[Kiran Chetry, Cnn Anchor:] Crude comments. Jesse Jackson's hot mike statement about Barack Obama. His apology and the impact on Obama's campaign.Cleared. This morning new DNA tests free JonBenet's family from the umbrella of suspicion. But are we closer to catching her killer? Plus, Colombia hostage Ingrid Betancourt, one on one with Larry King on the cruelty she endured for six years.
[Ingrid Betancourt, Freed Hostage:] Human beings can be so horrible to other human beings.
[Chetry:] We're going to hear more from the amazing story of Ingrid Betancourt a little bit later. Welcome to the show. It is Thursday, July 10th.
[John Roberts, Cnn Anchor:] Good morning to you. Thanks very much for being with us. And we begin this morning with breaking news out of Iran. For the second straight day, Iran test fires medium and long range missiles. Iranian state television says the missiles have "special capabilities" but didn't explain that. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is traveling in Eastern Europe telling reporters this morning that the United States will not back down and ignore threats against Israel.
[Condoleezza Rice, U.s. Secretary Of State:] We are also sending a message to Iran that we will defend American interests and defend our the interest of our lives. We take very, very strongly our obligation to help our allies defend themselves and no one should be confused about that.
[Roberts:] CNN's Ben Wedeman is live in Jerusalem this morning. And Ben, one of the missiles that was tested was the Shahab-3, which is, they have a range of some 1,200 miles which means it could potentially reach Israel. What's the reaction there in Israel been to these missile tests?
[Ben Wedeman, Cnn Jerusalem Correspondent:] Yes, the Israelis are very concerned about these missiles, John. In fact, it would only take 11 minutes for one of those missiles to go from Iran to Israel. But surprisingly, the reaction here has been fairly muted. I wanted to show you the front page of two of Israel's main newspapers. Neither of them have the Iran missile story as the lead or on the top story or even on the front page. So Israel has been sort of mentally dealing with the potential of an Iranian missile strike for quite some time. They've taken measures over the years. Last month in June they held a civil defense exercise in Tel Aviv. Also last month the Israelis conducted a simulated air operation in the eastern Mediterranean that many believe would be a dry run for a strike on Iran's nuclear program. So the Israelis have really digested and become accustomed to this potential threat for quite some time. So their reaction has been surprisingly mute John.
[Roberts:] You know, Ben, some people are wondering if Iran's actions are as a result of those war games that Israel engaged in last month. But in terms of defending itself from a missile attack, what sort of equipment does Israel have that could potentially shoot down a missile? Do they have anything that could shoot down that type of missile?
[Wedeman:] Well, the Israeli military is the most advanced, the best equipped, and most modern military machine in the Middle East. They have a variety of means to deter some sort of attack. They have two anti-missile systems. There's the Patriot missile system which you anti-missile system, which you may recall from the first Gulf War which was successful at shooting down Iraqi scuds that were fired at Israel. Israel has also developed with the assistance of the United States the Arrow anti-missile system, which is also capable of shooting down missiles coming from broad. In fact, today, the Israelis put on display a spy plane which is essentially serves as an early warning system for incoming missiles among other things on that airplane. So Israel is fairly well equipped in the event somebody decides to fire missiles in its direction John.
[Roberts:] CNN's Ben Wedeman for us this morning from Jerusalem as we look at what are some pretty spectacular pictures of those missile launches. Ben, thanks very much.
[Chetry:] CNN's chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour has been watching these new developments, and she joins us on the phone this morning from France. Christiane, your take on what's been going on with these long range and medium range test fires out of Iran. CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT So we'll have to continue to watch and monitor the fall out from the international community as Iran, yet again for a second straight day, test fires medium and long range missiles. Christiane Amanpour by phone from France, great talking to you. Thanks.
[Roberts:] It's coming up now at six minutes after the hour and turning to the "Most Politics in the Morning." The Reverend Jesse Jackson apologizing to Senator Barack Obama for making what he calls crude comments that were picked up by a live television microphone. Jackson accused Obama of "talking down to black people" in recent speeches in black churches and said that he wanted to remove a certain part of Obama's anatomy. CNN's senior correspondent Joe Johns takes a look at Jackson's apology and the reaction to what he said. He's here now.
[Joe Johns, Cnn Senior Correspondent:] John and Kiran, Reverend Jackson's open mike moment came on Sunday on FOX News. He thought his mike was off when he said this to a fellow guest.
[Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rainbow/push Coalition:] See, Barack been, um, talking down to black people on this faith based. I wanna cut his [beep] off. Barack, he's talking down to black people.
[Johns:] By midweek, Jackson was in full damage control calling leaders in the African-American community to explain, even before many had heard of the comment, placing himself on the firing line at a hastily arranged news conference.
[Jackson:] In this thing I've said in a hot mike statement that's interpreted as distractions, I apologize for that, because I don't want harm or hurt to come to this campaign. It represents too much of the dreams of so many who paid such great prices.
[Johns:] Part of what Jackson was apparently trying to say is Obama should not talk down to the African-American community in sermons when he discusses one of his themes personal responsibility. It was another messy moment for Barack Obama who just seems to attract regrettable off the cuff remarks by high profile people who are quickly forced to go out and take it back. In a statement, Obama's campaign accepted Jackson's apology, but the candidate stood his ground on the issue of personal responsibility saying, "He will continue to speak out about our responsibilities to ourselves and each other. And he, of course, accepts Reverend Jackson's apology." But Jackson didn't receive forgiveness from his own son. Illinois Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., who is a co-chairman of the Obama campaign, issued a statement saying, "I'm deeply outraged and disappointed in the reckless statements," which he calls "divisive and demeaning," and says "they contradict his inspiring and courageous career." It's unclear what trigged Jackson's outburst. In June, Obama delivered a speech before an African-American congregation on the problems of fatherless black households.
[Sen. Barack Obama , Presidential Candidate:] Too many fathers are "MIA." Too many fathers are AWOL.
[Johns:] Reverend Jackson is playing down the notion that this is any kind of a face off between the old guard and the new guard in African- American politics. But there have been rumblings for weeks that some in the Jackson camp in Chicago are upset because Obama's message hasn't been tailored and focused to appeal to the more traditional black constituencies John and Kiran.
[Roberts:] Joe Johns this morning with that story. Just remarkable what happened.
[Chetry:] It sure is. And coming up in just a couple of minutes we're going to be speaking with Jelani Cobb. He is a professor at Spelman College, and he also wrote about this generational divide between Barack Obama and some of the more traditional black leaders. So we're going to get his take on this coming up in a few minutes. We're also following breaking news this morning. Iran launches another set of missile tests while the U.S. sends a tough warning. Ali Velshi is going to join us with a look at what impact, if any, it will have on oil markets.
[Roberts:] Plus, John and Patsy Ramsey declared innocent. A new DNA test proves that they did not kill their daughter. A look at the technology that finally cleared their name.
[Chetry:] Also ahead, they were held captive for more than six years in the jungles of Colombia. And now, we're hearing from the only female hostage rescued and how she's adjusting to life on the outside. Again, you're watching the "Most News in the Morning."