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CNN Saturday Morning News

Teenage Boy Refused in Flight; Campaign Heating Up

Aired September 08, 2012 - 09:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: Let's catch up on a story we've been following this morning.

A family plans to sue American airlines for discrimination after the airline refused to allow their 16-year-old son on the flight. This is their teenager, Bede Vanderhorst -- he has Down's Syndrome.

The airline says he was a security risk because the family was playing in first class near the cockpit and they feared he'd interfere.

But the parents say their son was behaving. They claim the airline discriminated against him by violating the American with Disabilities Act.

RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: So we ask you, do the parents have a case?

Well Adam wrote in this. "American Airlines should be ashamed of itself. This is a clear violation of ADA and the airline and its pilot should pay dearly." Ali writes "If it's true that the child was well behaved then the family most definitely has a case. Pure discrimination." And Greg says, "I think the parents have a case but not for discrimination. He wasn't removed because he has Down's syndrome." And Khadir tweeted "If American Airlines doesn't have security video evidence of the kid running around, the parents' case is strong.

So be sure to keep tweeting us. We'll read some more of your responses. And also at 9:00 a.m. this morning, we're going to talk with the boy's parents. That should be a really interesting conversation to hear more about how it happened and, of course, get their reaction.

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KAYE: Good morning, everyone. I'm Randi Kaye.

BLACKWELL: I'm Victor Blackwell, 9:00 a.m. out East, 6:00 a.m. out West. A pleasure to be with you.

KAYE: A gunman wanted in the killing of a U.S. border patrol agent is under arrest. The agent's death triggered a congressional investigation into the U.S. government's botched gun smuggling sting known as "Fast and Furious." Now suspect Leno Sanchez, Jesus Mesa is in custody. Mexican police captured him south of the Arizona border. He likely will be extradited to the U.S.. He's the second suspect captured, three others still on the run.

BLACKWELL: The Pentagon says the tell-all "No Easy Day" that recounts the Navy S.E.A.L. raid that killed Osama Bin Laden has got it wrong. CNN has learned exclusively that the head of the U.S. Special Operations contacted members of the covert team to find out if the book's version of Bin Laden's death was accurate. In "No Easy Day" Matt Bissonnette claims that Bin Laden had been shot already when he was lying on the floor of his room when Bissonnette and other SEALS entered. He says they shot Bin Laden again until he was motionless.

But senior Pentagon officials say that's not what happened according to the other S.E.A.L.S.. They say the Al Qaeda leader was standing when the team entered and they shot him because he posed a threat.

In Chicago negotiations are under way to try to prevent the city's first teacher's strike in a quarter century. Teachers in America's third largest school district are threatening to walk out of the classroom and on the picket lines Monday if a resolution is not reached. The issues are pay, the raises, job security and hours and teacher evaluations. If there is a strike, 400,000 students could be affected.

KAYE: To politics now. President Obama is trying to sway swing voters in Florida this weekend. He's kicking off a two-day bus tour today. His first stop St. Petersburg. And that's where we find out chief White House correspondent Jessica Yellin.

Jessica, good morning.

Florida's former Republican governor Charlie Crist traveling with Obama today. He said Obama actually saved Florida during his convention speech. Does that help, do you think, does it help Obama with Florida's conservative voters?

JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: It helps the president make the case that he still has bipartisan appeal potentially, Randi. I don't know that Charlie Crist necessarily has enormous sway with the state's Republican voters, because he has moved away from the party somewhat by embracing the president.

But you recall four years ago the president ran on this promise to bridge partisan divides. He won over many Republicans. And so by having a Republican with him, he can make the case that he is still reaching out to Republicans himself and still want their support. So it can help with his own supporters to make the case that he is still interested in bipartisanship at the very least, Randi.

KAYE: And with the jobs report just out yesterday, do you expect that conversation to continue on the trail today as well?

YELLIN: Well, given that when the jobs report came out that he tried to minimize mention of it, I doubt that he'll try to bring it up today, but he does talk about jobs itself every day he's on the trail. His general message is that the U.S. has not come far enough. There's more work to do, is the way he puts it, and then makes a pivot into his economic contrast between what Mitt Romney's vision is and what his vision is. And he's gone on this riff lately ever since the convention about Republican's vision of just cutting taxes and regulations whereas he has a vision for the middle class. I fully expect that to come up, Randi.

KAYE: I'm sure you're right on that one. Jessica Yellin, thank you.

BLACKWELL: Another battleground, Virginia. That's where Mitt Romney is focusing this weekend as he tries to put the state back in the win column for Republicans after President Obama turned it blue four years ago. Our political editor Paul Steinhauser is in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Paul, good morning. And Team Romney has just launched a major ad blitz in eight swing states including Virginia. What can you tell us about this latest pitch?

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN POLITICAL EDITOR: Three ads in Virginia just started running yesterday, Victor. You're absolutely right. One of them is playing right here in the Virginia Beach Norfolk area where there are a lot of defense industry and a lot of military jobs. That ad really goes after the president for military jobs and for defense cuts.

As part of the strategy for Romney to really try to win this state back, remember, President Barack Obama when he was Senator Obama won the state four years ago. He was the first Democrat to carry Virginia in a presidential election since 1964. Both sides, both Mr. Obama and Mr. Romney spending a lot of time in this state and running a lot of ads in the state, Victor.

We're at the Military Aviation Museum right here in Virginia Beach. You can see the bus, the CNN Express just behind. We just rolled in earlier this morning. Take a look at this off to my right here, a very large American flag. They just finished setting it up here, getting ready for this big rally, a lot of the military retirees, a lot of active military personnel may be at this rally site. This is a crowd that Mitt Romney thinks that he can do well here in Virginia. And again this is one of those swing parts of a swing state. Victor.

BLACKWELL: And it's not just Romney spending a lot of money on ads in Virginia but the Obama campaign spending a lot, too. How much so far?

STEINHAUSER: Well, I think if you add it all together, you take all the ads that the Obama campaign and those super pacs, those independent groups that are back the president, about $11.5 million since April 10th, which is when we say was the start of the general election.

Look at that - the numbers for Mitt Romney and those super pacs backing him, pretty close, $11.3 million, Victor. A lot of money being spent here and also those other battleground states. You know, you turn on the TV and you watch the local stations and you get one ad after another after another, Victor.

BLACKWELL: All right. Paul Steinhauser in Virginia Beach, Virginia. We will see more ads and more visits from the candidates in Virginia. Thank you.

And you can get an up close and personal look at the two men vying to hold the country's future in their hands. Find out what Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are really like tomorrow starting at 8:00 when we profile the Republican presidential nominee in "Romney Revealed, Family, Faith, and the Road to Power." That's followed at 9:30 by "Obama Revealed, the man, the president," right here on CNN.

KAYE: A teenager with Down's syndrome is blocked from flying on an American Airlines flight. Was he and his family bullied by the big carrier or was he a safety risk, really, to himself and others as the pilot claims. The father is angry, threatening to sue. He'll join me next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: Now to our weekly focus on bullying.

Did an airline carrier bully a teenage boy by not allowing him to fly first class with his parents because he has Down's syndrome. The boys' parents are furious. They say American Airlines discriminated against their son and they plan to sue. The airline says workers couldn't calm the boy down. But his parents' cell phone video tells another story. Carolyn Castello with our affiliate KTLA has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CAROLYN CASTELLO, REPORTER KTLA (voice-over): This home video shows Bede Vanderhorst at a Journey concert, the 16-year-old called up on stage and given a guitar by the band. His parents describe him as outgoing, fun loving and charming. But they say the son they love was singled out and discriminated against because he has Down's syndrome.

JOAN VANDERHORST, TEEN'S PARENTS: We were not -

ROBERT VANDERHORST, TEEN'S PARENTS: We never went down the ramp.

JOAN VANDERHORST: We were never allowed to on the plane because this man saw my son and made a decision.

CASTELLO: Joan and Robert Vanderhorst who spoke to us through Skype tell us as they waited to board an American Airlines flight with their son, they were told they weren't allowed on.

JOAN VANDERHORST: OK. My question is why are you singling me out and saying -- why aren't you telling them and them and them and all these people that have children that they have to -

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In a security controlled area. You cannot be recording this.

CASTELLO: Joan pulled out her cell phone and began to videotape, documenting what she believes was a violation of her son's civil rights and the American with Disabilities Act. Her son labeled a flight risk can be seen in the video sitting at the gate quietly playing with his hat. In the video you can hear Joan sobbing and her husband expressing disbelief.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's behaving. He's demonstrating he's not a problem.

JOAN VANDERHORST: I kept saying only because he has Down's syndrome.

CASTELLO: The family had flown together dozens of times. The only thing different, they upgraded for the first time to first class.

JOAN VANDERHORST: The little boy had a seat in the first class area and for some reason they didn't want that. That was unacceptable.

CASTELLO: American Airlines released a statement that reads in part, "The young man was excitable, running around and not acclimated to the environment. The pilot attempted to calm him down and acclimate him to the surroundings. His efforts were not successful. For the safety of the young man and the safety of others American Airlines offered to book another flight for the family.

But the family said that statement is untrue. They said they will sue American Airlines and hope their experience will teach the company and people in general a valuable lesson.

ROBERT VANDERHORST: To respect each person's dignity, every one of us should be treated with equal dignity.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE: All right. Our thanks to Carolyn Costello of our affiliate KTLA.

Joining me now on the telephone is the teen's father, Robert Vanderhorst. Good morning, Robert. An incredible story about what happened to your son there at the airport. Have you heard from American Airlines since the incident and have they refunded your upgrade fee to first class?

ROBERT VANDERHORST: I have not heard from either airline, American Airlines or United since the events of last Sunday.

KAYE: CNN we should say reached out to American Airlines. They released this statement, "Americans actions and procedures are in full compliance with the Air Carrier Access Act. We do not have a formally lodged complaint from the family but a refund of the upgrade is in process. However, because of the denied boarding we must respond to the family in writing within 10 days of travel. The Vanderhorst family will here from us very soon." What do you make of that response and tell me how your son is doing.

ROBERT VANDERHORST: First of all to the American Airlines response. You know, they are such chickens. You know, they could pick up the phone and call me. They could e-mail me. I haven't heard from them directly. So all I know is what people tell me they said, OK. The next thing is, you know, this has been so upsetting to my wife, my son, and myself, you know, to be treated this way. It's all because we dared to upgrade our coach ticket to first class. KAYE: Based on the airlines' statement, though, do you still plan to sue?

ROBERT VANDERHORST: Absolutely. We lawyered up.

KAYE: On what grounds?

ROBERT VANDERHORST: Well, the attorneys that I've spoken to, they believe there may be an Americans with Disability Act claim. They believe we can venue this case in California where we have the state disabilities laws in our favor. The Unruh Act. And they believe there may be also some other type of common law or statutory claims that we can also make.

KAYE: The airline certainly has been saying it had safety concerns and they were concerned about your son's behavior, concerns about his proximity to the cockpit. What do you make of that? How was your son behaving there?

ROBERT VANDERHORST: Well, the airline statements as they relate to my son's behavior are all lies. They are defaming my son. They say that he was excited and agitated. That they spent a half hour with the family trying to calm him down. The only time they spent with us was to try to tell us that there were special rules for this little boy to ride on their plane, rules they didn't try to impose on anyone else traveling with a child.

KAYE: I know it was a difficult day for your family certainly and a long one. You eventually flew home on United Airlines. And I understand that in that case you were actually placed, your family was placed at the back of the plane with empty seats all around you so other passengers couldn't sit near you. This bothered you, right?

ROBERT VANDERHORST: Well, you know, we were just happy to be finally getting on a plane and heading home. We got to that airport almost three hours early for the American Airlines flight. Then when they refused to let us board, we had to wait another two hours for the United flight. We were just happy to be finally in a line with our bags, with our boy getting on a plane. And then when we were in that line, one of the United employees approached us and said, "Show me your boarding pass." It had row 35, a, b, c. I didn't notice where the seating was until she asked me to show it.

And then I said that's in the back of the plane. She didn't comment, she said "Well, if you have questions or needs, let us know." She went back to the counter, gate at 105, in Terminal C in Newark. And I looked up to see where she went. When she went to that table, that counter, there was a pilot standing next to her scrutinizing us.

KAYE: Well, we spoke to United. We spoke to United and here is their statement about your seat assignment. United said "United was pleased to welcome the family on board because there were several open seats in economy. The captain, the lead flight attendant and the gate agent thought the family would welcome sitting in the rear of the airport alone so they could have additional space and privacy and made that offer to them before they boarded." But it sounds like you're certainly not buying that.

ROBERT VANDERHORST: Well, we weren't told that you're welcome aboard and we're going to get you some space. It's because maybe everything else you've been through today, we just want to give you some room and quiet all to yourself. As it was happening, as we were flying on United, it felt like we were being segregated.

We went from Row 35 to 37 and 37 to the absolute back of the plane with our backs against the walls. No one told us "Oh, we're doing this for your comfort or safety." And then when people tried to lay down and sleep in the empty rows in front of us or to the left of us, they were told by the stewardesses, those rows are blocked.

KAYE: Well, I know it was a tough day for your family. Robert Vanderhorst, I hope your son is doing well. We certainly appreciate you coming on, taking the time to talk with us about it. We will talk more with you, we hope, in the future about this case. Thank you.

ROBERT VANDERHORST: You're welcome. Bye-bye.

BLACKWELL: What's blue and red and yellow all over? The electoral map. We break down where the votes are going with a little election map. That's next.

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BLACKWELL: The unemployment rate fell last month from 8.3 to 8.1 percent. But before you get excited the drop was mainly because people giving up to search for work. President Obama says those numbers aren't good enough. Mitt Romney calls them very disappointing.

CNN's John King takes a closer look at what it could mean for November.

JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: A weak jobs report is the last thing the president wanted especially the morning after his convention when he's trying to get a big bounce out of Charlotte.

Let's take a closer look at the numbers and think about how they might play out in the presidential campaign. Number one, an 8.1 percent unemployment rate, that's actually down a little bit but it's not good news. Why? Because only 96,000 jobs are created last month. And nearly 370,000 people just gave up, they stopped looking for work. That is why the rate went down, not because of a booming economy.

Also, you heard the president, so many other speakers at the democratic convention saying made in America is back. Well, look at that. Manufacturing jobs down 15,000 last month. That makes it much harder for the president to travel the country and say that factory employment is coming back. If you look at this, you have to play the cards you're dealt, here is the case the president will make. That yes, things are tough but they are getting better. If you go early to the Obama administration at one point in 2009, unemployment actually went above 10 percent. So the president will make the case still tough but getting better. Here's another way this works for the president politically. Remember that's a national unemployment rate, presidential elections are decided state by state. And if you go to some of the key battle grounds the unemployment situation is getting better. Now, not in Colorado, it's up, in Florida it's pretty static. But Ohio, one of those big midwestern industrial battle grounds, Ohio, look at the rate in Ohio. Ohio at 7.2 percent now, down from 8.6 percent at the start of the Obama presidency. Why is that state so important? If you paid attention the convention, what did you hear over and over and over again, Michigan and Ohio, the auto bailout.

The president believes his support of the auto bailout is a huge asset against Governor Romney and here is why. If you look at the map right now, 237 electoral college votes, either solid, dark blue or leaning light blue in the president's favor. 191, dark blue solid, light red leaning for Governor Romney. If the president can hold Ohio, which has been right in every presidential election since 1964, whoever wins Ohio wins the White House.

If the president can hold Ohio, he won it four years ago, look where that puts him, at 255. It's also a safe bet. Ohio is a more conservative bet than Iowa. If the Democrat is winning Ohio, he more than likely is winning Iowa as well. Look at that, with the president at 261. Then the president would have to win only one, if it's one of the larger states like Florida or even like Virginia or North Carolina, the president would only have to win one, or New Hampshire and Nevada, the smaller states.

Flip it over. If the president can win Ohio and win Iowa, Mitt Romney would have to almost run the board. He could afford to lose New Hampshire or Nevada but essentially running the board. Here it is in a sentence. President Obama wins Ohio, it's a huge speed bump if not a roadblock to a Romney presidency.

KAYE: The new jobs numbers are likely going to be the main topic on the campaign trail today. We'll tell you where the candidates are taking that message.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: President Obama kicks off a two-day bus tour through Florida today. He has stops in St. Pete and Kissimmee. We'll take you live.

And first up, next hour, meanwhile Mitt Romney is in Virginia. He'll be at a rally in Virginia Beach before heading to the Nascar race in Richmond this evening. Thanks so much for watching today. I'll see you back here at the top of the hour. Day one under your belt. How did it feel?

BLACKWELL: It went well. This is great. I enjoyed it.

KAYE: Yes, enough caffeine. You're able to get through it.

BLACKWELL: Don't drink coffee.

KAYE: You're just able to brink it. I keep a couple of tunes in my head, go through it. It's going to work.

KAYE: See, what the viewer doesn't know we have music rocking out here in the studio to keep us going.

KAYE: Great having you here.

BLACKWELL: "YOUR BOTTOM LINE" starts right now. Thanks for watching.