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Greece and its Crippling Debt on G-20's Agenda; Intense 'Occupy' Clash in Oakland; Judge Admits Beating Daughter; Anti-Smoking Drug Suicide Risk; Closing Arguments in Murray Case; Cain's Sexual Harassment Scandal

Aired November 03, 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: All right. Live from Studio 7, I'm Fredricka Whitfield, in for Suzanne Malveaux.

Let's get you up to speed for this Thursday, November 3rd.

Investors on Wall Street are watching what's happening in Europe, and we're keeping a close watch on the markets and your money. Stocks opened higher after a decision by the European Central Bank to cut interest rates. Right now, the Dow is up just 94 points, but every little cent counts.

At the G-20 summit in France, President Obama met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy to discuss the European debt crisis.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think it's no surprise that we've spent most of our conversation focused on strengthening the global economic recovery so that we are creating jobs for our people and stabilizing the financial markets around the world. The most important aspect of our task over the next two days is to resolve the financial crisis here in Europe.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: A big part of the debt crisis is the drama playing out in Greece. Prime Minister George Papandreou called an emergency cabinet meeting today, and rumors were circulating that he might step down. But Reuters wire service is now reporting that Papandreou won't step down, and that he's ready to drop plans for a referendum on the European debt deal.

And now to this country. The smoke from tear gas is clearing over Oakland, California, this morning, after a violent confrontation between police and Occupy Oakland protesters.

Police say they fired tear gas on several hundred people who were throwing rocks and shooting fireworks at officers. The violence followed a general strike that shut down some businesses and the port of Oakland.

And then take a look at this. A car actually hit one of the Occupy Oakland protesters, and it's caught right here on video.

The car tries to get through a crowded intersection. And you can see someone kind of banging on the hood of the vehicle there. Then the car speeds up and hits the protester. The "San Francisco Chronicle" says two people were hit, a man and a woman, with an ankle -- with now ankle and leg injuries.

And "Banks got bailed out, we got sold out!" That was the chant as anti-Wall Street demonstrators marched outside a Seattle hotel last night.

The CEO of JPMorgan Chase was speaking at an event inside. And later, things got ugly after a shouting match broke out. Police used pepper spray on some of the demonstrators.

Presidential candidate Herman Cain blames the campaign of a Republican rival for his current troubles. Cain is fending off allegations of sexual harassment during his tenure at the National Restaurant Association. He denies he sexually harassed anyone and accuses a consultant to Rick Perry's campaign of leaking the story.

The consultant says it wasn't him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CURT ANDERSON, PERRY CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT: There's two problems with that. One is, I didn't know anything about this, and so it's hard to leak something that you don't know anything about, of course.

The second problem with it is this -- if someone tells you something in confidence, a family member, a friend, a candidate, a client, and then you go out and blab it to other people, that's just unethical and that's not the way I live my life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Hear what Texas Governor Rick Perry has to say about these allegations. He is on CNN's "JOHN KING USA" tonight, scheduled for 6:00 Eastern Time.

Overseas now, new violence in Syria a day after the government promised to end its crackdown on protesters. Activists say four people were killed in neighborhoods and homes. CNN can't independently verify the reports because of restrictions on news organizations. Yesterday, the government of President Bashar al-Assad agreed to stop all violence to protect Syrian citizens.

Condoleezza Rice says it was weird and a bit creepy that Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi had a crush on her. During the uprising, Libyan rebels found a photo album with pictures of Rice in Gadhafi's compound.

Rice says during a video to Libya, he played a video montage of her set to music. She tells Piers Morgan that she was relieved the video wasn't raunchy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, FMR. SECRETARY OF STATE: It was my job to go there, do a little bit of diplomatic business, and get out. And so that's what I did. But I have to say, I did have that terrible moment when he said that he had the videotape. I am just glad that it all came out all right.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: The Group of 20 major economies begins its high- profile summit on the French Riviera. At the top of the agenda, Greece and its crippling debt crisis.

Our Ali Velshi is covering the G-20 summit in Cannes.

So, Ali, this G-20 meeting is being eclipsed by the potential for economic free-fall of Greece. What's at stake here? What is happening?

ALI VELSHI, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Fred, I almost think it's not even fair to say I'm covering the G-20 in Cannes, because the G-20 is going on, and it's got these interesting discussions going on that, under normal circumstances, Fred, I'd be telling you of these really neat meetings going on about global growth and sustainability and all of that. Forget it. The only discussions worth having today are those that are being had about Greece right now.

The Greek prime minister was here last night, he got an earful for two-and-a-half hours from the French president and the German chancellor about this referendum that he called for. Remember, Europe was in -- has been in a crisis for months.

On October 27th, they came to a deal that was going to meet three goals. And one of those goals, the biggest one, was to stabilize Greece, which was in a free-fall.

Everything was supposed to go ahead as planned. The Greek prime minister says, I'm holding a referendum. I'm not going to approve this. I'm holding a referendum. And that throws everything into disarray.

Now, he went back. The Greek prime minister left Cannes last night, went back to Athens. He's been in a cabinet meeting all morning.

There's been rampant speculation that after the meeting, he's either going to resign, or call an election, or announce a coalition government, or something. We have got people on the ground. We don't have confirmation of that.

But the bottom line is, Greece has got to decide whether it's holding this referendum. If it does, it will probably be on December 4th. And until it does that, everything is on hold.

And just to give you context, Fred, what was supposed to happen here at Cannes is that the Europeans were supposed to come with this whole wrapped-up package and meet with the Chinese and the Indians and all these wealthy countries and say, come and invest in us, help us out of this mess. And now they have nothing to present.

So, everything going on in Cannes right now is in a little bit of disarray -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: Oh, my goodness.

OK. So let's talk about that ripple effect. It could be felt globally. It's not just an issue of Greece and European nations --

VELSHI: Sure.

WHITFIELD: -- but the whole world.

VELSHI: Yes, absolutely. And that's an important thing for our viewers understand.

You know, you think it's Greece, whatever. Greece is the 32nd largest economy in the world. How impactful can it be?

Here is the thing. It's like Lehman Brothers.

Back before Lehman Brothers collapsed, most Americans didn't know nor care about Lehman Brothers. And then, all of a sudden, this one investment bank goes down, and nobody in the world wants to lend anybody any money, including you for your house or your car or your student loan or your small business.

It's the same thing. If Greece does not pass this arrangement that the eurozone put together, no one will lend these Greek banks money, and everybody will get back into this 2008 mold where we're worried that countries won't even stick by their word to pay back. And that trickles all the way down.

Here's problem number two. If it slows the European economy down, Europe is the biggest trading partner with the United States. We count on Europeans to buy goods and services made in America. If Europeans go into a further economic downturn, that's jobs in America that end up costing you.

So, loans in America, jobs in America. And, of course, the stock market. Greece is the most important country in the world today -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: OK. Now, Ali, ordinarily, the president of the United States would have some real leverage when going into a G-20 summit.

VELSHI: Right.

WHITFIELD: But the U.S. has its own money problems. So what kind of role might this president be able to play during this summit?

VELSHI: Right. Well, you can imagine it's not going to go over very well if America said, here, let's give Greece some money.

The problem with Greece is that they have got an offer on the table. There's lots of money coming their way. They don't want the conditions attached to that money, or at least that's the issue that they're going to be voting on.

Now, what the other Europeans have said is that, if you vote this down in a referendum, we might throw you out of the eurozone altogether. And basically, President Obama can only watch what's going on. They can offer whatever advice they can, having gone through this in the U.S.

Timothy Geithner is here. The president is here. They've offered that. The line that they've used today is that this is an internal Greek problem.

This is Greek politics. Well, it is. But like I told you, what happens in Greece affects us all right now.

WHITFIELD: Right.

All right. Ali Velshi, thanks so much from a very windy Cannes, France.

All right. Here is a chance to "Talk Back" on one of the big stories of the day.

Today's question: What constitutes sexual harassment?

Carol Costello joins us for more from New York on this -- Carol.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, that's right, Fred. We're back there again, aren't we?

The year was 1991, Clarence Thomas, Anita Hill, that Coke can. You'd think after all of that, we'd know what constitutes sexual harassment.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

LAURA INGRAHAM, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: We have seen this movie before, and we know how it ends. It always ends up being an employee who can't perform, or who under-performs, and who's looking for a little green.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Conservative radio show host Laura Ingraham is talking about one of Herman Cain's accusers. Of course, we don't even know the accuser's name or her version of the story. Yet, she is under attack. And yes, so was Herman Cain.

But let's put politics aside and talk about an issue that still seems to confuse us.

As Senator Rand Paul told "The National Review, "There are people now who hesitate to tell a joke to a woman in the workplace, any kind of joke, because it could be interpreted incorrectly."

Women's advocates say sexual harassment is the number one issue in the workplace for women. It denies them equal employment opportunity. And if they file a claim, it puts them in a no-win situation.

Do you want the legal definition? Harassment can include " -- unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature." But it can also mean making offensive comments about women in general to the point where it creates a hostile work environment.

So, the "Talk Back" question for you today: What constitutes sexual harassment?

Facebook.com/CarolCNN. I'll read your comments later this hour.

WHITFIELD: All right. We'll look forward to that. Thanks so much, Carol.

COSTELLO: Sure.

WHITFIELD: All right. Here's a rundown of some of the stories we're covering.

Next, violence in the streets of Oakland, California, as police face off with Occupy Wall Street protesters.

Then, a new report raises troubling concerns about a popular drug that helps people stop smoking. Could CHANTIX be doing more harm than good?

And later, closing arguments in the Michael Jackson death trial get under way next hour. We'll go live to Los Angeles.

Plus, we'll fill you in on how you can save $1,000 before the holidays.

And a touching story of a high school football player who overcomes great odds to score a touchdown.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Straight to Cannes, France, right now.

You see all the world leaders there of the G-20, of the 20 industrialized nations. They're meeting there to try to resolve the world debt crisis. They're all taking position there on the red carpet for what they call the class photo.

But, remarkably here, what's upstaging this meeting to gather for talks on the global economy is actually the Greek situation and what will happen to the Greek economy as the prime minister of Greece made his way back to Athens to talk with his cabinet. But at issue, whether he will take a pass on the G-20 recommendation of the financial situation for Greece and, instead, take to the people of Greece for a referendum.

And there, of course, the president of the United States, President Obama, there.

And we'll continue to watch the developments coming out of the G- 20 summit there in Cannes, France, just after they take their class photo.

All right. Now the latest in the Occupy movement.

Complete bedlam in the streets of Oakland, California. Police using tear gas and flash bang grenades early this morning after they say protesters shot fireworks and threw rocks at them.

Dan Simon is there.

So, Dan, the pictures aren't looking like things are at all controlled, but instead, very chaotic.

DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was very chaotic. Let me set the scene for you here.

We're in downtown Oakland. This is a men's warehouse. You can see the windows, smashed here. We're seeing evidence of this all throughout downtown Oakland, a lot of graffiti.

We should point out that, you know, these protesters like to say it's the 99 percent against the one percent. Well, they have their own one percent faction, and these are people who are intent on stirring up violence in the streets of downtown Oakland.

This is a much different situation than what we saw last week. That was a deal where the police came in and told the protesters that they had to leave City Hall. Well, they were angry, and that set up that clash with police.

Well, this was a situation where they were clearly intent on creating mayhem in Oakland. It was a peaceful protest all throughout the day. The vast majority of these protesters were very respectful, marching throughout the streets, going to the port of Oakland. They shut that place down, but they were respectful about doing so.

Well, then, as soon as the sun went down, 12:30 in the morning you had people come to the streets here with baseball bats, spray paint, all sorts of things. So, of course the police had to step in, and you saw the dramatic way that unfolded -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: Wow. That's incredible.

A new poll is showing, Dan, that there's growing support for the Occupy movement, but I wonder if this kind of violence that's taking place in Oakland will reverse some of the public sentiment.

SIMON: You have to wonder. And that's one of the things that they have to be cautious about.

You know, the people who are organizing these events, you know, are very clear and up front about what their objectives are. And they tell everyone, no violence. Well, like we said, there is this little faction here, dozens of protesters who are defying that notion.

In terms of how long they will be here, it's an interesting question. The rainy season in the bay area begins next month. So you have to wonder about the endurance that they'll have to withstand the elements.

Right now, the weather has been great, and so you see all those tents out there. But whether you'll see these large numbers of protesters continue to occupy City Hall in the weeks ahead, I think that's an open question -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: Yes. Well, something tells me if the folks in New York who are occupying Wall Street are there in the snow and the cold temperatures, then something tells me the rain is not going to dampen the spirits of the people out West, either.

All right. Dan Simon, thanks so much.

A Texas judge steps down after his daughter puts a video of him punishing her with a belt on the Internet. We'll tell you the surprising reason that she posted that video.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

WHITFIELD: All right. Authorities are investigating a judge in Texas after a video surfaced on YouTube that shows him beating his teenage daughter over and over with a belt.

CNN's Kyra Phillips has the story. A warning: some viewers may find this video very disturbing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WILLIAM ADAMS, TEXAS JUDGE: Bend over that bed.

HILLARY ADAMS, DAUGHTER: Dad.

W. ADAMS: Bend over that bed.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The video is difficult to watch. It shows a Texas father punishing his 16-year-old daughter for using the computer to download video games. But that father, William Adams, is a Texas judge who handles, among other things, family and juvenile cases.

This happened seven years ago, in 2004, and the now 23-year-old daughter, Hillary Adams, posted it online. It's been viewed more than a million times. The outrage is causing Judge Adams to leave his post, temporarily. A visiting judge will take over his caseload. Judge Adams could face criminal charges.

Police are investigating.

CHIEF TIM JAYROE, ROCKPORT, TEXAS POLICE: We need to see the original video. We're always concerned with seeing an original when possible.

PHILLIPS: Phones at the Aransas County courthouse have been ringing off the hook. A fellow judge says the video is disturbing and surprising.

C.H. MILLS, ARANSAS COUNTY JUDGE: Observing him in court, you would never think that he had some kind of temper.

PHILLIPS: Judge Adams admits, it's him in the video.

W. ADAMS: In my mind, I haven't done anything wrong other than discipline my child after she was caught stealing. And I did lose my temper, but I've since apologized. It looks worse than it is. There is a story, it will come out in due time.

PHILLIPS: In a Twitter post, his daughter says, "I'm feeling some regret for publishing the video because to ruin my own father is heavy, indeed."

She tells Corpus Christi TV station KRIS --

H. ADAMS: I'm very relieved that these things were brought to light, and not because I want to see my father burn or anything like that. That's a hideous way of thinking. I don't want to inflict that upon him. I just -- I cannot stress it enough, I can't repeat myself enough that he just needs help.

PHILLIPS: Kyra Philips, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right. Time for a quick check off stories making news across the country now.

In Texas, just south of Dallas, police officer Dan Putnam is given a Medal of Valor and a very big "thank you" for rescuing a small child from a burning home. He found 3-year-old Jaden Jones (ph) hiding beneath a bed Saturday morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN PUTNAM, CORISCANA POLICE OFFICER: A burst of adrenaline. You know, the strength of God. Something came over me and enabled me to push it about three or four feet.

(END VIDEO CLIP) WHITFIELD: In Lancaster, Ohio, senior Trent Glaze (ph) scores a touchdown in Fairfield High School's final game of the season. He's the one in the wheelchair running a play called the 29 sweep. Glaze (ph) says he dreamed of getting on the field, but muscular dystrophy placed him in a wheelchair 10 years ago. He said Friday's touchdown was a dream come true.

And in Alabama, a convenience store owner says this meat vending machine he just installed is a big hit with customers. It's called The Smart Butcher. The machine accepts credit, debit or cash. All of the items are under $6.

And it may help you quit smoking, but the drug CHANTIX has some alarming potential side-effects. We'll tell you what they are and healthier way, perhaps, to kick the habit.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Up now as some of the stories coming up in the rundown next:

Serious new concerns today about a popular drug to help smokers kick the habit. We'll tell you what a study says about Chantix.

Then, closing arguments get under way next hour in the Michael Jackson death trial.

And more twists and turns in the sexual allegations case involving Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain.

First, it's a popular drug that helps people quit smoking. But there's an alarming study that says the drug Chantix is linked to an increased risk of depression, even suicide.

Our senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen is with us now, more on this.

Elizabeth, so do smokers need to know more about Chantix before taking it? Or does it mean someone has a certain disposition to something if they take Chantix?

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: You know, this is the latest in several studies about Chantix. And so, if you're taking it, if you're thinking about it, you need to know this. So, the previous studies showed that people who took Chantix were more likely to have violent and aggressive behavior. They were more likely to have cardiovascular problems. And they were -- and now, what this study shows is they're more likely to commit suicide or think about committing suicide.

So, they've looked at people taking all sorts of different therapies to quit smoking. And 90 percent of the people who were having these problems were taking Chantix. So, that's where they're seeing the link.

WHITFIELD: So, what do the makers of Chantix say? Or are they commenting?

COHEN: Well, the maker, we called them. It's Pfizer. And they said, look, just because someone takes Chantix and tries to take suicide, it doesn't mean that Chantix caused the suicide. They don't see that there's a cause and effect.

Now, a lot of researchers I know would disagree and would say we have enough studies now to think that maybe there is. But they would say that there is and then the FDA says that they still believe that this drug is safe and effective, although they have put a warning on it.

WHITFIELD: All right. So, people take Chantix because they're trying to kick the habits. What are the alternatives? If they happen to be someone where they're noticing their behavior is changing and they're starting to wonder if Chantix is the reason why, what are some of the alternatives for them?

COHEN: OK. This is the message that I want the people to hear out of all of this, which is that studies have shown that there are other things that work as well as Chantix and don't have these concerns. You don't have to take Chantix. You know, we're looking -- with smoking, there are lots of options out there.

So, be an empowered patient and think about the other things you can do besides take this drug where there are some issues or alleged issues.

First of all, one thing you can do is you can pick a quick day, and studies have shown that that really helps. I'm quitting on Monday, February 1st or whatever it is. Tell people that you're quitting so that they will help you quit. Get support, go to a support group of some kind.

And then, also avoid -- get the cigarettes out of your house. Sometimes people will leave them there just in case. Get them out of your house. Get them out of your car.

And for a longer list of all the different patches and all the different things you can do to quit smoking, go to CNN.com/EmpoweredPatient. We have great information from the Mayo Clinic there about how to quit smoking.

WHITFIELD: OK. And, by the way, Chantix, is that an oral?

COHEN: Right. It's a pill, yes.

WHITFIELD: OK. All right. Thanks so much, Elizabeth.

COHEN: OK. Thanks.

WHITFIELD: The defense and prosecution had their final say today in the Dr. Conrad Murray involuntary man slaughter trial. Jurors will have to decide if Murray was criminally negligent in Michael Jackson's death. The jury expected in court in about a half an hour from now.

Casey Wian is following the developments. He's joining us right now from Los Angeles.

So, Casey, kind of set the scene for us today.

CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, there's a lot of interest in this case today here at the courthouse in Los Angeles. Normally, folks who are interested in being spectators in this case line up for eight available seats. And there's been between 20 to 40 people lining up depending on the day.

Today, we had 61 members of the public lining up for those eight available seats. Those eight lottery winners will join members of the Jackson family who arrived earlier this morning, Michael Jackson's parents, two of his siblings, Latoya and Randy. They arrived to shouts from this crowd that you may be able to see behind me, shouting justice for Michael.

There are supporters of Dr. Conrad Murray outside the courtroom, as well.

Now, what the judge is going to do in about a half an hour, we expect, is he will give the jury instructions to the 12 members of the jury, and that will be followed by closing statements from the prosecution and from the defense. The prosecution is expected to argue its theory that no matter how Michael Jackson received that fatal dose of the powerful anesthetic, Propofol, Dr. Conrad Murray is criminally responsible for that because he violated in the prosecution's words the standard of care that is acceptable for administering that drug.

The defense is expected to reiterate its theory that Michael Jackson was so desperate to get some sleep because of this upcoming world tour that he had, get rest for that important tour, and he may have injected the Propofol himself.

So, expected that the jury could get the case as early as late this afternoon. We're expecting at the latest they'll start deliberating tomorrow -- Fredericka.

WHITFIELD: Interesting.

So, Casey, any idea how long each side has given in these final summations?

WIAN: The judge typically does not limit closing arguments. But the case is already running longer than he expected it to. So, he's already apologized to the members of the jury for that. And he is asking attorneys to get the closing arguments wrapped up by today at the latest. So, we're expecting that that will happen.

WHITFIELD: Casey, thanks so much in Los Angeles.

All right. Coming up in the next hour, a closer look at whether the prosecution met its burden of proof. Defense attorney Holly Hughes will be joining us with her take on Conrad Murray and today's expected closing arguments.

A soccer celebration goes a little too far for folks in Iran. You may be shocked to hear what happened when athletes pat each other's backsides.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Two soccer players in Iran have been fined, suspended and scolded by government officials for doing something Western athletes do all the time.

Here is CNN's Jeanne Moos.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Giving your teammates a hand to celebrate does not include a hand on the butt. Not in Iran.

Call it a fanny pat, call it goosing, a bottom pinch, a butt squeeze. It's called immoral in Iran.

Iran's most popular team, Persepolis, was celebrating a goal.

Apparently, it's OK to kiss, but don't try this. Yikes!

Number 13 jumped, and so did the video, to YouTube, in slow motion and with a helpful arrow. Number 13 was also seen giving not quite as good as he got a more subtle butt grab, but nonetheless, caught on camera.

The two bottom pinchers got more than a spanking. The Iranian Football Federation said, "Both have been banned indefinitely from all football activities for committing immoral acts."

(on camera): And talk about getting squeezed. Each player was fined almost $40,000.

(voice-over): A member of Iran's parliament called it a very ugly thing. Guy-on-guy contact isn't appreciated there. After all, remember what Iran's president said?

MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD, IRANIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): In Iran, we don't have homosexuals like in your country.

MOOS: That got a laugh from the audience at Columbia University.

(on camera): Here in the U.S., we don't penalize butt-grabbing, we honor it.

(voice-over): Take, for instance, the 25 greatest butt-grabbing moments in sports history compiled on a blog. The more blatant the butt grab, the more popular.

There are butt pats between the sexes and between celebrities, on the stage and in the movies --

ALEC BALDWIN, ACTOR, "ALONG CAME POLLY": There are good things.

MOOS: -- and on TV.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE, "FRIENDS": Good to have you aboard.

MOOS: On "Friends," even among girlfriends.

JENNIFER ANISTON, ACTRESS, "FRIENDS": I would never congratulate Monica on a great stew by grabbing her boob.

MOOS: But even in the West, the butt pat is usually a playful, gentle thing. As one person posted about the Iranian players, "He was trying this guy a colonoscopy."

Goal!

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Oh, my goodness.

All right. On to the race for the White House, no laughing matter. Herman Cain points fingers at a Republican rival as Cain deals with sexual harassment allegations.

But, first, gun ownership in the U.S. today is at its highest level in almost 20 years, according to the latest Gallup poll. So, what percentage of Americans say they own a gun? Is it 33 percent, 47 percent, or 61 percent? The answer, in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: So, I asked you, how many Americans own a gun? Is it 33 percent, 47 percent or 61 percent? The answer, 47 percent of Americans today say they own a gun. That's the highest percentage since 1993.

And the race for the White House, denials and finger-pointing as Herman Cain deals with a sexual harassment scandal. The Republican front-runner campaign is blaming Rick Perry's campaign for leaking information about the allegations.

Joe Johns is at our political desk in Washington.

So, Joe, there are twists and turns every day in this story.

JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Fred. That's for sure. A lot of embarrassing confusion, quite frankly.

One of the most interesting political stories that's starting to emerge here is that it looks like the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing on behalf of Herman Cain. He's still got supporters out there saying this controversy -- we don't know if it's a scandal or not yet. He still got people saying this controversy is the result of a liberal plot to take Cain out.

But the Cain campaign has pointed the finger at conservative Republicans, specifically, the campaign of Texas Governor Rick Perry. They singled out among others a guy named Curt Anderson who once worked for Cain and, you know, basically accused him of being the guy who leaked the story. Anderson did an interview with CNN's Gloria Borger earlier today and said, nope, it wasn't him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CURT ANDERSON, PERRY CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT: I'm not here to add any more name calling to what's already a --

GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: My characterization. Is he not selling the truth?

ANDERSON: I'm not going to, you know, attack him in any sort of personal way or anything. I will say this: this has been -- you know, he's in a tough spot and it's very rough and candidates, when they get into a firestorm like this, have, you know, sometimes come unraveled.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JOHNS: Come unraveled. That's an interesting item or phrase.

"Politico," by the way, has not identified the source of the original story, Fred.

WHITFIELD: OK. So what's the latest on hearing from an accuser, or even the restaurant association, where it is on whether any agreement was reached or not?

JOHNS: Right. Definitely waiting on that.

The main guy to watch on this is a guy named Joel Bennett, a famous name, just this week. The lawyer for one of the women at the center of controversy. There's speculation this client might go public, clear the air, tell us specifically what behavior by Herman Cain she was complaining about that apparently led to a settlement a dozen years ago or so.

However, Mr. Bennett has a long talk with the client last night, says she doesn't want to become public, doesn't want to become an Anita Hill figure and doesn't want to do any interviews. Though the attorney has said he's going to ask the National Restaurant Association to approve some statement being drafted in his client's words that will be released to the media -- important because there's a confidentiality agreement you've just alluded to.

WHITFIELD: Yes.

JOHNS: We've been talking about that for days. The woman apparently signed it with the association as part of the settlement and they're basically trying to, perhaps, get around the settlement, and still put some words of hers on the record.

I was just in contact with the National Restaurant Association over the last half hour or so ago and they say they haven't heard anything from Mr. Bennett at all. So, this is apparently a work in progress.

WHITFIELD: Interesting. So will the restaurant association say whether Cain signed that agreement, as well, or is this an agreement signed strictly between those who are, you know, claiming these allegations and the restaurant association?

JOHNS: Right. That is like the million-dollar question.

WHITFIELD: Yes.

JOHNS: Who is a party to the agreement?

WHITFIELD: Right.

JOHNS: Who is it that has to shut up and who is it that can actually talk? And I've asked that question all over the place and nobody will tell me. It's a secret agreement, you know, which one of the maddening things about the story.

WHITFIELD: It is indeed. All right, thanks so much. We know the questions will continue to be asked. We'll see if we get any new answers in the coming I guess hours or days.

Joe Johns, thanks so much.

All right. You'll want to hear what Texas Governor Rick Perry has to say about all these allegations that are flying around. He's on CNN's "JOHN KING, USA" tonight, 6:00 Eastern Time.

All right. Don't it make your brown eyes blue? A doctor says he can. The secret to baby blues and when you might be able to do the blues that you rue.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: You've been sounding off on our "Talk Back" question. Today's question: what constitutes sexual harassment?

Carol Costello joins us now with more from New York -- Carol.

COSTELLO: You know what I've noticed from the answers today, Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: What?

COSTELLO: The answer to the question depends a lot on whether you're male or female. It's been very interesting.

"Talk Back" question: what constitutes sexual harassment?

This from Irene, "We have to thank Anita Hill and other women for paving the way. Obviously, Laura Ingraham has never sexual harassment, hence the lack of compassion."

This from Adam, "People need to get thicker skin and not playing the race/harassment cards whenever anyone does something they don't like."

This from Jim, "Don't say anything that you wouldn't say to your mother or sister or wife and you should be just fine. And keep your hands to yourself."

And this from George, "I have found that it all depends upon just who is performing the act whether a woman's feels harassed or not; whether she likes the person or not. Sorry, but I have come to that opinion after 32 years of having been in the workforce."

Please keep the conversation going, Facebook.com/CarolCNN. And thanks as always for your comments.

WHITFIELD: OK. Fired up there.

OK. So, Carol, we're trying to look now -- are your eyes blue or brown?

COSTELLO: What? Oh, no. Brown.

WHITFIELD: OK. Would you want to change your brown eyes to blue, like Crystal Gayle once sang about?

COSTELLO: When I was a little girl, I remember wishing I had blue eyes. But now, I like my brown eyes.

WHITFIELD: Here's the tune.

Well, apparently, you can make that dream a reality to those of you out there who want to turn your brown eyes blue. A California doctor, Gregg Homer, says can he do this with a laser, Carol. Dr. Homer says the procedure itself only takes 20 seconds and it takes another few weeks --

COSTELLO: No kidding.

WHITFIELD: -- no kidding. He says it takes another few weeks for the full color change to actually happen. The technology is still in the testing phase however, but Dr. Homer says it could be available in the U.S. within the next three years. So, he's going to be competing with all those contact lens companies, I guess, getting baby blues apparently will cost you some green.

COSTELLO: How much does it cost?

WHITFIELD: Yes. Well, it is going to cost you a little bit, around $5,000.

COSTELLO: Is it permanent?

WHITFIELD: Apparently.

COSTELLO: Really?

WHITFIED: That's what he says.

COSTELLO: I still wouldn't want to change my eye color. It would change who I am.

WHITFIELD: Yes, of course it would. But some folks like to change their eye color and that's why they get color contact lenses. So, maybe do you that first, se if you really like that temporary color change, then you go for the permanent thing.

COSTELLO: Maybe blue eyes change your life. I don't know.

WHITFIELD: Yes, we'll see. Maybe we'll hear.

(CROSSTALK)

COSTELLO: I went blonde once and it did change my life.

WHITFIELD: It did? Well, maybe blue eyes will change it, too. I like my life the way it is. I'm sticking with brown.

COSTELLO: Cool.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks, Carol.

All right. Need extra cash for the holidays? Well, how does $1,000 extra sound? We'll show you what to do over the next seven weeks to actually make it happen.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: You know how great it is to find lost change in the sofa or a freshly washed $10 bill in the dryer. Well, what if I told you that it is possible to find an extra $1,000 just in time for the holidays.

CNN's Christine Romans Shows us how it's definitely doable.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: It's time to start planning so you don't begin the New Year with a debt hangover. What if I told you you could be on the way to saving 1,000 bucks by the holidays? You can and I'm not going to tell you the old standard make your own gifts. No, no, no. This is real money.

The biggest savings comes from your house. It comes from your mortgage. Refinance if you can. Lower a 6 percent mortgage on a $200,000 loan, lower to say 4.2 percent. You could save $221 a month.

If you can't refinance, try to repeal your property taxes. That's real money, too. OK. So, that gets you some 400 bucks, you know, assuming can you get it done.

Ditch the gym membership. This is a big shavings, too. Throw on a pair of running shoes instead.

You could be saving yourself up to $120 if you cancel or you put your gym membership on hold until after the holidays. And some gyms will let you do that.

Here's another one in how you shop for food. Don't buy your groceries at the drugstore ever. No matter how convenient it is. A recent study of the basics purchased at some Boston drugstores found they cost as much as 50 percent more than at your grocery store. You could save an average of $25 a week if you avoid buying any grocery items in a pinch at the pharmacy.

And don't forget, buy in bulk, shop smart. Use the discounters. You can save money that way.

Never use an out-of-network ATM. Never. If you do this twice a week, you're spending more than bank fees than you do on fresh vegetables. Walk the extra block, drive the extra mile. You're going to save 50 bucks easy by the time the holidays roll around.

Look, I mean, it comes out to almost $8 a week on those out-of- network ATMs.

Are you using your technology in a smart way? Bundle your Internet, your phone and your cable. There is savings here. You could save up to $60 a month if you switch from paying for Internet, phone, cable, separately, and you go to a bundle plan. Shop around.

And finally, coffee addicts. Make your coffee at home. You could be spending as little as $15 a month instead of $2 a day on your cup of jo.

Add it all up, you've got $1,000 in savings and a few pieces of change. The National Retail Federation says the average person is going to shell out about $700 on presents this year. So, you could pocket that extra money for your savings.

(END VIDEOTAPE)