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Preview of State of the Union Address; 'Help Desk' Tips; Oprah Winfrey Reveals Family Secret; Oscar Nominations Announced; Traditions Versus Requirements; Hot Off The Political Ticker
Aired January 25, 2011 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Top of the hour now. I'm Carol Costello. Here are CNN's big stories right now.
President Obama's polishing and practicing for tonight's State of the Union address. The White House says Mr. Obama's speech will lay out broad ideas for the economy and fiscal discipline during the second half of his presidency.
Thousands of people hit the streets in Egypt today to protest corruption and failing economic policies. Protests were mostly peaceful, but at one point, Cairo police did fire tear gas. Organizers say they hope to capture the momentum of protests that brought down the government in Tunisia.
Dr. Conrad Murray was scheduled to be arraigned in Los Angeles a short time ago. He's expected to plead not guilty in the death of pop star Michael Jackson. Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Bitter cold will moderate over the Northeast this week, just as another Gulf storm zips up the coast as a nor'easter. Rain and freezing rain are forecast to begin in Virginia tomorrow before spreading up the I-95 corridor. I'm sorry. Eventually, though, the storm turns to snow.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Brutal, brutal, brutal. Really cold. Really cold.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Five years ago, I used to live in Key West, and why the hell I did this, I don't know.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You just have to expect it, although the minus 35 was more than I thought we needed, but --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: President Obama goes before the nation tonight to deliver his State of the Union Address. So what do Americans want the president and Congress to focus on in the coming year? Well, in a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll just released this hour, 63 percent say it's the economy, stupid; 54 percent say unemployment; that's followed by health care, the deficit, and Social Security. So, we know the president plans to focus on jobs and the economy. We do know that. And a Democratic source says the president will lay out a plan for winning the future.
Let's bring in our White House Correspondent Dan Lothian.
So, Dan, how does the president plan to win America's future?
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, he wants to do that through many different ways.
First of all, creating jobs. As you pointed out, that will be the very focus, the main focus of the president during the address tonight, not only in the short term, but long term. And then moving from that, you'll hear the buzzwords "competitiveness" and "innovation," how to get the U.S. to win on the global stage.
And one way is by, he says, investing in education. So, the president will be laying out that plan. He'll have a specific plan, I'm told by senior administration officials.
Some of the things in there we've heard before. Others will be new components.
The president also expected to talk about tackling the federal deficit. That's something that Republicans will be paying very close attention to. They have been concerned that this has been an administration spending a lot of money in order to get out of the recession. And so, the president will address that, how you need to continue to have some investments, but also look for ways to streamline the government as well, some cuts.
And then, finally, we'll hear the president talk about bipartisanship, how compromise can lead to results, pointing back to the end of last year, during the lame-duck session, how Republicans and Democrats were able to work together and get some things done. And right there in front of the president will be sort of one visual aspect of compromise tonight, where Republicans, a couple dozen or so, Republicans and Democrats, will be mingling, not sitting in their usual segregated seating, but instead mingling.
And one senior aide here at the White House saying that that's a good start, but what's important is what happens tomorrow.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VALERIE JARRETT, SR. WHITE HOUSE ADVISER: Well, like prom night, listen, I think it's symbolic, but I think also what the president is most concerned about is tomorrow, and will we be able to work together tomorrow? So sitting together is one thing, working together and moving our country forward on behalf of the citizens of our country is what the president's first priority is.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LOTHIAN: And while the president will be focused on what's happening here domestically, he will also focus a bit on foreign policy. I'm told by a senior aide that the president will talk about what has been happening in Afghanistan, the progress that has been made, but also some of the challenges that still remain. The president trying to convince some of those skeptical Americans that fighting that war in Afghanistan is still critical -- Carol.
COSTELLO: OK. So there are going to be two responses, the Republican response after the State of the Union, and, of course, a response from the Tea Party, which will be broadcast online.
So, what do you suppose they'll say? Will there be a spirit of bipartisanship in their speeches as well?
LOTHIAN: Well, you know, that is such a good question. You know, Paul -- Representative Paul Ryan will be delivering the traditional Republican response. I'm told by a senior Republican aide that he will focus on that issue, of how Democrats have been spending when they should be looking for ways to cut. He believes that -- they believe that this spending has further hurt the employment picture for America.
So, again, the call from Republicans, the traditional call, will be for spending cuts and spending reforms. But also, you will have, as you pointed out, another address as well from Michele Bachmann, from the Tea Party Express. She will be delivering this online, and CNN will also be carrying those remarks.
What's interesting is that there are those who believe this shows a clear division within the Republican Party, but one top Republican aide saying that that's simply not the case. They do speak with one message, although there are different voices.
COSTELLO: Yes. Well, we'll be listening tonight.
LOTHIAN: OK.
COSTELLO: Dan Lothian, many thanks.
Tonight's speech comes less than three weeks after that deadly shooting rampage in Tucson. Lawmakers will pay a special tribute to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords as she continues to recover.
Giffords' friend, Representative Debbie Wassermann Schultz, is urging lawmakers to wear black and white ribbons on their lapels, and the Arizona delegation will sit together, leaving an empty seat for Giffords.
CNN's primetime coverage of the State of the Union begins at 7:00 p.m. Eastern with "JOHN KING USA" and "The Best Political Team on Television." The president speaks at 9:00, followed by the Republican response. At 11:00, CNN's Anderson Cooper brings you expert analysis and reaction to the State of the Union.
Coming up at the half-hour in the CNN NEWSROOM, we'll look back at one of the president's promises from his 2010 speech and whether he ever delivered. This hour, the issue of equal pay for women.
As Gabrielle Giffords continues on her road to recovery, her husband is constantly by her side. And watching from high above the Earth, her husband's brother, astronaut Scott Kelly. He's on board the International Space Station.
On CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," he talked about his brother's upcoming decision about the April shuttle mission.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCOTT KELLY, ASTRONAUT: You know, he'll certainly consider what Gabby would want in this situation. And, you know, whichever way he -- whatever he chooses, I'll certainly support him.
You know, with Gabby being in Houston, he can still be with her while he trains, during -- you know, in the mornings and in the evenings. So if he does choose to fly, it's not like -- you know, it would be different if she was being treated somewhere else, but she is in Houston, so he could still be there to support her. Certainly not, you know, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, like he's been doing. But as she continues to progress, a different level of support on his part might be acceptable.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Scott Kelly said he'd prefer to be there in person to support his family, but he has responsibilities on the Space Station, and it is a long way back.
He wore an orange prison jumpsuit, and as one reporter put it, that "creepy smile." Accused Tucson shooter Jared Loughner remains jailed in Phoenix following his arraignment. The judge entered a not guilty plea for him and said he'd consider moving the case to Tucson. Loughner is charged with three counts of attempted murder so far.
Once a first responder, always a first responder. How one man saved another from an icy fate.
First, though, our "Random Moment" is moments away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Idaho in wintertime: fresh snow, skiing, mountain sunsets, and all that crap. Seriously, it's the "Random Moment of the Day." Take a look.
A glowing red neon sign that spells out that "CRAP" word is lighting up a small Idaho town. It's on the roof of a secondhand appliance store called Andy's Place. Andy explains what this is all about.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDY JOSEPH, OWNER, ANDY'S PLACE: My "CRAP" sign on the roof, it stands for "Can't Resist Andy's Place." You need something that's going to get people's attention to draw them in.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Well, Andy, you certainly got the attention of the "Random Moment of the Day."
Something getting our attention, of course, is the weather.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Let's go "Cross Country" and check stories our affiliates are covering.
Talk about being in the right place at the right time, a former paramedic is the first to reach a man who police say hopped a fence behind Joe Louis Arena and straight into the Detroit River. The former paramedic threw the man his jacket, he told him to grab on to his sleeve, and held on until others arrived to help pull the man to shore.
Vice President Joe Biden was back at home in Delaware yesterday. He had to answer a call for jury duty. He left without being picked for the case.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOSEPH BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The judge addressed us all and said, "Look, everyone, doctors, lawyers" -- she never mentioned vice presidents, but -- and you know, she said homeless people, everyone is required to serve. And look, it's a part of citizenship.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: He'll be going back to Washington, though.
And they'll be talking about this one for quite a while in Claycomo, Missouri. A truck filled with pigs flipped over on a highway ramp. Pigs were just everywhere. Drivers could not go anywhere until, of course, the pigs were finally rounded up.
Oprah's family secret that shook her to the core, the half-sister the talk show host knew nothing about until a few months ago. The plot of this real-life family drama is like a soap opera on steroids.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Time now for the "Help Desk," where we get answers to your financial questions.
Joining me this hour, Ryan Mack, who's the president of Optimum Capital Management. And Gary Schatsky is the president of ObjectiveAdvice.com.
Glad you guys are here. First question coming in from Thomas in Massachusetts, who writes, "I have completed a conversion of an IRA account to a Roth IRA account. When must I pay withholding to the IRS in anticipation of paying taxes on the conversion? I have heard 2011 and 2012."
Gary, what's the answer?
GARY SCHATSKY, PRESIDENT, OBJECTIVEADVICE.COM: Well, you know, when you switch from an IRA to a Roth IRA, you have to pay tax on it, and in 2010, you were allowed to expand it over only paying tax in 2011 and 2012. You're going to have to pay it during those two years.
You can do it either by making estimated tax payments, or, if you have a job, you just increase the amount they take from your payroll throughout the year, which many people will find a lot more convenient. So, it's over both of those two years, because that's when the money has to be paid in.
ELAM: Yes, that's a little less painful though if you do it that way.
All right. Our next one is coming in from Michael in Illinois, who writes, "My wife and I bought a house in October of 2010. I understand this was not in the time frame for the $8,000 tax credit. Is there still a refundable tax credit that we can take when filing our taxes that we just pay back each year over time?"
Ryan?
RYAN MACK, PRESIDENT, OPTIMUM CAPITAL MANAGEMENT: Well, there's still tax deductions available for purchasing a home. So, you might not have gotten the energy efficiency tax credit or the other one, what she was referring to.
But, for instance, the mortgage interest is still tax deductible. The property taxes that you pay, that you actually pay -- not the one from your escrow account, but you actually pay, are tax deductible. You can go to IRS.gov and check out the IRS Publication 17. They give you a whole list of things and items in which you can use to maximize your tax deductions in your home purchases.
ELAM: So you can find that online and get that information.
MACK: Exactly.
ELAM: Great information, guys. Thanks so much, Ryan and Gary, for being here.
Of course, if you have a question that you would like for us to take a look at, we'd love to hear from you. Send us an e-mail any time to CNNHelpDesk@CNN.com.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONAN O'BRIEN, HOST, "CONAN": Oprah Winfrey -- did you hear this? -- she announced that she has found her half-sister who was given up for adoption as a child. Isn't that crazy? Yes.
And then, so that no one felt left out, Oprah gave everyone in the audience their own half-sister. Did you see that part? That was exciting. Look under your seats.
(LAUGHTER)
O'BRIEN: Hey, you look kind of like my dad!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: I love that joke. Conan O'Brien joking about it, bloggers are burning up the Web about it. But for Oprah Winfrey, the revelation that she had a secret half-sister shook her to the core. The news stunned Oprah's talk show audience, too.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OPRAH WINFREY, TALK SHOW HOST: My sister Patricia is here.
Come on out, Patricia.
(CHEERS & APPLAUSE)
PATRICIA, OPRAH'S HALF SISTER: One reason why I didn't give up is because I know that I needed to get it out, or get in touch with you, so that no one else would put it out there. And then another reason is for my children.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: CNN's Alina Cho has more.
It's unbelievable how much they look alike.
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, it's extraordinary, and how much she also looks like Oprah's other sister, the late Pat. And incredibly, they also have the same name.
Carol, you know, Oprah Winfrey says she's seen a lot. In fact, she thought she had seen everything in her 25 years on her show, but this is something different, certainly.
It is a secret that's been hidden in Oprah Winfrey's family, in fact, for more than four decades. And it's something she revealed in a way only she can on her show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINFREY: Just before Thanksgiving, I was given some news that literally shook me to my core, a bombshell family secret that left me speechless.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: That secret, a sister she never knew she had. Oprah's half-sister Patricia was adopted at birth. She always wanted to be reunited with her birth mother. There she is as a child.
She searched and searched, and when she finally found out who her mother was, she got heartbreaking news. The adoption agency told her, her mother was not ready to meet her.
But incredibly, the very same day that she was rejected, Patricia actually saw a local news story about Oprah's mother. And as she watched and listened, she began to notice that much of Oprah's story matched her own. And it was right there in the birth documents that she had Patricia soon realized that Oprah's mom was her mom, which meant, of course, that Oprah was her half sister.
Imagine getting that news. It is something that she has known since 2007, but she wanted to protect her new, famous relative from the tabloids. So, outside of her immediate family, Patricia didn't tell a soul.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINFREY: What is so extraordinary about Patricia and Andre (ph) and Aquarius (ph) is that they have known this secret since 2007. She never once thought to go to the press. She never once thought to sell this story. She never once.
PATRICIA: It's family business, and family business needs to be handled by family.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: You know, Oprah only found out about Patricia a couple of months ago. The two met face to face for the first time at Thanksgiving dinner at Oprah's mom's house in Milwaukee. Incredibly, just 10 minutes away from where Patricia lives.
And there is the reunion there. This is actually, Carol, Oprah's own home video of that first meeting. Just extraordinary.
I mean, just when you thought you knew everything about Oprah, she gives us this bombshell. But, you know, what's interesting is that Oprah actually said on her show yesterday that when she found out that Patricia could have sold her story to the tabloids and didn't do that, she said, you know what? This is a woman of character, and I've got to meet her.
COSTELLO: Oh, what a beautiful gift. I guess her other sister kind of sold some information to the media, and that's why she's so sour on that topic.
CHO: She did. And in fact, Carol, what's interesting about that is that Oprah's mother, Vernita, has yet to -- according to Oprah -- yet to really embrace Patricia, and she said that she believes it's because she's stuck back in 1963 when she gave Patricia up, and she can't get past the shame. What she said about her other sister, Pat, selling the story about Oprah's lost child at age 14 was that, ultimately, she had an epiphany and found out that that was a gift, because it was because it was publicized that she was able to get past her own shame.
So, but, you know, as we said before, they've got a lot of catching up to do. What an extraordinary story.
COSTELLO: They do. And Oprah --
(CROSSTALK)
CHO: And Oprah did it in Oprah style.
COSTELLO: Yes, she did.
CHO: She did it in Oprah style on her own show.
COSTELLO: Thanks, Alina.
CHO: You bet.
COSTELLO: Checking some of our top stories now.
Court documents filed in New York indicate Ann Pettway admitted to stealing a baby from a Harlem hospital 23 years ago. She appeared briefly before a federal judge late yesterday, but did not speak.
No word yet on who was behind yesterday's suicide bombing in Moscow's busiest airport. This is surveillance video of the exact moment the bomb was detonated. Thirty-five people were killed, 152 others hurt. Hospital officials say 41 of them are still in critical condition.
And protesters take to the streets of Beirut after a Hezbollah- backed politician is named the new prime minister. Supporters of the outgoing prime minister accuse Hezbollah of attempting a takeover.
Presidents make grand promises in their State of the Union speeches. Do they deliver?
CNN's Tom Foreman looks back at 2010 and the president's pledge on equal pay for women.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A lot of women voted for Barack Obama. They continue to support him more than men do, and he showed his gratitude one year ago.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're going to crack down on violations of equal pay laws so that women get equal pay for an equal day's work.
(APPLAUSE)
FOREMAN: To make that happen, he established the National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force. Then he joined that group in pushing Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. It made it past the House, died in the Senate. So, even if we spot him the best intentions, the best we can call this is a work in progress.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: There you have it.
Following the Arizona shooting tragedy, the fight over gun control has heated up on the Hill. Coming up, we talk to two family members who lost loved ones in horrific shootings, but they feel very differently about gun control.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Gun control advocates are putting a lot of pressure on President Obama to talk about one of his campaign promises during his State of the Union Address -- restricting assault weapons. But since the president took office, he has actually signed bills loosening gun control, including allowing guns to be carried in national parks and in luggage on Amtrak trains.
Still, gun control advocates are trying. New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and the group Mayors Against Illegal Guns are calling on the new Congress to pass a bill that tightens the nation's background checks on gun buyers. The mayor has invited family members who lost loved ones in mass shootings, like Virginia Tech and Columbine.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM MAUSER, SON KILLED IN COLUMBINE: These are the shoes he was wearing on April 20th, 1999. I became an advocate for reasonable gun laws immediately after that shooting.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Joining me now is Tom Mauser, who you just heard from. His son, Daniel, was killed in the Columbine High School tragedy, and he became a gun control advocate.
Suzanna Hupp is a former Texas state legislator who saw her parents gunned down 20 years ago during a mass shooting at Luby's (ph) cafeteria. Since then, she's taken the opposite road. She's fighting to protect the right to own guns. Thanks to both of you for joining me today.
SUZANNA HUPP, GUN RIGHTS ADVOCATE: Thanks for having us, Carol.
MAUSER: Thanks, Carol.
COSTELLO: I hope we have an interesting discussion about this from another perspective, so I'm intrigued by what will be said. Tom, let's start with you. It seems like the president might mention gun control tonight. After all, the parents of Christina Green, the little girl killed in Tucson, has been invited to sit with the first lady. What do you want the president to say?
MAUSER: I hope, first, that he acknowledges what I think a lot of Americans are thinking right now, that the shooter in Tucson never should have been able to buy a gun in this country. And I hope that he informs us that part of the reason that he got it is because we don't have a good enough system for catching people like him and preventing them from getting a gun in the first place.
And then I hope he then also challenges America to question, if we really can have these kinds of assault weapons, these military-type weapons, in the hands of civilians and if that really makes us safer.
COSTELLO: And Suzanna, you fear more gun control laws. Tell us why you think the president should stay away from the gun control issue?
HUPP: Well, particularly when you're talking about the mental health issue, my husband is a psychologist, and he can tell you that approximately 10 percent of the population will seek mental health care at some point in their lives.
You know, unfortunately, it's not illegal to be weird. We cannot predict when those individuals will snap. So, I don't want to see people's rights stripped from them before a crime has actually been committed. You just simply can't do that.
COSTELLO: So, is there any gun control measures that should be put into place, Susanna?
HUPP: Well, I think we already currently have quite a few measures that are pretty good measures. We do have background checks. Those background checks are enforceable even at gun shows, which you're always hearing about gun shows being a problem. But the fact is, the dealer has to abide by the background checks there as well.
COSTELLO: Well, there is a -- let's talk about the gun show issue because I know Tom is big on this issue. So, Tom, you say this loophole allowed the shooters at Columbine to get guns.
HAUSER: Absolutely. Carol, in most states, you can go into a gun show and buy a gun from the table of a private seller -- not a dealer, but a private seller, without a background check. You can be a criminal, you can be mentally deranged, you can be someone who's not allowed to have a gun, and you simply buy from a private seller.
Now, in Colorado, we changed that law after Columbine. We took it to a vote of the people. Seventy percent of the people in Colorado, a pro-gun state, voted for that, and we closed that gun show loophole in Colorado. Now, that's a loophole in federal law, and for that reason, we should close it at the federal level. There's no reason to allow someone to buy a gun like that. COSTELLO: Tom, I can understand where Susanna is coming from, too, because you know, there are a lot of mentally unstable people out there underneath the radar who have never been to a mental health facility that can still buy a gun, even with a background check.
HAUSER: That's right. No one is suggesting that just because someone goes to a mental health center that they should not be able to purchase a gun. But the bar is right now raised so high that only the very most serious mentally deranged people are denied a purchase. It's those who are adjudicated mentally ill. We certainly saw in the case of the Tucson shooter that he was very seriously ill, and yet, he was able to purchase a gun. People knew that he was a problem, but the system did not have him tagged as someone who could not purchase a gun.
COSTELLO: Suzanne, go ahead.
HAUSER: That's wrong.
HUPP: Wow. Well, you know, unfortunately, though -- and Lord knows I'd love to be able to predict who is going to snap and be able to take those people off the street. But the fact of the matter is, we can't. And what you're talking about is stripping people's rights away before they have done anything illegal. You know, at the point that they have done something illegal, then by all means, let's go after them. And if they have shown to be a danger to themselves or others, those laws are already currently in place.
COSTELLO: So, Suzanna, is the answer just to allow everyone to own a gun? Everyone to be armed?
HUPP: No, of course not. We already have -- I'm sorry?
COSTELLO: Go ahead.
HUPP: Everybody to be armed, is that what you said?
COSTELLO: Mm-hmm.
HUPP: Well, we -- I believe in the Second Amendment. I believe that the purpose of that amendment was allowing people who do not have a felony offense on their head or who have not been adjudicated mentally incompetent should be able to carry weapons to protect themselves and their loved ones.
You know, you mentioned the assault weapons, and I'd like to interject something here. I hear that term frequently. And I know what perhaps you, and at least many of your listeners, when they hear that word, assault weapon, they're picturing a Tommy gun. They're picturing a machine gun that when you pull the trigger, it goes, you know, eh, eh, eh, eh, for lack of a better way of putting it.
And that's simply not what a semiautomatic gun is. I carry a semiautomatic gun. Most people who have concealed carry or open carry permits carry semiautomatic guns. All it means is that each time you pull the trigger, a bullet comes out. That's all it means. COSTELLO: Tom, you want to respond?
MAUSER: Yes. You know, I find it interesting that on Fox News the day of the shooting, one of the anchors said, "I cannot believe that this would have been anything other than an automatic weapon to have shot this many people in this short a period of time." Well, he was wrong. With a 31-bullet clip, he was able to shoot a lot of people. He did it in less than 15 seconds. There was somebody who was armed there that day. How could he react that quickly?
HUPP: No, he was actually in the building next door.
MAUSER: He did, but he came out --
HUPP: He was actually in the Walgreens next door.
MAUSER: He thought he would shoot --
HUPP: Yes, and he did stop it.
MAUSER: Can I finish?
COSTELLO: Go ahead, Tom.
HUPP: Sure.
MAUSER: He did it by tackling. He joined those who tackled him. But the point is that he admitted that at one point, he was ready to fire. He would have shot the man who was holding the gun who had taken it from the shooter.
And that's the very point, that many people who are armed are not trained the way our police are to know how to react to situations in that spur of the moment, and they could shoot the wrong person, they can worsen the situation. It's not the answer.
It's not the answer. There are many things we can do to keep guns out of the hands of people that shouldn't have them. That's where our focus should be, not in the pipe dream that we can stop all these shootings from happening by having the right fortune of the right person being at the right place at the right time.
COSTELLO: So, if we can find any common ground at all between you two, it would to be tighten the laws that we already have on the books. It's a start, right?
HUPP: When you say tighten the laws, again, I have to ask specifically what you're referring to.
I can tell you this. I thoroughly believe in the right of the people to keep and bear arms, and I filed when I was in the legislature, I filed bills several times that would allowed for university carry. Carry on campuses, because I knew, I could predict that Virginia Tech was going to happen.
Unfortunately, after Columbine -- I mean what a dreadful scenario, and the police officers didn't even go in the building for, what, 45 minutes? How wonderful it would have been if, like here in Texas, we actually have a couple of independent school districts that allow their teachers, if they're trained, to carry weapons.
Somebody that's looking for a high body bag count isn't going to go into those places. They're going to go someplace where guns aren't allowed.
COSTELLO: All right, we're going to have to leave it there.
MAUSER: I think it's an atrocious --
COSTELLO: We're going to have to leave it there. We could continue this discussion all day. We'll have to listen to hear what the president may or may not have to say about gun control, but thank you both for bringing your perspective to this --
HUPP: Thanks for having us.
MAUSER: -- to this controversial issue. Thank you.
We have new video -- actually, we have breaking news right now. New video of President Obama. He's at the White House, as you can see. He took a couple of questions. Did we do a tape turn? Let's listen.
We're going to try to turn that tape around as soon as possible. It's just hard for me coming off that discussion to go into the president. Let's listen.
QUESTION: How's the speech?
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: You know it. I think it will be okay. I hope so, anyway.
QUESTION: You got a copy?
OBAMA: You know, maybe we can arrange that.
COSTELLO: OK, got it together now, the president saying his speech will be OK tonight, and I'm sure it will.
It may be the end of credit cards. You heard right. Credit cards may soon be as outdated as vinyl records. We'll have details ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Some developing news to tell you about right now. Dr. Conrad Murray invoked his right to a speedy trial on an involuntary manslaughter charge in the death of Michael Jackson. The case will begin on March 28th. That's according to the judge. The doctor told the judge he's an innocent man, and he went on to plead not guilty. That just wrapping up in Los Angeles.
A car completely encased in ice is "Trending" online, and Jacqui Jeras has details.
JACQUI JERAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Carol. Yes, what's hot has to do with what's cold today, that's for sure. People are checking out this video. It's really amazing. You know, at first glance, you think, whoa, what happened, was there a storm?
But actually, a water main broke in New York City yesterday morning. And the temperatures, you know, were way down there, in the single digits. So, it iced up on these cars. You can see a couple of inches thick. And you know, the car's owner said he tried to chisel it away -- there you can see it -- with a hammer and a screwdriver. Didn't work so well, actually. He had to call in the city crews and use, actually, like a power steamer to get into his car.
COSTELLO: Well, it's better than that hammer, because you never know when you're going to hit it too much and hit your --
JERAS: I know, right?
COSTELLO: Yes.
JERAS: Scary.
COSTELLO: It is. End of credit cards, what's this about?
JERAS: Interesting. Who needs a credit card when you have a smart phone, right? Yes, things are going to be changing a little bit here with technology, and it could happen before the end of the year, believe it or not. They're saying that companies like MasterCard, Visa, Citibank are testing these mobile type of payments. So, you just kind of scan it at the cash register instead of carrying around your credit card.
COSTELLO: I just did that at Starbucks the other day, and I felt very technologically advanced.
JERAS: Well, good for you. Some people think that's a little scary, though.
COSTELLO: Oh, it's easy! it was great.
JERAS: Good for you. Look at you!
COSTELLO: Thanks, jacqui. Yes!
Movie immortality and recognition by their peers. Nominees for the 2011 Oscars were announced this morning. We'll tell you who made it this year.
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COSTELLO: The nominees for Hollywood's most prestigious awards were announced this morning. Entertainment correspondent Kareen Wynter joining me live from Los Angeles with a rundown of the actors and the many, many, many movies making the Oscar cut.
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Carol.
I had so many favorites on that list. I bet you had a couple favorites, too. And we'll be telling you all about them.
But what an exciting morning it was here in Hollywood. The stars, they were up bright and early this morning to find out this year's list of Oscar nominees. And Academy Award winner Mo'Nique, look at her, looking so great there. She announced the list, along with the Academy president, Tom Sherak, really bright and early this morning, 5:38 a.m. California time.
And the top prize, of course, in this category is best picture. And for the second year in a row, they've opened up this category to 10 films. And, boy, do we have a wide range here, Carol. As expected, "The Social Network," "The King's Speech," "The Fighter." Also "Black Swan," They were among the nominees.
But there were some surprises as well. "Toy Story 3," for example, received a nod for both best picture, as well as best animated film. And also surprising, this morning with four nominations is the little film "Winter's Bone." Actually one of my favorites.
The film, it's only earned about $6 million at the box office so far, but it basically focuses on a 17-year-old girl. She's trying to save her family as she searches for her meth-making dad. A really, really riveting plot. It stars a newcomer, a 20-year-old. Her name is Jennifer Lawrence, who received, by the way, a best actress nomination this morning for her strong performance in "Winter's Bone."
But she has some fierce competition. Fresh off a Golden Globe win, Ms. Natalie Portman. She's really considered, Carol, the front- runner in the best actress category for her dark portrayal as a ballerina in the film "Black Swan." Also nominated for best actress and also a Golden Globe winner, Annette Bening, for her portrayal as a lesbian mom in the film "The Kids Are All Right."
All right, so we touched on the women. Let's focus now on the guys. Younger actors Jesse Eisenberg in "The Social Network," as well as James Franco in "127 Hours." They're up against some veterans here, actors Jeff Bridges, as well as Javier Bardem, a past Oscar winner. This is in the best actor category.
But, Carol, pretty much everyone, they really have their eyes on Colin Firth for his amazing performance in "The King's Speech." So it will be a tight race. We can't wait for the big night. That's February 27th.
Carol.
COSTELLO: There just seems to be so many movies that were nominated. Every movie that was out has been nominated.
WYNTER: I'm checking here. Every one that ever, you know, came out in the last couple months. No, but just some of the favorites. "The King's Speech," "The Social Network," which we all loved. So, and again, they opened it up to 10 categories. So there's just a variety for everyone there.
COSTELLO: Oh, OK.
WYNTER: Love the animated one, too.
COSTELLO: And all the stars will be there on Oscar night, just in time for the broadcast on television. Kareen Wynter, many thanks.
WYNTER: Absolutely. Absolutely.
COSTELLO: The Tea Party is giving its own response to the State of the Union speech, but one top Tea Party lawmaker says it's not a sign of a rift within the GOP. Details in our political update.
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COSTELLO: Many of the traditions surrounding tonight's State of the Union address are exactly that, tradition. Some of them are not required by the Constitution. To separate what is required by the Constitution and what is not, CNN's Carl Azuz joins us for the breakdown.
So, what is required and what's not?
CARL AZUZ, CNN STUDENT NEWS: Surprisingly, not much is required. The Constitution's kind of vague when it comes to the State of the Union. I'm going to start today by telling you exactly what it says.
We're going to go to Article 2, Section 3, where the Constitution says the president "shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the union and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient."
Here's what it does not say about the State of the Union address. It does not need to be annual, though that tradition goes back to George Washington. He gave an annual address. It doesn't need to be in person, though our third president, Thomas Jefferson, he had that delivered by hand. Kind of mailed it in, if you will, Carol. And it doesn't need --
COSTELLO: He wasn't a good speaker, though, was he, Thomas Jefferson? He didn't like the --
AZUZ: Well --
COSTELLO: Yes.
AZUZ: Not going to comment on that. But he did have it sent over by courier.
Also, it doesn't need to happen in a joint congressional session, though that's what we see every year and what we'll see tonight.
COSTELLO: OK. So is there a reason why the State of the Union always occurs in late January, early February? AZUZ: Yes. In fact, even though it used to be given in late December. And what changed all of that was the ratification of the 20th Amendment. That was back in 1933. The 20th Amendment set the congressional term beginning on January 3rd, the presidential terms beginning on January 20th. So once everyone's seated, once everyone's in place, that's usually when the speech is given, late January, early February.
COSTELLO: So how long has the State of the Union been featured on TV?
AZUZ: It's time for your broadcasting history lesson of the day. It actually started with President Calvin Coolidge on the radio. Silent Cal wasn't very silent in 1923. Flash forward to 1947, President Truman, first time State of the Union was on TV. And it also started being called the State of the Union at that time. It used to be the president's annual message. In 2002, President Bush, I should say President George W. Bush, gave it on the Internet.
And that is your breakdown of the State of the Union, Carol.
COSTELLO: OK, now I know for my next trivial pursuit game the answer to those questions.
AZUZ: You'll win it.
COSTELLO: Carl, thanks.
AZUZ: Thank you.
COSTELLO: Another test of your State of the Union trivia knowledge. Who was the first president to call it State of the Union? The answer when we come back.
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COSTELLO: Before the break we asked, who was the first president to call it the State of the Union? The answer is, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. So kudos to you if you got it.
And the race is on for a Virginia Senate seat. Mark Preston, part of the best political team on television, joins us from the political desk in Washington.
What's crossing right now, Mark?
MARK PRESTON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL EDITOR: Hey, Carol.
Just a short time ago, our own John King was on Capitol Hill and he interviewed Jim Webb. He is the Democratic centrist senator from Virginia. He won that seat in 2006 by a little more than 9,300 votes. His opponent back in 2006, George Allen, he was a senator at the time, announced yesterday he is going to run again in 2012. The question is, what will Jim Webb do?
Well, Jim Webb told John that, look, I am not going to allow people to dictate my schedule about when I am going to announce whether to run or not. He also said some other things that are really interesting about that 2012 race, but I'm going to leave it there and have our viewers tune in at 7:00 tonight and hear what Webb tells John. You can see that on "John King USA."
COSTELLO: I'm dying to know.
PRESTON: There's the tease. There's the tease.
COSTELLO: There's the tease. That's a good one, Mark.
I guess new polls are out that show Americans are a little more optimistic?
PRESTON: They are. Great news for President Obama and bad news. Look, at this point, in December, only 29 percent of Americans thought that things were going well in the country. That number has climbed to 43 percent. That is a 14-point jump. That is a huge number. However, it is still under 50 percent, carol. So, President Obama's still under 50 percent on this very important issue, but at least we are seeing a rise. And, of course, we see his favorability rating, his approval rating, is now over 50 percent. So heading into the State of the Union, not bad numbers for President Obama.
Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, Mark Preston, many thanks. For the latest political news, you know where to go, cnnpolitics.com.
CNN NEWSROOM continues right now with Ail Velshi from New York.
Hello, Ali.
