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Ohio is Next GOP Battleground State; Ohio Voters Discuss Energy, Drilling; Storm Survivor Described Ordeal; What's Next for Mitt Romney?; Interview With Ohio GOP Chairman, Super Tuesday Underway, GOP Candidates Bash Obama on Iran

Aired March 06, 2012 - 11:00   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. It is 11:00 o'clock on the East Coast. 8:00 o'clock on the west. We've got a busy hour just ahead. Let's get straight to the news. Ten states, more than 400 delegates, four main contenders, and one looming question, can Mitt Romney put the GOP presidential nomination in the bag or will it take republicans a few more weeks or even months to pick a challenger to President Obama?

Welcome to Super Tuesday, everybody. The biggest single day on the primary calendar.

This much we already know, neither Rick Santorum nor Newt Gingrich will win Virginia. That's because neither man managed to get on the ballot there. Santorum isn't on the ballot of parts of Ohio either. That quintessential battleground state is the biggest political prize of the day.

But Georgia has the most delegates and native son, Gingrich, expects to win most of them.

Super Tuesday or no, Santorum, Romney, Gingrich lined up today to bash Iran and President Obama before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The candidates claim the president hasn't done enough to stop Iran from developing nukes.

Iran denies it's doing any such thing and, in his speech to AIPAC on Sunday, Mr. Obama vowed to prevent it.

Here's part of Santorum's address this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICK SANTORUM, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: As I've sat and watch this play out on the world stage, I've seen a president who has been reticent. He says he has Israel's back. From everything I've seen from the conduct of this administration, he has turned his back on the people of Israel.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Israeli prime minister told the group time is running out for a peaceful resolution to the threat of a nuclear Iran. Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks came after his White House meeting with President Obama and before his visit this morning with leaders of Congress.

Netanyahu met with top senators just minutes ago and, next hour, he will meet with House leaders.

Now in the 1:00 hour, 1:15 Eastern, to be precise, President Obama will hold a news conference. And, if that shifts the spotlight, at least momentarily, from Republican presidential politics, well, it's the perk of being president.

He's expected to announce more help for homeowners at the risk of foreclosure. One step is tailored for service members and veterans who can't refinance or have already lost their homes. You will see the president live, start to finish, right here on CNN.

Eight U.S. servicewomen coming forward with scathing allegations against the military. They're filing a federal lawsuit alleging that they were raped, assaulted, or harassed during their service. What's more, they claim they were punished for reporting their sexual assaults to their superiors.

The women's lawsuit alleges the Defense Department failed to tackle the problem and the Defense Department is not commenting on the lawsuit, but has publicly said the military does not tolerate sexual assault. You will hear from two of the alleged victims in just about ten minutes.

And state TV in Syria is airing scenes of what it calls "peace and calm" in the wake of a military onslaught in Homs. Official media blamed the devastation on, quote, "terrorists."

But YouTube tells a different story. Among the latest videos posted by Syrian dissidents is this apparent bombardment of the mosque in the city of Daraa. Opposition sources say that two people have died there today among 14 killed nationwide.

And John McCain has seen enough. The Arizona senator is calling for U.S. air strikes on Syrian forces.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: You will find a thousand reasons not to do the right thing. Every time we've been involved I've heard the same excuses, and in this particular case, if we want to stand by and watch Syrians being massacred in the most brutal and incredibly genocidal fashion, then that is a decision we can make. But please don't tell me we can't do it. We can if we have the will.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, the White House says it's focused on diplomatic and political approaches rather than military intervention in Syria.

For the first time in four weeks gas prices are not going up. That's according to AAA which says the average price of unleaded regular dropped three-tenths of a cent overnight.

Did you notice? It's $3.76 a gallon. Before 27 straight days of increases, the nationwide average was $3.48.

Well, T.J. Lane is due back in court today in Chardon, Ohio. The high school sophomore who allegedly opened fire in the high school cafeteria a week ago faces three counts of aggravated murder, two counts of attempted murder, and one felonious assault.

He's still in juvenile court, but probably not for much longer. Prosecutors say that Lane confessed to those shootings.

An Arizona sheriff may get slapped with a lawsuit by his former boyfriend. According to the "Arizona Republic," Jose Orozco, the one on the left, plans to sue Sheriff Paul Babeu and Pinal County for $1 million.

This comes after Orozco, a Mexican immigrant, went public about his relationship with the sheriff. Orozco says that Babeu allegedly threatened to deport him if he didn't keep their relationship a secret.

Well, the sheriff denies those allegations, but the lawsuit could complicate things for him. He's running for Congress.

Britain's Prince Harry living it up in the Caribbean right now, Bahamas one day, Jamaica the next. The prince is on a four-day visit on behalf of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, celebrating her "Diamond Jubilee."

His visit to Jamaica comes as the nation's new prime minister is pushing to cut ties with the queen as the head of the state. Prince Harry and the prime minister will meet for lunch this afternoon.

Actress Patricia Heaton seems to be taking a cue from Rush Limbaugh. Heaton went after Georgetown law student, Sandra Fluke, on Twitter with stinging sarcasm over the contraception insurance debate.

According to Politico, this is what she tweeted. "Hey, G-town, stop buying toothpaste, soap, and shampoo. You'll save money and no one will want to sleep with you."

Well, it wasn't long before Heaton felt the backlash. She reportedly disabled her account briefly, but resurfaced with several apologies.

Hey, it's Super Tuesday, more than 400 delegates at stake. Ten states holding primaries and caucuses. Four GOP presidential candidates fighting to win.

But it may be the 63 delegates in Ohio that the candidates want the most. Ohio's Republican chair joins me next.

But, first, the power of song. This is a 13-year-old Iranian girl who is burning up the Internet. She's singing Adele's "Someone Like You." And, not only does she nail the song, she's doing it in Iran where women singers are banned and that's what makes this little lawbreaker our "rock star."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, one state has the markings of a true battleground and a bellwether for the Republican presidential race, Ohio. There are 63 delegates at stake in the Buckeye State and bragging rights for the industrial Midwest. Plus, it isn't any candidate's home state.

Joining me now, Kevin DeWine, chairman of the Ohio Republican party. So, Kevin, who is going to win?

KEVIN DEWINE, CHAIRMAN, OHIO REPUBLICAN PARTY: Good morning, Kyra. I think the people of Ohio are going to win. The state party hasn't taken a position on a candidate, neither have I. But I think what you're going to see is a close race tonight between Governor Romney and Senator Santorum.

PHILLIPS: You say that people of Ohio are going to win. According to one cartoonist and I'm going to bring the cartoon up right now, this was actually in this morning "Cleveland Plain Dealer", a big yawn for GOP choices.

What's your reaction?

DEWINE: Well, I didn't see it, so I'm reluctant to comment on it, but ...

PHILLIPS: Voter apathy is, basically, what it's saying. Voter apathy, Kevin, is what it's saying.

DEWINE: Look, I would say just the opposite. We are seeing a lot of excitement at the grass roots level of this party. Lincoln Day dinners, rallies, the candidates have spent a lot of time here and generated a lot of excitement.

And from what we see all across the state is a Republican base that is focused on the right thing and that is making Barack Obama a one-term president.

PHILLIPS: OK, you know what, let's take a look at the latest Ohio numbers, if you don't mind. Romney and Santorum, neck and neck in our CNN/ORC poll, Kevin.

And with just a couple of days to go, nearly half of all Ohio voters were not locked in to vote for a certain candidate. So, what does this tell you about Ohio voters right now?

DEWINE: Well, what it tells me is the race -- what I've been saying all along is that this race is fluid. When -- coming out of Michigan a week ago, Senator Santorum had either an 11-point lead or a 7-point lead, depending on who you talk to, what poll you looked at.

What you see now is that race getting very close. I think the momentum -- there's a little bit of momentum probably for Governor Romney here, although I wouldn't want to call it. I think it's going to be a very close race. And I think the fluidity is underscored by the fact that 50 percent of the people are still trying to evaluate these candidates, see them, understand what the issues are that they're going to focus on, listen to their economic plans, and head to the polls.

PHILLIPS: So, what are the issues that matter to them the most right now? What will get them to the polls?

DEWINE: Yes, I think the number one issue across the state and it's really no different from what you're seeing across the country, Kyra, and that is the focus on the economy and both Senator Santorum and Speaker Gingrich -- and I'll include Speaker Gingrich -- and Governor Romney have been in Ohio talking about tax reform, regulatory reform, energy independence, the repeal of ObamaCare.

But all of those very technical terms, all come back to a focus on creating jobs, creating an economy that can sustain a family. And that's the most important thing on the hearts and minds of a majority of voters in Ohio today and certainly this fall as well.

PHILLIPS: Well, Kevin, as you know, in 2008, President Obama took Ohio by a narrow margin. Independents went his way, so what are you doing right now to try and change that this time around?

DEWINE: Well, I think the president has done a lot on his own, Kyra. In Ohio the president's approval rating is below 50 percent. There's a majority of independents who don't believe that he deserves a second term.

And so our candidate's job -- our nominee's job will be to come here and paint a message and convey a message that is attractive not just to the GOP base, but can gather these independent voters who are displeased and unsatisfied with the president's four years in offers and go gather a few of those right-thinking, Reagan Democrats and build a winning coalition to carry the Buckeye State.

PHILLIPS: Kevin DeWine, Republican party. Kevin, thanks.

Straight ahead, the military and allegations of rape. Unfortunately, it's nothing new, but these interviews are. Eight servicewomen filing a federal lawsuit and we're talking to two of them next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Scathing allegations of military women being raped, even gang-raped, assaulted, and harassed at alarming rates. Those are just some of the shocking allegations in this federal lawsuit just filed today. It's brought by eight current and former servicewomen.

The lawsuit paints the military as having a, quote, "high tolerance for sexual predators in their ranks" and, quote, "zero tolerance for those who report rape, sexual assault, and harassment."

This lawsuit could prove especially telling considering that even Defense Secretary Leon Panetta admits -- and did it just a couple of months ago -- that sexual assaults in the military are a huge problem. He estimated there were 19,000 sexual assaults last year alone.

Ariana Klay and Elle Helmer are just two of those estimated 19,000 possible rape victims. They're a part of this lawsuit that was filed today and they just held a news conference about it.

Ladies, thank you so much for joining me. I appreciate it.

ELLE HELMER, PLAINTIFF & FORMER MARINE CORPS OFFICER: Thank you.

ARIANA KLAY, PLAINTIFF & FORMER MARINE CORPS OFFICER: Thank you for having us.

PHILLIPS: If you don't mind, just to sort of set up your stories, Ariana, I'll begin with you. Tell me what happened and why you're coming forward.

KLAY: After a year of pretty shocking harassment, it culminated in a gang assault led by a senior officer in my command and his civilian friend. They came to my house a block from base, threatened death, and proceeded to assault me.

PHILLIPS: Ariana, let me ask you, did you have a bad feeling when they showed up at your house? Did you hesitate at all about letting them in or did you not let them?

KLAY: I did not let them in. I did not let them in. They let themselves in. They were uninvited. I did have a bad feeling. He was screaming at me from the time that he entered the door. He felt that since I had humiliated him in front of his junior Marines by not obeying his order, that he wanted to humiliate me.

PHILLIPS: And, Elle, just watching both of you. Your body language, I know this is not easy to talk about. I hate taking you back to these allegations. But I just want to be able to set this up properly.

Elle, tell me what happened to you and why you are coming forward along with Ariana.

HELMER: OK. I was the only female officer at essentially all- male command that supplies and defends the White House and the president. They are the ceremony dog-and-pony show of the Marine Corps and they pride themselves more on how they look in a uniform than their ability to lead a and protect their Marines.

But after roughly a year of being stationed there, I was ordered to attend a mandatory command-sponsor, colonel-endorsed pub crawl, paid for with taxpayer dollars.

And after the pub crawl, I was asked by my commanding officer to come back to his office, he wanted to address some things with me. I had no feeling that, you know, any of this would go and my life was going to change immediately, considering I was ordered to attend this event.

So, when I got back to his office, he immediately began to press himself against me and pressure me. I tried to fight him off. There was a physical altercation. I was knocked unconscious and that's when the rape occurred.

PHILLIPS: And, Elle, I'm going to follow-up. You brought up this pub crawl. And before I ask you this, at any point did you think, I'm not going to do that, I'm not going to go? How can you order me to go to a pub crawl.

KLAY: Drinking events, mandatory weekly drinking events at this command, so in both our cases, I guess things didn't change much because hers was, you know, two or three years ago. We were required to attend these weekly social events which revolved around drinking.

HELMER: Yes, Kyra, I was ordered to attend by the man who raped me, by the company commander. So, I tried to not go and I was told that it's not optional.

PHILLIPS: Were you forced to drink, Elle?

HELMER: Absolutely. In addition to just an immense amount of alcohol consumption and an overall "Lord of the Flies" atmosphere, there's a lot of hazing that occurs as well.

PHILLIPS: So, let me ask you two this. Officials at the Marine barracks came forward, saying that the charges were, quote, "thoroughly investigated and found to be unsubstantiated." Also, the officials went on to say that both of you were accused of misconduct, including fraternizing with other officers and excessive drinking and have sense left the Marine Corps.

What's your response to that?

KLAY would say to that that that's the case they've been trying to make for years, that there are just a few bad apples instead of admitting to the crisis on their hands.

You know, it's not that farfetched to say of all of the combat arms Marines there, many of whom have never worked with females, that there might be some issues.

Although it was corroborated that I was routinely called a slut and a whore, it was also -- my commanding officer also decided that I had welcomed it, welcomed the harassment, because I wore makeup and running shorts.

So, yes, the commander's in a position where he reports directly to the commandant of the Marine Corps and that's not something a commander wants to report. The system is it up so that he's in that undesirable position.

So, you know, this is consistent with the retaliation. The lawsuit alleges that they have zero tolerance for those who report assaults rather than having zero tolerance for those who are the perpetrators and this is consistent with that statement.

HELMER: Yes, Kyra, to go on with that, I mean, what we're finding, too, and what happened to me for six years is the process of reporting an assault and a rape is immediately spun upon, well, how do we make the victim the accused and what will be the subterfuge by which they are dismissed from the Marine Corps.

Ariana Klay and I both accepted full responsibilities for any collateral investigations. Unfortunately, we were lieutenants at the time, so we accepted responsibility for wrongdoing. Why did no one else?

PHILLIPS: You know, I want to ask you both this, too. You are obviously beautiful women and so my guess is there were many men that attempted to ask you out, make a pass at you. I mean, let's be real. When you're a beautiful woman, that's what happens.

How did you deal with passes in the past, Elle?

HELMER: You know, at first people, you know, you're their shiny, new toy and because I was the only female officer at an all-male command with a handful of exceptions for female enlisted junior Marines, people did ask you out and people did make passes.

At first, it was just kind of easier to laugh them off, but then you realize they became more serious and I would try and just say, you know, this isn't really professional, unfortunately, or, you know, I'm dating someone.

But the minute you said that, you went from being the shiny object of their affection and their potential lust to being called horrible, derogatory terms. So, I mean, the minute you deflect any sort of attention that they may want, now you're their enemy, now you're their target. And it just got worse and worse.

PHILLIPS: And the military has come forward saying that sexual assault has no place in this department. Also, I want to point out after the fact, after these astounding numbers of sexual assault cases have come forward and these allegations, that the Pentagon now has a new director of sexual assault prevention and response, an Air Force major general, a female who has said that we own this problem, we need to fix this problem.

Ariana, do you have faith in that?

KLAY: I don't because they've been saying that for decades and to really have reform, it's going to take completely restructuring the system, you know. It's a matter of basic checks and balances and separation of powers.

Right now, the military investigates itself. You know, the Marine Corps deals with the greatest moral challenges every day. You know, they're a war-fighting institution.

So, it's not equipped to deal with this challenge alone. It needs an external, neutral organization to assist it and that's not going to be anything within DOD.

PHILLIPS: And, Elle, you know, I have talked with women in your position, ones that it's very tough for them to come forward and talk about this because they're afraid that immediately the men in the military will say, see, this is why we shouldn't have women in the military? This is why they shouldn't be in combat. This is why they shouldn't be mingling with us.

Final thought, Elle, what do you say to women who are scared to come forward because of the stereotyping, because of the backlash?

HELMER: I mean, I would be remiss if I said it wasn't extremely challenging and that this is the first time in six years I've had a voice.

And that's -- that -- so the victims out there who want to come forward or who are debating coming forward, please do. There's strength in numbers and we're not all lying. This won't go away. This continues to happen.

Be strong. Believe in yourself. Live up to your morals. Come forward and try and get help and do what's right for you, yourself, before the military.

PHILLIPS: Elle Helmer, Ariana Klay, appreciate your time this morning very much.

HELMER: Thank you.

KLAY: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: You bet.

Well, just about two hours from now, President Barack Obama holds his first news conference of the year. We're learning that he's going to take on the housing crisis.

Alison Kosik on who's expected to benefit, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: In less than two hours President Obama will be holding his first, full news conference of the year. His focus? New initiatives to help struggling homeowners.

Alison Kosik's at the New York Stock Exchange. So, I understand it's two-pronged, right?

ALISON KOSIK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Exactly. This would really benefit two groups, Kyra. For one, it would benefit current and former members of the military and, secondly, it would help people who have government-backed FHA loans.

So, first, let's talk about the veteran and military members. They could be in line for cash payments and what essentially would wind up happening is the lenders have to go back into all their records. They have to double-check every military foreclosure that's happened since 2006 and, if military members were wrongfully foreclosed on, they could be paid. Also, this program looks to pay those service members who weren't allowed to refinance to lower rates. All right. So that second part of the plan looks to help people who have the government -backed loans. FHA would cut the fees for borrowers looking to refinance their mortgages to lower rates because their thinking here is if their fees were lower it would give people more incentive to refinance. This would obviously keep people in their homes and this would essentially pay service members back if they got the short end of the stick -- Kyra?

PHILLIPS: While I have you, let's look at the big board. How are you numbers looking?

KOSIK: Numbers aren't looking good. Stocks are getting hit hard. The Dow falling 144 points. Getting word from around the globe that the recovery could be slowing. The Eurozone said that its economic growth contracted in the last part of last year. Also China gave a weaker outlook for growth, as well. That is putting investors on hedge today. As you see, the Dow falling 146 points. The far is jumping, that's the fear index, jumping 12 percent. It shows that that fear is coming back into the market -- Kyra?

PHILLIPS: Alison, thanks.

Ohio is the battleground this Super Tuesday. 63 delegates up for grabs. Another key state, Tennessee. What the results from these two states can tell us about the race for president.

Plus, in less than two hours, President Obama giving that first news conference of the year. Is he crashing Super Tuesday? That's "Fair Game," next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: This is the part of the show where we get to the heart at political debate. At this hour Super Tuesday is in full swing. Voters in 10 states making choices right now.

Republican Analyst, Lenny McAllister, and Democratic political consultant, Robert Zimmerman, are with us.

We talked about the importance of Ohio and Georgia. There's another key state to discuss. Tennessee, 55 delegates are up for grabs.

What will Tennessee tell us, Robert?

ROBERT ZIMMERMAN, DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL CONSULTANT: Tennessee is the state to watch. I'm glad you're bridging it up. We know in Ohio that Mitt Romney is going to get more delegates than Rick Santorum because the Romney campaign has more delegate slats than Santorum does.

Tennessee can be defining. If Mitt Romney can win that state, then it's really all over but the shouting in terms of his nomination. He's got the support of the governor and the legislative leaders. If Rick Santorum or Newt Gingrich can win that state, it gives them a chance to keep this contest going longer and fighting another day.

PHILLIPS: Lenny?

LENNY MCALLISTER, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: It has to be a trifecta. It can't just be Tennessee by itself. If Romney wins Tennessee but loses Ohio, it doesn't look that convincing at Virginia although there's only two of them on the ballot. It still will prolong this contest in the narrative of Mitt Romney not being a strong candidate still stays out there.

If Romney can win the trifecta of Tennessee, Ohio, and a strong win in Virginia that will signal to north Dakota, Idaho, Alaska, that maybe we need the get on board and that may even influence the results tonight where Mitt Romney may come out of this contest to see with seven out of ten states in his bag, if you will, his victory bag.

PHILLIPS: Let's talk about AIPAC conference. Looks like three of the four candidates, Romney, Santorum, Gingrich, will be taking a little break from Super Tuesday, speaking to the AIPAC folks. That critical, Robert?

ZIMMERMAN: Well, you know, I understand why the Republican presidential candidates want to be there. It's a way of addressing the energy crisis, Iranian issue, and also speaking to the evangelical base that supports Israel. What is really beyond the pale what I have never seen in any oat either political party is how they exploit and use the Iranian situation for their political advantage. We have a history in this country of pulling together at times of international challenges and in crises. Here we have Mitt Romney in particular making comments at AIPAC that would raise the price of oil and has no place in terms of people who aspire to be presidential leaders.

PHILLIPS: Lenny?

MCALLISTER: Is this a Democratic strategist talking ten years after everybody barbed George W. Bush while he was president in 2003- 2004? Please, give me a break.

ZIMMERMAN: Lenny -- of course, they're going to politicize this. That's why Prime Minister Netanyahu came here and said what he said on American soil. This is a political year, and everybody is going to use the election to his or her advantage.

President Obama wants to look presidential right now. He's doing a good job about talking to President Netanyahu. There's a reason why he's having a press conference later today, because although he has plenty of other things to do he is competing against the Republicans in their primary field today. It's not that far fetched of an idea. The Republicans need to look more presidential than President Obama when it comes to dealing with Israel and Iran. That's why it makes all the sense in the world.

PHILLIPS: Robert, blenny mentions the president's news conference. Is he crashing Super Tuesday? I mean, is that a tactical move?

ZIMMERMAN: Well, I never want to see the president get in the way of Republicans attacking each other. But clearly --

MCALLISTER: But he wants to.

ZIMMERMAN: This is very much -- this is an important news conference but, of course, it's political. Everything that happens in 2012 is about politics. Let's be realistic. But the more important point is this is a chance for the president to seize the agenda, to really set the message and shows his own presidential leadership in comparison to what we see the Republican presidential candidates engaging in and their tactics.

PHILLIPS: Thank you, Robert Zimmerman and Lenny McAllister.

That's "Fair Game."

Drill, baby drill, that's what many Oklahoma voters are saying, so what do they think of the GOP candidates' energy policies? Ali Velshi talking with the voters, next.

But first, Rush Limbaugh has now apologized twice for calling a Georgetown law student a slut and a prostitute. Apology apparently not good enough for the 12 advertisers who have now pulled out of his show. So as Rush loses money and fans. Here's his second go at "I'm sorry."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RUSH LIMBAUGH, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: I descended to their level when I used those two words to describe Sandra Fluke.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: But Limbaugh's verbal assault against fluke was much more about the words. "Sexless, reckless rampage" was CNN contributor, David Frum's, words, a new kind of low. So low that even some of these conservative cronies came out against him. Perhaps that's why he apologized. Or perhaps even Rush realized he went too far. Either way, looks like Limbaugh's 15 minutes of saying whatever he wants against anybody he wants is up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: It may be the reddest of all red states. We're talking about Oklahoma. Mantra, drill, baby drill. It's one of the ten states voting this Super Tuesday with 40 delegates at stake. And one sure bet, a lot of voters are casting ballots for the Republican they believe has the best energy policy that's best for their state and if polls are correct, well, that's Rick Santorum.

Ali Velshi, from what I understand, is having a hot lunch date with someone who is not his wife. What are you talking about? I hope it is energy, Ali Velshi.

ALI VELSHI, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's politics and energy.

This is Janet. She's joining me here from Oklahoma. We're here in Guthrie's Diner. Excellent place to spend a day.

And Janet is not a -- you're not a registered Republican, so you did not -- you're not voting in this s primary. You were a Democrat last time. You voted for President Obama. You're not going to do that this time.

JANET RIGGS, OHIO TAXPAYER: I didn't vote for Obama.

VELSHI: You didn't vote for him.

RIGGS: No.

VELSHI: But you're a Democrat, you were in the past.

RIGGS: Yes.

VELSHI: You're definitely not vote for President Obama this time.

RIGGS: No.

VELSHI: Who do you think you will vote for in the general election?

RIGGS: Probably Rick Santorum.

VELSHI: Tell me why.

RIGGS: He just seems a little more honest and down to earth and I just like what he's got to say.

VELSHI: You feel like you don't know the other candidates well enough?

RIGGS: No, especially on the Democratic ticket. I don't. Yeah.

VELSHI: And that's -- when you're referring to that you're saying there's actually a Democratic primary going on in which you did vote in. Most people aren't paying much attention to that right now.

RIGGS: Right.

VELSHI: Because it's quite likely that Barack Obama is going to get that nomination obviously. So it's going to come down to Barack Obama versus one of the Republicans voting today. Will you vote for a Republican regardless of who it is?

RIGGS: Yes.

VELSHI: Why? What don't you like about President Obama?

RIGGS: I just don't like his politics.

VELSHI: Is it economics that's doing it? Is it the economy?

RIGGS: It's the economy and it's just how he looks at the elderly and the disabled and the medical -- I have a disabled child and she just doesn't seem to be a concern of his. It's -- I just don't like how he looks.

VELSHI: That's obviously something that may draw you to Rick Santorum, however, he's got a child with a disability as well.

RIGGS: Part.

VELSHI: Is that part of what you're liking about Rick Santorum?

RIGGS: Yes. I think he kind of knows what it's like for, you know, parents with disabled children and what we have to go through to get hale care for them and keep them at home and take care of themselves ourselves.

VELSHI: In most cases I've been talking to people who are registered Republicans who will be voting in the primary today or have voted. We're going to be in a few hours moving out to one of those polling places and talking to them more. As you pointed out, while most of the state Republicans are probably leaning toward Rick Santorum or Romney, those who are likely to vote in the primary today, polling is indicating are supporting Rick Santorum. We won't know that until we start to count those later today.

PHILLIPS: Thanks so much.

Straight ahead, a mother will do anything to protect her children.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Two steel beams on my legs, and I couldn't -- I couldn't move.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Her amazing story of survival, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

Time now for stories making news. Let's head to Boston where the sex abuse scandal surrounding a former Red Sox clubhouse manager is intensifying. Eight more men are coming forward against Donald Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick was already accuse of molesting at least nine boys when he was clubhouse manager from '71-'91. "The Globe" reports it happened at the team's spring training facility. He died seven years ago after serving a ten-year suspended sentence with the Florida crimes.

Rhode Island where a judge sent a really strong message about reckless driving. During sentencing he banned a 17-year-old boy driving from life after he slammed his car into this tree last October. According to the affiliate, KEBC, the teen and his three passengers were at a party, boozing it up before the accident. The judge said, quote, "If you're going to drive dangerously in Rhode Island and you're a young person, the court's going to respond accordingly."

Branson, Missouri, a warning system people count on failed to activate when tornadoes hit last week. That city says the code red system was supposed to automatically send a recorded warning or text when the tornadoes hit. Hit. Nothing was sent. The fire chief says he spoke with code red and learned the company didn't even turn the system on. He says the problem has been resolved and is confident it was an isolated incident.

Now to Henryville, Indiana. You've seen the stories of survival and devastation from the tornadoes. But probably nothing as incredible as the story of Stephanie Decker.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS (ph): This is what's left of the Decker's home after two tornadoes blew through Henryville, Indiana. But just before the devastation struck, Stephanie Decker didn't think twice. She immediately grabbed her 5 and 8-year-old boys, covering them with a blanket, shielding them from the debris.

STEPHANIE DECKER, STORM SURVIVOR: I was reaching around, holding them, and trying to keep everything away from them so it didn't hit them.

PHILLIPS: But the wreckage did hit her, breaking seven ribs, almost severing both of her legs.

DECKER: I had two steel beams on my legs, and I couldn't -- I couldn't move. I was stuck.

PHILLIPS: But the worst wasn't over. A second twister headed righted for Stephanie's family. Pinned down by the steel beams, she covered her two children again.

DECKER: And they're screaming, Mommy, I can't live without you, I don't want to die. Please don't let me die.

PHILLIPS: Unable to remove the heavy debris on top of their badly injured mother, 8-year-old Dominick went for help. Stephanie survived, but both her legs are partially amputated. But Stephanie's strength didn't waiver.

DECKER: If I can make it through that, I can live through anything.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

And to find out how you can help those impacted by the Midwest tornadoes, just go to CNN.com/impact. You'll find all the organizations and ways that you can pitch in for those in need. CNN.com/impact.

Mitt Romney has a lot at stake. Super Tuesday could make or break his campaign. Coming up, Candy Crowley, live. She's at Romney headquarters in Boston. But first, our "Political Junkie" question. When was the last time someone won the presidency without winning Ohio in the general election? Tweet me the answer@kyraCNN. I'll give a shout out to the first one who's right.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: All right. Before the break I asked, when was the last time someone won the presidency without winning Ohio in the general election? It's only happened twice in the past 100 years, but the last time was 1960. Richard Nixon carried Ohio, but JFK won the election. Congrats to mike from Indiana for tweeting me with the right answer.

All right. This Super Tuesday could be the day that Mitt Romney brings home all the bacon, or not. So what's Mitt up to and where's he going to take tonight's returns? Candy Crowley on the phone. She's been chasing him.

Any luck, Candy?

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (via phone): He is going to be here in Massachusetts, his other home state. This is where Mitt Romney was governor here, obviously. So he will end the day here in Boston, where he is going to vote, and then he will hold his victory or not-so-victory or whatever celebration they're going to have in Boston tonight.

So what's interesting is there's also a Democratic primary happening simultaneously. So as an incentive to get Democrats out to vote, the Democratic Party here is saying, let's have more people vote for President Obama in the Democratic primary than vote for Mitt Romney in the Republican primary. So that's the state dynamic going on here. But I don't think that in any doubt in the Republican primary itself, Mitt Romney's going to take the state where he served as governor for four years.

PHILLIPS: Candy casting a little bit of shadow over his campaign, another apparent gaffe about wealth, not by mitt, but by his wife, Anne. Let's take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANN ROMNEY, WIFE OF MITT ROMNEY: For me, I just want to make my family bigger. Those that are suffering from ms or from cancer or from any disease, I feel like I just want to throw my arms open, and just say, welcome to my family, and welcome to the place where I've been. And so, you know, we can be poor in spirit, and I don't look -- I don't even consider myself wealthy, which is an interesting thing. It can be here today and gone tomorrow. And how I measure riches is by the friends I have and the loved ones I have.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: As you know, Candy, this was taken out of context. So what's your take? Is it another Romney, a bit out of touch were is the media making too much of this?

CROWLEY: You know, I think it's another case where the Romneys, plural, are really having difficulty to figure out how to talk about their wealth. Imagine if she had rephrased it to -- I think in the context of what she was trying to -- and you know, I'm not inside her head, but maybe she doesn't consider a quarter billion dollars wealth, but let's assume she does.

Consider if she had said, we are wealthy people, in terms of dollars, but I don't measure my wealth by dollars. I know we're fortunate, but I measure my wealth by health.

You know, she's had breast cancer, she has MS. So there are many ways she could use to relate. The problem is, both of them are so bad at trying to dance around their wealth. They just, to me, they ought to embrace it, because you can't -- they're wealthy.

So I think in some ways, this is Mrs. Romney, you know, perhaps being spooked. Now, maybe, again, she doesn't think that's wealth, but I doubt that. And I think in the context of what she was talking about, she was trying to say, listen, you know, it's not about dollars.

But, you know, look at the blast she's getting on Twitter, look at all the people that take this badly. Why? Because it feeds into the perception and perhaps the reality that Mitt Romney doesn't get what it's like not to have a lot of money. So it's a problem for them. It's a sound bite world. So people aren't going to, you know, hear the whole 45 seconds or minute or the totality of the interview. They're going to hear, "I don't consider myself wealthy."

PHILLIPS: Candy Crowley, putting it in context for us.

Candy, thanks so much for calling in.

CROWLEY: Thanks, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: You bet. Stay with CNN for continuous coverage of Super Tuesday. Watch the results come in live. Our special coverage begins tonight, 6:00 p.m. eastern time.

Thanks for watching, everyone. You can continue the conversation with me on Twitter at KyraCNN or on Facebook.

CNN NEWSROOM continues now with Suzanne Malveaux.