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Racing the Clock to Avoid Default; Group Seeks Police Officer's Termination for Threats; Poverty in America
Aired July 30, 2011 - 22:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Tonight, America speaks.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Let's get out of this mess that we're in, regardless of who got us here.
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LEMON: Just get it done. Hello, Washington. Are you listening?
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If the president decides to reach an agreement with us, the Democrats most of them will fall in line.
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LEMON: Guess not.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Caving in your (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
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LEMON: That's a cop. Think that's bad? Same cop, another stop. Another bleeping rant on a citizen.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'll kill every one of you mother (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: And there's more where that came from. Now the citizens fight back.
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JON STEWART, HOST "THE DAILY SHOW": As we explore our new segment, CNN anchor Don Lemon appears not to care for CNN.
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LEMON: What is Jon Stewart talking about, and why did Stephen Colbert interrupt one of my broadcasts.
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LEMON: I'm in the middle of a broadcast.
STEPHEN COLBERT, HOST "THE COLBERT REPORT": Yes, who isn't? Hold on, Sanjay.
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LEMON: I'll explain that and more in the news right now.
Good evening, everyone, I'm Don Lemon.
It's Saturday night and U.S. Senators are on the job. The high stakes standoff over raising the nation's debt ceiling has lawmakers working this very hour. But as of now, they don't even agree if they're making any progress.
Tonight, CNN has learned that Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell is in direct contact with the White House and Democratic leaders in Congress met face to face with the president late this afternoon.
But just a short time ago on the senate floor, Senator Harry Reid insisted that claims a deal could be near are simply not true.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)
SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV), MAJORITY LEADER: Today, the speaker and Republican leader held a press conference to announce they're in talks with the president and that a bargain to raise the debt ceiling is in the works and is close. Mr. President, members of the Senate, that's not true. I just spent two hours with the president, vice president, and Leader Pelosi, and it's fair for me to say that the engagement there is not in any meaningful way.
The speaker and Republican leader should know that merely saying we have agreement in front of a few television cameras doesn't make it so.
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY), MINORITY LEADER: The fact of the matter is that the only way we're going to get an agreement before Tuesday is to have an agreement with the president of the United States, and the only person in America of the 307 million of us who can sign something into law. And I'm more optimistic than my friend, the majority leader. We've both talked to the president today, talked to the vice president several times. I think we've got a chance of getting there.
(END VIDEO CLIPS)
LEMON: Well, House members are gone for the day, but the Senate is in session. And they could be there deep into the night.
You're looking at live pictures now.
Let's get right to our congressional correspondent Kate Bolduan.
So, Kate, what is the latest there at the Capitol, and does it look like senators will be casting votes after midnight?
KATE BOLDUAN, CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: At the moment, they are heading towards that. I can tell you what we've been seeing all day long and you just perfectly set it up right there, Don.
And a lot of what we've seen today is mixed signals really coming from key negotiators in whatever kind of end game compromise will eventually come out. Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate key to any end game compromise. He announced today that he is now in direct talks with the White House, speaking directly with the president as well the vice president today. And he said he's been speaking with the White House all afternoon, kind of laying out what they can accept in terms of an eventual compromise.
But almost as quickly as that happened, we then heard from the top Democrat in the Senate, Harry Reid who had just come from the meeting at the White House with the president saying that if they were not any closer to an agreement.
So we've been obviously tracking that all throughout the day. But they're saying that publicly. But what we know is going on behind the scenes is there are negotiations going on behind the scenes as they are clearly working understandably, feverishly to try to reach some sort of compromise so they can beat this deadline.
But as it stands right now, the Senate is heading towards at 1:00 a.m. vote late this evening, which would be the first test vote on the proposal to raise the federal debt ceiling put forth by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Unless something changes, he would have to overcome a 60-vote filibuster kind of threshold and it does not appear unless something changes that he has that vote. But it's a test vote and he is moving forward with it at this point, Don.
LEMON: So, listen, as we continue on here with you, I want to tell you that Senator Harry Reid is on the floor right now. And we're going to listen in to him to see if he says anything, and if he does indeed talk about coming to a vote later on this evening.
So again, you say that it doesn't appear that he has the votes. What happens if he doesn't get enough votes here?
BOLDUAN: Well, this is one -- there's a lot of confusing kind of procedural -- procedures that you have to go through in the Senate especially. And if he does not overcome this vote, then the legislation doesn't go anywhere. This is -- there are a few test votes that you have to overcome that would be lining us up if it would pass this vote, there would be another vote Monday morning as the schedule is told to me right now, and then it would be for final passage, if you will, on Tuesday. But it has to first overcome this vote to go any further. And right now, it does not look like he has the votes. Just yesterday, 43 of the 47 Republican senators came out opposed to the bill.
LEMON: Yes. Kate Bolduan, stand by. It's going to be a long night for all of us and for the folks working there in Washington.
Our Brianna Keilar is on duty for us tonight, as well.
Brianna, Republican leaders say they are in contact with the White House. What can you tell us about that?
BRIANNA KEILAR, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, what we do know is very vague, Don, I have to tell you that. The White House at this late hour isn't silent. I can tell you that, but it's sort of unclear exactly what this means.
We know back and forth is going on between the White House and Capitol Hill. And while we heard earlier Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid being kind of pessimistic on the outcome perhaps of some sort of deal here imminently, we've also heard from the Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell some more optimism. And really the word that you're getting from the White House is that they have been very, very silent today. But again these discussions continuing to go on.
And we're certainly waiting just because we know that there are these discussions to see if perhaps something could happen tonight, Don. We know that it could be possible, and I hate to be so darn vague about it, but it's also true that it might not be possible this evening although there is a whole flurry of activity that we haven't seen recently going on following these flurry of votes on the hill today and last night.
LEMON: Hey, Brianna, listen, did you say the White House has not been silent about this or what are they saying?
KEILAR: I mean -- what I mean is, people have not gone to bed here. People here are working. There are discussions going on behind the scenes. But in terms of details of what it all means, you know, it's very vague, Don. And so we're still kind of waiting to see exactly what the indication --
LEMON: Thank you, Brianna. We're going to go to Senator Harry Reid now.
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REID: Mr. President, there are negotiations going on at the white house now on a solution that will avert a catastrophic default on the nation's debt. There are many elements to be finalized. Many elements to be finalized, and there is still a distance to go before any arrangement can be completed. But I believe we should give everyone as much room as possible to do their work.
I've spoken to the White House quite a few times this evening. They've asked me to give everyone as much time as possible to reach an agreement if one can be reached. For that reason, we'll holdover the vote until tomorrow at noon to give them more time to talk. In fact, we'll come in at noon and have the vote at 1:00. I'm glad to see this move toward cooperation and compromise. I hope it bears true.
I'm confident that a final agreement that will adopt the Senate's long-term approach rather than the short-term band-aid proposed by the House of Representatives will move forward.
There can be no short-term agreement, and I'm optimistic that there would be no short-term arrangement whatsoever. I'm also confident that reasonable people from both parties should be able to reach an agreement, and I believe we should give them time to do so.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the cloture vote on the Reid motion that procure in the House amendment passed 627 with amendment number 589 occur tomorrow, Sunday, July 31st, at 1:00 p.m. Further that (INAUDIBLE) Rule 22 be waived.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is there objection? Hearing none, it is so ordered.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Voted. Clerk will call the roll.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: All right. That is Senator Harry Reid asking tomorrow, asking that the vote be put off until tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. He said the Senate should come in tomorrow at -- convene at noon, at noon tomorrow so that they can vote at 1:00 p.m.
Our Brianna Keilar is standing by. Kate Bolduan is standing by. But right now, I want to bring in Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Republican from Texas.
Thank you so much for joining us. You hear as we're breaking news, you heard what Senator Harry Reid had to say.
I want to ask you this, earlier today the Majority Leader Mitch McConnell read a letter signed by 43 Republicans, including you pledging to oppose Harry Reid's bill.
Has anything changed your mind in the hours leading up to the vote on it and listening to him just moments ago?
SEN. KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, (R), TEXAS: No, not at all. I think the reason that he has pulled that down is that there are 43 committed against his proposal. However, I think what he is saying is that he hopes that we can start having a vote on something that is an agreement between both the White House and Congress, both sides of the rotunda. And he wants to not have a repudiation of his proposal and instead go on to one that might have a chance to pass.
LEMON: OK, OK, let's talk about this.
Today "The New York Times," senator, put you on a list of Republicans most likely to approve a compromise bill. And you have been vocal about the need to compromise. Here's what you said on the senate floor on Thursday.
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HUTCHISON: The Senate Majority Leader and the House Speaker have put forward plans. I believe that we must find a common ground between the House and the Senate with the proposals that have been put out.
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LEMON: So have you actively been pushing for compromise in these proceedings today?
HUTCHISON: Oh, I certainly have been actively pushing for us to come to an agreement that will lift the debt ceiling with real tax cuts -- not tax cuts hopefully, there would be some cuts in the tax provisions through reform. But spending cuts as well as bringing the debt ceiling, lifting it dollar for dollar at least.
LEMON: Let me ask you this, senator. You're not running for re- election in 2012.
HUTCHISON: Right.
LEMON: So the political pressure is essentially off. Does that for you up to compromise in a way that many of your colleagues won't or can't?
HUTCHISON: No, I don't think so. I'm not going to compromise, for instance, would not vote for lifting the debt ceiling without real cuts in spending that would assure that we're not going to have to just lift the debt ceiling and get further into debt without a way forward to cut back on spending. I would not do that whether I'm running again for re-election or not because I do think it's wrong for our country and would send a terrible signal to the markets.
LEMON: OK. If we're talking about compromise here, which most of the polls show Americans want, they want compromise, is there in your estimation any way that the Tea Party or Republicans can further compromise?
HUTCHISON: Absolutely. I do think that if we can come together on real cuts, which I believe there has been a groundwork laid to do, that everyone or not everyone but certainly 90 percent of the Senate and the House would support lifting the debt ceiling as long as there are cuts commensurate with that.
I do think that is an area where we can come together, and it is the fallback position I would hope that we would go forward then in the next six months, which is in both the house and Senate plans, and come up with further cuts in entitlements and reform in taxes that would produce revenue the old-fashioned way which is by spurring the economy and putting people back to work. LEMON: Senator, I thank you for coming on and not giving talking points. I really do appreciate that. I have to go because we need to get to some developing news with Kate Bolduan.
HUTCHISON: Sure.
LEMON: But before I do, if you can answer quickly, revenues as you have call them or taxes off the table?
HUTCHISON: New taxes are off the table. Tax reform is not off the table if we lower the rates and put people back to work and get more revenue because there are fairer and simpler tax codes that people can understand and will encourage employers to hire people back.
LEMON: Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, thank you so much. I appreciate it.
HUTCHISON: Thank you.
LEMON: I want to go now to CNN's Kate Bolduan.
Kate, you have been working your sources and getting information. You heard Harry Reid there right after I spoke with you earlier. What have you learned?
BOLDUAN: I would say I think for our viewers, that we can note that at this late stage in the game anytime one of these key players talks, we listen very carefully to their words. And I'll say at this point, especially as we heard some pessimism in the voice of Harry Reid earlier today, this does appear to be a positive step. I don't want to go as far as to say, you know, very, very significant but this seems to be a positive step on what he announced just a few minutes ago. I think we have some sound of it. Why don't we listen to that one more time, Don.
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REID: I've spoken to the White House quite a few times this evening. They've asked me to give everyone as much time as possible to reach an agreement if one can be reached. For that reason, we'll holdover the vote until tomorrow at noon.
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BOLDUAN: He also said I think right after that, Don, that we should give everyone as much room as possible to do something along the lines to do the work that they need to do. So clearly, to me, this appears to be a positive step.
He's holding the vote which he could have had it this evening at 1:00 in the morning as you and I discussed. At this point, he thinks that he wants to give people more time, more room if you will to do the work that they are doing, possibly obviously continue these negotiations and continue these talks. The Senate is now adjourned. They're going to be back in at noon with a vote scheduled at 1:00 p.m. So it will be very interesting to see how things develop in the morning before they come back in for this vote.
But this appears like it could be a positive step. Especially coming from the man who earlier today seemed very clear that he did not think they were any closer to an agreement. So it seems at least, if I could be so bold to say he is leaving the door open, that they are negotiating.
LEMON: He is a bit more optimistic. He was pessimistic earlier.
Thank you very much.
Kate Bolduan, reporting to us on Capitol Hill.
Earlier, I discussed the debt stalemate with Democratic Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland. He had strong warnings for his Republican colleagues as he has strong concerns about the consequences of a potential default.
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SEN. BEN CARDIN (D), MARYLAND: But they're also bringing us dangerously close to a national default. They've already hurt our country as far as our reputation is concerned.
So look, I -- I think what they're asking for is unrealistic. A constitutional amendment that won't work the way that they would like to see it done. Additional cuts in spending programs that affect our most vulnerable.
Look, we need a compromise. And what we're seeing so far come out of the House of Representatives from the Republicans is that they're not interested in a compromise. We've -- let's sit down, let's work this out. Quite frankly, I think that's going to happen in the Senate. I talked to enough of my Republican colleagues to know that we are talking about a true compromise so that we can move forward and not threaten the debt of this nation
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: All right. That was Senator Ben Cardin, Democratic Senator Ben Cardin.
I want to go now to CNN's White House correspondent, CNN Brianna Keilar.
Brianna, you have new information on why this happened?
KEILAR: Well, Don, I just think it's important to kind of lend some context to really what this allows. We know throughout today that a lot of the discussion following the votes on Capitol Hill about really the negotiations of a potential deal have been between the White House in the form of Vice President Joe Biden and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who of course spent years together in the Senate very familiar with each other. And Biden, of course, led those Biden talks that went on for months and sketched out a framework between Democrats and Republicans.
I think it's important to note just in how things could play out or really what this means with the delay in the vote. But delaying this vote in the Senate from what would have been 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning to 1:00 p.m. Sunday by 12 hours, would allow time should there be some discussions, some movement toward some agreement between the White House and Senate Republicans, it would allow time for the bill to be amended.
This is something that's very important and I'm hearing this from Democratic and Republican sources that it would allow time for that bill to be amended if some sort of framework would be worked out. I think it's also important to take note that one of the big issues that the White House has had with the House Republican plan, and what's really been seen as an area that needed to be negotiated and really could be the thing that could lead to a break-through on a deal is this idea of if you're going to have a two-part increase in the debt ceiling that would take the debt ceiling through the next election, November 2012, it was really how you tied that second increase in the debt ceiling after several months.
The White House Senate Democrats, they didn't like the way House Republicans were doing it. They felt like it would have led to some sort of chaotic situation like we've seen with all of this back and forth over increasing the debt ceiling. They would have seen that again somewhere around the New Year and they didn't want to do that. They're really looking at really that sort of seam, if you will, in the context of this framework to maybe work it out in a way that is more amenable to the White House and to Democrats.
LEMON: CNN's Brianna Keilar at the White House live for us tonight. Thank you, Brianna.
And CNN is dedicated to providing you with up to the minute coverage of the debt crisis. And tomorrow night, we're bringing you a special report. Beginning at 9:00 p.m. Eastern, Wolf Blitzer and I will break down all the hurdles and options as we near the deadline for reaching a deal to avoid default.
"GET IT DONE: COUNTDOWN TO DEBT CRISIS," tomorrow night 9:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.
You know, we're not going far away from this story. We're watching Capitol Hill and the White House where it is going to be a very long night at least, and we know now that they're going to convene tomorrow at noon and they're going to vote at 1:00 p.m. Eastern. They're packing up now and getting ready to go home.
Also ahead this hour, my conversation with Republican Senator Rand Paul about the debt stalemate.
Plus, I want you to listen this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DANIEL HARLESS, CANTON POLICE OFFICER: As soon as I saw your gun, I should have taken two steps back, pulled my Glock 40 and just put 10 bullet in your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) and let you drop.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: An Ohio police officer is caught on tape threatening a motorist, and it's not his first incident caught on camera. We'll show you the video that's gone viral and talk about the case with legal contributor Holly Hughes.
And many of you are asking for information through social media. We're on Twitter, Facebook, CNN.com/Don and on FourSquare. We're back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: In Canton, Ohio, some residents are demanding a suspended police officer be fired. Dash cam video you're about to see appears to show the officer threatening to shoot people during traffic stops.
Here's Eric Mansfield of our affiliate WKYC.
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HARLESS: As soon as I saw your gun, I should have taken two steps back, pulled my Glock 40 and just put 10 bullet in your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) and let you drop.
ERIC MANSFIELD, WKYC (voice-over): It was posted one week ago. Already, it's an online must-see. Canton police officer Daniel Harless berating a driver who appears to be showing Harless his concealed carry license so that Harless would know he was armed.
HARLESS: I'm so close to caving in your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) head.
MANSFIELD: But now a second video.
HARLESS: I'll kill every one of you (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
MANSFIELD: This from a year ago.
HARLESS: I'll tell you what (EXPLETIVE DELETED). I will shoot you in the face and go to sleep tonight.
MANSFIELD: As Harless' temper again flares while instructing two people on the backseat of a car during a traffic stop for suspected drunk driving.
PHILIP MULIVOR, OHIOANS FOR CONCEALED CARRY: Well, it looks we're seeing repeat behaviour. It's a disturbing pattern.
MANSFIELD: Phillip Mulivor is for Ohioans for Concealed Carry, a group that is calling for Harless' job. MULIVOR: In both cases, this officer's behaviour is entirely egregious. He needs to be removed at once.
MANSFIELD: In both cases, Officer Harless is encountering a gun during a traffic stop, which is always a perceived threat for police. Now, it's up to police brass to determine what's acceptable.
HARLESS: You (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Get the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) before I shoot you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Eric Mansfield of WKYC reporting.
The Canton Police Department release this statement. It says, quote, "The officer was relieved of duty and has not worked since the incident. It is being fully investigated."
Criminal defence attorney and former prosecutor Holly Hughes had a lot to say about this case when I spoke with her about it just a short time ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLLY HUGHES, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: I don't mind an officer using profanity, Don. I don't mind that his temper's flaring and he's jacked up. But when he starts threatening to kill citizens, to shoot them in the face, to put them in their grave, calling them morons and idiots and liars, he's going over the edge because now what we see an officer who cannot control his temper. That's a crime, Don.
If a citizen said to another citizen, "I will shoot you in the face," and is holding a weapon, has access to a weapon, that's a terroristic threat. That is a felony charge.
So, this officer has gone beyond the pale when he starts threatening.
LEMON: OK. If you were defending this officer --
HUGHES: Yes.
LEMON: -- what would you tell? What would you do?
HUGHES: OK, if I were defending him, the first thing I would say is they lied to him right up-front. There was a gun in the back of that car. The driver admits, hey, I just got out of jail or prison three weeks ago. And the officer says, what for, guns and drugs. So, naturally, the officer is on high alert. His adrenaline is pumping. It's a rush.
They say to him, no weapons in the vehicle, and suddenly, there is one -- I would defend him by saying this man was in fear for his life, he felt like something terrible was going happen to him. And this is duress. He did not actually intend to levy a threat against these people. His temper got away from him, but he didn't un-harness his gun, he didn't pull it, he didn't brandish it.
LEMON: If you were prosecuting him, you would say?
HUGHES: Oh, I would say he has gone too far. He can't handle his temper, he can't control it. And what is next, Don? After you call these people stupid, threatening to put a bullet in their heads, what is going to stop that anger? What is going to rein that anger back in and keep him from pulling the gun and from pulling the trigger?
If I was prosecuting him, I would absolutely say this is an officer out of control. He does not need to be on the street with a weapon in his hand.
LEMON: Officer Daniel Harless has not been charged with a crime. He is on paid administrative leave from his job while these incidents are investigated.
In the midst of the debt crisis, millions of Americans are also facing poverty.
When we come right back, we'll profile the work of two students who are touring the country to show us what that looks like.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Time now for "What Matters," our partnership with "Essence" magazine.
More than 43 million Americans live in poverty according to the latest figures from the census bureau. And as of June, more than 14 million Americans were unemployed. Some college students armed with video cameras are travelling across America to document the faces of poverty. I spoke with two of them -- Amanda James and Shelby Bryant who shared compelling stories and images.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: What have you learned? Shelby?
SHELBY BRYANT, WAKE FOREST STUDENT: Honestly the thing that I've learned, the thing that I'm taking away from this most is that the story is that of struggle. Actually have a light lining around them. Everything has a fire basically. Everyone that we're meeting has a positive outlook.
AMANDA JAMES, BOSTON UNIVERSITY STUDENT: The stories that we found of struggle have so much strength. And that's been one of the things that's been eye opening for both of us.
BRYANT: Absolutely.
JAMES: You know, when we were in Baltimore, it was the first day of our trip. And we met women who were single moms living one of the more rough areas of Baltimore in the neighbourhood of druid heights. And one of the women we're interviewing invited us back to her neighbourhood.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAMES: When is the last time you heard about like someone you know getting shot or robbed or --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Murdered? Last week.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JAMES: We got to see what it's like for her living a daily life in an area where she doesn't even feel safe to walk around with her children. Yet, she has decided to overcome the external environment and believe that it's her internal environment. It's not where you live and what you look like on the outside that matters. It's what you have on the inside.
LEMON: So it's overcoming the obstacles.
And it's interesting because people your age, you would think that they were --
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
AMANDA JAMES, BOSTON UNIVERSITY STUDENT: We got to see what it's like for her living a daily life in an area where she doesn't even feel safe to walk around with her children. Yet, she has decided to overcome the external environment and believe that it's her internal environment. It's not where you live and what you look like on the outside that matters. It's what you have on the inside.
LEMON: So it's overcoming the obstacles.
And it's interesting because people your age, you would think that they were -- if you watch the reality shows that are on now especially, you would think most people your age are wealthy and they are driving around in these fancy cars and their parents have a lot of money. Do you know what I'm talking about?
SHELBY BRYANT, WAKE FOREST STUDENT: Right.
LEMON: But that's not the reality of it. That's not the reality of what's happening in America, all across America, at least, right?
BRYANT: Absolutely.
JAMES: This is definitely a step away from the private universities that we both went to.
BRYANT: And that also hasn't been another really surprising part. We come from very different backgrounds than everyone that we've been spending all of our time with, but we have been welcomed with open arms. That has been really inspiring to see sort of this strength and humanity and this openness and acceptance of people who just want to share their stories with us.
LEMON: A man who lost his job due to the economy is now in a homeless shelter.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've never been in this position. I'm used to having my own place.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRYANT: That was Mark.
JAMES: Yes.
Mark's story, he has this very deep voice that almost sounds like it has an echo.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Used to working, paying my own bills.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JAMES: All of his years have had so much struggle. There's something so defining about his voice. And when we were spending time with him at that shelter, we met him in Pittsburgh. You know, he said he has a close relationship with his children. He had a job. He's 47 years old. He's never had to depend on anyone else, but he was just working for a subcontractor, the subcontractor couldn't afford to pay him anymore. He lost his job and he got behind in his rent. You know, that could really happen to anyone.
LEMON: What do you have advice for people who are watching, especially your age?
JAMES: I would say from a personal perspective, living that sort of comfortable life is much more predictable than the life we've been living on the road for the past three weeks. And this has been the best three weeks of my life.
I'm still going to neighborhoods that I typically wouldn't drive through or spending time with people who I don't typically you know interact with for three weeks at a time has been more of a learning experience than being around people who are so similar to me in college. So I couldn't recommend it more.
LEMON: Thank you, Amanda and thank you, Shelby. I appreciate it.
BRYANT: Yes, thank you so much.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: The student's poverty tour is part of a program called "No Nonsense Socks for America," which donate socks to kids in need. If you want to follow Shelby and Amanda's tour or help out, you can visit their Web site at SocksforAmerica.com, or you can go to Facebook and search for "No Nonsense Socks for America."
You know, we're watching Capitol Hill right now and the White House tonight as lawmakers continue to try to resolve the debt crisis. The Senate was facing a late night of debate, but has just changed its plans.
We're also following other news tonight, including two dozen assault rifles stolen from of all places a U.S. military base.
And you don't see this every day. A jet plane split in half. The amazing stories of survival straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCOTT SHAFER, SAN DIEGO: You should know that what you're doing in Washington is affecting everyone on the streets. Each -- so many people I talk to every day, including myself. You know, we're really wrestling with the economy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Americans voicing their concerns about what's going on in Washington. Breaking news in the debt ceiling debate to tell you about.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has stopped tonight's expected vote on his debt ceiling proposal. The vote is now expected Sunday afternoon at 1:00 Eastern Time.
Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell is negotiating with the White House. Democratic leaders met with the president earlier today, as well.
Also in the nation's capital, teachers rallying against standardized testing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is what democracy looks like.
PROTESTORS: This is what democracy looks like.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: They marched to the White House carrying signs with slogans like "Children are more important than test scores" and "I am not the problem." The group says that emphasizing standardized testing actually takes the focus away from students. Actor Matt Damon, whose mom is an educator also joined in on that rally.
Federal agents are appealing to the public for information about assault rifles stolen from Fort Irwin in California. The ATF is offering a $10,000 reward for information on 26 assault rifles and one sniper rifle stolen earlier this month from an army warehouse. One weapon has been recovered and some arrests have been made.
DNA evidence is taking center stage as young American -- a young American woman appeals for her murder conviction in Italy. Amanda Knox was convicted of killing her British roommate Meredith Kercher in 2007, but insists she didn't do it. A forensic expert testified today that no DNA was found on the alleged murder weapon, which is a kitchen knife. That contradicts testimony by forensic police experts during Knox's trial. After today's session, the court adjourned until September 5th.
It's hard to believe when you look at this, but the 163 passengers and crew aboard this Caribbean airlines plane are OK today. The Boeing 737 was unable to stop after it landed at an airport in Georgetown, Guyana on a flight that originated in New York. The plane careened into a grassy patch and broke in two. Several passengers were taken to the hospital with only minor injuries.
Meet the latest British Royal newlyweds. Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter Zara Phillips tied the knot with the Rugby player Mike Tindall in Edinburgh today. Prince William and Catherine, Prince Harry, and Princess Ann, the mother of the bride were among the guests at the private ceremony. Tonight, there is a reception at Queen Elizabeth's Palace in Scotland, and in something of a royal precedent, Zara Phillips will keep her surname.
A look at a couple of primetime moments for me this past week, but they didn't happen here on CNN. Clips from my time on Comedy Central thanks to Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, that's coming up next.
But first, out of the job, broke and bills piled high. In this recession, many Americans find themselves facing just that. But when people in one Wisconsin community are hit with hard times, well, they've got a unique safety net. And he's this week's CNN hero. His name is Sal Dimiceli, the Dear Abby of the down and out.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SAL DIMICELI, CNN HERO, COMMUNITY CRUSADER: When I go through suburbia America or the small towns, everybody's trying to hold their head up with pride.
You've been looking for work? OK. I know it's tough in a recession.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I went and sold all my jewelry yesterday.
DIMICELI: These people behind closed doors, they tell their neighbors they're fine. They'd sooner go in the house and starve.
(on camera): How much you all need right now?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The gas bill, I owe about $800. DIMICELI: I find this situation is getting worse. They need food. They need help with their utilities. I mean, this is 2011 in America? We should be helping each other.
I'm Sal Dimiceli, and my mission is to help my fellow Americans who have fallen onto hard times. In a week, I'll receive 20 to 30 letters. "Me and my family are in desperate need of help. We do not want to become homeless."
I want to verify it's genuine, and I want to get to them as quickly as possible.
I know right now it's tough for everybody. But we'll be here for you. We'll help you out.
I tell them how I grew up in poverty and how I understand.
Here's $100 for gas.
I help people with necessities of daily life. And at the same time, I get them together to do a budget so they can continue to survive.
I brought this for you so you can go get your wedding band back.
I want them to feel free of their pain.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm so happy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you!
DIMICELI: I want them to feel the compassion that we're trying to share with them, to wrap our arms around them and say, Come on, I have a little extra strength I want to share with you, and let's get you back on your feet.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, my god. He's not a difference-maker. He's a vampire. This story just got good. Go get them, Don.
LEMON: Well, I have to say that you're a hero to a lot of people, and thank you for coming on. Let us know what happens -
STEPHEN COLBERT, HOST "THE COLBERT REPORT": No - Don, ask him about being a vampire! You see the little teeth right there? Those are vampire teeth. He's got the -- I see them! I see them!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: All right. So when you're in the news business and you suddenly realize "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report," well, they are showing a clip of you, you cringe, you hold your breath and you hope they won't mock you too hard. So imagine my surprise when I saw this on Tuesday night.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JON STEWART, HOST "THE DAILY SHOW": As we explore our new segment, CNN anchor Don Lemon, appears not to care for CNN. CNN, I'm concerned, it appears your anchor Don Lemon may not care very much for the antics of your network, CNN. Behold.
LEMON: Even parts of Canada are sinfully hot.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Warmer than where I'm used to, but hell --
LEMON: It is nothing do to joke about this, it is dangerous, and as I said, nothing to joke.
He is the Cato to my Green Hornet, the Robin to my Batman, the Dino Girl to my Eletrowoman -- I have no idea who these people are except for Batman.
STEWART: That may be the nicest way I've ever heard anyone say "who writes this (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
The hostage situation it appears to be Don Lemon's tenure at CNN brings to Zenith or (INAUDIBLE) here. I'm going to say both.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: One, two, three.
ALI VELSHI, CNN ANCHOR: Oh! I got to tell you, I like Don Lemon a lot. But he's going to have to work hard to top that. "CNN NEWSROOM" begins right now with Don Lemon. Good morning, Don.
LEMON: Good morning, I don't think I'm going to have to work that hard. What the heck was that?
STEWART: What do you mean what the heck was that? That was Ali Velshi's doppelganger, the common egg - being knocked into a glass of water from a toilet paper tube. What is it? Is it your first day in news, Lemon?
It turns out reporter Don Lemon prefers reporting such stories as the uprisings in Syria, breach of trust in British journalism, or even some simple local interest stories.
LEMON: Emily Good says she recorded that video in her front yard because she was concerned about racial profiling and police harassment. Do you believe that this is a systematic problem with Rochester police?
STEWART: See that's Lemon's country, comfort zone? But don't worry, I'm sure CNN producers are hard at work trying to fit Don Lemon into their format. Something catchy like "Don Lemon's Zesty News Bowl." I got one, how about Lemon Harangue. You drive a hard bargain, sir.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: All right. We decided to go with "Don Lemon's Zesty News Bowl." I'm just going to steal that.
OK, so a "Daily Show" had their fun, now I want to show you the rest of "The Colbert Report" segment involving me right after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: OK. So before the break, we showed you part of "The Daily Show" segment poking fun at my role here at CNN. Well, the very next night after that aired, it was "The Colbert Report's" turn. Here's Stephen going after me for not asking a guest about his most noticeable trait.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COLBERT: No, Don. Ask him about being a vampire. You see the little teeth right there? Those are vampire teeth! He's got the - ha, ha, I see them. I see them. Forget it. I know what to do. Come here, come. On let's go. Taxi! Go!
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Thousands of people milling around, shops open. That's happening now.
LEMON: All right, Sanjay. Thank you very much. Make sure you stay safe out there. We're going to have much more on the flooding coming up on CNN --
COLBERT: Excuse me. Excuse me.
LEMON: Stephen? Stephen Colbert, what the --
COLBERT: Don, I have a question to ask you --
LEMON: I am in the middle of a broadcast.
COLBERT: Yes, who isn't? Hold on, Sanjay. Don, did you or did you not interview a man who had foreclosed on a bank?
LEMON: The guy in Philadelphia, yes, I did. Yes.
COLBERT: Did you not notice that he was a vampire?
LEMON: Stephen, I didn't notice when he started talking that he had sharp teeth.
COLBERT: Yes, and that -- at no point did your journalistic instincts click in and say, "Hey, maybe that's the more interesting story?"
LEMON: It's not about his lifestyle, it's about a bank. That's not what the story is about.
COLBERT: Oh, excuse me. I didn't realize it was a lifestyle choice. I didn't realize we had to be so sensitive and accepting of vampires --
LEMON: Why are you being so judgmental.
COLBERT: Because you have turned that man into the Jackie Robinson of vampires.
LEMON: Do you believe yourself? Stephen --
COLBERT: That's all I hear.
LEMON: That is offensive on a whole lot of levels.
COLBERT: Yes, it is, and I don't forgive you.
LEMON: You need to get out of here.
(CROSSTALK)
COLBERT: Well, I will get out of here, Don Lemon. But before I go, I want to say this -- I truly enjoyed your book, "Transparent." A candid memoir that "The New York Times" calls $24.95.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Comedy central, it was fun.
Stephen, thank you for allowing me into your studio to do that.
OK, we're watching Capitol Hill and the White House tonight as negotiations continue to try to resolve the debt crisis. The Senate facing a late night of debate has just changed its plans. The latest on efforts to get a deal done and get it soon.
And it's what you're tweeting about. Coming up, my conversation with Republican Senator Rand Paul in our "No Talking Points" segment. You want to watch it -- next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: On this debt debate, for weeks now, we have been hearing politicians come on television and give talking points from their perspective parties. And you as Americans have spoken.
All polling indicates that you don't want to hear talking points. You want to hear about compromise and progress. So in our broadcast tonight, we have asked all of them not to come on and repeat partisan points.
One example earlier tonight was freshman Senator Rand Paul. I asked him if he felt the Tea Party had more -- had made their point, had gotten what they wanted and were overreaching by asking for more and not yet coming to a resolution. He answered first with talking points. And I asked him to answer my question directly. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) LEMON: OK. Hang on, hang on. Can we just stick to that -- we're going to get to that, but hang on, let's stick to the -- hold on, please, be respectful here.
SEN. RAND PAUL (R), KENTUCKY: Let me finish my thought.
LEMON: Can you answer the question and we'll talk about Moody's and all that.
PAUL: I'm trying to answer your question, you've interrupted my answer.
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: I want to ask you -- do you feel like -- if you answer the question, I'll give you plenty of time. Do you feel like you have made your point and now do you think people are going to think that you're overreaching and that maybe you're going to ruin the clout that you already have and the respect that you've gotten.
PAUL: Well, here's the problem is this, I'm not trying to make a point. I'm trying to do what's best for the country, and adding seven trillion to $8 trillion of debt over the next ten years, I don't think is good for the country.
LEMON: OK. Now, continue. You were talking about Moody's and our credit rating.
PAUL: My point is, is that it's not really just about August 2nd.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: All right. And as you heard, there was more after that. I allowed him to finish his point about the U.S. credit rating. Then later on, in the interview, I asked if the U.S. defaulted by not raising the debt ceiling, who would be to blame? Democrats, the president, Republicans or the Tea Party? Again, he didn't directly answer my question. I respectfully asked him to do it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL: It's about 30 minutes ago, I was on the floor and I offered to vote for the re- bill. So --
LEMON: Hang on, hang on, one second again.
PAUL: You're in the middle of my answer.
LEMON: I know, but I'm asking you to answer the question -- I don't want talking points, with all due respect, I'm asking you, do you feel the public sentiment in Washington?
PAUL: This isn't a talking point, I'm trying to tell you what we did 30 minutes ago in the Senate. LEMON: I'm not asking you what you did, sir. With all due respect, I'm asking you if you feel how the public feels in Washington. You don't have to tell me what you did, but are you feeling? Do you understand how people feel about this?
PAUL: We feel that they want compromise and I'm trying to tell you that we're still trying to compromise and many in the media are trying to depict us as not. But the only way, I can prove to you that we're trying to compromise is by telling you, we have offered up on the floor another chance to compromise, I said I'll vote for the re- bill, I'll vote for the entire $2 trillion that the president wants, so he can avoid talking about this during his campaigning.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: And again, I allowed him to finish his point.
I didn't insist on Rand Paul answering directly just because he's a conservative and a member of the Tea Party. In the same broadcast, I implored Mark Muriel of the National Urban League to not give talking points, and I did the same thing with Democratic Senator Ben Cardin.
It's not ideological to ask someone to stick to the question presented. It's just being respectful of you, the viewer, the voter who deserves direct answers from the people who are fortunate enough to be given a platform on national television to speak directly to the American people.
There's some breaking news now to tell you about in the debt ceiling debate.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has called off tonight's expected vote on his debt ceiling proposal. The vote is now expected Sunday afternoon at 1:00 Eastern Time.
Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell is negotiating with the White House, and that's where we go now to CNN's Brianna Keilar. She is standing by there tonight.
Brianna, what's the latest on these talks?
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Don, it appears that a day of negotiations between the White House and Congress, specifically Vice President Joe Biden and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, all of this sort of wrapping up for the evening.
It appears people will finally be going to sleep here shortly. But it's interesting because earlier in the day, we heard Republicans being positive about a deal being near. And Democrats were being pessimistic. Well, we just heard on Capitol Hill from the Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad that he said significant progress had been made today. And when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was asked, if a deal can be reached tomorrow, he said, Don, "I hope so." So it sounds like things turning there. Also, very important the Senate postponed the vote. All eyes were going to be watching a vote this morning at 1:00 a.m. on the Reid plan in the Senate that was expected to fail. That's now been pushed 12 hours, and Democratic and Republican sources telling me, Don, that this could be a sign that it would allow Reid to add some changes into his bill that could be based off of some sort of deal that couldn't -- that can be struck. And just a reminder, the clock's still ticking towards that August 2nd deadline at midnight when the U.S. would become, according to the Treasury Department, at risk of default if Congress doesn't increase the debt ceiling.
LEMON: All right, Brianna Keilar at the White House. Brianna, thank you very much.
And I want to tell you that CNN is dedicated to providing you with up to the minute coverage of the debt crisis. And tomorrow night we will be bringing you a special report beginning at 9:00 Eastern, CNN's Wolf Blitzer and I will break down all the hurdles and options as we near the deadline for reaching a deal to avoid.
"GET IT DONE: COUNTDOWN TO DEBT CRISIS" airs tomorrow night at 9:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.
Again, CNN's Wolf Blitzer and I will break down all of it for you. We'll have lawmakers on Capitol Hill, and we're going to hear from Americans, you everyday Americans, as well.
And if you want to send us an iReport, go to iReport.com. We'll get it on the air for you. We want to hear your side as well as we quickly come to that deadline.
I'm Don Lemon at the CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta. I'll see you back here tomorrow night, 6:00, 7:00, 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. Eastern. Good night.
