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Trade Deal Stalls in South Korea; Slashing Government Spending; Tug Boats Bringing Powerless Cruise Ship Home; Wolf Blitzer Takes Trip on "Soul Train"; Gwyneth Paltrow Performs at Country Music Awards; Bristol Palin Makes Final Four on "Dancing With the Stars"; Wall Street Observes Two Minutes of Silence to Honor Veteran; NYSE Honors Veterans; President Attends G-20 Summit; Medal of Honor for a Hero; Army's First Sikh Soldier Since '80s; Cruise Passengers Eye California Coast; Alaska Update; Gay Conservative Group on DADT; New Hispanic GOP Governor on Illegal Immigration; UK High School Starts Day at 10 A.M.; John Walls Triple-Double; Leery Vets Shun Back Pay
Aired November 11, 2010 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello to both of you. Have a great day.
Ali, see you again later on this afternoon.
Meantime, right now, it is 9:00 a.m. on the East Coast, 6:00 a.m. out west. I'm Fredricka Whitfield in for Kyra Phillips this morning.
Here's a look at what has us talking in the newsroom. Today is Veterans Day, a time to honor the generations of American who has served and sacrificed in the nation's military. There will be a full day of remembrances at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Vice President Biden will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
And the Pentagon says all evidence now points to an aircraft leaving this mysterious streak across the sky in Southern California on Monday. Many people have speculated that it was a rocket launch of some kind. The Pentagon has denied that from the very beginning.
And just about six hours from now, it's a hazy view right now, but that ship right there, the crippled cruise ship Carnival Splendor is due to arrive in San Diego. Live pictures right now. An electrical fire on Monday left the 4500 people aboard without air conditioning or hot showers.
President Obama is in South Korea on this Veterans Day where he is remembering the so-called Forgotten War. The president praised members of the audience who fought in the Korean conflict and U.S. troops who stand guard today at the border. He reminded all Americans to honor those who protect their freedom around the world.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Now on this day, we honor every man and woman who has ever worn the uniform of the United States of America. We salute fallen heroes. And keep in our prayers those who are still in harm's way. Like the men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
So I want all of you to know when you come home your country's going to be there for you. That is the commitment I make to you as commander in chief. That is the sacred trust between the United States of America and all who defend its ideals.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Also this morning, the president is dealing with a setback on a new trade deal with South Korea. And tens of thousands of new U.S. jobs could be hanging in the balance.
CNN's White House correspondent Dan Lothian is traveling with the president and has this report from the capital city of Seoul.
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, this has been a day of President Obama and bilateral meetings with the leaders of China, South Korea and Germany, topping the discussion currency and trade issues.
One deal that will not get done, the South Korean trade deal with the United States. Both sides sitting down and saying that they could not get this done in the next few hours. President Obama saying that this should be given more time, that hopefully it will get done in the next few weeks, not months.
This is very important for the U.S. because President Obama sees this as a way to extend global markets to U.S. goods and create thousands of jobs on the home front.
Mr. Obama saying that this is a win-win situation for both sides.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: We believe that such an agreement if done right can be a win-win for our people. It could be a win for the United States because it would increase the export of American goods by some $10 billion, and billions more in services, supporting more than 70,000 jobs back home.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
LOTHIAN: One U.S. official says that they are making progress but that this is a very complicated negotiation process. However, he remained optimistic saying that they are closer to the end than to the beginning -- Fred.
WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks so much, Dan Lothian there in Seoul.
Well, as the U.S. draws down its military forces in Iraq, the civilian government has made a major stride in plotting its future course. Leaders there have formed a new power sharing agreement that ends more than eight months of political stalemate.
The deal was struck yesterday after three days of talks between rival factions and supporters say it will prevent any one group from abusing power. Iraq's president and prime minister will both keep their jobs and today leaders will choose the speaker of parliament.
Last week, Americans cast their votes in the midterm elections in this country and anger over the national deficit was a driving factor. Well now, a presidential commission is suggesting ways to cut Washington spending and just about every American may feel the pain.
Here's some new proposals. Reduce tax breaks. Such as the deduction for your mortgage interest. Raise the Social Security retirement age to 68 years old. And slash military spending.
Both political parties are blasting the proposals but supporters say it's time to make sacrifices.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ERSKINE BOWLES, CO-CHAIRMAN, FEDERAL DEFICIT COMMISSION: We're clearly on an unsustainable path. We can't grow our way out of this problem. We can't tax our way out of it. We can't cut our way out of it.
We've tried to put a balanced approach out there. It takes $4 trillion out of a budget so we cut the deficit by $4 trillion over the next 10 years.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: All right. Christine Romans is part of the CNN Money team. She joins us from New York with a closer look.
So how possible are we talking with these things actually taking action, especially deductions on your mortgage interest?
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: I know. Well, one of the proposals has the deduction of your mortgage interest for loans that are more than $500,000 or for second homes.
So maybe lower middle class and middle class people would not be hurt by that overall but the basically -- the tradeoff here, Fred, is it's a simpler tax code and lower income tax rates and then some of those big deductions they take back.
Let's look at some of the other things on the table here from this commission. A 15-cent increase in the gas tax to help pay for transportation needs in this country. For the military, cutting military bases overseas by one third. That would be big cuts, about $100 billion in cuts to the military budget.
The Federal Work Force, eliminating 10 percent of the Federal Work Force. One of the recommendations in there is for every three people who retire or leave the Federal Work Force, only replace two of those positions. That would be a very big, big move for a lot of people.
Also, just freezing spending for federal workers, freezing salaries in the military. All kinds of different things on the table here but the bottom line, Fred, that this commission says there's going to have to be pain shared around the country to try to pay off the $14 trillion we've already spent -- that's the national debt -- and to make sure we get deficits under control in our lifetime.
WHITFIELD: And so the likelihood of these things happening, what's the process?
ROMANS: Well, this is the draft of a proposal so let's be honest. This is the president's commission. This is the first move in a complicated chess game that's going to go from here. So this is now all open for negotiation.
And this commission, 14 of the 18 members have to all agree on something to present to Congress and the president. But the knives are already out. Nancy Pelosi, the House speaker, says this is simply unacceptable. That's what she says about what she has seen so far.
Look, progressives and the left are very concerned about tinkering at all with Social Security and raising that Social Security age by the year 2050 to 69 to get full benefits.
Dick Durbin said, "There are things in there that I hate like the devil hates holy water." And Republicans, as you know, oppose raising taxes. There are some tax increases in there once you take away some of those tax deduction that are very, very favorable we're all so used to. That means tax bills for some people could go up.
So you're going to hear the political maneuvering now begin but the president asked about -- was asked about this, Fred. And he said let's not shoot anything down just yet. We have a big deficit issue to tackle. Let's put it all on the table.
WHITFIELD: Yes. He was asked about that while in South Korea, so while abroad domestic matters --
ROMANS: That's right.
WHITFIELD: -- very close at hand for him.
ROMANS: That's right.
WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks so much, Christine Romans. Appreciate that.
ROMANS: You're welcome.
WHITFIELD: All right. Let's talk a little bit more about some politics right here in this country.
The counting of write-in votes -- it's under way in Alaska, and that is the nation's last count under way. Still undecided. The Senate race. Incumbent and write-in candidate Lisa Murkowski is locked in a battle with Republican nominee Joe Miller. So far almost 90 percent of the write-in votes counted are called clear votes for Murkowski.
CNN political producer Shannon Travis is covering the vote count and he'll be joining us live in the next hour and the update from Alaska.
And Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has dropped her bid for GOP conference chair. Bachmann endorsed her opponent, Texas Representative Jeb Hensarling.
The House Republican Conference elects party leaders at the beginning of each Congress. Bachmann and Hensarling have been seeking support from colleagues in recent days. Hensarling got more backing from top GOP names.
All right. Last night's college football game between Miami of Ohio and Bowling Green was a pretty close one. If you could actually watch what was going on. The skies were clear at kickoff and then this fog rolled in.
It got so thick in the fourth quarter that it was nearly impossible to see unless you were, of course, on the field. In case you missed it, Miami won 24-21.
More like in case you couldn't see it.
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: That's right.
WHITFIELD: If you couldn't see the score board.
MARCIANO: We'll just have to take their word for it.
WHITFIELD: That was it. Yes. That's right.
MARCIANO: Good morning.
WHITFIELD: Close. Hey, how are you doing, Rob?
MARCIANO: Good. We still have some fog in that same area with that fog last night.
WHITFIELD: Yes? Residual fog.
MARCIANO: Across parts of Lake Erie. Getting a little bit of flow off the -- off the Great Lakes there and then through parts of northern Ohio, and defiance in Bowling Green. You're seeing some fog right now, but that will be lifting. Some pretty dry air a little bit later on today. Up just above the surface there.
(WEATHER REPORT)
WHITFIELD: It's a little cozy again for a second.
MARCIANO: Yes. That feels pretty good. WHITFIELD: I know. I'm looking at the map and seeing Southern California. Los Angeles area which means, you know, San Diego. Maybe a degree or two a little warmer.
MARCIANO: Are you heading there?
WHITFIELD: Well, no. I'm just thinking about the folks who are on that ship.
MARCIANO: Oh yes, yes.
WHITFIELD: That are just stuck. Well, kind of.
MARCIANO: Exactly.
WHITFIELD: I mean, it's being towed to shore to San Diego. But, you know, then they get in the car and a bus apparently and then head back to Long Beach because that's where, you know, the port is -- for most of them originating port. But anyway --
MARCIANO: Just odd to see that --
WHITFIELD: It's a drag.
MARCIANO: -- big boat literally dead in the water.
WHITFIELD: Literally. Yes. I know. It is something. But you know what? They're going to give vouchers. They're going to get their refunds so maybe it's not all that bad. We're going to hope to hear from some of the passengers on board to find out how irate were they. Or are they?
MARCIANO: Let's get them back on land safely. Hope they're not (INAUDIBLE) seasick.
WHITFIELD: Yes. I know. Well, Rob, good to see you.
MARCIANO: You too.
WHITFIELD: We're going to have much more on that predicament right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHTIFIELD: All right. A team of tug boats is slowly towing a powerless cruise ship closer to the San Diego shore, and we're about to watch it live right there from the air.
The Carnival "Splendor" is on pace to dock today, and the 4500 people on board now have the California coast in sight. It's been almost four days since an engine fire cut power to this gigantic ship. That means since Monday, it's been spam instead of caviar, Pop Tarts instead of pastries, and hour after hour of darkness.
But the disaster voyage is expected to end this afternoon, and Rachel Bianco from our San Diego affiliate KGTV is on the water and, hopefully, she's able to hear us by cell phone. So, Rachel, give us an idea, what happens once it docks, then what?
RACHEL BIANCO, KGTV-TV CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Good morning. You can imagine how excited these passengers must be to see the San Diego skyline. It's a beautiful morning here. The water's calm. The "Splendor" is probably between five and seven miles from where we are. We're actually on a boat in the middle of the bay.
It's traveling about four to five miles per hour. Right now, it's on course to arrive in the port sometime around 8:00 this morning. This is the first time that tug boats have actually pulled a ship of this size that has no power into the San Diego terminal.
As you know, several tug boats, there are six of them out there right now. There are also two Coast Guard cutters and another Coast Guard vessel keeping an eye on the ship. It's going to be a very lengthy and slow process. They should be able to maneuver it through the channel just fine.
We have several cruise ships in our port on any given day, but not one of this size, and not one that will have a nightmare stories, likely, from the passengers. We've got 3500 passengers, many of them have been in the dark for the inner cabins, pitch darkness.
And as you mentioned, of course, I think the spam has kind of become notorious as what's been on their menu. So, definitely it's been a rough few days for these people.
WHITFIELD: So, any idea how receptive people are to this refund, and that they will get vouchers? Have you heard anything from any of the passengers about whether they're happy about that trade-off?
BIANCO: I think it really depends on who you talk to. We've talked to a number of people by phone, and I think it kind of depends on their personal situation. We had a couple, they were on there for their honeymoon. So you can imagine how devastating this must be for them.
They're going to get a refund, they're going to get a free cruise later, they're going to get all their travel costs reimbursed. But for some people, just getting that time off is harder than anything else.
And then, we've also heard some stories of people who have diabetes, and they weren't able to maintain the diet they need. And then others will say, they're just going with the flow. They're going to get a free trip later, they've met a lot of people, they've played cards. They still had live entertainment, and it's really just been an adventure.
So, I think we're going to hear all kinds of stories, and it's going to be interesting to see how these passengers, who haven't had a chance to shower in day, probably have had very little sleep, they're going to arrive here this morning, and there are going to be a lot of television cameras here to greet them.
WHITFIELD: All right. Well, hopefully they're just a few hours away now. About midday East Coast time, they'll make their way to the shore. And then, I understand it's a bus ride about two hours north before they finally really make it home. Thanks so much, Rachel Bianco.
BIANCO: You're welcome.
WHITFIELD: Bristol Palin, if you've been watching, well, she's still dancing, and so is Brandi. Disney's Kyle Massey, and actress Jennifer Grey. And they're talking to CNN's "Larry King Live." Hear what Bristol Palin has to say about making it to the final four, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: OK. Well, you know what? I hear Wolf Blitzer cuts a rug. He made a trip aboard the "Soul Train." The host of CNN's "THE SITUATION ROOM" greeted well-wishers on the red carpet as he made his way inside the "Soul Train" awards show taping. That was yesterday in Atlanta.
So, Blitzer, our part of the Best Political Team on Television, was a presenter. Did you know he's also one of the best dancers out there? But his lips were sealed about what we would eventually see on these awards.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WOLF BLITZER, HOST, CNN'S "THE SITUATION ROOM": It's a surprise. I really can't talk a lot about it too much because the audience is going to be pretty happy when they see what I'm going to do. But it's going to be a lot of fun. It's not exactly "The Situation Room." It'll be a little different.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right, right.
BLITZER: A different side of Wolf. I was growing up in Buffalo, New York. And I remember vividly Saturday mornings watching Don Cornelius and all my favorite groups were the Temptations, or the Four Tops, or Gladys Knight, the Jackson 5, they were all there. All the kids were dancing. We had a lot of soul. It was very, very cool. And that's why I'm here, because "Soul Train" was part of my life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: And Wolf has a lot of soul. Wait until you see what his presentation is like on the "Soul Train" award show. Am I pumping it up? You're going to see the entire show on BET Sunday, November 28th. You have to wait until then. The anticipation is very great.
And speaking of awards, country music's biggest stars were honored last night. Brad Paisley serenaded an adoring audience, then walked away with the coveted Entertainer of the Year award at the CMAs.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
WHITFIELD: And, yes. Don't rub your eyes, fix your glasses. That is actress Gwyneth Paltrow, also taking to the stage there as a performer. She plays a country singer in her new film, "Country Strong," and sang the title song from the soundtrack.
And Bristol Palin has danced her way all the way to the final four on "Dancing With the Stars." She told CNN's "Larry King Live" that she credits her success to her dancing partner, Mark Ballis.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRISTOL PALIN, "DANCING WITH THE STARS": He's been so great with me. I remember walking in the first day, I was like, "OK. I hope you have a lot of patience." And he's had so much patience with me, and he's really taken me out of my shell and just given me extra confidence, which I need to go in and perform.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: So for the full interview with "Dancing With the Stars" Bristol Palin and the rest of the final four couples, watch "Larry King Live" tonight, 9:00 PM Eastern, 6:00 PM Pacific.
This is Veterans Day, a time to honor the men and women who have served in the nation's military. There will be a full day of remembrances at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. And We'll look ahead to the morning's tributes in THE NEWSROOM.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(WOMAN CRYING AS SOLDIER RETURNS HOME)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: The New York Stock Exchange paused to honor Veterans this morning, observing two minutes of silence just a moment ago. And there's more love for vets as Wall Street gets set for the start of today's trading. There's the bell. Alison Kosik joins us now. And pretty unique bell ringing taking pace today as well.
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: There really was. You know, got to tell you. A nice warm welcome for veterans visiting the New York Stock Exchange today, Fredricka. All the traders stopped and gave them a nice, long round of applause as they entered the trading floor.
Up on the podium, ringing the opening bell is United States Marine Corps Brigadier General Steven Bugsby. That's the director of Force Management for the Joint Staff. He's joined by other members of the armed forces, including legendary World War II Navajo Code Talkers.
A quick history lesson on them, Code Talkers were a group of about 400 men who created an unbreakable code from their ancient native American language and served in every major engagement from 1942 to the end of the war and today we honor all of our military veterans.
As for the business of the day, because it is Veterans Day, we are expecting a very quiet day of trading. The bond market is closed, but stocks are open for business and we're already lower.
The Dow right now opening down 87 points. Nasdaq also taking a hit, down 47 points. It is really going to take a hit. This is after Cisco's weak forecast. So we're in the red to start the morning, Fred --
WHITFIELD: All right. Alison, thanks so much.
All right. Meantime, let's check some story that is got us talking this morning. President Obama and other world leaders attending the G-20 summit, which opened today in Seoul, South Korea, it's expected to focus on currency policy and economic recovery and growth worldwide.
And back in this country, President Obama's Deficit Commission is hammering out ways to bring spending under control and already members of Congress are blasting it. The draft proposal includes cuts in Social Security and Medicare benefits plus higher taxes. All designed to cut the deficit by up to $4 trillion over the next decade.
And thousands of passengers aboard that crippled cruise ship should finally reach dry land today. The carnival "Splendor" is due to arrive in San Diego this afternoon. The ship became stranded Monday off the coast of Mexico after an engine room fire.
Today is Veterans Day. A time to honor the generations of Americans who have served and sacrificed in the nation's military. There will be a full day of remembrances at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Vice President Joe Biden will play a wreath at the tomb of the unknowns and at the World War II museum in New Orleans, young people are being urged to reach out to the so-called greatest generation.
Next hour, we'll hear from a grade schooler and a World War II vet who are taking part in that event.
This morning, we want to tell you about a man whose courage in battle earned the highest decoration of valor. What's more, the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. He tells his story to CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STAFF SGT. SAL GIUNTA, MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT: The whole timeframe maybe lasted anywhere between like two minutes, three minutes and five or six lifetimes. I don't know.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): But in the two, three minutes, Army Staff Sergeant Sal Giunta went from a self-described mediocre soldier to a hero.
That October night, Giunta was walking along a ridge line with other members of his unit, assigned to protect other soldiers as they were walking back to their base.
SGT. FRANKLIN ECKRODE, AUSTIN, TEXAS: And single shot rang out. Everybody started getting down behind cover.
GIUNTA: There's not just one of them and it's not two of them and it's not 10 of them. It's probably more than 10 and they're really not that far away.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Actually watched the guy pulling the trigger who's aiming at you.
GIUNTA: It seems like your world is exploding in bullets and RPGs and everything. We looked and it was along the whole side. It was along, you know, our flank.
STARR: Hit eight times was the man in front walking point as the mill share says, Sergeant Josh Brennan of McFarland, Wisconsin. He talked to his dad, Mike, only a few days before.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Actually he had volunteered for that mission that day.
STARR: On that ridgeline, Josh was down severely wounded. Giunta raced ahead into the face of Taliban fire.
ECKRODE: He got to the front. He killed one of the guys that were dragging my team leader away, Sergeant Brennan. Wounded another one, recovered Sergeant Brennan. Brought him back to an area to secure him and continue the fight.
Started the aid on him. For all intents and purposes, the amount of fire still going on in the conflict at the time, he shouldn't be alive right now.
STARR: So Giunta keeps insisting he doesn't deserve the nation's highest military award for heroism.
GIUNTA: When I first heard they were putting me in for the Medal of Honor, I was -- I felt lost. I felt kind of angry. It came at such a price. It's very bittersweet. It's such a huge honor. It's a great thing, but it is a great thing that's come out at a personal loss to myself and so many other families.
STARR (on camera): And that is what you want people to know?
GIUNTA: Absolutely.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Barbara Starr joining us now from New York. So very interesting. He said he felt lost and angry. So what more did you tell you about how he has come to terms with all of this? STARR: Extraordinarily modest. He describes himself, Fred, as a mediocre soldier and yet about to be awarded the nation's highest honor. He -- I asked him how he came to be in the U.S. Army and he told me that just a few years ago he was just out of high school.
Working a fast food job in the Midwest. Mopping the floor one night, listening to the radio station and there was a commercial come down to the recruiting station. You'll get a free t-shirt. So said he thought, well, I'm not doing anything so I'll go down there. I'll get a free t-shirt.
He joined the Army at that point and went off to this battle in October, 2007, in Afghanistan and next Tuesday really will step into the pages of American history.
He will stand next to President Obama and receive the Medal of Honor. A very modest young man who says he's receiving this on behalf of his entire unit, Fred --
WHITFIELD: What a courageous young man. Congratulations to him on this medal. Sadly, at so much sacrifice, of course. All right. Barbara Starr, thanks so much.
The U.S. Army has graduated its first Sikh soldier in 30 years allowing him to keep his turban and beard as required by his religion. Specialist Simran Lamba finished basic combat training in South Carolina yesterday just a few hours after he was sworn in as a U.S. citizen.
He was granted an exception to the Army's strict dress code because he speaks two Indian languages and the military needs those skills. The 26-year-old will be a combat medic.
New Mexico's governor-elect does not want to take a page from Arizona's immigration law. We're talking about Republican Susanna Martinez in our Political Ticker.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right. Live pictures right now of the carnival "splendor," that cruise ship that got into trouble about 200 miles off coast. Well now, it's less than four hours away from the San Diego coast and less than 15 miles from the San Diego coast.
Forty five hundred people on board a ship that has no power. They can't wait to get ashore. We're continuing to follow the developments there. That ship, that massive ship is being towed in to -- inland or to shore, to shore and of course keeping you posted along the way.
All right, we are also following that undecided Senate race in Alaska on the Political Ticker this hour. Senior political editor Mark Preston is at the CNNPolitics.com desk. What do you have for us, Mark?
MARK PRESTON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL EDITOR: Hey, good morning, Fred. Well, I think this headline will say it all what's happening up in Alaska as we speak right now.
The "Anchorage Daily News" headline across the front page, 98 percent of write-in votes go to Murkowski. This spells very bad news for the Republican nominee Joe Miller. Let's just get our viewers up to date.
Lisa Murkowski is an incumbent Republican senator, but she lost the primary. She decided to run as a write-in candidate. A lot of people didn't think she had a chance to win, but right now, the write- in votes seem to be going her way.
So our own Shannon Travis is up in Juneau where this is taking place and the votes are counted and we'll hear more from him about what's going on and doesn't look good for Joe Miller, the Republican nominee. Lisa Murkowski seems to be gaining ground.
Let's talk about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Of course, on Veterans Day, this is an issue that has a lot of talk, a lot of chatter in the military. We know that Pentagon right now is reviewing about -- what should they do? Should they repeal it?
And of course, we don't know what's going to happen in the lame-duck session. Will Congress take it up? But there's a new statement out from a Conservative gay group that is calling on the Senate to actually repeal it.
They say that this is part of being a Republican, part of being a Conservative and they are trying to put pressure on their own, on Republicans on Capitol Hill to try to repeal it.
And let's close it with this right here. On "JOHN KING USA," Fred, there was some big news made last night from Susanna Martinez. She is the New Mexico governor. She's going to be the first Hispanic woman ever to be nominated for rather elected to be governor.
And she has come out, Fred, and she said that she thinks President Obama needs to focus on the economy but, also, she thinks that President Obama needs to focus on the issue of illegal immigration.
She herself said that we must secure our border. She goes on to say she does not support amnesty. So some very interesting comments from the incoming governor of New Mexico.
WHITFIELD: She's not necessarily on board or in support of what neighbor Arizona is doing either, right?
PRESTON: No. She's been very outspoken about that, Fred. You're absolutely right. She said she doesn't agree that driver's license should be issued and she really is -- this is her whole thought on the illegal immigration.
People who are in the system that are doing it right should be rewarded and folks who have been doing it wrong should not necessarily be rewarded.
So expect to hear a lot from her certainly when she is sworn in this January and I believe the Republican Party will rely on her to talk about this issue and talking to Hispanic voters.
WHITFIELD: All right. Mark Preston, thanks so much. Have a great morning. We'll have the next political update in one hour and a reminder for all the latest political news, go to our web site, cnnpolitics.com.
All right, CNN's newest primetime program, "PARKER SPITZER" has been challenging guests to come up with ways to cut the federal budget. So last night former Reagan Budget Director David Stockman offered his opinion.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELIOT SPITZER, CNN CO-HOST, "PARKER/SPITZER": And what would you do with Social Security?
DAVID STOCKMAN, FORMER REAGAN BUDGET DIRECTOR: Well, unfortunately, it needs to be means tested. In other words, it's a $700 billion-year program. It's the heart of the budget. And we're going to have to say to the better off elderly people already retired and this is -- will be seen as unfair but it's unavoidable. You're going to have to have your benefits means tested.
SPITZER: Explain what that means.
STOCKMAN: That means, we'll look at your private assets, we'll look at your private income and if they're above a certain level, let's say, $50,000 a year of private income, we're going to have a ratcheting back of your Social Security check in order -- as a contribution to solving this problem.
SPITZER: So Social Security will go more and will be focused upon those who need the money --
STOCKMAN: Right.
SPITZER: -- and not exclusively based upon what you paid in --
STOCKMAN: That's right.
SPITZER: -- which has been the equation until now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Watch "Parker/Spitzer" tonight at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on CNN.
All right. We're flashing back to November 11th, 1918 at 11:00 a.m. that day, World War I officially ended. Europeans marked the anniversary with Armistice Day.
In the U.S. we call it Veterans Day and use the day to honor all men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, live pictures one more time. You're seeing here that Carnival Splendor cruise ship with 4,500 people on board being towed to shore in about -- under four hours from now. It'll be towed into San Diego port there. Folks have been without hot water, they've been without electricity since Monday, pretty miserable but the misery ends just hours from now.
All right. Getting enough shut eye, our "Morning Passport" takes us to New Castle, England, where one high school has decided the best way to improve student performance is to let them sleep longer.
First, this is a cutting-edge school. Take a look at the building. Somewhere in there. There you go. This is Monk Seton (ph) High School and pretty cool looking. Definitely the school of the future, the school day is from 10:00 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. Many students sleep in as late as 8:00 and sometimes 9:00 and get to school well-rested. At least that's the idea. The late start time was influenced by research suggesting that teens have a biological predisposition to go to bed late and get up late.
And they perform better from mid morning to mid afternoon. Of course the kids are loving the idea but some parents not so much.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I mean an hour extra in bed in the morning --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're getting nine hours' sleep because they say that's what you're supposed to get?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No. You're staying up later, still?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, well. Even when I go to bed a bit early, I sit up and watch the telly.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ridiculous. How on earth do you expect children to get into a routine when they're coming in to school later? When they start work, they will be starting work late as 9:00 a.m.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Ok, Monk Seton (ph) says early indications show that school attendance is up and so are Math and English test scores.
All right, still in the UK, it's finally here. The latest "Harry Potter" movie will premiere in London tonight. The chilling and thrilling "Deathly Hollows" is bound to be a blockbuster hit. It's the seventh film in the "Harry Potter" series. Fans are expected to turn out for attempts to see Daniel Radcliffe and company as the walk the red carpet. The movie hits theaters next week.
And we will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TONY HARRIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's up, it's good.
WHITFIELD: We're going to play a little hoops now. How are you doing?
HARRIS: So, Fred, how are you?
WHITFIELD: I'm good. And you?
HARRIS: You want to talk a little sports?
WHITFIELD: Let's do it.
HARRIS: You want to rock a little sports and dance a little Dougie and Wolf Blitzer. How does all of this make sense?
WHITFIELD: Yes, I don't know if I can do the Dougie. But you know I think of Soul Train Awards and I think of this move.
HARRIS: Ok, that's it, that's it. You're a random moment a little later on the program.
So let's start with the basketball, right?
WHITFIELD: Ok.
HARRIS: There's this incredible rookie that's sort of taken the league by storm. There are actually two but the one we're going to feature is John Wall, he is the sort of the standout rookie for the Washington Wizards. And that's your neck of the woods, right?
WHITFIELD: Yes.
HARRIS: Yes, yes, yes.
WHITFIELD: Of course, I remember the Bulls.
HARRIS: Yes sure you do. Sure you do.
WHITFIELD: I'm forever -- yes but you know, it's the Wizards, yes.
HARRIS: Right.
WHITFIELD: New name.
HARRIS: And so he's -- he's -- he's going like gangbusters right now. Last night 19 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds, and you know it's the kind of stat line that we're used to seeing from the great Magic Johnson and maybe a few other players. Lebron is starting to get to that category a little bit.
But if you are asking, wait a minute. Tony, you're featuring this kid John Wall a lot on the program of late. There's a reason. Last week at this time, he made his D.C. debut for the Wizards, and roll the tape.
This is how he introduced himself to the D.C. crowd and to the -- yes, and to the sports nation, right?
WHITFIELD: He's not shy.
HARRIS: With the dougie. So why are we running this again? Flash forward to last night --
WHITFIELD: And?
HARRIS: -- roll me in some pictures of the great Wolf Blitzer, please. Wolf Blitzer last night at the Soul Train Awards here in Atlanta. Right? Being mobbed by folks --
WHITFIELD: Making a big old splash.
HARRIS: He was on our program promoting the fact that he was going to be there. I told him by hook or crook I was going to get tickets so I can be there and support him. So I made it there last night.
WHITFIELD: And?
HARRIS: I made it there.
WHITFIELD: What did you get to see?
HARRIS: All I'm going to say to you is this, when the Soul Train Awards program hits the air in about a week or so, you have to watch it. Our friends at BET are airing the program.
WHITFIELD: Because?
HARRIS: In the house, Tyler Perry, Steve Harvey, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Anita Baker.
WHITFIELD: Yes. She got a special award, in fact?
HARRIS: Yes. Ok. Superstars, right? Terence Howard, (INAUDIBLE) so our man Wolf Blitzer shuts down the show.
WHITFIELD: Oh, my gosh.
HARRIS: That's it.
WHITFIELD: He's huge.
HARRIS: I'm just telling you to watch the program. Wolf Blitzer on stage at the Soul Train Awards.
WHITFIELD: It's exciting.
HARRIS: Must-see television. He shuts down the show, Fred. WHITFIELD: I am not surprised.
HARRIS: And on that note --
WHITFIELD: If Wolf is a part of anything --
HARRIS: Here we go. Right.
WHITFIELD: Oh, yes. This is a little tease moment. Go, Wolf, go Wolf.
HARRIS: This is a little tease. This is a little tease moment, right? I am feeling so good about this moment that we're having here together, Fred, I will dance off the set in honor of Wolf --
WHITFIELD: You would?
HARRIS: But all I'm saying to you is Wolf shuts down the show.
WHITFIELD: Wolf rocks the house.
HARRIS: See you in an hour.
WHITFIELD: I cannot wait until November 28th.
HARRIS: That's when it's on?
WHITFIELD: That's when it's on, on BET, the Soul Train Music Awards.
HARRIS: Wolf, closing the show.
HARRIS: Got to go. Got to go.
WHITFIELD: Ok. Bye-bye. Because Tony Harris is going to be here an hour from now in the NEWSROOM but for now, you're stuck with me for much more of the NEWSROOM.
