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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Final Day Of Diamond Jubilee; Britain Celebrates Queen's Reign; Wisconsin Governor Facing Recall Vote; Clinton And Obama Hit The Big Apple; 43 TSA Workers Fired Or Suspended; L.A. Kings Win Away From Stanley Cup; Correa Chosen Number One In MLB Draft; Jury Selection Set To Start In Sandusky Trial; Final Day of Diamond Jubilee; Wisconsin's Bitter Recall Battle; Twenty-One-Year-Old To Graduate Med School
Aired June 05, 2012 - 05:59 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ZORAIDA SAMBOLIN, CNN HOST: History is made today in London. The diamond jubilee held in honor of Queen Elizabeth II. We take you live to the festivities all morning long.
ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, CNN HOST: Plus, our other big story today. The recall elections in Wisconsin. Elections that could have some real implications right across the country.
SAMBOLIN: And the Los Angeles Kings making a big win in the fight for the Stanley Cup. That story and much more this hour on CNN.
Good morning --
BANFIELD: Go Kings!
(LAUGHTER)
BANFIELD: Go Kings! Go Kings! Am I allowed to say that? Mike Richards, hometown boy, I'm sorry. What can I say?
SAMBOLIN: All right, good morning to you and welcome to EARLY START. I'm Zoraida Sambolin.
BANFIELD: Hi, everybody. I'm Ashleigh Banfield. Thrilled that you're with us. We're bringing you the news from A to Z. It's 6 a.m. in the east, but it's a lot later in London.
And that's where we want to take you right now because Britain's Queen Elizabeth is certainly feeling a lot of love from her royal subjects during a massive Diamond Jubilee celebration.
This is a live picture inside St. Paul's Cathedral this morning where the whole royal family, minus the duke of Edinburg, sadly, is not feeling well. He's in the hospital for observation.
But they're all attending this absolutely spectacular service this morning called the "National Service of Thanksgiving" to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of her majesty, the queen.
It doesn't get any better in the church than when the sermon is giving by the Archbishop of Canterbury himself, Dr. Rowan Williams and that what's happening right now.
About mid-way through the service, expecting to wrap up about a half an hour from now and then a lot more of the fun begins. Right now, the royal family is attending. Like I said, all of them except the Duke of Edinburg, but the lady in waiting has accompanied the queen.
This was the queen as she was coming out of her car as she arrived earlier this morning. That's a 1902 Landau, which is really something special to see her arriving in the antique vehicle, as she made her way into the church at the beginning of the service.
Our own Richard Quest is live on location for us. He's been following not only everything that's been happening today and the procession through the street as everyone got ready for this service, but all of the fun leading up to this.
So I want you to walk me through today, but then we're going to talk a little bit about later today and last night. So let's start with today and the service, Richard.
RICHARD QUEST, HOST, CNNI'S "QUEST MEANS BUSINESS": Right. For the queen today -- good morning to you, Ashleigh. Good morning. For the queen today will perhaps be the most important part of the celebrations because it is the formal service of thanksgiving for her six decades of service.
That's taking place in St. Paul's Cathedral. You're showing the pictures. The queen is looking absolutely resplendent this morning, perhaps slightly sadder than normal without the duke.
And then after that, it's lunch at Westminster and then the sort of thing that the Brits do better than just about anyone else, the carriage procession from Westminster back to Buckingham Palace.
A wave on the balcony and a fly past by the RAF and then this morning, a little extra gem, we were told, the queen is going to address the British people at 6:00 tonight. Ashleigh, today is another big day.
BANFIELD: And it's been so much fun all along. I mean, I think -- I felt it was the highlight on the Thames watching the 1,000 boats accompanying the queen on her journey down the Thames.
But I have to be honest with you I'm not sure whether to look at the queen half the time or to look at the Duchess of Cambridge because Kate is beautiful.
Give me a bit of a rundown. I hate to say it, what everyone is wearing because that does make a difference and they put a lot of thought into it.
QUEST: I'm glad you asked. I've just gotten a note on it.
BANFIELD: Perfect timing. QUEST: The Duchess of Cambridge is wearing Alexander McQueen and a Jane Taylor hat. But what's really interesting is look at the colors of the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwell, Camilla.
Kate and Camilla are in gold. They're in beiges. In other words, today no bright reds, no sparkling colors, nothing at all today detracts from the queen.
The queen is the one in the bright colors. The queen is the one that we can see. Of course, the queen's dress, by the way, I know you want to know, is made by her personal dressmaker, Angela Kelly, been with the queen for a number of years.
And Angela Kelly has made all the dresses for the Diamond Jubilee. She's in-house, as you might say, so she knows exactly to the "t" what the queen needs to wear to get the best effect, the best pictures for today.
BANFIELD: All right, so you may have corrected me there because I thought this was an Alexander McQueen outfit that she was wearing. That's the designer, but the dressmaker makes it or was it not McQueen?
BANFIELD: No, no, the Duchess of Cambridge is wearing Alexander McQueen with Jane Taylor hat. The queen is wearing is Angela Kelly. No, no, it's Angela Kelly.
Believe me, she's one of the few people who are allowed to touch the queen who obviously get close enough. You can hardly design and dress somebody if you don't get close to them.
But anyway, the queen's outfit have been exemplary over the last three days and they've been all designed to send that message that the queen is the center of all the celebrations.
BANFIELD: Well, Richard Quest, you're doing a heck of a job. We're watching the live pictures inside St. Paul's cathedral so we're not able to sort of pan the audience at will.
But we'll get a good look at them as we continue to cover this, Richard, and they leave the cathedral, probably about 25 minute or so and then make their way through the various proceed is sessions throughout London and to the various events that Richard just reported on.
Continuing coverage of the queen's Diamond Jubilee celebration and we have it online too live for you cnn.com/live.
SAMBOLIN: I love to listen to that, the children's choir, just beautiful.
It's 5 minutes past the hour here. Watch what happens in Wisconsin today because it might just be a dry run for the November election. For just the third time in U.S. history folks, a governor is facing a recall vote.
Republican Scott Walker, a union-busting, fiscal conservative, and a Tea Party darling, fighting to keep his job against Milwaukee's Democratic Mayor Tom Barrett.
The latest polls show Governor Walker with a slight edge over Barrett in what's expected to be a very tight race.
BANFIELD: Not much suspense left in this one, folks, but it's important. Voters are heading to the polls in five states today for primaries. We are still in the primaries, California, Montana, New Mexico, New Jersey, and South Dakota.
All of you, your votes count. You are having the primaries today but it is true, Mitt Romney has already surpassed that magic number, 1,044 to clinch the Republican nomination.
SAMBOLIN: President Obama getting a little help from Bill Clinton to pick up big campaign bucks in the big apple. The Democratic duo kicking off a night of fundraising that included a dinner with Wall Street heavyweights, a gala at glitzy Waldorf Astoria Hotel and a star-studded Barack on Broadway concert.
More than $3.5 million raised for the Obama campaign. Clinton telling supporters a defeat for Democrats in November would be calamitous.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BILL CLINTON, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT: I don't think it's important to re-elect the president. I think it's essential to re- elect the president if we want this country to have the kind of future that our children and grandchildren deserve.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAMBOLIN: Mitt Romney's been laying low lately. No campaigning yesterday. Just one campaign stop today in Texas after a massive fundraising swing through California.
BANFIELD: Five TSA workers have been fired and 38 others have been suspended at Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers. An internal investigation revealing they failed to perform hundreds, hundreds of required random screenings during a two-month period last year. This is one of the largest disciplinary actions ever taken in the 10-year history of the TSA.
SAMBOLIN: I think we have Ashleigh, the cheerleader, coming up. The Los Angeles Kings --
BANFIELD: Go Kings!
SAMBOLIN: -- one win away from hockey's Holy Grail the Lord Stanley Cup. The Kings shut out the New Jersey Devils last night 4-0 to take a three game to none lead in the Stanley Cup final series. L.A. can win their first ever Stanley Cup with a victory in game four tomorrow night. BANFIELD: Go Kings! It's all about Mike Richards. The studio is killing me over the Devils here.
Also, this is such a proud moment for Puerto Rico. The 17-year-old shortstop Carlos Correa of Santa Isabel, the top pick in last night's Major League baseball draft. No other player from Puerto Rico has ever been selected that high. He was chosen by the Houston Astros.
SAMBOLIN: I'm going to have egg on my face. I don't know where Santa Isabel is.
BANFIELD: In Puerto Rico.
SAMBOLIN: I know. I'm going to go look it up, somebody help me.
BANFIELD: There are plenty of places in Manitoba that I don't know about either.
SAMBOLIN: Isabela, I've heard of. I'm going to look it up.
All right, with just hours to go before disgraced Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky stands trial for sex abuse, the judge makes a key decision in the case. Find out how it could impact Sandusky's alleged victims. That's coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAMBOLIN: Jury selection in the trial of former Penn State Assistant Football Coach Jerry Sandusky is scheduled to start today. Sandusky's charged with sexually abusing 10 boys over 14 years. Last week, the judge requested his lawyers' request to delay the trial.
So let's bring in our CNN contributor, Sara Ganim. She won a Pulitzer Prize covering the Sandusky story for the Harrisburg Pennsylvania newspaper, "The Patriot News."
Good morning to you, Sara. I want to begin with that judge ruling yesterday that the alleged victims' identities may not be concealed during the trial. That's going to be very difficult for them because of the graphic details.
SARA GANIM, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Right. Their attorneys are very disappointed, but the majority of the ones that we talked to said their clients are ready to go forward. They're ready to take the stand.
Didn't want to pursue an appeal of that ruling because of the potential, but it might delay a trial. Instead they really want to get up there, tell their story and get this over with.
SAMBOLIN: Let's talk about jury selection that's happening today. This is really tough in that area because there's a lot of passion surrounding this school.
GANIM: That's right. And prosecutors actually wanted to bus in potential jurors from another county. Jerry Sandusky fought that and the judge agreed with Jerry Sandusky. He gave him what he wanted.
So they're going to start this morning to try to pick 12 jurors and four alternates from Center County, however, if that does not work, they may have to go somewhere else and look for a jury.
Now prosecutors said way back a couple months ago, about a third of the people in this county have some kind of tie to Penn State, whether or not they work there, have a spouse that works there or a child who goes to school there.
They have some kind of, in some way, financial tie to Penn State University because Penn State is such a big part of this case so many of the alleged acts are alleged to have occurred on campus, Penn State, it's become known as the Penn State scandal.
Prosecutors thought it would be better to bring in jurors from other places in Pennsylvania. But Jerry Sandusky wanted this to be a Center County trial. Wanted jurors from Center County, where he lives, to hear his case and decide his fate. And so that's what they're going to try and do this morning.
SAMBOLIN: So how long are they expecting this jury selection to take?
GANIM: Well, that's kind of up in the air. I think everyone is hoping maybe by the start of next week, they could be hearing opening statements. But it's really a question this morning of whether or not this is going to happen here at all. Whether or not they can find these jurors, and hopefully by the end of the week they'll know if they can find 12 jurors and four alternates.
SAMBOLIN: All right. Sara Ganim, thank you so much for that report this morning.
BANFIELD: Fifteen minutes past 6:00 on the East Coast.
New this morning, police in Canada looking into more crimes that may have been committed by a self-proclaimed porn star accused of a grisly murder. Luka Magnotta was caught yesterday thanks to an international manhunt. He was arrested at an Internet cafe in Berlin where he told the arresting officers, quote, "You got me". Magnotta is accused of killing and dismembering a student named Jun Lin, and then mailing his body parts to Canadian politicians.
SAMBOLIN: A brand new wildfire burning right now in northern Colorado. More than 200 acres wiped out. We know one structure about 40-mile northwest of Ft. Collins has been destroyed and more than a dozen others are in danger at this hour. Crews are dealing with really hot, dry and windy weather.
BANFIELD: Rocker Bon Jovi getting a Big Apple treatment in the sky on Air Force One. Bon Jovi front man getting a lift from President Obama yesterday. Apparently, headlining a campaign event last night at the Waldorf Astoria. White House confirming Bon Jovi was traveling as a guest of the president, with the campaign picking up the tab.
SAMBOLIN: Hey, want to bum a ride?
So, are you frustrated with your partner snoring or sheet- hogging all night? It turns out sharing a bed could actually be better for your health than sleeping alone. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh studied this and they say couples who snuggle up are more secure, have lower stress levels and are also less anxious.
Listen to this, nearly one in four couples, sleep in separate bedrooms.
BANFIELD: That's so Lucy and Desi, wow.
SAMBOLIN: Crazy.
BANFIELD: Smartphones are mobile offices for business travelers, so the right software is really critical, right?
Alison Kosik with a few apps to make life easier for road warriors.
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Love the apps.
So, yes, it was definitely difficult choosing which apps to talk about this morning because there's so many out there. So, my first pick is Taxi Magic. With this free app you can hail a cab right from your phone. No need to stand in the street, waving your arms. You can book a nearby taxi instantly, track its position on the map and pay for your ride with a credit card.
So, Taxi Magic, of course, not available for us here in New York.
BANFIELD: I knew it!
KOSIK: I know. But you can definitely use this in Chicago, Los Angeles and 43 other cities across the country.
And you can keep track of those cab rides with Expensify. This is an app that you have to actually pay for. What this does is it lets you organize your expenses as you go, you can import transactions right from a credit card, or a bank account, you scan receipts with your phone's camera and log mileage and send a PDF report to your company.
That means you could be reimbursed before you get home. How easy is that?
BANFIELD: I doubt it.
KOSIK: Finally, for weather forecasts out of the ordinary, check out Swackett. This free app not only shows temperatures, humidity, forecast, but cartoons. Raring the right clothes and accessories.
So, if it's hot and sunny, see the man and woman dressed in tank tops and sunglasses. A little fun while you look at your weather.
BANFIELD: Are you kidding me?
SAMBOLIN: That's cool. The kids would love it.
BANFIELD: For the kids, yes. Is this a grownup app? Do they think we need to figure out what 58 and rainy means?
KOSIK: It's a new apparel ideas, some fashion ideas.
SAMBOLIN: It's a little fun. In case you don't feel like reading, look at the cartoon characters and you'll know.
BANFIELD: I do like -- I keep thinking it's magic taxi --Taxi Magic, right?
KOSIK: Taxi Magic.
SAMBOLIN: I'm going to try that in Chicago, next. It's frustrating.
KOSIK: Tell me about it. I can't get a cab here in New York.
BANFIELD: But Fifth Avenue, 4:30 in the afternoon, forget about it.
KOSIK: Anywhere, anywhere.
SAMBOLIN: Thank you, Alison.
So, it's a rare bright sport during a rough stretch for our economy spot, I'm assuming that should be gas prices are actually dropping. We're going to take a look why, coming up. We also want to know where you can find those crazy gas prices. Would you say $3.57 and dropping?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAMBOLIN: You are live in London at this moment at the national service of thanksgiving to celebrate the diamond jubilee of her majesty, the queen there, 60 years ruling. It's a spectacular celebration that's been going on for quite some time. It culminates with this service. I believe they're going to be there for about 10 more minutes before that service ends.
The music has been spectacular, the prayers are been amazing. Everyone in the monarchy present for the celebration except for her husband, who is in the hospital with a bladder infection. Yesterday, we thought that perhaps he would check himself out of the hospital so he could be by her side. So, that is the only person missing this morning.
In about 10 minutes, the queen will make her procession back down that aisle into the car. She will depart to the mansion house. She's going to head along the same route, which we imagine is lined with people trying to get a glimpse and to honor her and celebrate this day with her. And she will be having lunch there with her family. And then the festivities will continue after that.
We're going to be monitoring this all morning for you. It really is just a spectacular celebration. Soledad is also going to dip into the celebrations taking place today.
These are live pictures for you, St. Paul's Cathedral, celebrating the diamond jubilee of her majesty, the queen.
BANFIELD: Just got a nice look at the duchess of Cambridge's hat.
SAMBOLIN: We've been talking about that.
BANFIELD: I'm a total nerd. I heard the duchess of Cornwall's hat was too large, Camilla.
We're also going to touch base with Richard Quest as well, who's --
SAMBOLIN: He's a hoot.
BANFIELD: -- just doesn't get better.
SAMBOLIN: Stay tuned for that.
BANFIELD: So, we're also minding your business right now. U.S. stock futures indicating the markets supposed to open lower again this morning. Concerns about, what do you think, Europe's debt crisis.
And also the global slowdown holding back the major gains in U.S. markets yesterday. Dow closing a little lower, just less than 0.25 percent. NASDAQ closing higher, just a wee bit, and S&P pretty much flat.
Alison Kosik in for Christine Romans this morning.
And, you know, let's talk gas prices because that's a good story it seems, in the last 20 days or so.
KOSIK: Good story because the prices are coming down, but maybe not for all the right reasons. Average price for a gallon of gas at $3.57, this actually which makes it 20 days in a row gas prices have been dropping. We're even seeing gases fall on the West Coast. It usually takes longer to see because taxes there are usually higher.
Part of the reason, oil prices are lower. They closed at $83.65 a barrel. We haven't seen prices like that since September. Over the past year, oil prices have fallen, 15 percent.
Here's a reason why maybe it's not such a great thing oil and gas prices are falling. It's because the U.S. economy is losing steam. So is China. That's really the bulk of the reason you're seeing prices fall.
You know what? We talked about $4 a gallon gas, $5 gallon of gas around this time, not seeing that because of the weak economies. Economies losing steam. Also supplies are plentiful right now, oil and gas supplies are at their highest since 1990s.
That fear premium we saw around this time last year because Iran was threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, those threats are easing, so you're seeing that fear premium come off the price of oil as well. So, you know, there's a trade off. We to want see lower gas prices because it means less money coming out of our pockets but we don't want to see the economy lose momentum either.
BANFIELD: Let's me switch gears a bit to the MBA factor. Where do the MBAs want to get jobs these days?
KOSIK: Take a guess. First one, can you guess?
BANFIELD: I would have said Google, but maybe not now.
KOSIK: Google and why not? Google perks, right? I mean, one of the big reasons why people who have MBAs say they want to work at Google and say, I want to do cool things, things that matter.
Google says they're looking for strong problem-solvers who are able to navigate through ambiguity and make great Googlers.
Coming in number two, McKinsey & Company. This is a consulting firm here in New York, often called the Firm. It's known for deep client relationships, these companies often called to advise presidents and industry leaders and big businesses, lots of MBAs want to work there.
And now, coming in at number three, yes, Apple, of course. Apple. Apple wants people passionate about its products. I know, big surprise there.
They don't want somebody who just says, I can't live without my iPhone. They want somebody who has a strong understanding of consumer products and an obsession. Obsessive about details. Gee, I wonder where that came from.
BANFIELD: Yes, Mr. Jobs, right?
KOSIK: Yes.
BANFIELD: Alison, thank you. Good to see you.
All right. So, today is a day, a vote that could be considered a dry run for November's presidential election. I'm talking Wisconsin. Total recall? Or maybe not.
What's going to happen with Governor Scott Walker? We got the news, coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAMBOLIN: It is 30 minutes past the hour here. Happening now, a service held to honor Queen Elizabeth II. All the major royals in attendance this morning. That service is just finishing up there.
We're watching the queen as she's walking out. We're going to head straight to London to give you a little bit more of a sampling of this.
BANFIELD: Plus, in other news, a little boy in an Indiana church, singing at the front of the congregation about gay people not getting into heaven. All while the congregation cheers him on. We'll play that video for you in just a moment.
SAMBOLIN: NASA gets a major hookup in the form of hand-me-town military spy telescopes. We're talking about equipment more powerful than the Hubble telescope. Find out what they're being used for after a quick break.
No, we're going to say good morning to you. Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Zoraida Sambolin.
BANFIELD: Hi there, everyone. I'm Ashleigh Banfield. It's 31 minutes now past 6:00.
Let's get you started here, shall we? I want to take you live to London, because what a day. Queen Elizabeth with her second victory lap of sorts, her diamond jubilee celebrating 60 years on the throne. Live pictures at St. Paul's cathedral after an hour-long Anglican service, presided over by archbishop of Canterbury, the bishop of London in attendance as well, and all the royals fit for St. Paul, in St. Paul's Cathedral.
Two thousand invented guests attended this morning. And it's quite a lovely -- not somber but a different taste from last night's fireworks and rock concert. This is the wrap-up of four days of festivities. The service called the thanksgiving service at St. Paul's.
Later, a carriage procession will wind its way through the streets of London, there will be a flyover at Buckingham Palace, where the awesome balcony shot, with the royals lined up, while the throngs of British scream and cry for more, and they come out for a curtain call just as long as the cheers continue.
All of this follow this star-studded concert last night featuring Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, and just a litany of phenomenal musicians.
CNN's Richard Quest has been following all of the events from the get go as they've been leading up to this incredible diamond jubilee celebration. He's live at Buckingham Palace.
Richard, that's where the queen is headed now as we watch her live leaving the cathedral, getting ready to step into her 1902 landau.
RICHARD QUEST, CNN INTERNATIONAL: First thing's first, you two are secret monarchists. Listening to you, don't you pretend --
BANFIELD: You're right.
QUEST: You can't get enough.
BANFIELD: You know what it is, Richard. I grew up as a commonwealth member. I grew up in Canada. I was reared on this. I got up in the middle of the night for Princess Diana's wedding.
SAMBOLIN: So did I.
BANFIELD: Did you?
SAMBOLIN: I did that one.
QUEST: All right. What we're seeing now is the queen leaving St. Paul's Cathedral. She will not -- she's getting into a Bentley. The 1902 state landau comes later in the day. That's the carriage that will take her back to the palace way later in the day.
She's now going to a reception. After a reception, she goes to Westminster for lunch with politicians in Westminster Hall and then the carriage procession.
And what's really interesting about this four days is the way in which they have blended the very modern of the concert with the spectacular of the pageant, with the pomp and ceremony and the formality of this morning's thanksgiving service. It is that care to get all sides together that is really what is making this such a unique experience.
For you watching in America, for me being here in London, and basically for everyone involved.
BANFIELD: Richard, I want to ask you as we watch the archbishop and queen descending the steps of St. Paul's, we just saw her with this massive grin on her face. I have to be honest with you, for all the years I've watched this monarch, you know, she's been described as somewhat stodgy. She's got a firm look about her --
QUEST: Careful, careful.
BANFIELD: -- even at the concert last night as her son call her, mommy. You know, I can hear Prince Charles saying, mommy. But every so often when you see that smile, it's something remarkable, isn't it?
QUEST: It is. And I think the fact you don't see it every day, that lighting up, that magnificent smile.
There's a reason she doesn't do it all the time. That's not what she does. She is not a glad-handing, smiling politicians who's about to go out and kiss a baby, because she needs your support in three years' time.
This is the queen. And she carries the weight of the state. And she carries the weight of history and of tradition. That's what she does.
But she knows that on an occasion like today, her role and her duty is to embody the nation. And that all of a sudden -- what's interesting, is that you'll get these little moments. Something will tickle her, something will catch her attention. It was the war horse on the pageant. And then she'll light up all of a sudden.
When you see it, you really -- it really is a glorious moment.
BANFIELD: I'm just waiting for you to be knighted. I hope I get an invitation, Richard Quest. It's good to see you. Thanks for doing the duty. We'll check in with you --
QUEST: You will have -- you will have to -- you will have to buy a seriously big hat.
BANFIELD: I will. I've already got it. Thanks, Richard. Good to see you.
SAMBOLIN: It is 36 minutes past the hour.
Protesters rallying outside an Indiana church after an online video goes viral showing a young child singing an antigay song. Here's a clip.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED KID (singing): I know the bible is right, somebody's wrong. Romans 1 and 27, ain't no homo going to make it to heaven.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAMBOLIN: It is the latest in a string of antigay church videos. You will remember the North Carolina pastor who called for gays and lesbians to be locked in electrified cages. And a Kansas pastor who said that the government should kill gays and lesbians.
Author Bruce Feiler told "A.C. 360" highlight a long battle over social issues and the Bible.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRUCE FEILER, AUTHOR, "WALKING THE BIBLE": Ever since there's been religion in America, there'd been two camps. One is the kind of letter of the Bible camp and one is the spirit of the Bible camp. Whatever has been the hot button social issue of the day, we've seen it take place.
In the 19th century it was slavery. People said the Bible -- appear Abraham had slaves. The rival camp said, well, we're all created in God's image and we should be more compassionate to all people. That happened in the 19th century in slavery.
It happened in the 20th century with women's rights and also civil rights. What is the hot button social issue of the day? It is gay rights, civil unions, gay marriage. So, now, we're seeing the same battle.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAMBOLIN: The pastor at that Indiana church, the Apostolic Truth Tabernacle, has not commented on the video.
BANFIELD: The Vatican denouncing an American nun who taught Christian ethics at (INAUDIBLE) school. Sister Margaret Carly, an award-winning scholar, says she did not intend to express official Catholic teachings in her book, "Just Love: A Framework for Christian Sexual Ethics". The Vatican says the book is not consistent with authentic Catholic theology and should be used by Roman Catholics.
SAMBOLIN: NASA getting two new telescopes. Both as big and as powerful as the Hubble. The telescopes are gifts from National Reconnaissance Office, that's the government's agency that operates the nation' spy satellite. NASA says the telescopes are space- qualified but aren't yet ready to go into orbit.
So, jobs on the line for the governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker really wondering how that vote will shake out today. We're going to have more on that as well as all of those voters who are going to head to the polls in a good weather day. Will that mean turnout and will turnout make that difference? Live report coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAMBOLIN: Welcome back. Forty-two minutes past the hour.
Polls open in just an hour in Wisconsin in what many people consider a dry run for the November election. Republican Governor Scott Walker, a Tea Party favorite, who broke the state's public unions in a very tight recall race against Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
Ted Rowlands is there live in Madison this morning.
Teed, a lot of money has been pumped in to this election -- $60 million for a recall election. Why is it to critical?
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that money, Zoraida, is coming from out of state. That money is not coming here because folks from out of state care about the daily lives of Wisconsinites. They care about the outcome of this election.
And this money is either pro-union or it's anti-union, and that's really at stake here. If this flies in Wisconsin, it can be replicated in other states, people believe. And if Walker is recalled it will be a clear message from unions, saying, hey, governors, don't try to do what was done in Wisconsin, or you, too, may lose your jobs.
Both candidates out on the stump, canvassing the state.
Walker says, my plan works for the bottom line of Wisconsin. Look at our economy, it's getting better. It's getting better.
On the other side, Tom Barrett, the Milwaukee who's running against Walker, is saying the opposite, saying Walker is trying to erode the middle class.
Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. SCOTT WALKER (R), WISCONSIN: Since I've been sworn as your governor, Wisconsin has added, added more than 30,000 new jobs. We're not done yet.
MAYOR TOM BARRETT (D), MILWAUKEE: People want to have a change. They want a governor who's going to unite the state. They're tired of a governor more interesting of being the rock star of the far right. They want someone who's going to focus on creating jobs for the middle class of the state.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROWLANDS: And people in the state are very passionate about this issue. You saw the protests 16 months ago. They're expecting huge voter turnouts today.
Beautiful day in Wisconsin -- I think a lot of folks will be going to the polls. We've seen a lot of early voting already.
SAMBOLIN: So, we're going to stay tuned with you for that. Ted Rowlands live for us, thank you.
BANFIELD: And if you want to know what it's really like on the campaign trail, it's fun but it's grueling. And tomorrow, you can join CNN Election Roundtable with Wolf Blitzer and CNN's political team.
You can submit your questions and get answers in real time. It's live a virtual chat with Wolf Blitzer. So, don't miss the CNN Election Roundtable tomorrow at 12:00 noon eastern. Just log on to CNN.com/RoundTable.
SAMBOLIN: Soledad O'Brien joins us now with a look at what is ahead on "Starting Point," as you say, so much, so much.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN HOST, "STARTING POINT": So much. So much.
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: I'm writing the show right now, actually. You know, you were just talking about the recall election and whether that race could have national implications. We're going to continue as we get closer to the time that the polls open to continue to follow that story.
We're going to talk to Tom Barrett. He, of course, is the Milwaukee mayor, and we'll discuss with him what he thinks his chances are considering that in almost every single poll. he's behind. Sometimes --
SAMBOLIN: Slightly, though. Yes.
O'BRIEN: Little tiny percentage point or so, but he's behind. We're going to talk to him about recalls in general as well.
Then, joining our team in the morning, you know, we're surrounded by a great panel, the illusionist, comedian and the half of Penn and Teller, that's Penn, will be with us. He also has a book out that's now in paperback.
BANFIELD: Can you read it in super focus?
O'BRIEN: I hope he brings the super focus glasses. Have you seen those ads? Those are the coolest glasses. I hope he brings them because maybe I need them. It might help me.
And also, Steven Wagner, sweet kid, 12 years old, big fan of the Green Bay Packers wide receiver, Donald Driver. So, pick outside as he was (ph) when Driver chucks his cleats into the stand after a charity softball game, and the kid catches them, but then, there's a woman on camera caught trying to wrench the cleats out of the boy's hands.
BANFIELD: There's always that woman, you know?
O'BRIEN: Yes, yes. And sometimes, that woman is not a woman, it's a man. But there's always that person fighting with a kid over something. Anyway, we're going to talk to Donald Driver this morning about what he did after he found out about that. It's a really great story. That and much more as we kick off "Starting Point." We'll see you right at the top of the hour in about 13 minutes or so.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BANFIELD: He began college at the age of nine. He began medical school at the age of 12. And now, at the ripe old age of 21, Sho Yano is set to become the youngest graduate ever at the University of Chicago's Medical School when he receives his diploma this Saturday.
In fact, he's two years younger than most students when they enter medical school, and he's already got a Ph.D. in molecular genetics and cell biology under his belt, and he's also live with me now.
Sho Yano, I was thinking how terrific it would be to say, hello, Dr. Yano, but I have to wait until Saturday for that. Are you ready to be called Dr. Yano?
SHO YANO, YOUNGEST GRADUATE, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MEDICAL SCHOOL: Oh, definitely. I can't wait.
BANFIELD: Well, it's such a remarkable accomplishment, and that's not hyperbole. What I want to know from you, is what was it like for you to be nine years old and in college and to go through a college career with people who are more than double your age? YANO: I guess there's a lot of interesting thing. I mean, how people react, that's fascinating. You know, of course, everyone has a little trouble. If you see a nine-year-old in your college classroom you think, what's going on? And, of course, people doubt if I would be able to keep up or even be a college student.
You know, that actually passes. People on the whole adapt pretty well. I made a lot of friends in college and in my medical school class.
BANFIELD: It's funny. We're looking at pictures of you, Sho, right now, walking along with students. And, it almost looks like you're one of their little brothers, and they're babysitting. But, my goodness, you were an absolute compatriot of these students regardless of the fact that you were watching cartoons later on in the day.
Can you tell me why it was tough for you to actually get into these colleges? These universities were not onboard right away with the idea of having a nine-year-old in their program.
YANO: Well, there's always doubts despite what I do on test, or grades, or anything. There's still this doubt, you know, he's nine, he's 12. Can he really do this? And then, there's a doubt about social interaction. I mean, I think it's reasonable to wonder if a nine-year-old or 2-year-old is going to be able to deal with adults or with -- at least with older people as a peer.
But, you know, I just wanted the chance to meet people and have them see what I was like. So, I got that at Loyola University of Chicago.
BANFIELD: Well, and nine years old for a college student, 12 years old starting at the school of medicine. For anybody who's watching us right now during this interview who says he is just one in a million. Well, there are two in a million in your family, aren't there? Your sister is quite a prodigy, too. Tell me a little about her, and what she's doing right now?
YANO: That's right. I have to say she's smarter than I am.
(LAUGHTER)
YANO: She is 15. She got her BS in biology. Actually, now she's -- she's a very good violinist. So, she's actually decided to see how far she can go with that. So, she's in violin performance program over at Peabody Conservatory on John Hopkins.
BANFIELD: And you're not so bag (ph) yourself. Not only are you set to become a medical doctor on Saturday, but you're also an accomplished pianist and you have a black belt in Taekwondo, and I am feeling very interior right now.
Sho, it's good of you to join us. Congratulations, from the bottom of my heart, congratulations. That's a lot of hard work. And you deserve it. And, I look forward to seeing you do wonderful things. Thanks, Sho. YANO: Thanks very much.
BANFIELD: We have the best advice you'll ever get coming up after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAMBOLIN: "Starting Point" is less than a minute away. We wrap it up as always with "Best Advice."
BANFIELD: And with all the pomp and circumstance surrounding the diamond jubilee for Queen Elizabeth II, we decided, who better to ask than the dean of Westminster Abbey, the best advice he ever got. Check it out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REV. JOHN HALL, DEAN OF WESTMINSTER ABBEY: My goodness me. I was 12. And, there was a priest who knew the family very well. And he said to me -- my family went to visit him in his new parish. He had been our parish priest. He said, so, John, what are you going to do with your life? And I said, I don't know. No idea at all.
Then he said, well, have you thought of being a priest? And I said, no. But it played on my mind. And five years later, I said to God, yes, OK, I'll be a priest. And it all went from there. That's the best advice I ever had.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BANFIELD: The Reverend John Hall. He's just written a book, by the way, and it's really interesting about presiding over all of the wonderful ceremonies at Westminster Abbey, the royal weddings and how he got that appointment from the queen. Very interesting.
SAMBOLIN: And somebody planted a little seed for him and look at him today.
BANFIELD: That's great stuff. That is EARLY START, the news from "A" to "Z". I'm Ashleigh Banfield.
SAMBOLIN: And I'm Zoraida Sambolin. "STARTING POINT WITH SOLEDAD O'BRIEN" starts right now.
