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CNN Sunday Morning
Florida Under State of Emergency; Tropical Storm Isaac Picks Up Steam; Isaac Delays RNC; Space Legend Neil Armstrong Dead at 82; Syria's Deadliest Day
Aired August 26, 2012 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: From CNN world headquarters in Atlanta, this is EARLY START WEEKEND.
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GOV. RICK SCOTT (R), FLORIDA: I declared a state of emergency for the state of Florida.
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KAYE: Tropical Storm Isaac picking up steam. Now Florida bracing for a hurricane. We'll take you there live.
And politics are no match for mother nature. As Isaac moves north, the Republican Convention is under threat with some events already canceled.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NEIL ARMSTRONG, ASTRONAUT (voice-over): It's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
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KAYE: Mankind loses a legend. The life, the career, the inspiration of Neil Armstrong.
It is Sunday, August 26th. Good morning, everyone. I'm Randi Kaye. Glad you're with us.
We begin this morning with Tropical Storm Isaac. It has already killed at least two people in Haiti, where streets are rivers. Now the storm is barreling toward Florida just in time for the Republican National Convention in Tampa. It's throwing a wrench into the RNC's carefully planned schedule. Monday's big opening events now on hold. More on that in just a moment.
Isaac could strengthen into a hurricane when it crosses the Florida Keys, possibly as soon as tonight. Heavy rains expected all through today. We're covering Isaac for you from all the angles. CNN's Jim Spellman is in the Florida Keys. CNN Political editor Paul Steinhauser on in Tampa. And Bonnie Schneider is at the CNN severe weather center. Florida's governor isn't taking any chances. He has declared a state of emergency. So let's go first to CNN's Jim Spellman in the Florida Keys. He is in Key West.
Jim, what's happening there right now?
JIM SPELLMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Winds have picked up here, Randi, but it's dry right now. Yesterday we saw a few squalls. It's really going to be later today that people are bracing for here. Now the main thing that they were doing was encouraging visitors to leave, to get off the island. They added flights yesterday to get people out of the airport here. The last flight has taken off. They've closed down the airport here, leaving just a two-lane road to get out of the Keys, an 120-mile drive from Key West to the mainland of Florida. So they wanted everybody who was going to leave on the road yesterday. People who are staying, they're encouraging to stay inside. They've opened four shelters here in the Keys, especially aimed at people who live in trailers. And people who live on their boats here, Randi, they want those people out of the water, safely in shelters.
KAYE: And so are a lot of people going to the shelters, Jim? I mean, what are you seeing in terms of -- I mean, obviously, people in Florida are very used to hurricanes, but how are they dealing with this one?
SPELLMAN: Well, you know, I -- I worry sometimes that people don't take these things seriously. But these people have been through it here a lot. The mayor here was speaking with people yesterday and telling them that they should be OK here. People were putting up storm shelters. They're doing some sandbagging. And they're ready -- getting ready to ride it out.
But I'll tell you, with the track coming so close here, you know, they want to be sure that nobody is taking this too lightly. But people come here to party. They come here to have a good time. Most people we spoke to on the street who are staying are having hurricane parties and they're going to try to make the best of it, Randi.
KAYE: Typical for the Florida Keys. All right, Jim Spellman, appreciate that. Thank you very much.
Meteorologist Bonnie Schneider joining me now.
Bonnie, so tell us, what is the latest on the storm's track?
BONNIE SCHNEIDER, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, Randi, now that this storm is coming over some warmer water, we are expecting it to strengthen. Isaac will likely be a hurricane very soon. So still a tropical storm with maximum winds at 65 miles per hour. But don't let this fool you. A strong tropical storm is very similar to a category one hurricane. Right now it looks somewhat disorganized as it works its way across Cuba, but we are going to see it come back over the water and get even stronger.
So let's take a look at the track. Even as we go towards this afternoon, big changes are expected. You could see the storm is forecast to be a category one hurricane by the time we get to Monday. So that's less than 24 hours away.
We are expecting an impact along the Florida Keys. So anywhere in the Florida Keys and possibly other parts of south Florida will experience hurricane-force winds. And that's why we have warnings in place.
And then as we go into Tuesday, some big changes as well, because we're watching for intensity. A lot of fluctuation here. We saw yesterday, category two status by Tuesday. Now we're seeing that the storm has shifted a little but further westward. The cone of uncertainty now includes New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama. It also shows intensity growing to category two by the time we get to Wednesday. So it could be early Wednesday, late Tuesday where we have a second landfall.
And I say second landfall because it's possible the first landfall will occur along the Florida Keys. Maybe not a direct strike, but certainly an impact of hurricane force as we can see. And then watching the storm over toward the end of the week, it could be a big rainmaker for areas in the mid south.
Taking a look at the forecast models. They're much more uniform. They're also pushing further westward. So we're looking at this storm, Randi, moving a little bit further away from Florida. But remember, it's a large storm. The tropical storm-force winds extend well over 200 miles. So much of the southeast will be impacted, even if a direct strike from Isaac does not occur.
KAYE: And Tampa, in particular, obviously, with thousands of people heading there for the RNC and the convention there in Tampa, I mean, how concerned should Tampa be?
SCHNEIDER: They should be concerned because when you're talking about a storm and the proximity of where it is in relation to Florida, just a slight shift in the track. Even though the trends are moving a little westward, this can change again by the time we get to Monday and Tuesday. We're still 48 hours away. So it's something to monitor very, very closely because once again just a little shift to the east would bring stronger winds and heavier rain to Florida and to Tampa. But we're still going to see this storm be a big rainmaker and a windmaker. Damaging winds are ahead for Florida.
Randi.
KAYE: All right. Bonnie Schneider, we'll check back with you later on as well. Bonnie, thank you.
SCHNEIDER: Sure.
KAYE: The Republican National Convention was supposed to kick off tomorrow, as we told you, with a full slate of events and speakers. But now that is on hold until at least Tuesday. CNN political editor Paul Steinhauser joining us now by phone from Tampa.
Paul, good morning. Bring us up to date on the change to the convention. PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN POLITICAL EDITOR (via telephone): Good morning, Randi.
You're absolutely right. The convention was supposed to start -- kickoff tomorrow, but that will not be happening. The announcement was made yesterday, last evening. The new news, the convention will convene on Monday, but then it will immediately recess until Tuesday afternoon as of now. Governor Rick Scott of Florida held a news conference yesterday. And then also the Republican National Committee members held a news conference. Take a listen to what Rick Scott and Reince Priebus, the RNC chairman, had to say.
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GOV. RICK SCOTT (R), FLORIDA: I made the decision based on the fact that we now know we're going to have a very strong tropical storm and possibly a hurricane make landfall. I'm going withdraw from all my RNC activities on Monday. I was honored to have the opportunity to give a speech at the convention, but I'm going to cancel my speech and cancel all my other RNC activities on Monday. The -- I've already informed the convention and the Mitt Romney campaign that I'm going do that.
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REINCE PRIEBUS, CHAIRMAN, REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE (voice- over): The Republican National Convention is going to take place. We know that we will officially nominate Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan. And the party has other business that it has to address.
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STEINHAUSER: So, Randi, what gets pushed back? Here's what was supposed to take place on Monday. The big speakers on Monday were going to be Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina and former governors Mike Huckabee of Arkansas and Jeb Bush of Florida. Those speeches will now be pushed back later in the week. Basically they're going to take a four-day convention and probably move it into three days.
Ann Romney had also been scheduled to speak on Monday, but she'd already been moved back to Tuesday. The other big thing that was supposed to happen on Monday was that the -- Romney's name was going to be put into nomination and the roll call was going to start. That now too, obviously, will be pushed back. I spoke to an RNC official last night. He told me that they'll probably have an announcement later today, this afternoon, Sunday afternoon, as to when the speakers will speak and the news schedule.
And, Randi, you remember, this is very much like what happened four years ago to the Republicans. They were holding a convention in St. Paul, but Hurricane Gustav was slamming into the Gulf Coast and the first day was basically curtailed.
Randi.
KAYE: Yes. I would imagine, though, they're going to have to keep those speeches pretty short, right, if they have to compress into one less day?
STEINHAUSER: Yes. There's a lot of scheduling snafus here. And they're going to have to kind of compact everything into three days rather than four.
KAYE: Yes.
STEINHAUSER: But they've done it before and I guess they'll do it again.
You know, the other interesting thing here, too, is -- we learned last night that Joe Biden, the vice president, will not be coming to Florida anymore. He originally was going to be campaigning Monday here in the Tampa. That had been canceled on Friday. He was supposed to campaign Tuesday in Orlando and St. Augustine, Florida. That has now also been canceled because of the storm.
Randi.
KAYE: Yes, impacting a whole lot of folks. And this is just the beginning.
Paul Steinhauser, thank you very much.
An American hero has died. Neil Armstrong was so much more than just the first man to set foot on the moon. We'll take a closer look at his legacy and his impact.
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JOHN GLENN, ASTRONAUT, FIRST AMERICAN TO ORBIT THE EARTH (voice- over): Well, I think obviously he's best known and will be best remembered as being the first man on the moon. The first -- hard to believe that in our generation, Neil was the one who -- who made the first footprints on someplace other than earth. And that's something that he'll always be remembered for. I'll remember him for some of these other things, too, and just as a personal friend. But I think the world will remember him as the first person who set place on someplace other than earth.
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MARK KELLY, ASTRONAUT, COMMANDED LAST SHUTTLE MISSION: Well, as a young boy growing up in New Jersey, you know, he, as well as a few other astronauts, the ones I knew, were my inspiration. I mean I was five years old when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon. And, you know, they -- it allowed me to understand that, you know, people can do these thing and maybe one day I could be one of those people.
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KAYE: Neil Armstrong was an American pioneer. President Obama called him a hero for all time. Armstrong has died at the age of 82. His family says it was due to complications from heart surgery. But it's hard to think of him as anything less than a larger than life figure. A man who went beyond limits, fulfilling the dreams of a nation. John Zarrella takes a look back at the man and his legacy.
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JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Neil Armstrong of born on his grandparents' farm in Ohio in 1930, when air travel was still in its infancy and space travel was the stuff of science fiction. But Armstrong says he had the same dream over and over again. He was hovering above the ground by holding his breath.
Armstrong took his first airplane ride when a Ford Tri-Motor, a plane called the "Tin Goose," came to a local airfield. The bug had taken hold. As a teenager, he began taking flying lessons, even before getting his driver's license.
Armstrong pursued his passion and earned a degree in aeronautical engineering. He joined the military during the Korean War and flew 78 combat missions in Navy Panther jets. Later, Armstrong became a test pilot for the X-15. The rocket plane that laid the groundwork for space travel.
It was some ride. Soaring an amazing 40 miles above the earth at 4,000 miles an hour. And then in 1961, during the height of the Cold War, in the midst of the space race with the Soviet Union, President John Kennedy made a dramatic challenge.
JOHN F. KENNEDY, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT: I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal before this decade is out of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth.
ZARRELLA: The next year, Armstrong joined the enormous undertaking and became an astronaut. Four years later, he made his first journey into space as commander of the Gemini 8 mission, which nearly ended in disaster. Armstrong kept his cool and brought the spacecraft home safely after a thruster rocket malfunctioned.
The next trip to space was on July 16, 1969. He and astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins blasted off in Apollo 11. On a journey of nearly 250,000 miles, a journey into history. It took them four days to reach their destination. The world watched and waited as the lunar module "Eagle" separated from the command module and began its descent. Then came the words from Armstrong --
NEIL ARMSTRONG: Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.
ZARRELLA: About six and a half hours later, at 10:56 p.m. Eastern Time on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the moon.
ARMSTRONG: That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
ZARRELLA: He was followed by Aldrin. Armstrong was on the surface for two hours and 32 minutes, Aldrin just 15 minutes less.
The two astronauts staked an American flag, scooped up moon rocks and set up scientific experiments before returning to the main spacecraft. The three crewmates returned home to a heroes' welcome, though none of them ever returned to space.
Armstrong, seen on the left, was 38 when he made his historic landing. The first man on the moon left the astronaut corps the next year and taught engineering at the University of Cincinnati. He once joked, quote, "I am and ever will be a White Sox, pocket protector, nerdy engineer." He was, of course, much, much more than that. He was also a husband and father of two and a man who left his footprint forever on the U.S. space program.
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KAYE: In Syria, the death toll continues to soar. Opposition activist say at least 23 people have been killed today and at least 330 were reported dead yesterday. That makes Saturday the deadliest day of Syria's 17-month-long conflict, adding to what has already been the bloodiest month. Jim Clancy is live in Beirut where the fighting is actually starting now to cross over into Lebanon.
Jim, what is happening there? What's being done to keep Syria's war out of Lebanon?
JIM CLANCY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, there have been some high level talks aimed at defusing a crisis in the northern city of Tripoli. Two very poor neighborhood facing one another, ironically across a street called Syria Street, have been at war in recent days with sniper attacks and other problems that have been brewing there. It's been a shoot-out between armed gangs, if you will. On one side, Alawites in a neighborhood that supports Bashar al Assad. In another, Sunni Muslims who support the Free Syrian Army and the opposition trying to oust Assad from his family post, if you will, as head of the Syrian government.
The Lebanese are very concerned about that situation, but it has calmed right now. People are hopeful that something more permanent can be put in place. The Lebanese army has deployed in the city of Tripoli, trying to prevent further violence. But people really, right now, don't have a solution. And very importantly, no one, not one person, has been charged with any crime in all of this. And we're talking about almost 20 deaths and scores of people wounded over the course of the last week alone.
Randi.
KAYE: So, Jim, is the rise in violence -- I mean, is it a reflection of the U.N. exit by chance?
CLANCY: Probably not. This has been -- this has been a problem that's been in place for some time. I think the violence that we're seeing right now, at least within Syria, is largely driven by the government's efforts to crush the opposition. That's why the death tolls have been triple digits for the last week. That's why we saw a record set only in the last 24 hours in the number of deaths. Some put the toll at more than 400 people killed. And many of those are civilians.
Yes, there's a lot of fighters in the number, but civilians are paying a very heavy price indeed. And you see what is happening there. The regime trying to clear out suburbs of Damascus. This is a huge embarrassment to the government, Randi. Losing control of these suburbs right in the capital. And so the regime has been very forceful here. They have been relentless. And they have been ruthless. One mosque was reportedly filled with scores of bodies. People that have been killed. Children's bodies lined up along the walls there. And clearly the Free Syrian Army is in retreat. At this moment, a lot of apologists (ph) coming out, trying to support the regime.
Randi.
KAYE: Jim Clancy for us in Beirut this morning.
Jim, thank you.
Florida is under a state of emergency here at home. What could soon be Hurricane Isaac is pounding toward the Florida Keys. Find out what the Republican National Convention is doing to make sure its delegates in Tampa stay safe.
Plus, a deadly grizzly bear attack at a national park. We'll tell you where.
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KAYE: Welcome back and thanks for starting your morning with us. I'm Randi Kaye. It's just about half past the hour.
Florida's governor says his state is ready for Isaac. The powerful tropical storm is churning toward south Florida, and folks there are getting prepared. Isaac could be a hurricane by the time it makes landfall, possibly late tonight. Its strong winds and rains could be a very unwelcome guest at the Republican National Convention in low-lying Tampa, even if it doesn't make a direct hit. The convention will convene as scheduled tomorrow, but that's it. They will immediately recess and all events will be pushed back a day, including the state's roll call vote nominating Mitt Romney. CNN's Paul Steinhauser is in Tampa, joins us now live.
So, Paul, we mentioned there a couple of the changes. So they're going to convene on Monday and then recess. So what's the plan from there?
STEINHAUSER: Exactly. Well, they're taking it minute by minute here because the RNC, the Republican National Committee officials and convention officials are in constant contact, of course, with federal authorities, with state authorities, and local authorities as well. And, you know, the storm will probably dictate a lot of this.
We'll get more details a little later today, Randi, about how they're going to reschedule the convention. You're going to take four days now and probably scrunch it down into three days. You mentioned the roll call. That will obviously be pushed back. Also, the big speakers for Monday were going to be Nikki Haley, the Republican governor of South Carolina, as well as former governors Mike Huckabee of Arkansas and Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida. They obviously will be moved to other nights. Ann Romney, Mitt Romney's wife, was originally supposed to speak on Monday night as well, but she had already been rescheduled for Tuesday night.
And the theme for Monday night was going to be that we can do better. That basically Mitt Romney as president can do better than what President Barack Obama has done in office. That theme, Republican officials tell me now, will be sprinkled throughout the other nights.
Randi, this is kind of like deja vu. Remember four years ago the Republican Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, was also shortened. The first day was basically canceled because of Hurricane Gustav as it was slamming into the Gulf Coast.
KAYE: Yes.
STEINHAUSER: Regardless though, you know, the republican officials tell me the most important thing of course is the safety of the some 50,000 people who are supposed to attend this convention.
KAYE: Right. And Joe Biden was also supposed to be campaigning in Tampa on Monday, right? So, what are his plans?
STEINHAUSER: Yes, not doing that anymore. They canceled the Monday events over the weekend and they have also now canceled the Tuesday events. He was going to be in Tampa Monday, he was going to be in Orlando and St. Augustine on Tuesday. That is not happening. The Obama campaign says, of course, because of the hurricane. Basically, you know, listen, the most important thing now is the safety of the people down here. Politics takes second place -- Randi.
KAYE: So obviously the Republicans have had a hard time staying on message with all that's been happening. Does this throw just another wrench into that?
STEINHAUSER: I guess you could say it's another distraction. But at the same time, maybe it brings more attention to the convention, as well. But again, politics is not the most important thing right now. The most important thing is the safety of people here in Tampa and across Florida and the gulf coast -- Randi.
KAYE: Yes. Safety first. All right. Paul Steinhauser for us in Tampa. Paul, thank you.
In other headlines that we're watching this morning, a grizzly bear has killed a backpacker in Alaska's Denali National Park. Hikers alerted rangers after finding an abandoned backpack and signs of a struggle. Rangers later found the victim's remains and at least one grizzly bear during an aerial search. The first known bear mauling fatality in the park's history.
To sports now. Roger Clemens made a successful return to the pitcher's mound yesterday. The 50-year-old former all-star threw three and a third scoreless innings for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League. Clemens said, it was fun but also said, he expects to be sore this morning. Clemens hasn't yet committed to pitching a second game for the Skeeters.
And we're hearing from Lance Armstrong for the first time since he stopped challenging doping accusations. He told reporters about his new focus at a bike competition in Colorado.
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LANCE ARMSTRONG, CYCLIST: I'm more at ease now than I have been in ten years. Listen guys, I don't have anything to worry about. I'm focused on the future, I got five great kids, I've got a great lady in my life, I've got a wonderful foundation that is completely unaffected by any -- any noise out there. And we're going to continue to do our job.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: In the past, Armstrong has called the doping investigation a quote, "witch-hunt." The head of the world doping agency called Armstrong's decision a sad day for sports.
Coming up, a witness to Friday's deadly Empire State building shooting tells us her story. She says her friend was mid sentence when he was killed by a gunman in broad daylight.
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KAYE: If you are looking to buy a home, well, right now might be a good time. Mortgage rates have dropped since last week. Take a look.
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KAYE: Welcome back. Thirty six minutes past the hour. And this morning, we are hearing more from the witnesses of Friday's deadly shooting at the Empire State building where an office grudge left two dead including the gunman and nine others injured. Darla Miles from our affiliate WABC reports.
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IRENE TILMAN, SHOOTING WITNESS: I'm trying to sleep and I kept replaying it over and over and over in my mind. And I thought, maybe you could have kicked the gun out of his hand and then Steve would have only gotten shot once instead of five or six times. I just ran. I didn't know what else to do. I really didn't. DARLA MILES, WABC REPORTER (voice-over): It's that haunting thought that 35-year-old Irene Tilman may never shake loose. She was walking alongside Steve Ercolino Friday morning on West 33rd Street when he was murdered mid sentence as they chatted before work.
TILMAN: I was like, oh, my God, that's Jeff Johnson. You know, it's like, he's going to kill him. He's going to kill him. I know he's going to kill him. And then he pulled out a gun, and he shot Steve. Right next to me. Right next to me.
MILES: This is amateur video of the seconds after Tilman fled in fear and Steve Ercolino screamed, hitting the ground.
And I turned around, and I saw Steve laying on the ground. But I kept hearing shots. And then all the people started running towards me. And I still heard shots. And I just thought he was going on a shooting spree. And I really thought he was coming back for me.
MILES: But those gunshots didn't come from Johnson's weapon. The NYPD released this surveillance video of when 58-year-old Jeffrey Johnson pointed his 45 caliber gun on two officers but didn't get off a shot.
COMMISSIONER REY KELLY, NEW YORK POLICE: It appears that all nine of the victims were struck either by fragments or by bullets fired by the police.
MILES: At Johnson's apartment Saturday, there was no sign of friends or relatives. Much of his life still a mystery.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: He was always by himself it seems. Like he was kind of very lonely.
MILES (on camera): What was it in your gut that made you say instantly Jeff is going to kill Steve?
TILMAN: I don't know. I mean, I knew that there was, you know, bad blood.
MILES (voice-over): Tilman worked at Hazan Import for six years. She says, Johnson's animosity towards Jeff was well-known.
TILMAN: We didn't really know what or why. We just knew that Jeff did not like Steve.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: That was Darla Miles reporting. As you heard, nine pedestrians were wounded by officers after they unloaded 16 rounds at shooting suspect Jeffrey Johnson. One officer shot nine rounds. Another shot seven. This marks the second time this month that police gunned down a suspect in the crowded streets of New York. Two weeks ago, police opened fire on a man with a knife, shooting at him 12 times.
So are these kinds of responses justified? I asked retired New York Police Officer Lou Palumbo.
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LOU PALUMBO, RETIRED NEW YORK POLICE OFFICER: They come into a situation spontaneously, they had to assess what they had. They realized immediately that he was armed with a deadly weapon and that their life was in imminent danger and so were the lives of other people in their proximity. And that's the justification for the use of deadly physical force per the penal law in the state of New York. So, they were clearly within their right to use deadly physical force.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: City leaders like Mayor Michael Bloomberg have been quick to point out that New York is the safest big city in America.
With one small step for man, Neil Armstrong made history in 1969 when he became the first man to walk on the moon. America's most celebrated space pioneer died yesterday.
Next, I'll talk with an astronaut about Armstrong and how Armstrong changed his life.
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LEROY CHIAO, NASA ASTRONAUT: I think it was such a significant event that human beings had actually stepped on the moon for the very first time had profound impact on the entire world and all areas, not just space exploration, Science, and Technology. I mean, I think it inspired of all us, especially us in America, the Americans to be walk a little taller and reach a little farther and try a little harder. And I think it inspired -- not just America. I think it inspired everyone around the world.
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NEIL ARMSTRONG, ASTRONAUT: That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: I'm sure you've heard those famous words before. The date, July 20th, 1969. The mission, "Apollo 11." Forty three years ago, Neil Armstrong blasted off into space and became one of the most famous men in the world when he set foot on the moon.
Armstrong passed away yesterday from complications from heart bypass surgery. And today, the world is mourning his death. Former astronaut Leroy Chiao joins me for more on Armstrong's legacy.
Leroy, good morning. You actually had the chance to meet Neil Armstrong once. What do you remember about that? CHIAO: Good morning. Yeah. I -- you know, he was my boyhood hero, but I only really had the chance to meet him once. He never really came to the astronaut reunions or anything like that. But probably about 15 years ago or ten years ago, he came up to the astronaut office because he was on site at Johnson Space Center getting his annual physical, physical exam. And he actually came up to give a short presentation to some of the newer folks. And I got to meet him briefly in the hall.
KAYE: How old were you when he landed on the moon? And how did he inspire you and others, do you think?
CHIAO: Oh, I was 8-years-old when "Apollo 11" landed on the moon. I remember like it was yesterday watching a black and white TV in scene in mission control and listening to the transmissions coming back from the moon. And when it actually touched down, when the eagle actually touched down, I just remember even as a kid realizing that the world had just changed. And I wanted to be like those guys up there on the moon.
KAYE: Of course. So he was a real inspiration for you?
CHIAO: He really was. I mean, I can -- I've been interested in airplanes and rockets as long as I can remember. But it really was the event of "Apollo 11" landing on the moon that kind of threw the switch in my head that I wanted to be an astronaut, as well.
KAYE: And what did you think when you got word that he had passed away?
CHIAO: Well, yes, I was very sad to hear that because, of course, he had been my boy hood hero and role model and -- you know, so it was bad news for sure to hear that, hear of his passing.
KAYE: How do you think he'll be remembered? What will his legacy be? Is there more than just the first man on the moon?
CHIAO: Well, that's what everyone knows him for, of course. But my impression of him and the brief meeting that I had and everything I've heard about him, he was a very humble man and very modest. He didn't take himself very seriously about that. He just said, he had gotten lucky and been in the right place at the right time. And I mean, there's an element of that. Because in those early days, they had planned out the Apollo missions and assigned crews to them, but they weren't exactly sure if, you know, which one was going to land on the moon because it depended on the success of the flights before that.
So if something had gone wrong, if there had been a glitch on one of the earlier flights, then "Apollo 11" would not have been the one to land on the moon. So, it was not a done deal by any means. And it wasn't until close to their mission that -- after the success of "Apollo 10," that it was decided that "11" would go and try the first landing.
KAYE: You mention that he was pretty humble. I read that his wife at the time had said that he was really haunted by the guilt, for getting all the credit for walking on the moon, when really he felt that though, it was the work of thousands that really got him there. Does that surprise you?
CHIAO: It doesn't surprise me. And that was certainly an impression I had when I met him and saw him. And you know, he was -- he just considered himself the one that actually got to get out there, you know, with his crew, while it was a work of the thousands of cast, thousands of NASA people and the contractors that built the spacecraft and developed everything that else that got him there. So, he just saw himself as part of a team, I'm sure, and you know, just fortunate one that actually got to go and walk on the moon.
KAYE: Leroy Chiao, pleasure to speak with you this morning. Thank you.
CHIAO: My pleasure.
KAYE: Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon. But do you know the last one? It was Gene Cernan. And in about 90 minutes from now, he'll share his memories with us about the man who started it all.
Just ahead, a recent report says, there is an economic time bomb that could launch our country into a recession.
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RICHARD QUEST, ANCHOR, "QUEST MEANS BUSINESS": If they do not start defusing this bomb, it's going to blow up. It will take the U.S. economy with it and the rest of us will feel the shock waves.
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KAYE: Richard Quest tells us what Congress needs to do to defuse that bomb.
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KAYE: By now you have probably heard the term "Fiscal Cliff." Some fear we may be about to fall off that cliff. And guess what -- that could really affect your bottom line. Here's how -- if Congress does nothing to ward off tax hikes and spending cuts set to take effect in January, it could trigger massive layoffs and an increase in the unemployment rate. That's according to a recent report from the Congressional Budget Office.
Earlier, I spoke with CNN international anchor Richard Quest about what the fiscal cliff means and what our lawmakers need to do to avoid it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
QUEST: It's very simple, Randi. Forget the numbers. You've got tax cuts that will expire and, therefore, taxes go up. You have got spending that will -- the cuts will be implemented. The economy will literally, it will be like having a heart attack.
KAYE: That doesn't sound good. All right. But the CBO is saying that if this all goes into effect, as you said, the unemployment could at nine percent. But they're also saying that the deficit would improve. It would actually fall to $641 billion. So is that a silver lining here? Do you buy that?
QUEST: Well, is that a silver lining? Only in the sense that the patient who has a heart attack isn't breathing as much oxygen so there's more for the rest of us. I mean, no. I mean, what would happen is the deficit this year is forecast at $1.1 trillion. You're talking about overnight cutting that deficit to $600 whatever, billion that they talk about, and it would fall even sharper thereafter.
Now if you want to do the -- think of this as being -- you've heard of extreme makeover, extreme cooks, extreme workmen. Think about this as being extreme austerity. Overnight, the U.S. economy would receive such a shock -- yes, in the fullness of time, that lower deficit would feed through to -- to lower interest rates. It would feed through to faster growth in time. But that's a bit like saying, would the last person here switch off the lights?
I mean, if anybody's there to switch them off, so to speak. This would be so dramatic and so instantaneous and so draconian that, frankly, only a lunatic would actually take these steps. The danger -- and this is what you need to keep in mind -- is the dates. So nothing happens between now and November, in Election Day.
KAYE: Right.
QUEST: Because frankly, no politician worth their salt is going to put their knuckle to block on this one and make a decision regardless.
KAYE: Right.
QUEST: Secondly, nothing is going to happen in the lame duck Congress that takes place between November and the end of the year. And the real risk is that if nothing else then takes place, then they just literally sleepwalk their way to the end of the year.
KAYE: But at some point, they can't continue to just kick this can down the road. They actually have to resolve this and not say, well, if we don't, then we'll set up another, you know, deadline where this could happen again.
QUEST: There will be another deadline, but before -- when they set another deadline, they have to -- this is -- I don't know any other way I can put it. You have sitting in the calendar a ticking time bomb that is going to go off. There is no doubt. Now, we can try and defuse it by looking for the different numbers, a la James Bond, and hope that we cut the right wires in the right sequence before it goes kaboom, or we can get the experts in, and they can start to neutralize the time bomb, and there may be put another one for next year or next year and beyond. But there is no option. If they -- the CBO says it, the IMF has said it, everybody who's looked at it said it, if they do not start defusing this bomb, it's going to blow up. It will take the U.S. economy with it. And the rest of us will feel the shockwaves. I can't be more blunt than that.
KAYE: Well, I appreciate that, Richard. A great explainer. And I always love your use of analogies. Thank you so much. And I'm sure we'll talk plenty more about this coming up until January. Thank you.
QUEST: Thank you very much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Two journalists headed to Tampa to cover the Republican National Convention doesn't sound like much of a story except for the fact that they're not even old enough to vote or even go to R-rated movies.
(COMMERCIAL BERAK)
KAYE: Hey, it is not the news anyone wants to hear -- learning they have cancer. But two-time cancer survivor Johnny Imerman has made it his duty to make sure no one battles the disease alone. Meet this week's CNN hero.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHNNY IMERMAN, CNN HERO: All of a sudden, it was like bam, it was like someone took a syringe and stabbed me directly in my left testicle. At 26, I was diagnosed with cancer. So I had to go right into chemo.
In the hospital, I saw these people by themselves. You could see the fear. My goal was to get in there and motivate patients so that they wanted to jump out of their chemo bed and literally start swinging at this thing.
My name is Johnny Imerman. I'm a two-time testicular cancer survivor and I created an organization to make sure that people that are diagnosed with cancer are able to reach a survivor.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You need to keep your immune system strong. You have to listen to your body. It will tell you what you need to do.
IMERMAN: It started with just a few survivors sharing information one to one with somebody diagnosed with the exact same cancer.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a 29-year-old, healthy young adult. Cancer is not a part of our language. I'm really happy that I have this community that Johnny has built.
IMERMAN: We have helped people in over 60 countries. We have matched over 8,000 total since inception. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Terry has been like my guardian angel. Anytime I call her, she's right there.
IMERMAN: It's a brotherhood and a sisterhood. That's for sure. We help people of all ages, caregivers, spouses. We'll help the parents get hooked up with other parents. And we just get a ton of young adults. We share stories. We listen. We learn.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was 30 years old when I was diagnosed. So I wanted to make it until my son was at least five. And I'm still here today.
IMERMAN: We see each other.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's the kind of information that you need to hear from someone who's been through it. There's really no other way.
IMERMAN: I don't really count the days since cancer because every day is a good day. Like be happy you got out of bed this morning. Life is amazing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: And remember, CNN heroes are all chosen from people that you tell us about. And time is running out this year. You've only got one week left to nominate someone. So go to cnnheroes.com today.
All right. Time for our weekly look ahead calendar. It is all about the Republican Convention. That's right. Politics, politics, politics. The Republican Convention convenes on Monday, but they're actually just going to convene and then they're going to recess because of tropical storm Isaac. It's kind of a mess. They're going to move some speeches back, actually compress everything now. Just into three days.
Tuesday, Ann Romney is going to speak at the convention. She was actually originally going to speak another night, but she has safely landed on Tuesday. So, her speech really isn't affected.
On Wednesday, Paul Ryan, the vice presidential candidate, will be speaking. I'm sure he'll have a lot to say in favor of Mitt Romney.
On Thursday, that, of course, is the big day Mitt Romney will accept his nomination. This is going to be a very important day. He's been waiting for this certainly for a long time. And we will, of course, carry it all live for you on CNN.
And on Saturday, here on "CNN SATURDAY MORNING," we'll be talking a lot about the DNC. The Democrats Convention begins on September 4th. That is in North Carolina. So we'll be having all -- we'll have all of that covered for you coming up on Saturday.
Thanks for starting your morning with us. We've got much more ahead on "CNN SUNDAY MORNING" which starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE (voice-over): From CNN world headquarters in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
GOV. RICK SCOTT (R), FLORIDA: I declare a state of emergency for the state of Florida.
KAYE: Tropical storm Isaac picking up steam. Now Florida is bracing for a hurricane. We'll take you there live.
And politics are no match for Mother Nature. As Isaac moves north, the Republican convention is under threat, with some events already canceled.
NEIL ARMSTRONG, ASTRONAUT: That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
KAYE: Mankind loses a legend. The life, the career, the inspiration of Neil Armstrong.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: Good morning, everyone. I'm Randi Kaye.
It's 7:00 on the East Coast, 4:00 a.m. out West. Thanks so much for starting your morning with us.
Florida is under a state of emergency right now. Tropical storm Isaac racing toward the Florida Keys after trashing Haiti and killing at least two people there. Isaac could become a hurricane by the time it moves across the Keys and into the Gulf of Mexico, possibly within hours. Governor Rick Scott says Florida knows what it has to do to get prepared.
And the Keys, they've already started battening up the hatches. Even as delegates arrived at Tampa's airport, the Republican National Convention is not taking any chances. It will still open as scheduled in Tampa tomorrow. But Monday's big events, speakers will have to wait. Republican officials say people's safety comes first.
We are covering Isaac for you from all the angles. Jim Spellman is in the Florida Keys, Bonnie Schneider is at the severe weather center, and CNN political editor Paul Steinhauser is in Tampa for us.
Let's first go to Jim Spellman. He is in Key West, Florida, keeping an eye on the storm for us.
Jim, good morning. Tell us what's it like there right now.
JIM SPELLMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's definitely getting breezy here, but it's dry. We haven't seen rain. Yesterday, we saw squalls coming through. Later today is what they're bracing for.
Many of the projections -- paths have the storm going right over Key West. They're anticipating if nothing else flooding on the low- lying streets. They can get that from a good thunderstorm here. So, they really think that's going to be the main problem rather than wind. A lot of the structures, a lot of the tourist hotels here really built to withstand certainly a category 1 wind level. But it's going to be that flooding there in the streets that they're most concerned about here in Key West, Randi.
KAYE: And Florida under a state of emergency this morning. I mean, is that standard protocol?
SPELLMAN: It really is in something like that. When the governor signs something like that, it allows them to get help from other states, they can bring things like National Guard from neighboring states. And then it allows them to ask for what they may need from the federal government if it gets to that level. I think it sends a strong message to everybody that the government here in Florida is taking it seriously and people should, as well.
KAYE: And are people taking it seriously? I mean, there are evacuation orders -- are you seeing people pretty calm? Or are they -- are they heeding those warnings?
SPELLMAN: They're taking it serious Keys style I think. A lot of people have left. Tourists -- only about 20 percent occupancy in the hotels.
People who stay, almost every person we spoke to, has said they're going to have a hurricane party. They're going to ride it out and have fun. They don't want to lose their vacation. It's kind of what they do down here in the Keys. And sometimes it seems cavalier. They say they've been lucky before, they hope they'll be lucky again, Randi.
KAYE: And how tricky is the evacuation route, just the one road?
SPELLMAN: Yes. Well, for -- some people fly here. There is a commercial airport. Yesterday, they added flights, tried to get as many people who flew here out on planes. They've shut down the airport now. And it's a two-lane road, about 120 miles to get back on the mainland.
Some point, it's just an elevated road over water. Some points, it's a very narrow island. One accident can back it up all the way. They don't want people out there in the middle of this road when the storm is really going off. That's why they wanted to get everybody out yesterday.
The people that are staying, they're encouraging them to stay off the streets, stay inside if you're going to have your hurricane party. Do it inside your home, inside your hotel, not out on the street.
KAYE: Yes. That is -- that's good advice there. Jim Spellman in Key West, Florida -- Jim, stay safe. Thank you.
SPELLMAN: Thank you.
KAYE: Meteorologist Bonnie Schneider joining us now from the CNN severe weather center. Bonnie, good morning.
BONNIE SCHNEIDER, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Good morning.
KAYE: So tell us the latest on the storm's track.
SCHNEIDER: Well, the track is definitely shifting a little more westward as we look at it this morning. We're also seeing a slight change in intensity. Right now the winds at 65 miles per hour. A good portion of the day yesterday they were at 60. It's not surprising. The storm is going to work over the open waters and eventually get even stronger than that.
You can see some of the convection, a piece of it, pushed northward towards the Bahamas. We're getting heavy downpours there, as well as across much of south Florida right now.
Let's take a look at the track and you'll see as we put this into motion. Unfortunately, really much of the Florida Keys is right in that cone of uncertainty. So, it's likely that we will se hurricane- force winds in the Florida Keys, specifically I think toward Key West. You see the track takes it right over that portion of the Keys and then brings it into the Gulf of Mexico as a category 1 hurricane as early as tonight and into tomorrow.
Then when we start getting into Monday and Tuesday, with all eyes on Tuesday on Tampa, we are going to see changes in intensity. Yesterday, this was looking like a category 2 storm by Tuesday. Now, depending on how long it stays over the open, warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico, we may see it hang on as a category 1 and then turn to category 2 by the time we get to the wee hours of Wednesday morning.
I talked about the possibility of a potential landfall in the Florida Keys. That's the first landfall. But a second landfall is imminent, as well. And it's likely to strike now anywhere from parts of Louisiana, all the way to the panhandle of Florida.
So this pattern has shifted a little westward with Mobile, Alabama, kind of smack in the middle. And then as we go further on into the latter part of the week, this could be a big rainmaker for parts of the Deep South. From Huntsville, Birmingham, Alabama, we are definitely looking at the potential for a lot of rain here. Of course, some of that will be beneficial due to the drought situation across states like Georgia.
Check this out -- we have a hurricane warning all the way from the Bonita shores, all the way southward, most of the Florida Keys, all the Florida Keys included in that. This does include the Bahamas.
But I also want you to know that there's a hurricane watch issued, as well, for some of the southeastern parishes, coastal areas of Louisiana through Mississippi, Alabama, and even portions of Florida. A hurricane watch means we could see conditions with hurricane-force winds within 48, possibly as early as 36 hours.
So, if you haven't done your hurricane preps for this part of the country, it's very important to do so.
It's interesting, Randi, one storm impacting so much of the southeast.
KAYE: Yes. It's got a wide swath there for sure.
Bonnie Schneider, thank you for the update. Appreciate you watching that for us.
The convention as we've said was supposed to kick off tomorrow with a full slate of events and speakers. Thanks to Isaac, though, there's a whole new schedule.
CNN political editor Paul Steinhauser joining us now from Tampa.
Paul, good morning to you. So what's changing? Bring us up to date.
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN POLITICAL EDITOR: Good morning, Randi. Daylight now here in Tampa.
And yes, basically what they're going to be doing is taking four days of a convention and squeezing it into three. Tomorrow, Monday, they are going to convene the convention and they are going to immediately recess. And then everything will be pushed back to Tuesday.
So, what gets pushed back? Take a look at this -- the big speakers on Monday were going to be Nikki Haley, the Republican governor of South Carolina, as well as former Governors Mike Huckabee of Arkansas and Jeb Bush of Florida. They will now be moved to other nights.
Ann Romney, the wife of Mitt Romney, was also supposed to speak on Monday, but she's already moved to Tuesday.
The other big thing that's going to move back is the roll call, putting Mitt Romney's name into nomination to formally be nominated. That will now obviously be pushed back, as well. Republican Party officials say the most important thing, of course, is safety. That you've got about 50,000 people coming to this convention. Their safety is much more important.
But they say they will get their business done. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will be nominated. And the platform will be passed.
You know, Randi, we've seen this before. Remember four years ago, the Republican convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, was also pushed from four days to three days when hurricane Gustav slammed into the Gulf Coast.
We're probably going to get details this afternoon on the official schedule and how things will change, but we may hear more on "STATE OF THE UNION" with Candy Crowley at 9:00 a.m. Florida Governor Rick Scott and Reince Priebus, the Republican National Committee chairman, will be here guests -- Randi. KAYE: That sounds like an action-packed show.
So, is there a chance, though, Paul that some of the speakers actually won't get a chance to speak? Is there a chance some will be cut?
STEINHAUSER: You know, Republican Party officials are going to try to accommodate everybody and make sure everything happens. They can extend the hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday if needed. The original plan was just to have primetime sessions. But now they can extend that to the afternoon.
This is a juggling. They're in constant communications with federal, state and local authorities to figure out where the storm is going. They can move things around.
And one other thing that's being canceled -- Vice President Joe Biden was supposed to be campaigning in Tampa on Monday, and in Orlando and St. Augustine on Tuesday, that now has been canceled, the Obama campaign says because of the storm -- Randi.
KAYE: It's going to be like the Academy Awards, you know, they're going to have to start bringing up the music, get the speeches done, get those people off the stage. I think we're on to something --
STEINHAUSER: Pick up the pace. Exactly.
(LAUGHTER)
KLEIN: CNN political editor Paul Steinhauser, thank you very much.
Remembering Neil Armstrong -- America's premiere astronaut has died. We'll have more on his legacy and on his mission to the moon.
(BEGIUN VIDEO CLIP)
RICHARD NIXON, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT: Hello, Neil and Buzz. I'm talking to you by telephone from the Oval Room at the White House. And this certainly has to be the most historic telephone call ever made. I just can't tell you how proud we all are --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: We are remembering Neil Armstrong this morning. The famed astronaut died yesterday. His family says the 82-year-old Armstrong died as a result of complications from recent heart surgery. President Obama called him a hero for all time, while fellow astronauts are remembering him as a fearless pioneer and a friend.
Armstrong cut his teeth as a test pilot and was a skilled engineer. In 1962, he joined NASA's astronaut program, and the rest as you know is history.
The highlight of Armstrong's career had to be Apollo 11 and the mission to the moon. Do you remember where you were when the eagle landed? Millions were huddled around their TVs to see the black and white images from the moon's surface. Here's the mission again in two minutes and 10 seconds.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: Fifteen seconds. Guidance is internal, 12, 11, 10, 9, ignition scene starts, six, five, four, three, two, one, zero, all engines on. We have a liftoff. Liftoff of Apollo 11.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Drifting to the right a little.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Back light? OK. Engine stop.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tranquility base here, the Eagle has landed.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Roger, tranquility. We copy you on the ground. We've got a bunch of guys --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Whew.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Armstrong is on the moon, Neil Armstrong, 38- year-old American standing on the surface of the moon, on this July 20, 1969.
ARMSTRONG: That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That was beautiful.
(INAUDIBLE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It has a stark beauty all its own. It's like much of the high desert of the United States. It's different, but it's very pretty out here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Beautiful. Beautiful.
(INAUDIBLE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tranquility base to Houston. Our guidance recommendation. You're cleared for takeoff.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I understand we're number one on the runway. Seven, six, five -- beautiful. Very smooth. Very quiet ride.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Apollo 11, over --
(INAUDIBLE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Position 1330.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Welcome back. Twenty minutes past the hour.
They can't even drive yet, but they already have a very big job -- student reporters. Part of the "Scholastic News" kids press corps will be covering both the Republican and Democratic national conventions. The next generation of journalists is gaining valuable experience outside the classroom, already interviewing some of the nation's top leaders.
Two of these student reporters are joining us here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
Fourteen-year-old Shelby Fallin is in Tampa this morning. She began reporting during the 2008 presidential election. And 11-year- old Topanga Sena is in Orlando. She joined the kids press corps in 2010, landing an exclusive interview, amazing, with President Obama.
You're both covering the RNC now. So, Shelby, you have actually interviewed Mitt Romney once before. Do you think you'll get a chance to talk to him this week? Who else are you looking forward to speaking with at the convention?
SHELBY FALLIN, SCHOLASTIC NEWS KID REPORTER: Yes, I think I'll probably be able to talk to him this week. It depends on the security and the other press and the scheduling. And I'm just really excited to maybe possibly interview Paul Ryan. And I think it will be fantastic to interview both of them again and get the information about their few on politics.
KAYE: What do you want to ask Paul Ryan?
FALLIN: I really want to ask in my city in Lakeland, unemployment is a big deal right now. Over 11 percent of the population in Lakeland is unemployed. So I want to ask what he's going to do about the unemployment here in America and what he thinks needs to be fixed to make it better.
KAYE: That is a very smart question.
Topanga, what do you want to interview?
TOPANGA SENA, SCHOLASTIC NEWS KID REPORTER: I'd like to interview Mitt Romney at the Republican National Convention.
KAYE: Do you know what you'd ask him?
SENA: Yes. How did he choose his vice presidential running mate?
KAYE: And what else? Anything else? Do you think you'll get to talk to Paul Ryan, as well?
SENA: Maybe.
KAYE: Shelby, besides unemployment, what would you like to see Mitt Romney and then later President Obama address? FALLIN: I would like to help them also address the whole health care aspect right now because the health care will definitely affect family and friends and practically the entire country with this. And if no one has health care, then what is going to happen to all the senior citizens who can't afford it and how are they going to take care of themselves?
KAYE: That's another good question.
Topanga, you had the chance to talk to the president. How did you land that interview, what did he tell you?
SENA: Well, my editor, Dante, he sent me an e-mail one day, and I got to -- that's how I got to interview President Barack Obama. And what was the other question, I'm sorry --
KAYE: What he did tell you?
SENA: Well, I asked him about what would he say to struggling families. And he told me that his administration is creating opportunities for these struggling families.
KAYE: And it looks like from the video we're looking at, you got to meet Bo.
SENA: Yes, I did.
KAYE: It looks like he barged right into the interview there, the White House puppy.
So tell me why did you want to become journalists? Shelby, I'll start with you.
FALLIN: I have been interested in it ever since I was 7 years old. My mom's a teacher and I saw an ad in the "Scholastic Kids" magazine how they were accepting applications to become a journalist. And all you had to do is write two essays, where the community was so special and why you deserved to be a reporter.
And I sent it in and was one of the ones to be picked. I just love it. It's so fun getting the real information and telling people all about it. And it's just a dream of mine. It's so much fun.
KAYE: You sound like me. When I was 13, I knew exactly that this is what I wanted to do. We're right there at the same age.
And what about you, Topanga? What made you decide to get into this?
SENA: It started when I was selected for my school's news. Then I got an e-mail one day. So -- and then to apply for the "Scholastic News." So, here I am reporting.
KAYE: Who's your dream interview? If you could talk to anyone, Topanga, who would it be?
SENA: Well, my eyes are set on the royal family, from the queen to Kate Middleton and England's prime minister, David Cameron.
KAYE: Nice, Shelby, what about you?
FALLIN: It would probably have to be either President Barack Obama or George W. Bush.
KAYE: All right. Those are two tough interviews to get. So I'm pretty impressed with both of you. Why do I have a feeling that I'm going to be working for both of you one day? I don't know. I just have this feeling. You two are well on your way.
Shelby Fallin and Topanga Sena, nice to have you both on this morning. Thank you.
FALLIN: Thank you.
KAYE: Good luck with the interviews, as well.
SENA: Well thank you, bye.
KAYE: Bye.
I'll be back at the top of the hour with the day's headlines, including the latest on tropical storm Isaac.
But, first, "SANJAY GUPTA, M.D." starts right after this.
