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Obama, Boehner & Aides Hold Private Talks; Lose Weight: There's an App for that; Beyonce and Pepsi Become Global Partners; Searching for the Real "Mona Lisa"

Aired December 11, 2012 - 10:30   ET

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

TED ROWLANDS, CNN ANCHOR: And checking our "Top Stories", we're keeping close tabs on the Michigan capital this morning. The legislature there is about to pass a historic bill that could drastically curb the political power of organized labor. Hundreds of pro-union protesters and supporters have turned out to voice their disapproval.

In New York, Naeem Davis, who is charged with the murder of a man he allegedly pushed on to the subway tracks is expected back in court this hour. The man on the track died after being hit by a subway train.

The federal judge says North Carolina's "Choose Life" license plates are unconstitutional because the state does not offer plates with a different viewpoint. A lawmaker who sponsored a bill for the new plates reportedly plans to push for an appeal of the judge's ruling.

We are exactly three weeks away from automatic tax hikes and spending cuts if these two men and their parties cannot come to an agreement on the fiscal cliff. President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner met privately Sunday in a surprise meeting, but they're not commenting much in public on whether there's been much progress.

Joining me now is Hiram College political science professor and political chief correspondent for Politics 365, Jason Johnson; and Republican strategist Ron Bonjean. Some say the fact that we're not hearing much out of Washington is a good sign, and in this case, silence is golden. You guys agree?

JASON JOHNSON, POLITICAL CHIEF CORRESPONDENT, POLITICS 365: Yes, I definitely do. Look, one of the things that we've got to realize here is that the more that this fight takes place in public, the less is being done behind closed doors, because everyone feels that they have to justify the public rhetoric.

So I think that we have two silences going on. There's Barack Obama and John Boehner working things out and the Republicans realizing that now they've got to find a way to negotiate. So silence is golden for Christmas season.

ROWLANDS: Do you agree, Ron Bonjean?

RON BONJEAN, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Yes, I completely agree. I think that silence is best. And you know right now while they're figuring out how to put a deal together, I think the President softening his rhetoric in Michigan on the issue yesterday was extremely helpful. You know, what we are still far apart, as far as we know, on entitlement reform, spending cuts, raising the rates, you know, we've been talking so much about raising taxes that we're not talking a lot about entitlement reform and a lot about spending cuts, and I know that's what it's going to take.

Where it's going to be -- there's going to have to be some significant movement on the Democratic side for that to occur. So we're hopeful that we can see some white smoke out of the White House and -- and the Capitol this week. You know, if we don't get something by early next week, it's going to be hard to see how they can whip their members into shape and get this done before Christmas.

ROWLANDS: And Jason, don't you think that -- that is taking place. Those discussions that maybe the media isn't harping on, because it's quite frankly maybe too complicated, it's easier to talk about the tax rate increase. Do you think that those are being discussed in earnest or is there a lot of work to be done that maybe can't get done before the break and before the end of the year?

JOHNSON: I think both sides -- look, at the beginning of the year, I thought to myself, which is going to happen first? Are we going to fix the fiscal cliff or is the hockey lockout going to end, right? And I think it's pretty clear now that the fiscal cliff is going to get fixed first. Because I think both sides recognize, look, we -- we have an end of the year deadline. They knew this had to be done at particular point.

So it doesn't really matter what the issues are. I think everyone recognizes that they don't want to end up going over this cliff. So I think there's always been a plan afoot. I think the Republicans really are scaling back what their expectations are. They have to recognize that this is going to get done in a lame-duck session and Barack Obama surprisingly has stood his ground. I think liberals can be happy with him for once because he seems to really be taking command of these negotiations.

ROWLANDS: Ron, the "National Review" is reporting that if the fiscal cliff talks go sour, that John Boehner might have a challenge for his Speaker post. Do you agree with that?

BONJEAN: Well I think Speaker Boehner is extremely strong in his position. He's been very, very smart, including the Republican leadership, in his negotiations. While it's just him and President Obama, he has them inside the room before he goes and meets with the President, he talks to them and they reflect the views of the entire conference.

The key here with the entire deal is that the devil is in the details. Once these details come out, it's going to take arm-twisting by both sides. It's going to take calls from the President and Democrats. It's going to take the Speaker to make sure his -- make sure Republican conference members are falling into line and that's where we're going to see, when the rubber meets the road, if this deal can get done. Remember, you know, health care reform by the President passed on December 24th. So we do have a President there just going right up to Christmas. And if it doesn't happen at Christmas time, they'll be coming back before the New Year. And I'm a glass half full kind of guy. I think that they can get it done.

ROWLANDS: Jason, who takes the hit politically if this doesn't get done? Both sides or do you think that the President is susceptible, because he's not leading? Or will it be the Republicans that take the political hit here if they don't get a deal done?

JOHNSON: When you spend all of 2011 and you get branded, fairly or unfairly, as the party of no, you're going to be the ones who is in trouble. So the Republicans -- every poll has shown that most Americans will blame the Republican Party if this deal doesn't get done. That's one of the reasons I think that John Boehner's positions is fairly safe. I think anyone wants to be in charge of the Republican Party right now.

A year ago, Eric Cantor was measuring -- you know measuring the curtains in Boehner's office, but I think now, Boehner knows he's just got to get this done, suffer through, the Republicans will take the hit if this doesn't happen and they don't need that kind of bad press. It will just make Obama all the more powerful heading into his re- inauguration.

ROWLANDS: All right. Both of you guys seem glass half-fullish on this. Bottom line, Ron first, deal or no deal?

BONJEAN: Well bottom line is you know, I don't think the President wants to go over the cliff, because he'll be giving an inaugural address with the country in fiscal shambles. And despite the Democrats saying that the Republicans will be at fault, the President still is the Commander-in-Chief, the leader -- the leader of our country. And if he presides over this, a lot of mud is going to splash up on him too.

I do think we'll be able to get this deal done, but, again, the devil's in the details.

ROWLANDS: Too tight on time, Jason, deal or no deal?

JOHNSON: We're going to get a deal, right at the end of the year, everyone's happy, unemployment will keep coming, and we will not hit the fiscal cliff.

ROWLANDS: All right, gentleman, thank you for your insight. We'll see if there'll be a deal or not. Time is running out.

Live pictures as protesters outside the state capital continue to gather in Lansing, Michigan. Hundreds are there to protest the right to work vote. Today our Poppy Harlow is live inside the state capitol right now.

Poppy, what are you seeing around you. Give us -- paint a picture for us inside the capitol. POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM: Absolutely. Well, we just got in some video, so hopefully our viewers can see that. I am in -- this is the scene of the House Senate chamber here at the state Capitol in Lansing, Michigan. The House is currently in session and could vote any moment on this two bill for right to work. (INAUDIBLE) -- I want to walk you -- it's really loud, but I want to walk you into the hall here. Somewhere between 400 and 500 protesters chanting, "We are union, we are union".

ROWLANDS: All right, all right, Poppy, we're going to give you a second to move a little bit with inside the Capitol there. We can't understand most of what you are saying. Clearly, a lot of people inside the Capitol and I did hear a little bit of it, and basically, she was saying that they're getting ready to vote.

And that, of course, will excite the emotions of the people outside and inside that building as that vote continues. We'll get back to Poppy, hopefully, right after the break. Let's take a quick break right now. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROWLANDS: Well, the holidays are here, so those dreaded extra pounds aren't far behind. But researchers say dieters have found remarkable success with a two-pronged approach. Using a smart phone and some wise use of your time. We're going to break it down for you now with senior medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen.

So what are we talking about here?

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes this is an interesting approach that they used at Northwestern University and they actually saw results, which is somewhat unusual with weight loss programs, results that actually lasted.

So when folks used an app to track what they were eating and how much they were exercising as well as an in-person class that they went to, where they had support from other people, they lost 15 pounds and they kept it off. As long as they really used the app and really went to those classes.

So 15 pounds and keeping it of is, you know, these people started at around 250 pounds, so this isn't the cure all and end all and be all for them, but it's certainly a good start.

ROWLANDS: But and it seems to be working. Why? Is it because of the extra pressure from the app?

COHEN: It's you know, I think it's the one-two punch that really does it. So I'm going to show you one of the screens from the app and I think that will help explain it.

ROWLANDS: All right.

COHEN: So you go into this app and put in how much you eat and that's the green part there. And so for this person, they've eaten almost all of their calories for the day. There's very little white space left there. So that tells you, oh, my goodness, that huge dinner I was thinking about forget it. And then the yellow is the exercise.

And so this person has done almost all of their exercise for the day which is good. So they know, OK, I've done what I'm supposed to do. And then a coach would talk to them every other week, a very brief conversation on the phone. But then in addition, they would go to these classes. And study after study has shown, when you have a buddy --

(CROSSTALK)

ROWLANDS: Yes.

COHEN: -- when you have people you are doing this with, that helps. Now what's interesting about this study, the app alone did not do it, they didn't lose weight the classes alone did not do it. They didn't lose weight.

ROWLANDS: They did it with one, two punch.

COHEN: It was the one, two punch.

ROWLANDS: Can people get the app?

COHEN: They can't get this app, but here I'm going to give some people some power patient advice for what you can do. Go you know go and find an app that does as much of this as possible. Where you can see in real time how you're doing. It doesn't just give you advice, lets you track in real time how you're doing and then also join a real in-person group where you live.

ROWLANDS: Get a buddy and an app and going to lose pounds.

COHEN: Yes a buddy and app there you go.

ROWLANDS: All right, Elizabeth Cohen, thank you.

Apology already sent. Now the station behind the prank call that caused a nurse to apparently kill herself is ready to help her family. We'll tell you how, coming up. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROWLANDS: Checking top stories, a landmark vote is about to take place in the Michigan legislature. The right to work bill could be a crippling blow to organized labor in that state. It would allow workers to opt out of paying union dues in unionized shops. Hundreds of pro-union workers are protesting at the statehouse, as leaders vote on this bill.

The Australian radio station behind the prank call that apparently led to a nurse taking her own life plans to donate at least $500,000 Australian to her family. Jacinta Saldanha commit suicide last week after being duped by two deejays who called a hospital seeking information about Prince William's pregnant wife who was being treated there for acute morning sickness.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLINT THORTON, BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA RESIDENT: The roof just collapsed. It just collapsed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROWLANDS: The ceiling in a North Birmingham, Alabama home collapses after torrential rains from severe storms and the National Weather Service confirms a tornado also hit the area. The twister with winds around 90 miles per hour touched down early Monday morning. No serious injuries are reported, but dozens of homes and businesses were damaged.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROWLANDS: Well, Pepsi has been a big fan of Beyonce for a decade now. That is when she began starring in their commercials.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BEYONCE, SINGER: Hi, can you tell me how to get back to the interstate? Two stop signs and then make a right at the light. A left at the light? Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROWLANDS: Pepsi apparently is still a big fan of Beyonce. A lot of other people are as well. They're going global now with each other. Let's get the details from A.J. Hammer in New York. A.J., what's the deal here?

A.J. HAMMER, HLN HOST, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT": Well, Ted, Pepsi is calling the latest chapter in the relationship with Beyonce one of the most innovative global partnerships ever seen or heard. It's a reported $50 million deal, and it's going to mean we will continue to see the superstar Grammy winner in new worldwide commercials and also appearing on their soda cans.

This update to the partnership will officially kick off with Pepsi's sponsorship of the Super Bowl halftime show, Beyonce will be performing in that on February 3. And in keeping with Beyonce's reputation for being very involved with whatever project she's working on, she's going to be collaborating with designers on all the advertising materials that will feature her image.

And Ted, Pepsi also plans to spend millions of dollars to support other creative projects that Beyonce is going to be bringing to the table. So it sounds like a win/win for Beyonce, for Pepsi and especially for her fans who just love her so much.

ROWLANDS: Absolutely. Another huge artist making news. What sort of trouble is Adele possibly in?

HAMMER: Well, Adele and trouble aren't usually two words that appear in the same sentence. Fortunately it's not anything too scandalous but here's the deal as best as we understand it. Adele, of course, is a new mom. She likely has her hands very full after the birth of her first child.

But according to a newspaper report in the UK, she may have already forgotten one important step in the child-rearing process over across the pond, officially registering her newborn. It's now been 52 days since Adele reportedly gave birth to a baby boy. That was back in October.

And here's where she could apparently be in a bit of trouble. By British law, new parents have a 42-day legal deadline to either register their babies or to make an appointment to register with the government or they face a fine of 1,000 pounds, about $1,600 here in the US.

According to the "Sun" newspaper in the UK, Beyonce and the baby's father missed that deadline. A rep for the singer tells CNN she has no comment on the report but Ted, I think considering she sold more than 10 million copies of her album "21" here in the U.S. alone, I think it's a pretty safe bet if she does get fined --

ROWLANDS: She can handle it.

HAMMER: I think so.

ROWLANDS: All right. A.J. Hammer, thank you. For the latest entertainment headlines, watch "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT", 11:00 Eastern on HLN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROWLANDS: This just in to CNN, George Zimmerman has been turned down in his request to travel outside Seminole County in Florida. Zimmerman had asked to taken off of electronic monitoring to travel more freely. He maintains he killed Trayvon Martin in self-defense. His request denied this morning in Florida.

Well, it is probably the world's most famous painting, Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. But for hundreds of year, the search has been on to learn more about the woman who inspired it all. And as Ben Wedeman found out, the answer may be in the dirt.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORREPSONDENT: The smile has perplexed art historians for centuries. Leonardo da Vinci's priceless master piece, the Mona Lisa or La Gioconda. In the frigid bowels of what was once a convent in Florence, television producer turned art researcher, Silvano Vinceti, is leading a project to find and identify the remains of the woman who posed for da Vinci more than 500 years ago.

Historical documents seem to indicate that this is the place where Lisa Gherardini, otherwise known as Mona Lisa, was buried. Beyond that, it's all a mystery. The remains of five females have been found here. This skull may be that of Lisa Gherardini, the second wife of a wealthy Florence silk merchant. The remains will be compared with the DNA of two relatives buried elsewhere.

No other likeness of her has ever been found, and given that da Vinci spent years working on the painting, it's possible the real Lisa Gherardini bears no resemblance to the Mona Lisa.

"Once we identify the remains", Vinceti tells me, "we reconstruct the face with a margin of error rate of two to eight percent. By doing this, we'll finally be able to answer the question the art historians can't, who was the model for Leonardo?"

The smile, on the other hand, will probably remain a mystery. Vinceti claims scientific analysis suggests the smile came later.

When, he says, Leonardo began painting the model in front of him, he didn't draw that metaphysical, ironic, poignant elusive smile, but rather he painted a person who was dark and depressed. The smile, Vinceti and others have suggested, may have belonged to his long-time assistant and some believe lover, Gian Giacomo Caprotti.

While other art historians claim the painting was actually a surreptitious self-portrait. So we may never know if the smile was as Nat King Cole sang to tempt a lover or simply to confound humanity.

Ben Wedeman, CNN, Florence, Italy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROWLANDS: I'm Ted Rowlands, thanks for joining us today. CNN NEWSROOM continues right now with Ashleigh Banfield.