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National Security Adviser Steps Down; Chilean Miners Nearing Freedom?; Taliban Threat in Afghanistan; Christine O'Donnell Gives Interview to Cnn; Actress Brittany Snow Speaks Out about Bullying and Teen Suicide; Republicans Tout New Economic Numbers as Evidence of Failure of Democratic Policies
Aired October 08, 2010 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: In just a matter of seconds, this is how those 33 trapped miners will be getting that first glimpse of daylight in two months, their families eagerly awaiting. The countdown is on.
I'm Brooke Baldwin. The news is now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Some are doubting the wife who says pirates shot her husband on a border lake. So will Tiffany Hartley take a lie detector test?
TIFFANY HARTLEY, WIDOW: I know what I saw.
BALDWIN: Her answer. Plus, friends, family demanding Mexico do more. We will take you to their rally live.
An explosive report: Many of the security guards hired to protect U.S. bases in Afghanistan allegedly are linked to the Taliban. Oh, and guess who's paying them? American taxpayers. Plus, wait until you hear why a Quentin Tarantino movie plays a role in all of this.
Guys, want to earn more money? Pack on the pounds. Ladies, lose them. You will hear the stunning new study on our paychecks.
And it's kind of tough to outrun a plane, but this little guy sure wants to try.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BALDWIN: Could it be? Could today possibly be the day in Chile?
Hi, everyone. I'm Brooke Baldwin. Happy Friday. Here we go.
All eyes this hour on that mine down in Chile where those attempted rescues have been going on of those 33 miners now officially nearing this climax. Now, the latest word we have is the American-manned drill -- it's what they're calling plan B -- that is boring that rescue tunnel is barely greater now than the length of a football field.
Just imagine, I'm talking just -- just over 100 -- 100 feet -- rather, less than a football feet, 120 feet -- until they reach those miners. We have this whole story covered with CNN's Karl Penhaul.
Karl, let's just get straight to -- to the timeline issue. Is it true? Could these guys be getting out of there here within days?
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Brooke, because, as you say, 120 feet, that was the latest figure that the experts have given us, the distance between the drill and the roof of the tunnel where the miners are holed up.
What's then going to take place, what goes on in a timeline after that, after the breakthrough is the engineers will then decide over the space of about 24 hours whether they have got to encase, put steel encasing the whole length of that rescue shaft.
Now, that would be to prevent rock falls. But talking to some of the technicians back and forth who have been -- been around this area, they say they think they're only going to have to encase the first 100 yards. And that will mean that the miners could be coming out of that hole between two and eight days after that rescue shaft is finally drilled, and that will certainly be good news for the miners, of course, but also for the families who have had such an anxious wait -- Brooke.
BALDWIN: Between two and eight days from when that drill finally makes its way through.
And, Karl, here's a question a couple of us had. How do they let the miners know? And perhaps the miners just hear it and they know to clear out of the way. But how do they let the miners know when and where that drill will be boring through?
PENHAUL: Yes, absolutely.
These miners know very well, because, since this rescue operation began, they have been hearing these drills going day and night. And, in fact, the reverse happens. When they don't hear drills, they send up messages to the surface: Hey, guys, what's going on? We can't hear anything going on.
But, of course, remember that plan B is going through in the final diameter of 28 inches. That's the 28-inch rescue hole. But, before, about three weeks ago, I guess now, the first hole was drilled at a diameter of 12.5 inches. And so the -- there -- that -- that's just been widened in a sense.
So the miners know very well where it is going into. It is going into the roof of the mine workshop. And that is on level 135. So, they know that very well. They have also got some scoops and backhoes down there, and any rock that falls through, they're scooping it up and clearing it out of the way, Brooke.
BALDWIN: It's amazing how they have been communicating.
And, Karl, I just want to point out to our viewers, you see the bottom right-hand side of your screen? We have been working hard on this all day. Folks, this is the first time you're actually seeing pictures. These are the first -- these are the pictures of these 33 miners who have been trapped underground for 64 days, first time you're seeing these pictures. So we will be going through each and every one of the 33 miners.
Meantime, Karl, got another question for you from our Twitter word board.
Robert, let's roll over here, because this is question about the sedation. You know, we have been hearing that these guys will be getting shots and they will be sedated. So, the question is this. How is the last man, so that 33rd man to get into the cage, if sedation is needed?
Karl, how would that work?
PENHAUL: There had been talk about sedation. There have been rumors about sedation.
But the last time -- when I talked to the health minister, Jaime Manalich, he completely ruled out sedation. He said, no, we're not going to sedate these miners. We believe that they are used to working and being in claustrophobic and confined spaces.
They're working hard to make sure that that winch can pull up the rescue cage that has been dubbed the "Phoenix Capsule" in just 15 minutes. And so that, the health minister says, he hopes will reduce the trauma. In fact, he said, after two months underground, he says I bet they will find that ride pretty comfortable.
(LAUGHTER)
PENHAUL: I'm betting the same, Brooke.
BALDWIN: Pretty comfortable, as they will be ready for freedom.
And I have my trusty tape measure. And if I can, just real quickly, just to show people, if you're curious, we're talking about 21 inches. Here we go. Twenty-one inches, so this is as wide as this capsule is. It's six feet tall, 21 inches tall. So, here I am. We know some of these guys have lost 20 to 30 pounds because they have brought this trainer down so they can fit in this capsule.
But, Karl, another question that we have gotten from the Twitter board -- Robert, let's go over this way -- is with regard to -- to their -- their eyes. The question is, "Will the sunlight damage the eyes of the miners who have been in near darkness for weeks when they're rescued?"
So, Karl, what do they plan to do when they get out of there and they see the sun?
PENHAUL: Yes. There's been a couple of things going on there.
First of all -- and this was with the help of those NASA experts that came to the mines some while ago -- the Chilean experts set up a system of night and day lighting down there. (AUDIO GAP)
BALDWIN: Oh, did we lose Karl, guys? Lost his shot. I have more questions.
The good news is, we're going to have him back most definitely in the next hour. So, we will -- keep those questions coming. You can always tweet me @BrookeBCNN. Keep the questions coming, and we will see Karl within the next couple of hours.
Meantime, should the widow who says her husband was killed by Mexican pirates take a lie-detector test? Now, we have explained this the past couple of days. Look, there are some doubters, some people poking holes in her story, but also some very vocal supporters. I'm going to be talking with one of them coming up next.
Also, this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R-OH), HOUSE MINORITY LEADER: Ladies and gentlemen, your government has not been listening. Your government is disrespecting you, your family, your job, your children. Your government is out of control. Do you have to accept it? Do you have --
AUDIENCE: No!
BOEHNER: Do you have to take it?
AUDIENCE: No!
BOEHNER: Hell, no, you don't!
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Whew. "Hell, no, you don't." You hear him. This is John Boehner. And this is a side of him maybe we don't see too often. What got the House minority leader so riled up today? That's ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: We have got some incredible video, new video that's just in to CNN. I want to tell you that -- what happened here. This is Florida.
Look at this guy. These are rescuers next to this water tower. This is Hollywood, Florida. The guy, obviously, in the stretcher was working on this water tower. He is one of two men who fell about 30 feet into the bowl of this water tower when their scaffolding broke.
Talk about worst-case scenario. So, they are lowering this one guy down. Apparently, he had some sort of leg injury, paramedics working on him right now on the ground, taking him off to the hospital. And there is one other gentleman who we believe is hopefully getting rescued, will be almost all the way down, but incredible pictures, Hollywood, Florida. Scaffolding just broke. Unreal.
Also, friends and relatives here of an American man reported shot and killed in Mexico, they're gathering this hour, right now. They're, in fact, outside of the Mexican Consulate in Denver, Colorado. And they are angry at what they see as the Mexican government's slow movement in the case of David Hartley.
You remember, this is the Texas man whose wife says she witnessed men in boats. There were those three boats. They saw some of these men kill her husband, shot him in the head on a lake that straddles the Texas/Mexico border.
We're going to have more of the rally in just a second, but, first, I'm going to talk to a -- a good friend of David Hartley's who is there right now.
But, first, I want you to listen to what Tiffany Hartley -- this is the wife -- this is what she told HLN's Jane Velez-Mitchell just last night. She says she's sick and tired of the Mexican government's lack of cooperation, and she's frustrated, and she has this message for the president of Mexico.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL")
HARTLEY: I would just plea that you have bring in the navy, the military, anybody who has the power to come and have -- you know, have more than what the cartel can do. And let's just get his body back. Let's just find him, because all we want is just him back, so we can go on with our lives and get this border secured.
But, for the Mexican side, we really need them to start stepping up and get the navy and the military there, so they are covered with --
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HEADLINE NEWS ANCHOR: But, Tiffany --
(CROSSTALK)
HARTLEY: -- you know, any battle that might happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Now, Tiffany Hartley's story is this. She and her husband, they were out on this lake, Falcon Lake. They were riding their Sea- Doos on the U.S./Mexican border. And men in boats, three boats, they approached them, shot her husband, killed him.
And then they were on the Mexican side. So, she hopped on her Sea- Doo. She had to make the tough decision to leave her husband and save her life and fled to the U.S. side.
Now, far, there is still no sign, many, many days later -- this was last Thursday -- there is no sign of David Hartley's body and no arrest of any suspects in Mexico. The Mexican government has responded, specifically addressing this investigation. I'm going to read you just a portion of that statement in just a second. But I want to get right now to talk to Marni Vincent. She was a childhood friend with David Hartley for more than 20 years and is in Denver today trying to catch the notice of the Mexican government.
And, Marni, I am sorry about your friend. We spoke with his mother earlier this week. She was obviously in tears talking to me. She was devastated.
If you can, just explain why you are in Denver at the Mexican Consulate. What are you hoping to accomplish?
MARNI VINCENT, FRIEND OF DAVID HARTLEY: You know, we're just trying to get the word out that there is crime going on there, and we want to bring David's body home.
I mean, it's -- today, it has been a heartbreaking day. We have had 150 show up to the rally. And it -- it's -- it's heartbreaking. It's so hard to see that the family is going through this right now.
BALDWIN: We have pictures now. I'm seeing about a dozen, maybe two dozen, people out there standing with posters. They are clearly frustrated with -- with the Mexican government, as are you, as is Tiffany Hartley. We just heard her talking.
You know, she says she wants her husband's body back; she wants to move on with her life.
(CROSSTALK)
BALDWIN: Let me read you what I have from -- from the -- the Mexican government, and then I want you to respond, Marni. Here is what the Mexican government is saying, that, "The search-and-rescue for Mr. Hartley started the day of the incident and intensified this week with additional officers."
It goes on to say, "The operation includes the thorough inspection of the region by air, land, as well as the banks of the Rio Grande."
So, they clearly are saying they're helping. What's your --
VINCENT: They are --
BALDWIN: -- reaction?
VINCENT: They are currently helping. As far as we know, they're looking. But it took them over a week to decide that it wasn't Tiffany, and they had a witness, and it took them a week to even start looking.
And they're not -- they're still scared of the cartel over there, so they're not going to go further than that. They're scared of their own people. And it's crazy that they can't do something bigger. That's their country, and they need to protect it as well.
And that's what we're fighting for, is to get those people off of the water, and not only for this story. There's -- there's been robbery that has happened over and over. It's time to do something about this.
BALDWIN: Right. And I talked to the Zapata County sheriff earlier this week, Marni, and, you know, he said, look, this is a deadly turf battle between the one Mexican cartel and another, and these alleged pirates are just boys. He said they're just teens out there robbing people.
(CROSSTALK)
VINCENT: Yes.
Yes, I mean, they -- they're robbing Americans. They're robbing their own people. And it's -- it's so sad to see. And it -- it's come to murder now. And that's what we're saying, is that, you know, not taking care of this issue, look at what has happened now. It's gotten out of control.
And it's time to do something. And we are going to fight for that. And that's why all of us, family and friends, have gathered today. Over 150 people have shown up to our rally from all over. There's even people that don't know David are here supporting him.
BALDWIN: All right, Marni Vincent, thank you very much.
Still no body, no life vest and no Sea-Doo yet recovered at Falcon Lake.
Apparently, Johnny Depp does read his fan mail, and he's even willing to pay those fans a visit. Really? What do you have to do to get Captain Jack Sparrow to swing by maybe your school? That is ahead.
Also, the job market took another hit in some of the numbers that were released today. President Obama is ready with an explanation and a plan. But think about this. Will it make a difference to you, the voters, come midterms? Jessica Yellin has that and John Boehner's defiant reaction.
Wow, Jessica. We will be talking about that next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: Want to show you a guy we could be seeing a whole heck of a lot more, Republican John Boehner. After the coming election, in just 25 days, he could very well become the speaker of the U.S. House.
Boehner spoke today in his native state of Ohio. And this was billed as a major address with national implications -- John Boehner, you're about to see --
(LAUGHTER)
BALDWIN: -- fired up.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOEHNER: Your government has not been listening. Your government is disrespecting you, your family, your job, your children.
Your government is out of control. Do you have to accept it? Do you have --
AUDIENCE: No!
BOEHNER: Do you have to take it?
AUDIENCE: No!
BOEHNER: Hell, no, you don't!
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Whew. Here is one of the reasons Boehner is so fired up --
(LAUGHTER)
BALDWIN: -- going into the midterm elections.
Look at these numbers with me. Likely voters clearly favor Boehner's Republicans over the ruling Democrats. And this poll of likely voters, by the way, this is -- this is fresh. This is just out today.
Fifty-two percent favor Republicans running for Congress, to 45 percent who favor a Democrat.
Jessica Yellin is in Washington.
And, Jessica, is the path clear for Boehner and the Republicans to take control of the House?
JESSICA YELLIN, CNN NATIONAL POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, nothing is a foregone conclusion.
And you have to acknowledge that it is hard to win 40 seats and lose none. That is what the Republicans have to do to win. But, that said, clearly, there's enormous enthusiasm and momentum on the Republican side. And these new jobs numbers which came out today, they only help Republicans -- unemployment holding firm at 9.6 percent under the Democrats, not helpful for the president's party.
Brooke, one thing I can tell you is, I'm talking to some of the outside groups that will be pumping money into Republican races these last weeks. And one of the ways they plan to help the Republicans win is to spread out the playing field.
So, they want to put money into many more than the 40 districts they need to win, which would force Democrats to spend in more places and draw down resources. And I'm sure wearing more plaid shirts, like Boehner has done --
(LAUGHTER)
YELLIN: -- today, will definitely --
(LAUGHTER)
YELLIN: -- help get those votes, too.
BALDWIN: It -- it --
(LAUGHTER)
BALDWIN: You know, it's so interesting how both sides, both Republicans and Democrats, are using the economy to their advantage. It just all depends on the perspective.
And, you know, we heard John Boehner. And he devoted much of his speech to the economy today, but so did the president. He also spoke today.
I want to play a little bit more of both. First, let's begin. Here is Boehner.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOEHNER: The truth of matter is this. Our economy is built on freedom. And you don't get to prosperity by taking freedom away from the people who create jobs.
You achieve prosperity by getting government out of their way. Ladies and gentlemen, this is not what Americans asked for when they sent then Senator Obama to be our president in the Oval Office. And the pink slips shouldn't be going to workers here in Ohio. They should be going to the members of President Obama's economic team.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: These continuing layoffs by state and local governments of teachers and police officers and firefighters and the like would have been even worse without the federal help that we provided the states over the last 20 months, help that the Republicans and Congress have consistently opposed.
I think the Republican position doesn't make much sense.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: So, we hear both sides, Jessica. You know, you have been out and about in a couple of different states talking to voters. Which do you think would resonate most with Americans?
YELLIN: Well, right now, the Republicans are winning on the economy message. That's clear in the poll numbers, because they're promising change from the status quo, and the status quo isn't working.
But, as -- as much as we all say all races are local, the message from Republicans really is pretty consistent across the nation, Brooke, and that's a sign that they think this is a winning one. It's about taxes, spending, debt, health care. That's it. So, as long as they're attacking the Democrats, they seem to be doing well on the economy issue. You know, if you break down their numbers, some polls show that voters don't necessarily like the Republicans' plans for the economy. So, when -- so, when they stay on the attack against Democrats, it seems to resonate much more successfully.
But, again, this is a change election. And change from the Democrats in the economy is what Republicans are promising.
BALDWIN: And, you know, if you remember back from over the speech I think it was Cleveland last month when the president was talking about the car that Republicans, you know, drove into the ditch, and I think the president really sort of made Boehner out to be this Republican, you know, boogeyman, if you will.
I mean, do you think this tactic --
YELLIN: Right.
(LAUGHTER)
BALDWIN: -- this attack tactic on behalf of the president, is working? I mean, talk to me strategy-wise here.
YELLIN: Well, sure, that helps energize his own base.
And that car-in-the-ditch line began in his own presidential election. So, that works with Democrats. But I will tell you, his newest attack line is going after Karl Rove from the Bush White House and going after the outside group that Rove founded called American Crossroads.
And I'm talking to folks offensive at American Crossroads -- American Crossroads, who say, keep it coming. Those attacks --
(LAUGHTER)
YELLIN: -- are driving up donations from Republicans, because they say contributors are calling saying, look, if the president is going after you, something must be working.
BALDWIN: Uh-huh.
YELLIN: And that group actually raised as much as the DNC last month. That's impressive from an outside group.
BALDWIN: Sure.
Jessica Yellin, interesting. And you bring up a good point. We will be talking jobs a little later and the economy. You know, the unemployment rate is still sitting the same, 9.6 percent.
Jess, thank you.
The White House's revolving door full swing again today, this time the national security chief. He's the one stepping down. Who replaces him? And is this a sign of problems for the Obama administration? That's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: A couple of things developing this hour, want to get you updated here.
First, the official word from Chile. Not today or tomorrow, but possibly Monday at the earliest, that is the optimistic timeline to begin hauling out those 33 miners trapped 2,000 feet below ground since early August.
Now, we're told this rescue drill is close, could maybe reach these guys by tomorrow. It's making a huge hole wide enough for a pipe and this rescue capsule. There it is. Once everything is in place, it will take about 24 to 36 hours to get all of these men to the surface.
Also today, personnel changes at the White House -- Jim Jones announcing today he's going to step down as national security adviser. A number of -- the number of people actually surprised by this is zero. Jones is a retired Marine four-star general who, we're told, never intended to stay in the job longer than two years. We already know President Obama's choice to replace General Jones. That is Tom Donilon, the current deputy national security adviser.
And take a look at this man. This is Liu Xiaobo, and announced today as the 2010 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. But he will not be present to receive the award. Why, you ask? Well, Liu is in prison in China, sent there for calling on his country to improve human rights and embrace democracy.
His sentence is 11 years for inciting subversion of state power. Now, he doesn't know it yet, but Liu's wife will give him the news when she's escorted -- escorted into that prison to see him by Chinese police.
The Chinese government not so thrilled with the Nobel Committee's decision. They call it blasphemy against the Peace Prize.
Huh.
Shirley Sherrod, she is back in the news today. You remember her career, that story. It was a meltdown because of that piece of videotape -- actually, several pieces. And it was edited together to make it sound as though she were racist.
What went on at the White House during that PR crisis? Let me tell you, you may be surprised by some of the just-released e-mails that we're looking at.
Also, this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRISTINE O'DONNELL (R), DELAWARE SENATORIAL CANDIDATE: What I said or did on a comedy show, you know, over a decade ago is not relevant to this election. (END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: The Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell from Delaware stopped doing high-profile interviews after her witchcraft comments came back to haunt her, if you will. But she changed her mind when CNN called her.
O'Donnell in her own words, don't miss it. That is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to CNN on this Friday. Delaware GOP Senate nominee Christine O'Donnell is letting everyone know she's matured in both her faith and her policies. In fact, yesterday O'Donnell talked to CNN's Jim Acosta, and she tried to clarify some of her past comments she's made, past comments that led her to release this political ad.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRISTINE O'DONNELL, (R) DELAWARE SENATE CANDDIDATE: I'm not a witch. I'm nothing you've heard. I'm you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: You remember that one. We were talking about that just a couple of days ago, the "I'm not a witch" campaign ad. It went viral. Well, Jim Acosta actually caught up O'Donnell in Delaware yesterday and got this exclusive interview. He asked her a little bit about her past and about what exactly it's like here moving forward in such a race that is very much so talked about. Here's Jim Acosta.
Meantime, let's move on here. Being trapped underground for months is hard, but it's been traumatic for the families waiting above ground. Now we're getting some word that the rescue could be complete in a matter of days. That is ahead.
And what does gossip girl know about fighting bullies? I'm going to talk to Brittany Snow, she is star of "Gossip Girl," "Hairspray" and a bunch of other hits. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: A couple minutes ago, I was talking about Delaware Senate nominee Tea Party backed Christine O'Donnell. We've got that tape cued up. So Jim Acosta, as I said, he sat down with her, this big exclusive with Christine O'Donnell just yesterday.
And he asked her to explain her past and what kind of message she is trying to get across to voters. It's cued up. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Your latest ad says "I'm you."
O'DONNELL: Right. ACOSTA: It's as if you're trying to reintroduce yourself to voters.
O'DONNELL: Yes, yes.
ACOSTA: Why is that? Is that what you're trying to do?
O'DONNELL: Absolutely. My goal has been since the primary is to go out and meet as many voters as possible so that they can get to know me and I can get to know them. I've got to hear what's on their minds so I can know how to help in Washington, D.C.
My goal, my whole candidacy is about putting the political process back into the hands of the people. I'm not a career politician. I'm not someone who has been groomed for office. I'm not someone who has been handpicked by her party elite, by the party bosses, obviously.
I'm an average American citizen. I'm an average Delawarean. I want to go to Washington, D.C. and do what most Delawareans would do. I would not have voted for Obama-care. I would not have voted for the bailouts. I would not have voted for more of the spending bills that are putting us into bankruptcy. And neither would you.
That's what my message "I'm you" means. I want to do what you would do in Washington, D.C.
ACOSTA: Let me ask you one more thing about the video clips that have surfaced. Have you been embarrassed by those clips?
O'DONNELL: No. I haven't been embarrassed. I'm not saying that I'm proud. Obviously, what they're trying to do is paint a picture of who I was 20 years ago. I've matured in my faith. I've matured in my policies. Today you have a 40-something woman running for office, not a 20-year-old. So that's a big difference. And I think most people --
ACOSTA: You were just having fun back then? Is that basically your message?
O'DONNELL: Well, I think back then, as I said on Hannity's show, a lot of what I said, I had a new found faith and I saw this an opportunity to talk about the faith on national TV more as a ministry opportunity.
But voters need to rest assured that when I go to Washington, D.C., it's the constitution by which I will make all of my decisions. And I will defend their right to disagree with me. That's the most important thing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BALDWIN: Christine O'Donnell helping get her message across with Jim Acosta.
Also, speaking of messages, got an actress I think you're going to recognize. She is about to come on and talk to me live about all these disturbing teen suicides lately. She has a new campaign. We'll talk to Brittany Snow. There she is. We're going to talk to her in just a minute. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: Real quickly before we move on, update on the situation in Hollywood, Florida. Big massive water tower. Two guys fell 30 feet in. Here is the update we're getting from SBN, the affiliate down there. First victim is down on the ground transported to a local hospital. Second victim is out but has not been lowered off the tower. That's what we have out of Florida.
Now, listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRITTANY SNOW, ACTRESS, ACTIVIST: I'm Brittany Snow. When I was in middle school and high school, I was picked on daily by a bully. I was mistreated and disrespected. It led me to feel alone and hopeless. After years of struggle, I finally overcame it, became stronger. And now I know that love is louder.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: You recognize her. This is actress Brittany Snow. You may know her from "Gossip Girl" and you will soon know her from her upcoming NBC show "Harry's Laws."
Snow was touched by the recent headlines of all these teens who have committed suicide after they were bullied and wanted to do something about it. So she didn't want it to, though, come across as bully- bashing. She wanted a more positive message.
So here's what she has done. She has started the "love is Louder" campaign. It's a social networking project to help teens out there cope with what she's calling the isolation and hopelessness that can result from bullying.
And Snow has joined forces with MTV and the Jed foundation and as you see there on this Facebook page as we're scrolling through it here there are all kinds of people joining, becoming friends and fans and joining the conversation there on Facebook.
And actress Brittany Snow is there in Los Angeles to have a very real and honest conversation about all of this with me. And Brittany, I thank you for being on with me.
SNOW: Of course.
BALDWIN: And I'd kind of like to begin with what I heard in that "Love is Louder" video. You talk about how you were once a victim when you were much younger. I look at you. You're this gorgeous, confident TV actress. But if you can, share that experience.
SNOW: Yes. I mean, I think a lot of people can probably relate to being picked on, being bullied in middle school and high school. I'm not the only person who has been through that. I was bullied daily by a particular person, and it led me to just have many other problems down the line.
And I think what people don't realize is that bullying does really affect you long term. And some kids just don't take the severity of that into a factor.
And so I went through it, and I know what it's like to feel hopeless and alone. And recently when all these -- the suicides tragically happened, I decided that I wanted to stand up and do what I could in what little voice I thought I had.
BALDWIN: And that's the Love is Louder. Love is Louder than what? Tell me about it.
SNOW: Love is Louder is a movement of people who believe that love is louder than hate, love is louder than pain, love is louder than shame. It's really you can -- you can put it towards whatever it is that you're going through.
And it's a movement of people partnered with other campaigns and other charities that are raising the volume on bullying, suicide prevention, depression, and really putting a positive message out there that, you know, we need to treat each other with respect and love, and that's what's most important.
BALDWIN: Speaking of raising the volume, we're looking at pictures. This is Boston. And I think within 24 hours, right, Brittany, you'll be launching this Love is Louder, a bunch of kids got together, and they were shouting "Love is Louder" in Boston.
Also we know a couple of celebrities, Drake and Trey Songz, two R&B singers, they're also leaving these messages out of support for your campaign. Let's listen to what they're saying.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DRAKE, SINGER: I want to let you know that love is louder than anybody's negative voice. Keep doing you.
TREY SONGZ, SINGER: This is Trey Songz. And love is louder than anything imaginable -- hate, bullying, jealousy, anything. Long can conquer all. If you learn love you learn to live a better love. So I encourage you to do so.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Brittany, what kind of feedback have you gotten so far?
SNOW: The feedback has been amazing. I'm so honored and touched and grateful that people are responding in such a positive way. I couldn't have asked for -- I mean, I -- you know, my friend Courtney Knowles from the Jed foundation and I had this little idea to just put a positive message out there.
And now, you know, there's rallies with "love is louder" being chanted and celebrities are coming forward and lending their voice as well. And it's been -- it's been above and beyond where I thought. But I'm so glad people are supporting such a positive message.
BALDWIN: And we want to make sure we let all our viewers know you have a Facebook page, you can hop on twitter, "Love is Louder." Brittany Snow, we thank you for that. We'll make sure we tweet that out so you can learn more about love is louder.
SNOW: Thank you.
BALDWIN: Also, still ahead here, this explosive report. Have you heard about this? This exposes links between American subcontractors over in Afghanistan and the Taliban. We're going to break it all down for you and tell you how the hit movie -- did you ever see Quinton Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs"? What in the world does that movie have to do with Afghanistan? Wait for it.
Also, here's something you've got to see. This dog is not exactly cleared for takeoff. This guy is sprinting across the tarmac. Where is this? What happened? Could flights possibly be delayed? Oh, yes. That's next.
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BALDWIN: OK, this is one of the best parts of the show. You've got to see this. This is proof that when you go to a professional sporting event, you should probably pay close attention or risk losing your lunch.
Keep your eye on the soccer ball. Into the stands, boom -- right off of the guy's head -- ouch, right? Just wants to eat his hot dog. Come on. That's all he wants to do. A little soccer, have a hot dog. This was the warm up session, by the way, before a friendly match.
Watch it again here, between team USA, China, and the kicker was Olympic gold medalist -- boom! If someone's going to deny your dinner, go to the A-Team, right? We can only hope that Mr. No-hot- dog-for-you didn't go hungry.
High-speed chase at the Burbank Airport. This is an intruder, a little black dog trucking it along across the runway. The airport security is right on his tail. This is yesterday morning. They almost collared him once, but he was too fast, too slick, managed to get through security.
At least one commercial flight was delayed. Imagine sitting on your flight and they're saying, hey, flight delay, dog on the runway.
Next, take a look at who popped in a classroom in London the other day. The scurvy captain Mr. Jack Sparrow from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies. It really looks just like him? That's because it is him. Folks, this is actually Johnny Depp, full costume, full character.
It turns out one of these students at the school, a nine-year-old girl, hey, she decides to write a letter. She writes a letter to the actor asking for help staging a just-for-fun mutiny against her teachers. And, surprise -- he actually showed up last minute. He was in south London filming this movie.
Good to see a Hollywood big shot not taking himself so seriously, doing a little something for his biggest fans. Very cute.
So the rescue drill in Chile is about 120 feet away from those trapped miners. Relatives, they've been waiting for weeks, months, trying for the next step. What awaits the miners when they reach the top? That's in our next hour. That is after a political check of the Political Ticker with Wolf Blitzer, who has an interesting comment from Sarah Palin about her presidential prospects. Hmm. Be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: Just so we can put a punctuation on this story, this is the second guy, Hollywood, Florida way up high on the water tower. He has been lowered down to the ground. He justed tweeted me out of Miami, victim number two will be transported to the hospital. So both of those guys hopefully down safe and sound on the ground.
Also, take a look at this here. Just 25 days until Election Day. And CNN has all of the latest political news with "The Best Political Team on Television." Wolf Blitzer is at the CNNpolitics.com desk. Happy Friday to you, Wolf.
WOLF BLITZER, HOST, "THE SITUATION ROOM": Thanks very much, Brooke. Happy Friday to you. More importantly, happy Friday to all of our viewers.
We've got some items on the CNNpolitics.com website, the Political Ticker. Let's go through some of them. Sarah Palin, the former Alaskan governor, is now openly saying she would seriously think of running for president of the United States.
In her words, "I'll run if the American people want me to." It's not the first time she's suggested she might be a Republican presidential candidate, but she's saying so in Florida right now. A lot of people will be following this.
She would be very formidable in the Iowa caucuses, remember, only a year after the elections or so, a little bit more than a year before the Iowa caucuses. She would be a formidable candidate in Iowa if she decides to run.
Speaking of running, the former president Bill Clinton is going to be visiting West Virginia. He's going to support Governor Joe Manchin who's running for the U.S. Senate. Clinton is popular in a lot of the states right now, especially in getting out the Democratic base, encouraging them to go out and vote.
Joe Manchin needs some help. Right now, he's been a popular governor, but in this current political environment, he could face some problems.
On issue one, jobs, jobs, jobs, the economy -- John Boehner, the Republican leader in the House of Representatives, he's walking around in a flannel shirt and being very, very tough in blasting the Obama administration for the economy, for the lack of jobs.
The new economic numbers, he's rather animated. "Your government has not been listening," he says. "Your government is disrespecting you, your family, your job, your children. Your government is out of control. You have to accept it, you have to take it." He goes on and on.
Nancy Pelosi, by the way, just put out a statement responding, saying "Leader Boehner failed to offer any plan for America. Instead, like other Republican leaders, he once again showed he would return to the same discredited policies that drove America's economy into the ditch."
All right, just a little bit more than three weeks to go, the rhetoric quite intense, Brooke, all around.
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, that Boehner sound, he was fired up.
BLITZER: He certainly was.
BALDWIN: And Sarah Palin says she may run if the American people want her to. We will just have to follow that one closely.
Wolf Blitzer, thank you.
