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American Morning
New Poll: Perry Widens Lead; Obama to Send Congress Jobs Plan; Bank of America May Slash Jobs; 77 Troops Hurt in Taliban Truck Bombing; Investigators Following Terror Leads; A Nation Remembers; Tea Party: No Talking Points Tonight; Rick Perry's Stand on Social Security; Obama To Send Jobs Plan To Congress; Report: Bank Of America Planning Jobs Cuts; Search For Kidnapping Suspect; Bank of America May Slash Jobs; New Poll: Perry Widens Lead
Aired September 12, 2011 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Loving that. AMERICAN MORNING continues right now.
ALI VELSHI, CNN ANCHOR: All right. I'm Ali Velshi live in Tampa for tonight's CNN Tea Party debate. Brand new poll numbers are just out right now. It is Rick Perry and everyone else.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Christine Romans. Today President Obama presents his jobs plan to Congress, but, first, find out what he has planned to help rally more support for that $447 billion plan.
COSTELLO: And I'm Carol Costello. Bank of America reportedly planning to slash tens of thousands of jobs. The cutbacks create a leaner, more competitive bank, and who's jobs exactly are on the line? Details on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ROMANS: Good morning, everyone. It's Monday. Monday, September 12th. Welcome to AMERICAN MORNING.
COSTELLO: Yes. Happy Monday to you. Ali Velshi is live in Tampa, Florida, this morning. So get us rolling, Ali.
VELSHI: It's beautiful weather out here in Tampa. Politics is on the brain this morning. We're live at the Florida state fairgrounds, Carol and Christine.
It's the site of tonight's big CNN Tea Party debate. Now this could be an early turning point in the race for the Republican nominations. Eight Republican candidates will be onstage tonight, but many analysts are already calling this a two-person race.
And last week the battle lines were drawn between Texas Governor Rick Perry and Mitt Romney over Social Security. Something Perry once called a Ponzi scheme. Now, a new CNN/ORC poll released just moments ago shows that Rick Perry is building an even bigger lead against his competitors.
Jim Acosta is here with me now. He's following it very closely. Jim, doesn't matter how you have the numbers here, Rick Perry is coming out not only on top, but on top by a lot.
JIM ACOSTA, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: On top by a big margin, that's right, Ali. This Tea Party debate comes as not every candidate in the GOP field is on the Tea Party bandwagon. But there's one candidate who is in the driver's seat.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ACOSTA (voice-over): Texas Governor Rick Perry has ditched his cowboy boots for his running shoes staying far ahead of the Republican pack. The latest CNN/ORC poll finds Perry way out in front with 30 percent, nearest rival Mitt Romney at 18 percent.
With the rest of the field looking to play catch-up, the CNN Tea Party debate in Florida could be a social security smack down in a state where the program is crucial to seniors.
GOV. RICK PERRY (R-TX), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It is a Ponzi scheme to tell our kids that are 25 or 30 years old today, you paying into a program that's going to be there.
ACOSTA: After Perry doubled down on this call for an overhaul of Social Security at the last debate, Romney pounced.
MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The governor says, look, states ought to be able to opt out of Social Security. Our nominee has to be someone who isn't committed to abolishing Social Security.
ACOSTA: On CNN's "JOHN KING USA," Michele Bachmann piled on.
REP. MICHELE BACHMANN (R-MN), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What I think is that America needs to keep its promises to senior citizens. I talk to them all will the time. I love senior citizens.
ALEX CASTELLANOS, CNN POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR: You usually don't start a presidential campaign setting grandma's hair on fire, but that's what Rick Perry did when he not only calls Social Security is a Ponzi scheme. He implied he might undo it if he could go back 70 years.
ACOSTA: That kind of clash could make the debate another road sign indicating where the GOP is headed, where more conservative Tea Party candidates like Perry or more moderate contenders like Romney. The former Massachusetts governor stepped up his courtship of Tea Partiers only after his poll numbers started sagging.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you a member of the Tea Party?
ROMNEY: I don't think you carry cards in the Tea Party.
ACOSTA: Some Republicans saying there's good reason for caution. Perry's doubts about climate change might appeal to Tea Party voters.
PERRY: Just because you have a group of scientists stood up and said here is the fact, Galileo got outvoted for a spell. ACOSTA: But centrists like Jon Huntsman worried those views could alienate independent voters and cause Republicans the White House.
JON HUNTSMAN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: In order for the Republican Party to win, we can't run from science.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ACOSTA: You know, one of the interesting things about this debate, one of the fascinating things to watch tonight at the Tea Party debate, Ali, is the fact some of the questions will be coming from Tea Party activists and that could throw up all kinds of trouble for Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman, although Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann may find the tea tastes just fine.
VELSHI: There are going to be some watch parties where members of the Tea Party activists can send in questions, follow it on Facebook. You know, Jon Huntsman making that point how the Republican Party can't be the party that runs from science.
We'll be talking to Jon Huntsman on this show later own today. We'll also be talking to Herman Cain and people from the Tea Party. You'll be with me trying to sort of make sense for those of us out there, for those viewers out there, who haven't followed it as closely as you have.
ACOSTA: These other candidates tonight they have to find a way to get involved in this debate. If you noticed that at the last debate, it was really a Mitt Romney, Rick Perry affair and a lot of folks are talking about Michele Bachmann having trouble.
VELSHI: She's the one we're going to be watching very closely to see whether she breaks through or whether it becomes clear that this is a Perry/Romney competition from here on.
ACOSTA: We'll settle that question tonight.
VELSHI: All right, very good. Good to see you, Jim. We'll see you through the course of the morning. Don't miss the debate tonight the CNN Tea Party debate is live from Tampa, Florida, the site of the 2012 Republican National Convention. Wolf Blitzer will moderate the debate and it starts at 8:00 Eastern. Back to Christine and Carol in New York.
COSTELLO: It should be something. I can't wait, actually.
Also this morning, President Obama will announce he's sending his $447 billion jobs plan to Congress today. He'll make the announcement in the Rose Garden surrounded by teachers, veterans and small business owners to help cover the plan's cost the president will push for more spending cuts. Republicans have promised to consider the president's plan.
ROMANS: All right, there's growing speculation this morning that Bank of America could slash up to 40,000 jobs as part of its restructuring plan. According to the "Wall Street Journal," the numbers aren't final.
But most of those layoff, expected to come from the bank's consumer banking division. Bank of America's CEO, Brian Moynihan, has been trying to get the bank back on track after running of up billions in mortgage related loses.
COSTELLO: NATO announces 77 U.S. troops were injured after the Taliban hid a coalition base in Afghanistan with a truck bomb. On Saturday, the eve of the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks at least two Afghan civilians were killed in that attack. The military says none of the injuries to American troops are life threatening and those wounded are expected to return to duty soon.
The 9/11 memorial services went off without a hitch, but investigators are continuing their search for terrorists who may be planning attacks. Sources telling CNN they are still following up on credible, but unconfirmed leads involving about as many as three potential attackers who may be trying to use vehicle bombs to strike New York or Washington. Authorities say there is no evidence an actual terrorist attack is under way.
ROMANS: Painful memories, proud moments and more than a few tears marking 10 years since the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil.
President Obama and the first lady attending four memorial services yesterday, the final one at the Kennedy Center in Washington. The president focusing on the bravery and resolve of those who died 10 years ago and those who have been forced to carry on without them.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: This past 10 years has shown that America does not give in to fear. The rescue workers who rushed to the scene, the firefighters who charged up the stairs, the passengers who stormed the cockpit, these patriots define the very nature of courage.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: The Washington National Cathedral was supposed to be the venue for last night's memorial. The event had to be moved though to the Kennedy Center because the cathedral was damaged by last month's earthquake.
COSTELLO: It's hard to imagine still 10 years have passed since America's darkest hour. The pain rushing back so vividly for millions of Americans.
ROMANS: At sporting events and memorial services at the Pentagon, Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and ground zero, emotions were raw as Americans put aside their differences and united in their grief.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Gerard A. Barbara. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And my father, Sean Edward Bowman Jr.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Firefighter Gary Richard Cox.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Christopher Joseph Blackwell.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And my dad Michael Beck.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We will always love you, and as you always said, daddy, we got your back. God bless New York City and God bless America.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: While words cannot ease the pain of these losses paying tribute, recalling not just the horror of that day but the heroism as well, will hopefully give you some comfort and stiffen the resolve of this nation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are still the freest most blessed nation in this treasured world, and we will long honor that role with the memory and guidance of 40 good shepherds.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: It's 11 minutes after the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VELSHI: Welcome back to a special edition of AMERICAN MORNING. We are live in Tampa ahead of tonight's CNN Tea Party debate. Eight candidates are trying to convince the grass roots here around cross the country that they've got the solutions that this country needs, and one thing you are hearing from everyone is that the canned responses are simply not going to cut it.
Joining me now is the chair of the Tea Party Express, Amy Kremer. Amy, good morning. Good to see you here. This is a big deal. This is a -- a big -- it's not a coming out. You've been on the road a long time, but to some degree it's a coming out of the Tea Party to the larger Republican fold and a turning point in this campaign.
AMY KREMER, CHAIRWOMAN OF THE TEA PARTY EXPRESS: It's a testament to the power of the movement. We all know the impact we had in the 2010 election cycle. We've affected legislation through cut, cap and balance, which started out as a pledge.
But look, we are going to choose the next Republican nominee. We are not going to accept what the Republican Party hands us, and what people need to understand is we are not here to send a Republican to Washington. We want to send a conservative to Washington.
VELSHI: All right. So you're going to choose the next Republican nominee. That's quite likely that that's going to be true. Does that mean you're going to choose the next president of the United States? KREMER: I think so. Because I think people are sick and tired of the policies of this administration that are just digging us into a deeper hole. We cannot sustain this out of control spending and people want jobs - jobs, jobs, jobs. That's all people are concerned about.
VELSHI: Well, let me ask you this. Because we - we've seen a number of things play out here. We've seen Michele Bachmann talking about getting rid of the - the EPA. We've seen Rick Perry talk about Ben Bernanke. We've talked - we've heard about from Ron Paul about getting rid of the Federal Reserve and the gold standard.
You know, we've talked around a lot of things that don't have anything to do with jobs.
KREMER: Right.
VELSHI: How do you refocus everybody's energy into jobs?
KREMER: Well, I think that, you know, these candidates go out and talk about social issues, some foreign policy and other things that we do not focus on. We are focused strictly on the economic policies, the fiscal issues. And when people go to the poll, that's what they're voting on.
You know, it is about getting Americans back to work, paying down our debt and our deficit. Having a balanced budget. Washington should live within their means just as small businesses -
VELSHI: Right.
KREMER: -- and families should live within their means. So that's what the American people are going to be focused on. And if these candidates are smart tonight, they'll come here and tell us what their ideas and solutions are to create an environment where businesses will create jobs instead of Cisco Systems sitting on a $1 billion - $2 billion surplus and they're going out cutting 50 percent of their workforce.
VELSHI: So, we're starting to see some plans. We saw Jon Huntsman come out with a jobs plan. We saw Mitt Romney come out with a remarkably detailed one -
KREMER: Right.
VELSHI: -- 69 pages long. When you had a chance to evaluate those and do you think that that's the direction that you'd like to see the candidates go in?
KREMER: We want to hear from all of them what their plan is. And what we're really looking forward to is the field narrowing down so that we could be laser focused on these issues to determine who is the candidate that's going to do this.
VELSHI: And you're not ready to make that call right now? KREMER: No, we're not ready to make that call. I think that, you know, the field needs to narrow and it's still early. I'm not sure all the players are on the field yet.
VELSHI: All right. Let's talk about the ones who are in plus a couple of others. We got a brand new CNN/ORC Poll that came out just moments ago.
Amongst Republicans, amongst Tea Party supporters, Rick Perry - so we've got the Tea Party on the left and all Republicans on the right. Rick Perry beating everybody by a huge margin amongst Tea Party Republicans, amongst all Republicans, a narrower gap. Romney and, Palin not in the race, are neck and neck and then Ron Paul. Michele Bachmann, who's been so key and central to this Tea Party Movement isn't in the top five.
KREMER: Well, you know what I say, Perry's come in just recently -
VELSHI: Yes.
KREMER: -- and I think a lot of these candidates when they get in, they, you know, automatically have this bump.
VELSHI: Right.
KREMER: But Michele Bachmann, you know, she has gone through a few bumps in the road over the past couple weeks, but that's not to say she's out of it. Look back at 2008, at one point, John McCain was out of it and had no money.
So I think anything can happen. These candidates need to be on their A game.
VELSHI: Yes.
KREMER: Because that's what we're looking for.
VELSHI: Who do you think has the most to gain or lose tonight?
KREMER: Well, I think they all have a lot to gain or lose, especially lose. You know, we're 14 months away, essentially, and so we need to start narrowing this down. We want to see who has those ideas and solutions to turn the economy around, get us back on the track of prosperity.
VELSHI: We're following this very closely - it's usually us or you. But for those out there who aren't, the Tea Party seems to mean a lot of things to a lot of people. How do you characterize who the Tea Party is in terms of this group that's sponsoring this with CNN versus everybody else?
KREMER: You know, we're the Tea Party Express, we've done the bus tours. We're the federal pack. We're the only group that has put our money where our mouth is and got behind candidates to support them, because we believe that we're truly going to effect change. We're going to do it at the ballot box. You have to change your players. And that's what we're about and that's where we're focused on.
VELSHI: Amy, good to see you.
KREMER: Good to see you.
VELSHI: Thank you so much for being with us.
KREMER: Thank you.
VELSHI: Amy Kremer is the chair of the Tea Party Express - Carol.
COSTELLO: Thanks, Ali.
Now, it is your turn to "Talkback" on one of the big stories of the day. The question today, will Rick Perry stand on Social Security for his campaign?
How important is the issue of Social Security in a presidential campaign? Let me rephrase that. How important are elderly voters and say, oh, Florida to winning a presidential election? Plenty.
You'll hear about Social Security in tonight's CNN's Tea Party Debate. Now that Rick Perry has called Social Security a Ponzi scheme.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. RICK PERRY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It is a monstrous lie. It is a Ponzi scheme to tell our kids that are 25 or 30 years old today, you're paying into a program that's going to be there. Anybody that's for the status quo with Social Security today is involved with a monstrous lie to our kids, and it's not right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: But, although economists say Social Security needs fixing, Social Security has enough money to pay full retirement benefits for the next 25 years and 77 percent of benefits for 60 years after that. Even Republican guru Karl Rove says Perry's Ponzi remarks are out of line.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KARL ROVE, GOP STRATEGIST: They're toxic in a general election environment and they're also toxic in a Republican primary. I mean, if you say Social Security is a failure and ought to be replaced by a state-level program, then people are going to say, what do you mean by that and make a judgment based on your - your answer to it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: But other conservatives like CNN Contributor Eric Erickson are applauding Perry's straight talk. Social Security is sick, he says, and besides, in 2010, running in Wisconsin, then candidate Ron Johnson campaigned aggressively on Social Security being a Ponzi scheme, and he beat incumbent Russ Feingold.
So the "Talkback" question today - will Rick Perry's stance on Social Security hurt his campaign? Facebook.com/AmericanMorning, Facebook.com/AmericanMorning. I'll read your comments later this hour.
ROMANS: All right. Coming up, Serena Williams loses her cool this just before she suffered a huge upset at the U.S. Open. She called an official a hater. That's not all. We're going to play it for you, ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: Welcome back to AMERICAN MORNING now. "Minding Your Business" this morning.
Fears about the debt crisis in Europe push U.S. markets down Friday. The Dow, NASDAQ and S&P 500 all lost more than two percent. And those fears about Greece and Europe persisted over the weekend. Right now, U.S. stock futures are again trading sharply lower ahead of the opening bell.
World markets are down sharply in both Asia and Europe overnight. Fears about Greece defaulting on its debt, those fears grew over the weekend despite reassurances from the Greek prime minister that the country would work out its debt problems and would stay in the European Union. More protests and strikes are expected across Greece today after a new property tax was introduced on Saturday.
Here in a few hours, Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan will speak at an investor conference in New York City. He is expected to detail future restructuring plans for the bank, and that restructuring is expected to mean big job losses. Some reports say the bank could cut up to 40,000 jobs and close maybe as many as 600 branch locations as part of those plans. Bank of America has not commented officially on any of those reports. We'll know at 9:00 A.M.
Gas prices edging higher. The national average for a gallon of gas is up six cents in the past two weeks. That's up about $1 from a year ago.
AMERICAN MORNING will be right back after this quick break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Just about half past the hour. Good morning to you. It's time for this morning's top stories.
A brand new CNN/ORC Poll shows that Texas Governor Rick Perry is way ahead of the GOP field now. Perry pulling at 30 percent nationwide, easily beating Mitt Romney at 18 percent. But the candidates will get to chip away at Perry's comments on Social Security tonight at the CNN Tea Party Debate in Tampa. Tonight, President Obama sends his $447 billion jobs package to Congress. But before lawmakers get their hands on the bill, the president will again press Congress to pass the American Jobs Act when he speaks at the Rose Garden event this morning.
NATO (ph) announced that 77 U.S. troops were injured in a Taliban truck bombing on Saturday, the eve of the 9/11 anniversary. At least two Afghan civilians were killed in that attack.
VELSHI: You know, Carol, that CNN/ORC poll that just came out, we'll be talking about that over the course of the next couple of hour. Interesting the lead that Perry has over the rest of the candidates amongst Tea Party identified Republicans. Amongst the entire Republican crowd, Mitt Romney's much closer to him in that debate. So, that's going to be interesting.
It's going to make tonight's debate particularly interesting for the eight candidates who are presenting themselves. It could be a defining moment for these two men who consider -- you know, most people consider the front-runners. Texas Governor Rick Perry and Mitt Romney tangled last week when Perry referred to Social Security as a Ponzi scheme.
CNN's John King asked Vice President Biden if Rick Perry has a point.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: One of their debates, Governor Perry says if you look at statistics, come 2036, Social Security's paying out more than it's taking in. So, therefore, he said, it can keep its promises. So, it's a Ponzi scheme.
Is Social Security a Ponzi scheme?
JOSEPH BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: No, it's not a Ponzi scheme. Go back and find out who Ponzi was, an individual, a different deal.
But, no, it's not a Ponzi scheme. It is secured through 2036. And the fix, it is not hard.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELSHI: Be sure to watch John King's exclusive interview with Vice President Biden, tonight at 7:00, before you watch the debate here on CNN. Don't miss the debate tonight.
The CNN Tea Party debate is live from Tampa, Florida, where I am, the site of the 2012 Republican National Convention. Wolf Blitzer is your moderator. It's tonight at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.
And, of course, we will be live, of course, here again tomorrow morning with all of the postgame.
Christine Romans in New York -- good morning, Christine.
ROMANS: All right. Good morning, Ali.
You know, here in New York, we're following details -- new details of Bank of America's dramatic restructuring plan. According to the "Wall Street Journal," that bank may soon eliminate up to 40,000 positions. We don't know the number for sure. We will know at 9:00 when the CEO of that company has an investor briefing.
Our Felicia Taylor is tracking all the latest developments.
Felicia, what are you learning about how big the layoffs, how big the reconstruction could be for B of A? B of A, which is sort of a poster child for the bubble really, isn't it? It got so big, so big, bought Countrywide, has all this mortgage exposure and now is in trouble.
FELICIA TAYLOR, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's the largest bank -- I mean, in terms of lending, in terms and commercial deposits, in terms of a number of people that actually invest in Bank of America.
So, what we're hearing this morning is that Brian Moynihan, which is the CEO of the company, is going to make an announcement at an investor conference, which is a Barclay's investor conference, and allegedly going to announce there are going to be 40,000 layoffs. The reason he needs to do this is that he needs to stay ahead of the curve.
And what he is basically doing is staying ahead of the news. So, he has to announce these layoffs -- excuse me. Something is caught in my throat.
COSTELLO: You're upset about the Bank of America.
ROMANS: And I'll make a quick point. The stock has been hammered. It's below $7 a share now.
TAYLOR: It's down 48 percent this year.
ROMANS: Investors are very concerned. And by investors, I'm not just talking about fancy hedge fund managers. I'm talking about all of us, because you probably have Bank of America in a lot of different mutual funds in your 401(k).
TAYLOR: Exactly. So, I mean, he's trying to restructure the company because it had such major, major losses, because they acquired Countrywide, et cetera. Allegedly, they're going to also have 750 branch closings.
ROMANS: Seven hundred fifty.
TAYLOR: That's huge. I mean, that's across the country. Imagine.
COSTELLO: That affects employees like in your hometown.
TAYLOR: Consumer, everybody.
COSTELLO: What will the ripple effect be? I mean, how will this affect me? I mean, in the wider market I'm talking about?
TAYLOR: Well, I mean, if you're a Bank of America customer, you're not going to be able to find branches as easily. Your costs will probably go up because they had to reduce the number of people working for them, and, obviously, it's going to affect the entire banking industry. What we're really talking about is that the financial restructuring going on throughout the world. I mean, we're talking about now looking at French banks and Italian banks and Swiss banks as whether or not they actually can shore up and make deposits clean, and that's a problem.
I mean, there's definitely a concern as to whether or not these banks can stand on their own two feet, and if they have exposure to any kind of European debt, whether or not they're going to be able be to dissolve it. That's why it affects you.
ROMANS: All right. Felicia Taylor --
COSTELLO: Thank you, Felicia, as always.
ROMANS: We know in 9:00 though.
TAYLOR: Yes.
COSTELLO: This just in: we're getting new information about an American kidnapped in Pakistan. A senior police official tells CNN an American and a Pakistani was stopped in the city of Quetta, taken away at gunpoint. It is not clear who the kidnappers are. Police in Pakistan have now launched a full out search. Of course, we'll bring you more information as we get in.
ROMANS: All right. These Texas wildfires now are finally coming under control. The worst may be over. Fifty percent of the blaze is now contained.
But the nightmare just beginning for so many -- 1,500 homes destroyed, burned to the ground. Six people are still missing this morning. Residents of four subdivisions are finally being let back into their homes, and more neighborhoods will open up throughout the week.
COSTELLO: So we're hoping for rain, maybe, for Texas? Cooler temperatures, maybe, for Texas? So the rest of that fire can be wiped out.
So, Rob, you're the man with the answers.
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: You know, there is hope there. But I'm not sure how much that will verify. Temperatures today are going to be hot again.
Check it out -- 100 degrees plus in Dallas. On the heels of the warmest summer on record for these folks and the second warmest on the record for the U.S.
We were hoping that Nate might bring a little bit of something to Texas. That didn't happen. Nate is dead in New Mexico.
And Maria is just 150 miles north of Puerto Rico, likely will take a turn very similar to Katia, which by the way is about to slam into Scotland. Bermuda may be affected by Maria here over the next few days. But the U.S. will not be -- in part because of this cool front which is going to drop temperatures, 20, 30 degrees across part of the northern tier in the Intermountain West. This will help push Maria out to sea.
Meanwhile, fairly quiet across much of the East Coast. Temperatures will be warm, as I mentioned, across the South. Eighty- two degrees in New York City, 86 degrees in Chicago. Today's delays expected in Chicago because of the wind ahead of that front, some afternoon thunderstorms in Boston, Detroit and Miami and a little wind as well in Denver.
Cool down on the way, guys. It's fall in the couple of weeks.
Back up to you.
ROMANS: All right. Tanks, Rob.
You know, it's going to be a rematch as the U.S. Open men's final in New York City. Number one Novak Djokovic versus number two Rafael Nadal. Yesterday on the women's side, Serena Williams losing her cool again on the court.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIUP)
SERENA WILLIAMS, TENNIS PLAYER: You're totally out of control. You're a hater and you're just -- unattractive inside.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: (INAUDIBLE) on court hindrance after screaming come on during Sunday's women's final. And then she ripped into the chair on fire. She eventually lost the match and tournament title to Australia Samantha Stosur at 6-2, 6-3.
I asked her one time about, a couple years ago, which she had a famous, this sort of meltdown on the court, and she said that she and her sister both play with great --
COSTELLO: Passion.
ROMANS: Yes! It's part of the way she plays. She's so into it.
COSTELLO: Well, after the match, she said she couldn't remember what she yelled at the umpire, which is hard to believe, but that's what she said.
We're going to get way into that in the 7:00 hour of AMERICAN MORNING.
Just ahead this hour, though, Rick Perry is now building a big lead and voters really think he is the one who can beat President Obama. Breaking down the brand new polls ahead of tonight's CNN Tea Party debate.
It's 37 minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VELSHI: Welcome back to a special edition of AMERICAN MORNING. We're live in Tampa, ahead of tonight's CNN Tea Party debate.
The new guy in the race, the new leader in the polls, Rick Perry. The old front-runner Mitt Romney could be on a collision course tonight.
Joining me now is CNN deputy political director Paul Steinhauser. My good friend, Paul.
You have brand new polls that just came out in the last hour. You got several iterations in the poll. I don't even need to know the details. All I can tell you is that Mitt Romney comes out in the top of all of them.
Let's start with the big one where these candidates stand in the public opinion.
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: You got it. Let's take a look.
And, Ali, we did this poll over the weekend. This poll was done after, after the presidential debate last Wednesday, which is Rick Perry's first debate. And look who's on top of the poll -- once again, Rick Perry, 30 percent of Republicans and independents who are leaning towards the GOP say they want him for their party's nominee. There's Romney in second. That's where he's been lately.
One thing of note, look at Michele Bachmann. Remember how high up she was, she has dropped now at 4 percent, Ali.
VELSHI: Polling below Cain and below Gingrich. In terms of what your polling has shown us about the fealty of -- particularly of GOP and Tea Party supporters for their candidates. That's something that both Herman Cain and Michele Bachmann have enjoyed. So, low numbers but -- and Ron Paul, by the way -- low numbers but committed followers.
STEINHAUSER: And that's great point. And let's break this poll down because this is the first-ever CNN Republican Tea Party debate.
VELSHI: OK.
STEINHAUSER: So, let's break it down by Tea Party supporters and non-Tea Party supporters. Check out these numbers when you do that, when you split it in half. And you can see, Rick Perry, of course, has a huge lead among people who say they identify with Tea Party supporters.
VELSHI: More than double Mitt Romney.
STEINHAUSER: Right. Look at the other side, though. These are people who say they are not Tea Party supporters but are Republicans. Well, Perry is pretty much dead even there with Romney and Palin. And it's interesting matchup there.
So, we know he had that lead amongst Tea Party supporters. But among others, he's still doing quite well, Ali.
VELSHI: OK. Now, the issue is -- I talked to Amy Kremer of the Tea Party Express. She's the chair of the Tea Party Express, not too long ago. And she said we are likely to pick the next Republican nominee. That's quite possible.
But can they pick the next president of the United States?
STEINHAUSER: That electability is the huge issue here, Ali. Three out of four people, Republicans, in our poll say they want a nominee who can beat Barack Obama even if they don't agree on all the issues.
So, who is that person? Mitt Romney has been making the case, as you know, you may not agree with me, but I'm the one that can beat Barack Obama. Check out our poll numbers right there. Well, as of right now, Republicans say that Perry is that guy, not Romney -- 42 percent.
VELSHI: Wow.
STEINHAUSER: But I will say one other thing about all these polls, Ali.
VELSHI: It is September the 12th, 2011, which means the election is more than a year away.
STEINHAUSER: Yes, and four years ago at this time, Rudy Giuliani was leading the Republican polls. Was he the nominee? I don't think so. Things change. People change.
VELSHI: What's the likeliest thing to change? Because Amy Kremer was saying she'd like to see the field narrow. But there's some possibility that the field could widen.
STEINHAUSER: Yes. There's one person -- Sarah Palin, former Alaska governor, still floating with the possibility of running. Maybe an announcement by later this month.
VELSHI: What are you hearing about Chris Christie who gets talked about a lot?
STEINHAUSER: He keeps saying, forget about it, forget about it. Maybe a running mate but he's not running for president.
VELSHI: All right. We'll talk to you more about this. Thanks for your great. You'll be seeing Paul a lot on TV.
Coming up in our 8:00 Eastern Hour, we're going to speak to two of the GOP candidates who will be onstage tonight.
Herman Cain, who you saw in our poll, polling at about 5 percent. Hear what he's got to say. And he's got remarkable appeal among his consistent supporters.
And Jon Huntsman, former governor of Utah, former ambassador to China, has some strong views on energy, on exporting. He's got a jobs plan out there. We'll talk to him about all of that.
Let's take it back to New York with Christine and Carol.
ROMANS: And his economic plan, Jon Huntsman, endorsed by the "Wall Street Journal."
COSTELLO: I know. He might be the dark horse, Ali. You just don't know.
ROMANS: All right. Thanks, Ali.
It's 45 minutes past the hour. A quick look at the day's top stories straight ahead.
COSTELLO: And it's fashion week in New York City, and that means runways and red carpets and really, really, really expensive clothes.
Coming up next, an interview with arguably the most popular and sought-after designer in the entire United States right now.
It's 44 past the hour.
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ROMANS: Forty-six minutes past the hour. Here's what you need to know to start your day.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS (voice-over): A brand new CNN/ORC poll shows that Texas governor, Rick Perry, is building a big lead in the GOP race. Perry pulling at 30 percent nationwide, easily beating Mitt Romney who comes in at 18 percent.
President Obama sends his $447 billion jobs package to Congress tonight. This afternoon, he'll tell lawmakers to pass this plan again at a Rose Garden event at the White House.
Bank of America may cut as many as maybe 40,000 jobs as part of its restructuring plan. That's according to the "Wall Street Journal." The bank is also reportedly planning to close a number of branches, maybe hundreds of them, as a way to increase profits after a slew of mortgage-related losses and a slowing economy. Authorities in British Columbia are searching for a man they say kidnapped this three-year-old boy last week and then returned him to his home on Sunday. Officials say the boy appears to be in good health.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS (on-camera): That's the news you need to start your day. AMERICAN MORNING is back right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: We asked you to talk back on one of the big stories of the day? This is the question for you this morning. Will Rick Perry's stance on Social Security hurt his campaign?
This from Hadayai, "Yes, if he does not clean up his language. Too many people have paid into and need Social Security and Medicare for the programs to be abolished. They need improvement, not abolishment."
This from Pau, "Yes, it will. I'm a Republican and I'm on Social Security. I depend on it for everything. I will not vote for Perry if he's the nominee. Even though he says that people who are Social Security now will not be affected, I don't believe him. Anyone who thinks the way he does about Social Security is likely to do anything."
And this from Joseph, "Ricky Perry is not the answer. I don't see one candidate who is the answer. Rick Perry's stance on everything will hurt his campaign."
Keep the comments coming. facebook/americanmorning. We'll read more of your thoughts later on on AMERICAN MORNING.
ROMANS: All right. It's fashion week in New York City. You know what that means? It means fasionistas everywhere, clamoring to get a peek at the latest spring of 2012 trends walking the runway --
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: No. I'm wearing beautiful Banana Republic.
ROMANS: I know. I'm wearing beautiful circa 2003 trends.
(LAUGHTER)
COSTELLO: The fashion world does have a reputation for being fickle. What's hot today is haggard tomorrow, but there's one American designer who's dominating the scene for going on two decades now and things are only looking up from here. CNN's Alina Cho sat down with fashion legend, Marc Jacobs, in a rare interview. Good for you.
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thank you.
COSTELLO: I haven't seen a lot of interviews. He's kind of exclusive --
CHO: He doesn't do a lot. His press representatives will say it doesn't matter how much I push. He does it his way, and I mean, that's part of the reason why he's so successful, if you think about it. You know, whether it's a bag or a shoe or a dress, he really does have the Midas touch, and after working on this more than a year, I am happy to say that I did recently get an exclusive look at Marc Jacobs and his design team.
We talked about what inspires him, why he has so many tattoos, 33 to be exact, and why he's now wearing pencil skirts.
ROMANS: What?
CHO: For the first time, he also commented on what is the most coveted job in fashion, the ones insiders say could soon be his.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHO (voice-over): You see his name everywhere. The creative genius behind a half billion dollar empire, the creative director of Louis Vuitton. At 48, Marc Jacobs has won nearly every award in fashion, including the industry's highest for lifetime achievement just this year.
This is an incredible validation from the industry.
MARC JACOBS, DESIGNER: Yes, but a lifetime is also something that feels very final, and I certainly, don't feel like my lifetime is over, and I certainly hope it isn't over. In fact, I hope it's only halfway started.
CHO: He may be right. The biggest rumor off the runway is word that Mark Jacobs is in line for one of the most coveted jobs in design, creative director of famed French fashion house, Christian Dior.
JACOBS: Yes, it would be an honor. I mean, there's no question that they're two great couture houses in Paris, Chanel and Dior. I think it would be a very hard thing to turn down.
CHO: Dior has been without a designer since the company fired John Galiano earlier this year for making anti-Semitic comments. Jacobs says he doesn't think about the future. His focus is on the present.
(on-camera) One day at a time? One hour at a time.
JACOBS: Yes. One minute at a time. One second at a time.
CHO (voice-over): An obsession that started at 15. A stock boy at a hot New York City boutique. Overnight, he was selling his own designs, then designing for Perry Ellis. In the early 1990s, he started his own label and created a sensation when he reinterpreted grunge for the runway. Marc Jacobs had arrived.
JACOBS: I instinctively react to things that stimulate me.
CHO (on-camera): Such as --
JACOBS: Well, I mean, could be anything. Things that have affected me in the past couple of months. The weather has affected me.
CHO: Amy Winehouse.
JACOBS: The death of Amy Winehouse, and, moving into my new place.
CHO (voice-over): A perfectionist.
JACOBS: So, we should muck up the sides and put a pocket.
CHO: Famous for working right up until showtime.
JACOBS: To me, it doesn't really matter. If it's a day before the show, a week before the show, if it's before the show, it's before the show.
CHO: A former drug addict with 33 tattoos and a certain fondness -- for skirts?
JACOBS: I like wearing skirts. I like wearing kilts. It started like a few years ago. I moved from kilts into pencil skirts. I wear now mostly Prada pencil skirts. I like to do the things that make me feel good and that make me feel happy but don't hurt other people.
CHO: A man who, on and off the runway, has done it his way and yet is never satisfied.
JACOBS: I'm always nervous. I'm a total nervous wreck all the time or most of the time. I'm very, you know -- I'm always questioning my choices and --
CHO: You are?
JACOBS: And I'm always re-looking at things -- yes, but -- and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I don't think that's a negative thing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHO (on-camera): What a joy to sit down with him. You know, if you think about it, questioning himself that is the Mark of a great designer, but Jacobs, well, he does take it to another level. Recently, when Hurricane Irene blew through here, few on his design team could make it to work. He lost several days. So, what did he do? He simply changed the date of his show from Monday to Thursday, as only Marc Jacobs can.
And if you think about it, more than 250 designer show during fashion week. It is very tightly scheduled. For Marc Jacobs to change his show is a very big deal. It was a huge headline in "Womenswear Daily," but Marc Jacobs does it his way. And that's what he felt he needed to do to get it done, and the way he wanted to get it done.
ROMANS: And think about that big job, you know, for Dior. Will he keep Marc Jacobs and have both companies running -- that would be a huge hurdle.
CHO: That is the thinking. He already lives between Paris and New York, because he is the creative director of Louis Vuitton. LVMH, the mega fashion conglomerate, owns Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Marc Jacobs. So, it does make sense. His representatives say the deal isn't done, but look for it, perhaps, in the future.
COSTELLO: Sounds like synergy to me, as they say in the business world. All right.
ROMANS: Thanks, Alina.
COSTELLO: Hope we're having (ph) a big sale on his designs.
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: You and I get a pencil skirt for your husband?
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: I'm sure my husband would love that. Here's my Marc Jacobs.
CHO: It's a new look.
(LAUGHTER)
COSTELLO: Thanks, Alina.
ROMANS: We'll give you an inside look into fashion design all this week. Tomorrow morning, the world of men's fashion. Believe it or not, menswear is growing at a faster pace than womenswear. That's already a $130 billion business, and that's just in North America alone. Why the sudden popularity? (INAUDIBLE) asks that question to menswear mogul, Tommy Hilfiger. That's tomorrow in AMERICAN MORNING.
COSTELLO: Now, I wonder if like wives and girlfriends are buying the clothes for the men or the men are buying the clothes for themselves?
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: A little of both?
CHO: Little of both.
COSTELLO: I buy all of my husband's clothes.
ROMANS: Do you? COSTELLO: Heck, yes.
ROMANS: I have never bought my husband for clothing ever.
COSTELLO: He does it --
ROMANS: Yes.
COSTELLO: I envy you.
(LAUGHTER)
COSTELLO: We'll be back.
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