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Milestone In Manhattan; Obama Holds News Conference; Obama Campaign Questions Romney on bin Laden; Freedom Tower Now Tallest Building in New York; Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums
Aired April 30, 2012 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Suzanne, thank you so much.
And hello to all of you. I'm Brooke Baldwin.
We are moments away from not just one, two major events we have here unfolding before us here on this Monday.
First, take a look on the right-hand side of your screen. Check that, left-hand side, the White House, where President Obama will be holding a news conference with Japan's prime minister. And one thing certainly we're all going to be looking out for is whether or not the president actually addresses the looming international battle over the escape of a blind activist in China. So we're waiting and we're watching for that. We're going to take that live.
Also, on the right-hand side of your screen, pretty pictures coming out of the southern tip of Manhattan here. You care looking at One World Trade Center, or as it's being called the Freedom Tower, becoming now, as of today, New York's tallest sky scraper. And the folks behind this project will give us a live news conference in a couple of minutes. We'll dip into that.
And that's where we are going to begin there in New York. We have a milestone for you. In lower Manhattan, and this is just so cool because really more than ten and a half years since the attacks of 9/11, the new Trade Center has now risen. And as the rest of the nation has really gone about its business, this huge skyscraper has slowly gone up there at Ground Zero. And as of today, it is the tallest building in New York City. It is eclipsing the Empire State Building. And this qualifies as history, folks. Poppy Harlow covering the history for us for CNN there in lower Manhattan.
I know we're all watching for that steel beam, Poppy, on the 100th floor to, I guess, technically make it the tallest building in New York. Has that happened yet?
POPPY HARLOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Not as far as I can tell. I'm watching it in my monitor right in front of me, Brooke. And it's happening right behind me. They're about to do it. They were set to lay that beam at about 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. So about half an hour ago. You can expect it soon.
But as you said, this is going to make One World Trade just 21 feet taller. Maybe we can pan up so you can see the whole thing. But 21 feet taller than the Empire State Building. So this is a day that is really more symbolic than anything. And it certainly doesn't mean that the construction is finished. They've got a lot of work to do. But it is symbolic for New Yorker's, for America, really for people around the world.
And I have some interesting perspective because, in August, I spent time on the ground there in the construction site and actually went up to the 76th floor, which was the top floor of this building at the time. And I spoke with a man named Mike Mennella. Now Mike built the first World Trade Center. He then watched it fall and then came back on September 12, 2001, helped in the rescue and recovery and is now leading the construction on this, Brooke. Leading it. Which is just amazing that he's doing that once again. And I chatted with him again this morning to talk to him about, you know, what it means personally for him. So take a quick listen to what he told us.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HARLOW: What does this day mean to you, Mike?
MIKE MENNELLA, EXECUTIVE VP, TISHMAN CONSTRUCTION: Well, today is a day we are -- we can really look back and say that the milestones we've surpassed and overcome are certainly more significant than the ones ahead of us. We certainly have some challenges going forward, but the building is in a position now where we can see, you know, it coming to the top and we can see it being finished off in a very, very, very significant way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARLOW: There's also, Brooke, a lot of focus on security down here. There always is. But especially, Brooke, because of the day today is. It is one day before the one-year anniversary of the death of Osama bin Laden. So there has been a focus on what security measures are here.
I spoke to the deputy commissioner of the NYPD. He says, look, we always have a lot of security down there. He also told me there's no known threat to the World Trade Center or New York City on this anniversary. The FBI issuing a memo last week that really echoed that sentiment, saying there's no credible information that al Qaeda is plotting an attack to coincide with the anniversary. So no credible information that points to any threat.
But the timing is really a pure coincidence. But what a coincidence that this monumental day for this building comes one day before that anniversary, Brooke.
BALDWIN: What a coincidence. Yes, you know, and to go back to you point, just about the symbolism there. I was flying into Manhattan a couple of weeks ago and I, you know, hadn't spoken with the person next to me on the plane, but they sort of elbowed me and said, there it is. You know, there's the Freedom Tower. There's ground zero.
HARLOW: Yes. BALDWIN: It's just something -- it gave me goose bumps because it really is sort of this marker of this section of, you know, the island of Manhattan, what our nation went through more than 10 years ago now. I mean you're there on the ground. Are you talking to New Yorkers? How do they see this building and this day?
HARLOW: Yes, I am. We've been talking to them all day. And I know that exact shock, Brooke, when you're flying over to land at LaGuardia or Kennedy and you fly right over and it really is -- it is a huge symbol of what this city is.
I spoke with people all over this morning down here. New Yorkers, tourists. And I want you to take a listen to get a sense of the sentiment surrounding this day.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I really think it's just an overall coming together in unity for everybody and it's a great memorial for anybody who was alive during that time and shows a lot of just innovation of things that are to come.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No matter what the obstacle is we're faced with, you know, we will survive, we will resurface, and we can do this. So it's a pride thing as an American, but more importantly as a New Yorker.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARLOW: So that was the majority of the sentiment, Brooke.
I also did speak with one man who said, look, I didn't think that they should rebuild there on that spot or build a building that's tall. So you've got a bit of mixed emotion. But, overall, for people, this is -- this is a moment that stands out to them certainly.
BALDWIN: Certainly, Poppy, thank you.
Do me a favor and just stand by. I think I heard someone saying we're all watching for the crane.
HARLOW: Yes, I will.
BALDWIN: We're all watching for this one steel beam there on the 100th floor. So stand by for me.
Chad Myers, I just want to go over to you because, you know, Poppy mentioned, what, in a matter of minutes, whenever this steel beam goes up, this building will be a big -- you know, brag rights. Bragging rights. Like 21 feet higher than the Empire State Building. But it just caused us to wonder, OK, how does the building stack up, you know, against, what is it, the Burj in Dubai and others around the world.
CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Right. Right. And you know what, I'm such a purist when -- and so I'm going to kind of -- I'm going to pop a couple bubbles here and I'm just going to kind of give you the lay of the land.
This building on the very top will eventually be 1,368 feet high. Plus another 408 feet from the spire and the antenna on top, getting us to that 1,776. So, really, almost cheating by 400 feet or so for the top, but we'll give it to them anyway because the Empire State Building cheats a little bit as well.
BALDWIN: The antenna.
MYERS: The Empire State Building, top of the antenna, 1,454.
But then all the way over here, we'll draw this same line right over here at 1,776. You have to understand that Dubai, there's a building there, 1,000 feet taller.
BALDWIN: Whoo.
MYERS: And literally they built it in the sand. That's kind of the cool part. I mean the part that they put into the sand to put the base into that building in Dubai, you have to understand now what you're building in New York City, especially the bottom part of New York City, is solid bedrock. They're putting this building on something very much more solid than what they had to build in Dubai. That's the reason why there are tall buildings in lower Manhattan. No tall buildings in the middle part of the city like, you know, east or west village. Only about five or six in that --
BALDWIN: Chad, let me jump in. Let me jump in. Look at this with me. Here is the beam. These are live pictures as they are -- you see the crews here on this presumably 100th floor of the freedom tower of One World Trade Center. And they are slowly but surely moving this column over. And this column is what will make this building today, as you were pointing out, the tallest building in New York. And by the end of it, as Chad was saying, it will ultimately be -- what a number -- 1,776 feet. It should happen sometime next year with the antenna making the tower even taller. Let's just watch this moment.
Slowly but surely pulling that beam down. And if you notice, you can't see it in this shot, these guys are pulling this beam down. Along the side of the beam, it looked to be in white lettering vertically written the number 1271. And so that is how high, 1,271 feet will be the height of this building today.
Poppy Harlow, you with me?
HARLOW: I'm with you, Brooke. I'm watching it. It's very neat to see from this -- from this perspective, Brooke.
BALDWIN: Yes, as we're watching, and I know you're a couple of blocks away so you have a pretty fun vantage.
HARLOW: Yes.
BALDWIN: And, again, we're waiting and watching for this news conference. Do we know, Poppy, do we know who will be speaking from the building? HARLOW: Yes, we know that we're going to hear from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which is overseeing this massive project. We're also going to be hearing from the head of Tishman. That is the construction company that is building this project.
But what's neat, and you can't see it, it's behind the camera, but a lot of folks down here in Battery Park, which is where a lot of tourists come in New York City, they sort of just -- many of them stopped and they turned this way, Brooke, facing as that steel beam was coming down and just took pictures of it. I wonder if they all even know what's going on, if they knew that today was going to be the day that this beam was going to be placed on One World Trade, making it the tallest building in New York City. But you're sort of watching the tourists around here take pictures and realize what is happening behind them. Again, not the completion yet, but a monumental day for this building.
And we're going to hear from the people at the center of it, building it, very shortly. That press conference expected to start, I would assume, as soon as they get this steel beam all attached. I would assume you'll hear from them. We'll dip in live when that happens.
BALDWIN: OK. Poppy Harlow, we thank you. We're going to keep an eye on this picture.
We're also going to keep an eye on a picture at the White House because we do know right around this hour, President Obama is going to be meeting with Yoshihiko Noda. He is the prime minister of Japan. You can see the room in the White House full of reporters as they are waiting and watching for that meeting to take place. Certainly reaffirming the U.S.'s strong ties with Japan.
So, two significant items on the agenda happening right around now. Do we sneak a quick break in? Let's sneak a quick break in. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: All right, at this hour, two items on the agenda. You see your screen is split.
So on the right-hand side of your screen, we just witnessed history unfolding. You see that big beam and along the side the numbers 1271. That is One World Trade Center. This building, as of about three minutes ago, is now officially the tallest building in the state of New York. This is incredibly significant. This is Ground Zero. And this is really, as you're flying into LaGuardia or Newark or JFK, you noticed it right along the ground right next to those beautiful reflective pools and you know, of course, the significance of that date. And it is a -- it's a huge triumph for folks I know in New York. We're going to take a news conference there. We're waiting to hear from the Port Authority and also the folks who built this massive building, in a matter of minutes.
On the left-hand side of your screen, you're not seeing anyone, but you will soon seen the president of the United States standing alongside Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. And this is the first meeting there between the two leaders. This is the East Room of the White House. I was told they had to move it from the Rose Garden because of some inclement weather there in Washington.
Nevertheless, let's check in with our White House correspondent, Brianna Keilar, who I know is inside that room, alongside many of her colleagues.
And, Brianna, just set the scene for me and tell me what we should expect from this historic meeting.
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we're expecting certainly an emphasis as President Obama has tried to reset his foreign policy, really looking east instead of to the Middle East, Brooke. That he will be emphasizing his alliance with Japan is very important in that respect. There's a number of topics certainly that will have come up in the discussions today between President Obama and Prime Minister Noda. One of them, no doubt --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen -- ladies and gentlemen, your two minute warning --
BALDWIN: Two minute warning.
KEILAR: That's the two-minute warning, so we have a couple of minutes here to talk. But one of those is certainly going to be North Korea. Japan, for instance, condemned that failed rocket launch earlier this month and that certainly is something the U.S. is looking towards Japan for their role in dealing with North Korea.
Myanmar, which is in general making a move towards more democratic principles. The U.S. is looking to Japan there. And also looking for some help certainly with Iran. Japan has come through in a way for the U.S. by limiting its oil consumption of Iranian oil, that is And, of course, I think you'll be hearing from Prime Minister Noda or President Obama will be as Japan looks to join a very significant -- a very large trade partnership. The Transpacific Trade Partnership that the U.S. is involved in.
One of the things that will sort of smooth over relations leading up to this meeting, Brooke, you know there's always this very sticky issue of U.S. Marines in Okinawa. A sticky issue between the U.S. and Japan. And just last week there was an agreement between the two nations that 9,000 of the 19,000 U.S. Marines would be moving, staying in the region, Australia, Guam, Hawaii, but moving away from the Japanese island of Okinawa.
BALDWIN: Right, sure, as priorities are shifting after more than a decade of war in both Iraq and Afghanistan. As we wait here -- as we wait to see the president and the prime minister. In fact, do we see them? There we go. They're early. Here we go. Let's take it live.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Please be seated.
Good afternoon, everybody. It is a great pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Noda of Japan and one of America's closest allies in the Asia Pacific region, but also around the world. And, of course, one of the reasons that we enjoy such a strong alliance between our nations is because it's rooted in the deep friendship between our peoples. I felt it in my own life during my visits to Japan, including as a young boy. And we've seen that friendship on display very profoundly over the past year.
Last month, we marked the first anniversary of the great east Japan earthquake and tsunami and nuclear crisis that followed. All across Japan, people stopped and stood in silence at 2:46 p.m., the moment that the earth shook.
Mr. Prime Minister, on behalf of the American people, I want to say to you and the people of Japan, we continue to stand with you as well. We stand with Japan in honoring the lost and the missing. Nineteen thousand men, women and children who will never be forgotten. We stand with you as you rebuild what you, Mr. Prime Minister, have called the rebirth of Japan. And we stand with Japan in the Asia Pacific and beyond because even as it has focused on the hard work at home, Japan has never stopped leading in the world. It is a great tribute to the Japanese people and to leaders like Prime Minister Noda.
I'm told that over the past year, many Japanese have found strength in what they call kizuna, the bonds of solidarity between friends and neighbors, bonds which cannot be broken. And, Mr. Prime Minister, the same could be said of the bonds between the United States and Japan. And today we welcome you in that spirit.
As president, I've worked to strengthen the ties between our two nations since my first days in office. And when Prime Minister Noda and I first met last September, we agreed to modernize our alliance to meet the needs of the 21st century. And, Mr. Prime Minister, I want to thank you for the personal commitment that you've brought to this effort. You've called the alliance with the United States, Japan's greatest asset. And in our work together, we've seen your trademark determination and humility.
In fact, during our discussions today, the prime minister compared his leadership style to that of a point guard in basketball. He may not be the flashiest player, but he stays focused and gets the job done. He's brought that same sense of teamwork to our partnership and it's helped make this visit a milestone in the history of our alliance.
I'm proud to announce that we have agreed to a new joint vision to guide our alliance and help shape the Asia Pacific for decades to come. This is part of the broader effort I discussed in Australia last year in which the United States is once again leading in the Asia Pacific. First, we recognize that the U.S./Japan alliance will remain the foundation of the security and prosperity of our two nations, but also a cornerstone of regional peace and security. As such, we reviewed the agreement that our governments reached last week to realign American forces in Japan. This reflects our effort to modernize America's defense posture in the Asia Pacific with forces that are more broadly distributed, more flexible and more sustainable. At the same time, it will reduce the impact on local communities, like Okinawa.
Second, our joint vision commits us to deepening our trade in investment. We're already among each other's top trading partners and our exports to Japan and Japanese companies here in the U.S. support more than $1 million American jobs. But there's more we can do, especially as we work to double U.S. exports. So I appreciate the prime minister updating me on his reform efforts in Japan, including liberalizing trade and playing a leading role in Asia Pacific's economy. We instructed our teams to continue our consultation regarding Japan's interest in joining the Transpacific Partnership, which would benefit both our economies and the region. And we agreed to deepen our cooperation on nuclear safety, clean energy and cyber security to enhance our economic competitiveness.
Third, our joint vision lays out the future we seek in the Asia Pacific. A region where international rules and norms are upheld, where nations contribute to regional security, where commerce and freedom of navigation is not impeded, and where disputes are resolved peacefully.
As such, we continue our close consultations on the provocative actions of North Korea, which are a sign of weakness and not strength and only serve to deepen Pyongyang's isolation. And we discussed the changes underway in Burma and how our two nations can both reward progress there, while encouraging more reforms to improve the lives of the Burmese people.
Fourth, our joint vision reaffirms our role as global partners bound by shared values and committed to international pace, security and human rights. For example, our nations are the largest donors in Afghanistan. As we plan for the NATO summit in Chicago in the next phase of the transition in Afghanistan, Japan is planning for a donor conference to sustain development there.
I also want to take this opportunity to commend the prime minister and Japan for showing such strong leadership with regard to Iran's nuclear program. The regime in Tehran is now feeling the economic screws tighten and one of the reasons is that countries like Japan made the decision to reduce oil imports from Iran. And this is just one more example of how, despite challenging times at home, Japan has continued to serve as a model and a true global leader.
Finally, our joint vision commits us to deepening the ties between our peoples. This includes new collaborations between our scientists, researches and entrepreneurs to foster innovation and it includes new exchanges that will bring thousands of our young people together, including high school students, to help Japanese communities rebuild after last year's disasters.
So, again, Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for helping to revitalize our extraordinary alliance so that we enjoy even greater security and prosperity for both our countries. And I, once again, want to salute the people of Japan for the strength and the resilience and the courage that they've shown during this past year. More than ever, the American people are proud to call you a friend and honored to call you an ally.
And before I turn it over to the prime minister, I just want to warn the American press that the prime minister once considered himself a journalist and instead he became a judo expert. He is a black belt. So if you get out of line, I've got some protection here.
Mr. Prime Minister.
YOSHIHIKO NODA, JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER (through translator): Well, following President Obama, power forward, I, the point guard, know that will (INAUDIBLE) take out the microphone. No, this is the first visit to the United States by a Japanese prime minister in the -- in the bilateral context since the change of government took place in Japan. I wish to thank President Obama for the warm welcome and hospitality because I know how busy he is with official duties.
I had a very good exchange of views with the president today on bilateral relations between Japan and the United States. The situation in the Asia Pacific region and there is global challenges among others. We were able to confirm from broader perspectives their present day significance of a Japan/U.S. alliance and where the Japan/U.S. relations should be headed in the longer term.
The president just now spoke about your support and I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for all the unsparing support given by government and people of the United States, starting with Operation Tomogachi, conducted by U.S. forces at the time of the great east Japan earthquake of last year.
Yesterday I met with the -- the (INAUDIBLE) families of Tayla Anderson, who unfortunately passed away, but who took care of children until the very last moment following the great east Japan earthquake. Also I met with the representatives of the Fairfax County Search and Rescue team who, immediately following the earthquake, deployed (INAUDIBLE) disaster effective aid region to help the people. So I was able to see -- meet myself with these true friends of Japan.
Now, I've always held the conviction that our bilateral alliance is the linchpin in Japan's diplomacy. And having had conversations with my U.S. friends, (INAUDIBLE) Japan is (INAUDIBLE) unshakable and, in fact, is unshakable.
As one holding such conviction, I'm personally gratified to be able to announce today (INAUDIBLE) shared vision. This (INAUDIBLE) Japan and (INAUDIBLE).
BALDWIN: All right, you are listening to the prime minister of Japan there speaking alongside President Obama. We are going to take a quick break. We're going to take you right back to the White House after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: All right, we have just come back here to the White House. It sounds to me like some questions are going to be asked here. Let's take a listen. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: President Obama, could you confirm whether the blind Chinese dissident, Chen Guangcheng, is under U.S. protection in Beijing? And how do you foresee that situation being resolved? Would the United States grant him asylum if he asked for it?
And Prime Minister Noda, how likely do you think it is that North Korea will carry out a third nuclear test? How would Japan respond to such a test? And what would you like the U.S. to do to respond?
OBAMA: Obviously I'm aware of the press reports on the situation on China, but I'm not going to make a statement on the issue. What I would like to emphasize is that every time we meet with China, the issue of human rights comes up. It is our believe that not only is that the right thing to do because it comports with our principles and our belief in freedom and human rights, but also because we actually think China will be stronger as it opens up and liberalizes its own system. We want China to be strong and we want it to be prosperous. We're very pleased with all the areas of cooperation that we've been able to engage in. But we also believe that that relationship will be that much stronger and China will be that much more prosperous and strong as you see improvements on human rights issues on that country.
I know it wasn't directed to me, but I'll just make a quick statement around North Korea. This was a topic of extensive discussion between myself and Prime Minister Noda. Our consultation throughout the failed missile launch was, I think, reflective of how important our alliance is, not just to our two countries but to the region as a whole. And what I've tried to do since I came into office, to make sure that North Koreans understand that the old pattern of provocation, that then gets attention and somehow insists on the world purchasing good behavior from them, that that pattern is broken. What we've said is the more you engage in provocative acts, the more isolated you will become. The stronger sanctions will be in place, the more isolated you will be diplomatically, politically and commercially. And so although we can't anticipate, and I don't want to hypothesize what might happen in the coming months, I think Pyongyang is very clear that the United States, Japan, South Korea, other countries of the region are unified and insisting that it abide by its responsibilities, abide by international norms and that they will not be able to purchase anything from further provocative acts.
NODA: With regard to North Korea, between myself and President Obama earlier, with regard to this so-called launch of satellite, we shared the view that it undermines the efforts of the various countries concerned to achieve resolution through dialogue. Now, in the latest round of missile launches, they conducted nuclear tests, which means there's a great possibility that they will conduct a nuclear test and the international community together will need to call for restraint on the part of DPRK. More specifically, I believe the measures incorporated in the recent U.N. Security Council chairman's statement need to be complied with and among Japan, the U.S. and Korea, as well as China and Russia, we need to communicate with each other fully and also stress that China's role continues to be very important and cooperate with China while also maintaining close coordination with the United States and we share this view with President Obama. And let me ask Mr. [inaudible] from TBS from Japan to ask a question.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: So you heard basically two people in the room get to ask questions and really what we were listening for beyond both of these gentlemen really highlighting the close friendships, the close relations between these two nations, Japan and the United States. Really a lot of people wanted to know about this Chinese dissident, what the president would say about this man Chin Won Chang, who is blind, an activist, and escaped house arrest.
Essentially, the president didn't say very much. He said that he was aware of the reports with regard to this particular Chinese dissident, but said he wasn't going to make a statement on the issue but did say that every time -- he said every time we meet with China, the issue of human rights comes up. So there you have the president on the record, not really saying a whole lot with regard to that particular story. We'll have much more on the significance coming up here as we check in with our correspondent at the state department and also addressing the issue there a moment ago about the failed rocket launch out of North Korea. Basically, if they continue provocative actions, the sanctions will get worse in North Korea.
Got a lot more for you in the next hour and a half here. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: A blind activist makes a daring escape in China. But if the U.S. is keeping this man safe, how far would the Obama administration go to protect him? I'm Brooke Baldwin. The news is now.
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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: Let me take you back to the White House. I've been told the president has just been asked about the death of Osama bin Laden one year ago. Let's listen in.
(BEGIN LIVE FEED)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: -- if you think from an international perspective, the U.S. is playing it right in marking this anniversary, or if you think you might advise against excessive celebration?
OBAMA: Well, let me make a couple of points. First of all, Christy, I hardly think you've seen any excessive celebration taking place here. I think that people -- the American people rightly remember what we as a country accomplished in bringing to justice, somebody who killed over 3,000 of our citizens. And it's a mark of the excellence of our intelligence teams and our military teams, a political process that worked.
I think for us to use that time for some reflection to give thanks to those who participated is entirely appropriate and that's what has been taking place. As far as my personal role and what other folks would do, I just recommend that everybody take a look at people's previous statements in terms of whether they thought it was appropriate to go into Pakistan and take out bin Laden. I assume that people meant what they said when they said it. That's been, at least, my practice. I said that I'd go after bin Laden if we had a clear shot at him. And I did. If there are others who have said one thing and now suggest they would do something else, then I would go ahead and let them explain it.
NODA: I hold him in high regard for the fight against terrorism. Although bin Laden has been killed, terrorism has not been rooted out. And I think continued efforts will be needED in cooperation with the United States. We would like so continue our efforts against terrorism. I think forms of terrorism are becoming very diverse amongst cyberterrorism, for example. Not just in this space will decide to cooperate in cybersecurity as well. Japan and the United States shall work together to root out terrorism of all sorts.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would like to ask a question of Prime Minister Noda and President Obama. There's no direct reference to China in this joint statement. What sort of exchange of views did you have in China in the context of working for stability in the Asia- Pacific connected with their advances in the oceans and also their military build-up? I wonder what sort of interlocution you had on the subject.
NODA: Let me answer first. As you correctly pointed out, the shared vision does not refer to any specific country. We recognize China as a major partner in the region. And in our exchange of views, both of us, in fact, confirmed that viewpoint. China's development is an opportunity for the international community, for Japan and for the Asia-Pacific. Now I explained in the meeting to President Obama that when I visited China December, I broached to Chinese leaders our six- point initiative including confidence-building and incorporation in the East China Sea in order to further advance our mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests and that I'll work steadily to implement this. I also told the president that I wish to realize the strategic dialogue between the U.S., Japan and China.
Now, EAS last year, with the view that was a success and of course, I said we need so seek rules based response or behavior from the Chinese and we had these exchange of views.
OBAMA: I think I've said in the past and firmly believe that we welcome a peacefully rising China. And we have developed a very important strategic and economic dialogue with China. We think what they've accomplished in terms of lifting millions of people out of poverty is good for its own sake and it's also potentially good for the world and for the region. As Prime Minister Noda and I have noted, we do believe that as China continues to grow, as its influence continues to expand, that it has to be a strong partner in abiding by international rules and norms. Whether those are economic norms like respecting intellectual property, whether these are norms of dispute resolution, so in maritime disputes, ensuring that small countries and large countries are both respected in resolving these issues, that across the board, we want China to be a partner with us in a set of international rules and norms that everybody follows. And I think as China makes that transition from a developing country into a major power, it will see that over the long term, it is in its interest as well to abide by these rules and norms. And so all of our actions are not designed to in any way contain China, but they are designed to ensure that they're part of a broader international community in which rules, norms are respected, in which all countries can prosper and succeed.
Thank you very much, everybody.
(END LIVE FEED)
BALDWIN: And there they go again, the prime minister of Japan and President Obama.
I just want to take you back to one point. It was a name the president didn't mention specifically. He was alluding to Mitt Romney. This all goes back to the question, one of the reporters asked about marking the death of Osama bin Laden. We all know it was one year ago. And the president specifically said, you know, there was a reelection campaign ad that essentially touted his decision to take out Osama bin Laden a year ago. It suggested that Romney perhaps might not have made that same decision. In fact, Romney in the past questioned the value, the billions of dollars of taking out bin Laden. So actually today some news was made as Governor Romney is out in New Hampshire. He was asked on the rope line about bin Laden specifically and he was asked would you have made that same decision? And his answer now was of course, even President Jimmy Carter would have done the same thing. So that's a little bit of news as we're hearing the words now from Mitt Romney and President Obama addressing it there and questioning Mitt Romney's decision had he been the commander-in-chief at that particular time.
We're going to talk a little bit about Mitt Romney, his whereabouts today in New Hampshire. Who is alongside the governor in just a couple of minutes with Jim Acosta. We'll take a quick break and be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: And we go now from the White House, history in the making here in New York. Take a look at this. You see the beam there on the left hand side of your screen. This is the steel column that was put in place there at One World Trade Center, just about 40 minutes ago there, making this building, also called Freedom Tower, the tallest building in New York here as it stands on this solemn, significant day, there in ground zero.
Let's just dip in and listen. You're about to hear from Patrick Foyle. He's executive director of the New York/New Jersey Port Authority there, part of the brains behind this building, if you will.
(BEGIN LIVE FEED)
PATRICK FOYLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY PORT AUTHORITY: Governor Smith and Raskoff began construction of the tower in March 1930, amidst the depression. With remarkable speed, on May 1, 1931, the Empire State Building was completed, becoming the tallest building in the world at 1,250 feet.
At the time, the Empire State Building symbolized hope for a country mired in the worst of economic times, and set a standard for high rise office building development.
Fast forward about 70 years to the weeks and months after the 9/11 attacks, when terrorists murdered nearly 3,000 people on this site. In response to those brutal attacks, numerous stakeholders including the Port Authority, elected officials, federal, state, and local, Larry Silverstein, and others banded together with the same fervor and passion as governor Al Smith. They all wanted to see a landmark building rise on the site as a sign of hope and rebirth to show that we would not be defeated by the terrorist actions.
While the planning process that followed was long and arduous, the ultimate goal of all, including the Port Authority, never wavered. And today, our collective perseverance is reflected with this soaring symbol of fortitude, of rebirth and renewal and determination, and of good old American ingenuity and hard work. Enormous capital has been invested in this project. Financial capital, yes, but also emotional capital and plain old physical hard work.
What we built is not only the tallest skyscraper in New York, it is a tower that will be the safest and most secure in the world. One that will also be the most environmentally sustainable office building of its size, anywhere. It is truly a world-class office space where you feel like you can look out over the world. It will anchor lower Manhattan and its rebirth for many generations to come.
To get to this point it's taken the hard work and dedication approximately 1,000 union construction workers, working at heights hundreds of feet above street level. They installed nearly 37,000 tons of steel, nearly 200,000 cubic yards of concrete. Enough, by the way, for a four-foot-wide sidewalk from here to Chicago. And one million square feet of glass facade, enough to cover 20 NFL football fields.
Once one World Trade Center opens, likely in early 2014, it will not only be a place to work, it will be a place to shop, eat and be entertained. It will also be a prime tourist destination for international and national travelers, who will come to remember and honor the past, and to marvel at this amazing rebirth. The buildings stunning height, and the spectacular views you will get from the observation deck at the top. And speaking of visuals, tonight the building will be lit blue and white, the official colors of the Port Authority, in celebration of today's milestone. To those who doubted the building's commercial viability, we are proud to say that we've leased about 55 percent of the tower more than 1 1/2 years before it is completed. A remarkable achievement in any real estate market, but especially the current one.
(END LIVE FEED)
BALDWIN: Remarkable, this building. I mean, what I can't help think about. You see these construction workers. Folks, this building now is officially, let me look at my notes, officially today 1,271 feet above ground.
He was just mentioning how these workers, you know, for many, many months have been working hundreds of feet above Manhattan. Can you imagine?
Coming up pretty shortly here, we're actually going to be talking to a lead designer behind this building, behind Freedom Tower, behind One World Trade Center. And we'll talk about the significance, the milestone, the marker that is now perched atop the significant hallowed ground that is ground zero. So we're going to talk to him in a coup of minutes. Please stay tuned for that.
But next, Mitt Romney campaigned with senator Paul Ryan, then senator Marco Rubio. Today, take a look. It is Senator Kelly Ayotte from New Hampshire, as you can see. It's becoming a bit of a trend here. But it's what Romney said about he would do about Osama bin Laden, we were talking about that a moment ago, that made a little news today. We're going to play that for you next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: Hard to tell for sure, but today, April 30, what we're seeing is the emergence of a campaign issue. The Obama campaign forced it with the release of this ad saluting the killing of bin Laden one year ago Wednesday. Here it is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON: Suppose the Navy SEALs had gone in there and it hadn't been bin Laden. Suppose they had been captured or killed. The down side would have been horrible for him. But he reasoned. I cannot in good conscious do nothing. He took the harder and the more honorable path.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: And to take it a step further here, that ad includes this quote from Mitt Romney. This was April of 2007. "It's not worth moving heaven and earth and spending billions of dollars just trying to catch one person."
Jim Acosta is live in Washington. I understand Mitt Romney had a reply to this while walking along a rope line in New Hampshire
JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, this is a question that Mitt Romney could not avoid today. He was asked this question on the rope line. Hold on one second --
BALDWIN: Do you have your microphone, friend?
ACOSTA: Let's find it here. Hang on one second. It sounds like I'm coming to you from inside a well, I apologize. My mistake, my mistake.
Brooke, that's right. This is a question that Mitt Romney could not avoid answering. He was at an event up in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, earlier today. And as you know, this was something coming out of the Obama reelection campaign for the last several days. And he was asked the question, "would you have made the same order? Would you have given the same order to take out Osama bin Laden?" Here's what Mitt Romney had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Governor, would you have gone after bin Laden?
FORMER GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY (R-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Of course.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: You would have given the order, governor?
ROMNEY: Well of course, even Jimmy Carter would have given that order.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ACOSTA: Now, you know, he had to answer that question, Brooke. As you mentioned just a few moments ago, the Obama re-election campaign put out that ad, that very tough ad featuring Bill Clinton, raising this question of Mitt Romney and whether or not he would have made this same decision.
Keep in mind, there's a new web video from the Obama re-election campaign, out just this morning, called "Forward." It's sort of the new introduction of the campaign slogan and it also includes a section on the killing of Osama bin Laden. So this has been a key sort of campaign issue. They feel like it's a campaign advantage over at the Obama re-election campaign.
It's interesting to note and to listen to what the president just said at the news conference just a few moments ago, saying there has been no excessive celebration going on here. A lot of Republicans have made the case they've been politicizing the issue and they have been engaging in excessive celebration, Brooke. BALDWIN: And to take it a step further, and I'm just going to quote the president here, he said, "I said we would go after bin Laden if we had a clear shot at him, and I did. There are others," he doesn't name names, "who have said one thing and now suggest they would do something else and I would go ahead and let them explain." You called it -- campaign issue. We'll be watching for it, Jim Acosta. I appreciate it.
ACOSTA: When the president says there are others, I think from now on, he means Mitt Romney.
BALDWIN: That he does. Jim Acosta and your microphone, we appreciate you
Now coming up, Rolling Stone changes its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. You're going to hear who got added and what got cut. 60 seconds away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: "Rolling Stone," out this week, just one of those lists that grifts (ph) for debate among music fans, and you know I count myself a music fan. So we're going to talk about this here as our Monday. And believe it or not, The Beatles take four of the top 10 albums of all time. This is basically an update of "Rolling Stone's" top 500 all time albums. The Beatles haven't played a note in 42 years, at least not together, yet they dominate "Rolling Stone's" top 10.
With me, live in New York, "Rolling Stone's" Christian Hoard. Christian, nice to have you on. I have to ask, who made the call on The Beatles? I mean, anyone on the panel under 40?
CHRISTIAN HOARD, "ROLLING STONE": Yes, they were people on the panel under 40. But yes, we put this list together with a lot of help. It's actually the result of two separate, very large polls we've done. We did one back in '03 and we did another one just a couple years ago. And, you know, there were in fact young people on the poll. And it's actually a really, really diverse mix of albums.
BALDWIN: I'm just going to have a little fun with you while I can.
I read this quote when I reading the comment section for the albums. And somebody commented: "Who made this list, Paul McCartney or Ringo, a Beatles heavy mess, with albums near 100 that belong in the top 10. Needs a major upgrade with heavy folk, black, country and jazz world voters to correct this complete mess."
Ouch. How do you respond to that person?
HOARD: I think he should read the rest of the list is what I would say. I mean, 500 albums is actually a really big tent. There's a lot of hip-hop on this album. We added some Kanye. There was already some Jay-Z on there, a lot of Eminem.
(CROSSTALK)
HOARD: There definitely is country. There are albums by Johnny Cash, by Merle Haggard, by Dolly Parton. There's a bossa nova album. There's new indie rock. There's an LCD Soundsystem album representing the electronic music field.
It's actually a really diverse mix of albums.
BALDWIN: I have talked to, you know, a number of people. I do this thing every Monday, Music Monday. I have talked to artists across genres. So many of them talk about how they're influenced by "My Beautiful, Dark, Twisted Fantasy." Why do you think that is, Kanye's album?
HOARD: I think Kanye has emerged as a major artist the last 10 years or so.
"Twisted Fantasy" was kind of his magnum opus. It's actually not the highest ranking Kanye album on this list. That would be "Late Registration." But "Twisted Fantasy" was kind of where he really, really went for it. It was almost like a prog-rock rap album, just kind of every idea in his head he kind of went for it and sort of I think really inspired a lot of people with just how much is going on, on that record.
BALDWIN: Got a little Justin Vernon there on there. I'm a big fan.
Hey, we appreciate you coming on. Apologize for cutting your time because of the president, et cetera.
Christian Hoard, I'm going to tweet out that list so everyone else can the "Rolling Stone" top 500 greatest albums. Appreciate you.
Now this.
