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CNN Sunday Morning
Deadly Pileup in California Tunnel; Rapper T.I. Arrested
Aired October 14, 2007 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, hello everybody, from the CNN Center here in Atlanta, it is Sunday, October 14th. I'm Betty Nguyen. We want to thank you for starting your day with us.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everybody. I'm T.J. Holmes. It is 7:00 a.m. here in the east, 4:00 a.m. out west where a major California freeway is still shut down after a deadly pileup in a tunnel. One firefighter said it looks like a bomb went off. We will get an update from the scene.
NGUYEN: In Atlanta, a well-known is rapper was arrested. Yes, police say he was trying to add three machine guns to his weapons collection just hours before a big award show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): This is huge, a 3d image of your entire body. Open for examination by an agent at a TSA.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Up close and personal, airport security screeners getting an intimate view of your entire body. It's a virtual strip show on a Sunday morning. We're going to take a closer look at this new technology ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
NGUYEN: But first, we are going to take a closer look at this. A traffic dilemma today in southern California. Check it out. A third person has died from that terrible big rig crash and tunnel fire. Workers today are slowly searching for more bodies. But they can't go too quickly because they're afraid the tunnel could collapse. The crash happened on Interstate 5 in Santa Clarita Friday night. That major freeway is closed and expected to stay that way until Tuesday. CNN's Peter Viles has more.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PETER VILES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): On a busy highway, slick with rain, a freak accident. Two big rigs collided and set in motion a chain reaction. Like explosive dominoes, five or six big rigs and several passenger cars smashed into each other and burned inside a short tunnel that cuts under Interstate 5. The fire burned so hot, parts of the concrete tunnel exploded. And fears of structural damage kept firefighters out of the tunnel.
DEP. CHIEF JOHN TRIPP, LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPT: The challenge was is to do a proper evaluation; they had to go inside the tunnel. But because of the conditions, it has not allowed us to do that as of yet from both sides of the tunnel.
VILES: By mid afternoon Saturday, 14 hours after the fire started, small flames were still visible inside the tunnel. Eighteen wheelers were reduced to burned shells as crews tried to remove the wreckage.
TRIPP: We're going to go very methodically, ten feet at a time, with firefighters and structural engineers to assess what exactly is the structural stability of that tunnel.
VILES: Above that tunnel, Interstate 5 was completely shut down, causing near gridlock north and south of the fire.
(UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE): Two and a half hours, I've been nothing in miles.
(UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE): Almost three hours. My husband is a preacher and he's going to preach late.
(UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE): Is there an exit here soon? We're going to be out of gas soon.
VILES: Interstate 5 is the main north south artery in California.
WILL KEMPTON, CALIF. DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION: It carries about 225,000 vehicles a day. It's obviously vital that we shoot to get this roadway open as quickly as possible. But highway officials say there is so much cleanup and repair work to be done, it is possible a section of the interstate will remain closed through Monday.
Peter Viles for CNN, Santa Clarita, California.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: And I-reports say possibly even Tuesday depending on what they can get done. Well give you another picture of that tunnel fire, courtesy of the Associated Press. Look at that.
HOLMES: This one here gives a -- another one here, actually, giving you a sense of this backup on I-5. That is a very important highway out there in California that anybody who has traveled out there knows. But that gives another perspective of that traffic mess.
We will turn now to Iraq and what really happened in the square on September 16th. Witnesses and survivors from the now infamous Blackwater shooting incident in Baghdad are talking with the FBI. Their tales are harrowing. We're getting some witness stories from the "New York Times" Web site.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): They were in the middle of the circle there. They shoot one red bus like this one, the bus of 40 passengers. (UNIDENTIFIED MALE): 40.
(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): Woman was shot. All the -- they are to look other car, Volkswagen tried to escape and he was running. Then they hit him from the back. His head was open like this.
(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): Opened.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Well, when it was all over, Iran's government said 17 unarmed Iraqi civilians were dead and 27 others were wounded. Although the U.S. State Department agrees that innocent lives were lost, the incident has caused friction between the Iraqi government and the U.S. over the use of private contractors. Blackwater says its security guards were only acting in self defense.
Today at 11:00, we'll hear more about this when Wolf Blitzer sits down with founder of Blackwater, Erik Prince, that will be on "Late Edition" today at 11:00 Eastern.
On this "Week at War" is partition the only viable solution in Iraq? Plus Pakistan in crises and tense fighting in this entire tribal region. Tom Foreman hosts "This Week at War" today that is at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
NGUYEN: Well another diplomatic stop for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. She arrived in Televise today for three day round of meetings with Israeli and Pakistan leaders but she is keeping expectations low and says she expects no break through in the peace process. Rice's trip to the Middle East comes on the heels of a visit to Russia where she cautioned against concentrating too much power in the government.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: If Russia is to emerge as a Democratic country that can fully protect the rights of its people, it is going to emerge over years and you have to be a part of helping the emergence of that Russia.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: In a meeting with human rights activists in Russia, Rice expressed concerns about the independence of the country's judicial system and the media.
Before a brutal government crack pro democracy demonstrators throng the streets in Myanmar. On Friday more crowds but they were citizens on a forced march of support for Myanmar's military. According to political activists inside the country, unto (ph) officials demanded at least one person per household march in that rally. Factories were required to send 50 workers to take part.
At least 21 people are dead following a land slide in southern Columbia. Authorities say the landslide in Suarez was triggered by people digging for gold in an abandon mine. At least 26 people are reported injured, as well. The regional governor says the mayor of Suarez had ordered the mine closed, but people went despite that warning of danger.
HOLMES: The American Indian Movement mourns one of its leaders today. Verna Bellecourt died of complications from ammonia yesterday at a Minneapolis airport or rather at the hospital. Bellecourt was a spokesman for the American Indian Movement based in Indianapolis. For years, he fought against using Indian nicknames for sports teams. Bellecourt's brother says he became ill shortly after returning from a trip to Vensua about a month ago. A wake is scheduled tomorrow in Minneapolis. Verna Bellecourt was 75 years old.
NGUYEN: This morning, we do want to get a check of the weather for you outside. Stormy in some parts, Reynolds.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It is stormy. It is very, very stormy in a few places. Other spots are pretty tranquil. Take a look at what we had yesterday, we're going to go back in time and show you this I-report shot that we had taken from Sebastian Inland in Florida showing a pretty neat funnel cloud. It didn't cause much in terms of any damage, but still a really interesting sight to see, a mix of sunshine and clouds. The funnel is very easy to see. This was sent in by Jason Cammorata.
In the next shot as fast forward to that, you see that funnel. Is it that shot or is that the other shot? I guess that is the other shot. Guys, it's been an early morning, let me tell you.
Let's go right back to weather computer we are going to show you what we have. Some scattered showers in parts of the Great Lakes. Chicago, you've had rain showers this morning. Not much for you over the next hour. A look back farther at the west, we're seeing more development from Cedar Rapids back to Davenport we go, and into Des Moines right along I-35 we are seeing some scattered showers for Dodge you got the rain. A little bit of a break moving in some dry air. Back to Sioux City, more rain for you. So it's going to be a wet, Sunday morning for you.
A little bit of deja vu going on into parts of Nebraska and into Kansas, as well. About 24 hours ago we were talking about some rain there, look at what is happening. We have more shower activity forming right along I-70 from Celina back to Manhattan. Much of this area especially in Kansas City is completely saturated, heavy rain there yesterday. With this additional amount of rainfall coming in, it could be another flooding situation.
Farther south we go into parts of Texas and into Oklahoma, we're not talking about just the chance of flooding. We could see some severe thunderstorms, especially late in the afternoon where you have daytime heating and a lot of moisture coming in and of course these double barrel low moving from west to east. I would say any where between 3, 4, and 5 maybe even at late as 6:00, you could have some strong thunderstorms, maybe even some tornadoes.
That's a look at your forecast from across the nation. Let's send it back to you chipper birds there at the news desk. You look wide awake and ready to roll.
NGUYEN: Oh, if you only knew Reynolds.
HOLMES: Absolutely.
NGUYEN: How did the game go last night, T.J.?
HOLMES: Why did you ask?
NGUYEN: Didn't we have a friendly wager? Wasn't someone supposed to loose their eyebrows or something?
WOLF: I think the wager was yesterday. Whoever's team lost, that person had to shave their head.
HOLMES: I delivered on my side of the fence.
WOLF: I know you did.
NGUYEN: Except you didn't shave the face, just the head.
WOLF: Oh, Betty.
NGUYEN: I had to point that out.
All right. Thank you Reynolds.
HOLMES: It's just 7:15. Do you want to start with me like this, Betty?
NGUYEN: We have more to tell the folks about. Shall we do that?
This is pretty serious too. He was arrested just before he was awarded.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE): Next thing we know we saw the ATF agents swarming out of their cars. Atlanta police cars were there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: The ATF raids the home of rapper T.I. So why is he in trouble with the law? It's not the first time.
HOLMES: Also, it's pretty easy to do. We don't recommend it. You know, drive through the toll. But it's costing millions. Now there's a way to crack down on violators.
NGUYEN: And scrutinizing the candidates from their head to their feet? Our own Jeanne Moos takes a look at the shoes pounding the campaign trail.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Well new this morning, one of the, if not the biggest rap star on the planet right now is behind bars, T.I. and he is behind bars this time on federal weapons charges.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES (voice over): Agents searching T.I.'s suburban Atlanta home say they found six firearms in a walk-in safe in his bedroom closet. The 27 year old rapper is barred from owning firearms after a felony drug conviction nine years ago. Authorities say T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, was trying to add three machine guns and two silencers to his arsenal when they arrested him in a mid town Atlanta parking lot.
(UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE): Police and ATF agents swarming out of their cars, Atlanta police cars were there. I was told there was a black gun that they pulled out of the Range Rover.
HOLMES: T.I.'s music is based largely on a culture of guns and drugs. His calls it trap music, the trap being that underworld where drugs are sold. His music deals with that lifestyle. He made his big screen debut last year in "ATL," a film featuring pop culture in his own hometown. His next movie "American Gangster" costarring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe releases next month. Real life violence entered T.I.'s life last year. When a gunman riddled his van with bullets as he and his entourage drove down a Cincinnati highway. His personal assistant was killed and three people were wounded, no arrests were ever made. T.I.'s first court appearance on the gun charges are set for Monday in Atlanta.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: That arrest came just hours before what should have been a big night for T.I. had he been there, T.I. was nominated actually more than anybody else at the B.T. Hip Hop Awards last night, nominated for nine different awards. He ended up picking up two honors, even yes he wasn't there to accept them, but one of those honors was CD of the year. It should have been a big, big night for him and it did not go that way. A lot more to come, hate to hear that.
NGUYEN: It was a big night, in all the wrong ways apparently, though.
HOLMES: In all the wrong ways for him. Much more on that to come.
NGUYEN: We'll be following it.
Hey listen to this; it is the rule of the road. Pay the toll when you're supposed to, right? If you don't, there is a high tech way that you might just get caught. CNN's Kathleen Koch shows you how it works and why it may not be fair.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): It is the toll booth fast lane, where drivers prepay tolls. An electronic device on their cars calculates the amounts due as they drive through. But such so-called e-z pass lanes also make it easier to violate the law. WILLIAM HENNING, E-ZPASS VIOLATION ENFORCEMENT: There are folks who take that as an opportunity to go through without paying the toll.
KOCH: The violations rack up. Florida loses roughly $20 million a year to toll evader, Maryland, $2.5 million. This year, it began cracking down using a system that reads license plates electronically.
(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): We're going to scan every license plate that comes in the range of the cameras.
KOCH: The two cameras mount to an unmarked car; they check licenses against a database of chronic toll violators. Drivers who owe more than $1,000 in tolls and fees.
SERGEANT WILLIAM BERRY: That's what I get and a picture of the vehicle will be right here.
KOCH: One of the Sergeant William Berry's biggest catches, a driver owing $3,000 in tolls.
BERRY: Someone for over four years, just not paying the tolls.
KOCH: Speed is the system's biggest asset.
SGT. JOE HOYER, MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY: If you think about the number of vehicles that this system is scanning, 2,300 vehicles a day compare that to just what one patrol officer would be able to do, it's unbeatable.
KOCH: Places around the country are also using the electronic license plate readers to find stolen cars and drivers with suspended plates. But the ACLU warns the could violate drivers rights to privacy.
BARRY STEINHARDT, AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION: If you look at the bigger picture we are going to be tracked everywhere we go. The license plate readers are only part of that, but they're an important part of that. We have a mobile society and people move around in cars. This enables the government, private industry to determine where you've been.
KOCH: Police insist the devices don't take a toll on civil rights. Only targeting law breakers with more accuracy and speed than humans can.
Kathleen Koch, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Presidential candidates get some pretty close scrutiny, but how much is too much?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): And lastly, would you tie your shoes so you don't trip over? (END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Tripping over the campaign trail in moccasins? Yep, right after this right here on CNN.
HOLMES: Also, a little sound editing here and there puts one presidential candidate back in time. Let's have another cup of coffee, juice, whatever it may be or a Lean Cuisine meal. Whatever it is, you grab it and you stick around. We will explain.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: What does Paris Hilton have that Hillary doesn't, that might make it easier.
HOLMES: Doesn't have the little dog, maybe?
NGUYEN: That's a good answer.
HOLMES: An arrest record.
NGUYEN: That's an even better answer. One viewer says it's actually style.
HOLMES: I don't know. Hillary Clinton is pretty stylish for a female presidential candidate, right?
Voters are doing presidential candidates fashion tips. And our Jeanne Moos has a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A typical day on the campaign trail.
(UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE): So nice of you. Thank you.
MOOS: Collecting compliments, posing for photos.
HILLARY CLINTON, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I feel like this is my class picture.
MOOS: A candidate can't afford to be tongue tied. But what about the candidate's shoe?
(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): Lastly, would you tie your shoes so you don't trip over?
MOOS: Voters scrutinize the candidates from head to toe, right down to Hillary's Minnetonka Moccasins.
CLINTON: I bought these moccasins which I highly recommend to you at the Ft. Dodge Museum and Gift Shop. They are so comfortable.
MOOS: Then Hillary got comfortable so she could tie her shoe. Audience members craned their necks to get a better view. Barack Obama in his sensible footwear, Hillary in her moccasins at least they don't have to worry about stumbling like the speaker of the house in heels. Never underestimate the power of footwear. In 1952, this photo of Adlai Stevenson inspired a political ad.
(UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE): I'd rather have a man with a hole in his shoe than a hole in everything he says.
MOOS: And if voters aren't examining a candidate's sole they are getting in her hair. In Iowa, an 84-year-old Hillary supporter brought pictures of his favorite hair style to a Hillary event and gave them to her handlers.
(UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE): She would look so much better if she fixed her hair like Paris Hilton. She would look like a real dignified person.
MOOS: But you know, Paris Hilton isn't very dignified. She's pretty wild.
That didn't deter Ernest Kellenberger (ph). He loves Paris's up swept look, so he went to the library and he printed out pictures of Paris from the Internet so he could give them to Hillary. But you know my producer said you said something about her looking like she just got out of bed.
(UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE): Oh, he says that of every woman that he didn't like her hair.
MOOS: That is Ernest's wife chiming in. He just hates what he calls straggly straight hair.
AT the Website politico they put Hilton's hair on Hillary's face. Paris Clinton for president. And if having your shoes and your hair scrutinized weren't bad enough. Beware of pacing in front of the middle class express, less it express this.
Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: I don't like the crooked part? That's kind of in.
WOLF: I do my best to make any part look crooked.
NGUYEN: Yours is nice and crooked.
WOLF: Let me go to the garage and get the garden rake and just dig.
NGUYEN: You get one line and he just goes.
WOLF: That's what we do here. It's all good. I'm the weather guy. I know what to say.
NGUYEN: This is also what we do. We show you some pretty interesting stuff dealing with Al Gore. I don't know. Did you see "Saturday Night Live?"
HOLMES: And have you heard that he picked up a Nobel Peace Prize?
NGUYEN: We talked about it on Friday. Now that he's a big time respectable guy, that didn't stop "Saturday Night Live" from having a little fun at his expense, take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): I'm trying to find a place to put it, but as you'll see, it's getting pretty crowded. You know what? Why don't I show you around? This is my Oscar. I won this for my documentary film, "An Inconvenient Truth." This is an Emmy. I got this for creating a new TV network and for the distinguish adaptation of "An Inconvenient Truth."
Here we have a Grammy. This I won for recording the books on tape version of "An Inconvenient Truth." Now, this next award has nothing to do with "An Inconvenient Truth." It's called the Poppi (ph). It goes to the candidate for president who wins the most votes but doesn't actually get to become president.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Oh, he's not going to live that down. You know what he says?
WOLF: What does he say?
NGUYEN: He's not going to run. That's his story and he's sticking to it.
WOLF: That has to be a great thing, though. If you've got people saying, hey, you need to run for the most powerful position on the planet, president of the United States. And you get so sit back and say, nah.
NGUYEN: I have an Oscar. Why do I need that?
All right. Reynolds.
HOLMES: Well former White House insider goes from private counsel to public speaker.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAN BARTLETT: You can imagine, I mean, the president is not very good at hiding his emotions. He's kind of like, what are you talking about? Vladimir, if you want to come to America, we can go to America and eat as many chickens as you want.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Do you want recognize him? Dan Bartlett on dishing dirt on what when on when the cameras were not rolling on the president. NGUYEN: And Josh Levs is here at keeping them honest. What are you doing, Mr. Reality?
JOSH LEVS, CNN DOT COM DESK: Love it. Good morning, guys. Check this out. The new Barack Obama ad seems to contain sounds from a big deal speech he gave in 2002. But it turns out he actually recorded it just for the ad.
Also coming up, we're going to take a look at what that big deal 2002 vote in the Senate actually said and what Hillary Clinton said at the time. That is all coming up right on CNN the most trusted name in news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Hello again and welcome back on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING, everybody. I'm T.J. Holmes.
NGUYEN: Good to see you, T.J.
Hi, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.
After years inside the Bush administration, Dan Bartlett is spilling secrets. Wait until you hear some of the details from the former counselor to the president.
HOLMES: Plus, a million-dollar jewelry heist, not at a jewelry store, though. It was at a gas station. That story coming ahead in our "Quick Hits".
We will turn right now to some politics. And John McCain wants Mitt Romney to stop talking about being a real Republican. McCain took aim at Romney while speaking to the New Hampshire Republican Committee. He says Romney's record in past campaigns shows a less than consistent Republican record for the former Massachusetts governor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I just hope that Governor Romney will not repeat a statement, by Mitt, that says he is the only, quote, "real Republican". My record of 24 years as a conservative Republican, with a voting record to back it up, of consistency on a variety of issues speaks for itself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Despite attacks from McCain, and Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney still holds the lead in New Hampshire. New polls released today shows Romney with 25 percent of support in the Granite State; Giuliani in second with 21 percent; McCain in third, Fred Thompson coming in fourth.
Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton is out, and out front, in a big way. She holds a 20 point lead over Senator Barack Obama in the Marist College poll. So, from New Hampshire we turn to Iowa now and Senator Barack Obama. He's going door-to-door in Des Moines, drumming up support. He spoke with reporters and potential voters about his opposition to the war on Iraq. He also attacked his chief rival, Hillary Clinton, on her foreign policy ideas.
NGUYEN: Well, the war in Iraq is still a touchstone issue for Barack Obama. But how he's delivering that message may have some people grumbling.
HOLMES: Yeah.
NGUYEN: Josh Levs is "Keeping Them Honest" and he joins us now with the latest on this.
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's really interesting. There's a lot of people who look back at 2002. His campaign really likes to bring the conversation back to 2002. Even though he wasn't in the Senate, he did, at the time, speak out against war when there was this resolution in the Senate, potentially authorizing force, which they ended up voting to do.
So his campaign tries to draw attention to this speech he gave, but now, as we're telling you, the way they're doing it is drawing some new questions.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEVS (voice over): It is a centerpiece of Barack Obama's presidential campaign. But in 2002, days before the Senate voted for a resolution authorizing force in Iraq, he spoke out against the war. He wasn't in the Senate at the time. But he often notes that Hillary Clinton voted for the resolution. This is from his latest Internet ad.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BARACK OBAMA, (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I know that even a successful war against Iraq will require a U.S. occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined costs, with undetermined consequences.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEVS: The echoing sound affects helps suggest this is from his 2002 speech, but he recorded this recently. His campaign says there was no quality tape of the original. It's not the first time a campaign has made some audio changes. In 2003 the Republican National Committee edited out some verbal stumbling from an ad containing part of President Bush's State of the Union Address.
For Obama, chasing Clinton in the polls, winning over anti-war voters is critical. The Democratic front-runner is often asked to explain her 2002 vote.
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON, (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Obviously, I would not vote that way again, if we knew then, what we now know.
LEVS: The resolution authorized the president to use force "as he determines to be necessary" and appropriate to defend the threat from Iraq and enforce U.N. resolutions.
In Clinton's speech at the time, which she has posted online at the time, says bipartisan support for the resolution made "success in the United Nations more likely and therefore, war less likely."
And she said she'd take the president for his word that he --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLINTON: Try to pass a U.N. resolution and will seek to avoid war if at all possible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEVS: It's also worth knowing that Senator John Edwards, who is also a part of the race here, he also makes Clinton's vote central to his campaign. He says he was wrong to vote the same way she did and tries to push her to say the same thing.
And, guys, you know, the first nominating contests are now less than three months wag away. So, we can expect all this stuff to really heat up.
NGUYEN: Well, yeah, let's get back to that Obama video, because I want to know, are we going to see some fallout because of this?
LEVS: I'm starting to wonder that. I was looking on line and I was reading some articles about it. You can see some things on both sides. On the one hand, there are some blog posts that say, you know, what if Hillary Clinton went and did this exact thing, people would be all over her, which is possible. She is the front-runner, there's a different type of scrutiny.
On the flip side, his campaign might eat this up. Because one thing campaigns like to do, even if there is a little touch of controversy in there, is draw the conversation to their chosen topic. Well, they want people talking about the fact that he gave that speech back in 2002. Maybe from their point of view, even if there's a little controversy, about this particular ad, at least they're talking about the speech, at all.
NGUYEN: That's how you keep it real. Mr. Reality, for us Josh Levs.
LEVS: Keeping it real. There you go.
NGUYEN: Thank yo.
LEVS: Good morning, thanks.
HOLMES: Senator Ted Kennedy is back with his family this morning after a brief hospital stay. The 75-year-old Massachusetts Democrat was released from a Boston hospital yesterday. He had surgery on Friday to remove blockage in the left carotid artery in his neck. A spokeswoman say Kennedy is expected to return to the Senate after a few days of rest at home. Meanwhile, Senator Larry Craig is the newest member of the Idaho Hall of Fame. Not Hall of Shame, Hall of Fame. The hall's board went ahead with honoring the Republican senator last night in Boise despite Craig's arrest in that sex sting operation in a Minneapolis airport men's room. Craig answered few questions as he arrived for that ceremony.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. LARRY CRAIG, (R), IDAHO: I'm doing very well, thank you. I've got my whole family with me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Craig was chosen for the Hall of Fame last spring, long before his arrest in that sex sting became public in August. Initially he said he would resign. Now, Craig says he plans to serve the last 15 months of his term.
NGUYEN: There is intrigue from the White House. A new book from one inside player has generated a lot of buzz.
HOLMES: But now former White house Counsel Dan Bartlett is hitting the speaking tour. That could cause a few problems. We get more from CNN White House Correspondent Ed Henry.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Nobody kept secrets better than Dan Bartlett when he was at President Bush's elbow. But now that he's left the White House, Bartlett is on the paid speaking circuit, telling tales out of school.
DAN BARTLETT, FMR. WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL: The Cheneys aren't into small talk.
HENRY: Bartlett's agent has posted one speech on line, to drum up business. But it also provides rare insight into key players, like the 2000 Republican Convention, when Bartlett gingerly tried to talk to the Cheneys about their daughter, Mary, being a lesbian.
BARTLETT: The press is going to really focus on this. They're going to maybe intrude more in their lives than you would be prepared. And Mrs. Cheney is there, too. Darts just shooting through me left and right.
HENRY: The future viewpoint finally broke the silence.
BARTLETT: "We won't be talking about my daughter." I said, OK. Thank you very much.
HENRY: Or the private dispute President Bush had with Russian President Vladimir Putin at their first meeting.
BARTLETT: I didn't have the information, George. And when he gets really kind of up and he always would like, pointedly, George. Why was Putin steamed? U.S. Chicken imports to Russia.
HENRY: You are only sending us chickens from the bad chicken plants and Americans are getting all the good chicken plants.
Now, you can imagine, I mean, the president is not very good at hiding his emotion. He's kind of like, what the hell is he talking about?
Vladimir, if you want to come over to America, we can go to every chicken plant in America and eat every chicken you want. I -- you know, let's go now.
HENRY (on camera): Bartlett was also tough on the vice president for not being more forthcoming about his hunting incident. Revealing some tension within the White House. And while he was speaking for himself, Bartlett's take on Putin, that he suffers from KGB think could really complicate an already complex relationship. Ed Henry, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: A quick note now about a CNN special investigation, it looks at a crippling situation affecting tens of thousands of school children. Put simply, they are not equipped to learn. That is the "Education Gap". And it could be impacting your child. Parents, you want to listen up. Tonight at 10 Eastern, Tony Harris digs deep in our nation's schools to identify the problems and give you the solutions. A special report no parent can afford to miss. We are "Bridging The Gap" that is tonight at 10 Eastern.
HOLMES: Is it possible for a person to live a Christian life without going to church? That is the question I posed to a pastor, also an author, David Jeremiah. You may be surprised at what he had to say. Interesting conversation. Stick around for it.
This video will surprise you. The soda wars, they come to life. Find out why a Coke man, we're going to save it here, goes to throws with the Pepsi man. Punches were sent flying -- over some pop? We'll explain.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER REPORT)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: If someone told you there were five things you could do to improve your life, would you do them? The author of the new book, "Signs of Life", says he has a blueprint for living a better life. And I spoke with the author, David Jeremiah, just a few days ago.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID JEREMIAH, PASTOR, AUTHOR, "SIGNS OF LIFE": I think if a person says they're a Christian and it doesn't affect their life at all, in any way, it's pretty hard to make a case for them really having had an experience with Jesus Christ. Because what the Bible says is when he comes to live within your heart, he makes a difference, and he makes a change and it's an inside out change.
So, I don't think it's up to us to go around and trying to figure out who is a Christian and who is not. But the Bible does says, by their fruit, you should know them. In other words, by the way they live and how they function, you should be able to tell whether or not they've had a real experience with Christ.
HOLMES: So, tell me, on the flip side of that then, can a person -- is it possible for a person to live that life, to day in, day out, walk in amongst friends, at work, wherever they may be, and you see that they are living that Christian life, but hey maybe they don't go to church? Does that still work?
JEREMIAH: That's absolutely possible. I don't recommend that, but I think that's possible. I think a lot of people -- and in our culture today, a lot of people are kind of fed up with the church. Even though they still have a relationship with the Lord, and they want to live for Christ, they don't have a church in their community that they feel comfortable with. So that doesn't cancel them out of their Christianity, that's for sure.
HOLMES: But you still like them to go to church, all right?
JEREMIAH: Absolutely.
HOLMES: We'll go through these principles you talk about in the "Signs of Life". Kind of an interesting titles to each of them, but we'll try to make it through all of them kind of quickly, five here. First, "Dusty Shoes", tell us what that means?
JEREMIAH: That means if you're a Christian, it isn't just about going to church and sitting in a straight row with a bunch of other people. It means your polished shoes get dust on them, because you're out involved in things that are happening in the community, and trying to make a difference. And trying to be relevant with your Christian life, and not just claim to go be a Christian, but living that.
HOLMES: And "Rolled Up Sleeves: Being there for your fellow man." What's that?
JEREMIAH: That's about service and that comes from the experience of the Lord where in John 13 he washed the disciples feet, and it kind of embarrassed them, because when he did that, they were discussing who among them was among the greatest disciple. And Jesus came in and said let me show you what a good disciple is.
HOLMES: And maybe this next one, people can figure out what it means, "Worn Out Knees"?
JEREMIAH: That's about prayer. That's about the fact that if you try to live the Christian life, in your own energy, you're going to have a hard time. Because the Christian life is not hard, it's impossible without the power of God.
HOLMES: And the last two here, "Open Hands".
JEREMIAH: That's about the fact that as a Christian, you should be generous. You shouldn't close your hand on everything you have. You should open your hand to the things that people might need. I love to teach the open hand principle, because what it says is if you keep your hands open on what you have, it's also open so God can put something else in your hand, if he decides to do that.
HOLMES: And finally, here, "Outstretched Arms".
JEREMIAH: That's about compassion. That's about seeing the needs in the world and caring about them as Jesus cared about the people he saw.
HOLMES: I know the book is written for people of faith, but still do a lot of these things -- a lot of them -- of course, the one you talk about, prayer -- but a lot of the other ones are things that people could practice. Do you think Christian or not, a lot of people should be living, and could be living anyway?
JEREMIAH: I think a lot of people do live these principals. In fact, I see them. What I'd like to suggest is that you can't live them consistently because they're not natural. They're supernatural. If you don't have a supernatural relationship with God, to try to live like this in your own strength would be very, very difficult, I believe impossible.
HOLMES: Pastor Jeremiah, the book is "Signs of Life: Back to the Basics of Authentic Christianity." Of course, as you mention there, it's not just for people of faith, so me of these principles, anybody could be using.
But, Sir, we appreciate your time. Thank you so much for coming in and sitting down with us.
JEREMIAH: You're welcome. Thank you very much.
HOLMES: And he says "Signs of Life" can be used as a daily devotion or as a group study. Next week, on our "Faces of Faith" what was once practiced in secret, now used by millions, the Jewish tradition available to everyone. Learn all about Kabbalah, next Sunday morning.
We want to take a moment here to congratulate one of our "Faces of Faith" producer, Donika Young (ph). She was recently awarded the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists Pioneer Award for her work. And "Faces of Faith" series is all about exploring various faiths and the people who believe. Congratulations, Donika.
NGUYEN: Yeah, she's been doing such a great job.
The end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is being celebrated all around the world. Here are some I-Reports.
From Ingrid Moesan, of Suriname, South America. And they show Muslim women and men saying prayers at the traditional gathering place of Independent Square.
How about taking a 3D image of you the next time you're at the airport?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would prefer this rather than being patted down because it's less personal and less invasive.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Less personal? We'll see about that. A high-tech way of screening. Why is it so controversial? We'll have that story in minutes.
Nothing like getting down and dirty in the mud for a good cause. We'll explain.
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NGUYEN: "Quick Hits" now, the cola wars got pretty physical. At a Wal-Mart in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Coke and Pepsi deliveryman coming to blows. The Coke guy ended up with a broken nose, while Pepsi canned its delivery guy.
HOLMES: In Florida, police investigating a million-dollar jewelry heist that happened at a gas station. The victims had stopped for gas after picking up the jewels in Miami. That's a great idea. They were headed back home to New York.
Turning to California now, Betty, where a Marines-style run for charity took place. Participants really had to get down and dirty for this annual event. It's all to raise money for the Marines Toys for Tots program.
NGUYEN: Here's the latest on the weather outside. Actually, you know, it's no laughing matter, storms are really pounding the Central Plains.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: Check out these photos from "The Telegraphs" web site, that Kate Middleton, Prince William's on again and off again girlfriend. Yeah, and Prince Charles, the very first public photo of the two together. Middleton is spending the weekend vacationing with the royal family. And that invitation is sparking lots of rumors of an engagement. We'll keep you posted, ladies.
HOLMES: Of course, we will.
We've got a lot of controversy over a little picture. Who is taking your 3D image? Measures at aimed at security are hitting the controversy button. We'll explain.
NGUYEN: And coming up in the next half hour, hang on tight. This is base jumping to the extreme. Look at how close that person is getting. We'll show you much more.
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NGUYEN: Security or modesty, that's the new question, thanks to a new gizmo that you can now be strip searched at the airport without ever undoing a single button.
HOLMES: But privacy advocates aren't too keen on this kind of screening. CNN's Chris Lawrence with more on the naked truth.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): This is you. A 3D image of your entire body, open for examination by an agent of the TSA. Passengers flying through Phoenix are the first to be scanned by the new millimeter wave portals.
WAYNE LOEB, FREQUENT FLYER: It was quick, unobtrusive, a piece of cake.
LAWRENCE: The portal using electromagnetic waves to produce an image so clear, theoretically, it would be impossible to conceal any weapon, including wire, rubber or plastics.
MATTHEW GILLESPIE, FREQUENT FLYER: If it makes it faster and safer, that's fine with me. I really don't see a problem with it.
LAWRENCE: Privacy advocates do. The Electronic Privacy Information Center is raising legal questions, envisioning a government system that collects and stores naked pictures of American travelers.
NICO MELENDEZ, TSA SPOKESMAN: We have worked very hard to address privacy concerns.
LAWRENCE: TSA Spokesman Nico Melendez says the officer with the passenger never sees the image, and the one who examines the image sits in a separate room, and never sees the passenger. All the faces are blurred out.
MELENDEZ: And the technology is not able to transmit, print, or save any kind of an image. So, once you take the picture and we're done with it, it's gone forever.
LAWRENCE: That is the one thing that spooked passengers, making sure their picture is not saved.
CATHY LUI, FREQUENT FLYER: Just so I know that my image is not there. It's permanently deleted.
LAWRENCE: Radiation is another concern, but the TSA says millimeter waves emits less radiation than your cell phone.
(On camera): Technically, it's radio waves bouncing off your body. So there's no rush of air, or really any feeling of any kind.
(Voice over): Passengers selected for secondary screening can choose the portal or being patted down by hand.
LOEB: I would much prefer this to being pat down. Just because it's less personal and it's less invasive.
LAWRENCE: But more expensive. Each portal costs $150,000. The TSA says it's the price it pays to stay one step ahead. Chris Lawrence, CNN, Phoenix.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Hello, everybody, from the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. This is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It's Sunday October the 14. I'm T.J. Holmes.
NGUYEN: Good morning, T.J.
HOLMES: Good morning, Betty.
NGUYEN: And good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen. We want to thank you for starting your day with us.
Folks in part of Southern California will be dealing with a major traffic problem this morning. And you cans see why in that video. Freeway still shut down after a fiery tunnel pile up We'll get an update.
HOLMES: Also, do you know this guy? Ron Paul. He's a presidential candidate, yeah, the Republican is causing quite a stir in that race, on the campaign trail and on line. We'll meet him.
NGUYEN: And check out this video. It is called base jumping but you might call it just plain crazy. Look at how close they get to the mountain. We'll tell you what it's all about on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
HOLMES: We start with a traffic dilemma today in southern California. This morning Interstate 5 still closed from the terrible big rig crash and fire we told you about earlier. Three people dead, ten injured. The fire got so hot, parts of the concrete tunnel exploded. Now officials are urging caution.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WARREN STANLEY, CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL: I would ask the public; just could we have your patience. This is going to take a long time. We have to work very slowly and methodically with the plan because we want to make sure that we investigate this manner matter in the right caution and we want to make sure that everybody out here is safe and when the roadway is opened up, we also know that the roadway is safe.
The cause of the accident right now undetermined. What we do know is there are at least five to six big rig trucks, commercial vehicles, there, and there are a number of passenger vehicles that are also there. That's our estimate at this time, plus obviously the fire, burned so intense some of the vehicles are burned down to the core. Also the smoke with our ability to get in there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Take a look at this mess. Traffic stuck for hours, Interstate 5 not expected to reopen until Tuesday.
NGUYEN: New this morning, Atlanta rap star T.I. is behind bars, awaiting a court appearance tomorrow on federal weapons charges. ATF agents arrested the 27-year-old rapper for allegedly trying to buy three machine guns and two silencers. The search of his suburban Atlanta home turned up what agents described as an illegal arsenal, especially serious for T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris. He already has a drug conviction and as a felon he is barred from possessing firearms.
HOLMES: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wraps up a trip to Moscow during her visit; she warned that a stronger centralized government could undermine democracy in Russia. Today the secretary arrived in the Mideast for a three-day diplomacy tour. She'll meet with both Israeli and Palestinian leader but she's keeping expectations low. She doesn't expect any major break-through in the peace process.
NGUYEN: After six years in Afghanistan and four in Iraq, are young Americans losing their zest for battle? CNN's Barbara Starr says military recruiters are having to work harder and harder to find a few good men and women.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): With no end in sight to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, there was just a bit of good news.
DAVID CHU, UNDERSECRETARY OF DEFENSE: This was a successful recruiting retention year for all four military services.
STARR: More than 180,000 young people did sign up for military service. Most will be in combat within months, but top officials are worried by signs of ebbing support.
CHU: One of the ironies we've seen in this extended conflict, the young people are willing to step forward but the more senior members of our society, not to indict my own generation, are less willing to applaud that choice when they do so.
(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): You did two things you've never done before, at least not at the same time.
STARR: The army has even made commercials to urge parents to have their children join the military. Commanders say it may not be enough. They say some military families are disenchanted by a war they don't see ending.
So the army will now spend an additional $1.4 billion to improve military housing, child care, and family assistance programs. That includes hiring some 700 new counselors to help families with soldiers deployed. With troops utterly exhausted by their 15-month tours of duty, there are even deeper concerns.
GEN. GEORGE CASEY, ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF: We are consumed with meeting the demands of the current fight and unable to provide ready forces as rapidly as we would like for other contingencies.
STARR: Another trouble sign? Last year, African-Americans made up just 15 percent of new recruits, a drop from 23 percent in the year 2000, and another sign that military service may no longer have the appeal it once did.
One question? Why has it taken the military so long to start worrying about all of this?
Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: From Caracas to Havana, Hugo Chavez pays another visit to the ailing leader of Cuba, Fidel Castro. The two met for four hours yesterday according to Cuban state television. Today Chavez will hold his radio and television show from the city of Santa Clara, Cuba. No official photos or video from the last meeting.
NGUYEN: Well new this morning, a noisy showdown over illegal immigration turned out peacefully in Texas.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): USA, USA!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Demonstrators on both sides of the debate took to the streets in the Dallas suburb of Irving. Opponents of illegal immigration called for support of a controversial federal initiative called the Criminal Alien Program that allows local police to turn suspected illegal immigrants over to federal authorities and speeds up the deportation process. Protesters who support illegal immigration also rallied. Demonstrators on both sides waved American flags and called for justice.
HOLMES: A fugitive wanted in Tennessee on dozens of charges including child rape is back in the United States this morning. Authorities say Donald Lynch was captured in Mexico. He has been extradited to southern Texas where he's now being held in Tennessee. Lynch faces 11 counts of child rape, 38 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, as well as other charges. He's been profiled three times on "America's Most Wanted."
NGUYEN: At least 21 people are dead following a landslide in southern Colombia. Authorities say the landslide in Suarez, Colombia was triggered by people digging for gold in an abandoned mine. At least 26 people are reported injured in that. The regional governor says the mayor of Suarez had ordered that mine closed but people went inside despite being warned of the danger.
The streets of Myanmar are again crowded with demonstrators but they're not calling for democracy. According to a political activist inside the country they're on a forced march in support of the government. International media are kept out of the country but junta officials demanded that local factories send at least 50 workers to the demonstration. Each household was required to send at least one person.
HOLMES: Stepping up security in Iraq, more security checkpoints have been set up this weekend in Baghdad. As Iraqi's celebrate the end of Ramadan. Some Baghdad residents were having a good time at a carnival, a different picture than we're used to seeing of Iraq and a nice one to see. There were more people at the amusement park this year than last and that is because they say they feel safer. Nice to see, nice to hear there.
The festivities have been different in India. Thousands flocked to a mosque. The carnival type atmosphere here, so many gathered outside for prayer.
NGUYEN: Reynolds Wolf is watching the weather outside this morning for us on this Sunday. He joins us from the Severe Weather Center; we don't call it that for nothing. So what do you have?
WOLF: It's not necessarily what is a problem now, but what may be a problem later on today. We're talking about the chance of some flash flooding and maybe some very strong thunderstorms, possibly even some tornadoes. As it stands, though, rain is the big story. We're seeing some scattered showers moving from Chicago back into Davenport, even into Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Nebraska and then points southward we've been seeing stronger storms. Nothing severe at this point but still enough to produce some heavy rainfall.
If you happen to be in St. Joe's along parts of I-29 or Falls City, you've had rain through and about to get a break in the action but then there is stronger development, some cells moving just to the north of Manhattan, those will be moving through your neighborhood within the next 20 minutes or so.
The reason why this is such a big deal is because you had plenty of rainfall yesterday. The ground is moist and many spots like Kansas City it's completely saturated. When you have additional rainfall, that could cause runoff in low lying areas, places with poor drainage, you could have problems especially by the late day hours. We'll see many of the storms really intensify.
We're going to have all of the elements there. We've got this area of low pressure that's drifting west to east, a lot of moisture coming in from the Gulf of Mexico and the combination of all of these coupled with the daytime heating could give us a round of strong storms. Not a pretty picture.
You want to see some pretty pictures, though? These were sent in yesterday from Jason Cammarata from, again guys can you tell me where was this, Sebastian Inlet? It was, in Florida. Beautiful shot. Mix of sunshine and clouds and the funnel cloud. As we go from that spot, it's not only a great shot of the funnel cloud but you also see Jason's mom and dad right there in the foreground, and pretty sight to see. Thankfully that didn't cause any damage whatsoever. What's it. That's time to wrap it up, the Reynolds wrap, back to you two.
NGUYEN: Reynolds, only a meteorologist would say, hey, pretty pictures of a funnel cloud.
WOLF: It's a beautiful thing to see.
NGUYEN: Funnel clouds are just beautiful.
WOLF: Especially when it doesn't cause damage.
NGUYEN: That is true and the back of that guy's head.
HOLMES: I'm sure he appreciates that. Hey, one of those kind of shots, you know? I really like that.
NGUYEN: Reynolds thanks.
WOLF: Any time.
NGUYEN: On a serious note, and a sad one, Native American Activist Vernon Bellecourt has died. Bellecourt is probably best remembered for his vigorous opposition to Indian nicknames for sports teams. His brother says he fell ill recently following a visit to Venezuela. Bellecourt was a spokesman for the American Indian Movement based in Minneapolis. He died yesterday at a Minneapolis hospital from complications of pneumonia. He was 75.
HOLMES: Republican Ron Paul capturing the attention of young voters and they are making him a serious contender in the presidential race.
NGUYEN: This is every little kid's dream, playing in the mud. Well, that's what happened when little kids grow up. What's have much more on this down and dirty story, all for charity. We will show you that.
HOLMES: Also base jumping to the extreme. Base jumping is extreme anyway. Do you have to take it to the next level? Look at this. Is that not nuts?
NGUYEN: That is wild.
HOLMES: Like a superhero.
NGUYEN: He could almost touch the mountain.
HOLMES: Stay here for this video that will certainly take your breath away. Stick around.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Politics now an unlikely hero for some young voters. Republican Ron Paul taking the Internet generation by storm, garnering unexpected support. CNN's Jim Acosta caught up with the candidate.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Nobody is more surprised by the success of Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul than Ron Paul. Have you come to grips with what's happening with your campaign?
REP. RON PAUL, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Not completely, because it's still pretty shocking to me.
ACOSTA: Shocking because this little-known congressman from Texas has crashed the party in the race for the GOP nomination. His anti-war, anti-big government views aimed at younger voters appear to be catching fire at a critical time. Like Howard Dean before him, Congressman Ron Paul is the Internet phenomenon of this presidential campaign. The lion's share of his donations comes from online supporters and one of the signs you'll often see among his crowds is "Google Ron Paul." Drawing millions over the net in the last fund- raising quarter Paul has more money on hand than John McCain and he is estimated to be the most watched presidential candidate on youtube. There are songs about Ron Paul.
(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): Congressman Ron Paul thank you so much for joining me.
ACOSTA: He even greed to an interview with a college student in his dorm room.
LARRY SABATO, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA: Ron Paul really is one of the surprises of the 2008 campaign. I think in the beginning, most people thought that he would be a very minor candidate, and really wouldn't be much heard from.
ACOSTA: Paul changed that with his chief issue, Iraq. The war he says was sold to the American people with false information. Do you mean that the president and the vice president essentially misled the country?
PAUL: We were misled. What we can't read is into their minds and their motivation.
ACOSTA: While Paul supporters like his views on the war.
LAURIE CRANDELL, PAUL SUPPORTER: He wants to get us out of Iraq; he is not giving a time line.
ACOSTA: His liberal followers may not realize Paul also an ob/gyn doctor is a vocal abortion opponent.
(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): He takes the pro-life issue, not sending kids off to war and not having a draft is very pro-life.
ACOSTA: A one-time libertarian candidate for president, Paul opposes most military spending overseas. The war on drugs, and national health care. He earned the name Dr. No on Capitol Hill for voting against bills he thought were not expressly authorized in the constitution. Do you really think it's possible that you could win the Republican nomination?
PAUL: Of course it's possible. It's difficult.
ACOSTA: Is it likely, though?
PAUL: It's hard to say. I think it's a lot more likely than it was six months ago.
ACOSTA: With the first primaries just months away the next trick for so the called Dr. No is getting more voters to say yes.
PAUL: Thank you.
ACOSTA: Jim Acosta, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Looking at New Hampshire now, a big lead for Senator Hillary Clinton. A new college poll shows Clinton carrying a 20-point lead over Senator Barack Obama in the state. Clinton is getting the support of 40 percent of Democratic voters there is and on the Republican side, Mitt Romney leads with 25 percent. Rudy Giuliani is second with 21 percent. As for Ron Paul, well, he's deep in the field with single digits.
HOLMES: There their political battles of legendary. Now Republican and Democrats are taking their squabbles to the Nascar track. Democratic Congressman Vinnie Thompson of Mississippi is Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. He sent aides to a NASCAR race last week and he advised them to be immunized against Hepatitis and other illnesses.
Thompson's aides were on a fact-finding mission on health preparedness at big events. Republicans jumped on him saying maybe he was afraid Democrats might come down with a case of red state Republicanism, after coming in contact with regular Americans. Thompson said it was sound advice because his aides would be visiting hospitals and other health care facilities.
You can get all of your political news from the CNN political ticker at CNN.com, and that includes the latest updates, as well as analysis.
NGUYEN: And we have more political analysis coming up next hour. CNN political producer Sasha Johnson joins us to talk about an unlikely partnership between competing candidates, and the prospects of Al Gore jumping into that race. That comes your way in about an hour from now.
HOLMES: Win one for the Gipper. One of the most memorable quotes maybe in sports history. There's a strange new twist, the mystery really surrounding this legendary athlete, George Gipp we'll tell you about here on the CNN SUNDAY MORNING. LEVS: Hey there. I'm Josh Levs over at the dot-comdesk. Tomorrow about 12,000 blogs will be uniting to tackle one topic. We'll tell what you that topic is and also T.J. will read that whole list of blogs one by one coming up from the dot-com desk. Right Betty?
HOLMES: He's studying for it now.
But first here's Dr. Sanjay Gupta with a preview of today's "House Call."
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, guys. Do you know your HMO from your PPO? Choose the right health insurance for your family and your pocketbook. We'll show you how.
Then the "Made in China" label showing up on prescription medication in the United States. Where your drugs come from and whether you should be concerned.
Finally, how a new version of the pill could change lives of women once again. We'll take a closer look, all that's coming up on "House Call" at 8:30.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Some "quick hits" for you this morning. A ceremony dedicating a new statue of Vicente Fox had to be canceled this morning because people tore the statue down just hours after it was put up.
In South Carolina now, the Ashley River Fire Department is honoring a fallen fire fighter with a new fire truck. Captain Mark Kelsey was one of nine fire fighters killed in June while battling a Charleston furniture store fire.
In Marine Style One for charity, California participants had to get down and dirty in this annual event to raise money for the Marines Toys for Tots Program.
NGUYEN: Did you know its blog action day is on the horizon.
HOLMES: Never heard of it.
NGUYEN: That is coming up tomorrow and it is supposed to be a big deal.
HOLMES: Mr. Reality himself doing double duty with the dot-com desk.
LEVS: You got most of it covered so I don't think I could handle your jobs, too. Here's the thing. Everybody is jumping on the same topic these days. The one big topic, what is it, the environment. So that's what they're going to talk about tomorrow and actually it's 14,000 blogs signed up to be talking about this and say they're going to reach an audience of at least 12 million people. You can read about that blog, I'll tell you they're saying that bloggers around the Web will unite to put a single issue on everyone's mind and each blogger will post about it in his or her own way. They're hoping that it will add to the impact of what's already been going on. I'll tell you a lot of talk about the environment in the world. There are some changes and we can start to see surveys that show in general, in the country, and other countries, more people are starting to take some action, so maybe all of this is working. Yesterday my wife went around the house turning off all of the lights we weren't using.
It's not the only issue in the world that matters. I want to show you another sight we're interested in, guys, this is fascinating the global incident map dot-com. Our producer, Glenn, pulled this up for us. It shows a continuously updated list of terrorism events and suspicious activity in different countries. It keeps updating all day. You see interesting things. Afghanistan, dozens injured in suicide bomb near the Pakistan border. Nigeria, they keep updating this all day and show you the whole world with the spots that you can click on, get more detail about terrorism and events that are considered terrorist.
NGUYEN: How credible is that information?
LEVS: Some of the facts are sourced. We can't back it up as CNN saying that all of the events are accurate but they have had things on the site that we've reported on. In those cases we know they are accurate.
NGUYEN: Very interesting. Blog action day, be ready for it tomorrow.
LEVS: We're going to take a look at the blogs tomorrow and see what kinds of things they're saying. And we will start to take a look at this and other things. Gore winning the Nobel, I think after the concerts and everything, let's look six months down the road, a year down the road.
NGUYEN: And see what difference it makes. Thanks for that, Josh, we appreciate it.
HOLMES: Well legendary sports hero back from the grave, literally for reasons that aren't exactly clear right now. The remains of George Gipp were exhumed this month for a DNA test. No one is saying exactly why the test was requested or what might have come from it. Gipp was the legendary Notre Dame Football player portrayed by Ronald Reagan in the 1940 movie "All American." He died of knew pneumonia in 1920 during his senior year, reportedly after urging his teammates to "win one for the Gipper." The DNA test is said to have been requested by a member of the Gipp family. A distant cousin called it a desecration.
NGUYEN: Well it is a crippling situation affecting tens of thousands of school children and put simply, they are not equipped to learn. That is the education gap, and it could be impacting your child, so parents you want to listen up. Tonight at 10:00 Eastern, Tony Harris digs deep into our nation's schools to identify the problem and give you the solution, a special report no parent can afford to miss, we're bridging the gap that is tonight at 10:00 Eastern.
HOLMES: Well you may have heard about-face jumping but take a look at this, as if it needed to be more extreme than it already is. This is extreme face jumping.
NGUYEN: Instead of trying to stay away from the sides of the cliff there, these guys look like they're trying to get as close as they can. We'll show you so much more when we come back.
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HOLMES: All right, you got to check this out. Incredible video of some crazy guys doing some crazy things. Check this video out.
NGUYEN: It's called base jumping. That in itself is not new but what is extreme is how these dare devils are actually doing it.
HOLMES: This is how they explain it. They got bored with just jumping off a cliff. That's no fun. You can't do that. They wear special suits that let them glide like the flying squirrels.
NGUYEN: You may have seen stuff like this in the movies. Remember that James Bond flick "Casino Royale"? What makes it thrilling is how close they actually come to the face of the cliff. Some shows them doing somersaults. There's one of them, and to the point they could touch the side of the cliff at one point. It's crazy really.
HOLMES: How are you supposed to train for that?
NGUYEN: Hopefully not by trial and error, because you can't afford to, you know, mess up too many times or boom, you're a goner.
HOLMES: That's one way to put it.
NGUYEN: We're putting is plain and simple out here. Check that out. That's the money shot there, my goodness. That is what happens when you get bored folks. You decide to off in closer to the cliff.
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