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Airport Security Backlash; Arms Trafficking Suspect in Court; GOP Establishment and Tea Part Differences; Leonid Meteor Shower to Light Up Sky; Hall of Heroes; Royal Wedding Plans Begin
Aired November 17, 2010 - 12:00 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 today's top stories.
TSA, body scans under fire from some airline passengers and on Capitol Hill. We will break down developments today in the security measure raising concerns about privacy when you fly.
Republicans divided as a lame-duck session of Congress marches on. How serious is the rift between high profile Congressional leaders and tea party candidates?
And you don't expect this with your burger combo. A message on a fast food receipt that would make you blush.
Let's get started now with our lead story. We are just trying to stay ahead of the threat and keep you safe, those words from the head of the Transportation Security Administration just a short time ago. John Pistol testified before a Senate committee.
His testimony comes amid a public back lash over a full body scans and more invasive patdown searches. Pistole was asked whether he had undergone the new patdown himself.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN PISTOLE, TSA ADMINISTRATOR: Absolutely, Mr. Chairman. I insisted that I receive that patdown before we -- before I ordered that it be deployed nationwide. Also, Secretary Napolitano, Deputy Secretary Lute, other senior members of Homeland Security, received that pat-down to see, to experience -- not see, but experience what that involved so we would know before we put -- rolled that out.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And your impression?
PISTOLE: That it is thorough.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I understand that, but your impression beyond the fact that it was thorough?
PISTOLE: Well, the whole purpose was to --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Was it -- did it make you uncomfortable?
PISTOLE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I mean, what was your impression as a person?
PISTOLE: Yes. So it was more invasive than what I was used to.
Of course, what is in my mind from almost 27 years with the FBI and all the counterterrorism work since 9/11 is, what are the plots out there? How are we informed about the latest intelligence and the latest technology? And what do we need to do to assure the American people that as they travel, that we are being thorough?
So, yes, it is clearly more invasive. The purpose of that is to obviously detect those type of devices that we had not seen before, for example, last Christmas. I am very sensitive to, and concerned about, people's privacy concerns, and I wanted to work through that as best we can. The bottom line is we need to provide for the best possible security.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: OK. Critics of the enhanced security say the searches go too far.
A Texas man says he felt violated at a Florida airport.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THOMAS MOLLMAN, TRAVELER: He put his hand in between my underwear and my skin, you know, and did a 360 all the way around, touching certain sensitive points in the back and the front.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Wow. OK.
Now, despite the loud chorus of criticism, most Americans support the enhanced security measures. In a CBS News poll, 81 percent say airports should useful full-body x-ray machines. Only 15 percent say airports should not use the machines.
Airline passengers who favor the searches say it is better to be safe than sorry. And some say they haven't had any trouble.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN HOWELL, TRAVELER: I've been through the scanner and I've been through the pat-downs, and I haven't had any problem with it.
KAREN HOWELL, TRAVELER: The person that they don't pat-down or don't search thoroughly could be the person that takes the plane down.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Let's talk about who is subject to the enhanced screening that critics are complaining about. According to the TSA, these are the reasons for someone being subjected to the new pat-down search: if an alarm goes off at the metal detector; if there is some kind of anomaly during the screening; or if someone opts out of the advanced imaging body scan.
Now, here is what some of you are saying about the controversy.
From Grandmother-5, "There are ways to avoid all of this. Drive, take a bus, or hope the passenger trains come back."
Technobie fires back, "Grandmother-5, these are the arguments that I am getting weary of. Flying used to be a luxury that only the privileged few could afford. Today, it is a huge part of global commerce, and the cost to fly enables just about everyone to enjoy it. To say that you now only have one choice, give up your freedoms or drive/boat/walk is silly."
OK. Let's do this -- let's go live to the West Coast now, Los Angeles.
The L.A. Auto Show gets under way this week, the first big car show of the season. The buzz, though, is General Motors.
GM's big IPO about to hit. In fact, they increased it again this morning. Now it could bring in as much as $20 billion.
The U.S. Treasury -- that is you and me -- we own about 60 percent of the company after the big bailout. That will probably drop to about 30 percent after this, the IPO, and we get some of our money back.
An accused Russian arms trafficker makes his first U.S. court appearance in New York today. CNN's Susan Candiotti is covering the case of the man known as the "Merchant of Death" -- Susan.
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: In fact, some people even say, Tony, that a movie that was made starring Nicolas Cage a few years back was actually built around this man's real life. But his name is Viktor Bout. He's a former Russian air force officer, speaks six languages, including English, and he was flown by the DEA to the United States overnight from Thailand, arriving in New York in the dead of night.
These photographs provided by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. And now he is scheduled to make a court appearance this afternoon.
What are the charges against him? Well, this is a man who has about a half dozen aliases, and the U.S. government says that starting in 2007, for several months thereafter, he met with two confidential sources working for the DEA, and is alleged to have set up deals to buy a ton of arms and weaponry, including surface-to-air missiles and rocket launchers and 5,000 AK-47s, and all kinds of ammo and C-4 explosives.
In order to be used, he thought, to be used against the U.S. and U.S., specifically, citizens working with the Colombian military against the guerrilla group called FARC in Colombia. Ad so that's what the government says he was after.
I'm going to let you hear from the U.S. attorney right now who held a news conference a short time ago talking about Viktor Bout.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In a series of recorded meetings and telephone calls in South America, in Europe, and in Asia, Bout and his associate allegedly made clear that they were ready, willing and able to provide a substantial arsenal to the FARC for use against the United States. According to unsealed documents, here is just some of the deadly arsenal that Viktor Bout allegedly offered up: more than 700 surface-to-air missiles, 5,000 AK-47 assault rifles, anti- personnel landmines, C-4 explosives, and literally millions of rounds of ammunition.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CANDIOTTI: Now, Viktor Bout has been around four years. And back in 2002, CNN's own Jill Dougherty caught up with him in Moscow and did a rare interview with him. And this is what he said at that time back in 2002, denying that he ever had done anything wrong.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VIKTOR BOUT, ACCUSED ARMS TRAFFICKER: I'm not afraid. I didn't do anything in my life for what I should be afraid.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CANDIOTTI: Now, Russia is not said to be happy at all about this. Within the last 24 hours, they issued statements and spoke publicly, including a statement from the foreign minister saying that they called this extradition from Thailand to the United States, in their words, deplorable, and they're calling it illegal.
Nevertheless, they will be trying to meet with Viktor Bout, of course, while he is in custody here, and Viktor Bout will be making his first appearance in court this afternoon. He is charged with several counts of conspiring to kill U.S. citizens, providing -- conspiring to provide help to a foreign terrorist organization -- in this case, FARC, out of Colombia -- and if he is found guilty, stands to spend the rest of his life in prison -- Tony.
HARRIS: This is a hard case.
Susan Candiotti for us in New York.
Susan, good to see you. Appreciate it. Thank you.
A company decaffeinates its alcoholic energy drinks just as the FDA questions the safety of blackout in a can.
First, though, our "Random Moment" goes to Burger King. That's in 90 seconds.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Let's get random here. A Burger King prankster finds out the joke and the "Random Moment" is on him.
A Sacramento man spent $9 on -- let's see here -- a Whopper, onion rings, and cheese. Is that a Whopper with cheese? OK.
The insult was on the House. An expletive was printed at the top and bottom of his receipt. Also on the receipt, the cashier's name.
Somebody has some explaining to do for this "Random Moment of the Day."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(NEWSBREAK)
HARRIS: Winter is still what, more than a month away officially? Heck, it's not even Thanksgiving yet. But parts of Colorado blasted by a snowstorm.
That is pretty nice. These scenes in Denver from our affiliate KUSA.
And along the Mid-Atlantic Seaboard, high winds damaged homes and businesses and knocked down trees and power lines. We've got some shots here of roofs off of what looked to be an apartment building.
We need to check in with our meteorologist, Chad Myers. And we'll do that right after the break.
You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: Let's get you caught up on top stories now.
Violence in Haiti as the cholera outbreak spreads. Riots broke out in the northern part of the country with protesters accusing the United Nations peacekeepers of starting the outbreak.
The cholera death toll in Haiti has topped 1,100. One case is now reported across the border in the Dominican Republic.
Police in L.A. are looking for the person who gunned down long- time Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen. She was shot to death on Sunset Boulevard just minutes after she left a star-studded party to celebrate the opening of the movie "Burlesque."
And on Capitol Hill, members of the House are voting on new party leaders for the incoming Congress. Current House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is fighting for a job as House minority leader. The greater Los Angeles Auto Show will open to the public later this week. And energy-efficient vehicles are the buzz. Fifty alternative energy cars and SUVs will be on display.
Can you name just a couple of them?
We're back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: The L.A. Auto Show, hot, hot, hot. Fifty alternative energy vehicles on display, to be exact. They include the Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, concept cars, Kia Pop, Wave II, and Wheego Life. OK.
New fault lines between establishment Republicans and Tea party Republicans. Listen to Senator John McCain talking about Kentucky Senator-elect Rand Paul.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: I think there are going to be some tensions within our party. I don't know the incoming senator, Rand Paul. I respect him and admire his victory, but already he has talked about withdrawals from or cuts in defense, et cetera, and a number of others.
There is no doubt that this new group of Republicans have come in with a commitment to take a meat ax to spending. I'm not sure that you could say, OK, everything in defense is sacrosanct while the rest of these cuts in education and social programs, et cetera, are taking place. So I worry a lot about the rise of protectionism and isolationism in the Republican Party.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Wow. A lot there.
Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser is here. Paul, now that these Republicans have to govern, which is more than simply standing in opposition, what can we expect?
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Right, Tony. You know, when you're running for office and you're running against something like the Republicans were, it's a little easier than actually running the shop. And now they're going to run the shop in the House of Representatives. And in the Senate, Republicans will have a much larger minority than they had last time.
You saw those comments there from Senator John McCain of Arizona. And I think it's fair to say that Senator McCain and the incoming senator, Rand Paul of Kentucky, don't see eye to eye on some international issues. I think Rand Paul gets a little bit of a Libertarian streak from his father, Ron Paul.
But, also, there are some disagreements. And you saw them play out this week on earmarks -- HARRIS: Yes.
STEINHAUSER: -- between Senator McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate, and Senator Jim DeMint, who is kind of the leader of the Tea party conservative wing of the party there. And McConnell had to kind of back-down on his stance on earmarks.
Tony, listen, we know Republicans agree on health care reform. They want to try to repeal the new law.
HARRIS: Right.
STEINHAUSER: We know they agree on tax cuts. They want to extend the tax cuts for all Americans, including the wealthiest Americans.
But on some other issues, there is going to be disagreement. And some of those issues include maybe raising the debt ceiling. That's going to be a big issue for the new Congress, what to do on that.
Also, deficit reduction. We're going to have this new report coming out next month on ways to reduce the U.S. government's massive budget deficit. So we're going to see some disagreements between Republicans. No doubt about it.
HARRIS: Speaking of which, did you hear the kind of broad side taken by Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski for and directed at Senator Jim DeMint? What was that all about?
STEINHAUSER: Well, there is this blame game going on here, because some Republicans -- I guess more establishment Republicans -- feel that if some of these Tea Party-backed candidates had not won Senate nominations like Sharron Angle in Nevada, like Christine O'Donnell in Delaware, there was the thought that maybe the Republicans could have won back the chamber.
They didn't. Of course they're going to have a larger minority, but they're still going to be in the minority.
And so there is some pushback against DeMint, who was a backer of a lot of these Tea Party-backed candidates, and against some others as well in some of the Tea Party groups for doing just that. And, of course, Murkowski, as you know, lost her primary to Joe Miller, who was backed by the Tea party, backed by Sarah Palin. But it looks like Murkowski now -- she ran as a write-in candidate in the general -- she may actually pull it off -- Tony.
HARRIS: OK.
Paul Steinhauser for us.
Good stuff, Paul. Appreciate it. Thank you.
Fast track to foreclosure -- complaints about the so-called "rocket docket" for clearing the backlog of cases.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: OK. Let's look at -- let's get a quick market check here.
Boy, we're almost on three hours into the trading day, and we started out in negative territory. We've bounced back just a bit. We were doing pretty well, and now we're pretty much flat for the day. We're also in positive territory for the Nasdaq, up 12.
We'll follow these numbers for you throughout the day for you in the NEWSROOM.
Foreclosures on the fast track. Florida's plan for dealing with a backlog of foreclosures is really coming under fire right now. Critics say judges are speeding through cases.
The story from CNNMoney.com's Poppy Harlow.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JUDGE CHARLES O. MITCHELL, FOURTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT: Today I have approximately 40 cases on the calendar.
POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM (voice-over): Judge Charles Mitchell was recently hired out of retirement to deal with Jacksonville's backlog of more than 21,000 foreclosure cases. Critics call it a "rocket docket."
CHIP PARKER, FORECLOSURE DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Foreclosure courts throughout the state of Florida have adopted a system of ramming foreclosure cases through to final judgment and sale with very little regard for the rule of law.
HARLOW: Lawyer after lawyer wait for their cases to be heard. Parker's client, Jacqueline Fitzhugh, has a hearing on tomorrow's docket. After a divorce and losing her business, she's been unable to make a mortgage payment in two years.
JACQUELINE FITZHUGH, HOMEOWNER: And I'm stuck with a loan that I cannot afford to pay. Now my American dream is like everybody else's, sitting in front of a judge tomorrow waiting for my house to get foreclosed on.
HARLOW (on camera): So this is the courthouse in downtown Jacksonville, Florida. It's one of the places where the so-called rocket docket is happening, judges signing off on up to 25 foreclosures an hour. That's one about every two minutes. It's also this morning that Jacqueline right inside here will learn whether or not she can keep her house.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The case of Deutsche Bank vs. Fitzhugh.
HARLOW (voice-over): The attorney representing Jacqueline's bank refuses to let us film her hearing. It lasts 25 minutes. But other cases are over in less than a minute, and most of the time the homeowner doesn't show up. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. Thank you, Judge.
PARKER: What I'm seeing now is an attack upon the citizens of the state of Florida by retired judges. Their job is to reduce the foreclosure backlog by 62 percent.
HARLOW (on camera): Is this a foreclosure mill? Is this a factory?
JUDGE A.C. SOUD, FOURTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT: That's silly.
HARLOW (voice-over): Judge A.C. Soud oversees this temporary foreclosure court.
SOUD: We will try to schedule as many foreclosures, on the average of 25 an hour.
HARLOW (on camera): But are two or three minutes, is that enough time to look at a foreclosure case and make that final judgment?
SOUD: Most of the cases where you see a property owner not there, that means that property owner has defaulted. So, when that is the case, then three minutes, if the lawyers who we know say that everything is in order, then we feel like that's adequate time.
HARLOW: Those lawyers represent the banks. Doesn't the judge need to look for his or herself?
SOUD: No, we do not. I am not -- I am not there to -- I am not there to check every exhibit.
HARLOW (voice-over): At the end of our day in court, Judge Mitchell ruled on 35 cases. In Jacqueline's case, he denied the foreclosure, ruling the plaintiff didn't submit paperwork on time.
FITZHUGH: For now, I keep my home, but obviously there are some legal paperworks that are at issue.
HARLOW: For now, it buys Jacqueline more time in her home until the bank requests another hearing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Poppy Harlow joinINg us now from New York. Poppy, what has been the response to all of this from Florida supreme court?
HARLOW: It's a good question. The ACLU has been in touch with us. They're looking at this. Just today, Tony, Florida supreme court chief responded to complaints that have come from across the state of Florida, the Florida Press Association, ACLU, alleging these courts, although we got our cameras in there, you notice we weren't allowed to film the entire hearing. They're arguing that this court is not fully open to the public.
And I want to read you the response of Florida's chief justice. This is what he wrote just today. He said, "The people of Florida are entitled to know what takes place in the courts of this state. No crisis justifies the administrative suspension of the strong legal presumption. The state court proceedings are open to the public." He went on to say "The chief judge shall ensure the judges are not violating the rights of Floridians by improperly closing judicial proceedings to the public."
So, what he is saying is these courts must be fully open to the public, and they've come under a lot of scrutiny, as you've seen. We'll keep an eye on this and tell you where it goes. So far, though, Florida is the only state to deal with foreclosures in this way, in this special court.
HARLOW: Okay. Poppy, good to see you. Thank you.
Bristol Palin, we all know who she is. And "The Situation," who -- who or what is "The Situation"? Oh, he's a reality show star? Ah, the two of them pairing up as you can see here. Now, that's a situation in itself.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: You want to talk about an odd couple teaming up for a public service announcement? Have a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MIKE SORRENTINO, "THE SITUATION," REALITY TV STAR: The safe part. We got the safe part down pat. Wa-pam! Magnums.
You know what? I might be able to spare one, I mean, you know, give you one.
BRISTOL PALIN, SARAH PALIN'S DAUGHTER: It's fine. I avoid situations.
SORRENTINO: All right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: "Dancing With the Stars" contestants Bristol Palin and "The Situation" talking safe sex. We've got more entertainment headlines coming up in our Showbiz update.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Bristol Palin is the talk of Tinseltown, and the shocking murder of a long-time Hollywood publicist. "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" co-host Brooke Anderson joining us now from Los Angeles. Brooke, good to see you. Let's start with Bristol Palin making it to the "Dancing With the Stars" final. More than a few eyebrows being raised over this.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT": Yes, you're right about that, Tony. You know, a lot of people are stunned, and they're stunned because a high scoring brandy got the boot before low-scoring Bristol Palin on last night's "Dancing With the Stars." It truly was a gigantic dancing shocker.
But America voted, and those were the results. Bristol Palin is still in and on her way to "Dancing With the Stars" finals next week. Last night's week nine elimination episode of the show really brought audible gasps, some boos from the audience when Brandy was sent packing.
"SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" was right there backstage after the show, and Bristol told us she is as stunned as anyone that she is still in the running. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
B. PALIN: I'm just blessed to still be around this competition. I never thought I'd make it this far, and I'm just thrilled to still be here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: All right. Well, Palin faces off against Jennifer Grey and Kyle Massey next Monday in the 11 season final. And Tony, I think you asked me, was it last week, can Bristol Palin actually win this thing? I said, no. Don't be silly. You know, it's Jennifer Grey all the way. But now, I'm really not so sure. She could take this whole thing home.
HARRIS: yes, Massey may as well start packing his bags. It's going to end up being Jennifer Grey and Bristol Palin.
ANDERSON: Yes.
HARRIS: Let's talk about what has turned out to be a shocking story here.
ANDERSON: Yes.
HARRIS: Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen shot to death minutes after leaving a premiere party. If you would, Brooke, bring us up to date on the latest on this.
ANDERSON: It's very tragic, isn't it?
HARRIS: Yes.
ANDERSON: And also very strange. Long-time Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen was killed, gunned down on Sunset Boulevard in Beverly Hills early Tuesday. This was just minutes after she left a star- studded party to celebrate the premiere of the new film "Burlesque."
People -- police say multiple shots were fired into Chasen's Mercedes seconds after she drove past the Beverly Hills Hotel. She was on her way home. We know that Chasen was a very well-known fixture on red carpets, always standing with her A-list clients. Everybody in Hollywood is just blindsided by the news. Take a look at some of the stunned reaction that "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" has been getting about this. (VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Okay. We actually don't have that sound. Sorry. But everybody is just -- you know, at their wit's end. Why did this happen? Who did this? Everybody wants answers and wants justice for Ronni Chasen.
HARRIS: Absolutely.
ANDERSON: And, Tony, police are calling it an open investigation and say that they have no suspects and no motive right now for the attack.
HARRIS: Okay, Brooke. If you would, keep us posted on that story.
ANDERSON: Will do.
HARRIS: Brooke Anderson with us from Los Angeles. Brooke, good to see you as always.
For information on everything breaking in the entertainment world, Brooke's got it this evening on "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" at 5:00 and 11:00 Eastern on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: I know it's a question you're asking yourself. What is the latest on the Slurpee Summit? Ed Henry part of The Best Political Team on Television, live from the White House. Hey Ed, I'm hearing scheduling conflicts.
ED HENRY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Tony. You know, so much for the Slurpee Summit, getting things off on the right foot. I think the Slurpee Summit maybe has melted, at least for now. I mean, the bottom line is Robert Gibbs, we just had an off-camera briefing with him, some new information. He was sort of trying to kind of tamp down any speculation that there is a battle here.
You'll remember that right after the election the president invited Republicans over for a little summit. Then he was going to have them over for dinner. It was going to sort of be an all day thing, and he was saying it's going to be a big deal to get conversation going on tax cuts and other issues. It was scheduled for tomorrow. Late last night, Republicans basically said, look, the date doesn't work. There had been apparently some behind-the-scenes negotiations, and the Republicans are saying we never agreed to that date. They've got all kinds of other stuff going on with the freshman orientation and the like.
I was pressing Robert Gibbs on, look. When the Republicans are saying they have class photos and freshman orientation to do, doesn't that suggest they're dissing the president, that they don't think this is important? Robert Gibbs really trying to downplay it saying, look. If anything, bipartisanship is prevailing because we've agreed to reschedule this meeting. They're now going to have the Slurpee Summit on November 30th but that's after Thanksgiving, a couple weeks down the road. So, we'll see whether or not this slows any momentum in some of those bipartisan talks.
The other question here of course is we've already started to talk about 2012 --
HARRIS: Oh, yes.
HENRY: -- and who is going to be running against the president and about a dozen Republicans already looking at it. Two of them traveling now and looking a little bit closer at it.
First of all, let's start in Iowa. Bottom line, Newt Gingrich the former House speaker, one of his top advisers, Joe Guylord, telling "The Des Moines Register" he'd be surprised, very surprised if Newt Gingrich does not run. Obviously, "Des Moines Register" in Iowa, the key caucus state at the beginning.
The other key state, of course, New Hampshire. Senator Rick Santorum making plans now to travel there at the end of the month. This is going to be, I think, his seventh visit to New Hampshire. Seven visits already to Iowa for Rick Santorum, the former Republican senator from Pennsylvania. Six trips to South Carolina during the midterm election season.
Bottom line is, if you're making that many trips to Iowa and New Hampshire, you're pretty much running, Tony.
HARRIS: You're going to have 25 Republicans running for that nomination. Can you imagine the stage?
HENRY: That's a good story to cover.
HARRIS: Yes, it is! It really is!
What is it we're hearing about a famous actor returning to the White House again?
HENRY: Well, you'll remember Kal Penn was here from the early days of the administration in the Office of Public Engagement, working with Valerie Jarrett and other officials here, reaching out, specifically focused on Asian and Pacific Islander issues. He had left back in June because he was going to make another one of those movies "Harold and Kumar," this series. I'm told by a colleague because I haven't seen these movies that it's sort of known as a stoner comedy, I guess you could call it. That would be the phrase. I won't mention which colleague told me that.
I guess it's sort of what the kids are watching these days. He is very popular, Kal Penn, but you'll remember that he was robbed at gunpoint last time he was here at the White House. Lost his cell phone, lost his wallet but he was okay. He has obviously made the movie now.
HARRIS: Right.
HENRY: He's coming back to the White House for another tour of duty.
HARRIS: Good stuff, Ed. Good to see you, man. It's been a while.
HENRY: Good to see you.
HARRIS: Your next political update coming up in one hour. For the latest political news you know where to go at CNNpolitics.com.
Who is the sexiest man alive? We will tell you who earned this year's "People" magazine title. We're back in a moment. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: If you are clicking on it, posting about it, digital expert, there he is, Derek Dodge is tracking it. You're going to tell us what's trending right now. You'll start with the Leonid shower?
DEREK DODGE, CNN DIGITAL PRODUCER: So every mid-November, the Leonid meteor showers. So the best time, the peak time was this morning, but if you missed it tomorrow morning as well so in the predawn hours look to the east. You're looking at the constellation Leo and you should be able to get around -- they're saying 20 meteors an hour.
HARRIS: Really.
DODGE: You know, it's not the busiest as always it's been. We're in sort of an off-season, but if you are a space geek like I am you probably want to check it out. And if you're also a photography nut take some photos and send them to ireport.com.
Trending on Twitter all day has been the actor Ryan Reynolds. You may remember him from "The Proposal." It is a really good day for Ryan Reynolds because "People" magazine named him the sexiest man alive.
HARRIS: Isn't that a lovely pose?
DODGE: That's one of those titles that very few get. Not only was he named sexiest man alive, but the full length trailer for the movie "The Green Lantern" came out.
HARRIS: Nice.
DODGE: This is probably a cool movie. It looks promising.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Tony, I have to jump in. We just received advance news about the sexiest man alive for 2011. OK? You hear it here first on CNN on your show. Give me Tony "Old Spice" Harris. I want to see him.
HARRIS: You're up to your old reindeer games again. Aren't you, Elizabeth Cohen?
COHEN: There he is. 2011. You're the winner.
HARRIS: And everybody just loves that. Everyone is cackling about that. It's the funniest thing ever. Show it again. Where is it? Those look like my pecs. I think those are.
COHEN: That's our next segment.
HARRIS: That is devastatingly handsome.
COHEN: Can I be first congratulate you?
HARRIS: Thank you.
COHEN: Very exciting. You and Ryan Reynolds.
HARRIS: I'm going to have words with you. All of you in just moments.
It's time to go. There is no tease. We're back in a moment here. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM. Thank you, Elizabeth.
COHEN: Thank you. Congratulations.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: All right, top stories for you right now. Viktor Bout, the international arms dealer known as the Merchant of Death. He is due in court this afternoon in New York following his extradition from Thailand is accused of supplying arms to terror groups.
Some Facebook groups found themselves cut off yesterday. The company says its system to detect fake accounts had a glitch and disabled some real ones. It also looks like it may have affected only female users.
The U.S. army staff sergeant yesterday is receiving the Medal of Honor from President Obama today being inducted into the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon. He is honored for his bravery in battle in Afghanistan.
Royal watchers around the world are all talking about Britain's Prince William and his bride-to-be Kate Middleton. They have a lot on their plate, planning a wedding of royal proportions. Prince William recounts how he popped the question.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: William, where did you propose? When, how? Kate, what did you say?
PRINCE WILLIAM, UNITED KINGDOM: It was about three weeks ago in Kenya. We had a little private time away together with some friends and I just decided that it was the right time really.
We had been talking about marriage for a while. So it wasn't massively a big surprise, but I took her out somewhere nice in Kenya and I proposed.
KATE MIDDLETON, PRINCE WILLIAM'S FIANCEE: Very romantic. A true romantic.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And you said yes obviously.
MIDDLETON: Of course, yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And you knew you were going to do this from day one of the whole day or you waited until the end?
WILLIAM: I had been planning it for a while, but as every guy out there will know it takes a certain amount of motivation to get yourself going. So I was planning it and then it just felt really right to us and Africa is beautiful and I just had done a bit of planning to share my romantic side.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kate, you'd been on holiday a while. Did you see this coming?
MIDDLETON: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Was he getting nervous?
MIDDLETON: No. We were out there with friends and things so I didn't really expect it at all. I thought he might have sort of maybe thought about it but, you know, it was a total shock when it came and very excited.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And produced the ring there and then?
MIDDLETON: Yes.
WILLIAM: I did, yes. I had been carrying it around with me in my rock sack for about three weeks before that and I literally would not let it go wherever I went I was keeping hold of it because I knew if this thing disappeared I'd be in a lot of trouble.
Yes. I planned it. It went fine, you know, you hear a lot of horror stories about proposing and things go wrong, but it went really, really well.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a family ring?
WILLIAM: It is a family ring, yes. It is my mother's engagement ring so I thought it was quite nice because obviously she is not going to be around to share in the fun and excitement of all of this and this is my way of keeping her sort of close to it all.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I guess, we better have a look. What kind of ring is it? Are you an expert?
WILLIAM: I am not at all. I've been reliably informed it is a sapphire and diamonds. I'm sure everyone recognizes it from previous times.
MIDDLETON: It is very beautiful.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're going to be the envy of many.
MIDDLETON: I just hope I can look after it. It's very, very special.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It has to be said you both look incredibly happy and relaxed.
WILLIAM: We are. We are. We're like sort of ducks, very calm on the surface but a little under the water. But it's been really exciting. We've been talking about it for a long time so for us it's a real relief and nice to tell everybody because especially the last two or three weeks have been quite difficult not telling you all and keeping it to ourselves for reasons we had to. It's nice to finally tell.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is a massive thing you're going into now. Marriage is a big thing for everyone but in such a public way. Excited? A little bit terrified?
WILLIAM: Mostly excited. Quite happy when it's all over, but we're hugely excited and looking forward to spending the rest of the time, the rest of our lives together. And seeing what the future holds.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kate, for you, you've had a long time to sort of contemplate this moment.
WILLIAM: Let's not over rate.
MIDDLETON: It is obviously nerve-racking because I don't know what I'm sort of -- I don't know the ropes really. But, no, I'm willing to learn quickly and work hard.
WILLIAM: She will do really well.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A lot of opportunities within the family, obviously a huge ability to change people's lives for the better. I guess that's something you must have contemplated as well.
MIDDLETON: Yes, well, I really hope I can make a difference even in the smallest way. I'm looking forward to helping as much as I can.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: A tell-all interview. Mel Gibson's ex, Oksana Gregoreva is Larry King's guest tonight. She speaks for the first time publicly about her bitter custody dispute with the actor and father of her daughter. Here is a quick look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OKSANA GRIGORIEVA, MEL GIBSON'S EX: All of the phone calls that were recorded were recorded on the same night of 18 February, 18th to the 19th. He started calling me early in the evening. LARRY KING, CNN HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": What was he angry about?
GRIGORIEVA: Because I left him. Because I thought he was going to hit us again that evening.
KING: So you got back, you forgave him for the first incident.
GRIGORIEVA: I forgave him in a couple weeks' time. After the first, you know, severe beating that, you know, he struck me twice with a fist and then was choking me and while I was holding Lucia and not protecting myself.
And my son witnessed everything then we ran toward the pool and he's been screaming and yelling and then he told us, you know, to get the "f" out and went to get the gun and I asked my son to get in the car. That's how we left the 6th of January. From then on, every day he was apologizing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Mel Gibson has not responded to CNN's request for a response. However, in a legal filing in connection with the custody dispute, Gibson stated that he slapped Oksana once, not hard, with an open hand, and not with a closed fist as she alleged.
See the full exclusive with Oksana Grigorieva tonight, 9:00 p.m. Eastern on "LARRY KING LIVE." It is go time. CNN NEWSROOM continues right now with Ali Velshi in New York City. It's all yours.
