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Men Charged In Tulsa Killing Spree; Jennifer Hudson Family Under Trial; Navy To Pay Crash Victims; Gingrich: Romney Is Likely Nominee; White House Easter Egg Roll; North Korea Stokes Nuclear Tensions; Remembering Newsman Mike Wallace
Aired April 09, 2012 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you. I'm Carol Costello. Just ahead of the NEWSROOM. Five people shot, three killed, two charged. Happening now, the suspects accused in the shooting rampage making their first court appearance while we learn more about their past. We are live in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
It is a moment rarely seen from the inside of the reclusive country of North Korea, a government spokesman smiling and laughing when talking to reporters.
We are taking you inside North Korea to talk about why he is in such a good mood.
And right now, the hunt is on at the White House, the hunt for Easter eggs, that is. We are live at the 134th Annual White House Easter Egg Roll and even Bo, the first dog, is getting in on the act. Bo just laid an egg.
The man behind Tebowing draws thousands of people at an Easter event. Tim Tebow discusses his faith, football and why he thinks Tebowing is, quote, "It's pretty cool."
But first this morning, we begin Oklahoma. At any moment, two men are set to make their first court appearance. The 19-year-old Jake England and 33-year-old Alvin Watts are accused of a vicious killing spree in Tulsa.
Four separate shooting attacks in all. Three people killed, two wounded. The victims appear to have been targeted at random but may share a common thread. Jason Carroll is in Tulsa. Good morning, Jason.
JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol. The question for many in the African-American community here in Tulsa is whether or not these two suspects will, in fact, face charges dealing with hate crimes and speaking to the police chief this morning, he says that their investigation, Carol, is still very active.
They are still in the process of gathering things together, gathering information, trying to come up with a motive for what happened. They will be looking very closely at the Facebook page from Jake England.
You are very well aware of what was on that page. He used a racial slur in referring to something that had happened to his father. His father, just to give you a little bit of history here, was killed, murdered two years ago, shot by an African-American man.
Apparently, England never got over that. He wrote about it on his Facebook page, used a racial slur as I said before and also wrote something to the effect, basically saying, get ready for more funerals.
So police will be looking very carefully at that. But one local city councilman that I spoke to this morning, Jack Henderson, said in his mind, it is very clear that a hate crime has been committed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACK HENDERSON, TULSA CITY COUNCILMAN: I think I know pretty much a hate crime when I see it. We have an individual who is white, male, going to a black, predominantly black community, shoot at five black people. And with the other evidence of the online stuff and some of the things that were said leads me to believe that that was totally a hate crime.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CARROLL: Ultimately, it will be up to the district attorney to determine whether or not there is enough evidence to charge these men with hate crimes. So far, they are charged with first-degree murder charges as well as shooting with the intent to kill.
Their arraignment expected to get underway any minute now here at the courthouse. Carol, they will not actually be present inside the courthouse for the arraignment. It will be done by video conference from the jail -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Jason Carroll, reporting live from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Also, jury selection begins today in the trial of a man accused of murdering Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother, and nephew. The singer is expected to play a crucial role in the trial. CNN's Ted Rowlands explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In October, 2008, singer, actress, Jennifer Hudson, was told her mother, Darnelle, and brother, Jason, were murdered. And her 7-year-old nephew, Julian, was missing. Hudson returned to Chicago where a frantic search was underway for Julian and for the gunman.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Neighbors in the neighborhood did report hearing gunshots sometime earlier this morning, about 8:00, 9:00 this morning. ROWLANDS: Three days later, the little boy's body was found inside this abandoned SUV. He died of a gunshot wound and a police investigation led to the arrest of 27-year-old William Balfour.
(on camera): The Hudson family knew William Balfour quite well. He grew up here in their neighborhood on the south side of Chicago and ended up marrying Jennifer Hudson's older sister, Julia.
(voice-over): Balfour, known as Flex on the street, has a long criminal history. And according to people who know the family, the Hudsons, including Jennifer, didn't want Julia to marry Balfour.
Prosecutors say Balfour killed his ex-wife's family members because he was jealous that she was seeing another man. The defense says there are no eyewitnesses and no fingerprints linking him to the murder scene, which has Hudson's neighbor, Michael Jones concerned that Balfour could walk.
MICHAEL JONES, NEIGHBOR: In a murder especially in the black community is so easy.
ROWLANDS: Three and a half years later, the Hudson home in Chicago is boarded up. Jennifer Hudson has said very little politically about the murders, but she recently talked to Piers Morgan about her mother.
JENNIFER HUDSON, SINGER/ACTRESS: My mother was a very wise and strong person and I feel like she raised us well and she prepared me well. So that's what I live by.
ROWLANDS: Opening statements are scheduled to begin, April 23rd. Jennifer Hudson who is on the witness list is expected to attend.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Ted Rowlands is live in Chicago for us. Ted, Jennifer Hudson's celebrity status could really impact this trial. Explain to us how.
ROWLANDS: Well, absolutely. She is planning to be in court every day. She may take the stand, but the jury will absolutely be aware of her presence. They filled out a jury questionnaire last week, a lot of questions about Jennifer Hudson on it.
Every day, they are going to come in. In every case, if there is a victim family member there, it helps, because the juror has empathy with a victim family member when the victim family member is a celebrity on the level of Jennifer Hudson.
It will make a huge difference. It's a huge advantage for the prosecution because jurors, people just inherently are not going to want to let down a family member.
That said, the evidence will have to be here in a murder case. But her celebrity status and the fact she is planning to be in court every day is going to make a big, big difference in this case. COSTELLO: I wonder if the judge will give any instructions as to what, you know, facial expressions she makes during the trial.
ROWLANDS: Well, the judge will tell the jurors each and every one of them and during the voir dire process, which is happening here this week, to ignore that, to as much as they can and then part of this questioning will be from the lawyers, saying, can you be impartial?
Can you look and know that Jennifer Hudson is going to be in this courtroom and can you put that aside? But you are talking about human nature. How much people can put it aside, it's really tough to do.
I just covered the Conrad Murray trial up in Los Angeles. Janet Jackson was in the courtroom almost every day and every single day, that jury would come out and they would look and watch Janet Jackson and the Jackson family's reaction to basically everything that went on in the courtroom.
COSTELLO: Ted Rowlands live in Chicago for us this morning.
Today, the Navy starts giving checks to people who lost their homes and belongings when a jet crashed into their apartment complex. The first payoff will cover housing, meals and clothing, $2,300 per person total. The Navy is encouraging fresh witness to come forward.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAPTAIN BOB GEIS, U.S. NAVY: Anytime we have a mishap, we want to get to the bottom of it. Any people that have pictures or they have witness statements they want to provide to the investigators, we'd love to have that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: The crash Friday in Virginia Beach destroyed dozens of apartments, but no one was killed or seriously hurt.
Just check out the numbers. You can see Mitt Romney is the presumptive GOP nominee. Romney has 651 delegates, leading his closest rival, Rick Santorum by more than a 2-1 margin. The number three man in the race cease the inevitable now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NEWT GINGRICH (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You have to be realistic, given the size of his organization, given the number of primaries he has won. He is far and away the most likely Republican nominee.
If he does get to 1,144 delegates, I will support him. I will do everything I can this fall to help him defeat Obama. The primary goal of the entire Republican Party has to be to defeat Barack Obama.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Gingrich says he wants to help set the GOP platform at the August convention, top issues on his list, energy independence, Social Security reform and religious liberty.
A White House Easter tradition going to the dogs or maybe just one dog and that would be Bo. Get it, Bo laid an egg. The Obamas pet and bunny ears promoting the Easter Egg Roll, it's getting underway actually right now on the White House south lawn.
Dan Lothian is there to crack the story. Hi, Dan.
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: You like that?
COSTELLO: I did.
LOTHIAN: Well, you know, you know you are getting old when you look at the line up of the stars who are going to be here today and you have to check Google to figure who they are.
Stars like Janelle Monae, Cody Simpson, and Rachelle Crow. I did think about texting my young daughter, but she was in her classes at school so I didn't want to bug here.
But nonetheless, you have these entertainers, some of them are actors, others are singers. Some do both. So they will be entertaining the large crowd of young people who are expected to be here today, 35,000 people.
Not all here at the same time, but coming at different waves. Now, for those of you who like the more old school entertainers, we do have a couple of older tennis stars, Chris Everett and Michael Chang, remember them.
Also, some actors, Forest Whittaker and Julianne Moore will be reading stories to the kids who will be here today. Now keeping with that theme about schools, Carol, are you ready for a quiz?
COSTELLO: OK, I'm ready.
LOTHIAN: You like these, right?
COSTELLO: Yes, I love them.
LOTHIAN: One of the questions I always get when you say you are covering this event is when did this all get started? Who was the first president that started this annual tradition? So I throw the question to you. Was it, number one, President Madison, President Lincoln, or President Hayes?
COSTELLO: I am going with Hayes.
LOTHIAN: You would be correct. The official Easter Egg Roll began in 1878. There are unofficial egg rolls that took place. So it is kind of squishy as to when the unofficial tradition began. But you are correct, that is when, he was the president when the first official Easter Egg Roll took place here at the White House. And then, one other question, because no quiz is complete without more than one question. The second one being, has it ever been canceled?
COSTELLO: Let's see. I am going to say yes.
LOTHIAN: You would be correct again. So you get an A plus for this class. It has been canceled either because of weather or because of wars at the time.
Oftentimes, while it would be canceled here at the white house, they will move it either over to the zoo or to the capital, somewhere else, but, yes, it has not taken place every year since it started.
But today, the weather is very, very nice and no chance at all of it being canceled.
COSTELLO: Thank you, Mr. Lothian. We will get back to you.
LOTHIAN: OK.
COSTELLO: The president and the first lady will be speaking at the Easter Egg Roll. When they do that, we will bring it to you live. That should happen around 10:30 Eastern.
Now is your chance to talk back on one of the big stories of the day. The question for you today, what should President Obama's campaign slogan be? Strange question, right?
But according to the web site "Politico," the 2012 Obama campaign has a problem with branding. In 2008, it seem to come so easy with the slogan, change we can believe in.
Pundits hail the Obama campaign team as branding geniuses. Although later, critics like Sarah Palin found it easy to pan the president's quote, "Hopey-changy stuff." But I digress.
Mr. Obama could take a page from past presidents who's catchy slogans help them clinch re-election. Ronald Reagan had morning in America. Bill Clinton, bridge to the 21st Century. GOP challenger, Mitt Romney has his slogan, believe in America.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I believe in the principles this country was founded upon. That's why our phrase is "Believe in America," believe in the principles that made us the nation we are.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Still, even a great slogan can't win an election. Democratic strategist, Robert Zimmerman says a candidate needs to have a clear and defined agenda to give a slogan relevance.
Zimmerman says in 2008, it was about hope and change. In 2012, it should be about progress and results. So the talkback question for you this morning, what should President Obama's campaign slogan be? Go to facebook.com/carolcnn. I'll read your responses later this hour.
Coming up on NEWSROOM, North Korea shows off a rocket that is fueling new nuclear tensions. Today, it's on the launch pad and under the international microscope we will take you inside the communist nation for a rare glimpse.
Plus, friends and colleagues share their memories of TV newsman Mike Wallace, a fixture at "60 Minutes" for 40 years.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: This morning, nuclear tensions are spiking over North Korea in its latest efforts to taunt the international community. CNN has gotten a hold of an intelligence report from South Korea. It says Pyongyang is planning a new nuclear test.
And this week, concerns rachet up even more that the communist regime test firing of rocket that could someday put the United States in the crosshairs. CNN's Stan Grant has a rare view from within North Korea.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STAN GRANT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is what North Korea has been keeping hidden from the world, not anymore. A long- range rocket, 30 meters long, only 100 feet that much of the world suspects will launch the next phase of the reclusive country's missile program.
North Korea insists, there is nothing to fear, not a missile test but, in fact, a satellite launch for scientific research. To prove it, they have taken an unprecedented step opening up the launch sight to the eyes of the international media.
For Pyongyang, this represents a proper coup in the year the country celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of its founder Kim Il-Sung.
This spiritual moment as the North Korea people struggle to open the gate to a prosperous and powerful future, this man says. But the United States and its allies see it very differently.
A country still technically at war taking another step closer to perfecting a missile that experts say could reach American shores.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I am very disturbed.
GRANT (on camera): He can deny that it is a missile.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): If you look for yourselves, with your own eyes, then you can judge whether it is a ballistic missile or whether it is a launch vehicle to put a satellite into orbit. To show that, that's why we've invited you to this launch site.
GRANT (voice-over): We certainly get the grand tour today shown all around the site, the control center, even the actual satellite that will be launched into space on the rocket. One independent European analyst visiting the site says he sees nothing to be concerned about but --
CHRISTIAN LARDIER, SPACE ANALYST: I don't know what they want to do in future, but today what we see is a space launcher.
GRANT: To travel to the site is to get an all too rare glimpses through the window of what's been dubbed the hermit kingdom.
(on camera): We will get on this train and travel for about five hours until we get to the satellite launch site itself.
(voice-over): From the carriage of our train, a barren landscape. People scattered working the harsh fields of a country where many people struggle even to eat. Not an issue, North Korean officials were looking to pursue.
(on camera): Is it more important than food?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Sorry, what was the question again? We don't want to answer that. We will have a chance before the interview.
GRANT (voice-over): To a country obsessed with its self-defense and presented a strong face to the world, this they argue is money well spent. Anyway, as we are constantly reminded, this is a satellite launch, not a missile test.
Despite North Korea's assurances, the skepticism, of course, is going to remain, particularly from the United States, always wary about the intentions of an unpredictable country. Stan Grant, CNN, North Korea.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Up next on NEWSROOM, a look back at the life and career of Mike Wallace.
Also, a campaign in search of a catch phrase, a slogan, a mantra, whatever you want to call it. It is just not there this time for the Obama campaign.
It was sure a lot easier in 2008. We are going to pose this dilemma to our "Political Buzz" panel next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: You cannot deny this. What a beautiful day in Washington, D.C. This is the south lawn of the White House where the Easter Egg Roll is taking place for the 134th time in our history, 35,000 people are there.
They signed up for this thing months and months ago. Mr. Obama is expected to speak in about 5 minutes. When the president begins speaking, of course, we will bring it to you live. Looks like a lot of fun, though.
Mike Wallace in a class of his own. His aggressive questioning and desire for news shaped his colorful career. Love him or hate him, people respected him. CNN's Sandra Endo has a look back.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SANDRA ENDO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He was known for his hard-hitting journalistic style and aggressive questioning.
MIKE WALLACE: How many blacks are there on your top campaign staff?
RONALD REAGAN, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT: I couldn't honestly answer you.
ENDO: But decades before, millions of TV viewers watched him on CBS News. Mike Wallace already had a colorful career. He was born Myron Leon Wallace in Brookline, Massachusetts in 1918.
After graduating from the University of Michigan, he started his career in radio. His work as a radio host landed him spots in TV, as an actor in a police drama, as a program host and even in commercials.
WALLACE: Get golden. That's some apple pie.
ENDO: His love for news made him drop that type of work in 1963 when CBS News hired him as a correspondent.
WALLACE: I'm wagging my finger at the president of China.
ENDO: His feisty, brazen style made him a good fit for the network's new magazine show "60 Minutes," which debuted in 1968. Wallace didn't cower to American or world leaders. He said this to Ayatollah Khomeini during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979.
WALLACE: The imam, President Saddat of Egypt, a devoutly religious man, a Muslim, says that what you are doing now is, quote, "A disgrace to Islam." He calls you, imam, forgive me, his words, not mine, a lunatic.
ENDO: Media critics say Wallace's attack dog style was relentless.
HOWARD KURTZ, HOST, CNN'S "RELIABLE SOURCES": Sometimes he went too far. He pioneered the ambush interview, which has fallen out of favor. He used hidden camera investigations. So he really taught generations of younger journalists about how to go get that story.
ENDO: In 2006, he took on a smaller role on "60 Minutes" and by 2008, had triple bypass surgery and retired from public life.
WALLACE: If you made your living in the early days of black and white television, as I did, you know that sometimes it was a little like the early days of flying.
ENDO: But his relationship with CBS viewers spanned decades and he will have an everlasting impact on the field of journalism. Mike Wallace was 93. Sandra Endo, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Colleagues are sharing their memories of Mike Wallace. Former CBS "Evening News" anchor, Dan Rather said Mike Wallace was from the beginning and for many years, the heart and soul of "60 Minutes."
In that role, he helped change American television news. Among the ways that this change was for the better, TV news became more investigative, more aggressive and relevant. Mike was sharp, quick of mind and a fierce competitor and a master interviewer. Long time colleague, Morely Safer remembers Wallace as fearless.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MORLEY SAFER, LONGTIME COLLEAGUE OF MIKE WALLACE: Well, he was fearless, really. I mean, he interviewed some pretty nasty guys in his long career. He was absolutely fearless. He would get to the very core of the story.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: The "60 Minutes" will air a special program dedicated to Wallace that will air next Sunday.
Did you see "Saturday Night Live" needle Mitt Romney? The needle was sharp. They suggested Romney will say anything to get elected. The way they made their point, well, you decide. Our "Political Buzz" panel will weigh in right after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Checking our top stories now. Just minutes ago, a video arraignment for the two men accused of a deadly shooting spree in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A judge ordered 19-year-old Jake England and 33- year-old Alvin Watts to be held on bail with more than $9 million a piece. They have not yet been charged in four separate shooting attacks that left three people dead, two others were wounded.
Today, the U.S. Navy will start handing out checks to people who lost their homes and belongings when a jet crashed into their apartment complex. The first payoff will cover housing, meals and clothing, about $2,300 per person. The crash Friday in Virginia Beach destroyed dozens of apartments but no one was killed or seriously hurt.
Easter fun today at the White House, 35,000 people now participating in the White House Easter Egg roll. The Obamas are going to deliver a speech in just a couple of minutes. When that happens, we'll bring it to you live.
"Political Buzz" it's your rapid fire look at the best political topics of the day. Three questions, 30 seconds on the clock. Playing with us today, Sirius XM radio host and funny guy Pete Dominick; CNN contributor, Will Cain, he represents the right and CNN contributor Dana Loesch. Welcome to all of you.
DANA LOESCH, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Good morning.
PETE DOMINICK, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST, SIRIUS XM: Hi, Carol.
COSTELLO: That was such like a not excited good morning but that's ok.
WILL CAIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Hey Carol good morning to you.
LOESCH: Good morning.
COSTELLO: Yes it's much better.
Ok first question. Listen to what Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri said on CNN's "STATE OF THE UNION". He is talking about the role of religion in politics.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. EMANUEL CLEAVER (D), MISSOURI: It is becoming a political issue every two years and then for sure every four years, we try to put God on the ballot. And I think that the American public is tiring of it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: So guys, is God up for re-election every four years? And are voters tired of it? Dana?
LOESCH: I think this happens every single election, where you have instances such as this. But if we're going to talk about a particular parties putting God on the ballot. I think you could very easily make the argument that especially with the health care law you have the President who kind of took a stance against religious liberty when religious entities were disallowed to conscientiously object against having to offer something that goes against their belief system. I mean, that is not much, you could say not so much religious as something that violated the First Amendment.
So I think definite there is that argument to make. And if that's something that Representative Cleaver is doing, good. He did say that the war on women was a fabricated tactic. And I appreciated that.
COSTELLO: Pete.
DOMINICK: Yes, I'm one of those I agree with him and one of those 16 percent of Americans that doesn't identify with any major religion. And I mean, hearing Rick Santorum and some of these Republican candidates speak and say the things they say, it is frightening usually the issues obviously are gay marriage, which we were progressing to equality, which is great. Abortion will always be available.
But one thing that concerns me is Senator James Inhofe who said the arrogance of people to think that we, human beings would be able to change what God is doing to the climate is outrageous. I'll yield to Dana or Will to agree that those comments from Senator Inhofe are outrageous.
COSTELLO: Ok Will, he'll yield to you?
CAIN: He yields to me. He yields to me, I think a couple of things went on here, I think religion is invoked every four years, every two years to do a couple of things. One it's a way of softening your position and communicating on gay marriage and abortion. That's how and why it's used by politicians.
Second, we talked about this last night on Don Lemon's show. We should focus on electing moral human beings, not necessarily what religion they adhere to. That being said, your faith, your religion is shorthand for being a moral person.
It's not just a province of the right alone. President Obama is using it right now to put forward his plan for tax reforms that I'm my brother's keeper stuff as though God cares about the tax -- the tax code.
LOESCH: Right.
CAIN: It's entirely too invoked on both sides and it's inappropriate to pimp God out.
COSTELLO: Ok whoa. Ok question number two, we all know what Barack Obama's campaign slogan was in 2008. But just in case your memory needs jog, here you go.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Yes, we can.
PEOPLE: Yes we can, yes we can.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Well, it was so easy then. But this time around, the campaign has nothing. Apparently, yes, we still can is not under consideration. Actually we posed this question to our Facebook friends. And I just want to read you a couple of their suggestions.
This is from Manesh, he says, "Finishing what we started."
This from Greg, "Women and Children first.
This from Linda, "Change it Back."
This from Alori, "Together we can all live that American dream".
And this from Matt, "I am running out of things to blame George Bush on".
Come on Dana. So Dana, what's your suggestion?
LOESCH: I -- this is one of my favorite questions that you've ever asked me. It would be difficult to choose just like one.
DOMINICK: Here we go.
LOESCH: Just a couple, just a couple. "O" is for oops, no, we didn't and we can also do "Let's do it for Brazil" because the whole oil thing with the Gulf of Mexico and Ken Salazar. I like, I kind of like "Let's do it for Brazil." personally.
COSTELLO: Will?
CAIN: I -- I -- gosh, I don't have one. I didn't come with one prepared like Dana. I'll say, it reminds me of that scene in "Oh Brother where Art Though" when Pappy O'Daniel is talking to his campaign adviser, his son, about -- about campaign messages at work and he says, we ought to get some of that reform daddy people like that reform. And he says, we can't run on reform, you soft headed SOB, we are the incumbent.
So he's a little bit of loss, yes, we can and hope and change don't really -- don't really work when you're the incumbent.
COSTELLO: Pete, top that, Pete.
DOMINICK: Oh I can't. That was quite a rift Will. How about, how but "Obama 2012, Come on, I've already got the keys" or, "Change, it takes more than four", or "I inherited a crisis, I did not create and push through a lot of widely effective policies" -- that one's too long maybe. This one is a sure winner. Obama, Clinton, 2012.
COSTELLO: You might be on to something.
Ok, the third question, your "Buzzer Beater", 20 seconds each. "Saturday Night Live" clearly thinks Mitt Romney will say anything to get elected. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In all honesty, I can't remember a time when Dungeons and Dragons wasn't an important part of my life.
No one wants to get sick. You know, but frankly, I've always thought if I had to develop a chronic disease, I hope it would be adult onset diabetes.
People ask me, Mitt, just how many piercings to you have? Well, I always say, more than I need but less than I want. (END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: We didn't play the part about how he loves fighting roosters. Although they didn't exactly use that term.
Oh it's so bad anyway.
CAIN: You've got to let Dana go first. You've got to let Dana go, right?
COSTELLO: I'm going to let Dana go because I thought this was really harsh. So Dana, I mean, can we lay off Mitt Romney, please?
LOESCH: I like making fun of all the candidates equally. And any -- won't any candidate say anything to get elected. I know the last one, the Democrat incumbent, certainly said anything to get elected. I am going to end the wars but not until 2014 in Iraq. And then I am going to commit more troops to Afghanistan oh and then Libya oh and then we're not going to close Gitmo.
So I mean, they always say one thing when they are campaigning and then after they get elected, they like to forget that they said all of that stuff. So it's par for the course. I think it's funny.
COSTELLO: Ok, Will?
CAIN: Yes I like Dana's point. This is a characteristic of virtually every politician. I will say it is like Mitt Romney is a particularly egregious offender of saying whatever it takes to get elected.
That being said, I've made this point several times now. We've also ventured way too far into he is unprincipled territory. This is a guy who gives away 10 percent of his income every year rain or shine 10 percent. He gave away two years of his life early on. I don't know if those are the characteristics of an unprincipled person.
COSTELLO: Pete.
DOMINICK: And he gives it all, mostly, Will, I think to the Mormon Church which we're not allowed to talk about apparently. But I think SNL nailed it. I'm the comedian here. Carol the truth is funny.
They -- I mean, Mitt Romney goes to Alabama. He talks about Brits. He goes to his home state of Michigan and talks about how -- how high the trees are. He'll say whatever he thinks they want to hear. But he doesn't know what they want to hear. Because Mitt Romney doesn't seem to know what human people like.
COSTELLO: Wow, I just remember that picture of Barack Obama bowling.
DOMINICK: Well of course.
COSTELLO: That was bad. LOESCH: I like the high waters riding the bike. That's my favorite.
COSTELLO: Oh yes I remember that too.
Dana, Will, Pete, thanks for playing today. We appreciate it.
LOESCH: Thanks.
CAIN: Thanks, Carol.
COSTELLO: New York Jets quarterback, oh he has a home field advantage in Texas. Tim Tebow rocks an Easter Sunday event. You'll hear what he has to say about Tebowing after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Lindsay Lohan may be in trouble again, may be. That may is the key word. Let's head to New York and "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" host, A.J. Hammer. Tell us more.
A.J. HAMMER, HLN HOST, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT": Let me break this down for you, Susan -- Carol, I'm sorry. I was just reading about our friend, Susan. But here, let's talk about the West Hollywood Sheriff's Department. They have confirmed to showbiz tonight that a woman is accusing Lindsay Lohan of battery.
Now, we are going to have to see if this investigation goes anywhere. The prevailing opinion seems to be, it is not a big deal. I am not putting a whole lot of stock in this story at this point. This woman is alleging that Lindsay shoved her at a nightclub last Thursday night though incident wasn't reported to police until Saturday
And while the sheriff's department is going to be looking to the incident. They even point out that right now, this is just an allegations. There are some reports out there and Lindsay wasn't even at the club in question. Her publicist responded to our questions about the incident by saying, you have to wonder about someone who calls the media before the police.
Now, if this had happened to Lindsay while she was still on supervised probation, Carol, just the allegation would have gotten her in trouble. She doesn't face that kind of threat now but she doesn't need to get caught up into anything like that. The down side of being Lindsay Lohan -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Yes. You got that right.
Ok. So tell us about this woman who is allegedly stalking Alec Baldwin.
HAMMER: Well, this is a Canadian actress who has been arrested for allegedly stalking Alec Baldwin at his home in the Hamptons and his Manhattan apartment. The alleged 4-year stalker reportedly meet Baldwin on the set of the film Pluto Nash. He had a cameo in that film and according to the Internet movie database, she worked as part of the crew. He first filed an official complaint with local police after she alleged to show up to harass him at his Hampton's home on march 21st.
Well, when she showed up at his New York City apartment this past weekend. Baldwin wasn't home but the doorman filled him in and he notified police and had her arrested. We did reach out to Baldwin rep for response. He told showbiz tonight, stalking is a serious issue. We have turned this matter over to the New York City Police Department. Obviously The down side of fame, Carol, it can be very, very scary.
COSTELLO: You got that right. A.J. Hammer, many thanks to you. If you want information on everything breaking in the entertainment world, A.J. has it tonight on "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" at 11:00 Eastern.
20,000 fans cheering Tim Tebow on a Sunday, we're still five months from the start of the NFL Season. The Jets quarterback did attract a crowd to an Easter Sunday event in Georgetown, Texas, not to watch him play football but to talk about his faith. The former Denver quarterback says he can't explain why Tebowing went viral.
TIM TEBOW, NEW YORK JETS: It is kind of crazy. I really don't think I was the first athlete to get on a knee and pray. It is funny, because I have actually had this same routine the last seven years and just this year, they started calling it Tebowing, which I have no idea why. I have been doing same thing for the last seven years. This year, it just seemed to get popular. But I do think it is pretty cool because at least prayer is being talked about.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: There was a funny moment when the pastor tried to get Tebow to put on an LSU helmet. The former Florida Gator, he kicked that helmet off to the side. What a joke.
Ok. We are going to take you live to the Easter egg roll. Are we taking you live now? We are going to take a break and then we'll come back when President Obama is expected to begin speaking. We will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Let's go to the White House south lawn and the Obamas.
(BEGIN LIVE FEED)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: As Malia, Sasha and Bo all know -- the First Lady Of The United States, Michelle Obama.
MICHELLE OBAMA, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you, honey. My job is simple as well. I just want to officially welcome you all to the White House Easter egg roll. It is a beautiful day, perfect weather. We are so excited to have you all here. We've got a great set of activities planned for you. There is something for everyone.
We are going to be over there doing a little egg roll. I think the president is gig to try to beat a 3-year-old, which I hope he does not. But we also have a wonderful yoga garden, we've got some story- time guests. We've got great readers here this year as we do every year. You can get your face painted. We have wonderful musical guests.
Rachel was amazing and she is a really sweet kid, which is more important. We've got wonderful athletes here. We have Chris Everett -- my gosh. Pete Dominick, Emanuel Cleaver, And many, many others. The Harlem Globetrotters are here.
You can do an obstacle course. We are going to be down at the kitchen learning how to do some healthy cooking with some of our celebrity chefs. So it is a wonderful day. I hope you all enjoy it. I hope you put on your comfortable shoes. We have got ours on. Right, all the Obamas here?
On behalf of our family, I also want to wish you all a happy Easter and a happy Easter egg roll. In the theme of this year's Easter egg roll -- let's go, let's play, let's move.
B. OBAMA: Thank you, everybody. Have a great time. We will see you down there.
(END LIVE FEED)
COSTELLO: Did you get to see the big Easter bunny? He was standing there on the balcony right beside the President. The President kept talking to the Easter bunny. The President is going to go down. There is the Easter bunny. The president heading down to begin that competition with the 3-year-old.
We are going to take a short break. We will be back with more.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Let's go back to Washington, D.C. on the south lawn of the White House. As you can see the President is shaking the hands of the lucky 35,000 people who gets to take part in the annual Easter egg roll at the White House just a short time ago.
There is Michelle Obama there. You can see her in the yellow sweater. She was talking about her exercise campaign. Not only will the kids be having those Easter roll competitions, they will also be invited to partake in different exercise routines. Even the Harlem Globetrotters are there. Maybe they will play a little basketball. Who knows.
Dan Lothian is at the White House. While the Obamas were on the balcony, I thought I saw Michelle Obama's mother in the back, a woman we rarely see.
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: I did not -- was scrambling -- pardon the pun -- to come out here so I did not get a chance to see who was there in the background. But yes, we have not seen, if, in fact, she was out there. We have not seen her around in public in quite some time.
I am being told she was, in fact, out there. During the first year or so, we would see her around the White House quite a bit, He would be at events, would even see her shopping around town from time to time. She has pretty much stayed in the background.
This is a day for the entire first family to come out and greet Americans who have traveled from far away, some from down the street or some from across the country to come here and be part of this annual event.
And as you pointed. It is not only a chance for these young people to be entertained, to meet some of their favorite TV stars or movie stars up close but also a chance for them to learn about fitness, about staying in shape, about good eating habits and so forth. They can get all of that right here at this annual Easter egg roll.
COSTELLO: Let's listen, Dan.
(EASTER EGG ROLL AT THE WHITE HOUSE)
COSTELLO: Dan that is a cute picture. So apparently there is like a long waiting list every year for the Easter egg roll at the White House. Who gets to attend?
LOTHIAN: well, you know, you can go online and sign up for this. Then, if you are the lucky winner, you get a chance to come here. There are a lot of slots as we have been talking about, 35,000 people. Much more, I think, than previous years. I believe they have been increasing it every year. So it gets quite crowded. Right there, it doesn't look that chaotic.
If I could tell you a personal story, a number of years ago, I had the opportunity to bring my kids here and my daughter has not forgiven me for this, because she was in the Easter egg roll right there. A big kid came and rolled over on top of her and knocked her down. So she has not lived it down. It gets pretty chaotic.
COSTELLO: You didn't have her back, Dan?
LOTHIAN: No, I'm sorry, I was busy working. So she was out there with my wife. So, yes, she got rolled over by an older kid. That's what she talks about to this day.
It's a great event. As the afternoon, as I pointed out, as the afternoon moves along, you will see it get very crowded out there as everyone comes in to take part, not only in the roll but also face painting or playing around on some of the bouncies or whatever else they have to entertain the kids.
COSTELLO: All right. Dan, We are going to take a short break. We will be back with much more on NEWSROOM. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: In your "Daily Dose" of health news, a new study suggests a mother's health while pregnant may have some connection to a risk of autism. The study found that pregnant women who are obese, have diabetes or high-blood pressure may be 60 percent more likely to have babies with autism. Researchers want to get the word out that any lifestyle or diet change that moms-to-be can make will not only benefit them, but of course their babies, too.
Checking stories cross country now. In California, efforts are underway to find out exactly what killed famed American painter, Thomas Kinkade. He's seen here in an interview with Larry King. The artist died unexpectedly at his home on Friday. Family spokesman says, it could be natural causes. An autopsy was set to begin today. Kinkade was just 54.
In San Francisco, a utility worker had to be rescued after falling 10 feet into a manhole. He apparently hit his head during the fog. He was unable to crawl out on his own. The worker was trapped about an hour until firefighters pulled him out. He was trapped about an hour when firefighters pulled him out.
In Los Angeles, it wasn't your usual Easter egg hunt. Instead of searching for hidden eggs, a crowd at cross point they waited for them to drop from the sky. 10,000 Easter eggs fell from a helicopter. They were stuffed with candy and vouchers for prizes, including Disney tickets and iPod Touch and an XBOX.
COSTELLO: No one was hurt, don't worry. That does it for me. Thank you for joining newsroom. I'll see you again tomorrow. CNN NEWSROOM room continues right now with Kyra Phillips -- good morning Kyra.
