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CNN NEWSROOM

President Obama Prepares to Deliver State of the Union; North Korean Nuclear Threat; TV Stations Warn of Zombie Apocalypse

Aired February 12, 2013 - 15:00   ET

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


(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: North Korea rattles the world by launching a nuclear test. We will tell you when America should be worried.

I'm Brooke Baldwin. The news is now.

(voice-over): Four thousand people are right now stuck on a cruise ship with sewage running down the walls, toilets broken, fistfights over food. And they are nowhere close to leaving this hell.

Plus, caught on video, the ex-cop on the run apparently buys scuba gear just before turning into a fugitive. But why?

And my TV crush, John Berman, joins me live to reveal the most bizarre moments from past State of the Union addresses.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The president of the United States.

BALDWIN: Wait until you see what he found.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: Hi there. I'm Brooke Baldwin.

The United Nations calling an emergency meeting condemning North Korea's detonation of a nuclear bomb. Keep in mind, this is the North's third test, it is the most powerful one yet, and we're talking roughly half the strength of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima back in World War II.

South Korea broadcasting this animation. Watch this here in just a moment. Showing a series of underground tunnels where the nuclear bomb was detonated.

Foreign affairs correspondent Jill Dougherty joining me live here.

Jill, in one sentence, what is North Korea's goal here?

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN FOREIGN AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: It is a test to create a bomb that they can make small, that can fit on a missile, that could hit the United States. That's the gist of it.

(CROSSTALK) BALDWIN: Bravo. Bravo. And we saw the video from North Korea state TV of this burning U.S. city. What has been the reaction today from the U.S.?

DOUGHERTY: It is very strong. Obviously, the United States thinks this is dangerous to the nth degree.

Listen to Susan Rice at the United Nations. Here is how she put it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SUSAN RICE, UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS: The international community, this council has been quite clear. The actions of North Korea are a threat to regional peace and security, international peace and security, and they are not acceptable. They will not be tolerated. And they will be met with North Korea's increasing isolation and pressure under United Nations sanctions.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DOUGHERTY: Yes, but will they actually be able, Brooke, to do something to stop them? It hasn't worked so far. And it is going to be hard to get something at the United Nations, even if everybody criticizes this.

BALDWIN: Jill Dougherty, thank you.

And we now know what Christopher Dorner allegedly did back on February 3, kill a cop's daughter and her fiance. So you have to wonder, what in the world is this man thinking as you see this guy in this just- released video smiling, acting friendly. His face is in the upper right corner here, follow the arrow and you will see him, the date on the video, time stamp February 1.

TMZ is reporting the man in the video is Dorner and he purchased scuba gear from the store. Here he is with the tanks. This is one of more than 1,000 clues for investigators who have been searching for the former policeman for more than a week now. And Dorner may be getting help.

Court documents talk about a Dorner associate with the initials J.Y.

Casey Wian is live at LAPD headquarters.

And police we know held a news conference today, Casey. What did they say? Any mention of J.Y.?

CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, let's first talk about that video, Brooke, that you just showed from the sporting goods store in Southern California that shows Dorner apparently buying scuba gear.

The significance of that is that the arrest warrant that was released yesterday that was filed last week says and indicates that he either fled or tried to flee to Mexico. The evidence for that is that he tried to steal a boat in the San Diego area. Also, his wallet and identification were found near the San Ysidro port of entry into Mexico.

Here is what the LAPD said about whether Dorner is actually the man in that video, and the significance of it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LT. ANDY NEIMAN, LAPD: The investigators and the task force are reviewing that. We have not made a determination as to whether or not that is Chris Dorner in the tape. So we cannot confirm whether or not that is him at this time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIAN: Now, also, on that person named with the initials J.Y. that you mentioned, that also from the arrest document from the U.S. Marshals Service, information from Thursday, it said that J.Y. is someone who is a known associate of Dorner, he is someone whose family has residential property in the Big Bear area, where that search for Dorner continues even today.

Also says that his burning truck was found very near that property. Officials will not say anything else about those two pieces of evidence, saying they do not want to compromise this investigation and this manhunt -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: Casey Wian, thank you.

In Washington, live this hour, a big moment for Chuck Hagel, the man President Obama wants to be his next secretary of defense. The Senate Armed Services Committee expected to vote on Hagel's nomination and while it is likely he will be confirmed, some Republicans are still putting up a fight.

Meantime, another big story, the story I should say brewing today in Washington, State of the Union tonight. And the president will be announcing to the nation that more than half of our troops are coming home from Afghanistan. We have been there for 11-plus years. The president is set to announce he's bringing home 34,000 United States troops, 34,000 troops gone from Afghanistan by this time next year, 2014. That will cut the force by a little more than half. You will have 32,000 United States troops still in Afghanistan after that point.

OK, so State of the Union, 9:00 tonight, and lots of pomp, lots of ceremony. If you watch closely enough, who knows, maybe something memorable.

John Berman is with me from Washington.

And, John, you know, while we -- once in a while, there is a little spontaneity at the State of the Union, huh?

JOHN BERMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: There is always something there. Good afternoon, I should say, Brooke, to see you in the afternoon. It is remarkable here. It is in the Constitution where it says that the president from time to time will give to the Congress information on the State of the Union. It is in our Constitution to pick apart every word, every gesture, every moment of the event for posterity and sometimes some of the best moments, they're not on prompter.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Speaker, the president of the United States.

BERMAN (voice-over): From the very moment the president walks down the aisle, it is a parade of people-watching. Members of Congress jockey for position like it is a Justin Bieber concert. Former Congressman Dennis Kucinich, maybe he's the biggest believer, or maybe he just likes aisle seats. He's always seemed to be there for the big hello.

All hellos not created equal. Maybe the most famous, Senator Joe Lieberman once appeared to get a kiss from President George W. Bush. Sometimes, Mr. Freud seems to seep into a president's speech. In 1974, some inadvertent foreshadowing from President Richard Nixon.

RICHARD NIXON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I urge the Congress to join me in mounting a major new effort to replace the discredited president -- the present welfare system.

BERMAN: And in 2000, President Clinton perhaps revealing his true political colors.

BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Tonight, I ask you to support new funding for the following things to make American communities more liberal -- livable.

(LAUGHTER)

BERMAN: There is always loud applause, but also head-shaking, stony silence and the supreme example of disapproval when President Obama criticized a campaign finance ruling, a full-out mouthing of "Not true" from Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito.

But for every nightmare, there is a dream, the forever dreamy Tom Brady, once in the stands for George W. Bush. On the subject of dreams and nightmares, guess which one John McCain was having in 2007? A big yawn from Harry Reid in 2010. And for Vice President Biden, perhaps a moment of meditation in 2011. Mr. Biden's hands have their very own chapter in the State of the Union history book.

With so much sitting and standing and clapping, easy to see why he might have a timing issue.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: For less than 1 percent.

BERMAN: There is the air boxing fist pump.

OBAMA: That dream is why a working-class kid from Scranton can sit behind me.

BERMAN: And, of course, the palms to the sky shrug.

OBAMA: Because nobody messes with Joe. Am I right?

BERMAN: We have the Constitution to thanks for this annual address. And even if the State of the Union is animated, sleepy, or dreamy, according to the president:

OBAMA: The state of our union will always be strong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: John Berman, and this is why I love you. Let me just say this, shouldn't everyone in that sacred room just always sort of assume you could be on camera at any moment in time, right, on your best behavior?

BERMAN: Oh, absolutely. Drink 12 cups of coffee and have a Coca- Cola, because if you shut your eyes for five seconds, the camera is going to catch you and it will look like you're sleeping.

BALDWIN: And then also what's the deal? Isn't it sort of frowned upon, this whole idea this notion of camping out, even though a lot of members of the Congress like to be on the aisles, right, because that's where the president walks and that's where they know the cameras will be?

BERMAN: Speaker Boehner sent a note to the members today saying you can't leave your bag or you can't save a seat. If you want to get a seat, you have got to go there early this morning and stay there.

And our eagle-eyed producer in the House actually saw Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas and Sanford Bishop of Georgia in there at 10:00 this morning trying to save the prime seats right there on the aisle.

BALDWIN: Wow.

John Berman, we will be looking for you tonight amidst all of this A- team coverage. John Berman, my favorite, thank you, sir.

BERMAN: Thanks, Brooke.

BALDWIN: And did you know every member of Congress can actually bring a guest to the State of the Union, every single one? And as we mentioned, Ted Nugent will be the guest tonight of Texas Republican Steve Stockman. Nugent, of course, an outspoken proponent of gun rights, and as it turns out, a lot of other guests have connections to the gun debate.

You have former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. She will be in attendance. She of course suffered that bullet wound to the head in 2011. Her husband, Mark Kelly, will be there as well, as will the parents of Hadiya Pendleton, Hadiya shot dead in Chicago one week after performing at the president's inauguration in which she took part. Tony Bennett will be there as well at the invitation of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Bennett is an outspoken supporter of gun control.

And don't forget, catch CNN's special coverage tonight 7:00 p.m. Eastern live right here on CNN.

A remarkable story out of Texas, a man sentenced to 99 years in prison for murder is cleared and walks out a free man. So what's the first thing you would do after 32 years behind bars?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I wanted to get some cheeseburgers and french fries and banana split.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Cheeseburger, french fries and banana split. Coming up Christian, the one piece of evidence that allowed him to enjoy his favorite meal.

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(NEWS BREAK)

BALDWIN: And you're watching TV, your favorite show is interrupted by this emergency warning, right? Most people, they take it pretty seriously.

And, in Wisconsin, a specific announcement had some viewers so panicked about bodies rising from the graves and attacking the living. You got to hear the warning and how it actually made air.

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BALDWIN: Let's talk about Beyonce, because she's on a super streak, first the Super Bowl, then presenting at the Grammys. Now she's headlining the Essence Music Festival. And, oh, yes, the 31-year-old singer also going on a world tour.

People.com reports that as part of her tour, Beyonce will be returning to New Orleans to be part of the Essence event in July.

Comedian Sarah Silverman is taking a serious stand for family members who were detained by police in Jerusalem. Officers arrested Rabbi Susan Silverman and her 17-year-old daughter for praying at the wall, wearing a prayer shawl traditionally worn only by men. The two were released several hours later. Sarah Silverman took to Twitter to praise her family saying in part she's -- quote -- "so proud of her amazing sister and niece."

And the world may finally know what killed Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda. Conspiracy theories have been surrounding the leftist poet since he died days in the 1973 military coup in Chile. His exhumation was scheduled for today. During the coup, Neruda was in the hospital with cancer and was about to head into exile, but friends say he was murdered. The Chilean court says it hopes to clear up any doubts. He's buried at Isla Negra in Chile. I have been there. So, you're watching TV and an emergency alert pops up. This is not just any alert, folks. It is warning that zombies are out and that they're hungry.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NARRATOR: Civil authorities in your area have reported that the bodies of the dead are rising from their graves and attacking the living. Follow the messages on screen that will be updated as information becomes available. Do not attempt to approach or apprehend these bodies as they are considered extremely dangerous.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Yes. So this is obviously a hoax. Someone hacked into the alert system of some Montana TV stations.

Dan Simon live for us in San Francisco.

Dan, it is kind of funny. Let's be honest. But how does this happen?

DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, first of all, can you imagine if you're the guy sitting in the control room at that station?

BALDWIN: No.

SIMON: If you're the general manager and you look up?

Apparently, what happened is somebody figured out how to hack into the emergency alert system and they pulled off what you might think is a pretty good prank, depending on your point of view. The TV station sent out a statement. It just reads: "Someone apparently hacked into the system and announced on KRTV and the CW that there was an emergency in several Montana counties. The message did not originate from KRTV." That's the CBS affiliate. "And there is no emergency. Our engineers are investigating to determine what happened and if it affected other media outlets."

Well, Brooke, it turns out it did affect a couple of other outlets. In Michigan, same thing happened there. Apparently, the same hackers figured out how to get into that system and they're calling this the zombie apocalypse. So there you go.

BALDWIN: And there you go. Dan Simon, thank you. No word if there are any zombies in New Orleans today.

Keep in mind, tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, which means today is big old party, Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras is in full swing. We have been hearing, you know, a lot of trumpets from this live Webcam. If you really want to sit at work and waste your time, there is actually a live Webcam. You can watch everyone hanging out on Bourbon Street. Mardi Gras is New Orleans' biggest tourist draw, with more than 50 parades. It's the feast and celebration right before Lent. Yes, you never know who you're going to see there.

Now to this: a celebration of a different kind tonight in New York, one that focuses on man's best friend. Dog owners and lovers will be watching very closely as the Westminster Dog Show awards its best in show prize. Aww. It's considered the most prestigious dog award in the world. Owners spend thousands of dollars -- not on her, but on dogs pampering their pooches in hopes of winning the honor.

Sorry, straight face. Honor of that "Sports Illustrated" cover girl, voila, goes to Kate Upton. The issue went on sale today. Upton may look familiar. She was on the cover last year. This is just the fifth time a model has appeared on a cover actually in back-to-back years. And once you open the issue, you're not just looking at the front of it, you open the issue here and you will recognize perhaps another face.

You recognize this woman? This is Katherine Webb. Maybe the name doesn't quite ring a bell. This is the girlfriend of Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron. Webb was thrust into the national spotlight just this past month. Commentator Brent Musburger repeatedly pointing out -- remember, she was sitting in the stands -- how beautiful she was during college football's championship game.

Good news today for more than 4,000 people stranded on board that cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico, and not a moment too soon.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The smells are -- I can't even describe them. Our room is flooded. There is sewage, raw sewage, pretty bad.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Next: why passengers have some reason to be excited today.

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