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CNN Saturday Morning News
Decision Day for Cain; Church Opposes Interracial Marriage; Boomers Dating Challenges; Hiring Up, Joblessness Down; GOP Presidential Campaign; Ticketmaster to Refund Fees; Bob Marley's Wife Sues for Trademark; Georgetown Teaches Class about Jay-Z; Listen and Save Money
Aired December 03, 2011 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everybody. From the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia, this is your CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It's 8:00 a.m. on the East Coast. It is 5:00 a.m. out west, wherever you may be, glad you're right here with me, T.J. Holmes.
Coming up, we are headed live to the new Atlanta campaign headquarters of Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain. Expected to open a new headquarters today, but some are speculating it might have to close today, as well. We'll explain.
Also, a revealing and extensive interview this morning with the former Penn State football assistant coach accused of molesting dozens of children. Jerry Sandusky. You'll hear him in his own words explain his relationship and his, "attraction to young boys."
Also this morning, a story maybe you wouldn't think is coming your way from 2011. An interracial couple told they are not welcome at a church in Kentucky.
Well, we are just a few hours away from a major announcement from Herman Cain. Here's how he explained what this will all be about. This was him talking yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HERMAN CAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I will be making an announcement, but nobody is going to get me to make that prematurely.
We will also clarify, there's that word again, "clarify," exactly what the next steps are.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Well, what are the next steps? He's actually in Atlanta today to open a campaign office. Our Shannon Travis is there for us in Atlanta. Shannon, hello to you. Everybody is intrigued here, a grand opening and a grand closing today?
SHANNON TRAVIS, CNN POLITICAL REPORTER: Yes, it's a grand decision day, basically, T.J. It's anyone's guess what Herman Cain is actually going to announce here at this headquarters, his Georgia headquarters. It's also anyone's guess what's influencing this decision.
One thing that's a safe bet, though, is that definitely what's influencing it is the conversation that he had with his wife last night. I was there, outside of Herman Cain's house in suburban Atlanta, when he met his wife for the first time, face-to-face, since this latest allegation of alleged affair happened.
Obviously, it was a private conversation, potentially painful, potentially tough for them. But that will likely influence what he has to say today. Now, let me just give you a little bit of a lay of the land here. We're outside of, as you mentioned, his new Georgia headquarters, they're opening today. There's a stage right behind me, where he's going to emerge from. We're expecting him about, 1:00, 1:30, where he's going to come out and basically deliver the verdict.
Does he say, "You know what, I'm going to step aside, this is too painful for my family, too much attention, or does he thumb his nose even at his latest accuser in a major way as the nation watches? We will be here, obviously, along with the other press and a lot of other supporters who we expect to be here, cheering him on, no matter what, he says -- T.J.
HOLMES: Shannon, I know you're trying to reconcile this conflict, if you will, as well. You can't have an event to open a major campaign headquarters on the same day that you're announcing you're getting out of the race. Those two things just don't mesh.
TRAVIS: You know what, T.J., I've been trying to read the tea leaves to what's going to happen for the last few hours. Each time I try and read something, I go down a different path. You're right. I mean, it is a little bit curious that he's still going ahead and opening this Georgia headquarters. He's sending out e-mails saying, "Hey, supporters, send me videos of your support or what have you." He's meeting with supporters and donors today to inform them of his decision.
But at the same time, we know that Herman Cain has run a very unconventional campaign, and made his own decisions and gone his own way. So could he be basically waiting and going along with business as usual but then to come out and say, "Hey, I'm going to suspend my campaign?" Which technically, does it mean that he's getting out? I mean, it's no - it's anyone's guess what he's actually going to do. I don't know that because he's opening up this Georgia headquarters, that that automatically means that he stays in. It's just really anyone's guess, T.J.
HOLMES: All right. Well, you keep guessing. Good luck with those tea leaves. Shannon Travis for us this morning. We'll talk to him plenty throughout the morning.
We're just four minutes past the hour now, and Herman Cain, as said, continued support by his backers and donations would have a big impact on his decision. But if a new poll is any indication, the support is fading. "Des Moines Register" poll illustrates just how far he has fallen in the eyes of the likely Iowa voters, just at eight percent. You see there where he was in October at 23 percent. Meanwhile, no doubt, the rest of the Republican field will be watching when Herman Cain makes whatever this announcement is supposed to be today. But they've got their own events to pay attention to today, as well. Mitt Romney, he is in New Hampshire, up in Manchester. He has a rally there, starts about 90 minutes from now. We'll take you there live for a look when that gets started.
Also, let's turn now to the man at the center of the Penn State sexual molestation scandal. He's now trying to set the record straight on his relationships with young boys. Former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky sat down in his lawyer's house for an extensive four-hour interview with the "New York Times." His first extended interview since being indicted on sex abuse charges last month. Take a listen to this portion.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JERRY SANDUSKY, FORMER PENN STATE COACH: If I say no, I'm not attracted to boys, that's not the truth, because I'm attracted young people, boys, girls.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But not sexually - you're attracted because -
SANDUSKY: Right, I enjoy - that's what I was trying to - I enjoy spending time with young people. I enjoy spending time with people. I mean, my two favorite groups are the elderly and the young.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Sandusky also went on to say in that interview that the coach, Joe Paterno, the former head coach now never spoke to him about suspected misconduct with minors, and also says the Second Mile Charity never restricted his access to children not until 2008. Sandusky also says that his intentions are simply misunderstood. And I quote here. "They have taken everything I ever did for any young person and twisted it to say that my motives were sexual or whatever. I've had kid after kid after kid who might say I was a father figure and they just twisted that all."
Let's turn to Syracuse now and head basketball coach there Jim Boeheim. He is making an apology, an emotional one after his team's gain. He says he's sorry for being angry and defensive and standing up for long time assistant coach Bernie Fein. Coach Fine is accused of sexually molesting at least three boys. Head coach Boeheim made the remarks in a post game interview. Take a listen to him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIM BOEHEIM, SYRACUSE HEAD COACH: I believe I misspoke very badly in my response to the allegations that have been made. I shouldn't have questioned what the accusers expressed or their motives. I am really sorry that I did that. And I regret any harm that I caused.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: You may remember, Coach Boeheim came out and strongly defended Bernie Fein when the allegations were first made and said the accusers may have been after money. Now assistant coach Fein was fired last month after those sexual abuse allegations. He had been an assistant there at Syracuse for 35 years.
Well, eight minutes past the hour now. How is this for a quote? "Just get to the damn table." Those were the tough words from Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. He had those words for Israel's leaders. He's talking about the prospects for Middle East peace.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEON PANETTA, DEFENSE SECRETARY: The problem right now is we can't get them to the damn table. To at least sit down and begin to discuss their differences. You know, we all know what the pieces are here to a potential agreement. They have been talked about, they have been worked through. We understand the concerns, we understand the concerns of Israel, we understand the concerns of the Palestinians. If they sit at a table and work through those concerns, and the United States can be of assistance in that process.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Well, Panetta said to push for peace is also on hold, because Israel is becoming more isolated in the region.
Well, at eight minutes past the hour now. Let's say good morning for the first time to our Reynolds Wolf, keeping an eye on what today, exactly?
REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: We're going to focus mostly like a bull's eye on parts of the west coast and into the four corners where we've got some incredible winds, some heavy snow. But for Southern California, the story is the Santa Ana winds that's been pounding part of that state like a sledgehammer. Let's take note, let-up is expected today until late in the afternoon. They should subside. But there is a chance of a lot of damage left in its wake. We'll have more of that coming up in just a few moments. Thank you for watching CNN. We'll see you in just a few.
HOLMES: All right. We'll see you here shortly, Reynolds. Thanks so much.
And a church in Kentucky telling an interracial couple, you're not welcome here. Church members approved a statement, saying they don't approve of interracial marriage. We want to hear what you think after you hear this story.
Also a little later, the nation's job numbers improved and President Obama is using those jobs numbers to tout his jobs plan. We hear that in just a moment.
Also, Jeff Gordon. You know, he's pretty good around the track. But did you know he doesn't have moves like Jagger (ph), necessarily. But he's got some moves, nonetheless. We'll tell you what this was all about. You do not want to miss the video. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Ten minutes past the hour and checking some stories that are making news "X Country" now.
The wife of mega church preacher Bishop Eddie Long is going through with divorce. The church issued a statement saying she had reconsidered but her lawyers are saying that's not the case now. Vanessa Long filed divorce papers on Thursday. It was last spring that Bishop Long settled lawsuits involving four young men that accused him of pressuring them into sexual relationships.
Also, Michael Jackson's doctor has sat down to appeal his involuntary manslaughter conviction. Conrad Murray was sentenced Tuesday to four years in county jail - sentenced to four years in county jail for Jackson's death. Murray's attorneys complain judges pretrial decisions limited their ability to defend Murray.
Also, the five-year-old son of country music singer Mindy McCready has been found and he's just fine. She was discovered hiding in a closet with a boy at a home in Arkansas. U.S. marshals took him into custody this morning. McCready's mother and stepfather in Florida have legal custody of the child. McCready took the boy last month, asking the court to restore custody to her.
Turning to a story that has a lot of people talking and you'll be talking about it after you hear it. A church in Kentucky is now being criticized because it opposes interracial marriage. Stella Harville is a life-long member there. She has been away at school, attending services in June with her fiance who you see there. They planned to marry next summer. But church members passed an statement this week saying the church does not condone interracial marriage. It goes on to say inter-racial couples will not be received as members or used in worship services.
Harville told our Erin Burnett she was certainly shocked by what happened, and her fiance now disappointed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STELLA S. HARVILLE: I was just floored, as well as they were. I mean, to say that we couldn't sing in church because he doesn't want his granddaughter growing up thinking it's OK to marry a black guy? Like, I get it. People have their convictions and it's not like I want to flaunt it in front of them, but so, like, what are they going to do? Like, are they going to go out to a public outing and if they see an interracial couple, are they going to be like, "Oh, we need you to leave because I don't want my granddaughter thinking it's OK." It's just - I still don't know how to process all of this.
TICHA CHIKUNI, ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED: For someone who has been going for that church all her life, you know, she was expecting some support from them. But, you know, that - everyone just fell off the bandwagon and has pushed a really harsh judgment on her and on us and on the family too.
(END VIDEO CLIP) HOLMES: Now, the pastor of the church is saying that the church may overturn the policy, possibly as early as tomorrow. We'll keep an eye on that. We certainly want to hear your thoughts on this.
I have been talking to some of you about it already, seeing your comments on Twitter. I keep it up right next to me during the show, so please keep sending those in to tjholmes. Again, I'm at tjholmes and we have a Facebook page as well as a blog at CNN.com/TJ.
Let's move at 14 minutes past the hour now. A huge snowstorm is causing all kinds of issues in New Mexico. Interstates have been shut down temporarily because of it. You can imagine those driving conditions out there. We'll have more after the break. We'll be joined again by our Reynolds Wolf.
Also, a lot of people can't figure out what to get the little ones for Christmas. There's a new website that has a solution for you, a toy solution. You don't have to pay full-price for it. You could just send it back. You can rent it, essentially. Does that work for you? Quick break. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Sixteen minutes past the hour this CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
Look at that mess. Did they really, Reynolds, have to shut down a couple interstates out there for a short time?
WOLF: Indeed they did.
HOLMES: This is New Mexico.
WOLF: Yes. You know what's weird is that sometimes you have transitions from one season to another and it's just this delicate, beautiful, slow process. But in parts of the desert southwest, it's like someone dropped a sack of hammers in that area.
So, yes, it's been kind of slow and go through the high mountain passes especially, because that's where the snow gets a little bit deeper, because you get colder air, tends to mount up, and of course people who are not used to driving - even people who are used to driving through those mountain passes with snow, it's a difficult thing. I mean, seriously, it's never easy.
HOLMES: And you have to adjust, this comes and say, "Oh, yes, I have to remember how to drive in this stuff."
WOLF: Exactly. And slow and go. And the bottom line is, if you're not in a hurry, if you don't have to go through these places, by all means, don't do it. I mean it's plain and simple, don't put yourself, your family in danger and other people are on the road too.
HOLMES: Are they done there for the time being?
WOLF: Nope.
HOLMES: No.
WOLF: No. And we still have those winds in Southern California, the Santa Ana winds, all kinds of damage, power outages and flight delays. I know, back-ups, it happens. So LAX, get ready, Burbank, your regional airports, even John Wayne, get ready for it. It could be a long day for you.
From high above, it is a beautiful view. You take a look at it. You've got some rain that's falling through Lubbock back to the (INAUDIBLE) canyons, even the Davis and Apache Mountains but then back over towards Denver, southward to Albuquerque, we're seeing something all together different, some snow, in the highest elevations. As we mentioned, some places up to a foot of snow. The winds could be topping say 60 miles per hour, maybe even 70 in the high mountain passes.
So what do you have? A lot of snow and you have a lot of wind. It picks up a lot of that powder, moves across the roadway, and that lowers your visibility to zero. You're not going to be able to see at all. So what you have to do is you have to be very, very careful and, of course, stop at a rest area and take it easy. No reason to be in a hurry, I don't care what your schedule happens to be.
Windy conditions are going to be prevailing over parts of Southern California. To be more specific about the wind, it's going to be those strong gusts, around 50, 60 miles an hour possible. But with the low humidity, you've got a critical condition for fires. If there was a spark that popped up in the San Gabriels by late afternoon you could really hit a lot of sage brush (INAUDIBLE) could be bad news. Wind gusts 40 to 60, winds will diminish, expected to diminish by the afternoon. The snow, though, is going to stick around at least through the evening hours, perhaps building over into the central plains.
I want to keep a real sharp eye on spots like Oklahoma City. Right now, it looks like they may be seeing snow late Sunday and Monday. That could be a real trouble spot as we start the next workweek. 48 degrees the high in Kansas City, 22 in Denver. Wrapping it up in Salt Lake City with 36, 45 in Portland, 63 in Los Angeles. 62 in Atlanta, outside the (INAUDIBLE). 70 in Dallas. 79 in Tampa, New York and Boston into the upper to mid 40s.
You know something else, T.J., it's a huge day for college football. And we've got the forecast for a lot of those contest coming up very soon.
HOLMES: All right. Reynolds, thank you kind sir. We'll see Reynolds again here shortly.
Now a lot of people working on Christmas right now. Have you figured out what you're going to put under the tree for your kids? If not, there's a possible solution. You can rent toys now - maybe send them back later. The website is toy guru, it's offering toys for less than what it would cost to buy. You can rent the toy for a month and then send it back. If your kid gets attached to the toy, then the website lets you buy it at a discounted price. Some parents are loving this one.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL REINSMITH, RENTS TOYS: It's an ideal situation for the holiday time, where you can stuff toys under the tree for under 50 bucks, and if you're out there buying them, there is just no way you can do that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Now, the web page, you're seeing here, the toys are aimed at younger ages, and you can choose a plan to get a toy every month or every other month.
Twenty minutes past the hour now. Dating websites are out there, as well. And they cater to just about whatever tastes you might have. They're also catering to the Baby Boomer generation. And their search for love after 50. We're taking a look, next. Stay with me.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Twenty three minutes past the hour now. And CNN has been taking a closer look at the Baby Boomer generation and the issues facing them today, like dating after 50. Casey Wian has more on how the options are growing when looking for love.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Suzanne Forman is on a blind date with Todd Rodnick, who she has only met on the phone.
SUZANNE FORMAN, SINGLE AT 55: Yes, well, there's still quite a bit to get to know.
WIAN: Like many unmarried Baby Boomers, Foreman considers companionship more important in her 50s.
FORMAN: I can't believe I'm 55. I still feel like I'm 20 or 30 something. I still have that energy, I still have, you know, that spark that - but I do have a lot of candles on my cake.
WIAN: Introductions through friends and relatives haven't worked.
FORMAN: They kept trying to set me up with friends of theirs, and each one was just worse than the next. I was a vegetarian and one of the guys they set me up with took me to a Moroccan restaurant and ate raw meat next to me.
WIAN: So Forman and a growing number of singles over 50 are going online to find potential matches.
FORMAN: Like being in a candy store.
WIAN: Staci Dansey is a 61-year-old real estate agent.
STACI DANSEY, DIVORCED AT 61: I can't imagine spending the rest of my life alone. WIAN: After her marriage ended, Dansey's daughter-in-law made a suggestion.
DANSEY: She said, "You've got to get online on one of those online dating sites." And I said "I don't think so."
WIAN (on camera): So what was your concern about being on an online dating site?
DANSEY: I've heard horror stories.
WIAN (voice-over): Stalkers, scam artists and worse, online dating sites say because they collect background information on customers, it's actually a much safer way to meet people. Dansey's daughter persuaded her to join "Our Time," a dating site for Baby Boomers.
DANSEY: It's just a numbers game. The more people I meet, the greater my odds are that I'll meet a guy that wants to have like a loving, warm, committed serious monogamous relationship.
DR. GAIL SALTZ, OURTIME.COM: There's been a perfect storm of a growing number of Baby Boomers who are single, with a growing number of Baby Boomers who are using the internet, and discovering that it's a way to be connected.
WIAN: A 2010 e-harmony survey found the internet is now the most popular way for people over 50 to meet and marry.
DR. GIAN GONZAGA, EHARMONY.COM: I've always thought that idea that the older generation is afraid of technology is overblown, because they do seem to adopt it. And now adopt it in numbers just as much as everybody else does.
WIAN: Widow Vange LeClerc and divorcee Rob Foss met online in 2008.
ROB FOSS, ENGAGED AT 59: I've been married so long, I kind of forgotten the process so like a duck out of water.
VANGE LECLERC, ENGAGED AT 51: It was scary.
WIAN: Both liked the idea of viewing and reviewing potential dates before agreeing to meet.
LECLERC: I think it's less intimidating than going out there and trying to meet someone at a, you know, bar.
WIAN: Dating after 50 is different.
FOSS: We each have assets now. And when I was in my 20s, I owned a stereo and a used car.
WIAN: But the results can be the same. Foss and LeClerc are planning a Hawaiian wedding next year.
Casey Wian, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Twenty six minutes past the hour now.
A big day in politics, or it could be, because Herman Cain is set to make some kind of big announcement.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAIN: I will be making an announcement but nobody's going to get --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: All right. We're not exactly sure what the announcement could be. Some are speculating that he's actually going to get out of the race today. This all comes after allegations of a 13-year affair. We'll be talking about Cain's decision, also what's happening with Newt Gingrich. Mitt Romney, the Republican field. Our good political friends Maria Cardona and Lenny McAllister are in the building here with us in Atlanta this weekend.
Also ahead, on this CNN SATURDAY MORNING Jerry Sandusky in his own words. The former Penn State coach in his first extended interview since his indictment on sexual abuse charges.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: We are at the bottom of the hour in the CNN SATURDAY MORNING. Thank you so much for spending part of your day here with us. I'm T.J. Holmes, giving you a look at some of the stories making headlines. Something you missed overnight.
New words from Jerry Sandusky giving his first extended interview since allegations of sexual molestation were brought against him last month. He did a four-hour interview with the "New York Times" and he says Coach Joe Paterno never spoke to him about any suspected misconduct with -
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: All right, we're at the bottom of the hour in the CNN SATURDAY MORNING. Thank you so much for spending part of your day with us. I'm T.J. Holmes.
I'll give you a look at some of the stories making headlines. Something you missed overnight.
New words from Jerry Sandusky, giving his first extended interview since allegations of sexual molestation were brought against him last month. He did a four-hour interview with the "New York Times" and he says Coach Joe Paterno never spoke to him about any suspected misconduct with minors.
He also says The Second Mile charity never restricted his access to children. Well, not until 2008. The former Penn State coach says he enjoys the company of all young people, and that his intentions were good but misunderstood. Well, former Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern is in guarded condition in a South Dakota hospital, reportedly fell on the campus of Dakota Wesleyan University. He was there as part of a live C-Span program on presidential contenders. The 89 year-old former U.S. Senator lost to incumbent Republican Richard Nixon back in 1972.
Also, Honda expanding its recall of Honda and Acura vehicles because of faulty air bags; about 900,000 vehicles are affected here. They have the model years, 2001 to 2003. It says the air bags deploy with too much pressure.
Well, the latest jobs numbers, they are out. We got those yesterday and while they aren't spectacular necessarily, they sure are better than the month before. The month of November saw a net job gain of 120,000 jobs and the surprising drop in the jobless rate from nine percent to 8.6 percent. That's the lowest it's been since March of 2009.
President Obama used the new numbers to urge Congress to pass his jobs legislation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Despite some strong head winds this year, America's economy has now created private sector jobs for the past 21 months in a row -- almost three million new jobs in all, more than half a million of them in the past four months alone.
We need to keep this growth going and strengthening. And that's why we've been fighting to pass a series of jobs bills through Congress. Bills that independent economists say will create more jobs and grow the economy even faster because now is the time to step on the gas, not slam on the brakes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: An economist surveyed by CNN Money had predicted the jobless rate would stay at nine percent.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Republicans say the jobs numbers are not enough. GOP's weekly address was delivered by Senator Olympia Snowe and says the economy cannot improve without addressing the national deficit and passing a balanced budget amendment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. OLYMPIA SNOWE (R), MAINE: For too long, the burden has fallen to supporters of the balanced budget amendment to justify its necessity. Today, at this moment, when our debt has exceeded the size of our entire economy, I ask you, the American people, to place the burden squarely where it belongs, on those who would oppose this measure.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Now, the balanced budget amendment failed in the House last month. The Senate begins debate on it next week.
And you know, we'll stick with this topic. Because look at what we've got in the building today, folks. Good friends of our show here on CNN Saturday and Sunday morning, Republican strategist Lenny McAllister and our CNN contributor and Democratic strategist, Maria Cardona, good to have you all in the building with us.
MARIA CARDONA, CNN CONTRIBUTOR/DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Thank you. It's nice to be here.
LENNY MCALLISTER, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Nice to be here.
HOLMES: Let's start with the economic picture. Good news for the President yesterday. I know it's early still, but everybody is going to try to spin these numbers.
CARDONA: Sure. I think that every time that the jobless rate goes down, of course, it's good news for the President.
HOLMES: Yes.
CARDONA: But he's absolutely right. He's the first one to say, it's not enough because way too many people are out of work. And too many people are still anxious about their economic future.
And we saw Olympia Snowe talking just a little bit ago and that's where you see the difference and what Democrats want to do and what Republicans want to do. She is talking about how the burden is on the supporters of a balanced budget amendment. HOLMES: Yes.
CARDONA: I'm sorry, senator. The burden is on the millions of people who are out of a job, on middle class workers, on working Americans, who have not been able to get ahead. What the President and Democrats want to do is create jobs exactly for those folks. That's who the burden is on. And I'm hoping that Republicans will join us and at least pass the tax cut that Democrats are urging.
HOLMES: Well, it doesn't sound like Lenny everybody is on the same page about this payroll tax cut that's going to expire at the end of the year; on the same page at least about wanting it, but not how to get at it. We'll get this resolved, only by the end of the year?
MCALLISTER: Well and we're talking about different things here. And what that tax cut and how they're going to pay for it, it's actually as if each party took the opposite role.
HOLMES: Yes.
MCALLISTER: Because you heard from Democrats saying, how are we going to pay for these extensions of the Bush tax rates? And then the Republicans saying we need this to stimulate. Now the Democrats are saying we need the extension of the payroll tax and the Republicans are saying how are we going to pay for this?
Now when it comes to the unemployment rates, there's a mixed bag there with these numbers, because 402,000 folks filed for unemployment for the first time this past week.
So you have the unemployment rate going down, but you have that number sitting there. And that's why economists are saying, OK, is it because people have stopped looking for work again or is the economy really, you know, kicking back up and going better when it comes to jobs kicking back in?
HOLMES: We know a huge number of people, 315,000, just gave up and stopped looking. That had an effect on the number. But at the end of the day, guys, most people don't dig into those numbers as much as we do.
CARDONA: Right.
HOLMES: They hear, oh, we were at nine percent, now we're at 8.6?
(CROSSTALK)
CARDONA: That's right.
HOLMES: Period psychologically --
(CROSSTALK)
CARDONA: That's right.
MCALLISTER: It could help. It could help confidence, exactly.
CARDONA: It does help confidence. But again, I think you have to look at the underlying numbers, because if you're a voter and even though you see those numbers go down, if you're one of those people who are out of a job, that's not going to speak to you. What is going to speak to you is if you hear the President of the United States talking about how he wants to create jobs, and how he wants to focus on working-class Americans.
HOLMES: Let me turn for a second now to the Republican candidates; and somebody you have been high on from day one, even when he was in the single digits. Newt Gingrich, you have been talking about him and his big ideas and his handle of so many complex issues. Is he getting a little too confident right now?
MCALLISTER: He may be getting a little too confident, but let's -- let's just be honest, even with that sound bite that was there, he said it would be hard to see how he would not be the nominee. And let's look at it from a rational standpoint. We've already gone through Bachmann, Perry, Cain, and nobody wants Romney.
That -- there's a reason why Jon Huntsman wants to do this debate with Newt Gingrich. Because if they suddenly becomes an anti-Newt sentiment, who is left?
CARDONA: Yes.
HOLMES: Yes.
MCALLISTER: It would have to be Jon Huntsman, this is why Huntsman has agreed to do the Lincoln debate.
HOLMES: Not Santorum?
MCALLISTER: No, I don't think they're going to go towards Santorum. And people see Huntsman as being a worldly guy that's moderate enough to possibly win in a general election, which is why Huntsman is now trying to hitch his wagon to Gingrich, the same way Gingrich hitched his wagon to Cain in the Lincoln Douglas debates just a couple months ago. Except this time it's not going to quite work the same way.
CARDONA: Gingrich is going through a huge internal debate right now between the old Newt and the new Newt.
HOLMES: Yes.
CARDONA: And we're seeing flashes of the old Newt coming -- coming back. Somebody who can't help himself, he likes to talk about how he's like Thomas Jefferson, like how he's -- he's like Abraham Lincoln. He's a celebrity.
He's got to tone it down a little bit. You know, one of the reasons why he has risen in the debates is because people have seen that he is probably the brightest guy on that stage. But he's also been humble. And that humility I think will go a long way.
But it's very hard for him to keep that humble and to actually show the discipline that he's going to need to continue on.
MCALLISTER: Yes but that celebrity status sounds like President Obama from 2008, the same way, the celebrity candidate that's the smartest guy in the room that doesn't -- isn't afraid to tell you that he's the smartest guy in the room. So some of it plays as long as you don't do it too you can't do it too long.
CARDONA: You can't -- you can't compare the hubris that we all know Newt Gingrich is --
(CROSSTALK)
MCALLISTER: It depends on if you're a Republican or not.
CARDONA: It -- well, yes, but Newt Gingrich clearly has -- he is known for that kind of hubris and that is what is coming back up now.
HOLMES: It's so good to have you guys here so I can see this in person.
CARDONA: There you go, exactly.
HOLMES: But they will be back with us, because we didn't talk about it in this segment, but a big weekend could be really -- some -- some rocking and rolling here in Atlanta.
CARDONA: That's right.
HOLMES: With Herman Cain. An announcement expected sometime a few hours from now, he has a big event happening here in Atlanta, saying he's going to make a big announcement. This is at what's supposed to be the opening of his new campaign headquarters, but we may get an answer about whether or not he is going to continue in the race.
There is a live picture, the new campaign headquarters, people starting to stir there, but we're expecting that to get going here in just a few hours and the announcement from Herman Cain about how he's going to move forward. So we'll be talking about it with Lenny and Maria. Good to have --
CARDONA: Back in time.
MCALLISTER: Back in time.
HOLMES: It's good to have you guys in Atlanta. It's a good time.
All right, we're 38 minutes past the hour now. We all get a little mad at the tax man sometimes, don't we? But take a look, a couple farmers with a grudge against tax officials, they leave a nasty gift inside the local tax office.
Our "Morning Passport" -- again, this is not a suggestion, folks. We're just reporting the story. We'll tell you how this all played out. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: All right, 40 minutes past the hour now.
Nadia Bilchik, with our "Morning Passport" and we were showing that video and people were, ooh, what is that. That video, you get upset with the tax man, we all have our frustrations but you can't do this.
NADIA BILCHIK, CNN EDITORIAL PRODUCER: Well, you have to understand the back story. Here are two farmers in Basti in Northern India.
HOLMES: OK.
BILCHIK: And the one farmer is, in fact, a snake charmer. And he has asked this particular office to please give him certain deeds for some land that he wants to keep his snakes.
HOLMES: OK.
BILCHIK: And they keep saying, yes, we are going to give it to you. But then they say if you give us a certain amount of money so they blackmail him.
HOLMES: Wow.
BILCHIK: He says, I don't have the money. And so in absolute rage and so frustrated and tired of corrupt officials, he unleashes over two dozen snakes including poisonous cobras on this tax office in Basti in Northern India. And what you're seeing is people who are trying to capture the snakes.
HOLMES: Oh my God.
BILCHIK: Because can you imagine how petrifying that is?
HOLMES: He just tossed them in there?
BILCHIK: He literally walked in but it was the pinpoint (ph) for him, T.J. He was so furious at this point. He had begged, he had asked. This had gone on for two years, and eventually he said, no mas, no more, I am going to unleash my poisonous snakes. He didn't know what else to do. And he speaks about his absolute desperation.
And in India amongst officials like this, there is so much bribery, so much corruption so this is just an outcry and a way of saying I will not take this anymore.
And if you look on YouTube, many times if a public official tries to bribe someone, they will shame them publicly.
HOLMES: Was anybody hurt in this?
BILCHIK: Nobody was hurt. And the farmers have as of yet not been found. The snakes have been captured, some put to death, I'm afraid.
HOLMES: Well we don't know where the farmers went?
BILCHIK: But the farmers -- and particularly, the one who's a snake charmer, so maybe there's some superstition about getting him, I will unleash my snake on you.
HOLMES: OK well, clearly, he gave up on trying to get whatever deed he wanted.
BILCHIK: He did legally. And he said I don't have the money. And he also considers himself a conservationist I am trying to have an area for my snakes.
HOLMES: Well OK but we don't -- again, we should say, shall we have a disclaimer here, don't try this with your tax office, please, folks?
BILCHIK: Although I'm sure some people get to that level of absolute rage.
HOLMES: You know they can. We've all been there. Nadia Bilchik --
BILCHIK: So if we have a bag of snakes, might be time to unleash it.
HOLMES: Nadia Bilchik, thank you as always with our "Morning Passport". We will see her again.
We're about 43 minutes past the hour now.
And go listen to your home. Yes. Just take a listen to your home. We have a high-tech approach to saving energy and, yes, that means saving money.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HOLMES: Good morning, San Francisco. Gorgeous shot down at the pier along the Embarcadero; about 5:45 for you all out there; 8:45 for us here in Atlanta, Georgia.
As a lot of you know you could be getting some money back if you have ever used Ticketmaster and if you have used it in the past 12 years, you could be getting some money back. And that is because they have now settled a lawsuit because of a fee that Ticketmaster would charge people. This lawsuit was a class action suit. They're going to give these refunds out as part of the settlement here.
The lawsuit was filed back in 2003. It alleged that the company wrongly collected fees. Ticketmaster still charges those fees, but now it's clearly disclosed. So yes, if you used Ticketmaster the past 12 years, you could be getting a whopping $1.50 back. Sorry, maybe up to $5. So it's not much. But still a Ticketmaster spokesperson said to us, "Ticketmaster attempts to earn a profit for its services and it will continue to charge fees for the services it provides."
Another lawsuit now to tell you about: Bob Marley's wife suing the late singer's half brother for trademark infringement. TMZ reports Richard Booker has sold rights to the famous trademark "Mama Marley" brand to sell everything from concerts to alcohol to fish sausage. Now Rita Marley and nine of the late singer's children want a judge to order Booker to stop. And they want Booker to give them all profits from the use of the name.
Also, Jay-Z has no problem with his name being used at Georgetown University. The school is making the music, the mogul's body of work, into a class called "Sociology of Hip-Hop Jay-Z." Professor Michael Eric Dyson, he is teaching this one. I didn't know it was going to be him. He's teaching the course.
According to the class, some of the students, he will use Jay-Z's lyrics and career to confront the topics of urban crisis, impoverished circumstances and gender inequalities.
Well, if you're looking to lower your monthly bills, we have a new high-tech approach. Gary Tuchman has this "Start Small, Think Big" report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Shhh -- listen. Your house is trying to tell you something. But you might not speak its language. That's where Shwetak Patel and his team come in. They design sensors to figure out what's being lost in translation in your house.
SHWETAK PATEL, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON: Each appliance kind of has its noise signature or a sound or a tone. And by picking up that noise or the tone, you can figure out one appliance from the other, because each one is so different.
TUCHMAN: The same is true for water. With water pressure setting the, well, tone. The sensor compiles the data on a website. Based on what you see, you can change how you act. The goal is to help people know how much energy and water they're consuming and how much it's costing them.
PATEL: People say I really want to save energy but I don't really know how to do it. Now we can help people make better decisions, because we tell them what they need to focus on.
TUCHMAN: But it doesn't just stop with your house.
PATEL: What we're trying to do is empower people to make better decisions. It could be in energy, but a lot of the stuff we're working on now is also in health.
TUCHMAN: Today your house; tomorrow may be your heart. You'll just have to know how to listen.
Gary Tuchman, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: We're about ten of the top of the hour.
Joe Carter, good friend from HLN sports here with us.
We've got some video you've got to see. NASCAR driver doing something you don't normally see in NASCAR. Is that fair to characterize?
JOE CARTER, HLN SPORTS: That's very, very, very fair.
HOLMES: OK. but let's start with Tiger, and we keep -- is Tiger back? We see flashes.
CARTER: You know, I think he's just looking for that, waiting for that one win to get him over the hump, get the monkey off the back. Yes, he's playing better. He's playing consistent which he's showing flashes of the old Tiger.
Three weeks ago, we saw him play his best round of the year or best tournament of the year, I should say. He finished third at the Australian Open. He didn't follow that up with a strong close at the President's Cup. He was the reason why the United States team beat the international team. And now after 36 holes at the chevron, he's got a three-shot lead. But the big question, can he put all four rounds together?
His play has been consistently improving. He shot in the 60s in eight of the last nine rounds. He knocked down two nice eagles yesterday. He's driving the ball long. He's knocking down his putts, but again it's only a two-round lead. He starts today three shots ahead of KJ Choi and Matt Kuchar (ph). Mat Kuchar, yes.
So we'll see. I mean, it's -- last year he was close to winning this exact same tournament, his tournament, and lost I believe in a playoff. So he's just got to get over the hump and then it's a matter of like what's going to happen next? Will it snow ball? Will he keep winning? Will we see Tiger -- I think golf needs that.
HOLMES: It takes time. Everybody will tell you, golf needs Tiger Woods back. The players would tell you they would like to have Tiger Woods back.
CARTER: That is for sure. Let's turn to NASCAR. You all were selling this video to me, all right? Jeff Gordon, who we're used to seeing behind the wheel, what's he up to?
CARTER: You don't traditionally think of a NASCAR driver break dancing.
HOLMES: Traditionally, you don't ever think of --
CARTER: But that's exactly what --
HOLMES: OK.
CARTER: That's exactly what Jeff Gordon did. The drivers are in Las Vegas for Champions' Week, and he was actually dared to break dance and he said no. And then he said, OK, I'll do it. And he actually gets loose. Look at the guy. He's decent --
HOLMES: He knows what he's doing. He's done that before.
CARTER: Something tells me that he's practiced it and then he was just like, OK, fine, I'll do it. He was taking the bait and then, yes, I'll show you guys wrong. So what do you think, decent or not decent?
HOLMES: I like that. You've brought us some good video over time. And I wanted to ask you guys, how's the video. That was a good shot of it. That's a good shot of it.
Look at all of them laughing behind. Like, who is this guy? No, you don't think about NASCAR drivers and break dancing.
CARTER: They're athletes. I mean they train just like regular athletes. And that goes to show you right there. He's flexible, strong, got good core.
HOLMES: He has nothing on Reynolds Wolf. I don't know if you know Reynolds' history here on this show. Reynolds is a dancing fool. You understand me? And I'm not just making this up. You might think I'm selling this.
CARTER: Is that true?
REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: I have no idea what he's talking about. I haven't the slightest idea what he's referring to.
HOLMES: Reynolds is a dancing maniac but he's here to talk to us about championship Saturday.
WOLF: The objective is to attract viewers, to bring people in, not repel them. Yes we are keeping a very sharp eye on our game-day forecast.
The first we have is very interesting. Take a look at this one, Joe. Joe, you know this is going to be a war. LSU and Georgia, Georgia dropped the first two games of the season against Boise State and South Carolina. This is going to be a big one.
What's interesting about LSU is they've really just ravaged the team last weekend, didn't they, T.J.? Who did they play?
CARTER: I think it was, what -- Arkansas?
WOLF: I don't know.
CARTER: Such a lopsided --
HOLMES: We used to be close. See how they do me, folks?
WOLF: We have a good time.
WOLF: Yes, should be a great game. It's going to be, of course, indoors. But of course, everyone is worried about tailgating, a little bit nippy out there but all things considered, it should be just fine.
Another game very quickly, Stillwater, they've got Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. That's an 8:00 p.m. kickoff, temperatures in the 40s, very breezy, chance of rain there. So you know how that goes, could be interesting. And Charlotte, you've got Clemson and Virginia Tech -- nice, nice matchup there. Weather should be just fine, 8:00 p.m. kickoff.
Houston, Texas you've got Southern Miss and Houston. A lot of speculation about Houston; could that coach be going to A&M, you never know. A little bit interesting there to say the least. Windy conditions also at the noontime kickoff.
And Wisconsin and Michigan State, also a dome game, they're going to be playing indoors, I believe. Are they -- they can't be.
CARTER: It's in Indianapolis.
WOLF: It's in Indianapolis. Why does it say Columbus, Ohio? Things happen.
CARTER: That's all right.
HOLMES: So that was the forecast for Columbus or for --
WOLF: That was actually for Indianapolis. But mistakes are made at times. But football, there is no mistakes. It's a beautiful thing and it's a great time of the year.
HOLMES: Reynolds, thank you. Joe, always good to see you; we'll see you again.
We're getting close to the top of the hour here, folks. And big apology to tell you about from the head basketball coach at Syracuse. Jim Boeheim saying he was wrong about how he responded to accusations about his long-time assistant coach. You will hear his emotional apology.
Stay with us on this CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
Also, Jerry Sandusky is talking in his own words. You won't believe what he says about his attraction to young boys. You'll hear it for yourself. That is coming up.
Also --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HERMAN CAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I will be making an announcement.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: That announcement? We don't know what it is, but we know when it is. And we know where it is. It's here in Atlanta in had a few hours from now. Herman Cain making an announcement; some speculating he could get out of the race after allegations of a 13- year affair.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
