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Turkish Protests Target Prime Minister; Fast-Food Workers Behaving Badly; N.J. Governor Talks Lautenberg's Vacant Senate Seat

Aired June 04, 2013 - 13:30   ET

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

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SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: Protesters in Turkey back in the streets again today. The situation in Istanbul a little bit calmer. But the anti-government demonstrators show no signs of letting up. Watch this.

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(CHANTING)

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MALVEAUX: So it all started with a sit-in, protesting plans to demolish a park. But then, the demonstrators turning their anger against the prime minister as well as the police.

Earlier on CNN NEWSROOM, Carol Costello talked by phone with one of protesters. Listen to this.

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YUDIT NAMER, WITNESS TO TURKEY PROTECTS (voice-over): We are actually -- protesters here are actually concerned about these government's interventions in people's daily life, like abortion rights or medical practice and child delivery or couples kissing, hugging in the street. It's just one after the other. I think it's a buildup of frustration.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You say the government's cracking down on everyday life in Turkey and maybe -- I mean, is the government becoming more religious, is that it?

NAMER: Well, (INAUDIBLE) recently said he's trying to build a religious generation. However, that's -- that doesn't represent the entire Turkish people at the moment. It doesn't even represent his --

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MALVEAUX: The demonstrations have spread across the country now.

Nick Payton Walsh, he is live from the capitol, Ankara.

Nick, we talked to you last hour. It looked like things were getting tense. You had police lining up behind you. Have things calmed down now as it gets later in the evening? NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They have, Suzanne, in truth. What you see behind me now, those same lines that we talked about earlier on, police in their armored water cannon vehicles, but a substantial buffer between them and the first line of protests. That line stretches back 2,000, 3,000, here in substantial number. One important factor, the golden rule, it started to rain. That will dampen spirits. Forgive the pun here. But it has been a day that the police have decided not use tear gas at all. Different from previous days. Causing a calmer reaction from protesters, discussions between two sides in which the police say don't throw stones at us, we don't tear gas you back. And different groups moving in and out of the square in reasonable calm -- Suzanne?

MALVEAUX: Nick, you have the deputy prime minister apologizing for what he called aggressive action by the police following these protests. I think that was what was so surprising here was the use of tear gas and water cannons. Is that something that protesters are accepting, accept the apology, and perhaps will not be out in days and weeks to come?

PATON WALSH: From the few we've spoken to, no, that wasn't enough. It wasn't the prime minister. It was his deputy. And in words of one of them, still had the arrogance of the administration that they are protesting against at moment. They said they are sorry to the environmentalists in the park that sparked all this, but others had gone forward and disrupted the normal lives of other and therefore perhaps the police had the right to deal with them. But certainly people remain angry here. It's fair to say, as hours go by, since last time police used tear gas, spirits are getting slightly calmer. But there is tonight great uncertainty about how the stand-off behind me, substantial number of protesters and police, will actually turn out.

MALVEAUX: Certainly is. Nick, keep us posted. Hopefully, everything will be peaceful. Let us know if anything develops further.

I want to show you this picture. It's kind of surprising. It's a little disturbing. A Taco Bell employee licking the taco shells. Yeah. The investigation into what happened there and what's being done, up next.

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MALVEAUX: Kind of gross, disturbing picture of a Taco Bell worker posted on a Facebook page. You might have to be rethinking the fast- food option.

John Berman takes a look at this and other fast-food restaurant incidents. Pretty tough.

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JOHN BERMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Do you ever wonder what goes on behind closed doors at fast-food restaurants? You certainly hope it's not this -- a gross picture of an employee at a California Taco Bell licking a stack of taco shells. It's just the latest cringe-worthy fast-food employee incidents. This picture made it on to Taco Bell's Facebook page.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's absolutely disgusting.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think this is absolutely horrifying.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He should be fired right away.

BERMAN: Taco Bell officials are investigating the restaurant and employees involved.

The company released this statement: "When we learned of the situation, we immediately contacted this restaurant's leadership. And although we believe it's a prank and the food was not served to customers, we are conducting a full-scale investigation and will be taking swift action against those involved."

AMBER VANDERZEE, GIVES WORKERS BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT: I think I'd give them the benefit of the doubt and think maybe he was doing it ace funny thing with his co-workers and maybe it was going to throw them away hopefully.

BERMAN: But the damage might already be done. The photo has been shared thousands of times on Facebook and, yes, has now gone viral.

TOBY ADEBOYEJO, TALKS ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA: I'm not completely sure what's up with social media where everyone posts bad behavior on Facebook. It's kind of like you don't post that on the internet. Not a good idea at all.

BERMAN: Taco Bell's not alone when it comes to disturbing employee posts. Earlier this week, a KFC worker in Tennessee was fired after this photo was posted on Facebook, appearing to show her licking a pile of mashed potatoes. Last summer, a photo of this Burger King employee, standing in two containers of lettuce, was posted on an online forum with the words, "This is the lettuce you eat at Burger King." That employee also shown the door.

Prank or not, these images are still hard to swallow.

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MALVEAUX: Pretty hard to swallow, yeah. That was John Berman reporting. For more, visit Eatocracy on CNN.com.

Ordering room service in a hotel, of course, commonplace. But soon, that could change. Could actually be a thing of the past in some hotels. This is according to a consulting group that the demand for room service is down. So, the Hilton in Midtown New York getting rid of it. The company's going to end room service. That's going to happen this summer. Instead, it's going to offer 24-hour self-serve market. Other hotel chains, however, like the Marriott, no plans to drop room service.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) MALVEAUX: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie before the cameras making a statement here about the vacant Senate seat. Let's listen in.

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CHRIS CHRISTIE, (R), GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY: -- Senator Lautenberg wouldn't want the people of New Jersey to go without a voice in the United States Senate. So today, we'll begin the process of sending a new U.S. Representative to the U.S. Senate.

Let me be clear. This is the way I see my responsibility to the people of this state. This is about guaranteeing the people of New Jersey both a choice and a voice in the process and the representation that they deserve in Washington. Whoever is going to be our next United States Senator should be nominated by a primary of the people and voted on by all of the people of the state of New Jersey. And that's why, as is clearly indicated by New Jersey law, I'm calling for a special election to be held this year.

First, the issues facing the United States Senate have too critically important and decisions that need to be dealt with too vital not to have an elected representative making those decisions who has voted on -- who has voted on and decided on by the people of the state. These decisions should be made by an elected official who represents the will of the voters of New Jersey.

Yes, New Jersey statute does allow me to name an appointment to serve for the remainder of Senator Lautenberg's term with a primary and general election taking place in 2014. But I firmly believe the decisions that need to be made in Washington are too great to be determined by an appointee for a period of 18 months. We must allow our citizens to have their say over who will represent them in the Senate for the majority of the next year and a half. People of New Jersey deserve to have that voice.

Secondly, we have to move swiftly to fill the seat and ensure there's both a primary and general election as soon as possible. As dictated by New Jersey law, I have today issued a writ that will specifically designate the cause and purpose of this special election and the dates the primary and general elections will be held.

The process to fill this U.S. Senate seat must allow the people to have a choice to determine their nominees. This is simply nonnegotiable to me. I will not permit the insiders and a few party elites to determine who the nominee of the Republican Party and the Democratic Party will be. A primary election is necessary. The people must choose.

As such, pursuant to the provisions of New Jersey state law, the primary election for the United States Senate will be held on Tuesday, August 13, 2013, which is 70 days after the issuance of this writ today. And then 64 days thereafter, the general special election will be held on Wednesday, October 16th. The statute provides for the governor of New Jersey to make this decision if the governor deems it advisable to have a special election. I deem it advisable to have a special election. In fact, I deem it necessary.

The dates are what the statute requires. And at the same time, there is enough time to guarantee a fair process and voter engagement throughout. The special election must honor the electoral process of the will and rights of the people to have a choice, a voice, and timely elections. And while there will be a cost associated with the special election process, the state will be responsible for all of the costs of the election. We are calling the special election. We will be responsible for all of the associated costs. As such, the secretary of state's office will oversee this process and the mechanisms required to ensure that it runs smoothly. And I have complete confidence in their ability to do so.

In the end, the cost associated with having a special primary and general election, in my mind, cannot be measured against the value of having an elected representative in the United States Senate with so many consequential issues are being debated and determined this year. The citizens of New Jersey need to have an elected representative to the United States Senate and have it as soon as possible.

I have yet to make a determination as to who I will appoint to hold this seat between now and the results of the October 16th special election. But when I determine who that person is, I will make that announcement promptly.

Questions?

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Governor, in terms of some people might say that it would be a great cost involved. It there any reason why you wouldn't want to have it on a general election? It seems like a common-sense approach.

CHRISTIE: I want an elected Senator as soon as possible. And the dates of the statute don't permit it to happen in the general election. You know, there's 70 to 76 day, 64 to 70 days. I want to do it as quickly as possible. It's three weeks before the general election. So, no, there's no political purpose to this. The political purpose is to give people the voice. My other option -- the option to it on the general election is not an option. The only option I have is to either do it in 2014 or a special election in 2013. I believe that it is vitally important for the people to have a voice and a choice. And the statute clearly and unequivocally allows for the governor, in my sole discretion, to make that decision. I have made that decision. It is final. It has been signed. And it's over.

Brian?

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Governor, in going over who you might appoint to fill to fill this role in the general election in October, do you have any preconceived notion it should be a Republican, could be a Democrat or possibly an Independent?

CHRISTIE: I haven't made my decision about who it will be. I will make this decision the same way Governor Kane made his decision in 1982, and that was on the merits. I will pick the person who I believe will be the best representative for New Jersey and the United States Senate, and that will be the determination.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: (INAUDIBLE) -- irrespective of party affiliation?

(CROSSTALK)

CHRISTIE: Brian, I do have a preference for one party over the other, so that might color my judgment a little, but -- Matt?

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: (INAUDIBLE) -- wasn't an option on the table.

CHRISTIE: Sure.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: And (INAUDIBLE).

CHRISTIE: Because I'm not going to play politics with this, Matt. The fact is I believe the people -- we're talking a long time now. 18 months is a long time. There will be a lot of consequential things that will be decided in the -- or could be decided in the United States Senate in that 18 months. And I just thought it was too long a period of time for any person to have the sole authority to pick who represents us in the United States Senate. I believe the people have the right to make that decision. They need to have a voice and a choice. And I'm giving it to them, because I think it is the right thing to do.

I understand the political advantage that would come to me if I just -- if I was the person, the sole person who decided who would be in the Senate representing New Jersey for 18 months. But I just did not feel comfortable doing that. The right thing is to let the people decide and let them decide as quickly as possible. And on August 13th, the parties get the chance to nominate the candidates. And on October 16th, they'll get a chance to pick a Senator. That means on October 17th, an elected person could state the oath of office.

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MALVEAUX: All right, we've been listening to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

I want to bring in Jim Acosta for analysis of this.

Jim, he's allowing a special election. He had the authority to go ahead and simply name a temporary replacement, either a conservative, a Republican, an Independent or Democrat. And could have angered any one of those groups if he hadn't picked the person he wanted to align themselves with. What does this do for him politically?

JIM ACOSTA, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Suzanne, very simply put, having this special election on October 16th means that whoever is running for this special election for this open Senate seat will not appear on the same ballot that he will be on in November when he's running for re-election for New Jersey governor in November. And so he's spared the possibility -- and a lot of people have been talking about this with respect to the race -- that just in case -- it is expected he will, the mayor of Newark, Cory Booker, jumps into this race, there are some in New Jersey who felt that Chris Christie just did not want to appear on the same ballot as Cory Booker.

Now, keep in mind, these are two separate races. Why would that be important? There are some thoughts out there that the governor was concerned that Cory Booker running for the senate seat, running for the open senate seat might draw a very large turnout and that, in turn, might aid his Democratic opponent in the gubernatorial race this fall, Barbara Bono. So there are some political calculations, some say, in all of this, but you heard Governor Christie just a few moments ago, Suzanne, say there were no political calculations in this, and that what he wanted to do was what was best for the people of New Jersey.

MALVEAUX: He's been criticized by the conservative Republicans, when he appeared with the president after the big storm that hit his area, his region, for aligning himself with the president here. Does he do himself any favors in what he's decided now with the conservatives?

ACOSTA: I think that remains to be seen, Suzanne. A lot of people were saying, wait a minute, Governor Christie, you come across as a fiscal conservative, you're selling yourself as a fiscal conservative by setting a special election for October, instead of just having everything done in November, that is going to come at some cost to the state. And Governor Christie is saying that's a price to be paid in order to get somebody in there as quickly as possible. And he said that, you know, he had the -- he had the latitude, if he wanted to, to go ahead and appoint somebody temporarily to serve all the way through the remaining period of Senator Lautenberg's term, all the way until the end of 2014. And he said he just wasn't willing to do that. Obviously, everybody is going to be looking at all of this from a political standpoint of not only because he's running for re-election this fall, but what does it say about 2016. It seems what Chris Christie tried to do here is thread the needle, knowing full well that if he goes and names a temporary replacement, this thing is going to end up in court, for the full year and a half that remains in Senator Lautenberg's term.

MALVEAUX: Right.

ACOSTA: But if he doesn't do that, if he goes ahead and moves forward with this plan, there might be people who are happy about it on the Democratic side. And keep in mind, if he wants to run for president in 2016, you know, his brand at this point, Suzanne, is having some independence from the rest of the Republican Party. And it seems this decision is consistent with that. He wants to keep that going.

MALVEAUX: Absolutely.

All right, Jim, we'll get more news on this after a quick break.

But a very interesting decision that the governor has made there, as Jim mentioned, threading the needle here, but obviously, has big political implications as well.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) MALVEAUX: Breaking news here. This is New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, just announcing here, there is going to be a special election for the seat, the senate seat of the late Frank Lautenberg.

Want to bring in Jake Tapper out of the D.C. bureau.

Jake, it seems to me he had an option here. He could have gone and simply announced a temporary replacement, a conservative, an Independent or Democrat. He did not do that. And potentially, avoiding risking -- angering any of those groups for a 2016 presidential run. What do you make of the outcome of what he's decided?

JAKE TAPPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: No matter what he did, he was going to be criticized. Obviously, this decision is going to be criticized, especially by Republicans who will no doubt see this as Governor Christie giving up an opportunity to put a Republican in a senate seat for a year and a half.

Look, there will be votes, very important votes, votes in a very narrowly divided senate, where Democrats have a just very small majority about immigration reform, perhaps about the debt ceiling, about tax reform, about a whole number of very important issues. This could be a Republican that Governor Christie could appoint, but he's not doing that. Keep in mind, of course, Governor Christie is up for re-election himself and very sensitive to interpretations of him doing something for anyone other than the people of New Jersey.

But whatever he did, he was going to be criticized. That is probably the criticism he'll face for this decision.

MALVEAUX: All right, Jake. We'll be following that. I'm sure you'll be following it on your show later this afternoon.

I'm being told now that we have some sound that we're going to go ahead and play. Let's listen in.

CHRISTIE: So today, we're going to begin the process of sending a new representative to the U.S. Senate.

Let me be clear, this is the way I see my responsibility to the people of this state. This is about guaranteeing the people of New Jersey both a choice and a voice in the process and the representation that they deserve in Washington.