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Jet Landed on Wrong Airport; Afghan Tribal Leaders to Debate U.S. Troop Pact; Representative Radel Off to Rehab; A-Rod Sounds Off; Nuclear Party for Senate Minority Leader?; Women Recovered Faster after Recession
Aired November 21, 2013 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RENE MARSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A giant cargo plane stranded in Wichita, Kansas, this morning after making a big mistake -- landing at the wrong airport, 10 miles away from where it was supposed to.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Giant 4241 heavy, confirm you know which airport you're at?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, we think we have a pretty good pulse.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Giant 4241 heavy, Roger, you -- it appears you are at Jabara again.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Say again?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Giant 4241 heavy, we saw the plane on the radar and it appears you are at Jabara airport.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Say again the name of it again?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jabara.
MARSH: The jet was supposed to land at the McConnell Air Force Base late last night but it somehow ended up at the Jabara airport. Making matters worse, Jabara has no control tower and a runway that's only half the length of McConnell's.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: McConnell is nine miles southeast.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, sir, we just landed at the other airport.
MARSH: And it doesn't end there. A tug that was on its way to help move the Dreamlifter broke down, according to Wichita affiliate KWCH.
Landings at the wrong airport has happened before. Last year a passenger plane carrying 14 people landed at the wrong airport in West Virginia, and a military jet last year landed at tiny Tampa airport in a residential area.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Giant 4241 heavy, that's J-A-B-A-R-R-A.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK, all right. Copy that. MARSH: But neither of those planes were as giant as the Dreamlifter. The modified passenger plane that Boeing says can haul more cargo than any other plane in the world.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Rene Marsh joins us now from Washington.
Rene, what do we know about this takeoff attempt later today?
MARSH: Yes. So, Christine, you see the video of the plane there, for several hours, it's huge. It's been sitting there on the tarmac. It has a wing span of -- it can fit some four three-bedroom homes so that just showed you how massive this thing is.
Engineers had been trying for quite some time now to figure out if it can takeoff. We now know that that takeoff attempt will happen about four hours from now. In the meantime the FAA is trying to investigate what caused this confusion that happened in the cockpit.
(CROSSTALK)
ROMANS: That's one really unusual day on the job for those pilots.
(LAUGHTER)
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: But can you imagine what a mess it would be if this were a passenger plane? You know, 300 plus people sitting on that tarmac in Kansas right now?
ROMANS: All right. Rene Marsh -- thank you, Rene.
BERMAN: All right. Some other news to tell you about. An 85-year- old Korean War veteran is detained in North Korea for almost a month.
Merrill Newman's son tells CNN his father was on the plane just moments away from leaving Pyongyang after visiting as a tourist when North Korean authorities hauled him away. The family hasn't heard from him since. His -- his son spoke last night with our Anderson Cooper.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEFF NEWMAN, FATHER DETAINED IN NORTH KOREA: They went to dinner Friday night. Next morning they got up, checked out of the hotel, went to the airport, got on the plane, apparently five minutes before they were ready to depart, authority came on the plane, looked at my dad, asked to see my dad's passport.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Wow.
NEWMAN: And he was asked to leave the plane.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: Eighty-five years old. The State Department says only now that it is aware of the reports of Newman's disappearance.
ROMANS: All right. The U.S. is a step closer to finalizing an agreement that would keep some U.S. troops in Afghanistan until 2024.
BERMAN: But first an unusual process is unfolding in Kabul. More than 2,000 tribal leaders from across Afghanistan are meeting today to debate this proposal. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says they must pass it but even if they do, the pact may not be signed until after April.
ROMANS: CNN's senior international correspondent Nic Robertson joins us now to sort of unpack all of this and what it means.
Hi, Nic.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi. Well, I think perhaps no surprise to those who watch Afghanistan a lot that Karzai would say hold off, even if they pass it I'll sign it after the presidential elections because he's trying to, if you will, make sure there's no, quote-unquote, "funny business" during the elections. He would like to make sure perhaps his candidate comes out on top.
But this jirga, they'll break down into little groups of about -- into 50 little groups, they'll debate it, come up with their conclusions Sunday. I think we can expect them to pass it. They're all concerned that security in the country is not where it should be right now.
BERMAN: You know, they have a letter in their hands from President Obama. There had been some reports earlier this week there would be some kind of apology for past U.S. mistakes. That's not what this letter is.
ROBERTSON: It is not an apology. What it is we will respect the sanctity and dignity of Afghans in their homes. That's what it says but under extraordinary circumstances if there are threats to U.S. lives and interests, then we will go into Afghan's homes.
Look, the concern is here by the Afghans, they pile the pressure on Hamid Karzai, and this is something he takes domestic political heat for in the country. When there are raids the capture, Taliban-al Qaeda leaders they go into Afghan homes. Sometimes they get it wrong.
The Afghans are saying, hey, what is this? What's NATO -- What is the United States doing coming into our houses? And some people in tiny little villages genuinely do live in fear of helicopters coming in.
This is a big deal for Karzai to deal with politically himself. So this is good language for him, it's good language for the loya jirga. It says a statement of intent. This will help it pass.
ROMANS: Certainly complicated relationship between Hamid Karzai and this government. I mean, these are tough negotiations.
ROBERTSON: Understatement.
BERMAN: Yes. ROBERTSON: I mean, he said today himself, "I don't trust the United States. The United States doesn't trust me." Mercurial is perhaps one of the politer words that some people use to describe the Afghan president.
ROMANS: Wow. Nic -- Nic, thank you so much. Nic Robertson, our CNN senior international correspondent.
BERMAN: Great to see you here, Nic.
Still to come for us, a Florida congressman headed to rehab today after pleading guilty for cocaine possession.
ROMANS: After the break what he plans to do with his public salary while he's away from his job in treatment.
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BERMAN: Let's take a look at our top stories right now.
The governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell, is ordering a review of his state's mental health services. That's after a state senator was stabbed by his son, just before this son committed suicide.
Mental health professionals reportedly evaluated Gus Deeds a day before the episode but they released him because they could not find enough -- any, frankly, psychiatric beds in that part of the state. CNN has learned that at least three area hospitals did in fact have beds available.
ROMANS: Rescue crews are still searching the waters off Florida for two people missing after an air ambulance crash. The Coast Guard has searched more than 600 square miles of ocean now. Crews have found plenty of debris but they still have not located the flight's data recorder.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF PETTY OFFICER RYAN DOSS, U.S. COAST GUARD: At this time, there's no indication that we've recovered that cockpit recording device. They have begun going through the wreckage looking for that but they have not -- they have not seen it.
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ROMANS: The Coast Guard is still calling this an active search and rescue operation.
BERMAN: Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel could walk free today as he waits for a new trial for the 1975 murder of his teenaged neighbor. A bond hearing for the 53-year-old nephew of Ethel Kennedy is set for this morning.
Skakel spent at least 11 years in prison after -- he spent the last 11 years in prison after a jury convicted him of bludgeoning Martha Moxley to death with a golf club. A judge set aside this conviction last month.
And just hours after he pleaded guilty to cocaine possession, Florida Congressman Trey Radel admitted that he has a cocaine addiction -- actually an alcohol addiction and announced he'll take a leave of absence from Congress.
ROMANS: The freshman Republicans also said he will donate his salary to charity while he gets treatment.
CNN's Alina Machado is live in Cape Coral, Florida, where he made this announcement last night.
Good morning.
ALINA MACHADO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Christine.
The 37-year-old lawmaker flew in late last night, he came right to his office where he answered questions from reporters about his future.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
REP. TREY RADEL (R), FLORIDA: I have no excuse for what I've done.
MACHADO (voice-over): Contrite and apologetic, Republican Congressman Trey Radel announced late Wednesday night that he's taking a leave of absence from Congress after pleading guilty to possession of cocaine.
RADEL: I have let down our country. I've let down our constituents. I've let down my family.
MACHADO: The freshman lawmaker says he's accepting responsibility for his actions.
RADEL: I have been getting the help that I need, and I will continue to get the help that I need.
MACHADO: Federal agents arrested Radel back in October during a drug sting. Court documents say he bought 3.5 grams of cocaine, worth $260, from an undercover officer. Radel calls his actions, quote, "extremely irresponsible," and says he's been struggling with addiction for years.
RADEL: I knew that this day would come. I've been struggling with this, but I have had my wake-up call.
MACHADO: Earlier Wednesday, Radel was at Washington, D.C.'s Superior Court where he ignored questions from reporters.
Radel has been sentenced to a year of probation and if successfully completed his guilty plea will be cleared from his record. He was facing up to 180 days in prison.
Some are now calling for Radel to step down.
MELANIE SLOAN, CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS: Trey Radel needs to resign right away. He committed a crime, members of Congress swear to uphold the laws, not break them.
MACHADO: The former journalist and father of a 2-year-old son stopped short of resigning, instead he says he's focused on rebuilding trust with his family.
RADEL: The first thing that I need to do tonight is go to begin to mend that trust and relationship with my wife, who is with me, who will continue to stand with me, who I love, who is my rock. I'm going to hug my little guy, even if he's asleep tonight, and I'm going to work to do everything I can to be strong, to come out as a better man.
MACHADO: Radel also said he would enter an intensive in-patient program to get treatment for substance abuse. He hopes to set an example for those who struggle with addiction.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MACHADO: An aide for the congressman tells us that he plans to check in -- check himself into a rehab facility today. That rehab facility is located in Naples, Florida -- John, Christine.
BERMAN: All right. Alina Machado in Cape Coral, Florida, thanks so much. Good to see you.
And still to come for us here, Alex Rodriguez, he curses, he swears, then he storms out of his arbitration hearing.
ROMANS: All right. So is he gone for good or will he be back today to testify?
BERMAN: And is this all an act, folks?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: Welcome back. About 18 minutes past the hour. Alex Rodriguez' arbitration hearing resumes in just minutes. But don't expect the Yankee third baseman to be there.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN HOST: Nope, A-Rod cursed, he swore, he used naughty language then stormed out of yesterday's session. He later said he was done with what he called the farce. Kind of unclear which side that farce is on. CNN's Jason Carroll here with the story.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Rodriguez very upset, basically called some of these MLB officials, said they were full of it. He used a different word that I won't use now, but basically Rodriguez calling the entire proceeding disgusting. It all happened behind closed doors in private but then Rodriguez went public.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALEX RODRIGUEZ, MLB PRO: I banged the table and kicked a briefcase and slammed out of the room.
CARROLL (voice-over): Alex Rodriguez crying foul, so angry with Major League Baseball's commissioner and the league's investigation into allegations he used performance-enhancing drugs, he went to the airwaves to vent his frustration and to deny he used PEDs.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you do any PEDs?
RODRIGUEZ: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you obstruct just anybody, any witnesses, did you do anything that they accused you of doing?
RODRIGUEZ: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nothing?
RODRIGUEZ: Nothing.
CARROLL (voice-over): Rodriguez appeared on Mike Francesa's radio show on WFAN just hours after he stormed out of an arbitration hearing about his 211-game suspension, furious that the arbitrator decided Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig would not have to testify.
RODRIGUEZ: I exploded. I was very upset. I probably overreacted. But that's just -- it came from the heart. And it's been a very difficult process.
CARROLL (voice-over): Rodriguez attorneys wanted to question Selig on a number of points. They allege MLB investigators used unethical tactics, including intimidating witnesses into making false accusations about Rodriguez.
RODRIGUEZ: My only message to the commissioner is, I know you don't like New York. But come to New York and face the music.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What about you, does he like you?
RODRIGUEZ: He hates my guts, there's no question about it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have you ever gotten along with him? Do you think this is personal?
RODRIGUEZ: I don't think they like big salaries -- 100 percent this is personal. And I think this is about his legacy and it's about my legacy. And he's trying to destroy me. And, by the way, he's retiring 2014 and to put me in his big mantle on the way out, that's a hell of a trophy.
CARROLL (voice-over): MLB denies their investigators did anything unethical.
And as for Rodriguez walking out, this statement, "Despite Mr. Rodriguez being upset with one of the arbitration panel's rulings today, Major League Baseball remains committed to this process and to a fair resolution of the pending dispute."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CARROLL: For now Rodriguez says arbitration will continue without him. He is getting support from the players' union, which says every player has the right to directly confront his accuser.
BERMAN: The question here is who is the audience. Swearing and storming out of an arbitration hearing cannot play well with the arbitrator. So is this for public opinion, is this for a court case that may follow this?
CARROLL: All good questions. I think from the Rodriguez camp this is really about, as he has said, it's about his legacy. It's about trying to appeal to the fans who do like him. There are a number of fans, as you know, who do not like him but this is about appealing to those who support him, and who were out there trying to say basically, look, this is a man who has received a 211-game suspension. If it is upheld that will effectively end his career. And it's a fight to save whatever sort of (INAUDIBLE) of his legacy --
(CROSSTALK)
ROMANS: He's in the corner and he's lashing out.
CARROLL: Correct. Yes.
BERMAN: There is no precedent, as far as I know, for a commissioner testifying in this kind of hearing.
CARROLL: There is not. And in fact, MLB points out that whenever they're dealing with the joint drug agreement the commissioner has never testified in a case like this. But on the other hand of that you have a 211-game suspension, that's unprecedented. And so Rodriguez says with this type of punishment above his head he should be able to face his accuser.
BERMAN: Jason Carroll, great to see you. Great points.
CARROLL: You bet.
ROMANS: What an interesting story.
BERMAN: All right. Talking about the explosions going on right there and what's down on Capitol Hill, some big potential news brewing.
Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid may be about to resort to extreme measures to keep Republicans from blocking presidential nominees. This is the so-called nuclear option, the big question right now is how close is he to using it? Our chief congressional correspondent Dana Bash has been following all of this. She joins us live.
Hey, Dana.
DANA BASH, SR. U.S. CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, John.
Well, it's all but certain that he is going to try to change the rules at some point today. I'm a little cautious because I've seen this movement before and covered the Senate long enough to know that things can change at the last minute.
But the plan appears to be, according to multiple Democratic sources, that Harry Reid is going to launch what is known as the nuclear option.
What that means in layman's terms is that it could be even more partisan on Capitol Hill -- if you can imagine that -- than it is now. The reason that the Democratic leader is going to seek to change the rules is because they're very frustrated with the fact that Republicans have been holding up the president's nominees.
Let's just take a step back and talk about what we're discussing. Look at the screen there, the current rules allow the minority to filibuster, and it requires 60 votes to overcome the filibuster.
What this rule change would do would effectively take away the minority's rights on most of the president's nominees for the executive branch and also for the bench, except for the Supreme Court. That means that it would be a 51-vote majority.
And if you look at the balance of power in the Senate, you can see why Democrats want to do this right now. It is 55 Democrats, 45 Republicans. So they would have an easy time passing the president's nominees, a much easier time than they're having now.
Now you might ask, well, if this is the case, why don't people in the majority -- parties in the majority change the rules all the time?
The reason is, there's a reason it's called the nuclear option, it is because, institutionally, both parties have this sort of an understanding that they may be in the majority now but they could be in the minority tomorrow and part of the beauty of the Senate, in the Senate rules at least, for the past few decades, has been that minority rights are pretty strong as opposed to the House.
And so the respect for that has made it, made the leaders in both parties reluctant to change the rules, but Harry Reid has gotten so fed up and wants to make a political point right now and so it looks like it might happen today.
ROMANS: Wow, that's a real change.
BERMAN: The other calculation he has, Dana, is he's looking forward and saying, look, if we do this, it could be bad for us when we're in the minority, but who is to say the Republicans wouldn't change the rules anyway? It may be so caustic right now that you can't trust anybody.
BASH: That's very true. It's very true.
The other thing that's interesting we look at what might have changed. Some of the veteran senators who are in the Democratic caucus had been reluctant to do this -- Dianne Feinstein of California, Patrick Leahy of Vermont, people who have been there for a very long time and have respect for the institution but also a fear of being in the minority as well.
They changed their minds. They think that the best way to fix Washington, because they believe it is so broken, is to make this change, you know, damn the consequences. BERMAN: All right. Dana Bash for us on Capitol Hill, thank you so much. Stay with us because if this happens it truly is a very big deal on Capitol Hill, a big change, and if it does happen during the next hour or so, we'll bring it to you live.
Still to come for us, scary moments on a JetBlue flight after the emergency chute deploys midair. What the airline is saying about this. This is not supposed to happen, folks. We'll show you what happened, next.
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ROMANS: All right, welcome back. I'm Christine Romans.
BERMAN: And I'm John Berman. Great to see you this morning.
ROMANS: This morning we're waiting for the opening bell to ring in about 20 seconds. Alison Kosik following a story from the New York stock exchange.
You've had this issue, Alison, where it's almost like a pause button has been hit on the rally. Yesterday with concerns about the Fed, what are we expecting this morning?
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Looks like stocks will open at least in the plus column -- that's after doing a sharp U-turn right after the Fed came out with its minutes, basically its notes from its latest meeting, showing that it may decide on how to change its stimulus, the money that it's pouring into the financial system.
The criteria that it uses may change, so that threw investors for a loop; they wound up selling yesterday but as we see with the opening bell, stocks are starting off in the plus column -- Christine.
ROMANS: So interesting, because there's a report this morning that four years after the recession ended, we're finally making some headway when it comes to the jobs market, Alison. Women have regained all the jobs they lost during the recession. Tell me about that.
KOSIK: Yes, and it was men who are having the trouble, because men got clobbered during the recession. They had huge job losses in those male dominated fields, like manufacturing and construction, so they're having a harder time finding jobs.
