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CNN NEWSROOM

Nevada Family Found; Asiana Airlines Crash Hearing; Kenyan Mall Attack; Obama Selfie; Cancer Research Bill

Aired December 11, 2013 - 14:00   ET

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


BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Wolf, thank you so much.

Hi, there. I'm Brooke Baldwin. Thank you so much for joining me here on this Wednesday.

We begin with more good news. First, this family and their incredible story of survival, and to the great news just in about their condition. For 48 hours, this Nevada family of six, including four young children, did whatever they could to stay alive. Stranded in the frigged and rugged terrain of Nevada's Seven Troughs mounting region. A day trip to the snow quickly turning into a fight for survival after their Jeep slid upside down on an embankment -- there it is -- and straight into this crevice.

Joining me now, CNN's Stephanie Elam, who has this new information.

Several of these people, Stephanie, have been released from the hospital where you are. Tell me who.

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Brooke, we're talking about two people. It was the mom and the youngest child that was out on this adventure. The girl who was almost four years old, they've been released. The others, they're keeping them here for some more observation, some more IVs. They want to just keep making a - keep an eye on their blood work. They said that the way that their kidneys are processing, they just want to make sure that everything is OK. But all in all, the kids are playing back there, we hear. We hear that they're all just in good spirits and happy to look forward to this Christmas knowing that they're safe and sound now back in a warm environment of their town here in Nevada.

BALDWIN: Let's take a listen to that update.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. DOUGLAS VACEK, PERSHING GENERAL HOSPITAL: I don't have any details on how they rationed the food, but the main thing was that they kept warm, they kept as hydrated as they could and they started a fire immediately, as soon as the accident happened and they became stranded. So - and they didn't leave their vehicle. They didn't panic. They had let people know that they were going to be out. So when people -- when they did not return at the end of the day, the search got started that evening.

(END VIDEO CLIP) BALDWIN: How were they rescued, Stephanie?

ELAM: It's amazing because what they were able to do, they call it cell phone forensics. But what they started to do was track down the pings coming off of their phones. And they found the last tower where they found the last ping and that changed the direction of their search. So at the same time, they were spotted from the air, they were also spotted with binoculars on the ground and they found the family there huddled in by the car. Amazing that it all changed around because of that.

And the other thing here, too, and as everyone keeps saying it, they did the right thing by staying together and staying in the car and just working on keeping everyone warm. And the parents did a really great job here of doing that for these four children, Brooke.

BALDWIN: And sharing that one candy bar among all of them for those two days. Stephanie Elam, amazing, thank you so much.

Also happening right now in Washington, this investigative hearing on the crash of Asiana Airlines plane in San Francisco. The details coming out of this hearing are absolutely stunning, and we'll get to them in just a moment.

But first, let me just remind you what happened. This was back this summer, July 6th. This is new video in to CNN. Watch this with me. You see this. it shows the moments when this flight, 214, hit the sea wall near the runway at San Francisco International Airport. That crash killed two Chinese teenagers and injured 181 other passengers. A third teen was killed by a truck, this foam truck, that had responded to the scene, and now as the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating what caused this crash, we have learned some disturbing new details from the first officer who was sitting in that cockpit behind those pilots. So CNN's Rene Marsh has been working that for us today.

And so what specifically, Rene, have we learned from this first officer?

RENE MARSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Brooke, the first officer told investigators that just 52 seconds before the crash, he warned the crew that the plane was descending too fast. Pilots who have flown 777s tell me that 52 seconds is actually more than enough time to correct the problem, but for some reason the problem was not corrected.

Also, based on investigator interviews, we now know the pilot flying the plane was uncomfortable with the landing he was about to make, saying that visual approaches are, quote, "difficult and stressful." And when he was asked how confident he was with the 777's automated systems, he said, not so confident, and he felt that he should study more. Again, quoting from the investigator's interview.

Now, one last thing, Brooke. We know that investigators are concerned about pilots' over reliance on these automated systems. They thought that this auto throttle, which is the equivalent of cruise control, was engaged, but it actually wasn't. and that was the problem there, it caused the plane to go dangerously slow.

Brooke.

BALDWIN: So in addition to these new details coming out today from this hearing, part of the conversation, it seems to me today, is also turning to Korean culture and how that may have affected what happened on board that plane as far as culture maybe (ph) -- a deferential culture.

MARSH: Right. Well, we know that this pilot, who was at the controls, he was a pilot in training, and he could have aborted that landing. He could have aborted the approach. But in an interview with investigator, when asked whether he contemplated aborting the approach, he said, and I'm quoting him now, "that would have been a very hard decision."

And the reason why it would have been a hard decision is because the person in the cockpit who was more senior to him didn't make that call, so he would have felt awkward making the call before his senior made the call, Brooke. So, there you have it.

BALDWIN: Rene Marsh, thank you very much.

Also breaking today, Senator Lamar Alexander has removed his chief of staff because of allegations of child pornography. No charges yet against the man, but postal inspectors have been searching his home. Senator Alexander put his chief of staff on leave without pay and released a statement. Let me quote it. "I am stunned, surprised, and disappointed by what I have learned. The office is fully cooperating with the investigation." From Senator Alexander.

Coming up, American malls are at risk and al Qaeda knows it. That from my next guest after this stunning investigation into that Kenyan mall attack.

Plus, John Boehner ripping his fellow Republicans who are criticizing the budget deal. What the speaker says they're getting all wrong.

And, ah, yes, talk of the selfie. The photographer who snapped this selfie picture of President Obama is telling the real story. Find out whether he thinks Michelle Obama was upset over this or not.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Welcome back. I'm Brooke Baldwin.

You know, there is no way to protect our shopping malls from a terrorist attack, and al Qaeda knows it. That is what some are taking away from this new report by the NYPD. And it's looking into what can be done to avoid a frightening and deadly situation, like the one we saw play out in Kenya back in September, where more than 60 people were killed by terrorists from the al Qaeda affiliated group al Shabaab.

They sent two detectives there to watch as it unfolded and the findings of this report may shock you because it turns out it wasn't a group of more than a dozen men holding this mall hostage. No, no, it was four men. Four. And despite the stand-off, they may have escaped hours after the attack.

So joining me now to talk about this, Chris Dickey, Paris bureau chief and Mid East editor for "The Daily Beast."

And so, Chris, obviously, welcome to you.

You know, we read your piece this morning, and you write about the findings of the report. Before we get to the implications of our malls here in the U.S., tell me about -- let's just call it - this - it was a mass deception that happened inside that Westgate Mall.

CHRIS DICKEY, PARIS BUREAU CHIEF AND MID EAST EDITOR, "THE DAILY BEAST": Well, you know, you have four guys who move in very smartly, very quickly, with guns. And maybe a handful of grenades, maybe four or five grenades. They take everybody by surprise. They create chaos. And then they settle back. They were probably only in the mall for 12 hours. And they probably escaped after that time. But they created such chaos in the meantime, and terrified so many people, that the so- called siege went on for two more days.

It's a perfect example of what happens when you don't have well- coordinated police, when you don't have a clear evacuation plan, and when you have four committed terrorists, even though their armament was the kind of - the kind of armament that people can acquire very, very easily in the United States. There was nothing special about it.

BALDWIN: My takeaway, Chris Dickey, in reading your piece, taking it back here to home, is the fact that you say there is really no way to protect our malls and al Qaeda knows it. How so?

DICKEY: Well, you know, I think there are things that can be done. I think you see it, for instance, at the Mall of America in Minnesota, where they're very well aware of security problems, where they have regular drills, where everybody is supposed to go -

BALDWIN: Every month.

DICKEY: I'm sorry?

BALDWIN: I said every month, from what I've read.

DICKEY: Yes. And they -- everybody knows pretty much what they're supposed to do. That helps in a situation like this.

One of the things that happened in Nairobi that could happen in an American mall very easily is, the shooters moved in and people decided to hide out in the little boutiques and stores. Once they did that, those people were essentially trapped. The killers just moved from one store to the other, whenever they found people in store rooms or trying to hide in a freezer, in a butcher department, in a supermarket, they just killed them. They weren't interested in taking hostages. They were interested in slaughtering as many people as they possibly could, and that's what they did. And that's what people need to be aware of and protect against. The best thing you can do, if anything like this ever happens in the United States, and of course we all hope it doesn't, is to get out of the mall very quickly.

BALDWIN: Get out. That's what I wanted to ask you. That's the one big takeaway. Heaven forbid it happened here. Chris Dickey, we -- I talked to Ray Kelly, New York Police commissioner, and he said, yes, we know, yes these are soft target potentials, but get out.

Chris Dickey, thank you so much for joining me. I appreciate it.

DICKEY: Thanks, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Coming up, Republicans and Democrats come to an agreement on a budget deal, and today the speaker of the House, John Boehner, calling Republican critics of that deal, and I'm quoting him, "ridiculous." And that is just the beginning.

But next, President Obama poses for a selfie at the Nelson Mandela memorial. You've seen this. So what do you think? Was it rude? Was it harmless? And see Michelle Obama there, and her face? What's the real story behind that? That's coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: You need some cash for your holiday shopping? Then you might want to pick up a Mega Millions lottery ticket because last night no one won. No one drew the winning numbers to the top prize and now the jackpot has, boom, soared. The prize is now worth about $400 million or a little more than $200 million before taxes if you, you know, opt for the lump sum, because we're thinking that far ahead for you. Lottery officials say this is the second largest Mega Millions jackpot ever. The next drawing is this Friday. Keep in mind, that is Friday the 13th.

Ah, selfies. I just posted one on Twitter with my pal here. They're all the rage, even at memorials, apparently. And now take a look at this. During, of all places, Nelson Mandela's memorial service, the president there snapping a pic with British Prime Minister David Cameron, along with the prime minister of Denmark. And I know what you're thinking, you don't recognize her. Who is she? No sweat. We'll talk about her in just a moment.

But, of course, everyone is talking about the other woman in the picture on the far right for you. It's the first lady and what appears to be a -- let's call it a disinterested look. A New York tabloid even suggests it's "flirty." The problem is, the guy who took the picture, today saying, no, that is not the case, because he says just seconds before, Michelle Obama was laughing with the group. The photographer goes on to remind people that photos lie and this certainly isn't the first time a picture has been taken out of context.

Exhibit A, Condi Rice, 2006. As secretary of state, she is at a summit with diplomats. Looks like she's frustrated, right? No, all she did was brush a hair from her face, people. And that did not stop news outlets, including CNN, from running this.

And, oh yes, how about Will Smith and his kids, shocked by the moves Miley Cyrus showed on stage this year? The thing is, that picture was actually taken during a Lady Gaga performance.

So, let me bring in my fellow selfier in crime here. This is our CNN senior media correspondent Brian Stelter, host of "Reliable Sources."

So, Brian Stelter, let's just begin here, and I have it here, this is "The New York Post." A two-page spread.

BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: Yes, what a cover this morning.

BALDWIN: So this is the cover, for everyone who doesn't live here, and this is what it says. It says, "when Michelle freezes over." Over reaction much?

STELTER: Proof that it sure is a tabloid, right?

BALDWIN: Right.

STELTER: I'm sure every husband and wife have fights. I'm sure the president and the first lady do. This is not one of them.

BALDWIN: Yes.

STELTER: You know, what we really needed, instead of a photo, is we needed a video, because we needed to be able to go backwards and forwards -

BALDWIN: And forwards.

STELTER: And see what the real - what it was all like in that suite where they were.

BALDWIN: What do you think, though, because I posted something about this selfie last night -

STELTER: Yes.

BALDWIN: And people jumped all over it because this is a - this is a memorial, this is a somber event.

STELTER: Right.

BALDWIN: Who does the president of the United States think he is taking a selfie? That's what a lot of people are saying.

STELTER: And I'm - you know, I'm glad the photographer in this case, Roberto, he wrote a blog post this morning to explain what he saw, you know, because sometimes photos don't speak for themselves.

BALDWIN: Right.

STELTER: We do need to hear the context. The photographer basically said that although this was a memorial service, it was anything but somber. It was a joyous occasion and we -

BALDWIN: Dancing, singing, music. STELTER: Yes, all that and celebrating. And by the way, many, many hours long. So at some point, you know, it's understandable you might not be paying full attention to the people onstage. I think we've probably all been in that situation.

But, out of context, it sure is outrageous.

BALDWIN: Yes.

STELTER: I think it's a reminder of that old adage, a photo is worth 1,000 words. They're not always the right 1,000 words.

BALDWIN: Not always. Now always, absolutely.

STELTER: Yes.

BALDWIN: I will say, I went online last night to see if it was on President Obama's Twitter page, the see the other side of the selfie. We're actually going to talk presidential twittering next hour with you.

STELTER: Yes.

BALDWIN: So don't go too far, Brian Stelter.

STELTER: I'll be here.

BALDWIN: By the way, you can watch him Sundays, 11:00 in the morning, right here on CNN "Reliable Sources."

Thank you, my friend.

STELTER: Thank you.

BALDWIN: We'll see you in an hour.

STELTER: Thanks.

BALDWIN: So now, if there is a winner in this whole selfie fiasco, is probably is the Danish prime minister, who just upped her profile on the world stage. Her name, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, 46 years old, married, was elected Denmark's first female prime minister just a couple of years ago. Before that, she led the country's social democrats. She has been called the, quote, Gucci Helle for her stylish wardrobe. So now you know.

Coming up, we're watching Washington. Any moment now on Capitol Hill, a vote in honor of this little girl.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GABRIELLA MILLER: It's not fair. Just because, you know, we don't know as much doesn't mean we're not important.

(END VIDEO CLIP) BALDWIN: Oh, Gabriella Miller died from a brain tumor weeks ago. And in her honor, Republicans want more money for cancer research. But there's a but. Democrats are calling this bill a fraud. We will tell you why, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: At this hour, a bill that is named for a child who died in October of cancer is nearing a vote in Congress. House Democrats have mobilized to kill it. You heard me right. Democrats are trying to kill this legislation named for Gabriella Miller. Gabriella Miller, absolutely precious child, she died in October, just 10 years old, of a brain tumor.

So, I know what you're thinking, why are Democrats trying to kill this bill? This is an amazing story. They say it's a ploy by Republicans to make it look like they are fighting cancer, when actually they have cut funding for cancer research by more than a billion dollars. As I said, amazing story. Here is CNN's Dana Bash.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Everywhere 10-year-old Gabriella Miller went, she brought a frying pan to smash a walnut. Even at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It started when Gabriella's father broke the news to his young daughter that she had a brain tumor.

MARK MILLER, GABRIELLA'S FATHER: They told us it was, you know, about the size of a walnut. So we would take, every night, taking a few walnuts outside and give them a good whack with a frying pan.

BASH: She became a warrior against cancer, hers and others.

GABRIELLA MILLER, CANCER RESEARCH ADVOCATE: It's not fair. Just because, you know, we don't know as much doesn't mean we're not important.

BASH: The Millers quickly learned how little was available for kids with cancer.

ELIYN MILLER, GABRIELLA'S MOTHER: Gabriella questioned all the time, why don't they have a real drug that will work for us kids?

BASH: Less than 4 percent of $5 billion in cancer research goes to childhood cancers.

G. MILLER: One of my fears is that, you know, more like really young children are going to die.

BASH (on camera): She almost seemed like an old soul.

M. MILLER: We've heard that a lot. Yes, she got it. She understood.

G. MILLER: Once you get cancer, you kind of got to be all grown up. And you don't really have a childhood. BASH (voice-over): But Gabriella embraced activism in speeches and online videos with a simple message to politicians.

G. MILLER: Stop talking and start doing.

BASH: Six weeks ago, Gabriella lost her 11-month battle with cancer, but her message got through. Republican Gregg Harper and Democrat Peter Welch want to take $126 million federal dollars over 10 years, set aside for political conventions, and direct it to pediatric research. After meeting her parents, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor named the bill after Gabriella Miller.

BASH (on camera): It's pretty rare to name a piece of legislation after a person.

REP. ERIC CANTOR (R), MAJORITY LEADER: It can be a really inspiring story for so many people. Instead of spending money on political conventions for the political parties, shouldn't we have, as our priority, medical research for kids?

BASH (voice-over): Still, it's not without controversy.

REP. NITA LOWEY (D), NEW YORK: This bill of Leader Cantor is an absolute fraud.

BASH: Some senior Democrats oppose this as a publicity stunt to pay for over billions in cuts to cancer research.

BASH (on camera): If there's some way you can do it, just a little bit, why not do it?

LOWEY: As a mother and a grandmother, my heart goes out to Gabriella's mother. Bring back the $1.55 billion that they cut from the National Institutes of Health.

BASH (voice-over): Cantor vows to work on that, and the Democratic sponsor says he too wants it reinvested, but you've got to start somewhere.

REP. PETER WELCH (D), VERMONT: Can we just put the battle-axes down for a while and take a step forward? I think we can.

BASH: In the spirit of this from little Gabriella.

G. MILLER: I lose my battle, then I want other people to carry on for more. They're going to win this war and I'll be in a good place then (ph). It won't be all that bad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)