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Obama, Romney Trade Jokes; Gallup Poll: Abortion Is Issue Number One; What Wisconsin Women Voters Want; Car Bomb Rocks Beirut; Sandusky Victim Speaks Out; Malala "Communicating Freely"; Google's Early Earnings; Court: Hasan Can Be Forcibly Shaved; Masked Gunman Threatens Clerk; Armstrong To Be At Livestrong Event; IRS Boosts 401K Contribution Limit; Professor Sues University of Iowa; Madonna's Gun Stunt Draws Criticism; McCaskill, Akin in Fiery Debate; Keeping God at the Game
Aired October 19, 2012 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A happy ending. The next hour of CNN NEWSROOM starts now.
Stories we're watching in the NEWSROOM, presidential laughs, not attacks. The two candidates get all fancied up and try to woo uncommitted voters.
Drunken disorderly, U.S. contractors who went to Afghanistan to work are caught on tape doing something entirely different.
Internet giant, Google, now searching for answers. An early grim earnings release sent its shares into a tail spin.
And praising the Lord on the field, cheerleaders at a Texas high school enjoying a court victory. NEWSROOM starts now.
COSTELLO: Good morning to you. Happy Friday. I'm Carol Costello. Take a deep breath and laugh. The presidential candidates and their wives skip the campaign trail and hit the circuit, a new way perhaps to reach out to undecided voters.
Ann Romney went on "The View" to talk up her husband. Michelle Obama did the same with Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan. That interview will air later this morning.
But the biggest buzz came from the New York City charity event, the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner, its tradition, a roast featuring presidential candidates.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Earlier today, I went shopping at some stores in midtown. I understand Governor Romney went shopping for some stores in midtown.
MITT ROMNEY, (R) PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: We're down to the final months of the president's term. As President Obama surveys the the Waldorf Banquet Room, with everyone in white tie and finery, you have to wonder what he's thinking, so little time, so much to redistribute.
OBAMA: Tonight, it is not about the disagreement, Governor Romney and I may have. It's what we have in common, beginning with our unusual names. Actually, Mitt is his middle name. I wish I could use my middle name.
ROMNEY: A campaign can require a lot of wardrobe changes. Blue jeans in the morning perhaps, suits for a lunch fundraiser, sport coat for dinner, but it's nice to finally relax and wear what Ann and I wear around the house.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Just seen two days ago, Obama and Romney were stalking each other during a contentious debate. Last night though, they helped raise $5 million for needy kids in New York.
When it comes to the serious campaign issues, what would you say is number one among women voters? Well, according to Gallup, female registered voters in the 12 swing states say it's abortion by a big margin.
Nearly 39 percent of those women think abortion is the number one issue. Maybe abortion tops the list because of all those controversial comments surrounding the issue that are coming out this election season.
Just last night it happened again. Illinois Republican Congressman Joe Walsh intimated women use the threat to life as an excuse to get an abortion.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. JOE WALSH, (R) ILLINOIS: This is an issue that opponents of life throw out there to make us look unreasonable. There's no exception for life of the mother. And as far as health of the mother, same thing, with advances in science and technology, health of the mother has become a tool for abortions for any time under any reason.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Congressman Walsh is running for re-election against Democratic challenger Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth. As I said, this election could hinge on how women in the key battleground states vote.
Miguel Marquez is in South Eastern Wisconsin, in the town of Waterford. Miguel, I understand you spent some time with some business women who are kind of still wavering on their choice. What did they say?
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I did indeed. We're spending time with some dairy farmers as well out here. You know, Wisconsin is in play. This is a state that has been close before, not in 2008 when Obama won. But in 2000, 2004 and '96, it was very, very close. The Republicans think they might be able to take it this time. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARQUEZ: Here we are milking cows in Resin County, Wisconsin. What else are we doing in a place that offers up such delicious dairy delicacies? This is a county and state in play, in a place that hasn't voted for a Republican since Reagan in 1984.
(voice-over): The Rank family has farmed here since Grover Cleveland was president. Marsha Ranke and Linda Nelson have run the family dairy for 16 years.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right underneath.
MARQUEZ: Twice a day, 3 a.m. and p.m., they milk their 80 cows. They want to expand, but it's pricey and credit tight. Their biggest concern, government debt is acting like an anchor on the economy.
(on camera): Either of you made up your mind about who you're going to vote for?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have a pretty good idea.
MARQUEZ: But still could change it?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Could change it. Anything could change.
MARQUEZ: So what is it they want out of a White House?
LINDA NELSON, RANKE FAMILY FARMS: It's going to take someone who wants to strap on their big boy boots and really take charge and say we are in a world of hurt, we need change.
MARQUEZ (voice-over): Voters here take elections seriously. Turnout is high and most voters independent.
(on camera): To give you an idea of just how swinging Wisconsin is, these counties voted for George Bush in 2000 and 2004. Those same counties voted Obama in '08. There are more Bush to Obama swing counties in Wisconsin than any other state.
(voice-over): Even in the same family votes often split.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMAEL: I am voting for Romney.
MARQUEZ (on camera): You are voting for Romney. You think because his business credentials?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He is a businessman first.
MARQUEZ: Did you made up your mind --
MARGIE VAN BLAIRCOM, SLICE CUSTOM CAKES: No. I have no clue who I'm going to vote for. It's kind of teeters depending.
MARQUEZ: Four years ago, Gloria Bart and her daughter, Margie, started their own bakery. BLAIRCOM: We're making upside down stars.
MARQUEZ: They struggled, but their business grew, now in a bigger space and three new employees.
(on camera): Are social issues or economic issues bigger for you?
BLAIRCOM: I have to go with economic just because of our country, but social issues are important. It isn't anybody's right to tell a woman what they can or can't do with their body.
MARQUEZ (voice-over): Carol Hoppe rents out most of her farmland and says she works harder than ever just to keep her head above water.
(on camera): Do you have any sense of the campaign at this point?
CAROL HOPPE, HOPPE HOMESTEAD FARMS: Yes, hot and heavy, in the mail and on the phone.
MARQUEZ (voice-over): Five women, one battleground state, both campaigns in overdrive working for their votes in the final stretch.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MARQUEZ: Now we have a little breaking news for you. Just a few hours after we shot that story the other day, these two little guys were born, twins, to a single heifer.
The family wouldn't tell us who they're voting for. They did name this little cutie Mitt and this little cutie Barack. We don't think they give a hoot about polls -- Carol.
COSTELLO: I just love that. You just made my day.
MARQUEZ: They're really adorable.
COSTELLO: They are. I'm just glad you got away from that other cow that appeared to want to eat your hand.
MARQUEZ: That one is about 2 months old. He loved me.
COSTELLO: You should bring him home. Bring him home to New York with you.
MARQUEZ: I'll pack him inside my bag.
COSTELLO: Bye Mitt and Barack. Thanks a lot, Miguel. Foreign policy will be the topic of the final presidential debate on Monday night. CNN's live coverage starts at 7 p.m. Eastern.
Turning now to a developing story in the Middle East where a car bomb has rocked the city of Beirut. The car was reportedly parked in front of a library and a Lebanese state news agency reports at least eight people have died, another 78 have been wounded.
CNN's Nick Paton Walsh describes the scene as chaotic, one that shook the windows at CNN's offices 10 minutes away. We'll continue to monitor this story and of course, we'll bring you any new details as we get them.
For the first time the man known as victim number one in the Jerry Sandusky trial is speaking out. Here's what Aaron Fisher told ABC News.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You weren't able to say, nope, this guy's a monster and sexually assaulted me.
AARON FISHER, SANDUSKY VICTIM #1: I couldn't do it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why?
FISHER: Embarrassment, fear of not being believed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Fisher wrote a book about the abuse. It's coming out next week. In the meantime, Jerry Sandusky's lawyers are asking for a new trial. They filed an appeal arguing there wasn't enough evidence to convict Sandusky and they didn't have enough time to prepare. Sandusky was sentenced to at least 30 years in prison for sexually abusing 10 boys over 15 years.
The Pakistani school girl who was shot in the head from standing up to the Taliban has recovered enough to be able to stand up on her own this morning. Malala cannot speak yet, but her doctors say she is, quote, "communicating very freely by writing notes." This latest report is encouraging, suggesting Malala is well on the road to recovery.
It's earnings seasons on Wall Street and the release of those quarterly number is a well oiled machine. There is Google is blaming the printer for sending out the company's third quarter numbers four hours early and shares dropped nearly 10 percent because of that?
Alison Kosik is following the story from the New York Stock Exchange. So what happened?
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: A big oops, that's what happened. Google is blaming financial printer, R.R. Donnelly for the botched release, but Google say is that this filing agent submitted the draft documents to the SEC without authorization.
Now to anybody who follows these earnings releases, this really came as a big shock because this is, as you said, a very well oiled process. Earnings come out four times a year. It's down to the hour. It's very, very routine.
What happened is these earnings came out early yesterday. They weren't complete. A good indicator of that, you look at the top of the filing, it says in, quote, "pending Larry." It was referring to CEO Larry Page and the CEO usually puts a quote in there, puts a comment in the release, you know, to go along with the report.
So it just wasn't ready for primetime. Google wasn't ready putting it together. Here's something funny that came out of this. You look on Twitter, someone came out with something called @pendinglarry, that handle.
It was immediately put on Twitter, the jokes started flying and they were funny. But I'll tell you, Wall Street took this seriously. Look at this. The stock dropped immediately after the release.
Even on the Nasdaq, Google shares had to be halted from trading for a while before they resumed before the closing bell. At the end of the day, though, Google shares ended down 8 percent.
You know what, Carol, maybe it wouldn't have been so bad if Google's earnings were good and released early, but the problem was they weren't good.
Google's third quarter profit and revenue missed expectations. But right now Google shares are recovering a little bit, up a fraction of a percent -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, Alison Kosik reporting live from the New York Stock Exchange.
Caught on tape, Americans working as contractors in Afghanistan accused of drinking so much they could not perform their jobs. And now guess what, there's a lawsuit.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: It is 15 minutes past the hour. Checking our top stories now. Accused Fort Hood shooter, Major Nadal Hasan, can be forcibly shaved. That's the ruling of a military appeals court. He did not prove his beard was an expression of a sincerely held religious belief. Hasan is accused of killing 13 people and wounding 32 others in the November 2009 shooting.
Take a look at these pictures. You saw the store clerk there. She made that incredible leap, flipping over a 7-foot wall. She was running for her life actually from a man with a gun.
She gets up after vaulting out of that wall, sprints out of that store with the masked man close behind her. The clerk is shaken this morning. She's OK, she managed to escape. Police are searching for the gunman.
Lance Armstrong is expected to make his first public appearance today after the U.S. Anti-Doping Association laid out pages and pages of what it calls doping evidence.
Armstrong will be a part of "Live Strong" 15th anniversary event in Austin tonight. Even though he stepped down as chairman of the charity he started. Several huge sponsors have bailed on him, including Nike. But Nike says it will still continue to support "Live Strong." Starting next year, you will be able to stash away an extra $500 in your retirement account. The tax-free contribution limit for retired plans will increase to $17,500, up from $17,000 this year. It's the second year in a row the IRS has boosted the contribution limit as a result of rising inflation.
So drunk they could not even defend themselves in the event of an attack. That's the accusation by two former employees of a U.S. security contractor in Afghanistan against their own colleagues.
The men say this amateur video proves the drinking put others in harm's way and damaged relations with the Afghan people. It's all part of a whistleblower lawsuit. Brian Todd has more for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Staggering around half naked, seemingly drunk, wrestling, shouting at the man videotaping them.
This is amateur video from earlier this year of people working for an American security contractor in Kabul, Afghanistan. This man identified as the country's security manager for the contracting firm George Scientific.
JOHN MELSON, SUING SECURITY CONTRACTOR: It reminded me of any times I visited my friends going to college that were in fraternities. The parties at the frat houses were out of control.
TODD: John Melson is one of two former employees of George Scientific filing a seven-figure lawsuit against the firm for allegedly committing fraud on the U.S. government.
They say they were harassed for trying to blow the whistle. The company denies that. The plaintiffs allege rampant drinking, drug use, the misuse of firearms at that facility in Kabul, which they say prevented the security firm from carrying its assigned duties.
The video was shot on a cell phone by another former employee, Kenny Smith. He tapes himself complaining that he's being awaken by the behavior.
TODD (on camera): How often did you observe this behavior?
KENNY SMITH, SUING SECURITY CONTRACTOR: The misbehavior actually was almost every other night, several times a week. It was just at any given time they could just say, we're going to get together tonight and walk outside, typically at the end of the evening, sometime late afternoon.
TODD (voice-over): Smith says he and Melson tried to stop the behavior, taking it to the top levels of the company. He says they were told it would be addressed.
In this section of the video, a man identified as the security firm's medic appears incoherent. There's a syringe on the floor. The plaintiffs claimed he'd injected a horse tranquilizer called Ketamine.
We were unable to reach the medic for comment. Daniel Bryan from the group of project on government oversight, which monitors contractors is concerned.
DANIELLE BRIAN, PROJECT ON GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT: How can the medic be doing his job or security contractors be able to actually protect those training the Afghan police? Then you have the fact that they're having this behavior in the middle of Kabul, so they're blowing up ammunition in bonfires.
TODD: That's a reference to this video of a bonfire at the Kabul facility, which the suit claims led to injuries. Contacted by CNN, George Scientific issued a statement saying it took decisive action to correct the unacceptable behavior of limited number of employees. The company says it implemented a no drinking policy and dismantled the bonfire pit.
But George Scientific denies committing fraud. Representatives for the company say the man identified at security manager and the other man in these scenes did not have top security roles, that they had administrative and support jobs, sometimes driving. I asked the plaintiff's lawyer about that.
(on camera): The people representing the company say these guys had no security detail, that they were just administrative support.
DAVE SCHER, THE EMPLOYMENT LAW GROUP: That's a gross understatement of what these individuals did. These individuals are the security manager for the facility and the operations manager of security for the entire country of Afghanistan for the company. They were supposed to protect their own people as well as the local Afghans from attack.
TODD (voice-over): George Scientific refutes that, reiterating those men did not have a protective role for local Afghans and that they would not have been tasked with protecting the facility from attack.
Company representatives say no one involved in the video is still working for them and the firm is conducting its own investigation.
(on camera): The military is supposed to oversee those contractors. Contacted by CNN, officials from the NATO command, the international security assistance force, said they take the allegations very seriously.
And they said the U.S. army's criminal investigation division is looking into the allegations. We made attempts to reach the other two men in that video aside from that medic and were not able to. Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Vice President Joe Biden is at it again. Republicans pouncing on another comment Biden made on the campaign trail. It involved bullets. Talk Back is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Now is your chance to talk back on one of the big stories of the day. The question for you this morning, was Joe Biden's bullet remark out of line? Here we go again. I could start every Talk Back with here we go again.
Anyway, talk about mudslinging or gun slinging, locked and loaded, Joe Biden directed at some verbal ammo in Paul Ryan's direction and that other Republican congressman who like to call themselves -- gun guns.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: They're not bad men, they're decent men. They're good fathers. They're good husbands. But I don't understand how they believe -- and they do believe -- Ryan has written a book called "The Young Guns" with two other fellas, members of the House. No, these are the Republican leaders in the House. You had -- unfortunately, the bullets are aimed at you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: It didn't take long for Republicans to cry foul. CNN contributor, Erick Erickson tweeted Joe Biden tells the crowd that GOP bullets are aimed at them. Wonder what Gabrielle Giffords thinks of that rhetoric.
You see, like elephants, Republicans remember everything. In 2010, Sarah Palin used to cross hairs back to target Democrats for defeat. And in the cross hairs was former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
Democrats pounce accusing Palin of contributing to Giffords suffering. Dare I say Palin shot back.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SARAH PALIN, FORMER GOVERNOR OF ALASKA: Especially within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that incites the hatred and violence they purport to condemn.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Biden said they have always used war-like rhetoric. Think about it. Battleground states, war on women, and now Joe Biden's bullets are aimed at you. Talk Back question this morning: was Joe Biden's bullet remark out of line? Facebook.com/CarolCNN. Your comments later this hour.
Unless you work for a political campaign, should your political views matter at your job? Can you be discriminated for your political views? We'll talk about that.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Coming up on 30 minutes past the hour, checking our top stories. The Pakistani school girl shot in the head for defying the Taliban is now able to stand up. Doctors say Malala is doing well and communicating very freely by writing notes. But of course she still has a long way to go to fully recover.
Hackers believed to be supported by the Iranian government have attacked more U.S. banks this week. According to U.S. officials, Capital One and BB & T were with cyber attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday.
But little damage was done and no accounts were compromised. Now U.S. officials the attacks may be in response to western sanctions on Iran.
The Mars rover is venturing into new territory. NASA scientists are interested in this, beware. The "Curiosity" rover will pick up rocks and examine them. Scientists believe they may be indigenous to Mars.
What if you were held back at work because of your political views? A University of Iowa professor said it's happening to her right now. Theresa Wagner is suing the University of Iowa.
She says twice she was passed over for full-time positions because she is a Republican. This despite positive reviews and her claims at being the most qualified.
CNN contributor Will Cain has been following this case. Welcome, Will.
WILL CAIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Hi, Carol.
COSTELLO: Hi. You're a lawyer.
CAIN: I am.
COSTELLO: And you're -- you're passionately following this case. Why?
CAIN: I am. And it's not because as some of your viewers might know, I'm a conservative. I lack that one essential quality of a great pundit Carol and that's outrage. I'm a little outrage deficient. But this one really bothers me.
So -- so here's the deal. Can a state employee, a government employee like the University of Iowa discriminate against a potential employee because of their political beliefs.
Well first of all we have to decide are they discriminating against her. Now Mrs. Wagner thinks she has proof and she's in trial this week. It should wind up today where she says she has e-mails that suggest they discussed her political beliefs, that they worried about it could be a problem.
And she once worked for the Family Research Council and the National Right to Life Foundation.
So she thinks she has proof. It wouldn't be a big surprise by the way Carol. Look 75 percent of college professors self-identify as liberals to only 15 percent conservative. Former Harvard President Larry Summers, who worked for President Obama, has worried that this could be a result of discrimination in higher education. And I think that presents real problems.
COSTELLO: Well she's even saying it's a constitutional issue, but --
(CROSSTALK)
CAIN: Right.
COSTELLO: -- but you know it's discriminating against someone's political views a constitutional issue?
CAIN: So what's she's doing Carol is she's making a first amendment claim. She's saying that -- that by denying her this job because of her beliefs and her associations, they're intruding upon her first amendment rights. So the government has said -- the court has said, the Supreme Court has said the government cannot deny you employment, cannot base your hiring decision based upon your political beliefs. They make one exception and that's for policy makers.
So for example, Barack Obama could -- could deny a cabinet position to Grover Norquist, right? I mean, they don't agree and that's kind of an important part of the process. But -- but are colleges policy makers? Are law schools policy makers? I think that's an important decision -- answer to that question.
I think no, unless we're treating you know universities and law schools as like -- as like institutions for teaching a certain way of thinking or a certain ideology, we've got a real constitutional violation here.
COSTELLO: So in fairness to the university and it's not commenting because this thing is going to court, right, the university claims that she had a terrible interview and that's really why she wasn't given the job. So you can't really rule that out, right?
CAIN: No, you can't. That's their claim, right. They're saying they did not discriminate against her based on her political beliefs. They're saying she gave a terrible interview. Whether or not that's true or not, that's something for the jury in that case to sort out this week. Does she have valid proof of discrimination or is the school right, it was about her interview?
I do think it's a bigger question for all of us, that is interesting and that is you know should your political beliefs be a valid claim for -- for discrimination, ideological discrimination when it comes to employment, if it exists.
COSTELLO: Well I'm sure you'll continue -- I'm sure you'll continue to follow this case. And you've written a fascinating article about it on CNN.com.
CAIN: Yes.
COSTELLO: So if you want to know more, just log on to CNN.com/opinion. And tweet us at CNN Opinion. Thanks so much, Will Cain.
CAIN: Thanks Carol, as always.
COSTELLO: Throughout her tour, Madonna has been shooting a prop gun at audiences. But now her gun stunt is striking a nerve for the people in Denver.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: People who live in and around Denver are quite upset at Madonna saying her gun stunt is insensitive. It's part of Madonna's routine during the song "Gang Bang" but the community is still recovering from that shooting in nearby Aurora.
CNN's Kareen Wynter is in Los Angeles to tell us more. Good morning.
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN SHOWBIZ CORRESPONDENT: Carol, Madonna and even more controversy. And to think Carol you know Colorado residents are still healing after the deadly shootings in places like Aurora, we can't forget about Columbine. So they were a little upset and sounded off on Twitter.
Given Madonna's past, there are a lot of people who think that this is a publicity stunt Carol. After all on this tour alone, let's count the ways. She's generated her share of attention by putting a Swastika on a -- on a photo of a French politician, flashing a crowd in Turkey, mooning a crowd in Rome and protesting an anti-gay law in Russia. And I don't think those incidents even rank in Madonna's top ten of absolutely outrageous stage stunts.
But on this tour she's consistently brought out a fake AK-47 at stops on her shows and really used it as a prop. So this may be -- maybe a case of the local crowd being sensitive to something Madonna didn't consider. Perhaps -- perhaps also there were reports that Madonna was two hours late to take the stage.
So let's just clear this up just a bit because this is really a complaint Carol that has really followed her around the world. The tickets may say 8 p.m. but Madonna she doesn't take the stage before 10:00 p.m. That's the real schedule.
So if you're going to see her, be prepared to just wait a little bit perhaps. Oh, let listen to the DJ for a while before Madonna hits the stage. Oh, Madonna.
COSTELLO: So a question, are her concerts -- are her concerts sell- outs?
WYNTER: They're doing quite well. You know when one of our -- our supervising producers here who actually got the rare chance to see the backstage happenings, you know, how the whole production takes place says it's quite impressive. Jennifer Wolf she got that rare opportunity. And there's a lot of work that goes into it. Madonna's very hands on. So she takes this very, very seriously. It's just that sometimes it doesn't play out well, especially in front of a crowd that's dealing with a tragedy.
COSTELLO: Hey and she's selling out, isn't that all that matters?
WYNTER: Yes.
COSTELLO: Kareen Wynter thanks so much.
WYNTER: Yes exactly right. Thanks Carol.
COSTELLO: For the latest entertainment news, watch "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" 11:00 Eastern on HLN.
It must be the season for fiery debates. Senator Claire McCaskill went toe to toe with representative Todd Akin in the debate for the Missouri senate race. But did Congressman Akin's legitimate rape comments get mentioned? You might be surprised.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Political types everywhere are keeping a close eye on the senate race in Missouri. You know, the race that features Congressman Todd Akin and Senator Claire McCaskill. They squared off last night in a big debate that was missing one key thing, those comments that the Republican Congressman made a few months ago about legitimate rape. He sparked a firestorm with those remarks and Senator McCaskill has slammed on television as recently.
But last night you could call it the elephant in the room. Senator McCaskill talked about women's issues but she did not bring up those comment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL, (D) MISSOURI: He supports the boss being able to decide whether or not you get paid less just because you're a woman. And if you look at Congressman Akin's office, in fact he is a boss who does that. His women staff make 23.4 percent less than the men in his office.
REP. TODD AKIN, (R) MISSOURI: Claire McCaskill seems to want to escape from the failed basic economic mess that's been created in Washington. And of course, her advertising and everything backs up anything but taking a look at where we are with the economy and jobs.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Joining me now, political reporter for the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Kevin McDermott. Welcome, Kevin.
KEVIN MCDERMOTT, POLITICAL REPORTER, ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH: Hi, Carol.
COSTELLO: So we're curious. Why do you think that Claire McCaskill did not bring up this legitimate rape comment last night?
MCDERMOTT: You know that surprised everybody. I think she was probably counting on the panel to bring it up and when they didn't it, it might have been one of those situations where how do you smoothly do that without looking craving?
I should note that it was actually the first question that was asked in the previous debate between them and as you mentioned it's gotten quite a bit of air time on her commercials and -- and other settings. So it's not as if it's not out there.
They were asked afterward about what they thought about the fact that it didn't come up. Congressman Akin's spokesman said well he thinks that it's probably blown over. And obviously Senator McCaskill had a different view over that. She said that this is still an issue that people are thinking about there are other issues as well.
COSTELLO: Well, what do you think? I mean, has it blown over? In Missouri?
KEVIN MCDERMOTT, POLITICAL REPORTER, ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH: You know -- you know, it's probably easy watching this from around the country to think how can they be talking about anything else? But when you think about it, how many things can you say about one sentence?
I will say that Senator McCaskill's campaign has clearly made efforts to tie other issues into this. If you listened to much of the debate last night, a lot of it actually was about women's issues. Also the things she kept bringing up -- the equal pay, the contraceptive access, those kinds of things, which she obviously is hoping feeds back into what people already know about the legitimate rape comment.
COSTELLO: Well, it's interesting because a new Gallup poll came out this morning and said the number one issue for women voters is abortion. Does that surprise you and might it be why Claire McCaskill was talking so much about women's issues in the debate?
MCDERMOTT: Yes, I don't know if she had that poll specifically in mind. I think that she does realize that for her to win this, she needs to reach the middle. I mean, she's not going to get the conservatives in this race. Missouri's become a more conservative state in the past few years, we know that.
So she's trying to reach those women who might not agree with her on every economic issue, might not agree with her stance on stimulus spending or the affordable care act but don't want the government in the business of regulating abortion. She didn't actually say the word "abortion" last night, I don't think. She speaks more broadly though about women's issues.
And again, any time you talk about women's issues in the Missouri senate race, anybody who has been paying attention, that's a button that's being pushed, that says "legitimate rape" and Todd Akin's comment. COSTELLO: OK. And just a final question. It's about the polls in Missouri. I mean some polls say that Senator McCaskill is up by 14 points, others say it's neck and neck. What's the truth in your mind?
MCDERMOTT: Well, we had a poll right after his controversial comments in August that showed her up by 9 points. She had previously been way down. So that was a huge swing. Her campaign followed up with one that showed a similar spread. She came out with the 14-point poll recently, showing her ahead by 14. That was an internal poll. We tend not to pay that much attention to internal polls.
If I had to guess, I'd say that you're probably somewhere lower than the nine percent that it was. He's making a real effort among conservatives. But a pretty clear indication she still has the upper hand at this point.
COSTELLO: Kevin McDermott from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, thank you so much for joining us this morning.
MCDERMON: Thank you, Carol.
COSTELLO: It was hot this summer, no doubt about that. Now it looks like that warming trend will stick around for winter. Meteorologist Rob Marciano joins us now. Wow, that banner went up with severe weather. How hot is it going to be this winter?
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, in spots it will be above average. And when you think about last winter not only was the summer hot but the last winter was warm as well. It was the fourth warmest winter on record. Some of the bigger cities you know got barely any snow at all.
One of the reasons for that is La Nina. You hear us talk about La Nina and El Nino. These are oscillations in the Pacific Ocean which tend to drive the longer term weather patterns over the continent -- the U.S. We were heading into an El Nino but all of a sudden in September, it pretty much stopped and here's the forecast going forward. We really don't know what's going to happen.
So that is a particular challenge for the folks at the climate prediction center. They put out these seasonal forecasts. They unveiled it yesterday at NOAA. Here's your best crack at what's going to happen this winter.
We'll talk about the next three months as far as precipitation is concerned, expect it to be below normal, across the Pacific Northwest and the northern tier and they're pretty much using a very mild type of scenario here, above normal precip across parts of the southeast. Equal chances of seeing above or below across the northeast not only for precip but for cold as well should be below temperatures across the Florida peninsula and above average temperatures out west.
Are we going to see the big snows across the northeast like we saw two or three years ago? Well, that's possible. That's more determined by things that happened in the Atlantic Ocean and those are nearly impossible to predict any more than a week or two out. We'll just have to wait and see there.
Of course, you keep an eye on your squirrels in the back yard, Carol, maybe the furry caterpillars. That will help determine whether you should be gathering wood this winter as well.
COSTELLO: Do it the old-fashioned way.
MARCIANO: Exactly.
COSTELLO: Thank you Rob.
MARCIANO: All right Carol.
COSTELLO: Keeping God at a high school football game. Cheerleaders win a court battle over free religious speech.
We're going to talk to one of the cheerleaders next.
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COSTELLO: Cheerleaders at a Texas high school have something to cheer about even before their team hits the football field tonight. It's a victory in court for them for now. A judge has ruled the cheerleaders can keep bringing religious banners and signs to games through the end of the school year.
Rebecca Richardson is a cheerleader at Kountze high school, her mom Beth Richardson is a cheerleader sponsor and Mike Johnson is a lawyer representing some of those cheerleaders.
Welcome to all of you.
MIKE JOHNSON, LAWYER FOR THE CHEERLEADERS: Thanks for having us.
REBECCA RICHARDSON, CHEERLEADER: Hi.
COSTELLO: We're glad you're here.
So Rebecca, a temporary reprieve -- do you feel victorious?
R. RICHARDSON: I do. I'm really excited about using the sign tonight.
COSTELLO: And what's going to -- what are you going to put on the sign? Have you guys decided?
R. RICHARDSON: Yes, ma'am. I don't remember the reference but it's "Things that are impossible with man are possible with God."
COSTELLO: Beth, I'd like to ask you why do you think it's important that your daughter be involved in this fight?
BETH RICHARDSON, MOTHER OF REBECCA RICHARDSON: We've raised Rebecca in church since she was a baby and we've all been very involved in it. We really didn't want her Christian life to only be at church. We wanted her to be able to share it everywhere she goes, as she wants to.
COSTELLO: So of course, Mike, this fight isn't over. Tell us exactly what happened in court and what do you expect to happen in June?
JOHNSON: Yesterday the judge granted a temporary injunction, which means under the legal standard there's a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of the case. Basically he upheld the girls' right to free speech; that's been upheld by the Supreme Court and lower courts for decade.
It's a well established principle of law that students and teachers do not shed their constitutional rights to free speech when they walk through the schoolhouse gate. So if you're in the hallway between classes or you happen to be on a football field, you're still an American citizen and you still get the right to free speech.
There's a trial date for next summer but we really hope that's not even necessary. I mean the school district has a chance to can retract its unconstitutional policy. If they do that, this thing can go away and we can preserve the rights of these students once again.
COSTELLO: Rebecca, who complained about your signs?
R. RICHARDSON: I don't know. And it really doesn't matter because the point is we can still continue to do it regardless of who complained.
COSTELLO: You know I just wondered if one of the football players is Jewish or Muslim and objects to running through the sign, what would you say to that?
R. RICHARDSON: I would not force them under the sign. I complain about that because that's what they believe in. They don't have to do anything they don't want to do. That's how free speech works.
COSTELLO: Beth, are there Jewish students or Muslim students going to the high school?
B. RICHARDSON: No, there's not.
JOHNSON: Look, the community has been 100 percent in support of the cheerleaders. I mean they've gotten support from all around the country, even around the globe. This thing has touched a nerve because people realize religious expression is under fire in many ways on public school campuses.
So it's a good teachable moment for everyone. Free speech applies to all. And that's why, you know, at Liberty Institute we win 99 percent of these cases because the law really is very well established. This is a good reminder to that.
COSTELLO: And Rebecca, just a final question to you. If the court rules against you, what will you do?
R. RICHARDSON: Well, we're still going to want to represent God well and Christ well so we're not going to want to break any rules or anything. We'll just use another positive message that doesn't have any scripture on it.
COSTELLO: Thank you all for joining us this morning. We appreciate it.
JOHNSON: Thanks so much.
R. RICHARDSON: Thank you.
COSTELLO: Sure.
Vice President Joe Biden at it again. Republicans pouncing on another comment he made on the campaign trail involving bullets. Your Talk Back responses coming up next.
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COSTELLO: Checking our top stories now, George Zimmerman goes back to court today in his first appearance before a newly-appointed judge. Zimmerman's defense team is expected to ask for a delay in his trial in a bid to speak to more witnesses and review more evidence. They're also seeking the release of Trayvon martin school transcripts and cell phone records.
To politics, if you're holding out hope of a Hillary 2016 White House run, the Secretary of State has a message for you -- it is not happening. In an interview with "Marie Claire" Magazine, Clinton said that while her two decade career has been of, quote, "honor", she's ready to have a little personal time away from the world stage.
Check out this pictures from northern Oklahoma where a massive dust storm blanketed the area and shut down part of an interstate. An Oklahoma Highway Patrol spokesman blames the limited visibility for dozens of accidents.
OK. Talk Back question of the day: was Joe Biden's bullet remark out of line?
This from Jennifer: "We are all adults and if someone can't understand that it was harmless metaphoric joke, then maybe the problem is with them not Joe. Don't call yourself a Young Gun if you can't take the backlash of Joe.
This from Anna: "I am so tired of rhetoric taking the front seat while the details of how each candidate would attempt to get the nation back on track is shoved in the trunk. Enough with the pettiness. Back to substance.
This from Theresa: "I'll say one thing. Thank goodness Obama is in good health. Can you imagine the damage Biden could do negotiating with our enemies. Scary."
Facebook.com/CarolCNN if you want to continue the conversation. Thanks as always for your comments. I do appreciate them.
And thank you for joining me today. I'm Carol Costello. CNN NEWSROOM continues right now with Ashleigh Banfield.
