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Campbell Brown
Timothy Geithner Confirmed as Treasury Secretary; Blagojevich's Media Blitz
Aired January 26, 2009 - 20:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAMPBELL BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: Hey there, everybody.
We begin with breaking news tonight.
Bullet point number one: President Obama gets his man at treasury, Tim Geithner sworn in minutes ago by the president after the Senate confirmed him 60-34, despite the pointed questions he faced about fumbling his own payroll taxes.
Well, now Geithner has much bigger worries, fixing the economy, as we learned that more than 70,000 jobs were wiped out. And that was just today. Ali Velshi breaks down the unbelievable unemployment numbers for us shortly.
Bullet point two tonight: media blitz. For weeks of -- after weeks, rather, of no comment from Rod Blagojevich, well, now he's everywhere. The embattled Illinois governor blew off day one of his impeachment trial, heading to New York instead for full-scale media blitz as he fights to stay in office. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. ROD BLAGOJEVICH (D), ILLINOIS: I know the fix is in, and I will soon George join, unfortunately, the legions of others who are losing their jobs in our country. But they know that this is a very scary precedent that they're setting in Illinois.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: And bullet point number three tonight: What really happened on that practice field? A high school football coach charged with homicide in the death of one of his players. Was it avoidable? Or did the coach cross the line, demanding too much from young athletes? We will talk about that tonight.
But, first, "Cutting Through The Bull."
Why is it, the more we look around the edges of the Wall Street bailout, the more we find reason to ask, just in the world is going on? Over the last few days, we have seen a couple of things that have frankly baffled us, first Citigroup and its decision to buy a big new corporate jet.
"The New York Post" today hammered the company for taking $45 billion in taxpayer bailout money for laying off 75,000 workers and still taking possession of a new $50 million luxury jet later this year. Citi says it's selling its old planes. And, with that cash, it will more than make up the cost of the new model.
But, in case you missed the one about the CEOs for the big automakers going to Capitol Hill and then getting reamed for their private jets, well, this is not exactly what you want to be talking about in this environment, guys. You are laying people off. This is not what Americans want to hear.
Meanwhile, we ask again tonight, where is the oversight and the accountability? One of the leaders of the president's economic team appeared on NBC's "Meet the Press" over the weekend. He was pressed on why the government isn't demanding that banks spend the TARP funds the way the government wants them to. Well, he didn't have an answer.
Who's in charge of this process? Who is watching the banks? Who's demanding accountability? We recognize the new treasury secretary just got confirmed today and that the Obama team has been on the job for only a week, but please, please, just show us a sign that somebody has a handle on this and can actually tell us what in the world is going on.
Tonight, as we just mentioned, Tim Geithner is now treasury secretary. And as the president said, he has his work cut out for him. Just look at the news today, a day already called bloody Monday. And here's why. A number of big U.S. companies announce they are axing a total of more than 70,000 jobs. That is right, another 70,000 jobs gone, an ominous milestone.
And chief business correspondent Ali Velshi is here once again to guide us through it all.
And, Ali, you have been telling us you have never seen anything like it. It's unprecedented.
ALI VELSHI, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Yes.
That was halfway through the day, when it was only 50,000 job cuts announced and then it got above 70,000. It's really just remarkable. These numbers, we have never seen before. Pfizer, a new company combined with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, laying 26,000 people, Caterpillar 20,000, Sprint 8,000. Just the list just goes on, across the country, across different types of jobs.
This is very worrisome, because when we think about this recession, and we think about the way you get out of a recession, one way that people describe recession is the destruction of demand. People worried about losing their own jobs simply keep their money in their own pockets. They don't spend it.
Well, when you get these kind of numbers out here, people get more worried. They cancel their trips. They cancel any purchases that they may make, because they're worried they have to squirrel away money, they have got to hunker down. And that is very, very concerning, Campbell. It does not bode well for a quick end to -- it's not even quick if it ended now, but for an end to this recession any time soon -- Campbell. BROWN: And, Ali, amid all this, the Obama administration has had a tough sell of the stimulus plan, some calling it damage control. But we are getting some new information about exactly what kinds of jobs and how many are part of the plan to be created by the stimulus package. What can you tell us about that?
VELSHI: Well, I want to spend hopefully the next few days breaking down what's in the stimulus plan and how it might actually stimulate the economy.
Let's talk about what the administration says that they might do about jobs. They talk about creating or saving three million to four million jobs, creating or saving. Remember that language. That's different. That's not just creating. Maybe it means stopping the bleeding.
But here is how it breaks down, about 678,000 jobs in construction. That's the traditional infrastructure building that we think about. About 408,000 in manufacturing, which is the single biggest area where we have lost jobs over the last few years -- 604,000 in retail, that obviously depends on demand coming back. That might be by giving people some money so they can spend it -- 240,000 in education and health care, that's one of the only areas where we haven't seen job losses. There's actually growth in that area for people who are looking for work.
Almost 500,000 in tourism, again because of new demand being created, and about 244,000 jobs in government. This is what the Obama administration says that its stimulus bill will do in terms of job creation -- Campbell.
BROWN: Ali Velshi for us tonight with the bad news and a little hopefully good news down the road -- Ali, thanks as always.
We're coming right back with much more on the outrageous Wall Street spending. Corporate executive flying on corporate jets doesn't look good these days while Citigroup is slashing jobs, thousands 75,000 of them, and plans to take delivery on this brand new $50 million 12-seater. Is it bad P.R., bad business, or both?
BROWN: And then later Rod Blagojevich does a little traveling of his own, taking his case on the road while his future hangs in the balance back home.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BROWN: Tonight, it looks as if at least one former top executive may finally get it.
Late this afternoon, former Merrill Lynch CEO John Thain, who resigned from Bank of America last week, told CNBC he's decided to pay back the $1.2 million he spent renovating his office. And he confirmed that, yes, he really did spend that much.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) JOHN THAIN, FORMER MERRILL LYNCH CEO: It is true. This was a year ago -- or, actually, a little bit more than a year ago -- in a very different economic environment and a very different outlook for Merrill and the financial services industry.
It was my office. It was two conference rooms, and it was a reception area. But it is clear to me in today's world that it was a mistake. I apologize for spending that money on those things. And I will make it right. I will reimburse the company for all of those costs.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: Tonight, as America hemorrhages jobs, it appears the top executives of one bailed-out company will still be flying high. Citigroup, the parent company of one of the world's biggest banks which got $45 billion in government bailout money, reportedly is going ahead with plans to buy a new luxury jet.
And Joe Johns spent the day working his sources. He's joining us now for a NO BIAS, NO BULL look at what's up -- Joe.
JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: Well, Campbell, in fairness, Citigroup did book this flight two years ago, when the company was flying high.
But today, of course, with huge government bailouts to rescue all of the high fliers, a brand-new corporate jet doesn't look right. As first reported by "The New York Post," Citigroup is plunking down $50 million on a state-of-the-art corporate jet that seats 12 people. It's nice, too, leather seats, sofas, an entertainment center. It flies almost 6,000 miles before refueling.
But Citigroup has already got a fleet of its own planes. So why aren't corporate officials using this money to fix Citigroup if it's so open?
Ryan Alexander of Taxpayers For Common Sense told us: I think the public is outraged when they see banks doing things like this. She said, it's inappropriate for that. She says it's outrageous that the banks are receiving billions and billions in federal aid and continue to spend millions on things that don't look like they're shoring up their core business.
Now, of course, the sooner Citigroup shores up the core business, the sooner it can pay back that $45 billion U.S. taxpayers are shelling out to Citi in the Troubled Asset Relief Program.
One political scientist at George Washington University told us it really at least symbolic. It's a symbolic program for Citigroup to be seen spending its money on what seems frivolous when they have been taking billions of dollars in government cash.
Citigroup put out a couple of statements today, of course, the first, they said, the company doesn't comment on its fleet of aircraft for security reasons, but as the jet roar, if you will, got louder today, Citigroup revised its explanation, saying it signed this contract on the new plane a couple years ago, that it was part of a larger plan to reduce the number of planes Citigroup owns to get one that is more fuel efficient.
Also said the company expects it proceeds from the sale of existing aircraft will exceed the cost of the replacement aircraft. And refusing delivery, they say, would result in millions of dollars in penalties. Citi is exploring all of its options for the assets, including perhaps the sale or lease of the aircraft.
And they also say TARP funds will not be used for the purchase. Citi says it will continue to comply with all of TARP requirements. That of course is their explanation. Not everyone is buying it. Late today, Senator Carl Levin of Michigan called on the new treasury secretary essentially to ground Citibank's private jet deal -- Campbell.
BROWN: All right. Joe Johns for us tonight on that story -- Joe, thanks very much.
Republicans are pointing to the bad behavior of bailed-out companies as just one reason why Congress should slow down and think twice before throwing more billions at the recession. But, tonight, President Obama and brand new Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner are making it clear they want Congress to act and to act now.
Senior White House correspondent Ed Henry joining us now with the very latest.
And, Ed, if the president needed help convincing Congress to develop a sense of urgency, I guess he got it today with those bad job numbers, didn't he?
ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: He did, Campbell.
Tens of thousands of job losses, certainly, that could provide an impetus to get Capitol Hill moving. Also, some late-breaking developments tonight. We have just confirmed that, in fact, Democratic officials are planning now to drop a very controversial provision from this stimulus plan. Basically, it would have provided $200 million for contraceptive funding.
Republicans have been lampooning it, saying basically that would only stimulate the people involved, not stimulate the economy. We have heard Republican Leader John Boehner made that crack, essentially. They're now pulling that out because they realize that this bill is being lampooned for a lot of wasteful spending. They want to try to tighten it up a little bit.
Also, tonight, we're -- we have just seen the president go over to the Treasury Department next door and help swear in his new treasury secretary, Tim Geithner. That's another important development because they have been working without a full economic team. But they're still facing Republican opposition. It's growing.
Republican John McCain just yesterday now joining the list of Republicans who are saying there's too much waste in here; there's not enough tax cuts. And so, what the president is going to do tomorrow is go to Capitol Hill, not meet with Democrats, but meet with House and Senate Republicans separately to try and bring them along.
The bottom line is that Democrats are saying they have the votes to pass this bill, to muscle it through. But they want to go further than that. They want to make it bipartisan, because this is his first big initiative. It is going to lay the groundwork for everything else the president does.
They don't want this to just be a party-line vote, Campbell.
BROWN: And, Ed, the president also continues to undo his predecessor's policies. Today, he strikes down a regulation allowing states to set their own fuel efficiency standards. And this is how he explained the decision. Let's listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Year after year, decade after decade, we've chosen delay over decisive action. Rigid ideology has overruled sound science. Special interests have overshadowed common sense. Rhetoric has not led to the hard work needed to achieve results and our leaders raise their voices each time there's a spike on gas prices, only to grow quiet when the price falls at the pump.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: And, Ed, the president said, this is part of a financial rescue plan, but it's not without real risk for him.
HENRY: Certainly, there's a lot of political risk here. Certainly environmentalists are happy about this. Raising fuel efficiency standards, it's something he said he would do. So, it's a promise kept in that sense to move forward on this.
But the potential political problem is the fact that this is going to potentially hurt the already struggling auto industry. How are they going to take on dealing with higher emissions standards, higher fuel efficiency standards at a time when one or maybe a couple of them are teetering on the brink of bankruptcy? He now owns this economy and every step he takes could have a direct impact -- Campbell.
BROWN: Ed Henry for us tonight -- Ed, thanks.
HENRY: Thank you.
BROWN: Next, our political experts and what happens when a new president's big ambitions run into the realities of politics in Washington.
And later the first case we know of where a football coach faces charges because a player literally practiced to death. We're going to take a NO BIAS, NO BULL look at whether this case will change high school sports everywhere -- that coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: Congratulations, Tim. You have got your work cut out for you, as I think everybody knows. But you also have my full confidence, my deepest trust, my unyielding belief that we can rise to achieve what is required of us at this moment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: That was President Obama just a few minutes ago after swearing in Tim Geithner as treasury secretary.
And with now, we have got three of the smartest observers from across the political spectrum, CNN senior political analyst Gloria Borger, National Public Radio contributor John Ridley and editor in chief of the Web site thatminoritything.com, former Republican Congressman Pat Toomey, president and CEO of the Club For Growth, which supports limited government and low taxes.
Welcome, everybody.
John, let me start with you.
If somebody were to sit down and actually go through the stimulus line by line, they may find a lot of surprises in there, for example, billions of dollars for Head Start programs, for preschoolers, millions for the National Endowment for the Arts. I mean, these may be good programs, but are they the kind of programs that are really going to jump-start the economy?
JOHN RIDLEY, COMMENTATOR, NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO: Some are; some aren't. I know a lot of people have made jokes about, for example, the lawn that was going to be put in near the Capitol or Capitol Mall.
And it sounds funny. It sounds odd. But the reality is, something like that, it's an infrastructure program. Somebody has got to put in the grass, maintain it. Is that the kind of job that is ultimately going to save America? Probably not. Will it put money in somebody's pocket, so they can take care of their family, maybe pay down their mortgages? Yes.
Other things like the family planning, look, I didn't get it from the very beginning. I think this is the kind of thing that you have got to go through with a fine-tooth comb. We see some of these things shaking out already. That's probably the way to go. This should not be pork-barrel spending.
It should be what is in some fashion going to the economy or get jobs started.
BROWN: And, Gloria, Republicans seized on one such provision in the plan that would have allowed hundreds of millions of dollars to go to funding contraceptives. We know that Obama asked House Democrats to take it out. And they are. What happened there?
GLORIA BORGER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, I think that Republicans have gone through this bill, and they were cherry-picking provisions that they didn't think would go over well with the American public and provisions they didn't like.
And I think the Obama folks went to House Democratic leaders and said, look, this isn't a fight we want to have right now, so let's take it out of the bill, because what Obama wants to do is get as many Republicans as he can to support the measure to set a different tone in Washington.
So, he's not going to get a lot of House Republicans, Campbell, but he does have a shot at some Senate Republicans. And, so, why put anything in there that that is going to have him lose some of those Republican votes? And, so, they cut it off.
BROWN: And, Pat, I know you're against all the spending, generally. You think tax cuts really are the only answer here. But what does your party need to be doing? Because Obama did win and Republicans lost. You have got a majority of Democrats in Congress. Don't you have to, as a party, function more than essentially a roadblock?
PAT TOOMEY, FORMER U.S. CONGRESSMAN: Well, keep in mind the Republicans in Congress all won also. That's why they're there.
And I think it's very important that they explain...
(CROSSTALK)
BROWN: But you know you have a majority.
TOOMEY: Sure.
BROWN: It only takes a couple of Republicans for him to get this through. So how can Republicans be more constructive, I guess?
TOOMEY: The constructive thing is to actually advocate things that will help the economy.
This is fundamentally a flawed premise. The idea that government by going out and borrowing and spending a lot of money can spend us out of a recession is completely wrong. It has been tried repeatedly. It has failed.
And tax cuts that actually encourage investment and increasing productivity, that's the source of wealth and prosperity. Republicans should advocate those things, try to get whatever they can into this package. They probably won't get much that's pro-growth. And if they can't, they should vote against it.
BROWN: Gloria, how far can congressional Republicans really afford to go in terms of opposing these plans? You have got former -- one of their colleagues, J.C. Watts, is warning them to -- I think he said be careful how you throw eggs at this parade. What are you hearing?
(CROSSTALK)
BORGER: Well, I think that Republicans are -- it's like they're having their first date with Barack Obama. They're not -- they're all sizing each other up. And they also understand that people want the economy fixed, that 58 percent of independent voters in our polls say that people want a stimulus package.
They also understand, Campbell, that even if they vote against this, that it's going to pass without them. So, they do have kind of a free shot here. But, in the end, I would say -- I would agree with J.C. Watts, and I would say, look, you have a popular president, almost 80 percent approval rating.
BROWN: Right.
BORGER: People want you to be a part of the solution here. So, just to throw stones isn't good enough.
BROWN: John, quickly, how important do you think it is for Republicans to be on board to a certain extent? He doesn't really need them? But how important is it generally?
RIDLEY: I think it's important because, one, we have got to do something.
But, also, more importantly, if they are merely an opposition, if and when these projects start to work, it doesn't give them a lot of wiggle room. We stood against it and it works. It's different to be able to say, we looked at it, we helped pushed it through, and it works, as opposed to being simply against it.
BROWN: All right. Guys, John Ridley, along with Gloria Borger, Pat Toomey, thanks very much. Appreciate it.
Next, consider this. Controversial Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, his defense attorney quit last week. His impeachment trial in Illinois began today. So, he's where? Well, here in New York, naturally, making the rounds of the talk shows. Coming up, Governor Blagojevich takes his case to the people.
And, later, you have heard of bats in the belfry, but how did a car get into this church's roof?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is the governor present? Is there anyone present on behalf of the governor?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: And silence. That was about the only place Governor Rod Blagojevich didn't show up today, his own impeachment trial, which began this afternoon in the Illinois State Senate. No, Blagojevich is boycotting that proceeding. He says it's unconstitutional and thinks his time is better spent running a media gauntlet right here in New York. He made the rounds of network news programs today, dropping names like Mandela, Gandhi, even Oprah. What's Oprah got to do with it?
Tom Foreman is joining us right now with the answer.
Tom, what's going on?
TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, I will tell you, Campbell, it was a very unusual day and a very unusual approach. But his approach to this from the beginning, these accusations against him, that he tried to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat, have been unusual and today continued the trend.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FOREMAN (voice-over): Governor Blagojevich was not at the impeachment hearing and neither were his lawyers. But he is mounting a defense in the court of public opinion, storming the morning talk circuit.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE VIEW")
BLAGOJEVICH: I'm not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOREMAN: On "The View," Barbara Walters grilled him about those accusations of trying to sell Barack Obamas' Senate seat, allegedly being caught on tape saying, "It's golden."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE VIEW")
BARBARA WALTERS, CO-HOST: Did you say those things?
BLAGOJEVICH: Well, I think that, whatever the tapes are, they are going to come out and they will speak for themselves.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOREMAN: Whoopi Goldberg questioned his strategy of avoiding the impeachment trial.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE VIEW")
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, CO-HOST: Because it feels a little bit like people aren't taking you seriously.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOREMAN: On to "The Today Show," where the questions kept coming. Why not stay and fight the impeachment if you have really done no wrong?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE TODAY SHOW")
BLAGOJEVICH: It's a kangaroo court. And they have decided essentially to do a hanging without even a fair trial.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOREMAN: And on to "Good Morning America." Time and time again, the tapes were raised. Over and over, he said his comments were taken out of context. And he would like to explain.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "GOOD MORNING AMERICA")
BLAGOJEVICH: But, as the impeachment process exists, they won't allow me to bring witnesses, like Rahm Emanuel, the president's chief of staff, who has said most recently, publicly, that I have done nothing wrong.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOREMAN: Not quite. Emanuel said Blagojevich didn't ask him for anything improper.
However, the Illinois Senate is limiting witnesses for both the defense and the prosecution in the impeachment to avoid interfering with the criminal case against the governor. Still, the prosecution is steaming ahead.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At a time when Illinois was celebrating, the governor was busy trying to figure out a way to personally benefit in this development.
FOREMAN: Blagojevich suggests it's political persecution, plain and simple, saying he is drawing inspiration from Gandhi, Mandela, and Martin Luther King Jr.
And he dropped this bombshell. He says he considered Oprah Winfrey to replace Obama.
On the Gayle King radio show, Oprah said this is the first she has heard about it.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST, "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW": If I had been watching, as I normally -- as watch from the treadmill, I probably would have fallen off the treadmill.
(LAUGHTER)
GAYLE KING, EDITOR AT LARGE, "O": I know. I thought that was so shocking.
(LAUGHTER)
WINFREY: I think I'm -- I'm pretty amused by the whole thing.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOREMAN: In any event, Oprah says she would not be interested in the job. The big question is, what happens to his job right now? A lot of political watchers in Illinois said that impeachment is almost certain. The question, though, has to do with the criminal trial. If the indictments come this spring, as expected, will he wind up being convicted and will he serve time? -- Campbell.
BROWN: All right, Tom Foreman for us tonight -- Tom, thanks.
The embattled governor says, of course, he's taking his case directly to the people. Is Rod Blagojevich out of control, out of his mind, or crazy like a fox?
Let's ask our senior and legal political analyst Jeff Toobin and senior political analyst Gloria Borger.
And I have just to get your take, guys, on the media tour, generally.
Jeff, "The View," really?
JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN SENIOR ANALYST: I think he's crazy like a crazy person.
(LAUGHTER)
TOOBIN: The definitive word on this so far has been Mayor Daley, who just said "cuckoo."
(LAUGHTER)
TOOBIN: This is not a rational strategy. You could say that he's trying to appeal, potentially, to the jury in the criminal case.
BROWN: To the jury pool, right.
TOOBIN: But this is too nuts for that. I -- I think this is just acting out.
BROWN: Gloria, is he helping himself?
BORGER: No. I can't figure it out. I mean, obviously his lawyer quit so his lawyer didn't think it was a great idea for him to go on this media tour. I bet in his own mind, he thinks he's playing to a jury pool. But comparing himself really to Gandhi, to Mandela, to Martin Luther King, a little bit delusional going on here.
BROWN: So how does this play out? I mean, you know, the impeachment trial starting today? His days in office numbered, I'm guessing? TOOBIN: I think so. He got one vote in the House. He doesn't look like he's going to get that many in the state Senate. Then he'll be thrown out of office and then he'll await his criminal trial. He hasn't even been indicted yet, so that's going to take a while.
I would be surprised if a criminal trial takes place much before the fall or even next year, but I think he'll be out of work in a couple of weeks and he will be much less of a news story at that point and he'll just see whether he gets convicted.
BROWN: Unless, unless, Gloria, though, the strategy that he has, he talked about it over and over today that he wants to call Obama's closest advisers as witnesses. Rahm Emanuel, of course, Valerie Jarrett, I mean, what do you think he's trying to do?
BORGER: I think he's trying to embarrass everyone. I mean, I think he's trying to sort of -- bring this to Barack Obama in some bizarre way, bring this to Rahm Emanuel or Valerie Jarrett and say look, they're going to testify on my behalf, which, of course, they might not -- they might not do.
And then, you know, Campbell, he also raised this notion that the legislature is trying to impeach him because they want to thwart his tax cuts for working class Americans? Huh, in Illinois? I just don't think people in that state is buying that.
TOOBIN: He does have a quarter of a good argument.
BROWN: I was going to say does he at least have a decent legal point to make on that, on that issue?
TOOBIN: Well, on the issue of witnesses, the Illinois state Senate is being very restrictive in which witnesses can be called. Now, every judge restricts witnesses in some way. So the idea that he can't call any witness he wants, that's not a good argument. But the fact that he's being so limited in his witnesses is pretty unusual and arguably unfair. But the way to argue that is to go in there, make your case, not complain about it on "The View."
BROWN: Or on this show because we invited him.
TOOBIN: Or Larry King.
BROWN: And he's coming tomorrow. I mean, why not? You know, that was my feeling. Anyway --
BORGER: Have fun.
TOOBIN: I'm looking forward to seeing the hair in real life.
BORGER: Have a good time.
BROWN: That was it.
TOOBIN: I normally see it on TV. I want to see the real hair.
BROWN: You think I can sort of do a little --
BORGER: Campbell, Campbell --
BROWN: Yes.
BORGER: Are you going to do that? I was just going to ask you, as long as you don't put your fingers through his hair?
BROWN: I'll try to resist the urge.
BORGER: OK, try.
BORGER: OK. Jeff Toobin, Gloria Borger, thanks, guys.
We will have our "NO BIAS" interview as I said with Governor Rod Blagojevich. That is tomorrow night. He will be here live and in person, hair and all.
Still to come, a story we will all be hearing more about. A California woman gives birth to eight babies at once. I don't know how that's possible, but we're going to have details.
Plus, another story that you've got to see to believe, how an impersonator managed to convince Chicago police he was one of them. And he's only 14 years old.
Later, the picture of the day -- that is right. A car hit the roof of a church. Find out how it got there when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOREMI ADELEKE, 4th GRADE, CROCKER HIGHLANDS SCHOOL: President Barack Obama, I am so proud that you are president. I love your catch phrase, yes we can. When you were elected president, me and my mom were crying, but they were tears of joy.
Thank you for allowing yourself to try out for the presidency. Sincerely, your number one fan, Moremi Adeleke.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: A thumbs up to the new commander-in-chief from a fourth grader at Crocker Highlands Elementary School in Oakland, California.
Of course, we love hearing from kids all around the country. Send us your letter. You can do that by checking out our iReport link on the Web site, CNN.com/campbell.
And up next, the musician drummed right out of his band for something he did at the inauguration. We didn't think it was so bad. But first, Joe Johns has tonight's "Briefing" -- Joe.
JOHNS: Campbell, President Obama wants to make sure the cease- fire in Gaza holds. So he's asking newly named Middle East envoy George Mitchell to travel to Egypt, Israel, and other countries in the region. The president says Mitchell's words will carry the full weight of the White House in the effort to get Israel and Hamas to start talking.
Jewish groups are outraged at a bishop who's been welcomed back into the Roman Catholic Church. Bishop Richard Williamson recently told an interviewer he does not believe the Nazis used gas chambers to kill Jews. A Vatican spokesman calls the comments indefensible.
This weekend Pope Benedict reinstated Williamson and three other bishops who've been excommunicated by Pope John Paul II for their connection to an ultra traditional Catholic society.
Chicago police are trying to explain how a 14-year-old faked his way over duty over the weekend. The boy showed up in full uniform and rode out with a real officer. They rode around for hours until somebody noticed the boy was missing one thing -- a shield. Today, he pleaded not guilty to charges of impersonating an officer.
And a church in Germany got something from above, but it wasn't divine intervention. A speeding car crashed into the church's roof after the driver lost control and went airborne. The driver was seriously hurt. He is expected to recover from his brush with heaven.
BROWN: All right, Joe Johns for us tonight. Joe, thanks.
And still ahead, a White House glitch -- no e-mail? No kidding. We're going to have details in our "Political Daily Briefing."
But next, a football coach facing criminal charges. Is it really his fault that one of his players died? We'll talk about that.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BROWN: With all the pressure we put on our kids, this story could be quite a cautionary tale. A promising young high school athlete collapses on the football field and dies. Today, his coach stood in a courtroom accused of pushing his player to the breaking point. It's a troubling story on many levels and David Mattingly has been looking into it for us all day today -- David.
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Campbell, this could be a landmark case that's felt on every football field in the country. A young player dies of heat stroke after collapsing in practice. Now, his coach is charged with reckless homicide, something that could send him to prison for five years.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATTINGLY (voice-over): At 6'2", 220 pounds, Max Gilpin seemed like a lock to make his high school football team. But during a sweltering August practice, the 15-year-old collapsed. Listen as an assistant coach called in to 911.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ASSISTANT COACH: We've got water on him. He's responsive. He's got a big rapid pulse but he's --
911 OPERATOR: Are you with him right now?
ASSISTANT COACH: Yes, I'm trying to control his breathing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MATTINGLY: He wasn't talking. His heart was racing. In the background, you can hear someone pleading with him to open his eyes.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come on, come on. Open those eyes all the way up. Get those eyes open for me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MATTINGLY: Authorities say when Gilpin got to the hospital, he had 107 degree fever. He died three days later. And now more than just a tragedy that happens far too often, Gilpin's coach stands accused of reckless homicide.
DAVID JASON STINSON, FOOTBALL COACH: It's a sad day. My heart's broken. Part of my life has been taken away.
MATTINGLY: On Saturday, coach David Stinson cheerfully spoke to supporters standing vigil at his Louisville, Kentucky home.
STINSON: I lost one of my boys after that day. I lost one of my boys, a boy that I loved and a boy that I cared for, and a boy that meant the world to me. That's the thing that people forget. And don't ever forget that because that's a burden that will carry with me for the rest of my life.
MATTINGLY: A University of North Carolina study found 33 football players at all levels of the game who had died from heat stroke over a recent 12-year period, 25 of them were in high school. But this is the first time such a death has been called a homicide.
An attorney representing Max Gilpin's family calls the conduct of all the coaches that day at practice inexcusable, as was the lack of urgency and the delay in seeking medical treatment. Parents who were at the practice called the local paper to complain.
ANTOINETTE KONZ, LOUISVILLE COURIER JOURNAL: I heard them deny them water and also had made a comment that he was going to run the boys until somebody quit the team.
MATTINGLY: A grand jury found that coach Stinson recklessly caused the death of Max Gilpin. Stinson's attorney says his client is innocent and feels as if he lost one of his own.
ALEX DATHORNE, STINSON'S ATTORNEY: It is a tragedy and it is unfortunate. But I don't think the indictment of coach Stinson necessarily resolves that issue.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BROWN: And David, I understand the boy's father was actually at the practice when his son collapsed. What did he see?
MATTINGLY: He was there toward at the end of the practice, and he saw his son go down on all fours. He saw some of the players come to his son's aid, but his son wasn't able to walk or move on his own. He knew something was wrong.
His big complaint right now is why did it take so long for the coaching staff to react to this very serious episode? He wants to know why it took 15 to 25 minutes before even one of the coaches decided to call 911.
BROWN: All right. David Mattingly for us tonight. David, thanks.
And as we just heard, the charges against coach David Stinson are unprecedented in a case like this. We want to bring back senior legal analyst Jeff Toobin and also joining me is ESPN correspondent Tom Farrey, who is the author of the book, "Game On: The All-American Race to Make Champions of our Children."
Jeff, sadly, he's not the first player to die on the field in a situation like this even. But as we've heard, this hasn't happened to a coach before, being charged like this. I mean, what are the legal issues here?
TOOBIN: Well, there have been civil cases arising out of these deaths and serious injuries.
BROWN: But not criminal.
TOOBIN: Korey Stringer of the Minnesota Vikings who died a couple of years ago, there was a civil case growing out of that. But you're right, this is the first time that a coach might actually go to jail as a result of a player dying. And the argument by prosecutors here is that this behavior by the coach was so inexcusable, was so reckless, so negligent that it's not just a civil violation requiring money damages to be paid but a criminal case. And that's what's going to be decided by the jury.
BROWN: But because his father was there, this kid's father was there observing this, and we just heard David talk about that, does that shift any of the responsibility legally, I guess, away from the coach? I mean I heard him say, David say, that the father was complaining that the coaches waited so long to call 911. But I'm sort of thinking, well, if I'm sitting there watching my kid, I would have picked up my cell phone and called 911.
TOOBIN: You would think, but you have to know what the exact facts were.
BROWN: Yes.
TOOBIN: And ultimately, the coaches are in charge of the practice and it was the coaches who are over the kid and seeing what's going on.
BROWN: Seeing what's going on.
TOOBIN: I read the deposition in the civil case of the athletic director and it is somewhat striking how slow the school and this coaching staff was to react to a situation that was just so terrible. Now, you never know whether he might have died anyway. But the slowness in getting -- in calling 911 -- but even more importantly, the reluctance to allow the kid to drink water, if that's what happened, that's what's going to get him convicted. I think it's all about the water, frankly.
BROWN: Tom, let me bring you in here. You know, a parent in this situation -- I mean, to argue the other side, I guess might hesitate to intervene. They don't want to look like they're singling out their child or making it look like this is a kid who needs special treatment. I mean, should this be a wakeup call of sorts for parents here?
TOM FARREY, ESPN: Yes, I think so. One thing you need to remember is this is not an issue you can find in just football or high schools. Kids today are competing at younger and younger ages. It's more intense than ever before.
You know, my son plays soccer and last summer in the middle of a big heat wave, almost a similar thing happened to him. He had to come out of a game, but there were no substitutes and I was wondering, should I go on the field or not? It's a tough, tough situation. And there are a lot of coaches out there who aren't trained. On a high school level, they, in theory, are trained.
On a high school level, they, in theory, are trained. But are there enough athletic trainers there? Who's checking the coaches to make sure that they're following the guidelines? There are a lot of big issues out here.
BROWN: And Tom, I know you've investigated a lot of cases like this. How much pressure are these kids under not to complain and to keep playing no matter what?
FARREY: Well, I mean, kids want to make adults happy. And football in particular is a sport that is based upon obedience to the coach and discipline, and gutting it out.
I mean, we've all heard the phrase, no pain, no gain. I mean, football embodies that phrase. And it's, you know, it's an old school philosophy, it's still there. People know that kids need water, that hydration is not only a -- it improves performance. Denying a kid water does not make them tougher or make them a better player at all.
So, you know, I think -- it's just really, really tough for kids though to tell a coach who's the ultimate authority figure, no, I can't do that because I need water.
BROWN: Jeff, you know, circumstances don't sound all that unique in this case. I mean, you -- a wakeup call for parents but at the same time, is this setting a precedent for coaches? Should this be a wakeup call for coaches?
TOOBIN: Well, I think mostly that's what this case is. It is a reminder to coaches that you're in charge. You're responsible for the health of these kids and make sure they have water.
The NFL started doing things differently after the Korey Stringer death. I think that's a -- I don't want to say anything positive to come out of a tragedy like this, but calling attention to this problem, it's a curable problem. If you get kids water, this is not going to happen. So, you know, I hope somebody learned something.
BROWN: All right. Jeff Toobin for us tonight, and Tom Farrey as well, thanks. Appreciate it.
Still to come tonight, this is supposed to be the most techno savvy administration ever. They even figured out a way for President Obama to have a secure BlackBerry.
So what happened today? How come no e-mail at the White House? The answer in tonight's "Political Daily Briefing."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BROWN: Top of the hour, just a few moments away. And so it is a very special ""LARRY KING LIVE"" coming up now. Larry wants you to hear tonight from his guests. So get your tough questions ready.
Larry, tell us who you've got.
LARRY KING, CNN ANCHOR: Campbell, we've got a prime time exclusive tonight. I'm here in New York for Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. He's fighting for his political life, as you know, accused of trying to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat to the highest bidder. His impeachment trial started today, but he's here with us.
Governor Blagojevich for the hour. Give me your phone calls next, Campbell.
BROWN: All right, Larry. Thanks very much. We'll be watching.
Up next, the "Political Daily Briefing" and e-mail trouble at the White House. Also later, a story from Japan where production may not be a problem, but reproduction is. There just aren't enough babies in Japan. One prescription in tonight's "Bull's-Eye."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BROWN: Tonight, you wouldn't think you could get in trouble for waving at the president during the inaugural parade. Well, you can. We've got the story.
Plus, tech turmoil in the White House is an "e" nightmare unfolds all in the "Political Daily Briefing." Erica Hill here and ready with the "PDB."
And Erica, I also understand the state department has hired a new weatherman?
ERICA HILL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, sort of a weatherman or czar, if you like, because why not add another czar, right? Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today appointing Todd Stern, climate czar.
Stern was the chief U.S. negotiator at the Kyoto protocol talks under President Clinton, so his new role as chief U.S. negotiator with the international community for talks on climate change should feel pretty familiar. Both Clinton and Stern today stressed the need to address what they see as a global climate crisis, Campbell.
BROWN: And I understand perhaps what they really needed was a tech czar over at the White House.
HILL: Yes.
BROWN: No e-mail?
HILL: Time to call the old Internet czar to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. No e-mail today. In fact, a total mess.
White House aides had apparently just made the switch from their transitional e-mails to their official government addresses when the outage hit. It happened about 10:30 this morning. Still down for the press briefing early this afternoon.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT GIBBS, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Our apologies if you e-mailed any of us in the last 2 1/2 hours. Our e-mail system is not working so well so our apologies on that. And we'll endeavor to get you information from earlier in the day hopefully have a little bit more of a timely manner if we can get the e-mail to work.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: Yes. One problem, though, as of 8:48 Eastern time, the last time we spoke with the White House, still not working. The White House confirmed to CNN both the press office and the first lady's office were unable to send and receive e-mail.
Now, we've been asking if that outage extends to the president. We've been told it's not clear and still haven't gotten any confirmation on that. In addition, they would not speculate, Campbell, on the cause. But again, as of few minutes ago, seven to be exact, still not working.
BROWN: Yes. It's unbelievable.
HILL: Awful. How about a pain?
BROWN: Embarrassing.
OK. Also speaking of e-mail, Senator John McCain finally entering the age of the Internet. HILL: This is huge, actually. The former presidential candidate all atwitter these days. His office tells CNN it was his idea to begin twittering after he read about it.
His account was launched last week and here are some of his twits as they call them. Like this one from about 2:00 p.m. Eastern today when he said, Countdown to the Super Bowl. Go Cards!
Not to forget, though, McCain's comments to "The New York Times" over the summer that he hadn't yet mastered the Internet and "never felt the particular need to e-mail." Remember he was relying on his wife and aides to log him on.
BROWN: Yes. Well, he might got hooked now.
HILL: It's come a long way.
BROWN: Finally, inauguration detail still trickling in and this is an interesting one about the parade.
HILL: Yes, this is kind of wild when we found the story.
Drum Major John Coleman of the Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes and Drums actually suspended for six months because of these moves. Now watch here, we've slowed the video down a little bit.
A little wave and apparently a nod, Coleman says he was simply responding to the president's wave and then moved on, continued with his duty. But the band leader tells the Cleveland plain dealer they had gone over protocol for a military parade repeatedly with the entire band and quote in his words, "Unfortunately, John chose to ignore that."
Coleman, however, told the paper, "I was told at the military parade and I'm not to salute the president and I did not salute. We have some calls and haven't heard back from them. But how about that? Suspended for six months?
BROWN: Yes. That -- that doesn't seem right to me.
HILL: No, it doesn't really.
BROWN: A little tough.
OK. In the spirit of forgiveness, Erica Hill.
HILL: Right. Let's all come together.
BROWN: Let's do. Yes, we can.
Thank you, Erica.
Coming up, lights out in Tokyo where one big company goes to extremes to get its workers to go home. It's giving a whole new meaning to happy hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BROWN: Tonight's "Bull's-Eye" goes to the as-yet unidentified mom who gave birth to octuplets today. That is right. Eight babies, six boys, two girls.
It happened in Bellflower, California south of Los Angeles. All eight babies are in stable condition and they are doing quite well. One doctor says, "They were all screaming and kicking around very vigorously."
Whoever that new mom is, she would be very popular I guess in Japan. About 1,300 companies there are resorting to drastic measures like turning out the lights and cutting off the heat at 5:30 to force workaholics in Japan to go home and be with their families and make those families larger? What was that?
Well, you see, Japan has one of the lowest birthrates in the world. The government is a little worried. So the new message is, lights out, go home, make babies.
Nice note to end on. Have a good night, everybody. That's lights out for us.
"LARRY KING LIVE" with Governor Rod Blagojevich starts right now.
