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Day 24 of 'Occupy Wall Street' Protest; Incomes Decline After Recession; Herman Cain Takes on Racism; Herman Cain's Take on Racism; Church Ordains Openly-Gay Minister; Huntsman on the Campaign Trail

Aired October 10, 2011 - 10:59   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: Live from Studio 7, I'm Suzanne Malveaux. I want to get you up to speed for October 10th.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED GROUP: We are the 99 percent! We are the 99 percent!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Well, it's take your kid to protest day. Demonstrators are asking parents to bring their children to an Occupy Wall Street rally today to see activism at work.

After 24 days, the protests in lower Manhattan, well, they have now spread to two dozen cities across the country. The movement, it says, represents the 99 percent of Americans who are suffering in this economy. They say that politicians protect the richest one percent.

One Republican presidential candidate, Herman Cain, calls the movement anti-American. GOP House Leader Eric Cantor says mobs are occupying Wall Street.

More funerals in Syria today. Opposition activists say that 31 people died when Syrian troops opened fire on Sunday. The attacks on anti- American -- rather anti-government protesters took place in several cities. President Bashar al-Assad is warning countries not to recognize the Syrian National Council which was set up in Turkey last week. That council appears to be positioning itself as Syria's next government.

Crisis talks are happening in Egypt today to head off new violence. Fighting between Muslims and Christians left at least 25 people dead over the weekend. Christians say they were peacefully protesting a church burning when they were attacked by people they describe as thugs. Christians say Egypt's military rulers aren't doing enough to protect them.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's a very volatile situation, and many critics say it's not helped by the actions, for instance, of state-run TV, which last night called upon what it called honest Egyptians to come down and join the army in fighting against these predominantly Christian protesters. (END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: The burst of violence is characterized as the worst since the uprising that drove President Hosni Mubarak from power.

Well, they had to bob in choppy waters for almost 20 hours. A family's boat sank off the Florida Keys on Saturday, dumping eight people in the water. "The Miami Herald" reports that one of them, a 4-year-old girl, survived by clinging onto a cooler. Rescuers say some of the boaters didn't have life jackets.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LENNY SALBERG, FLORIDA FISH & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMM.: They said the seas were so rough, they're looking at three-to-four-foot-chop waves coming in at them. Two of the officers jumped in the water, actually went and carried these kids back to the FWC patrol vessel.

There were four kids -- four kids under 12, and their lips were blue, and possible hypothermia was going to set in. So then they had to really kick into gear.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: An 80-year-old woman didn't make it and drowned.

Well, California kids are going to have to get that sun-kissed glow the old-fashioned way. The state is kicking anyone under 18 out of the tanning beds unless a doctor gives them a medical reason. Studies consistently link tanning beds to a growing risk of skin cancer.

Well, Netflix says forget Qwikster. Customers ordering DVDs by mail will log on to Netflix.com just like people who stream movies. Last month, Netflix announced plans to make DVD rentals a separate service called Qwikster. That's because customers who get both mail and streaming services were angry over a price increase. Well, Qwikster goes away, but the price hike for the dual services, that does not.

A weak economy means weak demand. That is why it keeps getting cheaper to fill up your tank. That's the reason why. The Lundberg Survey says that gas costs now 25 cents a gallon less than just a month ago. The national average for regular is $3.42 a gallon.

And congratulations to Paul McCartney. The former Beatle married for the third time over the weekend. He is 69 years old.

His bride, Nancy Shevell, is a vice president in her father's trucking company. Newswoman, of course, and legend Barbara Walters introduced the couple. She and Shevell are cousins.

Congratulations.

Well, he called Mormonism a cult and said Mitt Romney shouldn't be the Republican presidential nominee. Baptist pastor Robert Jeffress' controversial comments at the Values Voters Summit in Washington this weekend, well, it's got a lot of folks still talking about it. So today's "Talk Back" question: Should a candidate's religion matter?

Carol Costello, she is joining us from New York.

And Carol, covering President Obama, certainly a lot of people made a big deal about what his faith was, how he practiced it, his preacher who was involved in his faith. It seems like this is kind of fodder for everybody.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it happens every election time, doesn't it? Kind of expected this, didn't you?

Mitt Romney's Mormon faith may now sink his campaign. Conservative Christians, important in a Republican primary, never did quite embrace Romney or his faith. Listen to what evangelical preacher Robert Jeffress said at the Values Voter Summit.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REV. ROBERT JEFFRESS, SR. PASTOR, FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF DALLAS: The Southern Baptist Convention, which is the largest Protestant denomination in the world, has officially labeled Mormonism as a cult. I think Mitt Romney is a good, moral man, but I think those of us who are born again followers of Christ should always prefer a competent Christian to a competent non-Christian.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Pastor Jeffress was largely criticized for that remark, even kind of sort of by Herman Cain.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HERMAN CAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm not running for theologian-in-chief. I'm a lifelong Christian, and what that means is one of my guiding principles for the decisions I make is I start with, do the right thing. I'm not getting into that controversy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: And this from a candidate who said he wants to add gospel beats to "Hail to the Chief."

Let's face it, religion has always been a factor in presidential campaigns. John F. Kennedy delivered a speech in 1960 insisting his Catholic faith would not interfere in his presidency. And, oh, wait a minute, Mitt Romney delivered a similar speech back in 2007. The last time he ran for president, Romney said, "I do not define my candidacy by my religion."

Imagine if a Jewish or Muslim candidate goes for the gold. Wow.

So, the "Talk Back" question today: Should a candidate's religion matter?

Facebook.com/CarolCNN. I'll read your comments later this hour. MALVEAUX: All right. Thank you, Carol.

Here's a rundown of some of the stories ahead.

First, the Occupy Wall Street movement marching across the country. Well, today in New York, demonstrators are being asked to bring their kids along.

Plus, the recession officially ended more than two years ago, but life at home, it's getting worse for many instead of better. Well, details from the New York Stock Exchange.

And then, Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain says that African-Americans should give up blaming racism.

And 21 years after being forced to leave his ministry, a gay Presbyterian clergyman, he's welcomed back.

And this --

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON COOPER, HOST, "ANDERSON COOPER 360": How often do you get bullied, do you get pushed around?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Almost every day.

COOPER: Almost every day?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Terrorized by their peers, they're finally speaking up. Our "CNN In-Depth." Our Anderson Cooper hosts "Bullied Kids" at a town hall.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: It's day 24 of the Occupy Wall Street protest. Demonstrators in New York are asking parents to bring their kids to the rally today so they can witness what activists say is uniting against corporate greed and economic inequality.

Meanwhile, in Washington, political leaders, they're starting to weigh in. Reaction seems to be pretty much split along party lines.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. ERIC CANTOR (R), MAJORITY LEADER: I, for one, am increasingly concerned about the growing mobs occupying Wall Street and the other cities across the country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), MINORITY LEADER: I didn't hear him say anything when the Tea Party was out demonstrating, actually spitting on members of Congress right here in the Capitol.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: The Occupy Wall Street movement is spreading far beyond where it first started, in lower Manhattan. We are now seeing protests in more than two dozen cities across the country, even a few cities around the world. And that is despite not even having a central organizer.

Steve Kastenbaum of CNN Radio, he is at the protest in New York. He joins us live.

Steve, good to see you. I understand that, first of all, the group has --

STEVE KASTENBAUM, CNN RADIO: Thanks for having me.

MALVEAUX: Oh, sure. Sure. Welcome.

I understand that they have sent out a list of demands today, and this is really newsworthy. What do they have on the list?

KASTENBAUM: You know, it's really interesting, because this is a leaderless movement. It's really not clear where this list of demands came from or whether it's representative of everybody taking part in an Occupy Wall Street demonstration here and across the country.

But on this list of demands they're talking about passing House Rules 1489 -- HR 1489, which would be the Return to Prudent Banking Act. They're talking about demanding the reinstating of certain provisions within the Glass-Steagall Act. They're talking about investigating and prosecuting what they call criminals on Wall Street.

Now, this is the things we're seeing in this list of demands that was put out today. Again, it's really not clear where that list of demands came out from. And because they're trying to create consensus through a group process, those demands change day in and day out here. And, again, it's not necessarily representative of the thoughts of everybody taking part in the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations.

MALVEAUX: Sure. And Steve, some are calling this the civil rights movement of our time.

What do you make of that? You're on the ground. You see folks there first hand. Does it seem like it rises to that level?

KASTENBAUM: I don't know that it rises to that level yet, but you're seeing more and more people from across economic lines here joining this demonstration. We're not just seeing young folks here in the park that made up this demonstration in those early days. We're starting to see people from all walks of life, all ages.

I have seen young families with children in tow. I have seen folks close to the retirement age. And the one thing that seems to be binding them together, bringing them all out, is this sense of frustration that government does not have the people's best interests at heart anymore.

And they want that to change. In a word, what they want is equity, and they also want to see ethics in government today. They say that that doesn't exist anymore, and they want a change.

But again, the big question is, how do you go about creating that change when you're trying to build consensus through this very large group process? And by the way, that group grows every day, and everybody's voice is heard every day. So it's hard to say where this will go.

MALVEAUX: And Steve, real quick here, we heard from Congressman Eric Cantor. We heard from him describing what he saw there as a mob.

Is that what you're seeing, or does it seem like it's rather a peaceful and orderly situation?

KASTENBAUM: Yes. You know, I think anybody here in this crowd at Zuccotti Park and at any of the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations across the country would take great offense to being called a mob. It's anything but a mob here.

They've organized into a small city here. They have a media center here. They have an area where donated food is distributed in a very orderly fashion. They have dozens and dozens of donated bags of clothing here for folks who may not have the proper clothing for the colder weather when it arrives.

We see a library has been set up in one corner here where donated books are being lent out for free. They even have a media center here where they're trying to get their messages across to the rest of the world and are also asking other people to join the movement. So it's actually a pretty well-organized encampment here at Zuccotti Park, at least.

MALVEAUX: All right. Steve, welcome to TV. You did a great job. Appreciate your reporting. Thanks again.

Steve Kastenbaum.

KASTENBAUM: Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Thanks.

MALVEAUX: CNN iReporters are helping to document the Occupy Wall Street protests across the country. You can look at the pictures of the demonstrations, along with a map of where they're being held. You see it right there.

You can submit your own photos of marches, sit-ins, and arrests. Add to that timeline. That's at ireport.cnn.com, and click on "Open Story" under "Occupy Wall Street."

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So, the recession officially ended in June of 2009, but you wouldn't even think about it, you wouldn't even believe that by looking at the household income. There's a new report that finds a steeper drop in household income in the two years since the recession ended than actually while it was going on.

Karina Huber, standing by at the New York Stock Exchange to give us this story.

Karina, first of all, if the recession is over, why do we think that pay is still being held down?

KARINA HUBER, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Suzanne, the main factor here, of course, is unemployment. While the unemployment rate has fallen to 9.1 percent since the recession, the number of Americans who are no longer a part of the labor force, those who are so discouraged by the situation, they're not even looking for work, that group has actually increased. So, we've got a whole swath of the population that is not making any income at all then those who do have a job right now. They're seeing their wages are not being increased, and that's simply because there's so much competition out there right now, that companies don't have to pay them more.

And that's why we're seeing that the medium income has actually fallen by more since the recession ended -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: So, Karina, how much of a drop are we actually talking about here?

HUBER: Well, according to the research, which comes from the Center Research -- that's put together by two former employees of the Census Bureau -- the drop during the recession, so from December 2007 to June 2009, was 3.2 percent. Since then, we've seen a 6.7 percent drop, so that means the job drop is more than double than what we saw during the height of the recession. So it's no surprise that even though, officially, the recession is over, many Americans aren't feeling that right now -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: How does that affect the overall standard of living for folks, when their income takes a dip like that?

HUBER: Dramatically. I mean, one researcher that we spoke to said the almost 10 percent drop -- now, that's if you include during the recession and since the recession -- represents a significant reduction in the standard of living.

Of course, the problem is wages, they're worse than stagnant, they're falling. But at the same time, inflation continues to march forward higher, so we're seeing higher prices for food, higher prices for energy. So that means Americans are going to have to make some very tough choices about how they spend their money -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: All right. Karina, thank you so much. Appreciate it.

Herman Cain's take on race. The Republican presidential candidate, he's not known to sidestep the controversial issue. So find out what he says about whether race holds African-Americans back.

Plus, Professor Cornel West and broadcaster Tavis Smiley join us live.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain again tackling the race issue. You may remember the African-American businessman sparked controversy when he told CNN late last month that black voters had been brainwashed into not even considering a conservative point of view.

Well, he was back on CNN over the weekend. This time, saying that blacks are not being held back by racism.

Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HERMAN CAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I don't believe racism in this country today holds anybody back in a big way. Is there some -- are there some elements of racism? Yes.

It gets back to, if we don't grow this economy, that is a ripple effect for every economic level. And because blacks are more disproportionately unemployed, they get hit the worst when economic policies don't work. That's where it starts.

I have seen blacks in middle management move up to top management in some of the biggest corporations in America. They weren't held back because of racism, no. People sometimes hold themselves back because they want to use racism as an excuse for them not being able to achieve what they want to achieve.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: So Herman Cain points to his own credentials as former CEO of Godfather's Pizza to make his case that many African-American have a level playing field when it comes to economic issues. That is despite the Labor Department's statistics showing African-American unemployment almost double the national average.

Princeton Professor Cornel West and PBS broadcaster Tavis Smiley, they're joining us from Los Angeles.

Thank you for being here with us.

I know you just wrapped up an 18-city poverty tour, and your weeklong series on poverty starts today on PBS.

Professor West, I'd like to start off with you.

What do you make of what Herman Cain said? He did acknowledge that racism exists, but he says, you know, it doesn't matter that much, that more of it is about actually working hard and making opportunities happen for yourself.

PROF. CORNEL WEST, PRINCETON UNIVERSITY: Well, one, black people have been working hard for decades. I think he needs it get off the symbolic crack pipe and acknowledge the evidence is overwhelming.

And I think he also knows that if brother Anthony Davis, a brother who was just put to death, were a white Wall Street banker brother, that the response in the nation would have been very different, as opposed to being a poor black brother. And that's just one small example, one very small example of that, of racism still at work holding people back.

MALVEAUX: Do you think -- I want to go to you, Tavis. Do you think he has a point, that there are some African-Americans who will use it as a reason, as an excuse for not getting ahead, and not getting ahead as far as they'd like to go?

TAVIS SMIlEY, HOST, "TAVIS SMILEY," PBS: It's not so much whether or not he has a point. Herman Cain is trying to get the GOP nomination. When you're running for the nomination of the Republican Party, and you have a talk show background that was a part of the conservative Citadel in radio, these are kinds of statements that you make that play to your base.

And it's politics. And it just troubles me, respectfully, Suzanne, that CNN and MSNBC and Fox News and all these cable channels go for this nonsense.

They fall for -- if I can quote Eddie Murphy from "Beverly Hills Cop," you fall for the banana in the tailpipe. And every time that Herman Cain says something ridiculous or crazy, blaming poor people for being poor, calling protesters anti-capitalists, or suggesting that racism doesn't hold people back, there are disparities in this country in every factor that we follow, every social economic factor that we follow.

The numbers are clear that there is disparity based upon race. There's disparity in health care, there's disparity economically, there's disparity culturally and socially. In every aspect of our human endeavors in this country, there is a racial disparity element that's a part of it. It's almost silly to respond to, because the evidence is so overwhelming.

MALVEAUX: Well, Tavis, I certainly don't think CNN is falling for anything by simply bringing up this discussion and bringing up what he has to say. That's his point of view, and he certainly is rising in the polls among the Republican candidates there. I mean, people are going to talk about this issue and debate about this issue in a serious way.

SMILEY: My point, respectfully, is anyone who listens to what Herman Cain says and asks a question, does he have a point, a point about what? The numbers are so -- it's so evident, it's so abundantly clear, there's such great clarity here that race is such a factor.

You covered the president and the White House. Why does President Obama have a Secret Service detail that -- there's no comparison in history for any president that's had a budget the size of the Secret Service budget now just to protect Barack Obama. And we're talking about whether or not he has a point about racism in America, Suzanne?

MALVEAUX: Well, certainly when you talk -- he's bringing up the fact that his own family, his own experience that he believes that that is an excuse for other people to use racism for not getting ahead. But you bring up President Obama. Let's listen to President Obama, what he said at the black -- at the Congressional Black Caucus just a couple of weeks ago because he also, he was accusing black leaders in particular for being lackluster for fighting for the poor.

I want you to listen in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Take off your bedroom slippers, put on your marching shoes. Shake it off. Stop complaining, stop grumbling, stop crying. We are going to press on. We've got work to do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Dr. West, I'd like -- I'd like you to -- I'd like you to tackle that.

CORNEL WEST, PRINCETON UNIVERSITY: Well, I think it's fascinating to juxtapose on the one hand Herman Cain who has mediocrity, mendacity, mean spiritedness toward the poor, now mean spiritedness towards black people fighting for their lives in this very ugly economy. And then on the other hand we have President Obama who is much better than any other Republican candidates no doubt, but at the same time disrespectful, arrogant, condescending acting as if black people have been walking around in their bedroom slippers as opposed to working very hard, not just leaders, but also the everyday people.

So it's just a reflection of the two-party system. Mean spirited on the one hand and still too arrogant on the other. Who is really going to speak for poor people? Who is going to really speak for working people?

That's very much what I think the Wall Street Occupy movement is all about, "Occupying Wall Street" movement is all about.

MALVEAUX: And Tavis, I'd like to wrap this with you. The "Poverty Tour" starts today on PBS and as you had mentioned, rightly so, the unemployment for African-Americans double that of whites at 16 percent, and for black youth it's more than 40 percent.

What is the message here? What needs to happen? What needs to be done to specifically improve and target that community when it comes to getting jobs?

TAVIS SMILEY, HOST, "TAVIS SMILEY" ON PBS: Now we're onto something that really matters, not whether or not race holds people back. You know what's holding Americans back? It's not just race. What is holding Americans back is poverty. The new poor are the former middle class, and that's people of all races and ethnic origins and sexual persuasions and religious persuasions.

Too many Americans are having their humanity contested every day by the exponential growth of poverty in this country. They're being rendered invisible, they're being treated as disposable, they're an afterthought, they're a political calculation.

Nobody is serious about doing anything to eradicate poverty in this country in Washington. So, yes, to answer your question, we need jobs in the short run. The president has got to have courage, conviction, and commitment now that the Senate has taken up this bill or will take it up this week, the jobs bill that is, he can't compromise. He can't capitulate. He can't cave. He's got to draw a line in the sand and fight.

My granddad put it this way, some fights ain't worth fighting if you win, other fights you have to fight even if you lose. The president has got to fight for jobs for all Americans. That's how you get rid of poverty.

MALVEAUX: All right. We're going to leave it there, Tavis Smiley.

Professor West, thank you so much for joining us. Look forward to seeing your series as well.

SMILEY: Thank you very much.

WEST: Thank you very much.

MALVEAUX: Called to serve the church but banned from leading because he's gay. Well, not anymore. We're going to talk to the first ever openly gay man to become an ordained minister for the Presbyterian Church USA.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: For the first time in its history, the Presbyterian Church USA has ordained an openly gay minister. Reverend Scott Anderson has been waiting a long time for this, more than 20 years. Well, he joins us from Madison, Wisconsin.

And, Scott, I understand that this is a -- you know, this is a very big day for you. What does it feel like to be ordained and accepted in the ministry after all those years?

REV. SCOTT ANDERSON, WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES: Well, it's an exciting time for me personally to be the first openly gay person ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA and it's a big moment for our church that has excluded gays and lesbians for so many decades so it's a new day for us.

MALVEAUX: Did you ever expect that your church would come to accept you?

ANDERSON: Well, you know, I left the ministry in 1990. I had been a Presbyterian pastor for eight years, and when I left, I never thought this day would come in my lifetime. God has brought a variety of surprises to my life, and this certainly is the biggest one.

MALVEAUX: What did you think was the tipping point for the church, that the congregation actually backed you, supported you?

ANDERSON: Well, I think -- I think what's happening in the Presbyterian Church is happening also in the Christian church across our nation right now, and that our church is recognizing that there are a variety of viewpoints on scripture. There's no longer a right viewpoint and a wrong viewpoint but several faithful viewpoints one of which includes me in terms of being a minister in the Presbyterian Church.

So we're honoring a diversity of viewpoints in our church. Our church is a big tent and has always had diverse views. This move symbolically expresses that to the wider culture.

MALVEAUX: Tell us about that moment that you were outed by two church members 20 years ago. I mean, you had to give up a dream. You had to give up serving your community. What was that like? How did you respond?

ANDERSON: Well, to be honest with you, it was both the best and the worst day of my life. The best day because I was able for really the first time to come out of the closet and to share with people I cared about who I was as a gay man, to be honest with people that I loved.

It was also the worst moment because I have felt called to be a minister since I was a sophomore in high school, and I just loved being a minister, and to have to give that up just created an incredible amount of grief. So a whole series of mixed emotions in that day.

MALVEAUX: Reverend, do you think that this might be something that also other churches, other faiths will embrace?

ANDERSON: Well, I think we've seen over the last couple of decades four protestant denominations in America, the Presbyterian Church being the most recent of the four, open the door to welcome gay and lesbian individuals into ministry, and I think there is a movement afoot in the church to widen the door, widen the circle to include us so, yes, I think we're going to see more of this in the future.

MALVEAUX: And I know there's the church, but there's also politics as well. There's been a lot of debate in the gay community whether President Obama has done enough. What do you think?

ANDERSON: Well, I think we've made some progress. The bipartisan vote last December to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" for the US military.

You know, these changes don't come quickly, and, frankly, from my point of view so much has happened. We have five states which now have recognized civil marriage for gay and lesbian couples. I never thought that day would come in my lifetime.

So I think we've seen enormous change already. It's a slow process, a gradual process, and I think God has more in store for us as a culture in terms of full equality for gay and lesbian people.

MALVEAUX: All right, Reverend Scott Anderson, thank you so much for talking with us on this very important occasion.

ANDERSON: Thanks.

MALVEAUX: Important day for you and your congregation. Thank you very much.

ANDERSON: Thanks.

MALVEAUX: Mitt Romney's religion comes under the microscope. A prominent Texas -- minister, rather, calls Mormonism a cult. Romney has a town hall meeting this hour. We're going to talk to our deputy political director Paul Steinhauser live coming up.

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Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is holding a town hall meeting in New Hampshire. That is happening this hour. His religion came under attack over the weekend by a Texas pastor who called the Mormon Church a cult and said Romney is not a Christian.

Our CNN deputy political director Paul Steinhauser, he is live from the political desk in Washington.

So, Paul, he's going to be speaking before folks. Do we expect that he is going to address the issue of his religion, his faith?

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Probably not, Suzanne, unless he's asked about it specifically.

We hey have some live pictures up there in Milford, New Hampshire. The former Massachusetts governor soon to be in front of the podium there and talk to people at this town hall up there. All the candidates are in New Hampshire today in advance of tomorrow's presidential debate. The first one in three weeks.

But for Romney, well, as you mentioned, came under attack over the weekend at the Values Voters Summit right here in Washington. I think for him you're not going to -- unless it's brought up, he's probably not going to address it. For Romney he feels, been there, done that. It was four years ago when he first ran for president that he gave a major address on his Mormon faith.

He feels now he does not have to do that again. But most voters know he's a Mormon and that are OK with it. And that he won't be really delving into it again unless he's asked about it, Suzanne.

But you know what? For some social conservatives it is still an issue and polling does indicate that. Not as much as it was four years ago but still an issue and for some of the social conservatives, they're very influential, especially Iowa and South Carolina, two of those early voting states. Yes.

MALVEAUX: Sure. And we're also hearing from Jon Huntsman this morning as well from New Hampshire.

STEINHAUSER: Yes, he's up there as well. We have some live pictures right now. He's up there and he's giving a major address on foreign policy. His comes just three days after Mitt Romney did the same thing. And some of the things Huntsman is talking about, he's saying that he's going to call for a nimbler U.S. military force around the world.

He's going to say that nation building is not the role for our military and for our international relations. And he's also attacking the president over what Barack Obama has been doing in the White House on foreign affairs. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JON HUNTSMAN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The world needs American leadership now more than ever. Yet we are struggling to provide it. President Obama's policies have weakened America, and thus diminished America's presence on the global stage. We must correct our course.

(END VIDEO CLIP) STEINHAUER: Huntsman is also touting his foreign policy credentials. Remember, he was the U.S. ambassador to China for the last couple years before coming back here and deciding to run for president -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: All right. Paul, thank you. For the latest political news you know where to go, CNNpolitics.com.

So don't forget, we'd like to hear from you. Today's talk back question, "Should a candidate's religion matter?"

Julia says, "Religion doesn't matter to me. It's Romney himself tells people what they want to hear."

Christopher says, "A candidate's religion is not important to me. After all, we are electing a president, not the high priest."

More of your responses coming up next.

Plus, nose dives, belly flops. Yes, and some flying. Flugtag 2011 crash landed into Tampa this weekend. Pretty school stuff. We have sights and sounds from the world famous do-it-yourself approach to flying.

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MALVEAUX: We've been sounding off on the "Talk Back" question. Should a candidate's religion matter?

Carol Costello with your responses.

Carol, a lot of folks looked at President Obama and very carefully about what he believed, what he didn't believe, who -- you know, and whether or not he went to church, who his pastor was. It looks like everybody gets this treatment.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You mean Reverend Wright?

MALVEAUX: Yes.

(LAUGHTER)

COSTELLO: Yes. That mattered a great deal to voters.

MALVEAUX: Can't forget that.

COSTELLO: So our question today -- can't forget that. Should a candidate's religion matter?

This from Al, "Initially some may think to say no, but when you really think it through, it just might. Not because it's religion per se but because of the ethics and morality that certain religions are supposed to practice and instill in their practitioners."

This from Danielle, "No, but their morals should. A lot of people think you can't be a moral person without being religious, which is sad."

This from Harry, "Doesn't matter a single bit. This voter votes based on personal character and prospective political agendas. Once in office, frankly, Romney's picks for foreign affairs are more worrisome than his religion."

And this from Don, "Absolutely yes. It should be examined as it will influence the decision a person makes every time. I wish we could remove this factor from the White House but as we all know we cannot therefore we must pay attention to the religious influences of who we elect."

Keep the comments coming, Facebook.com/carolCNN. And I'll read more in the next hour.

MALVEAUX: Carol, are afraid of flying? Are you afraid of heights?

COSTELLO: I am afraid of heights but not afraid of flying which is strange.

MALVEAUX: All right. I want you to see this piece. This is pretty cool. These are some crazy attempts and defying gravity. This is called, I'm told, Flugtag. In Tampa this weekend, it's an annual event. People probably they make these machines, homemade machines and they try to get them to fly. Watch this, carol.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Flugtag 2011. What is flugtag?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's about flying innovation. Makes you think twice again. Barge again (INAUDIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's right.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, what is it? Flugtag is the flying mechanical man. It is in honor of the mechanical flying man.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're trying to get to the farthest buoy to see if they can beat the people from last year but we haven't seen anyone do it yet.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How do they judge this event?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Three things. First there's creativity. Second is a little skip that we do. And lastly, you got to fly, dude.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The record is 219 --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 2007. Look, it's going down today though.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our theme is Miami Beach Lifeguards and he is going to be sitting in a glider and glide to safety.

I'm a natural breast cancer advocate. We just launched a non-profit. We call this (INAUDIBLE). We fight breast cancer in very unusual ways. Redbug flugtag is an amazing way to kick it off. So we made a giant (INAUDIBLE). We're the second basemen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: USA team because A-Team has already been copyrighted or something. I don't know what they're talking about.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it is cool. Also funny.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Would you guys ever want to be in this?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She wanted to be this year. I'm like we don't have time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Carol, I don't know why they don't get farther. They all just seem to fall off the edge there. You know?

COSTELLO: I don't know. I'm glad they weren't -- I'm glad they weren't running off like a piece of the Grand Canyon.

(LAUGHTER)

COSTELLO: None of them even remotely flew.

MALVEAUX: I don't understand. I mean you'd think with -- I don't know, all this information we have and modern technology they'd get a little farther. Just a little bit! They all just seem to, like, fall.

COSTELLO: And they spend so much time creating these beautiful pieces of art and then they just, like, throw them in the water essentially. I'm not getting it.

MALVEAUX: OK. Cool, let me tell you. The winner is called Willie Wonka and it's a flying adventure that won this year. They also won three years ago and so even with all this -- you know what we saw, the belly flops, crash landings, there was only one crew that had an injury which I think is pretty good if you look at that video. And these events, Carol, are held all around the world.

Oh. Well they had a similar event in Baltimore but they make like things that can drive on the road and then float on the water. And usually they sink, but that's just destroying your hard work.

COSTELLO: It's pretty -- it's pretty fun to watch though. Human innovation. We got to leave it there, Carol. Let's see you in a little bit.

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MALVEAUX: CNN's "In-Depth" this week, stopping bullying. Anderson Cooper hosted a town hall with kids who have been bullied and celebrities who are trying to stop it. These kids, they're amazing. They're up-front about how they've been treated and they're courageous. Take a listen.

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ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: How often do you get bullied? Do you get pushed around?

KYLE, STUDENT IN ANOKA-HENNEPIN SCHOOL DISTRICT: Almost every day.

COOPER: Almost every day.

KYLE: Yes.

COOPER: And Damian, how about you? You're straight but your two dads are gay and you're on a gymnastics team which people make fun of you for. What do people say to you?

DAMIAN, STUDENT IN ANOKA-HENNEPIN SCHOOL DISTRICT: They would call me gay, faggot, fag boy, Gay-mian, gay-boy.

COOPER: And Brittany, what do people call you?

BRITTANY, STUDENT IN ANOKA-HENNEPIN SCHOOL DISTRICT: They call me dike, (EXPLETIVE DELETED.. I've been called words I can't even say to this day.

COOPER: Dylan, you've recently been taken out of the school year. You're now being home schooled. Did you just not feel safe in school?

DYLAN, STUDENT IN ANOKA-HENNEPIN SCHOOL DISTRICT: Kids made me feel like I was the grossest person in the world and they would just go against walls and say, "Here comes the he-she," or "here comes the trash." And that just made me feel gross and I didn't feel safe at school so I just left.

KELLY RIPKA, HOST, "LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY": I'm sitting here and I'm stewing with rage and I just feel so angry and so upset for the four of you and your class experience, and it seems to me that this is all backwards.

Instead of taking it up with the kids that are tormenting daily and using abusive language and being abusive to their students, this young man can't even go to school anymore. He shouldn't be the one having to stay home. I just want you to know that people do care about you. I care about you. And I really feel touched for your experience.

COOPER: Jane, you and your wife are raising a daughter. When you hear these kids, what goes through your mind?

JANE LYNCH, ACTOR/ACTIVIST: Well, you know, these kids do need to know that they are loved. And it's really, really sad that they don't have an advocate. And I think this neutrality policy is abdicating their responsibility, the adults' responsibility of protecting these kids. And it's really very sad. It makes me very sad.

COOPER: How do you get through the day, Kyle?

KYLE: I had pray every day that I didn't have to go back to school. And I go --

KYLE: Yes. I'd hide under the seats of the bus. And I would --

COOPER: You'd hide under the seats?

KYLE: I would. And then I go to the nurse three times a day at least.

COOPER: Just to get some place for you to stay.

KYLE: Yes, to go home.

COOPER: To go home. I understand at one point how many kids did you know who were bullying you?

KYLE: Forty.

COOPER: Forty kids?

KYLE: Yes.

COOPER: So you could identify 40 kids?

KYLE: Yes.

COOPER: I want to thank you kids for your courage and your strength. I think you're just so impressive and so brave. And I think -- I think you have tremendous courage. Thank you. Appreciate it.

But yesterday when I was -- I interviewed Kyle, I was talking to him. I said, "Is there anything else you'd like to do or would like to say?" And he said, "I would like to sing a song."

So he said that to me today when he came and sat down here. He's like, "Can I sing?" So, Kyle is going to sing his favorite song.

(APPLAUSE)

KYLE (singing): So hold your head up; you'll go far. Listen to men when I say how beautiful you are, because God makes no mistakes.

You're on the right track, baby. I was born this way. Don't you suffer regret. Just love yourself.

Like I said, you're on the right track, baby. I was born this way.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: You've got to love that kid.

To find out more about bullying and some of the solutions, tune in to "ANDERSON COOPER 360" tonight at 8:00 and 10:00 Eastern.