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Secret Service Boots Three in Sex Scandal; Remembering Dick Clark; Vatican Reprimands Group of Nuns; Jobless Claims Fall by 2,000; Pippa Caught on Cam at Party; Skip the Salt, Pass the Fruit; Pat Summitt Steps Down
Aired April 19, 2012 - 09:00 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, Soledad. And good morning to all of you. I'm Carol Costello.
Happening right now in the NEWSROOM, 10 days, that's how long the head of the Secret Service has to come up with a full report of what happened in Colombia. From bad behavior to hiring hookers, brand new details for you this morning.
Backstage barbecue? The Motor City madman Ted Nugent chatting with the Secret Service before his concert tonight after saying the president leads an American-hating administration and he is vowing cooperation with the Secret Service.
Not too dark. An Acura ad causing controversy. A casting document coming to light and asking for a specific skin toned actor. This morning Acura responds.
Silver spoons and Greek columns. The president and Mitt Romney duking it out in dueling speeches. This morning we ask, is it possible to have a civil election?
In the pipeline. A new route and a new chance for the Keystone Pipeline this morning. A bill fast track that would strip the president of his authority to rule on the pipeline.
And keeping up with the mayor? KK, after conquering the reality show, perfume, shoe and clothing world, wants to try politics. But is Glendale, California, ready for Kim?
NEWSROOM begins right now.
And we begin this hour with the sex scandal involving the president's Secret Service. Lawmakers demanding answers and the clock is ticking. In the meantime, time runs out for three Secret Service employees caught up in the debacle.
CNN's Brianna Keilar at the White House to fill us in.
Good morning, Brianna.
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol. And right now Congress is starting to very much demand answers. This is a letter that has gone from the top Republican and the top Democrat, Darrell Issa and Elijah Cummings respectively, on the House Oversight and Government Affairs Committee to Mark Sullivan, the director of the Secret Service.
They want a number of answers and they want them by May 1st. They want a detailed description of the misconduct of these -- alleged misconduct of these 11 agents. They want to know specifically who was involved and not just who was involved but who had timely knowledge that something was happening, something wrong was happening.
They also want to know about the disciplinary action, any disciplinary actions that were taken against the agents involved all the way back to 2002, and they want to know about any disciplinary actions involving any agents on overseas trip since 2007 and also sort of a note in this letter, Carol, they want to make sure -- they want to see that the Secret Service they've investigated has been able to ascertain that all of the women involved were of age.
And I will tell you according to CNN's reporting, talking to sources familiar with this investigation, at this point it appears at least by the ID's that the women turned in that they were of age. And lastly, I should also mention that there's expected to be a hearing next week Wednesday before the Democratic led Senate Judiciary Committee where secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, has been invited to testify -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Brianna Keilar, live at the White House for us.
In the meantime the Colombian prostitute at the center of this scandal has gone public with her version of events. She's 24 years old, refers to herself as a high-class call girl, and says she didn't know the American was a member of the Secret Service.
"New York Times" reporter who spoke with her shared that discussion with CNN's Anderson Cooper.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILLIAM NEUMAN, THE NEW YORK TIMES: And she then there was this bizarre scene unfolds where she enlists the help of this other prostitute and the other American and they sort of knock on the door. She says they were discreet. And they weren't trying to make a scene but they spent a couple of hours trying to coax this guy to open the door. And according to her he wouldn't even say a word.
And finally she gets fed up and goes to leave and then runs into a police officer in the hotel. Tells him the story. And he goes back with her and then you have this bizarre scene where you've got two Colombian police officers now. These two prostitutes. Hotel security guy shows up. And then at some point more of the Americans come out of their hotel rooms.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Yes. That -- that's how the pay dispute came about. The reporter goes on to say the woman says it got even more odd. She says the American men who emerged from their rooms then stood in front of the door and tried to block the Colombians from knocking on the door and that's when it became more of a police matter.
On another note, Secret Service agents plan to talk today with rocker Ted Nugent. The meeting follows comments Nugent made over the weekend at an NRA convention. Remarks that some took as suggesting violence against President Obama. Nugent says he welcomes the chance to sit down with agents.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TED NUGENT, SINGER: Yes, we actually have heard from the Secret Service and they have a duty and I salute them. I support them. And I'm looking forward to our meeting tomorrow. I'm sure it will be a fine gathering.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Nugent will talk with the Secret Service in Oklahoma before he performs at a concert at a bar tonight.
Divers are searching a North Carolina pond this morning following a lead in the case of Private 1st Class Kelli Bordeaux. Bordeaux was reported missing from duty from Fort Bragg on Monday. An Army official said Bordeaux was given a ride home from bar early Saturday morning. Bordeaux's mother says her daughter was scooped on the ride and had the driver let her out before reaching her home. Police are calling this a missing person's case, stopping short of saying foul play may be involved.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF TOM BERGAMINE, FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA POLICE: The information we've received from a unit in command at Fort Bragg, very good soldier. Not the type of person that would come up being AWOL or missing. So -- and the fact that no one has heard from her since.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Police are asking anyone with information about Bordeaux to come forward.
A JetBlue pilot who acted bizarre during a flight will use an insanity defense at his trial. Clayton Osbon had to be restrained by passengers after leaving the cockpit. He's charged with trying to interfere with flight crew members' duties.
More prison time for retired baseball star Lenny Dykstra. A judge in Los Angeles sentenced Dykstra to nearly 10 months for exposing himself to five women who answered his Craigslist ad for a housekeeper or assistant. One woman says he held a knife to her throat. Just last month Dykstra was sentenced to three years in prison for grand theft auto.
Just a couple of hours the Smithsonian will hold a ceremony to officially receive the space shuttle Discovery which arrived in D.C. on Tuesday on top of a 747. It's the first step toward being placed on permanent display and replacing the shuttle Enterprise. Astronaut John Glenn will be on hand along with nearly half of the 31 Discovery commanders still alive.
Silver spoons and Greek columns, they're now part of the presidential race.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth.
MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And one thing I'm convinced that you're not going to see at the Democratic convention. You're not going to see President Obama standing alongside Greek columns. He's not going to want to remind anyone of Greece.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: And don't forget the dueling dog stories. It's getting nasty. And it's just April. More on that coming up.
For millions of baby boomers, it was must-see TV every Saturday. Today stars and fans pay tribute to Dick Clark and the way he changed America's cultural landscape.
Also still ahead, a new embarrassment for Pippa Middleton and her in-laws and the entire British royal family. We'll tell you about a raunchy party and the video you were not supposed to see.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DICK CLARK, TV HOST/PRODUCER: Ladies and gentlemen, this is Cher.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Dick Clark, a television pioneer and a legacy that will live on. This morning the tributes are still pouring in for Dick Clark. The boyish icon who charmed generations of music lovers with "American Bandstand."
The ground breaking TV show host not only helped shape the music taste of American teenagers decades before MTV, it also launched many music careers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARETHA FRANKLIN, SINGER: Such a nice and very easy man to work with. A very warm and classy and just an ageless person. And if you didn't go on "American Bandstand," you just hadn't made it yet. You had to go on the "Bandstand."
(END VIDEO CLIP) COSTELLO: Showbiz correspondent Nischelle Turner joins us from Hollywood by Dick Clark's star on the Walk of Fame.
Nischelle, any details on the funeral plans?
NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN SHOWBIZ CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Carol. Actually, we've got just a few. You know the family did tell us yesterday that they weren't going to have a traditional funeral. They did say, though, that they were trying to decide still because they know so many people in the public loved him, whether or not to have a public memorial.
So hopefully that decision will come in the next couple of days. But of course this all just happened yesterday so they're still trying to work out some details.
COSTELLO: So there -- so we don't know yet if there actually will be a funeral where people can go and pay their respects?
TURNER: Right. We don't know that yet. You know people have been coming out here to the star this morning leaving notes and you do see the flowers here. There's also some candles that are burning here. Little notes from fans. People were just walking by today kind of taking some pictures as well.
You know Dick Clark was an icon and not only did he pave the way for many musicians in the music industry, he also was known by a lot of people as an integrator at a time in our country when blacks and whites really weren't allowed to be together and there was a lot of strife because of that. He came in and said you know what, we're talking about music here. This isn't about race. It's about good music and bad music.
And if it's good, I'm going to play it. And I want everybody to enjoy it. So that is also something that he is being remembered today for -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Nischelle Turner reporting live from Hollywood.
It is 9:12 Eastern Time. Checking this morning's top stories, 3 of 11 Secret Service agents caught in a prostitution scandal in Colombia are booted. One is retiring, another has resigned, a third is being forced to leave but intends to fight his dismissal. The head of the agency reportedly has until May 1st to provide Congress with a full report.
Afghanistan's president, Hamid Karzai, says photos of U.S. troops posing with bodies of suspected insurgents are inhumane and proactive. He says the only way to put an end to such painful experiences is to have foreign forces leave. The photos published by the "L.A. Times" reportedly were taken in 2010, and have been condemned by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.
Condoleezza Rice getting the top nod for the VP wish list. A quarter of those at a new CNN/ORC poll back the former secretary of state. Rick Santorum is next in line. Followed by Marco Rubio and Chris Christie. Rice has said she's not interested.
And in just about two hours, Florida's governor will announce a task force to examine the "Stand Your Ground" law at the heart of George Zimmerman's defense. Governor Rick Scott says many citizens voiced concerns after Zimmerman shot and killed unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman has a bond hearing tomorrow. We'll have the governor's speech live for you at 11:00 Eastern.
A company whose pipeline permit was denied by President Obama comes up with another proposed route. Nebraska's environmental authority says TransCanada's new Keystone XL pipeline route is east, east of what was initially proposed and would pose less of an environmental risk.
The House yesterday passed a bill stripping the president of his authority to rule on the project.
Still ahead on NEWSROOM, a two-year Vatican investigation concludes the most influential group of nuns in America has a serious problem and the Vatican orders a crackdown. I'll talk to a former president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious next.
And the doggy-dog world of politics, President Obama and Mitt Romney are talking about silver spoons and Greek columns. Can we just forget about civility this election year? We'll discuss.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: And in a dog eat dog world of politics, President Obama and Mitt Romney are talking about silver spoons and Greek columns. Can we just forget about civility this election year? We'll discuss.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: The Vatican's years long investigation into how nuns live their lives in the United States is finally over and now the largest group of nuns in the United States is in trouble with the Vatican. They are being reprimanded.
The investigation found the Leadership Conference of Women Religious to have serious doctrinal problems. The main problems being challenging church teaching on homosexuality and the male-only priesthood and having, quote, "radical feminist themes that are incompatible with the Catholic Church."
I filed a piece on this investigation in 2010. Here's a closer look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SISTER MAUREEN FIEDLER: Some of my friends asked me why the Vatican officials suffer from a deep seed hatred of women.
COSTELLO (voice-over): On Sister Maureen Fielder's Washington radio show --
FIEDLER: Could they be serious?
COSTELLO: The role of women in the Catholic Church is a popular one. The talk has been heated ever since the Vatican ordered two sweeping investigations into the religious views and lifestyles of American nuns -- investigations that have alarmed many sisters like Marlene Weisenbeck, whose organization represents thousands of American nuns across the country.
SISTER MARLENE WEISENBECK, LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE OF WOMEN RELIGIOUS: We weren't quite expecting to walk into this kind of a process that would test our authenticity and our integrity.
COSTELLO: One of the investigations involved a two-part questionnaire consisting of 120 detailed questions like, "What is the process for responding to sisters who dissent publicly from Church teaching and discipline?" "'How does the matter of the dress of your sisters lend to the dignity and simplicity of your vocation?"
And this, "What are the procedures for dealing with matters such as civil disobedience, criminal activity, sexual improprieties, et cetera?"
FIEDLER: I think they want to be able to control what nuns do. They -- you know, in every aspect of their lives.
COSTELLO: At this year's Leadership Conference of Women Religious, some nuns say these investigations feel like an inquisition, and are fighting back by boycotting all or part of the questionnaire.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. Are we ready for prayer?
COSTELLO: Fiedler says many nuns, who haven't lived in convents or worn habits since the 1950s, fear the Vatican wants to force them back into both. She also fears Rome wants to silence nuns when they disagree with the Pope on issues like gays in the Church or women's rights, something the Church now allows them to do.
FATHER JOSEPH TOBIN, CONGREGATION FOR RELIGIOUS: Some of it might be a very deep seeded misunderstanding.
COSTELLO: The Vatican is hoping that Father Tobin, who was just appointed the number two official for religious life, can help calm the fear surrounding these investigations.
TOBIN: There is a need for a dialogue, and I think dialogue means that the two parties are honestly conversing in search of the truth.
COSTELLO: Sister Marlene hopes that's true, but --
WEISENBECK: There is no turning back. I don't think that that happens in any kind of living organism. God doesn't turn the church -- doesn't turn Creation in opposite directions.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: The nuns' worst fears are realized now. An American bishop has been appointed to make changes to the organization and some women in the group say they are absolutely stunned by this verdict.
Now is your chance to talk back on one of the big stories of the day. The question for you this morning: Ted Nugent threat to President Obama or loud mouth?
Ted, oh, Ted, it was supposed to be a fun night. You at the Two Frogs Grill in Oklahoma on your Great White Buffalo tour but before you take the stage tonight, there's that meeting with the Secret Service about what you said at the NRA convention, you know, vote Romney and against this vile, evil American-hating administration. All of that is OK, First Amendment rights and all.
It's that next part that got you into trouble.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TED NUGENT, MUSICIAN: If Barack Obama becomes the president in November, again, I will either be dead or in jail by this time next year.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: See, that could be interpreted as a threat against a U.S. president and that would be against the law, although it's not much different than what Nugent -- a longtime board member of the powerful NRA said in 2007. Back then, a gun-wielding Nugent said this of Obama and Hillary Clinton.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NUGENT: Obama, he's a piece of (EXPLETIVE DELETED) and I told him to suck on my machine gun.
Hey, Hillary, you might want to ride one of these into the sunset, you worthless (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: But Obama wasn't president yet.
As for Nugent, he says, the Secret Service are my buddies. We'll either be shooting some taxpayer ammo at Targets or we'll be eating barbecue. And maybe Nugent will serenade with his latest single "I Love My Barbecue." The chorus -- it's what Americans do. Pull up a chair. I'll get a beer for you. That will calm things down.
So, the talk back for you today, Ted Nugent: threat to Obama or loud mouth?
Facebook.com/CarolCNN, Facebook.com/CarolCNN. I'll read your comments later this hour.
Acura is apologizing for a Super Bowl ad featuring Jerry Seinfeld. Coming up, the Acura ad in question and why it sparked a controversy over race.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Good morning to you. I'm Carol Costello.
Stories we're watching right now in the NEWSROOM.
Secret Service agents will interview rocker Ted Nugent before his show in Oklahoma tonight. Nugent made remarks at the NRA convention over the weekend that some critics say suggests violence against President Obama.
Dick Clark's family says there will be no funeral for the showbiz icon and no decision has been made on a public memorial service. Clark who hosted "American Bandstand" for 33 years died of a heart attack. He was 82.
India says it has successfully fired a long range missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. The 3,100-mile range means many Chinese cities would be within striking distance. India says the test flight was not meant as a sign of aggression but deterrents to the two neighbors, China and archrival Pakistan already have nuclear weapons.
And the firing of Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino led to a fund-raising bump for the university. The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation is donating $1 million for a student athlete center and the foundation's chairman is throwing in another quarter million of his own. Both gifts are in the name of the athletic director, Jeff Long, who canned Petrino over an inappropriate relationship.
Remember the Acura Super Bowl ad that featured Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno doing battle over a sport car.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JERRY SEINFELD: I would love to have the first one.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm so sorry, Mr. Seinfeld. But you are number two on the list.
SEINFELD: Who is number one?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That guy.
SEINFELD: OK.
So you're number one?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Just a reminder there for you. While the casting call sheet for that commercial has been revealed and it asked for an African-American actor to play the car dealer you just saw. The thing is it specifically called for someone who was, quote, "not too dark."
Now, Acura is apologizing.
Patricia Wu is at the New York Stock Exchange.
So, what is Acura saying?
PATRICIA WU, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Carol, it's one of those things where you are, like, really? Did I really just read that?
Well, Acura, as you might expect, saying it's sorry, Carol. But it's also defending itself. In a statement from Acura, they say, "We apologize to anyone offended by the language on the casting sheet used in the selection of actors for one of our commercials. We sought to cast an African-American in a prominent role in the commercial and we made our selection based on the fact that he was the most talented actor."
Now, Acura says it will make sure this doesn't happen again but they're also passing a buck a bit. Acura says it didn't know about this until just now. They say they hired a casting agency and that the agency was the one that made that casting sheet that said they are looking for a nice looking, friendly, not too dark -- those were the words they used -- African-American.
So, in the long run, is it likely to hurt the Acura brand? Not likely. But still definitely what were you thinking kind of a moment -- Carol.
COSTELLO: You got that right.
Let's talk about this new report. Wall Street has this new report out on the job market. So, how are things looking?
WU: Not great -- 386,000 people signed up for unemployment benefits for the first time last week. It was higher than the expected 375,000. And then last week was also revised higher as well. So, all in all, not the right direction that we want.
Another concern we're looking at ahead of the open, we're hearing talk of a possible debt downgrade for France. And that isn't good because France is one of the richest countries in Europe. It's Europe's second largest economy. And it often helps to bailout other nations.
So, the downgrade shows a loss of confidence and the debt crisis could be spreading. So, our futures have been flat. We'll find out soon enough just how investors are feeling -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Yes, we will. Patricia Wu at the New York Stock Exchange.
Silver spoons and Greek columns -- the president and Mitt Romney duking it out in dueling speeches. This morning we ask: is it possible to have a civil election? What's that you ask?
Well, CNN contributors Will Cain and Roland Martin are here to discuss.
Welcome.
ROLAND MARTIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: How are you doing?
COSTELLO: Good.
So, pundits are already saying this will be the nastiest campaign ever, even nastier than 2008. Seriously, Will?
WILL CAIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: No. Not seriously.
I want to read you something, Carol. I might have read it to you before, but you got to hear this again. These are quotes from one campaign to another on a prior election in this country.
"One camp called the other a hideous, hermaphroditical character which has neither the force nor firmness of a man nor gentleness or sensibility of a woman." To which his competitor replied that his campaign was son of a half breed and a low life.
This is the race between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Every generation thinks the one behind it is taking the world to hell in hand basket and every campaign season thinks the one that follows it is the worst ever.
COSTELLO: OK. So, I know that's history and all. And people always bring up history when we talk about this. But that doesn't make nasty campaigns right. It doesn't make it easier for voters to make a decision.
So, why don't we ever change, Roland Martin?
MARTIN: Because voters like it. Voters don't mind nasty campaigns and voters lie in these polls every single time. Just like you will hear voters say, oh, we really don't like all of the partisan bickering in Washington, D.C. -- even though voters are the ones who keep sending the partisan folks to D.C. all the time.
Bottom line is, it is going to be a very tough campaign. But, look, you've always heard people say when you run for president or when you run for office, it's big boy/big girl politics. That's exactly what you're going to see.
COSTELLO: OK. So, let's -- I want to play an example of those kinds of politics. The conventions haven't even taken place. It's already started.
Here's your example. Mitt Romney and the Greek columns.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I told you things that you're not going to hear at the convention. One thing I'm convinced you're not going to see at the Democratic convention -- you're not going to se President Obama standing alongside Greek columns. He's not going to want to remind anybody of Greece because he's put us on a road to become more like Greece.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: OK. This is what Romney is talking about. Mr. Obama delivered his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, in front of those Greek columns and that was widely panned as being arrogant.
Is that a charge we'll hear again and again in 2012, Roland?
MARTIN: It's a stupid narrative and all the people who were criticizing that are absolutely idiots for doing so. Anybody who understands -- it's a question of staging. I mean, Ronald Reagan with Michael Deaver, as his image maker, understood exactly, you know, what you have to do.
So what do they want? The sideline wall? It was in a stadium. That's just nonsense.
And guess what? The last folks who criticized them got their butts kicked by then-Senator Obama. I would say Mitt Romney you might not want to remind yourself of the losing team last time.
COSTELLO: Oh. OK, so, Will, I'm going to ask but this because Mitt Romney fired off a zinger of his own. Actually, President Obama fired off a zinger of his own. He was in Ohio yesterday. He didn't mention Romney by name but we got what he meant. Let's listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Because somebody did the groundwork. We created a foundation for those of us to prosper. Somebody gave me an education.
I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth. Michelle wasn't. But somebody gave us a chance.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: So, Will, it was pretty obvious what President Obama was referring to, right?
CAIN: I guess. I don't know that he was referring directly to Mitt Romney. We do talk that we appreciate people in this country who pic picks themselves up by their boot straps, as the cliche goes.
Look, here's the deal. We can't malign wealth. If that was intended for Mitt Romney, maligning wealth is the same as maligning poverty. You don't criticize someone for being poor because they're born in the circumstance. And by that same logic, you don't criticize someone who is born into wealth because they were simply born into those circumstances.
What you do is you evaluate someone on what they done with their life. Have they made their circumstance better? Have they contributed?
And when it comes to Mitt Romney, I think that's a fairly clear yes. He has.
MARTIN: Look, you also -- first of all, I don't think the president was talking about Mitt Romney. He was describing his circumstances as well as the first lady's.
But I will say this here. Mitt Romney has to deal with his previous comments when it comes to the poor, when it comes to who he is going to advocate for, in n the White House. And so, again both candidates, let's be honest, have to, I believe, speak to more about the poor in this country when you look at the conditions and you see Catholic bishops highly critical of Paul Ryan's budget. Speaker Boehner tried to hit back on them. That should be an issue.
We should not only hear candidates talk about the middle class and the upper income of this country, they need to talk about those who are less fortunate, who also need that safety net to rise out of the situation as well.
Hopefully that will come up in an actual debate. We'll see.
COSTELLO: So, last question for Will. Will that come up as Mitt Romney makes his way across the country?
CAIN: You know what's interesting right now? The debate we're having in this country isn't about what Roland just described. And you know what? I don't even know if I'm 100 percent agree with Roland, that we need to have this huge conversation about where the social safety net stands today. I think it stands in a pretty good place.
But you know what's interesting, the conversation we have isn't about picking up the bottom of the economic wrung. The conversation today is about pulling the top down. That's kind of telling.
MARTIN: That's because the top doesn't want to talk about it. Also, carol, the states that Mitt Romney likely to win, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, those states are some of the brokest states in the country. So, maybe he should talk to poor folks even if they are white and Republican in those states.
It should be a part of the conversation. I don't say dominate it but it should be part of the conversation and not just the rich, Will.
COSTELLO: We'll see. Roland Martin, Will Cain, thanks as always.
CAIN: Thanks.
MARTIN: Thanks a lot.
COSTELLO: You're welcome.
Vote for Kim Kardashian? You may be hearing those words in a few years. I'm not kidding. We'll tell you which office she might be running for, next.
Also ahead, Pippa Middleton is probably not smiling much today after a recent party in France. We'll tell you about the latest embarrassment for the British royal family and the video you were not supposed to see.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Mayor Kim Kardashian -- oh, the reality TV star is caught on camera telling her sister about her political aspirations.
"Showbiz Tonight's" A.J. Hammer joins me to talk about the plan. And I can see it now. She'll run for mayor and it will be a reality show.
A.J. HAMMER, HOST, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT": You think? And I love it. Caught on camera, Carol. Everything in her life, of course, caught on camera.
Yes. It looks like this is for real for Kim. She was seen talking about with her sister Khloe on Sunday's episode of "Khloe and Lamar". Let's watch how that went down.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KIM KARDASHIAN, REALITY TV STAR: I decided I'm going to run for the mayor of Glendale. So, Noel is going to head my campaign. It's going to be in like five years.
I have to buy a house there. You have to have residency there. So, I'm going to -- yes, park right here.
So, Noel and I are looking into all of the requirements and I'm literally going to have -- she's going to help me with my campaign.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And after all, you know, Kim is a successful businesswoman -- why not try politics?
If they are looking into all of the requirements, here's the thing that Kim is going to need to understand before her campaign gets too far along. The mayor of Glendale is not actually a directly elected position. The town council is made up there of five elected officials. Every year they rotate the ceremonial position of mayor among them.
So, Kim actually would have to get elected as a councilwoman that's a four-year term and then she could become mayor for a year.
Carol, you got to know how the system works before you can jump in.
COSTELLO: Well, she's got time. She can learn.
I can't imagine her being part of council. Councilman is a hard job. I mean, it really is. It's a lot of work involved in that.
HAMMER: Yes.
COSTELLO: OK. I'm sure you'll keep us posted.
Let's talk about the hunt for the next "Hunger Games" director. Who's on the short list?
HAMMER: Well, right now they are looking to get this nailed down as quickly as possible. And this is according to "The Hollywood Reporter," between Bennett Miller, he directed "Moneyball," and Francis Lawrence, the director who is best known for the Will Smith's sci-fi action movie, "I am Legend."
The sequel "Catching Fire" is expected to release next December, Carol. So, the studio is hoping to have a decision by the end of this week. A lot of money at stake here.
COSTELLO: You got that right. A.J. Hammer, thanks as always.
A.J. will be back with us next hour with more showbiz headlines including Jennifer Love Hewitt bearing her natural beauty. Wait until you see her without makeup.
Still ahead, a royal flush. We'll tell you why Pippa Middleton is red-faced and causing new embarrassment for her in-laws, the British royal family.
And Pat Summitt's legendary coaching career comes to an end after her most courageous season. That story, too, coming up in sports.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEA JOHNSON, NO WASTE HOME: This is 2011 trash tally.
I think food in general is really what creates most waste in the house. So, for example, we get of milk and milk bottles and then we take the milk bottles back to the store. This is the shopping tools.
So, for example, glass jar. This is one of the clean jars and this one will be filled with meat or fish. I have the (INAUDIBLE) and for the bulk dry goods and I also have these bags for the produce.
This is where we store our veggies in this refrigerator. We can just throw in. It stays really crisp and nice.
This lifestyle was hard to start with, I think, because we have so much to figure out.
SCOTT JOHNSON, NO WASTE HOUSE: For me, the initial pain I felt was I felt like, wow, Bea is going to farmers market, she's going to these stores where she's getting bulk food and playing organic and so forth. We must be spending a ton of money.
And when I finally did the comparison, I mean it was shocking. Overall, we figured out that we are having about 40 percent.
B. JOHNSON: People are saying that zero waste is about tackling the (INAUDIBLE). But it's not about that. It's really stopping waste from coming into their home. It's stopping, being more careful about your consumption.
This is compost bin.
S. JOHNSON: It's not painful to, instead, sweeping my leftovers from a plate into the thrash, we can come out here and put into the warm bin. The warm will basically process all the veggie scraps and creates a compost.
B. JOHNSON: I think (INAUDIBLE) for us. I took to an extreme that was just in the end not sustainable. Once we found a really good (INAUDIBLE), we realize that, OK, now I think we found the way for doing his for the rest of our lives.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: New hope for the Keystone Pipeline. A company's who pipeline permit was denied by President Obama comes up with another proposed route. Nebraska's environmental authority says TransCanada's new Keystone Pipeline route is east of what was initially proposed and would pose less of an environmental risk.
The House yesterday passed a bill stripping the President of his authority to rule on the project.
In about an hour from now, the Smithsonian will hold a ceremony to officially receive the space shuttle "Discovery" which arrived in D.C. on Tuesday on top of a 747. It's the first step toward being placed on permanent display and replacing the shuttle "Enterprise". Astronaut John Glenn will be on hand along with nearly half of the 31 "Discovery" commanders still alive.
It could mandatory for all cars to have a black box like data recorder. A bill has reportedly already passed the Senate and is expected to pass the House that will require all 2015 model cars to be fitted with the device and would legislate for civil penalties to be imposed against individuals for failing to do so.
This morning more embarrassment for Britain's royal family. French TV airing behind the scenes video of Pippa Middleton at that raunchy and now infamous party in Paris.
CNN's Max Foster is in London. Have you seen it, Max?
MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL FAMILY CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I've seen the video. And it doesn't paint a very pretty picture really of Pippa's lifestyle. It's very ostentatious. There are dwarfs there dressed up and there are people in bondage gear and then you see this video of her being pushed in front of the cameras. She doesn't want to speak she says to her friends I'm happy to pose for the pictures but I don't want to say anything.
And then she tries to sort of move away. It's all -- it's all very awkward. And of course shortly after this party she was seen in the car and one of the people in the car points a gun -- or a toy gun they say at the paparazzi who are chasing them.
And it's all become a big problem. We get a sense really of how awkward those involved feel. The people in the car have apologized saying Pippa wasn't impressed. One of them, the culprit, hasn't turned up to work. So it is a big deal within the group.
And I'm sure for Pippa this is a huge concern. A wake-up call really about how much of a spotlight there is on her. And any images really of her even if they are controversial are going to make headlines.
COSTELLO: Yes I mean it's a bummer. But she is the sister of the future Queen of England. And I don't know. I'm just curious how likely is this to have lasting impact on Kate and her standing with the royal family?
FOSTER: Well yes -- well the sister and also the best friend of Kate and I'm sure they will be in touch and Kate will be extremely worried. I mean they meet up once a week. And she'll be advising her as well. The difficulty that Pippa has got is she doesn't have a support team like Kate.
So Kate can't lend out her palace aides to Pippa and give them -- give her advice because Pippa is not in the royal family. If you speak to the palace, they don't want to get involved in this at all and they are happy to say "nothing to do with us". But Kate will want to be helping her sister out and the problem is that Kate does sell herself as a down-to-earth person. She isn't ostentatious. She goes out of her way to give that message.
But perhaps the whole Pippa story is suggesting that she does come from an ostentatious background. She doesn't but her sister is part of this big aristocratic partying set. That's the reality.
COSTELLO: It will be interesting to see what happens. Max Foster, live in London for us this morning.
Bubba Watson spoke to only one person on the phone after his Masters win. It was Justin Bieber. We'll explain in sports; that comes your way in less than ten minutes from now.
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COSTELLO: In this morning's "Health for Her," childhood obesity has tripled in the last 30 years in the United States and now the government has a new plan to help your kids cut the fat. The proposal requires healthier foods be sold outside of school cafeterias and issues (ph) guidelines on salty snacks and sugary drinks sold on campus.
Most voters agree with the healthier approach: 80 percent support limits on calories and fats in school snacks; 17 percent are opposed. The new rules will be out this summer.
We asked you to "Talk Back" on one of the big stories of the day. The "Talk Back" question for you, "Ted Nugent, threat to the President or loud mouth?"
This from David. "Ted Nugent is a fool, but his comments are no way whatever a threat. That takes some imagination. Something the hysterical liberal media has a lot of."
This from Bob. "Nugent is a dangerous man whose rhetoric could cause more shootings like the one we saw in Tucson that left Gabby Giffords in terrible shape. All of America should scorn that man."
This from Charles. "He's a conservative patriot who's frustrated like most Americans with the current administration. Oh he's a loud mouth too."
And this from Mary. "It's appalling, no matter who the President is, his statements should be taken seriously. I just hate hypocrisy. Can anyone remember what was done to the Dixie Chicks? And what they said wasn't nearly as bad. And Bill Maher? Seriously, you're going to compare Bill to that?"
Keep the conversation going. Facebook.com/CarolCNN and thanks as always for your comments.
We're following a lot of developments in the next hour of the CNN NEWSROOM. Let's check in first with Brianna Keilar.
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning Carol. The State of Nebraska has received a proposal for a new route for that controversial Keystone XL Pipeline. You'll remember President Obama denied a permit for the initial route back in November.
So how will this one be received? I'll see you at the top of the hour?
PATRICIA WU, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Patricia Wu at the New York Stock Exchange where Microsoft is staging a big comeback and it could put it ahead of rivals Apple and Google.
Carol, I'll have that plan in the next hour.
COSTELLO: Thanks to both of you.
And remember those two sisters we talked to before they went on the Titanic memorial cruise? Well, their ship has just come in to New York. And we're going to ask the sisters if it was everything they hoped it would be and more. That's -- that will come your way a little around 10:45 Eastern time.
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COSTELLO: Legendary women's basketball coach Pat Summitt is stepping down, but she's not leaving Tennessee, right, Jeff?
JEFF FISCHEL, HLN SPORTS: No. She will still have a big impact on the school and the women's basketball program. She's the greatest women's coach ever in women's basketball and she might be the best ever period, man or woman.
She's brought eight NCAA titles to Knoxville. She shocked everyone before this past season when Summitt announced she had early onset Alzheimer's. She'll keep coaching, helped by her long-time staff. One of her assistants, Holly Warlick (ph) who has been with the team for 27 seasons, she'll take over for Summitt.
No one will be able to match her numbers though -- 38 seasons, eight national titles; 1,098 wins -- the most in major college basketball history. Summitt will stay on at the University as head coach emeritus, mentoring and recruiting players. Carol will talk more about Summitt and her amazing career next hour.
COSTELLO: Such a classic act.
FISCHEL: Really a fantastic career and she really always was standing up for what she believed in for the program and her players.
Well, we've seen fallout from the Bobby Petrino scandal in Arkansas. He was fired as football coach and his mistress resigned from her job with the football program. But now there's there's something positive coming out of it.
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation is donating $1 million to the university in reaction to Petrino's removal. The foundation's chairman is throwing in a quarter of a million of his own money. Both gifts are being made in the name of Jeff Long, the athletics director who fired Petrino. There you go.
COSTELLO: Wow.
FISCHEL: Yes.
And ok, we know your favorite team, the Detroit Tigers --
COSTELLO: Tigers.
FISCHEL: And you know what; they didn't just do it on the field again last night -- yes they won. But they got some help with speed from their big man Prince Fielder. You just don't expect this. He stole second base. He's -- what's a nice way to say it? He's big boned.
COSTELLO: He's a big guy. FISCHEL: He is a big guy -- 275 pounds but he steals the base. This is the 17th of his career.
COSTELLO: Look at that catcher -- I'd be embarrassed.
FISCHEL: And the Tigers do win.
All right. Let's squeeze this in. Bubba Watson spoke to just one person after he won the Masters. He wasn't taking phone calls unless your name is Justin Bieber. Bubba has Bieber fever I guess. Bieber and girlfriend Selena Gomez called to congratulate him. And get this -- Watson described it as a big honor. Yes, they played golf together before -- they are good friends.
COSTELLO: I don't know what to think about that.
FISCHEL: Bubba and Bieber.
COSTELLO: Bubba and Bieber. Thank you Jeff.
FISCHEL: All right.
