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STARTING POINT WITH SOLEDAD O'BRIEN
Interview with Florida Governor Rick Scott; "Thugs In Brooks Brothers Suits"; Interview with Howard Schultz; "Dallas" Back in the Saddle; Second Day of Sandusky Trial
Aired June 12, 2012 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to STARTING POINT this morning. A lot to get to this morning.
There we go. It's Tuesday. 8:01 in the East.
You're seeing pictures of voting. We'll be talking about the Department of Justice suing Florida over its voter policies. We're going to talk to Rick Scott coming up.
Really interesting stuff. Jessie Ventura calling for the end of political parties. He says the people who run them are thugs in Brooks Brothers' suits. The former Minnesota governor is going to stop by to explain that.
And the return of the Ewings -- "Dallas" is back on TV with some new characters and old returning favorites. You'll get to meet the whole cast.
It is Tuesday, June 12th. STARTING POINT begins right now.
(MUSIC)
ROMANS: Nice. From yours?
ROLAND MARTIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Of course. You know that wasn't Will, by the way.
MARGARET HOOVER, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: I had Dr. Dre back in the day.
MARTIN: Oh, my goodness.
HOOVER: You take your "Brick House" and you just go put it somewhere else.
MARTIN: Oh, OK. Let me explain something to you. Commodores, Lionel Richey, Dr. Dre, he is great, but he ain't a legend.
(CROSSTALK)
MARTIN: Not over the commodores. You better ask somebody.
ROMANS: Completely hijacked by Roland and Margaret.
Will Cain is also here today.
We also have a new twist in Florida's controversial voter purge program. The state and the federal government now planning to sue each other. The Department of Justice believes that Florida is violating voters' rights.
In a letter detailing the suit it writes, "It appears that the state of Florida is unwilling to conform its behavior to the requirements of federal law. And the department has therefore authorized the initiation of an enforcement action against Florida in federal court."
Meantime, Governor Rick Scott announced Florida will sue the Department of Homeland Security to gain access to a federal citizen database. It's all happening as county election supervisors already because they say they don't trust the accuracy of the list of nearly 2,700 potential noncitizens identified by the state.
Joining me now, Florida's Governor Rick Scott.
Good morning, sir.
GOV. RICK SCOTT (R), FLORIDA: Good morning, Christine. It looks like you guys are having a good time up there.
ROMANS: I know, we are. Well, it's Tuesday. You have to get the party started for the rest of a long week.
Look, I want to talk to you about the timeline for what's going on. The DHS first denied Florida access to this SAVE database as it's called in October of last year. A lot of back and forth. Now, you have the DOJ announcing a lawsuit against your state. You got a chance to read that letter, I'm assuming.
What is your response to the DOJ suing you?
SCOTT: Sure. Christine, look, the debate is over. We've got -- we know we have -- we know we have almost 100 individuals that are registered to vote that are non-U.S. citizens. Over 50 of them have voted in our elections.
I have an obligation to enforce the laws of our land. You don't get to vote in Florida if you're a non-U.S. citizen.
The Homeland Security has been stone-walling to give us a database we are entitled to that we have been asking for months, it will give us -- make sure we do it the right way.
And so we are put in a position where we had no choice but sue Homeland Security to get that database to make sure that your right as a citizen is not deluded by somebody that is a non-U.S. citizen illegally voting in our state.
ROMANS: And so, you've got 50 cases of that, you say you found. But on the other side of that, you have to be -- the federal government says you cannot by any way infringe on a citizen's right to vote by purging these noncitizens. Do you know what I mean? So you're going after these 48 right now cases. But are you really being sure that the state -- because, look, the SAVE database, that DHS database of noncitizens, the government says they are happy to give your state access, but they say you're not providing the necessary immigration related information required to use it properly for verification purposes.
SCOTT: Look, Christine, here's what we know -- we know that individuals are voting in our state illegally. They are non-U.S. citizens. We know the best database is the SAVE database. We have asked for it for months from Homeland Security. We want to work with Homeland Security to get it.
So we've done all the right things. We are put in a position that we don't have a choice but to sue them to get the database that we're entitled to, to make sure that U.S. citizens' votes are not diluted.
ROMANS: Are you purging your voter rolls right now?
SCOTT: No. Now, if you -- look, here's the way the process -- Christine, here is the way the process works. If there's credible evidence that somebody is voter registered to vote that is not, they are sent a letter. They've got 30 days to respond. If they don't respond, then there's the notice filed in the paper, if they don't respond, then they're taken off the roles.
But if they show up to vote, they get to vote provisionally and then we'll make sure, because we don't want anybody that has -- we want all U.S. citizens to vote. We don't want noncitizens to vote.
ROMANS: In Pinellas and Miami-Dade, I mean, you've got election folks in those counties who've been concerned that it's just been kind of a mess, the recordkeeping has been such a mess. That they are worried about -- you've heard these reports of --
SCOTT: That's --
ROMANS: Go ahead.
SCOTT: That's why we need the Homeland Security database. Look, think about it. No one -- I don't know anybody that wants to say we want non-U.S. citizens to vote in our races. We want to do the right way. That's what we tried to do.
Our secretary of state's office has been working with Homeland Security for months asking for this database so we can do it right. When they were for whatever reason didn't give it to us, we tried to use our own database, all right, to do it. And we know that even with that database, we found 100 people that are not entitled to vote. They are non-U.S. citizens are registered. And we know 50 of them have voted.
But the right thing to do is what we are trying to do, get the Homeland Security database, do it the right way. They shouldn't be stalling and not giving it to us.
ROMANS: So according to the government, you're supplying names and date of birth. And they say that if you -- I'm going to read you a letter from the Department of Justice.
"To our understanding, the Florida Department of State admitted to DHS nearly eight months ago that the division of elections does not collect any of the immigration related numeric identifiers or documentation the DHS has advised is necessary to participate in the SAVE program."
That's the list we are all arguing about from the government. Although much more recently, your office has suggested that in some cases, this information may be available from records originally collected by the state DMV at the time of drivers license applications.
So I guess can you come up with this other data that the Department of Justice says you need? And then we can just resolve this.
SCOTT: Absolutely. We've worked -- we have tried to work with Homeland Security. We have told them how we're going to use the data. Our secretary of state's office has.
We have done everything the right way. For whatever reason, they have decided not to give it to us. We don't understand why.
I mean, I can't imagine anybody in America wants a non-U.S. citizen to dilute a U.S. citizen's right to vote. We have done all the right things.
So we're not put into a position we don't have a choice but to sue them.
ROMANS: But the overriding -- but you get the overriding drive here is the National Voter Registration Act, which is also to make sure that eligible voters have their right to vote. You're trying to balance these two things here.
SCOTT: Christine, this is not a partisan issue. This is not Republican or Democrat or independent issue. This is an issue that I want all, all of us want, everyone wants every U.S. citizen to go and register to vote, vote. Participate in elections.
But non-U.S. citizens shouldn't be doing that. We want people to vote in our elections. I want everybody to vote. I want everybody to get involved in races. I tell them all the time to do that.
But not non-U.S. citizens, that's illegal.
ROMANS: Critics say this is discriminatory. And one big political move to eliminate potential Democratic voters.
SCOTT: Absolutely not. This is nonpartisan. I mean, I want people -- I give talks all the time. I tell people all the time, go register to vote.
You have to be a U.S. citizen, but register to vote. Participate in the races. Vet candidates. Participate in the process. That's America.
But I don't have a right and you don't have a right to vote in a Spanish election or Italian election. This is America. You have to be a U.S. citizen to vote here. That's what we want.
ROMANS: A Florida judge recently -- a federal judge in Florida struck down parts of law that you signed because of restrictions it placed on groups working to register voters, groups that we're getting out there trying to -- you say encouraging people to register to vote and get votes in, but a federal judge struck that down.
How do you respond to claims that this is a big political move that is going to eliminate Democratic voters?
SCOTT: No. Look, I want -- I don't know anybody in our state that says, hey, don't go register to vote. If you have a right to vote, register to vote.
I tell people go participate in races. Vet these candidates. Go out and vote. Get everybody you know to go out and vote. Email what you think about candidates.
We want people to participate in our races. I mean, that's what America is about. This is the first time I have ever run for office.
I want everybody to vote. It's the right thing to do in our country.
ROMANS: Certainly, 537 in 2000 -- I mean, every vote in Florida certainly counts. That's why so many people are watching what's happening on your voter rolls.
Governor Rick Scott, Florida, thank you so much.
SCOTT: Every day, Christine.
ROMANS: Thank you.
Let me get you to guys. Roland has steam coming out of his ears.
MARTIN: Yes, that was pure foolishness. He signed one of the most restrictive voter suppression laws in the country. How do you outlaw early voting on Sunday before an election? How do you sit here and prevent folks like the League of Women Voters and Rock the Vote from registering people from voting because the laws are so restrictive?
He is not about trying to expand the voting roles. They would not have passed those ridiculous laws if they were serious about people actually voting.
HOOVER: Roland, the problem is that your rebuttal of this suggests that these guys are malevolent, evil people trying to suppress minority voters.
MARTIN: No, I said suppress voters. Answer this. Why not allow early -- voting on a Sunday before a Tuesday election? Is that bad?
HOOVER: Answer this. Do you believe that --
MARTIN: No, no. Answer the question.
(CROSSTALK)
MARTIN: Non-U.S. citizens should not vote. That's easy.
But should we allow early voting on a Sunday before the election? Yes or no.
HOOVER: You're allowed as a state of Florida,
MARTIN: You don't want to answer the question.
HOOVER: No, I'm going to answer the question, Roland, but here's the deal. As the governor of Florida, you have the right if it's 90 days before an election, to set the rules for how the election is going to go. And if all of the citizens of Florida know how it's going to go, that's fair.
MARTIN: Right. Change the laws. If felons were allowed to vote, Jeb Bush allowed them. Rick Scott took their votes away.
WILL CAIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: After three days of talking about Florida voter purges, we should narrow the debate to what it is. And that is this -- is there a legitimate goal in kicking noncitizens off the voting rolls? Two, are the tools being used to do that, an act of voter suppression? Are they legitimate implementation of that goal?
That's the debate. Right there. Understand what we are debating. And then you can find out what side you fall on.
ROMANS: All right, guys. Thanks.
Let's go to Zoraida for the rest of the day's headlines.
Good morning to you, Zoraida.
ZORAIDA SAMBOLIN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you, Christine.
Victim number one takes stand this morning in day two of the Jerry Sandusky trial. It was this alleged victim's accusations that first triggered a criminal investigation into the former Penn State football coach. Yesterday, a 28-year-old man known as victim number four kicked off testimony in the case. He told the court Sandusky began showering with him after exercise sessions when he was just 13 years old, and touched him inappropriately.
We're going to have a live report from the courthouse in about 30 minutes.
An enormous wildfire still burning out of control near Fort Collins, Colorado. Frontline crews hoping to make progress against the fire. They will not get a break from Mother Nature today, however, with warmer and windier conditions expected there. The fire is blamed for at least one death and has forced thousands of evacuations. More than 64 square miles have burned since the weekend.
New this morning, the White House announcing U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson is taking a leave of absence to undergo medical tests. Officials say he suffered a seizure this weekend when he caused two traffic accidents. Police say he hit two cars in southern California on Saturday, and they found him unconscious behind the wheel. He is now being investigated for a possible felony hit-and- run.
Cinderella in black and white. The Los Angeles Kings are drinking from Lord Stanley's Cup for the first time in the 45-year history of the franchise. The Kings eliminated the New Jersey Devils last night in six games to win that Stanley Cup, completing a magical playoff run after just barely qualifying for the postseason.
Quite a story to tell, Christine.
ROMANS: I know. Wow. What a great story.
All right, Zoraida Sambolin -- thanks, Zoraida.
Ahead on STARTING POINT: fed up with politics, former Governor Jesse Ventura comparing both Republicans and Democrats to gang members. Coming up, we'll ask him live why he's calling the two-party system a bunch of thugs. From Jesse Ventura's playlist, Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lot of Love." Come on, play it. There it is.
All right. You're watching STARTING POINT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: This presidential election is about big ideas when it comes to the economy, your money, and your job. President Obama and Mitt Romney each trying to convince voters that they're more in touch with the struggles of America's middle class, but former Minnesota governor, Jesse Ventura doesn't buy it.
In fact, he calls America's two-party system of government just a bunch of, quote, "Thugs in Brooks Brothers Suits." That's offensive to Brooks Brothers Suits --
(LAUGHTER)
ROMANS: -- to associate them with Washington. That's a joke. He's the author of the new book, "DemoCRIPS and ReBLOODlicans: No More Gangs in Government." Good morning to you, sir.
JESSE VENTURA, AUTHOR, "DEMOCRIPS AND REBLOODLICANS": Good morning, Christine. How are you today? ROMANS: I'm great. You know, a year -- a little over a year ago we were here with your last book. You are one prolific complainer about our two-party system.
VENTURA: Well, I'm not a complainer. I just -- it doesn't require complaining. They've ruined our country. I mean, the DemoCRIPS and the ReBLOODlicans have been in charge of this country for over 100 years, and look at the shape we're in. We have a national debt that's out of control.
They send us to wars that we shouldn't be fighting in, meaningless wars. And, think of this for a moment. I'm 60 years old now. And for over 30 years, over half of my life, I'm post World War II, we've been at war. I think that's ridiculous.
ROMANS: Let's talk about the bloods and the crips, the gang names that you're using in the title. I want to read a little chunk of the book, "I think red states and blue states. Aren't the Republicans considered the red state party, the Democrats blue like the crips? People try to kill each other off while building up their own coffers with funds for favors? Don't the Republicans and Democrats do everything they can to incorporate any neighboring street gangs?
Explain to me your metaphor.
VENTURA: Well, the point is, they're just like the street gangs, only they're worse, because the street gangs only affect a minority amount of people in the areas they're located. The Democrats and Republicans affect each and every American in the decisions that may make and what they do. And what I was comparing is, when you on television talk about blue states, well, you're talking about Democratic states, while, the colors of the crypts are blue.
If you're talking about red states, well, that's the Republicans, the color of the bloods is red. So, they even use the same color code as the street gangs do. And my quote was, they're identical to the street gangs except these guys wear Brooks Brothers Suits. That's all.
MARTIN: Well, he's right in that, Christine, that the parties are going to punish their own for not abiding by a set, you know, rule of -- this is what we actually believe in. So, you look on the democratic side. If you were a blue dog, oh, my goodness, you're going to get punished in primaries.
If you're a moderate Republican, you're going to get punished in primaries. And so, I love in California how in their primary, the top two vote getters, they're the ones who going to advance. I love that because there are, sometimes, when you vote, you may like somebody over the Republican primary, you may like somebody in the Democratic primary, but you're forced to choose one party.
You can't say, I like this person and this person. You have to pick a party to vote. And it makes no sense. CAIN: Let me ask the governor. To the extent that the governor's criticism extends to the parties acting as teams, I totally get what you're saying. But in the idealistic scenario, in the way that they're envisioned, parties should represent ideological consistencies, some sense of ideological cohesiveness that all of my ideas somewhat fit together, and this party is supposed to represents that.
Do you, governor, have an ideological consistency or do you just reject all consistency of ideas together?
VENTURA: No. I don't reject consistency of ideas, but the point is, why should their names be put on the ballot? Look, they've created a system in America right now --
CAIN: For shorthand, right? For shorthand.
VENTURA: Bribery. Bribery. You have to bribe the parties, bribe the candidates. If we do that in the private sector, we go to jail. Yet, we have a complete political system based upon bribery. And now, with the Supreme Court's ruling, corporations can give any amount of money to any candidate, and they don't even have to say who they got the money from.
Let me give you what should happen. I think all presidential candidates should be forced to wear NASCAR racing suits.
(LAUGHTER)
VENTURA: You know why?
ROMANS: Why?
VENTURA: That way, when you look at Jimmy Johnson and you look --
ROMANS: I get it.
VENTURA: -- Stewart, they got all the names of their sponsors right in front of you. That way you'll know who owns the candidate.
(CROSSTALK)
HOOVER: In all fairness, that's what Citizens United has done. The argument for Citizens United that at least made donations transparent. You know who's buying these Super PACs. You know exactly which billionaires paying for Newt Gingrich's presidential Super PAC.
But here's one of my questions for you. What is the one reform, seriously, besides the NASCAR jerseys, that you would recommend to fix the problems with our political system?
VENTURA: The one simple reform would be on every ballot, don't list the gang names or the gang symbols. They make it far too easy. If you're conservative, you don't have to know the candidate's name. You walk in and look for Republican. If you're a liberal, you don't need to know the candidate's name. You look for Democrat.
How about removing all of that and just print the candidates' names? Then, it becomes to the voter. The voter must then educate themselves. What does John Smith stand for? Make the parties like political action committees. They can still endorse the same as the teachers union, the police union, fire, whoever. They can endorse candidates. But let's remove the party names from the ballots.
MARTIN: Preach, Jesse, preach!
(LAUGHTER)
ROMANS: Jesse Ventura, the former governor of Minnesota. Nice to see you, sir. Thank you. Good luck with the book.
VENTURA: Well, let me say this.
ROMANS: Sure.
VENTURA: If people truly want to rebel this year, then vote for Gary Johnson, the former governor of New Mexico who's running with the libertarians, who won't get any press coverage because mainstream media is also owned by the corporations.
ROMANS: My friend, he just got your press coverage, and thank you very much.
CAIN: You used the word "libertarian" and maybe people should invest in figuring out what Gary Johnson stands for.
(CROSSTALK)
ROMANS: OK, guys. We got to leave it there.
MARTIN: Preach, Jesse, Preach!
ROMANS: Thank you, sir.
Speaking of parties, former governor, Jeb Bush, sticking it to his own party saying today's GP would have no room for former president, Ronald Reagan. Hmm. Why? Coming up, why he thinks today's political climate is disturbing. You're watching STARTING POINT.
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ROMANS: What song is this? Neil's, "In My Dreams." Margaret's playlist.
HOOVER: Yes. Might still be dreaming.
(LAUGHTER)
ROMANS: Republican Party, guys, I want to get your point of views on this, attacked with harsh criticism from one of its own, Jeb Bush, blasting the GOP saying the party is moved too far to the right, and not even his father, former president, George H.W. Bush, or former president, Ronald Reagan, would fit in.
Bush said, quote, "Ronald Reagan would have based on his record of finding accommodation, finding some degree of common ground, as would my dad, they would have a hard time if you define the Republican Party, and I don't, as having an orthodoxy that doesn't allow for disagreement, doesn't allow for finding some common ground. What do you think, Margaret?
HOOVER: I think, unfortunately, Jeb Bush is speaking the truth that many Republicans feel right now, which is that they don't feel like there's a voice for them in the Republican Party.
And I think the reason this has happened is that since 2008, when Republicans were voted out of power in the legislative branch and the executive branch, we actually had no elected national leader or spokesperson that was codifying or rallying or leading sort of what mainstream conservatism was.
So, you had lots of different (ph) voices. It was almost warlordism on the right side of the aisle. And I think you have competing special interests who are trying to plant their flag in the sand, and then, you had a presidential primary process that catered to those special interests.
(CROSSTALK)
ROMANS: So, we fundamentally disagree about this?
CAIN: Yes. We do disagree about this. Whether or not Ronald Reagan would fit into the modern day Republican Party, I don't know. Why would Jeb Bush say this? I think Jeb Bush is an unimpeachable conservative. I like him. But I think he does feel like he couldn't have emerged from this Republican presidential primary probably because of his position on immigration. Where he checks every other box in conservatism, he has trouble there.
That being said, before we just indulge this Republican they've got extreme thing, Democrats should ask themselves, would JFK be invited into the modern day Democratic Party? How about this? Would FDR and his view on public sector unions be invited in today's modern day Democratic Party?
MARTIN: Can we do something? Because this always happens, OK. We have this conversation, it's like, well, if the Democrats are doing it -- we're talking about Jeb Bush. These are his comments. And so, if a Democrat comes out and makes the comment, we'll have the conversation. So, let's stick to the topic.
The reality is, he is right. It is very difficult in this hyperpartisan situation where if you were a moderate Republican getting to the primary. What did Jon Huntsman consistently say during the primary? I thought he was a terrible candidate in some respects, but it is very difficult.
You look at those GOP primaries. Every time -- when Governor Rick Perry made a sensible argument, when it came to immigration, folks went nuts. Look at Senator John McCain, how he had to run in 2010. That, to me, that's the problem. President George H.W. Bush was a strong person running for office. And who beat --
CAIN: How do you find the topic we want him to stick to? Now that he has defined the Republican Party as extreme, I would ask you to be thoughtful and think about JFK and FDR.
ROMANS: Is it the leader or the constituents? Have the people changed and they are electing and demanding something different from leaders or is the change in leaders?
HOOVER: What independents say is they are fiscally conservative and socially not nearly as conservative as the social conservatives in the Republican Party.
MARTIN: The people have changed. People force leadership to change.
HOOVER: I want to see your data. I have seen no data that says that.
MARTIN: Look at the people near John McCain to say he wasn't a maverick. That was the people say forcing him to say that.
(CROSSTALK)
ROMANS: Ahead on STARTING POINT, high drama in a Pennsylvania courtroom. The alleged victim who triggered the criminal investigation of Jerry Sandusky about to come face-to-face with the former Penn State football coach in court today.
And the CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz, will join us to talk about his mission to brew up more jobs for Americans. You're watching STARTING POINT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: Good morning. Let's get straight to Zoraida Sambolin for the day's headlines. Good morning, Zoraida.
SAMBOLIN: Good morning, Christine. An enormous wildfire still burning out of control near Fort Collins, Colorado. These are live pictures of the smoke that is covering that area. Frontline crews hoping to make progress against the fire will not get a break from Mother Nature today with warmer and windier conditions expected there. The fire is blamed for at least one death and has forced thousands of evacuations. More than 64 square miles have burned since the weekend.
And a house committee is considering holding Attorney General Eric Holder contempt of congress. A vote is scheduled in eight days. The committee says Holder has had more than enough time to produce documents they have requested to their investigation into Fast and Furious, the flawed gun smuggling program that wound up arming Mexican cartels.
And new questions this morning about whether airport body scanners are safe. Researchers from Marquette University say radiation from the full body scanners penetrates organs beneath the skin but at low doses that actually meet national standards. The Transportation Security Administration insists the machines are safe, but the study's lead author says more independent research is needed to ultimately determine the safety question there.
Legendary funnyman Bill Murray entertaining baseball fans in Charleston after rain delayed the start of the game. Here he is slip sliding on the tarp-covered bases at the River Dogs minor league game. Why, you ask? Well, because Murray is part owner of that franchise, so he was hanging out there. This isn't the first time Murray has brought the funny to the field. He slid into home plate at Wrigley Field earlier this year right before throwing the first pitch for the Cubs. There's always a good time with him, isn't there?
ROMANS: Definitely. Thank you, Zoraida.
President Obama and Mitt Romney in the midst of this back and forth over who's really out of touch with the American worker. It all started when president Obama said that the private sector was doing fine Friday. Republicans quick to pounce, suggesting the president doesn't understand what it takes to get this country working again. And while job growth is slowing, more than four million jobs have been created since the president took office.
Let's put the political spin aside and talk to someone who knows how to create a job or two, Howard Schultz, founder and CEO of Starbucks. Today his company is rolling out a new initiative to support its create jobs for the USA program. Welcome to the program, Howard.
HOWARD SCHULTZ, FOUNDER AND CEO OF STARBUCKS: Good morning. How are you?
ROMANS: I'm great. How are you? How is the private sector? Is it fine? Is it not fine? Is it getting better? Give me your assessment as someone who is in the private sector.
SCHULTZ: Well, I think with 14 million people unemployed and so many of them Hispanic and African-Americans and so many towns across the country that are facing just a very tough situation, we at Starbucks have asked ourselves how can we use our scale familiar good and how can we make a difference?
We found this town in East Liverpool that at one point 20 years ago was a bedrock of manufacturing. And we went there and just discovered that we had an opportunity to manufacture products, in this case, mugs, in America, and basically it was a catalyst to bring this town back by putting this facility back into the working conditions that it once was. And I think what we're facing in America is a situation where we all know that there's something wrong. We're going in the wrong direction.
ROMANS: Well, creating these jobs that are --
SCHULTZ: And in an election cycle -- pardon me? ROMANS: Sorry to interrupt. But I was going to say we are creating jobs, but we are creating low wage jobs in some cases. Almost like a bifurcated job market where you are creating temporary jobs or low wage jobs or part-time jobs. There is also kinds of demands for science, math, on the upper level, and then the vast middle where we don't have the kind of jobs that we need. I know you're selling wrist bands and doing what did you in East Liverpool. But one company can't do it. What does it take to get hiring started again? What does it take to get demand back in America so that companies have to hire and put people back to work?
SCHULTZ: Well, let's just establish the facts. You know, at one point there was 30 million manufacturing jobs just in 1979. We are down to 9 million now in the United States. And we have to be able to bring back and reset the table to get manufacturing back in America.
What that's going to take, obviously, are policies from Washington that stimulate the economy. But what I'm saying is that companies and business leaders must recognize we can't wait for Washington, that we too can make a difference. In Starbucks' case, we're trying to demonstrate you can balance profitability with a social conscience and make a difference. And I also think the consumer today is willing to pay more for a product as long as it's high quality.
ROMANS: You think so?
SCHULTZ: And it's made in America.
ROMANS: You do? You think consumers would pay more for an iPad if it were manufactured in America?
SCHULTZ: I think if there was an a authentic story around the fact that companies have made an investment in America, versus manufacturing overseas, that the consumer, the bifurcated consumer who is in a position to spend more money would do so. But that's not the issue. The issue is this, is that we cannot allow 14 million people to continue to be unemployed. We can't allow $6 billion to be spent on the election cycle and just shut our eyes and say to ourselves, everything is OK.
ROMANS: Can I tell you what I hear from the corporate speak, though? You're telling me something that's so much different from what I usually hear from CEOs of mid-sized and smaller companies obviously than something as big as your company. But they tell me that they don't have the workers they need, that Americans don't have the skills they need, that there's this mismatch. They need machinists that have higher levels of skills than we have, technical skills. We are talking about 14 million people in America out of work. And what I hear from CEOs is I can't find workers. What do you say when you hear that?
SCHULTZ: Well, I think that that might be the case in certain industries. But let's just look at the facts. The facts are we are down to 9 million factory jobs left in America because manufacturing has moved overseas because of low labor and incentives. We need policies in this country that incent companies once again to manufacture products in this country.
And I think East Liverpool is emblematic of the fact that there are hundreds of towns across the country that have been left for dead that 20, 30 years ago were the manufacturing hotbeds of these communities. When I went to East Liverpool and saw the fact that 25 percent of the people there are under the poverty line, I just asked myself, is this America? And the answer is no, it's not. And I think we just have to recognize that business people and business leaders must step up and recognize that we need to make an investment back into the country. And back into the people who are being left behind.
ROMANS: At the same time, our biggest destination for American exports is Europe. As a CEO, from your point of view, how dangerous is the situation in Europe and a slowdown of demand from Europe? Are you concerned what that will mean for the rest of us in the American economy?
SCHULTZ: I was in Europe last week, and I'm here to tell you that the situation is very dire. There's significant issues there. And I think what this represents to me is a void of leadership necessary to solve the problems, to make long-term decisions based on this issue. And
And I think your question is specifically correct in that there is a lot of connective tissue here and the unintended consequences of what happened in Europe is going to affect us. I do believe in my own -- and I don't have any insight, but cannot believe that Germany is going to allow Greece and Spain to go by without solving the problem and anyone over there is going to allow the fracturing of the euro. And we all have a vested interest in this. I'm cautiously optimistic that things will be solved. And as a result of that, America will be in a better position.
ROMANS: Howard Schultz from Starbucks, thank you for joining us this morning.
SCHULTZ: Thank you.
ROMANS: All right, ahead on STARTING POINT, millions watched them in the '80s. This week, "Dallas" is back with a new generation. You'll meet the cast next. There they are.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: The Ewings are back and they are here with me too. "Dallas" returns to the airwaves this week with a new generation of characters as well as some old favorites from the oil tycoon family, including JR and Bobby. It premieres tomorrow night on TNT owned by CNN's parent company Turner Broadcasting. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You are sitting on a couple of billion barrels of light sweet crude the most sought after crude oil in the world.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This will make us richer than we ever imagined, Uncle Bobby.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You'll change every --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am sick to death of this family devouring itself over money. This is exactly what I didn't want to happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: I bet he spent a lifetime trying to branch out from that character, but he is Bobby Ewing. Joining me is the news cast Jordana Brewster, Jesse Metcalfe, Josh Henderson and Julie Gonzalo. Welcome to all of you.
JESSE METCALFE, ACTOR: Thank you.
ROMANS: I love you doing the dance with the music. It sounds like a lot of fun.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes we cannot help it every time you hear the song.
MARTIN: It never gets old.
ROMANS: Now, they call this a continuation of the original series. So it's some of the same old characters, some new characters. You shot it at Southfork. Not in L.A. on a Sound Studio. What is that like?
JOSH HENDERSON, ACTOR, "DALLAS": I was -- it was you know I think it just brings an authenticity to the show that you cannot do it anywhere else besides the city of Dallas. It really is a 100 percent shot there. So all of the locations and the studio it really opened the arms to us.
ROMANS: Did you guys watch the old series before you did it to prepare?
JULIE GONZALO, ACTRESS, "DALLAS": Wow, we bought -- I bought all 14 seasons and we have them. But I mean, I think I'm on the third. It will take me a while.
ROMANS: Fourteen series. What was it like working with Larry Hagman? Because he was -- he -- he was on the set.
JORDANA BREWSTER, ACTRESS, "DALLAS": He is larger-than-life. I mean, I'm still a little bit intimidated by him I have to say because he is just -- he's such an icon.
HERDERSON: Yes.
(CROSSTALK)
ROMANS: He is a little older. He is not quite as wild as he was during that time.
METCALFE: He hasn't missed a beat, though. I mean, he is still delivering those quickie one liners with perfection. I mean, he is an incredible actor. He really is.
ROMANS: So what can we expect from the new version, Josh?
METCALFE: It's Jesse. And I can tell you that --
ROMANS: Jesse. I'm sorry.
METCALFE: The new -- the new version offers a lot more storyline per episode than the original did. You know, it's Dallas 2.0. You know so there's a lot of twists and turns. A lot of cliff hangers. You know great storylines, great character development. You know it's a perfect marriage of the old series, and you know and some new life blood.
ROMANS: You know it was a precursor really, so of those shows like "Dallas" set the stage for things like "Desperate Housewives". And then how did "Desperate Housewives" I guess set the stage for a return for "Dallas"?
METCALFE: I don't know if it did. I definitely -- I definitely think we are having a resurgence of the -- of the scripted drama. You know and hopefully people appreciate that. I know we do because we are back to work. You know and anything that gets us away from reality television, I think we all support.
GONZALO: Absolutely.
ROMANS: You were in "Desperate Housewives" too.
HENDERSON: Yes, I was.
ROMANS: And so do you think there are similarities or no?
HENDERSON: I mean, it's you know it's a -- it's a -- sort of in a sense that it's a drama, a night-time drama. But you know really this -- what -- what's so great about our show is what made the original so lovable and the word of the week is "juicy," that's our word of the week.
GONZALO: Juicy that's -- yes.
HENDERSON: It's -- we have all of those elements. And you know having the three original back and some other returning cast members, it literally just makes the show -- it legitimizes us to the fans. So --
ROMANS: Julie how much back-stabbing is there going to be? How much deviousness? How much --
GONZALO: There is a lot. There's a lot of fun stuff going on. I think that you know if you -- if you look back at the original, there's -- you know, everything that happened in a season, like it kind of happens in one episode here. Like there's a lot of -- there's a lot going on. And it's a fast pace.
So I think that's what's going to be exciting. That you're not going to be left wondering for a long time.
ROMANS: Let's talk about the light sweet crude from the thing we were talking about. They are also talking about alternative energy. There are some modern themes here. It's not drilling in the ground for oil only.
BREWSTER: Well, he wants to drill baby drill. And you represent alternative energy which I think it's just you know representative of where we are today. And that's why Cynthia (ph) wrote such an amazing script and I think the audience is going to relate to that.
ROMANS: What do you think about the -- I mean this is something you're getting a new generation of people interested in a story that really -- my grandfather was 92 years old, and he loved JR Ewing. You know what I mean. This is like spanning several generations.
BREWTER: I was talking to somebody that watched it with their 20-year-old daughter and their 80-year-old mother. And they were all three intrigued, you know, for different reasons. But they all were hooked.
So it's nice to hear that.
GONZALO: It's just so charming. He's just so much fun to watch. Just this alone -- (inaudible)
HENDERSON: Thank you.
ROMANS: I know. All these --
(CROSSTALK)
ROMANS: All right, guys. Really nice to meet you guys. Have a lot of fun with it. And can't wait to watch it. Nice to see you all.
METCALFE: Thank you very much
ROMANS: All right. Ahead on STARTING POINT, new video of Jerry Sandusky arriving in court moments ago. We are live outside the courthouse with a preview of what to expect today.
You're watching STARTING POINT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: We are about six minutes away from the start of day two of Jerry Sandusky's child sexual abuse child. Today he is set to come face-to-face with victim number one. It was this witness's accusations that triggered a criminal investigation and led to Sandusky's arrest.
Susan Candiotti is live outside the courthouse for us in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Good morning.
CANDIOTTI: Good morning, Christine. Yes, this victim is only 18 -- or this accuser is only 18 years old known as you said alleged victim number one. And previously, he told a grand jury that Jerry Sandusky raped him and fondled him at least 20 times when this young man was between the ages of 11 and 15 years old. And that these alleged attacks occurred both at his school and at Jerry Sandusky's home, along with other places.
He came from the Second Mile, where all of the other accusers did. That's Jerry Sandusky's charity.
And we expect this testimony to be just as dramatic as what we heard yesterday when the man known as alleged victim number four took the stand. He is now 28 years old, but talked about his alleged abuse over the course of many years, receiving among other things, love letters and being showered with gifts by Jerry Sandusky.
And this is a man who also stood up to some cross- examination -- tough cross-examination by Jerry Sandusky's lawyer who asked him for example, "Well, if this was so horrible, why didn't you just stop it?" And he said, "I was afraid. I was getting showered with really neat gifts. And they were really cool." But then he turned the question around and said, but, "You know, I really wish I would have. I now feel guilty about it and wish I would have stepped up sooner because perhaps I could have prevented more people from being attacked." Christine.
ROMANS: All right, Susan Candiotti in what promises to be another dramatic day in court there in Pennsylvania. Thanks, Susan.
55 minutes past the hour. The "End Point" coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: We're talking sports but it's time for the "End Point".
MARTIN: All right.
ROMANS: Who wants to start? Take it away, Roland.
MARTIN: Howard Schultz, I would love to see him challenge these CEOs to your point. If you need to replace some jobs, tell them partner with community colleges, say how many we need and you get them. Stop saying you need them but you can't find them. Retrain them.
ROMANS: Companies like Alcoa and FedEx are doing that, but other companies are not.
MARTIN: Precisely.
HOOVER: That's to your point. I wanted to hear him -- he made a very public statement with 100 CEOs saying he wasn't going to give any money to any political interest or campaigns during this election season until politicians agree on debt and deficit reduction reforms and a jobs bill.
I would have been curious to see -- does he support Bowles Simpson. Does he support -- what does he support? What is he in favor of?
CAIN: As long as you're talking about things you are curious about with Howard Schultz, I would have asked him how he feels about the Oklahoma City Thunder being in the NBA finals tonight.
ROMANS: I know.
CAIN: The team he used to own when they were known as Seattle Super Hot Sonics. I wonder how he feels seeing his old team make the finals.
ROMANS: And everyone's tweeting about that thing. Come on Romans. We want to know what he thinks about the Sonics.
MARTIN: That's what happens when you hate sports, see?
ROMANS: I don't hate sports. I just have --
MARTIN: You have a strange dislike.
ROMANS: Yes.
All right, guys. Really nice to see you guys. Soledad is back tomorrow but we'll talk to you all again soon.
Tomorrow on STARTING POINT, also hip-hop artist Nas -- that's going to be close -- Nas. Sorry -- Nas. Yes, yes, yes.
Now you guys have a lot of educating to do for me. All right. "CNN NEWSROOM" with Carol Costello begins right now. Hi Carol.
