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2013 Political Winners, Losers; 2013 Political Issues Winners, Losers; Alabama State Senator Wants to Declare Phil Robertson a Hero; 2013 Top-10 Crime and Justice Stories.

Aired December 27, 2013 - 13:30   ET

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

LARRY SABATO, DIRECTOR, THE CENTER FOR POLITICS, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA: I'd have to say 2014 doesn't look a whole lot better. It's the midterm election year. Obama is down to 41 percent. Frankly, the sixth year of a two-term presidency, usually, not always, but usually is not a very good year for the incumbent White House party. So I think the president's going to have another tough year.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Should he have been a loser this year?

RYAN LIZZA, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: He had a bad year if you judge him by what he wanted to get accomplished and what he got accomplished. The three big things he ran on he wanted this year that he ran on, he wanted implementation of health care to be successful, to get an immigration bill and pass his economic and budget package, and all three of those things -- on the third one, it was a sort of halfway. All three things fell short from what he wanted when he ran for president in 2012.

KEILAR: The fact that it was such a loud loss in a way on the end of the year.

LIZZA: Yes, and the public responded. And the public gave a verdict on his year with the approval ratings at a low point in his term.

KEILAR: Larry, you have the House GOP conference and the Tea Party on your losers list.

(LAUGHTER)

Explain that.

SABATO: Well, look what they did. They were -- they had Obama on the ropes and they were making some progress on their issues. And what did they do? The Tea Party part of the caucus in particular led the Republicans off the cliff for an incredibly unpopular 17-day shutdown of the federal government that even the Republican leadership in the House private will I said was a disaster. Now, President Obama rescued them with the disastrous rollout of Obamacare but they did nothing as a group to improve their very low ratings with the public.

KEILAR: And you, Ryan, have two losers of 2013.

LIZZA: So I have Marco Rubio as the first one. He's sort of on the loser's list for the same reason Paul Ryan is on the winner's list. Rubio started this year at a high point. He successfully helped push this immigration bill through the Senate, and after that he had lots and lots of trouble navigating the sort of Tea Party wing and moderate wing of the Republican Party, tied himself up in knots for the rest of the year.

KEILAR: Yeah. At every chance he was protecting his right flank. Any move after that immigration vote.

LIZZA: Every one of those moves he looked political rather than confident. So I put him on losers.

And the other person I put on therein is the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Dianne Feinstein. The revelations from Snowden, the recent report from the White House panel on intelligence issues and the judge last week who declared one of the programs unconstitutional, has really been a blow to defenders of the NSA programs like Dianne Feinstein. She's got a big challenge in Congress from the reform wing on these intelligence issues. That's going to be a big fight in 2014.

KEILAR: Ryan Lizza, Larry Sabato, thank you so much for -- actually, stay with us.

Because, although those were the people who won and lost in 2013, we'll be talking about the issues, as well, which ones rose to the top and which ones were forgotten. We'll get Larry and Ryan's take next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: So before the break, we broke down the political winners and losers of 2013, but we only talked about people. Now it's time to take a look at the issues.

I've got Ryan Lizza and Larry Sabato back with me.

I'm going to throw these out, guys. I actually picked a few of these myself. And you tell me where you think they fall. I think I have a good idea.

Immigration, Larry, what do you say? Winner, loser?

SABATO: Big loser. Big loser. Just go back a year. What was everybody saying right after President Obama was re-elected? Hey, the Democrats want this and the Republicans need this. Therefore, it's a commonality and it might produce some comprehensive reform or at least some big pieces of the comprehensive reform. Absolutely nothing emerged. Nothing at all. And I don't think the prospects are very good for 2014.

KEILAR: Do you share that view for 2014.

LIZZA: I pretty much agree with him there. I this I the one person who could maybe unlock this is the person we talked about in the last break, is Paul Ryan. He's the one Republican leader who has shown a little bit of an ability to get the right and left flanks of the Republican Party on board. And if he stepped up and if he could find a bipartisan solution in the House, maybe you could get something to the president's desk. But I think the odds are very low.

KEILAR: The next issue, same-sex marriage. This, as far as for people who advocate for same-sex marriage, this to me was perhaps the issue that won the gold medal this year, that saw the most progress without any setbacks.

LIZZA: Yeah, this is the year where that issue just crossed the Rubicon both in terms of public opinion and in terms of the law. And just recently, Utah, we have the first red state where same-sex marriage was actually legal. So I think -- frankly, I think the debate on that issue is lost. I think the question on gay marriage has always been, is it going to be an issue like abortion where it continues to polarize the electorate for decades after or like a civil rights issue where the people against civil rights faded in the battle. I think it will be in the latter category. The Republicans recognize, long term, they've lost that.

KEILAR: And, Larry, is that where you think, that looking back, the history books will say, 2013 was the year where advocates of same-sex marriage triumphed?

SABATO: Absolutely. I agree with everything Ryan said. And I would go further. I think 50 or 100 years from now when historians are looking back at the year 2013, almost everything we discussed won't get a mention. But same-sex marriage will. This is an irreversible social trend. It's going to move forward and there's no going back.

KEILAR: So marijuana is the other issue that we've seen a lot of progress on. In fact, as we go into January, you're looking at Colorado that has will have legalized recreational use of marijuana. Big year for marijuana.

LIZZA: Huge year. Colorado and Washington State both have legalized it now. This one I don't know what the trajectory is. I think you're going to see red states moving in one direction and blue states in another direction on this. We're going to have a bit of a patchwork of legalization and crackdowns on it, until the federal government steps up and Congress loosens the laws. And I think on the Republican side there's not really much debate on this yet despite the Libertarian wing and people, like Rand Paul, who want to decriminalize some of these drug laws. On the Democratic side this is an issue where Hillary Clinton and whoever else is running for president in 2016 has to start thinking where they come out. It's going to be a big cutting-edge issue in the Democratic primaries.

KEILAR: It's a big issue, Larry, but do you think it's -- do you think it is as sort of clear-cut as it is for some of the other winning issues of the year?

SABATO: No, it certainly can't compare to same-sex marriage. But and I agree that it's going to be difficult to see this go countrywide, but eventually, an your going to see some cracks in the red states and they're going to be in the more Libertarian red states, frequently in the west. They're going to be the first to fall toward at least decriminalization. LIZZA: And look, we're going to have an experiment and see how this goes in Colorado. We're going to see how this goes in Washington. If it's a disaster, this could be reversed. If it looks like it's OK, then I think other states will start adopting it.

KEILAR: I want to end on an issue that I think you could maybe argue both a ways. That would be gun control.

We saw -- Larry, if you can weigh in on this first. We saw that a bipartisan bill that would have put universal background checks in place failed to get through the Senate. But overall, do you think gun control was a loser?

SABATO: Well, I this I it was a loser compared to where many people thought it was going after the tragedies that occurred in the prior year and even during this year. I think certainly, universal background checks, people thought there might be some way to get a compromise bill that included some things that conservatives wanted on videos and that kind of thing, R-rated videos, violence-inclined videos, but nothing happened except in a few states. If there's going to be progress toward background checks and other parts of gun control, it's not going to be at the national level, at least for a long while. It will be at the state level.

KEILAR: I did a story on this, Ryan. That's really the point. I thought, this issue was the year of loss for voices of gun control. You talk to some of them and they say, yes, the federal level didn't go well for us. Yes, even in some states they've actually loosened gun laws but they point to be the progress they've made in some states. Is that a fairway to read as a success or no?

LIZZA: It's a trend in most of these social issues we're talking about. We're going in two different directions as a country out in the states. The red states are getting redder and more conservative on some of these issues and the blue states getting more liberal on some of these issues. With gun control, 80s one of those issues where all the passion is on one side and on the pro gun side, and on the gun control side, it doesn't have the ability to produce votes or influence Congress. But you're right. At the state level and places like Colorado for instance, which passed strict gun control and a pretty pro NRA state, they had some victories.

KEILAR: And people who got pushed out for moving --

(CROSSTALK)

LIZZA: There was a backlash against --

(CROSSTALK)

KEILAR: And there was a backlash in Colorado.

LIZZA: So I don't think it's -- considering the gravity of the tragedy at Newtown, I don't think it was a successful year for gun control as advocates expected to be.

KEILAR: Ryan Lizza, Larry Sabato, thank you guys so much for weighing in. And happy holidays and happy New Year to you guys.

LIZZA: To you, too.

SABATO: Same to you.

KEILAR: Well, many people were offended when the star of "Duck Dynasty" made anti-gay and racial remarks. But one Alabama lawmaker wants to declare Phil Robertson a hero. We'll be talking to him next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: The controversy surrounding Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson and his comments on homosexuality and race could be a topic for the Alabama State legislature next month because Republican State Senator Jerry Fielding is proposing legislation that would back Robertson. Fielding says he doesn't want to see people run over for believing in the Bible and standing up for Jesus and God. A&E suspended Robertson after he told "GQ" magazine, among other things, that homosexuality is a sin.

An openly gay Oklahoma politician says she's not surprised by Robertson's comments. She thinks the state has bigger fish to fry.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STATE SEN. PATRICIA TODD, (D), ALABAMA: It's not one of the most important things facing Alabama that we need to be taking time to even discuss in the legislature.

Yeah, I've watched "Duck Dynasty." I thought it was quite amusing. I liked it. Probably still will continue to watch it. I think, most of us, it was like no big deal. Who cares? Yes, of course, he thinks that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: Alabama State Senator Jerry Fielding joining me now by phone.

Senator, tell us why you are pursuing this resolution in support of Phil Robertson.

STATE SEN. JERRY FIELDING, (R), ALABAMA (voice-over): Brianna, my position is I'm offering this resolution to support Mr. Robertson to publicly show my support and hopefully the support of the men and women of the Alabama legislature that we believe in freedom of speech for Mr. Robertson and that also the right of Mr. Robertson to give his personal religious views as supported by the scriptures. For too long, the silent majority has been silent when we ought to be speaking up in support of these constitutional issues. And that -- I just think we need to publicly get to moving and get the people fired up.

KEILAR: Now, your resolution calls Robertson a hero. But let me play devil's advocate a little bit here. Even his family said that his remarks were coarse.

FIELDING: I agree. KEILAR: You would agree with that. Do you think in that case that --

FIELDING: Yeah. I don't agree with the way in which he said some of the things. I don't agree with putting the bestiality in the conversation because that's completely foreign to the issue that he started out on. And also, I don't believe in what he had to say about the African-Americans. That he grew up having no complaints about their life. We understand they didn't complain because they were afraid to. And we've got that behind us, I believe. I don't believe in either of those issues, but the other issue he spoke upon, that's still a relevant issue and still -- and is supported by the biblical scriptures. That's what I'm speaking to in my resolution.

KEILAR: So you represent the people of Alabama. The Robertsons, though, live and run their business in Louisiana. How is your resolution benefiting your constituents in Alabama?

FIELDING: Well, are I think it is making a public awareness of the fact that, for too long, a portion of it, so-called politically correct folks have strongly encouraged tolerance and open mindedness and now they -- when and some open mindedness, such as Phil Robertson, they go in the other direction. I just believe that we ought to assess the fairness in that. I believe we ought to stand up and get behind folks who are speaking out and exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of speech and also their religious rights provided by our Constitution. I think that we need to get out and be supporting people like this. Not necessarily because we agree with what they say, but it gets to the core principles of our country that we live under. And so that's why I wanted to bring it to the attention of the people, and hopefully have some positive impact in that regard.

KEILAR: Well, you certainly have brought it to the attention of many people, and we will be following your resolution.

State Senator Jerry Fielding, of Alabama, thanks for joining us.

FIELDING: Thank you, ma'am.

KEILAR: Well, from Jodi Arias to George Zimmerman, it's been a wild year in court, to say the least. Up next, our top-10 crime and justice stories for 2013. Some picks may surprise you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: Now we look at the top-10 Crime and justice stories of 2013.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KEILAR: Number 10.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We have a report that shots have been fired at the Washington Navy Yard.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: The U.S. Navy is telling us three shots were fired. They tell us an active shooter is still inside that building.

KEILAR: Former Navy Reservist Aaron Alexis, a military contractor, gunned down 12 people before police shot and killed him.

Number nine, the mysterious death of 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson.

JOE JOHNS, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Got some questions about the Kendrick Johnson case.

CHRIS PRINE, SHERIFF, LOWNDES COUNTY, GEORGIA: I'm not going to discuss that with you.

JOHNS: Why not, sir?

PRINE: Because our case is closed.

KEILAR: His body found upside down in a rolled up wrestling mat in the high school gym last January. Local authorities ruled it an accident. Kendrick's parents believe he was murdered. Now federal authorities are investigating.

JACQUELYN JOHNSON, MOTHER OF KENDRICK JOHNSON: We are Kendrick Johnson. That's my child and we're going to fight until it's over.

KEILAR: Number eight. Oscar Pistorius, the Blade Runner, a double- amputee, beloved South African Olympic athlete, indicted on charges of murder in august for the shooting of his model girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. He admits he shot her on Valentine's Day but says it was an accident. His trial starts in March.

Number seven, California teen, Hannah Anderson, rescued after a week- long hunt for her abductor in august. Family friend, James DiMaggio, killed her mother and her brother and the family dog. Their bodies found in his burned home. FBI agents killed him in a shootout.

Number six. A woman who needs no introduction.

(SINGING)

KEILAR: Her outrageous behavior in the interrogation room, the brutal murder of her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander, and X-rated details of their sex life gripped the nation. Jodi Arias convicted of first- degree murder. But the jury could not decide if she should live or die for the crime.

Number five. A gang of bikers taking on an SUV driver on a highway in Manhattan. His wife and 2-year-old daughter inside. It started with a bump. And moments later, this terrible scene. The driver runs over one biker. His wife says he was left paralyzed. 11 other bikers, including an undercover cop, are indicted.

Number four. Edward Snowden. Branded by some as a hero, by others a traitor for exposing the NSA's spying programs in May, perhaps the biggest intelligence leak in U.S. history. Charged with espionage, granted asylum in Russia.

Number three. George Zimmerman. Found not guilty in July of murdering Trayvon Martin.

GEORGE ZIMMERMAN, ACQUITTED OF MURDER: (INAUDIBLE)

(BEGIN AUDIO FEED)

(SHOUTING)

911 OPERATOR: Do you think he's yelling help?

CALLER: Yes.

911 OPERATOR: What is your --

(END VIDEO FEED)

KEILAR: A tragic case that ignited questions about race.

DON WEST, ATTORNEY FOR GEORGE ZIMMERMAN: Trayvon Martin put race in this.

RACHEL JEANTEL, WITNESS: No.

WEST: You don't think that "creepy ass cracker" is a racial comment?

JEANTEL: No.

KEILAR: A 17-year-old in a hoodie with a pack of Skittles, enduring images from a case that's prompted cries for civil rights charges and an emotional debate even the president weighed in.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If I had a son, he would look like Trayvon.

KEILAR: Since Zimmerman's acquittal, he's had a few other run-ins with the law.

Number two, inside a Cleveland house of horrors, three girls, kidnapped, rapes, and held captive for a decade. But on May 6th, Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight they finally broke free.

MICHELLE KNIGHT, KIDNAPPED: I will not let the situation define who I am.

I will live on. You will die a little every day.

KEILAR: Ariel Castro, sentenced to life in prison plus more than 1,000 years.

ARIEL CASTRO, SENTENCED FOR KIDNAPPING & RAPE: I am not a violent predator, a monster. I'm not a monster.

KEILAR: But ultimately, he would do himself in, killing himself in that cell.

That was 10 through two. This is number one. Apparently, there's been an explosion at the Boston Marathon, I am told.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: A 26-mile, 385-yard marathon. And it was wrapping up, wrapping up when you look at these devastating pictures right at the finish line. These are pictures that were shot just moments ago.

KEILAR: Double bombings at the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 15th.

(EXPLOSION)

KEILAR: Three people were killed, 264 others were wounded.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get them back!

KEILAR: And days later, a police officer would be killed, another wounded. Within four days, one suspect, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, shot and killed by police. Then the manhunt for his brother, Dzhokhar, that shut down the city.

ANDERSON COOPER, HOST, A.C. 360: We believe that the suspect is cornered in a boat.

(SHOUTING)

KEILAR: Tsarnaev arrested April 19th, and later charged. Now, the U.S. attorney is deciding if he'll face the death penalty.

The attack knocked the city down, but it was far from defeated.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I kind of feel like we're all Boston.

KEILAR: The whole country united with one resounding message.

ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Strong. Not just strong. Boston Strong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KEILAR: That's it for me. See you at 5:00 eastern on "The Situation Room."

NEWSROOM continues right now with Kyra Phillips.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: And, Brianna, thanks so much.