American Morning
Author of controversial new book about Palin discusses allegations about drugs, sex
Joe McGinniss' controversial new book about Sarah Palin, "The Rogue: Searching for the Real Sarah Palin," is set to hit stands today and it is already generating a lot of buzz.
The book touches on virtually every controversy, rumor and accusation about Palin's political and personal life. Among other claims, McGinniss alleges that Palin was an image-obsessed governor and a poor parent who once used cocaine.
The book has received a hefty amount of criticism from both Palin's supporters and other outlets like the New York Times, which calls the book "dated" and "petty".
McGinniss responds to this criticism today on American Morning and discusses the various claims he made in the book.
'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy repealed today
The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy, which has been in effect since the Clinton administration, ends today and gay men and lesbians will now be able to serve openly in the military.
The repeal comes after thousands of miltary men and women were discharged over the past seventeen years for being gay, including many high-ranking service members and Arab linguists.
The history of the policy is detailed in a new HBO documentary, "The Strange History of Don't Ask Don't Tell," which examines the consequences of the policy and the fight to overturn it.
Two people featured in the documentary, Patrick Murphy, former Pennsylvania Congressman who pushed for the repeal, and Lt Col. Victor Fehrenbach, who faced discharge under DADT, join American Morning today to talk about what the repeal of the policy means to them.
What does the Palestinian request for statehood mean for the U.S.?
While diplomats and world leaders will be tackling some tough global issues at the United Nations general assembly today, the big story of the week will be unfolding on Friday when the Palestinians formally request membership in the U.N. and recognition as a state.
The United States has pledged to block the application should it reach the Security Council but Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appears undeterred.
Is a showdown looming at the United Nations, or is there still time to come up with a solution that will work for the U.S. and Palestine?
John Negroponte, former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, talks to Carol Costello on American Morning today about what statehood for Palestine would mean for Israel, the Middle East and the United States.
Negroponte is also participating in the Concordia Summit Tuesday. The Summit focuses on eliminating global terrorism and this year features an address by former President George W. Bush. Read more about the summit here.
Is Obama's deficit plan dead on arrival? Rep. Jeff Flake weighs in
This morning, President Obama and Republicans are squaring off over how to reduce the national deficit after President Obama unveiled his plan in a speech at the Rose Garden yesterday.
At the heart of Obama's proposal is $1.5 trillion dollars in new revenue generated largely by higher taxes on the wealthiest Americans, a proposal strongly opposed by GOP leaders who insist that any tax increase will undermine an already shaky economy.
Representative Jeff Flake is one of the Republicans in the House that opposes Obama's plan. Flake speaks with Carol Costello on American Morning today to discuss reducing the national deficit and to weigh in on how to create jobs in America.
"We're not out of the woods yet and if we want the economy to grow, we have to have competitive tax rates plus some kind of moratorium on regulation," Flake says. "If we want to create jobs, the last thing you want to do is slap another tax or a higher tax on capital gains or dividends."
New Newsweek report ranks women's progress in countries around the world
This week, leaders of nations from around the globe will convene in New York for the United Nations General Assembly meeting where Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff will be the first woman to deliver the opening address.
Rousseff's historic role in opening the gathering reflects the changing role of women in the world, a topic highlighted by Newsweek's cover story this week.
Within the report, Newsweek ranks 165 countries, looking at five areas that affect women's lives: treatment under the law, workforce participation, political power, and access to education and health care.
Today on American Morning, Jesse Ellison, senior writer at Newsweek, talks with Alina Cho about what countries are the best and worst places to be a woman and explains what's holding the U.S. back from ranking in the top five.
Talk Back: Is a higher tax on millionaires class warfare?
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From CNN's Carol Costello:
President Obama released his long-awaited debt reduction plan Monday, outlining a roughly $3 trillion saving blueprint that includes $1.5 trillion in new revenue generated largely by higher taxes on the wealthiest Americans.
Top congressional Republicans immediately criticized the proposal as class warfare, arguing that Obama was wielding his "bully pulpit" to pit the rich against the poor.
In a speech to the nation, the president dismissed these accusations, arguing that taxing millionaires more is not class warfare - it's math.
"I reject the idea that asking a hedge fund manager to pay the same tax rate as a plumber or teacher is class warfare," Obama said. "It's just the right thing to do."
Talk Back: Is a higher tax on millionaires class warfare?
Let us know what you think. Your answer may be read on this morning's broadcast.
About this Show
Welcome to the American Morning blog where you can get daily news updates from American Morning's reporters and producers. Join us for "the most news in the morning," weekdays from 6-9 a.m. ET, only on CNN.
