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Latest Polls on Latino Voters; U.N. Blames Syria for Massacre; Seventh Day of Edwards Deliberations; Hormone Therapy Not Recommended
Aired May 29, 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: Hello, everyone. I'm Kyra Phillips. It's 11:00 on the East Coast. 8:00 on the West.
It's a big day for Mitt Romney, baring some major surprise, voters in Texas pushing him past the finish line in the race for Republican delegates, but he's not in Texas today. He is actually in Colorado, Craig, Colorado, just west of Steamboat Springs.
Live pictures now as the GOP nominee-to-be is hoping to win back a state that went for President Obama in 2008 and he's hoping Hispanics will help him out.
My colleague, Miguel Marquez, on that story in-depth for us in Denver. Miguel, I mentioned 2008. Two-thirds of the Hispanic vote nationwide went to the Democratic ticket, but the vote in Colorado was closer. Does Romney see an opening and could that spell a difference, do you think?
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, he definitely seeing an opening. Both candidates do and they really want to capture those Latino votes here in Colorado.
It makes up about 12 percent to 14 percent of the overall voters here in Colorado and both sides are going at them. Romney, this is his second trip since basically becoming the nominee, at least, unofficially, to Colorado. He is in the far west shoring up his business interests today, but it's those Latino voters, those swing voters and those late-deciders that they hope to bring over to their side.
Floyd Ciruli is a pollster here in Colorado and he breaks it down, why both candidates are after Hispanics here in Colorado, New Mexico and in Nevada.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FLOYD CIRULI, COLORADO POLLSTER/CONSULTANT: These candidates are looking at different pathways to get to 270 electoral votes. Clearly, Colorado's nine electoral votes are on one of those pathways, sort of the western pathway, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada. Every one of them is close and every one of them has a significant Hispanic population.
(END VIDEO CLIP) MARQUEZ: And now here in Colorado, the reason that they're chasing them so hard is that about 2 million votes are expected to be cast in November of this year, a little more than that.
But they expect the margin of victory here to be absolutely minuscule, about 40,000 votes, so if you can swing 10 percent in the Hispanic community, that's 20,000 to 30,000 votes right there. You've almost made your victory, your win on just those votes alone.
Kyra?
PHILLIPS: Miguel, let's talk about immigration issues, very important to Hispanic voters and, as we know, Romney's views are definitely pretty hard line. Just putting together a couple of quotes that he's made.
He pledges to, quote, "finally secure our southern border," to turn off the magnets such as jobs, driver's licenses, tuition breaks for illegal immigrants. He also vows to, quote, "fully enforce immigration law" and opposes what he calls amnesty, which he calls, Miguel, just another magnet.
So how are Hispanics responding to this?
MARQUEZ: This is going to be a big problem for him out here. He will have to figure out how to get back to the center and highlight those parts of his politics or his policies that is are more friendly to Hispanics here.
Hispanics see immigration as part of a bigger picture, as part of the economy, their biggest concern is that economy and that's what Romney will hit very hard. But they're also concerned about education, but they see immigration as part-and-parcel of those things.
Hispanic business owners, if people fear being deported as they believe Romney wants to do, then people are going to be less apt to stay here, less apt to spend money here and less apt top start businesses here and it's going to hurt the economy.
So the economy's number one, education, but immigration is a huge keystone issue for a lot of Hispanics here and they want to see both candidates really step up and address it before they make their decisions.
PHILLIPS: All right, Miguel Marquez, thanks so much.
Mitt Romney hits another western swing state later today. He'll be in Las Vegas with Donald Trump. Later this hour, we'll be deep in the heart of Texas with the CNN Express.
New concerns today about tuna caught off California's cost contaminated with radiation from Japan's nuclear accident. Scientists now say that small amounts of radiation were actually detected in 15 bluefin tuna caught near San Diego last August, about five months after the chemical cesium was released from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the waters off Japan's east coast.
Scientists say that the amount of it is well below levels considered dangerous for human consumption.
This just in, the State Department has expelled a Syrian diplomat. Zuheir Jabbour was told that he and his family have 72 hours to leave the U.S.
We found out about this after Canada, Britain, France and other countries took similar measures. It's a coordinated action following a weekend massacre in the Syrian town of Houla. More on this coming up at 11:30 a.m.
And another earthquake hits Northern Italy, killing at least 12 people. Now, a frantic search is underway for the people believed to be trapped inside the rubble of all of these collapsed buildings and homes.
This is the same region, by the way, near Bologna that was struck by a powerful and deadly quake just nine days ago. Barbie Nadeau joins us now from Rome. So, Barbie, what's the latest?
BARBIE NADEAU, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the death toll, according to unconfirmed reports, is at least 15 at this point and there are seven known people missing.
They're searching the rubble of some of these collapsed buildings and especially the factories where people had arrived at work at 9:00 this morning when the earthquake took place.
At least now 12,000 people are homeless. There were 7,000 people displaced from the earthquake last week and we have added to that to come to a figure of 12,000 people.
They don't have enough tents. They don't have enough supplies. The civil protection agency is having a sort of logistical nightmare, calling on other communities within Italy and surrounding areas to try to help out so they can get people to a safe place to sleep tonight.
There have been 800 aftershocks since the May 20th earthquake, so these people are terrified. They don't want to sleep anywhere. They want to get out of there and that's what the civil protection people are dealing with right now.
PHILLIPS: What can you tell us about -- because obviously, this is the same region -- what's been the biggest difference between the quake nine days ago and this one?
NADEAU: The biggest difference is basically the timing. The quake last week happened at 4:00 in the morning. People were still in the beds and businesses were empty.
The quake this morning was at 9:00 and a lot of people were in their place of work, including these people that perished in the factories that collapsed and a parish priest, who had just finished a morning mass and was tidying up the church, the dome collapsed on the church and he lost his life in that.
So the timing of it was not good logistically for these people. A lot of people are in these buildings repairing damage from last week, as well, and that added to the problem here.
PHILLIPS: Barbie, thanks so much. We'll continue to follow this with you.
And today's quake was the worst to hit Italy since 2009 when an earthquake killed nearly 300 people.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: A quick note for you. If you're heading out the door, you can continue watching CNN from your mobile phone or, if you're heading to work, you can also watch CNN live from your desktop. Just go to CNN.com/TV.
All right, receipts, snacks, carry-ons, when is it going to end? As we all know, when we fly, we pay.
There's going to be another fee. Now the TSA wants you to pay even more. CNN's aviation correspondent, Lizzie O'Leary, has the details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LIZZIE O'LEARY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Take two things that many travelers love to hate, the TSA and ticket fees. Now add them together.
MOIRA JEWELER, PASSENGER: What is it that's prompting them to ask for more money?
O'LEARY: The agency, backed by Democrats in the Senate, wants to increase the security fee everyone pays for the ticket from $2.50 a flight to $5 per one-way ticket, $10 round trip.
JEWELER: $10 is kind of pushing it to the limit. I guess it's only $5 more, but I'm wondering, you know, how that fits in with -- don't they already have a budget?
O'LEARY: TSA's budget, like many in Washington, is set to be cut and the agency says boosting this fee would help cover the increasing price of security, like those costly scanners. The fee hasn't been hiked in ten years.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Look straight ahead. Enjoy your flight.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.
O'LEARY: But a powerful lobby is pushing against it, airlines. They don't want the cost shifted on to their customers.
SEAN KENNEDY, AIRLINES FOR AMERICA: Air security is a national security function and it's something that all of us need to be behind as Americans and the government should be picking up the cost of that.
O'LEARY: Many travelers we talked to didn't mind.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would say it's like using a toll road. If you use the toll road, you pay the toll.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As long as it makes us secure.
O'LEARY: But they want to know if it's money well spent. Does increasing the fee increase the level of security TSA can provide?
STEWART BAKER, FORMER HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIAL: It means that TSA's budget will be a little less likely to get cut just to save money in the overall deficit reduction effort, so, in that regard, it's useful.
It's also useful, if you can tell where the benefits go for a particular program, then the people who get the benefits generally should pay for it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: So, Lizzie, what exactly happens if the fee isn't increased?
O'LEARY: Well, this is really an open question right now, Kyra. You know, number one, TSA says there are a lot of things to do more with less.
Number two, this issue has come up and it's been defeated multiple times. Right now, Senate Democrats have voted to approve this. The full Senate has got to weigh in.
Over on the House side, they say, no way. If this happens, they would like to see equal cuts come from somewhere else in the federal budget to offset that. They'd like to cut some various social programs.
So right now it's a bit of an open question what happens next. Like many things in Washington, it comes down to two competing agendas in Congress.
PHILLIPS: Now the political fight. Correct?
O'LEARY: Exactly.
PHILLIPS: Yep. All right, Lizzie O'Leary, thanks so much.
And, if you're wondering, the average price for a domestic airline ticket last year was $355.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Political, cultural and sporting icons heading to the White House today. President Obama is honoring them with the Medal of Freedom. John Glenn, Madeleine Albright, Bob Dylan and Pat Summitt, just among the 13 who will receive the nation's highest civilian honor.
White House correspondent Brianna Keilar joining us. So what can we expect from today's ceremony?
BRIANNA KEILAR: Kyra, this is a ceremony in the East Room where President Obama will welcome most of the recipients. Some of them will be awarded this honor posthumously. So a number will be here for what's the highest civilian honor that President Obama bestows.
You mentioned John Glenn, of course, the first American to orbit the earth. At 77, he was the oldest person ever to go into space. Pat summit, who was the former coach of Tennessee's Lady Vols, recently stepping down from her career as the all-time winningest NCAA coach as she faces a battle with Alzheimer's, and also Madeline Albright, of course, the first female secretary of state, and Bob Dylan, legendary musician, is being honored in part for the impact that his music had on the civil rights movement.
But, Kyra, I mentioned some of these awards are being given out posthumously. One is going to Juliet Gordon Low who passed away in the '20s, but she was the founder of the Girl Scouts and it is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Girl Scouts, so that's part of the reason she's being honored here today.
PHILLIPS: Oh, my gosh. One hundred years. Full disclosure, were you a Girl Scout?
KEILAR: Of course. Totally. I was a Daisy, a Brownie, and a Junior, so, yes.
PHILLIPS: OK, very good. I only made it to Brownies and Girl Scouts and did as much as I could fill up the patches.
Shimon Peres, also? Interesting timing.
KEILAR: Yes, this is interesting and, Kyra, we knew that he was going to receive this award. We have known for some time, but, yes, the timing is interesting because as the U.S., as President Obama urges Israel to use restraint as the U.S. and other allies try to convince Iran to abandon its alleged nuclear weapons program, he's really looked to Peres.
He has this sort of ceremonial position as president, but Peres is kind of a foil to Prime Minister Netanyahu. Perez has supported President Obama and his Israel policy, so certainly, looking to him as a friend and giving him this award today.
But he won't be here to accept it, I should tell you. He's the one person living who will not be at the White House to accept this award today.
PHILLIPS: Brianna Keilar at the White House. Thanks so much, Brianna.
And, as we mentioned, the ceremony will begin this afternoon at about 3:25 Eastern time and you can watch it right here on CNN or on your desktop at CNN.com.
All right, let's take you live to Craig, Colorado. Mitt Romney is campaigning, hoping to win that state, talking about the economy.
MITT ROMNEY, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Now, his campaign, these days, is trying to find a twig to hang on to. some little excuse they can grab and they say, look, things are a little better, aren't they?
And the answer is yeah. Things are getting a little better in a lot of places in this country, but it's not thanks to his policies. It is in spite of his policies.
You see, every recession ultimately comes to an end, but you'd expected this deep recession to come back to an aggressive turnaround and it didn't happen. This president's policies made it harder for America to get on its feet again.
And you know why. You go through them, one by one. That stimulus he put in place didn't help private sector jobs. It helped preserve government jobs and the one place we should have cut back was on government jobs.
We have 145,000 more government workers under this president. Let's send them home and put you back to work.
And then there was ObamaCare. Does anyone -- my sentiment exactly. Does anyone think that ObamaCare made it easier for employers to hire people and put them to work?
And then there was Dodd-Frank, their financial regulatory piece of legislation. I spoke with an auto dealer this morning. He said Dodd-Frank makes it harder for him to get loans for people. I listened to a banker this morning. He said Dodd-Frank makes it harder for them to make loans and to help small businesses get going. Do you think Dodd-Frank helped get our economy going again?
And then there was an effort to impose unions on businesses and employees that didn't want them by having quickie elections and taking away the right to a secret ballot. This microphone is -- I think the Obama administration worked -- do you think -- do you think imposing unions where employees don't want them is helping create jobs in this country?
Well, then there was his tax plan. He wants to raise the marginal tax rate from 35 percent to 40 percent. When I spoke to Frank and Carrie this morning, they told me that their business is not taxed at the corporate tax level. It's instead taxed at the individual tax level. They pay taxes in their business as an individual, so when you raise the individual tax rate -- I'm losing sound here, aren't I? I tell you. These batteries were made by Washington, D.C. bureaucrats, I can tell.
When you raise the individual tax rates, you make it harder for them to keep money in their business. They said that those tax cuts that were put in place a few years ago made it possible for them to re-carpet the rooms in their hotel. There we go. Made it more likely -- there you go. There's a Republican microphone there.
PHILLIPS: All right. Not quite sure where the mike issues are coming from, but we are following Mitt Romney in Craig, Colorado. We'll monitoring everything that he says, right now talking about the economy, jobs, hoping, of course, to win over all the voters in that state.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Feels like summer. I know a lot of us are thinking about one thing. That's vacation.
Alison Kosik with some tips on how to find the best hotel deals. Alison, what's out there?
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: You know what? It is getting a little more expensive to stay at the average hotel. The expected cost of an overnight stay at a hotel this year is averaging around $107. PricewaterhouseCoopers says that's up 5 percent from last year.
So the experts at "Consumer Reports" have got a few tips for getting the best deal on your stay and it may be best to call the hotel directly and see if you work out a better deal. A "Consumer Reports" survey found 78 percent of those who tried bargaining with their hotel actually got an upgrade or a lower rate.
And don't forget to ask about specials that aren't advertised and remember that most chains and online travel sites will try to match you if you find a better rate somewhere else.
So a lot of homework to do, but it's certainly worth it in the end. Kyra?
PHILLIPS: Anything else we can do besides haggle?
KOSIK: Yes. "Consumer Reports" notes that an estimated $1.8 billion was spent in hotel fees and surcharges last year, so here's a tip for you.
Check if there are resort fees which can run between $20 and $50 a day or those early check-in or late departure fees, even mini-bar fees.
All of that, you can get charged for, even if you don't use those amenities like the mini-bar. Kyra?
PHILLIPS: All right, what else? Anything else out there, discount-wise, while I have you?
KOSIK: Yes. If you're loyal to a hotel chain, see if they have a rewards program to join. They often give you discounts for room upgrades and many places offer discounts if you're a member of the military, you're a government employee or you're an AAA member.
And even your age, yes, that could land you a deal. Some lower- priced hotels may offer a discount for older guests, as well.
So there you go, tips to get you extra cash in the pocket for that fun summer vacation. Kyra?
PHILLIPS: Alison, thanks.
Now let's take a check of the markets. Dow Industrials right now up 137 points.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: With more than 12 million Latinos expected to go to the polls, this November's presidential election may be determined by their vote.
And, in Texas, Latinos make up 21 percent of the electorate. Juan Carlos Lopez, taking us in-depth, from the Alamo in San Antonio, as Texas voters head to the polls today. So Mitt Romney may seal this nomination with a win in Texas but Juan Carlos, the battle for the White House, as we know, is far from over.
JUAN CARLOS LOPEZ, CNN ESPANOL CORRESPONDENT: Definitely it will be a very close election, Kyra. Texas probably not one of those states in play, but it does show where the country is going. The demographic shift we're seeing from the east-northeast toward the southwest, and the greatest growth of population in the U.S., Latinos in Texas, from 2000 to 2010, about four million people moved to the state, 65 percent of them were Latinos and that's where we're going to see the vote heading to the future.
But for now, Texas is a Republican state but we will see those close races and those Hispanic voters in key states like Arizona, like Nevada and New Mexico, Colorado and Florida.
PHILLIPS: And as you point out, Texas overall still a red state but polls suggest that Latinos are going to vote Democrat.
LOPEZ: They usually do and we see it's usually a 70/30, 60/40 in the best of possibilities for Republicans so that's not new. But it all -- it boils down to what the parties are bringing or the what the candidates bring. Now interestingly so, you'll see in Texas that there are a lot of Republican Latinos running for office and some of them have a chance to convince the Latino vote but mostly Hispanics do vote for Democrats and recent polls show that in the race between President Obama and Governor Romney they are favoring heavily the president.
PHILLIPS: And there's a lot of redistricting that's taking place there in Texas. How's that impacting the vote?
LOPEZ: Very much. This primary was scheduled for March 6th. It was the most important race of super Tuesday. And we're here in May and it's all because of redistricting. Four new congressional seats, thanks to that growth, the 21 percent growth in Texas during 2000-2010 decade. Obviously a lot of Latino growth, 65 percent, so many thought at least three of those districts should got a Latino parts of the state but Republicans have control of the state. It happens everywhere in the U.S. and there was a big fight that went all the way to the Supreme Court so two of those districts went to Latino districts. People are confused and see how it affects turnout.
PHILLIPS: Juan Carlos Lopez, from the Alamo, thanks so much.
Well, we see it as an unthinkable act. The Taliban doesn't. Hundred and 60 young Afghan girls, poisoned. Their crime? Simply wanting to go to school and get an education.
The attack happened in its car province just north of Kabul. Police say the girls were poisoned with the of type. One student is quoted as saying, "When I entered the class I smelled something and then I started to vomit, unconscious. I don't remember what happened after that."
Afghan officials blaming the Taliban for the poisonings and this is the second indent in that region in less than a week. Thursday, 120 girls were admitted to the hospital for similar poisonings.
Syrian government militias went house to house killing men, women and children. That's the conclusion of a latest meaty record of more than 100 civilians in a town of Houla. A spokesperson for the U.N. Human Rights says that more than half of the victims were children. The report issued as U.N. Arab League enjoy, Kofi Annan met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus.
Ivan Watson monitoring developments for us in Istanbul.
Ivan, enjoy minting no words on who's to blame for that Houla massacre.
IVAN WATSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely not. The U.N. coming out giving more details about what happened here in the 15 months I've been covering this conflict, the grisliest atrocity we've heard about since the violence and the uprising began. A U.N. human rights spokesman saying that pro-government militias went house to house in village of Houla Friday night killing people.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RUPERT COLVILLE, SPOKESMAN, U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE: A fairly small number have been killed by shelling artillery and tank fire which took place over a period of more than 12 hours. But the majority appear to have been the result of house to house summary executions, with armed men going into houses and killing men, women and children inside.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WATSON: And Kyra, 109 people at least killed Friday night and early Saturday morning in that village of Houla. At least 49 of them children under the age of 10. Of course, the Syrian government is denying any connection whatsoever to this violence. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FAISAL MIODAD, SYRIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER (Through Translator): During this time, Syria has not done a single violation of Annan's plan or the initial understanding between Syria and the United Nations. At the same time, the other party has not committed to a single point. This means that there is a decision not to implement Annan's plan and make it fail by the armed groups and the opposition.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WATSON: This is a boldfaced lie coming from the Syrian deputy foreign minister, Kyra. We have gotten voluminous reports of Syrian military not withdrawing from Syrian cities and towns since a United Nations brokered peace plan went into effect nearly two months ago. Voluminous accounts of violence being carried out by these troops. Attacks against unarmed demonstrators. Their government is simply lying here -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: So what is Kofi Annan and other western governments saying about this, the flat-out lies and basically the evidence that -- that exists?
WATSON: Well, today, we're seeing a concerted diplomatic push, a growing number of countries including the United States, Australia, Britain, France, Canada, Spain, Germany and Italy all announcing in the course of a couple of hours that Syrian diplomats in their capital cities are persona nongrata. They must leave within a period of up to 72 hours and this in direct connection to the Houla massacre that left at least 109 people dead.
But I have to say this was a measure that was proposed nearly two months ago at a so-called Friends of Syria meeting that was held here in Istanbul. It wasn't adopted then. And it is unlikely to bring an end to the cycle of violence and killing in Syria.
Some of the senior veteran Middle East analysts and watchers that I have been talking to, even some senior and -- diplomats that I have been talking to stationed in the region don't think that this is going to lead any government to intervene to put a stop to the killing that's been going on despite protests from the international community for nearly 15 months and that has claimed thousands of lives -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Ivan Watson of Istanbul -- Ivan, thanks.
And it's award season here at CNN. We've scoured through the thousands of iReports and selected the most compelling stories. Now we need you to help us decide who deserve this year's Community Choice Award. Just log on to CNNiReportawards.com to vote. And here's your nominees for best interview.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We still want that dialogue we asked for back in Tiananmen. We still want the freedom. We still want the government reform. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I pull my vacuum cleaner out. I go over my house from ceiling down.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Several life crises.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is how we portrayed space clothes. Really no different from the "Lost in Space."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The idea to save 30,000 lives, to commemorate those lives that were lost on 9/11.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No man out there, but I think definitely the scandals that I like to call definitely boosted me to a whole new -- to a whole new world that I was never involved in before. Oh gees.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't think the world really understands what collective bargaining means to a huge workforce.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: No rush to judgment in the John Edwards trial. This is day seven of jury deliberations, rather, in a case that's equal parts Bravo network and C-SPAN. Did John Edwards violate campaign finance laws by letting rich benefactors support and conceal his pregnant mistress.
Diane Dimond has been covering the trial for "Newsweek" and the "Daily Beast." She just turned a fascinating piece on the jurors and some evidence they didn't see in court. She's joining me now from Greensboro, North Carolina.
Diane, let's talk about some of the vibes that you've gotten from this panel. We found your insight pretty fascinating this morning.
DIANE DIMOND, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, NEWSWEEK/DAILY BEAST: Well, thanks. The vibe from the jury so far is they're being very diligent. You know, we in the media, we're getting antsy. We're sitting in a little courtroom that -- you know, it's very hot here in Greensboro. I must say it doesn't smell too great in that courtroom and so we're anxious but I think the jury is taking their time and well they should.
It's only day seven. I've covered lots of trials where it's day 15 and day 20 and, you know, so this isn't really been taken too long. I do notice some body language from some of the jurors. Juror number 7, for example, walks in like this sometimes with a sour look on her face, so does juror number 11. Juror number 9 is an African-American woman, she looks exhausted by this process. And juror number 2, who we think is the foreman, is very affable. He comes in every morning with a big grin on the face. And I think from what I see, Kyra, the important thing, they're getting along.
PHILLIPS: OK. So here's what's interesting and you mentioned a couple of things but one thing about juror number 10, you wrote about, a retired fire and police department employee, often covers most of his face with a large white hanker chief and is afraid of catching or spreading germs.
Just reading all these little details, tell me why you pay attention to these things. Does it give you some sort of insight to how you think this juror will respond to what they're hearing, the decision they might make?
DIMOND: Exactly. That's exactly right. You know, I watch a jury when I cover a trial because they are the ultimate deciders of fact. And you've got a woman who walks like this all the time. She's a human resources officer by the way. Figure -- go figure that. Then we have this man with a handkerchief over his face. To me that tells me he is either a very protective man, doesn't want to give his germs to anybody or is very closed minded.
Yet when they walk in the courtroom, they all smile to each other. They, you know, give a wave so the other person can go ahead of them. They're very polite to each other during the trial. Now during the deliberations, they've been a little more subdued, I must say, but that's normal.
PHILLIPS: OK. Interesting. You also write that the, quote, "crucial" unanswered question is, what did Elizabeth know and when? Let's talk about why that's so important.
DIMOND: Right. Well, you know, the defense's main argument here is that John Edwards had this money spent to hide his mistress from his wife. The prosecution says, no, no. He did all that to hide it from the voters. So that his presidential campaign didn't crumble and that is a misuse of illegal campaign funds so, OK.
How is the jury, Kyra, going to sit in that deliberation room and decide? Let's see. There's almost a million dollars spent to keep Elizabeth in the dark but when did Elizabeth really figure this out? There has no -- been no definitive testimony about when Elizabeth figured this out.
Now the "Daily Beast" has a piece on it today where I looked up the old Twitter feed of John Edwards that for some reason still lives on the Internet and the Twitter feed from the period of time where this baby was conceived, May 25th to May 28th, 2007, his twitter feed for that period is still online.
If you look at that day, when the baby is said to have been conceived, John Edwards tweets that he is in Iowa, happy to have seen his wife and children who have come to visit him and that to me was crucial evidence that this jury never heard. Elizabeth is in Iowa with him as he's creating a baby with another woman? To me, logic tells me that the missus has no idea that this affair is still going on or that a baby is being created and this jury never heard about that Twitter feed.
PHILLIPS: You know, the part of the testimony that's still sticks in my mind and just makes me sick to my stomach, is when the testimony came through about when she found out about this and they got off the plane and she ripped her shirt off. I mean here's a woman struggling with cancer, fighting for her life, and she's in tears and she says, you just don't see me anymore.
You know, in something like this, that is so emotional and you've got this smart, beautiful woman who's trying to survive cancer and you learn about what her husband has allegedly done. You know, in these big cases, how do juries separate their personal views of the defendant from the facts?
DIMOND: You know, that's such a good question, Kyra. At the beginning, Judge Katherine Eagles here told this panel, this is not about a man who had an affair. This is about whether or not a man used illegal campaign money contribution that came in to further his presidential aspirations. But you are right. I mean, when you hear -- when I heard that testimony in there, about this moment on the tarmac where breast cancer survivor Elizabeth tears off her blouse and says to her husband, you just don't see me anymore.
This was right after "The National Enquirer" had put the story out there for everyone to hear. This was three years after this baby had been conceived. So that's got to stick in the jury's mind, that human nature, that you cannot completely put that aside. But maybe that's one of the sticking points here. Maybe the foreman is reminding them. He's a financial adviser by the way. Maybe he's reminding them, it's all about the money. It is not about John Edwards being a cad.
PHILLIPS: Yes. Now, the jury is asked to examine every single exhibit. What does that tell you?
DIMOND: Yes. That was really interesting. And I was sad to hear that happen because usually the jury sends a note and says we'd like to see exhibits number whatever and they make a list and we can look up on our master list what it is they're asking for. Well, they came out and asked for so many exhibits the judge, darn it, said, hey, would you like to have all the exhibits back in the jury room, maybe that would make that easier? And all of the jurors shook their head yes, yes, yes, please.
So now we don't know what they're looking at. We don't know the points of contention and the exhibits that they're zeroing in on. I wish I did. I might be able to tell you more about how long this deliberation will last or maybe if it will be a hung jury.
PHILLIPS: Well, we're watching it with you. Diane Dimond, thanks so much for your perspective and we're enjoying reading your articles, as well. Thanks, Diane.
Only the jury knows when and whether it will reach a verdict but you'll hear it first right here on CNN.
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PHILLIPS: An important medical story out this morning that affects millions of post-menopausal women. Years ago hormone replacement therapy was actually considered a mainstay for women to help prevent chronic medical conditions. Well, today a government task force is recommending against the therapy because it could lead to other major medical issues.
Elizabeth Cohen here to explain.
We just got word about this this morning. We'll talk about this.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Right. And this is another group of doctors, of experts again saying think not just once, not just twice, you know, think many times before doing hormone replacement therapy. As you said women used to be told take it because it will keep you forever young. You'll have the hormones of a young woman and lower chance of heart disease and lower chance of dementia and all of that.
And then about 10 years ago doctors said no, that's not true. Not only does it not prevent those things but, get this, it increases the risk of all sorts of bad things. So it increases your chances of having a stroke, of developing dementia, of getting deep vein thrombosis, urinary incontinence, gallbladder disease, so do not take hormone replacement therapy if you think it's going to keep you forever young and --
PHILLIPS: So are there any reasons at all to be taking this? Because a lot of people are.
COHEN: Right. A lot of people are. And this group of experts and others have said look, if you are having trouble with the symptoms of menopause like, let's say, the hot flashes, you just can't function, consider talking to your doctor bout taking it for a short period of time and at a low dose. Don't stay on it for decades like women used to do. Short period of time, low dose, you're only doing it to make your symptoms better. Don't think you're doing it to keep yourself healthier overall because you're not.
PHILLIPS: Got it. All right. Now I have you. Can we talk about Amy Copeland?
COHEN: Yes.
PHILLIPS: All right. This is a story that we've been on obviously for a number of weeks and a lot of viewers have written in, they wanted to know her condition. This is the young gal that has lost limbs due to this flesh-eating bacteria. Apparently she spoke to her parents for the first time?
COHEN: Right. She'd been mouthing words to them.
PHILLIPS: OK.
COHEN: And they -- sort of basically reading her lips. But for the first time she actually was able to vocalize. So, this is, you know, yet another milestone, yet another piece of good news that we're -- that we're really happy to hear.
PHILLIPS: All right. So this is what she said, apparently, her first words, she's 24 years old, right?
COHEN: Right.
PHILLIPS: Yes, 24. She told her mother and sister, hello, whoa, wow, my mind is blown. And apparently she also told her father that it felt weird being able to talk.
COHEN: It must. I mean, it's been almost a month that she hasn't been able to speak. And she's been through so much. I mean this was a perfectly --
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIPS: So how -- how much of it, how big of a step is this then? I mean is this huge progress? Is -- how would you --
COHEN: You know, medically speaking this one little step is not -- is not gigantic, but it's big picture when you look at it. I mean this was a girl whose heart was barely working, her heart was barely able to pump blood, and now she is back strong and normal according to her father.
This was a young woman whose lungs barely worked, and now she -- they took her off the ventilator and they've recently taken the tracheotomy out. She doesn't need the trach tube anymore in order to breathe.
PHILLIPS: Wow.
COHEN: So those are huge steps. And the speaking, you know, that's got to feel great, that's got to help you -- you know, thrive and live and survive if you can communicate with the people that you love.
PHILLIPS: And she's had multiple amputations.
COHEN: Right.
PHILLIPS: So kind of put this in perspective. Her current phase of treatment, when can she move into rehab? Or --
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIPS: Is that to soon?
COHEN: That's too soon.
PHILLIPS: OK.
COHEN: I mean I spoke to her doctor -- her father, rather, last week, and he said that they were told by the doctors probably another three to four weeks in intensive care. So they are still, they're still in a 18 critical phase. I mean I asked him, is her life still on the line? And he said well, actually, yes, it is.
PHILLIPS: Wow.
COHEN: She's still on dialysis. Her kidneys are still not working. That's what her father told me last week. So she is not completely out of the woods yet but it's been amazing what she's been able to do. Now her father uses the word "miracle." That's the word that he uses.
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIPS: He's been doing this amazing blog every single day.
COHEN: It's beautiful. His Facebook page is amazing. I'm telling you, if you ever feel down about something in your life, go to Andy Copeland's Facebook page because it's just amazing what he's been writing.
I actually wrote a piece on CNN.com. It's up right now, CNN.com/help, and it's all about the role that faith has played in her healing because her family really believed that God has reached out and helped her heal.
PHILLIPS: Beautiful thing. Thank you.
COHEN: They're a beautiful family.
PHILLIPS: Thanks, Elizabeth. I appreciate it.
COHEN: Thanks.
PHILLIPS: And you can read more about Amy Copeland's story and also hormone replacement therapy at CNN.com, "Empowered Patient."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, the royal family is gearing up for a little celebration this weekend. You know, the queen's diamond jubilee. She's going to celebrate 60 years on the throne. And the last time all eyes were on the royals, it's Prince William's wedding.
On a rare interview, William spoke about that day and how he missed not having his mom, Princess Diana.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRINCE WILLIAM, WALES: It's the one time since she died where I thought to myself it would be fantastic if she was here and just how sad really for her more than anything not being able to see it because I think she'd love the day. And I think -- hope that she'd be proud of us both that day. I'm just grateful she is -- not going to get a chance to meet Kate.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: We're going to have more on the royal family Sunday, June 3rd. Be sure to watch "A Royal Celebration, Elizabeth's 60 Years as Queen." Hosted by our Brooke Baldwin and Piers Morgan. That's Sunday, 11:00 a.m. Eastern.
Well, thanks for watching, everyone. You can continue the conversation with me on Twitter @KyraCNN or on Facebook.
CNN NEWSROOM continues now with our Suzanne Malveaux. SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks, Kyra.
