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CNN Saturday Morning News

13 U.S. Troops Killed In Kabul Afghanistan By Suicide Bomber; Heavy Snow Headed for Northeast; RNC Boss Rejects Notion of Divided GOP; Cain Campaign Getting Attention; CNN's Hero of the Year to be Chosen; Statue of Liberty Celebrates 125th Birthday

Aired October 29, 2011 - 09:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

ALINA CHO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning everybody, it is 9:00 a.m. on the East Coast, 6:00 a.m. in the west. Welcome to CNN SATURDAY MORNING. I'm Alina Cho.

And we start with breaking news out of Afghanistan. We have just learned that a suicide bomb attack in Kabul has killed at least 13 American troops.

The suicide bomber targeted a NATO convoy. It happened in the center of Afghanistan's capitol city and that's where we find our Nick Paton Walsh with the very latest.

Hey, Nick, what can you tell us about this?

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Alina, seconds ago, NATO has just confirmed to me that 13 American soldiers were killed in this suicide bomb strike that hit a convoy driving through very much the center of Kabul here.

It appears a car carrying a large number of explosives hit this convoy, 13, as I say, military personnel, according to initial reports at this stage, seem to have been killed in this explosion, making it one of the worst attacks against NATO personnel here for quite some time -- Alina.

CHO: And, Nick, this is one of several attacks that have struck Kabul. Tell us about the rest of them.

WALSH: Well, over the past few months, Kabul has ostensibly seemed to get less and less safe. It was the secure zone of the country for quite some time but there have been attacks against the U.S. Embassy and other key installations here. Taliban is trying to remind people living in this city that they're not as safe as they were, perhaps, in their argument years ago.

But, today, we've also seen another instance in the south of the country, an area called (inaudible) near Kandahar in which it appears that two ISAF service members were killed by man in Afghan Army uniform who turned his weapon against them.

Now, we understand from an Afghan Army commander there that the two dead are Australians, ISAF not confirming that at this point but there are also seven injured, the motivation of this gunman not entirely clear at this point -- Alina.

CHO: And, Nick, you know, as you mentioned, it hadn't been like this and it seems like there's been a rationing up of attacks of late. Is there any indication of why this may be happening?

WALSH: Well, I think the Taliban, many argue, are keen to show in this winter period that they remain active, that they're not broken, that they're not less in control of areas of the countries as NATO have often tried to suggest. Violence has, according to the U.N., worsened over the past year or so.

But, I think the important point to bear in mind is what's coming in the month ahead. There are important free conferences happening internationally and here in Afghanistan about shaping the next year here, about discussing America's presence, about the partial withdrawal of American troops here next summer and many are concerned this escalating violence is all about trying to shape how people see that political process -- Alina.

CHO: Nick Paton Walsh live for us in Kabul with that update. Nick, I know you'll be following this for us so we'll check in with you later. Thank you.

I want to move to that frightening weather picture in the northeast. People there are getting ready for a major snow storm and it's happening before Halloween. Here's a look at New York City right now. The city is preparing for an unusually early snow, just a little rain right now but the snow will start falling, 3 to 5 inches, and they aren't alone.

Snow is expected from Baltimore up to Boston. Here's what the radar looks right now. You see the white there? That's snow falling right now. One of the biggest problems, potential power outages. Heavy snow could leave around a million people without electricity.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MITCH GROSS, CONNECTICUT LIGHT AND POWER: The trees, still plenty of leaves on them. You have forecasters saying heavy wet snow, high winds, those are all the -- the -- the perfect ingredients for potentially a large problem with the electric grid.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHO: All right, it's about four minutes past the hour. I want to check in with Alexandra Steele with the latest on that big snow storm heading toward the northeast. I mean, as I've been saying, hard to get your head wrapped around this idea but it's happening.

ALEXANDRA STEELE, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, you know why you can't get your head wrapped around it because this area of low pressure is what's wrapping around it and causing the wind, which the greatest winds will be along the coast.

So, where did this come from? Well, it's rare but it's not unprecedented in places like Boston and New York and Philadelphia. But, it's about a month and a half earlier than we usually have these kind of nor'easters so usually they are in the middle of December. That's the average snow in these areas.

So, let's show you what we've got and where this came from. Here's the area of low pressure. Now this area of low pressure has really quite a history of snow. Only the last few days they had snow in Texas courtesy of it. Before that, it was snow in Denver and Colorado because of it.

So, it's had a lot of juice, it's had a lot of energy and now we're going to see it even pick up strength and what we call kind of bomb out. The surface pressure will certainly go down and we're going to see the winds kick up and some colder air come down. Thus, bringing in the snow total.

So, of course we're going to see some snow north and west of the biggest cities and substantial snow at that. Look at these numbers. Twelve inches, over a foot in Allentown. This is central Pennsylvania. Even look at New York. We will see maybe 4 to 6 inches north and west of the city as well.

But, look at the mountains, whether in the Hudson Valley of New York or the Berkshires of Massachusetts. This is where the foot -- the heaviest snow right around here in this kind of quadrant, from Springfield, Massachusetts, to Hartford, Connecticut, to Litchfield Hills, the Hudson Valley, Kingston, Poughkeepsie, north to Albany. That's where the heaviest snow will be.

But, the good news, it's a quick hitter, just in today, it'll be out tomorrow and then Boston will have some snow tomorrow but it will be very heavy wet snow. So, New York City, if you're watching us, good morning to you. Here's what you've got. Rain and wind today. That rain will mix with some snow this evening, taper off, and then 2 to 4 inches will be your total when all is said and done and that will be tomorrow.

In Boston, rain and wind. It will turn to snow tonight and then you will have a bit of a snowy morning because it's really north and east so that will be the last place to kind of wind this down tomorrow morning and your forecast, two to four inches.

So, again, rare yes, unprecedented no. Again, just a few times in the last couple of hundred years have we had it and New York City it will be 59 years since we've had this kind of measurable snow in October.

CHO: Amazing.

STEELE: Yes.

CHO: I'm glad I'm here in Atlanta where it's warmer instead of home in New York.

STEEL: That's right.

CHO: Alexandra, thank you so much. Also in the path of the Occupy Wall Street protestors, they are camped out in parks in New York and elsewhere.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(CHANTING)

CHO: Protestors are vowing to ride out the storm and stay put no matter what the weather brings. Here's how Michael Moore described it to our Anderson Cooper last night.

MICHAEL MOORE, FILMMAKER: The snow in the winter is not going to stop the collective anger of tens of millions of Americans who have suffered as a result of the economic policies of corporate America. If you think a little bit of snow or cold weather -- I mean, I -- I think it will only harden people's resolve.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHO: One big problem facing the Occupy Wall Street demonstrators is the fact that police have removed power generators they said were unsafe. Some of the protestors are questioning the timing of the order with the cold weather on the way.

Good morning, we're following breaking news out of Afghanistan. A suicide bomber has killed at least 13 U.S. troops in Kabul. Also, this morning in politics, Herman Cain's unconventional campaign is getting folks to take a closer look and it's not just the hat (inaudible) after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHO: Welcome back, 10 minutes after the hour, and now to politics and the crowded GOP field.

The chairman of the Republican National Committee is rejecting the notion that the GOP is just too divided to settle on a presidential candidate.

In fact, on CNN's "ERIN BURNETT OUTFRONT," Reince Priebus said he isn't worried about the split between party moderates and supporters of the Tea Party.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERIN BURNETT, HOST, CNN'S "OUTFRONT": Does that worry you when it comes to a national election where your party's split in half?

REINCE PRIEBUS, CHAIRMAN, REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE: No, it doesn't because I think, you know, and I agree with Sal. I -- I don't think anything is split at all. I mean, you have a party here that has multiple candidates running for president and you're going to have some people supporting one over the other.

That doesn't mean there isn't complete unanimity in the fact that we need to save this country from a president who seems to have a love affair with the man in the mirror and the sound of his own voice, without actually following through with any promises. So, while we may be picking our horse, so to speak, and having a debate amongst each other, certainly, we're going to have a uniform and a -- and a direction in this party that is in one direction, which is to put a Republican in the White House.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHO: He cited the Democrats the party that was bitterly divided between the 2008 campaign but went on to win the election.

Well, Herman Cain says he's in it to win it but political analysts say he has a strange way of going about it. Still, his unconventional style is getting a lot of attention.

Our CNN's Jim Acosta reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HERMAN CAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Let Herman be Herman.

JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: For a growing number of Republicans it's all aboard the Cain Train, even if the conductor doesn't keep track of all the stops.

CAIN: I don't even know where we left last night.

(LAUGHTER)

CAIN: Where were we?

UNKNOWN: Arkansas.

CAIN: Arkansas.

ACOSTA: On this day, Cain campaigned in Alabama, the state that doesn't hold its primary until March 13th. This month, Cain also visited Kansas, Ohio, and Texas, leaving less time for early voting states like New Hampshire, Iowa, and South Carolina. Sound crazy?

LARRY SABATO, UVA CENTER FOR POLITICS: He's either crazy like a fox or he's crazy but it doesn't matter because it's working.

ACOSTA: Cain has devoted part of his campaign to promoting his new book. He admits he's heard from one supporter who questioned his seriousness.

CAIN: He said, there's talk that you're not in this to win it. I said, then they don't know me. And he said, well then I'm going to send you some money. I said now you're talking.

ACOSTA: Cain's campaign says it's all about building name recognition. Take those web videos like this one featuring whiskey drinking cowboys punching out liberals or the infamous spot starring his cigarette puffing campaign manager, all the better when that slow Cain smile shows up on the Colbert Report. Aides say it's all for a good cause. SABATO: If you look at the other candidates, I don't think any of them could pull it off.

ACOSTA: Even Newt Gingrich says you've got to hand it to the guy.

NEWT GINGRICH, FORMER SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE/PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You've got to admit, Herman's strategy so far has made him the frontrunner so I'm not going to second guess him.

ACOSTA: Truth be told, Cain is no political novice. He ran briefly for president in 2000 and unsuccessfully for the Senate in Georgia in 2004.

CAIN: Scrap the tax code and shut down the IRS. Replace it with a new tax system that's fair and simple.

ACOSTA: Sound familiar?

CAIN: 9-9-9 plan. 9-9-9.

ACOSTA: With Cain a near frontrunner, he is getting more scrutiny. As for that smoking campaign manager, Mark Block, it turns out Block paid a $15,000 settlement with the Wisconsin State Elections Board in 2001 after he was accused of improper campaign fundraising. For now, it appears Block is staying on the Cain Train.

CAIN: We also have a Chief of Staff by the name of Mark Block and we say let Block be Block.

ACOSTA: Block told CNN Cain has raised more than $3 million just this month. The Cain Train can now use that money to build a more conventional campaign if that's what he wants.

Jim Acosta, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHO: We are following breaking news here at CNN, 13 U.S. troops have been killed in a suicide bomb attack on a NATO convoy in Kabul, Afghanistan. We are working our sources here at CNN and we'll have a live report at the bottom of the hour. We're back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHO: We are following breaking news out of Afghanistan this morning, 13 American troops are dead after a suicide bomb attack in the center of Kabul. The bomber targeted a NATO convoy traveling through the capitol city.

An armored bus carrying U.S. troops was in that convoy. U.S. officials say details are continuing to unfold right now. It is the largest single day loss of life for U.S. troops in Afghanistan since August.

Checking stories making news across the country. A coast guard ship pulled into a Florida harbor with 7 tons of extra cargo on board. It was cocaine found in a self-propelled sub off the coast of Honduras. The street value, about $180 million. Officials say it's the third such vessel they've intercepted since July.

It took firefighters in Orange County, California, about 90 minutes to free that man who was stuck in a tree. Deputies found him in a hollowed out trunk after hearing his screams for help. Officials say he climbed into a narrow hole near the base of the tree and managed to get his arms and head out. They say don't know what he was doing there.

And a beagle mix in New Jersey has a second shot at life. Daniel was scheduled to be euthanized with 17 other dogs but when the workers opened the door he was just standing there wagging his tail. He is now at a shelter waiting for the chance to be adopted.

Well, it's time now to vote for CNN's hero of the year. Our Josh Levs will join us after the break to tell us about some of the amazing honorees and how you can vote, when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHO: Welcome back.

Don't say New Yorkers don't know how to throw a party. Take a look at that right there. That's Lady Liberty, 125 years old. It's raining and nasty in New York as they get ready to welcome a nor'easter in October but this was the scene last night. Take a look at those fireworks. Boy, they know how to do it right in New York, don't they?

The statue was a gift from France way back in 1886. Now, beyond last night's fireworks, Lady Liberty also got new state of the art webcams installed in her torch providing cool views of New York Harbor. They're calling it Torchcam.

Well, they are some of the most inspirational people in the world working against the odds to help those in need. And, now, you can vote for your CNN hero of the year. Our Josh Levs is here to show us how. Hey, Josh, good morning.

JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: All right, good morning to you again Alina. They really do have amazing stories. The ten honorees this year helping people struggling to pay for necessities, children living in hunger, kids affected by HIV and many other people in need, here's one of them.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TARYN DAVIS: I'm Taryn Davis and I invite a new generation of military widows to share their love, their sacrifice, and their survival.

UNKNOWN: Follow me guys.

DAVIS: It's (inaudible) because they step outside of that comfort zone. LEVS: (inaudible) every time I pop in on the air I'll show you a different one of our ten and I'll tell you, you can learn about all ten of our CNN heroes this year by going to CNNheroes.com right here. It gives you all their stories, it gives you a whole bunch of information. Each person who is named one of these ten gets $50,000 and the CNN hero of the year chosen entirely by you will get $250,000.

Let me show you some things on the screen here. I want to show you how to get some more information about them. When you get here, if you scroll down, what you can do is click on any one of them and each one has a fan page. I've opened up one as an example. This one right here is Robin Lim. She and her team in Indonesia have helped thousands of low income families, women in particularly, have healthy pregnancies and births.

So, spend some time, learn about the ten and after you've done that click on the vote tab and here is how it works. You decide who among the ten you want to be the CNN hero of the year. You just click that person and then you fill -- it fills in the box automatically right there. I would do it but I don't want to place a vote.

So, you'll figure it out from there. You tell it your e-mail or you tell it your Facebook information and then you can share your vote with everyone else out on social media. Also, this year, you can do all of it on your mobile devices as well. It's up to ten times a day so the sooner you start the more votes you'll get and, Alina, those votes are starting to come in.

CHO: All right, so the show is going to be on December 11th.

LEVS: That's right.

CHO: So, what's the deadline. How -- how long do people have to vote.

LEVS: Just a few days earlier. I can tell you all exactly now. The deadline is December 7th at midnight Pacific time and, as Alina said, the announcement will be taking place at CNN Heroes, an All Start Tribute. That will be Sunday, December 11th, at 8 p.m. eastern, 5 p.m. Pacific, right here on CNN -- Alina.

CHO: All right, Josh, thank you very much.

LEVS: You got it, thanks.

CHO: We are watching breaking news out of Afghanistan, 13 U.S. troops killed in a suicide bomb attack this morning in Kabul. We are there live with the very latest from the Afghan (inaudible) -- Afghan capital rather.

You're watching CNN SATURDAY MORNING. We're back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHO: And we begin with breaking news out of Afghanistan. We have just learned that a suicide attack in Kabul has killed at least 13 American troops. That bomber targeted a NATO convoy in the center of Afghan's capitol city.

Our Nick Paton Walsh has more from Kabul -- Nick.

WALSH: ISAF are confirming that 13 NATO service members died in this attack, not specifying the nationality but CNN's Barbara Starr at the Pentagon is able to confirm, according to U.S. officials, that initial reports suggest all 13 of these people were Americans. Obviously, a huge loss for the U.S. here. Attack on a convoy by a suicide bomber driving a car, we understand.

Police chief saying this was a red Corolla that seemed to be laden with explosives, obviously a massive blast, to try and penetrate the kind of armored vehicle these Americans would be traveling in and this happening in what should be one of the more secure parts of the Afghan capital -- Alina.

CHO: Nick, this is the deadliest attack on U.S. troops since August when a helicopter crash killed 38 people including 22 Navy SEALS. Now, having said that, there have been several other attacks today in Afghanistan including a female suicide bomber who targeted the nation's intelligence agency?

WALSH: Absolutely a troubling flurry of violence here in the last day, frankly. In Kunar in the northeast a woman wearing a burqa, said to be 25, detonated a bomb she was carrying outside the Afghan Intelligence Services injuring some people but, also, more troubling, in the south of the country near Kandahar two ISAF soldiers apparently shot dead by a man wearing an Afghan Army uniform who, apparently, these ISAF service members were training. This altercation leaving these two people dead.

We hear from an Afghan Army commander there that they were Australians and seven other people apparently injured as well. So, a very bad day for NATO indeed here -- Alina.

CHO: Nick Paton Walsh, we will talk to you at the top of the hour. Thank you very much.

We are on top of all of the latest developments from Afghanistan. We are also watching that October nor'easter. We'll tell you where that's headed.

I'm Alina Cho. I'll be back at 10 a.m. Eastern time. "YOUR BOTTOM LINE" starts right now.