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"Secret Santa" Rescues Holidays; Assad Forces Fire Scud Missiles; Retail Sales Bounce Back; Drew Brees Rips Goodell; Running Out of Time; Golden Globe Nominations Announced

Aired December 13, 2012 - 09:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Opening bell on Wall Street, poised to open higher.

There it is. You know that sound. There's the opening bell right now.

You know, this is following reports that initial jobless claims fell more than expected last week and retail sales bounced back in November. Ringing the bell -- you see them there -- executives and guests of Western Gas Equity Partners.

Notice anything different about your TV? Well, starting today, you're going to be happy because I am, too, broadcasters and pay TV providers are no longer allowed to air excessively loud TV commercials.

(APPLAUSE)

LEMON: And that includes political ads.

Congress passed what's known as the CALM Act back in 2010 with bipartisan support. The federal communication said loud commercials have been a leading source of complaints. Yay!

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie admits he is more than a little overweight. But during an interview with ABC, he shot back at criticism his weight would affect him if he were ever president.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARBARA WALTERS, ABC NEWS: There are people who say that you couldn't be president because you're so heavy. What do you say to them?

GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE (R), NEW JERSEY: That's ridiculous. That's ridiculous. People watched me for the last number of weeks in hurricane Sandy doing 18-hour days. So I don't really think that would be a problem.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Christie says he may not be thinking about the presidency any time soon. He said last month that he would seek a second term as governor.

Stay tuned for that one. Trust me.

American Airlines is going to start charging you differently when you buy a plane ticket. It says it's offering lower fares and flexibility by bundling options like checked bag fees, priority boarding and avoiding change fees. Well, some critics say the new options are actually more restricting and could end up costing passengers more for the same service.

Warning, fiscal cliff ahead. Did you see that?

We go to politics now. The nation edging closer to the fiscal cliff and with just 19 days to go, there is no deal. Outlining what he calls, quote, "deliberate and frank talks" with President Obama, the House Speaker John Boehner says both sides remain far apart.

So, joining me now, CNN analyst Roland Martin and CNN contributor Will Cain.

To Roland first. Is this a real stalemate or is this all about posturing, Roland?

ROLAND MARTIN, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: It's a real stalemate. Obviously, you have Republicans who clearly do not want to raise taxes on anybody. The president's made it perfectly clear that I won, I have a mandate and we are not going to continue doing this.

I mean, also keep in mind, the Bush cuts contributed to our deficit, so it's really interesting to hear folks say that, well, it really -- we should continue them, but they didn't say let's cut the deficit when they actually contributed according to the CBO.

So, there's no doubt. There's a question of who's going to blink first. I think the president certainly has more leverage on his side, and Republicans know it and they're trying to hold out as best as they can. But I think in the end, he'll get his wish.

LEMON: Who is going to blink first? Gosh!

All right. But, Will, this is for you. It seems like Americans aren't interested in lawmakers digging in. I want to look -- you need to look at this poll now, because this is what a new NBC/"Wall Street Journal" poll on the budget shows. It shows that for the first time, the majority of Republican voters, 59 percent, want party leaders to compromise and for Democrats, it is an all-time high of 70 percent.

Another poll, separately, when asked who would be to blame if no deal is reached a majority, 56 percent, say both -- both sides.

So how much can public opinion, if at all -- you can se the American public, they're sick of it -- how much is public opinion influencing this debate?

WILL CAIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: It's certainly been influencing it. Those polls reflect a little different from what we've understood in the past, Don.

So, here's the deal -- in order to get that compromise the poll suggests they'd like to see, there has to be a give-and-take on both sides, right? Well, the give-and-take the Republicans are requiring is they want to see spending cuts included in this fiscal cliff deal.

Roland's right. Democrats won the election. They're sitting in the catbird seat. They don't want to include spending cuts and President Obama doesn't think he needs to. In fact, if we go over the cliff, other polls suggest Republicans will get the blame.

So, as Roland suggested, they have most of the leverage, therefore, we don't get to a compromise or a deal.

One caveat, though, Republicans have recognized this lack of leverage. They looked into 2013 and see a couple months in, we've got a debt ceiling deal. If we don't do a compromise now, we're going to hold you during that debt ceiling debate and we're going to get spending cuts out of you then and President Obama does not want to relive that 2011 catastrophe, chaos.

MARTIN: Don --

LEMON: Roland, before you go, I didn't hear anything, it was all, it sounded like Charlie Brown to me after I heard you say Roland's right. I don't know if I've ever heard you utter those words, Will Cain.

MARTIN: Actually he often says that. So, this is not a shocker. It's not breaking news and exclusive. It happens a lot.

LEMON: It's a "just in", but go ahead, what were you saying?

MARTIN: No, but here's the deal -- first of all, for the audience, we talk about the fiscal cliff, it involves three things. First of all, it deals with the Bush tax cuts that are set to expire in December. It also deals with the debt ceiling, also sequestration. So, there's really three parts to it.

But the president is consistently saying, I talked to people in his administration, they say, look, we want to deal first just with the tax cuts. Republicans want to add the other pieces to it because they know it's hard to defend fighting for the tax cuts for the top 2 percent. They need to be able to tell their supporters we got something out of this. The president is saying separate them. That's part of the reason why you have this battle.

LEMON: Dig deeper into what you're saying, Roland -- 70 percent for Democrats, 70 percent seem to suggest that they are willing to see cuts in things like entitlements, House Speaker John Boehner says taxes remain a sticking points, but there are reports that Boehner is open to more revenues.

Is it time for Democrats to give more ground on things like Social Security, on Medicare and Medicaid, Roland?

MARTIN: The president did so last year. Trust me, I think if you ask Republican leadership, they would love to take the deal he put on the table last year, that is three cuts for every one revenue increase.

Guess what? They can't do it now. In fact, the president now asking for $1.6 trillion in new revenue when he settled for $800 billion last year.

They had a shot, they blew. They thought we're going to win the White House, we'll get our way. Now, he's making them pay saying, sorry, I won, you didn't.

LEMON: OK. First to Roland and I'll give you the last word, Will.

Deal, Roland, before the end of the year?

MARTIN: Yes, there will be a deal.

LEMON: OK.

Will?

CAIN: Only if the president's terrified of the debt ceiling debate. Otherwise, he still thinks he's got all the leverage, the public is with him and he'll fight for taxes going up and no spending cuts. I don't know how scared he is of the debt ceiling. We'll see.

MARTIN: I saw him the other night, doesn't look scared.

LEMON: Thank you very much, Will. Thank you, Roland. We appreciate it.

CAIN: Thank you.

LEMON: All right. Awards season has arrived in Hollywood. Find out if your favorite movies got nominated for a Golden Globe.

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LEMON: CNN affiliates are reporting Justin Bieber was a target of a bizarre murder plot. Police say Mark Staake and Dana Martin, two inmates at the New Mexico prison, and a third man, came up with a plan to strangle Bieber. The plan fell apart when Staake was arrested after being released from prison. Martin then confessed the plan. He is reportedly obsessed with Bieber and has a Bieber tattoo on his leg. Bieber's management says he's OK.

Celebrities up this early hour, only means one thing in Hollywood. It is time to announce the nominees. And this morning, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association announces who is up for a Golden Globe.

Nischelle Turner is in Beverly Hills right now, up early.

You warned me yesterday, Nischelle, that we're going to be doing this all over again.

NISCHELE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Yes.

LEMON: So, which films were nominated? TURNER: Well, you know what they do, don, and I know so many people that sit home and watch awards show hate when people wait until the very end of the show to announce who wins the best movie, right?

Well, this is what I'm going to do for you this morning. I'm going to give that to you first thing, the grand daddy of them all, and give you the nominees for best picture in the drama category and best picture in the comedy category.

Let's get to it. First of all, best picture drama nominees: "Argo", "Django Unchained", "Life of Pi", "Lincoln" and "Zero Dark Thirty". By the way, all of the directors in those -- for those movies were nominated for best director as well.

The comedy category: a little different. "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel", I've got to get used to saying that because apparently it's going to be said a lot this awards season, very long title. "Les Miserables," "Moonrise Kingdom", "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen", and "Silver Linings Playbook."

Those comedy movies, there's a little zing to the zang there. There's some different, smaller, quirkier movies and that's what we see the Hollywood foreign press do a lot of times, Don. There will be a lot of star power at the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards this year, hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who both got nominations for best actress in a comedy television series.

The Cecil B. DeMille Award will be given to Jodie Foster. So, women will be in full force.

Now, here is a couple of things that stood out, of people who did not get nominated. One, Anthony Hopkins did not get nominated for "Hitchcock" although Helen Mirren did get a nomination for the movie.

And also, no Jamie Foxx for "Django Unchained," although Leonardo DiCaprio got a nomination for the movie, Christoph Waltz got a nomination for the movie, and Quentin Tarantino nominated for best director and for best screenplay for the movie. But no Jamie Foxx once again -- Don.

LEMON: No Jamie Foxx. Any other actors who --

TURNER: No Jamie Foxx.

LEMON: Any other actors who got nominated?

TURNER: Oh, yes. Well, you know what? Here's what the Hollywood foreign press likes, they like star power, they love A-listers on the red carpet and there's definitely lot of that in the acting categories.

Let me give some of the actors real quick. The actors in a drama: Daniel Day Lewis for "Lincoln." By the way, "Lincoln" leads the pack with seven nominations. Richard Gere for "Arbitrage", small movie but very, very good he was in this. John Hawkes for "The Sessions," Joaquin Phoenix, who made up for not getting the SAG Award nomination yesterday, got one for "The Master," and also, Denzel Washington for "Flight." He's back in there once again.

And, again, people are saying and it's almost weird to say, but people say this is Denzel's best work. So this will be an interesting race.

The actor comedies, Jack Black in "Bernie", Bradley Cooper, "Silver Linings Playbook," Hugh Jackman for "Les Miserables," Ewan McGregor for "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen," and Bill Murray for "Hyde Park on Hudson."

The women, you know, we've got some favorites -- Jessica Chastain was nominated for "Zero Dark City" in the drama category. Also, Marion Cotillard who the Hollywood foreign press just adores for "Rust and Bone". Helen Mirren, "Hitchcock," Naomi Watts for "The Impossible" and Rachel Weisz for "Deep Blue Sea".

The ladies, a little bit of a surprise, Emily Blunt for "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" on the comedy side. Judy Dench for "Best Exotic Marigold Hotel", Jennifer Lawrence, "Silver Linings Playbook," she's a heavy favorite going in. Maggie Smith for "Quartet", and how could you have an award show without Meryl Streep? She's nominated for "Hope Springs." So --

LEMON: I was getting worried there, like where is Meryl Streep?

TURNER: Where is Meryl Streep? We cannot have an awards show without her.

LEMON: Nischelle, you're the best. Thank you.

TURNER: Bye, Don.

LEMON: The magic of the season, the reality of hard times. We'll show how a secret Santa is rescuing the holidays for many who are down on their luck.

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LEMON: Checking "Top Stories" right now here on CNN. There are signs this morning a North Korean satellite launched aboard that controversial long range rocket may not be stable. A U.S. official tells CNN that Pyongyang may not have full control of the satellite and it could potentially fall back to earth in several months.

Near San Diego a helicopter makes a hard landing at a Navy base, at Navy Base Coronado. All four crew members were taken to the hospital to be checked out. The cause of the hard landing now under investigation.

There's some encouraging news for California Governor Jerry Brown. His doctors say his prognosis is excellent as he undergoes radiation therapy for prostate cancer. That treatment is expected to be completed after a month, in a month.

Near Kansas City, Missouri, a secret Santa making holiday dreams come true. The local businessman who doesn't want to be identified is doling out $100 bills to unsuspecting strangers, for those in need it's enough to rescue a bleak season.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Merry Christmas, whoever the secret Santa is. God bless him, Merry Christmas.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I look on the face and I look for sadness and when I find sadness, there needs to be hope, and so that's who I usually approach first. That's yours.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, my God, are you serious?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I think you dropped it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my God.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Well this year the Secret Santa has given away about $100,000. He took over the job from the original Secret Santa who gave away nearly $1.5 million between 1979 and his death in 2006.

We want to turn now to the crisis in Syria, where government officials have rejected a decision by the U.S. to recognize the opposition as representative of the Syrian people. It comes as U.S. officials say forces loyal to President Bashar al Assad have fired at least four short range scud missiles into northern Syria, likely at rebels. Those missiles are adding to fears that Syria could be developing chemical weapons.

And in an exclusive interview with our Erin Burnett, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta talked about the potential threat.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LEON PANETTA, U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY: I think there's a -- there's a danger here. Based on the intelligence that we got a few weeks ago that you know they were in fact beginning to assemble these weapons and -- and put them together, and when you do that, you know, that's the dangerous sign that the next step is to use them.

And so that's why we issued the warnings we did, we made very clear that there would be consequences and at least you know, at least at this point, you know the intelligence on this issue is kind of leveled off.

But my concern is this, that as the opposition continues to -- to move against the regime, particularly as they move towards Damascus, that if the regime feels that it's in danger of collapsing, that it might very well resort to these kinds of weapons. That's -- that's what concerns me the most.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: And Panetta also spoke with Erin about Afghanistan as America's longest war is expected to come to an end next year. Was the sacrifice worth it? Hear more from the Secretary of Defense on Erin Burnett "OUTFRONT" tonight starting at 7:00. Eastern on CNN.

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LEMON: Finally some good news about the health of our economy and I have two words for you. Retail therapy. Alison Kosik looking at our first major reading since the start of the holiday shopping season. I've been doing a lot of it.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Me, too.

LEMON: Way too much of it.

KOSIK: I love retail therapy.

LEMON: I know, I know.

KOSIK: But that's good. So you're counted in these stats. So this is you. You know we are getting this first glimpse into this all- important holiday shopping season. You remember when these stores opened early I'm talking about on Thanksgiving evening, so let's see if it worked. And did it work.

It looks like it may have. In November, retail sales rose three tenths of one percent. I know it doesn't sound huge, but sales were down the month before. So it looks like consumers got an early start to the holiday shopping season because Black Friday came earlier in November than it usually does. And it looked like they weren't too shy about opening their wallets.

What did they spend their money on? They bought clothing, electronics. People also did a lot of online shopping. And this is really a good sign for major retailers and the economy. And one analyst put this way he says it makes us a little less worried about slow growth especially after what the fed said yesterday, that they don't expect economic growth to be as strong as originally expected.

Now, Superstorm Sandy also factored into this report. Looks like a lot of people shopped in home improvement stores and car dealers too possibly replacing damaged vehicles. But you know what the big concern is going forward Don -- the fiscal cliff. In fact Wal-Mart CEO this week said their shoppers are actually more and more aware of the cliff and some say it's going to affect their holiday spending.

Now if somebody on Capitol Hill will listen to all this and get going, wouldn't we all be sitting pretty?

LEMON: Yes, we would. Thank you Alison.

KOSIK: Sure.

LEMON: Drew Brees, Roger Goodell, may be smiling here, but they're not happy with each other. Brees wants an apology. Goodell's not giving it.

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LEMON: Let's talk some sports.

New Orleans Saints quarterback, Drew Brees wants the NFL to go beyond vacating the bounty suspensions, but it looks like he'll get no satisfaction from Commissioner Roger Goodell. Reporters questioned Brees about the ruling vacating suspensions of two Saints and two former Saints. Brees blasted Goodell saying someone from the league office should publicly admit the case was mishandled.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DREW BREES, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: The league office and Commissioner Goodell have very little to no credibility with us as players and I'd say with a lot of the fans.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Goodell says he is not apologizing. An arbitrator did not absolve the four players of wrongdoing in the bounty scandal.

Golden State Warriors rookie Draymond Green (ph) shocks the Miami Heat. Green makes a back door -- takes as pass under the basket and converts the lay-up with nine-tenths of a second left in the game. The Warriors beat Miami, 97 to 95 for their fifth win in a row.

And the final score of an Indiana Girls high school basketball game, 107-2. Sports fans as well as parents are upset that the coaches would let the game get so ugly. The state's high school athletic association is now looking at the possibility of a mercy rule for future games. One sports talk show host says the winning team should have taken its foot off the pedal.