[Velshi:] Time for "CNN Equals Politics." Right now, CNN national political correspondent Jessica Yellin on Election Express in Covington, Kentucky, right across the bridge from Cincinnati, Ohio. So she is going to tell us what is crossing the ticker right now. Five dollars extra if you work Skyline Chili into your report.
[Jessica Yellin, Cnn National Political Correspondent:] Oh, Ali, OK. All right, first of all, it's a big day today for former President Bill Clinton. He is out stumping. Well, first I told you yesterday he was stumping for Florida's senate democratic candidate Kendrick Meek, he raised $175,000 in an afternoon for the candidate who will need a lot more than that. And today he is headed down south to Arkansas, where he will join Senate democratic candidate Blanch Lincoln. He has stumped for Lincoln before, Ali, you might remember. That was a closely-watched Senate runoff between two democratic contenders, and Bill Clinton helped clinch a win for her in the primary, but even the Clinton magic might not be enough to pull Blanch Lincoln through. Privately, Democrats are conceding that her senate seat is one they realize they may likely lose come November. Well, it's hard to talk about one Clinton as another as it is to mention, what was it, chili on the skyline without French fries? Also, yes, so big day today also for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. She gave an important speech to the Council on Foreign Relations where she talked about her view of the U.S.'s role and the world in the future. And she said the U.S. will retain its role as a dominant leader in the world, but more through partnerships, strategic partnerships, and not just through overwhelming military and economic might. She also used the opportunity to criticize plans by a Florida church to burn a Koran on the anniversary of 911. She says she wishes that weren't getting as much attention as it is, but, quote, "that's the world we're living in today." And, Ali, I don't know what makes you cry, but if you're Megan McCain, well, she is telling talk show host Jay Leno what her cry is her dad's choice of Sarah Palin to be his running mate on the ticket. She says it's because she was so shocked. She had never heard of her didn't know or didn't really know who she was when the announcement came. And she says, politics, you don't like surprises in politics. All this, you won't be surprised to hear, is as she is promoting what? a book, "Dirty Sexy Politics." I'm sure you can buy it in stores everywhere. Megan McCain, I'm sure, would like everyone to do that Ali.
[Velshi:] You know, you and I have work together a lot, but we haven't shared a lot of food. We don't have the same thing so you're probably not much of a Cincinnati chili aficionado where they put chili on spaghetti and there's some cocoa in the chili.
[Yellin:] No wait, on spaghetti? Why would they put cocoa no, yes, no. I mean, I'm all for Cincinnati local delicacies, but yes, too starch heavy.
[Velshi:] Jessica, always a pleasure to see you. Thanks very much. You got yourself your five bucks out of that, we'll have to give you something more challenging sometime. Jessica Yellin with our political ticker. We'll be bringing that up to you very regularly. Be sure to stay with CNN for complete coverage of the key races and the key issues heading into this critical midterm election. Your next "CNN Equals Politics" update is just one hour away. All right, energy bills for your home cut in half. How do you do that? I'm going to tell you about geothermal energy, it's out "Big 'I'" after a quick break and I'll show you a company that is taking geothermal energy to a whole new level.