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CNN Saturday Morning News
Petraeus Resigns as CIA Director; Future of the Republican Party; The First Daughters; Two States Legalize Marijuana
Aired November 10, 2012 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everyone. I'm Randi Kaye.
VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Victor Blackwell. It's 7:00 on the East Coast, 4:00 out West. Thanks for starting your morning with us.
KAYE: And we begin this hour with the downfall of General David Petraeus. President Obama accepted his resignation as CIA director yesterday. Petraeus cited an extramarital affair as the reason for stepping down.
Joining me now is CNN intelligence correspondent Suzanne Kelly.
Suzanne, good morning. I know you've had a busy couple of days here.
So, how is the intelligence community processing this? Have they made any sense of it yet?
SUZANNE KELLY, CNN INTELLIGENCE CORRESPONDENT: I think it's going to take days, really, for that, Randi, for a couple of reasons. One, it's just a shot here in Washington. I mean, there were some many people if you had polled the top minds in Washington a week ago and asked them about David Petraeus, they would be more likely to talk about future career ambitions than, you know, what was going on outside his marriage. And that was such a stunner yesterday.
So, not only did David Petraeus step down as head of the CIA, but admitted to doing so in a letter that he wrote to employees at the CIA and I think, you know, processing sort of the shock of that is one part of this, but the other part that we're going to really focus on in the coming week is finding out more of those details, particularly the timing of this. You know, if there was an FBI investigation going on, which we now know there was, what were they looking at and how long did they know? Was the White House aware of this? And isn't it odd that it happened that he stepped down and came forward with this revelation just a couple days after the election?
KAYE: Yes.
Why was the FBI involved? This was based on a tip, right?
KELLY: Yes, yes. Now, we were told that a U.S. official confirmed to CNN that the FBI was investigating a tip that David Petraeus was having an extramarital affair with Paula Broadwell. Now, they actually gave us this name, this person. She, of course, is the person who wrote the biography about him.
Now, CNN has not been able to reach out to her and, you know, we take great pride in reaching out to every side of the story. So, we cannot tell you this is the woman who he was having the affair with. But we do that the official said there was no suggestion if the FBI was investigating wrongdoing on Petraeus' part but more that he might have been putting himself in a vulnerable position because of an affair.
And that's an important point if you think about the fact that he has security clearance, a very high top level security clearance. And someone who might put themselves in a private position that could lend them to be vulnerable to exploitation later, you know, is a very serious concern here.
KAYE: Yes, it sounds like they were certainly worried about classified information, possibly. What about Benghazi? Petraeus was supposed to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee next week. Does this have anything to do with the hearings coming up, do you think?
KELLY: The honest answer is I really don't think so. I think if the administration really needed a fall guy on Benghazi, they needed it before the election. I think that President Obama is in a much safer space now. People -- you know, sources I talked to in government seem a lot more relaxed about things now that the election is over.
If there's any sort of bright lining at all to this, it's that the person who is now going to be sitting in that seat at those hearings next week is Mike Morell. He's a 32-year veteran of the CIA. So, there's really no concern about sort of shake up and the agency being on faulty ground during any kind of transition because he has been right at the helm of this Benghazi investigation and I think, you know, he's going to be the person now who the president has already said he's put his trust in by naming him the acting director.
So, he's going to be in the hot seat in Benghazi, but I really don't think that the CIA, there's some sort of smoking gun on this story yet that's going to come out that would have prompted something like the downfall of David Petraeus.
KAYE: Yes, certainly.
All right. Suzanne Kelly, thank you so much for the very latest there.
BLACKWELL: Now, back to that FBI investigation. As Suzanne reported, a U.S. official tells CNN that the FBI was not investigating General Petraeus for any wrongdoing, it was just about protecting him from blackmail. But that explanation is not sitting well with some.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOB BAER, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: But the idea that the FBI is investigating the CIA director for a marital -- extramarital affair is just extraordinary. I have never seen it happen. And it smacks of George Orwell. It's more to do than sex. There is something going on here which I can't explain and I think we're going to find out very soon.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: Well, this has also raised questions regarding the role of the White House and the timing of this announcement.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: This is the key question right now in front of everybody. How extraordinary would it be that you have this type of FBI investigation into your CIA director and the president is not informed about it? This seems to really beg belief at the moment.
The word is circulating that the president was not aware, that, you know, only once Petraeus came to him. But it really seems to beg belief that someone in the White House didn't know that the FBI didn't inform the White House in some fashion.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: Later this hour, we'll talk more about the White House and the investigation. A former Bush administration and homeland security adviser Fran Townsend will be here with her take.
KAYE: President Obama wasted little time celebrating his election victory, instead, saying he is ready to work with Congress to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff. At its heart is whether current tax rates would remain but the raise for wealthier Americans both would rise if Bush era tax cuts expire at the end of the year.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm not wedded to every detail of my plan. I'm open to compromise. I'm open to new ideas. I'm committed to solving our fiscal challenges.
But, I refuse to accept any approach that isn't balanced. I'm not going to ask students and seniors and middle class families to pay down the entire deficit while people like me making over $250,000 aren't asked to pay a dime more in taxes. I'm not going to do that.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: House Speaker John Boehner, likewise, struck a conciliatory tone, drawing a hard line on tax hikes, but saying everything is up for negotiation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R-OH), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Well, clearly, the deficit is a drag on our economy and we can't continue to spend money that we don't have. I -- I don't want to box myself in. I don't box anybody else in. I think it's important for us to come to an agreement with the president, but this is his opportunity to lead.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: The Senate has already passed legislation that would raise taxes on those making more than $250,000 while preserving the Bush tax cuts for the middle class.
BLACKWELL: Staying with politics -- there's still no call in the presidential election in Florida where officials continue to sort through ballots and a bid to finalize the vote tallies. CNN has yet to project a winner but with 97 percent of precincts reporting President Obama has a 64,000 vote lead over Mitt Romney. Unofficial results must be submitted by noon today.
And when it comes to the national popular vote, the president's margin of victory has now increased. He now holds a 3 million vote advantage or a 51 percent to 48 percent edge over Governor Romney. That's up from a tie on election night.
KAYE: We've got much more ahead this hour.
BLACKWELL: Here's a quick look at what's coming up.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE (voice-over): As of Tuesday, smoking pot without a medical reason is now legal in two states. For now, the Feds aren't budging. So why is one career drug agent applauding the new laws?
The new majority. The women's choice battles over voting rights. Tuesday's election revealed new lessons. All morning, we'll put what we learned in focus.
Businesses closed to grieve and students protesting on campus, bosses firing their workers. Why Obama's victory sparked hysteria among his critics.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLACKWELL: This morning, we're taking a closer look at Tuesday's election results, specifically we're seeing what we learned from those results. How did women affect the outcome, Latinos and the Tea Party's role in that outcome?
Joining me now is Amy Kremer, chairwoman of the Tea Party Express.
Good to have you with us this morning.
AMY KREMER, CHAIRWOMAN, TEA PARTY EXPRESS: Hey, thanks for having me.
KREMER: Amy, some say the Tea Party is the reason in part that the Republicans came up short in taking control of the Senate in 2012 and 2010. They say the candidates are too extreme to win in the general elections. Who do you think is responsible for the GOP coming up short, specifically in the Senate? KREMER: Well, you know, I think there's a lot of blame to go around because candidates that could be considered Tea Part or labeled Tea Party lost, as well as some moderates lost that the establishment put up such as George Allen and Rehberg. So, you know, there's plenty of blame to go around. We just -- elections have consequences and we have to continue pushing forward. And this does not indicate in any way, whatsoever, that the Tea Party movement is dying. As a matter of fact, I think it's going to strengthen it.
BLACKWELL: Well, let's talk about the fiscal cliff, because that's what's coming up next.
KREMER: Right.
BLACKWELL: The automatic cuts if Washington can't agree on a plan to cut spending and the deficit. President proposed cuts and raising taxes on income over $250,000. Republicans thus far has said no to the tax increase, although John Boehner has said more revenue.
Should Republicans in Congress be afraid of a Tea Party primary if they support a deal that includes tax increases?
KREMER: You know, I'm not going to -- I'm not going to talk about primaries now because we're just three or four days away from this last election and next one is, obviously, two years away. We have this fiscal cliff to deal with and what I hope is that somehow we can find some common ground and a winning solution for all Americans.
And, you know, everybody wants to talk about tax increases. Well, you know, why don't we close some of these loopholes so that these corporations, G.E., Apple, others, you know, pay taxes here in this country, because that would bring in some revenue. So, there's other ways to bring revenue instead of just taxing the citizens across this country.
The problem is that eventually, you run out of other people's money. You can tax people all you want, but, eventually, they're going to pay all their money to taxes and there's going to be no more money. So, we've got to talk about spending, too. And that's important.
BLACKWELL: Let's talk about this, you say common ground.
KREMER: Right.
BLACKWELL: Does that mean compromise?
KREMER: You know, I don't, I hate the word compromise -- no offense to you -- but the media has put it as this hot topic, dirty word and the thing is, it's like they want to put the Republicans and the Democrats in a boxing ring and see who comes out the winner. Why don't we figure out how to fix this so that the American people won?
BLACKWELL: Well, Amy, some people put a Republican against a Republican because they disagree with their votes while they're serving, to say that the media puts politicians in a boxing ring to see who comes out winning, it seems to be a bit biased. Don't you think?
KREMER: No, the thing is, if party politics got us into this mess. The Republicans are just as responsible for the spending as the Democrats. We need to find solutions. That's what's important.
And the Tea Party movement, we're not about the social issues. We're all about the fiscal issues. All we care about is fiscal responsibility, limited government and free markets. That's all we care about. So, let's --
BLACKWELL: The problem with that is, when I go to your website and you have endorsed, let's say, Mourdock in Indiana, and he is a fiscal conservative but he says a pregnancy that results from rape is what God intended and that social message is something that supersedes the fiscal message.
KREMER: You know what?
BLACKWELL: It gets in the way, right?
KREMER: But the thing is, that's what people want to focus on. We don't focus on the social issues, we never have. We won't and that's where the strength of the Tea Party is --
BLACKWELL: You don't focus on it, but women who are victims of rape focus on it. It might not be your priority.
KREMER: This is a thing, is that no war on women. Roe versus Wade is not going to be overturned. There's -- women are not going to lose that access to birth control.
The Democrats and the left created the pseudo-war on women. They manufactured it because a president couldn't run on his economic record.
BLACKWELL: The Democrats did not put those words into Congressman -- into his mouth.
KREMER: I'm not saying they did. I'm not saying they did. I'm not saying they did.
BLACKWELL: OK.
KREMER: But what I'm saying is that those -- those issues are not what we're focused on. We're focused on the fiscal issues.
Every candidate, I don't care who they are, they're going to have a stance on social issues. They have a stance on every issue. But that is not what we are focused on.
BLACKWELL: Listen, I want to get to something specifically that we learned from the election results is that the Republican Party has to increase its tent. The black vote went overwhelmingly to President Obama. I went to your Website, teapartyexpress.org.
And a lot of people have said that the Republicans have to reach out to Latinos and African-Americans. Would you agree with that?
KREMER: Yes. I mean, absolutely.
BLACKWELL: OK. Let me read something from your website. Obama's appeal, clueless, entitlement addicts and racists. Black activists, blacks lost cause must get out white vote. Black Christian, shame, shame, shame. The black divider in chief. Black actress supports Romney. Welcome home, sista -- spelled s-i-s-t-a.
If this is on your website within the last month. How do you get black voters?
KREMER: I'm not familiar with what posts you're talking about.
BLACKWELL: It's on teapartyexpress.org.
KREMER: Wait, I don't know. I think probably Lloyd Marcus who is a spokesperson for Tea Party Express probably wrote that. He's been with Tea Party Express from the beginning. He is a prolific blogger and writer, author and he's performed. So, that's my guess.
But, look, I mean, we reach out to people all the time and there are African-Americans, Hispanics in this entire movement across the country. I mean, it doesn't -- we're not focused on race. What we are focused on are the fiscal issues and we want Washington to rein in this out of control spending, live within their means, so all Americans win and we're on that path to prosperity, again.
We remain the shining city on the hill. That's what we're focused on.
BLACKWELL: Well, the problem may be the fiscal conservatives who are put up talk more about fiscal conservatism. They also talk about race and they also talk about social issues.
Amy Kremer, chairwoman of the Tea Party Express --
KREMER: You know what?
BLACKWELL: -- we've got to go. We have to have you back, I'm sure. Thank you for speaking with us this morning.
KREMER: Thank you.
KAYE: Four more years and we don't mean President Obama, we mean the two young ladies who now live at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, as well. What is if like growing up in the White House? We'll tell you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Malia and Sasha Obama have grown up a lot over the past four years, most of it out of the public eye. But on election night, young Sasha demonstrated she, too, may have a future in politics.
Watch what happens here. The crowd at McCormick Place in Chicago went wild when she reminded her father to acknowledge the hundreds of supporters behind the stage. You can see she's kind of savvy. As the Obama daughters now begin another four years in the White House, we wanted to take a closer look at what their lives are like and how they compare with other first children.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE (voice-over): They may be growing up in the White House, but to Sasha, 11, and Malia now 14, Mr. President is simply daddy. And on election night, their daddy sounded so proud.
BARACK OBAMA: Sasha and Malia, before our very eyes, you're growing up to become two strong, smart, beautiful, young women, just like your mom. And I'm so proud of you guys. But I will say that for now, one dog is probably enough.
KAYE: Hard to believe it's been more than four years since we were first introduced to the Obama girls. Remember this precious moment at the 2008 Democratic Convention.
SASHA OBAMA, PRES. OBAMA'S DAUGHTER: Daddy, what city are you in?
KAYE: Their parent, for the most part, keep them out of the spotlight but on stage on election night they were beaming and, boy, have they grown.
Doug Wead has written about presidential families for more than two decades and interviewed 19 presidential children.
DOUG WEAD, PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN: The most successful presidential children in history have been children who were kept out of the limelight during their father's presidency. This was a study that Jacqueline Kennedy made and concluded. The Obamas have subscribed to that and historically, this has proven to be the wisest form of presidential parenting.
KAYE: While we haven't heard much directly from the two girls over the years, their parents share quite a bit about them. Listen to what the president told ABC's Robin Roberts about his daughters last year.
BARACK OBAMA: They're smart, they're funny. And most importantly they're kind, they're respectful, they're responsible, they're well- behaved. I could not have asked for better kids.
I should also point out that I had men with guns that surround them often. And a great incentive for running for re-election is that it means they never get in a car with a boy who had a beer.
KAYE: Malia, who will be 18 by the time her father's second term ends, is already asking about her driver's license. The president said he'll allow it. But other things are simply against the rules, as Mr. Obama recently told the ladies of "The View."
BARACK OBAMA: First of all, Malia didn't get a phone until last year. They don't have Facebook page. You know, part of that, obviously, is for security for us. We don't let them watch TV or use their computer, except to do homework during the week. KAYE: The president was asked on MTV how he feels about Malia soon dating.
BARACK OBAMA: Dates, that's fine because she's -- she got Secret Service protection. So --
KAYE (on camera): The goal in this White House seems to be normalcy. The president tries to be home for family dinner most days and even helps coach Sasha's basketball team. And this past summer both girls went away to sleep away camp, of course, the Secret Service went with them.
Even living in the White House, though, doesn't mean the girls get a free pass. They still make their beds and Malia does her own laundry.
(voice-over): Lots of pressure comes along with being the president's daughter. Michelle Obama shared this story with Jimmy Kimmel.
MICHELLE OBAMA, FIRST LADY: That was the instruction before he gave his speech at the DNC. We're back stage and they're playing around and they're laughing and they're giggling and he said, just act like you're listening to me. So, the whole time I'm clapping and looking over at them and I'm like, smile, smile, they're like, OK.
KAYE: Sasha and Malia seem to be handling the spotlight just fine, but it wasn't so easy for those before them.
George W. Bush's daughter, Jenna, was arrested for having alcohol as a minor. Months later, she was charged with using a fake ID to purchase alcohol.
And then there's Chelsea Clinton, whose father was impeached following his affair with Monica Lewinsky.
WEAD: The greatest memory of Chelsea Clinton is that scene of her walking across the lawn and taking her father's hand and her mother's hand and literally holding that marriage together.
KAYE: So much history at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Now, Sasha and Malia's early years firmly part of it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLACKWELL: Amazing. When they walked out on stage with their parents that night, Tuesday night, I couldn't get over how tall Malia had gotten.
BLACKWELL: Oh, yes.
KAYE: She's so tall.
BLACKWELL: She's going to surpass her mom.
KAYE: Oh, yes. I just can't imagine going away to sleep away camp, which I did as a little girl, and taking the Secret Service with me.
BLACKWELL: You know, the thing is about the girls is that these are the kind of awkward years. Chelsea Clinton, with those awkward years.
KAYE: They don't look so awkward. They look beautiful.
BLACKWELL: They don't. But, you know, the best to them.
KAYE: Yes. Certainly, they're doing great.
BLACKWELL: All right. Voters blazing a trail for the legalization of marijuana this week. You get it, blazing? OK. Even more support is coming from a surprising place, law enforcement.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Mortgage rates nearing even closer to historic lows this week. Have a look.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Bottom of the hour now. Welcome back, everyone. I'm Randi Kaye.
BLACKWELL: I'm Victor Blackwell. Thanks for starting your morning with us.
Here are five stories we are watching this morning:
First up, an extramarital affair has ended the career of CIA director, General David Petraeus. He admitted the affair in his resignation letter. Here it is: "After being married for over 37 years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair. Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours."
Michael Morell will step in as acting director of the CIA. And he has been deputy director since May of 2010. And we'll have much more on this later in the hour.
Turning to the economy now. With just 52 days to reach a deal, President Obama is set to meet with congressional leaders this week to discuss the so-called fiscal cliff. Both the president and House Speaker Boehner said they are open to compromise, but tax hikes on the rich are a sticking point.
Number three, the teen girl shot in the head by the Taliban for trying to go to school in Pakistan is now walking and reading and writing and smiling. This is new video of Malala Yousufzai. She is recovering at a hospital in London.
You see her. She's there with her dad. She received an outpouring of international support and thousands of get-well cards. Today marks one month since the attack.
And people who were made homeless by superstorm Sandy are finding some relief courtesy of FEMA. FEMA has set up a temporary shelter camp in New Jersey that looks like a massive tent city. It houses more than 200 people affected by the storm, as well as thousands of utility workers and first responders -- thousands of them. But FEMA officials say Sandy evacuees will be moved into better housing this week.
Number five now, the CEO of the popular southern restaurant chain Waffle House has been accused of sexual improprieties by his former assistant. The woman whose name has not been released is accusing CEO Joseph Rogers Jr. of forcing her to, quote, "perform sexual services", including inappropriate touching and appearing naked in front of her for the nine years she worked for him. Rogers has not responded to the claims.
KAYE: Some interesting history unfolding before our eyes. Voters in two states, Washington state and Colorado, voted to legalize marijuana for recreational use. We're not talking about medicine, but simply to get high for fun.
Check out some of the reaction in Colorado this week.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am feeling amazing. This is the best day I've seen in my life.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Obviously, it's always nice to be right. So, but, you know, we're really happy and, most importantly, it's just great that we're not going to see another 10,000 Coloradoans arrested and made criminals in these coming years.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Here's something else you don't hear that often, police also in favor of pot legalization.
Joining me now is Neill Franklin. He's a 32-year law enforcement veteran in Maryland and also speaks for a group called LEAP, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.
Neill, good morning.
First tell me why you're in favor of legalizing marijuana.
NEILL FRANKLIN, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST PROHIBITION: Well, I'm in favor because marijuana legalization is not something new. This policy of prohibition has been a perpetual policy disaster for over four decades now.
As a matter of fact, one of the first law enforcement leaders, a man by the name of August Vollmer, chief of Berkeley City Police Department in California, he was also the first leader of International Chiefs of Police. Right after the end of alcohol prohibition in the 1930s, he said that managing drugs in our community is an issue for health. It is not one to be solved through law enforcement.
So this is nothing new. There are many reasons to end marijuana prohibition in this country and I'm glad that voters in Colorado and Washington stepped forward. This has been on the president's plate ever since he's been in office and it's time for him to deal with it. KAYE: You were on the front lines for many years in the war on drugs, but I understand a tragic accident of a fellow officer changed your life. Is that when you decided that drugs should be legalized?
FRANKLIN: That was the real turning point for me. As a matter of fact, just a few miles from where I sit here in Washington, D.C., (INAUDIBLE) for the Maryland State Police, he was assassinated making an undercover drug buy working with the FBI. And that was the turning point for me. It made me really see how violent our community had become because of the prohibition of drugs like marijuana. And it's time --
KAYE: Are you in favor of legalizing all drugs?
FRANKLIN: Oh, absolutely. We have to get it away from criminal hands. Our communities have become so violent because we turned the management of drugs in our communities over to criminal gangs. Our neighborhood gangs, the cartel -- you know, the U.S. Department of Justice said just a couple of years ago that the cartel were operating in 230 communities in our country. Today, they reported that it's over 1,000. And it's not getting any better.
We're also putting billions of dollars into the hands of criminal gangs and organizations so that they can enter into other criminal enterprise. Look at Mexico -- over the past five to six years, they had over 60,000 of their citizens murdered by the cartel, 10,000 citizens still missing, thousands of orphans who were being recruited by the cartel to carry on the criminal business.
KAYE: So, doesn't this change? I mean, we have been telling our children for decades, drugs are bad, don't do drugs. We've been telling them they're illegal, don't buy drugs. So, that changes that whole conversation.
FRANKLIN: No, it doesn't. No, it doesn't. We continue to tell them that. Look what we've done with tobacco. Reduced consumption because we've been telling our kids it's not good for you. We almost cut it in half just through education and treatment.
That's what we need to do with marijuana and other drugs. Not to subject them to being arrested.
I got to mention this, racial profiling. The foundation for racial profiling in our country today is the prohibition of drugs like marijuana. I, as a police officer, can approach any one, any car and search them just on the premise that, you know what? I smell marijuana. There's probable cause to search you.
We have been violating the Fourth Amendment in this country like crazy. And now it's the time for the president to work with state legislatures in Colorado and Washington and deal with this issue. It belongs in the hands of health practitioners, not the police.
KAYE: Neill Franklin, thank you for your perspective on this, this morning.
FRANKLIN: Thank you, Randi. Thank you.
BLACKWELL: General David Petraeus out as CIA chief, done. He resigned in the wake of an extramarital affair. But does it leave America vulnerable? We'll find out.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLACKWELL: Back to our top story now: The shocking resignation of CIA Director David Petraeus. He admitted to having an extramarital affair.
Joining me now on the phone is CNN national security contributor Fran Townsend. She is a member of the CIA external advisory committee.
Fran, you said that this is a terrible blow for the country. Aside from losing his expertise to the CIA what other repercussions do you see to the intelligence community?
FRANCES FRAGOS TOWNSEND, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CONTRIBUTOR (via telephone): You know what? I think we have to put this in perspective.
While much of Washington, I think, the country was shocked by yesterday's news of David Petraeus' resignation, the CIA is an agency that has suffered terrible losses. Remember, at the Khost bombing, they lost a good number of their own offices, who were killed. So, this is an agency that understands the depths of loss and the heights of success and the killing of bin Laden.
So, look, they're going to be fine. They're going to move on as an organization. The new acting deputy director Mike Morell is a career analyst from the CIA. He was George W. Bush's presidential briefer. He is an absolute professional and respected throughout the agency.
So, look, I expect that the CIA will be, you know, certainly competently and well led and they will continue to focus on their mission as they have through other successes and other tragedy.
BLACKWELL: A former CIA operative Robert Baer last night on "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT" said that he is known four or five CIA directors who had extramarital affairs, and this has to be about something more than just sex.
Do you agree with that or just honor was the reason that he resigned?
TOWNSEND: Look, you know, I had the privilege of working with David Petraeus, both at my time in the White House and then on the external advisory board. And I think this was a very difficult decision for him, but I do believe that he's been forthright about it. I think that for him having worn the uniform and lived by the Code of Military Justice, he understands that his behavior is inconsistent with the values he espoused. You know, in n his book, he talks about live your values and he's not done that.
And I think that this is a personal failing for him and he feels the weight of that. So, I believe that this is really about what he says. It's about the affair. He felt like he didn't live his own values and that he needed to step back from the leadership position from public life to deal with it.
BLACKWELL: We know that the reporting thus far has indicated that this was a surprise for the president when General Petraeus went in and talked with the president. They both decided to take a day to think about it and then General Petraeus went back in, submitted his resignation and the president accepted it. There are questions about the role of the White House and how the president could not have known about this before General Petraeus brought it to him if the FBI is conducting this investigation of the director of the CIA, no less.
TOWNSEND: Yes, not possible. It is not possible that the president learned on Thursday from Dave Petraeus. Absolutely inconceivable.
So, you know, look, I worked in the White House. There is a protocol for notifying the White House, not that the White House can't do anything about it, but the White House has to be notified when there is a counterintelligence investigation of a cabinet member or senior administration official.
So, in this case, in all likelihood the person would have been first notified by the FBI of the counterintelligence investigation, it's the director of national intelligence, Jim Clapper. Jim Clapper would have had an obligation to notify someone in the White House, likely that would have been the White House chief of staff or the national security adviser of the ongoing -- the ongoing investigation and the nature of it.
We don't know. The White House has not confirmed who was notified, had not given us a timeline. So, we don't know when. And then it would have been up to those in the White House when to notify the president. With the election, they may have tried to wait to decide to wait until after the election, if that was possible.
But we simply don't know the answer to questions about this timeline. You rest assured the president did not learn for the first time from David Petraeus.
BLACKWELL: And we certainly have more questions and we're working to get more answers.
Fran Townsend, thank you very much, CNN national security contributor.
KAYE: Not everyone was happy about the results of Tuesday's election and some are showing their disapproval in ways you might not expect.
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TV ANCHOR: And a little bit earlier we had folks make a special request. Many folks said if their candidate lost the election, they'd be moving to Canada, not sure. But that was some of the folks promises out there.
So, let me give you the quickest and directest (ph) route to Canada from Tulsa. You live out of Tulsa here. You take Highway 75 northbound -- OK, 75 northbound up through Kansas, past Kansas City. When you get into Omaha --
KAYE: Yes, yes.
BLACKWELL: I love it.
KAYE: Isn't that great?
We watched on Tuesday night, of course, as people all over the world celebrated Obama's re-election but not everyone is excited. You saw lots of folks threatening to move to Canada and this guy was helping them out, right?
BLACKWELL: Yes, you don't like democracy, here's the road a few hundred miles, take a passport.
KAYE: North. You can go north. That was -- that was pretty funny.
BLACKWELL: First time I've seen this actually. I'm sure they got a big response from people who are not happy about the map.
Hey, let's go to the University of Mississippi and the reaction here, not as funny. Students accused of using racial epithets and chanting after the president's win was announced. The university says the crowd reached 400 people at its peak. Before university police, quote, "forcibly dispersed the crowd," of course.
KAYE: Apparently they were burning campaign signs, Obama campaign signs. They were burning Obama-Biden pictures. I mean, it was really -- it got really, really ugly.
BLACKWELL: And it's unfortunate for Ole Miss because they have been trying to kind of change that image of the university and this does not help at all. They just had their first homecoming queen. That's right. That's our executive producer, Nora, was telling me that, is that right?
They just had their first African-American homecoming queen. So they are trying to change that image. This doesn't help.
KAYE: Yes, certainly not.
BLACKWELL: All right. We'll be back.
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BLACKWELL: We're in Evans, Georgia, and this is Southern Tots. Ashley Jernigan started this children clothing company after she received a pink slip in 2010.
ASHLEY JERNIGAN, SOUTHERN TOTS: All right. Let's pick out some fabric that goes together.
I had been laid off, it was a new chapter. I thought, OK, I'm going to do something for myself, I'm going to do something I enjoy. I love kids' clothes. I love my children and they inspire me.
BLACKWELL: What do you want to be?
UNIDENTIFIED GIRL: Mommy's helper.
JERNIGAN: Mommy's helper. See, that's what makes me happy.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Southern Tot.
JERNIGAN: They do photo shoots and model for us. It wouldn't be possible without them.
BLACKWELL: They're all over Facebook.
JERNIGAN: Yes, they are. I wonder if some day like when they get older, they're going to go oh, my gosh, why did my mom do this to me? But, you know, for now, they enjoy it, they love it.
BLACKWELL: How did you come to this idea of starting a business just using Facebook?
JERNIGAN: I went on there and our customers have really made our business be what it is. When I started to do sales on there, I asked my fans, you know, hey, do you want sales at night or during the day, and what days do you want it? You know? And kids have soccer practice.
So it became what time they want it. We would get on there and we would sell stuff.
BLACKWELL: And this is a new phenomenon, a Facebook business.
JERNIGAN: Absolutely.
BLACKWELL: And everything that we saw out in the warehouse, on the work floor, actually starts with a garment in this photo.
JERNIGAN: That's true. This is my daughter Addison (ph). She's wearing my grandmother's jacket that had smocking on it and it just goes to show the tradition of smock clothing and how important it is. So, that would have been her great-grandmother.
And to have this picture is important. It feels good to draw inspiration from things and it also feels good to just create and accomplish something. And there's nothing more that I could give my kids than that.
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BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I felt that the work that I had done in running for office had come full circle, because what you guys have done means that the work that I'm doing is important. And I'm really proud of that. I'm really proud of all of you. And --
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KAYE: Tears of pride, joy, maybe just a little relief that it's all over there by the president?
BLACKWELL: Probably a bit of all three. And Jeanne Moos noticed that the campaign room "thank you" was not the only time the president got a little emotional. Look.
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JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You know you're in for a sentimental night when it starts with one of those famous Obama hugs, where they seemed like they're all alone, even though tens of thousands of us are watching.
But enough kissing. Time for reminiscing. Iowa is where Barack Obama's drive for the presidency got its start.
OBAMA: And you welcomed me and Michelle into your homes.
MOOS: And then, it happened.
MALE REPORTER: And Mr. Obama got teary-eyed, wiped a tear from his face.
FEMALE REPORTER: An emotional night even for a president, known for keeping his cool.
MOOS: Maybe it was the cold making him cry. Nah.
OBAMA: I want to say one thing to all the young people --
MOOS: Not once, but three times.
OBAMA: To all of you who've lived and breathed the hard work of change, I want to thank you.
MOOS: The president used his finger --
OBAMA: Who believe we've all got something to contribute.
MOOS: -- to dab away a tear.
(on camera): No surprise, the president's tears had some of his critics crying -- crying foul.
(voice-over): "Who cries from just one eye," asked someone calling herself Jonie Baloney.
The president has cried before at a funeral for a civil right activist as Michelle eyed his watering eyes.
And four years ago, exactly one day before the election --
OBAMA: It's hard a little to talk about.
MOOS: -- then-Senator Obama lost the grandmother who had help raised him, and this time thumbed away the tracks of his tears.
OBAMA: A broken politics in Washington.
MOOS: Four years apart, both times a day before the election --
OBAMA: I want to say one thing to all the young people.
MOOS: But Barack Obama is no John Boehner.
REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R), HOUSE SPEAKER: I've spent my whole life -- chasing the American dream.
MOOS: With President Obama, it almost takes a still photo to capture the tears, and then nostalgia gave way to kissing those tears good- bye.
Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
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BLACKWELL: Who cries from just one eye? Can the man cry any way he wants to?
All right. Thanks for starting your morning with us.
KAYE: We've got much more ahead on CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It starts right now.
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