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American Morning
Feds Bust DC Drone Terror Plot; Michael Jackson's Doctor on Trial; Germany Votes On European Bailout; Nokia To Cut 3,500 Jobs; Herman Cain Suggests African-Americans are Brainwashed into Voting Democrat; Comedian Looks at Presidential Politics; Surprise Flash Mob Proposal
Aired September 29, 2011 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Planning jihad by remote control.
I'm Carol Costello.
The feds breaking up an alleged plot to fly an explosive-packed model plane into the Pentagon and the Capitol.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: And Facebook under fire over new privacy concerns. Is the social network tracking your every move online even when you're not on Facebook?
Calls for an investigation on this AMERICAN MORNING.
(MUSIC)
COSTELLO: Good morning to you. It is Thursday, September 29th. Ali has the day off.
ROMANS: He sure does.
COSTELLO: He sure does. Lucky him.
Coming up first this morning, the Feds trying to find out more about a new terror threat after they arrested a man in an alleged plot to dive bomb the Pentagon and the U.S. Capitol with remote controlled planes like those packed with C-4 explosives. The suspect is an American Muslim with a physics degree from Northeastern University. His co-conspirators turned out to be undercover FBI agents.
Joining us now, CNN national security contributor Fran Townsend.
Welcome, Fran.
So, this just seems to be such an outrageous plot.
FRAN TOWNSEND, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CONTRIBUTOR: I know. But, you know, there's been a lot of people -- the Americans are generally aware of the use of drones, although it's an unacknowledged program by the United States government. There's been widespread use overseas. And so, in some ways, as it becomes more ubiquitous and more understood, it was inevitable that our enemies would seek to turn this technology and use it against us.
ROMANS: I mean, in this case, though, it looks like a lone wolf. I mean, he talked about having co-conspirators and six others who would use AK-47s as coming out of the Pentagon, coming out of the Capitol, then mowing people down. So, he had a pretty detailed plan, for what he wanted to do, according to investigators, of course.
But the question is, you know, how far along the path was he and how logical is it that it could really happen?
TOWNSEND: Well, you know, it's interesting. I think back to the president's interview with our colleague Wolf Blitzer where he said his greatest concern was a lone wolf.
Look, this is a guy who not just met with undercover officers. He had gone to Washington and done some surveillance about where he would launch from. The distance from the Capitol, the distance to the Pentagon, to make sure the drones would work that distance. He had rented a storage locker where he could load the explosives unto these drones.
And so, this is a guy, as you point out, had really thought through this. And the notion of then having a second wave, that is when people began to flee these buildings and have a plan to mow them down is very typical al Qaeda. We've seen that before. And so, as you say, this is a guy who is not pushed by the government, he had his own intentions and his own inspiration, and really gone through the trouble of actually planning for this.
COSTELLO: The most troubling part, he was really passionate about this. I mean, the undercover agents gave him many chances to say, oh, I'm not going to do this any more. But he stubbornly persisted, saying, I cannot stop.
TOWNSEND: That's right. I mean, we've seen -- the real question in, I think people's minds is going to be: how did this guy get that passion? Why was he -- how is he radicalized?
ROMANS: Right.
TOWNSEND: We've seen radicalization like Nidal Hasan, for example, Carol, that Fort Hood shooter, who was radicalized over the Internet by Anwar Awlaki, a Yemeni preacher who was actually American- born.
And so, you see it on the Internet. You see radical imams in mosques. And so, we need to understand it because if one person can be. We understand, we've seen it before. This is pretty pervasive, unfortunately.
COSTELLO: And he had like a typical family. He had a great education.
ROMANS: Yes.
COSTELLO: By all estimates, he wasn't, you know, unemployed and hungry and starving and bitter. So, it's just so confusing how this could happen.
TOWNSEND: That's right. But again, remember the Times Square bomber, a young -- a married man with a young family, also well educated, had a job, was earning a good income.
(CROSSTALK)
ROMANS: The home equity loan on his house to get the money he needed for that plot. Because knowing the American system inside and out and then using it to attack the American system. It's just -- it's stunning.
TOWNSEND: But, you know, it's interesting. And that's why people say we've got to be careful not to overreact. I mean, they use our freedoms against us, but what we cherish is our freedom.
And so, we have to be careful. We have a greater intelligence in law enforcement capability to detect these plots to go after them. It's clear that there was an informant who directed the FBI's attention to this guy. And so, that's the good news.
If there's good news to the story. The fact that we've got the ability to detect them and disrupt them. It's what it is.
COSTELLO: Fran, thanks.
TOWNSEND: You're welcome.
ROMANS: All right. A drug smuggler with a navy -- a navy of their own. The Coast Guard said it intercepted a "narco sub" in the Caribbean Sea this month. It's the second one they found there. Most have been found in the Pacific and they say this could be a new trend to the war on drugs.
Drug smugglers use the subs to transport massive amounts of illegal drugs under water. Some can hold 10 tons cocaine.
COSTELLO: And the U.S. now preparing for another underwater war, that would be the war on terror. A team of FBI agents, official name: the technical dive team, are being trained to search in deep water too contaminated for anyone else.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, our team is being certified down to 300 feet where we can safely conduct evidence recovery operations and then chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear-type diving as well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: The team has been called in on one mission so far that was actually to retrieve another drug sub.
ROMANS: All right. Facebook may have to answer to Congress over its latest privacy flap. Congressmen Ed Markey and Joe Barton are both asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate reports that Facebook keeps gathering information about the Web sites you visit, even after you log off of Facebook.
A spokesman for the social network says it does use or store any information it should not have.
What I think they should not have and what they think they should have are probably two different things.
COSTELLO: I think you're right about that.
Testimony is set to resume later this morning in the manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray. Jurors have been hearing about the chaos on the day Jackson died and the actions of Conrad Murray. Jackson's personal assistant said when his boss stopped breathing, a frantic Dr. Murray called him and not 911.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL AMIR WILLIAMS, MICHAEL JACKSON'S PERSONAL ASSISTANT: Called me right away, called me right away. Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Were you able to make contact with him?
WILLIAMS: Yes, sir.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did he ask you to call 911?
WILLIAMS: No, sir.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What did he say?
WILLIAMS: He said, where are you? I said, I'm downtown. And he said, get here right away, Mr. Jackson had a bad reaction.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: CNN's Don Lemon is covering this trial. He's live outside of the courthouse in Los Angeles.
And what's on tap today, Don?
DON LEMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, there's a lot on tap today. We're going to hear more testimony like that.
But here is -- here's the interesting thing, Carol and Christine, when -- finally, when that security guard got there and Michael Jackson's personal assistant that you saw there on the stand, he said he gave him permission to go upstairs. When he gets upstairs, he sees Dr. Conrad Murray trying to revive Michael Jackson on the floor. He's giving CPR with one hand and he's on the phone on the other hand and he's asking security guard, does anyone know how to revive someone, does anyone know how to revive someone, and the kids, Michael Jackson's two oldest kids are watching all of this. Listen to the testimony.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FAHEEM MUHAMMED, HEAD OF JACKSON'S SECURITY DETAIL: Paris was on the ground balled up crying. And Prince was just -- he was standing there and he was just, he just had a real shock, just slowly crying type of look on his face.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Unbelievable. And as you have heard, Michael Jackson was laying on the floor. Again, his eyes were open, his mouth is open and he's wearing a condom catheter, Carol and Christine, and his kids watching all of this. Can you imagine the trauma?
ROMANS: Oh, Don. OK. There was also testimony that Dr. Murray then later wanted to go back to get inside Michael Jackson's bedroom. So, after all this transpired and they left the facility, the mansion, he wanted to go back.
LEMON: Yes, this was two hours later. Two hours later after he made the calls and they get to the hospital and they pronounce him dead. And he said, I want to go back to the house because there's some cream that Michael Jackson wouldn't want the world to know about.
And the prosecution is trying to set up that it is this. This is actually -- I have a bottle here of Propofol. They're saying this is what he wanted to go back to get.
But also, there is another defense, and I'm sure you heard about it. This is what the defense is going to try to set up. They're calling it the Demerol defense.
They're saying that one of those -- that same security guard, that same assistant and the security guard would take Michael Jackson to Dr. Arnie Klein, his dermatologist, sometimes as much as five days a week and he would come out and he would be speaking slowly, not quite as slowly as in the audiotape you heard yesterday, but he would be speaking slowly.
Take a listen to the testimony, again.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One thing you did as an assistant is pick up prescriptions for Michael Jackson.
WILLIAMS: Yes, sir.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But not in your name.
WILLIAMS: In Michael Jackson's name, and Blanket and Paris and Prince's name.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right. But you would pick up those prescriptions.
WILLIAMS: Myself or security.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you, by any chance, have occasion to listen to the audiotape that was played in this trial. Did anyone play an audiotape with Michael Jackson to you?
WILLIAMS: Yes, sir.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who played it for you?
WILLIAMS: I did see it on the news.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And that happens?
WILLIAMS: Yes, all the time.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have you ever heard Michael Jackson sound like that before?
WILLIAMS: Not that extreme. But I have heard him talk slow before.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: So, here's what they're trying to set up that Michael Jackson was hooked on Demerol. And he was hooked on Demerol because of Dr. Arnie Klein. One of the side effects is that you can't sleep. And they're saying that Dr. Conrad Murray did not know about that and had he known, maybe he would not have administered Propofol.
So, you're going to hear about that today, emotional testimony and also emotional yesterday when it comes to the family. That family was there. They were a bit lighter than they were the first day. But still, it was emotional when they heard about the kids standing there watching.
And also, what you're going to hear today, again -- two paramedics, who were the two first paramedics to arrive on the scene. Also, Michael Jackson's personal chef and also the head of his security, as well. And one just quick aside here that I want to tell you about Dr. Conrad Murray on the first day, opening statements -- very sullen, very sad looking as he walked around court, and he walked in and out of courtroom and in the hallway.
Yesterday, there was a mark difference. He smiled at people and nodded his head as he walked through. So, the defense must have gotten to him and said, hey, listen, you need to look a little more confident. And so, he tried to look confident yesterday.
The family -- a bit more jovial, a bit more animated. They appear right now to be pleased with what's happening with the prosecution.
COSTELLO: Don Lemon, thanks.
ROMANS: Wow, I mean, just a human tragedy, you know? I mean, the story of a pop superstar and unraveling drugs.
For complete coverage and analysis of this death trial, check out our sister network, HLN, for that.
COSTELLO: And still ahead, an unforgettable finale -- maybe one of the most exciting nights of baseball ever. The Red Sox self- destruct and the glory belongs to the Tampa Bay Rays. That's next. We're hanging out in the MLB fan cave. Cave man Michael Hara just watched 2,429 Major League Baseball games. I envy him. They are psyched.
ROMANS: Plus, the weekend is in sight and there are big weather changes in store all over the country, including, finally, finally, the end of triple-digit temps in Texas. Rob has it all.
Twelve minutes after the hour.
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ROMANS: They're waking up happy in St. Louis. Good morning, St. Louis. Congratulations going out to the Cardinals this morning for winning the N.L. wildcard. They'll now play the Phillies in the division series.
COSTELLO: Oh, the Phillies are tough, too. A tremendous finish to baseball's regular season, but if you're a fan of the Boston Red Sox, there are just two words.
(LAUGHTER)
COSTELLO: The Sox blew it last night ahead 3-2 at the night against the Baltimore Orioles. Closer, Jonathan Papelbon, gave up the game-tying and game-winning hits. Isn't that -- I can't even believe it right now, but I am happy for the Baltimore Orioles. At least, they end the season on a winning note on a bright note. Boston is not in the playoffs, and everybody thought they would be. They blew, what, a nine-game lead.
ROMANS: What a collapse. And literally, just minutes after the Sox fell, the Tampa Bay Rays kicked dirt right on top of them. Eva Longoria stunning walk-off home run in the 12-inning gave the Rays an 8-7 in the AL wildcard. They'll now play the Texas Rangers in the American League division series.
COSTELLO: Joining us now to talk about the fantastic regular season finish and the playoff excitement to come, Mike O'Hara. He's the hacker (ph) down in the MLB Fan Cave. Good morning, Mike.
MIKE O'HARA, MLB FAN CAVE WINNER: How are you?
COSTELLO: I'm great. So, did you watch the Red Sox/Orioles game?
O'HARA: I watched every single game, and yes, I saw that last night, and there's a lot of people up in New England that are wicked bummed this morning. Wicked bummed.
(LAUGHTER)
ROMANS: I'm telling you --
COSTELLO: I think that's putting it mildly.
ROMANS: I mean, it's just one day of baseball is more exciting, frankly, more exciting to me than maybe the entire season.
COSTELLO: Really?
ROMANS: Well, you're a major baseball fan, Carol. So, for you, every moment, even the most boring moments for Carol is very exciting. Hey, I want to ask you a quick question. We talked to you, Ali and I, back in, I think, April when you're just starting this, and now, you watched all or part of, I think, 2,400 games. Mike, is this heaven or is this hell?
O'HARA: No, it's absolutely heaven. It was a blast. I say that with, you know, all the integrity in the world. It was like listening to your favorite album. You know, there are ups and downs. There are favorite moments, and you know, slow songs, fast songs, it was great.
(LAUGHTER)
O'HARA: And yes, I look back on it now, and what a wild ride. It really was a good time.
COSTELLO: When you're in that cave watching so many games, you actually manage to get engaged.
O'HARA: Yes. Yes, yes, yes. I'm kind of quick like that, you know? I can multitask, you know?
(LAUGHTER)
O'HARA: So, I think I pulled it off pretty nicely.
COSTELLO: You didn't propose to her in the MLB cave, though, did you?
O'HARA: No, no. I did it outside the cave when I got some free time, but, yes, she was a keeper, so I signed her long-term to a long- term deal. So, hopefully it will work out for this organization.
ROMANS: Well, we certainly hope she doesn't want try to trade you eventually either, mike, because that would be, you know, that would be an unfortunate turn.
(LAUGHTER)
ROMANS: So, what happens to you next after this? I mean, this has been an epic run for you. You go through the post-season I assume, yes?
O'HARA: Yes. Yes. I'll be here watching the post-season and my partner in crime, Ryan Wagner, will be out on the road covering the playoffs from different stadiums and, yes. Business as usual here at the Fan Cave until the last hour of the World Series, and then after that, you know, I'm an actor, and a writer and a musician, so I'll just keep swinging, pun intended.
COSTELLO: Come on. Let's get back to baseball. I know, I know. But the Boston Red Sox with this like, I mean, who would have funk (ph) it, and Tampa Bay, they just hung in there.
O'HARA: Yes. I mean, that was probably one of the coolest things to watch is, you know, Baltimore being so relevant, you know? They weren't going to the post-season, but they gave the Red Sox all they can handle, and the Rays never quit.
You know, as a Yankee fan, I'm not going to say that I don't like to see New England, you know, kind of with that angst (ph), but I got to tell you, it was tough to watch that great team just kind of slip out of it. And what a way for the season to end. That was amazing.
ROMANS: Craze from a Yankee fan to the Sox.
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: And you think the Boston manager will probably exit next season.
O'HARA: Yes. I don't know what he'll be up to. That'll be up for the Boston Red Sox front office to decide, but, I guess, they're going to have a rough Thanksgiving, and hopefully, they'll have a nice Christmas, and everybody will be happy during the holiday season.
COSTELLO: OK. I must ask him one last question.
ROMANS: Go for it.
COSTELLO: Because the Tigers, the Detroit Tigers will play the Yankees tomorrow in the playoff, first playoff game, and Rob Marciano is also a Yankee fan, and I'm trying to think of the most terrible thing, because I want to make a bet him. What's the most terrible thing to a Yankees' fan so that I can tell that to Rob Marciano?
O'HARA: Well, I've been trying to make one with Ken Casey from the Dropkick Murphy's that the other guy will have to wear a full uniform for one full day. So, if I had to wear a Boston Red Sox uniform, spikes, socks, pants, hat, everything, top down to the batting gloves. That would be a rough, rough day.
(LAUGHTER)
O'HARA: And, I don't know. In your line of work, I think to have to wear a full Detroit Tigers uniform would be a bit much.
COSTELLO: Well, that would be nirvana to me if I had to wear a full Yankees uniform, that would be pretty horrible, but thank you for the suggestion. I like it.
O'HARA: You got it.
ROMANS: All right. Nice to see you, Mike O'Hara in the Fan Cave. So, Rob Marciano is in the, I guess, the fan weather center. And, what do you think about that? Could you do it? You know, those cleats would like really tap on the floor.
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: I'm not sure if maintenance would be happy with the spikes. So, we wouldn't wear the nails. At least, the jersey, the hat and, you know, the big thumb. You know, the big hand, Carol. You cat lean at least do that.
COSTELLO: Actually, we have -- we've already thought about it, and, if the Detroit Tigers win, you will, indeed, have to wear a Boston Red Sox uniform for your entire weather forecast.
MARCIANO: Oh, that's not fair.
(CROSSTALK)
MARCIANO: That's not fair.
COSTELLO: Yes.
MARCIANO: Although, I could, you know, do that and instead of doing weather, I can give play-by-play of each and every game they lost during the month of September during this epic failure.
COSTELLO: Oh, you're talking about --
(CROSSTALK)
MARCIANO: No, listen, you know, part of me feels so bad. I mean, it was tough to watch that happen. Same deal with the Braves. It's taken ten years, eight of which I've lived in Atlanta and some therapy after the late 1990s with the Braves. Get me to root, root, root for the home team here in Atlanta. So, it was painful to watch that --
COSTELLO: Yes. It was very -- I guess we have to get to weather now, huh?
(LAUGHTER)
MARCIANO: Yes. Are we doing weather? OK. Here we go. Some rain across the northeast. Here you go. Getting into the Berkshires and through Western Massachusetts. Eastern mass, by the way, in Boston, you're for the most part dry, at least, at least for now. Heat across parts of the plains.
Check these numbers out. Ninety-three in parts of Nesbraska and same deal in Fargo, but those days are over as are the days of this nasty cutoff low that's been given this stuck weather pattern across the northeast. That's about to break down with this front that's going to bring some pretty chilly temperatures and some wind to the Western Great Lakes.
We'll probably see some thunderstorms with that, probably some water spouts, as well. Rainfall has been an issue across parts of Jersey and Pennsylvania. This on top of what Lee brought. So, ground saturated. We had some flooding and spots that saw the flooding just last month, and flash flood watches and even some warning for parts of Upstate New York.
Here comes the front that's going to kick out that stubborn low that's produced that showery unsettled weather pattern and here you go, 10 to 20 degrees below normal and expect the temperatures over the weekend just in time to get you in the mood for baseball playoffs -- Guys.
ROMANS: Thanks, Rob.
COSTELLO: I can't wait. Thank you, Rob.
MARCIANO: See you, guys.
COSTELLO: Time now, though, to "Talk Back" on one of the big stories of the day. Our question for you this morning. Why would anyone want to run for president? Let's face it. We're a demanding bunch. As comedian and political observer, Dean Obeidallah puts it, "the biggest challenge the president faces is we, the people. We have become unreasonably demanding. We want everything and we want it now."
"As in keep my taxes low, but don't cut services. As in, you're not conservative enough or you're not liberal enough and you have bad hair to boot." Late-night comedians rebel in it knowing voters love it when they rip the candidates to shreds.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAY LENO, HOST, THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO: In President Obama's hometown newspaper, "The Chicago Tribune," has called for President Obama not to run for re-election. Well, of course, he's going to run. He has to run. He knows more than anyone else, there's no jobs out there.
(LAUGHTER)
DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST, THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN: Mitt Romney comes to have a meeting with Donald Trump.
(LAUGHTER)
LETTERMAN: At one point, that thing on Trump's head started growling at Mitt.
(LAUGHTER)
JON STEWART, HOST, "THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART": Can't believe my advisers told me not to get high before this debate. I'm telling you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Not saying candidates don't often deserve some derision, but seriously, who would want to put themselves through that? I mean, as a candidate, you can't even be who you really are.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SARAH PALIN, (R) FORMER ALASKA GOVERNOR: Does a title take away my freedom to call it like I see it and to affect positive change that we need in this country?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Example: when Mitt Romney was governor of Massachusetts, he embraced the individual mandate. Now, he has to justify it because conservatives hate the president's healthcare plan.
So, the "Talk Back" question this morning, why would anyone want to run for president? Facebook.com/americanmorning. Facebook.com/americanmorning. I'll read your comments later this hour.
ROMANS: All right. We're going to check the early markets, next.
Plus, the list is out. Who is the most powerful woman in business? It's 25 minutes after the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: Twenty-eight minutes after the hour. "Minding Your Business" this morning.
Germany's parliament just passed a measure to overhaul a European bailout fund. This vote helps pave the way to create a bigger bailout fund that stabilized Greece and other troubled countries and to help European banks.
That vote setting the stage for a positive day here on Wall Street. Right now, U.S. stock futures are trading higher.
Just a few minutes, we're going to get the final revision of GDP for the second quarter. This is how fast the economy is growing or how slowly the economy grew in April, May, and June. Economists expect a very slight increase from the previous reading of a one percent rise in economic activity.
Also released in a few minute, a latest read on the number of people filing first-time jobless benefit claims.
Speaking of jobs, the world's largest cell phone maker, Nokia, announcing plans to cut 3,500 jobs in an attempt to streamline its business. A majority of those cuts will take place overseas, but some of the company's workers in Pennsylvania could be affected.
"Forbes" is out with its list of the "Most Powerful Women in Business." At number one, Irene Rosenfeld, the chairman and CEO of Kraft Foods, Indra Nooyi is the CEO and chairman of Pepsi, that's second. Rounding up the top three, Patricia Woertz, chairman, CEO, and president of Archer Daniels Midland. That's one of the world's largest food processors.
All of them, I guess. That's to deal with the high-fructose corn syrup and the stuff you eat and drink, right?
Don't forget, for the very latest news about your money, check out CNNMoney.com.
AMERICAN MORNING back right after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: All right, we just told you that "Fortune" out with its list of the most powerful women in business. I want to give it to you, again, it is "Fortune." I want to be clear. You have the CEOs of Pepsi, Coke, and Archer Daniels Midland. According to "Fortune," those are the most powerful women in business. You can also go on fortune and CNNmoney.com and see what the highest paid women in business are too and the most powerful women in Washington. Hillary Clinton tops that list. Check it out.
COSTELLO: It's 31 minutes past the hour. That means it's time for this morning's top stories. The feds arresting a man in an alleged plot to dive bomb the Pentagon and the U.S. capitol with remote controlled planes packed with explosives. The suspect is an American Muslim with a physics degree from Northeastern University. It turns out his co-conspirators were undercover FBI agents.
ROMANS: Two members of Congress are asking the federal trade commission to investigate Facebook. Congressmen Ed Markey and Joe Barton are upset over reports that the social networking site keeps gathering information about the websites you visit even after you log off of your Facebook account.
COSTELLO: Did Dr. Conrad Murray delay a call for help on the day Michael Jackson died? Jackson's assistant says a panicked Murray called him and not 911 after Jackson stopped breathing. The assistant also said Murray seemed desperate to get back in Jackson's home after he died. Testimony in Murray's manslaughter trial resumes in just a few hours.
ROMANS: The Iranian attorney or the two American hikers released last week, he says he was briefly detained and questioned by Iranian security forces after they raided his home Tuesday. He tells CNN he's not sure what exactly authorities were looking for, but, they did take files, including files regarding the case of Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer.
Senator John McCain is in Libya. He and three other senators arrived in Tripoli. They are meeting with new members of the transitional government. The senators will hold a press conference this morning at 9:45 eastern this morning.
ROMANS: Just in to CNN, the final revision to second quarter GDP, and that shows how strongly or weakly the economy was growing. It's 1.3 percent. That's a little stronger than the previous reading of one percent, showing the economy had a little more momentum than we thought. That's basically how much the economy grew in April, May, and June, 1.3 percent. You know it was only 0.4 percent in the first quarter. So it shows you a pickup from the beginning of the year into the summer. Certainly hope something like that --
COSTELLO: a little bright note.
ROMANS: You want to see more than 1.3 percent, but it's not one percent or less, so, a little bright note, I'd say. We're also getting the weekly jobless claims numbers -- 391,000 people filed for jobless benefits for the first time last week. That's also down from the previous week, Carol. Anything under 400,000 is seen as a good sign. So those two little pieces of economic news not quite as dim as we've been seeing lately. We'll see. Futures were already up, but we'll see if investors are pleased about that today.
COSTELLO: Still ahead, the race for the White House can be downright vicious sometimes. So why would anyone want to be president? And are the best candidates more like reality show contestants and we're just voting one off each week. Up next, we'll talk to an award winning comedian with a very interesting take on politics. It's 34 minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: Herman Cain is surging, coming off a big upset in the Florida straw poll last weekend. Cain, a black Republican and also a Tea Party favorite, was on "THE SITUATION ROOM," and he had strong opinions why he said there aren't more like him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HERMAN CAIN, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Because many African- Americans have been brainwashed into not being open-minded and not even considering a conservative point of view. I have received some of that same vitriol simply because I'm running as a Republican as a conservative. So it's just brainwashing and people not being open- minded pure and simple.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST, "THE SITUATION ROOM": That's a strong word to talk about your fellow African-Americans, brainwashed?
CAIN: For two-thirds of them, Wolf, that is the case. Now, the good news is I happen to believe a third to 50 percent of the black Americans in the country are open-minded. I'm meeting them every day and they stop me in the airport. This whole notion that all black Americans are necessarily going to stay and vote Democrat, vote for Obama, that's simply not true. More and more black Americans are thinking for themselves, and that's a good thing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Cain also weighed in on all the buzz around Chris Christie, saying the media should focus on candidates already declared, Carol.
COSTELLO: We have been talking this morning, why would anyone want to run for president? Sure, the rent is free, but you also have to deal with other politicians, with pundits, with the public criticizing and second guessing your every move. Joining me now is comedian and political observer Dean Obeidallah. Welcome.
DEAN OBEIDALLAH, COMEDIAN: Thanks, Carol.
COSTELLO: You have a column on CNN.com. It was very interesting because you say voters, hey, look in the mirror. You wonder why we have divided government and partisan vicious politics. Well, hey.
OBEIDALLAH: I think it is a lot is us, to be quite honest. We have been more and more demanding. The debates are like the Roman coliseum. They cheer and boo each candidate based on each answer, not on the candidates' totality. Any moment I expect thumbs up or thumbs down, execute one, and the crowd would cheer as well.
It's not a Republican-Democrat thing by any stretch. It's a very challenging time. And I think it's the reality show mindset. People dance and sing for us each week. If you don't prove yourself each week, you're out. I think now we're holding our candidates the same thing. It's very tough for the future.
COSTELLO: Do you think that prevents good people, really good people -- I'm not saying good people in the race this time, but do you think it prevents good people from even entering the field of politics?
OBEIDALLAH: I think part of the younger generation watching this would say, why would I want to inject myself into this world of attack after attack. I want things now, I want jobs now, I want less taxes and more government services now. I think if you're not a veteran of reality shows, you might not want to run.
I suspect President Obama, honestly, I wouldn't be shocked if he went on TV and said, you know what, I actually was born in Kenya. I'm out of here. Joe Biden, you take over. Because why does anyone want to be president? We're going to get people with thick skins who can take this stuff.
COSTELLO: Some people might argue it has been like this in the world of politics sin our country began. In the days of the revolutionary war people would go beat up the politicians if they didn't like what they did.
OBEIDALLAH: I don't think we're not far from that. We should be very demanding on our candidates based on substance, policy, question our government at all times. But the cheering and jeering, the attacks on the president -- I think some on President Bush frankly people on the left went overboard on the personal attacks and lost the substantive discussion, and now with President Obama the personal attacks are off the charts. Look at Rick Perry, too. He went like the prodigal son to a doomed satellite falling from the sky in a matter of weeks.
COSTELLO: It's funny how you can attach an adjective to each candidate, and a negative one, at that. Chris Christie, he's the current darling of the Republican Party right now. And I must say, when I was watching late night television and comedians, like you, they were viciously making fun of his weight. I think we have Jimmy Kimmel. So we'll show you that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIMMY KIMMEL, LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW HOST: Chris Christie as you'll see here is almost impossible to budge.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If you run for president, I will give you this bucket of chicken, extra crispy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, OK.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Really?
(APPLAUSE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I love you, Chris Christie!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Now, see, I know your first, I mean, you laugh, you do. But as you think about it, it's just so below the belt.
OBEIDALLAH: It's really, really easy. And as comics, we're not above, honestly, taking the easy shot. President Obama has been a challenge for us comedically. There's been no single take on him that is easy. President Bush couldn't speak English, well, we had that. Chris Christie, obvious what the jokes are going to be about. They're not smart. I hope if he really runs we get into debate. But the fat jokes, the obesity jokes, every day we'll hear those.
COSTELLO: The sad part about it because I think when you read any kind of blog or actually blog like "Huffington Post" or the "Daily Beast," or actually blogs where they don't like siphon out the bad comments, you will see a lot of comments from people commenting on Chris Christie's weight because it makes it OK, that funny stuff. That makes it OK to do that instead of criticizing Chris Christie on the issues.
OBEIDALLAH: That's the problem. That's my concern. We've gone beyond a real discussion of the issues that Americans want to know about -- jobs, health care, education, the environment. So the guy is a fat guy. Please. Is he running for president? He can't run for anything. That's the joke you'll hear over and over. At some level it's funny.
To me it's almost a handicap you're mocking the poor man. And for his own goodness, for his own heart, losing weight is more important. But I hope we get back to the issues, or the future our candidates we'll pick from reality shows like "The Amazing Electoral Race," or "So You Think you can Dance?" "So You Think you can Rule?" We're going to vote each week? And we're not getting the best candidates, the ones that please us on every issue instead of looking at the candidates in their entirety.
If we have to compromise here and there, we want a president or a king. There's compromise involved. I would rather have a president that would agree with everything than a king who tells me what to do.
COSTELLO: Thank you so much. And if you want to read Dean's editorial, an op-ed. I enjoyed reading it. I did. It's at CNN.com/opinion.
And be sure to join us on October 18th when the Republican candidates gather in Las Vegas to debate. That will happen Tuesday night, October 18, live at 8:00 eastern right here on CNN.
Morning headlines coming your way, next. It's 44 minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: It's 47 minutes after the hour. Here are your "Morning Headlines".
Two big and positive business stories this morning: The GDP reports for the second quarter, better than expected. The final revision shows GDP grew. The economy grew at a rate of 1.3 percent in the summer, that's up from the previous reading of one percent.
And the Labor Department announcing that 391,000 unemployment claims were filed for the first time last week, that's the lowest level since April and better than economists had expected.
And that good news on top of Germany passing a measure to overhaul a European bailout fund means we could be in for a positive start to the trading day. Right now U.S. stock futures are up.
A new terror threat at home, the feds arresting a man in an alleged plot to strike the Pentagon and the Capitol building with remote-controlled planes packed with explosives.
Senator John McCain is in Libya. He arrived in the capital of Tripoli earlier; he was accompanied by three other senators. That group will hold a news conference at 9:45 a.m. Eastern.
That's the news you need to start your day. AMERICAN MORNING is back after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Forty-nine minutes past the hour. Good morning.
She really didn't see this coming. A video of flash mob proposal is exploding right now on the Web. Trang and Nam met at the -- at UCLA, so he decided to bring her back there for the big moment. He's in on it, she's not. Take a look at what happened.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're just too good to be true. Can't take my eyes off you. I want to hold you so much. At long last love has arrived. And I think God I'm alive. You're just too good to be true, can't take my eyes off you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Well, after they all busted a move to Frankie Valli he got on one knee, only she didn't exactly say yes.
Joining us now are Nam Tran and Trang Vu, the stars of this video. Welcome to you both and congratulations.
NAM TRAN: Hi, thank you.
TRANG VU: Thank you -- thank you so much.
COSTELLO: So Nam, how did you come -- why did you come up with this idea? Wouldn't a private, romantic dinner had been easier?
NAM: I suppose it would have been easier. But, no, I knew I wanted to propose to Trang about a year ago and we both love musicals. We both love dancing and this is really I think the closest you can come to like a real-life musical.
So everything just came into place and it was a way for friends and family to join in and be there and celebrate with us.
ROMANS: So about 95, so -- some of the -- some of the people in the flash mob are your family and friends and then some of them are part of the group, the Flash Mob group that helped you sort of do this.
Trang when did it dawn on you, oh my -- this is -- this is for me, I am about to get proposed to.
VU: I think when I saw my -- my little cousins jumping into the -- into the group and started dancing and then, I immediately spotted my parents and I knew, oh, my gosh, something special is going to happen to me today.
COSTELLO: Oh that's true. Why would my little cousins be at UCLA?
VU: Exactly.
COSTELLO: Let's watch the actual proposal now, shall we?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRAN: I promise that our days together will always be filled with laughter and adventure and music and horrible dancing, on my part. And you have the most beautiful heart and you have my heart.
It's always been you. Will you marry me?
VU: Duh.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: You're going to have to tell that story to your grandchildren and she said, "Duh". Seriously, 200,000 people, more than 200,000 people have seen this on YouTube. Did you expect that?
TRAN: Not at all.
VU: We're still living a dream.
TRAN: Yes, it's -- it's been crazy.
ROMANS: You also -- Trang you said, you looked at him at one point and said, you're cheesy.
COSTELLO: But obviously, you love that cheesy, don't you?
VU: I do. That's actually, that's actually for him because I'm normally a whiner and he's always, babe, do you want some cheese with that wine. And so -- and so, that was my perfect moment to get back at him.
TRAN: Yes, I wouldn't have expected anything less from her. She's always cracking jokes. And --
COSTELLO: Oh so when's the big day?
TRAN: We haven't really decided yet. We're still just trying to enjoy the ride right now. We spoke the other day and we said, you know what, let's just not think about that for a while and just enjoy each other's company for a while.
ROMANS: That's a great idea. That's a really nice idea.
COSTELLO: Well, congratulations. It was fun having you here.
TRAN: Thank you.
VU: Thank you.
COSTELLO: Thank you for sharing the big moment.
TRAN: Thank you.
COSTELLO: Nam and Trang, thank you.
VU: Thank you very much.
COSTELLO: Coming up next, our "Talk Back" question of the day. "Why would anyone want to run for President?" We'll read through some of your responses. Its six minutes until the top of the hour.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCARLETT JOHANSSON, ACTRESS: Hi I'm Scarlett Johansson. You too can impact East Africa. How are you?
Just first struck by the mass of it, the largest refugee camp in the world. People are just surviving.
Basically I was there as an ambassador of OxFam (ph) and to hopefully highlight not only the crisis but also to highlight all of the work that -- that OxFam is doing and -- and what they are providing for people.
It doesn't need to be this way there is enough food in the world to feed everyone.
Join the movement, "Impart Your World". Go to CNN.com/impact.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Ok. Now, it's time to get back to our ""Talk Back" question. The question for you this morning, "Why would anyone want to run for President?" Of all the responses we got, no one said, "Oh, I'd love to run for president." Like no one said that.
This is from Erskine (ph), "Some see it as a pinnacle of their political careers, as a political Super Bowl of sorts. This is likely why only a handful of our nation's presidents have been effective."
This from Joshua, "I can't speak for anyone else, but I want to be president because A, I'm a masochist, which is necessary to deal with Congress, and B, I'm schizophrenic, necessary to deal with the American public. Plus it's the only way I'll ever get to meet Bruce Springsteen."
And this from Mike, "Are you kidding, it's all about Air Force One, you get the jet and a chef and a ticket to anywhere."
Please, keep the conversation going, Facebook.com/Americanmorning. And truthfully, not one person said, "I would love to be president. I would love for my child to grow up and be president."
ROMANS: Yes.
They get all the credit and all the blame and sometimes I don't know that they deserve all credits, all of the blame for the economy for example.
Today a couple of quick economic reports that were favorable. GDP report 1.3 percent for the second quarter, better than we thought. And jobless claims for the first time since April dropped below 400,000. That's why futures are up 140 points right now on the Dow. So things are looking up in America at least for today.
COSTELLO: I was just going to ask you.
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: Give us any sort of perspective because we're so used to hearing bad numbers and these are kind of maybe good.
ROMANS: They're kind of maybe good and you want to start putting numbers like this together that show some stabilization. So, I mean, you know, it's not all rainbows and unicorns, Carol. At least for today, you have an uplifting day on the markets. You don't have to cringe about your 401(k) today.
COSTELLO: That's right. So Kyra Phillips, let's celebrate.
KYRA PHILLIPS, ANCHOR, "CNN NEWSROOM": Ok. Absolutely. If our 401(k) is ok, that is a day to celebrate.
Thank you, ladies.
We'll talk more to Christine about that in a minute.
