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Romney Talks Tough on Iran, Nukes; Mystery Woman in the Opening Ceremony; Dow to Open Above 13,000; Holmes To Be Formally Charged Today; Romney Makes "Newsweek" Cover; Black Couple: Church Denied Our Wedding; Missy Franklin Swims for Gold Today
Aired July 30, 2012 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Happening right now in the NEWSROOM, threats in the heartland. Ten Wal-Marts in two Midwestern states targeted by multiple bomb threats this weekend. The latest on what police know straight ahead.
Blackout. Suspected Colorado shooter James Holmes back in court this morning but you won't see him. No cameras, no cell phones, no recording devices. Why aren't you being allowed to see what's going on inside the courtroom?
A mistake. Dick Cheney coming out swinging, being one of the few top Republicans to say John McCain's pick of Sarah Palin as VP was a bad choice.
And they call her "The Missile." American Missy Franklin, just 17 and already turning heads in London. The female Michael Phelps -- Michael Phelps, as some call her, dives in today for two very crucial races.
NEWSROOM begins right now.
Good morning. Thank you so much for joining us. Happy Monday to you. I'm Carol Costello. We begin in Poland this morning where just a few minutes ago Mitt Romney arrived on the third and final leg of his overseas trip. But it's his tough talk on Iran that's still getting a lot of attention.
Romney says no option should be taken off the table to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We must not delude ourselves into thinking that containment is an option. We must lead the effort to prevent Iran from building and possessing nuclear weapons capability. We should employ any and all measures to dissuade the Iranian regime from its nuclear course. And it is our fervent hope that diplomatic and economic measures will do so.
In the final analysis, of course, no option should be excluded. We recognize Israel's right to defend itself and that it is right for America to stand with you.
(END VIDEO CLIP) COSTELLO: Sara Sidner is live this morning.
Good morning, Sara. What's on the table for Romney today?
SARA SIDNER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, he's in Poland. He's going to be visiting with the Polish prime minister today, but while here in Israel he really did make some waves with his comments sounding quite hawkish when it comes to Iran. At first when he first got here talked of supporting Israel if it did decide to do a preemptive strike in Iran to sort of keep Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
He then backed off that just a bit and said that he would respect Israel's right to defend itself and respect Israel's right to do a preemptive strike if they deemed necessary. But very strong words on Iran. That made headlines. And so did something else he said at the onset of his speech. He said that he was very happy to be here in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel.
Israel has always said that Jerusalem is its capital, but the Palestinians not happy to hear that because the Palestinians feel that east Jerusalem is under occupation and they want east Jerusalem to be their capital in a two-state solution. So he's managed to make the leadership of Israel quite happy with the comments that he made here saying that he would stand by Israel. The U.S./Israeli relationship should be a strong one, but upsetting the Palestinians -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Sara Sidner reporting live for us this morning.
Previous presidential candidates, by the way, have promised to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Neither George W. Bush nor Bill Clinton followed through but in this exclusive interview Mitt Romney tells our Wolf Blitzer he will make that happen if he's elected.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WOLF BLITZER, ANCHOR, THE SITUATION ROOM: Do you consider Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel?
ROMNEY: Yes, of course. A nation has the capacity to choose its own capital city and Jerusalem is Israel's capital.
BLITZER: If you become the president of the United States would you move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem?
ROMNEY: I think it's long been the policy of our country to ultimately have our embassy in the nation's capital of Jerusalem. The decision to actually make the move is, one, if I were president I would want to take in consultation with the leadership of the government which exists at that time. So I would follow the same policy we have in the past. Our embassy would be in the capital, but that's -- the timing of that is something I'd want to work out with the government.
BLITZER: With the government of Israel? ROMNEY: With the government of Israel.
BLITZER: But every Israeli government has always asked every U.S. government to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
ROMNEY: Well, that would make the decision easy but I would still want to have that communication --
BLITZER: So just to be --
ROMNEY: With the governmental leaders.
BLITZER: Just to be precise, if you're president you would consult with the Israeli government and if they said please move the embassy, you would do that?
ROMNEY: I'm not going to make foreign policy for my nation particularly while I'm on foreign soil. My understanding is the policy of our nation has been a desire to move our embassy ultimately to the capital. That's something which I would agree with, but I would only want to do so and select the timing in accordance with the government of Israel.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: You can watch all of Wolf Blitzer's interview with Mitt Romney today on CNN's "SITUATION ROOM." Also Wolf goes one-on-one with Israel's president, Shimon Peres, and former Israeli prime minister, Ehud Barak. Don't miss "SITUATION ROOM" at 4:00 p.m. Eastern.
A few hours from now Democratic lawmakers will announce new legislation in the wake of the Colorado theater shootings. The bill pushed by Senator Frank Lautenberg and Representative Carolyn McCarthy would regulate online and mail-order sales of ammunition. And Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is opening the door for possible future restrictions on gun control.
He was asked on "FOX News Sunday" about whether lawmakers can ban semiautomatic weapons or high capacity gun magazines without violating the Second Amendment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JUSTICE ANTONIN SCALIA, SUPREME COURT: Obviously the amendment does not apply to arms that cannot be hand carried. It's to keep and bear. So it doesn't apply to cannons but I suppose there are handheld rocket launchers that can bring down airplanes that will have to be -- it'll have to be decided.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: The Lautenberg/McCarthy bill, by the way, on limiting ammo has little chance of passing this session. Last week Senate majority leader Harry Reid said he would not schedule a debate on gun control. Swimming dominates the Olympics today with America's top swimmers back in the pool in London. Ryan Lochte will attempt to win his third medal when he swims the 200-meter freestyle. Colorado high-schooler Missy Franklin tries to win her first gold medal for the United States in the women's 100-meter backstroke. We'll tell you more about her a little bit later.
But, first, the American men looked to grab gold in the team gymnastics final. They are in the lead after the qualifying round. And on the volleyball court the U.S. women take on Brazil.
Day two was special for U.S. swimming Dana Vollmer. She set a world record, becoming the first woman to swim the 100-meter butterfly in less than 56 seconds. Not bad for a woman who failed to qualify for the 2008 games in Beijing.
On the range, American skeet shooter Kimberly Rhode won her fifth straight medal in the sport. She tied a world record with a score of 99 out of 100 and that gave her the gold.
And it's a huge surprise American Jordyn Wieber fails to advance to the women's all-around gymnastics final. She was a favorite for the gold but finished behind two of her teammates.
And on Saturday we'll learn Michael Phelps is human after all. He came in fourth in the 400-meter individual medley. The first time he's failed to medal in an event since 2000. Ryan Lochte, he took home the gold.
We're only into day three of the Olympics and it's quickly becoming a two-country race to the top of the medal standings. Right now China leads with 12 total medals after two days, six of them gold. The United States a close second. We have 11 medals including three gold. Italy, South Korea, and France round out the top five.
And, did you see this? The parents of American gymnast Aly Raisman during her qualifying attempt.
(LAUGHTER)
COSTELLO: They could not sit still in their seats. Oh, she stuck it. Aly did advance to the all-around final. I thought they were going to have a heart attack.
Also this morning we're learning more about the woman who crashed the opening ceremony in London. Friday night a woman in a red sweater walked in with the Indian -- look at her. And no surprise India's Olympic officials are not happy about this.
Zain Verjee live in London to tell us who the heck that woman is.
(LAUGHTER)
ZAIN VERJEE, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Ten seconds of the limelight around the world is what the Indian team had and everything was focused on this woman in her red sweater and turquoise jeans. Carol, she could have at least worn a yellow sari or something and blended in a little bit better with the team. So you see in that picture everyone was looking at her going, what the, who is, you know? She is, according to the Indian press, Madhura Nagendra. She's from Bangalore and apparently she had already been screened and allowed to be in the -- in the Olympic opening ceremonies as a dancer, so she was already in the stadium.
And so when the Indian team came by she thought, why not? Let's just join them. So she's standing near the flag bearer and everyone is wondering what on earth is this woman doing? The Indian officials are really mad and, you know, very embarrassed and upset with this other than the British authorities.
COSTELLO: I can see why. Can she get into any trouble for this?
(CROSSTALK)
VERJEE: But it is funny.
(LAUGHTER)
COSTELLO: I mean it was funny but it was embarrassing for Britain. Could she get into any trouble?
VERJEE: Well, officially they've said, no, not really, because she had gone through all the security checks, right, to even enable her to be in the stadium and to be in the performances, so maybe she'll get a little bit of a slap on the wrist. But there's no major backlash that's going to happen over this. But the Indian officials are saying, you have to explain this. You know, what happened? There was a security breech.
Sebastian Coe here has said, look, it wasn't like she came off the street and wandered around with the team. You know, she was actually screened and vetted. So I think she's just going to be embarrassed.
(LAUGHTER)
COSTELLO: I don't think she's going to be embarrassed.
VERJEE: Or become very famous.
COSTELLO: Exactly.
VERJEE: Yes, I did it. I did it. Yes.
COSTELLO: Zain Verjee, many thanks.
Tonight you won't want to miss a very special edition of Piers Morgan when he sits down with Michael Phelps. A candid interview about life, love and going for more gold. That's "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT" at 9:00 Eastern. Michael Phelps is the guest.
The Opening Bell on Wall Street will ring in just 20 minutes or so. And for the first time since May the Dow will start the morning above the 13000 mark.
Alison Kosik is at the New York Stock Exchange.
Morning, Alison.
ALISON KOSIK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol. You're right. It has been several months since the Dow opened about 13000 and since early May when it did, stocks had made a sizable drop thanks to a never-ending list of worries about the global economy. But the Dow has clawed its way back to this mark very slowly but surely and it rose on Friday on hopes that the world's central banks will take new measures to boost the economy.
So let's just take a step back here and really ask, what does 13000 really mean to you and me? You know, the Dow is only 30 stop, so you know what, mostly it's just a psychological level. Seeing the Dow pass these big, nice, warm and fuzzy round levels makes people feel more confident, makes them more likely to invest. And you know what, it's not the first time we've seen this number. The Dow first passed 13,000 in April of 2007, and soon after that it topped 14,000 so, look, we're still trying to make up for what we lost in the recession.
We're on the right track but the health of the stock market, Carol, and the economy itself don't necessarily go hand-in-hand. Just because you see the Dow crossing the 13000 mark doesn't mean that the fundamentals of the economy are strong. Look at hiring. It's still slow. Economic growth not to mention is still slow as well along with that never-ending list of problems in Europe.
So as for futures, it looks like a mixed bag, mostly lower for stocks in about 20 minutes when the Opening Bell rings -- Carol.
COSTELLO: We'll keep an eye on it. Alison Kosik at the New York Stock Exchange.
Another monster -- look at that thing. This happened in the Phoenix. It's the second time this has happened in a week. We'll show you more.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Fifteen minutes after the hour.
Checking our top stories now:
Miami police still looking for a man in connection with a shooting spree. They say Aaron Cash got into an argument with his girlfriend and later shot two of her brothers and an innocent bystander. Cash vows he will not surrender.
Police investigating a dozen bomb threats called in to Wal-Mart stores in two states. Eight stores across Missouri were evacuated Friday night and three stores in Kansas were evacuated on Sunday. Nothing was found.
In money news, Hyundai recalls 220,000 cars for potential air bag problems. Front seat passenger air bags in the Santa Fe SUVs between 2007 and 2009 might not deploy properly in a crash and side air bags from the 2012 and 2013 Sonatas might inflate for no reason at all.
Check out this monster wall of dust and dirt in Arizona. It is the second humongous dust storm to hit Phoenix in a week, that was followed by lightning and more than an inch of rain. These storms happen during monsoon season which runs from June through September.
In just about two hours, accused gunman James Holmes will be back in court, but there will be no pictures of him this time. Judge William Sylvester put the hammer down. No cameras capturing the shooter in court. No cell phones, laptops, iPads, or audio tapes allowed either, all to make sure Holmes gets a fair trial.
Jim Spellman is live outside the courthouse in Centennial, Colorado, where prosecutors are about to lay out their case against him, against Holmes, rather.
Good morning, Jim.
JIM SPELLMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
Yes, in just over two hours, Holmes will make his way from the jail right here through an underground tunnel into the courthouse to hear what's bound to be a long list of charges against him.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SPELLMAN (voice-over): At the hearing where accused gunman James Holmes is scheduled to be formally charged, his attorneys will argue that a package Holmes sent to a psychiatrist before the shootings is protected communication between doctor and patient. This after a weekend of mourning for victims at memorial and funeral services in Ohio, Illinois, and Texas.
For Matt Quinn and third generation Navy man John Larimer, who died while shielding their girlfriends from gunfire --
HERB SHAFFER, MATT MCQUINN'S UNCLE: Greater love to lay down his life for friends.
SPELLMAN: And for Jessica, a budding sportscaster whose brother implored family and friends to find something positive in the tragedy.
JORDAN GHAWI, SHOOTING VICTIM'S BROTHER: If this coward could do this with this much hate, imagine what we can do with this much love.
SPELLMAN: A newly released court documents disclosed that Holmes, a 24-year-old dropout from a neuroscience PhD program, had been a patient of University of Colorado psychiatrist Lynn Fenton. His lawyers are asking that authorities turn over a package Holmes sent to Dr. Fenton.
Former prosecutor Karen Steinhauser agrees the package constitutes protected communication.
KAREN STEINHAUSER, FORMER DENVER PROSECUTOR: Any communications between the defendant and the psychiatrist are absolutely protected. We don't know at this point when the last time was that he had any communications with her. We don't know the nature of those communications and at this point, those communications are protected.
SPELLMAN: The psychiatrist Erik Fisher argues that doctor/patient confidentiality has its limits.
ERIK FISHER, PSYCHOLOGIST: When a patient states a clear and imminent danger to a specific person, then we have an obligation to either warn that person, warn family members, people might be related to them, and also the authorities.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SPELLMAN: Also today, Carol, news organizations, including CNN, will argue before the court that documents in the case should be unsealed to give the public greater insight into what's going on in this case -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Jim Spellman reporting live from Colorado this morning.
So, what can we expect when Holmes appears in court today?
I'm joined by criminal defense attorney and family lawyer Sharon Liko.
Good morning, Sharon.
SHARON LIKO, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY AND FAMILY LAWYER: Good morning. How are you?
COSTELLO: I'm good. Thanks for being with us this morning.
Most of the documents in the case file, including the arrest affidavit, are sealed. A gag order restricts what attorneys and law enforcement officers can say about the case. Is this unusual?
LIKO: It's the way it needs to be. This case has to be tried in a courtroom, not by the media, not in the press.
Remember, they have to get an impartial jury and it's going to be hard enough given all the pretrial publicity. I would expect the defense possibly will file a motion to change venue so that it's not heard in Arapahoe County, heard somewhere else in the state of Colorado where people aren't as emotionally charged.
COSTELLO: Some details are expected to come out in court today. What can we expect?
LIKO: We can expect to hear a laundry list of charges. I would expect at least a hundred charges against him -- murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault.
We're going to hear issues regarding his notebook that he sent to the psychiatrist and that really is privileged information between a doctor/patient, psychiatrist/patient. That's privileged information. It should not be released. So, his defense lawyer should get that.
COSTELLO: Prosecutors say they have the notebook but they have not looked inside. That's just so hard to believe. I mean, the temptation would be there.
LIKO: The temptation is there. But, I'll tell you, as a lawyer, we are trained to avoid that temptation. And when we are not supposed to look at things, we usually don't.
COSTELLO: Motive -- I mean, can we expect any details about a possible motive for this crime?
LIKO: You know, this case isn't going to be about motive. This guy did it. There's no question as to whodunit. He did it.
The issue is going to be at the end of the day, whether this guy lives or dies. This is a death penalty case. If any case screams out for the death penalty, it's this one.
So, the defense lawyer's job is to save his life. And if they can save his life, whether that be through an insanity plea or somehow avoid the death penalty, they've done their job.
COSTELLO: So, will we find out if it's a death penalty case in court today?
LIKO: Not necessarily, no. The prosecution has a couple of months before they have to decide whether or not it's going to be a death penalty case.
And it's a very long, involved, complicated decision. The prosecution is going to meet with the victims and get their input. This is a long road if this goes the death penalty route.
The victims need closure, and there won't be any closure until this case is over with. You've got some victims that don't believe in the death penalty and they have forgiveness in their hearts, and you got others that, hey, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, this guy needs the death penalty.
So assuming the death penalty is the way they're going to go, you can expect a long, long hard-fought case.
COSTELLO: But we won't -- but we probably won't find out today.
LIKO: Right.
COSTELLO: Sharon Liko, thank you so much for being here this morning. We appreciate it.
I bet you spent part of the weekend watching the Olympics. But were you surprised by what you saw? Should the Olympic broadcast be tape delayed? The talk back question today.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Now, it's chance to talk back on one of the stories of the day. The question for you this morning, should the Olympic broadcast be tape delayed? Let's face it, there's no such thing as a news blackout these days. Hello? Twitterverse.
Was I the only one watching who knew that Jordyn Wieber had already lost her chance for an individual all-around gold medal? She was so good I even checked online to see if these final results were accurate before they were announced on TV. I had to do it. It's a habit.
And how many of you were surprised when you saw swimmer Ryan Lochte beat Michael Phelps in the individual medley? Maybe the five people on earth who didn't logon that day?
Some fans are so angry about NBC's tape delay, they created the Twitter #NBCfails and #NBCSucks, where complaining has become an Olympic sport.
This is from Luke Adams, "My fellow Olympic fans in the USA, just a reminder that you are watching sports from the past. It's like ESPN classic with a shorter delay. This from JVClark9 (ph), "Sort of annoying and terrible that NBC airs some Olympic events Lochte/Phelps on tape delay. We have live TV for a reason."
To be fair, for years, Olympic broadcasters have been tape- delaying events, but that was before the huge Internet explosion. For those who want to watch it live, NBC is streaming the events online albeit with some technical glitches.
There's no glitch in the ratings, however. According to entertainmentweekly.com, the tape delay strategy may be paying off, 28.7 million viewers watched on Saturday, making it the most watched opening night on record for the Summer Olympics. So take that, tape delay.
Talk back question this morning: should the Olympic broadcast be tape delayed? Facebook.com/CarolCNN, Facebook.com/CarolCNN. I'll read your comments later this hour.
Former Vice President Dick Cheney says John McCain made a mistake when he picked Sarah Palin as his running mate.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Thirty minutes past the hour. Good morning to you. I'm Carol Costello.
Stories we're watching right now in THE NEWSROOM:
Opening bell on Wall Street just ringing now. Despite Friday's big surge, stocks are heading for a weaker open this morning. Investors keeping a close eye on new measures aimed at boosting the global economy which will be announced by the Fed and the European Central Bank later this week.
Miami police still looking for a man in connection with a shooting spree. You just saw him there. They say Aaron Cash got into an argument with his girlfriend and later shot two of her brothers and an innocent bystander. Cash vows he will not surrender.
Only 99 days left until the election, but former Vice President Dick Cheney is still talking about the 2008 election. Cheney spoke with ABC news in his first interview since his heart transplant back in March.
And he had plenty to say about Senator McCain's choice for a running mate in 2008.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DICK CHENEY, FORMER U.S. VICE PRESIDENT: I like Governor Palin. I've met her. I know her. She is an attractive candidate.
But based on her background, she had only been governor for about two years. I don't think she passed that test.
ABC NEWS REPORTER: Of being ready?
CHENEY: Of being ready to take over. I think that was a mistake.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: ABC says Cheney also made some harsh remarks about President Obama. The network will air that interview today.
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has arrived in Poland this morning. It's the last stop of a three-day swing to bolster his foreign policy credentials. In Israel, the former Massachusetts governor took an aggressive tone against Iran and vowed to stand firmly behind Israel if it chose military action to thwart Iran's nuclear ambitions.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: They provide weapons that killed American soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq. It has plotted to assassinate diplomats on American soil. It is Iran that is the leading state sponsor of terrorism and the most destabilizing nation of the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Tough talk, yes. But "Newsweek" isn't so enamored with Romney. Its cover, you can see it there. "The Wimp Factor." And it asks the question, "Is he just too insecure to be president?"
It's reminiscent of 1987 cover that asked the same question about then presidential candidate George H.W. Bush.
So let's talk about that and more with CNN contributor and RedState.com editor-in-chief Erick Erickson, and CNN contributor L.Z. Granderson, who leans left.
Welcome to both of you.
L.Z. GRANDERSON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Thanks. Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: Good morning.
So this it cover story in "Newsweek" was written by a reporter for the magazine's sister publication "The Daily Beast." It was written by a liberal author.
So, Erick, was this a cheap shot?
ERICK ERICKSON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, first of all, let me say, yes, NBC, stop tape delaying my Olympics. But on this particular question, yes, it is a cheap shot.
Look, Michael Tomasky, a couple of weeks ago he wrote that Mitt Romney, by daring to go speak to the NAACP, was a race-baiting pyromaniac.
"Newsweek" has decided to be the print version of MSNBC and we should all treat them with that level of credibility.
COSTELLO: L.Z., I think the article was saying that Romney may be a wimp because he changes his stance on big issues like abortion seemingly, you know, with his finger in the political wind.
GRANDERSON: Well, yes. I agree with Erick. I felt that the tone of the article was a bit too transparent in terms of the liberal leaning. You can certainly attack the decisions and questions about Romney's character for sure, and he does seem to have a personality flaw. But I think the sensationalism of the headline really accomplished the one thing it was meant to do, and that is to get our attention. I don't think it was really supposed to provide with a lot of in-depth analysis.
COSTELLO: Well, as you might expect Mr. Romney was asked about this wimp factor thing by CBS. Here's how he responded to that "Newsweek" cover story.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROMNEY: If I worried about what the media said, I wouldn't get much sleep. I'm able to sleep pretty well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: So, Erick, will this have the opposite effect? Will it just rally people around Mitt Romney?
ERICKSON: You know what, I don't think it will have much effect at all. Most conservatives don't even read "Newsweek" anymore and judging by how everyone in the company is bailing on them, I don't think much anybody reads "Newsweek" anymore.
COSTELLO: It is having some troubles, right?
GRANDERSON: I think conservatives don't like Mitt Romney anyway. They just resolve to voting for him. So, it doesn't really matter what you say about him. They don't like him, so it doesn't really matter if he's a wimp or not. They just hate Obama more.
COSTELLO: Is that true, Erick, still?
ERICKSON: There's a huge portion of Republicans who don't care for Mitt Romney but they very much want to beat Barack Obama. This may be the first time if Mitt Romney wins that a candidate has ever won a major office for president by running against something instead of for (AUDIO GAP)
COSTELLO: -- trip overseas helped him, Erick, Mr. Romney? Has it toughen and made voters believe that he can handle himself on an international stage?
ERICKSON: No, the Olympics are going on. No one is paying attention to this overseas. For the life of me, I realize they want to run a biography connected campaign and tie him to the Olympics despite his foot swallowing the other day. He should have been at home on Friday when the jobs and economic report came out that more people went on disability and Social Security than went into the private sector workforce. I think this was misplayed and with the Olympics on, no one is paying attention.
COSTELLO: Yes, maybe they should just suspend the campaign, L.Z., until the Olympics are over.
(LAUGHTER)
GRANDERSON: You know, I don't get how saying a couple of speeches across the pond is going to bolster your foreign policy credentials. I think that it was a misguided attempt to begin with. And then when you get over there to insult our closest ally and then to use words that could very well incite agitation in the Middle East I just think was irresponsible.
I don't why he went over there. I agree with Erick. I don't think a lot of people are paying attention.
But more importantly, when they are paying attention, he seems to be flubbing things. That's going to hurt him more than help.
COSTELLO: Wow. You guys are both agreeing today. It's a beautiful thing -- at least on some things.
L.Z. Granderson, Erick Erickson, thanks so much for the conversation this morning.
ERICKSON: Thank you.
COSTELLO: They're known for raucous rock 'n' roll, but things apparently got way out of hand at a Tenacious D concert this weekend. What led to the blows and bloodshed?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: A rocky end to a concert by rock comedy duo Tenacious D, when a brawl interrupted the show.
Showbiz correspondent Nischelle Turner is in Los Angeles.
And we're talking about the concert by Jack Black, the comedian, and Kyle Gass. There was a stabbing?
NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Yes, absolutely, Carol. You know, Vegas police are saying that there are conflicting reports here. But they tell the Las Vegas journal review that one or two injured concert goers were transported to the hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening and they did add early this morning that they do have a suspect in custody now.
Now, according to the "Las Vegas Journal Review," Jack Black and his Tenacious D partner Kyle Gass were about an hour into their scheduled 90-minute rock comedy set at the House of Blues on Sunday when a scuffle erupted between two men in the audience. One person was stabbed in the leg. An eyewitness told "The Journal Review" that a large pool of blood was left in the bar area near the stage.
Now police canceled the rest of the concert and "The Daily Mail" reports that Jack Black told the crowd of about 1,500 that this is no joke. Due to a serious situation, we're shutting it down. We can only play one more song but we're going to rock it out.
And, Carol, just -- for your information, there are no word yet on charges for that suspect that police arrested.
COSTELLO: Nischelle Turner reporting live from Los Angeles and she'll be back next hour with more showbiz headlines, including whether "Modern Family" will return for a fourth season.
From wedding bands to a wedding ban -- this couple says the church where they planned to marry pulled out at the last minute because they were African-American. What the pastor and parishioners are saying now.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Forty-five minutes past the hour, checking our "Top Stories".
Mitt Romney is now in Poland, the last stop of his overseas trip he's scheduled to meet with the country's Prime Minister and also the Former President Lech Walesa who was a shipyard worker and inspired the anti-Communist movement that played a part in the collapse of the Iron Curtain.
Just a couple of hours the man accused in the Colorado massacre will face formal charges. James Holmes accused of killing 12 people and wounding 58 others. Holmes appeared in court last week. He did not speak. Cameras are not allowed in today's hearing.
In money news, Apple and Samsung go to court today in one of the biggest technology patent lawsuits ever. Apple accuses Samsung of copying its iPhone and iPad and wants Samsung's products pulled. Samsung is denying that, accusing Apple of running iPhones on its wireless technology.
In weather news more extreme heat advisories and warnings are in place for parts of the Deep South. Temperatures expected to climb near or into the triple digits. Highs will be 10 to 15 degrees above normal for the next few days.
Fallout this morning after a dream wedding turned into a nightmare for a Mississippi couple. They say the church they attend refused to marry them at the last minute because of their race. Now the couple, some church members, and the pastor are speaking out. Andrew Spencer with affiliate WLBT reports.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHARLES WILSON, DENIED WEDDING AT THE CHURCH: Why didn't those people stand up in the beginning if it was such a minority of people, why didn't the majority stand up and say in God's house we don't do this?
ANDREW SPENCER, WLBT (voice-over): Charles Wilson and his wife Te'Andrea are angry because of what happened two days before their wedding.
A. WILSON: Family members of the congregation got upset and decided that no black couple would ever be married in their church.
SPENCER: The First Baptist Church in Crystals Springs, Mississippi has never had an African-American wedding in its 129-year history.
STAN WEATERFORD, PASTOR: This had never been done here before, so it was setting a new precedence and there were those who reacted to that.
SPENCER: The church's Pastor, Stan Weatherford told Jackson, Mississippi TV station WLBT it was a small yet vocal group and he did what he thought was best by asking the Wilsons to take their wedding elsewhere.
A. WILSON: And didn't want to -- to have a controversy within the church, and I certainly didn't want a controversy to affect the wedding.
SPENCER: Weatherford married the couple at a nearby church.
TE'ANDREA WILSON, DENIED WEDDING AT THE CHURCH: I had dreams of having my wedding the way I wanted it. And I also dreamed of having it at the church. And unfortunately, it didn't happen.
SPENCER: Some congregants said they hope the Wilsons and the church can move on.
BOB MACK, CHURCH MEMBER: I would say I'm sorry this happened and would you forgive the people who caused it because we're going to try to.
SPENCER: As for the Wilsons, Te'Andrea has been a member of First Baptist for more than a year. Charles said he was looking forward to joining but now they don't feel welcome or at home.
A. WILSON: All we wanted to do in the eyes of God was to be man and wife in a church we thought we felt love.
SPENCER: I'm Andrew Spencer reporting.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: And we ask you to talk back on one of the stories of the day. It has to do with the Olympics this morning. "Should the Olympic broadcast be tape delayed?" Your responses after a break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: We asked you to "Talk Back" on one of the stories of the day. The question, "Should the Olympic broadcast be tape delayed."
This from Steve, "No, it's annoying and it shows the absolute commercialism of it by NBC. Live is exciting, period."
This from Deanne, "Might as well, but I can't DVR everything. I still haven't gotten to see any water polo which is really the main sport I would like to see. Also, swimming and gymnastics. But I got to see hours and hours of bike racing."
This from Leslie, "Marquee events should be aired live. I had to stay off Twitter as I'm unable to join the Olympic spoiler protection program, I need some opportunity to make it still exciting to watch."
This from Scott, "There have already been too many spoilers and it's only the third day. Should the World Series be taped delayed? The Super Bowl?"
And this from Bob, "The time difference makes live absurd for us. Most people DVR the thing anyway and watch it when they have time."
Keep the conversation going. Facebook.com/CarolCNN. I'll read more of your comments in the next hour of NEWSROOM.
An American teenager being called by some as the next Michael Phelps in the world of swimming. Why Missy Franklin could make a big splash this week in London.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Today could be the day Missy Franklin remembers for the rest of her life. The Colorado teenager is attempting to win her first individual Olympic medal in the finals of the 100 meter backstroke. This weekend, she won her first team medal, a bronze, in the 4 x 100 freestyle, but she's also trying just to be a normal kid.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta introduces us to this young swimming phenom.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Swim all the way to the wall and I'll swim there.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Loves the backstroke. (inaudible)
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Missy Franklin at two years old. And at five, winning her first freestyle race.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Winning, winning. First race.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come on, Missy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go Missy, go, go, go.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Missy Franklin, almost a body length ahead. Look at that. 59.89.
GUPTA: Now at age 17, she's the second youngest person on the U.S. Olympic team. Her backstroke and freestyle are what got her there.
MISSY FRANKLIN, TEAM U.S.A.: I made the team, which is the most exciting thing that I can ever imagine. I'm going to be an Olympian for the rest of my life.
GUPTA: Franklin is going to compete in four individual events and three relays in London. At 6'1, she towers over most her competition. Her physique is ideal for swimming fast. She has a wing span 6'4 across. Shoulders, a foot and a half wide. Size 13 feet, and flexible ankles that power her forward through the water.
Franklin may be on the verge of worldwide fame, kind of like a female Michael Phelps. But up until now, her family and her coach have taken pains to try to let her be a normal kid. Sometimes that means taking her shopping during a break at a meet.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's not a lot of coaches that would say, let's take you prom dress shopping. Then giving her a night out for prom.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (inaudible) finish with your feet.
GUPTA: She's confident, beyond her years.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To have an athlete like that that wants to take it all in and not get overwhelmed by it, it's pretty unbelievable.
GUPTA: The attention fuels Franklin while most athletes find a ready room before a race to be stressful, Franklin enjoys it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sometimes she'll talk to somebody that who doesn't want to talk to her and who sits there. And she's like, giggling and laughing, and they're like, no, no, don't break my mojo. She's like, come on, let's enjoy this. Come on, are you kidding me. We're going to walk out in front of 10,000 people.
FRANKLIN: I love music, I love dancing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's very few people comfortable in their own skin they'll do that in front of 70 of their peers and coaches and people that she doesn't even know. She's like, whatever. I'm going to bust a move and I'm going to have fun with this.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And here is Missy Franklin.
GUPTA: Don't mistake fun for lack of focus. In the pool, Franklin is all about doing what it takes to hit that wall first.
FRANKLIN: I want to have an absolute blast while I'm there. I know I will. If I give 110 percent and leave everything I have in the pool, I'm going to be proud of myself.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, reporting.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: The next hour of CNN NEWSROOM starts right now.
