American Morning
Many Dems want White House to take over oil spill efforts
(CNN) – Later today, lawmakers on Capitol Hill will be looking into whether the feds could have prevented the Gulf oil spill. The hearing could end up being a report card on the crisis for government officials and the president. Our Jim Acosta reports on that side of the story from Washington.
LIVE Blog: Chat with us during the show
Editor's Note: Welcome to American Morning's LIVE Blog where you can discuss the "most news in the morning" with us each and every day. Join the live chat during the program by adding your comments below. It's your chance to share your thoughts on the day's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules: 1) Keep it brief 2) No writing in ALL CAPS 3) Use your real name (first name only is fine) 4) No links 5) Watch your language (that includes $#&*).
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/05/26/gulf.spill.more.cleanup.gi.art.jpg caption="BP will undertake Wednesday what some say is a pivotal moment for the oil giant to contain the gushing oil in the Gulf of Mexico. So far, all other attempts have failed."]
'Top kill' a pivotal moment for BP in capping oil leak
(CNN) – We are live this morning in Grand Isle, Louisiana where they're hoping and praying for a miracle today. BP's make-or-break moment has arrived.
The oil giant's "top-kill" operation is poised to begin. We'll be showing you live underwater video all morning as BP attempts to inject 50,000 pounds of industrial mud into the spewing well, all in a desperate attempt to stop it.
The procedure has successfully worked on above-ground oil wells in the Middle East, but has never been tested 5,000 feet underwater.
But all previous attempts by the company to cap the spill have failed. And BP Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward has given the "top kill" maneuver a 60 to 70 percent chance of success.
LIVE: Underwater view of oil leak
The procedure involves pumping thick, viscous fluid twice the density of water into the site of the leak to stop the oil flow. If all goes according to plan, the well can then be sealed shut with cement.
Through the early morning hours Wednesday, BP put equipment into place. A team of experts will examine conditions inside the five-story blowout preventer to determine how much pressure the injected mud will have to overcome. Read more
Program Note: It's an interview you will not want to miss. This morning we're talking with BP CEO Tony Hayward. He called the environmental impact of this spill "modest" before backtracking on that. We'll ask him why he's so much more confident than the government that this will work. Also, why it took so much pressure to keep the cameras on during the operation.
Sound off: We want to hear from you this morning. Add your comments to the LIVE Blog below and we'll read some of them on the show.
Home and Away: Remembering Staff Sgt. Christopher Webb
(CNN) – A new initiative from CNN.com, "Home and Away," honors U.S. and coalition troops who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan by tracking the lives of these brave men and women up to their untimely deaths.
Today, we're remembering Staff Sergeant Christopher Webb – a husband, a father and a hero who won't be forgotten.
Don't Miss: From all parts of the world and spanning all ages, more than 6,000 U.S. and coalition troops have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Explore the names, ages and faces of the fallen
Freed man: 'Don't ever let go'
(CNN) – These days, James Bain is making up for lost time. The time he spent behind bars, 35 years to be exact, for a crime he didn't commit. Bain is the longest-serving prisoner to be exonerated by DNA evidence, and that's made him something of a celebrity. Our John Zarrella is following his story.
Read more: Man wrongfully imprisoned for decades happy to start relearning life
Vote as early as Thursday on DADT agreement
(CNN) – Lawmakers on Capitol Hill, President Obama and possibly the military are coming together on a deal to repeal the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Three members of Congress have a plan laid out, but now the ball is in the Pentagon's court. Our Barbara Starr joined us on Tuesday morning to break it all down.
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