i have a question for you, jeanne, from bob in california. he says america elected a democrat majority to congress and the white house. how in blazes, he writes, did he end up with a subcommittee of equal representation by the minority? >> well, i think that in the senate, they have 60 votes, but it's an illusion nature number. even the democrats are not united around one plan. so that's part of it. they had to come up with a compromise that was going to appeal to the broadest number of democrats and hopefully some republicans as well. and those moderate republicans who are in the negotiations in many ways represent the voices of the conservative democrats who are not in the room. in addition, the white house from the beginning said they did want a bipartisan plan. if possible, they wanted to see that created. and so it was a goal to try to work with the republicans. three stepped forward, and i don't think max baucus was prepared to walk away from those three until it's certain they can't come to terms because baucus would like to have repub

jeanne, i want you to go first. if you had to explain american politics on august 4th, 19 -- i keep getting that wrong, 20, 2009, what would you say is going on in all these crazy meetings. we will show some of the "b" roll of these meetings in texas and long island. pennsylvania. everywhere a congressperson holds a meeting, apparently, these people show up, well-dressed, middle-class people in pinks and limes, if you will. who are they? they have been called the brooks brothers brigade. who are these people? >> they are conservatives who are being organized by several different republican organizations. one of them is an organization committed to defeat health care. they're running on their site every list of town hall meetings they can find and encouraging people to show up. the republican house committee is also urging and organizing people to go out to these town hall meetings and basically create a fuss that can then go viral on the web and make it appear as though there's a great deal of opposition to the pres

i have a questn for you, jeanne, from b in clifornia. he say america electeda democrat majority to congress and e white house. how in bazes, he rites, did he end up with a subcommittee of equal rpresentation by th minority? >> well i thin that in the senatethey have 60 votes, but it's an illusion nature nmber. even the demcrats are not united around onelan. so that's part of it. th had to come up wit a compromise th was going to appeal to the broadest nber of democrats and hopefly some republicans as wl. and those oderate republicans who are in the negotiations i many ways represt the vices of the conservive democrats who are not in te room. in addion, the white house from the beginng said they dd want a biprtisan plan. if possible,they wante to se that creat. and so itas a goal to try to wo with the republicans. three stepped forward, and i don't think max baucus was prared to walk away from those three until it's rtain they can't me to terms because baucus would lik to hav republican vote onboard. gwen: we have a lo of questions abt th

jeanne, how much of this is going on and how effective is it? >> it has been pretty effective so far, and it amazes me that the democrats and white house were not ready for it. this is the opponents' best opportunity to water down the bill or kill it, and they are seizing the moment, and they are pretty effective at it so far. these things have gone viral on the internet. everybody is aware of them. it has conservatives charged up and ready to go. there is a risk of backlash. there are people who have real concerns about the health care plan that do want to gut it out -- that you want to go town hall meetings but do not want to yell the congressmen either. those conversations are being disrupted. >> mark, and none of this is illegal. >> no, but jeanne put her finger on it. the downside is that if it appears thuggish, shouting down so that other people, residents of the congressional district, to not get a chance, and they are causing people in, that is a problem. that does not mask the fact that there are real concerns. the resistance is stronge

thank you jeanne cummings. coming up next, we have two u.s. senators to talk about senator barbara boxer and judd gregg of new hampshire will be here to talk about the culture war that seems to have permeated in the health care issue. you're watching "hardball" only on msnbc. ayweather has the fastest hands boxing has ever seen. so i've come to this ring to see who's faster... on the internet. i'll be using the 3g at&t laptopconnect card. he won't. so i can browse the web faster, email business plans faster. all on the go. i'm bill kurtis and i'm faster than floyd mayweather. (announcer) switch to the nation's fastest 3g network and get the at&t laptopconnect card for free. >>> coming up, a clash in the keystone state. u.s. congressman joe sestak announces today he's challenging arlen specter in the democratic primary for the right to face pat toomey in the general election. all three candidates are coming here tonight to "hardball." it's the "hardball" primary. it comes back in just a minute. you could buy 300 bottles of water. or just one br

jeanne, what do you have?ration has been informally notified that one of the lockerbie bombers will be released by authorities. the u.s. government will not be happy. 270 people died when pan-am flight 103 went down over lockerbie, scotland, in 1988. only one man was convicted of that crime, libyan abdel basset el megrahi. he is now 57, suffering of terminal cancer and scottish officials notified the u.s. that he will be released on compassionate grounds, according to senior state officials. the brother of one lockerbie victim is deeply disappointed. >> this is a bitter moment in this 21-year odyssey. >> reporter: the u.s. has been outspoken in opposing el megrahi's release. secretary of state hillary clinton underlined the u.s. view on tuesday. >> i think it is absolutely wrong to release someone who has been in prison based on the evidence about his involvement in such a horrendous crime. we are still encouraging the scottish authorities not to do so and hope that they will not. >> reporter: some relatives o

. >> sir james and lady jeanne galway, their names may sound like royalty, but this knighted flutistnd his wife are anything but stuffy! they were kind enough to answer your questions. >> reporter: hi, sir james, my name's gabe, a fellow flute player. tell me how you got started playing the flute? >> well, i learned the flute as a little boy with my uncle and then i went to london, went to school in london to a royal college. then i went to paris conservatory to where i came back and got myself a job. that's how it all started. >> hi, lady jeanne, my name is jacob and i'm wondering - what is your favorite thing about playing the flute? >> the thing i love about the flute is the sound of the flute and my favorite thing is uh, just being able to play it everyday. >> hi, my name is gordon and i'd like to ask if either of you ever get stage fright while you're performing? >> i don't get nervous. i actually never did because i, i was always very well-prepared to do things. i never turned up unprepared. and being unprepared makes you nervous i think, for anything. >> hi, my name's eliza an

jeanne, how much of this is gog on and howffective is ? >> pretty efftive so far, d it amas me that the democrats and white house re not ready r it. this ithe opponents' best opportunity water down the bill or kill it, and the are seizing the moment and they are affectedt it so far. these have gone a viral on the internet and everybody is awe of them. as conservaves charged up and ready to go. there is a risk of a backlash. there are people with real concerns abo the health care plan tt want to go toown hall meetings and ask hard questions but not want to yell at the congressmen, either. those conveations are being disrupted. >> mark, none of this is illegal. >> no, b jeanne put your fier on it. the downside of the protest is it appears the thuggh, that they are shuing down so that other people, citizens, especially those who are residents of the district, don't get a chance, and they are bussing people in. that does not maskhe fact that there are real concerns. i thk the resistance is at strongest among thos who he health iurance. i think

jeanne, how much of this is going on and how effective is it? >> it has been effective so far, and it amazes me that the white house and the democrats were not ready for it. this the opponent's best opportunity to either water down the bill to kill it. they are seizing the moment. they are pretty effective at it so far. these things have gone a viral on the internet. everybody is aware of them. it has conservatives charge up and ready to go. there's a risk a backlash. there are people who have real concerns about the health care plan that do want to go to town hall meetings, ask hard questions, but don't want to yell at the congressman. those conversations are being disrupted. >> mark, none of this is illegal. >> no, but i think jeanne put her finger on it. the downside of the protesters is that it appears they are shutting down so that other people, citizens, especially citizens who are residents of the congressional district, don't get a chance. there bussing people in. that does not mask the fact that there are real concerns. the resistance i

jeanne moos, cnn, new york. >> tomorrow night, we take note of 200 days in office for the obama whiteouse. cnn analysts and many of you will grade the president on the economy, health care reform, foreign policy, and other issues that you care about. special coverage

and jeanne cummings of politico >celebrating 40 years of journalisticxcellence, live fm our nation's capital, th is "washington week wi gwen ifill," produced inssociation with naonal journal. coporate funng for washington week i providedby -- >> we knowwhy we're here. to redefine air travel for a ne generation. >> to ensure our forces re safer an stronger. >> to ke the world we share to tomorrow and beyond. >> aroun the globe, the people boeg are working together t make a differee. >> that's why we're her >> it creates half the electricity that seals our dream we have more thaany place on earth. we're working on cleaner wys to use coal every day. there is more informaion at n.m.a..org. jor fundg is also provided by the anenburg foundation, the corporati for public broadcasting and contributis to your pb station from viewers ike you. thank you. thank you. oncegain, live from shington... moderator gwen ifill. gwen: good ening and welcome to special "washgton week" roundtable on health care reform... if it's hot where you are, it' quite possible that the elevated teerature is caused by

jeanne meserve has more tonight on the killer's chilling online journal. >> reporter: george sodini was silent before taking his own life. but in his online diary the 48-year-old spoke volumes about the carnage he was to inflict. why do this to young girls, the journal begins. just read below. i kept a running log that includes my thoughts and actions. indeed, he did. he called his killing spree his project and it began months ago. on november 5th, 2008, he wrote, planned to do this in the summer but figured to stick around to see the election outcome. and in an entry from december 22nd, an apparent reference to the plot and the women at his gym. time is moving along. plan to have this done already. many of the young girls here look so beautiful as to not be human. very edible. the journal also reveals his desperation and loneliness. from christmas eve, no girlfriend since 1984. who knows why. i'm not ugly or too weird. no sex since july 1990, either. in may, more despair. i made many big changes in the past two years, he wrote. but everything is still the same. life is over. this is fr

jeanne meserve, live for us tonight. thanks. if you logon to ac360.com you can read the entire text of the killer's chilling journal. >>> a week-long series on the manson murders continue tonight. could there have been more victims who died at the cult's hands? we'll tackle all of that just ahead. we'll talk about that just ahead. but right now, gary tuchman with us. welcome back. >> thank you very much, erica. iranian president, mahmoud ahmadinejad has been sworn in for a second term. even as his victory continues to be disputed on the ground. key opposition leaders boycotted today's ceremony. meantime, hundred of protestors turned out in tehran streets. security forces broke up the demonstrations with clubs and pepper spray. >>> a senior defense official says two russian submarines cruising off the east coast of the u.s. are not causing any alarms to go off at the pentagon. the pentagon says the subs are in international waters and not the time it can launch continental nuclear missiles. >>> word of a major deal for new york g

cnn jeanne moos the will be taking a most unusual look.t my whole team working online, on location. i was like, "woah". woah ! only verizon wireless has small business specialists in every store to help you do business better. you're like my secret ingredient. come in today and connect up to five devices on one 3g connection. now only $99.99 >>> automakers were traveling to washington, d.c. on private jets to ask congress for billions of bailout money. >> i am going to ask the three executives here to raise their hands if they flew here commercial? let the record show no hands went up. >> the nerve, the gall. it now seems some lawmakers don't think private jets are such a bad idea. the committee just approved $200 million to b gulf stream jets to be used by top government officials, military brass and members of congress. initially, the air force asked for funding for a single jet to update its aging fleet. for whatever reason, the house saw fit to add two extra jets for that fleet. now, to be fair, the jets are not as fancies aas the g 50

he may be setting the bar there for the president's success or failure. >> jeanne cummings, bill clinton did not pass health care reform, got completely wiped out, and >> jean, bill clinton didn't pass health care reform. got completely wiped out. and the voters didn't mind at all when it came time for re-election. what it seemed happened in the congress was that the congress actually ended up scaring the public enough about what they were intending to do with health care reform that they rejected the democrats in the mid term election and brought in the republicans to win the majority in both houses. but the president himself escaped any negative verdict by trying to push health care and failing. is that possible with barack obama? >> well, it's possible if he ends up with a great, big government shutdown in between the two events. one of the big reasons clinton survived is because the national debate moved on and the republican congress suddenly became as scary as the health care reform debate. so given some big, seismic change in between, president obama may indeed get re-elected and

time now for "the politics fix" with jeanne cummings of poll lit co-and "the washington post's" anne kornblut. let's listen to what bill clinton had to say stumping for obama's health care reform. >> i'm telling you, i don't care how low they drive support for this with misinformation, the minute the president signs a health care reform bill, approval will go up because americans are inherently optimistic. secondly, within a year, within a year when all those bad things they say are going to happen don't happen and the good things do begin to happen, approval will explode. >> anne, should the obama white house be taking advice from the biggest failure in the history of the health care reform crusades of the past? >> well, i mean, in a sense they already are taking the advice by trying to do the opposite of what the clintons did. they left it to the congress to come up with their own plan. they've obviously moved very quickly on it and said anyway they're going to conduct it much more openly and transparently than the clintons z in some senses they sort of are doing the opposite. you

senator kennedy's widow vicki, sister jeanne, and bobby's widow ethel placed a white cloth on the casket. then led by caroline kennedy, the family guided it down the center aisle. several generations of kennedy children turned the senator's own words into a prayer. granddaughter kiley kennedy. >> that the poor may be out of political fashion but they are never without human need. that circumstances may change but the work of compassion must continue. >> reporter: grandson ted kennedy iii. >> for my grandfather's brave promise last summer that the work begins anew, the hope rises again and the dream lives on, we pray to the lord. >> lord, hear our prayer. >> reporter: ted kennedy jr. who lost his leg to cancer when he was just 12 recalled how on a cold, snowy day, his father took him sledding. even while he was adjusting to his new artificial limb. >> i slipped and i fell on the ice. i started to cry. and i said, "i can't do this." i said, "i'll never be able to climb up that hill." and he lifted me up in his strong, gentle arms, and said something i will never forget. he said, "i know yo

. >> that was jeanne meserve with that report. besides northwest, us airways is the only other american carrier flying airbus a-330s. both airlines say they're already replacing speed censors on those planes. >>> police in a connecticut town are writing tickets for good behavior. some period citations are given to kids and teens that they catch oboying the law. like kids wearing helmets while riding their bikes. they're redeemable for cookies or ice cream at local shops. >> if he sees or comes across through investigation or observation a positive behavior from a youth within the community, he has the option of giving out a reward for that -- those actions so we can bring positive reinforcement. >> i think encouraging the kids to do the right thing is great. we're happy to be part of it. >> the campaign started last month. so far 60 positive tickets have been written up. >>> still, charles manson has friends and followers even though he's been in jail for decades now. why are some people still drawn to him even though he's been co

now he's not here to do that. >>> jeanne cummings, appreciate it.d to see you, jeanne. and, elizabeth, as well. elizabeth, you'll be back live with us next hour. you actually have for us a story about a young girl whose life was literally saved because of the intervention of senator kennedy. >> right. we usually think of senator kennedy in a macro way, health care policy reform, but this was a micro way where he managed to safe the life of a little baby who was stuck in soviet, russia. senator kennedy flew to the soviet union to save this little girl and the rest of her family. and i'll have that story up in the next hour. >> okay. and that is coming up next hour right here in the "cnn newsroom." >>> we're going to take a quick break. wow, is this... fiber one honey clusters? yes. it's delicious. delicious. i know. but it can't have... can't have about half a i assure you it does. i was expecting... expecting sawdust and cardboard? i know. i can only taste... only taste the crunchy clusters, honey, and brown sugar. no madam, i don't have esp. ok. i'

jeanne, what have we learned about this guy?reporter: suzanne, george sodini came to this health club last night, walked into the aerobics room, turned off the lights and pulled a nine millimeter gun out of his gym bag. he started firing. when that was empty, he pulled out another nine millimeter. when it was over, three people were dead, nine were wounded. police don't know why he stopped firing but when he did, he pulled out a .45 and shot himself. another gun was found in his pocket. all of the guns were legally owned by sodini. it all happened in the space of about a minute. police say the rampage was fueled by rage. >> he's had this hatred in him and he blames everything, his mother and everybody else, society. he just had a lot of hatred in him, and he was hell bent on committing this act and there was nothing going to stop him. >> reporter: sodini left a note in which he expressed his anger towards women. that's also a theme that runs through a blog he kept outlining his thoughts and actions. here's one excerpt of what it

. >> interesting, jeanne, here president obama has the problem with his base on this question of theublic option, a government plan alongside private insurance plan to create competition. while that's become the area where the fight is really heated, you look at some of the things already achieved possible here carrying out, getting the insurance industry on board, not deny people based to on conditions, those things in agreement with pharmaceutical companies, individual mandate that alluded ted kennedy back in previous addition. >> he was one to say don't let the perfect get in the way of the possible. and it is -- it is easy to look at the health care debate right now see how the president has tried to signal to his left he wants to give baucus room to of move the co-op deal if that is the compromise that has to be reached in the senate to get the legislation out because the president must have a senate bill in order to get to conference. there will be no final bill if there isn't a senate bill. we can easily see where it was senator kennedy who said, the owe cop, a good alternativ

we'll talk to jeanne meserve. but first, the back story from our senior white house correspondent, ed henry. >> reporter: the friday before the 2004 election. only two or three points separated democrat john kerry from president bush. suddenly, a twist. osama bin laden released a shocking new videotape and it played nonstop on the arab language network al jazeera. >> translator: your security is not in the hands of kerry or bush or al qaeda. your security is in your own hands. >> reporter: the next morning, 72 hours before the polls open, the president's top security advisors including donald rumsfeld and john ashcroft huddled for a meeting deciding whether to raise the threat level from yellow to orange. and in an explosive new book, ridge says a vigorous and some might say dramatic discussion ensued. ashcroft strongly urged an increase in the threat level and supported by rumsfeld. there was no support for that position within our department, none. i wondered, is this about security or politics? postelection ana

. >> jeanne cummings, he really doesn't like dissent in those normally hand-picked audiences he talks to. you can see it wasn't just that he was going to take the position it wasn't my fault. he actually blames the questioner. points at the questioner and blames the questioner, it's your fault for not delivering me the congress that i needed. >> and that's really not the bill clinton that we've seen over the years. he looked very tired. he usually is pretty good at finessing around opposition and then pivoting and working it to his advantage. but in this case he came across simply as angry. the finger-pointing is very ineffective. and, you know, let's face it, that little guy in the audience, he couldn't build support for congress, of course he was talking about the community. but the truth is we all know bill clinton also mishandled that at the time. and so it was very unusual to see that sort of response. but you know, we've in the last few years, we've seen that he still can have like a trigger of anger. when people are critical of his administration. >> anne, if bill clinton was a

jeanne moos, cnn, new york. >> leave it to jeanne. thanks very much. i'm wolf blitzer in "the situation room." up next, lou dobbs tonight. lou? >> thank you. >>> good evening, everybody, the white house is insisting tonight it's not sending mixed messages over the president's health care plan after days of shifting policy and language, the obama administration now says a government-run public option remains the cornerstone of the president's plan. the fight over the so-called public option has exposed obviously a deep rift within the president's party in congress. house democrats tonight are actually threatening to kill the legislation all together if there is no government option, and with all of the talk over health care and health care legislation, no one seems focused on the more than 30 million americans without a job. tonight, we will be focusing on them, and the reasons for the high unemployment in this country, and the lack of a public policy solution. our special new segment on this show begins tonight, "jobs now! ". >>> good evening, the obam

cnn's jeanne moos has the answer. >> reporter: freeball.edge. >> reporter: but licked to death on live television? >> oh, get off. get off -- this is crazy. >> now, this is ginger. >> reporter: ginger, the up for adoption pit bull -- make that kiss bull. >> ginger just loves people. >> i love ginger. >> i love you, ginger. >> you don't have any make up left. >> okay. okay. >> ginger is removing the makeup from randy neal who co anchors global news in british columbia, canada. >> they need a wee bit of training. >> yeah, really? you think? >> because she is fed -- ouch! be nice. >> really tired. >> stop that! that is so not good. sit down. of. >> torture -- >> okay, down, ginger, down. >> reporter: better to be kissed by a pit bull than clawed by a cat as this fox 8 news reporter in cleveland was. >> a couple of points -- [ meowing ] >> the cat didn't get ginger's tongue, the anchor did. of. >> oh, ginger! >> 709 -- >> all that licking didn't deter folks. they got hundreds of calls from people interested in adopting ginger, and an adoption w

jeanne meserve is joining us live to answer that question. what do we know about the future of these detainees? >> reporter: well, suzanne, as you know, the administration is still wrestling with a very difficult question on what to do with detainees when the present guantanamo is closed. one option under consideration -- housing them and trying them under one roof. the possibility that guantanamo detainees might be headed for the military prison at ft. leavenworth has kansas officials in an uproar. >> transferring terror suspects here places a bull's-eye on this community. >> people don't want them here. >> reporter: administration officials say ft. leavenworth and the maximum-security prison in standish, michigan, are being considered as possible multipurpose destinations for detainees that could contain courtrooms for both federal criminal trials and military commissions and house in one place detainees now being sorted into three groups. those being held for trial, those being indefinitely detained, and those cleared for release but witho

let's see if we can play this to rest is the obama administration plan to pull the plug on grandma, jeanne? >> no, they are not planning to do that. this is one of those provisions that because it is poorly written or people see a benefit from it has been totally misinterpreted. clearly, what it is is a reimbursement for services, and seniors that want to write a living will can get that for free, essentially, or at a discount. but it is voluntary, not mandatory. >> evan, why is this debate so nasty? >> it is the administration tried to get away with something. at the outset, they said we would control costs, but they said that nothing would change. people smelled a rat. they knew instinctively that could not be true, and try to fly to that and get the bill done quickly, and although there is misinformation and this is a nutty theory that is out there, the public is not wrong to suspect that you cannot have it both ways, you cannot control costs and have the same health care. the administration has been caught on its own petard on this. >> mark? >> i believe that the death panel story is e

. >> jeanne cummings, he really doesn't like dissent in those normally hand-picked audiences he talks to. you can see it wasn't just that he was going to take the position it wasn't my fault. he actually blames the questioner. points at the questioner and blames the questioner, it's your fault for not delivering me the congress that i needed. >> and that's really not the bill clinton that we've seen over the years. he looked very tired. he usually is pretty good at finessing around opposition and then pivoting and working it to his advantage. but in this case he came across simply as angry. the finger-pointing is very ineffective. and, you know, let's face it, that little guy in the audience, he couldn't build support for congress, of course he was talking about the community. but the truth is we all know bill clinton also mishandled that at the time. and so it was very unusual to see that sort of response. but you know, we've in the last few years, we've seen that he still can have like a trigger of anger. when people are critical of his administration. >> anne, if bill clinton was a

i'll talk to jeanne sahadi and eamon javers. >>> new details of the overdose that the coroner says killed michael jackson. >>> welcome back. i'm rob marciano in the severe weather center. a couple fronts bringing rough weather and one across the western great lakes and moving off to the east, places like minneapolis and over towards mu walky and eventually getting down towards chicago and feel the effects throughout the day today and then a troublesome front right through here and across the south and just draping across florida. this is what has given folks in nasa some fits because they tried to launch the space shuttle last night and great nighttime launch around 1:00 in the morning and clouds and visibility was bad, they canceled that. we're already starting to see some action in the form of some thunderstorms, at least off shore right now. here's the forecast. from the folks there at nasa and the air force with a 1:10 departure time tonight, they gave a 30% probability of weather making this a no go for launch. so, we're hoping that the radar clears and we'll get this thing off the l

." >>> let's get started with this, jeanne meserve has the dish on a bomb shell. >>> then we're going to take you to baghdad where we're we'll be talking about the latest and deadly attacks there. >>> and christine romans joins us with the cash and clunkers program both time and money running out. but let's start with this. a stunning new charge from inside the bush white house. former homeland security chief tom ridge says bush administration members pressured him to raise the nation's terror alert level. and in a new memoir he says the pressure just before the 2004 presidential election. now, ridge says he objected to the arguments and the alert was not raised. ridge says that helped him to resign from his post and the bush administration deny the allegations. so why these allegations? and why now nearly five years later? well, as cnn homeland security correspondent jeanne meserve tells us, a former adviser denies the claim. >> reporter: fran townsend says it never came up, but in his book, tom ridge never says that it did. he writes that he listened to the arguments john ashcroft a

a lot of those folks indicted, jeanne. they're at large right now, aren't they? >> reporter: that's right, wolf. the administration says the indictments announced today are an important development in the war against drug traffickers, but some are skeptical. el chopo guzman, the head of mexico's sinaloa drug cartel, just one of the 43 drug traffickers indicted thursday for selling more than $5 billion worth of cocaine and heroin on the streets of cities and towns all across the united states. >> these are not symbolic acts that we are taking today. our intention is to indict these people, to get these people to the united states, and to put them in jail for extended periods of time. this is not simply an expression of displeasure by the united states government. >> reporter: the justice department says about half indicted have been arrested but most of the biggest players are believed to be in mexico and neither previous indictments nor large rewards have resulted in their capture. hoump, administration officials say that, quote, historic and heroic battles being

cnn's jeanne moos checks out put-pocketing.sy as it looks. >> oh, i'm sorry. excuse me. >> did you notice anything? (pouring rain) i had a great time. me too. you know, i just got out of a bad relatio... it's okay. thanks. goodnight. goodnight. (door crashes in, alarm sounds) get out! (phone rings) hello? this is rick with broadview security. is everything all right? no, my ex-boyfriend just kicked in the front door. i'm sending help right now. thank you. (announcer) brink's home security is now broadview security. call now to install the standard system for just $99. the proven technology of broadview security system delivers rapid response from highly-trained professionals, 24 hours a day. call now to get the $99 installation, plus a second keypad installed free. and, you could save up to 20% on your homeowner's insurance. call now-- and get the system installed for just $99. broadview security for your home or business - the next generation of brink's home security. call now. >>> here's a look at hot shots. in taiwan, specia

cnn's jeanne meserve with the story. >> reporter: george sodini was silent when he opened fire at his pittsburgh-area health club killing three women before taking his own life. but in his online diary, the 48-year-old spoke volumes about the carnage he was to inflict. why do this to young girls, the journal begins. just read below. i kept a running log that includes my thoughts and actions. indeed, he did. he called his killing spree his project and it began months ago. on november 5th, 2008, he wrote, plan to do this in the summer, but figured to stick around to see the election outcome and in an entry from december 22nd, an apparent reference to the plot and the women at his gym. time is moving along. plan to have this done already. many of the young girls here look so beautiful as to not be human. very edible. the journal also revealed his desperation and lonelinesloneli. from christmas eve, no girlfriend since 1984, who knows why. i am not ugly or too weird. no sex since july 1990 either. in may, more despair. i made many big changes in the past two years, he wrote, but everythin

jeanne moos takes a most unusual look.uld start here. good friends -- we compare our progressive direct rates, apples to apples, against other top companies, to help you get the best price. how do you do that? with a touch of this button. can i try that? [ chuckles ] wow! good luck getting your remote back. it's all right -- i love this channel. shopping less and saving more. now, that's progressive. call or click today. >>> we're back with david frum, maleka henderson and joe johns. back to jessica yellin, there's a very sensitive subject the president is focusing in on right now. >> sometimes in washington folks say one thing but do another. is that what's happening with the obama administration and gay rights? remember when he promised this. >> i have stated repeatedly that don't ask, don't tell makes no sense. >> we are going to overturn it. >> there, he was talking about don't ask, don't tell and six months into his term, he hasn't touched it. now, today there's gay marriage. the administration's latest moves have the

jeanne meserve, cnn, washington. >>> so, you call this a recess? house speaker, nancy pelosi, campaigns for health care, far outside the beltway. ll world. you're you. aarp understands that. that's why they endorse products from top companies... so people 50 plus can choose health coverage options... as unique as they are. aarphealthnow.com... call or visit for free information that let you select the coverage you want... and skip what you don't. let's say you want to start your own business. a major medical plan could make it easy... to get those employer-like health benefits. you may want dental coverage, too. call now and find plans that include... three cleanings a year and long-term care plans... that help protect your retirement assets; for peace of mind down the road. maybe you're working part-time but you still want... prescription drug or vision discounts? call now for big savings on eye exams... and 30% savings on eye wear at national retailers. because you don't just want to see well, you want to look good, too. aarp is different because

back to you. >> jeanne meserve, thanks so much. >>> before we wrap up here, the top u.s. disputed areas in the northern part of the country, we're being told. general ray odierno points to the spike in violence as a reason for the possible move he wants to make. if it happens, it will be a departure from a security pact with baghdad that actually pulled u.s. troops out of cities and towns, as you may remember, back in june. under odierno's plan, u.s. soldiers would partner with iraqi and kurdish troops in the areas disputed. no final decision has been made but we wanted to get on record that that's being talked about right now. we will keep you updated on what happens. >>> that does it for us. we'll be back here tomorrow. rick sanchez takes it from here. >>> claudette comes ashore and now, the flooding. >> there's the rainfall from claudette right now. almost raining all the way into atlanta. >> we're on it. >>> look what

jeanne moos shows us that that move and other most unusual catches. >> reporter: it was the crying babys with one hand while holding kids in the other? >> unbelievable play. >> reporter: sure, it happens every once in awhile, guys catching popups with their kid propped up in their arms but for it to happen twice in three days has sports fans raving with competing superlatives. was this the best foul ball catch ever? >> dad with the catch! and the baby! >> reporter: or was this? >> contract time. >> reporter: websites compare the two bare-handed catches. fans gave points for difficulty with the heavier kid, they subtracted points because this ball seemed deflected by someone and thus, easier to catch. they gave props to this kid for how he fielded his soda. >> hold this gigantic soda and not drop it when the dad doesn't drop the ball. >> reporter: bobby crosby should know. he also multi-tasked while catching fly balls. isn't holding a camera a little like holding a baby? >> it's definitely tougher to hold a baby. they don't come with those nice straps. they just strap right to your hand.

john and kiran, back to you. >> all right, thanks so much, jeanne.ow. we check our top stories. a plane carrying tourists slid off the runway, crashed into an air traffic control tower killing the jet's pilot. 34 people on board were hurt, the bangkok airways flight was landing in stormy weather on the resort island of sumali. >>> authorities say the men were going to raid a military base and launch quote an attack on military personnel until they themselves were killed. 400 officers took part in the raid, the men are said to have links to an islamic extremist group in somalia. >>> former president bill clinton is in north korea trying to secure the release of two american journalists, they were sentenced to 12 years hard labor there, the two could be released at any moment. north korea says they entered the country illegally and were trying to launch a smear campaign against their government. they insist they were doing a story on china and crossed over the border accidentally. >>> well, as we just told you, former president bill clinton is in north

jeanne meserve reports some are perplexed the obama administration isn't doing more to stop it. >> reportermany may, president obama declared a new day in cybersecurity. >> from now on our digital infrastructure, the network and computers we depend on every day will be treated as they should be, with a strategic national asset. >> reporter: two and a half months later, experts are saying where's the action to match those words. >> it seems it has only been lip service thus far. we need tangible action. >> reporter: two high profile cyberpeck perts have announced plans to leave government in recent weeks an the president is yet to appoint the cyberczar to lead cybersecurity efforts. word in the community is that well qualified people don't want the job for one big reason. >> right now there is no indication that person will have power. >> they say it is a top priority sen a rigorous selection process is underway. >> those from the private sector i hope to recruit some of your smartest people to join the government so watch out. >> they have brought in well- regarded experts from the industry

jeanne moos, cnn, new york. >> what can i say. we want you to check out our political podcast. to get the best political team to go, subscribe at cnn.com/situationroom. up next, "lou dobbs tonight." >>> president obama today appealing to his most loyal supporters, the liberal progressive leaders that helped him win the white house now asking them to help them win the fight over obama care. president obama also looking for some divine intervention telling religious leaders we're god's partners. he also fired back at his critics for spreading what he called lies bearing false witness as he put it but is the president himself misrepresenting the facts on health care? we'll have a special report for you tonight. and jobless claims rising slightly today but unexpectedly. times, however, not that hard if you are a foreign worker in this country. we'll be reporting on all of that in our new series of special reports about more than 30 million americans looking for work. "jobs now." >> announcer: this is "lou dobbs tonight" news, debate and analysis for thursday, august 20th. live from

jeanne meserve, cnn, washington. >>> the health care battle tops our news this hour. president obama meeting right now with former democratic senator tom daschle, who he is viewed as an expert on the issue. votes are being counted across afghanistan following yesterday's election. official there's calling it a success, although 26 people were killed in election day violence. >>> hurricane bill may not be making a run of the u.s., but it is still affecting much of the east coast. swimmers and boaters are being warned about rip currents and high waves from northeast florida to new england. >>> so, who is the cnn hero of the week? find out about a cancer survivor and her life-saving comeback. that's next. so? mmmm ok. you were right. these healthy choice fresh mixer thingys, they taste fresh... say it again! what? say it like, "mmmm, these healthy choice fresh mixers taste freshh!!" they taste fresh... wait. what are you doing? got it. you're secretly taping me? you were good too! but you know, it wasn't a secret to us, we knew... yes, but it was a secret to me. of cours

>> my sister jeanne, a very special arts program.nd it is rooted in the concept that -- we have, this country has been a very important and powerful country that we, my father was able to -- to benefit from. an that we ought to give something back to america in terms for all that it has given to us. >> larry: you feel you owe it back? >> it isn't a question of sort of an obligation. it is, as much to the country as a sense of feeling about our fellow human beings. how you might be able to have an impact, positive impact on, on -- on the people. >> younger brother of the president scored an overwhelming victory in the democratic primary, capturing 69% of the vote. >> i think my father believed very strongly that americans should represent sort of a level playing field for people. and that, and then, individual initiative can move ahead. and so, you don't have to, the one point that my brothers all pointed out is you don't have to be a senator or congressman to make a difference. all you have to do is just be involved. i would just hop

your united states senator doing a great job, jeanne shaheen, is here. the governor of the great state of maine, and we are glad he's here in new hampshire today, john baldacci, is here. two of my favorite people, they are just taking congress by storm, outstanding work -- paul hods, carol shea porter. give them a big round of applause. and we've got your own mayor, tommer tom ferrine is here. where is tom? there he is. now, i want to thank, more than anybody, laurie, for that introduction and for sharing her story with the rest of us. thank you, laurie. yeah, laurie's story is the same kind of story that i've read in letters, that i've heard in town hall meetings just like this one for the past five years. in fact, some of you were in that -- in those town hall meetings as i was traveling all throughout new hampshire. it's the story of hardworking americans who are held hostage by health insurance companies that deny them coverage or drop their coverage or charge fees that they can't afford for care that they desperately need. i believe it is wrong. it