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CNN Sunday Morning
Toronto Explosion; Beijing Olympics; Georgia/Russia Conflict; McCain's VP Choice; Airline Outrage
Aired August 10, 2008 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN NEWS ANCHOR: Well, from the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia, good morning to you all on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING, I'm T.J. Holmes.
MELISSA LONG, CNN NEWS ANCHOR: And good morning, I'm Melissa in today, Melissa Long in today for Betty Nguyen, this Sunday, August 10th and of course breaking news this morning.
HOLMES: We are keeping an eye on right now, a series of explosions, this is some of the video, the latest we're getting into our newsroom, a neighborhood literally on fire and people still in their P.J.s, having to flee these flames. We'll tell you what's happening, here.
LONG: And the airline fee-for-all. Why does it seem like they're charging for everything extra? Which airlines are the stingiest? We're going to talk about that this hour on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
And some breaking news, again, out of Canada, out of Toronto, Canada. A series of explosions very early this morning in a massive fire at a propane facility in Toronto. I want to show you some pictures of the flames. Just moments ago, witnesses reported seeing huge fireballs in the night sky, the explosions forcing the evacuation of a neighborhood that is surrounding the propane facility. Emergency officials are reporting at ast two people hurt, but so far there are no reports of fatalities. Just a few minutes ago I spoke with Wendy McCann of the "Canadian Press."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WENDY MCCANN, CANADIAN PRESS: No one is really sure what set off the explosion, but residents were awakened by sounds of thunder, looked out their windows and saw these huge vivid orange balls of fire lighting up the early morning sky.
LONG: How large is that facility and just how many people happened to live near it?
MCCANN: It seems to be a pretty large propane facility that serves, you know, taxi drivers, people wanting to fill their barbecue tanks as well as industrial clients. There were several large propane tanks on site, in fact, some of them are still burning. And police, as a precaution, evacuated people within a 1.6-kilometer radius. They were concerned that some of this may have produced a toxic reaction in the air.
LONG: How many people are being evacuated and what abut anybody needing medical care this morning are?
MCCANN: It's not clear how many people are evacuated, we think a large number are. And we have heard of only two injuries, although police have yet to give us a full briefing. There's some concern there were workers at the site whom we're not sure of whether or not if they're safe.
LONG: Of course, you mentioned the fire is still burning...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
You have been listening to Wendy McCann with the "Canadian Press." Know, she told us that we should expect a press conference on the explosions in just a matter of minutes, from Toronto. We will bring you that information on the explosions, what caused it and how many people have been injured, as soon as we get it.
Now, another developing story this morning, traffic, a nightmare across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, a fatal accident early this morning sent a tractor trailer over the railing into the water. One person was killed, two more injured and traffic this morning is being diverted after that three-vehicle accident.
So, what does that mean for you if you happen to be in the area? Huge pile-ups, huge backups of traffic for people traveling to and from Delaware and Maryland beaches.
HOLMES: We'll turn to Beijing now, and security there on high alert after the stabbing of two American tourists. This happened at the famous Drum Tower, the victims related to U.S. men's volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon, inhe Olympics.
Here's what we can tell you about that attack. Officials say a Chinese national stabbed and killed Todd Bachman. Bachman's wife also stabbed, hospitalized, now. Family members say she was hurt trying to save her husband.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DALE BACHMAN, VICTIM'S COUSIN: I was told that Todd was a few steps behind Barbara, and Elizabeth and when the attack happened, Barbara heard Todd. She turned, went back toward Todd, and that's when she was attacked. To me, that was a strong indication of her love...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: The U.S. men's volley team playing today, but the coach was not there. The "New York Times" reporting that the coach doesn't know when or if he'll be able to return to the team.
Well, President Bush is in China to attend the Olympic games, but besides watching the games he has a political agenda as well. His topic today, religious freedom, a highly sensitive issue in China. John Vause is in Beijing covering what's happening there.
Hello to you. JOHN VAUSE, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Hello, T.J. Yes, President Bush did go to church this morning, but it is the situation in Georgia which seems be mostly preoccupying White House officials here in Beijing. The U.S. calling on Russia to end what it calls a disproportionate military response in Georgia, with a senior White House official, today, warning, should the violence continue that it will have a significant long-term impact on U.S./Russian relations.
As you say, U.S. President George Bush is here for the Olympics in Beijing. Earlier, he had called on all sides to end the fighting, but since then, Georgian officials say Russian forces have launched an airstrike not far from the Georgian capital and the Russian navy has reportedly blockaded Georgia's coastlines. Today, speaking to reporters here in Beijing, White House spokesperson Dana Perino said it was time for the Russian to stand down.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DANA PERINO, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON: We are 100 percent focused on solving this peacefully. President Bush does think that the Russian response has been disproportionate. We are very concerned about the innocent people, especially inside of Georgia. We respect Georgia's territorial integrity and we expect Russia do the same.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Aides say that the president is being briefed continually on the situation in Georgia. Earlier today he met with China's President Hu Jintao, but again, earlier President Bush warned that the fighting in Georgia is a threat to regional stability, especially now as it spreads far beyond the initial conflict zone of South Ossetia. The White House says there will be a key test coming up, for Moscow, when, as Georgian troops withdraw from the South Ossetia area, certainly from the capital there, and as the Georgian government calls for a ceasefire -- T.J.
HOLMES: All right, John Vause for us, certainly more than just fun and games at the Olympic games. We appreciate you this morning and we'll have a lot more from Beijing coming up, including gold for Michael Phelps and a special spectator for the U.S. men's basketball team, our Larry Smith live with all of the details - Melissa.
LONG: T.J., thank you.
And as John Vause was just reporting from Beijing, the U.S. is closely, of course, monitoring the situation in Georgia, CNN, itself, also closely monitoring. This is an area in the newsroom called the International Desk. Our CNN journalists are, of course, keeping an update siation on what has been developing as Russian troops are moving deeper into Georgia. A key U.S. ally under attack by the Russian forces this is morning.
So, here's the very latest, if you're just waking up on this Sunday morning we want to make sure you are up-to-date with the very latest. Georgian officials says their troops have pulled out of South Ossetia, that is the first step toward a possible ceasefire. Georgia says 200 of their soldiers, 37 civilians were killed in Russian attacks, some of those outside of the breakaway region.
Now meantime, Russia claims Georgian troops killed at least 2,000 people in South Ossetia. President Bush, again, as John Vause just reported, monitoring the situation from Beijing, China. The U.S. says this morning that continuing aggression could harm U.S./Russian relations and also the U.S. Embassy is now organizing conveys to help to get Americans out of Georgia.
Again, Russia launching new airstrikes this morning. Troops are on the move. Let's check in there with Frederik Pleitgen who joins us live from the capital of Tbilisi -- Frederik.
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Melissa. And I saw some of the Americans being evacuated here out of Tbilisi, earlier today. There was a convoy that went out of the American Embassy at about 1:30 p.m. Local Time, here in Tbilisi, and that went towards the Armenian border, so certainly the American Embassy moving to get at least some of those American citizens out of the country as fast as possible.
Now, as he said, the Georgian forces are saying that their forces, their combat troops, have moved out of the city of Tskhinvali, which is of course, the capital of that breakaway province of southern Ossetia. They said they did this at about 5:00 a.m., earlier this morning, and the reason that they did this initially is because they were facing a massive influx of Russian troops and heavy armor into that region, the Georgian troops saying they are absolutely pounded by Russian artillery, by Russian tanks and also by Russian air attacks, and that caused them to slowly, but steadily move out of that capital city of that breakaway province, first of all to the outskirts of that capital city and then ever further away.
Now, what the Georgian government is telling us, and they say that this is also a message of goodwill to the Russian government to show them that they are actually serious about this ceasefire. They say they have conveyed a message, a proposal of a ceasefire to the U.S. government, to the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for that to be relayed on to the Russian Government. The Russians, of course, so far are saying that they have not received any formal proposal for a ceasefire, but we'll see how that situation develops in the next couple of hours -- Melissa.
LONG: Frederik, at the topic of your report, you mentioned the convoy moving Americans out, what about the Georgians themselves, how are they fairing? You mentioned earlier that you had the opportunity to stop by a refugee camp?
PLEITGEN: Well, I mean, it's a very difficult situation for them, especially in those provinces that are being very hard-hit by this fighting, not only in southern Ossetia, although there, of course, the situation there is very, very bad, but we're hearing from that area a lot of people who are in that area, of course, their houses have been destroyed, many of them are still without water and still without electricity and also, what's always a major problem in areas like that, is getting medical attention, if indeed you have been wounded in the course of that fighting. Now of course, we've also been reporting that not only southern Ossetia has been subject of fighting, there have been other cities in Georgia, outside of that breakaway province, that have also been hit by Russian air attacks where there have been casualties...
LONG: Apologies, audio difficulties. That was Frederik Pleitgen reporting from the capital of Tbilisi in Georgia. We'll continue to follow this developing story and in the meantime, don't forget you can follow it on our Web site, cnn.com. -- T.J.
HOLMES: All right. Melissa, well, this debate who the baby-daddy is continues. Well, John Edwards says he is not that baby's daddy. His ex-mistress, however, is refusing to take a paternity test to prove whether or not in fact John Edwards is the father of the child.
Edwards has admitted to having an affair with Rielle Hunter in 2006. He's denies, however, ever fathering her 5-month-old daughter. He has said he's willing to take a paternity test. However, in a statement Hunter's attorney says "She wishes to maintain her privacy and her daughter's privacy. Furthermore, Rielle will not participate in DNA testing or any other invasion of her or her daughter's privacy now or in the future." And we do need to let you know that, in fact, another man has come forward and said he is, in fact, the father of that child, so that saga continues.
Well, he was one of the original kings of comedy. This morning, family, friends and fans of Bernie Mac are shocked and saddened by his death. He rose from poverty stardom as a comedian and actor. Bernie Mac began his career doing standup and later expanded into hit movies and a popular television show. After learn ing of Mac's death, one co-star said the world just got a little less funny.
Bernie Mac died of complications from pneumonia at a Chicago hospital yesterday at the age of 50. A public memorial will be held next Saturday in Chicago.
LONG: There are a lot of them, fed up flyers. Perhaps you fall into that category, maybe headed to the airport today, tomorrow, sometime this week. Airline passengers bombarded by extra fees. Now, I want to tell you which carrier is making you pay extra for a pillow and a blanket.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LONG: Good morning.
HOLMES: Good morning.
LONG: We had a lovely drive in, no threat of nasty weather.
HOLMES: It was nice.
LONG: The humidity was gone here in Atlanta, but a risk of storms in the northeast today, I know that.
HOLMES: And we turn to Reynolds Wolf. What's going on in the map behind you, sir.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You know, we're not doomsayers, here. It's not like we go out looking for bad weather, that kind of thing, but it is the job.
LONG: I was highlighting the positive. It's a gorgeous morning, here.
WOLF: You were extremely positive, you're absolutely right, but I mean, I got to be the guy who comes in and talks about all the nasty stuff.
LONG: But you do it with a smile.
WOLF: Isn't that frightening? It really is.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HOLMES: All right, Reynolds, and you know, I always appreciate the love for the Razorbacks.
WOLF: Oh, I know Arkansas. That's what I'm saying.
HOLMES: Great weather report. Thank you, Reynolds.
WOLF: You bet.
LONG: Another compliment. Again, take it, right?
HOLMES: Yes, absolutely.
LONG: That's what Reynolds was telling me yesterday.
HOLMES: I'm in the mood this weekend. It's good to have you here with us. If it was Betty, I don't know. Just kidding, Betty, wherever you are.
LONG: She's traveling, right?
HOLMES: She is traveng, she's not watching.
All right, well, multitaskers, we know you're out there. A lot of you may be multitasking this morning, a lot of people sitting up, maybe doing a little work, dealing with the pets, you know, getting breakfast ready, drinking some coffee, watching CNN.
LONG: And online.
HOLMES: Checking the Web site. Doing it all.
LONG: Exactly, you're a master multitasker, you have like five gadgets to keep your interests.
HOLMES: Don't tell everybody.
LONG: Anyway, we know that you are multitasking this morning because, of course, we track what you're reading online at cnn.com. Josh Levs is telling you what is piquing your interest today.
Good morning.
JOSH LEVS, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: See, Melissa, you listened yesterday about the compliment thing. I love that. Taking mental notes on everything.
LONG: I'm listening to you, absolutely.
LEVS: So good to know one of the two of you up there actually does. Really good feeling. Good morning, everybody.
HOLMES: You know I got something to say when you when you get done with this report.
LONG: When the mike is off.
LEVS: Oh yeah, I bet you do. I bet you do. OK, so here's the thing, it's really interesting to know that while we're bringing you all the top stories, always interesting to check out what people are clking on, on dot-com and this right now is the most popular story we have. Let's close in on it: Gettysburg witness tree falls, a lot of people reading about this. This is a really, really old tree for American history that stood just 150 feet from the platform where President Lincoln delivered his famous speech. A storm killed it the other day. As soon as we get pictures we're going to bring them to you.
This is another popular story, really sad -- 38 people killed by what are called vampire bats. This is in an area in Venezuela, these bats believed to be carries rabies -- 38 people in tha area. This is rare, you don't hear about this very often, at all.
Now the videos. There is where we got to some fun stuff. This is one of our most popular videos this morning, and actually let's take it full so everybody can see it. This is the baby, Mackayla Marie McReynolds who was born at 8:08 on 8/8/08. A lot of people are enjoying that, a lot. And of course she is adorable. And we wish the family well.
And one more video that I just have to show you, because it's been one of our most popular videos all morning. This is Hooters for Neuters, it's called (INAUDIBLE) name. And here's what's going on, the Kentucky Humane Society has recruited waitresses from Hooters to engage people to neuter their pets. And they're actually -- there is a theory behind, that by bringing these women in, it can send the message to guys it's an OK thing to do because apparently some men are not doing it because they think that it will destroy their pet's manhood, so they figure by doing this they're counteracting that.
Everybody's clicking on those stories, guys. Hooters for Neuters may be a little bit happier than some of the tougher stories we have to bring you today, but that's what's popular on cnn.com this morning. hopefully that woke you up a little bit.
LONG: That's some graphic video and I'm not talking about the ladies who look lovely, I'm talking about the pets that were getting operated on.
HOLMES: What did you say about the ladies? What?
LONG: They looked lovely.
HOLMES: OK. Thanks Josh.
LONG: That's what you were focused on.
HOLMES: No, it's good. You got to have your pet neutered, it's an important story.
LONG: And one of the more interesting this morning, according to our readers.
All right, one down, amazingly, and seven to go for the star, Michael Phelps.
HOLMES: Yes, the Olympic swimmer off to a golden start at the Olympics. We'll talk to Larry Smith about a big day for the U.S. Our Larry Smith, live from Beijing in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: All right, we got some big news in Beijing this morning, swimmer Michael Phelps did not finish first? What? Hey, no worries, though, he's probably tired from carrying around his new gold medal. Larry Smith explaining this for us, live in Beijing.
Michael Phelps, he never disappoints, does he?
LARRY SMITH, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: No, he doesn't. But, you know, what, he's tired from the schedule because listen to this, T.J., I'm going talk on East Coast Time, so you don't get too confused. Saturday, 6:30 a.m., he's in the pool for preliminaries, 10:00 p.m. Wins the gold in the 400-meter individual medley, 7:00 a.m. Sunday he's back in the pool where he finishes second in the heat in the 200- meter freestyle, he's got to be tired, 10:00 p.m. Sunday night back in the pool for the semis at the 200-meter free, 10:30 p.m. Sunday night the former 100-meter relay. I'm tired talking about it.
But, here's what happened today, Beijing time today, I should say, Beijing time Sunday morning, he wins the 400-meindividual medley, sets his own -- breaks his own world record, easily, in doing so. In attendance was President Bush and the first lady and former president, George H.W. Bush.
Later, President Bush talked with Michael Phelps and told him, he said god, what a thrill it is to root for you. Michael Phelps, one gold in, and still going for that record eight gold medals in the pool.
Speaking of a lot of medals, Dara Torres now has 10 of them, she's 41 years old, today she became the oldest swimmer in Olympic history when she anchored the women's former 100-meter relay team to a silver medal. Dara Torres, getting a medal, and she still has one more short at medal, here -- medaling here in Beijing. In about an hour's time, the biggest basketball game in the first opening night is going to take place. It's USA versus the host, China. This nation is full of NBA fans, they love their hoops and so you've got all of the NBA guys for team USA and of course, Yao Ming and John Lun (ph) over on the China team, as well. Kobe Bryant leading the Americans, the NBA MVP making his first appearance in the Olympics.
You might have missed it, but there was a clean sweep in fencing that happened, actually in day-one of competition, but it was very late. But what a great performance by Mariel Zagunis as she repeats as champions. She defeats the Yale grad, Sada Jacobson. Becca Ward taking bronze, and the USA with those three medals and the five they got today in the pool, now standing at eight medas overall as we're just now finishing the second day of competition. Let's go back to you.
HOLMES: Goodness, I don't know what your schedule is like, but if you're keeping anything close to Michael Phelps, you poor fellow. So, get you some sleep, man. Maybe you -- are you going to get to go see the men's basketball? Are you going to be able to watch the game tonight, the game?
SMITH: No, because I'm on live shot duty right now. I saw some NBA guys earlier and they asked me, are you coming tonight? I'm like, no, I've got to do all the reports, so but thanks for rubbing it in.
HOLMES: Got to work, that's all right, Larry.
SMITH: I'd rather be with you anyway.
HOLMES: We know you got a tough schedule, as well, but we appreciate you, this weekend. You're just getting started over there at the Olympics. We'll be checking in with you, plenty. Take care, sir, we'll talk to you soon.
And of course, you can follow the summer Olympics on our Web site. CNN has teamed up with "Sports Illustrated" to create the FanZone, all the compelling angles at that address: cmm.com/fanzone.
LONG: So much to watch on TV this weekend. Of course you have the Olympics and then you have the PGA championship. Here's your update for you this morning and some severe weather was the big story at Michigan's Oakland Hills Country Club on Saturday. Thunderstorms actually brought play to a stop, but not before Argentina's Andres Romero shot the best round of the tournament with five under 65.
T.J., this is your friend, right, you're kind of brother?
HOLMES: Holmes, J.B., yes.
LONG: J.B. Holmes is still near the top of the leaderboard, on under par. Do you golf well?
HOLMES: Well? That's funny. Does anybody golf well besides those guys? LONG: Well, I guess, are you consistent?
HOLMES: Not at all.
LONG: No. That's the problem.
HOLMES: That's all. J.B. and I will hook up at our family reunion and he's going to give me some pointers.
LONG: There is no relation.
HOLMES: We're going to talk some politics, here. And we've been hearing a lot of talk from the so-called expert.
LONG: The pundits, right.
HOLMES: That's what we should call them. What they're saying about who the vice presidential picks might be, should be.
LONG: But, what do you think? Of course, most important, we asked voters and they were very blunt in picking a favorite and throwing out a sleeper pick, as well.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Hello again. Welcome back to this CNN SUNDAY MORNING. I'm T.J. Holmes.
LONG: I'm Melissa long in for Betty this weekend, 9:30 in the morning Eastern, it's very early, 6:30 in Los Angeles.
HOLMES: Yes, they're just waking up. Good morning to you all if you're up out there.
LONG: Ergency crews responding to a series of explosions and a huge fire at a propane facility in Toronto. The explosions forced the evacuation of the surrounding neighborhood and now emergency officials reporting some injuries but so far, there are no reports of fatalities. Officials say tests show the air quality is not toxic.
The Chesapeake bay bridge near Annapolis, Maryland. A fatal three- vehicle accident earlier this morning sent a tractor trailer, you can see it there, over the railing and into the water. One person was killed, two others were injured. So anyone traveling to or from the Delaware and Maryland beaches this weekend, prepare for long delays.
HOLMES: Russia now ramping up aggression against the Republic of Georgia, this morning, launching new air strikes against the U.S. ally. Americans are now being moved out of the country. Our Frederik Pleitgen reported just minutes ago that an embassy convoy left the capital of Tbilisi a few hours ago. Well, earlier I spoke with Georgia's President ??? about a possible ceasefire and about the safety of those Americans.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRES MIKHAIL SAAKASHVILI, GEORGIA: ...with regards to the American citizens, here.
And you should know that this is country that's one of the friendliest towards America in the world. I mean, we feel very strongly about American -- Americans here and I'm sure as much as we can protect our own civilians and unfortunately, of course, they are vulnerable, Americans feel -- should feel -- I mean, the rest of the population will do their best to protect the government of Georgia will do our best to keep them out of trouble.
But of course, I mean, this is not up to us. As we speak they are (INAUDIBLE) way. This is not country, we don't have bombshells, we don't have shelters, we don't have -- I mean, our -- we have very good modern hospitals, but we don't have enough of them. And you know, certainly there are -- of course nobody is clearly safe here in this situation. And that's -- I regret to say that.
HOLMES: Sir, finally here, tell us, what it will take for a cease- fire to be put in place and for it to hold? Will you, the one side, need to concede something to the other first...
SAAKASHVILI: We are willing...
HOLMES: You're willing to stop?
SAAKASHVILI: We are willing to do ceasefire immediately provided the other side stops to shoot and to bomb. And we are willing to disengage, disengage immediately and as soon as they stop to shoot at us we're willing to take any of the steps, first steps required from us, as well as, you know, you spoke about Russian peacekeepers, we regret the loss of any human life from both sides, even if they were shooting at us. We don't like people to be killed. We don't like people to be die. We are a very small nation and the citizens we are talking about that are dying here, these are our citizens, these are not some other communities, these are people of my nation and each one of them is vulnerable for us.
You know, human life it's -- we're -- it's the main value -- for us. This is Democracy where every human being should be protected, should be free, and certainly free from violence. Georgia has always been very safe and very unviolent society at least for the last several years, we're sure it can be extremely safe and now it's all going to hell. And please, I mean, the world should really help to stop it and we should really speak with one voice.
You know, time will select very well, only (INAUDIBLE) people couldn't care less, but people should wake up to the reality of what's happening in the midst of this summer vacation and Olympic games, indeed, just one hour ago, a summer vacation hotel in the mountain was bombed and lots of people killed there. People were vacationing and they didn't expect to be caught in the middle of war and this is happening -- this will happen tomorrow as, if we don't stop it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: T.J. speaking with Georgia's president. Now, both John McCain and Barack Obama also spoke with Mikhail Saakashvili. Here's what they have to say about the fighting. Barack Obama saying, and I directly quote now: "I condemn Russia's aggressive actions and reiterate my call for an immediate ceasefire. As I have said for many months, aggressive diplomatic action must be taken to reach a political resolution to this crisis, and to assure that Georgia's sovereignty is protected."
John McCain also issuing this statement saying, and I quote: "Given this threat to Euro-Atlantic security, I am pleased to see the United States, the European Union, and NATO acting together by sending a delegation to the region, in an effort to broker a ceasefire. This is an important first step."
The lull before the convention, so many people wondering who is No. 2? Supporters of John McCain using him to pick a running mate, soon. CNN's Ed Henry reports now on what voters in a key swing state are saying about who McCain should choose.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ED HENRY, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Hard core Republicans in a key battleground state, fired up to see John McCain.
JOHN MCCAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And we can win in November, if we can carry Ohio.
HENRY: But these voters are on edge.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When are you going to announce who your running mate is? (INAUDIBLE)
HENRY: Republicans told us they're fretting that with the race this close, McCain may have trouble getting conservates to the polls. So, the VP choice may be crucial.
(on camera): You want to talk about McCain's VP?
ROBERTA LEACH, LIMA, OHIO: I want it to be Mitt Romney because we need a conservative. McCain is not conservative enough.
HENRY (voice over): Support for the former Massachusetts governor was overwhelming.
SUE KAYSER, LIMA, OHIO: Oh, Mitt Romney.
HENRY (on camera): They were just talking about him.
KAYSER: Oh, Mitt Romney.
HENRY: Why Mitt Romney?
KAYSER: Because I think -- look at his business acumen. McCain's no businessman.
HENRY: Other people agree?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Absolutely.
HENRY: So, you're all Romney fans?
SHERRY KEY, URBANA, OHIO: Well, I think he's a good economics and that's what John McCain needs, the only thing he's lacking and Mitt Romney would be the best bet so yeah, absolutely.
CHRIS MCNAMARA, ELIDA, OHIO: And he's a little more conservative on family values.
HENRY (voice over): What about the governor of Minnesota? His support in this crowd can be boiled down to a gesture.
(on camera): What about Tim Pawlenty?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't know him.
HENRY: What about Tim Pawlenty, he kind of talks about being a reformer.
CATHY RECKER, CONTINENTAL, OHIO: I don't know anything about him.
HENRY (voice over): Some Republicans said they'd be open to Pawlenty if McCain unveiled him with a strong sales pitch, but others are hoping for a wild card.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For vice president?
HENRY (on camera): For vice president.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She's a woman, she's a African-American and she's smart. She's very intelligent.
HENRY (voice over): Secretary of state Condoleezza Rice.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She already said no, but if he gently twists her arm, she will say yes.
HENRY (on camera): Several other voters told me they want to see Rice cut into Obama's support among African-Americans and women. They also like her national security credentials. The problem is that experience comes with an unpopular president, and besides, in the last few days, Rice said again, she does not want the job.
Ed Henry, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: All right, the VP search just one of this morning's hot political topics and of course the other really hot topic has been John Edwards and that sex scandal. Joining us from Washington to talk about all of it, senior political producer, Sasha Johnson.
Kind ma'am, always good to see you. Good morning.
SASHA JOHNSON, CNN SR POLITICAL PRODUCER: Good to see you, too. HOLMES: We an talk abut the VP stakes and everything else going on in the campaign right now, but still is the topic of conversations and how long is it going to be, Edwards and this sex scandal?
JOHNSON: I don't really know and kind of what we were talking about doesn't really matter and I'm not really sure. I mean, John Edwards' political career, is for all intents and purposes over at this point. I think the Democrats, as we were speaking with some Democrats yesterday and they were indicating they would sort of like this paternity test to take place, they'd like to get this behind them. They'd like to move forward, they're really angry that he even made this decision to run for resident and put their party in jeopardy, but I mean really, he lost, you know, he dropped out of this race, he really was never kind of expected to win, so kind of what he does from here on out is unclear, but you know, for all intents and purposes it doesn't really matter too much.
HOLMES: Doesn't matter in this particular race. All right, let's turn -- the name Hillary Clinton has come back up here and there lately, kind of fell off the tip of our tongues there for a little while, she disappeared for a bit. But now, what does this mean -- or what is going to happen with her moving forward? What's going to happen with her with the VP search and also any role, possibly, at the convention?
JOHNSON: Well, we are expecting her to probably speak the Tuesday of the convention, you know, the day before her husband speaking on Wednesday. Hillary Clinton is still going to be a big player no matter what. She was out campaigning for Barack Obama in Nevada last week, while Barack Obama started his vacation, that Hawaiian vacation we all wish we were on with him.
HOLMES: Oh, yeah.
JOHNSON: But, we expect her to continue to play a big role. Her supporters got quite a coup in the Democratic platform meetings over the weekend. The Democratic platform says that healthcare for all is guaranteed, that was a concession to her and her supporters, so she's not going away. She's going to be campaigning for Barack Obama in Florida later this month and she's still going to be a big player. But, you know, whether or not she's vice president, we don't know, but it's looking more and more unlikely.
HOLMES: Unlikely, all right, I got about a minute left with you, let's talk about the VP stakes, as they're called. Tell us about, I guess, any possibilities, anybody stepping up looking like a front- runner? And I guess that comes from pundits, pretty much, and guesses, but also when we might hear the announcement of when these VPs are finally picked?
JOHNSON: Well, it's becoming sort of process of elimination at this point, unless Barack Obama is going to pick a senator from Hawaii, which is incredibly unlikely, we're not see that pick come this week. You know, Tim Kaine, governor of Virginia, obviously, is hot on the list. Senator Evan Bayh from Indiana, who we saw with Barack Obama last week, is being talked about very highly. We know that John McCain is heading to Erie, Pennsylvania, this week, which happens to be the hometown of former governor Tom Ridge who could be an interesting pick for John McCain. We heard in Ed's piece, Mitt Romney, who would, you know, probably appease some concerns among conservatives about John McCain. He's defiantly high on the list and Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota. But, you know, really we're coming down to a condensed period of time here, so these VP picks could come sort of back-to-back which is really very interesting. We're going to be busy.
HOLMES: And you know, if people love to guess, this is a favorite game around this time during election cycle, but at the end of the day, people don't really vote on the vice president. We love to play this back and forth, but people, are they really going to make that big of a difference?
JOHNSON: No, probably not, I mean, in reality probably not. But, John McCain is probably going to look for someone younger, to sort of, you know, allay concerns about people who might be concerned about his age and Barack Obama may look for somebody with national security experience. So, we'll see.
HOLMES: We shall see and know you'll be back with us in the weekend to tell us all about it. Sasha Johnson, always good to see you, ma'am. We'll see you again soon.
JOHNSON: Thanks, T.J.
LONG: Peanuts, pillows, it looks like airlines are charging extra for just about everything these days, very frustrating, right? So, which airlines are the stingiest and is there anywhere you can still fly fee-free? What you need to know before your next flight, after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LONG: Issue No. 1, the economy and so many U.S. airlines are struggling to survive with the sky-high fuel costs. It seems some airlines now are charging customers for anything, everything and of course this is all in addition to the price of your ticket. Now, coming up after this report we're going to talk about some examples of the things you're going to be charged for. The bottom line, passengers are angry and Bill Tucker now reports, this may really be just the beginning.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BILL TUCKER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Between flight delays in June 30 percent of all flights were delayed, luggage delays, checked baggage charges, most airline passengers have reached their limit.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is very frustrating and it is unacceptable to me.
KATE HANNI, FLYERSRIGHTS.ORG: Most passengers are saying, just charge me for the ticket. Charge me for the cost of an actual flight and don't charge me for my bags.
TUCKER: The fees don't end there, there are charges for food and drink, even charges for a pillow and a blanket. The industry calls it a la carte pricing. It's a big change from the traditional pricing of tickets. And it means the cost of a flight can be significantly more than the cost of just a ticket.
CAPT JOHN PRATER, AIRLINE PILOTS ASSN INTL: This system is not working. We need a -- we need a conference, just like we do on scheduling practices and capacity of airplanes. Let's put one together on pricing of the market.
TUCKER: In the past six months, the number of flights flown has been cut by more than eight percent. By the end of this year, the Airline Transport Association says about 100 smaller airports have lost or will lose at least one commercial airline, about 30,000 jobs will be lost.
And no one knows where the price of fuel will be, but it was up 70 percent from January through July. Already this year, nine airlines have gone out of business and two are in bankruptcy protection while they reorganize their businesses.
VAUGHN CORDLE, AIRLINE FORECASTS: Financial distress is quite dramatic today. We estimate the industry will lose over $6 billion this year, at $120 oil, and the balance sheets will take many years to recover. They can't put money back into the competitive resources, so customer service will actually get worse.
TUCKER: The situation is so bad there are some that are calling for the re-regulation of the airlines, or perhaps for a government takeover of the industry.
Bill Tucker, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LONG: Reynolds Wolf joining us now to talk about some of these ala carte fees that Bill was just talking about in his report. You're traveling all the time, of course, for work. You're always on the go. At the same time though, work is covering the cost, so imagine paying for it out of your own pocket.
WOLF: Give me a second.
LONG: You're going to be outraged.
WOLF: Oh, it's ridiculous.
LONG: We were just talking about it in Bill's report, some of the extra charges, pillow and a blanket. A little blankey (ph).
WOLF: It's ridiculous. I know it's hard to believe.
LONG: JetBlue is going to start charging $7.
WOLF: Seven dollars for a blanket and what did they say for the pillow?
LONG: Pillow $7.
WOLF: Seven for the whole...
LONG: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
And what's interesting, JetBlue, of course, when JetBlue launched it was the airline that was touting itself the luxury, it was to be low cost luxury, but they had leather seats and monitors, you could you watch cable television and now it's a tough situation for so many of the airlines.
WOLF: Absolutely, it's so amazing. We were talking during the break. What was it when you were a child, the last time you remember being an on aplane when they actually served...
LONG: Full meal, you use to get the wings, too.
WOLF: Yeah, the trip up to the front of the plane, we could you look out and all that. How everything has changed.
LONG: Yes, well, OK, bags as well, you're going to be charged for those to check them, $15 for the first checked bag, $25 for the second. This is airlines American, Northwest, United, U.S. Airways, also, of course, you get thirsty on the flight, say you're going across-country, covering one of those hurricanes, right? They're going to charge you for the glass of water, charge you for the soda.
WOLF: You're kidding.
LONG: Two dollars, exactly, for some water on a flight, and then they're going to charge $1 for coffee or tea and it's amazing, because we know we can't bring water in, anymore, because you have to go through security, so you either have to buy it at the airport once you've gotten through secuty or on the flight.
LONG: More money for the airlines and business. That's what happens, capitalism, and so it goes. A lt of people will be headed out to the skies.
WOLF: Oh, great opportunity, great opportunity for more money for the airlines and for -- well, it's business, this is what happens, capitalism. And so it goes.
Hey, you know, a lot of people are going to be heading out to the skies.
LONG: I wanted to mention one exception, though, because everybody's rolling their eyes this morning saying oh, I don't know about this, Southwest Airlines advertises that they have no add-on fees, they're different because of oil price hedging, of course, to lock in prices to beat the increases down the road.
WOLF: Planning ahead.
LONG: So, maybe you'll want to fly Southwest.
WOLF: Yeah, maybe so. Maybe always a good choice.
You know, a lot of people may be flying other airlines across the board experiencing all this, because it's going to be a busy travel day, Monday, people heading home to work, going to many destinations. Here's what they're going to be dealing with.
LONG: Busy now, I love this graphic.
WOLF: Do you really. Yeah, Melissa loves this, America. Take a look at this. This is the United States, it looks like America with a bit of a beard, so to speak. Each one of the airplanes you happen to see on this board indicates a plane that's either taking off, is either descending or it's in midflight. Obviously things are a little bit busy out there. However, we could see some delays as we fast forward into tomorrow's forecast. The reason why is because, well, we have a frontal boundary that's going to be pulling its way right along parts of the Gulf Coast, we could see heavy rain, possibly thunderstorms, so look for the potential for some delays in places like DFW, back to the airport in Houston, maybe even Bush Airport, back New Orleans and also in the northern plains could see some scattered storms that could cause a few backups in parts of say Denver, Colorado, too. That is the latest in the forecast. Let's send it back to you guys with more, I'm sure. Back to you.
HOLMES: Well, good job, sir.
WOLF: Oh, my mike fell off.
HOLMES: Is he all right over there?
LONG: He's fine, he's just upset.
HOLMES: The part that got me, they charge you now seven bucks for a drink on the flight, used to be five, went to six, just about out at seven now if you want a beer or something.
LONG: For an adult drink, $2 for the water.
HOLMES: That's a bit much. All right, our Josh Levs...
LONG: Hey, it's four-fifty at the movies, right?
HOLMES: Good point.
Well, Josh Levs going to be back, he might have something to say about this as well, but he's going to be showing us a viral video that involves barbecues and bluegrass.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Time for us to check in with that gentleman there, Howard Kurtz in Washington, to see what's ahead in a few minutes on RELIABLE SOURCES.
Good morning to you, sir.
HOWARD KURTZ, RELIABLE SOURCES: Coming up, it's the story everyone knew, but the mainstream media wasn't reporting until late Friday. Why did journalist shy away from allegations that John Edwards had an affair with a former campaign aide? We'll ask the ABC reporter who opened the floodgates and the "National Enquirer" editor who first broke the story.
Plus an extraordinary interview in which Bill Clinton can't find anything nice to say about Barack Obama. We'll talk with a reporter who interviewed the former president. And the media love affair with Brett Favre. Why does this football soap opera never seem to end? All that and more ahead on RELIABLE SOURCES.
HOLMES: All right. Yes, we'll see him at the top of the hour. But yeah, the Brett Favre story, whoo. Can't imagine him in a Jets uniform.
LONG: Cat and mouse game for months now.
HOLMES: But it is over finally, but still.
LONG: Going to the Jets. No?
HOLMES: Just can't see him.
LONG: Who is your team?
HOLMES: Didn't grow up with one, but just can't see him in a jersey other than Green Bay. All right -- Josh. How you doing? You all right?
LONG: He's focused on his afternoon barbecue.
LEVS: Do you guys like barbecuing?
LONG: Yeah, absolutely. I love the smell in the summer, the scent.
HOLMES: Just grilled out yesterday.
LEVS: You did?
HOLMES: No kidding.
LEVS: Really, OK, what kind of sauce did you use?
HOLMES: The sauce, I use a little steakhouse marinade and some Montreal steak seasoning.
LONG: T.J.'s specialty.
LEVS: Nice.
HOLMES: Yes.
LEVS: That's OK, because apparently these guys would like you a lot. Right?
HOLMES: Right.
LEVS: You haven't seen this, right?
LONG: No.
LEVS: All right, check it out, this is great. The music video is sweeping through the Web right now, and I'm going to show you a little clip, the, we'll tell you who this is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MUSICIANS (SINGING): Bury me in barbeque. People not from the South, think barbecue means cookout and that's something they're wrong about.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Barbecue is not a verb.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And barbecue is not a grill.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Barbecue is meat prepared in a very special way.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Which varies depending on where you go.
MUSICIANS: That was our review of barbecue
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEVS: I love the ode to barbecue. That is Rhett Blank (ph) and the Homestead Pickers breaking it down. One of the hottest things we're seeing all over the Web, right now.
LONG: Good harmony.
LEVS: It is good harmony, and it's nice to have an ode to something you love.
HOLMES: Wait, barbecue is a verb, absolutely. I barbecued yesterday.
LONG: They say it's not a verb, not a...
HOLMES: It's a verb.
LEVS: But they say people from the north think barbecue means cookout, but it's actually the food and it's not a verb, that's their argument.
LONG: I'm from the North and that's the way I use the word.
HOLMES: Arkansas.
LEVS: Yeah, we polled up Arkansas, just for you. Is that right about Arkansas, melting pot, barbecue?
HOLMES: Not quite.
LONG: All right.
HOLMES: All right, Josh, we appreciate you.
LONG: Next story, not only for T.J, also for you. This is a story I think you're going to enjoy, so make sure you stay tuned for this one. It involves Elvis Presley, a peacock jumpsuit and a whole lot of cash.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LONG: T.J. is already getting down. This story is just for you this morning. Apparently tough economic times have not hurt the market for Elvis Presley memorabilia. A new record at an Elvis auction this week when someone bought the King's famous peacock jumpsuit. There it is. The selling price, $300 grand, white outfit with plunging neck, high collar, and a blue and gold hand embroiderd peacock. Auction house says it was one of Elvis' favorites.
Now, the auctioneer wouldn't say who bought, only that it was a big Elvis collector so, hmm. Could it have been the gentleman sitting next to me? We know you're a diehard fan.
HOLMES: I didn't want to say anything.
LONG: Is that you?
HOLMES: I didn't want to say anything.
LONG: You're looking handsome.
HOLMES: You like that, you like that?
LONG: Look at that.
HOLMES: You like that, don't you? I'm going to wear it with the tie next weekend on the show.
LONG: No, no, no tie.
HOLMES: No, it doesn't work -- no. It doesn't work on -- that doesn't work on Reynolds.
LONG: Start of Elvis Week, this week, August 16, did you know it marks 31 years since Presley's death?
HOLMES: I did, because that was my mom's (INAUDIBLE)
LONG: Oh look at that, Reynolds.
HOLMES: Yes, but August 16, the day he died was my mom's due date with me in 1977. I ended up being born three days later, but that was her due date. Almost made it.
LONG: All right, Howard Kurtz coming up next
HOLMES: Yes, he's coming up next, but before get to Howard Kurtz, we do have a look at your headlines this morning. And up first here, pre-dawn evacuations in Toronto today after a series of explosions at a propane facility. The fire is still burning. No reports though of serious injuries. Authorities say the air is not toxic.
Also under heavy pressure from Russian forces, Georgian troops are pulling out of south Ossetia. The fighting, however, has spread beyond that breakaway province into other parts of Georgia. The United States today warned Russia its actions could have a significant long-term impact on U.S.-Russian relations.
Also, an early morning traffic accident sends a tractor-trailer lunging off the side of Maryland's Bay Bridge. You can see it here in the water. One person dead, two others were injured. No word on what caused this three-vehicle accident.
More top stories coming your way in 30 minutes, but RELIABLE SOURCES begins right now.
