American Morning
From the WWE to the Senate?
Could she be the next Jesse Ventura?
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/18/mcmahon.linda.art.jpg caption="Linda McMahon is stepping down as CEO of WWE to make a bid for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut."]
Linda McMahon is stepping down as CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment to enter the race for U.S. Senate in Connecticut as a Republican. She’s exchanging the wrestling ring for the political ring. And she has a tough fight ahead of her.
McMahon discussed her Senate bid with Kiran Chetry on CNN’s “American Morning” Friday. Below is an edited transcript of the interview.
Kiran Chetry: I just want to know, first of all, what made you decide I'm going to go for this year and I’m going to try to get through the primary and try to challenge Chris Dodd?
Linda McMahon: You know, Kiran, I'm a businesswoman and I've been watching what's been going on. The mounting debt that we have, people out of work, reckless spending going on in Washington and I couldn't sit on the sidelines and watch anymore. I really wanted to get in, to do something. I've found also as I've traveled around Connecticut and talked to people, there's been a growing sentiment and really consistent that our citizens have lost faith and trust in Chris Dodd. It was a good time to get in. It seemed the right time to get in. So I want to get there and make a mark for the people of Connecticut.
Carter: Racism plays major role in opposition to Obama
(CNN) - Former President Jimmy Carter said Tuesday that racial politics played a role in South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst during President Obama's speech to Congress last week and in some of the opposition the president has faced since taking office.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/POLITICS/09/15/carter.obama/art.carter.nbc.jpg caption="Former President Carter tells NBC Nightly News that racism has surfaced in opposition to President Obama."]
"I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he's African-American," Carter told NBC News. "I live in the South, and I've seen the South come a long way, and I've seen the rest of the country that shares the South's attitude toward minority groups at that time, particularly African-Americans."
"That racism inclination still exists, and I think it's bubbled up to the surface because of belief among many white people - not just in the South but around the country - that African-Americans are not qualified to lead this great country. It's an abominable circumstance, and it grieves me and concerns me very deeply," Carter said.
House votes to admonish Wilson for 'you lie' remark
WASHINGTON (CNN) - The House of Representatives on Tuesday formally admonished Republican Rep. Joe Wilson for shouting "you lie" during President Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress last week.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/POLITICS/09/15/wilson.resolution/art.wilson2.gi.jpg caption="Rep. Joe Wilson, R-South Carolina, shouts "You lie!" during President Obama's speech Wednesday night."]
The House passed a resolution of disapproval on a 240-179 vote that was mostly along party lines, reflecting the Democratic majority in the chamber. Twelve Democrats voted "no," while seven Republicans voted for the measure. Five representatives, all Democrats, voted "present."
According to the Office of the House Historian, it was the first time in its 220-year history that the House has disciplined a member for speaking out during a presidential speech in the chamber to a joint session of Congress.
During debate on the resolution, Wilson called the measure a waste of time and failed to apologize to the chamber, as demanded by House Democrats.
"When we are done here today, we will not have taken any further steps toward helping" the nation deal with urgent challenges, said Wilson, of South Carolina. "It is time that we move forward and get back to work for the American people." Watch House members debate the resolution 
Rep. Wilson faces resolution of disapproval
CNN Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON (CNN) - The House will vote Tuesday on a resolution of disapproval of Rep. Joe Wilson, the South Carolina Republican who yelled "you lie" during President Barack Obama's health-care speech to a joint session of Congress last week.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/POLITICS/09/15/wilson.resolution/art.wilson2.gi.jpg caption="Rep. Joe Wilson, R-South Carolina, shouts "You lie!" during President Obama's speech Wednesday night."]
The House Democratic leadership met Monday evening and agreed to move forward with a resolution of disapproval, according to two Democratic leadership aides.
The resolution "goes directly to the issue of his conduct on the House floor," said Kristie Greco, spokeswoman for House Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina.
Discussion at Monday evening's leadership meeting was about "how this speaks to the breach of decorum alone, and not addressing the issue sets a precedent for bad behavior," Greco said.
"We're not the British Parliament for a reason," she added.
Traficant mulling another run for Congress
(CNN) — Former Democratic Rep. James Traficant, who only days ago was released from a federal prison after serving seven years on a bribery and racketeering conviction, told CNN Monday he may make a bid to return to Congress.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/02/art.trapicant2.0902.gi.jpg caption="Former Democratic Rep. James Traficant told CNN Monday he may make a bid to return to Congress."]
"I'm not sure at this point," Traficant told CNN's John Roberts on American Morning when asked if he wanted to seek a return to the body that, in a near unanimous vote, voted to expel him more than seven years ago.
"Both parties would not want to see me in Washington, believe me… I was very controversial down there," he said. "I'm the guy that changed the burden of proof in a civil tax case and had a bill moving forward that would finally, with the fair justice act, allow these people in the Justice Department to be charged and investigated and prosecuted for crimes."
Traficant also brushed aside recent criticisms from the mayor of Youngstown, Ohio — his hometown — that the former congressman is no longer representative of Ohio voters.
"I think I did a few things around Youngstown that helped Youngstown and improved Youngstown," said Traficant. "So I'm going to have a lot of…opposition if I do run, but quite frankly, I don't give a damn.
"You know, beam me up, I'm ready if I decide to run," Traficant also said, using his trademark closing like from Star Trek.
Sen. Kennedy's memoir: 'True Compass'
Editor's Note: The sons of late Sen. Edward Kennedy, Patrick and Ted Jr., will be guests on "American Morning" Tuesday. Below is an excerpt of Sen. Kennedy's memoir, True Compass, which is on sale now.
PROLOGUE
The Torch
2008
It was on the sunny spring day of Tuesday, May 20, 2008,
that I emerged from a medicated drowsiness in a Boston
hospital bed and looked up into the face of a doctor who
explained to me in a somber way that I was about to die,
and that I had best begin getting my affairs in order and
preparing my friends and family for the end.
As I lay in that hospital bed, my friends and neighbors on
Cape Cod were just then getting their boats ready for the
summer cruises and races. I intended to be among them,
asusual. The Boston Red Sox were a good bet to defend
theirworld championship. There was a presidential primary
campaign in progress. My Senate colleagues were pushing
forward on our legislative agenda. I had work to do.
No. As much as I respect the medical profession, my demise
did not fit into my plans.
I was hardly “in denial” that I faced a grave and shocking
threat to my life. The first symptoms of what would prove to
be a malignant brain tumor had struck me three days earlier.
They’d descended on me as I padded toward the kitchen of the Hyannis Port house that has been the center of my life and happiness for most of my seventy-six years. I was intent on nothing more than taking Sunny and Splash, my much-loved Portuguese water dogs, for their morning walk. My wife, Vicki, and I had just been chatting and having our morning coffee in the sunroom.
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