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Tornado Warnings In Missouri; Relief Trucks Not Allowed In Baba Amr; Iranian Vote For New Parliament; Limbaugh Blasted Over Slut Remark; Judge Admits To Racist E-mail; Guns Made Easy In Virginia; Valedictorian May Be Deported; Top Leaders Tackle Education; L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Is Interviewed; Anti-Obama Ad Allowed as Free Speech

Aired March 02, 2012 - 13:00   ET

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

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone, I am Kate Bolduan, as Suzanne said. It's 1:00 in the east. We have a very busy hour ahead, so let's get straight to the hour, shall we?

It's another -- it's another day of dangerous weather in Ohio and the -- and the Tennessee valley. Much of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee, if you can believe all those states are on the lookout for tornados. And at least one has touched down already in northern Alabama.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado emergency for Madison County. We've gotten reports of damage with people hurt, and we're trying to get some more details there. And while we look at -- I believe we have some live pictures of a menacing -- of some menacing skies in Nashville and Louisville, let's bring in Chad Myers. He's at the CNN weather center in Atlanta. Another busy day for you, Chad. What is the latest?

CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, very and, in fact, it goes all the way from Illinois, all the way down to Georgia, Alabama, as far south and west as Louisiana, as far north as, like, Virginia. So, this is a very large storm system today. Out on the backside, it's snowing up by the squad cities, and that's not atypical for a big spring-type event.

You need very cold air to clash with very warm air. And when you have very cold air, you can get snow. A couple of tornadoes that we think are probably still on the ground, to the north of Chattanooga by Bradley and just north of Cleveland in Tennessee. And then another couple storms here -- popping up here, not that far from Cape Girardo.

Now, if you kind of use your imagination, I put a little dot right there. Believe it or not, that is Harrisburg, Illinois. Not out of the woods today. In fact, right in the middle of a new tornado watch, that town that got hit so hard a couple of days ago. All of this area, right here, will be under the gun for severe weather today. Every place will have either a severe thunderstorm watch, tornado watch, and many warnings. This is going to go all the way through the night, probably even -- not even end until 10:00, 11:00 tonight when the sun finally sets and things cool off. It's going to be a very busy day, here. BOLDUAN: Woe. And that means, keep it tuned to CNN. We are going to bring you all the updates. Chad will be taking the lead on this one. Thank you so much, Chad. We'll keep a close eye on all of this weather around the country.

In other news, in Syria, a shocking example of the brutal government assault on the opposition stronghold of Homs and surrounding areas.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE.)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: That explosion you just heard was caused by an artillery round fired into a demonstration outside the city. Dissidents say16 people were killed.

And in the city of Homs, dissidents say government forces, today, executed 14 civilians. In all, 44 people have been reported killed so far and that's just today. All this coming as the international Red Cross relief trucks arrived in Homs. The Red Cross says the trucks were not allowed, though, to enter the devastated Baba Amr district which is in desperate need of food, water, and medicine.

And in Iran, people are going to the polls in the first nationwide election since the disputed presidential vote three years ago, which triggered massive protests. The target of allegations of vote rigging in 2009, president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Voters, today, are people (ph) among 3,400 candidates, buying for 290 seats in parliament. This election comes amid rising international tension over Iran's nuclear program and that is the topic expected to dominate talks between President Obama and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday when they meet here in Washington.

And Rush Limbaugh is taking some serious heat for incendiary comments about a Georgetown University law school student. Limbaugh lashed out after Susan Fluke testified on Capitol Hill last week in support of a mandate for health insurance to cover contraceptives.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RUSH LIMBAUGH: What does it say about the college coed, Susan Fluke, who goes before a Congressional committee and essentially says that says she must be paid to have sex. What does that make her? It makes her a slut, right?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: Limbaugh didn't stop there. He also called Fluke her a prostitute. Reaction has been swift, probably not as surprised as spokesman for House speaker Boehner today said Limbaugh's comment were inappropriate. Boehner was urged to respond by House Democrats. And others denounced the remarks as obscene, indecent, vicious, and an attack on all women. The chief federal judge in Montana is apologizing for an e-mail about President Obama that the judge admits was racist. Richard Sebald didn't write the e-mail himself but forwarded it to friends. It's supposed to be a joke, but in a courthouse interview after it went public, the judge called it, quote, "inappropriate and stupid." Sebald was appointed by President George W. Bush and admits he's, quote, unquote, "not a fan of President Obama." He's requested a judicial misconduct inquiry on himself.

Up next, guns may be easy in Virginia. The governor just revealed a law -- repealed a law that limited purchases to one handgun a month. This dispute -- this, despite fleas from families who lost loved ones in the Virginia Tech massacre. One of those family members joins us next to explain.

But, first, triumph after tragedy. Students at Chardon High School return for their first full day of classes today. Their courage exemplified by the coach who saved countless lives by chasing down the alleged gunman, T.J. Lane.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FRANK HALL, COACH, CHARDON HIGH SCHOOL: I don't know why this happened. I only wish I could have done more. I'm not a hero. I'm just a football coach and study hall teacher.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: That strength and humility were evident here, too, on the basketball court and in the stands. The high school basketball team won their first game following the shooting. The community right there with them with unprecedented support. For this moment of hope, you're looking at today's Rock Stars. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: Classes are back in session today at Chardon High School for the first time since five students were shot in the school cafeteria Monday morning. A sixth was nicked in the ear by a bullet. Three students died and the 17-year-old suspect now faces charges that range from aggravated murder to assault. T.J. Lane will be back in court next week.

And while all this is happening in Ohio, gun control activists fear Virginia has once again opened up the, quote, unquote, "iron pipeline." That a reference to the trafficking of guns up interstate 95 from Virginia and other states to New York City where the guns are resold or had been for a long time or used in crimes. Crimes such as this (INAUDIBLE) shooting of a New York police officer in December and the attempted killing of a New York policeman just this week.

One day after that attack, Virginia's governor signed a repeal of a 19-year-old law that limited handgun purchasers to one handgun a month. He did so over the objections of families of students killed or hurt in the worse mass shooting in U.S. history, the 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech. How could we forget that. My guest today lost his elder daughter on that horrible day and pleaded with Governor Bob McDonnell of Virginia to leave the handgun restriction in place. Peter Read, thank you so much for joining me this afternoon. First off, I guess, just -- I'd like to get your reaction to the final decision that you know that the governor has repealed that handgun ban.

PETER READ: Kate, to me and to many of the family members from Virginia Tech and the survivors, it's a huge disappointment, you might even say a slap in the face, because having lived through this, our primary motivation is we never want any other family or survivor to have to live through this again.

And what the governor's done despite our plea is put us back into the position of becoming a supplier for that iron pipeline you talked about and, of course, for handgun violence within Virginia itself. So, it's just hugely disappointing.

BOLDUAN: And Mr. Read, you -- yes. And Mr. Reed, I'm sorry to interrupt, you had a chance to speak with the governor along with other families of victims of the Virginia tech shooting before he had made his final decision, or announced it, what did you say to him in that conference call?

READ: I personally made a plea to him as a fellow veteran, as a father of the daughter, the governor's daughter by the way was at Virginia Tech when officer Derek Krause was shot to death last year, so I know he understands what we go through in he's events.

But I appealed to him not to do this because it's bad on public policy grounds, it's certainly bad on political grounds because two-thirds of Virginians support the one gun a month legislation, and it's the wrong thing to do. So, I just made my best appeal to him, and he had given me two hours to talk to him almost five hours ago after the Virginia Tech shooting. So, I was hoping that we had a rapport that would allow me to perhaps persuade him. Obviously, that didn't happen.

BOLDUAN: And I do want to read a quote to you from the Republican state lawmaker who sponsored this repeal. He said -- he was reported as saying, quote, "Criminals don't go into gun stores, stand there in the bright light, hand over their driver's license and stand there and wait for the vendor to see if they have a criminal record. If you really want to get after gun crime," this lawmaker says, "you get after people who use guns illegally. You don't punish law abiding citizens." What do you say to that?

READ: Yes. That's a statement made out of complete willful ignorance on his part. First of all, this law has never kept any law- abiding gun owner from buying any weapon he or she chose. If you have to buy more than 12 handguns in a year, my question is, what exactly are you doing?

And if what you are doing is running a business, you need to have a federal firearms license. Second, the argument that criminals don't go to fun stores to guy guns is disproved by the fact that Virginia state police arrest criminals every year who go to gun stores to buy guns, because we have a robust action here in Virginia that triggers it. And the police actually go to the gun stores sometimes while the transaction is in progress. So, that's just complete willful ignorance on his part, doesn't hold any water at all.

BOLDUAN: Now unfortunately, of course, that's where even having -- even when that handgun ban was in place, that was not able to prevent or protect your daughter from that horrible day back in April of 2007. It has been almost five years now since Mary Karen was killed. How are you and your family doing?

READ: We are doing as well as you can expect our family to do. Of course, all of our other children are now almost five years older, so we have very busy lives. And we -- you know, we work for them and, you know, we have all of their normal activities. But Mary is still very part of our family. We remember every night in their bed time prayers and my daughter, Colleen, who is almost 5, we have a picture of her, doesn't have a big sister to guide her through life anymore. And that hole is just there in our family, it's always going to be there. And that's the case for all the other families that lost children, fathers, loved ones, and the survivors carry that through the rest of their lives, too.

BOLDUAN: No one forgets that day back in 2007, absolutely not. Thank you so much for your time. We wish you the absolute best to you and your family. Mr. Peter Read, thank you.

READ: Sure. Thank you, Kate.

BOLDUAN: Now, she fought hard to get a good education. Now this valedictorian faces another challenge.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I've been here since I was 4. I'm American.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: But she wasn't born here and is not a citizen. Now, this valedictorian is fighting deportation. More on this after a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: Controversy and protests have erupted over the uncertain future of a Miami high school valedictorian. Daniela Pelaez and her sister face deportation back to Columbia. According to "The Miami Harold," a federal judge ordered Pelaez to voluntarily leave the country. Her request for residency and a green card were recently denied. Pelaez just spoke with Suzanne Malveaux saying she is, quote, "an American."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DANIELA PELAEZ, STUDENT FACING DEPORTATION: I really couldn't fathom another life. You know, Columbia, it's my heritage, it's my roots. I'll never forget. But this is -- this is all I know.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: Pelaez has until March 28th to appeal, which she plans to do. Immigration and Custom Enforcement issued this statement saying, quote, "As Daniela and Diana Pelaez have reserved the right to appeal an immigration judge's decisions ordering them to return to Columbia, ICE will not take any action against them while they pursue additional legal options."

There's no doubt education is a complicated, often controversial topic with many nuances and huge implications. The reality is, there's a lot that needs to be fixed. Right now the country's top leaders are putting their minds together with Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

The mayors from the nation's largest cities, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, are all together, along with their school superintendents. They met in D.C. for this important education forum to share their strategy for improvements. Their talk could have a big impact on what your kids are taught in the future.

Mayor Villaraigosa is with me right now. He just came from that forum.

I'm glad you made it. Thank you so much, mayor, for joining me.

I want to get to the education reform in just one second. But to talk about some of the news today, I want to ask you about that valedictorian I was just speaking about who could be deported. That was in Miami, of course, I know. But what is your response to her situation?

MAYOR ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA, D-LOS ANGELES: Well, thanks for asking that question. I was going to chime in any way, even if you hadn't asked, because what a heartbreaker. What a poster child for The DREAM Act. An act that says, if you've grown up here, lived here your whole life, this is the only country that you know, you ought to have a pathway to citizenship.

If you go to college -- she's a valedictorian at her school -- or serve in the military. And, unfortunately, we have people like both Mr. Santorum and Mr. Romney who are saying that that's a hand out. And -- but I think it's a hand up and it's what we should be doing. And I hope we do pass The DREAM Act.

BOLDUAN: Mayor, and I do want to turn our focus to the education forum that you were just taking part in. I want -- part of the education forum was to focus on strengths and ways to reform and weaknesses and challenges that school districts, especially big urban districts, face. But, you know, the big question is always practically speaking, what needs to be done, what can be done to fix our schools?

VILLARAIGOSA: Well, we need to support our teachers. We need to put teachers and parents in front of the reform movement. We need to make sure that we're all more accountable to students' success. We need to increase our graduation rates, make our kids -- make sure that our kids are either career or college ready. We've got to set the highest standards for our kids. We've got to tie money to reform.

Yesterday the president said to governors that they need to invest more in education. They need to put their money where their mouth is. But they also need to tie that money to reforms in our schools. Today we talked about -- Mayor Bloomberg and Emanuel and myself -- about the need for districts to be able to compete for Race To The Top dollars in the way that states do, especially our three districts, which are larger than many states. We need to have more flexibility, more innovation. We need to provide kids and parents with choices. And that's what the three of us -- some of what we talked about today here in D.C.

BOLDUAN: Do you see major changes coming from this or is it just kind of getting the conversation going, getting big thoughts out there?

VILLARAIGOSA: No, major changes have been going. I'm a big fan of Mayor Bloomberg, Mayor Daly, before Emanuel, and now Mayor Emanuel. All of them are really pushing and driving reform in their schools. In the case of Chicago, they're trying to increase the length of the school day. They're trying to make sure that they're closing down schools that are failing.

We're doing the same thing in L.A. We've developed a thing called Public Schools Choice, which says, if you're a new school or you're a failing school, you ought to compete for an operator. We're working -- I run 22 schools, 18,000 kids. It's a turnaround project. The lowest performing schools in the city. And we're showing that these kids can learn.

We've got to do a number of things to strengthen our teaching core. We have to have multiple measures of evaluation, accountability. School report cards with a grade on it. And, importantly, we've got to measure our teachers based on where the kids start and where they end up.

BOLDUAN: Mayor, I'm sure our viewers know you wear many hats. One of the hats that you also wear is you're the co-chair of the Democratic National Convention. A very busy man. I do -- I can't let you go without asking you about politics.

Super Tuesday is coming up. It's been a very contentious Republican primary. President Obama is, obviously, campaigning, but he's not too worried about -- at least at this moment -- about Ohio. What are you looking at? Are you just happily sitting back to watch the Republicans duke it out come Super Tuesday?

VILLARAIGOSA: No, I'm not. I am a Democrat, but I'm a Democrat with a small d. I care about our democracy. And, obviously, looking at that election and the Republican primary, you can't help but be fearful for our democracy when you see that their focus is not on the economy, what should be the focus of every one of us, and instead on things like contraception and denying women the right to a mammogram.

And it's pretty disturbing when you see some of the things that have come out of the mouths of these people during the debates over the last months. And I want them to focus on the country, not just the party, and not such blind allegiance to orthodoxy in the way that you've seen over the last few months.

BOLDUAN: Well, that debate will continue for many months ahead. And we will all be watching.

Mayor Villaraigosa, thanks so much for coming in.

VILLARAIGOSA: Thanks, Kate, for having me.

BOLDUAN: We'll see you soon.

For nearly a month, this small neighborhood in Homs, Syria, has been shelled by government forces. Today the Red Cross arrived, hoping to deliver aid to those people trapped there. But will they be able to help those who need it most? More on the humanitarian crisis, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: For weeks the Syrian city of Homs has been the target of a brutal military assault with residents exposed to murderous fire from tanks, machine guns, and snipers. A Red Cross convoy finally was permitted into enter Homs today with desperately need supplies, but the trucks were not allowed to enter the Baba Amr neighborhood, which was -- which has suffered some of the brunt of the attacks.

Dissidents say government forces executed 14 civilians in Homs today, at least 30 others have been reported killed elsewhere. Our Nic Robertson is joining me from neighboring Lebanon.

Nic, any word on why the Red Cross was turned away? That seems absolutely amazing.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's incredible. And it just shows you the intransigence of the Syrian government, who on Thursday evening said, yes, the Red Cross could take these badly needed seven trucks of humanitarian medical supplies, blankets and other things for these 4,000 civilians in Baba Amr. Many of them have got terrible, terrible wounds and they desperately need medical attention. And the government had said, yes.

The trucks got there by noon today. Six hours later, they were told they just weren't going to get in. What made the government change their mind? None of that is clear.

But what we do know from activists is that, meanwhile, what is actually going on in Baba Amr, government forces, they say, the activists say, are going house to house arresting military-aged males. Any boys over the age of 12 they're arresting. And they -- also the activists say people are being killed on those streets. Perhaps that's the real reason that the Red Cross isn't allowed in. We just don't know, Kate.

BOLDUAN: Nic, we've been watching this unfold now and we've seen -- the video is just astonishing. How bad are the conditions? I mean are they -- I mean I can only imagine they're only getting worse. But where are -- where could things go from here? ROBERTSON: What's likely to happen is that Assad is going to move the military that he's been using around Baba Amr and focus it on other neighborhoods of Homs and other towns nearby. We've seen that happen already today.

The town of Raspan (ph), about 15 minutes drive, very close to Homs, today there was a group of protesters there Friday protesting. They were outside altogether and then suddenly a shell comes right into the middle of them. This is exactly what was happening to the people in Baba Amr. Whenever they were out on the streets, shells were coming in and they were being injured and mowed down essentially in the streets.

Now that's move to Raspan and we're very likely to see Bashar al Assad move his forces to other places. He doesn't have enough troops to put down all the sort of uprisings everywhere at the same time, so he'll put it down in Baba Amr, move the troops and the heavy weapons somewhere else. And we'll see that repeated many times around the country. These are not the only towns, of course, that, right now, are under shell and gunfire from his forces.

Kate.

BOLDUAN: One aspect of this -- of this -- of the fighting -- of this atrocious story, is the story of these French journalists. Bring us up to speed. Where do things stand with them? I believe they have gotten out and are finally on French soil, yes?

ROBERTSON: They have gone to French soil literally in the last hour or so. And what is incredible here, that the French airport, on this small military -- it's a white aircraft, it's a medical aircraft, run by the French military that brought into this French airport. What was incredible, before Edith Bouvier was carried off the aircraft, the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, went on that aircraft and spent 15 minutes talking to her.

This will be the first time he will have had a first-hand account directly, face to face, from somebody who was inside Baba Amr, who will be able to bring him the horrific details of what's been happening and how the Syrian people are being treated by their government.

Obviously, a lot of activists are hoping that will galvanize him into more action that's put into helping them right now. But when Edith was carried off that aircraft, you can see the fragile state she was in. Imagine, she would have to get from Baba Amr to Lebanon, carried sometimes by hand, backs of motor bikes, in terrible conditions. She really now is in safe hands where she can get good medical treatment -- Kate?

BOLDUAN: It truly is amazing when you know what the horrible conditions were like for her to try to get to a safe place and get home. It's amazing she is doing as well as she is.

Nic Robertson in Lebanon.

Nick, thank you. All aboard. The Washington caucuses are the last stop before Super Tuesday. Who will be the winner at the end of the ride? Plus, Rick Santorum is flinging mud again. Could this hurt his chances? That is "Fair Game," next.

Plus, more men are playing dad without the responsibility. Instead of getting married, they are becoming known donors. We'll talk to one known donor about his decision to be a part-time dad. Very interesting. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: Super Tuesday is next week. How can you forget, honestly? Honestly? But before that, we have Washington state caucuses tomorrow. Historically, GOP candidates have not given the state much attention but this time is very different. With the battle for the GOP nomination turning into a nomination, all four campaigns have been stumping in the state. How crucial is it to win there heading into Super Tuesday? That question is "Fair Game."

Let's have our "Fair Game" panel. Joining me today is Maria Cardona, from Washington, and Will Cain, in New York.

Hey, guys. Thanks for joining.

MARIA CARDONA, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Hi, Kate.

WILL CAIN, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Good to see you, Kate.

BOLDUAN: The big question, we're talking about Washington for tomorrow. How important is it for Romney, Santorum, of course -- we all -- Ron Paul, and Newt Gingrich are there as well.

(LAUGHTER)

How important is it for them to win in Washington? Does it set the tone for Super Tuesday?

Maria, go ahead.

(CROSSTALK)

BOLDUAN: Will, go ahead.

(LAUGHTER)

CAIN: I'll take that. No. It doesn't set the tone for Super Tuesday. This concept of tone and momentum is alluded the entire election concept. When Mitt Romney won New Hampshire did it set the tone for South Carolina? When Newt Gingrich won South Carolina, did it set the tone for Florida? When Mitt Romney won Florida, did it set the tone all the states Santorum won?

(LAUGHTER)

And did that set the tone for Michigan? No. It's one state. We have state by state elections and this concept of tone isn't panning out.

(CROSSTALK)

CARDONA: But I will say this. I will say this, Kate. It matters in that if you're Romney or Santorum, you want to do whatever you can to continue to put points on the board, points in terms of winning a state, and points in terms of the actual delegate count, because that's what really matters.

If Romney is continue to add to his delegate count and continue to try to make the argument, which has not worked for him so far, that he can close the sale with the most conservative voters in the Republican Party, that will help him. And Santorum, he needs to continue to make the argument that he is still relevant in this. So I think in those two areas, I do think that it matters going into Super Tuesday.

BOLDUAN: Let's talk about Super Tuesday. Obviously, all eyes are on Ohio especially. First, let's look at the latest poll coming out of Quinnipiac University. Santorum's seven-point lead is basically gone away. Santorum, 25 percent; Romney, 31 percent. That's within the sampling error so it's basically a dead heat. I feel like it's Groundhog Day whenever we go into the primaries. I think the question now is what do the candidates need to do or maybe the better question is need to avoid doing to have a strong showing come Super Tuesday -- Will?

CAIN: Well, I tell you this. For Rick Santorum -- and I'm not going to address all 10 of the states in one -- with one broad brush. But for Ohio, which you're talking about right there, he's got to keep that message on manufacturing, that blue collar message that he has. He's pitching a special tax rate for manufacturing. That will appeal to those blue collar voters in Ohio. That's what he's got to do, stay off the social issues and stay on that message.

BOLDUAN: What do you think, Maria?

CARDONA: I think both of the candidates need to stop talking.

(LAUGHTER)

Because every time that they talk, they seem to put their foot in it in different ways. Romney obviously can't stop talking about how wealthy is he and how many cars he drives and his wife drives, and to say things that continue to seem meant the reality that this guy is just not somebody that can get what middle class families and working class families are going through. That's no helpful for him even if he becomes the nominee.

And for Santorum, Will is absolutely right. The social issues have hurt him. He needs to stick to the economic issues or frankly I'd go back to my first piece of advice, which is, just stop talking.

(LAUGHTER)

BOLDUAN: Let me ask you both this about Newt Gingrich. There's a lot of conversation about Newt Gingrich and Georgia. If Newt doesn't have a strong showing in Georgia, is it time for him to step out or is that from mature for people to say that, Will?

CAIN: Let me ask that question back to you guys. I'll ask that to Maria. If Newt Gingrich -- I'll change it a little bit. If Newt Gingrich wins Georgia, not that he loses it, what's the point in staying in? The whole concept of winning Georgia is it would be this foot hold in the south and he could win the other southern states. On Super Tuesday, there are elections in Tennessee and Oklahoma and states that share those southern characteristic. I don't see Newt building on that whole concept of a southern strategy. So if the only state you can win is Georgia, even if you do win it, what's the point?

(CROSSTALK)

BOLDUAN: What do you think?

CARDONA: I tend to agree with Will. And to your question, Kate, if he loses Georgia, yes, he's -- clearly, he's done.

CAIN: Right.

CARDONA: But if he wins it, what does it really mean? I will say this. How many times have we talked about Newt Gingrich being dead? He is the Lazereth of politics. He keeps rising.

CAIN: That's right.

(CROSSTALK)

CARDONA: Right. Exactly. But this time, it might take more than Jesus Christ to give him another life.

BOLDUAN: Oh, my goodness.

(LAUGHTER)

I'm going to end it right there on that one, Maria.

Will Cain, Maria Cardona, thank you so much.

CARDONA: Thank you.

CAIN: Thanks.

CARDONA: Good to see you.

BOLDUAN: All right. We're going to switch gears here. Donorsexual (sic) is the new word being used to describe men who donate their sperm to women who want children. It's not exactly a new concept per se, but what is new is more and more women are opting to be, quote, unquote, "know donors. That means they stay in touch with their biological child in a sort of friendly, sort of uncle role, without, I guess, in their view, the baggage of parenting. Lesbian single parents or couples who can't afford a sperm bank, they usually turn to someone they know.

Aaron Sachs is one of those known donors. He's been profiled in "Details" magazine. He joins me from Oakland, California, as part of our "Baby Quest" series.

Aaron, thank you for joining me.

BOLDUAN: You donated your sperm to Amy, who was your college professor at the time, or graduate school professor. What made you do this?

AARON SACHS, KNOWN PERM DONOR: Thank you. Hi, Kate. Just to clarify, she was no longer my professor when I did that. We were just friends at that point. I had graduated already.

I had decided to do it partly because this was somebody who I really respected who asked me to help her, and a lot of it has to do with my own story. I'm also the product of donor insemination. I have lesbian moms who were able to have me through the generosity of my donor.

I felt like, growing up, this was going to be something that I would want to do in my life and so when she -- when Amy asked me, I was really, you know, felt very flattered and pleased to be able to help her.

BOLDUAN: And we're seeing some pictures here. Amy now has a little girl, an adorable little girl. Talk to me about -- for many people, the question is going to be, how does it work? What's the arrangement like for you and Amy? What was the conversation about how involved you would be, what role you would play? How did that work?

SACHS: Yes. I mean, you know, it worked surprisingly organically. The two of us talked a lot in the beginning. Both of us wanted to feel out what the other on what expectations were going to be and what they would sort of want, their desires in terms of their relationship.

What she wanted from me was to be present but not be a parent and that was sort of what I wanted. I wanted to be able to be present in Roka's (ph) life, to get to see her grow up and to have a relationship with her that was sort of, you know, on the terms of both me and her, but, you know, that I wouldn't necessarily have to be a parent to her in the sense that I wouldn't have to make decisions, that I wouldn't be expected to be there. I wouldn't have a financial role in her life.

And so after talking about that a lot, we decided we would want to go ahead. And we continued talking about this, you know, on a regular basis, to make sure that we're still on the right track. And I think that's one of the benefits of doing this with somebody that you really trust, that you really respect.

BOLDUAN: And, you know, this is happening more and more. But what would you say to people who maybe just aren't comfortable with it, who think that it's too complicated or, you being involved but not the father will hurt the child more than help the child. What do you say about those concerns?

SACHS: Yes. I say that if somebody's not interested in doing that, if they don't feel like they can be a part of that, I would encourage them not to be a part of that. I don't think it's an arrangement for everybody. I think it works a lot better than people would think it does. Part of it is because, when you have the expectations all set up with somebody, when you have the arrangement worked out, I think it's really open. And people -- there's no sense of disappointment. Oh, I wanted this but I got this. It makes it a lot easier.

BOLDUAN: Now, Aaron, we're unfortunately about to lose our satellite connection, but do you plan on doing this again? Will you do it again?

SACHS: It was something that I wanted to help out, and it's really a one-time thing for me. I don't imagine doing it for a sperm bank or other folks.

BOLDUAN: Aaron Sachs, thank you so much. I wish we'd have more time but we're going to lose our connection.

Thank you so much for joining us.

SACHS: Thank you.

For the full profile, check out "Details" magazine. There's the cover right there.

Now, a quick hard turn. Take a look at this. Anti-Obama ads at one metro station. Many are appalled by the messages. But D.C. Metro is refusing to take it down. Is this freedom of speech or crossing the line?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: The ad we're about to show is pretty shocking and, quite frankly, extremely insulting, but it is who the ad is insulting that makes it more controversial.

Lisa Sylvester has the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LISA SYLVESTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Walk by this ad in a metro station in the Washington, D.C., area and something will certainly catch your eye, this line, "Go to hell, Barack." It's caught the eye of writers, too.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's think it's offensive.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's tasteless.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's kind of terrible. It only contributes to the political discord and partisanship of the country.

SYLVESTER: The ad is promoting a new DVD documentary called "Sick and Sicker" that rips the Obama health care plan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're not the best health care system in the world. We're about in the middle of the pack and we're heading down.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SYLVESTER: It's produced by Logan Darrow Clements, who makes no apology for the inflammatory ad.

LOGAN DARROW CLEMENTS, DIRECTOR: When you use strong language, you're expressing not only disagreement but the degree of disagreement. I very strongly disagree with socialized medicine.

SYLVESTER: It's not just metro riders offended by the billboard. So is Virginia Congressman Jim Moran.

STATE REP. JIM MORAN, (D), VIRGINIA: On private property, I think you should have much more discretion as to what you want to show. But the taxpayers at the federal, state, and local level are paying for this facility. And to have it host an ad that tells the president of the United States to go to hell, in their language, I think that's inappropriate. I think it's offensive. It's profane.

SYLVESTER: Representative Moran has asked the Washington Metro Area Transit Authorities to take down the ad immediately, but the metro authority says no, citing the First Amendment. In a statement saying, quote, "WMATA advertising has been ruled by the courts as a public forum protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. We may not decline ads based on their political content. WMATA does not endorse the advertising on the system and the ads do not reflect the position of the authority."

We asked CNN senior legal analyst, Jeffrey Toobin, his take on the issue. He says the ad may be disturbing, but it is well within free speech rights.

JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN SENIOR LEGAL ANALYST: The metro is on very solid ground here. It is possible that activists may use this controversy as an opportunity to push the envelope further in terms of what's permissible. But I don't have any doubt that this expression, even with the word "hell," is clearly protected by the First Amendment and the metro would have no right to take it down.

SYLVESTER: Lisa Sylvester, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BOLDUAN: Lisa, thank you.

They can throw the book. They can throw away the key, even. They can bang their gavels all day long. But judges really shouldn't pull guns in court.

A judge in Georgia did that just the other day when a witness stopped cooperating with her own attorney. Reportedly, Judge David Barrett pulled out a pistol, offered it to the woman on the stand and said, you might as well shoot your lawyer. With that, we say, Your Honor, your 15 minutes are up. And maybe, deep down, Judge Barrett might agree. He decided to retire effective immediately.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: A scary incident to tell you about involving a Jeep on the runway of the Philadelphia International Airport. Check out these pictures. A jeep barreled down the runway seconds before a jet was to land. Imagine what might have been going through the heads of the passengers looking out the window at the time. Controllers scrambled to avoid a potentially deadly accident. They were able to get word to all the planes about to approach not to land. The driver of the Jeep is in custody and faces federal charges. Probably, no surprise.

This little pup is one lucky pup. Roxie was adopted after a tornado ripped through Tuscaloosa. Then her new owner brought her to Harrisburg, Illinois, just before the twister struck there. Roxie got lost during the storm but was found safe about a mile away. Her owner is glad to have her back, of course, and says she thinks this adoption worked out.

There are many other strays in need of homes as well. Coming up, the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan, will explain how you can adopt the best pet for your family. We follow Cesar Millan to a shelter, coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: For all of you animal lovers out there, getting a dog can be like adding a new member to the family. So you need to make sure you and your pet are on the same wavelength.

Cesar Millan, "The Dog Whisperer," helps a couple figure out how to find the perfect pooch.

Susan Hendricks has our story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUSAN HENDRICKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After four years of marriage, Casey and Sara Giessen decide it's time to expand their family.

CASEY GIESSEN, POTENTIAL PET ADOPTER: I wanted to get her a dog for Christmas, and I realized, one, you need the whole family there. And two, it just didn't work out. So I got her a collar instead.

(LAUGHTER)

HENDRICKS: So the search for a new member of the family was postponed. After the holidays, they started looking at shelters together.

Luckily, for this couple, Cesar Millan, star of NatGeo's show, "The Dog Whisperer," was in Atlanta to promote his show. In his 8th season of "The Dog Whisperer," Millan has seen many dogs with behavior problems.

When he meets Casey and Sara he agrees to assist them in looking for a shelter dog.

CESAR MILLAN, HOST, THE DOG WHISPERER: You are a young couple and what I like about it is you have taken the time to study, you know, and taken the time to know what it is you want.

HENDRICKS: The couple sat down with Millan at the animal shelter.

MILLAN: What kind of dog are you looking for?

SARA GIESSEN, POTENTIAL PET ADOPTER: I think we're looking for a smaller dog. We live in a loft downtown, so we don't have a ton of space. Something that isn't too high energy.

MILLAN: Are you allergic to anything?

CASEY GIESSEN: I am allergic to some breeds.

MILLAN: OK, all right.

HENDRICKS: Millan advises the couple that he see look at hundreds of dogs.

MILLAN: When there's three dogs, one faces the front. The other one in the middle, the other in the back. The one in the front is higher level energy. So if the dog is higher energy than the human, the human becomes in the back.

HENDRICKS: Casey and Sara take some interest in a young lab mix, so they take some time with her.

SARA GIESSEN: I like her playfulness.

CASEY GIESSEN: I like it, too.

MILLAN: The energy, that's what you're looking for?

SARA GIESSEN: Yes, definitely.

CASEY: Definitely. Everything about that dog except for the shedding.

(LAUGHTER)

HENDRICKS: They are concerned about Sara's allergies, so the search continues. Millan agrees with the decision.

MILLAN: What they learned today was knowledge. Maybe not a dog yet, but when they adopt a dog, it will be the right dog for them. They do it with knowledge.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BOLDUAN: That was Susan Hendricks.

The Giessen later went on to adopt a wonderful dog named Beans that fits right into their family. To catch "The Dog Whisperer," you can catch it on Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. eastern on NatGeo.

That's it for me. I'll be back on later this evening with John King, for "John King, USA." That's at 6:00 eastern. Please, join us.

Now, I'll hand it off to my friend now, Brooke Baldwin. CNN NEWSROOM continues.

Hey, Brooke.

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Kate Bolduan. Have a great weekend. Thank you so much.