McAfee talks to CNN while on the run
In an exclusive on-camera interview, Internet tycoon John McAfee talks to CNN's Martin Savidge about running from authorities and the death of his neighbor.
Rep. Terry: Republicans have no leverage
Rep. Lee Terry, R-Nebraska, says it would be politically advantageous for President Obama if no deal on the fiscal cliff is met by the end of the year, calling the administration’s proposals to tame the nation’s debt “disingenuous.”
"We come back from the election; we want to get the fiscal cliff resolved,” Terry told CNN on Friday. “But yet we aren't seeing anything from the White House.”
If no deal is reached by the end of the year, automatic federal spending cuts and tax rate increases will go into effect, a situation economists warn could slow economic growth and push the country back into a recession.
Murder, money and politics in Chicago
CNN's Drew Griffin investigates an anti-violence program in Chicago that cost millions without reducing crime.
Matalin: Obama does not have a mandate
Mary Matalin and Paul Begala debate the strategy behind President Obama's fiscal cliff proposal.
Supreme Court could see baby Veronica case
Veronica's adoptive parents are petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court for custody. The 3-year-old is currently living with her biological father. Jeffrey Toobin gives his perspective on the likelihood of the case going before the court.
Residents return to homes in Aleppo
CNN's Arwa Damon reports from Aleppo, Syria, where people are going back to homes after fleeing the violence. Despite the rebels claiming that the government is not in control of 65% of the city, it is still risky to be in the area. "There is still always that constant threat from the sky," says Damon.
The AC360 Weekly Buzz: Baby Veronica custody case, Syria blackout, Chicago violence, Einstein's brain, fiscal cliff
What everyone’s talking about:
It’s been more than two months since four Americans were killed in the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, yet questions remain about how the incident was handled. And there have been mixed messages about who chose to omit al Qaeda from Amb. Susan Rice’s talking points when she appeared on Sunday talk shows on September 16. We’re Keeping Them Honest. CNN’s Fran Townsend and Reuel Marc Gerecht discuss the controversy.
With the fiscal cliff deadline looming, a leading conservative newspaper and GOP lawmaker Tom Cole are backing President Obama on tax hikes for those earning more than $250,000. But House Speaker John Boehner and other top Republicans vehemently oppose the plan and are downplaying the fact that voters who re-elected Pres. Obama also back tax hikes. Keeping them honest, can a compromise be found within these competing factions? What might it look like? Republican Sen. Rand Paul tells Wolf Blitzer what his version of a compromise looks like.
Michael Ferguson is one of four men suing a New Jersey counseling center they say defrauded them. All four underwent controversial therapy intended to change their sexuality from gay to straight. Ferguson spoke to Wolf Blitzer about his experience with the group, Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing, and the “very strange” interventions he endured.
Tonight on AC360: Parents appeal to U.S. Supreme Court for baby Veronica
3-year-old Veronica may be too young to realize she's at the center of a contentious legal battle between her biological father and the parents who thought they had adopted her. She was taken from Matt and Melanie Capobianco's home on New Year's Eve 2011 after they had raised her for two years.
Since then they've been fighting a South Carolina court's decision. They appealed to the South Carolina Supreme Court, but the justices upheld the ruling. Now, they're petitioning the United States Supreme Court to overturn the verdict.
The couple had arranged to adopt Veronica from her birth mother before the child was born. They were told the father, Dusten Brown, waived his parental rights and he signed a document saying he would not challenge the adoption.
In a surprising turn of events, when Veronica was 4 months old, her father filed for paternity and custody citing a federal law from 1978 called the Indian Child Welfare Act.
Letters to the President #1411: 'Mr. Biden goes to the store'
Reporter's Note: The White House often seems twitchy about the subject of Vice President Joe Biden, especially since he rather famously strays from the talking points now and then. But in today’s letter, I note the Veep may have a few lessons from which the president could learn a thing or two.
Dear Mr. President,
I noticed Joe Biden was off doing a little Christmas shopping at a new Costco here in D.C., and I must say it was entertaining. I know that you fancy yourself a great communicator, but let me tell you Biden is just a natural when it comes to connecting with folks one on one. There he was slapping other shoppers on the back, tasting the free samples, scrutinizing prices; looked totally like a local city council member picking up supplies for a tailgate party.
Now, I’m not so naïve as to think this was anything other than a carefully orchestrated photo op. Heck, I pretty much assume anything involving a politician in this town is a photo op. But some are more successful than others, and when it comes to selling that whole “common man” routine that you big time politicos love so much, I don’t think Biden can be beaten.
And while I know it probably sounds like blasphemy, you could learn a thing or two from him.
To be honest, you often seem…well, ill at ease when you are out among regular folks. That’s odd because I would assume in your “community organizer” days that you spent a lot of time hanging out with people who worked for a living. Now, however, you often look as if you don’t know quite what to say or do; like you’ve never really been in the company of middle class folks despite all of your talk about them; and like you’re acting the part of a caring leader instead of actually being one.
Mind you, I am not accusing you of not caring or anything like that. I’m just talking about appearances. In a nutshell: Biden looks comfortable among working folks, and you most often don’t.
So the next time he takes off on a shopping trip you might want to tag along. Watch how he talks to people and engages with his surroundings. Notice how he seems to have precious little concern about image or whether he comes off as smart. I realize you’ll never run for another office in your life, so I’m not suggesting this for purposes of campaigning, but rather as a matter of leadership. In my experience, people are most comfortable with leaders who are, in turn, comfortable with them.
Give it a whirl. And give me a call if you can.
Regards,
Tom
