Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Obama Signs Up for Obamacare; Obamacare Deadlines Postponed for 1 Day; Majority of Americans Oppose Health Care Law; Civil Rights Leaders Protest Against Obama's Georgia Court Appointment; Beyonce Plays Santa at Walmart; Top-10 Moments in Sports.

Aired December 23, 2013 - 13:30   ET

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

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Well, we have some breaking news now on President Obama. The White House says the president has signed up for health care through the Affordable Care Act. Through the Washington, D.C. marketplace. So let's bring in now our political director, Mark Preston.

Was he required to sign up here, Mark?

MARK PRESTON, CNN POLITICAL DIRECTOR: No, he wasn't required because he is one of 85 -- he's part of the 85 percent of American who actually get their health care through their employer. He actually gets his health care through the military. Of course, wherever the president moves, or whenever he moves, he's always accompanied by a doctor or by an ambulance.

KEILAR: By a doctor, yes.

PRESTON: So he wasn't required, but this is a very symbolic move in very many ways because at this point they need to get more people signed up, as you know, Brianna. And had he not signed up, could you imagine the criticism.

KEILAR: Exactly. It sort of reminds me when he voted electronically, right? And trying to show people this is how we want you to do it in advance to vote absentee or whatever.

Also today, this is something that just broke, the federal government today was supposed to be the big deadline. And they're saying it still is but really it's not. The deadline is now really tomorrow for signing up for Obamacare.

PRESTON: The deadline is tomorrow. Critics will say they're moving it the goal post when you need to sign up to be covered --

KEILAR: To be covered

PRESTON: -- to be covered by January 1st, 2014. However, we have just learned now in the past couple hours that in fact, you have until midnight Christmas Eve to actually sign up.

Part of the reason why they say this is so is they say is they're accounting for different time zones, which you would have to think about, didn't they consider that before? But you're accounting for different time zones for perhaps so much traffic to the website that people aren't able to get on right away and also accounting for any problems they might have, any technical glitches.

KEILAR: They're trying to say it's like saying if you're in line for voting on voting day and then it goes to past midnight, if you're in line to do it, you're still going to be able to vote. That's the rational it sounds like the administration is saying. So, this is pretty interesting. New poll numbers about the Affordable Care Act. What are we learning here?

PRESTON: A new CNN/ORC poll out that shows that support for the Affordable Care Act is actually collapsing. It's getting worse right now. Look at the numbers right there, 6 percent of Americans oppose the health care law. That's an 11-point drop from this time last year. And what it's problematic for the administration is that we've seen a drop by six points within women, just in the past month. Last week, you were covering it at the White House, is that they brought moms in. They were making this big push to try to get parents to try to get their children to support it the health care law.

But look at this number, as well. This is just as disturbing at this point and maybe is the reason why we're seeing the drop in support. 63 percent of Americans think that it's going to cost them more money, Brianna, this new law is going to take more out of their pocket. It all comes down to your own pocket.

KEILAR: They do want to target women because oftentimes, it's women who are making the decisions for their whole family on health care.

It was interesting I saw some on the left saying, you know what, there are some people who they point to the fact that there are people who disapprove of Obamacare and, yes, the number is growing, but they say it's because a lot of people feel like it doesn't do enough. Is that significant?

PRESTON: It is significant. That's something I've been heralding for the past few months. When you say people opposing Obamacare, there's about 15 percent of them who didn't think it was liberal enough. They wanted a single-payer system. However, what we have seen now is we're looking at about 55 percent of Americans who either supported it or didn't support it because it was not liberal enough. Probably, 55, 56 percent, that is now at 50 percent. We're seeing a precipitous drop in support for the law. This all comes down to one thing, the rollout has been a disaster. And I think people are very frustrated by it.

KEILAR: Definitely. We're certainly seeing that.

Mark Preston, thank you so much.

Some of the president's high-profile supporters are demonstrating today. That's right. That's exactly right. I'll tell you why they are actually protesting some of the president's recent moves. We'll be hearing from one of them next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) KEILAR: Some of President Obama's strongest supporters gathered this morning to oppose his nominees to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. Civil rights leaders, including Congressman John Lewis and the Reverend Joseph Lowery, held a news conference at Ebenezer Baptist Church, the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr's Atlanta church, calling on the president to withdraw nominees, saying they lack diversity and are a step in the wrong direction.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JOHN LEWIS, (D), GEORGIA: Mr. President, the lives to the people of this state are hanging in the balance. We question whether this is the kind of legacy you want to leave in the state of Georgia. We believe it is not too late to turn this train around. Do we want the first African-American president, the first attorney general African-American to have this on their mark? Martin Luther King Jr., if he were here this day, he would tell the president not to make these appointments. It runs right in the face of justice, of fairness, of equality, of what is right for all of God's people.

REV. JOSEPH LOWERY, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: We've come too far, marched too long, prayed too hard, wept too bitterly, bled too profusely and died too young --

(APPLAUSE)

LOWERY: -- to let anybody turn back the clock on our progress to a just society.

(APPLAUSE)

LOWERY: God bless you and god keep you. Mr. President, hear us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: But the White House is pushing back and pushing back hard, pointing to the 1* percent of confirmed judges who are African- Americans.

And joining me live to talk about this is the senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, the Reverend Raphael Warnock, the author of "The Divided Mind of the Black Church."

Reverend, thank you so much for joining us.

We see that the civil rights leaders are clearly upset about these nominees. What is the main sticking point here?

REV. RAPHAEL WARNOCK, SENIOR PASTOR, EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH & AUTHOR: Thank you, Brianna. It's great to be here with you.

You point out rightly that diversity is part of the issue, but it's really deeper than representation in terms of race or gender. Really, we are concerned about the ideology and the voting records of some of these appointments here to the 11th Circuit. President Obama, in a real sense, is the product of the greatest movement for civil rights and human rights we saw in the 20th century. I think that it is remarkable that that movement, as represented by the likes of the Reverend Joseph Lowery and C.T Vian and Congressman John Lewis, all veterans of the civil rights movement, all supporters of the president, all recipients of the presidential Medal of Freedom as given by President Obama, stood up today and clearly said we reject this slate of nominees to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and to the Northern District. We are saying that the citizens of Georgia deserve better than this. The nation deserves better than this. And we believe that our president, a president whom we support, can do better than this.

Some of these nominees have a terrible record when it comes to voting rights. One of the nominees here in the state of Georgia, Mr. Mark Cohen, was a fierce defender of Georgia's voter I.D. law. We have the unhappy distinction of sort of leading the pack here in the state of Georgia with these repressive voting laws, this effort, this draconian movement to push back voting rights at a level we haven't seen since the civil rights movement.

KEILAR: Sure.

WARNOCK: Much of that got started in Georgia. And Mr. Mark Cohen was the person who defended that law. It's quite ironic that we have these nominations.

KEILAR: So that's -- it seems like it's twofold. We're hearing the diversity argument and we're also hearing -- because it has to do with voter I.D. laws.

Let me ask you about something the White House is saying. They are saying a couple of things. One, they're trying to say that President Obama has a pretty good record when it comes to appointing a diverse crowd to the bench. They have put out statistics that 18 percent of the confirmed judges the president has put forward have been African- American. Compare that to 8 percent under George W. Bush, 16 percent under President Clinton.

But the other thing they say, Reverend, is that the members of the House, who obviously you have on your side in objecting to this, were late to the game. This is a process that is played out over months. There is a painstaking negotiation with Republican Georgia Senators who objected to some of his nominees and that's how some of this was worked out. And that, at the time, the House delegation didn't I guess make their opinion heard then, and they're way late to the game doing it now. What do you say to that?

WARNOCK: They have been engaged in the process since 2009. And many of them -- I know them very well. And part of what we're concerned ultimately, Brianna, with the outcome. If you look at this outcome, there isn't the diversity present in this slate that we would like to see. And again, some of these nominations are nominations that are quite scary for those of us in the state of Georgia. And if those who are watching across the state of -- across the country, we should all be concerned about these nominations.

One of these nominees supported or pushed back against a law to remove the Confederate Flag over the state of Georgia. So both in terms of substance and symbol, we believe that this is a very discouraging move.

Again, we support the president. We support his progressive agenda. But the irony is these appointments will undermine the very progressive agenda that we feel that he represents and America represents at its best.

KEILAR: And, Reverend, you look at the 11th Circuit. It services the South. Do you feel like President Obama should have better reached out to his civil rights supporters on these decisions?

WARNOCK: Well, these appointments to the federal bench are for life. These judges will be here long after the president leaves the White House. We will be stuck with them. We elect our Congress persons. We elect our Senators. We elect our city council persons. But these judges, these federal judges are appointed, they are there for life. And we believe that, yeah, in a real sense, the South still is the place, the battleground where many of these issues are being fought out, and we can do better than this. Open up the process, we say, Mr. President, hear the voices of the people, hear the voices of those who have been his heroes who opened a way for the Obama presidency. We believe that we can still turn then train around, that it's not too late, that we can still be engaged in a process that will reap a better outcome for all Georgians, white and black and brown, and for men and women. We believe that we can do better than this.

KEILAR: Reverend Raphael Warnock, thanks for taking the time. We really appreciate it.

WARNOCK: Thank you so much.

KEILAR: And we will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: Beyonce fans at a Massachusetts Walmart got a special treat. The singer and media mogul Beyonce Knowles pushed a cart through the aisles like the other shoppers but she did more giving than buying, doling out $50 gift cards to 750 people. Do the math there. That totals more than $37,000.

Zain Asher joining me now to talk about this.

Because this isn't perhaps just an act of generosity, right, Zain? You look at this and you wonder if maybe it wasn't a jab at say Target or Amazon.

(LAUGHTER)

ZAIN ASHER, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: You know, Brianna, it is absolutely from where I'm standing it is absolutely a jab at Target. It does look like this. Target, I wonder now if they have any regrets. Their argument is they didn't want to stock an album that was already available exclusively on iTunes. If I was a retailer, I think Beyonce is the last person I would ever want to make an enemy of. There are two winners. First of all, Walmart, great publicity for them. One of the biggest stars in the world, essentially, encouraging people to shop at your store. I wonder how many people used that gift card to buy her album. And also obviously, Apple doing very well. If Target and Amazon don't stock the Beyonce's album, that means more downloads on iTunes. Apple has said this is the fastest- selling album ever, 800,000 download in the first three days. I think Target may have shot themselves in the foot -- Brianna?

KEILAR: That's right. Beyonce saying I'm going to release my album how I want to release my album.

(LAUGHTER)

Zain Asher, thank you.

Well, when you look back at the highlights from the year in sports, there was as much action off the field as on it.

"Bleacher Report's" Vince Cellini has our top-ten moments.

VINCE CELLINI, BLEACHER REPORT: The year in sports included the gruesome, as in the horrific leg injury suffered by Louisville's Kevin Ware, and the gullible, as in Notre Dame linebacker, Manti Te'o and his fake Twitter girlfriend. But our look back begins with the plug pulled in Super Bowl XXXXVII.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CELLINI (voice-over): Not long after Beyonce amped up the crowd at half time, the Superdome in New Orleans was blanketed in darkness when a sensor monitoring the electrical load cut off power. For 39 minutes, they were put on hold.

With one second remaining, it appeared as though number one Alabama and number four Auburn were headed to overtime. What happened next is a play for the ages.

ANNOUNCER: 56-yarder, does not have the leg. Chris Davis takes it in the end of the end zone. Davis is going to run it all the way back. Auburn is going to win the football game! Holy cow! Oh, my god! Auburn wins!

(SHOUTING)

CELLINI: Lebron James has separated himself as the greatest player in pro basketball and a worldwide brand as evidenced by appearances like that one in China. Back home, James made good on the promise of multiple championships for Miami when the Heat won a second straight titles with James winning back-to-back league and finals MVPs.

They were both Miami Dolphins, yet one felt more tortured than teammate. When Jonathan Martin accused Richie Incognito and others of bullying, a voice mail using a racial epithet and "I'll kill you," was released. Incognito remains suspended. A probe continues. More important, we're re-examining the pro football work place. Intimidation and aggression are a fabric of the sport, but where does the locker room end and real life begin?

He was an American hero, cancer survivor, a seven-time Tour de France champion, but Lance Armstrong could no longer deny the allegations of a doping scandal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OPRAH WINFREY, TV HOST: All seven of your victories, did you take banned substances or blood dope?

LANCE ARMSTRONG, PRO CYCLIST: Yes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CELLINI: Armstrong was stripped of his titles, lost endorsements and was banned for life from cycling.

(on camera): Gay athletes have long participated in major team sports, but did so in silence. Jason Collins has emerged as a voice.

(voice-over): The 34-year-old center said he spent a lifetime in secrecy but had to be true to himself and others. A free agent, he may never again play in the NBA, but his announcement is a contribution far more important than points and rebounds.

It's been a stain on America's pastime, the steroid era. Former MVP Alex Rodriguez was among 14 players linked to a clinic which dealt in performance enhancing drugs. Rodriguez has denied the accusation and has appealed a non-precedented 215-game ban. While baseball judges A- Rod today, time will ultimately determine his place in history.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED ANCHOR: The troubled past of Aaron Hernandez.

ANDERSON COOPER, HOST, A.C. 360: Aaron Hernandez charged with first- degree murder today.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: Oscar Pistorius, a South African Olympic star, accused of murdering his girlfriend.

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: The man known as the Blade Runner wiping away tears.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CELLINI: How does a successful athlete get charged with murder? The Blade Runner, Oscar Pistorius, claims he mistakenly shot his girlfriend in his South African villa and will stand trial in March.

And former New England tight end, Aaron Hernandez, who not long ago signed a $40 billion contract, is also awaiting trial. Prosecutors say he orchestrated the execution-style shooting of an acquaintance, an accusation Hernandez denies.

A $765 million settlement between the NFL and ex-players over concussion-related injuries was a good first step. Next is saving the game. The league hopes committing millions to research and implementing new rules promoting safety will ease concerns about head injuries in a sport that will always be violent and never risk-free.

In April, a Boston tradition turned tragic.

(EXPLOSION)

CELLINI: The bombings challenged a city and a baseball team to move forward, and they did. The slogan "Boston Strong" was a rallying cry. And five day after the bombing, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz said what many were thinking.

DAVID ORTIZ, RED SOX SLUGGER: This is our (EXPLETIVE DELETED) city.

(CHEERING)

ORTIZ: And nobody is going to take our city.

(CHEERING)

Stay strong.

CELLINI: A World Series victory showed us all just how strong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KEILAR: That was a good number one.

We also have a late add now. I'll take our list to 11. It is Peyton Manning setting a new NFL record yesterday with his 51st touchdown pass of the season. That breaks Tom Brady's record from a few years ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: New single-season mark.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: And he spends his days cooking up barbecue for happy customers. Up next, I'll tell you how he turns that experience into life listens for kids who need a helping hand.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: In today's "American Journey," we're taking you to a barbecue joint in Washington with a sauce that goes beyond your taste buds.

Tom Foreman reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Where there is smoke in D.C., there is Inspire Barbecue, a small restaurant that is making a big impact by teaching struggling young people the basics of working life, how to show up on time, balance a checkbook, take and give fair criticism.

FURARD TATE, INSPIRE BARBECUE: We're not giving out our secrets.

FOREMAN: Chef Furard Tate, who grew up here, cooked up the idea.

TATE: How do we get out of poverty? You get out of poverty through work. You get out of poverty through doing a good day's work every day, and looking at the goodness of what you produce rather than what you don't have.

FOREMAN: Over the past three years, inspire has taken in hundreds of young folks, ages 16 to 23, to work and learn for a period of time. Some have trouble with the law, some with drug abuse, some, like Daniel Gaskin, with education. He graduated high school but quickly failed out of college, and by the time he found inspire --

DANIEL GASKIN, WORKED AT INSPIRE BARBEQUE: All the money I earned, it was kind of wasted. It was just like, where do I go now? Where do I go next? Do I find a job? Do I go back into school?

FOREMAN (on camera): This place had to be like a godsend.

GASKIN: It was.

FOREMAN (voice-over): Today, he talks confidently about his future and his ideas.

TATE: You're learning how to do everything so you can transition into a permanent employment.

FOREMAN (on camera): These are life skills.

TATE: Life skills.

FOREMAN (voice-over): So in the end, this food is not just fantastic. It truly is inspirational.

Tom Foreman, CNN --

(on camera): I better try another taste.

(LAUGHTER)

(voice-over): -- Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KEILAR: You better.

Well, that's it for me. I'll be back at 5:00 eastern on "The Situation Room."

NEWSROOM continues right now with Brooke Baldwin.

BALDWIN: Brianna Keilar, thank you so much, my friend.