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The Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Prop 8 Today; Interview with Brendan Ayanbadejo; Tea Party Boycotts Fox News; Real-Life "Breaking Bad" Drama; Tiger's Back on Top

Aired March 26, 2013 - 09:30   ET

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

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Thank you for joining me. I'm Carol Costello. Stories we're watching in the NEWSROOM. At 30 minutes past the hour, investors are watching the economic situation in Cyprus, as Wall Street kicks off the trading day. Stock futures have been up as investors also weigh several U.S. economic reports. Ringing the opening bell is New York police chief Joseph Esposito, he's marking his retirement after 45 years of public service.

The big dance for marriage equality begins in less than an hour at the U.S. Supreme Court. Its decision could establish or reject the constitutional right to same-sex marriage. And depending on how the court rules, it could create an atmosphere of acceptance for gay people. Professional athletes, some of them, they're already trying to do that within their sports. You've heard about Minnesota Vikings Chris Kluwe and the Baltimore Raves Brendan Ayanbadejo's efforts. They yearn for the day an NFL player, who is gay, will be comfortable announcing that fact to the world. Maybe that day is coming sooner than later, not only in football, but in professional baseball. I had a chance to sit down with the Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland. I asked Jim if we would ever see a professional baseball player come out. This is what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIM LEYLAND, MLB MANAGER, DETRIOT TIGERS: Well, I think that will probably happen. I think that will probably happen. It's 2013. You know, it is what it is. And, I think there is probably a good chance that will happen.

COSTELLO: Would that person be accepted?

LEYLAND: I would assume so.

COSTELLO: Really?

LEYLAND: I would assume so. I think that, you know, there may be some people offended by it, but like I say, it's 2013, things are a little different. And I can't answer that question for sure. But I think that -- that it probably would happen. Probably could happen. And I would say that the way people are in America today, they would probably -- it would probably be acceptable.

(END VIDEO CLIP) COSTELLO: With me now, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendan Ayanbadejo, not gay, but he's a very outspoken advocate. Joining us this morning from Washington, D.C. near the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court. Welcome.

BRENDAN AYANBANDEJO, BALTIMORE RAVENS LINEBACKER, MARRIAGE EQUALITY ADVOCATE: Thank you.

COSTELLO: I want to talk about what Jim Leyland said. After that interview, you know, we broke down and I went out to watch batting practice, Jim Leyland came out to talk to me again about the issue a half an hour later and he said, you know, everybody has the right to do what they please in America. They have a right to hold the job they want. I was surprised that he really thought about it, and came out and he thought it was important to tell me that. Does that intrigue you?

AYANBADEJO: Yes, absolutely. It sounds like you struck an accord (ph) with him. Maybe something he hasn't thought about too much or maybe something he has been thinking about. And that's why we're here. We are trying to educate people, we're trying to talk about this situation and really at the end of the day, we're trying to make sure everyone can excel at what they do, at love, at being a father, a mother, a brother, an employee. If you can't be yourself, how are you going to excel? If you can't tell the world of who you are, and be proud about it, if you have to hide it, you're not going to excel and we're not going to excel as a community and as a nation.

COSTELLO: You a another other professional ballplayers filed an amicus brief with the court. Can you explain to our viewers what that is?

AYANBADEJO: Yes. We wrote a brief, and basically we're trying to repeal Proposition 8 in California, that's banning same-sex marriage. We believe that everybody has the right to freedom, the right to love. We believe the constitution guarantees those rights. So we wrote our amicus brief and we'll be heard out today.

COSTELLO: You are also taking part in some of the demonstrations going on right now. Can you tell us about them?

AYANBADEJO: Yes. Everybody is here. We're having an LGBT rally for marriage equality and there's about 95 percent supporters and maybe about 5 percent of people who don't support us. We're here to tell our story, and we're here to gain attention and positive traction, so when the Supreme Court goes in there today, they know the American public is here to support the cause.

COSTELLO: A lot of people said they feel a change that the majority of Americans are now ready to accept same-sex marriage and gay rights. Do you feel that, or is the fight yet to come?

AYANBADEJO: Absolutely. There has been a tremendous change. I've been talking about this issue since 2009 and talking about it in NFL locker rooms there's been a huge change there, and we are behind society as a whole in the NFL locker room and society is way ahead of us. So, the majority of Americans were ready. But I think we're not here to do what's popular or do what the majority of people think is right. We're here to fight for the rights of what the constitution guarantees and that's that everybody is created equal and everybody would be protected and treated equal under the law. So we're going to need the majority of Americans to help us with that fight, so that minorities have the rights that everyone else has.

COSTELLO: The U.S. Supreme Court, you never know what it's going to do or how it's going to rule, right? It might say, you know, we're going to just let the political aspects of same-sex marriage play out and let America decide. We're judges, maybe we shouldn't decide if it does that or if it rules against same-sex marriage, what do you do then?

AYANBADEJO: Yes, well, we're trying to do what's right, like said earlier, we're not trying to do what's popular, and America has got it wrong before. Whether you're looking at why we had to go through Loving v. Virginia and that was interracial marriage, and you go through suffrage, and segregation, and all sorts of things America has gotten it wrong before and the Supreme Court has gotten it wrong. And so now, this is our chance to make amends and get some things right this time around. And if we -- if they go against us and they don't vote for us, then we're just going to continue to fight. Because we believe eventually at the end of the day, that love will overrule everything, and doing the right thing will overrule everything.

COSTELLO: Brendan Ayanbadejo, Baltimore Ravens, thank you for joining us this morning.

AYANBADEJO: Thank you for having me.

COSTELLO: Thank you.

Is Fox News no longer fair and balanced? Stop laughing. Anyway, that's what one what group of Tea Party activists is charging. It says Fox has turned to the left and now those activists are tuning out. They're launching a boycott against Fox News. Joining me are democratic strategist Robert Zimmerman and Tea Party Express Chairwoman Amy Kremer. Welcome to you both.

AMY KREMER, CHAIRWOMAN, TEA PARTY EXPRESS: Thank you for having us.

ROBERT ZIMMERMAN, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Thanks for being here. Amy, I'm going to start with you. This Tea Party group's boycott is based on partly a belief that Fox is not doing enough on Benghazi and on the attack on the consulate there. Is there more to it, though?

KREMER: Well, Carol honestly, I wasn't aware of the boycott until this morning, but I think Fox has covered Benghazi more than anyone else. Every time I turn on Fox lately, it's about Benghazi and so I don't know who else could possibly cover it any more.

You know, the thing is, Fox is a business. They are part of a business and they are in it to make money, so maybe their business model is changing. I don't know. But I think that their coverage has been what it has always been. I don't see any difference. I'm a little upset with them because they have given Karl Rove this huge platform and have not given us the opportunity to debate him, but other than that, I don't really see where anything has changed.

COSTELLO: Robert, what do you think? Is this just a split between the different factions in the Tea Party or does it mean something more?

ZIMMERMAN: I don't think my conservative friends have to worry about Fox getting in any way soft or becoming liberal. I must tell you, I often encourage my Democrat and liberal friends to go on Fox when they're invited. I do as well. I tell them I'm there as their voice of reason. But the point is simply, it's critical, make sure you have every opportunity to make your case. I think what should concern Amy is that many of the messages the Tea Party has which are important messages, get buried by the extremist demagogic rhetoric that you hear from some of the Tea Party activists. Maybe they aren't on Fox because they aren't credible with their information or their facts.

COSTELLO: Are factions within the Tea Party trying to soften their message, Amy?

KREMER: No, I don't think so. But I think that this last election cycle, in 2010 when we drove the messaging, we won across the board, and it was all about the fiscal issues and the economy. In 2012, when the Republican party drove the messaging, we lost. And that's when all the social issues got brought into it. And Everybody thinks the Tea Party -- we are all, you know, right-wing radical social conservative extremists, and there's nothing further from the truth. We try to keep on point and on message about shrinking the size of government and getting rid of overbearing regulations and creating a pro-growth economy or a pro growth environment.

(CROSSTALK)

ZIMMERMAN: The problem with that theory, Amy, is when you start advocating and dismantling the Environmental Protection Agency or taking away Consumer Product Safety Bureau, or dismantling the Veterans Administration, you are focusing on the core issues that protect Americans and our quality of life. And that's the real challenge here. We all want a smaller government, we all want a more efficient government. We also want to make sure our government is there to stand up for people and members of our society in need, be they senior citizens, be they veterans or they be students.

COSTELLO: I want to ask you about something else, Amy. One person who has been closely associated with the Tea Party movement, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. Several workers on her 2012 campaign, her presidential campaign, now are facing an ethics probe for improper transfer of campaign funds. Bachmann's attorney says there is no allegation that engaged in any wrongdoing, but, still, this can't be good for the woman who led the Tea Party caucus, and speaking of the Tea Party caucus, it hasn't done much lately.

KREMER: Well, Carol, I would say this is just the beginning, I would say let the investigation run its course, see what comes out. She has not been found guilty, no one has been found guilty yet. I am sure they will do their due diligence to get to the bottom of it. She's been a --

COSTELLO: Does the Tea Party still strongly support Michele Bachmann?

KREMER: I think absolutely. She is a strong fiscal conservative. And she has a lot of support. I don't think she has lost that support in --

ZIMMERMAN: You know, Amy --

KREMER: What's that?

ZIMMERMAN: If I could just say, Amy, if you think Michele Bachmann is a credible spokesperson or strong fiscal conservative, or free of any of the allegations being thrown at her, then you may very well believe Lance Armstrong won his awards on Gatorade or Charlie Sheen represents true love.

KREMER: Oh, Robert. Come on now.

ZIMMERMAN: The bottom line is Michele Bachmann has built her career on shortcuts. The Pulitzer Prize-winning organization PoliFacts.org said she committed more lies in the last presidential campaign than anyone else and for that matter she's being sued by former staff members, so there are truly serious issues here about her conduct, about her misstatements and she may try to run away from Dana Bash, but you can't run away from the lies she committed and engaged in the past election cycle.

KREMER: I can't speak for Congresswoman Bachmann, but I know she's a strong fiscal conservative. She was a loud voice pushing back on Obamacare and personally, Robert, I don't think it's right to prosecute her in the media before the facts are known. Let the facts come out.

ZIMMERMAN: She's hiding the facts, Amy. That's the problem. She's not being forthright. She's trying to blame her staff.

KREMER: If she's hiding something, I am sure it will come out. I hope she will do the right thing. I'm sure she will. I have faith in that.

COSTELLO: We'll have to end it there. Getting very feisty. Nice to have both of you with us. Democratic strategist Robert Zimmerman and Tea Party Express Chairwoman Amy Kremer, thank you to you both.

Someone breaks into the car of "Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston. But it's not his car people are concerned about. It's what was inside. We'll tell you, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: "Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston plays a bad guy on TV. Well now he's a victim in real life. If you've never watched the AMC show Cranston's character is a struggling high school chemistry teacher who turns to a life of crime. Here's a clip.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRYAN CRANSTON, ACTOR: You clearly don't know who you're talking to. So let me clue you in. I am not in danger, Skylar. I am the danger. A guy opens his door and gets shot. You think it's me? No. I am the one who knocks.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Oh but not this time. A.J. Hammer's live in New York. What's going on here?

A.J. HAMMER, HLN HOST, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT": Heisenberg that's his nickname on show. Listen Carol count me among those who consider "Breaking Bad" one of the best shows on television right now. And of course "Breaking Bad" fans everywhere are eagerly waiting to see how the show's final season is going to play out. So not surprisingly producers want to keep the scripts that are full of all those twists and turns a major secret and that now leads us to star Bryan Cranston and his automobile.

Now according to a police report Cranston's car was broken into and his bag containing an iPad and a script for the show were stolen. And in this day and age when anybody can post anything online and see it go viral. If this script was posted online it would be everywhere pretty quickly. And that just hasn't happened yet.

But there is a lead in the case. The local sheriff's department has a suspect after a confidential source contacted Cranston's assistants and accused someone named Xavier McAfee of bragging about breaking into the car and showing off the iPad and the script to the bar. He was later arrested and he's been charged.

Our local affiliate caught up with McAfee and got him denying everything on tape. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

XAVIER MCAFEE, ACCUSED OF BREAKING INTO CRANSTON'S CAR: I don't even know what they are talking about. I work for a living. I do tiles for a living. They have me mistaken for somebody else, man.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Ok so a big denial there. But the other twist, is there are now reports from the studio trying to say that no script has been stolen, all is well. Please remain calm or something to that effect. We reached out to that studio and reps for Bryan Cranston.

No official comment yet Carol. But I can assure you, if that script did get out there, I would not be here reporting on it, I would be calling in sick, I wouldn't be turning on my computer, because I don't want the spoiler. I don't know why anybody would ever put that information out.

COSTELLO: I would read it. I can't believe you wouldn't read it.

HAMMER: You're a fan of the show and you would read it?

COSTELLO: Well I'm not a fan of the show, but I would read it.

HAMMER: Yes it would be insane if you watch the show you want to see what happens in real time along with everybody else. I don't want to know. Don't tell me.

COSTELLO: All right. All right. A.J. Hammer thanks so much.

"Talk Back" question for you today. "If you fly, should you have to pay what you weigh?" Facebook.com/carolCNN or tweet me @carolCNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Our "Talk Back" question today, "If you fly, should you have to pay what you weigh?"

This is from Eric. The professor -- this is from Eric, "The professor may have a point. We pay to ship everything else by weight. So why not us?"

This from Linda, "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard of, unless the person has to use two passenger seats. Then charge for both seats."

This from John, "From an engineering and business perspective, it makes perfect sense. The more you and your luggage weigh, the more expensive it is to fly the plane."

And Cynthia, "What's next, stinky people? Ever sit next to a man who reeks of garlic? To me that's very offensive."

Keep the conversation going. Facebook.com/carolCNN or tweet me at @carolCNN.

Yes, Florida Gulf Coast fans welcome back their March Madness heroes. We'll hear from the Eagles coach and his very sexy wife in "Bleacher Report" next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Look who is back. For the first time since October of 2010, Tiger Woods is on top of the golf world after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Andy Scholes joins us now with more in "Bleacher Report".

ANDY SCHOLES, BLEACHER REPORT: Good morning Carol.

It's been a long road back for Tiger. 124 weeks -- that's how long it took for him to regain the world's number one ranking and now that Tiger is back on top, it looks like he may be there to stay for a while.

Like his dominating performances in the past, Tiger was never really challenged in the final round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He had the putter going all week as he cruised to a record eighth win at Bay Hill.

After the tournament, Tiger said he knew he would get his game back once he was fully healthy and that sure looks like it's the case now that he's won six of his last 20 starts on the PGA Tour. And Tiger's return to number one in the world comes just one week after announcing that he is dating skier Lindsey Vonn. And after yesterday's win Vonn tweeted "Number one" with tons of exclamation marks. Afterwards Tiger was asked if there was any correlation to his success and dating Vonn he answered "You're reading way too much into this."

Well the high flying Florida Gulf Coast Eagles received a hero's welcome yesterday as they returned to Ft. Myers. At some point it seems like they're going to make a movie about this Florida Gulf Coast team, their Cinderella story is absolutely amazing and so is the story of their coach.

Not only is Andy Enfield a self-made millionaire and a good leader, but maybe his biggest achievement overall is how he met and married super model Amanda Mark.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDY ENFIELD, HEAD COACH, FLORIDA GULF COAST: She's from Oklahoma State, (inaudible) to Oklahoma City. And we went to Boston and I drove her and her friend from New York City to Boston to go to the Oklahoma State first and second round. And when I picked her up in the car, I didn't know her at the time. But I knew as soon as she got in my car it would be a great trip to Boston.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TIGER WOODS, PRO GOLFER: Want a (inaudible) friend?

ARNOLD PALMER, FORMER PRO GOLFER: That's what I was thinking.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Well Tiger's golf game is back and it looks like he's added some martial arts to his bag of tricks. In his latest ad for his new video game Tiger and Arnold Palmer showing off more than just their golf skills. To see the entire commercial head over to bleacherreport.com.

And check out this ad that Nike put on their Facebook page just hours after Tiger's big win yesterday. It says "Winning takes care of everything."

Now Carol, you know, Nike one of the only people to stick with Tiger when he went through all those troubles a couple years ago. I'm guessing they're pretty proud of that fact, aren't they.

COSTELLO: Yes, I guess winning forgives all sins. I was making those faces because I wanted to see more of that Tiger Woods/Arnold Palmer commercial. SCHOLES: Yes, they're pretty awesome. There's actually a couple versions to it. Go to bleacherreport.com and you can check it all out.

COSTELLO: All right.

Thank you very much Andy.

SCHOLES: Sure.

COSTELLO: The next hour of CNN NEWSROOM begins after a short break.

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