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Air Tanker Crashes Raise Alarms; George Zimmerman Back in Jail; Walker vs. Barrett in Wisconsin Recall. Queen Elizabeth's 60 Years on the Throne; Stocks Set for Flat Open; Obama, Clinton Team Up to Raise Money; Tiger Woods Wins Memorial Tournament; Celtics Beats Heat in Overtime.
Aired June 04, 2012 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: That begins right now.
Everybody, I'll see you back here starting at 7:00 a.m.
Hey, Carol, good morning.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Soledad.
Stories we're watching right now in the NEWSROOM.
Outdated equipment. A tragic sign we don't have what it takes to fight wildfires effectively.
Two pilots die after an aging air tanker crashes.
Market crash. A lousy jobs report. Sputtering global economies. Investors reacting with increasing alarm.
Facebook junior. Facebook wants your kids. How the social media giant is working on new technology so a younger generation can sign up.
Plus. Yes, remember Flipper, the crime fighting dolphin? Well, dolphin talk this morning. Scientists say we may soon be able to talk to Flipper. Really?
And good morning to you. I'm Carol Costello.
Millions of Americans reveled in one of the warmest winters on record. Now a mean season is coming to collect. Right now wildfires are burning in seven western states and the summer temperatures will only push the danger higher. The worst single fire is in southwestern New Mexico. A quarter million acres burned. That's about 380 square miles. It is the biggest in the state's history and it's getting bigger. It's now only just about 17 percent contained.
Also today there are new concerns about a key firefighting tool used to combat those kinds of fires. In western Utah yesterday, an air tanker loaded with water and fire retardant crashed during its second run of the day. Both pilots were killed. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Also yesterday an air tanker had to make an emergency landing in Nevada when its landing gear failed to lower. In this case, the crew was not hurt but the incidents underscore recent concerns the planes themselves are in dangerous need of replacement.
Rob Marciano is here to tell us more.
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Make no mistake. This is war against wildfires for the most part. And in war, you have boots on the ground. And they're the ones who are going to win the war eventually but they need air support. And right now, that air support is dwindling. And when you see the pictures of these planes that are flying around to fight these fires, they are old.
We don't make planes specifically designed to fight fires. We take planes that are built in the '50s and the '60s and we retrofit them to hold tens, hundreds, thousands of gallons of water and fire retardant and then fight these fires. So they're eventually going to (INAUDIBLE). All of these planes have stopped production decades ago. So the Forest Service and its subcontractors have been trying to hold these planes together for as long as possible.
That one right there is a plane made by Lockheed. The bulk of the fleet are P2 planes which are basically anti-submarine propeller planes that were built back in the '50s. They also used those to fly into hurricanes. They do have a couple of DC-10s and 747 big ones but those are a little -- not nearly as nimble. They need those mid- sized, the heavy sized tankers to really help the fight.
Since 2000 we've -- gone from 43 of these air tankers to 11.
COSTELLO: Wow.
MARCIANO: Actually now it's 10 after this weekend's crash. So a huge dwindling.
COSTELLO: So I guess the next logical question is, is anybody doing anything about this problem?
MARCIANO: And it's -- well, you know, everyone is pointing fingers at the U.S. Forest Service or at least the politicians are. Senator Ron Wyden from Oregon, he comes out with a pretty strong quote here. He says, "Despite the magnitude and destructiveness of the recent forest fires the agency most responsible for fighting them, the Forest Service, has allowed the air tanker fleet to atrophy."
So that implies that the budget is there but they haven't been able to secure the planes. So what they've done is they've increased the medium sized planes and the smaller planes and the heavier helicopters but they need to get more of these air tankers in there. And now they're going to start to tap some old European jet liners, jet planes, and try to get them in. But they don't build these specifically for firefighting and that's the struggle because you're looking to get planes that you can't just order and have them built. So you have to take what you can get and I think that's the biggest problem here going forward. COSTELLO: Rob Marciano, thanks.
MARCIANO: You bet.
COSTELLO: In Nigeria, the death toll is climbing in the crash of a commercial airplane and the airline now says the pilot was American. Dana Air has not released the name of the pilot but says he radioed that the plane was having trouble just minutes before it slammed into a crowded neighborhood. All 153 people aboard the plane died along with at least 10 people on the ground.
George Zimmerman back in jail this morning and his attorneys will seek a new bond hearing later today. The man at the center of the Trayvon Martin killing turned himself in yesterday. That was on the orders of a judge who accused Zimmerman of not being truthful about how much money he has access to.
Martin Savidge is in Sanford, Florida, with more.
Good morning, Martin.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol. Yes, the theory here is that the judge has recalled George Zimmerman. In essence he's revoked his bond as you pointed out there because he wants to ask him very specific questions. What did he know about the money he claimed he did not have and yet most people are now well aware it was piling up in a bank account as a result of donations that had been coming in over the Internet?
And this has raised deeper and perhaps more troubling issue for George Zimmerman. And that is the question of credibility. In other words, we're talking about a self-defense case in which George Zimmerman shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin killing him, that's beyond a doubt, but George has maintained that it was self-defense. Well, of course, many are going to say if he's not being truthful about money, what else could he be untruthful about?
And that is an issue that Ben Crump, the attorney for Trayvon Martin's family, spoke about this morning with Soledad O'Brien. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BENJAMIN CRUMP, TRAYVON MARTIN FAMILY ATTORNEY: And the reason Judge Lester's ruling was so important because it focuses everybody's attention to George Zimmerman's credibility. And remember his credibility is the main thing here because it is only his version of the facts that say Trayvon Martin attacked him. All of the objective evidence suggests that he pursued and shot Trayvon Martin in the heart and that is going to be a crucial, crucial issue, credibility, credibility, credibility.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAVIDGE: And that is a word you are going to hear a lot of as we step forward here. Now, the next in the process here is going to be the motion that is expected to be filed by the defense team for George Zimmerman. Essentially asking for a new bond hearing. Exactly when that will be set isn't clear. That's up to the judge to determine and the judge actually doesn't have to grant bond at all. So we will see how that moves forward -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Martin Savidge reporting live from Florida this morning.
Jury selection set to get under way tomorrow in the child rape case against Jerry Sandusky. The former assistant football coach at Penn State is accused of sexually abused 10 boys. The allegations against Sandusky led to the firing of Penn State's iconic head football coach Joe Paterno. Paterno died only months later from complications from lung cancer.
Could be a bumpy day on Wall Street today. Stocks tanked overnight in Asia and are mixed across Europe right now. And the picture is just as murky for the U.S. markets. Dow futures are down slightly but Nasdaq and the S&P 500 have both climbed into positive territory.
We'll go live to the New York Stock Exchange at the bottom of the hour when the new trading day rings in.
And the winner is. Miss Rhode Island. Twenty-year-old Olivia Culpo is the new Miss USA. She is a sophomore at Boston University. Culpo is an accomplished cellist who says she always considered herself as a nerd. Well, not any more. She will represent the USA in the Miss Universe pageant. Others, though, could use a little bit more time in the classroom. When asked who was the current vice president, some just couldn't fake it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, god.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's awesome.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, shoot. Oh, my.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is so bad. I just read an article in the "New York Times."
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't know anything about politics so I don't know.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is bad.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't know. I'm blanking.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my gosh. I'm drawing a blank.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: World peace.
(END VIDEO CLIP) COSTELLO: OK. That is bad. I'm sorry. It's bad. Culpo, the young woman who won, was asked about the controversy surrounding the pageant's first transgender contestant. She said anyone qualified has a right to wear the crown because it is a free country and, yes, she did know the vice president was Joe Biden.
Two men battling it out for Wisconsin's top job. Will Scott Walker stay on as governor or will Mayor Tom Barrett take over that position? A closer look at how this race could impact the November election.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Just about 12 minutes past the hour. Checking our top stories now.
New Mexico is dealing with the biggest wildfire in its history. It's burned -- it's burned up a wilderness area nearly twice the size of Chicago and keeps growing. Authorities are telling people with health issues to stay inside to avoid the smoke. Wildfires also burning in six other western states.
George Zimmerman's lawyers plan to file for a new bond hearing today so they can get him out of jail. The judge revoked his bond saying he lied to the court about his financial situation. Zimmerman turned himself in yesterday. He is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin.
In money news you may feel it in your wallet the next time you pick up your suit from the dry cleaners. That's because the U.S. has hit Vietnam. The biggest exporter of wire hangers with new trade penalties for unfairly subsidizing exports. Dry cleaning operators say they may have no a choice but to pass the higher cost on to you.
In weather, the northeast is bracing for a cool down. Some cold air moving in will bring temperatures down into the 50s and 60s this week.
And in sports have you seen this guy before? Well, the old Tiger Woods is back. At the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, he not only won the sensational chip from off the green late in the final round, he also tied the golden bear Jack Nicklaus' record of 73 PGA Tour victories.
One hundred, 54 days until Election Day and it's a dead heat in the race for the White House. But we're seeing a shift in public opinion. Our new CNN/ORC poll shows Republican Mitt Romney favorable rating up from 34 percent in February to 48 percent. But he still trails President Barack Obama. The president has a 56 percent favorable rating. In the head-to-head contest Obama leads Romney 49 percent to 46 percent, that would be a statistical tie.
One of the battlegrounds of 2012 is the state of Wisconsin and, tomorrow, it will be the first early test. That's when voters will decide if they want to recall Republican Governor Scott Walker and replace him with Tom Barrett, the Democratic mayor of Milwaukee. Walker was pushed into the recall by people angered at his cutting of union power and bargaining rights. Some thinks tomorrow's vote could be a preview of the upcoming Romney/Obama match in the state.
CNN's Candy Crowley takes an in-depth look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Fueled by power of organized labor, the passion of the Tea Party and mega millions in outside money, it is politics gone wild in Wisconsin.
BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Great to be back in Milwaukee, great to be back in Wisconsin.
CROWLEY: The recall raised to oust Republican Governor Scott Walker has pretty much seen it all except for President Obama. Tom Barrett, the Democratic mayo of Milwaukee who hopes to oust Walker, reads nothing into that.
TOM BARRETT (D), CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR OF WISCONSIN: No, because we understand that he's got a lot going on.
CROWLEY: There is little else in political world right now and some Republicans suggest the no show president means the White House believes Barrett will lose. Walker is less direct.
GOV. SCOTT WALKER (R), WISCONSIN: I don't know what it says but I think it's interesting. Two years ago the president came in for our opponent. He's not here now. On Friday he made three stops in the Twin Cities. To my understanding it's three stops in Chicago so it's kind of hard to argue he wasn't nearby.
CROWLEY: Barrett has seen a lot fewer star players and a lot less money than Walker, but camp Obama insists it's committed. After all, what better way to say we are with you than money and scores of lawyers?
DAVID AXELROD, OBAMA CAMPAIGN ADVISER: We have poured upwards of $1 million of resources into that race. Our entire field operation is committed to it. We've got hundreds of lawyers up there for voter protection programs.
So, you know, we're invested in it and very much in the corner of Mayor Barrett.
CROWLEY: The recall race was born out of Governor Walker's first budget which sought to deal with an expected $3.8 billion dollar shortfall, and austere plan that included stripping most public unions of collective bargaining rights. The state capital was a wash in union-led protests and quickly met by Tea Party counter protests.
In the end, Walker got much of what he wanted and Democrats set about getting twice the number of signatures they needed for a recall race. Barrett accuses the governor of being an ideologue out to destroy unions and put himself on the map.
MAYOR TOM BARRETT (D), MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN: Scott walker wants to make this a national race because he wants to be on the national stage as the rock star of the far right, as the poster boy of the Tea Party.
CROWLEY: Republicans say Walker who, by the way, has a 51 percent approval rating is a guy who said what he meant and meant what he said.
REINCE PRIEBUS, RNC CHAIRMAN: You can't keep operating a government that spends more money than it takes in. So, Scott Walker is one of these special people that have made promises and kept promises.
CROWLEY: Whatever happens, the Wisconsin results will be translated as a proxy race for the fall presidential campaign. It will go something like this. Walker's survival is an early bird signal of the grassroots strength of conservatism, the decline of union power and an opening in Wisconsin for Mitt Romney.
Walker goes down and it is a rebuke of the excesses of conservatism, a defeat for the Tea Party, and a sign that Wisconsin remains solid Obama territory.
Candy Crowley, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CROWLEY: It's a celebration that is only fit for a queen. Today, some of the biggest names in music prepare to serenade her majesty. Tell you about the big party and concert marking Queen Elizabeth's diamond jubilee.
And don't forget if you're heading out the door. You can take us with you. Watch us any time on your mobile or computer. It's easy. Just head to CNN.com/TV.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Two days of festivities down. Two more to go as Britain pulls out all the stops to mark Queen Elizabeth's diamond jubilee.
Today, there is going to be a big party and concert at Buckingham Palace to celebrate her 60 years on the throne.
About a million people watched over the weekend as the royal family led a seven-mile long flotilla of a thousand boats.
Joining me now from London is royal biographer Mark Saunders.
Oh, it was a spectacular sight this weekend!
MARK SAUNDERS, ROYAL BIOGRAPHER: Wasn't it just? Even though the weather tried its best to ruin the day, it certainly wasn't a washout, an absolute triumph for the queen. And, of course, the people who organize the event.
COSTELLO: So, the big party another party begins in less than an hour. But the main event this time is this jubilee concert. So, tell me who is performing? And you who did people snag the tickets for this?
SAUNDERS: Well, the ticket were handed out in a ballot. You simply applied and if you were fortunate enough, you received a ticket. But the guest list, the lineup is incredible.
It's headed, I say headed, but it's Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Elton John are the top of the tree. Then just got all sorts of artists. One of the queen's favorites is there and some of the younger. JLS will be there, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams and also galaxy of stars.
For some reason, people seem to think the queen isn't into contemporary pop music which is wrong. She loves this sort of show and why she asks for many of these performers. She certainly is looking forward to this one as we all are.
COSTELLO: Aw. I was going to ask you that the queen is into Paul McCartney. You say she is because you know what you're talking about.
So, has this celebration lived up to expectations so far?
SAUNDERS: I think it's exceeded expectations! It's funny, because many times I've been asked that in the last few days why has this happened? Why this incredible and popularity the queen is enjoying now?
I think it's simply long last, a country has got a chance to say thank you to her 60 years unblemished leadership she has shown and a tremendous reign where she will be remembered as one of the greatest monarchs of all time. This really is a chance for the country to say thank you and celebrate with her in what probably will be the last major event of her reign.
COSTELLO: Yes, I see pictures of the princess. I just love her! The princess.
How would you compare this event to the royal wedding in terms of how excited people are?
SAUNDERS: Do you know what? I think they are remarkably similar to be honest. The royal wedding, there was that element that something was happening that you could watch a little bit like her. I guess a sport, event, or something. You had a start, you had a finish.
Whereas this is four days of simply celebrating, a four-day party. But the atmosphere -- I mean, I've just come off the street 15 minutes ago. The sun is shining now.
It's incredible. There is actually more flags flying in London today than there were this time last year at the royal wedding. I suppose because the wedding was centered around the abbey. But it really is a very similar atmosphere. I think people enjoyed last year so much they wanted to do it again this year as well.
COSTELLO: It was fun. I'll admit. Mark Saunders, thanks for joining us this morning.
SAUNDERS: Thank you.
COSTELLO: The long weekend of festivities marking the queen's 60 years on the throne will reach its climax tomorrow. Join Piers Morgan and Brooke Baldwin live from London. It will begin at 9:00 a.m. Eastern.
Now is your chance to talk back on one of the big stories of the day. The question for you this morning, should American retailers stay out of politics? When did retailers become like super PACs anyway, throwing their support behind political causes across the spectrum?
Most recently, Target. Its now selling t-shirts to raise money for the Family Equity Council. A group fighting a proposed same-sex marriage ban in Minnesota. This isn't the first time a retailer has put itself in the middle of a controversial political issue. Remember who Whole Foods CEO John Mackey wrote an op-ed in "The Wall Street Journal" opposing President Obama's health care law?
And who could forget this notorious Benetton ad called "Un- Hate":, which featured PhotoShopped pictures of world leaders like President Obama, Israel leader Netanyahu. And even the pope kissing each other on the lips!
But political engagement doesn't come without risks. After JCPenney hired Ellen DeGeneres as a spokesperson, a conservative group called her a boycott but JCPenney didn't blink. Its Father's Day catalog features a same-sex couple with kids.
But some retailers are getting gun shy like Gander Mountain, a popular hunting gear store. According to WAOW TV in Wisconsin, Gander Mountain, a long time supporter of National Rifle Association pulled out of NRA sponsored event for Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. It cited, quote, "the diversity of Gander Mountain and their varied interests as a reason why."
So, the talkback question for you today: should American retailers stay out of politics?
Facebook.com/CarolCNN, Facebook.com/CarolCNN, I'll read your comments later this hour.
OK. Running on a pro-pot platform might seem political suicide. But some candidates who think marijuana should be legal are winning! So, what does that say about us and our attitudes about pot? We'll have a conversation, dude, about that in few minutes!
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: The bell is just about to ring on Wall Street. You hear is there actually. Wall Street getting ready for a shaky day of trading after Friday's big sell-off.
Alison Kosik is at the New York Stock Exchange. It's not looking to bad just yet.
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, take a deep breath, though. We are less than a minute. We'll see how stocks will open pretty flat and follows Friday's biggest loss of the year for the Dow. It dropped 274 points.
Of course, this comes after a stellar January, February, and March. Guess what? The Dow has now erased all of its gains for the year. Yes. We are right back to where we started in January. Meaning, all of those rallies, remember that Dow 13,000? Yes, all that is gone!
The NASDAQ and S&P 500, they are down 10 percent from their recent highs. So they are officially in correction territory.
Carol, don't be surprised if you see the bargain hunters out today scooping up those beaten down stocks as they are right now.
COSTELLO: Yes, I'm glad to see the plus sign there and makes fee feel a little better.
Alison, can the Federal Reserve step back to stimulate the economy like it did during the recession?
KOSIK: It can. That's a good question. It certainly can, especially after we have seen several other weak reports on the economy.
But, you know, the loudest cries we have had for the Fed to do something is after lousy jobs report and combine it with a slowdown in economic growth the first three months of the year and those cries get louder and louder.
Now, Wall Street could get clues on Thursday when Fed chief Ben Bernanke speaks before a Senate committee. The market is hoping that Bernanke says where the Fed stands now on another round of monetary stimulus, this would be -- the Fed would go ahead and buy bonds to stimulate the economy. Many critics say, you know what, let the economy try to revive itself on its own -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Alison Kosik live at the New York Stock Exchange.
I'm Carol Costello. Other story watching right now in the NEWSROOM.
Thousands of people are gathered in Hong Kong to remember the fierce government crackdown against prodemocracy activists in China. Twenty-three years ago today, tanks rolled through Tiananmen Square, crushing the protest movement. China's government says 241 people died, including soldiers. But activists say that number was more likely in the thousands.
Later today, lawyers for accused killer George Zimmerman will file a new motion for a bond hearing. Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin what he says is self-defense. He's now back in jail in Stanford, Florida. The judge revoked his bond saying Zimmerman lied about his financial resources during his hearing.
House minority leader Nancy Pelosi is promoting Hillary Clinton for president in 2016. Clinton insists secretary of state is her last job in government but that isn't slowing rumors. In an interview in "The San Francisco Chronicle," Pelosi said, Clinton, quote, "She's our shot".
How times have changed. The legalization of marijuana once unheard of in most every political corner is now pretty much mainstream and it's an issue that can win elections. Last month, Democrat Ellen Rosenbloom, an ardent medical marijuana supporter, won the Oregon Democratic attorney general primary in a landslide.
And in Texas, a former El Paso councilman Beto O'Rourke sent an eight-term House incumbent packing. He won based largely on his support of legal marijuana. Is this a case of crazy dudes out West or is it a sign of politics lagging behind public opinion? Although Mitt Romney certainly doesn't think so.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Aren't there issues of significance that you'd like to talk about?
REPORTER: This is significant issue in Colorado.
ROMNEY: The economy? The growth of jobs? The need to put people back to work? The challenges of Iran? We've got enormous issues that we face but you want to talk -- go ahead.
REPORTER: Medical marijuana.
ROMNEY: I oppose legalization of marijuana and oppose legalization of other kinds of drugs.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: And so does President Obama.
CNN contributors L.Z. Granderson and Will Cain are here to talk about this. Welcome to you both.
WILL CAIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Good morning.
L.Z. GRANDERSON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: According to a Gallup poll last fall, a record 50 percent of Americans think marijuana should be legal.
So, L.Z., I'll start with you and not for any reason. I'm just going to start with you.
CAIN: The dreadlocks, let's be honest.
(LAUGHTER)
COSTELLO: Will we hear about marijuana in the upcoming presidential debates?
GRANDERSON: God, I hope not! I really do. Mitt Romney is absolutely right on this. We have too way many more important things to talk about.
You know, I will admit I swung by the store today to pick up some Visine to make sure my eyes weren't red because my allergies were bothering me. I had the dreadlocks going and I don't want your viewers to think you hired a pot head to talk about pot. So --
COSTELLO: I'm sure they didn't think about that all.
But, Will, seriously, this Gallup poll -- 50 percent of Americans think marijuana should be legalized and many more Americans think medical marijuana use should be legal. So, is this a sign of things to come as in soon?
CAIN: As in soon, not -- not any time soon. This will not a part of any presidential debate, nor any debate on the national stage, and I'm sorry for who that might disappoint. You played a clip of Mitt Romney there.
President Obama has cracked down on medical marijuana dispensers across this nation to an extent that even President George W. Bush did not. So, while many marijuana -- advocates for the legalization of marijuana saw hope in President Obama, they thought he might not, you know, come down and crack down on even medical marijuana use, the truth has proven much different.
COSTELLO: You know, L.Z. --
GRANDERSON: He promised hope, not dope.
COSTELLO: Although, seriously. In Colorado, a lot of young voters are for the legalization of marijuana. President Obama depends on young voters this time around as he did last time around. Some in Colorado are saying they will affect him in the state.
GRANDERSON: Well, they are idiots basically. If you're voting for any president on one single issue, excuse me, especially one issue that is so peripheral such as marijuana usage, you're an idiot. I don't want to mince any words here.
We have way too many important things to talk about as Mitt Romney said earlier, as the president said earlier. If you're basing your vote on who is going to be president on whether or not they let you roll up a burnt, then you're just an idiot and I hope you don't have the right to vote anyway.
COSTELLO: Oh, wow, let's talk about the war on drugs. Some say that, you know, the continued illegality of marijuana is affecting the war on drugs in a way. If we legalized marijuana, maybe we'd win.
CAIN: Look. Hey, I will tell you this. I don't have the exact statistic right in front of me but I believe 60 percent of the Mexican cartels profits are fed by the sale of marijuana. And I think a logical argument to think about cutting the profits out. Any business, you cut 60 percent of the profits out of it you're going to hurt them.
You know, the drug trade is more than just about morality and there's a great debate on the morality, of freedom versus vice. It's also about economics and crime and what illicit drug use and drug sale more specifically does to the crime in the United States.
I think there is an excellent debate to be had about that.
COSTELLO: OK. So will that kind of debate come up in the presidential debates?
CAIN: No, no! I'm trying to be clear!
GRANDERSON: No!
CAIN: No way this debate comes up. There's no way.
Listen. President Obama's actions will tell you why this won't come up and L.Z. called it a periphery or a marginal issue. Look, President Obama has made a political calculation the marijuana vote just isn't big enough out there. Or he doesn't want to look like he is soft on crime.
Regardless, his actions are telling you this will not be an issue to be debated in this presidential election.
COSTELLO: Last word, L.Z.
GRANDERSON: I think what we are really seeing in terms of the 56 percent number you talked about earlier with the Gallup poll is the public becoming more educated. We won't be talking about this presidential election and may not talk about it in 2016.
As we understand the relative long-term ramification of pot usage, I think you will see this become a part of the national conversation, just as alcohol was years ago. We are getting smarter about it. But not know, and we don't have the time to talk about it right now.
COSTELLO: L.Z. Granderson, Will Cain, thanks for the discussion, dudes.
GRANDERSON: Thank you.
CAIN: Thank you.
COSTELL: They call it Bieber fever. And it has nothing to do with pot. It just hit Madison Square Garden. He sold out the garden, that's 20,000 seats in 30 seconds! Showbiz headlines next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: You know you're hot when you can sell out Madison Square Garden -- 20,000 seats, 30 seconds. That's what Justin Bieber did.
And showbiz correspondent Nischelle Turner joins U.S. from Los Angeles to tell us if that is some kind of record.
NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN SHOWBIZ CORRESPONDENT: You know, I'm wondering what this kid can't do. This is among some of the fastest sellouts ever. I don't know if they have like pinpoint records for these things. But, Carol, we're talking about two shows at the garden which seats around 20,000 people. Selling out in less time than it takes me to apply my lip gloss. That's crazy!
The rest of the Bieb U.S. tour didn't do so badly either. You know, the entire 45-show tour reportedly sold out in under an hour. It's called the Believe Tour and it kicks off in the U.S. on September 29th in Arizona. It wraps up in Miami on January 26th. So if you want to get tickets, now you're probably going to rely on that secondary market and that might cost you who knows what if you're buying from a scalper, right?
COSTELLO: I feel sorry for the parents in America, because you know their kids want tickets!
TURNER: Exactly.
COSTELLO: Whoo!
Let's talk about the MTV awards. I watched them last night and there were jokes about Justin Bieber. Not tasteful but that sort of the MTV awards.
TURNER: Well, yes. And that's Russell Brand, the host, too, he's a little on the edge. But, yes, it was a good show last night, probably a little bit after surprise but it wasn't like "The Hunger Games" which was kinds of the winners last night, lost to some small independent artsy films. The best picture award went to, of course, 'The Twilight" saga which has been a big winner at these awards show.
This award is actually chosen by the fans who vote online during the show and a lot of "Twilight" fans out there apparently.
But the "Hunger Games" did not go home empty-handed. It won four awards last night including best male and best female stars appearances, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, as well as best transformation for Elizabeth Banks when she did transform. It also won best fight.
You know, the MTV movie awards, Carol, the best fight pretty big deal. That's like best supporting actress at the Oscars.
COSTELLO: I like the category best dirt bag, although I didn't understand the jokes before it. It was just weird.
Nischelle Turner, thanks as always.
TURNER: You're welcome, darling.
COSTELLO: Nischelle will be back with us next hour for more showbiz headlines.
Forget everything what you told your kids about Snow White. The new movie "Snow White and the Huntsman" is a whole different story.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: 46 minutes past the hour. Checking "Top Stories" now.
The biggest wildfire in New Mexico's history is burning right now and getting bigger. Authorities are telling people with health issues to stay inside to avoid the smoke. Wildfires burning in six other western states.
George Zimmerman hopes to get out of jail sometime today. His lawyers have requested a new bond hearing. Zimmerman turned himself in to Florida authorities yesterday. The judge revoked his bond saying he misled the court about his money situation. Zimmerman is charged in the death of Trayvon Martin. He says he acted in self- defense.
A new survey says expect to pay more for electricity including electric cars. Utility executives say electric cars will eat up seven percent of the nation's power supply by 2025. They also say your monthly light bill will be increasing significantly. They blame that on rules requiring more of renewable energy that cuts pollution.
President Obama is teaming up again with former President Bill Clinton to do some more fund-raising. They will be in New York City today. Clinton is an important surrogate and a big help when it comes to raising money but he and the President aren't always on the same page.
Our White House correspondent Brianna Keilar reports on the complicated relationship between the two.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As President Obama's campaign tries to make a liability of Mitt Romney's past experiences as the head of a private equity firm, Bill Clinton talking recently about Romney on CNN's "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT" apparently didn't get the memo.
BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: -- and I think he had a good business career. There is no question that in terms of getting up and going to the office and you know, basically performing the essential functions of the office a man who has been governor and had a sterling business career, crosses the qualification threshold.
KEILAR: On the same team as Obama, but reading from a different playbook. Bill Clinton's support is key to the President this election. Though, their relationship, to put it mildly, has had its ups and downs.
In 2007, Bill Clinton took aim at the then junior senator from Illinois.
B. CLINTON: You know, I'm old-fashioned. I think really -- I think a President ought to have done something for other people and for his country when you -- when you pick a President.
KEILAR: President Clinton questioned Obama's inexperience.
B. CLINTON: I mean, when is the last time we elected a President based on one year of service in senate before he started running?
KEILAR: In early 2008 Obama won Iowa and entered an all out feud with the former first couple.
HILLARY CLINTON, SECRETARY OF STATE: I'm here, he's not. And I you know well --
(CROSSTALK)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Ok well, I can't tell who I'm running against sometimes.
KEILAR: The two men have never been especially close but appointing Hillary Clinton Secretary of State helped heal some wounds. And since taking office, Obama has looked to the popular former president for help hosting him at the White House during contentious negotiations with Congress in 2010.
B. CLINTON: I have a general rule, which is that -- whatever he asked me about my advice and whatever I say should become public only if he decides to make it public. He can say whatever he wants but we --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do you think?
KEILAR: Obama hopes President Clinton can woo voters in the south and some Rustbelt states. The Obama campaign is featuring Clinton in ads and hitting up his network of healthy donors.
Obama and Clinton appeared at a fund-raiser together last month at the home of long time Clinton supporter Terry McAuliffe raising $2.1 million.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: And Brianna joins us now from the White House. So -- so Brianna have the two really moved past the bad blood of the 2008 election or is this just -- this is just a show because both are strong Democrats?
KEILAR: Well, I understand they have moved past it actually, Carol. I mean, I don't think you would say that they are best friends. But certainly things were very tense there following the 2008 election or I should say following the 2008 election before President Obama came into power.
Bill Clinton as one Democratic close to him tells me, really held a grudge against President Obama much more than Hillary Clinton did.
But as they transitioned, Obama did into power, that was smoothed over as I mentioned in the piece, because Hillary Clinton was appointed and also Bill Clinton really appreciated certainly how she was treated through that process.
But really the role that President Clinton is trying to play here is as the reminder of a better economic time under a Democrat. He'll be sort of saying, I know what it takes for there to be a good economy and President Obama is doing the right thing. And of course that fundraising, Carol, is very important. There will be three fund- raisers this evening.
President Obama and President Clinton together likely bringing in millions of dollars.
COSTELLO: Brianna Keilar reporting live for us from the White House this morning.
You want know what life is really like on the campaign trail? Tomorrow join the CNN election roundtable with Wolf Blitzer and CNN's political team. Submit your questions and get answers in real time in this live virtual chat. Don't miss the CNN Election Roundtable tomorrow at 12:00 Eastern. You can log on to CNN.com/roundtable to participate.
And we asked you to "Talk Back" on one of the big stories of the day. The question for you this morning: should American retailers stay out of politics? Facebook.com/CarolCNN.
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COSTELLO: We asked you to "Talk Back" on one of the big stories of the day. The "Talk Back" question for you this morning: "Should American retailers stay out of Politics?"
This from Steve. "I think so. I also think candidates running for office should be dressed like NASCAR drivers. We do need to see who their corporate sponsors are."
This from Kate. "Everyone else is getting into the act. I simply will not shop at stores with whom I have issues. Period."
This from Richard. "Gay rights is a noble American cause but business influence is a danger to our democracy. They have the ability to drown out the will of the people and also to buy our political leaders."
And this from Kathy. "Yes. They need to stay out of politics. Shopping is no longer a fun escape. It's oh no I can't shop here or there because they support this or that. Just be retailers and give us all a break."
Please continue the conversation Facebook.com/CarolCNN. More of your comments in the next hour of NEWSROOM.
And coming up in the next hour, remember "Flipper"? Yes, he was the crime fighting dolphin. Scientists have come up with a speaker that mimics the sounds of dolphins and one day we might be able to talk with dolphins. Really? In about 40 minutes, I'll talk with Charles Choi of LiveScience.com about this amazing device.
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COSTELLO: Tiger Woods made an amazing shot, but the big question is, does this mean the old Tiger Woods is back, Jeff Fischel?
JEFF FISCHEL, HLN SPORTS: We're waiting to find out if he can take that next step, right, when perhaps he won a major. Jack Nicklaus, of all people, Jack Nicklaus, says he may have seen the greatest shot ever yesterday. It's a big warning to Tiger's rivals. Woods is ready for the upcoming U.S. Open.
Here it is. Final round for Memorial -- 16th hole. If Tiger hits this in, the ball goes flying into the drink, he has no chance of winning. Instead he drops it perfectly on to the green and into the cup. Tiger birdies three of the last four holes including an exclamation point. This one at 18.
Tiger Woods wins the Memorial. With the win he's now tied with Nicklaus himself with 73 career titles. Watch out U.S. Open. Can he win his first major since everything fell apart?
NBA, Eastern Conference finals, game four, Celtics and Heat came down to the last shot. Even with Lebron James and Dwyane Wade playing well, Boston point guard Rajon Rondo -- he's been the MVB of the series -- 50 points, 15 assists. Lebron James fouls out on that play in overtime. He can't believe it.
So the Heat needs to find a way, without Lebron, to get the basket. It's Dwyane Wade, no -- at the buzzer. The Celtics win. Series tied at two games apiece. Game five tomorrow night.
Carol calling it a joke, how about that?
COSTELLO: I'm from Cleveland, all right?
FISCHEL: Check out Jimmy Johnson wearing the rainbow wig before yesterday's race at Dover in Nascar. It is all about promoting the sponsors. Johnson's sponsored by the upcoming movie, "Madagascar 3"; one of the characters wears a rainbow wig. He goes on to win.
He loves Dover, he wins every time. And of course, his old crew afterwards wears the wig including Johnson himself celebrating in the winners' circle with the rainbow wig. It's his seventh win at Dover.
COSTELLO: That looked really funny.
FISCHEL: Maybe the movie will be funny too.
COSTELLO: I'm sure it will. And I'm sure you will be going now that you have a child. First, the child --
(CROSSTALK)
FISCHEL: Right. We love Madagascar in our house, yes.
COSTELLO: I bet do you. Jeff thanks.
The next hour of CNN NEWSROOM begins right now.
And good morning to you. I'm Carol Costello.
Just ahead of the NEWSROOM, Wisconsin recall.
