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Campbell Brown
Tropical Storm Fay Hits Florida; McCain, Obama Talk Faith
Aired August 18, 2008 - 20:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAMPBELL BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: We have got some breaking weather news we're tracking for you tonight.
Tropical Storm Fay already battering Key West is back over the Gulf, gaining power, headed for land again. And when it hits, forecasters say it very likely could be a hurricane.
Chad Myers is in the CNN Storm Center. He says this is a very tough storm to predict. We are going to be live down in the storm zone for you in just a minute with the very latest details on that.
In politics tonight, we have got John McCain and Barack Obama under the microscope. They were all smiles when they sat down with "Purpose Driven Life" author Rick Warren over the weekend. But McCain and Obama couldn't have been more different once the questions started. We are going to talk to you about that and talk with our political panel about that.
And, at the Olympics today, nothing has pushed the amazing Michael Phelps from the headlines. His eight gold medals are just the beginning. But, in terms of endorsement, how much are they worth? -- $10 million, $50 million? We are going to ask one of the few people who really knows and understands the business.
And, tonight, be one of the first people in the world to see Chris Daughtry's new music video. It is here, right here, in the ELECTION CENTER, because the "American Idol" star cares about our new initiative, the League of First Time Voters. It is an essential resource for anybody who has got questions about politics. And it all begins tonight in the ELECTION CENTER, no bias, no bull.
But we're going to start tonight with the breaking news we mentioned earlier. As Tropical Storm Fay hits Florida, regroups, it is about to hit again. Forecasters think it will reach hurricane strength in the next few hours. Storm tides are expected to be up to five feet above normal near its center. And there have already been tornado warnings in the Florida Keys and in South Florida.
We have been all over the storm all day, and with reports from Cuba to Key West up through the mainland.
And Gary Tuchman is live now in Marco Island, Florida, with the very latest.
And, Gary, what's happening there now?
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Campbell, Fay is now waltzing into southwestern Florida. This is Marco Island. Marco Island is an upscale barrier island that is connected by a bridge to the city of Naples in Collier County. It's about 100 miles north as the crow flies to Key West.
One hour ago, it was drizzling. There was almost no wind. And now conditions are going downhill very quickly. The rains are coming down hard. The winds are picking up. And the worst is about to start here. Around dawn is supposed to be the worst wind, possibly Category 1 hurricane level.
Now, they're no strangers to hurricanes and tropical storms here, especially in this decade. In 2006, they had -- 2005, that is, they had Hurricane Wilma brush by here. And, in 2004, Hurricane Charley, a Category 4 hurricane, it struck directly to the north of here and caused a lot of damage here.
And in 2006, just two years ago, a tropical storm hit here. So, this will be the fourth or fifth time this decade that they have gotten hit by a tropical storm or a hurricane. There is a curfew in effect tonight from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. No one is allowed to outside in order to keep people safe. A voluntary evacuation is in effect on this island -- Campbell, back to you.
BROWN: Gary, You said voluntary evacuation and Category 1. Are a lot of people leaving or are most staying there to ride it out?
TUCHMAN: I think what's really interesting, Campbell, is they're experts in Florida with dealing with hurricanes and tropical storms. So, when you have a storm that's predicated to be a major hurricane, a Category 3, 4, or 5, everyone boards up. Most people get out.
What we're seeing now on this island of Marco Island, population 12,000, very few people seem to have boarded up. They're hearing that it's going to be either a strong tropical storm or a minor hurricane. Yes, some people have left. We have seen people going across the bridge, but there are still plenty of people who remain on this island, no mandatory evacuations, so therefore no mass exodus, it seems.
BROWN: All right, Gary Tuchman for us tonight -- out in the weather, Gary. Thanks. We appreciate it.
Fay, as we mentioned earlier, forecasts have been telling us, is a tough storm to predict. So, where is it headed next?
We want to go now to the severe weather expert Chad Myers. He is in our CNN Storm Center.
And, Chad, what does it look like? Where do you think it's headed? Where does it look like Fay is going to hit the hardest?
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Where do I think it's headed and where does the Hurricane Center and where do some of the computer model think it's headed? That's like three different answers.
I think it's headed to the north. It could turn to the east over the Everglades and affect the backside, the wrong way of the East Coast cities. The forecast is not for that. It is to go over Naples and then kind of on up toward just to the south of Orlando.
It could stay out in the Gulf of Mexico, come around and hit Sarasota or Tampa. All computer models are not saying the same thing. We have models all the way from the Atlantic Ocean all the way into the Gulf of Mexico and ocean and then some of them, obviously most of them, straight up the center spine of Florida.
Tornadoes are possible tonight over almost the entire state of Florida. This is maybe the biggest problem, especially at night, because you can't see them coming. You may not get a warning on them. I just want you to stay away from the windows here with this thing, because, tonight, if you can, sleep inside a smaller room that may not even have any windows -- Campbell.
BROWN: Do you think the storm is actually going to reach hurricane strength, Chad?
MYERS: Well, even if it hits the Everglades, Campbell, that's just water. You think of it, maybe it's land. It looks like land on the map. But it is just a swamp. And it's a hot swamp.
So, if it turns to the right and does make a run for Fort Lauderdale, sure, it could still be a hurricane. Wilma got stronger before it hit the other side here in Boca and West Palm. It got stronger on the Everglades. And then if it goes to the north, if it does stay on track, then certainly there's more water for it to get stronger, absolutely, and it will be very close to 75 miles per hour before landfall.
MYERS: All right, Chad, we are going to be checking back with you. We appreciate it.
We will also keep checking with our reporters in Florida throughout the hour.
But coming up next, John McCain and Barack Obama face off at the Saddleback forum. They were asked the same questions and of course had very different answers. It's how they answered that has a lot of people taking another look today. We will talk about that.
And later, Michael Phelps, king of the world. How much maybe will this Olympic king be paid? We are going to ask top sports agent Leigh Steinberg, the man who inspired Tom Cruise' role in the movie "Jerry Maguire."
We will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BROWN: John McCain and Barack Obama have big decisions to make. The conventions now just days from now, and the candidates could announce their running mates at any moment. But people are still talking today about this big political event over the weekend, Pastor Rick Warren's faith forum at his Saddleback Church. Candy Crowley is here now to talk to us about the political fallout.
And, Candy, a lot of interesting stuff to come out of this forum, but there was one moment that really got people talking. Tell us about it.
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely.
And I think the reason it did get people talking is a couple of reasons. First, it really did show a substantive difference between Obama and McCain, one we already knew, but one which really crystallized in this question. And, secondly, it showed a very different style between the two of them. The question was, when does a baby get human rights?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PASTOR RICK WARREN, AUTHOR, "THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE": At what point does a baby get human rights, in your view?
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, you know, I think that whether you're looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity, you know, is above my pay grade.
WARREN: Have you...
OBAMA: But let me just speak more generally about the issue of abortion, because this is something obviously the country wrestles with. One thing that I'm absolutely convinced of is that there is a moral and ethical element to this issue. And so I think anybody who tries to deny the moral difficulties and gravity of the abortion issue, I think, is not paying attention. So that would be point number one.
But point number two, I am pro-choice. I believe in Roe v. Wade, and I come to that conclusion not because I'm pro-abortion, but because, ultimately, I don't think women make these decisions casually. I think they -- they wrestle with these things in profound ways.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CROWLEY: Now, take a listen to John McCain with the exact same question.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WARREN: What point is a baby entitled to human rights?
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: At the moment of conception.
(APPLAUSE) MCCAIN: I have a 25- year pro-life record in the Congress, in the Senate. And as president of the United States, I will be a pro- life president. And this presidency will have pro-life policies. That's my commitment. That's my commitment to you.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CROWLEY: Now, in all fairness, Campbell, for someone who is pro- choice, as Barack Obama is, there is no easy answer to, when does a baby get human rights?
But those two answers back to back were seen by critics of Obama as sort of a real for instance of his elliptical way of speaking, whereas you saw John McCain like come out immediately and answer out of the box. But it was an easier question for him to answer than Obama.
BROWN: A good point.
The nuance, though, vs. clarity question goes beyond, though, what was said at the forum this weekend. There was a front-page story in the Sunday "New York Times" quoting some big-name Democratic governors saying that they want Obama on a lot of issues to get more specific in his answers and in his plans, to put some meat on the bones when it comes to change and when it comes to hope. What's going on? What are your sources telling you about this?
CROWLEY: Well, they're telling me pretty much the same thing. And here's why.
It is particularly the economy. They think in order for Barack Obama to reach out to that group that he is having trouble with, the old Hillary Clinton voters, the working white voters, that he's going to have to be very specific: Here is how I am going to help you.
I think one of the quotes in the paper said it best. He needs like a 10 word response to, here's what I'm going to do for you. They don't feel that the huge crowds help. They feel that he needs to be out there with something very specific.
Now, the Obama campaign argues back and says, wait a minute. Go to our Web site. We have all these plans.
But these governors, particularly in these states that are going to be swing states, in Pennsylvania and Ohio and West Virginia, where that working-class white vote is very important, particularly in those states, they want him to be a lot briefer and a lot more specific.
BROWN: Candy Crowley for us tonight -- as always, Candy, thanks.
A lot more to this story -- with the Democratic Convention just days away, some real alarm within the party. We are going to ask our group of political experts what Obama needs to do to calm some of that fear out there. And then later, the world premier of "American Idol" finalist Chris Daughtry's latest video, the theme song for our League of First Time Voters.
This is the ELECTION CENTER.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BROWN: For Barack Obama, the weekend's faith forum was smooth sailing, more or less, but one moment did set off all sorts of alarm bells. And we do want to listen again to this exchange about abortion.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PASTOR RICK WARREN, AUTHOR, "THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE": At what point does a baby get human rights, in your view?
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, you know, I think that whether you're looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity, you know, is above my pay grade.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: And it's that lack of specificity that is causing some concern tonight.
And here to talk to me about that is "New York Observer" columnist Steve Kornacki, Leslie Sanchez, CNN political contributor and Republican strategist, and Dana Milbank, CNN contributor and national political correspondent for "The Washington Post."
Welcome, everybody.
Steve, you heard what Senator Obama said, above his pay grade, in trying to respond to this question, not exactly clear and to the point in the way that John McCain answered the question. And, in fairness -- Candy made this point -- McCain has a much easier answer to that question because of his position.
But do people want to hear more clarity, a simpler solution, or at least what his view is? Kind of kicking the ball down the field.
(CROSSTALK)
STEVE KORNACKI, COLUMNIST, "THE NEW YORK OBSERVER": Well, yes, I don't think he is going to pay a specific price on did he or did he not define when life begins in terms of abortion, threaten the campaign.
But the most memorable line in a campaign, whether for better or for worse for a candidate, the one that really defines the candidate and really defines the campaign, the context doesn't matter. But what they do, what these lines do is reinforce a caricature or reinforce a theme. And they end up really sort of defining the election. The classic example, really, is Ronald Reagan to Jimmy Carter in the last debate in 1980 when he looked at him and he said, there you go again. And it spoke to a sentiment that people had about Jimmy Carter. It just crystallized it so well. Nobody remembers the context. It was about Medicare.
BROWN: So, that sentiment here being that he's about hope, about change, about big ideas, but where are the specifics?
KORNACKI: The entire McCain message at this point -- and they have done a very good job of turning this into a referendum on Barack Obama -- the message is, you strip away the facade, there is no there there.
So, this is the kind of thing they are going to use. They will this use quote, recycle it over and over and over. No one is know, by the end, that this was about abortion. It's the idea that this is a guy who cannot be pinned down.
BROWN: Leslie, is that what Republicans are going to do?
LESLIE SANCHEZ, CNN POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR: Well, to some extent, I agree with that point. It's very much the Mondale '84 where is the beef kind of aura that you have around Barack Obama.
But the distinct difference here is, this is an issue, when you relate to abortion, that people have visceral, deep feelings about. He could say, I'm pro-life, I'm pro-choice, I believe life begins at conception. He needed to take a very strong stand.
And I think he's asking people to suspend their disbelief in this one too many times. It's not credible. He needed to be sincere. He needed to be clear.
And, if anything, he established a very strong opening for John McCain with evangelicals and pro-life voters.
BROWN: Well, Dana, the concern here, it's I would say even less about evangelicals or pro-life voters here, but Democrats are getting a little bit nervous in the party, at least according to this piece I read in "The New York Times" on Sunday, this quote from Democratic Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, who said, "Instead of giving big speeches at big stadiums, he needs to give straight-up 10-word answers to people at Wal-Mart about how he would improve their lives."
Do you agree with that?
DANA MILBANK, CNN POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR: Well, I agree that Phil Bredesen is probably not on the short list for vice presidential nominees at this particular point in time.
(LAUGHTER)
BROWN: Not anymore.
MILBANK: But he's speaking to a widespread concern in the party. I suspect that the hug that Obama gave McCain on the stage over the weekend is the last one we're going to see. And it's true. For perhaps the last three, maybe four weeks now, he has really allowed McCain to define him and to define the race. So, he has really got to get back off of that and push back very firmly. He's not into sort of Swift Boating territory here, but McCain has definitely been rocking the Obama canoe lately.
BROWN: And, Steve, he has the opportunity, I would say, to tackle some of these issues or concerns, if they are legitimate, at the convention. What would you expect him to do? What would you like to see him do in terms of the speech?
KORNACKI: Well, here's the problem, I think.
These Democrats who are out there saying he's not being specific enough, they want the bread and butter, the nuts and bolts, sort of 10-point for this, eight-point plan for that, that's not Barack Obama. That's never been Barack Obama.
It's absolutely true, what his campaign says. If you go to his Web site or if you specifically, he's been very specific on the issues. But that's never been at the heart of his appeal. And what these concerns really speak to is that the fundamental dynamic of this race has changed over the course of the summer in a way nobody has anticipated.
This was supposed to be a referendum on George W. Bush and the Republican Party. And, in that context, Barack Obama could be the guy who gives great speeches and offers a sweeping vision of the country and it was going to be fine.
The Republicans have succeeded -- and the media has contributed to this by focusing so much on Obama -- they have succeeded in making this a referendum on Obama. When it becomes a referendum on Obama, you have to be specific. And that's not his forte.
BROWN: Go ahead quickly, Leslie.
SANCHEZ: I think this ignores the obvious.
If you talk to a lot of Democrats, they will say privately Barack Obama is a problematic candidate. He is somebody with all the resources. He's in a Democratic year. Every type of political indicator, right track/wrong track direction of the country, a variety of different things, anti-war effort, show that this should be a slam- dunk for Democrats.
But it's not because this is a candidate that is ethereal, that people really can't really understand who he is. It's a Barack Obama problem. It's not something the Republicans or the media has cast upon him. It's the scrutiny of the media I think that is helping people understand the distinct differences between the two.
BROWN: OK, guys, stay with me. We're coming right back to you shortly. But, up next, the campaign trail getting crowded as potential vice presidents jockey for face time with Obama and McCain. You saw them on TV all over the weekend. Well, we will tell you what's going on behind the scenes.
Still ahead, the deals that could make Michael Phelps an even bigger superstar. Olympic swimmer Brooke Bennett has three gold medals of her own. And she is here to talk about what Phelps is going to do now.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BROWN: Well, look who introduced Barack Obama at this afternoon's town hall rally. That's New Mexico Governor and possible Obama running mate Bill Richardson.
Over the weekend, I couldn't help but notice that the Sunday talk shows looked like a casting call for prospective vice presidents from both parties. Just look at them all. Obama has to make his pick in the next week. His vice president will speak at the convention next Wednesday.
Now, our political insiders have been working the phones all night.
You have, haven't you, Steve, right? Yes.
And let's see what they're hearing now.
Joining me once again, Steve Kornacki, Leslie Sanchez and Dana Milbank.
And, Dana, let me start with you, because,today, our newsroom was abuzz when Drudge Report posted an item saying that Obama was going to announce his V.P. as early as tomorrow. We have been waved off of it. It's not going to be tomorrow, we have now been told, supposedly.
But let's start with Obama. Who should he pick and who do you think he will pick?
MILBANK: Well, obviously, he needs somebody with a strong military presence. And the good news, Pervez Musharraf is now available.
(LAUGHTER)
MILBANK: But assuming he chooses to go with somebody closer to home, the big gamble here could take would obviously be to go with Hillary Clinton, unifying the party, adding some excitement.
I suspect things are pointed more in a safe direction. He will go with what I would call the boring B's, an Evan Bayh or a Joe Biden, very safe, good guys.
(CROSSTALK)
BROWN: You think Joe Biden is a boring B? Not always.
MILBANK: He would definitely give the longest press conferences in the history of the White House.
BROWN: All right, fair enough.
(LAUGHTER)
BROWN: Steve, what do you think?
KORNACKI: Yes. No, I think there's a certain conventional wisdom here that Obama cannot go in the direction of the sort of old Washington insider, because he will ruin his reputation as the change candidate.
BROWN: Right.
KORNACKI: I don't care if you put Robert Byrd on it. He is going to be the change candidate in this election.
The issue is, you have a vulnerability, a very clear vulnerability on national security, on foreign policy. And it becomes an emotional issue at a certain point. People tend to like Barack Obama. They tend to want to vote Democratic this year. They need reassurance.
(CROSSTALK)
KORNACKI: Tim Kaine doesn't do it. Joe Biden.
(CROSSTALK)
BROWN: Who should -- who would you like him to pick?
(CROSSTALK)
KORNACKI: Joe Biden is by far, among the ones who seem to be under serious consideration, because not only does he have the clear credentials, and not only does he -- it's the way he communicates. He is a great communicator on foreign policy.
BROWN: But will he pick Joe Biden, do you think?
KORNACKI: I have a feeling that, at the end of the day, the personal relationship with Tim Kaine is still going to carry the day.
BROWN: So, your should is Joe Biden.
(CROSSTALK)
KORNACKI: My shoulds and my wills never match up.
BROWN: OK, Leslie?
SANCHEZ: I will piggyback off that. I say he should pick somebody like a Chuck Hagel. Hey, you want to be bipartisan. You want to talk about the anti-war effort.
(CROSSTALK)
BROWN: OK. Your should is a Republican? Leslie, you're so predictable.
(LAUGHTER)
SANCHEZ: (INAUDIBLE) one in.
But I think it would be interesting if he did pick a Kaine. There's a lot -- being a Southern state. It's a kind of new generation, a new movement. And I think it's much more interesting in terms of what -- it's in alignment with what Barack Obama is trying to say with respect to change.
SANCHEZ: And, Dana, what do you think of all the campaigning that is going on? We saw Mitt Romney all over the Sunday shows. Evan Bayh glued himself to Obama. Does any of this stuff help?
MILBANK: I think there were nine of them out there on Sunday.
The truth is, if either McCain or Obama hasn't yet made up his own mind, then he has got some serious decision-making problems at this point. So, I suspect this is more about them grabbing their 15 minutes of fame at this point than actually auditioning for the job anymore.
SANCHEZ: And there is an interesting point there, Campbell. While people look at bolstering his foreign policy experience and credentials, it's really not -- it's almost a default candidate in the sense because he's such a luminary that it doesn't have as much significance as I would argue the Republican V.P. does.
BROWN: Right.
All right, Steve, Leslie, Dana, thanks to all of you. Appreciate it.
And to everybody out there, if you think you know who is going to get the vice presidential nods, go to the CNN.com/ELECTIONCENTER and click on the veepstakes link. You can predict a winner and check the political fortunes of every possible running mate.
For the Republicans, Mitt Romney is the current leader, followed by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. For the Democrats, Senator Joe Biden of Delaware and Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius are the top choices right now.
I have a running bet with my husband. Whoever wins has to get up with the baby for an entire week.
OK. Now you're not going to believe this one. Senate leaders are trying to stop a doctor from delivering babies for free for poor women. This is true. And it's because the doctor in question is a senator, too. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma. And he says that Washington's priorities are royally messed up.
We're going to tell you about it tomorrow night in the ELECTION CENTER. Stay with us for that. We'll be back right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BROWN: A major development on the war in terror to tell you about tonight. Pakistan's president, Pervez Musharraf, long considered a key U.S. ally in a critically important country, resigned today rather than face impeachment. His departure leaves a big question mark in a Muslim country with nuclear weapons, where much of the population likes al-Qaeda frankly more than it likes the U.S.
CNN senior political analyst David Gergen has advised Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Clinton. All of them had to deal with problems in Pakistan. Joining us tonight, David, welcome.
Since 9/11, Musharraf has been one of the U.S.' most important allies in the war on terror and I think what most people would want to know is who's going to be in charge in Pakistan now? Will Pakistan continue to be an ally and, frankly, will it be a better ally now than it has been under Musharraf in many ways?
DAVID GERGEN, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, Campbell, those are exactly the questions the U.S. government is asking itself tonight because nobody is certain of the answers. What we do know is that Musharraf, since 9/11 has been crucial for us in the fight against the Taliban and al-Qaeda especially from those tribal areas of Pakistan, and we poured in $10 billion to shore him up. And now, he's collapsed. He's left. And it's uncertain who's really going to be running Pakistan.
There's a coalition government. Will it survive? Will it be a firm ally? There are two big issues the United States would like continued help on. One is to try to make a better effort and right now it's going backwards in those tribal areas trying to contain the Taliban and by making sure it's not a haven to attack the United States from al-Qaeda.
And secondly, the loose nukes problem, and that is that Pakistan does have nuclear weapons. And if there is chaos in that country in the months ahead, then who's going to get their hands on that? Will they be well protected? The U.S. government has been giving us assurances on that point, but nobody can be absolutely certain.
BROWN: And, David, this is a country in the most volatile part of the world...
GERGEN: Yes.
BROWN: ... a population of 165 million, going through an economic crisis right now, you pointed out a country with nuclear weapons. Both Senators Barack Obama and John McCain applauded Musharraf's resignation today, but they've got to be pretty worried about the direction of events here. GERGEN: Well, absolutely, Campbell. One of the reasons that Musharraf fell, in addition to the sharp downturn that's occurred in the economy, is that in prosecuting the war on terror as our ally, he got crossways with the Pakistani population which does not like the war on terror, and he became very unpopular with them in trying to do that. So the next group of leaders in Pakistan are going to find themselves in that same vice with the United States applying pressure to go after the Taliban and al-Qaeda and the people of the country not really wanting to do that.
You know, the argument was made by the people of Pakistan that Musharraf was taking money from us to kill his own people. And so, that's the dilemma here that makes this so tricky. And we now have a crescent of troubled tension-ridden countries from Pakistan and Afghanistan, swinging all the way over through Iran and Iraq and indeed the tensions in the near Middle East, if you would call it that between the Israelis and the Palestinians believe with the elections just over the horizon.
So there is a lot here that's on the plate of this president and it's going to be a big, huge set of problems for the next president.
BROWN: David Gergen for us tonight. As always, David, thank you.
GERGEN: Thank you, Campbell.
BROWN: Take a look now, the satellite loop that shows the path of Tropical Storm Fay. That path has been changing every hour. We're going to get a live report on exactly where the storm is heading right now.
And then later, "American Idol" superstar, Chris Daughtry's new music video premiering tonight right here in the ELECTION CENTER. It is our theme song for a major CNN outreach, "The League of First Time Voters." And Daughtry recorded it just for us. You're not going to want to miss it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BROWN: Coming up in a few minutes, the man who got Obama and McCain together on stage for the first time in months, he is tonight's special guest on "LARRY KING LIVE." Larry, give us the scoop.
LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": You got it, Campbell. "The Purpose Driven" Pastor Rick Warren is here on the heels of those interviews with Barack Obama and John McCain. I'll ask him about the accusations out there tonight involving three little words that are getting bigger by the hour -- cone of silence. We'll make some noise and probably some news, next on "LARRY KING LIVE," Campbell.
BROWN: All right, Larry. We'll be watching.
Coming up next, an update on Tropical Storm Fay.
Still ahead, an ELECTION CENTER exclusive. "American Idol" superstar Chris Daughtry gets political. We're going to have the world premiere of his rock and anthem for CNN's new initiative, "The League of First Time Voters." You're not going to want to miss it.
And you must know this guy by now. We're going to tell you how Michael Phelps is poised to turn his gold medal charisma into cold hard cash, and lots of it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BROWN: We want to go back now to our breaking news tonight. Hurricane warnings posted in southwest Florida. Forecasters predict Tropical Storm Fay is gaining steam and could even be stronger before it slams into the gulf coast overnight. Bill Logan from our Tampa affiliate WFTS is in Bonita Springs, Florida just south of Fort Myers.
And Bill, how are people there preparing?
BILL LOGAN, TAMPA AFFILIATE WFTS: Well, right now, folks are preparing by just sheltering in place. That's what they call it when they ask you to just make sure you have your preparations done, that you get those things that could fly through the air inside your house and make sure that if you have a prone area that's flood prone, that you would put sandbags up or maybe get ready to see some rising water.
But nobody is being told to evacuate here yet. And as a matter of fact, even though this was an area that was hit by some storms pretty hard in years past, folks are just kind of sticking around and saying, well, what's this going to be like? Because the wobble has been so uncertain as this storm approached and came through Cuba and is now headed across the keys toward the mainland of Florida.
BROWN: Well, Bill, a lot of forecasters saying it's a really unpredictable storm. But you're right, that area hit by Hurricane Charlie, in 2004 by Hurricane Wilma, those were big storms. They, by comparison, I'm guessing people there think this is going be pretty mild.
LOGAN: Well, they are thinking that. But the smart people are remembering that Charlie was not really that big of a storm either, until it made that last push in both strength and that right turn that brought it into Charlotte County instead of toward Tampa. So these storms are still very unpredictable. This storm, this Fay, could actually strengthen to a hurricane. It could go above that as well, and that's why people are being very cautious and getting their preparations made.
We've just headed back in toward Bonita Springs and seeing people putting up their storm shutters, getting those last preparations done before they're done and just kind of settled down for the night and see what this storm really does.
BROWN: All right. Bill, thanks very much to you. We appreciate it. And we should mention that there has been a lot of confusion from what our forecasters have been telling us about exactly where the storm is headed, about who may be hardest hit, and we're going to bring you an update on that shortly. If you are like us, moving on to other things now, you spent Saturday night in front of the TV watching Michael Phelps swim his way into history. Well, now, the advertising industry wants a piece of the magic.
The record-breaking Olympic champion is a hot ticket these days. We're going to tell you how much money is at stake here.
And the young "American Idol" singer reworking a classic rock anthem. Hear it here exclusively as we launch CNN's "League of First Time Voters" right here in the ELECTION CENTER.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BROWN: Tens of millions of Americans stayed home on Saturday night to watch Michael Phelps swim into the record books in Beijing. Phelps has dominated the competition, winning an astonishing eight gold medals in a single game. In an interview with "CNN Today," he said his goal was bigger than just breaking records.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL PHELPS, OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST: I wanted to be the first to do something. You know, I wanted to be the first Michael Phelps. And you know, I wanted to be somebody who change is worth something and does new things for the sport. I wanted to do something that nobody in the sport has ever seen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: So what's next for Phelps? Well, the real money is in endorsements and some experts say Phelps has rocketed onto the advertising A-list. Here to talk about his prospects are 1996 and 2000 Olympic gold medal swimmer, Brooke Bennett, and sports agent and attorney, Leigh Steinberg, who represented many an athlete, including gold medalist Brian Boitano and Kerri Strug. And we should also mention that Leigh was the inspiration, right, for "Jerry Maguire." Is that right?
LEIGH STEINBERG, PRES., LEIGH STEINBERG ENTERPRISES: The director followed me around for some number of years.
BROWN: OK. Well, then, I -- then for me that means the inspiration. OK, guys, welcome to you both.
Brooke let me start with you. You won three gold medals yourself so you do know a little something about how tough Olympic competition is. Let me start by asking you I think the question everybody has been asking over the last week, how awesome is Michael Phelps? I mean, put his accomplishment into some perspective for us.
BROOKE BENNETT, 3-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST: Well, I think what Michael Phelps has done for the sport of swimming is just incredible and it's kind of -- he's now taken swimming to the next level, to the next bar, to where like what's mentioned, the endorsement deals and what he has at his fingertips is just remarkable. BROWN: And, Leigh, even before the eight gold medals, Phelps already had endorsement deals lined up with over, I think, half a dozen big companies including Visa, AT&T that are estimated to be worth about $3 million to $5 million. So why is he so valuable? What does he bring to them?
STEINBERG: Well, first of all, he won a whole series of medals four years ago. There was a huge buildup coming into this Olympics where he was all over magazine covers, all over television.
Now, you have the premier marketing event that transcends the narrow genre of sports fans, brings millions of people who don't watch anything else, millions of females that don't watch anything else and has baffled (ph) ratings and now he does something no one's ever done before. The ratings have spiked every time he's been on television, gone up as much as 25 percent. And he'll come out of this and be part of a big celebrity-making machine that consists of dozens of magazines, electronic media and that will take him even further. It tends to make someone a household name.
BROWN: Well, Leigh, but look at these numbers people are throwing around. I mean, these are huge numbers once he gets back from the games. Fifty million, even a 100 million according to his agent?
And let's take a look. This is a list of what the top athletes made in terms of endorsements. Tiger Woods, $100 million. Phil Mickelson, $47 million. Lebron James, $25 million. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., $20 million.
Is the idea of Michael Phelps joining that list a real possibility? It's not like there's a league for swimmers? It's not the PGA or the NBA. It's something in and of itself?
STEINBERG: No. I think that he doesn't get to where Tiger Woods is. He doesn't get to where Michael Jordan is. But I think they'll be clever enough to figure out ways to have swimming competitions across the country. They'll expose him.
I remember when I had Kerri Strug, we had her ring the bell at Wall Street, thought up skits on "Saturday Night Live." So I think they'll find ways to keep him going. And that's the challenge that he will be in the next Olympics.
And the very fact that all of those major corporations will be running commercials is going to have him all over the airwaves. And what he did echoes the sort of resurgence of nationalism, nationalistic pride...
BROWN: Right.
STEINBERG: ... wholesome in a time where many athletes have gotten into trouble. And it's a singular achievement and I think he's got a chance, at least, in this first year, to spike into some pretty spectacular numbers. BROWN: Brooke, you know, Michael said he's going to take a much needed few months off. He's not going to be competing for a while. Next Olympics, as Leigh pointed out, 2012 in London, a long time from now. I mean, is that lag time in between one of the issues you're up against, when you're trying to sort of maintain attention and stay in the spotlight a little bit?
BENNETT: Well, I think what Michael is going to do is take a much needed break. I mean, he is 23 years old and I think he needs that break to himself, to really figure out who Michael Phelps is outside of the pool, and to take on these endorsement deals and these companies that he's going to have at his fingertips.
BROWN: Would that be your advice based on your own experience, is that after something like this, there's almost nothing better to do than take a deep breath and re-assess?
BENNETT: Absolutely. I mean, once he gets back into the States, I mean, he's not going to be able to take that breath for quite a while and he's probably going to be very busy and being pulled in all directions. But my advice to him would be definitely to take some time off, you know, spend time with his family and just be Michael Phelps outside of the pool.
And you know, four years is a long way away and he's got the talent and drive. And as long as he's enjoying the sport and having fun at it, he'll do amazing things in the next four years.
BROWN: Well, Brooke Bennett, Leigh Steinberg, to both of you, really appreciate your thoughts tonight. Interesting conversation.
And if you have a question for Michael Phelps, well, this is your chance. He's going to be interviewed tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time on CNN.com live. You can submit your question right now, see what other people are asking by clicking on CNN.com.
We are just minutes away now from something that almost never happens here on CNN. Yes, it is the world premiere of a music video, a brand-new video by Daughtry. It's the theme song for our "League of First Time Voters."
Here's a little taste. We're going to bring you a lot more on the other side of the break. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BROWN: This is a groundbreaking night here on CNN. Stand by, everybody, for the world premiere of a brand-new music video made just for us by Daughtry. And that's because tonight in the ELECTION CENTER, we are thrilled to take the lead in an exciting CNN initiative, "The League of First Time Voters."
From now until the election, we're giving first time voters a chance to ask any question about politics, about how the election works and about the issues. And you'll be surprised by who answers. And really, how many segments on cable news boast their very own theme song.
Tonight's question comes from 26-year-old Ross Darren (ph) who's a little embarrassed frankly to admit he's never voted before and isn't sure he should bother. Here's his question.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here's what I want to know. How will my vote make a difference?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: Well, Ross, a whole lot of people wanted to answer that one. We sent the ELECTION CENTER team to get Ross an answer from some of the biggest names. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RICHARD BELZER, ACTOR/COMEDIAN: Hey, Ross, your vote will make a big difference.
DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's sort of a unique and distinguishing feature of our civilization.
RICK WARREN, PASTOR, SADDLEBACK CHURCH: If you are of voting age, you need to vote.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think this is the most important election that we've seen in at least a generation.
DONNA BRAZILE, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Remember, your vote is your voice.
CHENEY: Any suggestion that somehow it doesn't matter whether you go, participate is just wrong. You have a big impact. It's an enormous privilege and we all ought to take advantage of it.
OBAMA: I can't think of more that's at stake in this election, especially for the younger generation because they're the ones who are going to have to deal with the consequences of inaction if we don't make good decisions today.
BELZER: Even if you live in a place that votes the same way year after year after year, you got to go vote. What if everyone like you decided not vote?
WARREN: I've traveled all around the world to about 162 countries, and the difference that we have in America is we have the right to have our voice heard.
CHRIS DAUGHTRY, SINGER/RECORDING ARTIST: I think we need to take advantage of the fact that we have freedoms that so many other countries do not have. And we should exercise our right to vote.
BRAZILE: Your vote is your voice. Your voice and our democracy is your opportunity to be heard. So your voice will be heard. CHENEY: And my grandchildren, your grandchildren obviously will be influenced by the kinds of decisions we make and those decisions are all based on that basic fundamental proposition that the American people get to vote and they get to choose their leaders.
WARREN: Your vote does make a difference. Many times elections are on a single vote and people died to make your vote count.
BRAZILE: And the more people who turn out to vote, the more voices will be heard in this electoral cycle.
BELZER: When you walk out of that voting booth, I promise you, you will feel good that you made your voice heard. That you did your part, that you help shape the future of your community in this great country of ours. It's all part of the law and order that makes this country run. Vote.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BROWN: So are you a first time voter? Got a question? Well, record your question and submit your video to iReport.com/league. You never know who might answer it. And you can see from tonight's answers we're going to allow here, folks. And that even includes, as I mentioned before, a special theme song.
And now, here in the ELECTION CENTER, the world premiere of Daughtry's "Feels Like the First Time."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, CHRIS DAUGHTRY'S MUSIC VIDEO)
MUSIC: I've waited a lifetime to spend my time so foolishly. Well now that I found you, together we'll make history.
It feels like the first time. It feels like the very first time. It feels like the first time. Oh yeah. It feels, oh, you want to know for sure. It feels like the very first time. Oh, yeah. It feels like the very first time. It feels like the first time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: And you can see Daughtry's entire video by logging on to CNN.com/league.
And before we go, meteorologist Chad Myers has a quick update on this hour's breaking news, Tropical Storm Fay. Chad, give us a quick look at what we're expecting over the next 24 hours.
CHAD MYERS, CNN SEVERE WEATHER EXPERT: Campbell, still trying to strengthen now in very warm waters. Still don't see a complete eye wall so the strengthening is not happening. But it is going to travel to the north on up toward Naples. And then on up toward north of Lake Okeechobee, the entire east and west coast of Florida will be affected. The east coast with storms coming on shore may be twisting with tornadoes and then the rest of the state with some very heavy rainfall and winds of about 70 miles per hour -- Campbell.
BROWN: All right, Chad. We're going to keep an eye on it for you.
That's it from the ELECTION CENTER.
"LARRY KING LIVE" starts right now.
