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CNN Saturday Morning News
Remembering Walter Cronkite; Where the Money is Going; Divisions over Health Care; All Eyes on Tom Watson at the British Open; Basketball Camp for Deaf Kids
Aired July 18, 2009 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everybody. From the CNN center, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It's July 18.
Good morning everyone. I'm Betty Nguyen.
TJ HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: And hello there. I'm TJ Holmes.
It's 8:00 Eastern time. 7:00 in Chicago, 5:00 a.m. for you folks out in Seattle. Wherever you may be, thank you for being right here with us this morning. We are waiting for word this morning on the fate of two men aboard a U.S. Air Force fighter jet that crashed this morning in eastern Afghanistan. Still waiting, getting new information about that, so might get that at any moment (INAUDIBLE).
NGUYEN: Speaking of that, it may be the first loss of an American jet in this war now almost eight years old. We're going to have more information on that story, coming right up.
HOLMES: Also, we'll be looking back on the extraordinary life and career of Walter Cronkite died at the age of 92. We'll be talking to his friends this morning, of course, looking back.
NGUYEN: And for those of you looking for a job today, this place right here may have the answer for you, creating some 40,000 new jobs. We're going to take you to city center located in Las Vegas. It's an $8.5 billion project. We'll show you how you can get in on the action.
HOLMES: As we just mentioned, Walter Cronkite dead now at the age of 92. It's been 28 years since he was actually on the CBS anchor desk, but his impact on the role of news and the news anchor in America remains with us to this day.
NGUYEN: Absolutely. Cronkite died in New York. His family was with him. He was 92 years old. Our Anderson Cooper takes a look back at the life of this legend.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): For so long, for so many of us, he was the most trusted man in America. Walter Cronkite covered the world at an age of fewer channel and fewer newscasts. He changed the world as well.
WALTER CRONKITE, JOURNALIST: Looking back on it, I think I was so lucky, I just happened to fall into the right things at the right time, worked beautifully.
COOPER: He was born Walter Leyland (ph) Cronkite Jr. In 1916. He was a beat reporter and football announcer before joining United Press in 1939. When the first troops stormed Normandy, Walter Cronkite was there.
CRONKITE: As Dwight Eisenhower told me sitting on this very wall over here, on the 20th anniversary of "D" day, that he thinks of the grandchildren that these young kids will never have and that's something for all of us to think about.
COOPER: When we think about Walter Cronkite and generations of broadcast journalists have and will continue to, we think about his tenure at CBS, a company he joined in 1950. Twelve years later, he became the anchor of the CBS evening news. In that chair in that role, he came to define what an anchor was. He told America the way it was. Who can forget November 22, 1963. Cronkite reported and reacted to the horror in Dallas.
CRONKITE: From Dallas, Texas, the flash apparently official. President Kennedy died at 1:00 p.m. Central standard time, 2:00 Eastern standard time, some 38 minutes ago.
COOPER: In 1968 after returning from a trip to Vietnam, his conclusions may have helped alter the course of history.
CRONKITE: It seemed now more certain than ever that the bloody experience of Vietnam is to end in a stalemate.
COOPER: The opinion reached President Johnson who reportedly said, if I've lost Cronkite, I've lost Middle America.
BOB SCHIEFFER, CBS JOURNALIST: His approach to news was, when news happens, get as close to the story as you possibly can and then tell people about it in language that they can understand. Walter spoke like the average person. It wasn't all literary, flowery kind of language. People don't talk that way and Walter didn't either.
COOPER: Walter it seemed was always there, for the moon landing.
CRONKITE: Man on the moon. Oh, boy.
ASTRONAUT: Thank you.
CRONKITE: Boy.
ASTRONAUT: I'm dizzy for a minute.
COOPER: For Watergate, for the Mideast peace break through. He was humble and honest and straightforward and never made himself the story, even on a winter day in 1981 when he sat in the anchor chair for the last time.
CRONKITE: Old anchor men you see don't fade away. They just keep coming back for more. And that's the way it is, Friday, March 6, 1981. I'll be away on assignment and Dan Rather will be sitting in here for the next few years. Good night.
COOPER: Good night Mr. Cronkite. Good night and God speed. Anderson Cooper, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
NGUYEN: He will be missed.
HOLMES: And we have been getting a lot of reaction in from everybody. Again he worked with just about everybody in the business.
NGUYEN: Just about everybody when it came to news makers.
HOLMES: Everybody as well and so everybody, a lot of folks have their memories of Walter Cronkite. (INAUDIBLE) reaction, including from the president of the United States. President Obama spoke to CBS last night. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: He was the first to share the devastating news of John F. Kennedy's assassination, crystallizing the grief of a nation while fighting back tears of his own. He cheered with every American when we went to the moon, boldly exploring a new frontier and he brought us all those stories large and small which would come to define the 20th century. That's why we loved Walter, because in an era before blogs and e-mail, cell phones and cable, he was the news.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: And we are hearing from you today, as you reflect on just this icon when it comes to television journalism. Send us your thoughts about Walter Cronkite, your memories. In fact, we are reading a lot of them this morning. Let me go to my Facebook page. And Daniel, where did he go? Here he is. Daniels says, I will always remember that man. What a class act. He will be missed. And then Billy right below him says I'll always remember him as the voice when JFK was shot. He loved New England and sailing was his passion. He will be missed and I think we all remember that video, the day that JFK was shot and killed and the way that he brought that news to America. He took us through some of the most trying times. But on that day specifically, we saw him get choked up. And Walter Cronkite was not a man that put his emotions out there but he was real in that sense.
HOLMES: (INAUDIBLE) Some news you just react to and he reacted to that and again, like you said there, the country was depending on him to take him through. That's how people found out because Walter Cronkite told them what was going on. He told them, it's going to be OK. We'll make it through it as well.
NGUYEN: He was the most trusted man in America.
HOLMES: And continue to share your comments with us. We're connected. You're out there. You can find us on twitter, Facebook, tell us your thoughts this morning. You can sound off on any other topic you'd like to as well, but certainly we'd like you to share your memories of Walter Cronkite.
We'll turn now overseas, to what we have been watching the past couple days now. We are learning more about that deadly twin bombing at a pair of luxury hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia. Investigators there say, there are some important similarities between the bombings at the Marriott and the Ritz Carlton and other attacks that have happened in the area. We do know six people are dead. Our Dan Rivers joins us now live from Jakarta. Dan I guess just give us the update first, on the investigation.
DAN RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, they are saying there is a forensic similarity between the explosives they recovered at the scene of these bombings and a cache of explosives found on the island of Java, which they think has links to a man (INAUDIBLE), who's basically Indonesia's most wanted terrorist suspect. He (INAUDIBLE) experts say from (INAUDIBLE) which is a regional Islamic terrorist group here. There's forensic similarity between the explosives and one of the (INAUDIBLE) bombings as well (INAUDIBLE) Bali. So they are making some progress, still a lot of unanswered questions.
On the death toll, they're now saying that nine people in total they died, nine bodies, that includes potentially the suicide bomber. So we still have a bit of confusion as to the number of victims and the number of bombers. There are still a number of unidentified bodies amid this, three (ph) in total and they're not sure whether they are bombers or whether they're victims because of the space (ph) of the bodies. So it's obviously early days (ph). They're going to be going through these, check dental records all that kind of thing, but nine is the total they've just given us in the past few minutes.
HOLMES: AND Dan, I want to make sure that nine total there, they still do believe that six of them are still just six actual victims right now among them, is that correct?
RIVERS: Six confirmed victims and a possibility that there may be a couple more as well. But until they identify those other unidentified bodies, if you see what I mean, until they can say that they were a terrorist or they were victims, they can't say anymore than that. But certainly, of the six confirmed victims who would get in the hotels, we've got three Australians, a New Zealander, a man from Singapore and also a local Indonesian man. So that much we do know. The other remaining three, we're not sure if we are talking about terrorists or guests. There's some fairly macabre details coming out about decapitated bodies and heads that have been recovered as well. I'll spare you the details of, but pretty distressing stuff, but they are working to try and find out whether these people are terrorists or guests.
HOLMES: Tough work there for those investigators. But Dan, we certainly appreciate it. Our Dan Rivers, we appreciate you giving us the very latest there. We'll be checking in with you again.
NGUYEN: Coping with the recession. We're going to talk with the mayor of one city that's beating the odds and actually growing during these tough times.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CRONKITE: That's the way it is.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: That's the way it is, that signature line still ahead. The story behind Walter Cronkite's famous line from one of his very own interns who is now on our show team.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: This week, 30-year fixed mortgages, they have fallen. And Gerri Willis joins us now to talk about the best way to get a loan. Hi there Gerri.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi Betty. Well you know as you mentioned, mortgage rates have slipped. They're now at 5.14 percent. That's according to Freddie Mac, but banks are still being really picky about who they are lending to. So make sure that you have a sizable down payment. You can't waltz in with 5 to 10 percent to put down anymore. Those days are gone. Most banks are asking for 20 percent down and don't forget about the credit score, your FICA score is what your lender will look at in deciding whether or not to extend you a loan. You may not even qualify for a loan unless you have a score of about 720. So make sure you're doing everything in your power to keep your credit score high. Pay your bills on time. Don't open a lot of credit cards. And of course, you will have to document your income. Long gone are those days of the no loan doc loans. Betty.
NGUYEN: Right. You have to have all your ducks in a row in order just to qualify. But say you do or at least you think you do, what's the best way to find a lender?
WILLIS: Start with your local bank. They already have most of your information and you have a relationship there already. But don't stop comparing lenders. Check in with local credit unions or community banks. They can get better loan rates. Whatever you do, make sure you get a few different quotes and go with the bank that you feel most comfortable with. Betty.
NGUYEN: You will be dealing with them for a few years to come shall we say.
All right. What's coming up on "Your Bottom Line"?
WILLIS: We've got a lot of great thing, including a look at the two faces of America's housing markets, the communities hit hardest by foreclosure, as well as those rated among the best places to live. It's coming up at 9:30 a.m. Eastern right here on CNN. Betty.
NGUYEN: Looking forward to it, CNN. Thank you, Gerri.
WILLIS: My pleasure. HOLMES: Hey there, sir. Your area over here, we have been talking about how hot it's been.
(WEATHER REPORT)
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLIGST: Now although we have been getting a cool down in parts of the country, it's going to be warming up in parts of the desert southwest. And for this weekend's weekend getaway, we're talking about the turquoise trail.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
WOLF (voice-over): Stretching 65 miles from Santa Fe to Albuquerque, New Mexico is the turquoise trail, a national scene byway.
MARK ORWOLL, TRAVEL + LEISURE: You're going to find lots of museums and really cool little towns along the turquoise trail. Stock in and see the tinker town (ph) museum. This is an eclectic collection of folk art. One of the really interesting displays there, an entire city made of hand carved miniatures.
WOLF: Madred (ph), once a mining town is now home to coffee shops, restaurants and galleries.
SUSAN FITZGERALD, WEASEL & FITZ: It's not one style of art, but it's a huge variety of art in 40 different galleries. So for a small mountain town, that's really pretty remarkable.
WOLF: For impressive views, the Sandia Peak tramway carries passengers up to the Sandia crest, the highest point on the trail.
ORWOLL: You're going to be looking out over the desert landscape, Sandia (ph) mountains, same colorful canyons. You're not going to be left with any doubt why people call New Mexico the land of enchantment.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
NGUYEN: We are remembering Walter Cronkite this morning. We're going to take a look back at some of his most memorable moments just ahead.
HOLMES: And then a little later, President Obama talks about health care this morning saying he will not sign on to any health care plan that adds to the nation's deficit.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Talking about Vegas. (INAUDIBLE) As always, people don't (ph) got to sleep in Vegas.
NGUYEN: It's the place where what, four hours, if you sleep more than four hours, you slept too long.
HOLMES: You're wasting your trip to Vegas. We're talking about Vegas because some are actually turning to Vegas for answers in the midst of this recession. They are betting on a big project out there called City Center.
NGUYEN: It's a huge project, in fact a mammoth MGM Mirage project that is expected to create, get this, some 40,000 jobs. So to find out how, I traveled to Vegas to meet the man behind the plan.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
NGUYEN: How many buildings is it comprised of?
JIM MURREN, MGM MIRAGE CEO: You are on about 67 acres of land. There are over 20 different buildings here.
NGUYEN: Welcome to City Center, the newest edition on the Vegas slip. MGM Mirage CEO Jim Murren came up with the idea for this $8.5 billion project. A lot of the casinos here will put the gaming right up front. You decided to put it toward the back, why?
MURREN: We don't think we need to put it in everyone's face. In the old days the casino was front and center and everything was designed thematically and from an egress perspective to force people into the casino. That's insulting. If people want to gamble, we'll have a wonderful casino there but that is not the heart of City Center.
NGUYEN: Instead, Murren is making art, architecture and culture the focus. He's hired some of the world's top designers to develop this urban metropolis and will fill it with $40 million worth of contemporary art. But getting City Center funded in the midst of a recession has been a real challenge. It narrowly avoided bankruptcy earlier this year.
MURREN: We came very close to having to shut this project down.
NGUYEN: Now back on track, work is underway on the center's casino, four hotels, high-rise condos, entertainment venues and retail shops. How important is City Center to the future of Las Vegas?
MURREN: There are probably 20,000 to 30,000 people in the environs that are working on projects that relate to City Center. Then when we open City Center, we're going to have about 12,000 new jobs and there's nothing in the U.S. No auto company is creating any jobs, no bank, no developer, no high-tech company. Nothing in the United States is creating more jobs than we are.
NGUYEN: How is that possible given it's not the largest property on the Vegas strip. It's called building up. The Las Vegas convention and visitors bureau says because there are several high- rise hotels and condos in a small space, it's creating more jobs than the average strip property. So while Morin says City Center is simply too big to fail, you can bet he is still feeling the pressure.
MURREN: Darn right I do. There's enormous pressure. This has to perform financially for our stake holders. It has to perform economically for the community. It has to perform for the people that we are going to employ. It has to perform for the state to increase the state's tax base and it has to I think perform to prove that we are more than a gaming company.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
NGUYEN: A whole lot of pressure. When City Center opens in December, we're going to see whether Murren's gamble was a good one, although the project is taking a little bit of stumbling block with its high-rise condos. A lot of people have purchased in 2006, 2007. Well, they want a price reduction. That was a pre-purchase. Now they see the values have fallen. Although the construction is not even done yet, but those condo's range from $600,000 to $9 million. So it will be interesting to see if that price reduction actually happens.
HOLMES: Is that a possibility that they could get...
NGUYEN: Well, they are asking for it. The question is, will MGM Mirage give it to them? But for those of you watching this, thinking OK, well how can I get in on these 40,000 new jobs? Well, 12,000 permanent jobs will be available on this thing opens. They are taking applications right now so hey, you may want to head to sin city.
HOLMES: If you got to hire that many folks and again, December, you are saying?
NGUYEN: December is when it's supposed to open.
HOLMES: I know he is sweating.
NGUYEN: A lot of pressure there. He says it's too big to fail. Hopefully, it doesn't.
HOLMES: Well, we'll turn to the Senate and Sotomayer following a week a grilling by the Senate Judiciary Committee. She is trying to find out if she'll get her job. She's not going to sin city trying to get one of those 40,000, but she will find soon whether or not she will get the job she's applied for.
NGUYEN: Right and just ahead, deputy political director Paul Steinhauser will join us to talk about when that could be and whether any Republicans are expected to vote for her.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Hello and welcome back, everybody.
We are continuing our SATURDAY MORNING conversations with mayors across the country. We talk to a mayor to see how they are coping in this recession. And this morning Tommy Ogletree joins us -- actually Tommy Battle joins us from Huntsville, Alabama.
His city is located near the Tennessee state line and according to census estimates it's the growing -- the fastest growing major city in Alabama. And Mayor Battle, let me -- first of all I welcome you to the show. Thanks for getting up early to speak with us. And we've been saying right here, fastest growing large city in Alabama.
How much stimulus money have you gotten and where is it going?
TOMMY BATTLE, MAYOR, HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA: Betty, we are very, very fortunate in this community. We were just named number one community by Kiplinger in the United States as a city.
We have gotten a significant amount of stimulus money. And we decided as a city that it was a policy of ours that we were going to make sure that everybody understood the transparency of this.
NGUYEN: Well, how much, specifically, have you gotten in stimulus money?
BATTLE: I believe the numbers are anywhere from $6 million to $10 million and then if you total (ph) some of the past through it's almost $35 million though.
NGUYEN: Ok.
BATTLE: We've had a significant impact on our community for that.
NGUYEN: That is a lot of money. I know that you've got a lot of things that you are allocating it to.
And in fact for people to watch where the money is going you've set up a Web site. Talk to us about the importance of this transparency that you've been able to establish there in your city.
BATTLE: Right, we've got what we call a stimulus information hub. And the base is just a Web site -- it's a Web site that tells us about where our money is going and what we're spending our money on and also what we've applied for it.
Some of them, there are a lot of projects that we've applied for that we have not gotten the money for. That we're working on right now and we're sitting as a city. We're trying to make sure that our population knows what we're trying to do.
Transparency is one of those things that's very important in the government right now. There's a lot of questions about everybody's government. And the more transparency you have, the better off you are as the government (INAUDIBLE). The more that people know what you're doing and they have an idea of questions, innuendo and everything else, that's what kills government nowadays.
NGUYEN: Yes and I was looking at your Web site last night and again this morning. And you really hit on an important point. Not only are you showing where the money will go once you've get that money, but also you're showing where it could go if you get those funds. So that being the case, can people weigh in -- not only can they see where the money is going -- but can they weigh in and say well, "You know what? I'm not sure I support that."
BATTLE: Sure. And it happens quite often.
Here, we are just like everybody else. Everybody has opinions about what you're spending your money on, where that money goes and everything. And we've had quite a few times that people have weighed in and said, "We need to look at this. Is this a project that we really need to be doing as the city of Huntsville?"
And we listen to that. And that's what helps shape what we're going to do and what we're doing as a community.
NGUYEN: And perhaps other cities across the nation will follow suit.
All right, I want to shift gears and have you weigh in as well. As you well know, for the first time in Alabama's history, a black man is running for governor. Talk to us about the historical importance of this.
BATTLE: Oh, it's very historical. Arthur Davis is running for governor of the State of Alabama. He's a very articulate, very intelligent candidate. And we're lucky as the State of Alabama we have a number of articulate, intelligent candidates this time around.
I think that we in -- and I'll talk for our community in Huntsville. We are a community now that votes for the man and not necessarily the party and not necessarily for the color; we vote for the man. Right now, we have 40 percent of our city council is minority and we're sitting with 30 percent of the population base.
So, we, as a community I think are looking for people who are articulate, who are smart and who can help set us up for the future. Ant that's what we're looking for in Alabama.
NGUYEN: So many interesting choice of words: articulate and intelligent. What's been the reaction to Davis's run?
BATTLE: I think there's a wide range of reaction. There's a lot of -- there's the reaction of disbelief, there's a reaction of hope, there's a reaction of that they're glad that somebody very intelligent is in the race. He's a very, very intelligent representative.
But again I'll tell you, we have a number of people in this race right now and looking at the economic times and everything else, we are very fortunate in Alabama to have a good field of candidates.
NGUYEN: And if you can speak very frankly, how much momentum do think he will have, given Alabama's history as a red state and also given the fact that what Obama only got what -- 39 percent of the vote against McCain's 60 percent during the presidential election.
BATTLE: That's a lot of the question. You know when you say what's the reaction to that? People look at that history and that's where the reaction comes from. But I think that we as a state are probably beyond that. I think we vote for the person nowadays and I hope that that's the case for us.
NGUYEN: All right, Tommy Battle, Mayor of Huntsville, Alabama. Thanks so much for your time today.
BATTLE: Thank you.
NGUYEN: And you hear it there -- history being made in Alabama with the first black man running for governor. Also, you know, I guess in their own way, Huntsville is creating a little bit of their own history by putting all that information on a Web site where people can actually follow the stimulus money. Where it's going, because we talk so much about it...
HOLMES: Where the stuff goes.
NGUYEN: ...and once the city gets it, the question is -- for those who are going to benefit -- where is it going?
HOLMES: And I think it's --- three candidates, I believe, your are mentioning that -- three Republicans at least running for Alabama governor. Here they are. Tim James, Bradley Burns, Kate Ivy.
And again, if you're interested in learning more about the jobs and the stimulus plan, you can check out CNN interactive map. Just rollover whichever state you are interested in and the number of jobs projected in that state will pop up there for you.
We'll turn back to President Obama even though maybe what it seems like reasons to slowdown with his whole the health care bill. The President not taking his foot off the gas when it comes to health care reforms.
NGUYEN: Oh, no. He's still pushing for reforms before Congress takes their August break. And he is not willing to add to the deficit.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITES STATES: I want to be very clear. I will not sign on to any health plan that adds to our deficits over the next decade. And by helping improve quality and efficiency, the reforms we make will help bring our deficits under control in the long term.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: CNN's Elaine Quijano, joins us live this morning from the White House.
So Elaine, the Congressional Budget Oversight Committee said this week that the plan would increase costs over the long term. Not what the administration wanted to hear, but what's the next step for the president? ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well Betty, the next step really for President Obama is to try to keep the pressure on Congress. We saw the president do that yesterday with that last minute remark and with that last minute address really from the White House here, on health care.
And we're going to see that, again, from the president next week when he holds a prime time news conference, the president really trying to rally lawmakers. But the White House knows this is really going to be a tough fight, not just because of that Congressional Budget Office report that you mentioned.
But also there's this bipartisan group of key senators that's even saying, "Look, Mr. President, let's slowdown a bit when it comes to health care reform." They think taking some additional time is really going to be critical in getting this health care overhaul done properly.
But Betty, of course, that is not the message that the Obama administration wants to hear right now. The President as you mentioned is laying out this very ambitious goal of trying to get health care reform done by August -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Elaine, maybe you can hear me this time. So what's been the Republican response?
QUIJANO: The Republican response -- Republicans say that the Democrats and the president are really trying to rush this through, Betty. What they say is that look, the more Americans learn about this plan, the more they are opposed to this plan.
Republicans are pretty much united when it comes to their message here. They say that the Democrats plan will really give the power to Washington, not to doctors and patients when it comes to making health care choices. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JON KYL, (R) MINORITY WHIP: We know Americans were the first to work together, to ensure access to affordable quality health care for all. But Americans do not want a government takeover of health care that will jeopardize their current coverage. Ration care and create mountains of new debt and higher taxes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: Now, the President dismisses that calling it scare tactics. Basically, scare tactics that the President says have really been responsible for stopping health care reform in the past. And so Betty, the president really is just going to try to press on, try to rally lawmakers here.
But again, the White House recognizing this is going to be a tough fight -- Betty.
NGUYEN: All right, Elaine Quijano joining us live from the White House. Thank you, Elaine.
HOLMES: And President Obama also wanted a quick confirmation for Supreme Court Nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor. Well, that may be exactly what happens.
Let's bring in a friend of our show here on CNN's SATURDAY and SUNDAY MORNING and the deputy political director Paul Steinhauser. He joins us from Washington. I don't see Paul. Where is Pauly? I don't have Pauly.
NGUYEN: There he is.
HOLMES: Oh, there he is. Hey there. Like I said, a friend of our show; he always shows up. Sometimes he's a little late, but he gets there.
Hey there, Paul. Good to see you buddy.
Tell us what is going to happen next. She just went through that long nationally televised job interview. When will she find out whether or not she gets the job?
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: You've got it -- yes she's off the hot seat. Ok, here's what happens T.J. Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee meets again. They could vote as early as Tuesday on her confirmation but Republicans could push that back a week to July 28.
But regardless, remember the Democrats -- they have the votes on the committee: 12 Democrats, only seven Republicans. So, if she passes there, as expected it goes on to the full Senate and Republicans have said they will not filibuster or block a vote in a full Senate, so expect the full senate to vote on Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation before they break for some recess in early August -- T.J.
HOLMES: Well, she could get this job. We couldn't though fairly quickly like the president wanted.
But also Paul, we watched these confirmation hearings and no doubt the toughest questioning as expected came from Republicans. And even Lindsey Graham in particular from South Carolina, some of the toughest questioning.
However, he also has some very complementary words and that many people complimented him as being a statesman if you will. So how many Republicans could possibly vote for her? Even though there was tough questioning there were still some kind words and seemingly being fair at least to her.
STEINHAUSER: Well, the answer right now is at least three. Because three Republicans just in the last day have came out and said yes, they'll vote for her confirmation.
It'll be interesting to see because remember, four years ago, when John Roberts was confirmed as a Chief Justice, he received 78 votes including a number of Democrats who crossed over and voted for him. But a couple of months later, Samuel Alito, when he was being confirmed as an Associate Justice, 58 votes in favor -- much more party lines.
So we're going to keep a close eye and see how many Republicans do vote in favor of Sonia Sotomayor.
HOLMES: All right, we could know quickly. Paul Steinhauser: again, a friend of our show here on CNN SATURDAY and SUNDAY MORNING and deputy political director. It's good to see you buddy and I will be talking to you again soon.
STEINHAUSER: Thanks.
NGUYEN: Well, it was his famous line.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WALTER CRONKITE, CBS ANCHOR: And that's the way it is.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: But there's a story behind that line. We're going to talk with a former CBS News intern about how it all came about.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CRONKITE: And that's the way it is.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Yes, indeed, his signature sign-off.
One of our news writers, in fact, on this show remembers those words very well. Clint Deloatch was actually a college intern during one of those summers where you were up there in New York with CBS. You got to meet Walter Cronkite.
You have a little story behind that signature sign off. What is that?
CLINT DELOATCH, FORMER CBS NEWS INTERN: Yes, Betty, this was in 1978. I was at the University of North Carolina as a student and got to go to work with CBS News through the International Radio/Television Society. They placed me with CBS.
Ed Bliss who was Cronkite's chief writer, he did the "Book Writing News for Broadcast" which was used in some J (ph) schools. He was Cronkite's chief writer and he told us how that signature sign-off got to be. One day he forgot to write that. "And that's the way it is."
NGUYEN: So it was scripted for him?
DELOATCH: It was scripted. NGUYEN: Not something that they just came up with or Walter Cronkite just started saying. It was actually scripted for him.
DELOATCH: It was scripted. And one day, he forgot to put that in Walter's basket of copy. And Walter went off the air and he didn't say it.
America went nuts. The phones went crazy. People just didn't understand what had happened. After that, it became policy that the first script that went in Walter's basket was "And that's the way it is," so that he would never not say that again.
NGUYEN: Doesn't that just show you the importance of not only his words, but he was the most trusted man in America.
According to a poll, in fact, and we're not just making it up. It's not just according to what people revere in their hearts about him but indeed, he was.
DELOATCH: Yes, indeed. He was so well-respected in that newsroom that -- now he was a kind and gentleman, but he was so well- respected that when Walter talked or called on the phone, everybody answered. He could call anybody anywhere in the world.
NGUYEN: Absolutely. In fact, he made you call several people around the world. This was a man who wanted to get it right.
DELOATCH: Yes, indeed. He was a stickler for facts, no question about it. I was an intern for the entire newsroom, but one of the jobs I did was I was basically a fact checker, researcher.
If we had said somebody's name, he wanted to know how it was spelled and how they would say it. So if they were in New York or Los Angeles or in South Africa, we have to call there and find out exactly how this person spelled their name and how they pronounce it.
NGUYEN: A stickler for the facts.
DELOATCH: Yes, indeed.
NGUYEN: And just getting it right.
Hey there, Karen -- one of our bookers (ph) who walks right in front of us here.
You know, that's the way it is and that's the way it was for Walter Cronkite. You have some great memories of it. We can't get you to pick up the phone and call anyone for us around here. What's up with that Clint?
T.J. right?
HOLMES: We have some stories over there.
NGUYEN: Thank you Clint. We do appreciate it.
HOLMES: Clint, we do appreciate you this morning.
DELOATCH: Thank you. My pleasure.
HOLMES: We're going to turn another story here: about the folk who can't speak and can't hear but they're kids who can play their hearts out on the basketball court, and they are learning the game from a former NBA guard who can hear just fine.
Still, Mike Glenn -- you see him there -- says he's more comfortable in the deaf community.
MIKE GLENN, FORMER NBA GUARD: As if I was a deaf kid except that I could talk.
HOLMES: A deaf kid who could talk. For 30 years, Mike Glenn has organized a basketball camp for the deaf that doesn't cost the kids a thing and you will hear why he does it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: All right. We have to tell you about a big upset. Tiger Woods out of the British Open and now all eyes on one guy.
HOLMES: It's not just that Tiger isn't going to win this thing; it's that he missed the cut; he's not even going to be given the chance to compete this weekend.
But that guy you're seeing is 59-year-old Tom Watson, the oldest player in the field. And he's doing his thing right now.
We're going to bring in our sports business analyst, Rick Horrow. Joining us now live from Scotland via Skype.
Rick, it has to feel pretty good to see a fellow senior doing so well in the British Open.
RICK HORROW, SPORTS BUSINESS ANALYST: How long did it take you to set that one up? I knew that's why you liked that question to the start. You and I on the basketball court pal -- let me tell you something.
But Tom Watson $21 million cumulatively; so, on course earnings, he's okay. 68 of these guys across the street who are playing right weren't even born when he won his last tournament here at Turnberry at 77. Fancy that.
HOLMES: So, I guess it's a good thing and exciting for a lot of people.
And I want to explain to our viewers, we're working this through Skype. That's why Rick looks like that. There's a little something on the screen. It happens. It's technology. We're trying to get that thing off the computer screen.
Just telling our viewers what you are seeing. Be open and transparent about what you're seeing. Let's move on here and talk about Tiger. Is it a bigger deal that Tiger is out and missed the cut or is it making up for it that we have this other story line with a 59-year-old guy doing his thing over there.
HORROW: Remember Tiger wasn't in the tournament last year at Royal Birkdale because he was having his knee worked on. And 53-year- old Greg Norman led the tournament. Ratings were still down 14 percent.
Tom Watson is a story here but the bigger story always is that Tiger Woods misses his second cut in a major as a professional. There are hundreds of millions of dollars being spent here. The big buzz around here is weather is great, but if Tiger was here, things would be a little better.
HOLMES: How is -- what -- if he can keep this up, Tom Watson, 59-years old -- again it's a great story. If he can keep this up will golf be happy? Will Professional Golf -- the PGA be happy? Will TV executives be happy? Can he continue this momentum and keep those numbers up through the weekend?
Here's Rick Horrow on sports marketing. Old dudes sell stuff. So the bottom line is, if Watson does well, as he's already doing, he tees off in a couple hours today. Mark Calcavecchia, remember late 40s, is in third place. Mark O'Meara, Vijay Singh, the old guys are doing very well.
That means that corporate sponsors have some kind of appeal to the older demographic with a lot more money. They are going to buy stuff, not withstanding your slight of me at the beginning of this interview.
HOLMES: We're going to have to leave it there. Again, via Skype, the technology, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Oh, now it goes away that we're wrapping the interview.
NGUYEN: It's that little thing over...
HOLMES: Rick, it's good to see you. We appreciate you. You enjoy your time over there. All right, buddy.
HORROW: Thanks a lot. I probably sound better than I look. I'll see you next week.
HOLMES: That's usually the case.
NGUYEN: Quote of the day -- "old dudes sell stuff."
HOLMES: "Old dudes sell stuff." There's our old dude there.
NGUYEN: Later, Rick.
HOLMES: All right. Mike Glenn, he played ball in the NBA and while he can hear just fine, he would love for one of the deaf kids he coaches at his summer camp to maybe go pro one day. But make no mistake; Glenn also wants these kids to learn a whole lot more than just the game.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GLENN: I was never vocal. I never did a lot of talking on the court. It was always a quiet game for me. You have looks and expressions. You have to learn to look for yourself. You can't depend on people to tell you something. That's how my kids play; that's how they are trained. That's how they play and this is how I play the game too.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Yes, one week this summer, kids get an experience of a lifetime really. Hear the story of a man who can hear, but he's more comfortable with the deaf.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: For 30 years now, a former NBA guard has been doing something you really can't find anywhere else in the country. He holds a basketball camp where he teaches deaf kids how to play the game and it doesn't cost them a dime.
When you first step into the gym at this basketball camp, it looks pretty normal like any other gym you've ever been in. But it doesn't take you long to realize that something special is going on there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: A symphony of balls bouncing and shoes squeaking on a hardwood floor. Every basketball gym sounds the same. Or at least sounds the same to you and me. When you're with these athletes, it sounds more like this.
These high school students are deaf. But on the court, they are determined to be like any other athlete. And this camp gives them a chance to learn the game from former NBA guard, Mike Glenn.
And he can hear just fine.
HOLMES: You're not deaf, right?
GLENN: No.
HOLMES: Nobody in your family is deaf?
GLENN: No.
HOLMES: Close friends, maybe? Grow up with anybody deaf?
GLENN: Not that I didn't develop from this school. HOLMES: And you have been running a deaf basketball camp for 30 years.
GLENN: Yes, sir.
HOLMES: A lot of that makes sense.
GLENN: Well, it was interesting T.J. It really came from my dad.
HOLMES: His dad, Charles Glenn, took a teaching job in 1952 at the Georgia School for the Deaf and volunteered to start a basketball program for the students.
GLENN: So when I was born, I was born into that family and I just would go with dad and hang around and watched dad and fell in love with the game and the deaf culture. It was taken off from there.
HOLMES: Glenn parlayed his love of basketball into a 10-year NBA career and his love of the deaf into a lifetime of commitment.
GLENN: Giving gifts and opportunities in a particular environment, I think you have to make the best of what you are given. This is what I was given so I have to be true to it.
HOLMES: The camp gives deaf kids the chance to compete but also the confidence of learning the game around kids like them and from coaches who know how to relate.
GLENN: It's easy to communicate, first thing. It's very easy to communicate, but it's very challenging. There's a lot of physical players here. Sometimes you can't hear the referee, but they are still playing. Don't know exactly when to stop. Can't hear the buzzer.
HOLMES: There are few camps out there like Glenn's. Yes, his is different but part of its mission is the same as any other summer camp. Let kids be kids.
It all goes back to what Glenn learned when he was just a kid.
GLENN: My dad gave me this heritage, so I think I'm honoring him by carrying it on. And so I keep doing that to -- you know, because of my dad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: His dad passed but his dad was able to see, even worked at the camp for a few years. So he was able to see what his son was doing. For 30 years now, he's been honoring -- he considers it honoring his dad to continue it.
And again you can't find these around the country. So they get to come here, learn from a former NBA player. He brings in NBA legends, he brings in other NBA players to help him out. So it's really (INAUDIBLE). NGUYEN: And it's absolutely free for the kids. And I love it that he only wanted to do it one year and now 30 years later.
HOLMES: Again, he calls himself a deaf kid who could talk and who could hear. And even when he's talking to you -- to anyone -- he can't help but to sign as he's having a conversation with you. It's amazing just to see him interact with these kids.
NGUYEN: So dedicated. Love that story.
Well, from CNN Center, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. Hello, everybody. It's July 18. Good morning. I'm Betty Nguyen.
HOLMES: And hello to you all, I'm T.J. Holmes. It's 9:00 where we sit here in our world headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. 8:00 in Milwaukee and 6:00 a.m. to you folks in Betty's favorite town, Las Vegas. Thank you for starting your day here with us.
We are remembering fondly Walter Cronkite who died at the age of 92 yesterday. We are looking back at his extraordinary life and career this morning.
NGUYEN: We are also waiting for a space walk. We're going to try to bring that to you live today. It's going to happen at noon Eastern. In fact, it's the first of five, just look at these amazing pictures that we are bringing to you from outer space today. Two astronauts later today will attach a platform for scientific experience at the International Space Station. You don't want to miss that.
But first up, he is being remembered as the consummate journalist. Veteran newsman Walter Cronkite died last night at his home in Manhattan after a long illness. He was 92 years old.
HOLMES: And for decades, he was the face of CBS News. And this morning, former colleagues are remembering Walter Cronkite.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CRONKITE: Good evening from the CBS News Control Center in New York. This is Walter Cronkite reporting.
VOICE OF SUSAN ZIRINSKY, FROMER CRONKIE PRODUCER: In the day when we were all kids, those of us who were starting under Walter, Walter embodied kind of the best of everything and the best you aspire to. There were three networks at that point. And Walter was the most important man. You lived and died by what he said, how he wanted pieces told. You were answerable to Walter. When Walter picked up the phone, you were scared to death. But on the other hand, it was a core value in what we did. And you know, it was a time when one voice mattered.
CRONKITE: From Dallas, Texas, the flash apparently official. President Kennedy died at 1:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. 2:00 Eastern Standard Time, some 38 minutes ago. VOICE OF JOHN ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR: I remember when he took off his glasses, looked at the clock and said President Kennedy died. And you know, that was one of the earliest moments that I can remember that I really wanted to pursue a career in news. I watched Walter all through the days of the Apollo space program and I remember him saying like July 20th, 1969, that man landed on the moon.
CRONKITE: Oh, boy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I do.
CRONKITE: I want to say something, I'm speechless.
ROBERTS: To think he was the most trusted man in America really was, I think, was an understatement. Because at that time, anytime anything ever happened, anytime anything bad ever happened, the world turned to Walter Cronkite, not only for the news, but for reassurance. And he was not just an icon, but he was, you know, almost like a member of your family. And to think that he is gone now is such a sad occasion.
VOICE OF DON HEWITT, CREATOR "60 MINUTES": He was the consummate television news man. He had all the credentials to be a writer, an editor, a broadcaster. There was only one Walter Cronkite and there may never be another one.
Being friends with Walter Cronkite was about as high as you could rise in our business, to be his colleague and his friend was a double blessing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: What an icon.
HOLMES: And taught us all how to do it. No matter, anybody in the business studied Walter Cronkite and what he did at some point. The business has changed so much since he did it. It will never be the same as it was.
There are so many options and things out there. So many channels and whatnot. But he was the - he really was, he was the person who gave the country bad news. Called him Uncle Walter, just like John Roberts was saying he's like a member of the family that everyone turned to.
NGUYEN: And he took us through so many difficult times whether it be the JFK assassination, the assassination of Martin Luther King. Civil rights movement. Vietnam war, Watergate. But I loved the moment especially when he was almost had a boyish joy to him when he saw man step on the moon and he was broadcasting that day.
I want to talk now with Christopher Callahan. He is the founding dean of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University and he joins us by phone.
Sir, if you would just reflect for a minute on Walter Cronkite, the man that you knew.
CHRISTOPHER CALLAHAN, CRONKITE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM: Good morning, Betty and T.J.. Thanks for having me on.
It was a great privilege of my life to have known and worked with Walter Cronkite. He was my idol like many of us, growing up in journalism. He's been my idol since I was a young boy watching those images of the Vietnam war on television at may parents' home. It's a great loss. Also, we are really planning on celebrating Walter's life and his great career.
NGUYEN: And how are you doing that? How are you marking his memory there at the Cronkite school of journalism?
CALLAHAN: Well, we have - we've created a website that we hope he would be proud of. That remembers all of the great things that Walter did in journalism and really the values that he represented, we think, better than anybody else. Also the values of accuracy and objectivity and integrity in journalism.
NGUYEN: And we have heard that time and time again from so many people that have known him and how he was a stickler for the facts. Wanted to make sure it was right, checked it, double checked it. But help us understand for those who are looking back upon Cronkite's life. This is a man who, actually attended the University of Texas in Austin for a couple of years, then he dropped out to pursue journalism full time.
What is his connection to the Arizona State University?
CALLAHAN: Well, originally, and we have been the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State for the past 25 years. And the way it happened and Walter would joked about this all the time. He would say well they were the first to ask. In that typical, you know, if you are the reporter, being there first is an awful lot of it.
Of course, the real story is he has a very, very strong relationship with Tom Chauncey, the late Tom Chauncey, who is owner of the CBS affiliate back in the '80s and his son Tom Chauncey II. And both Tom Chauncey's were supportive of journalism at ASU. And at the time, they were trying to build a national program and of course, what better way to do that than bring in a Walter Cronkite to honor the school.
NGUYEN: No doubt. There's none other like him. Christopher Callahan, thanks so much for spending a little bit of your time with us and reflecting on Walter Cronkite today.
CHO: Thank you.
CALLAHAN: Thank you, Betty.
HOLMES: And many of you this morning are sounding off with your memories of Walter Cronkite. You can continue to send those in to us, iReports, Facebook and twitter, tell us your thoughts this morning. NGUYEN: Also, I want to tell you about this, another body is found after those hotel bombings in Jakarta, bringing the number of those killed to nine.
HOLMES: Also, state media reporting there, evidence in the bombings suggests a well-known Malaysian-born extremist may be involved.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER REPORT)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: A U.S. fighter jet has crashed this morning in eastern Afghanistan. Now the condition of the two-man crew, now that's unknown at this time. But our Ivan Watson is with this. Actually, he's with U.S. Marines in southern Afghanistan, to be exact in the Helmand province.
Ivan, do you know anything more about the crash and what's happened to those two crew members on board?
IVAN WATSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Betty. a military source just confirmed to me that, in fact, the two crew members aboard this F-15 air strike eagle were, in fact, killed this morning in this predawn crash.
An Afghan government official that we spoke with in Kazni province, that's to the south of the Afghan capital he confirmed that this crash did take place in that province about 100 miles west of the town of Gazni, in a area, again before dawn this morning and that coalition forces, NATO forces, then blocked off the area and prevented Afghan police from going in there.
So his police on the ground could not confirm how many people were injured or killed in this accident. We believed this to be - it may have been the first crash of a U.S. military warplane in Afghanistan since the Taliban was overthrown nearly eight years ago. Of course, helicopters have gone down here in the past.
They have been shot down and a cargo plane, at least one has gone down. The U.S. military is telling us that this was not as a result of hostile fire, this accident, Betty. And I just have to conclude that this has been the bloodiest month yet for the foreign troops, the NATO and U.S. troops in Afghanistan since this war began nearly eight years ago. At least 47 people, foreign troops killed in Afghanistan. And the month is far from other. Betty.
NGUYEN: And I just want to repeat, once again, that two crew members aboard that F-15 were killed. We do have confirmation of that just now. Ivan, very quickly though, you say it was not the result of hostile fire. Any idea what caused this plane to go down?
WATSON: I've spoken with an Air Force spokesman out of Qatar and he says it's being investigated. There will be a panel of experts that will look into this. He couldn't say whether or not it was a result of a technical malfunction or at the very difficult climate condition sometimes. It is summer and it's incredibly hot in Afghanistan right now. But that would all be speculation. But he said he was very confident in stating that this was not a result of hostile fire, Betty.
NGUYEN: All right. Ivan Watson joining us live from Afghanistan. The sad news two crew members were killed in that F-15 crash this morning. T.J.
HOLMES: Betty, investigators in Indonesia believed they know who may be behind the deadly bombings at two luxury hotels there. The man they think may be involved is Noordin Top. He was involved in the deadly bombings in Bali in 2002 and 2005. More than 200 people died in those attacks. Police say there are important similarities between those two attacks. All these attacks, back in Bali in '02 and '05 and then the ones we just saw yesterday, the blast here.
You've seen some of the video from the Marriott and the Ritz Carlton. You can see that man highlighted there going through there with that piece of luggage. He gets to a particular area there and then the explosions happen. There are at least nine people, the number just went up to nine, that we know that have been killed. At least six victims confirmed, two others believed to be the suicide bombers and then one person still yet to be identified. Police say there are still again some other possibilities that there could be even more people who have been killed in this thing. So that number of nine could possibly go up.
NGUYEN: Yes, a lot of information surrounding that. A lot of speculation and questions. Well, because there was some talk that maybe even those involved could have even been guests of the hotel.
HOLMES: Yes, they checked in. And that's how they got some of their components in, to maybe put the bombs together there. Another bomb was found on the 18th floor, one of hotels. It was diffused, but still a lot of questions.
NGUYEN: Absolutely. Well, let's talk about this for just a second. Because the NAACP celebrating its 100th birthday this weekend.
HOLMES: Yes. I sat down with the group's new leader Ben Jealous, there he is, to talk about how the NAACP has evolved and where he sees its place in the future.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The state of our schools is not an African-American problem, it is an American problem because if black and brown children cannot compete, then America cannot compete. Let me say this, if Al Sharpton, Mike Bloomberg and Newt Gingrich can agree we need to solve the education problem, then that's something all of America can agree we can solve. Those guys came into my office. Sitting in the Oval Office, I kept on doing a double take.
They might think they have a good jump shot or a pretty good flow, but our kids can all aspire to try to be Lebron or Lil Wayne. I want them aspiring to be scientists and engineers, doctors and teachers, not just ballers and rappers. I want them to aspire to be a Supreme Court justice. I want them aspiring to be the president of the United States of America.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: The words there from the president, Barack Obama, this week with a speech at the NAACP. He was there, the first black president talking to the group on their 100th anniversary. They are celebrating that this year and celebrating with a new and young leader at the helm, Ben Jealous is his name. He's the youngest NAACP president ever. But he's quick to call it like he sees it and find out what he thinks is the role of the NACCP is, and the direction they are going to be going and the direction he's going to take them in when I sat down.
Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BEN JEALOUS, NAACP PRESIDENT: There are a lot of folks who want to say the 20th century is the potential of the NAACP. The reality is that our generation knows in our hearts, as much as we have benefited from the dreams of our ancestors, we're the most murdered generation in our country. The most incarcerated generation in the planet. And when you ask yourself who's going to fight those battles, it's hard to imagine of them being unless the NAACP isn't in full force NAACP. And that's what I'm here to do.
HOLMES (on camera): Why do you think they wanted you? You're a young man from a different era running the oldest civil right organization in the country.
JEALOUS: The person who was youngest before me was very early in the tenure of the NAACP. That was Walter White. He was 38 years old. And he played an integral role in his generation to really embrace the organization, it's mission and build it up and really laid the groundwork that then Roy Wilkins and Ben Hooks built upon.
This is a moment like that. You know this is a pivotal point where we got a generation of people to really buy into the NAACP, really buy into this association, it's vision for human rights and civil rights in this country. And define ourselves as players for as long as it takes.
We don't just fight on an issue for years. We fight for decades, right. The battle of Jim Crowe was, you know, 22 years. To desegregate the military was 30 years. To desegregate corporate America is 40 years and (INAUDIBLE) in the case of Eli Lilly right now. So, you know, and the battle to level the political playing field, we started that really in kind of the mid-1950s. And we are still celebrating victories. I mean, Obama is the first black president. We're almost as excited that Philadelphia and Mississippi just got their first black mayor. So, it's a lot.
HOLMES: What does NAACP expect from President Obama?
JEALOUS: We expect him to fulfill his promise and we also expect me to get back to work. I mean, we are - let's be real clear, a lot of people push to bail out Wall Street and to bailout Main Street, we need to make sure, and we intend to make sure that he also fixes back street. If we get back to where we were a year ago or two years ago, black unemployment was well above 10 percent. This is not acceptable. It's just not acceptable.
HOLMES: How is he doing so far?
JEALOUS: So far, he's going pretty well. But the transition in Washington is slower than a lot of people expected.
HOLMES: How patient is the NAACP going to be?
JEALOUS: We've been patient. And they keep giving us, you know, reason to keep the faith.
HOLMES: A lot of people look and say there's a black president. A black man is in the White House. How in the world can you say a black person can't make it? Obviously, black people can make it if you can make it to the White House.
JEALOUS: You know, I actually grew up in one of those families, like most black families where we were told at the end of the day, we didn't have an excuse. And so when you look right now at the situation, yes, you have to say, you know, no excuses. You have to push it as hard as you can.
Because you also the same breath, have to say, no excuses for not fighting the fight on behalf of all your brothers and sisters, on behalf of your cousins, on behalf of the family that's not doing as well that you're privilege. Don't think for a second and when you succeed you did it by yourself or your success is yours alone or that success doesn't come with the responsibility to make the way for others.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: All right. We have a must see CNN event we want to tell you about. Our special correspondent Soledad O'Brien will examine what it really means to be "Black in America." This is "Black in America 2" now we're going to show you. It premiers just a few days from now the 22nd and 23rd, 8:00 right here on CNN.
NGUYEN: Well, today, we are saying happy birthday to a president, Nobel peace prize laureate, global statesman, talking about Nelson Mandela. He turns 91 today. After 27 years in prison, Mr. Mandela became South Africa's first democratically president. The first Mandela day will also be celebrated today in New York. Organizers promote a message of helping others. And that is something that that man has indeed done throughout his lifetime. Look at him. 91 years old. HOLMES: He still looks pretty good.
NGUYEN: He does.
HOLMES: He looks great.
NGUYEN: And he has lived quite a life. I remember being in Africa a couple of years ago and going to an event where he was. And he just commanded a room. And even you know, he was like 88, 89 back then. 91 today. Happy birthday Nelson Mandela.
HOLMES: He looks great.
Stay with us this morning. Coming up in our 10:00 our, we are going to be talking about Walter Cronkite, of course. And we'll talk about the man few people knew.
NGUYEN: Absolutely. We're going to hear from insiders at CBS News about what he was like behind the camera.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Live pictures from outer space today. We are expecting to see a space walk at noon Eastern time. And, of course, when that happens, we'll bring it straight to you. We have been watching this all morning long from seeing the shuttle from a distance as it went across the earth. You can see the clouds below to this shot right now. They are getting ready preparing for that space walk ahead today. A lot going up, or going on in space.
HOLMES: Yes. It's always exciting stuff to see the space walks. So we hope we will see that around noontime. So stay with us. We'll be back at the top of the hour with more live news for you.
But right now, we're going to hand this thing over to Gerri Willis and "Your Bottom Line."
We'll see you soon.
