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Deficit Cutting Panel Deadlocked; Clashes Turn Deadly in Cairo; Marathon Runners Die in Philly; Huntsman and Romney Pass on "Table" Talks; Life After "Grey's Anatomy"; Romney Campaigns in New Hampshire; GOP Candidates Talk Faith and Values; TV Doctor Now Saves Real Lives; Occupying Alaska; Closing In On Major League Deal; Actress "Dates" Marine; Stocks Down, Oil Up Last Week; Short Trading Week Ahead; Wall Street Watching Deb Committee; Get Ready, Get Set, Shop; Don't Forget Your Umbrella; Six GOP Candidate Face Off in Iowa

Aired November 20, 2011 - 14:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

TED ROWLANDS, CNN ANCHOR: You're in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Ted Rowlands. Fredricka Whitfield is off today.

Facing negotiation deadlocks and a looming deadline, CNN has learned that the deficit cutting "Super Committee" is no longer discussing if a deal can be reached.

Now they are talking about how to announce that talks have failed barring any last minute solution. Both sides are talking about the official end of work to trim more than $1 trillion from the deficit.

Our Lisa Desjardins is on Capitol Hill. It looks like this is over, Lisa, what happens now?

LISA DESJARDINS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right. Well, a couple of things happen. First of all, we'll get the official announcement as you're talking about. They're saying that may come tomorrow, discussions under way.

But as the "Super Committee" fails that would trigger across the board cuts of about 8 percent to 9 percent to most every government agency and those would not go into effect another year so there will be a lot of speculation as to whether Congress will pull that back.

But let's get back to sort of where we are right at this moment. Behind the scenes, we have many, several sources Republican and Democrats, telling us they're planning for the end.

But what's interesting, Ted, and I want listeners and viewers to pay close attention here, is publicly members of the "Super Committee" aren't saying that yet. They still have a date day to work out a deal.

It sounds like they don't want to admit that they basically have stopped talking. So let's play some sound from the Sunday talk shows and listen closely to kind of double messages here first from a Democrat and then a Republican.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SENATOR PAT TOOMEY (R), PENNSYLVANIA: There is still an opportunity, there's a plan on the table that would at least take us halfway to our goal, which is -- it's on the shelf, scored, it's ready to go. If the Democrats would agree to that, we could still get somthing done. If they would come back with a counter proposal, we would work on it.

SENATOR PAT MURRAY (D), WASHINGTON: Waiting all day, I'll be at the table, as I've been willing to talk to any Republican who says look, my country is more important. That pile of bills is not going to go away, I'm ready, I'm waiting. Today, I'll be at the table, all night long. We have a few hours left.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DESJARDINS: The Democrat you heard from at the end there, co-chair of the "Super Committee," Patty Murray and then Pat Toomey from the "Super Committee" Republican at the top.

Here's what interesting, Ted. I think you get what I'm saying. Both of them say, I'm ready, I'll keep talking as long as you come to me.

The problem is, they're both saying that and no one's moving and the truth is that behind the scenes. Staff is admitting that this is over, at least barring any unexpected development.

ROWLANDS: Right. Let's be honest, Lisa, a lot of Americans are going to say, they failed. What a huge surprise. People weren't expecting anything out of -- they don't expect anything out of Washington.

Did these specific lawmakers go in with an attitude that this wasn't just an exercise in futility, that they did think they were going to accomplish something here?

DESJARDINS: I'll tell you from standing outside these meetings, watching these lawmakers go in and out, and they've spent sometimes as long as six, seven, eight hours day, a few months ago, working out these problems, I really believe these lawmakers were serious. I've talked to staff behind the scenes.

I know they've been working out many different proposals, trying to get creative. Ted, for me, I think the moment when I thought this could be over came Thursday night. There was a late meeting between a few Democrats and Republicans.

Senator John Kerry came out, he's one of the few in the committee that to the last has said, let's get a big deal, Pat Toomey is another one, we can do it.

He's been trying to get them to really go big, he came out drained and really seemed discouraged and to me that was a sign that they really didn't have much further to go.

ROWLANDS: All right. Lisa Desjardins, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Thanks, Lisa.

Overseas, at least four people are dead in the chaos of Central Cairo today. Witnesses say police and Egyptian troops filled Tahrir Square with tear gas and may have even fired live rounds when they cleared out demonstrators who packed the square. It is the second straight day of clashes between protesters and security forces in Cairo and other cities in Egypt.

Our senior international correspondent, Ben Wedeman is in Cairo right now. Ben, why the fighting now in the streets and why are these crowds massing in Tahrir Square again?

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, what you see really, Ted, this is a manifestation of this growing frustration and anger against the Supreme Council for the Armed Forces. That's the group that took over from Hosni Mubarak when he resigned on the 11th of February.

The feeling is that they're not moving quickly enough to civilian rule, that they may harbor ambitions to hold on to power for the foreseeable future. Another element is that these clashes began yesterday, when the police were trying to clear a fairly small number of people out of Tahrir Square, but they used fairly excessive force yesterday.

One man was killed in Cairo, more than a thousand wounded. This is really -- sparked more outrage because, of course, Egyptians overthrew Hosni Mubarak's regime because they felt that the police had too much power, was to brutal, arbitrarily tortured and detained people.

This is really a reaction to that. They don't want to see the same sort of regime coming back and staying yet again -- Ted.

ROWLANDS: Well, it looks like the same tactics to put down the demonstrations earlier, when Mubarak was in power, are being used now. How connected is this now to the elections coming up next month or later this month?

WEDEMAN: Yes. The elections take place on the 28th of November and of course, it really is a part of it. It's a time of growing tension. You have all of these new legalized parties, 31 new political parties, all of them vying for power.

And there's a heightened sense of tension, of anticipation, throughout the country. I should add that these clashes like those that are taking place in Tahrir Square are also taking place in Alexandria, the second largest city in Egypt, in Suez, another city.

These protests seem to be spreading in just the run up to these elections. Now, the elections will go on from the end of November until March. There's a variety of rounds. So we could be looking at months and months of more instability and more violence -- Ted.

ROWLANDS: All right, some unbelievable pictures there. Thanks, Ben Wedeman, live for us in Cairo.

Back in this country, we're getting word into CNN that two athletes running the Philadelphia marathon died today either during or shortly after the race. Details so far are few, but the race director has confirmed that two runners did die on the course.

Well, six of the GOP candidates gathered around a thanksgiving table in Iowa, Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman had something else up their sleeves and speaking of Mitt Romney, he's about to speak live in New Hampshire. We'll bring it to you when it happens.

Actor, Isiah Washington lost a critical TV role after offending his cast mates and viewers by using an offensive remark.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ISAIAH WASHINGTON, ACTOR: My exit from "Grey's" was a catalyst for sure. Even in loss you gain, even in loss you win, even in the "L" you get a "W."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROWLANDS: Four years after "Grey's Anatomy," he's written a book about the self-discovery that followed. Our Fredricka Whitfield sits down with Isaiah Washington in face to face. That's coming up. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Isn't it true that nationally you're currently polling in the low single digits?

JON HUNTSMAN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It is true, Seth. But only a few months ago I was polling at margin of error. So to have any digit at all, is a pretty big deal.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROWLANDS: That's GOP presidential candidate, Jon Huntsman using his last in the polls status to go for a few laughs on "Saturday Night Live" over the weekend.

We're looking at Mitt Romney on the campaign trail in New Hampshire. He just picked up a very important endorsement. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SENATOR KELLY AYOTTE (R), NEW HAMPSHIRE: We are honored to be here today to enthusiastically endorse Mitt Romney for president of the United States of America.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROWLANDS: A very much sought-after endorsement by Congresswoman Kelly Ayotte happening in New Hampshire.

Well, neither Mitt Romney nor Jon Huntsman attended an Iowa Family and Faith Forum last night. The six Republican candidates who did attend found themselves rather unconventional setting. They sat at what looked like a Thanksgiving Day dinner table in front of a large group of conservatives. Here are some of the highlights from last night.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HERMAN CAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Those of us that are people of faith and strong faith have allowed the non-faith element to intimidate us into not fighting back. I believe we've been too passive. We have maybe pushed back, but as people of faith, we have not fought back.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How do you fight back?

CAIN: The way you fight back is not be afraid to express your faith in any setting, rather than worrying about the political correctness police.

RICK SANTORUM (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Gay marriage is wrong. As Abraham Lincoln said, the states do not have the right to do wrong. So there are folks here who said states can do this and I won't get involved in that.

I will get involved in that because states as a president, I will get involved because the states do not have the right to undermine the basic fundamental values that hold this country together.

GOVERNOR RICK PERRY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: My challenge for all of you and for every elected official out there, for every governor and for the next president of the United States is to not be afraid to be a faithful individual every day, to live that life, to stand up for your values.

To be able -- if you are a pastor, you need to be in the pulpit every Sunday and frankly, every day that you have the opportunity to be in that pulpit talking about values because values are going to get decided.

Somebody's values are going to decide what the Congress votes on or what the president of the United States is going to deal with.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROWLANDS: Join us at 4:00 Eastern for our "Political Hour." We'll hear from all the Republican presidential contenders.

Coming up, he played a life-saving doctor on TV. Now actor Isaiah Washington says he's saving real lives. Find out how in Fredricka Whitfield's "Face to Face." Don't go away. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROWLANDS: It is 46 minutes after the hour. I'm Ted Rowlands in for Fredricka Whitfield who is off this weekend. But before she left she talked to actor, Isaiah Washington in one of her "Face-to-Face" segments. Take a look. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: It has been four years since actor Isaiah Washington starred in the hit television show "Grey's Anatomy" as the self assured Dr. Preston Berg. That is until he made an offensive remark back in 2007.

In his book "A Man From Another Land" Washington talks about life after "Grey Anatomy," the defeat, self discovery and his reawakening in West Africa. We talk face to face.

I talked to a lot of viewers who couldn't wait to hear your story and find out where you are, and where you've been in the last four years.

WASHINGTON: Representing six million people, six thousand villages and I've already saved lives. In fact, I have 500 students in my school. That's what I've been doing for the last four years. And to get excited about saving real lives, that is the biggest adrenaline rush that I could have for someone like me.

WHITFIELD: Had that experience at "Grey's Anatomy" not played out the way it did, would the inspiration to talk about this self-discovery or your mission and commitment to Sierra Leone happened?

WASHINGTON: Obviously, my exit from "Grey's" was a catalyst for sure. Even in loss you gain, even in loss you win, even in the "L" you get a "W."

WHITFIELD: After making that discovery that you're 99.9 percent of Sierra Leone ancestry, you have committed yourself to building schools, to changing lives of young people and their parents. Does this bring you greater gratification than reaching a pinnacle of your acting career ever could?

WASHINGTON: Now I get to be on the world stage, seeing the smile on these faces that would have never had an opportunity to get an education ever.

WHITFIELD: So this helped remove some of the misgivings you had about your blackness.

WASHINGTON: Completely.

WHITFIELD: That was imposed on you by all kinds of experiences along the way that made you feel insecure.

WASHINGTON: Inadequate, ugly.

WHITFIELD: Inferior.

WASHINGTON: Unattractive, all of it. Broad nose, full lips, the whole thing. All those negatives went away.

WHITFIELD: And that's what's extraordinary, because you exude through your characters, through who you are, a confident man, completely comfortable with the skin that you're in. Playing these powerful figures over a span of these movies and television shows and it would take this kind of moment, this DNA test, for you to now feel complete, it is really hard, I'm sure, for a lot of people to understand and embrace that.

WASHINGTON: Yes.

WHITFIELD: When you come across as completely OK with who you are.

WASHINGTON: Good actor. Good actor.

WHITFIELD: You felt like you were fooling yourself and fooling a lot of people along the way until this point?

WASHINGTON: No, just following the writing.

WHITFIELD: So the last four years has been an incredible revelation for you.

WASHINGTON: Absolutely.

WHITFIELD: Evolution for you. A lot of people who are watching movies, watching television, thinking, I'm not seeing Isaiah, I do remember seeing him from "Grey's Anatomy" and all they're thinking about is, gosh, what has happened?

And may feel sorry for you because they're not seeing you like they once did, your response is, don't feel sorry for me, this has been an incredible journey.

WASHINGTON: To help thousands of children, thousands of adults that need job creation. So in that losing on this TV show, I now win as an ambassador for an entire country, to literally rebuild it in the next five to ten years. In losing Dr. Burke, I've gained Isaiah, truly gained Isaiah Washington.

WHITFIELD: So Isaiah Washington remains busy this weekend. He's in Florida discussing his memoir "A Man From Another Land" and over the last few months, Washington says he has produced two movies and one documentary and you'll see him on the big screen soon in the movies with "The Suspect" title of one and another "Area Q."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROWLANDS: Coming up today in our 5:00 hour, Fredricka talks with Isaiah Washington about his controversial departure from "Grey's Anatomy" and he reveals he still watches the show.

Well, first it was Justin Timberlake and now actress, Mila Kunis how she kept her promise and made one man's dream a reality.

For the past two months, the "Occupy" movement has been putting up tents across the country, even in the coldest places, "Occupy Alaska." You won't believe this. We'll have that coming up next as well.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) ROWLANDS: Checking other headlines.

The "Occupy" movement now stretches all the way to Alaska. A few brave souls are bundling up and setting up tents in a park in Fairbanks. Apparently, they plan to stay awhile. Check out the firewood that they have stockpiled.

Sources say baseball's labor negotiators shook hands on a new contract. Now they have to put it in writing among other things, the new five-year deal reportedly will raise minimum salaries for players to around a half million dollars. We could learn more on that tomorrow.

And here's proof that if you ask, you might get your wish. While in Afghanistan, Sergeant Scott Moore went on YouTube and asked actress, Mila Kunis to go to the Marine Ball with him. She said she couldn't let him down and she didn't. There they are at the ball on Friday night.

For a number of countries reigning in the debt is a top priority. You're watching what's happening and so is our money team. Let's a financial update with Felicia Taylor in New York.

FELICIA TAYLOR, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Ted. Concerns about your Europe's debt crisis slams stocks this past week. The major averages fell about 3 percent each as Italy and Greece put new governments in place. Until now stocks had been up six of the past seven weeks. And oil topped $100 a barrel for the first time since July.

The U.S. Postal Service however continues to bleed money. The USPS reported a $5.1 billion loss. The agency is saddled with high retiree health care cost and hit with declining mail volumes. Poppy Harlow has a look at what's coming up in business news -- Poppy.

POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM CORRESPONDENT: Thanks so much, Felicia. Well, there's a lot on the business calendar even though it's a pretty short trading week.

Financial markets will be closed Thursday for Thanksgiving and trading will end early on Friday. But before then, Wall Street is hoping to hear that the congressional debt committee has reached a deal.

The "Super Committee" has until Wednesday to find a way to slash the massive U.S. debt by at least $1.2 trillion. Otherwise, automatic spending cuts will kick in 2013.

And on Friday, or for some retailers late on Thanksgiving, the official holiday shopping season begins. The National Retail Federation expects that more than 150 million Americans will shop over the Black Friday weekend. And we'll keep an eye on it for you on CNN Money. Ted, back to you.

ROWLANDS: All right, thanks, Poppy and Felicia. And remember, check out cnnmoney.com for the latest financial news.

Well in parts of the south it is time to grab your umbrella. Jacqui Jeras, anything to worry about? Lot of rain?

JACQUI JERAS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, lots of rain. We're worried about flooding and also worried about the threat of severe thunderstorms.

Nothing severe out there right now, but as we take a look at the radar we are kind of monitoring an area and so is the storm prediction center here for the potential of severe thunderstorms developing and that includes you in the Dallas area.

This is kind of a part of a cold front moving its way across the plains. Check out the pictures from yesterday of what the storm system did in the north. We had a lot of snow across the parts of Minnesota, up to a foot in northern parts of this state.

Only a couple inches around Minneapolis-St. Paul, but quite an issue there on Interstate 94. They also had problems along I-35. The southern tier will be the focus today and here's that severe weather threat. Our frontal system stalling out, which means that we could see as much as three inches in the next couple of days so a lot of travelers out there, Ted, concerned about roadways.

ROWLANDS: All right, thanks, Jacqui. It is 44 days until the Iowa caucuses and most of the Republican presidential contenders are making a pitch to a very important group of conservative voters.

We'll have a live report in one hour as we look at the 2012 presidential contenders. Stay with CNN. "YOUR MONEY" starts right after the break.

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