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Carl Paladino Makes Anti-Gay Remarks at Synagogue; Chilean Miners Prepare for Rescue; Social Security: No Increase Expected; Finding Money for a Business; What's Hot; Queen of the Seas
Aired October 11, 2010 - 11:59 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Hello again, everyone. I'm Tony Harris.
Top of the hour in the CNN NEWSROOM, where anything can happen. Here are some of the people behind top stories.
Just 22 days until Election Day. We are your source for politics, including comments that some are calling stunning homophobia from a candidate running for governor.
And marijuana and your vote. It's on the ballot in several states. This hour, special reports on the legal issues and exactly what medical marijuana is used for.
You're online right now. We are too.
Chad Myers is following "What's Hot" -- Chad.
CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Hey, buddy.
If you think Microsoft is happy that you have one of these BlackBerrys, you can forget about it. They -- three to one we have BlackBerrys.
Microsoft 7, the new operating system, is going to be amazing. According to all of the operators so far, bigger buttons, bigger things, and it's going to be, could you believe it or not, self- explanatory?
HARRIS: I don't believe that. All right, Chad.
MYERS: All right.
HARRIS: Let's get started with our lead story.
So here we are, 22 days to Election Day, and the Tea Party-backed candidate for New York governor is standing by his anti-gay language today. Republican Carl Paladino told Jewish leaders in Brooklyn children should not be brainwashed into thinking homosexuality is an option.
Paladino's prepared text went on to call homosexuality dysfunctional. He did not read that line. Watch as Paladino goes after Democrat opponent Andrew Cuomo. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARL PALADINO (R), NEW YORK GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: I didn't march in a gay parade this year -- Gay Pride Parade this year. My opponent did. And that's not setting the example that we should be showing our children, and certainly not in our schools.
(APPLAUSE)
And don't misquote me as wanting to hurt homosexual people in any way. That would be a dastardly lie.
My approach is live and let live. I just think my children and your children will be much better off and much more successful getting married and raising a family. And I don't want them to be brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid or successful option. It isn't.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: OK. There you have Paladino's comments.
Let's get some context and analysis for you now. CNN Senior Political Director Mark Preston joining us from Washington.
Mark, good to see you. A few questions here. Let's work on this.
How does the Paladino campaign explain that the candidate is essentially reading a text that was written for him?
MARK PRESTON, CNN SR. POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Well, Tony, they have offered several explanations over the last 12 or 14 hours. The first explanation was from his campaign manager, who said that, clearly, all he was doing was reciting the theology of the Catholic Church.
Overnight, we saw another statement that came out from Mr. Paladino, backtracking a little bit off those remarks, saying that they weren't necessarily anti-gay. And then, of course, on "The Today Show" today, just this morning, he came out and he said that he has no problem with homosexuality, his only reservation has to do with marriage.
So he's offering a number of different explanations for why he said these remarks. But look, they're on camera, Tony.
HARRIS: Yes.
PRESTON: You know, pictures and sound don't lie. That's for sure.
HARRIS: Well, when you offer a number of explanations, it's difficult for anyone to know what you really believe here. So -- but this isn't the first time this candidate has raised eyebrows, is it?
PRESTON: No. You know, Mr. Paladino certainly has a penchant for saying some pretty bombastic things.
And in fact, just a couple of weeks ago, he threatened to take out a "New York Post" reporter. He was accusing the "New York Post" reporter of sending newspaper photographers to the house of his daughter, his daughter who he had had out of wedlock, to take pictures. He threatened him.
That was all caught on camera as well. So Mr. Paladino certainly not afraid to step up and be himself, I guess -- Tony.
HARRIS: So, Mr. Paladino ran and won in a primary election to get this right to run for governor in the upcoming November election. OK. So he ran with support from the Tea Party, is my understanding.
Is the Tea Party standing behind him in the aftermath of this most recent flare-up?
PRESTON: Well, we haven't seen anything from the Tea Party yet as far as any statements. We should note that the Tea Party really is this decentralized organization, so there is really no one organization. They don't have a headquarters here in D.C., they're not a political party.
Haven't seen anything from them. What we have seen so far, though, we have seen gay Republican groups, gay conservative groups that have come out and condemned Mr. Paladino. Of course, Democrats have come out and condemned him, including Andrew Cuomo, who is the Democratic nominee who is running against Mr. Paladino up in New York for governor.
HARRIS: Speaking of which, what is the latest polling on that race?
PRESTON: About 14 points, if you look at the new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation/"TIME" magazine poll from last week. So, Mr. Cuomo has a commanding lead. Some other polls have it much bigger, so Mr. Paladino seems to have a tough fight to try to win the governorship up in New York, which is traditionally a Democratic state -- Tony.
HARRIS: Maybe that's the ultimate bit of context there, the recent polling.
All right, Mark. Good to see you. Thank you, sir. Thanks for your help on this.
President Obama pushes an infrastructure plan. The administration says it will create badly-needed jobs and put Americans back to work.
The president is trying to convince Congress to approve $50 billion to start rebuilding roads, bridges and railways. He unveiled the plan last month, made another pitch for it today after meeting with mayors and governors. The president says the U.S. infrastructure is outdated and in need of repair.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Our future has never been predestined. It has been built on the hard work and sacrifices of previous generations.
They invested yesterday for what we have today. That's how we built canals and railroads and highways and ports that allowed our economy to grow by leaps and bounds. That's how we led the world in the pursuit of new technologies and innovations. It's what allowed us to build the middle class and lead the global economy in the 20th century.
And if we're going to lead it in the 21st, that's the vision we can't afford to lose sight of right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: The economy is a big-time ballot issue this November. And voters will be faced with some tough decisions at the polls when it comes to hiking state taxes.
Across the country, there are 44 measures that could drastically change the way states fund themselves or make decisions on their budgets, and those are decisions that could affect your pocketbook. Here is a look at a few states dealing with funding reform during these difficult economic times.
Washington State is looking at a projected $3 billion budget shortfall this year. That's prompted state lawmakers to add a sales tax to candy and bottled water sales. Voters, however, could repeal that new tax, but it would come at a cost. If approved, shooting down the new tax would cost the state $352 million over the next five years.
And in California, conservationists are looking to impose an $18 annual vehicle surcharge to fund state parks and wildlife conservation programs. The measure could save the state $200 million, but that won't dig California out of a staggering $19 billion deficit.
Another budget balancing measure getting a lot of buzz is, of course, Prop 19. We will have much more on that proposal to legalize and regulate marijuana a little later in the hour.
We are looking at 48 hours, maybe less, to when the first of the trapped miners will be brought to safety. We will take you live to the site of this incredible rescue operation.
First, though, our "Random Moment" in 90 seconds.
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HARRIS: The "Random Moment of the Day" is getting ready for Halloween. Let's start with a monster of a pumpkin.
This gourd weighed in at 1,810 pounds at the Stillwater, Minnesota, Harvest Fest. That tops the world record by 85 pounds if confirmed by the Guinness folks.
And these big pumpkins on the Vermont side of Lake Champlain aren't anything to scoff at. The largest in the pumpkin regatta topped 1,200 pounds. It didn't sink. If you ever wondered what floating a pumpkin is like, one Vermonter says it's just like paddling in a winter squash.
There's your "Random Moment the of the Day." Nice look.
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HARRIS: In Chile, everyone is getting ready for the big rescue of 33 trapped miners. It could start on Wednesday.
More equipment is being brought in. So are doctors, nurses and more rescuers.
CNN's Patrick Oppmann, this man has been there for much of these 67 days.
Patrick, good to see you again.
What are those in charge saying today?
PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN ALL-PLATFORM JOURNALIST: They're saying it all is going not only according to plan, but much better. And this rescue operation could happen even hours earlier than we thought. It could happen in the overnight hours of Tuesday, Wednesday morning.
Casing that was placed today in that newly-drilled mineshaft is working, they say. They got about 55 meters, about 160 feet down into that initial shaft. And that will help protect the rescue capsule as it makes its journey down to the men.
That journey will take about 10 minutes down, probably another 10 minutes up to hoist each one of those men up. So that could stretch this rescue into a day, perhaps a little bit more, depending on how long it takes to get those men in and out of the capsule.
Tony, as we've been reporting, it's not going to be a very pleasant ride for these men. They're going to need oxygen. They're already on a liquid diet to help combat any nausea they feel.
As they ascend upwards, that capsule could spin around 10 to 12 times. There'll be communications equipment so they can talk with the rescuers. They will have a live video feed on each man's face to monitor medically how he's doing. But if there are any hang-ups, those men are essentially on their own.
That's why at least the first five men they send up in that rescue capsule they want to be the most technically solid men. They want them to be very strong, cool under pressure, men you can troubleshoot any of those initial problems. They will have to be, Tony, for them and these other men to make this rescue possible.
HARRIS: Well, Patrick, on the rescue shaft, now we understand that the workers have been testing that rescue shaft. They finished on Saturday. How is that going, and how much of that shaft will be actually lined?
OPPMANN: Only about the initial 160 feet of it. They talked at one point about lining the entire shaft, and that can stretch this rescue and delay this rescue by days more. And they said it's not necessary.
They lined this morning everything they need to line. They've tested out the shaft already, already loaded the capsule almost all the way down, by itself, empty, down to the men. Only about 40, 50 feet shy of the path of the men.
Later on this week, though, possibly overnight Tuesday, possibly early Wednesday, the initial two rescuers will be sent down. They are special forces, paramedic, a man who's described as a skilled mine rescuer.
This is mine country. They have done many of these mine rescues before in the past. Never a mine rescue quite like this one. Never so many men to send up to the surface.
Officials say they have everything in order, but it's going to be quite an effort. Every resource is being thrown at rescuing these men, and all fingers here are crossed.
HARRIS: Yes. OK. So, Patrick, one more for you.
What are the miners doing? You talked about how it's going to be a difficult ride to the surface. But what are they doing to prepare themselves for the rescue? Are they on, for example, a special diet right now?
OPPMANN: Absolutely. And we're -- the miners have been described as calm, serene. Obviously, they're probably not getting a lot of sleep right now.
The Chilean health minister told us yesterday they are starting a special diet. It will be an all liquid diet.
As they go up in that capsule, it's going to spin around. There could be nausea. They don't want them having too heavy meals in case they do come down with nausea.
NASA has helped design that liquid diet. They've been coordinating efforts with the Chileans and actually had some of their isolation experts down here last month.
At the end though, it's going to come down to each man, how he can deal with the ordeal, the pressure, and the stress of this rescue. We're told these men are ready, though, and they're resolute. They obviously are very eager to get back to their families, back here to the surface.
HARRIS: So, Patrick, look, I want to ask you one more. I know I'm running long in the segment, but we're looking at these pictures and I want you to describe them.
Obviously, we're looking at pictures of the breakthrough moment. You were there.
Can you describe what that moment was like on Saturday morning, the moment of breakthrough?
OPPMANN: It was an incredible moment for all the wives of the rescue worker, obviously for the families, miners, and frankly all lives. The mornings here are incredibly misty. There is this thick mist that comes in. It covers the mine site.
We were in touch with one of the drillers who was giving us update, and about two meters away he gave us the last update. Moments later, we heard loud sirens, these loud sirens. And family members immediately knew what it was.
They ran to this hill here, off to my right. That's where all the flags are.
Each flag with 33 flags, each flag with a miner's name on it. And they started ringing bells. It was just pandemonium here.
Even the rescue workers lost their composure. I mean, this has been such a big part of their lives. They put so much into this.
But very quickly afterwards, Tony, we're told they got back down to work, and we're seeing fruits of their labor. They're getting everything ready, every I checked, every T crossed, getting ready for this final part of the rescue operation.
HARRIS: Wow. I'm excited. I'm ready to see this actually transpire.
Patrick has been there for most of the 67 days of this.
Patrick, good to see you. Terrific work over the weekend, too, by the way.
A British aid worker kidnapped last month in Afghanistan has died. Linda Norgrove was killed during an operation to rescue her.
Britain's prime minister says she may have been killed by an American grenade. Early reports indicated she died in a blast set off by her captors. The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, is launching an investigation into what went wrong.
We're back in a moment. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(NEWSBREAK)
HARRIS: Millions of Americans rely on their Social Security checks to make it through the month, and today we learn that when it comes to an increase, we'll get the official word later this week. But the in meantime, CNNMoney.com has a preview for you. Alison Kosik is at the New York Stock Exchange with the details.
And Alison, first of all, good to see you.
What are we going to hear from the Social Security administrator?
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Exactly, Tony. Yes, we are going to hear from them on Friday, and we do already kind of know what they're going to be saying.
Analysts and Congressional Budget Office, both of them expect no change up for next year, meaning there won't be any cost of living adjustment as far as the benefits that people get for Social Security. Now, keep in mind, Social Security checks, they didn't increase this year, either, so that makes it two years in a row.
Now, if you're wondering how this decision is made, the people who crunch these numbers, they look at inflation, and they look at inflation in this most previous quarter, the third quarter, the months from July through September, compared to July through September of 2008. And during that time, Tony, prices are down, so it's really hard to justify any cost of living increase for these Social Security benefits -- Tony.
HARRIS: Well, wait a minute here, then. If the cost of living adjustment is based on inflation, and inflation is cooling off, you didn't hear this question from me, but can Social Security checks actually decrease?
KOSIK: Well, this is the good news. Social Security checks, Tony, can never decrease. It's really the one saving grace, you know, for the 58 million people who get these checks.
And the average Social Security check is going to stay the at around $1,170 a month. And the bad news is, though, it could limit spending, the fact that they're not going to get this cost of living increase.
Now, the reason why this could limit spending is kind of obvious. You know, if people don't feel like they're getting any richer, they're not going to spend as much. And that could also hurt the economy overall.
But remember, Social Security checks, they got a big boost in 2009. There was actually an almost six percent cost of living adjustment because of an increase in oil prices.
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
HARRIS: Americans are voting on marijuana in several states across the country. We will tell you where. Plus, our senior medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen, joins me live with a look at which illnesses marijuana can be used to help treat.
We are back in a moment. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Marijuana is on four state ballots this November, and California voters will decide on Prop 19, which would allow small amounts of marijuana on a person to be legal and taxable. In South Dakota and Arizona, the issue is legalizing marijuana to treat various medical conditions. And in Oregon, where medical marijuana has been legal for some time, the question before voters, should the sale of medical marijuana be available through dispensaries?
Now, over the next few days, CNN NEWSROOM will take a close look at the marijuana argument as it stands today and ask what "yes" votes could mean Americans in the future.
The official position on marijuana has been changing gradually over the years. Josh Levs takes a look at a Web site with a detailed timeline on how we went from reefer madness to Proposition 19.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Here is a striking way to look at the marijuana laws in this country and how they have changed. I'm going to show you a Web site here called stateline.org, and what they have done is they have shown you what goes on every year, basically, in the last several decades of American history.
Green will mean that a state was decriminalizing marijuana. We're going to start off with the 1970s, and you can see some changes beginning there. Those changes starting to happen.
And then, once we enter the 1980s, here, it pretty much stops. And if you think about it, that was a different decade in America, a different time.
And then it's in the mid-1990s that you're going to see coming up next when things start to change again. You'll see some light green appear, and the light green is when states began to legalize medical marijuana. And as that pops up in more and more states, you see that comes up all the way to today.
All right. We're up to 2010 here.
Now I'm going to give you the big picture and show you how many states stand in different places on these laws. Take a look at this.
Right now, 14 states and D.C. allow for medical marijuana. Now, if you take a look at where it's been decriminalized -- and this is different in each state. People generally don't face jail time or criminal records for possession of some amount of marijuana -- you have 13 states there that have those laws.
But these laws do vary in different states, and so do the penalties that could go along with them. Many states have been considering potential changes to their laws, as well.
And you can actually find some of those changes and where things stand in every state in the whole country by accessing this map. Let's zoom back in here.
This is from a Web site called Normals, an advocacy group, Normal, which opposes marijuana prohibition in this country. And what you can do is look at any state here, click on it, and it will give you details of what is going on in that state and how things have changed.
I've posted links for you at my Facebook and Twitter pages, JoshLevsCNN, so you can check all this out for yourself. And while you're there, you can weigh in on the idea of basically legalizing marijuana, as is being considered and debated hotly all over the country.
Back to you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: OK, Josh. Thank you.
So some states will vote to change marijuana laws. And for years now, doctors have confirmed the benefits of medical marijuana.
Our senior medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen, is here with more on how marijuana is used to help people.
All right. Good to see you, Elizabeth.
Medical marijuana, already legal in several states. Which ones?
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: All right. Let's take a look at the map, because you might want to know.
HARRIS: Yes.
COHEN: All right. In these 14 states, it is legal to use marijuana if it is medically prescribed by a doctor. And the District of Columbia, as well.
Now, you might wonder, if I live in this sort of great expanse of gray here, can I perhaps take a trip a little to New Mexico or a little trip to Michigan, or something like that, and get some medical marijuana and bring it back? And the answer to that is no.
You have to live in these states, get -- I'm sorry. You have to get treated in these states. You cannot buy it in that state and then take it back to one of these gray states. That's a no-no.
HARRIS: Yes.
What kind of medical conditions are we talking about where medical marijuana is used?
COHEN: You know, it's a pretty long list. And what these diseases have in common is that there is pain associated with these diseases and also lack of appetite. So medical marijuana doesn't cure cancer or cure anorexia or anything like that. But what it does do is it can stimulate your appetite if you feel like you don't have one. And it also can help people deal with chronic pain.
HARRIS: That's it. So that's what cannabis can do in the body. That helps with these conditions.
What's the active ingredient in all this?
COHEN: Well, the active ingredient in all this is THC. And so what happens is that THC actually acts on cannabinoid receptors in the brain. So, in the thalamus, the amygdala and the hypothalamus, in these three centers, there are hunger areas, if you will, like command centers, and also pain command centers. And the ingredient in pot actually links up with the receptors here and makes you hungry when you have cancer and you aren't hungry, and works very well for some people, and also can help people with pain.
I mean, they can actually see it acting on the brain.
HARRIS: Wow. With that last slide there, you took me to school. But it was OK. I understood.
Thank you, Elizabeth. Appreciate it. Thank you.
You know, it's a common complaint from small businesses -- banks aren't just lending enough. Christine Romans looks at the creative way some people are finding to finance their own ideas.
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HARRIS: So, you've got a great idea for a business, but you can't get the money to make it happen. Got to tell you, financing a new business is no easy task in this economic climate. But people with good ideas are finding money in some unusual places.
Christine Romans of our Money team and author of the book, "Smart is the New Rich," has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Vadim Akimenko isn't your grandmother's butcher.
More than 200 people showed up on a Wednesday night to watch Vadim and a handful of Boston area chefs demonstrate how to break down a pig.
VADIM AKIMENKO, BUTCHER, AKIMENKO MEATS: It's always good to get the name out there. It's keeping up the buzz, keeping up anticipation.
ROMANS: The anticipation is over Akimenko Meats, the butcher shop Vadim hopes to open by the end of the year, featuring all locally-raised sustainable meats. But raising money has been a challenge.
AKIMENKO: Financing has been very hard right now.
ROMANS: After liquidating a 401(k) in the spring, Vadim connected with a site called Kickstarter.com. The concept is simple. Send the site an idea. If it's approved, you set up a page with a fundraising goal. Then backers, everyday Internet users, they donate cash, and receive rewards in return. Yancey Strickler is co-founder.
(on camera): So, it's not charity?
YANCEY STRICKLER, CO-FOUNDER, KICKSTARTER.COM: It's not charity. It's somewhere between patronage and commerce.
ROMANS (voice-over): More than 200,000 people from all over the world have given $20 million to projects in the year-and-a-half Kickstarter has been around.
STRICKLER: Sure. Well, there's another one right now going really crazy. It's called Gliff and it's basically a really clever iPhone stand.
ROMANS: The makers of the stand raised $36,000 the first day online.
(on camera): Wow. And so what do people get in return?
STRICKLER: So, here, they get the stand for 20 bucks.
ROMANS (voice-over): In Cambridge, Massachusetts, Vadim Akimenko raised more than $16,000 from 200 backers online, enough to secure a five-year lease for his shop.
AKIMENKO: Majority is from Boston, but we've got people as far away as Finland donated. It's really humbling to see that many people, you know, want to have your idea.
ROMANS: Sites KickStarter, Techstars.org., Y Combinator and the so-called peer-to-peer lenders like Prosper, Virgin Money and Lending Club are intriguing alternatives when banks and private investors aren't handing much out.
PAUL KEDROSKY, KAUFFMAN FOUNDATION: These kinds of services can be great in terms of truly kickstarting the business. And that was never available before, because you were spending most of your time wandering down dark alleys trying to find someone who would give you money.
ROMANS: It's not for everyone, and both borrowers and lenders should do your homework. Vadim Akimenko still needs a few more investors to open shop by December, but he hopes drawing crowds like this one will help.
Christine Romans, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE) (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Afghan President Hamid Karzai confirms what CNN told you last week. His government is in talks with the Taliban to end the nine-year war. On CNN's "LARRY KING LIVE," the president suggests contacts have been informal, but that may change.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRES. HAMID KARZAI, AFGHANISTAN: We have been talking to the Taliban as countryman to countryman talk in that manner. Not as a regular official contact with the Taliban, with the fixed address, but rather unofficial personal contacts have been going on for quite some time. Now that the peace council has come into existence, these talks will go on and will go on officially and more rigorously. I hope. There has also been the peace and stability council that has been working under, the chairman of our senate -- President (INAUDIBLE) that has been a part of talks as well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Afghan President Hamid Karzai discusses war and peace in Afghanistan with Larry King. That's tonight in CNN prime time, 9:00 Eastern.
Well, let's get you caught up now on our top stories.
Experts head to Hungary to see how badly damaged the environment is after a toxic spill from an aluminum plant. One village covered in sludge now practically deserted, and crews fear another wall of the plant's reservoir will collapse.
In Chile, rescuers are getting ready to bring out the first of the trapped 33 miners possibly on Wednesday. They say tests on the rescue shaft are going well. The miners have been trapped half a mile underground for 67 days now.
And near Central Washington University, police are trying to figure out who spiked drinks at an off-campus party on Friday. Eleven of the female students were taken to hospitals, all since released. Police suspect someone spiked the drinks with a date rape drug known as roofies.
Voters at the polls three weeks from tomorrow. "The Best Political Team on Television" has a fresh new CNN survey to show you when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Counting down and keeping you updated on the latest election news hot off the Political Ticker, just 22 days until the midterm elections.
Paul Steinhauser with "The Best Political Team on Television" joining us live from Washington.
And, Paul, good to see you again, sir. What is crossing right now?
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Let me tell you about Barack Obama, Tony.
What am I doing tonight? I'm going to go home, have dinner, maybe drink a beer.
But what about the president? Tony, he's doing a lot more than that. He's going out to South Florida tonight. In fact, he's going to be hanging out at the home of Alonzo Mourning, the former NBA star. He's going to be holding a fundraiser there, and a get-together, a reception, as well, for congressional candidates down in Florida.
And some of the money at this fundraiser that's going to be raised is going to Florida's 22nd congressional district, Tony. That is where Congressman Ron Klein, a Democrat who's fighting to hold that seat. Republicans think they can win that seat away and a bunch of others, they feel they can take back the House.
So while the president is doing his thing, also, the House minority leader, John Boehner, who, if the Republicans win back Congress, he would become House speaker, he was down in the district this morning, hanging out with the Republican candidate.
So, Tony, all these races, they really add up. They matter. And that's why you see the president and House minority leader down there in Florida.
Reggie Zilmark (ph), our cameraman, zoom in right here and I'm going to ask you to take a look at this.
Also brand-new on the CNN Political Ticker this morning, this is out of North Carolina, the candidate down there, the challenger putting up an ad saying that the -- that she is running as an anti- Washington message. She says --
HARRIS: Yes.
STEINHAUSER: -- Washington is broken, Senator Burr helped break it, it's time to get him out of there.
Sounds like she's a Republican, doesn't it? But no, she's not. That's Elaine Marshall, the secretary of state in North Carolina.
And, Tony, she's a Democrat. But she is running against a Republican senator, Senator Burr, and she is running as the outsider, talking about how Washington is broken.
So, this anti-Washington theme, mostly Republicans, but it can work for Democrats, as well.
And you teased it. Let's check it out. Let's check out our poll numbers. Check this out.
Now, we put this number out on Friday, we asked them to battle for Congress. Would you vote for the generic Democrat or Republican in your district? Fifty-two percent say the Republican, 45 percent say the Democrat. So, the Republicans obviously have a 7-point advantage.
HARRIS: Yes.
STEINHAUSER: But go to the next number, brand-new. We just talked about it last hour, these just came out. We asked specifically, who do you think is doing a better job? Do you approve of the Democrats in Congress or the Republicans? Democrats, 34, and Republicans 31. So, Americans don't think highly of either party, but it's not like they think the Republicans are doing a better job.
That would be an interesting number and we'll see how that equates come November 2nd, Tony.
HARRIS: That is hot. Boy, that's a hot segment. You are -- you are so into it. Paul, good to see you. Thank you, sir.
STEINHAUSER: You got it.
HARRIS: Let's see if I can match your energy here.
In just 22 days, millions of voters will cast ballots in the hotly contested midterm elections. Voting is already under way in 10 states. Let's get you up to speed at what's at stake here.
Come November, Americans will decide the fate of all 435 House seats and 37 Senate seats. At the same time, 37 states will elect governors. They say all politics is local. You've heard that, right? But ultimately it comes down to the balance of power. Republicans hope to take back enough seats to regain control over the House and the Senate from Democrats. The House is the most contentious battleground. Republicans must win 39 seats to become the majority. Difficult, but not impossible. In the Senate, the GOP needs to take back 10 seats to become the majority.
Got to tell you, the midterm season is known for big-time turnovers. The biggest in recent memory was 1994 when Republicans flipped 54 seats under the guidance of Newt Gingrich. In had 2006, the Democrats rallied to snap up 31 seats in the House, taking back control from the GOP after a 12-year reign.
Among likely voters, CNN polling shows Republicans with a seven point lead going into the election. But even more telling is what both sides of the aisle are calling the enthusiasm gap. Fifty-four percent of registered Republicans say they are pumped about going to the polls November 2nd, but only a third of Democrats are feeling the same mojo.
Kathleen Parker and Eliot Spitzer, of our new prime time show "Parker Spitzer," talked with economist Paul Krugman about spending more while the nation has such an enormous budget deficit.
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KATHLEEN PARKER, CNN'S "PARKER SPITZER" CO-HOST: You're a big fan of deficit spending. You say to get something, we have to spend more. But for the average American at home who may already be in debt, the idea of spending when you don't have money doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Can you explain why that's a good economic model?
PAUL KRUGMAN, ECONOMIST: Yes. Now, it's not in all times, right? When the economy has recovered. Once we're back at a point where we have a self-sustaining expansion, when businesses are spending because they're using their capacity, then you actually want to try and pay down the debt. Certainly stop borrowing so much.
But right now, nobody wants to spend. Businesses don't want to spend. Consumers don't want to spend. And the economy is deeply depressed. And the only player out there who can get this economy moving is the government. So now is the time for the government to go ahead and borrow, spend, get this economy moving, and then be responsible and pull back, but only after we've got this thing going.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: For more opinions, ideas and, of course, analysis, don't miss CNN's newest show, "Parker Spitzer," weeknights at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, only on CNN.
Google in the driver's seat? Reinvented and reinventing the wheel? It is one of the most talked about stories today on the Internet. We're back in a moment. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
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HARRIS: Oh, man, we are having too much fun for a Monday.
JOSH MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: I am.
HARRIS: We -- it's like spillover from the weekend for me. It's just spill over from the weekend.
MYERS: What did you do this weekend?
HARRIS: Craziness. The great Chad Myers is in with "What's Hot."
Good to see you, doctor.
MYERS: I bet you didn't do this.
HARRIS: OK.
MYERS: Drive without your hands on the wheel.
HARRIS: No, this is insanity. This is the Goggle --
MYERS: This.
HARRIS: Yes, the Google thing. Yes.
MYERS: Prius.
HARRIS: Oh. MYERS: OK, there it is. This is -- I don't know. It scares me a lot.
HARRIS: Yes.
MYERS: He's there. There's a driver in there doing nothing.
HARRIS: In there?
MYERS: In there. Google, a car, driving. That's the Prius right there, 140,000 miles, not like through a set at MGM, on the real highways in California. Only one accident.
HARRIS: Really?
MYERS: And it was somebody else's fault.
HARRIS: Sensors all around the vehicle and that --
MYERS: It knows where to go.
HARRIS: Yes.
MYERS: It knows when to stop. It sees things that --
HARRIS: Yes.
MYERS: It scares me a lot.
HARRIS: Yes, it scares me, too. OK, but that's where we are.
MYERS: There you go.
HARRIS: OK.
MYERS: And do you know the Old Spice commercial?
HARRIS: Yes.
MYERS: Didn't they put your head on the Old Spice commercial with that really buff guy?
HARRIS: I'm really -- I was really hoping --
MYERS: Not that that wasn't you, but -- OK. What do they want to smell like now?
HARRIS: Oh, this is crazy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GROVER, "SESAME STREET": But if you listen to Grover, you will know all about the word on, just as this sponsor does. Look down. Back up. Where am I?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: That's good. That's good.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GROVER: What is in your hand? Look at me. I have it. It is a clam with two tickets to that thing you love. On my nose. Ah!
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MYERS: Smell like a monster (ph).
HARRIS: Yes. Good stuff.
MYERS: And have you seen the viral video, dancing video?
HARRIS: No.
MYERS: The MJ (ph) stuff?
HARRIS: No.
MYERS: Turf beats (ph).
HARRIS: You got that.
MYERS: It's the turf beats (ph). Yes.
HARRIS: Oh, look at this.
MYERS: Yes, yes, this is good stuff. In the wet.
HARRIS: Yes, yes, yes.
MYERS: Because it was raining all last week, right, in the --
HARRIS: So these are like kids just dancing on the street corner? And it's gone viral? Whoa, that's good. That's why. OK.
OK. There you go.
MYERS: Acrobat. Ballet. All kinds of good stuff.
HARRIS: And that's "What's Hot" for a Monday.
He's Chad. I'm Tony. We're back in a moment. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
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HARRIS: A new queen beginning her reign on the high seas. Britain's Queen Elizabeth officially names qnards (ph) new Queen Elizabeth liner today in an elaborate royal ceremony. Our Zain Verjee toured the luxury liner and even dined like royalty.
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ZAIN VERJEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Welcome aboard the Queen Elizabeth. And look at this. Isn't it magnificent? This ship is about 12 stories high. And if you think about placing four big planes side by side, that is the length of the Queen Elizabeth.
VERJEE (voice-over): Two thousand and ninety-two guests will set sail to the Canary Islands and then steam through the Mediterranean. The final price tag, $634 million, and made in Italy.
VERJEE (on camera): This is the grand lobby entrance. And if you take a look, you can see how it's done in kind of an art deco style. Look at the chandelier.
VERJEE (voice-over): A special portrait of the queen hangs in the grand lobby. Chef Jean Marie Zimmerman (ph) tells me there are six kitchens, 140 chefs to make 10,000 meals a day.
VERJEE (on camera): It looks one-and-a-half years for Chef Zimmerman to source all the produce that we're seeing in this kitchen.
CHEF JEAN MARIE ZIMMERMAN: As you can see, the world sea bass (ph) we placed (ph) at your table.
VERJEE: And voila.
ZIMMERMAN: Over here we've got veal from Limousine (ph).
VERJEE: I've never had a potato souffle.
ZIMMERMAN: Yes. Well, there you are. They are wonderful.
VERJEE: Umm, tres bonne.
ZIMMERMAN: Tres bonne.
VERJEE: Ooh la la.
VERJEE (voice-over): For evening entertainment, theater and ballroom dancing. Some guests can retire into this $24,000 a person suite on this trip.
VERJEE (on camera): I mean has that been hard to sell these rooms?
ROBERT HOWIE, HOTEL MANAGER: Surprisingly not, because we've got a royal conathers (ph). I mean the maiden voyage itself, as you're probably aware, sold out in 29 minutes and 14 seconds.
VERJEE: And 14 seconds.
VERJEE (voice-over): The bedroom suite leads to something special.
HOWIE: In Jacuzzi bath, you can see out of the window to watch the world go by.
VERJEE: Let's try it. Good-bye!
HOWIE: (INAUDIBLE).
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Hot dog. Zain joining us live from South Hampton, England, where the ship is docked.
Zain, first of all, I haven't seen you in forever. Great to see you. And you look really comfortable.
VERJEE: Thank you.
HARRIS: Aboard that majestic vessel. Boy, tell us what's going on today.
VERJEE: Well, you know, I could get used to it pretty easily there, Tony.
HARRIS: Yes.
VERJEE: Very luxurious. Loads of fun.
Well, today was pretty exciting. Just a short while ago, there was enough pomp and pageantry here entry fit for a queen. Actually, the big highlight of the day was what I'm about to show you which was when the queen pressed a button and cracked open a bottle of white wine on that lovely ship.
HARRIS: Oh, yes.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
QUEEN ELIZABETH: I name this ship "Queen Elizabeth." May God bless her and all who sail in her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VERJEE: So that basically, Tony, makes it official. The Queen Elizabeth is going to head out from South Hampton on Tuesday. She is going to go to the Canary Islands and then steam around the Mediterranean a little bit and really get a feel of the high seas. And basically the 2,092 people on board and they're going to have quite the wonderful time. When the queen left, she got three cheers, hip, hip, hooray. Everyone was excited, and so were the captains.
HARRIS: So, Zain, one more for you. You looked so comfortable aboard that vessel. What was the highlight for you, please?
VERJEE: Oh, gosh. I could be here a while, Tony, you know. To be honest, I think what I found the most interesting was the fact that this is the third Queen Elizabeth ship. There was one in 1938, and then there was another one in 1967. Both those ships were either sold and burned or sold and retired. One is actually been in Dubai and might become a hotel. So there is only one Queen Elizabeth, and that's this one.
And what I found most interesting is that the queen was present at today's ceremonies, and she was present at all the other ceremonies that had taken place on the other two ships. And they showed the black and white images of her all those many years ago. And they showed people like Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, who had also toured and cruised on the Queens.
Tony.
HARRIS: Wow! Wow, that's terrific. What a day. What a sight that -- wow. Looking behind you, it's framed up beautifully there.
Zain, appreciate it. Thank you.
CNN NEWSROOM continues right now with Ali Velshi.
