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Interview With Jennifer Hudson; Training Libya's Newest Fighters; White House's Solar Mistake; Countdown to the Emmy Awards; Talk Back Question: What if Congress Took A Pay Cut?; Marine to Receive Medal of Honor
Aired September 15, 2011 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Live from Studio 7, I'm Fredricka Whitfield, in for Suzanne Malveaux. Let's get you up to speed for Thursday, September 15.
Switzerland's largest bank is watching its stock fall hard today. UBS says one of its trader treated the bank's cash like "Monopoly" money. He allegedly lost $2 billion on rogue trades. Reuters and British news outlets say a 31-year-old UBS employee in the bank's London office was arrested today. UBS says it's possible the fraud will cause a loss for the third quarter.
And, in Georgia, a final push for clemency for convicted cop killer Troy Davis. The NAACP and Amnesty International are delivering thousands of petitions today to the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles. In the 20 years since Davis' trial, seven of nine witnesses have recanted, claiming police forced them to lie. But a judge who considered a retrial ruled Davis was unable to clearly establish his innocence.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRENDA FOREST, DAVIS JUROR: If I knew then what I know now, Troy Davis would not be on death row.
SPENCE LAWTON, FORMER DISTRICT ATTORNEY: I'm just disappointed that so many people have been led to believe that nobody has paid attention to these recantations. It's, as I explained earlier, simply not the case. It's just not the case. And on what ground are the recantations more believable than the testimony in court? None. None.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Troy Davis is scheduled to be put to death next Wednesday unless the Pardon and Paroles Board grant clemency.
In two hours, House Speaker John Boehner will detail the Republican plan to create jobs. They will reportedly call on Congress to cut corporate taxes and close loopholes. Top Republicans had signaled they could go along with parts of the president's jobs plans until that is they found out that the president would pay for it by raising taxes on wealthy Americans. The line for first-time unemployment benefits, by the way, got a lot longer last week. The Labor Department said initial claims jumped 11,000 for a total of 428,000. That's the highest number of first- time claims since June.
The postmaster general is outlining a money-saving plan that could cost potentially 150,000 jobs. The Postal Service wants to close more than 300 mail processing facilities. Saturday deliver could also end. First-class mail will be slower to arrive at your mailbox. The Postal Service is $10 billion in the hole this fiscal year.
And in Los Angeles today, lawyers in Dr. Conrad Murray's manslaughter trial are going over juror questionnaires with the judge. The final phase of juror selection is next week. The police say Murray had a hand in Michael Jackson's death. The pop icon died of an overdose of anesthesia and other drugs.
Jacqueline Kennedy is blunt and candid in just-released recordings. They were made by historian Arthur Schlesinger in the months after JFK's assassination. Here, the former first lady says she pleaded to stay at her husband's side during the Cuban Missile Crisis, even if it ended with a nuclear attack on Washington.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS, FORMER FIRST LADY: And I said even if there's not room in the bomb shelter in the White House, which I had seen, I said, please, then I just want to be on the lawn when it happens. No, but I just want to be with you and I want to die with you. And the children do, too, than live without you.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: (AUDIO GAP) released the tapes to help mark the 50th anniversary of her father's presidency.
All right, here now your chance to talk back on one of the big stories of the day. What if Congress took a pay cut?
Carol Costello joins me now from New York.
Big old hypothetical or a potential reality?
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. What would you say if Congress took a pay cut? Now, don't laugh. I can hear you out there laughing. So stop it right now.
A nonpartisan group called the Taxpayers Protection Alliance sent this letter to lawmakers urging them to cut their extravagant salaries of $174,000 a year by 10 percent. They say it would save taxpayers $100 million over 10 years.
Before you say fat chance, Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown has introduced legislation calling on lawmakers to wait until the age of 66 before receiving a pension. Right now, lawmakers can retire as early as age 50 with a full pension depending on their years of service. I know, you are still laughing. And I know why. Because you have heard it all before.
Last February, as Americans faced the possibility of a government shutdown, Senator Barbara Boxer had a dandy idea.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BARBARA BOXER (D), CALIFORNIA: If the government is forced to shut down, members of Congress and the president should be treated the same way as all other federal employees. We should not be paid.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: OK. The government did not shut down, so I guess Congress got a pass on that. But, seriously, if lawmakers did take a pay cut or raise their retirement age, dare I say it, would that be patriotic? Responsible? Moral?
We would like to hear from you. So, the "Talkback" question today, what would it say to you if Congress took a pay cut? Facebook.com/CarolCNN. Facebook.com/CarolCNN. I will read your responses later this hour.
WHITFIELD: All right, we look forward to that. I know people are going to be fired up, per usual, Carol.
COSTELLO: Yes.
WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks so much.
All right, here is what's ahead on the rundown. First, the White House is being criticized for giving millions in stimulus money to a solar company that went under just months later. And we show you how an art school in L.A. is helping kids excel in math and science as well.
Then, she reportedly went from a size 16 to a size zero. I will talk to singer Jennifer Hudson about her fight to end both obesity as well as hunger.
Also, our exclusive look at Libyan rebels learning to use weapons right before they have to use them.
And then later, a man who saved the lives of more than a dozen Marines in Afghanistan is getting the Medal of Honor today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I definitely don't see myself as a hero. I see myself as the furthest thing from a hero. I went in there to get my guys out alive and I failed. So, I'm more of a failure than a hero in my eyes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, here is your chance to "Choose the News." Text 22360 for the story that you want to see.
Text one for culture clash. There's an emotional battle raging in Arizona right now to save Mexican-American studies in the state's schools. We will hear from both sides of the melting pot. Two for the progressive priest. A bishop in Ireland says it's time to let priests get married. Could a revolution in the church help heal the wounds left by its abuse scandals?
And text three for made in China. Forget cheap knockoffs. A made in China label could soon be found on high-end products designed within the country's own borders. You can text by texting 22360. Text one for culture clash in Arizona, two for the progressive priest or three for the new made in China. The winning story airs next hour.
More than $500 million in taxpayers' money could go down the drain. That's how much a bankrupt solar energy company got in federal loan guarantees. They were part of a stimulus bill pushed by President Obama just after he took office. And now the White House faces some tough questions about its role in the loans.
Our report now from CNN's Lisa Sylvester in Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LISA SYLVESTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): President Obama toured Solyndra last May, holding up the solar panel company as an example of innovation and success, a company that was at the vanguard of a new green jobs movement.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: For generations, this part of the country has embodied the entrepreneurial spirit that has always defined America's success.
SYLVESTER: But fast-forward to this month. The company declared bankruptcy, leaving 1,000 employees without jobs. And the FBI last week searched the company headquarters, but wouldn't say what they were looking for.
At issue is a half-a-billion-dollar federal government loan to the company. E-mails released at a congressional hearing show that some White House budget analysts questioned early on how financially sound Solyndra was, but felt under pressure by the White House to move quickly -- quote -- "We would prefer to have sufficient time to do our due diligence reviews," said one e-mail. Another, "This deal is not ready for prime time," an Office of Management and Budget staffer wrote.
Ten days later, the Obama administration announced approval of the $535 million loan. Taxpayers are now on the hook, and may never see that money again.
In a hearing, Republicans lawmakers grilled Jonathan Silver, the head of the Department of Energy's Loans Program Office. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You have handled loans of this size and now you're saying it's everybody else's fault but you, except you're in charge. You tell me what you, as a person in charge, did with half-a- billion dollars of taxpayers' money, now saying it's all my staff's fault, I didn't know, I can't do anything about. You tell me what you're going to tell the taxpayers.
SYLVESTER: The Energy Department defended its decisions.
JONATHAN SILVER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LOANS PROGRAMS OFFICE, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY: There is risk, almost by definition, in the identification of the innovation itself in building out that innovation at scale.
SYLVESTER: One question, how involved was the White House in the decision to grant the loan? Records show the main private investor in Solyndra is a man named George Kaiser, a key fund-raiser for Mr. Obama, who raised $50,000 to $100,000 for his 2008 election.
White House visitor logs show that between March 2009 and April 2011, when the administration was considering giving the loan, Kaiser visited the White House 16 times, including having meetings with White House adviser Valerie Jarrett and then-Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.
RONNIE GREENE, CENTER FOR PUBLIC INTEGRITY: The company Solyndra said that there was no political influence and White House officials say that as well, but critics will use this connection to raise a question, was there favorable treatment given?
SYLVESTER: The White House denies trying to speed up the loan approval process, saying staffers were trying to figure out whether to proceed with a groundbreaking event if the loan were approved. White House spokesman Jay Carney telling reporters: "What the e-mails make clear is there was an urgency to make a decision on a scheduling matter. It's a big proposition to move the president or to put on an event."
(on camera): Congressional Democrats want to shift some of the blame to the Bush administration, noting that the Solyndra loan approval process actually started when President Bush was in the White House. But that loan got fast-tracked when the Obama administration took over. It was two months after the inauguration when the announcement was made for the $535 million loan.
Lisa Sylvester, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: A Swiss bank blames unauthorized trades for a huge loss. UBS says the total loss was $2 billion.
We will go live to the New York Stock Exchange to find out what happened exactly.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(STOCK MARKET UPDATE)
WHITFIELD: All right, checking stories making news across the country now.
Surveillance video catches an 85-year-old woman driving right through this California bike shop, as you see right there, a car smashing through a glass window, then plowing through the shelves and the bikes. And, look, a lot of people running for their lives. Two people inside just barely escaped being hit. Everyone is OK. The shop had just been remodeled, by the way.
And on to Missouri now. Two kids came to the rescue when their 22-year-old cousin jumped into this pool, hit his head, and then could not move his arms or legs. The 9- and 11-year-old boys then jumped into the five-foot-deep water and then carried the man up, even though he weighed more than both of them combined.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVEN ROMINES, 9 YEARS OLD: I was on the side of the pool, and I said, I think something is wrong with Tyler. And then Crichton went underwater to try to grab him up. And then he came up and he said, "Steven, I need help."
I was thinking he wasn't really going to live. I thought he was going to pass away.
TYLER BIRDSONG, SAVED FROM DROWNING: After a little while, I made peace. I was like -- I was like, this is really how I'm going to die.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Incredible. Tyler Birdsong fractured three of his vertebra. But he has since regained feeling in his feet and legs and is miraculously able to walk again.
And from Phoenix to L.A., folks in the Southwest got a rare treat last night. Take a look at this, a mysterious streak of light shooting across the sky. Dozens of people in California, Nevada and Arizona called 911 to report a UFO. Well, experts believe it may have been a meteor or piece of an asteroid.
And CNN is searching for solutions to make America's public schools better. It's a series that we are calling "Fix Our Schools."
CNN's Sandra Endo reports on one Los Angeles high school that seeks out students not for their talents in academics, but for their talents in the arts.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SANDRA ENDO, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Homework for 17-year-old Camilo Estrada means sitting down at his piano perhaps more than at his desk.
(on camera): What do have you more of, actual textbooks or music books?
CAMILO ESTRADA, STUDENT: Probably music books.
ENDO (voice-over): This high school senior is an opera vocalist at the Los Angeles County High School of the Arts, where famous alums like Josh Groban and Jenna Elfman honed their talents. This once-shy freshman who drives to school with his learner's permit now has a lead role in the spring production of "Figaro."
(on camera): I just have to put it out there. You don't really look like an opera singer. Do people tell you that?
C. ESTRADA: Yes. It's weird because you don't notice like hidden talents. There's hidden talents everyone has.
ENDO (voice-over): Hidden talent is what this specialized public high school cultivates. More than 1,100 students applied and auditioned for only 150 spots to get into the school this year. Administrators say embracing creativity is why more than 95 percent of the school's graduates go on to college.
GEORGE SIMPSON, PRINCIPAL, LOS ANGELES COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS: What it is that we value is not necessarily demonstrated skill, but it's sort of that light behind the eye, that sort of passion.
ENDO: A unique approach, given many public schools are being forced to cut arts programs first because of tight budgets.
C. ESTRADA: I don't think any student should go without at least some sort of like outlet, like sports or arts.
ENDO: And mom agrees.
(on camera): Have you seen a transformation in him since going to this school?
MAGDALENA ESTRADA, MOTHER: Absolutely. Absolutely. He has -- he changed in the way he is relating to other people and the way he sees things in life.
ENDO (voice-over): And he's thinking of using his voice professionally.
C. ESTRADA: I might be broke, but it's what I love. And I want to pursue it. I don't care.
ENDO: Sandra Endo, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Nice.
And coming up next hour, find out what the experts say is a guarantee for success in the classroom. CNN Student News anchor Carl Azuz will give us the answer. And talk about on-the-job training. How about learning how to fire a weapon right before you have to actually fire that weapon? It's a CNN exclusive, a look at some of Libya's newest fighters on their way to the front lines.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Here is a rundown of some of the stories we are working on next.
Libyans learn how to use guns just minutes before they actually have to fight for their country.
Then, we have Jennifer Hudson live talking about her struggle with obesity the fight against hunger.
And, later, meet the young man who is getting a Medal of Honor from the president of the United States today.
And on their way to battle while learning how to fight, that's a surprising reality for many new recruits in Libya's rebel army. They are being shown how to use their weapons during a journey to the front lines.
Our senior international correspondent, Ben Wedeman, takes us along with the anti-Gadhafi forces in this CNN exclusive from the Sahara Desert.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A timeless desert scene until a pickup arrives. The calm and quiet of the Sahara has been disturbed by the arrival of a force heading to loyalist strongholds in the far south.
But this is a fighting force in the making. They are learning, literally, as they go along.
In the early morning cool, Ahmed, formally in Gadhafi's army, is giving a lesson in how to use a rocket-propelled grenade launcher. Everyone gets a chance to shoulder it, get used to the feel of it. It's only a matter of days, at the most, before they will be in battle.
Ahmed concedes it's a tall order to cram months of training into a few hours during the journey to the front.
"Of course, of course," he says. "But over the next day or two, we will try to teach them."
What follows are more lessons in the art of the heavy machine gun, how to load it, how to fire it, and then an anti-aircraft gun. Not everyone is new at this; 61-year-old former soldier Mohammed Arabi (ph) can chant and cheer with the best of them. The plan is to try to negotiate a peaceful surrender in the largest southern city, Sabha. All indications so far, however, point to a bitter fight for the south. It could be Gadhafi's last stand, warns commander Ahmed Hasnawi.
"Their biggest concentration is in the south," he tells me. "We even have information they want to set up an independent entity to be ruled by all the figures of the old regime."
It's not all about fighting, however. A large group of doctors and nurses has also come along with trucks and ambulances full of medicine, and not just the usual material for battle wounds. There's a humanitarian side to this mission.
Dr. Hatem Abu Bakr was a car dealer in Tripoli before the revolution. He says he made more money selling cars than practicing medicine.
HATEM ABU BAKR, ANTI-GADHAFI FIGHTER: There are two missions. One part of the mission is to keep all the people with us in the front line safe. The other part is that Sabha has now closed since one month. And I think all the stocks are near to zero.
WEDEMAN: Most essential is water. They have brought thousands of bottles. In this heat, dehydration can be deadlier than a bullet. By midday, the force finally starts to move.
(on camera): Now they are finally moving out. But it's still a long way to go, more than 300 kilometers to the front lines outside Sabha.
(voice-over): It will be a long, hot and difficult journey.
Ben Wedeman, CNN, in the Sahara Desert, Libya.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Happening this hour on Capitol Hill, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee holds a hearing on Defense Department contracting in Afghanistan. Lawmakers are trying to determine if the U.S. is doing enough to combat corruption.
That's after recent reports confirmed that billions of American taxpayer dollars for projects in Afghanistan may be diverted to extremists who are killing American troops.
Our Suzanne Malveaux discussed it this week in her interview with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMID KARZAI, PRESIDENT OF AFGHANISTAN: But the bigger corruption in millions of dollars are in tens of millions of dollars, or perhaps even hundreds of millions of dollars, lost to both us and the U.S. taxpayer is something beyond our reach and that the United States and our other allies have to fix on their end and with us. SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: What can you say to Americans who know that there are billions of dollars who are meant to go to aid to Afghans that are going to the Taliban?
KARZAI: Terrible. Terrible. And we have voiced ourselves many times on this issue.
MALVEAUX: Can you do anything about it?
KARZAI: There's nothing I can do about it. It's not in my hands. It's not in the Afghans' hands. It's the United States and our allies who have to stop this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: All right.
In the fight against hunger and obesity, she's a former "American Idol" finalist and an award-winning singer and actress. Now Jennifer Hudson -- there she is right there -- taking on the fight against obesity and hunger in this nation. We're going to have a live conversation next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, don't forget to vote for today's "Choose the News" winner. Text 22360 for the story that you want to see. Text one for culture clash. A battle is raging in Arizona's schools over teaching Mexican-American history.
Text two for the progressive priest. An Irish bishop says it's time for the church to let priests marry. Could it redeem a religion still scarred by child abuse scandals? And text three for made in China. No longer satisfied with creating cheaper copies of American goods, China's designers are starting a revolution of homegrown products. The winning story airs next hour.
So, in about 10 minutes, first lady Michelle Obama will make an announcement as part of her Let's Move campaign to end childhood obesity. She's expected to call on restaurants to consider their portion sizes, improve children's menus and make healthy options, in her words, the default choice whenever possible.
Singer Jennifer Hudson, who is also a spokesperson for Weight Watchers, is speaking out about the connection between obesity and hunger. She's in Washington today.
Jennifer joins me now, along with the CEO of Weight Watchers, David Kirchhoff.
Jennifer, good to see both of you, and David.
And is there a happy birthday in order first, Jennifer?
JENNIFER HUDSON, SINGER/ACTRESS: It is. I'm three days old.
(LAUGHTER)
WHITFIELD: And you look fabulous.
HUDSON: Thank you. Are we talking the big 3-0?
HUDSON: Yes. I'm 30 now.
WHITFIELD: All right. Oh, that's fantastic.
HUDSON: Thank you. Thank you.
WHITFIELD: Well, you look great. And everyone has taken incredible notice of how you look, going from a size 16 to reportedly a size zero, Weight Watchers in large part how you did it.
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: OK. So, first, you want a correction that size zero part? Or are you embarrassed about that, those numbers?
HUDSON: Oh, no, no, no, no. I don't know about no size zero, but I'm a size healthy. I'm a good size.
(LAUGHTER)
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: Fantastic.
What was the inspiration behind that? Why did you feel like it was time to start thinking about eating in a more healthy way or getting healthy or losing weight? What happened?
HUDSON: Well, a huge part of it for me, just like with the Lose For Good campaign, is about like helping the children be healthy and things like that and making sure they are eating at the same time.
And I wanted to set an example for my son, to be honest. That was a huge part of it. After being pregnant also and wanting my body back and knowing like, wow, I could do whatever I want to do with it, and then again, like I said, having a child and wanting to be able to set an example for him, which is something I did not have growing up, so I wanted to make sure he had a fair shot and a fair chance, if nothing else, he knew, he had that example. And so that is what inspired me to do it.
WHITFIELD: And so now, as America tries to digest these numbers about obesity and hunger and that the obesity rates are climbing, as are the numbers in hunger, too many families, too many children are going hungry, how do you think America should be tackling this? What is the problem here?
HUDSON: Well, they should definitely tackle it. Nobody should be hungry. And, again, that's the great part of Weight Watchers, is the fact while we are losing, someone else is gaining. We know somebody is eating because things are given from that. And so that inspires us that much more. But it's definitely something we should tackle. And it's -- no reason why we can't help each other.
WHITFIELD: And, David, a lot of people have a hard time understanding how is it you have obesity and at the same time you have hunger? In some of the very communities, in segments of our population that are dealing with an overweight problem, there's also the issue of hunger.
DAVID KIRCHHOFF, PRESIDENT AND CEO, WEIGHT WATCHERS: Yes. I mean, it is one of the great paradoxes that we have two significant health issues in this country, which is one is obesity, which is driving chronic disease, and the second is poverty, of which statistics just came out very recently that shows how bad that has gotten.
And, ironically, those who have the fewest means are often left to purchase the cheapest calories. And too often, the cheapest calories are those things that are heavy in added sugar and fats. So, you have this sad effect that obesity is generally at its worst with low-income communities.
WHITFIELD: And I understand that Weight Watchers donates a dollar to a group that works to fight hunger with America with every pound a member actually loses. Explain to me how that works and how that will benefit a lot of people.
HUDSON: Lose For Good, which is the program we are running right now, as our members are losing weight, we are making contributions to two organizations, actually, Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger.
Share Our Strength is -- with us, they're focusing on school breakfast, making that more available. And Action Against Hunger is doing amazing things overseas. And it's a great way -- as our members are losing weight, they can sort of see the benefit of their own health improving while at the same time seeing benefit in the community more broadly.
WHITFIELD: Oh, fantastic.
Now, Jennifer, you are not a stranger to CNN. We have seen you on the air here before. Do you remember this moment?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HUDSON: If you sing it with me, I will sing it.
MALVEAUX: Go ahead. You start.
HUDSON: Are you serious?
MALVEAUX: Oh, sure. Go ahead.
HUDSON: Oh, Lord. (singing): There's a place for us somewhere a place for us. Peace and quiet and open air.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Is it all coming back to you now? This was November 29, 2009. You were actually singing, serenading there our Suzanne Malveaux. Ringing a bell now?
(CROSSTALK)
HUDSON: I remember singing the song, but I don't remember singing it for --
(CROSSTALK)
(LAUGHTER)
WHITFIELD: Oh, you don't remember that. OK?
Well, we have it on tape there, you there singing with Suzanne. I guess you were asking her to chime in, but she refrained at that moment. I think I would do the same thing. Who is going to sing up against Jennifer Hudson?
(LAUGHTER)
HUDSON: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: Well, you know, Jennifer, you are really tackling a lot. You have got Weight Watchers. Every designer is apparently coming their way. They want to dress you now.
And there was a great segment of the population and a lot of women who, said, you know what, Jennifer Hudson was allowing a lot of women to feel big and feel very beautiful. And now they are seeing a lot more svelte Jennifer Hudson. And there are some women who are saying they feel betrayed.
What do you say to them about, A., why you came down in your weight, how you're feeling healthy, and what is your response to them who say they feel betrayed?
HUDSON: One, there's absolutely nothing wrong with being the big girl that they may be. So, still be proud of that. That should depend on you.
And at the end of the day, it's about what you want for yourself, how you feel about yourself. And no matter what size that is, no matter where you are in life, it's what you want for yourself. It's nothing else. It's not about size. It's about good health.
And at least for me, it's about good health, but, overall, what you want for yourself. So, if you want to be that big girl, be the fiercest big girl you can possibly be. And I will be the healthy fierce girl I can possibly be. WHITFIELD: Fantastic. Well, you are fierce.
All right, Jennifer Hudson, great to see you.
David Kirchhoff, thanks so much of Weight Watchers.
KIRCHHOFF: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: We know you are in Washington today. You are at the National Press Club today talking.
Thanks so much to both of you.
And, again, happy birthday, Jennifer.
HUDSON: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: Be fierce at 30. But I didn't have to tell you that. You already are.
(LAUGHTER)
HUDSON: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: All right, good to see both of you. Thanks so much.
HUDSON: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: Republican presidential hopeful Rick Perry had dinner with the Donald. Does he need Donald Trump's support? Our senior political editor, Mark Preston, joins me live.
And it's bigger, it's brighter and now even easier to find CNN's most compelling video. We invite you to check out the bold new look of CNN.com's groundbreaking new video experience at CNN.com/video.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, now to the contest for the White House.
Republican presidential front-runner Rick Perry has been meeting in New York with Donald Trump. It was at Perry's request.
CNN senior political editor Mark Preston, part of the Best Political Team on Television, is live from the political desk in Washington.
So, Mark, Donald Trump toyed with the idea of running for president earlier this year. Now he's taking meetings with prospective Republican presidential candidates such as Perry. So what is going on here?
MARK PRESTON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL EDITOR: Well, you know, you're absolutely right. He toyed with the idea. Maybe he toyed with us a little bit, Fred, because he said he was going to run, he wasn't going to run. He wanted to wait until "The Apprentice" got over and he decided not to run.
But you're right, we saw Rick Perry in New York last night meeting with Donald Trump. They had dinner.
I talked to Trump's top political adviser, Michael Cohen. He told me that Trump likes the governor as an individual and he likes what he's done down in Texas, what he's done with jobs and what he's done with the economy. But right now, Trump is not going to be endorsing anybody. He has met with Sarah Palin and within the next couple of weeks, he's going to meet with Mitt Romney.
So Donald Trump is certainly keeping his name in the 2012 race, no doubt -- Fred.
WHITFIELD: So does that mean that he is not eliminating the notion of him actually jumping into the race sort of, kind of, again?
PRESTON: Well, you know, Fred, again, he does such a great job toying with us, saying that he might get in.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
PRESTON: Now, his political adviser tells me that they are ready to go in. Trump would run an Independent bid if Republicans do not nominate somebody that he feels can turn the country and beat President Obama.
However, that wouldn't be until June.
Look, bottom line, I think Donald Trump is going to endorse one of these candidates. And there's no question, he is still a player in presidential politics -- Fred.
WHITFIELD: All right, thanks so much.
Mark Preston, it's great to see you.
PRESTON: Thanks, Fred.
WHITFIELD: Republican candidates Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman join Wolf Blitzer in THE SITUATION ROOM today at 5:00 Eastern time.
And for the latest political news, you know exactly where to go, CNNPolitics.com.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Hollywood is in high gear ahead of Sunday night's 63rd annual Emmy Awards. And with so much talent on the ballot, some are saying this year's awards are really the closest ever.
Kareen Wynter joins me now with a look at who's on the list -- Kareen, any sure bets this year?
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Oh, yes. There are quite a few. An exciting race. The prime time Emmy Awards are just a few days away, Fred. And, you know, some of TV's hottest stars, they're gearing up for television's biggest night. And a few of this year's most buzzed about nominees in the drama category include everyone's favorite, "Mad Men," as well as "Boardwalk Empire".
Fred, many experts believe that these two -- these will -- this will be the -- these will be the two shows that will be battling it out, really, for the top prize in the best drama category. "Mad Men" has won best drama for the past three years. But HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" has earned a whole lot of praise among fans and critics after just one season. The drama is set in the 1920s, Atlantic City. It won a Golden Globe in January for best television drama series.
So this could be the year "Mad Men" is knocked from the top spot. We'll have to see.
WHITFIELD: Oh, wow!
WYNTER: And one area -- absolutely. And, so, you know, that would be an upset, perhaps. There are so many favorites out there.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
WYNTER: "Mad Men" being one of them. So we'll just have to wait and see.
Another area, Fred, worth highlighting, if we're talking about the comedy category, it's the lead actor in a comedy series. It's something, Steve Carell from "The Office." He's been nominated for a whopping six times. But believe it or not, he's never won.
Shocking, right?
WHITFIELD: Uh-oh.
WYNTER: Carell's long and successful run --
WHITFIELD: That's Susan Belushi is --
WYNTER: -- exactly. Carrell's long and successful run as the quirky boss, Michael Scott, on "The Office." It came to an end this year. And many believe an Emmy Award is long overdue.
WHITFIELD: Oh, boy.
WYNTER: So we spoke to some people, like his co-star, Jenna Fisher.
Listen to what she told us.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENNA FISCHER, ACTRESS, "THE OFFICE": He deserves an Emmy for this role, for this body of work that he did as this character on the show. And he has yet to win. And I really, really hope that this year he does. And I think he's had a winning year, because he had all of the emotional work that he did with the Michael Holley story line. And you saw more layers of that character's humanity this year than ever, when he had to face leaving.
And so I mean I just -- I think that -- I think he's earned it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: All right. Well, send it across for him.
WYNTER: Yes.
WHITFIELD: All right, so let's talk about the host this year.
WYNTER: We'll have to see.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
Let's talk about the host, Last year, Jimmy Fallon. This year, you know, people were so crazy over "Glee." So we're talking about Jane Lynch.
Might there be a lot of singing going on?
WYNTER: And you can bet, Fred, that -- of course. You bet. A little bit of singing and a little bit of dancing. I'm sure many "Glee" fans were happy when they heard that fiscal master (ph) herself, Jane Lynch, she's going to be hosting the show this year. And as we've seen on "Glee," Lynch, she's certainly a performer.
So as I said, you can you expect to see some song and dance when she takes the stage on Sunday. It could make for some stellar ratings if she hits the right note. She's also nominated in the supporting role category, the comedy category.
WHITFIELD: Oh.
WYNTER: So a big night for her -- Fred.
WHITFIELD: Big night. That's going to be fun.
All right, thanks so much.
And Kareen, we'll be watching you throughout the evening, as well as throughout the weekend, as we build up to the big show.
WYNTER: Thanks, Fred.
WHITFIELD: Thanks so much.
All right, so you have been weighing in on our "Talk Back" question of the day.
What would it say if Congress were to actually take a pay cut?
Carol Costello joins us now from New York with some of the responses -- Carol.
COSTELLO: I saw a little smile on your face, Fredricka. I did. WHITFIELD: Because I don't believe it?
COSTELLO: I don't think many people really believe that it would happen, if Congress actually said, yes, let's cut our pay.
Anyway, that was the Talk Back question.
This from Tom: "That they're finally catching on. If they're hell bent on cutting vital social services to the American people in the name of preserving Bush's failed tax cuts, then they should start by cutting their own cushy perks. Austerity starts at home."
This from Carolyn: "That they feel they need to make sacrifices, as well. And it would raise my opinion of them."
So the question is, what would it say to you if Congress actually took a pay cut?
This from Rollendo: "The rest of us have to take pay cuts and have to accept cuts to the services we use, like public schools, etc. If Congress, especially Republicans, were serious about the spending, they should really consider cutting their own wages."
And this from Mike: "Are you kidding me? Those who have been doing nothing but obstruct the moving forward of this country should be fired. The rest should not only take a big pay cut, but also lose their benefits package."
I don't think that's going to happen, Mike, but it's nice to vent, isn't it?
Please continue the conversation, Facebook.com/carolcnn.
I'll be back with you in about 20 minutes.
WHITFIELD: All right.
We'll look forward to that.
Thank you, Carol.
COSTELLO: Sure.
WHITFIELD: All right. He ran through enemy fire to save the lives of 13 fellow Marines. Later today, this Marine, Sergeant Dakota Meyer, will receive the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama.
Coming up next, his daring act of heroism, in his own words.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Later today, a 23-year-old from Kentucky will become the first living Marine awarded the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. Sergeant Dakota Meyer shared a beer with President Obama at the White House yesterday. The president will award him the medal today at 2:30 p.m. Eastern time. CNN will carry that ceremony live.
So back in 2009, Meyer saved the lives of 13 Marines and 23 Afghan soldiers.
Here is he in his own words.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SGT. DAKOTA MEYER, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS: Hi. I'm Dakota Meyer. I'm from Columbia, Kentucky.
Anyone who receives the -- the Medal of Honor and we're still here to talk about it, that's -- it's a great honor to receive it. But there's a huge price that was paid for it.
(ON SCREEN)
Meyer is being honored for his actions in the battle of Ganjal on September 8, 2009 in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, a six hour ambush and firefight that killed some of his best friends.
MEYER: I'm accepting the award on behalf of the guys that died that day, the men and women who are serving, the men and women who will serve the Marine Corps. It's a huge pride to be a Marine. It -- it's a great honor. It's more than just a uniform. It's more than just a job. It's a way of life. And it's a brotherhood that sticks with you even -- even after you're out of the Marine Corps.
(ON SCREEN)
Meyer braved enemy fire multiple times to evacuate coalition troops from the kill zone and to recover the bodies of his fallen comrades.
MEYER: It's a bad day, you know. So to describe it, it was probably -- not probably, it is the worst day of my life not probably. It's the worst day of my life. It's a bad day. I didn't just lose four -- four Marines, I lost Afghan buddies, too. I lost six from my platoon. And I think that's something we all need to keep in -- in perspective is that, you know, it's not -- it's not just four guys. We were so close to the Afghans, working alongside of them, that, I mean, they were just like your brothers, too.
I was applying aid to as many of them as I could. We were under -- we were under heavy fire the entire time. I know I applied quite a few tourniquets, trying to stop the bleeding on a lot of the guys and just really trying to apply aid and comfort to them as much as I could in the situation that we were handed.
I didn't do anything that any other Marine wouldn't do. I definitely don't see myself as a hero. I see myself as the furthest thing from a hero. I went in there to get my guys out alive and I failed. So I'm more of a failure than a hero, in my eyes. Do I think I deserve it?
No. I mean, but I'm not on the awards process. I don't make that decision, you know?
Nobody came up to me and asked me if I thought I deserved the Medal of Honor. So, you know, I -- I'd much rather have all my guys here alive than to get the medal.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you feel guilty?
MEYERS: Oh, yes. Yes.
How do you not feel guilty?
I do. There's a ton of guilt that comes with it. But we all signed the contract. That's -- that's one thing -- that's probably what gives you -- gives you sleep at night. You know, it's -- we all signed up for it.
I was going over there. I was willing to die for the country. And just like every one of them, just like any men and women serving. And we sign a contract.
Every single day I think about what happened and -- and how -- how I'm going to carry on my life and honor those guys. And I think what it does, is it gives you an extra -- it gives you an edge to everyone else because, you know, it's not just me -- it's not just me -- you know, I'm not just going around for myself now. Now I'm doing it for other people. And it took once have you that instilled in you, it's not -- it gives you an extra edge. You know, I've got -- if I can't look down and I don't have a reason to push on, I've got four reasons on my wrist. And that's why I keep their names on -- on my wrist.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: President Obama will award Sergeant Meyer the Medal of Honor at the White House today, 2:30 Eastern time.
CNN will bring that ceremony to you live at 2:30 Eastern time.
