to give Mitch McConnell -- cut him slack.
PHILLIPS: I see the joke now. What happens when Mitch McConnell, Keith and Ana, walks into a bar, dot, dot, dot.
(LAUGHTER)
NAVARRO: That's a good joke for Foster Freehse (ph) to say.
PHILLIPS: Let's talk --
(CROSSTALK)
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: That's right. And I have something to talk about.
All right, the complete opposite of the spectrum here, Ann Romney, front and center on the campaign trail. You guys have seen the number of write ups, even over the weekend, we've seen a number of write ups in "The New York Times" about feeling the connection with Mitt Romney, but they're definitely feeling with it with his wife, Ann.
Is this -- I guess, Ana, let me start with you. Is this just a little icing on the cake, gets everybody excited and is it really going to work? Is she going to help Mitt Romney in the end pull this off?
NAVARRO: I think she can be a tremendous asset. She can be great help. Precisely the words people use to describe Mitt Romney's deficiencies are the words they use to describe Ann Romney's strengths, being normal, being authentic, being able to connect with people, being playful, having a sense of humor, so she brings out all of those things that Mitt Romney seems to have a difficult time with. And, you know, we are in 2012. Political spouses are increasingly important. You have Michelle Obama on the other side who is going to be very involved. It is great to have a surrogate who you trust completely that can be a surrogate with voters, donors, media, and out there for you helping cover some of the country. I think I agree with some of the people that say we may be running the wrong Romney in this race.
PHILLIPS: Keith?
BOYKIN: That's my point. Why isn't she running for president, if you have all of these wonderful things to say about her?
(CROSSTALK)
NAVARRO: If you hear Bill Clinton speaking, maybe we will see Ann Romney and Hillary Clinton in 2016.
PHILLIPS: Oh. That would really have something to talk about.
(CROSSTALK)
BOYKIN: That would be interesting.
PHILLIPS: Here's my question, Keith.
Ana, do you like broccoli?
NAVARRO: Do I like broccoli?
PHILLIPS: Yes.
NAVARRO: Do I have to tell you the truth?
(LAUGHTER)
(CROSSTALK)
NAVARRO: I like broccoli if it is slathered in some sort of cheese or butter.
PHILLIPS: Keith, perfect segue.
BOYKIN: That's exactly the problem. Mitt Romney is like broccoli, and so Ann Romney, at the best, is like some cheese you smother over him/, but it is still broccoli.
(LAUGHTER)
People don't like to eat broccoli. They would rather eat meat or something else that's more interesting and exciting than broccoli. And Mitt Romney, at the end of the day, whether you had Ann Romney or his entire family, he is still broccoli.
(LAUGHTER)
NAVARRO: Keith, nobody hated broccoli as much as George Walker Bush, and we know he is eating his broccoli.
(LAUGHTER)
I think we need to give broccoli a little more credit in this life.
PHILLIPS: You know what, like Etch-a-Sketch, I knew I should have invested, and now it is broccoli. I will somehow find where I can invest in some sort of form.
And, Ana, for full disclosure, I knew he was going to say that. One of the funniest quotes I saw from Keith, so I didn't mean to set you up there. We all love broccoli whether smothered with cheese or not.
NAVARRO: I thought you were going to go to Anthony Scalia's, you know, quote from last week in the Supreme Court. You know, broccoli has been very much from the news the last few days.
BOYKIN: It has.
PHILLIPS: A very good food, yes, we should all eat it.
Thanks so much.
"Fair Game" today.
From one dynamic female to another. Could this woman be the first in an exclusive all-boys club? Up next, how IBM's new boss could soon be breaking a near 80-year barrier.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: And then there were two. After all of this March Madness, it comes down to Kentucky versus Kansas. Tonight the fight for the NCAA championships and don't think we're only talking basketball. We're going to Georgia and we are talking Masters, not just Tiger, but the other men of the Augusta national golf club, and discussing whether the head of IBM, a woman, will be allowed in. Either way, the club will have to break tradition. Let's get right to it.
Joining me, master of all things sports, Len Berman, and my favorite "USA Today" sports columnist, Christine Brennan, on the phone.
Len, let's start with you. March Madness, Kentucky-Kansas?
LEE BERMAN, SPORTS WRITER: Yes, I like the kids from Kansas. It is an interesting setup. You have freshman and sophomore and for Kansas the upper class man from Kentucky that will immediately turn pro and Anthony Davis is a wonderful player. Every day it was a wonderful player, so I guess it doesn't do anything for me to say the favorite will win. But I have to go with the favorite. I like Kentucky.
PHILLIPS: Christine, what do you think?
CHRISTINE BRENNAN, SPORTS COLUMNIST, USA TODAY (voice-over): I have to agree with my friend Len, Kyra. Kentucky could be one of the youngest NCAA men's division basketball champions if they do win it, and I think they will. This has been -- they've been on course really since losing to Indiana in December. And I don't see anything about tonight's game that would lead anyone to believe that Kentucky is not going to win this game. Offsets occur, of course, and Kentucky seems to be a course to win this tonight.
PHILLIPS: Len, did you do a bracket?
BERMAN: I don't because I am an idiot.
(LAUGHTER)
I get bounced out and -- (CROSSTALK)
PHILLIPS: Len, you of all people?
BERMAN: I know. I stopped doing it years ago because people even when they ask me who I think, I am always hesitant to say because I am afraid they will run out and bet on it because I have inside information. I am like a nerd. I say I don't know. I hope the best team wins. I always say dopey stuff like that.
PHILLIPS: Christine, about you?
BRENNAN: No bracket. As a journalist, I try to just observe.
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIPS: Of course. Remain down the middle.
You know what, I know we'll hit the Masters. I can't wait to talk about that.
First, Christine, don't forget the women's NCAA, Notre Dame and Baylor. And you're there.
BRENNAN: I am in Denver. And tomorrow night, Tuesday night, 6'8", Britney Griner (ph) will try to leave Baylor to the national championship. This is game changing. This is Wilt Chamberlain for the men 55 years ago. Britney Griner (ph) changes everything about how a team plays. People should watch her. It is extraordinary. Blocking shots, dunking with two hands, like the guys do, and this is really something different in women's hoops
PHILLIPS: Love it. Love it.
Len, you agree?
BERMAN: I agree and I'm impressed Christine called us journalists. That's a great compliment.
(LAUGHTER)
Thanks, Christine.
PHILLIPS: OK. Let's get to the one thing a lot of journalists will be paying attention to, the Masters, not just Tiger Woods, I am talking possibly the first female to wear a green jacket.
Len, I am going to start with you. Christine has the good personal tidbits here. Sex or money, what will win out?
BERMAN: The old boys club, they have been doing it this way for eight decades. They have a boy's group. When will they come into the 21st century? I don't know if they will choose.
What I would personally like to see it people like Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson or Rory McIlroy say we're not going to play until you join the current century. That's never going to happen, but it is a pipe dream I have.
PHILLIPS: I like the fantasy.
Christine, I am on board with that. You actually have a personal connection to the story, which is what got us all talking about this in the first place.
BRENNAN: That's right, Kyra. Ginny Rometty is the CEO of IBM, just named in the fall, and became the CEO in January. She and I went to college together. I know her and e-mailed her a few times, and understandably she is not talking. I don't blame her. It is the most private of clubs, old boys club. And it is ridiculous when you think that Augusta national brought in an African-American male member in 1990 under pressure. 22 years later, they're still discriminating against 51 percent of the population. It is about the corridors of power. It is not about golf. It is about giving women the opportunity to be in the business world.
This one -- remember Martha Burk nine years ago. This isn't that. This is an outsider talking and being strident. This isn't journalists like me asking questions. Ginny Rometty is one of their own. It's tradition for them to become a member of Augusta National. If she is not wearing a green jacket later in the week, and I hope to see is -- I hope to see her anyway. But she's not -- that means that Augusta is showing a face you can't believe that it would be showing in 2012.
PHILLIPS: Point well made. We'll be paying close attention.
All right, Tiger, the Masters, really show us, Len, if he is back, right?
BERMAN: Sure. He won seven Arnold Palmers and seven Firestones. And by his own thing that matters to him is winning major golf tournaments. If he can put it together for four rounds -- and I still have my doubts -- and if he can wear the green jacket, we will say, Tiger, you are back. I know the other golfers are hoping he is back. The high tide of Tiger raises all boats, and they will make more money if Tiger wins. Until he wins that Masters or another major, we're not willing to say he is back.
PHILLIPS: Christine, we know how mental the game of golf is.
Len, you know, too. We all can agree with that.
Just the fact that he won the last tournament, doesn't necessarily mean that he is going to play well in the Masters.
BRENNAN: True, but even when he wasn't playing well the last couple of years, after his run in with the fire hydrants and all the scandal of 2009, he still did very well at the Masters. If he is going to win a major every year, this is going the one. I think Tiger will be in the hunt on Sunday. I do think he is back. I think it is actually his tournament and that he needs to win this. It has been four years almost since he won a major. Watch out for Rory McIlroy. He learned by watching Tiger as a young boy on television. he is not afraid of Tiger Woods. If anyone is going to beat Tiger, I think it could be Rory McIlroy.
PHILLIPS: Len, he is such a great kid. We had him live on this show. Everything about him is just -- he has just remained unscathed on every level and he is a great athlete.
BERMAN: I just want to see it on the Sunday come down to Tiger and a short putt, which used to be money for him. I want to see if he can still make that putt with everything that's gone on in his life. I don't know if you saw the woman's putt the other day, she missed a one-foot putt that would have had the championship. We will see what happens with Tiger and then we will all kneel down and Tebow and tell him how wonderful he is.
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PHILLIPS: Will you guys come back. Let's have a follow-up. Christine, Len, both, will you join me again?
BERMAN: Only if Christine does it. Journalists, come on.
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIPS: I'm putting you on the spot, Christine. Are you in?
BRENNAN: Absolutely, with Len and Kyra, any time. Thank you.
PHILLIPS: Done deal.
Thanks, guys.
BERMAN: All right.
PHILLIPS: Up next, all the fuss over a new Four Square app, called Girls Around Me, and critics say it is a stalker's dream.
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PHILLIPS: An app accused of encouraging stalking is pulled from the iTunes store. The company behind the app used the social networking service Four Square to show where women had checked in nearby. The developer defended the app and told the "Wall Street Journal" the app's intention was to simply help people discover public venues nearby.
And time now for stories making news at "Street Level."
Near Otto, Kansas, five people are dead, more than a dozen injured after a truck crash. Police say a rig towing a trailer went off the highway. It hit a metal guardrail and a concrete bridge rail before going into a creek. Investigators are looking into the crash.
A kids' science project led to the partial evacuation of the love field airport. A robotic device was found near a cockpit of an airplane. 11 people were detained in connection with the device. It turned out to be a science project left behind by a student traveling with his professor.
To Amarillo, Texas, where the pilot that disrupted the JetBlue flight is making his first appearance. Captain Clayton Osbon looked composed going to court. You'll remember that passengers had to tackle him on the plane blast month when he started acting radically. The plane made an emergency landing. His wife thanked the passengers and crew for the compassionate handling of the situation.
Morning TV watchers welcome back Kylie. She's back on the air after a nearly two-month injury a freak injury. She was bit on the upper lip by an 85-pound dog in a segment of her show. She needed 70 stitches to close the wound. The dog was later quarantined and released to the owner.
We're hoping to see who the winners are of the Mega Millions jackpot. The winners were in Kansas, Maryland, and Illinois. The winners will get about $218 million each before taxes.
Let's get to Washington. Vindication for strip searches in jail. The Supreme Court today ruled jailers in New Jersey had the right to strip-search a man who was arrested for allegedly failing to pay a traffic fine. Albert Florence said there was no reasonable suspicion to subject him to a disgusting ordeal. But justices ruled that giving low-risk inmates a pass puts everybody at greater risk. Here's the kicker. Florence had paid the fine. He was arrested by mistake.
And finally, we head to New York City. That's where Sarah Palin will be tomorrow. She'll be in the "Today" show studio, but not as a guest. She will be guest host. Palin is not stranger to TV but this will be different than what she's used to. Ironically, Katie Couric, Matt Lauer's former co-host, is down the dial at "Good Morning, America" this week.
Speaking of Palin, Mitt Romney could use a little excitement in his campaign. New numbers how the Republican frontrunner is running into trouble now. How bad is President Obama beating him in some key states? We'll tell you next.
But first, she said she's doing what she has to do to take care of her kids, all 16 of them. Nadya Suleman, or Octomom, says she's so broke she's destitute. So broke, she's being forced to pose topless for European magazines. So broke, she's going on welfare where she'll receive $2,000 a month from the state of California to feed her children. All right, we get it, raising 14 kids is expensive. But somehow, it's hard to feel sorry for this woman. Perhaps because, more than her need for money, is her need for attention. So enjoy this round. It could be your last. Octomom, your 15 minutes are up.
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PHILLIPS: Well, it looks like President Obama will have to go on without one of his highest profile supporters on the campaign trail. We're talking about Oprah Winfrey. She says she's too busy to be out there right now.
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OPRAH WINFREY, OWNER, OWN NETWORK: I'm not going to be out there. I'm 100 percent behind our president. I actually love our president and have the utmost respect for him and that office and what it takes to be there. I will not be out because I'm trying to fix a network.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: She's, of course, talking about her own network, struggling with bad ratings. In fact, said that she -- she said if she would have known it was this hard, she probably would have tried something else. Maybe like run for office herself? Thinking out loud. President Obama may not need her help if new poll numbers are any indication.
CNN political reporter, Peter Hamby, joins me now from Washington.
Peter, what are we seeing in the new numbers?
PETER HAMBY, CNN POLITICAL PRODUCER: Obama might not need her. 12 battleground states came out today. Obama with a strong lead over Mitt Romney, the likely or increasingly likely Republican nominee. 51 percent to 42 percent over Mitt Romney, up a lot from a month ago, when Obama trailed him by two points. What has made the difference? It's been all about women voters. Look at these numbers. Romney leads Obama among men by one point. Obama leads Romney among women by 18 points. The discussion in the Republican race over the last month or so, ever since February, has devil delved into contraception. It's turned women off. You need women to win. Barack Obama beat John McCain by 13 points among women in 2008. You have a hard time to winning a national election if you're losing women voters this badly. Romney has ground to make up in that department -- Kyra?
PHILLIPS: Let's stay on the female theme. You came out with an article talking about Nikki Haley, not interested in the V.P. slot.
HAMBY: No. She was asked by ABC, will you help Mitt Romney shore up support among women, will you be on the short list. Nikki Haley, the governor of South Carolina, elected with strong Tea Party support, said absolutely not. She's said things like this in the past. I asked her chief of staff, what does this mean? He said, she'll not be vetted. It would be a waste of time. She's going remain the governor of South Carolina. Scratch her off the vice presidential short list -- Kyra?
PHILLIPS: OK, Peter, thanks very much.
Thanks for watching everyone. Continue the conversation with me on Twitter @kyraCNN or on Facebook.
CNN NEWSROOM continues right now with Suzanne Malveaux.
