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Obamas to Meet with Bushes at the White House; DHL to Hold New Conference, Monday; Urban Radio Responds to the Barack Obama Victory; Auto Industry Seeks Help; Little Obamas: Boys of Urban Prep Academy
Aired November 09, 2008 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANNOUNCER: Live in the CNN NEWSROOM, Don Lemon.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. Tonight, we have a CNN exclusive for you inside Barack Obama's inner circle in Chicago -- the people who believe in him and helped him along the way, some of whom he'll take with him to Washington. And he's going to need their help because there's late word tonight that thousands more Americans could lose their jobs come first thing in the morning, compounding a faltering economy. You'll hear from people in the hardest hit town in just a moment.
But first, we go to Washington and the man who'll soon be in charge of fixing this mess. Barack Obama, he and his wife, Michelle, will visit the White House tomorrow. They will tour the home's private residence with President Bush and the First Lady. And the President-elect will get his chance to talk privately with the man he succeeds in 72 days.
Wouldn't you like to be a fly on that wall? Our political editor Mark Preston joins us now.
Mark, this is sure to be a very interesting meeting tomorrow. Mark joins us from Washington. What do you expect to come from this White House meeting tomorrow, Mark?
MARK PRESTON, CNN POLITICAL EDITOR: Well, Don, clearly, it's going to be about all the challenges that are facing the nation right now. And, of course, issue number one is the economy -- certainly on the table. Barack Obama and President Bush will talk about what is going to happen with the second stimulus package that Congress is talking about getting passed right now. This is something that Barack Obama would like to see pass before he takes office. He thinks that the White House right now is a little bit cool to the idea, but certainly that will be on the table.
There's certainly also at least briefly talk a little bit about foreign policy. You know, Barack Obama and President Bush did not agree on very much when it comes to foreign policy, but President Bush might be able to provide him with some insight into some of the leaders that he will be dealing with when he takes office.
But look, Don, this is going to be an uncomfortable meeting at best. You know, let's not forget that Barack Obama ran against President Bush every day when he was taking on John McCain. So, while they'll be cordial, I bet it will be uncomfortable. LEMON: Yes, it's interesting because, you know, he campaigned against him and said some, you know, not so nice things about him. But he's going to need him if he wants any advice from him. But, you know, you said it's going to be an uncomfortable meeting, yes, but then, clearly, the economy is going to be on the menu here. That's what they are going to be talking about.
I want you to listen to the White House chief of staff -- the White House chief of staff-elect, if you want to say that, Rahm Emanuel, and then John Podesta, the guy who is in charge of the transition talking about the economy this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. RAHM EMANUEL (D), ILLINOIS: As President-elect Obama said on Friday, when the unemployment numbers came out, we have 10 million Americans who are without work. Earlier in the week, you know, we had a steeped drop-off in retail sales. The American people right now need help, economically.
JOHN PODESTA, CO-CHAIR, OBAMA TRANSITION TEAM: I think what the President-elect wanted to do is send a strong signal that we need an economic recovery program moving forward. He'd like to see the stimulus that's pending on Capitol Hill passed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: The economy, of course, they're going to be talking about that tomorrow. And do you think that they will share with us, Mark, what they're talking about, including issues of the economy as you heard those gentlemen talk about and foreign policy?
PRESTON: You know, Don, I think they'll come out and will talk in very broad strokes about what they talked about. And we'll probably hear some laughs and pats on the back and how they're passing the baton. But I think, as far as the real nuts and bolts of the conversation, we probably won't learn that much, not right away, that's for sure.
LEMON: All right. Let's talk about transition -- Barack Obama, the Democrats. The Republicans are also in transition as well.
PRESTON: Yes, they are. Right now, they're leaderless, Don. Look, they are going to have to elect a new Republican National Committee chairman. We know that next weekend down in South Carolina, Katon Dawson, he's the Republican Party chairman of that state, is assembling people there to talk about the future of the Party. We know that the Republican governors, just a few days before down in Florida, will be talking about the direction of the party. The governors want to take control of the party.
And, of course, here in Washington right now, you know, you have a House that has lost 20 seats, 20 more Republican seats. And you also have seen several seats on the Senate side go up. So, you have a struggle right now for the Republican Party. And while we will be focused on where Barack Obama takes the country and what his new administration will be like, you know, another interesting story is really to see the rebuilding of the Party and the struggle between the social conservatives and the moderates and the economic conservatives of the party because that is certainly going to play out over the next few months.
LEMON: Political editor Mark Preston. Mark, thank you very much for that news. You've heard us talk about the economy here several hours before tomorrow's White House meeting. People in southwest Ohio could get the news they have been fearing for months. They're out of a job.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERRY BARRETT, DHL EMPLOYEE: They're taking away everything -- from me, my family, my friends, this whole town. I'm sorry.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Wilmington, Ohio, DHL Delivery's hub, the biggest employer in the area, will be hit hardest. Just moments ago, the mayor told us he's not looking forward to the German-owned company's call in the morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Mayor, I'm sure people are on pins and needles there. If, in fact, that's up to 10,000 people lose their jobs, that is going to be devastating to the people there and your area.
VOICE OF MAYOR DAVID RAZIK, WILMINGTON, OHIO: Yes, Don. We've been working on that since the end of May when we've had the threat of this job loss to our community and to the southwest Ohio region.
LEMON: Now, explain to me. You said there were -- at the Wilmington hub where this is, 8,000 people would be laid off possibly because there are 8,000 employees there but then another 1800 ancillary jobs in the region?
RAZIK: Yes. There are three companies involved -- DHL, ABX Air and ASTAR Air Cargo which total about 8200 employees. Plus, there are other companies that work directly or contract with those folks at the air park that would include about another 1800 jobs.
LEMON: OK. So we're talking about people. But what is the impact on your area? Could it affect more people?
RAZIK: Well, I think it would affect -- the long-term impact without these jobs would be we could have, you know, all the small businesses, obviously, with this many people out of work, it would impact them. If we can't turn it around or get some new other jobs, you know, one in five small businesses would fail.
LEMON: I think the short answer to my next question is you're not looking forward to 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. RAZIK: No, I'm not. I can't imagine it would be good news.
LEMON: Yes, OK. Mayor David Razik, thank you and best of luck to you.
RAZIK: Thank you, Don. Appreciate you calling.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: And, you know, Mayor Razik in that conversation also told me that there's an economic development task force in place, plus national emergency grant money will be made available. We'll follow this story and the people affected. It sure to be something that the American people will be interested in.
We've seen Barack Obama, the candidate. We've gotten snippets of Barack Obama, the husband and the father. And, of course, we've seen Barack Obama, president-elect, but there are little gems, little moments that we don't see. Valerie Jarrett, Obama's close friend and colleague talked with me about the Obama family.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VALERIE JARRETT, CO-CHAIR, OBAMA TRANSITION TEAM: They are just an extraordinary couple. They're kindred spirits. They are each other's best friend. And, you know, I've watched him hurry to get back in the car in the evening, so he has a chance to talk to the girls before he goes to bed. And just...
LEMON (on camera): We saw him running down the stairs of the airplane recently, so he could hurry up and see his wife and kids.
JARRETT: That's actually a very good story. When we were traveling this last weekend before Election Day, Senator Obama and I were in Las Vegas and we flew to Iowa -- over to Ohio for the day. And when we flew into Ohio, we were sitting on the tarmac waiting for Michelle and the girls arrive. And he was busy reading the newspaper and he was on his BlackBerry and he didn't notice that they had arrived.
And so I said, Barack, look out the window. And he looked out the window and there was Malia and Sasha playing out on the tarmac. And the look on his face when he saw those two girls, he just lit up. And he said, you know, they liven me, they make me feel whole, they make me feel so well-loved, and the rest of the week it was just terrific and to have Michelle and the girls along just made all the difference in the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: We're going to hear more from Valerie Jarrett and also other members of the inner circle in just a little bit on CNN. You don't want to miss it. Very personal stories coming out of Chicago.
Also, we want to know what's on your mind tonight. Make sure you log on to Twitter, to Facebook, MySpace or iReport.com and please tell us what you're thinking. We'll get some of your responses on the air. As a matter of fact, they're scrolling at the bottom of your screen now.
Urban radio responds to the Barack Obama victory and the airwaves are buzzing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When the screen said Barack Obama is the new President-elect of the United States, I fell to my knees. And I said thank you, Lord, thank you, Lord.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: And you know, I heard from Warren Ballentine as well, screaming, I think he said something like thank you, Lord, or something like that. But what does the rest of talk radio had to say about the President-elect? There's Martha Zoller, she's joining me here on set. Warren Ballentine in the house for the drive-time buzz, just seconds away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Well, that was a very emotional reaction on election night at Ebenezer Baptist Church right here in Atlanta, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached. Wow. Look at that. And as you can imagine, urban talk radio airwaves are abuzz about the election of Barack Obama.
Tom Joyner. He hosts one of the top syndicated talk shows in the country. And I sat with him the day after Election Day in Chicago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM JOYNER, "THE TOM JOYNER MORNING SHOW': When the screen said Barack Obama is the new President-elect of the United States, I fell to my knees. And I said thank you, Lord, thank you, Lord. And as I promised, I'm not going to say it anymore because that's what I asked. I prayed every day. I said, Lord, you make Barack Obama the president, I promise not to sin again.
LEMON: Do you think you can hold up to that promise?
JOYNER: I'm holding up to it. I'm holding up to it. But it's only been about a couple hours or so.
LEMON: You know, that's a lie, it's a sin, you know now, Tom. You know a lie is a sin now.
JOYNER: Oh, yes.
LEMON: So, what are people saying? What do you hear on the radio about people's response?
JOYNER: Tears. Tears of joy. Reflection. Reflection of people who didn't see it, who didn't live to see, you know, this day in history. That's been the -- that's been probably the majority response of all my listeners.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: That was Tom Joyner. All right. Let's talk about Obama's election and tomorrow's buzz on drive-time radio. Joining us, two of our favorite talk show hosts. Warren Ballentine, host of the nationally syndicated "Warren Ballentine Show" and Martha Zoller, host of "Martha Zoller Show."
Martha, hey. Warren, Martha said when Tom Joyner said he fell to his knees, she goes, that's not exactly the reaction I had.
(CROSSTALK)
MARTHA ZOLLER, HOST, "THE MARTHA ZOLLER SHOW": I was praying but for a different reason.
LEMON: Talk to us about that. What's the reaction on your show?
ZOLLER: I have to tell you. I was not unhappy when I woke up Wednesday morning. And my callers were more upset and, you know, you have Republicans who eat their own, you know. I mean, they're more unhappy with McCain than they were with the fact that Barack Obama had won.
LEMON: That's what I see. Who are they blaming? Are they blaming the McCain campaign for not getting people out to vote or Barack Obama for -- you think, something that he did during the campaign?
ZOLLER: Well, I mean, you know, and we talked about this before.
LEMON: There's lots of infighting.
ZOLLER: There was a lot of infighting, a lot of things going on. But McCain did miss a lot of opportunities. I mean, he was derailed by his own people with the gang of ten when he was getting some momentum on the oil issue in the summer. He didn't use Sarah Palin the right way. He kept her under wraps for too long. And then, put her right in. Instead of using her on talk radio and things like that, they didn't use, I think, their own media, their friendly media, the right way, the way Barack Obama used urban radio.
LEMON: What's very interesting about that, Martha, is that, you know, it doesn't appear that the Republicans -- the Party has a real leader right now, real face or real voice now that John McCain did not win. And Sarah Palin is back in Alaska.
(CROSSTALK)
ZOLLER: Yes, I think they're taking applications.
LEMON: OK. All right. So, Warren, you know, we know what your reaction was and what the reaction to your listeners was. So, for election night, I heard you on the radio screaming. But what are people saying, you know -- are people who supported Barack Obama because you're a supporter, are they going to challenge him now that he is in the White House or will be in the White House to make sure that he is on point?
WARREN BALLENTINE, HOST, "THE WARREN BALLENTINE SHOW": Well, Don, I'm going to tell you the same thing that I tell my listeners. I said, look, come January 21st after he's sworn in as the president, we need to hold him as accountable as we've held George W. Bush. We have to hold his feet to the fire to make sure he's doing the right things for the American people.
But my listeners were very happy. But, you know, honestly, I think Martha just hit on something with the Republican Party. Barack, he took advantage of urban radio. Look, I can honestly say this. Michael Baisden and Reverend Sharpton and myself, we were talking about Barack Obama every day. My listeners didn't even know who Barack Obama was when I started talking about him a few months ago.
LEMON: You bring up a good point because, Warren, I want to say, you know, what we have learned from this election is that urban radio, especially black radio and conservative radio, Martha, are equally as powerful but to different audiences.
BALLENTINE: That's right. That's exactly right. And honestly, I must say this, I've got to applaud everybody on the urban side, you know, not just the ones I've named but also Steve Harvey, Tom Joyner, Ricky Smiley, Bev Smith. It was a host of people out there who had national shows who were talking about Barack Obama who listeners may not have known who Barack Obama was.
LEMON: Martha?
ZOLLER: And I hope that Warren will join with me to fight the fairness doctrine because I tell you what...
BALLENTINE: I will, I will. I don't agree with that. I will help with that. I don't agree with that at all, Martha.
LEMON: OK. Hey, real quickly, Martha. What are your listeners going to be talking about tomorrow, drive-time radio talk?
ZOLLER: We're going to be talking about McCain coming to Georgia on Thursday to help with Saxby Chambliss. And we're going to be talking about, you know, how the Republican Party can rebuild. That's really what's on everybody's mind.
LEMON: It is a time of transition for the Republican Party. Warren, what are your listeners going to be talking about tomorrow during drive-time?
BALLENTINE: Of course, we're going to be talking about the economy and we're going to be talking about getting the job done. Barack getting in office is the first step. Now it's time for America to get to work.
LEMON: OK.
BALLENTINE: We've got to roll up our sleeves as Americans and come together as one.
LEMON: And here's what I understand. You two were e-mailing each other on election night?
BALLENTINE: That's right. That's right.
LEMON: What's going on here? It's a love connection. You guys are supposed to be fighting.
BALLENTINE: We're trying to find out which state was -- I'm trying to find out if North Carolina, Georgia, Illinois; which state was going to win.
(CROSSTALK)
ZOLLER: Oh no, we were saying what have you heard? What have you heard? What are you doing?
LEMON: All right. I don't have to separate you two anymore, maybe for different reasons. We won't go there. All right. Thank you very much to both of you.
ZOLLER: Thank you.
LEMON: Also, we want to know what's on your mind, the viewer tonight. Make sure you log on to any of those platforms that you see up there on the screen. Tell us what you're thinking and we'll get some of your responses on the air tonight.
Well, you may not know their names or their faces right now, but you certainly will. The people we're going to be hearing about for maybe the next four years or so -- Valerie Jarrett, Emil Jones, Penny Pritzker, John Rogers, all part of Barack Obama's inner circle, and I sat down with them. You'll hear what they have to say about a historic transition to power.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: All right. We're talking the transition to power now and inside the circle. Less than a week ago, Barack Obama as president was just a possibility. Now, it is reality. And more so than ever, Americans want to know who will be helping him make the decisions that affect the country and the world.
Well, last week, before and after the historic election, I went back to my former city, Chicago, to talk candidly with the people who helped shape Barack Obama, the man and the politician. Many of whom I have reported on as a local anchor and reporter. Let's start with his new chief of staff, someone who likes to joke around with reporters, Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EMANUEL: Here's the deal. My parents are alive to see their middle son had a choice with his career between, you know, congressman with one good chance, one opportunity down the road of maybe rising in the leadership, and being the chief of staff to a historic presidency and a historic time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: And also a very poignant moment there by Rahm Emanuel talking about his family. So we know the future White House chief of staff. And you just heard him there, again, Rahm Emanuel. But there are several insiders who could end up at the White House, too. Emil Jones, Obama's mentor and President of the Illinois Senate; Penny Pritzker, businesswoman and philanthropist and Obama's national finance chair; John Rogers, long-time friend and Illinois finance chair; and Valerie Jarrett, long-time friend, trusted adviser and co- chair of a transition.
Let's begin with Valerie. She's been referred to as Obama's Karl Rove and she laughs about that. We started with her reaction to the election.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON (on camera): You're hoarse.
JARRETT: I am hoarse. Too much talking.
LEMON: Too much screaming or talking?
JARRETT: Lots of talking. Lots of talking.
LEMON: OK. I have to ask you -- the first thing once it was announced, what did he say to you?
JARRETT: He just looked at me and I looked back at him and you couldn't possibly put in words how we were feeling but the expression said it all. And I was really like, job well done, job well done, change the world.
LEMON: You did.
JARRETT: He did.
LEMON: You helped, though.
JARRETT: Couldn't have happened without him. Leadership and tone, vision, judgment. That all starts at the top.
LEMON: People say that about you two that you can communicate, I've read that about you, I've never witnessed it. But people say that you can look at each other and communicate, you don't need to talk and that almost since the very beginning, it's like when you met, you could almost kind of read each other's minds. Is that true, Valerie?
JARRETT: I think we have a pretty good sense of each other, how we think, and what our priorities are, what our values are. We have a very similar sense of humor. So yes, I think we read each other very well.
LEMON: Yes. What is that like? Do you know what's good for him? What's bad for him? What he shouldn't do? What he should do?
JARRETT: I know what I think. You know, I'm not going to say we always agree. But I understand what motivates him. I know what his values are. I know how he was raised. I have a very good sense of the kind of core decency and empathy he has for mankind and the direction he wants to take our country. And he hasn't changed over the last 17 years that I've known him. He's always had the same commitment to focus first on people and what we can do to improve their lives.
And when you stay kind of singularly focused on that, it makes it a lot easier to make important decisions. And over the course of his career, the decisions obviously become more and more important and the challenges. But the opportunities also that we face right now are enormous. And I'm just so proud of him. And he's so ready for this. He really is. He's absolutely ready for this.
LEMON: I can just -- I mean, the passion that's coming off of you, I can completely feel it.
JARRETT: Yes, feels good.
LEMON: Do you feel like the ultimate insider?
JARRETT: Well, I feel so fortunate to have been a part of this journey and so, sure, I'm an insider and a good friend and an adviser, and so I've had really the privilege of traveling all over this country, this really great country with both Barack, President-elect Obama, I like to say, and Michelle, our new First Lady, and seeing America from a very different perspective than when you're just traveling for business or as a tourist.
We really have a chance to dig deep and get to know so many American people and hear their stories, hear their challenges, hear their hopes and dreams. And to see that first hand and have the opportunity to participate and what's, I think by everybody's measure, the greatest campaign that this country has ever had. Wow. It's very special.
LEMON: I'm glad you mentioned that because, you know, I sit on the other side. You know the media. I'll be honest with you. We can (INAUDIBLE). We always want the controversy or whatever and to see how people react. Often what you hear about in the news is not actually the case. We heard so much about race, but obviously it took every single kind of person, you know, in this country, who was registered to vote, to vote for Barack Obama in order for him to win. So -- and then you don't always see that in the press.
JARRETT: Well, you see the contrary.
LEMON: But you witnessed it.
JARRETT: And so it's interesting because every day throughout the campaign, beginning in Iowa, a state that's, you know, 98 percent white, where Senator Obama rolled up his sleeves and he worked so hard. And the whole time he was there, the pundits were talking about race and he was talking to the American people about the issues that they cared about.
And I think that what he proved in Iowa and what he proved across this country and, certainly, the record number of people who participated in the vote in this election in the general election, I think what we heard is no matter how you want to slice and dice the electorate, he resonated with the American people.
And they're kind of tired of being sliced and diced into all those different groups that you guys in the media love to look at the statistics. But in the end, the message was one that just resonated broadly, very broadly. And it transcended race, it transcended party, it transcended geography, it transcended class, because it was really an American vision.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Valerie Jarrett, co-chair of the Barack Obama transition team. Barack Obama taught the world that you can make history. I will introduce you to the man who taught him -- the president-elect's political godfather. Straight ahead.
Also tonight, I want to tell you this before we go to break. We want to hear from --
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: All right. Now, back to inside the circle. Back when Barack Obama was a 23-year-old upstart with dreams of becoming a lawyer and later a state senator. He was mentored by a man he calls his political godfather, President of the Illinois State Senate Emil Jones. Well, he talked to me about the young Obama.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON (on camera): You said your relationship went back to 1985. Tell us about that. What was he like, 1985, wet behind the ears, I'm sure.
EMIL JONES, PRES. ILLINOIS STATE SENATE: He was 23-year-old youngster. He was a community organizer with ministers and community leaders. And I met them, they were concerned about the dropouts in the high school, senior high school. They were down the street from my office. So I invited them into my office and we sat down, discussed the issue, and they had some recommendations.
So, I went to the state Board of Education, got funding for a dropout prevention program. Today in Chicago, as a result of his actions way back then, we have alternative high schools for those students who cannot connect into the traditional mode, failure to drop out. We have schools available for them so they can go ahead and receive their diploma.
LEMON: And he was part of that?
JONES: He was part of that, yes.
LEMON: 85 or 95?
JONES: 85.
LEMON: 85?
JONES: Yes. That's when he first came to Chicago.
LEMON: Wow. And then subsequently, he became a community organizer, started helping get those things. And then you said he came to you about going to law school?
JONES: Yes. After working with him for about three years, he came to me, he said, you know, I enjoy what I'm doing, but I always wanted to be a lawyer. And I'm thinking about going to law school. He asked me what do I think about it? I said barrack, if that's something you sincerely want to do, I suggest you go ahead and do it.
So, he left and went to law school. I didn't see him anymore until he completed law school, and he was working for the registration drive here in Chicago. But we had that relationship. I hated to see him go.
But by the same token, I wasn't going to tell him, no -- if that's something you want to do, just to hang around doing community organization work. Not knowing that he would end up being the president of the Harvard Law Review, graduate the top of his class. You know, he was very aggressive. I liked him as a young man. Do you understand what I'm saying. I didn't push him away.
LEMON: Did he ever talk to you about like, "I met this girl."
JONES: No, he's never talked about that. As a matter of fact, I knew he had a funny name. But I never questioned him about his background, where he came from. I like to come at face value, wherever he was, you know. I didn't find out that his mother was white, his father was from Kenya. I didn't find it out until I read his book, and he was elected to the state Senate at that time. But I took him at face value as to what he was.
LEMON: Do you take any credit for his success?
JONES: Well, he made the statement. He called me his political godfather. He called me -- he made the statement at a one big rally, he said, he wouldn't be standing here if it had not been for me.
LEMON: Do you take the same pride in him, feel like maybe he's sort of your son and you're watching your son grow up and become the president.
JONES: Oh, yes. I do. As a matter of fact, after he won the Senate primary in that race, some of my same financial supporters ended up being his financial supporters.
So, he had a little gathering at one of their homes and we were all there. My son was there. And Barack told my son, you got to move over now because another member of this family, you know, because -- I take a lot of pride, no question about it, yes. But the person must have the ability and the talent. All I did was try to open the doors so he could show what he's all about.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Political godfather, president of the Illinois Senate, Emil Jones. More insight from inside the Obama circle. He raised more money than any presidential candidate in history with help from some very influential friends. My conversation with two of them, next.
Also, we want to know what's on your mind, tonight. Make sure you log on to anyone of those platforms. We're going to get some of your responses. We're going to say them live in just a bit, but here they are at the bottom of your screen. We're back in just a couple of seconds.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: The Obama campaign raised more money than any other in history. And he had some very powerful and passionate supporters. Two in particular. John Rogers is Obama's Illinois Finance co-chair and long-time friend. Plus, business executive and civic leader, Penny Pritzker. Listen to what they have to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Both you and Valerie, very successful businesswomen in their own right, have headed companies. And why would you take the time, you know, out of your life and out of your busy career to follow the dream of this young guy?
PENNY PRITZKER, BUSINESS EXECUTIVE AND CIVIC LEADER: You know, this country has been extraordinary to my family. You know, my family came here as immigrants over 100 years ago. And because of the opportunity available to my family in this country, we have been able to have success. And our country was really not on the path where that kind of opportunity, the protections that our civil liberties and civil rights are affording us, were all being jeopardized.
And to me, it's important for people who can -- everyone from average Americans to those of us who have had some success to stand up and, you know, take hold of our country. And that's what Barack has asked us to do. And so, to me, it was -- it was significant to say yes to help Barack, but it felt very natural and very good.
JOHN ROGERS, OBAMA ILLINOIS FINANCE CO-CHAIR: It's really kind of mind blowing to, you know, call this long-time friend of yours, Mr. President. But what also makes it kind of unique as we all know just four years ago, he was a state senator and you could see him around the neighborhood, and he was just, you know, just a normal up and coming political leader.
Most of the people have become president before have had, you know -- they have been a senator for a long time or governor for a long time, vice president or what have you. And so it's so unique to have someone in such a short period of time go from being your sort of normal friend and up and coming political leader to becoming president.
Now, I think it's great because, of course, he relates so well to the problems of all Americans because he's been living a life of a normal American up until, you know, right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Well, proving this election could be color blind, Barack Obama's political godfather rejoins us on why there was no Bradley Effect, he says, on Tuesday night.
Also, we want to know what's on your mind. Make sure you log on to us here. Send us your comments. We're going to get some of them on the air shortly. We promise you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: All right, we're going back inside the Obama circle. Remember all of that talk about the Bradley Effect, when voters who say they would pick a black candidate end up voting against him when they actually get to the booth. Well, listen to what the godfather, Barack Obama's political mentor, Emil Jones has to say about that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JONES: You guys in the media, not you personally, but they kept talking about the Bradley Effect. This election, and that campaign in the United States for Barack, but the big difference that the folks in the media did not recognize is that he had people from all walks of life involved in this campaign. All walks of life.
If you went to the campaign (INAUDIBLE) in Chicago, you saw all of these young adults, young, white adults pushing his candidacy, and that was the difference in his campaign and Bradley's campaign for governor of California. And I was shocked that the media kept bring this out, you know.
LEMON: You should have called me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: All right. Emil Jones, the president of the Chicago, the Illinois Senate.
Well, the day after the election at Chicago's Urban Academy Prep School. Take a look at this.
All right. They are calling these guys Little Obamas. They're budding Obamas. The mood was electric. And we'll take you there and talk to some of these very special students.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Well, the economy is issue number one for President-elect Barack Obama and for you. Now there's talk of actually expanding the $700 billion bailout. That's because along with Wall Street, U.S. auto industry is struggling just to keep afloat. And it might be the next sector to get a big rescue check from the government.
GM, the nation's biggest automaker says it lost more than $4 billion in the third quarter. Much bigger than expected. And the company warns it could run out of cash soon. Plus, another report shows car sales are plummeting. Auto execs have met with Democratic leaders, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid say the administration should consider expanding the bailout plans.
The days following the election were rough for stocks. Stephanie Elam takes a look at what could move the markets in the days ahead. Let's get down to business.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Stocks tumbled last week. Dismal retail sales numbers helped drag the Dow below the 9,000 mark. And filings for unemployment benefits reached a 25-year high.
Budget-conscious consumers boosted Wal-Mart's October sales 2.4 percent. And the retail giant unleashes its holiday discounts this weekend. A bright spot as other retailers continue to struggle.
Next week, we will see the Commerce Department's monthly retail sales report as well as earnings reports from Macy's, bluefly.com and the parent company of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls.
One possible contributing factor in the spinning slowdown, consumer reports annual holiday shopping poll shows 12 million American still have holiday debt left over from last year.
Employment firm Challenger Gray & Christmas predict stores will hire fewer seasonal workers this is year. Last week, toy maker, Mattel, announced 1000 job cuts and Circuit City said it would close 155 stores.
Oil prices reached their lowest point in 18 months last week, which should drive down home heating oil costs. But consumer expert say many homeowners locked in rates at higher prices back when there were concerns record prices would keep rising. That's this week "Getting Down to Business." Stephanie Elam, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: All right, Steph. Well, we all know where Barack Obama ended up on his election night. Well, do you know where he was that day? That afternoon? I do. And I have an exclusive report that you don't want to miss.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: And CNN can now project that Barack Obama, 47 years old, will become the president-elect of the United States. We project he now has enough electoral votes, more than 270. More than enough to become the 44th president of the United States.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: See that? That was Grant Park, and I was in that crowd. It was an historic projection, followed by an electric moment in Chicago's Grant Park on Tuesday night.
Now, I was there working with my producer, Anika Young, and we were watching the speech. And then when we saw -- when we heard Barack Obama mentioned, Mrs. Ann Nixon Cooper, the woman that we profiled here, first, on this show, we could not believe it. And you saw the excitement in our faces.
She cast her vote early for Barack Obama right here. He called her back about a week or so later, and then he mentioned her during his acceptance speech. Unbelievable. We went to check in with her.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANN NIXON COOPER, 106-YEAR-OLD OBAMA SUPPORTER: Yes, I knew he was talking about me. Yes. I have been told that he would be saying these things. I had been told.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Well, Mrs. Nixon is now waiting to hear from the Obama team about hopefully attending the inauguration. She's hoping. But, you know, who knows what can happen.
Well, just a few hours before Senator Barack Obama became president-elect, well, he suited up for an Election Day tradition. And we happened to get this exclusive story. Check it out.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON (voice-over): Check out the steal, the behind-the-back dribble, then the pass to set up a basket. Yes, Senator Barack Obama on the hardwood with his buddies just hours before his historic election.
What's not so clear in this amateur video made available exclusively to CNN are the faces on the court.
Among them, CSI New York actor Hill Harper, Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey, close friend Marty Nesbitt and some of his high school basketball teammates from Hawaii. The guys invited us for an inside look at an Election Day tradition they share with Barack Obama.
MARTY NESBITT, CAMPAIGN TREASURER/FRIEND: This is diversion, trying to keep our minds off of what's happening out there as Americans. LEMON (on camera): We know he's got to be nervous, but to be able to play basketball with his buds, don't you think that meant a lot?
HILL HARPER, ACTOR/GRADUATE SCHOOL CLASSMATE: Yes. And also, he's a good basketball player.
LEMON: We were worried about your game. How did you do?
ARNE DUNCAN, CEO, CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS: It's a lot of fun. Well, the important thing is Barack didn't get hurt.
LEMON: Yes, what if you guys had hurt him. That would not have been good.
DUNCAN: We would never admit who did it.
GREG ORMER, HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAMMATE: It's a very special day, especially the day after his grandmother passed away. It's an emotional time for all of us, really.
MIKE RAMOS, HIGHT SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAMMATE: It's nice to just come here and just, you know, play games, you know, with your friends, and just go out there and have fun. It's just really good to not even think about it, you know.
LEMON (on camera): Attack Athletics on Chicago's west side, the last place the Senator played basketball before becoming president. Let me show you this. Teams -- That One and This One. This is my jersey. A little joke you can see from the campaign trail.
So, the locker room is in here?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Locker room is right here.
LEMON (voice-over): Tim Grover owns Attack Athletics.
(on camera): What do you think of his game? You're the pro, you're the trainer.
TIM GROVER, ATTACK ATHLETICS OWNER: He needs to pass the ball a little bit more.
LEMON: Was he hogging?
GROVER: He was hogging the ball.
LEMON: Are you serious?
GROVER: Yes, he was hogging the ball.
LEMON (voice-over): Grover should know. In this sleek, $17 million facility, he's trained top athletes like Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. In fact, his clientele reads like the cast of the NBA All-Star game.
LEMON (on camera): And now Barack Obama.
GROVER: And now Barack Obama.
LEMON: It's got to be an honor to have someone like that in your gym. What do you think?
GROVER: Oh, it was, especially on today. I mean, a day like today, to have him come in and use our facility as a place to relieve stress, maybe three, four hours before he is named president of the United States. It's wonderful. I mean, this is history.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: It's amazing. And I have something from history here that I'll show you. Arne Duncan, who is CEO of the Chicago public schools gave me this jersey, his jersey. It is reversible. "That One" on one side, "This One" on the other side.
And I got to tell you. This story -- it was a complete surprise getting the story. I was standing there as Barack Obama was leaving the gym and Tim Grover and someone he works with, came over and said, hey, Don, welcome back to Chicago. Come on in. Some of the guys are here. And they'll talk to you. And that -- it was a complete fluke. So, thank you guys for allowing me in and for getting me that video. We appreciate it.
OK, so, let's listen to what our viewers are saying now. And some of these names I'm recognizing now from Twitter. I get a lot of the people in from Facebook as well. Soulpower says, "The DHL situation and the hemorrhaging of jobs in Ohio is exactly why Ohio went Obama. This is very unfortunate. Hope folks are re-employed.
SlumPoliticsLA says, "Modern media not just urban radio helped Obama win presidency. This was a major difference between Obama's camp versus McCain's."
Here's what rascot747 says, "I think we will likely be more watchful of President-elect Obama than we were of Bush. Not fair, but after Iraq, we need to."
Hellataz, we hear from you a lot here. "I don't agree that any Dem would have won this year. Obama ran a perfect campaign and inspired voters. GOP need to give him credit."
And Shespeakz, "Conservative talk radio has been eating McCain alive on the regular."
Luxetips, "Obama's inner circle, his campaign team changed the face of political campaigns forever."
Let's see. We'll read just one or two more here. "Obama has surrounded himself -- this is KMiley -- with smart people. They have run a tight campaign and the administration will be efficient."
I want to move down. I'm going to skip this one. DocRemy don't get mad at me. Thank you for your response. I wanted to go to Valerie Jarrett.
Icampbell444, says, "Valerie Jarrett seems like a really great woman. I hope she gets a great position in this administration."
There's one more from Ima Bong (ph). We got Ima Bong (ph), live, here on the show as well. Log on to Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, ireport.com and tell me what you are thinking. And, of course, we'll get them on for you.
Well, check this one out. They have been called Little Obamas and for good reason.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: They're calling you Little Obamas. What do you think of that? Little Obama? Are you a Little Obama?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Me, personally, I think we are Little Obamas because just like he made change, we are making change. We are going to an all-boys school and we're trying to get to the places where he's been. That's to college.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Future leaders no doubt about it. You'll hear more of them, straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: All right. So, right after election night, I visited Urban Prep Academy, an all-boys public charter school on the south side of Chicago. Now, I have to tell you I was very impressed and inspired by these young men who have been called Little Obamas. That's what they're being called in the community. After seeing their story, I think you will be, too.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON (voice-over): The morning after the election, the music players at Urban Prep Academy on Chicago's south side. But no one pays attention until -- an Obama rap song comes on. 450 boys go crazy.
Elation on their faces as they break into a victory dance. And just listen to the enthusiasm as they recite their daily school creed.
UNIDENTIFIED BOYS: We choose to live honestly, not violently and honorably.
LEMON: When you guys said that creed, did it mean something different? Did you say it with more force? And more --
UNIDENTIFIED BOYS: Yes. More energy, yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We said it with more enthusiasm.
LEMON: They're calling you Little Obamas. What do you think of that? Little Obama. Are you a Little Obama?
MARLON MARSHALL, URBAN PREP ACADEMY STUDENT: Me, personally, I think we are Little Obamas because just like he made change, we are making change. We are going to an all-boys school and we're trying to get to the places where he's been. That's to college.
LEMON: College is now attainable for 57 percent of the students here. In 2006, when the school opened, only 4 percent could even read at grade level. Founder Tim King says much of it can be attributed to Barack Obama.
TIM KING, URBAN PREP ACADEMY FOUNDER: The whole time from the point when we went down to watch him announce that he was running all the way through to him winning last night, there's just been an incredible amount of enthusiasm and energy.
LEMON: And according to King, in many ways, these students are now becoming the teachers, literally writing their own future.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: History in the making.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Free at last.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is the beginning.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A dream fulfilled.
LEMON: Believe it.
UNIDENTIFIED BOYS: We believe in ourselves. We believe in each other. We believe in our prep. We believe.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: I'm Don Lemon. I'll see you back here next weekend, 5:00 and 11:00 p.m. on Saturday. 6:00 and 11:00, on Sunday.
Goodnight and have a great week.
