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New Allegation about John Edwards; Nasty Winter Blast in Virginia; Haiti Medevac Flights Suspended; Obama Brings Up Don't Ask, Don't Tell in SOTU; William Cohen Discusses Don't Ask, Don't Tell & China; Window Manufacturer Mentioned in SOTU Address Discusses Business; NFL Fights Over "Who Dat"

Aired January 30, 2010 - 17:00   ET

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

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: A basketball game turns into a press conference with the president taking charge. And CNN is there.

The Haiti recovery effort hits a serious road block putting people's lives in jeopardy. We're live.

And a major winter storm trampling parts of the country, snow, ice, no electricity, just small parts of the problem.

Hello, everyone, thanks for joining us. We start tonight, though, with revelations about a man who could had been your president, and Washington insiders say could had put the Democratic Party in political jeopardy.

This week, John Edwards former Democratic presidential contender admitted to fathering a child out of wedlock after lying to everyone, the American public, about it. The lurid details, all released today in a book called, "The Politician." It is authored by Edwards' longtime confident Andrew Young. Young spoke to ABC News about how he, Edwards and Edward's mistress Rielle Hunter had supplanted for young to claim that he was the baby's father.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDREW YOUNG, FORMER AIDE TO JOHN EDWARDS: There wasn't a lot of time sit back and to contemplate, hey is this logical? Was it logical? No. Was it stupid? Yes. Did we do the right thing morally? No. Absolutely not.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Let's bring in our CNN's Mark Preston. He's our editor here. You know, Mark, here's the interesting thing. Edwards told ABC News that their were lies in the book and he said Young was motivated by money but this is certainly explosive and imagine if Edwards had been either appointed to office or elected to office now it would be a huge fallout.

MARK PRESSOR, CNN POLITICAL EDITOR: It would be huge fallout. And you know something, either Young acknowledges that in fact he is motivated in part by the money. He writes that in the book. He says that John Edwards was going to take care of him financially. That John Edwards' rich friends were going to take care of him financially for taking the fall for saying that he was the father of Rielle Hunter's daughter as well as everything else he had done as John Edwards was pursuing the presidential campaign. However, he says, that John Edwards pulled back and really left him hanging. So in part, he said, he's writing the book for financial gain but also he said, he's trying to write the book to try to spell it out to his children, explain exactly what happened.

LEMON: But here's the interesting thing, too. Also in the ABC interview and in the book, you hear about Elizabeth Edwards, who had cancer at the time during this alleged affair, which I guess I understand admitted to now, that she in some way knew about this and may have known about it more than the American public would have thought or more than they led onto at the time.

PRESTON: And that's a sticking point because Elizabeth Edwards, you know, contends that she did not know all -- all about what was going on with John Edwards and Rielle Hunter during the time he was seeing her in this extramarital affair. However in this book, Andrew Young says, in fact she did know. And that he was the point person that set up these liaisons along the campaign trail while John Edwards was out trying to gain support for that presidential bid.

LEMON: I want to read to you really quickly, Mark, we're getting a statement in here, I'm just getting it here, from Edwards' attorneys and here's what it says. This is from Edwards' attorney says, John Edwards and his wife Elizabeth have legally separated and John Edwards' lawyer release a statement saying that earlier reports about the book indicate that there are problems with Young's accounts while we have not had an opportunity to view the interview or read the book. We urge extreme caution by everyone involved. That's what his attorneys wrote. And again, as I said (AUDIO GAP), Edwards saying, that Young was motivated by money.

But here's the question and I said this to you at the top, what if this man had been? Because not only was he a vice presidential contender, this affair took place after, but he also ran for president. Then there was talk about him possibly being appointed to office or what have you. What mindset and I don't know if you can answer this, would you have to have to believe that this would never come out, that you would have someone do this and get away with it? So unfolding to the American public this would have been some real, real trouble here.

PRESTON: Some real, real trouble and it's amazing that somebody would have that much gall to think that in fact that they could run for president, at the same time carrying on an affair. And by reading this book and I am sure some reporters will look back covering him at the time and say, boy, things were a little bit strange on that campaign trail at the time but what was he thinking that, Don, that in fact that he could get away with it. You know something I was talking to democratic insiders when he came out and acknowledged having the affair some time ago. They were furious. They said who does he think he is? What if he had won the democratic nomination, he would have torn the party apart. What if President Obama had picked him to be the vice president?

LEMON: That was my next question. Has anyone in the Obama administration said anything about this or even behind the scenes that they acknowledge this? Because I imagine at the time, if they had gotten wind of this, they may have -- they probably were furious.

PRESTON: Well, you know, who knows what they knew during the vetting process anyway when they were actually looking at who they wanted to put on the ticket. But I will tell you at that time talking to some advisers, they were furious about John Edwards. They said that he was selfish. They can't believe he would do that. You know, at this point now, John Edwards' political career is probably over. You know, I don't often say that in politics because you can always reinvent yourself, but let's assume that these allegations are true in this book, very damming.

LEMON: Our Political Editor Mark Preston. Mark, thank you very much. Mark, we know that you've been working on this all night. You read the entire book, you stood up and read the book and then wrote about it on CNN.com. So, thank you Mark. Make sure that you check out CNN.com, it's actually on our home page and it's one of the trending topics there and it's also the trending topic today, Mark, you should know on Twitter. A lot of people are talking about this. Thank you, sir.

PRESTON: Thanks Don.

LEMON: President Barack Obama faces critics head-on in person, and both sides are claiming victory today. Mr. Obama attended a retreat of house republicans yesterday in Baltimore. Taking questions from some of his toughest critics for almost an hour and a half and it was all carried live right here on CNN. As a matter of fact, I was sitting here and Tony Harris as well anchoring and it was amazing to see this taking place in Baltimore and the president standing there in front of his harshest critics and answering the questions. They talked about health care. They talked about the budget, the atmosphere in Washington really was the top topic, talking about the mood there and the tone. It was mostly cordial. At times it was funny and in a few instances it was a little tense. Take a look at how things went on.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm using this as a specific example. So let me answer your question. You asked a question, I want to answer it. There's got to be some test of realism in any of these proposals, mine included. I've got to hold myself accountable and I guarantee you the American people will hold themselves -- will hold me accountable. If what I'm selling doesn't actually deliver.

REP. JEB HENSARLING (R), TEXAS: Your administration proposed a budget that would triple the national debt over the next ten years. Surely you don't believe ten years from now, we will still be mired in this recession and propose new entitlement spending and move the economy -- the cost of government to almost 24.5 percent of the economy. Now very soon, Mr. President, you are due to submit a new budget, and my question is...

OBAMA: Jeb, I know that there's a question in there somewhere because you're making a whole bunch of assertions half of which I disagree with and I'm having to sit here listening to them. At some point, I know you will let me answer them.

When you say that suddenly I've got a monthly budget that is higher than the annual -- or a monthly deficit that's higher than the annual deficit led by republicans, that's factually just not true.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: President Obama took in one of his favorite pastimes, check that out. Today in Washington, it was a snowy Washington, D.C. It's a college basketball game between Georgetown and Duke. He even sat down with the TV broadcasting for a short time adding his own analysis for sports fans who were watching it at home, he also talked about meeting with those GOP leaders yesterday in Baltimore. And of course, he's known for being a big basketball fan and he's playing at least a dozen pickup games with friends and members of his staff since becoming president. President Barack Obama at the game today and then going down talking to the commentators as well, taking some tough questions there.

All right. So, make sure that you join us in the newsroom for our political roundtable at 7:00 p.m. Eastern right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.

U.S. Military suspending medical flights out of Haiti. I'll say it again, the U.S. Military is suspending medical flights out of Haiti. Another big story here on CNN. We're going to tell you why it all comes down to an argument over money.

And Toyota says a fix is on the way for millions of recalled cars. We'll tell you when your dealership will get it.

Also, join our conversation tonight, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace or iReport.com. I'm going on right now. Go look at your comment, put some of them on the air.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: It's always a good evening to spend inside if you are watching us but especially so in the eastern part of the country. Stay inside. An icy blast is slamming much of the region. It's happening right now as we're on the air. Virginia's seeing some of its worst yet. It's a foot of snow expected there. In D.C., officials are telling everyone to stay off the roads. The Carolinas are under an ice storm warning until midnight. And Governor of Beverly Perdue has declared a state of emergency.

Let's move to East from areas like this in Southeast Missouri, it left quite a bit of mess behind. Some parts of Missouri got more than nine inches of snow. And further to the west, we want to look at Oklahoma City. Got a coating of ice. It was so bad, the airport had to shutdown for a while. (WEATHER REPORT)

LEMON: Hey, we have some developing news to tell you about, the U.S. military suspending medical flights out of Haiti. We'll tell you why it all comes down to an argument. It's really over dollars and cents. Who's going to pay for it? Our Susan Candiotti joins us live in just a minute. Just off of the phone with the White House with their reactions, she's going to explain to you next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Some developing news just into CNN. Fredricka Whitfield reported this but there's a new development because the U.S. military suspended flights evacuating Haitians out of Haiti, the quake victims there. It boils down to dollars and cents, flights carrying the injured from Haiti to Miami. It ended on Wednesday after Florida Governor Charlie Crist asked the federal government to help with the expense.

CNN's Susan Candiotti following the story very closely. Susan, the situation is dire. I understand you just got off the phone with the White House?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it's kind of hard to understand all of this, Don, because obviously I've been down to Haiti. We've seen all of the pictures from there. The situation is very difficult to say the least. There are a lot of people in need and there are only so many doctors to go around but here is what the White House is telling me. The White House said in a statement and this is from a spokesperson telling me that there has been no policy decision by anyone to suspend evacuee flights. The situation arose, this spokesman says, as they started to run out of room. Now, as you indicated, there are flights that had been going. Many people have been flown out so far.

The problem now, according to the military is that they can't take them out because in their words and we have a direct quote here from a spokesperson for the U.S. military, if we can show that to you now. They're telling us that they cannot fly people out if hospitals won't take them. And they said, some states are apparently unwilling to allow entry for Haitian nationals for critical care.

So then, we went back to Florida and say, what is the problem? And the problem, according to Florida Governor Charlie Crist, it's obviously expensive to take care of people in their hospital rooms, in the ER rooms and the trauma rooms and so they're turning to the federal government for help. But Florida Governor Charlie Crist denies that he said, don't send us anymore people. And here's what he said about it just today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. Charlie Crist (R), FLORIDA: They're not stopping coming into Florida. I wrote a letter to Secretary Sebelius expressing that federal assistance would be helpful to us and if we could share that with some of our sister states, it would make a big difference. Obviously, because of Florida's proximity to Haiti, we've really borne the brunt of it but we're happy to continue.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Candiotti: So, Florida Governor's Crist is asking the federal government's, specifically health and human services to come up with more emergency funding, Don. But fact of the matter is for now, no other Haitians are allowed to go out right now.

LEMON: Susan, I have to ask you this for clarification because when I came to you in New York, I said that it was suspended. It had been suspended starting Wednesday and your statement from the White House says, it hasn't been. So, what's the truth here? What's happening?

Candiotti: Well, it's hard to figure all that out right now, Don.

LEMON: OK. So I imagine you're...

(CROSSTALK)

Candiotti: For now, it is what it is but I guess what the White House is saying, we don't have a policy decision. We're trying to come up with enough beds in the United States if they can, but if not, to try to work out getting more doctors on the ground there to expand the facilities on the "USS Comfort," which is offshore. And to try to get more doctors in, more beds into Haiti, if they can, to try to keep people there as best as they can.

LEMON: All right, Susan, hey, keep working on this because we need to get clarification about what exactly is happening because viewers want to know. There's a lot of interest in this story, as there should be. So lets us know if it is suspended, if it's not, who's telling the truth, the White House, the governor, or Governor Charlie Crist. Susan Candiotti, thank you very much for that.

Meantime, grants, not loans, would help Haiti rebuild debt-free there. This week two U.S. senators unveiled the Haiti reconstruction package. In it and emphasis to help the country rebuild both its infrastructure and its economy. Tad Agoglia was one of our top ten CNN heroes in 2008. He's the founder of a nonprofit organization called First Response Team of America. It is an NGO you're seeing there if you want to donate. He's been in Haiti about a week.

He's joining us live now from Port-au-Prince. You're there to help with the rebuilding, the reconstruction of Haiti, so and then especially around Port-au-Prince.

Since you have been on the ground, we spoke to you last weekend, you were about to go, what have you seen and what have you accomplished?

TAD AGOGLIA, FIRST RESPONSE TEAM OF AMERICA: Well, Don, from being on the ground, you know, we've quickly realized, we're just on the brink of the rebuilding. There are still so many people. There are hundreds and thousands of folks that need food, that need water, that need temporary shelter, that need to get into some safe and secure environment within the next six to nine months, so actually our equipment is going to be used to help get aid into areas.

(CROSSTALK)

LEMON: And I want to say, this is your equipment. We've got video, Tad, of your equipment coming in. How did it get over there, and again, these are pictures, your equipment coming in, so once it got there, take us through what happened.

AGOGLIA: Well, Don, once it's gotten here, we've taken it off of the barge. We've put it into a safe and secure area. We've decided that we're going to bring the equipment to a city called city Saleh, where there's 200,000 people over a 70 percent of the people, were unemployed even before the quake hit. There's a need to get doctors in there and medical supplies and food and water and tents. We've identified a compound where there's a wall that has fallen. We're going to clear that area. Use local workers to build a new wall and then an organization called Samaritans first, is going to set up a medical facility there and bring in the emergency supplies that that community needs.

LEMON: So, Tad, listen, you know, you do disaster recovery. This is your thing. This is why we honored you as a hero here on CNN. Just honestly, personally, what -- when you saw the devastation there, what was your response? What do you think of this? And can it compare to any other disaster that you've seen?

AGOGLIA: Well, it can't compare to any disaster I've seen. The suffering can. I mean, obviously even what we saw in the states in Katrina, suffering is suffering. When people are hurting and when people need help, we've got to respond. We've got to help. But, yes, I'm sure, you know, you've heard it many times, this is just a catastrophic, devastating situation that we're dealing with here. The amount of people that are displaced, the amount of people that are in need of emergency care is -- it's almost hard to wrap your mind around it.

LEMON: Yes. Having done this, give us -- I don't know if you can -- an assessment of how long you think it will take before it at least has some semblance of normalcy.

AGOGLIA: Well, Don, I would say, you know, we could begin to see some normalcy within a year or two. But a real rebuilding, a real reconstruction of the community would probably take about ten years. I'm so moved. Everywhere I go, I see so many young people, so many people on the streets trying to sell what they can. I see an interest in commerce, an interest in working hard.

I would hope that in this rebuilding process that wouldn't just taken through the account, the buildings and the infrastructure and the sewage and the water, but we take into account the potential commerce here. You know, farming, biodiesel, you know, tourism. I think that should really be part of the long-term process of rebuilding here. Something towards sustainability for this people, because I'm really moved at the welcome we've received here and the wonderful people that we meet everywhere we go.

LEMON: Hey, Tad, that's why we -- you're a CNN Hero, a CNN Hero of 2008. His organization is called First Response Team, again it's an NGO. Look it up online. Tad, please keep in touch with us and thank you for taking, you know, a moment to come because we know that you are very busy there. I want to tell you tonight 8:00 p.m. Eastern, right there, Hero Special is going to be on the air tonight, 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

Make sure you join us here on CNN, also if you know an extraordinary person, someone like Tad, a hero, you can nominate him or her by going to CNN.com/hero. Click on the nominate tab. And while you are there, you can check out CNN's here of the week again, 8 p.m. right here on CNN, there's going to be a Hero Special hosted by our very own Anderson Cooper.

OK. So, if the Obama administration has its way, the pentagon will allow gays to serve openly in the military. Former Defense Secretary William Cohen will be our very special guest to discuss this controversial policy and whether or not it should be repealed or can be repealed.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: OK, you want to pay close attention to this. We're talking about the state of our nation, but this is going to be a huge story in the coming weeks and months here in the United States. It's called -- its nickname Dadt, which is "Don't ask, Don't tell." Since 1993 it's been the official U.S. policy towards gays serving in the military. Next Tuesday, the top two military leaders in the Obama administration will go before Congress to make the case that it is time to scrap the policy and let gays serve openly in the military.

CNN's Ted Rowlands sat down with three gay active duty service members who say, Dadt, "Don't ask, Don't tell" is the same as "Living a Lie."

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Three active members of the U.S. military, all gay, all possibly risking their careers talking to us. That's why we're not showing their faces. An army sergeant with ten years of service who's done a tour in Iraq, a female army mp who's been in for five years and has always been to Iraq and a navy sailor who joined a year and a half ago. They all argue that despite what's going on in the world including two wars now is the time to change "Don't ask, Don't tell" and listen to what they say about "Living a Lie."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MILITARY: I am terrified that somebody in my chain of command is going to find out. There's always that pressure.

UNIDENTIFIED MILITARY: I agree. It is a near constant thing because you're almost always putting up some sort of a front of a band of brothers that everybody talks about. I'm kind of that brother with the secret and yes, it does wear on you.

ROWLANDS: Why did you do this interview?

UNIDENTIFIED MILITARY: Well, this institution doesn't mean you don't tell when it is broken. We're just giving voices. You know, some screwed up here.

UNIDENTIFIED MILITARY: We really think it is the best thing for the military, all services and the best thing for this country for this to be repealed.

ROWLANDS: Why now? Why do we need to deal with this now?

UNIDENTIFIED MILITARY: It is a problem now. I think that our soldiers deserve to have their fore rights.

UNIDENTIFIED MILITARY: Gays, lesbians, transgenders are in the military now. People know about it and the people who are against it who don't want to take a shower with us, that stuff already happens. It's not going to change.

ROWLANDS: And do you find that people through the process of elimination figure you are gay?

UNIDENTIFIED MILITARY: I've been aware of people who knew that I was gay. And I never really felt like I was threatened. I never felt like I had to keep watching over my shoulder for, you know, the witch hunters to come after me with their forks and pitchforks.

UNIDENTIFIED MILITARY: I would say everybody in my group where I work, they all know that I am gay. If, you know, I can be open with them, I would be able too trust them more and they would know that they could trust me because I trust them with something so you know important.

ROWLANDS: Would you all come out right away if "Don't ask, Don't tell" was lifted?

UNIDENTIFIED MILITARY SERVICEMEMBER: I wouldn't go up to everybody saying, hey, I'm gay. But you know, the people who were important, clearly important to me, they will know.

UNIDENTIFIED MILITARY SERVICEMEMBER: I will not hang a rainbow in my office but I will definitely have a coming-out-party.

ROWLANDS: All three say they're pleased and surprised that the president mentioned repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell in his State of the Union address. They're hoping it actually leads to a change so they can stop living a lie.

Ted Rowlands, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: All right. It is certainly a very interesting story. So let's go right away to William Cohen. He dealt directly with this controversial policy as defense secretary under President Bill Clinton. Today, he's the chairman and CEO of the Cohen Group, which represents defense contractors. He joins us from Washington.

Good to see you.

WILLIAM COHEN, FORMER DEFENSE SECRETARY & CEO, CHAIRMAN, COHEN GROUP: Good to see you, Don.

LEMON: So you heard the two service members there, the gentlemen there, saying this is already happening, already showering with people. Everyone already knows. So what is the big deal? Is that so? And is that so, and is that a case, an argument to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell?

COHEN: Well, I suspect what they say -- or have said is true. The lead-in to the story was that these three people were risking their careers by going on television, therefore, you had to camouflage their identities. The reality is they're risking their lives every day to serve this country. and that's something we have to come to grips with. This is why I think the president said it is time, after 17 years, to review the policy and repeal it if it can be done. So I think the time issue is not one that's really the desposited (ph) case. We're having two wars, that's true. But when the policy was adopted, there were no two wars going on at that time. It was relatively calm in terms of the international scene as far as the United States. And yet the issue has always bring it's not time yet. The time has come to look at it and say that people should be able to serve honorably.

The key issue should be capability and the key issue should be conduct. How have they conducted themselves? Are they conducting themselves as men and women who were patriotic, dedicated and carrying out their mission? That ought to be the test.

LEMON: You are saying it shouldn't be about sexuality, should be about whether you can do the job, just as in private, in everyday life and in everyday companies, jobs?

COHEN: We should try to eliminate discrimination whenever we can. If you went back and looked at how discriminatory policies have evolved over the years, going back to the time when blacks in this country were segregated and they said, well, it would disrupt unit cohesion if they were allowed to be integrated or we couldn't have women in combat aircraft. That didn't take place until 1994, when the first woman was able to fly in a combat aircraft. Well, talk to Tammy Duckworth now to see whether or not women are capable of flying combat aircraft.

I think what's great about our country is we're able to evolve, we're able to look at a situation, say, you know, there are some inequities here. We can deal with this. We can implement regulations. We can control conduct. And if people are not measuring up to those conduct standards, they can be dismissed. But the notion that someone can be gay in the military and not anyone know it, you can sacrifice or she can sacrifice their lives, but if they say they're gay, then they're out. I think that's a policy which needs to be reviewed. And I would advocate to be repealed.

LEMON: Let me ask you quickly. Did you, at the time when you were working with Clinton administration, was this your stance? Did you believe this then?

COHEN: Well, we had just passed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell rule when I was in the Senate, as a matter of fact. And that was the testimony at the time. And I supported the rule at the time. And so it really didn't become a major issue when I got to the Pentagon because it had been relatively new.

LEMON: So you think that now we've evolved beyond that and you feel that it should be repealed?

COHEN: Well, I think that there is new -- I think that society itself has evolved. You had the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs, John Shalikashvili, call for a review. And I would suggest a revision -- some years ago.

LEMON: Hey, hey real quickly, I have a very short amount of time. Do you know Ike Skelton, who is a Democrat and worked with you 17 years ago, and said, don't do it, don't repeal it, it would be detrimental.

COHEN: Yes. Listen, my friend, John McCain, feels the same way. This is an issue that is going to be controversial, but I think it's time to have it brought before the Congress and have a full airing of the issue and see whether it can be reviewed.

LEMON: OK. I have to go. Do you think that it'll be repealed? If you can give me a yes or no answer?

COHEN: I don't know. I think we'll have to wait and see.

LEMON: OK. I have to move on. But I want to ask you about something because I have you here. I want to change the topic for a moment and ask you, the Obama administration announced a nearly $6.4 billion arms package for Taiwan and that move has China outraged. Leaders in Beijing announced China was suspending military and security contracts with the U.S. and will impose sanctions. So what do you make of this?

COHEN: Well, it's an age-old problem that we have in dealing with China. We have two policies. One, a one-China policy, and we also have support for the Taiwan Relations Act. That means that we are committed to helping Taiwan to defend itself by supplying them with equipment they need.

The real answer is for China not to pose a military threat to Taiwan. They are evolving. They are getting together. I think they'll be a peaceful reconciliation between the mainland and Taiwan. It's happening already. And so this is an unnecessary confrontation.

The easiest thing to do would be for China to pullback its median-range ballistic missile, stop pointing so many at Taiwan, and then you wouldn't have the necessity for Taiwan to be requesting defensive equipment that Congress would them be providing for them. It's easier -- I think it's an emotional issue but it's one that can be resolved without confrontation.

LEMON: Secretary William Cohen, thank you, sir.

COHEN: Great to be with you.

LEMON: Toyota owners, I want you to listen up here. The carmaker has some contrite words and some new parts that you'll want to know about.

And we'll hear the best-known song that was sung at the Obama inauguration. Now the son of an American diva says she is sick, big- time.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: I want to update you now on some of our top stories. If you own one of those millions of recalled Toyotas, your fix is on the way. A Toyota spokesman tells CNN that the company has met with federal regulators to talk over a repair plan. Now the company has to replace millions of sticking gas pedals. Toyota is planning an announcement soon. But wouldn't give a time line for when the fix will be ready. Meantime, Toyota's president has apologized for the whole mess, telling customers, quote, "We're extremely sorry."

Rival automaker, Honda, has some problems of its own tonight. The company is recalling 141,000 of its fit cars right here in the U.S. Some of the 2007 and 2008 models have faulty power windows. They have switches that could pose a fire hazard.

Singer Etta James is seriously ill with a staph infection. That is according to her son. She's been in a Los Angeles hospital since last week with MRSA. MRSA, it's an infection resistant to antibiotics. The 72-year-old singer was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease last year. She's best known for her 1961 hit "At Least," which was sung at President Barack Obama's inaugural ball.

Imagine watching the State of the Union address and hearing the president mention you. It actually happened to a Philadelphia man. and we're going to talk to him. Wait till you hear his story.

And a lot of people are sporting these shirts around New Orleans. But the NFL really doesn't care for the fashion statement.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: All right, so this week, during the State of the Union address, President Barack Obama boasted a bit about his stimulus plan, and he had this to say. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I talked to the window manufacturer in Philadelphia, who said he used to be skeptical about the Recovery Act, until he had to add two more work shifts just because of the business it created.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: We know we have had our stimulus project all week long here on CNN and our stimulus desk, so we decided that we would track down this window manufacturer. Here's his name. His name is Alan Levin, and I got the chance to talk to him right after that speech, the day after. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: So, Alan, it must have been pretty exciting hearing the president mention you?

ALAN LEVIN, WINDOW MANUFACTURER BUSINESS OWNER: It was truly amazing. We were completely excited, overjoyed, giddy, everything.

(LAUGHTER)

LEMON: You know what, here's the interesting thing. You were skeptical about this process, about the stimulus, you were not sure it would get to the right people and help at all, and now?

LEVIN: I'm a believer. We were very skeptical that we were mortgaging the future. But we've seen the benefits by the job hirings. And we see the people, the families that we're feeding.

LEMON: Yes. So if this stimulus had not been given out, if you had not received this stimulus, I should say, where would your business, where do you think that your business would be now?

LEVIN: We'd be struggling like the rest in the industry was before. The industry was off 30 percent before the stimulus act.

LEMON: Uh-huh. And how was your business before the stimulus act?

LEVIN: We were fighting to keep down 10 percent.

LEMON: To get your cost and everything down 10 percent. You had 180 -- is it 185 employees last year, right?

LEVIN: Correct.

LEMON: And now?

LEVIN: 285.

LEMON: So you've added 100 employees in just one year. How much does that -- how much of that can be attributed to the stimulus?

LEVIN: I'd say a large part of it. I would say the majority.

LEMON: Yes. And also it's not just the stimulus. You've added 100 employees. You're doing much better now. But you've said, because of the tax credits that may have helped more than just getting the stimulus money to repair windows in Philadelphia housing.

LEVIN: Correct. They put in that 30-30 Act, which was a U value (ph) below .30, and a solar heat gain below. 30, and allowed the homeowner to get up to a $1,500 tax credit if they put in a high- energy-efficient window.

LEMON: And so how much business have you gotten from that?

LEVIN: We're up over 30 percent this year.

LEMON: Ah, that's really good. Listen, you have a 15-year-old daughter named Sydney, 15-year-old son, Austin, wife, Fran, high school sweetheart you met at 15 years old. She helps in the business as well. You were really sort of -- you epitomize America, right, with owning your own business, the American dream.

So if you can explain to our viewers, in a way that they can relate, if you're a business out there struggling about the stimulus money, I would imagine your message would be, there's hope? I'm not sure. I don't want to put words into your mouth.

LEVIN: No, absolutely. It's truly the American dream. My business that my father, Earl Levin, started back in 1975 and, with perseverance, quality products and service, if you keep fighting, you know, it does pay off.

LEMON: Yes. Anything else you want to say to the people of America, who may be watching, your family members, who've helped you throughout all of this, and maybe even the president for mentioning you in his speech.

LEVIN: Keep buying energy-efficient products and lower your energy costs.

(LAUGHTER)

LEMON: Right. So listen, not is it we're only talking about housing and urban development, but it's also about clean energy, green energy, saving energy and money. So you know you are hitting a whole lot of points here.

Alan, we really appreciate it. Best of luck to you, OK?

LEVIN: Thank you, don.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: Great guy. Nice family. Thank you so much for that interview, Alan.

You know the best foods to keep your heart healthy? Do you know what they are? Our Dr. Sanjay Gupta offers up a top-ten, it's a new top-ten, right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: There are a whole lot of claims out there about foods that are good for your heart. Our Dr. Sanjay Gupta is here to separate fact from fiction as part of our series, "Fit Nation."

(FIT NATION)

LEMON: All right, Sanjay.

"The Situation Room" with Mr. Wolf Blitzer straight ahead.

Wolf, what do you have for us?

WOLF BLITZER, HOST, THE SITUATION ROOM: Don, coming up at the top of the hour, we'll do something very special. It was an extraordinary meeting on Friday, the president met with Republican House members in Baltimore. Television cameras were allowed inside. The president had some tough exchanges with Republican Congressmen. We're going to play it for you. It was a rare moment. You'll see it all right here in "The Situation Room." That's coming up in a few moments.

Don, back to you.

LEMON: We'll be watching. Thank you very much, Wolf.

You know, it is something New Orleans Saints have been chanting for years and really many people in New Orleans have been chanting for a long, long time. "Who Dat", right? They're at the center of a legal fight right now. Those words, we'll tell you about that, what's going on.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(SINGING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: That's from 1980. That's the original "Who Dat" video. It is written by a man, the original song, Steve Monaster. There is Aaron Neville performing. Again, this is courtesy of YouTube.

You know, this is a huge controversy down in Louisiana. It has gotten all the way to the NFL. "Who Dat" is something that New Orleans Saints fans have been chanting for years. And with the Saints headed to the Super Bowl, it is popping up on lots of T-shirts, right? So the NFL, the National Football League, not amused by this, telling retailers to stop selling the shirts. But a spokesman denies the NFL is trying to stop people from using the phrase "Who Dat." He says, quote, "We are not seeking to exclude all uses of "Who Dat" on merchandise. But in connection with the Saints, we do have to protect the rights of licensees with prior authorization to produce merchandise with the logo." He went on to say " "Who Dat" on a green or white T-shirt by itself is not an issue for us. But the inclusion of the Saints helmet, logo or colors, becomes an issue. And we do not..."

Go ahead because we -- do we have to say this whole statement?

Anyway, they are basically saying, as long as it is not on the black and gold shirt.

Rick Harrow, help me out here. Who owns this?

RICK HARROW, CNN BUSINESS SPORTS ANALYST: "Who Dat" going to own that shirt, right?

(LAUGHTER)

LEMON: Yes.

HARROW: The bottom line of it all is that it is pretty complicated legal theory. It is based on common sense. If it is in the public domain, then, you know, nobody can all of a sudden say we own it, we'll charge for it. And if it is not, it is OK.

So it is probably a negotiated settlement with "Who Dat" not being owned by the NFL. But the Saints likeness being owned by the NFL. So then they may have to change the pattern of the shirt.

However, it is in this political environment, maybe there is a compromise where the shirt is there and the money has been given to charity. The NFL is pretty strong on certain things. Even with churches televising the Super Bowl at big parties to raise money, they didn't allow that a few years ago so...

LEMON: I can understand the restriction and they want to, you know, sort of keep it in their realm and they want to protect the rights or whatever. But the NFL -- and this is just for someone growing up there -- the NFL did not start "Who Dat". And the Saints didn't start it either. That was started back in the '60s and the '70s, Southern Jaguars, in Baton Rouge, another university, Baton Rouge, the Southern in Baton Rouge and there's LSU in Baton Rouge. People at the Southern Jaguar games would start to say "Who Dat" and it caught on at LSU. And then it caught on with the Saints and it caught on in other places. And there is also -- in New Orleans as well, an African-American high school, it started there as well.

So the Saints don't really own it either. I think it is owned by the people. If anyone, it is the Southern Jaguars or the boys who were at St. Aug High School.

HARROW: Don Lemon giving us unique historical perspective of his boyhood home.

(LAUGHTER)

LEMON: I'm telling you the truth.

HARROW: Yes, but the point is I don't think there is turns on who owns "Who Dat". This turns on using the Saints likeness in the same shirts. And, frankly, look, the NFL feels really strongly about Katrina relief. We've seen a lot of that, the Drew Brees Foundation, Peyton Manning from there. I think there is controversy is probably well founded, but will be over very quickly is my point.

LEMON: OK. Yes, and it is also millions of dollars probably in merchandising dollars. But one person who, you know, may agree with that, it is owned by the people is David Vitter who is, you know, had some very strong words. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. DAVID VITTER, (R), LOUISIANA: I am personally printing "Who Dat" shirts and I'm going to make them widely, commercially available. So if they're going to start suing people, they need to put me on the list.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: So there you go. That's how people in Louisiana feel because they feel that they own that.

Rick Harrow, again, as I said, probably the NFL and the team, because we're talking about millions and millions of dollars of merchandising, and it is -- you know, there is a controversy in a time when it is a good thing for the city, that the Saints are going to the super bowl, and it is a really good time for the Saints as well.

HARROW: And kudos to Senator Vitter, but also to the NFL. I think this will be worked out and we'll see what happens when we go to the Super Bowl next week. And I'll see you tomorrow.

LEMON: I'll see you next week. Thank you.

"Who Dat" talking about beating them Saints? "Who Dat." "Who Dat."

We have someone from New Orleans dancing in the studio now. Can you get her on camera?

You want to do that dance.

(LAUGHTER)

Come on. "Who Dat" talking about beating them Saints? "Who Dat"? "Who Dat"? You're from New Orleans, right?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: "Who Dat." Yes!

(LAUGHTER)

LEMON: We're back with your comments in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: OK, it's time to read some of your comments. And we have been so busy, I didn't have a chance to go through a lot of them. But here's a -- a lot of people weighing in on "Who Dat".

Don11 says, "If you look at trademark law, the NFL is required to aggressively protect their trademarks."

Here's what dvcaz says, "DADT" -- talking about Don't Ask, Don't Tell -- "needs to be ended. Any American willing to risk their lives for this nation deserves everyone's respect."

Let's go down and see another one.

Here's from sophmom, she says, "DADT isn't the same as living a lie, it is living a lie. Not the same. It is living a lie."

"Edward's story explosive, watched twice last night. Don't care what Edwards' attorney says. Seems mostly credible. Tiger can go home now."

All right. And more, on and on and on about that.

"The story on John Edwards has me smiling now. It is a mess. I think the Obama administration found out and that's why he wasn't part of the administration."

Make sure you join our conversation. You can log on to social networking sites.

I'm Don Lemon in Atlanta. Thank you for joining us. See you back here at 7:00 p.m.

"THE SITUATION ROOM" with Mr. Wolf Blitzer, right now