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Syracuse Child Molestation Accusations; Investigators Reopen Natalie Wood Case; Hundreds Arrested in "Occupy" Protests; Secret Service to Guard Cain; Passengers Hit Up for Cash Mid-Flight; Cops Chest Bump After Beating Suspect; Utility Chief Resigns After Snowstorm; Super Committee Five Days From Deadline; Why Your Vote Might Not Matter; Regis Philbin's Fond Farewell; Demi Moore Divorcing Ashton Kutcher; How to Deal with Bullies
Aired November 18, 2011 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: This morning, a new child molestation accusation is rocking a different college campus; this time it's Syracuse University. The accused, basketball coach who has been with the program for decades. His accusers served as ball boys for the team in the 1980s and '90s.
CNN's Alina Cho is in New York. Alina, just like in the case of Penn State, these allegations actually surfaced years after they allegedly took place.
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's absolutely right, Fred. Here's what happened. Syracuse University's associate men's basketball coach Bernie Fine has been placed on administrative leave. Police there in that city say they have now reopened an investigation into disturbing allegations of sexual abuse. Now, Fine, who is seen here, allegedly molested two former ball boys, including a man named Bobby Davis, who is now 39 years old. Davis told ESPN's "Outside the Lines" that the abuse started in the 1980s.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOBBY DAVIS, ALLEGED SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIM: Probably when I was sixth grade, 11, 10 years old and he started trying to touch me and things like that. You know, honestly, I don't remember if I thought that was what was supposed to happen.
I know I cringed up and didn't want it to happen. I was very like what's going on? I just remember being disgusted in a sense. That's when everything -- when he started trying to touch me, my private.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: Davis says the abuse took place at Fine's home, Syracuse basketball facilities, even road trips, including the 1987 final four. Now, part of the reason this is now coming out is because there is now apparent corroboration.
A second alleged victim has come forward. He's Davis' older stepbrother, named Mike Lang, who is now 45 years old. Lang was also a ball boy for Syracuse and he told ESPN's "Outside the Lines" that fine touched him inappropriately back when he was in the fifth or sixth grade.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MIKE LANG, ALLEGED SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIM: When he first did it, he would move away and you wouldn't say anything because you didn't feel like you were capable of saying anything. He's a God to you, you know.
He can do whatever he wants. That was me. I didn't feel right about it and I told him that. Bernie, please don't do that to me. Then he would do it again and again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: Now, the first alleged victim, Bobby Davis, meanwhile says he alerted Syracuse University officials about this alleged abuse six years ago. So that was back in 2005.
The university said it immediately launched its own nearly four-month investigation and that everyone else involved in this story, especially the assistant coach, Bernie Fine, denied the allegations. Syracuse police decided not to pursue the case because the statute of limitations had expired.
In a statement released last night, Syracuse University said, quote, "In light of the new allegations and the Syracuse city police investigation, this evening Chancellor Cantore asked Director of Athletics, Dr. Darryl Gross, to place associate head coach, Bernie Fine, on administrative leave."
Late last night, Syracuse head basketball coach, Jim Boeheim also released a statement saying in part, quote, "Bernie has my full support."
Now Fred, Fine is really an institution in this area. He's been part of the Syracuse basketball program for 35 years. That's the longest streak for an assistant coach in Division 1 men's basketball.
The 65-year-old Fine was also inducted just last month into the greater Syracuse sports hall of fame. He, in fact, is known in those parts as the king of Syracuse. Now, he is on administrative leave.
Lot of questions about this story, of course, Fred, chief among them, you know, is there -- is it a coincidence that this older stepbrother came forward. The coach says no, he believes they're out for money.
He also says, I have known Bernie Fine for more than 40 years. Had I known something like this was happening, I would have taken action.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Alina Cho, thanks so much for that.
Meantime on West Coast, homicide investigators in Los Angeles have reopened the Natalie Wood death case. The movie star drowned 30 years ago this month during a boating trip. Her husband, Robert Wagner, and actor Christopher Walken were on board at the time. The coroner ruled Woods' death an accident then, but authorities say people have contacted them with more information now. They won't confirm if the boat captain, Dennis Davern, is one of the people who contacted police.
He has said Woods' death was the result of a fight with Wagner. Listen to what Davern told to NBC's "Today" show this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So you're saying that Wagner did not do everything he should have done to look for her after she went missing?
DENNIS DAVERN, FORMER "SPLENDOUR" CAPTAIN: Exactly.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Was he responsible for her death in some way?
DAVERN: Well, like I said, I think we all made mistakes that night and --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Davern, that wasn't my question. Was he responsible for her death? I'm not asking about your story.
DAVERN: Yes, I would say so, yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Robert Wagner's publicist gave CNN this statement. Wagner's family, quote, "fully supports the efforts of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department and trusts that they will evaluate whether any new information related to the death of Natalie Wood-Wagner is valid and that it comes from a credible source or sources other than those simply trying to profit from 30-year anniversary of her tragic death," end quote.
And we'll learn more on this case or the direction of this investigation this afternoon. Authorities have scheduled a news conference for 2:00 Eastern Time.
Earlier, I spoke with law enforcement analyst Mike Brooks about what he thinks might be going on.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MIKE BROOKS, HLN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: He said that they were up in the wheelhouse of the "Splendour," the boat they were on. He wanted to use a searchlight. Wagner didn't want to use the searchlight.
And basically, he made up a story, got the story together with everybody there and that's what they told investigators when they found her body. But they didn't take -- the captain says that the efforts they should have taken weren't taken that night.
And you know -- but the whole thing is, what's the motivation here? That's one of the other things that the L.A. Sheriff's investigators are going to have to look at, Fred.
You know, is there monetary reason they're coming forward now, almost 30 years later? There are a lot of questions that remain unanswered in this case.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: The boat captain we heard from earlier will be on CNN. Suzanne Malveaux talks with Dennis Davern in the noon Eastern hour today.
Thousands of protesters across the country showed they're not giving up on "Occupy Wall Street." They swarmed streets, stopped traffic, and tangled with officers on the two-month anniversary of the anti- greed movement.
More than 200 people were arrested in New York as protesters push through barriers in Manhattan and marched across the Brooklyn Bridge. In Los Angeles, crowds snarled commutes there as they marched to a bank and 50 people were arrested.
And dozens more arrested in Portland. Some staging a sit-in at a Chase Bank branch then refusing to leave. Officers on horseback tried to break up the crowd there.
All right, let's check in with Amber Lyons. She is in Lower Manhattan in Zuccotti Park. Amber, this was billed as a mass day of action. Earlier, you had a lot of people behind you. Now we're seeing barricades are still up. What's going on today?
AMBER LYON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, the barricades are still out here. In fact, there's only two ways to enter the park right now. I'm heading through one of them. They're guarded 24/7.
If we take a look over here, we have zip ties put up now over the barricades. Big problem yesterday during the protests, there were thousands of people out here at Zuccotti Park. They were trying to knock down the barricades, some of the protesters.
Because frankly, they used to have their tents and tarps and belongings out here and they saw the barricades being a way of kicking them out of the park, keeping those tents out and they were angry about it.
I want you to take a look at a video that we found on YouTube of that protester who was injured during yesterday's clashes. We spoke with him several times out in the part. He was one of the first protesters, this 20-year-old man, and to come out here and set up a tent.
His name is Brandon Watts and police say that he threw some type of object at police officers. Prompting them to come in and arrest him. If you spoke with his friends, they say that police used an unnecessary amount of force with this particular protester.
Out here this morning, we're still seeing the movement even though it's very cold. It's about 38 degrees. I just checked the thermostat. These guys have been out here a couple dozen diehard protesters all night trying to stay warm.
They've been passing out hand warmers. They're not allowed to bring in big blankets because they're not allowed to bring in tarps and tents as well. We're also seeing some of them passing out pizza, coffee, just trying to stay warm.
Now, as of now, there are no major events planned for today or this weekend. As we've seen throughout the entire movement, a lot of these marches are impromptu and can really start at any moment.
As we were standing here about to do this live shot, we got a flier from someone saying a march would start at 11:30 today. So one thing is for sure, this movement is still very much alive out here in Zuccotti Park.
WHITFIELD: All right, Amber Lyon, thanks so much in Zuccotti Park there in Lower Manhattan.
Turning to politics now, the U.S. Secret Service now says it is protecting Herman Cain. He is the first Republican candidate to earn that distinction in this presidential race.
Deputy political director Paul Steinhauser is in Washington. So Paul, do we know any more details as to why his campaign requested this?
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: That is the very big question, Fred. You know, the campaign has confirmed to us, yes, they did ask for the protection. The Secret Service told CNN last night that they looked at the request and met their criteria.
The protection began last night for Herman Cain as he was in New York City taking in an interview with David Letterman. You know, this is another interesting thing here, Fred. Who pays for this? The taxpayers. It does not come from the campaign.
So this protection is paid for by taxpayer money. It does not come from the campaign. There has been some pushing and shoving in recent weeks between security, private security for the Cain campaign and some journalists.
We don't know if that was the cause for this. Now, this is not unheard of that a candidate would get protection a year before the general election.
Remember back in 2007, then Senator Barack Obama of Illinois got protection. Secret Service protection as did senator Hillary Clinton, of course, the former first lady. So it is not unheard of.
Now for Herman Cain, let's be honest, this has been an incredible ride for him. He was basically an afterthought in the race for the White House earlier this year.
But over the last couple of months, his campaign really jumped in the polls. With that came a lot of scrutiny. He talked to our affiliate up in New Hampshire, WMUR, about how it's all affected him and his family. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HERMAN CAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: If I ever reached a point where this campaign became damaging to my wife and my family, I'm not a quitter. But I'm -- there is a point beyond, which you will not go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STEINHAUSER: And those comments coming before word and reports of the Secret Service protection. Fred, we're going to continue on this story and when we have details, we're going to get back to you.
WHITFIELD: All right, thanks so much, Paul. Appreciate that.
And don't forget the next Republican debate is right here on CNN. This time around we're focusing on national security and the economy. It is co-sponsored by the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute. That's Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
All right, we all know, all in agreement, flying is not cheap. Airlines charge for just about everything from food to baggage. But fuel? CNN's Max Foster is in London with the story of why so many passengers are outraged.
MAX FOSTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Bizarre, bizarre story, Fredericka. Unheard of as far as we know, basically, it's a flight from India to the U.K. and the flight was grounded in Vienna, in Austria on the way.
Everyone on board was told to stump up $200 each to pay for the fuel to continue the journey, very odd indeed. They were allowed off the plane to go to teller machines even to bring the cash back. They had to borrow from each other, club together, extraordinary situation.
Another flight run by the same operator had the same situation before it even set off. Passengers were told they had to get together tens of thousands of dollars to get on to the flight in the first place.
What we understand happened is that a ticket agency, the agency that sold the tickets went bankrupt and there was an effect and in the end the passengers had to pay, an extraordinary situation. Some passengers, Fredricka, still stuck in India because the flights, all the flights from this operator have now been canceled.
WHITFIELD: My goodness. So does that mean that some people who may have been on that flight who perhaps didn't have the extra $200 to pay, were they kicked off the flight, do you know?
FOSTER: We're still trying to work that out. Some passengers who made it back to the U.K. said that there were people left. We haven't actually managed to confirm that. There were certainly people left in India. They're trying to find a way home and there's no compensation for many of them.
WHITFIELD: My goodness, I don't think I've never heard of that happening to anybody on the flight before, unprecedented? FOSTER: Yes, we can't -- the travel industry experts have never heard of it before. There's a real problem with the system that allows it to happen.
WHITFIELD: No kidding. All right, Max Foster, thanks so much from London.
And then you're not going to believe the video that you're about to see. It led to the suspension of a school bus driver. Yes, she is distracted because she is either texting or looking at her cell phone and the school system was not happy about it.
And the clock is ticking on the debt "Super Committee." Could some Republicans agree on tax increases to get a deal done? We'll talk to a Republican lawmaker next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: A quick look from news across the country now. A look at video from Albuquerque, New Mexico. It shows two police officers beating a car theft suspect.
Kicking him over and over his head and his body and then not long after this moment, videotape shows the two kind of chest bumping there.
You can see their feet. The police chief fired both officers. They could face charges. They say they thought the suspect was reaching for a gun.
The head of a Connecticut utility has resigned. Connecticut Light and Power took lots of heat for its response to last month's snowstorm. It left customers without electricity for nearly two weeks.
And watch this school bus driver in Florida. She's not just driving. But it appears she's either texting or looking down at her cell phone a few times while the bus, by the way, is moving and is packed with kids. School officials suspended her for one day.
The debt "Super Committee" has five days left to strike a deal to trim $1.2 trillion from the nation's deficit. Now, Republican leaders are talking about a compromise that could involve tax increases.
Freshman Congressman Allen West joining us now. He's a Republican from South Florida. So you have said that you can stomach the idea, but what about your colleagues, what's taking place?
REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN WEST (R), FLORIDA: Well, good morning, Fredricka. I think one of the things we have to look at is, it is not about the increase in the revenues by way of raising taxes here in the United States of America on our citizens.
In fiscal year 2011, we saw a 6.5 percent increase in revenues in America, but yet we still had a $1.3 trillion deficit. I think we really have to look at there are other means by which we can increase revenues, which is, of course, maintaining tax rates or lowering tax rates.
And then you can eliminate loopholes and reduce the amount of subsidy that you have. But it's also about the spending that is emanating out of Washington, D.C. So I think that's one of the prime things we have to look at.
WHITFIELD: OK, well, back to the loopholes because that one gets a whole lot of attention, the loopholes, especially for those who make an awful lot.
Those are considered the upper echelon, whether you have corporations or individuals and that they might be imposed with higher taxes. Is that something where there is wiggle room that this committee might agree to?
WEST: Well, when I think you look at the corporate business tax rate, for instance, one of the recommendations that came from the Republican side was instead of a 35 percent, which is the second highest in the world.
You bring that down to a 25 percent and you get rid of the loopholes and you start to eliminate those subsidies. We want to give corporations and businesses a competitive tax rate.
As well as when you look at the tax rates for the individuals, we cannot continue on where we have a system where 47 percent of wage earner households are not paying anything income taxes. So let's look at how we can broaden that tax base as a means once again to increase revenues.
But understand that 62 percent of the budget of the United States of America is mandatory spending programs, the net interest on the debt, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. So we've got to start looking at the tough decisions there as well.
WHITFIELD: OK, so while these are your positions, what about your colleagues among the 12 there. When you all go into a room and you hash out the ideas, is there a consensus that you feel fairly confident that there will be a deal reached by Wednesday?
WEST: Well, I believe that they have to come some type of understanding. One of the things that I kind of get frustrated with up here on Capitol Hill, having spent 22 years in the United States military, we really didn't like doing business by crisis action.
We always have to take something down to the last minute. We've had nine months -- I'm sorry, three months, 90 days to get to a resolution. And once again, we see people coming down to the end.
WHITFIELD: Are you closer now than ever?
WEST: Well, I'm not privy to a lot of the inner workings. But I know that Co-Chairman Jeb Hensarling is working very hard and he has been giving updates to the speaker and the leadership. And we've been kept informed, but whatever recommendations they come up with has to come back to the House and to the Senate for up and down vote. WHITFIELD: So, Congressman, this morning's "Washington Post," they write the, quote, I'm quoting now, "The absence of an imminent crisis helps explain the lack of urgency on Capitol Hill this week." Is that true? There's a lack of urgency to really get this job done?
WEST: Well, like I said, one of the frustrating things for me, I don't like doing things by crisis action mode. I think that when you start to forecast and look at some of the looming issues that we have, we should come up with a solutions and resolutions, a lot earlier than getting down to the last minute.
But I think that there is a sense of urgency up here. I know that with the 87 freshmen that were elected in November 2010 we're very focused. I think one of the things that's important is you'll see a vote on the balanced budget amendment today, which is something a year ago that no one would have ever thought possible.
WHITFIELD: Congressman Allen West, thanks so much for your time on Capitol Hill.
WEST: Thanks, Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Straight ahead, we're exploring this question for you.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do you think about gerrymandering?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think gerrymandering is a great guy.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't really know him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How about you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I never heard of him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Our Drew Griffin is on the case to expose gerrymandering and how it affects your vote for Congress next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Congress's approval rating is at 9 percent, an all-time low. But throwing out the bombs as they say can be tricky. The practice of gerrymandering has made it harder for incumbents to lose their seats. Here's Drew Griffin.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT: I've been asked to do a report on gerrymandering. What do you think about gerrymandering?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think gerrymandering is a great guy.
GRIFFIN (voice-over): These are people lined up to see the Liberty Bell.
(on camera): What do you think about gerrymandering?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't really know him.
GRIFFIN: How about you?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I never heard of him.
GRIFFIN: It's actually the way politicians draw up congressional districts. Into weird looking shapes so they can protect their own seats.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK.
GRIFFIN (voice-over): In Chicago, squeezed between two freeways, this narrow strip is needed to connect two halves of a gerrymandered district to keep it contiguous as is required.
(on camera): This is the way congress gets around the contiguous rule. Because there's obviously nobody living here, unless they're homeless people, I guess, anybody here? Any congressional voters out there?
GRIFFIN (voice-over): This is Illinois' fourth district. Stand it on end and what does it look like?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Earmuffs.
GRIFFIN: Luis Gutierrez has been the congressman here for almost 20 years.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You stay protected. You stay together.
GRIFFIN: The district was drawn to give Hispanics a seat in Congress.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Shouldn't the Congress of the United States be a reflection of the city of Chicago.
GRIFFIN: Gutierrez ticks off what he says as an Irish district, a Polish district, a Jewish district, three black districts. This is the map for those Chicago districts. All held by Democrats with irregular lines, odd connecting points. Back in the earmuffs strip.
(on camera): Here comes a tractor. He's leaving the 7th. He's in the 4th congressional district right now. He's going through the 4th congressional district and he has entered the 5th congressional district.
(voice-over): In his Hispanic district, Gutierrez is usually re- elected with 75 percent of the vote or more. Where other Democrats around him, it can be as high as 85 percent.
(on camera): Consider this in the last decade, 78 percent of all the seats in the House did not change party hands. Not even once. That's nearly four out of five congressmen in safe seats year after year after year, a result of district lines drawn to protect incumbents in both parties.
DAVID WASSERMAN, COOK POLITICAL REPORT: In general elections, it's almost rigged.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GRIFFIN: That's why we call this investigative report, Fred, gerry- rigged because it's going on right now. It happens every 10 years after the census.
In each state, they're doing this political gerrymandering behind the scenes, which is so important to what happens in Congress yet we don't pay a lot attention to.
WHITFIELD: Redistricting is huge. Is there any jurisdiction that feels like it's done right?
GRIFFIN: You know, we're going to take you on a tour and you're going to go to places like Chicago where they are unapologetic about what they do there and how they draw the lines to states that are really trying to make this a fair system.
A system where both Republicans and Democrats and God forbid, even an independent, could possibly get elected to Congress. But even there, the political influence is so strong, when they try to make it right, you'll see how dirty it gets.
WHITFIELD: Wow. It's fascinating. I love the journey between the fourth, fifth and sixth districts there. That really says a lot.
GRIFFIN: We'll show you little some little strips of land and water that unbelievably make up the congressional map of the United States of America.
WHITFIELD: Incredible. OK, we're looking forward to that, Drew. Thanks so much. There's so much more. As you just heard in Drew's report, gerry-rigged. Why your vote for Congress might not matter, Sunday night at 8:00 Eastern right here on CNN.
Herman Cain tries to sell David Letterman on his 9-9-9 plan. Did it work? Our "Political Buzz" weighs in right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Checking our top stories right now, a historic move by the Obama Administration. The President is sending Hillary Clinton to Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. It will be the first visit by a U.S. Secretary of State in more than a half a century there.
And no new arrest reported overnight in the Occupy movement but yesterday, thousands of protesters spanned out across New York hoping to shut down the financial district. Almost 250 arrests were made.
And Herman Cain becomes the first Republican presidential candidate to get U.S. Secret Service protection this year. The Cain campaign asked for the protection. It's not clear why. All right.
"Political Buzz" is your rapid fire look at the best political topics of the day. Three questions, 30 seconds on the clock. Playing today: CNN contributor Maria Cardona; Patricia Murphy, founder and editor of Citizen Jane Politics; and Sherry Jacobis, Republican strategist and columnist for "The Hill". Good to see you all ladies.
MARIA CARDONA, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Good morning.
WHITFIELD: First question. All right, the super committee is nowhere near a deal and the clock is ticking. Who can be the superhero to save the super committee? Maria, you first.
CARDONA: Well, it doesn't seem like Wonder Woman or Superman is going to swoop down any time soon and here's the situation. You have what, you have a committee that where the Republicans have asked for drastic cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security. Democrats are willing to look at those if the -- if the Republicans are willing to put revenues that equal the kind of sacrifice that we are seeing with middle class families and seniors if the cuts to Medicare and Medicaid take place. That is not happening right now.
So the superhero in here can be two people. John Boehner to urge his caucus to take those cuts and Grover Norquist who can say that the oath that is taken to him is not more important than the oath that members of Congress have taken to solve our nation's problems.
WHITFIELD: All right, Sherry, you next.
SHERRY JACOBIS, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: You know I think the hero on this could be John Boehner he's the one that's coming out and begging the President to get involved and start instilling some discipline to the Democrats on the super committee. The Democrats are coming out saying yes, we are united, we've got our act together when in fact, what we're know finding out they don't have a plan.
Republicans are the only one with a plan on the table. The Democrats are disorganized and starting to look like that's their strategy. Obama wants nothing to do with it. And they want to do is they want this thing to fail. They want to blame Republicans. They don't want to have any accountability and -- and the President would rather have that happen than try to roll up the sleeves and get involved and find some sort of a solution that perhaps can make everybody happy.
WHITFIELS: And Patricia?
PATRICIA MURPHY, FOUNDER/EDITOR, CITIZEN JANE POLITICS: Well I think unfortunately, we've just heard the two sides pretty entrenched. And this is the problem. And the only way we're going to get to a deal, it's not going to be one person who does it. It can't be two people who do it.
We need 535 members of Congress to come together and say we know that we're not going to get everything we want in this field but we're willing to put the country's needs ahead of exactly what we want. It is more important to get a deal than it is to get exactly the right deal.
This could fail by one vote or two votes. It could be some congressman you've never heard of in your entire life. Every member of Congress needs to understand how critically damaging it would be to the country if there is no deal. We need all 535 to come together.
WHITFIELD: All right, let's shift gears just a little bit ladies. Herman Cain on revealing feelings about the toll the race might be taking on his family. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HERMAN CAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: If I ever reach the point where this campaign became damaging to my family, my wife and my family, I'm not a quitter, but I'm -- but there is a point beyond which you will not go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Well, he doesn't sound like a candidate in it to win it. Was that hypothetical Sherry?
JACOBIS: You know we learned that he just got Secret Service protection and obviously we're never going to find out why. They have to keep those things under wrap.
I think clearly there are some things happening behind the scenes making it very, very difficult. This happens in politic. He's not the first. Sadly, he won't be the last. And -- and unfortunately, that's the -- the ugly dark underbelly of politics.
WHITFIELD: And Maria?
CARDONA: Well, I think from the beginning, I -- I have said at least that Herman Cain was never in this to win this. I think the surge in the polls that he had seen took him by surprise. He is not prepared either with infrastructure, he was not prepared with staff that had experience in running a presidential campaign. He was certainly not prepared on issues of public policy and foreign policy.
This is national politics. Politics aren't bean bags. It's hard, it's difficult. He clearly wasn't prepared for that part of it too. President Obama also had Secret Service protection when he ran the campaign in 2007. This is just difficulty of national politics.
WHITFIELD: And Patricia.
MURPHY: Well, I think Herman Cain is in it to win it. But I do think it's refreshing to see a candidate say there is a line that I won't cross. And that line ends with my family. And I think, what is ironic about the situation is that Herman Cain has left his family out of the campaign in order to protect them in a way.
His wife did not want to be a part of this campaign. But by doing that, he's also isolated them. A lot of the other women on the campaign trail, the spouses have gotten to be friends. They go through this together. They have a support system and somebody who they can lean on.
For Herman Cain's family, they've gotten very isolated, the charges coming at him. They have to deal with it on their own. I think if he had involved them more or spent more time, it wouldn't be as hard as it is right now.
WHITFIELD: All right. Let's go to our "Buzzer Beater" now 20 seconds each. Herman Cain will be on David Letterman tonight. Here's a preview.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID LETTERMAN, TALK SHOW HOST: I heard somebody say to you, how would so-and-so and so-and-so be handled under 9-9-9 and you said "I don't know".
CAIN: That was one of those obscure questions that was asked about --
LETTERMAN: Yes, but you've got to deal with the obscurity. I mean I like it. It's clever. 9-9-9, it's fun.
CAIN: Right but -- and it works. It works.
LETTERMAN: And you ought to get some sort of toll-free number. Herman Cain, you dial 9-9-9, you get a free pizza. Come on. What are we talking about?
CAIN: You know what you're going to get? Instead of a free pizza when you dial 9-9-9, you're going to be able to get a job.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: All right, Herman Cain on Letterman. So Maria, you first, 9-9-9, is it losing its shine?
CARDONA: Yes and I don't actually think it ever had luster that could last. Clearly it worked for him. It catapulted him to the front of the pack. And it showed that he had perhaps interesting and was thinking out of the box, but when you actually look at 9-9-9, you saw that middle class families and working class families were going to do a lot worse under that. That was the beginning of his luster coming off of 9-9-9.
WHITFIELD: Sherry.
JACOBIS: You know Herman Cain has brought a lot of excitement into this race and the 9-9-9 plan was part of that. It helped sort of define what the issues we have so many candidates all over the place with so many issues, and he really sort of corralled that and I think he's had great values. But obviously, his campaign has run into a few problems and this is what primaries are.
We have a robust primary, he's done very, very well. But there are some good reasons why others are a little bit higher in the polls. But you I think he's done a fine job.
WHITFIELD: And Patricia?
MURPHY: Well, I think 9-9-9, like any great marketing piece of material, it's a great slogan, but people have to want the product that you're selling. So he got everybody's attention with 9-9-9, but there hasn't been much more to it than that. He couldn't tell Letterman how everyone would be affected. So it's a great slogan.
But even with pizza -- like people want side dishes, you want breadsticks and salad. Like you need more than just a slogan to win a candidate -- to become president.
WHITFIELD: All right, Patricia, Maria, Sherry thanks so much ladies.
CARDONA: Thanks Fred.
JACOBIS: You too.
WHITFIELD: All right, still ahead Regis Philbin says goodbye to morning television. The "Showbiz Headlines" next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right.
Regis Philbin sadly ended his 28-year television career this morning. The celebration started a little early on last night's Letterman show. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID LETTERMAN, TALK SHOW HOST: Are you ready, my friend?
REGIS PHILBIN, TALK SHOW HOST: I'm on it. I'm ready to go. First time ever.
LETTERMAN: For the love the God, be careful. Thank you, God speed. Regis Philbin. There he goes.
PHILBIN: I made it. I'm fine.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Ok. Apparently that was a big old gift from Letterman, that scooter. Thank goodness this 80-year-old Regis is so agile and just quick to get on his feet. Thank goodness, Kareen, also he was wearing a helmet. But he did pretty great.
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: My heart was beating here.
WHITFIELD: I know.
WYNTER: I didn't want him to fall of that bike. Oh Fred, morning TV.
WHITFIELD: I don't think Letterman wanted that either. But thank goodness, he was on his feet. He was ok. WYNTER: He's ok. I know.
WHITFIELD: How are you doing? What was the farewell like?
WYNTER: It was such a touching send-off really for Regis. Perhaps the most emotional part came as Kelly Ripa, his co-host, his really good friend for so many years said goodbye to Regis. She was shaking, Fred. But in front of the studio audience full of celebs, also his family, Regis he re-lived some of the great memories.
He wrapped up by thanking all of his crew, co-stars, fans, he signed off for the last time saying "I'll never be able to answer all the cards and messages especially in the last few weeks. Thank you very much for these years together. God bless you all and I hope to see you again real soon."
Knowing Reg, he's such a television staple. We'll be seeing him again. Just not in the morning TV capacity perhaps.
WHITFIELD: Exactly. We'll just see a different, you know, incarnation because Regis is going nowhere. He's just -- such a lightning rod of activity and excitement.
Also this morning, not so exciting if you're Ashton and Demi. They're splitsville officially, right?
WYNTER: Right. The writing has been on the wall for quite some time. But Demi and Ashton are separating. Demi, she broke the news yesterday with a statement saying "It is with great sadness and a heavy hearty that I have decided to end my six-year marriage to Ashton. As a mother, a woman, a wife, there are certain values and vows and that I hold sacred and it is in this spirit that I've chosen to move forward with my life."
Reading between the lines there it seems like -- you know there was some truth to all those rumors Fred about Ashton's infidelities. And for his part, you know he spoke out via Twitter saying "I will forever cherish the time I spent with Demi. Marriage is one of the most difficult things in the world and unfortunately, sometimes they fail."
You know, before officially announcing the split, everyone was tipped off they were separating because they of course un-followed each other on Twitter -- Fred.
WHITFIELD: Interesting stuff. All right. Kareen Wynter, thank you.
WYNTER: See you, Fred.
WHITFIELD: Also coming up, players, parents and fans trading punches at a high school soccer match? We'll tell you what this big brawl is all about.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right. Let's check news cross country now. President Obama's uncle shows up in a Massachusetts court to fight his drunken driving arrest. Oyango Obama was pulled over in August. Police say he rolled through a stop sign. But Obama's lawyer says the arresting officer didn't have a clear view of the intersection and therefore, no legal reason for a traffic stop.
In western Massachusetts, a state soccer semi-final is cut short by an ugly brawl. This one unfolding right here. Players, fans and even parents got punches in. After police broke it up the refs ended the match with two minutes left on the clock.
And school officials in Florida are giving their new science textbooks an F. The books contain several errors including, upside down covers and a U.S. map that shows Florida on the West Coast.
Up next, a vigil for a ten-year-old girl who apparently committed suicide. Just one reason why a national group launched a campaign targeting bullies in schools.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Last night a vigil was held for a ten-year-old girl who committed suicide because she was bullied at school. It was an emotional reminder of why this is National Bullying Awareness Week. Ashlynn Conner hanged herself inside her Vermillion County, Illinois home last Friday after repeated complaints of being bullied at school. And in Columbus County, North Carolina, a ten-year-old girl hanged herself because of bullying at school.
Joining us now is the author of "99 Things Teens Wish They Knew Before Turning 16" written by Zach Veach. He is also a spokesperson for National Bullying Awareness Week. Good to see you again, Zach. We spoke a little bit back where you experienced bullying. But mostly over your size and then you found a way to kind of fight back. How?
ZACH VEACH, SPOKESPERSON, NATIONAL BULLYING AWARENESS WEEK: Yes, for sure. I mean bullying is growing into such a big thing nowadays. We need people to come out and actually help the kids and stop their problem before it continues to grow because more and more things are going to happen, like what you've seen.
Me and the Noble Challenge, our goal is to make sure nothing like that ever happens. We want to make it able for kids to be able stop it before it even happens with the help of adults, school leaders and even kids of their own age.
WHITFIELD: But isn't that part of the problem too. For some of the young people who feel like they're being bullied or picked on, it's difficult for them to kind of tell someone about it, share with someone what's taking place. Because it almost feels like that's almost like an additional assault because they have to share what's going on and their pains and their emotions.
What do you recommend to a young person who is feeling that kind of hesitation about sharing it and seeking help?
VEACH: With the Noble Challenge, it's a national contest to put in a video of kids all around the country that are my age and a little older to -- saying out why they don't bully and helping that. I think that will bring out a lot as well because it's showing that other kids are standing up and a lot of kids like to be a part of something that other kids are interested in.
It's kind of hard to make the first step when you're the only one. I think with all this, they'll have a little more encouragement to stand up and get help from adults. At the end of the day, that's what it really has to come down to. Not violence or getting even with someone. You need to get an adult to help you. Maybe you can even change the bully's life as well and be better off for the both of you.
WHITFIELD: You write in your book, "99 Things that Teens Wish They Knew before Turning 16". That at the time when you were being bullied about being small or shorter than the other people who were bullying, not only did you kind of respond back verbally, but you decided no, I'm going to be all the more focused on race car driving and now here you are a professional race car driver.
VEACH: Thank you. Yes. When I wrote my book, I was just relating to how I lived through the public school system when I was just wanting to start racing cars. You know, since I wasn't playing football or racing go-karts that seemed -- playing football or soccer, that seemed to be a problem.
I used all the bullying what they did to me as fuel to keep going forward and just give it all to show them that I can do this. And they're not going to stop me.
WHITFIELD: Congratulations. You are a real champion, Zach Veach. Thanks so much for your time and your advice.
VEACH: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: All right. Stories making news later on today. Next hour in Arizona, sentencing for self-help guru James Arthur Ray who was found guilty in the deaths of three people inside a sweat lodge two years ago.
In Mount Vernon, New York, a private funeral will be held for rapper Heavy D.
And 2:00 eastern time, the Los Angeles county sheriff's department holds a news conference on reopening their investigation into the 1981 death of actress Natalie Wood.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Herman Cain snubs an influential newspaper in a crucial primary state. CNN's deputy political director Paul Steinhauser is live in Washington with more on this -- Paul.
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Yes, Fredricka, here we've been talking about that Secret Service protection story with Herman Cain. But this is almost as important and we're talking about New Hampshire, we're talking about the New Hampshire union leader, if not the most influential, if not the most influential newspaper up in the first of the nation primary state.
Here's what happened. Cain was supposed to sit down with them yesterday for an hour, take questions, give answers. Remember, this happened a couple days -- this is happening a couple of days he did a similar thing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he kind of blanked out when it came to Libya.
Cain said let's only do 20 minutes and no cameras can be there. That didn't jive with the newspaper so it was canceled. Cain blames the paper, the paper blames him. Either way, not a good deal here.
As for Cain and the other candidates, Fred, you know, they're coming right here to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. The next presidential debate is right here. Cnn debate on the economy and on foreign affairs. Tuesday night, Fred, right here in D.C.
WHITFIELD: That's right, and hosted by our very own Wolf Blitzer. And I know Paul, you know the answer to this question. What it's like to walk down the street with a Wolf Blitzer or to walk down a red carpet Suzanne Malveaux.
And Rick Baldwin and I found out last night what it's like to be with Wolf Blitzer. He's a rock star. We were at the Soul Train Music Awards last night. And there were are all posing with Malcolm Jamal Warner, as well. It was hilarious was it not, Suzanne. People were climbing over their seats running down the aisle trying to get a shot with Wolf Blitzer from Gladys Knight to Natalie Cole.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: Did they, I think they called us Wolf's Angels at one point.
Right. I called us Wolf's Angels and he said no, Wolf pack.
WHITFIELD: Ok. We're the wolf pack. Ok. It was incredible.
MALVEAUX: It's going to be a lot fun to watch, actually. I think it's on Sunday, the Soul Train Awards.
WHITFIELD: It airs Sunday on the 27th. The Sunday after Thanksgiving so everyone will get a chance to see Wolf.
MALVEAUX: And there's a little special treat.
WHITFIELD: It's not a dance necessarily this year. But something just as good.
MALVEAUX: Right.
WHITFIELD: He showed us his moves last year doing the Dougie and he was with Dougie Fresh again on stage this year but you're going to have to watch to find out. Nice surprise.
MALVEAUX: It's much more --
(CROSSTALK)
MALVEAUX: Yes, it is. All right. Take care.
WHITFIELD: Right.
