American Morning
Political panel: 2012 candidates to spend Labor Day campaigning
Candidates and potential candidates for the 2012 GOP nomination have been busy campaigning this weekend and they will have no rest this Labor Day as they try to rally supporters in a host of events across the country.
Following a appearance in Iowa on Saturday where she spoke to a group of around 2,000 people who had gathered hoping that she'd make some indication as to whether or not she'd run for the nomination, Sarah Palin will be in New Hampshire today for a Tea Party event.
Meanwhile, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Michelle Bachmann will be at a forum in South Carolina event hosted by Senator Jim DeMint, a leader in the new conservative grassroots movement that includes so-called tea partiers.
Roll Call politics writer Shira Toeplitz and Politico senior political reporter Ben Smith explain what Palin's weekend event could signal about her intentions to run and whether Sen. DeMint's forum will push Perry to the front of the candidate pack.
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Talk Back: Do unions help or hurt America?
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From CNN's Carol Costello:
Last month, labor activists in Wisconsin successfully recalled two anti-union state lawmakers after Governor Scott Walker took on public unions and effectively killed collective bargaining earlier in the year.
Labor union leaders who contend that a war is being waged against hard-working Americans by anti-union lawmakers, point to this success, among others, as evidence that they have not lost power.
However, only 11 percent of the U.S. labor force is now represented by unions and middle class workers continue to be faced with plateaued wages and a wage gap that is growing wider and wider. Critics blame the labor unions for these situations, arguing that their large pensions and greed have forced companies to send jobs overseas.
Talk Back: Do unions help or hurt America?
Let us know what you think. Your response may be read on this morning's broadcast.
CNN Heroes: To the rescue - finding a purpose for rejected shelter dogs
Santa Paula, California (CNN) - When disaster strikes and people are buried in rubble, there's often no better search tool than a dog's nose.
It's a valuable asset that has already been utilized several times this year. Trained search dogs, along with their human handlers, have provided help in high-profile disasters such as the Japan earthquake in March and the Joplin, Missouri, tornado in May.
"After a disaster, there is a window of opportunity for finding live people," said Wilma Melville, founder of the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. "The first eight hours are critical."
There are about 250 search-and-rescue teams, each made up of a dog and a handler, that are certified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. But Melville says that's half as many as there should be.
U.S. Open enters third round – Can Americans compete on their home court?
So who is your pick to win the U.S. Open?
We've already seen Venus Williams drop out of the ladies draw, citing an autoimmune disease. And on the men's side, many fans complain the Americans just can't stand up to the style and skill of the international tennis stars.
This morning on American Morning, Carol, Ali and Christine speak with Jim Courier, former number one world tennis player and CBS Sports analyst. They asked him if concerns about skill limitations are valid, and which tennis stars he thinks will go all the way in this year's competition.
In addition Courier will be playing in the 2011 Champions series in Ft. Lauderdale on September 22nd. For more information visit: Championsseriestennis.com.
U.S. economy added no jobs in August, according to jobs report released this morning
The federal government reported the worst unemployment number since September 2010 this morning in its jobs report, which stated that the U.S. economy added no jobs in August. The unemployment rate stayed steady at 9.1%.
As President Obama prepares to make his jobs speech next Thursday, these are very disappointing numbers that indicate that the economy is looking bleaker.
Kenneth Rogoff, professor of economics at Harvard University, weighs in on the unemployment rate today on American Morning.
"It is discouraging but it's not that surprising," Rogoff says. "We have not left the recession. I think that is the point most Americans understand"
Rogoff also weighs in on the state of the economy and what could bring relief to the American people in Obama's speech next week.
"Confidence," he says. "People and companies need confidence that this is going to turn around."
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