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GOP Debate on the Economy; Wall Street Looks to New Earnings; Senate Split on Obama Jobs Bill; NBA Regular Season in Jeopardy; Ninety Lashes for Iranian Actress; Attempted Robbery Caught on Tape; 150 Resort Residents Stranded; 4-Year-Old Saves Family from Fire; God, Politics and Mitt Romney's Campaign; Hank Williams Jr. Lashes Out in Song; Cher Cheers Chaz, in Person; Nancy Slips During Split; For Sale: Fonzie's Motorcyle; Holland, MI Voted 'Most Tidy City'; Who Will Be Dior's Next Designer?
Aired October 11, 2011 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: It's the top of the hour. Welcome back. We begin a look at tonight's Republican presidential debate. All eight candidates are focusing on just one topic, the economy.
And most Americans are feeling its sting, maybe no one more so than President Obama. He could lose his job over it, and today he hits the road to sell his jobs plan. They may be facing a dead end where it counts most, Capitol Hill.
CNN crews covering all the angles for us. Paul Steinhauser previewing the debate, Christine Rowans on fixing the economy and fixing it fast, and Kate Bolduan looking at the divided Congress, ready to rumble over that jobs plan.
All right, Paul. Let's begin with you. In Washington, it's been less than three weeks since the last GOP debate and tonight it's jobs and the economy.
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPULY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Yes, and so much has changed since that last debate in Orlando, Florida, but you're right, tonight's debate in New Hampshire, Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire and it's going to focus entirely on the economy.
It continues to be the top issue with American voters, and the debate is going to happen most likely just a few hours after that big vote on the president's jobs bill in the Senate. So I think you're going to hear a lot about that tonight -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right and who do you think has most to lose tonight, Paul?
STEINHAUSER: The most to lose, possibly Rick Perry, the Texas governor. Remember, he stumbled three weeks ago in that last debate. Since then he's been in a freefall in a lot of those national and state polls. So Rick Perry needs a really breakout performance tonight to try to change the dynamic.
Who else would be in the spotlight? Well, Mitt Romney, once again the frontrunner in the national and state polls. When you're the frontrunner, it means the other candidates are going for you.
And someone else in the spotlight tonight as well, Herman Cain, the former Godfather's Pizza CEO. He's been rising in the state polls and the national polls. With that comes more scrutiny, so expect that tonight as well -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right, scrutiny too over companies releasing their earnings reports. It was a bright spot earlier this year, but the news for the past quarter, not so bright. Christine Romans in New York to explain. So Christine, this is a sign of the economy slowing down?
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, this is really how you take a look at what's happening to stocks and the overall economy, what's happening to companies. Companies did very, very well after they emerged from the recession.
They tightened down. They cut cost, right? They managed to grow their profits quite nicely for eight quarters in a row. Now that profit growth appears to be slowing and this week's slate and next week's slate of corporate earnings are going to give us a real temperature of just how well companies are now weathering this.
So far they haven't really been hiring them and keeping a lot of cash on the sidelines and that's been good for them. And now if earnings are slowing, it gives them even less incentive to hire and to deploy that cash.
Today, we're going to get our Alcoa after closing bells. This is important because aluminium prices have been pulling back. We'll see if companies like Alcoa are having slower growth. We're going to hear from Pepsi and a lot of different consumer-related companies.
Later this week and next week, we're going to hear from the banks. Now everyone is talking about bank fees, Kyra, but the story among people who are watching the banks is a weak economy and exposure to Europe.
What is going on for the investment banks? What's going on for the banks? Is that a potential weak spot for the U.S. economy? So that's what we'll be watching for, what these reports tell us about just how tentative any kind of recovery in this country is right now.
PHILLIPS: So how many jobs do we actually need to start being able to say, OK, we can make a difference in this economy?
ROMANS: Well, we need 400,000 new jobs every month for three years to get back down to 6 percent unemployment, which is where we were before the recession began. That's not going to happen. You said something interesting when you were introducing all of this.
You said how are we going to fix the economy and fix it fast? The two men who won the Nobel Prize for Economics, many other very steamed economists who are not political, who are completely apolitical, they say fixing the economy fast is impossible.
That we have emerged from a horrible, horrible travesty in economics that took 25 years to make and it will take a while to wring itself out and that mistakes that politicians make right now are the biggest problem. Quite frankly, as they move for political points and not move for what's best in the overall economy. So we're still in very dangerous territory here, I'll be honest with you.
PHILLIPS: Christine, thanks. So clearly no one can argue against creating more jobs, yet Congress is still divided and there may not be enough support to even vote on the Obama jobs plan.
Kate Bolduan on Capitol Hill with that angle. So where do things stand now, Kate?
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, there, Kyra. Well, the president, as you mentioned, he's hitting the road today, heading to Pittsburgh to try to continue doing what we've seen him doing over and over again, trying to sell his jobs plan.
But all eyes are here on Capitol Hill as the Senate is set to vote this evening. This is not a vote on final passage rather it's a vote -- a key procedural vote that this bill needs to pass in order to get to that final passage.
It's not expected to reach the 60 votes needed to overcome this hurdle, and here's why. There is broad Republican -- there is broad Republican opposition to this bill. Republicans don't -- there really is no one to think that any Republican is going to support this, this evening.
Republicans are calling it another round of wasteful stimulus spending. The Republicans are also very much against how Democrats want to pay for this, this so-called millionaires surtax.
On the other side, Democratic leaders are predicting an overwhelming majority of Democrats to support this, but I should note that it will -- they do not expect it to be all Democrats to support this.
There are some modern Democrats, especially those, Kyra, up for re-election who have taken issue with this millionaire surtax, among other things. I think what you can expect is once this vote happens, and it is important to watch for this vote.
You can see both sides will use this to their political advantage in the bitter battle that we're going to see going forward in jobs and the economy. Republicans coming out to say, look, the president's jobs bill couldn't pass here and didn't even have support of the Democrats.
Democrats on the flipside will try to paint Republicans as an obstructionist and simply saying no rather than offering a useful alternative as the White House is already doing, as they're out today doing. So we'll be keeping a close eye on this vote this evening though -- Kyra. PHILLIPS: All right, we're standing by. Kate, thanks.
The NBA season is rapidly disappearing. The league has cancelled the first two weeks of play and now there is talk the entire season could go bye-bye. Owners and players are deeply deadlocked in the labor dispute.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID STERN, NBA COMMISSIONER: We remain really very, very far apart on virtually all issues.
DEREK FISHER, PRESIDENT, NBA PLAYERS ASSOCIATION: We're not at a place where a fair deal can be reached between ourselves and the NBA, and, you know, at this point we're not sure how this will proceed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Commissioner David Stern also says for now no new talks are scheduled.
All right, a month after her movie role, an Iranian actress and filmmaker is learning her fate. Max Foster, here with the details. Give us the back story on the situation and tell us what the big deal was about this movie, Max.
MAX FOSTER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Kyra, well, it's called "My Tehran For Sale" and it's about an actress who is banned from work in Iran and then tries to escape from the camp. Let's just listen in for a moment.
I assume that the government doesn't approve of this film because they've set the actress, Mazia Vladimir, to jail. She's also been sentenced to 90 lashes. But very odd decision many people are saying because even if there was a problem with the film, you can't really blame the actress.
She's just doing what the director has told her to do, but nevertheless, she's ended up in prison. Her husband is talking and saying, why should my wife be punished for them, what the director and producer have been doing?
These arrests have had a bad reflection both inside and outside the country. It raises so many questions, Kyra, about what happened here, and we don't know the charges. And that's the problem here. The human rights laws are trying to get to the bottom of it.
PHILLIPS: We'll follow up for sure. Max, thanks.
Mitt Romney's fate, bright and center after a prominent pastor labels Mormonism a cult. So the big question, do Evangelical voters even care? We're talking God, politics and the 2012 race for the White House with Richard Rand.
Plus a flood has more than 100 people stranded in Florida right now. The road is under more than 7 inches of water. We'll take you cross country next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Checking stories cross country. In Texas, an attempted robbery is caught on tape. Watch as you actually see the two suspects running in to this Houston gas station, and in just a second here you'll see them just fire on the clerks and then a gun battle breaks out. One of the men was arrested, the other one got away.
In Polk County, Florida, 150 people stranded after heavy rains washed out portions after a resort road. It's under more than 7 inches of water now, and to make matters even worse, it's the only way in or out of the area.
And in Pennsylvania, four-year-old Shane Breidigan comes to the rescue saving his entire family from a house fire. Take a listen at him as he describes every detail.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHANE BREIDIGAN, SAVED FAMILY FROM FIRE: I got everybody out because I told mama there was a fire and then there was smoke and everything.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, Shane's family is so grateful to the little hero, but firefighters couldn't save their home of 30 years.
Mitt Romney's Mormon faith earning as many headlines as his policy this week, all thanks to a prominent Dallas pastor who calls the Mormon church a cult, and Robert Jeffress won't back down. Listen to what he told his congregation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Part of a pastor's job is to warn his people and others about false religions. Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Mormonism are all false religions, and I stand by those statements.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, Dr. Richard Land heads the Southern Baptist Convention as well as the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, he's joining me from Washington. So Richard, would you hear Jeffries saying again and again saying these religions are false. That they're cults, do you think that he's turning this race into a religious debate versus a policy one?
RICHARD LAND, PRESIDENT, SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION: No. Look, he's a pastor, and in full disclosure, I was a member of First Baptist Church Dallas for 13 years and on staff prior to his being pastor.
It's a great church. When you ask a pastor a theological question, you're going to get a theological answer. He was asked the question after he had finished introducing Governor Perry, and he said Mormonism is a cult.
PHILLIPS: Can you see where that's offensive?
LAND: I can, but you know, sometimes the truth is offensive. I think the problem with Mormonism is that when we use the word cult, that's a theological definition of a movement that claims to be within the confines of the Christian faith and clearly is not within the confines of the Christian faith, it is a new religion.
It is another religion. And the problem is when we hear the word cult, we think branch Davidians, we think the Jones cult. These are people are, you know, middle class, moral, respectable people. They are anything, but a cult in a cultural and social sense, but they are --
PHILLIPS: That's not how Americans are taking it. When they hear cult, they're thinking the worst possible case scenario. It's not a positive term. It's us versus them, there is no conversation. There is no understanding. That's not the Christian faith, right?
LAND: Well, that's why I don't use the term to describe them even though it's theologically accurate within the context of theology. I say that perhaps the best way to describe Mormonism is that it's the fourth Abrahamic religion.
Judism being the first, Christianity being the second and Islam being the third, and Mormonism would be the fourth with Joseph Smith playing the role that Mohammad plays within Islam and the Book of Mormon playing the role that the Koran plays.
PHILLIPS: What about his comments about Buddhims, Islam, Hinduism?
LAND: Well, look, Christianity says Jesus, the founder of Christianity says, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man come under the father but by me.
So by definition of the founder of the Christian faith of whom I am a follower, then all other religions are false religions. That doesn't mean they should be disqualified from participating in the civic life of the country.
It doesn't mean they should be disqualified from running for president or any other office. They shouldn't be disqualified. But when you're talking about the Christian faith, the Christian faith has exclusive truth claims.
This had been true for 2000 years. This shouldn't be new to anyone that Christians believes that Christianity is the true faith and other faiths are not the true faith.
PHILLIPS: OK, well, let me ask you this. If it comes down to Obama and Romney, will Evangelicals vote for Romney?
LAND: I think the vast majority will, yes. Because first of all, they understand that when you're voting for president, you're not voting for someone to be theologian in chief, you're voting for someone to be commander in chief.
They're going to look for someone who agrees with them on policy issues, and even Pastor Jeffries said if it came down to Romney and Obama, he would vote for Romney because Romney has policy views that are closer to his than President Obama does.
PHILLIPS: And coming up, he may have lost his Monday night football gig, but Hank Williams, Jr. hasn't lost his way with words. More on his new song that slams some former friends.
Plus, it will be a happy day for somebody, the Fonz's motorcycle about to be auctioned off. Details and the rest of your showbiz headlines next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: A 20-year gig and Hank Williams, Jr. just won't drop the subject. Entertainment correspondent Kareen Wynter joining us now from L.A. So, Kareen, just a week ago the country singer was sacked by ESPN, but Hank Williams, Jr., he is back already.
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Of course, Kyra. You know, his song isn't being heard on ESPN's Monday night football anymore, but that doesn't mean Hank Williams, Jr. is staying quiet.
No, he just released a brand new politically charged song blasting ESPN for dropping him. Listen to this, Kyra.
OK, Kyra, it's called "Keep the Change" and on it, Williams Jr. also fires back at the morning show he appeared on and made his controversial comments where he, of course, compared President Obama to Hitler.
Those comments led ESPN to drop his iconic, "are you ready for some football?" from its Monday night football broadcast. As for the new song, Kyra, well, he's offering the track for free download on his web site for 48 hours. Not going quietly, is he?
PHILLIPS: We'll see how many people take upon the offer. We'll follow up, Kareen. All right, now Chaz Bono got some support from mom last night on "Dancing with the Stars."
WYNTER: He sure did, and so many people were anticipating her big appearance. Of course, we're talking about Cher. There was an extra diva in the house on last night's "Dancing with the Stars." All eyes were on Cher who came out to, of course, support her son, Chaz Bono, in week four.
In fact, Kyra, it was family night for Chaz. That's because the stepmom, Mary Bono. She was also in the audience. Chaz picked "Rocky" as his favorite movie and his performance. Didn't do too shabby there, earned him a standing ovation from a teary eyed Cher.
Chaz told "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" back stage how his mom has been reacting to all this dancing? (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHAZ BONO, CONTESTANT, "DANCING WITH THE STARS": It was so great to have her there and to have my whole family there supporting me. It was awesome. Yes. Just -- you know, just how proud she was, how nervous she was and how proud.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WYNTER: Look at that proud mama. Well, Chaz, of course, standing there with his partner, Lacey Schwimmer. It earned them their routine at 21, which by the way, ties him with China Philips and HLN's own Nancy Grace, yes, we couldn't leave without talking about Nancy, for second to last place.
If you're wondering about Nancy's latest, she had a teeny, weeny awkward mover at the end of her routine. She confessed to us, Kyra, back stage that yes, her foot did caught in her dress when she did a split at the end.
And yes, she kind of slipped. So we'll have to see what viewers have to say about that in tonight's elimination show. But Nancy is doing great. No one probably saw that little tripped.
PHILLIPS: Exactly, she pulls it off. She just moves right on. She'll continue to sail right through.
All right, happy days are here again, shall we say, but for a price this time. People might to want buy a little bit of Fonzie's cool.
WYNTER: Yes, get ready to pull out the dollars. Look here, no one truly knows where Fonz really got his mystical power of coolness? How was he able to pound jukeboxes into functioning? Was it the hair, maybe the jacket or could it have been that motorcycle? Now, the bike that Henry Winkler made famed the Fonz's in "Happy Days" can be yours for a price.
The Fonz's 1949 Triumph TR5 will be auctioned off November 12 at the Pearson Automotive Museum here in L.A., but here's the bad news, Kyra, the motorcycle reportedly has a smashed speedometer, it's a little rusty, the seat is sagging and it hasn't run since the 1970s.
The free auction estimate is 60 to $80,000. Not bad for a junker that hasn't run for 40 years. Even though it hasn't run, though, it could be kind of cool to own a teeny weeny part of TV history.
PHILLIPS: Don't you call it a junker now. You're going to offend a lot of big cyclists now.
WYNTER: I know, I know. All those motorcycle experts out there.
PHILLIPS: Thanks, Kareen. If you want any information on what's breaking in the entertainment world, just check out A.J. Hammer. He's always got the details every night, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" on HLN 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Joe the plumber becomes the Joe, the candidate. You remember this guy? He became something of a campaign trail celebrity. Talking taxes in 2008. Our "Political Buzz" panel dishes on what it would take to get him elected.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Checking top stories now. The accused underwear bomber goes on trial in Detroit. Umar Faruk Abdulmutallab is charged with trying to blow up a plane on Christmas day 2009. He says he will represent himself in court.
The "Occupy Wall Street" movement on the move. Some of the protesters say they're going to leave the financial district and head uptown today. They want to march into the posh neighborhoods where billionaires and CEOs live.
And the entire NBA season maybe in jeopardy thanks to a labor dispute. The commissioner has canceled the first two weeks of the regular season. He says players and owners are still very far apart on pretty much every issue.
All right, "Political Buzz," your rapid fire look at the best political topics of the day. Three questions, 30 seconds on the clock. Playing today, Democratic National Committee member, Robert Zimmerman, founder and editor of Citizen Jane Politics, Patricia Murphy and Republican strategist Cheri Jacobus.
First question, guys, tonight's GOP presidential debate in New Hampshire, is it a do or die moment for Rick Perry? Robert?
ROBERT ZIMMERMAN, DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE, MEMBER: Well, the good news for Governor Perry and his team are that the expectation levels are so low and if he doesn't fall off the stage, they're going to declare a victory.
But the reality is after so many policy statements and political missteps, he's really lost credibility. The real challenge is to watch the presidential candidate's as a team. They sat silently by when the soldier was booed because of his sexual orientation in the last debate.
And when another Republican audience cheered actually over people dying without health insurance, will these candidates have the character to step up to the right wing of their party?
PHILLIPS: Cheri?
CHERI JACOBUS, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Well, I don't think it was a right wing party, I think that was a really gross misrepresentation of what happened at the debate so I would urge people to go back and take a look.
What I think will happen tonight is Perry does have to do very, very well and beat expectations, particularly since he's come out with a very nasty ad against Mitt Romney that I think can hurt Perry as much as Romney.
So at this point, I think it's possible that Romney can look very, very good. Herman Cain, I expect to do very well. Newt Gingrich always does well, but he's not going up in the polls.
But it's Santorum or Bachmann who have to do well, but I think Perry has a problem, and I think he knows it, which is why he came out with this very, very negative but rather effective ad.
PHILLIPS: Patricia?
PATRICIA MURPHY, FOUNDER AND EDITOR, CITIZEN JANE POLITICS: Perry has got to do well tonight. I don't if it's do or die, but it is absolutely crucial. He has lost almost all of his momentum entirely because of his performance in the last debates. He's stumbling over his words.
He's not finishing his sentences. He can fix those problems. He has to fix this tonight. He also has problems on substance with the Republican base in terms of his position on immigration. I don't know if there's anything he can do to get right with the Republican base tonight or any point in the future.
He's got $15 million. He'll make it to Iowa, but if he doesn't do better tonight, he's not going to impress those donors. He's not going to get a lot further. He's certainly won't get his momentum back.
PHILLIPS: All right, Herman Cain surging in the polls as you know and tonight's debate, he's going to be right center stage right there next to Mitt Romney. Is Herman Cain ready? Cheri?
JACOBUS: I think he's a very different kind of candidate in that we don't associate him with a strong political background, but we associate him with obviously a very, very strong business background.
So he has to -- this unique thing that he brings to the table, I think he has some margins to play with and can kind of redefine it. Because obviously he's doing well as a candidate and has something to offer and he's doing something the others aren't.
So, I think he has to maintain that strength and show that he's ready. He's also unique as a candidate and as a very successful businessman and successful in so many areas of his life. You don't usually think those people are going to be the good communicators, but he's also been a talk radio host, so he's learned how to communicate (BUZZER) I expect him to be very strong.
PHILLIPS: Robert.
ZIMMERMAN: You know, I don't accept the premise that Herman Cain is surging. I think his campaign is living off a political Viagra. And by that I mean, his rise, just to kill the metaphor, his rise is artificial as Michele Bachmann's rise, as Rick Perry's rise, as all the excitement about Sarah Palin.
And ultimately, because of that, he's yet to define himself as having a credible campaign and a credible organization.
PHILLIPS: Patricia.
MURPHY: I'm a little distracted by his answer.
(LAUGHTER)
ZIMMERMAN: Sorry, Patricia.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Robert talking about Viagra. Oh, boy.
MURPHY: Refocusing, I will say that Herman Cain is ready. He is great at these debates. That's why he is surging. I mean, there's no doubt you to his activists, they absolutely love him mostly because of his performance in the debates. The question is, are the other candidates going to take him seriously?
He's sandwiched between Romney and Perry, but yesterday, Romney said, I don't care if you vote for Herman Cain. Vote for him vote for me, you'll be fine. That means they don't take him seriously. They don't really think he's a viable candidate.
If we see other candidates attacking him, that will actually be a victory for Herman Cain, because that means somebody actually thinks they he can win this thing. Most Republicans don't think he can.
PHILLIPS: What a segue. Speaking of people that, OK, can we take him seriously? Joe the Plumber filing papers to run for Congress in Ohio. What does he need to say to get your vote? Robert.
ZIMMERMAN: Look, any plumber that shows up on time, does the job and comes in at the estimated cost, that plumber deserves credit and my attention.
(LAUGHTER)
ZIMMERMAN: And look, there are a lot of great craftsmen, workers in America who deserve public office and are involved in their community and show real leadership. Joe the Plumber, unfortunately, has not demonstrated any of that.
PHILLIPS: Cheri.
JACOBUS: Well, I would disagree with that. You know, he doesn't even need -- Joe the Plumber doesn't need to have Republican talking points because Barack Obama gave him the talking point when he said not knowing he was being that he could be heard that he wanted to redistribute the wealth.
And I think Joe the Plumber represents so many men and women in this country who are trying to have jobs, create jobs, and small businesses, and he needs to run on creating wealth and creating jobs, and just compare that to the Democrats' message of just redistributing the wealth (BUZZER). One more thing, women with small businesses in this country create more jobs than all the fortune 500 companies combined. So, that'd be a good target for him.
PHILLIPS: Patricia.
MURPHY: Joe the Plumber would have to move to Georgia so I could vote for him, but since I don't think he's going to do that -- listen, don't count this guy out. If golfer from the love boat can be a congressman, and (INAUDIBLE)
(LAUGHTER)
MURPHY: There's rim (ph) for Joe the Plumber so do not count him out. That's all I have to say.
PHILLIPS: Yes. Very good point.
All right. Straight ahead, when a kid is bullied, the impact of it, well, it's often devastating. It can lead to eating disorders, depression, even suicide, but our Anderson Cooper learned that these same victims are bullies themselves. Doctors call it social combat. Two of the experts on bullying actually sat down with Anderson to explain.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This whole notion of social combat, it kind of defies conventional wisdom. Explain what it means?
ROBERT FARIS, CO-AUTHOR, AC 360 BULLYING STUDY: You know, a lot of these aggressive behaviors are really rooted in the desire for status. It's about climbing the social hierarchies, and kids are doing mean things to each other, and sometimes, in quite cold-blooded fashion.
So, they're doing it online, and it can be quite strategic. It's not necessarily always a sort of emotional reactive kind of aggression that I think people are sort of used to --
COOPER: So, it's not just necessarily something that's coming out of their home life or their family life or some emotional disturbance in their head. It's actually a response to where they are in the social order, and they're trying to move up by putting somebody else down or by knocking somebody else down who's a little higher up than they are.
FARIS: Absolutely. I mean, we see both kinds, and we do see that there are kids who have severe, you know, psychological issues, and they do take it out on the vulnerable kids in school, the kids who have violated some sort of social code.
But then, there's a whole -- but the much more common in our research, at least, the much more common pattern is this more tactical aggression that's occurring among kids who are quite popular. Not necessarily the most popular, but just right in the middle of the social hierarchy.
RACHEL SIMMONS, BULLYING EXPERT: So much of this is indirect aggression. it's beneath the radar, and that there is a culture of victimization, a day-to-day victimization that may not rise to the level of bullying, but that still is eroding the fabric of our schools.
COOPER: A cultural of victimization.
SIMMONS: Right. A day-to-day thing. In other words, one of Bob's findings is that the research is showing that there is so much aggression on a day-to-day basis. It doesn't necessarily mean that it's an extreme situation, but that every day, a significant percentage of kids are engaging in aggression.
FARIS: It's really tragic. I mean, these kinds of behaviors, I mean, even these small incidents that we're talking about actually do have long-term consequences for victims. They increase their depression, their anxiety levels, they lose attachment to school, and they become more marginalized.
SIMMONS: It's also true that this behavior peaks around eighth grade, which I think you found. And that's so important to talk about, because an eighth grader is so desperate to fit in developmentally. Middle school is a time you're obsessed with being accepting, and so we've got take those developmental norms into account when we think about our intervention.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: All this week, 8:00 p.m., Anderson Cooper taking a closer look at America's bullying crisis, and on Saturday, a special town hall hosted by Anderson Cooper, "Bullying: It Stops Here." That's at 8:00 eastern.
You mention airline fees and you watch people get pretty mad. Sometimes, baggage fees are as much as a ticket. Coming up, we'll take a look at some of those fees people really love to hate.
And a self-appoint superhero tries to save the day but winds up in jail. I'll tell you what happens when we go across the country.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Taking stories cross country now, let's start in Seattle.
A self-appointed superheroes caught on tape using pepper spray to break up a fight. Only it wasn't a fight says the woman who you saw there hitting him with her shoe. She says she was dancing with her friends after a night out at the club. Phoenix Jones was arrested on four counts of assault.
In Colorado, two men are caught on camera conning a gold store out of thousands of dollars. Watch this. The man is actually seen switching a bag at tested gold with a fake stash. The clerk's mother actually noticed a difference soon after they left the store.
And if you're a clean freak, move to Michigan. Holland was voted the most tidiest city in America out of 22 cities in the American boom competition. Holland, Michigan ranked the highest in all categories that project a city's beauty.
All right. Today, a special focus all day here on NEWSROOM on the fees that make so many of you angry because they're popping everywhere, like airline fees. We're nickel and dimed for almost everything these days spoofed brilliantly in the Southwest Airlines ad.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS (voice-over): We pay for checked baggage, we pay for food, you want a pillow for your nap, pay up, we pay extra, and God forbid, we have to change our reservation. George Howell, live in Atlanta's Hartsfield Jackson International Airport. So, George, not a lot of -- not a lot of love, rather, for the airlines right now.
GEORGE HOWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, depending upon how many bags you bring here to the airport. You could find yourself paying just as much in fees as you paid for your original ticket. There's the $25 for the first bag up to 150 for the third with many major carriers. We found customers here fed up with the fees.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUNNY ARNOLD, AIRLINE CUSTOMER: Whatever you pay for your ticket should cover everything. I mean, they don't give you anything anymore. They make you pay for a pillow, for a blanket, for food. You have to bring your own food on now. It's ridiculous. And then, they want you to pay extra for baggage. It's absurd.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOWELL: A lot of frustration, but airline experts tell us two things. First, the fees, they say, are necessary for an industry that was hit hard first by 9/11, then by rising oil prices and by the recession. The industry lost $50 billion just in the last decade, and worldwide, the industry is expected to eke out a 0.7 percent profit, barely enough, they, say, to keep the doors open.
Secondly, they tell us that the fees that we are paying are optional. We don't have to buy that $4 water. We don't have to bring the extra bags, and with all of the fees out there, they say at least their fees are optional -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. So, what do you think? Any end in sight to all these airline fees?
HOWELL: You know, from the research that we did, we found probably not the case. In fact, the fees are part of the business structure. We even found some carriers in Europe that charged for the use of your debit and credit card per person or to just print your boarding ticket. So, just some of the fees we found, and likely more on the way, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Not good news, George. Thanks. Well, coming up, drama at Dior. The famed French fashion house still without a head designer months after the last guy got himself arrested in sacked (ph). What insiders are saying next.
But first, the results are in. Money magazine's list of the best jobs in America.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you want a job that pays big in more ways than one, go back to school as a teacher. Jobs in the classroom are booming, especially if you're bilingual or have a math, science or special education background. Teachers make an average of just under $50,000 a year, but many teachers will tell you they don't do it for the money.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Months after John Galliano got himself sacked, it's still fashion's biggest guessing game. Who will be the next head designer at the fame French house of Christian Dior? If the rumors are true, Marc Jacobs has the job, maybe. Alina Cho digs into the drama.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This carousel fashion on display at Marc Jacobs collection for Louis Vuitton may have been a wink and nod to what swirling around him. The rumors, he could be the next designer of Christian Dior. Its previous designer, John Galliano's, anti-Semitic remark got him fired back in March. In the horse race to replace him, Marc Jacobs is in the lead.
SIDNEY TOLEDANO, PRESIDENT/CEO DIOR: It all comes from the hands. You know, he's very human. He's very human.
CHO: You know who has magic hands is Marc Jacobs.
TOLEDANO: I've heard about it.
(LAUGHTER)
TOLEDANO: I heard about it.
CHO: Magic hands. What do you say to that?
MARC JACOBS, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, LOUIS VUITTON: No, I have normal hands. I have five fingers on each of them, and one of them doesn't work very well.
CHO: Have you made a decision? May I ask you that?
TOLEDANO: The people who knows are not talking, and the one who are talking and not knowing. CHO: Christian Dior founded his fashion house in 1946, introducing flowers and voluptuous shapes, far different from the boxy World War II styles that had been in fashion. After he died, his assistant, Issa Laurent (ph) took over, launching his career, but it was John Galliano in the 1990s that brought glamour back to the house of Dior.
For 23 years, he worked with his right hand, Bill Gaytten, now creative director of Galliano's own label and also designing Dior until a permanent designer is named.
(on-camera) How is that felt for you to be suddenly thrust in the limelight as you have been?
BILL GAYTTEN, HEAD OF STUDIO, DIOR: It was a little bit alarming at first because it was unexpected. It was a shock for everyone, but getting used to it quickly. Great learning curve.
CHO (voice-over): And Marc Jacobs?
SUZY MENKES, FASHION EDITOR, INTL HERALD TRIBUNE: Marc Jacobs has a tremendous following. He's got the cool. He's also got the experience.
CHO: In addition to his successful namesake label, Jacobs has already revitalized another brand, Louis Vuitton.
RON FRASCH, PRESIDENT, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE: Suddenly, the brand exploded, because it was on the right people, people wanted to look that way, it was on the models, it was on the actresses.
CHO: The fashion world believes Jacobs could do the same for Dior. He reportedly wants $10 million a year. But if ever there was a tryout, insiders say he nailed it with this collection for Vuitton. Backstage, it was emotional. One top editor called it a sweet farewell and a fashion moment to remember.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: And don't miss Alina's special, "Fashion: Backstage Pass From Paris." It airs this Saturday, October 15th, 2:30 p.m. eastern time.
A four-year-old boy is on the road to recovery after having a pencil stuck into his eye socket. We're going to tell about you the amazing surgery right after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Four-year-old Keegan Tinsdale is one lucky little boy. He fell off a chair and ended up with a pencil lodged inside his eye socket. It's right there. That white spot. That's the lead of the pencil. And doctors performed surgery, took it out, and they say he could have died. Keegan and his parents were on "American Morning" this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HEATHER TINSDALE, MOTHER: We were freaking out, because no one knew what it was. We kept calling my mom, and she just kept telling us it was a tip of a pencil, and then, we couldn't figure out what exactly was in his eye. None of the doctors knew. So, I -- then you see how far it went down in some of the skins and then you get nervous because it's right by the brain.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Our senior medical correspondent here, Elizabeth Cohen to talk to us about this. How long did the surgery take?
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: You what's funny about this surgery is it only took half an hour. I mean, -- right, because it actually didn't get to his brain. The tricky part of the surgery, the one tricky part of it, Kyra, is that this pencil came within a millimeter of his internal carotid artery.
And if it had struck that, that's how he could have died. So, the surgeon, the tricky thing that she had to do was remove it without poking that artery.
PHILLIPS: That's incredible. So, what's his prognosis?
COHEN: You know, his prognosis is very good. He has to have surgery because that eye now faces out. So, he has had surgery to correct that, which is a pretty simple surgery. And also, his vision isn't terrific in that eye. You know when you go to an eye chart and they have that big E at the top of it?
PHILLIPS: Right.
COHEN: That's all he can see out of that eye. So, his vision is not great, but it's the thinking it's correctable at this point, and you know, a lot of people wear glasses or contacts.
PHILLIPS: I tell you what, this story is trending high on CNN.com. So many people are talking about. it's one of those you just want to know more, and he's a lucky little boy.
COHEN: Well, what's amazing is that it didn't hit anything vital.
PHILLIPS: Right.
COHEN: I mean, it went right through here and it went through his eye socket, and it didn't hit anything, you know, absolutely crucial. That's just amazing.
PHILLIPS: A good surgeon and a guardian angel.
COHEN: That's right. You need both.
PHILLIPS: You need both.
COHEN: Yes. Thank you.
PHILLIPS: Thanks.
Well, coming up in the NEWSROOM with Suzanne Malveaux, imagine having a stroke and not being able to call 911. That's exactly what happened to this woman. She was traffic to south pole desperate for help, now, she's talking to CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Let's check some stories making news later today, shall we?
1:50 eastern, the president is going to make his pitch for the jobs plan in Pittsburgh after meeting with union leaders in less than one hour later.
First lady, Michelle Obama, launching a record-breaking promotion for fitness. Get this, more than 20,000 people performing jumping jacks for one minute each in order to set a 24-hour record.
And tonight, eight eastern, eight Republican candidates will take part in the latest presidential debate. It will be the first one focus right on the economy.
All right. The Tea Party patriots have a few words for the "Occupy Wall Street" protestors. Mark Preston, do tell.
(LAUGHTER)
MARK PRESTON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL EDITOR: Hey, Kyra, good morning. Yes. You know, the Tea Party is trying to distance themselves from the Occupy Wall Street movement that we've seen really come into full force in last week or so. The Tea Party patriots put on a very sharp statement this morning saying that the Tea Party is all about less government while Occupy Wall Street is all about more government.
In fact, let's take a quick look as you see that statement up on there. Let me just summarize it very quickly. Tea Party patriots note that they can find no reports of tea parties ever being arrested. Just to say that the Tea Party folks are not lawbreakers. They don't hate police. They don't even litter.
So, the quick points at the TV reveals that sharp contrast post by the Wall Street occupiers. What we're seeing here, Kyra, is obviously two movements from the opposite ends of the political spectrum who are fighting for some relevancy right now as we head into the 2012 election -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. And Mark, the big GOP debate tonight in New Hampshire, and usually, what (ph) they're saying beware of the polls.
PRESTON: Yes. No doubt. And this is actually a very timely editorial. As you said, there'll be a debate up there tonight where the candidates will take stage. We'll talk about the economy, but the influential newspaper, the New Hampshire union leader is saying, you know what, we've seen all these polls that have come out over the past couple months and they show that Mitt Romney is in the lead.
Fact of the matter is, we haven't seen any votes cast up there yet, and they're going to some historical perspective, and they note that these polls are not always indicative of what we're going to see happen on Election Day. So, New Hampshire union leader is saying to the national media folks like ourselves, don't always buy into the polls. New Hampshire voters have actually got to take a vote -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Mark, thanks. Well, your next political update is just about an hour. And a reminder, for all the latest political news, you can always go to our website, CNNPolitics.com.
That does it for us. We'll be back here bright and early, 9:00 a.m. eastern time. Suzanne Malveaux --
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: You're ending a minute early, Kyra.
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIPS: Do you want to chit-chat for 60 seconds?
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: I don't know. We don't want people to switch the channel.
(LAUGHTER)
MALVEAUX: No.
(CROSSTALK)
(LAUGHTER)
MALVEAUX: All right. Thank, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: You bet.
