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Bernie Madoff's Son Found Dead; Obama/Clinton Doubleheader; Family Without Heat Gets Help; Holbrooke Hospitalized in Critical Condition; Farewells to Elizabeth Edwards; Cold Snowy Weekend; Fastest Rising Google Searches

Aired December 11, 2010 - 11:00   ET

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

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Well, top of the hour here now. Hello everybody and welcome to the CNN SATURDAY MORNING. I'm T.J. Holmes here at our CNN World Headquarter in Atlanta, Georgia.

Well, the life and legacy of Elizabeth Edwards as mourners gather for her funeral days after she loses her battle with breast cancer, we're there.

Also Elizabeth Smart speaking out after her kidnapper is convicted. You'll hear how she plans to move on with her life as well as help other crime victims.

Also a single mother in Indiana, heating her home with an oven; her plight triggers an outpouring of support. This holiday story you'll want to hear. That's coming up this hour here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

I want to begin with a new development about the U.S. diplomat, Richard Holbrooke. He is in critical condition right now after surgery this morning for a torn aorta. The State Department said his family is with him. He's 69 years old, hospitalized in Washington yesterday. He has a long diplomatic career that includes brokering the agreement that brought peace to Bosnia.

Now, he's currently the administration's Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan. And again, we are just getting word about his condition, the State Department putting that out a short time ago.

Our Jill Dougherty covers the State Department for us. Jill, how much do we exactly know about his condition? This was kind of sudden that he had to be taken to the hospital yesterday?

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN FOREIGN AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Right, T.J. Well, as you mentioned the very latest is the statement that just came over from P.J. Crowley, who is the Press Secretary for the State Department saying that Ambassador Holbrooke is in critical condition and that his family is with him.

This began yesterday, Friday, in the morning, somewhere around 10:00 or 10:30 when he was at meeting at the State Department up on, apparently, the seventh floor, which is up -- where the Secretary has her offices, and he felt ill. He went to the hospital and then went into surgery and he was in surgery last night and then we now know that he has a tear in his aorta.

So there has been some bleeding, apparently, and they're trying to repair that. He is really a very, very, very important part of Hillary Clinton's team and the President's. He's the special adviser on Pakistan and Afghanistan which has been very, very intense for him over the past couple of years, traveling to those regions trying to pull both sides together, supervising, actually -- the peaceful side of the war, I should say, the civilian side of the war.

And the timing of this, T.J., is significant because right now, the finishing touches are being put on the Afghanistan policy review that the President has -- that should be coming out next week assessing the surge.

And he's -- he's just a very -- I was looking at one comment by Vice President Biden when -- when Holbrooke came in and was announced as a special representative and he called him a "powerful weapon in our diplomatic arsenal". And that's exactly what Ambassador Holbrooke is. He's a very powerful individual and this is significant.

HOLMES: Well, Jill, can you tell us before we let you go here, just what kind of health he has been in? He's in his late 60s and he keeps a heck of a schedule. Has he had health problems that we know of in the past?

DOUGHERTY: I understand that he did have some heart problems but he's a very vigorous man. And in fact, one of our media group had been down in the cafeteria at the State Department and have seen him walking around. So he was -- he was you know mobile and walking around normally as of just -- you know, a few minutes or perhaps, half an hour or so, before this happened.

But it's a very intensive schedule as you can imagine and now the pressure of this review.

HOLMES: All right. We appreciate you hopping on the line here with us. Our Jill Dougherty, who covers the State Department for us. Again, Richard Holbrooke in critical condition surrounded by family after surgery for a torn aorta. Jill thank you so much.

We turn to another story we're keeping a close eye on out of New York. The son of Bernie Madoff has been found dead, hanged, in a Manhattan apartment. His death according to authorities -- an apparent suicide.

Our Susan Candiotti is with us now from New York -- we do not have Susan Candiotti I'm told -- but I do have our Ali Velshi who is on the line with me.

Ali good morning to you once again.

(CROSSTALK)

ALI VELSHI, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Good morning.

HOLMES: Again, we're getting the word this was an apparent suicide, 46-year-old Mark Madoff. How much did people link Mark Madoff to his father's troubles?

VELSHI: Well, listen, initially, you'll recall it was two years ago when this -- this arrest was first made, T.J. and nobody linked anybody to it. They were very surprised that Bernie Madoff himself would be involved in this. People close to the operation say that Mark's brother, Andrew, worked very closely with Bernie Madoff and that it's not likely that they wouldn't have known that he was running this entire fraudulent scheme on his own.

So there was a strong belief for a lot of times amongst people that the -- the two brothers were involved in it and an uncle. The bottom line though, T.J., no charges have been laid against him. There have been a lot of civil suits filed against Mark Madoff and there has been word and reports that the IRS would be going after him for tax fraud. But that never came to pass.

So the bottom line is, no legal connection between the two but a lot of people who have been jilted feel that they must have been connected.

HOLMES: No legal connection there. What has Mark Madoff's stance always been? Has he always said through his attorneys that, in fact, no I had nothing to do with this? I guess, what has his public stance been over the years?

VELSHI: Yes in fact, what's interesting is that the brothers and the father, Mark and his brother Andre and his father have separately (AUDIO GAP) saying same thing and that is that they were not connect and they were running of the very same investment business but were not involved with the investing of the funds or in the place of Bernie Madoff in many cases not investing of those funds.

Again, very hard to believe that his two sons who were that high up in the system weren't connected but nothing has ever been proved against them. That said, as I said, there have been many civil suits against them. The trustee was trying to get money back on behalf of the victims, have been suing the Madoffs to place a great deal of pressure two years after the arrest and this is what we have.

HOLMES: All right, Ali Velshi, we appreciate you hopping on the line for us.

I want to turn immediately now to our Susan Candiotti who is in New York following the story for us. Susan, what are authorities necessarily saying about the circumstances surrounding this death?

Susan Candiotti, doesn't appear is on the line with me just yet. Again, we'll try to get her back up. But again, the news for our viewers. What we have found out this morning just a short time ago is that the son, the 46-year-old son of Bernie Madoff, Mark Madoff, found dead in his apartment, apparently hanged. Again, police are saying, this is an apparent suicide. But again, Mark Madoff has been facing some civil suits related to his father Bernie's Ponzi scheme. However, Mark Madoff and any of the other Madoff children have never been linked criminally or illegally necessary to the Ponzi scheme. Again, Bernie Madoff as you know, serving 150 years in prison right now for that Ponzi scheme; the largest fraud in this country's history bilked investors out of some $60 plus billion.

I want to turn now to Elizabeth Edwards, some of the people closest to Elizabeth Edwards are being able to say their final farewells today. Some who didn't even know her will get a chance to say good-bye, as well. She of course, the estranged wife of former senator and presidential candidate, John Edwards. She died on Tuesday after a six-year battle with cancer. Her funeral opened to the public getting set to start here in just under two hours.

Our Martin Savidge is outside the church in Raleigh, North Carolina. It's hard sometimes here Martin to know what to -- what to start with. Because certainly, she had -- she had an impact on so many people in this country but unfortunately, we're worried that there will be another side show, if you will, going on outside of the church?

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, T.J. Good morning to you, by the way.

There is a protest that is scheduled to take place by the Westboro Baptist Church. Most folks know about them as protesting at military funerals and they're scheduled to be here as well. Fortunately they are a good two blocks away they are out of ear shot and they're almost out a visual range.

And quite frankly, there are a lot of people that are going to show up and give them a counterdemonstration to sort of cancel them out. But as to the funeral at hand, as you say it points -- it will begin about two hours from now, 1:00 Eastern. And you can expect a pretty heavy political crowd, no doubt.

I would say that most of the North Carolina Congressional delegation is going to be there. The governor is going to be there. Also on hand will be Senator John Kerry, he's going to be there, Vickie Kennedy, the wife of former Senator Ted Kennedy. She will be there. And then on top of that, a whole collection of other political people.

But as you point out, Elizabeth Edwards is much more than just the wife or former wife of a politician. It is the way she handled the -- so many of the downturns in life, especially the disease of cancer that made her a hero to so many, many people. And that's why the fact that the service is open to the public, you can expect well over 1,000 people to be inside the United Methodist Church today to celebrate her life.

Among those who is going to be speaking is Cate Edwards, that is the daughter of Elizabeth. And what's very striking about her delivering the eulogy is that it was 14 years ago in this very same church, that she delivered the eulogy for her brother, Wade, who died in a very tragic auto accident in 1996.

So you can imagine the very heavy lifting on her shoulders to deliver the eulogy for her brother and now to do the same for her mother. Also speaking will be one of Elizabeth Edwards' best friends; John Edwards, we are told will not be speaking.

So it is going to be an important day. The graveside service is going to be private and she will be buried next to her son, Wade -- T.J.

HOLMES: All right, Martin Savidge for us today. Mark, we appreciate you this morning. Thanks so much.

And for our viewers we will have live coverage of Elizabeth Edwards' funeral here on CNN. Excuse me the service gets under way at 1:00 Eastern Time.

Well, coming up, there is snow out there. Is that for real? Snow on the streets? Snow? Without snow? What do we have here? Oh look at these pictures, no snow actually in the Midwest. We're going to tell you how one community right near Lake Michigan that's keeping its business district free of snow.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: All right, I want to head cross the country now to see what our affiliates are covering. We'll start in Escondido, California, where bomb experts are sifting through the ashes of a house they burned to the ground yesterday or on Thursday rather is when it happened. The house was full of homemade explosives. They want to make sure there's nothing toxic left.

Let's turn over to Kansas City, Missouri now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They are very eye-catching. There was -- everybody who walked by are like, oh, look at the dresses on the people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: The dresses, the dresses, they are not for wearing. These dresses are made out of old Christmas cards. You can see them in the windows of Hall's Department Store.

Also, what you don't see in the streets and sidewalks of one Michigan town -- Snow. Grant Haven have installed a system of pipes under the pavement. The warm water running through the pipe melts the snow and everybody's happy.

That is quite ingenious, don't you think Bonnie? And they need to put those in just about every city in the Midwest right about now, do they not? BONNIE SCHNEIDER, AMS METEOROLOGIST: They do but don't you think some people are disappointed?

HOLMES: Yes.

SCHNEIDER: They love the snow.

HOLMES: Some people love the snow, don't they?

SCHNEIDER: They're walk in through it. It sets the, you know holiday scene?

HOLMES: But it can keep us from having problems. Maybe they just put them under the streets and not the sidewalks.

SCHNEIDER: Yes.

HOLMES: But they can do that possibly.

SCHNEIDER: Yes, selective.

Well, you know, we are seeing such a strong storm system that the changes in the weather have been dramatic. For example, I want to show you our radar picture, the snow that's coming down in Omaha, Nebraska. It's 13 degrees in Omaha right now with snow falling.

Earlier this morning, at 1:00 in the morning, it was overcast and the temperature was 45. What an incredible drop -- over 30 degrees. And that cold air that's moving into Nebraska is sliding to the east. It's also bringing heavy snow right now to Minneapolis, according to weather spotters we have seven inches of snow already on the ground and it's still snowing heavy and hard so we're likely to see well over a foot. I think a lot more than that accumulating from this snow.

The winter weather advisories exist across the Great Lakes, certainly the Midwest blizzard warnings in place starting at 3:00 today. But Minneapolis is under a winter storm warning right now. The blizzard conditions are really the most dangerous because that's where there's going to blowing and drifting snow.

The winds are so intense with this deep-rooted area of low pressure that we're going to see the winds gusting as high as 45 miles per hour and that will take the wind chill factor down to dangerous levels tonight and especially.

The big picture shows we have rain rolling through Nashville right. It's about to come down heavy and hard where you are in Tennessee. But wait until you see what's ahead. That rain will change over to snow overnight and we are looking at possibly up to an inch or two of snow accumulating as far south as south of Nashville towards Mississippi.

This is unusual to get this cold air so far south. It will affect even areas into Florida where low temperatures in Miami by Tuesday will drop down to 42 degrees. That is really cold. Just when we were starting to warm up. Today's high is about 79 so enjoy it while it lasts.

Extreme weather -- here's the system and the setup for the weekend. The low dips to the south pulls that cold air as far south at Northern Georgia. I think you in the mountains will see snow and then it sticks around and sets up for Monday so temperatures on Monday will be frigid in the morning and the wind chill factors will drop to extreme levels, dangerous levels where they could get 10 degrees below zero or 20 degrees below zero.

It's going to be a tough commute on Monday. Bundle up and limit your time outdoors because this is actually going to get dangerous situation T.J., as we go into the latter part of the weekend. A lot of places are OK right now, but it's going to get much worse.

HOLMES: Much worse and it just has done that just in the past several hours we have been here. Bonnie, we appreciate you this morning. Thanks so much. We'll continue to check in with her.

SCHNEIDER: Sure.

HOLMES: We're at 16 minutes past the hour out there. You Google. Everybody Googles, don't they? Do you know what everybody is looking for these days? We're going to show you some of the most popular Google searches of 2010. You can Google what was that noise in the studio just then?

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Well, 19 minutes past the hour. You think this year flew by? You want to look back at the year that was. Here's a way to do it. Check out what were the hottest searches on Google; that will give you an idea. Josh Levs is here with the results of, I guess, some of the most popular things people were searching for this year, Josh?

JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Yes, T.J. It's called Google's Zeitgeist. And what they do is they talk about what the fastest rising searches of 2010 were. The ones that maybe weren't getting so many back in 2009 and boom this year everyone's all over them.

So I'm going to give you a little countdown here. Top five fastest rising Google searches of 2010: number five, Justin Bieber -- maybe that was not such a big surprise; everyone in the world searching for information about this young pop star this year.

Number four is the World Cup because that happened twice, right? First during the World Cup and then more recently when they were deciding who's going to get the following World Cups.

Number three, iPhone 4. That was the number three fastest-rising search on Google the whole year. Number two is surprising a lot of people. Number two is chat roulette. You all remember Chat Roulette? That was this Web site where you turn on your webcam and it automatically hooked you up at random with some other person's webcam. Some people have some kind of icky stories about what happened when they used it. But everyone was talking about it.

And number one fastest rising Google search of the whole year, the iPad. Now, Google put together a little video to go along with this announcement. Take a look here.

They just talk you through it there.

I'll tell you where you can see it all on the web. I actually posted it for you myself. If you show my page you'll see where I posted this interactive for you that has everything you need to know about the hottest searches of the year. It's up at Facebook and Twitter at JoshLevsCNN -- take a look there -- what else is interesting on here. It's the fastest falling search term of the entire year.

Some of you wouldn't see (INAUDIBLE) look at this, swine flu. All right. Because back in 2009, everything was taking a looking at that.

And finally, I'm going to actually show you this interactive here because one of the sections I like focuses on people. Which people were the fastest-rising searches of the year and right here, basically, it's a tour through pop culture of 2010.

Scott let's see how far we can get in. You have Justin Bieber, Kesha, Wiz Calipha (ph), Nicky Minaj (ph), Christie Hendricks, Heidi Montag. Basically it talks you through who all of a sudden became hot and pop culture this year, all based on Google and what Google has to say about the Zeitgeist.

Pretty cool stuff, T.J. And hey, it's one way to look back at 2010.

HOLMES: All right. Josh, thank you for that this morning. Appreciate you.

We want to take a look now at some stories making headlines. Friends and family gathering this afternoon to remember Elizabeth Edwards; her daughter, Cate, is expected to deliver the eulogy at the funeral. Edwards will be buried next to her son, Wade, who died in 1996 in a car crash.

Also Amanda Knox, the American student found guilty of murdering her roommate in Italy, gave a tearful appeal of her conviction today. She spoke for about 15 minutes when she said she and her former boyfriend are innocent and have been unjustly accused. She was sentenced to 26 years in prison in the 2007 death of Meredith Kercher.

Also President Obama's guest appearance on the show "Mythbusters" drew some big ratings for the show including with key male demographics. Wednesday's airing on the discovery channel drew more than two million people. President Obama as the host, to solve the legend of Archimedes' solar ray which, the story could be one serious weapon.

Now you've heard of the Emmys, the Oscars, you know the Tonys. What about the AAFCAs? They're handed out by the African-American Film Critics Association and it kicks off awards season. Co-hosting this year is "Entertainment Tonight" and my man, Kevin Frazier, he joins us now from New York. Kevin it's been a while. It's a shame I have to wait to get on TV and talk to you. But we'll get into that later.

Also joining me, AAFCA's president, Gil Robertson. He is in Los Angeles for us. Fellows, good morning to you both. Put it in perspective.

Gil, I will start with you. A lot of people talking about this; the movie season and kicking it off and people talking about other award shows. The SAG awards or something like that. Where do you consider the AAFCAs in that whole conversation?

GIL ROBERTSON, PRESIDENT, AAFCA: Thank you, T.J. Well, the AAFCA which are presented by the African-American Film Critics Association, we kick off the whole season. We are at the end of the year but we're also at the start of the overall award season.

So we will be announcing our top ten lists as well as winners in our categories like best picture, best actor, best supporting actor and so forth on Monday night.

HOLMES: Now, Kevin, you tell me. Do these often serve or can they serve as some kind of a precursor to what we're going to see the rest of the award season?

KEVIN FRAZIER, ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT: Well, I think people will keep their eye on some of the movies that are mentioned. You look at a movie like Frankie and Alice; it's going to be in limited release. Halle Berry is incredible. How she can be so beautiful and so good at the same time is amazing.

But, you know, that's one of the people that is slated to attend and that's one of the movies that could be honored.

Also, think about Kimberly Elite. How great was she in "For Colored Girls". She is one of the underrated actors in our era. And so that's another person who will be there and will be acknowledged. So there's lots of people.

And maybe it gives the other award shows an idea and an eye toward some of the performances that may be overlooked.

HOLMES: You want to kiss up to Halle Berry anymore or are you good? You done?

FRAZIER: She's that good, though. She's that good and she's that beautiful. Come on, T.J. HOLMES: I'm not disagreeing I'm just giving you a hard time, my man.

Gil, let me turn back to you here. The AAFCA awards, again, the African-American film critics, people hear that but are these awards for black people? Is the award show geared towards black people or only black nominees?

ROBERTSON: Absolutely not. In fact, when you look over the history of the AAFCA awards we've had a very diverse group of winners, not only in our best picture but also in some of our acting categories. The only thing -- it's a group of African-American film critics who are giving out the award but by no means, the award show is meant for everyone. As you know African-Americans see all types of pictures and so AAFCA, the AAFCA membership in giving out the rewards is a reflection of that.

HOLMES: Is that something though, Gil, do you think that something -- a perception, at least, you're having to battle in some way?

ROBERTSON: You know, T.J., it's been very, very difficult time and time again. We sort of have to justify why, for example, in our first year, that we gave the best actress award, we handed it to Felicity Hoffman and we had quite a few people who were angry with us because of that. And we had to explain to them that, you know, every year and probably this year we'll have a few surprises where we're going to have to explain the fact that, you know, we as black African- American film critics, we enjoy all types of movies and we recognize excellence regardless of skin color.

HOLMES: Kevin, you tell me a couple of things --

FRAZIER: T.J. --

HOLMES: Yes, sounds like you wanted to pick up on that point and I was about to pick up on it as well. Are black -- African-American actresses and actors still battling out there in Hollywood?

FRAZIER: Well, there's no question about that. I mean, I think that this country is made up of all kinds of people and different cultures and so, it's great when we can celebrate those. There are a lot of great actresses and actors that get overlooked during awards season but at the same time I think, you know, just because you're an African-American film critic doesn't mean you're only seeing African- American films.

I mean Gil and I were just talking yesterday about "The Fighter". We loved the movie. We thought the performances were fantastic. And you know, it's the kinds of movie you don't have to be just an African-American to enjoy. Christian Bale, you see him there, he is fantastic in it. And these are folks who will also be nominated for, I believe, should be nominated come Oscar time.

But the point being here is that, one, we're not overlooking the great African-American performances out there. Like I mentioned said, Kimberly Elise (ph), you look at Michael Elie also in "For Colored Girls". (INAUDIBLE) has been on fire. I mean if he was playing in the league he would be up for the MVP this year.

So you look at all of these people and you say, you know, Anthony Mackey, another great actor. So we're not overlooking people but we're also celebrating the great efforts in cinema this year.

HOLMES: All right. Wrap it up, here for me, Kev. Just let people know when the awards are happening and when they can see them.

FRAZIER: You can see them -- the awards are Monday night in Los Angeles and I'll be hosting and Gil will be there and make sure you check back.

HOLMES: All right. Gil, Kev, good to see you both. Good luck coming up next week on Monday. Like you said --

FRAZIER: T.J., I want to see you once when it's not on air, man.

HOLMES: Yes.

FRAZIER: That's the only way I see you.

HOLMES: Let's try that some time, Kevin, how about that? We're both to blame there, good to see you both, fellows. Thanks so much and good luck on Monday.

Well, we're coming up on the bottom of the hour here.

A deja vu in the White House, had some folks doing a double-take in the press room. Former President Clinton showing up and he's taking some questions. We'll explain this extraordinary scene in the White House press room.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Bottom of the hour now. A developing story we've been flowing over the past hour or so.

Convicted Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff, well, his son Mark has been found dead in his Manhattan apartment. His death has been ruled apparent homicide (sic), I should say, by officials there.

Susan Candiotti following the story. She's on the line with me from New York.

Susan, what do you have?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, T.J.

Well, a male relative of Mark Madoff, one of Bernie Madoff's sons, found his body this morning and called police at about 7:30 in the morning. According to law enforcement sources, Mark Madoff's body was found hanging in his living room, dead, they said, of an apparent suicide. His body was fully clothed, according to police. They called authorities to the scene, and they have been here ever since. His body remains at his apartment as police investigators continue to look into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Naturally, they're interviewing family members. He was married, did have at least one child. And authorities here are hard at work trying to find out exactly what happened and what might have led up to this.

Now, a short time ago, an attorney representing Mark Madoff issued a statement to the media, and I'd lied like to read that to you. It says this: "Mark Madoff took his own life today. This is a terrible and unnecessary tragedy. Mark was an innocent victim of his father's monstrous crime, who succumbed to two years of unrelenting pressure from false accusations and innuendo. We are all deeply saddened by this shocking turn of events." And that ends the statement from the attorney representing Mark Madoff.

As we all know, of course, he is the son of Bernie Madoff, and the apparent suicide comes on the two-year anniversary of Bernie Madoff's arrest here in New York. As we know, he has admitted to stealing billions and billions of dollars from investors in really the largest Ponzi scheme in U.S. history, and currently he is serving a life sentence.

Now, Mark Madoff has not been criminally charged in any of this investigation. He has been the subject of at least one lawsuit. But right now, of course, the family is stunned, and everyone else stunned by this turn of events -- T.J.

HOLMES: All right. Susan Candiotti for us this morning.

Susan, we appreciate you, as always. Thanks so much.

Want to turn back to Washington, D.C., now. A bit of a presidential doubleheader we saw yesterday. President Obama and the former president, Bill Clinton, they just decided to show up at the White House press room yesterday.

CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser joins us now.

Paul, good morning to you, as always, buddy.

This was really an extraordinary scene, because it seems like they were looking for somebody to talk to.

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Oh, yes. They were hunting down the media. They wanted to get in front of the cameras, no doubt about it.

And T.J., you know, the former president, Bill Clinton, looked very comfortable. It was like he had never left the White House. And for a while yesterday, he didn't leave the podium right there at the White House briefing room.

In fact, the current president, Barack Obama, he looked at his watch and he said, hey, listen, I've got to go. I'm keeping Michelle Obama waiting. They were late for a Christmas party for White House staff.

The former stayed and question took questions for 25 minutes. The key here was that proposal that the president has made -- the current president has made with congressional Republicans on extending those tax rates from the Bush era.

The former president was there to lend his support. And you know, T.J., I think the current president is OK with the former president grabbing the spotlight and maybe even taking some credit of the credit if the plan passes Congress, if former President Clinton can help. The former president did definitely endorse that plan and said it was good for the country.

HOLMES: It was amazing to see though, the former president being the one up there answering reporters' questions about the current president's deal that he has on the table that has upset a whole lot of Democrats. But it was -- you're right. We don't have the sound there, but the extraordinary moment when he kind of handed it over to the former president and said, hey, I've got to go. You know yourself out here and you can stay and answer questions.

And before I go to the next thing, though, just give our viewers an idea of how that moment and how this all played out, how it's kind of now being interpreted by so many out there in the media, so many pundits as well, writing about this moment.

STEINHAUSER: Yes. It is been the most talked about moment over the last, I guess, 12 to 24 hours. Again, I think -- this meeting was planned all along.

The president had asked the former president to come to the White House to talk to him about a host of issues. Of course, this one is top on their agenda right now.

Remember, former President Clinton dealt with a very similar situation. He got -- his party was defeated in the 1994 midterm elections, and Democrats lost control of both the House and the Senate in those elections. So, former President Clinton very understanding of what the current president is going through right now -- T.J.

HOLMES: All right. Let me turn to the floor of the Senate.

If you missed it yesterday, folks, here is a bit of a marathon speech that took place yesterday by one senator, Bernie Sanders. He started speaking in the morning. He didn't stop talking until this evening.

Here's part of it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I), VERMONT: And you can call what I'm doing today whatever you want. You can call it a filibuster. You can call it a very long speech. I'm not here to set any great records or to make a spectacle. I am simply here today to take as long as I can to explain to the American people the fact that we have got to do a lot better than this agreement provides.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Well, he said he was going to talk as long as he could. How long could he talk before he needed a break there, Paul?

STEINHAUSER: Yes, he spoke over eight hours. It was one of the longest speeches we've seen in the U.S. Senate in about seven years.

Not anywhere close to the record. That was former senator -- the late Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina back in 1957. He spoke for over 24 hours, T.J.

But Bernie Sanders, let's talk about this speech. And it really goes to show why the president needed the former president there yesterday.

There was a lot of anger among liberal and progressive Democrats against this tax plan. Now, Sanders, he's not a Democrat. He's a self-proclaimed socialist. He caucuses with the Democrats. He's part of their coalition in the Senate, and for about eight hours yesterday, he was railing against the plan.

A lot of people feel the same way. They don't like the extension of those tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. They don't like that estate tax provision which is pretty generous to wealthy Americans as well. They're very upset with the president. And you saw Bernie Sanders do this on the Senate floor for about eight hours yesterday.

The next thing up for the U.S. Senate? Monday. That's when they take their first vote on the plan -- T.J.

HOLMES: All right. Paul, good to see you as always, buddy. We appreciate you. Thanks so much.

Well, coming up, we've been telling you about the weather all morning. This is going to cause some problems for travelers today, and it's also quite dangerous. It has been a deteriorating weather situation we've been watching just over the past several hours. We'll have an update for you after the break.

It's 38 minutes past the hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

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HOLMES: All right. Well, lookie, lookie. What we've got here, Deb Feyerick.

We have been clicking and clawing to get you down here, and finally here you are.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's exactly right, because I wanted to be sitting next to you.

HOLMES: Oh, please. Tell me more.

FEYERICK: That's how it works.

HOLMES: Just kidding. No. You're moving, right -- no, I'm kidding.

(CROSSTALK)

FEYERICK: Oh, no. That was off the record. OK.

HOLMES: Yes. Well, good to have you here. Fredricka off this weekend.

What you got cooking?

FEYERICK: We have a couple of things.

Obviously, there's a lot of breaking news that's coming up. But we also have stories in our legal segment.

We're going to do something interesting. After a very public shooting of a New York City taxi driver, now taxi drivers are saying that, in fact, they should be able to profile, to turn away from passengers they don't feel safe with.

Also, 1:00, Elizabeth Edwards. She's going to be remembered -- the sad funeral of the wife of John Edwards. And I'm reading her book and, boy, she is a remarkable woman, somebody who you would really want to be friends with. A lot of inspiration.

A quick turn at 3:00. We're going to be talking with the Dolans. They are going to offer some interesting advice and information on gifts that keep on giving. What do you give that kid who has everything?

At 4:00, we've got some movies coming up -- "Narnia." My daughter saw it last night and said it was fabulous. But also "The Tourist" and "The Fighter."

And all day, we're also going to be running Fredricka Whitfield's "Face to Face" with Steve Harvey. He's got a new book out, and he offers some advice on how to find a man and keep a man.

HOLMES: Is that not amazing?

FEYERICK: Yes. How do single women find and keep a man, T.J.?

HOLMES: You know, sometimes you just have to get lucky. In all seriousness, sometimes women think they're getting a little older or something, "I haven't found anybody. What's wrong with me?" Sometimes you're just unlucky in love. FEYERICK: Well, that's right. Or maybe too particular.

HOLMES: Yes. Some women can be picky sometimes.

FEYERICK: Yes, they can. So can men.

(LAUGHTER)

HOLMES: Well, we're not that picky sometimes. We should be pickier sometimes.

But, yes -- I can't remember the name of his first book, but we interviewed him, his first book that was very popular. What was it, Think Like a Man, Act Like a Woman? Something like that. Think Like a Man, Act Like a Woman. I think that was it.

But yes, he always has some interesting takes. People are surprised. He's a comedian giving relationship advice.

FEYERICK: And he's a tremendous comedian. He is so funny. I really just enjoy watching him in various movies and things. So, yes, good book. Good book. I definitely recommend it.

HOLMES: All right. Well, he's a hoot.

All right. Deb Feyerick coming up.

We're going to see you in just a few minutes. It's so good to have you here in Atlanta with us well.

But speaking on the subject of Steve Harvey, you've got a little something extra here for us. You're going to tee it up with a little tease -- a little more here, speaking of Steve Harvey.

Again, he did this series with our Fredricka Whitfield. She does these sit-downs.

FEYERICK: Right.

HOLMES: And he was one of them. Let's get a little tease of it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: From standup comedian, to radio and talk show host, to philanthropist, and now a hugely popular relationship guru, Steve Harvey has done and is doing it all. It's the latter that's is perhaps one of the biggest surprises of his multifaceted, decades-long career.

As sort of a couples counselor, the funny man reaches seven million listeners on his daily syndicated radio talk show. And as a follow-up to his hugely popular first book on relationships, Harvey is out with "Straight talk, No Chaser: How to Find, Keep and Understand a Man."

"Face to Face," Harvey tells me his approach is simple -- men and women need to understand the game.

STEVE HARVEY, ENTERTAINER, AUTHOR: It makes no sense for you to go to Las Vegas and play a game, and you not know the rules, and lose your money. You're sitting there going, "What the heck happened to me just now?"

That's what a lot of women do in life. You know, they just go through relationship after relationship. "What the heck just happened to me?" And you've just got to understand it better. And that's what I'm trying --

WHITFIELD: So I wonder, what was the impetus of this? Was it on the radio, with your radio show, you're hearing from callers, from listeners all the time? And the next thing, you know, it's like being the bartender who is hearing everybody's problems.

HARVEY: Yes.

WHITFIELD: And you started realizing that, wait a minute, this is a big thing out there, and people need some help. And I'm just going to be frank.

HARVEY: Right. You know, I have a segment on the show called "The Strawberry Letter." And the majority of people that write letters are women. The majority of people that read books are women.

So, they write these letters, and a lot of the letters are about the relationship and their man. And as I started answering their letters, I was going, wow, man, a lot of women just don't get it.

This is what the guy is saying to you. Most guys tell you what the deal is.

Today there was a letter on the radio. This woman is 37 years old. She's been in a relationship with a guy. She's been in a relationship for a year.

He works out of town and lives in another town from her. So, on his way from back -- on his way back into town, going to his town, he stops at her house. They had this relationship, and she wants it to be more.

But every holiday he makes an excuse why she can't come and meet his family, because his family is full of drama, and he doesn't want her around them. OK. Bing, bing, bing.

Here is the deal. This is what I told the lady today and I told another lady -- please understand this so you can understand men. Men are with their special women on those special days.

We are with the women on the other days, all the other days with just the women -- we're just with women that we're doing. That's very cold. We're with special women on special days. And on those other days, we're just with women that we're just doing.

WHITFIELD: More "Face to Face With Fredricka" and Steve Harvey. In part two, Steve Harvey sets the record straight. He says women who think men are intimidated by them have it all wrong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: Always real talk from him. I do appreciate that.

FEYERICK: Always.

HOLMES: All right. A lot more.

Really, it was so exciting to have you here in Atlanta.

FEYERICK: So glad to be here.

HOLMES: So, Deb Feyerick coming up at the top of the hour, about seven minutes from now. Stick around.

But stick around after a quick break. I'm going to be back to tell you about a single mom who is been struggling without heat in the home. How her story touched a community and led to a family's early Christmas gift.

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HOLMES: Well, a single mom forced to heat her home with space heaters and the oven, she's now getting a helping hand after her story ran on local news and on CNN. Kelly Watson says she's been overwhelmed by how much people have shown they care.

Brad Edwards from our affiliate in Indiana has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRAD EDWARDS, WISH-TV REPORTER: There she is.

(voice-over): Kelly Watson.

KELLY WATSON, NEW CASTLE RESIDENT: I don't know what to think. My mind, it's just going every which way.

EDWARDS: Her story of a single mom, 40-hour workweek, 18 college credit hours, four space heaters, the oven always on and open, and two cold kids.

WATSON: She'll tell me -- she'll say, "Mommy, I'm cold." It breaks my heart.

EDWARDS: It first ran here.

WATSON: I can't do it and it --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mom --

WATSON: I just feel like it's so out of my hands.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The cold weather is gripping much of the country, and it's taking a toll on many struggling families this holiday season. This single mom right here in Indiana --

EDWARDS: Then on CNN, every hour on the hour. And all first came in, India (ph) to Evansville, then from West Virginia, Ohio, Atlanta, L.A., and D.C. In D.C., an e-mail from agent to the stars Mike Esterman (ph). His, one of so many.

And Kelly's phone rang.

WATSON: The phone call that I got this afternoon that said that we were going to have a furnace, the tears started rolling, and I had to pull the car over.

EDWARDS: This, a new temporary electric heater.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. I need a raise for this, yes.

EDWARDS: The owner of American Heating & Cooling didn't go on camera, so he tapped James.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We try to help people out as much as we can.

EDWARDS: They're not sure how it's going to get paid for, but they are here. And during our interview with mom and grandma, who lived in the freezing garage --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are these guys your guys, or no?

EDWARDS: -- yet another crew showed up from another company.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've got someone else here to help.

WATSON: It's amazing how much people care.

EDWARDS: One example, one man, the morning after our story ran.

SUE MONAHAN, GRANDMOTHER: The gentleman, he came to the door, and he was looking for Kelly. He said that he saw her piece on the news the night before, and he said it moved him. He reminded me of my father.

EDWARDS: Her father died not long ago.

And the man said --

MONAHAN: It was not him, it was God. OK?

EDWARDS: Emotion interrupted. The man came to give the family $300.

MONAHAN: I know that my dad -- I felt like he had something to do with it. If I wouldn't have seen his face, I would have thought it was my dad. It was so -- I don't know -- if there's angels on Earth, that man was one.

EDWARDS: And the house is not a home without heat. Kelly's house is now a home. Christmas came early -- WATSON: It's amazing how much people care.

EDWARDS: -- in the form of a bear hug from all over.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: Deb Feyerick, that's the kind of story you like to see around the holidays. And that's what I'd like to leave you with now.

FEYERICK: T.J., thank you so much. In the spirit of giving, great show.

HOLMES: Well, thank you so much. It's all yours.

FEYERICK: All right.