Morning Buzz
Good Morning folks...Iraq, Petraeus and politics collide this morning....As 4 U.S. soldiers were killed in Iraq General David H Petraeus takes center stage on the hill today and guess who will be peppering him with questions? Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain... Stay tuned to CNN for all the drama...
In Raw Politics this morning...Bill Clinton is dominating the headlines. While he campaigns in Puerto Rico, the money he made for speaking engagements is being scrutinized back home. AND upon his departure from the Clinton campaign strategist Mark Penn left a whopping bill...a $2.5 million dollar bill... Yikes!!!
AND authorities announced they removed 401children from the polygamous compound in Texas. 401 CHILDREN!!! David Mattingly will be live from the compound again tonight for AC360... Sooo grab your coffee and lets get right to today's headlines....
Top Stories
Iraq takes center stage today...
The emotional debate over the war will once again dominate presidential politics when all three candidates have opportunities to question the top U.S. general in Iraq during congressional hearings Tuesday.
Congress to hear of gains in Iraq...
In a reprise of their testimony last September, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan C. Crockerplan to tell Congress today and tomorrow that security has improved in Iraq and that the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has taken steps toward political reconciliation and economic stability.Soldiers on the ground give mixed assessment...
Behind the recitation of facts and figures by Gen. David H. Petraeus in Capitol Hill testimony beginning today, the fluctuating moods and emotions of U.S. troops here are much harder to gauge.
4 US Soldiers killed in Iraq...
Four U.S. soldiers were killed in Baghdad, Iraq, on Monday in three incidents, according to the U.S. military.
Crackdown on militias...
A crackdown on the Mahdi Army militia is creating potentially destabilizing political and military tensions in Iraq, pitting a stronger government alliance against the force that has won past showdowns: the street power wielded by the radical cleric Moktada al-Sadr.
IOC will consider stopping torch relay...
The IOC will consider scrapping the international leg of the Beijing Olympic torch relay as a result of the anti-Chinese protests.
Iran expands uraniumenrichment program...
Iran has begun installing 6,000 new centrifuges at its uranium enrichment plant in Natanz, state television quoted President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as saying Tuesday.
Raw Politics
Ex-president fees under microscope...
When London socialite Renu Mehta sought to urge Britain's super-rich to give more to charity, she threw a fundraising dinner headlined by former President Bill Clinton, who has used his global star power to encourage large-scale philanthropy that stresses accountability.
Bill Clinton ion Puerto Rico...
The four sound trucks filed onto potholed streets at 8 o'clock Monday morning, weighed down by the 800-pound speakers rigged to their roofs. They drove past the pineapple plantations, past the black-sand beaches, past the multicolored tiendas downtown.
Clinton owes Penn $$$...
The latest campaign-finance reports show that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign owes about $2.5 million to the firm of Mark J. Penn, who quit as chief strategist after embarrassing the campaign and left a leadership shake-up in his wake.
Obama's young backers twist arms...
The daily phone calls. The midnight e-mail. And, when college lets out, those dinner table declamations? Oh, please.
Is Hillary's hospital story true?
The New York Times had a real attention-grabbing story over the weekend indicating that Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, had been irritating an Ohio hospital by telling a false story about a poor, pregnant woman denied health care.McCain's ties with Arizona black strained...
Oscar Tillman heads the Phoenix area branch of the NAACP and is a former statewide president of the group. He has been a leader of Arizona’s small, tight-knit African-American community for decades.
Keeping Them Honest
Simpson owes $$$...
The state of California has a tax bill it would like to discuss with O.J. Simpson.
Bottom line for nursing homes...
California nursing homes bolstered their bottom lines with much of the $590 million that state lawmakers provided them to better tend to the poor, while patient care declined by several key measures, according to a study to be released today.
Challenges arise for border fence...
Securing the nation’s borders is so important, Congress says, that Michael Chertoff, the homeland security secretary, must have the power to ignore any laws that stand in the way of building a border fence. Any laws at all.
Toxic fears extend beyond trailers...
When Shelly Higdon went camping in her new 27-foot trailer, she didn't expect to get a headache and sore throat or lose her voice, or her 8-year-old son to get a nosebleed.
Crime & Punishment
401 children removed from Texas compound...
Authorities said Monday they have taken legal custody of 401 children who lived on an isolated West Texas polygamist retreat built by imprisoned "prophet" Warren Jeffs.
AC360 follow
New job for FAA official...
A Federal Aviation Administration official who was criticized last week for the agency’s handling of missed inspections at Southwest Airlines has been reassigned, an agency spokeswoman said Monday.
What YOU will be talking about TODAY
Kansas wins NCAA...
Memphis kept missing. Mario Chalmers wasn't about to. Chalmers' 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds left in regulation put the game in overtime, and Kansas pulled away to a 75-68 victory on Monday night for its first national championship since Danny and the Miracles 20 years ago.
Runaway bus...
Rolling downhill in a bus with his screaming classmates and no driver, a fast-acting 11-year-old jumped behind the wheel Monday and steered the bus into a pillar, stopping it from careening out of control.
I know that Hillary was just on Ellen claiming to support civil unions. Barack does the same. I am in North Carolina and I know that the military is a big deal here. If they pass civil unions, where does that leave dont ask dont tell? Will we have the same rights in the military? It is a big question that may swing my vote. I would love it if you would keep them honest about this!
Where is Anderson
Ms. Brown: Shame on you and your producers. In your reporting tonight (4/8), you devoted no more than 20 seconds, if that much, to Pres. Bush's awarding the Medal of Honor (not the "Congressional Medal of Honor"- do your homework!) to Petty Officer Michael Monsoor, Navy SEAL. A brief shot of the President and an even briefer photo of the awardee. No mention of his sacrifice earning his country's greatest military honor, his previous Silver Star, his life prior to his military service; his goals and aspirations, etc. But the sex of a deranged polygamist religious sect gets a major portion of your news reporting. Where are CNN's priorities?! Shame!
The liberal media and especially CNN absolutely amazes me. Once the staunch defender of all things Clinton CNN has now turned its guns on Hillary – even going over Bill's tax returnes with a fine toothed comb.
If CNN were a newspaper they would have made an endorsement of Obama by now – instead it is subtle (they think) but to the casual viewer its really obvious.
I expect Anderson Cooper has a very special relationship with Obama.
There is certainly nothing "fair and balanced" about CNN's day to day reporting. They have already started their medical and age "subtle" attacks on McCain – with ness Dr. Gupta's story on the scars on McCain's face from hsi skin cancer of years ago.
Anything to subtly inject negatives on McCain. This is only the beginning for the creeps who run CNN.
Well so far McCain asked questions where Clinton made a speach. I don't think that was very appropriate for this sort of venue. This is question and answer time and not "hey look at me".
The interview with Petraeus might be interesting, however McCain should really tone down on the military mentality he has. I know that he was a star soldier in Hanoi, and a 2x decorated soldier at that, but it really is time to realize that there just is no winning whatever discombobulation Bush has gotten us into over there.
Obama should be in a powder flower power commercial with all his "last best hope on Earth" junk. The words may sound inspiring, but they are empty. Additionally, they say the same thing that McCain is saying in a more "powder puff flowery" manner, and that is, "We can save the world and bring it out of chaos".
Well I have a news flash...we can't save the world. We can't even protect and regulate our own borders or regulate our banking institutions well enough to keep our economy afloat. Our image is tumbling fast, and to add insult to injury one of our strongest business allies, China (who own most of our country now, by the way), is getting a severe beating over Tibet.
While I have many negative feelings about Clinton, I still feel she is the balance between both Obama and McCain, and absent her, I would vote for McCain because Obama is just too far in the clouds for me.
I don't understand. Why don't the presidential canidates visit with Iraq before they are elected? Not one of them has even mentioned trying to meet with the Iraq leader or leaderS. Money should not be an issue.
Please try to bring a U-tube like debate back. I'll not vote for someone I can't ask a simple question. The Presidential canidates are not up to par at all. Ordinary people can't get a say in this election?
Nobody seems to be asking the questions I want answered. Do people not really care about this country? Someone will be president in November and it won't be George.
Iraq: Patraues is a brilliant man & a great Greneral. He will walk a fine line. Now it is time for another "Dog & Pony" show. It is all an eye wash for public. Don't waste any more time in Iraq. Get out asap. Iraqi's need to find a solution for themselves.
Hillary: Hillary likes "Hot Fudge Sundes". Her story about a patient & the hospital is another (unsubstantiated story) like the brazing bullets. She is not intentionally lying about it, it comes very natural to her, it is a sympathetic heart beat of Bill Clinton. Look her smart she is. Stayed with Bill, got 109 million dollors richer, became a senator, could very well be the President & she is upbeat and happy. What more anybody can ask for. Silda Spitzer should seek Hillary's friendship & guidence.
California
Any kind of publicity given to the murderer of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman is too much. He is a despicable human being and doesn't warrant any public attention at all. He just keeps getting anyway with every bad thing he does. Eventually he will get his just desserts when he meets his maker!
Looking forward to watching AC/360 tonight. I missed you as anchor last night. Welcome this evening, Anderson. You always do a good job.
France produces most of it's needs for power from nuclear power plants. Though the USA makes fun of France, France is way ahead of the game when it comes to taking care of it's needs energy wise.
The USA cannot stop other countries from trying to produce their own power to take care of themselves and their energy needs.
Is this about the nuclear bomb or the energy companies lobbying power here in the USA?
There is no possibility that the USA will intervene in any way with what is happening in Tibet, or as far as boycotting the Olympics. We can't make the Chinese mad............who would the USA borrow money from? We have become an addict. The Chinese money is our drug.
Just a few comments about todays news, 1. General Petreus will be telling us what we already know, Troop surge working, Iraqi government not! Thank you Captain obvious, now can you say that in 2 minutes so our elected officials can get back to work. 2. Another nut case here in the bible belt got people to believe that he was Jesus to support his oppressive demented perversions. Once again thank you Captian Obvious, this is the same country who aired a story about fish sticks being fused into a cross by hot oil and it must have been a sign from the Almighty! 3. O.J. owes taxes, uh yeah, he owes his kids, attorney fees, The Goldman family etc, why he is still relevant, I have no idea, and again thank you Captian Obvoius. And my last point, politics. Hillary mispoke again! Wow, really? How is Bill rasing any money in Puerto Rico, I thought they were still mad at him for pardoning convicted terrorist who let off a few bombs there in Puerto Rico. And yes Hillary supported him, well, until she needed the Puerto Rican vote when she ran for Senator. Hey Mr. Obama, tell your people that we (sane Americans) hate telemarketers, run a few commercials but please stop with the evening calls, we know the election is coming up in PA and IN, most of us do have a T.V.! And last, African Americans are upset with McCain. Really? I thought not supporting MLK's B-Day would be okay. Who would have thought by standing on the very spot where MLK died and say "better late than never" (I know I am paraphrasing) would offend almost an entire race. Dont worry Johnny boy, you dont need them anyway, there are 401 set of parents with nothing to do now here in Texas since they have been exposed for being horrible parents. You can brainwash them into voting for you. Don't seem to be that hard to do.
Question – Why is the US not brokering a deal with "Oil Rich Iraq" to nail down reduced rate crude barrels for the next ten years to repay their debt to us for our involvement in the restructure of their country. Ten years at $50.00 a barrel would restart our economy in the right direction and allow us to do the proper research for altrnative fuel sources.
Erica and Campbell both did good last night. Well AC should be on tonight. The show sounds interesting.
I missed you on AC/360 last night. Cambell was good, only she is not Anderson Cooper. Hope you will be on tonight. I'll stay tuned at 10pm tonight.
Autism was all the rage last week. What happened to the topic? Is anything else going on medically, politically, nutritionally, educationally...? I am sure there are many parents, like myself, that would love to see this topic covered more and more.