Miramonte School In L.A. Reopens Today; CPAC Conference Begins In Washington; Conservatives Gather for CPAC
SAMBOLIN: Welcome back. It is 30 minutes past the hour. Time to check the stories that are making news this morning.</s>BANFIELD: And a big one that you're probably going to appreciate. Even if you're not under water in your home, so many people are, and there may be relief on the way. In fact, as many as a million people who are suffering with properties that are worth less than their actual debt, they could be -- they could get part of a $25 billion settlement with the nation's largest banks. It's all expected to be announced later today, and it could mean big money for you -- $20,000 per homeowner.</s>SAMBOLIN: Boy, that would be great. The Mississippi Supreme Court holds a hearing to decide whether former Governor Haley Barbour's controversial last minute pardons were legal. Up to 200 convicted criminals prisoners could be headed back to prison.</s>BANFIELD: Also, students at Miramonte Elementary School in Los Angeles are heading back to that school today. But they are going to be greeted by an entirely new staff. This after two former teachers were arrested on child abuse charges, and entire staff was actually redirected.</s>SAMBOLIN: The founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is speaking out since reversing a decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood. Nancy Brinker admits to "The Washington Post" that she mishandled the situation, and that she made some mistakes. The first time she is saying that. So, it is the hottest ticket in town for the Republicans, CPAC, the Conservative Political Action Conference. It begins in Washington, D.C., today. The who's who of the GOP will be there.</s>BANFIELD: I know, I love this time of year because it's like such a huge convention and like a really big party, too. But big headline names, folks. It doesn't get any bigger than this. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, conservative bestselling author Ann Coulter. Also, three of the four presidential candidates. Only three of the four? Me thinks there is something going on. So, joining me now is Goldie Taylor, who's an independent political analyst ands managing editor of the Goldie Taylor Project. Also, Ed Espinoza, Democratic political consultant. And Matt Mackowiak, who's a Republican strategist and founder of the Potomac Strategic Group. OK you three. Thanks so much for being here. Let's start with you, Matt, because some people say this is just like a whole super silliest process to do king-making with the straw poll. But now I hear that Ron Paul, the guy who won the big straw poll at the end of CPAC for the last two years isn't even going to show up? Matt, what's this about?</s>MATT MACKOWIAK, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Well, there's a caucus that ends on Saturday in Maine and Ron Paul has a strategy about accumulating delegates. It's extraordinarily unlikely he'll be the nominee, but he does want to have an impact, you know, at the convention, in terms of the platform and sort of starting anew, but going forward. So, I don't understand why he's not going, the convention CPAC starts today -- today through Saturday. There's a straw poll Saturday afternoon. He certainly could have come for a little bit. But this is a big thing for Governor Romney, for Senator Santorum, and for Speaker Gingrich, because you got 10,000 activists, you got 1,500 credential media. It's the largest conference anywhere in the country that's held by an outside group. So it comes at an important time when you look at what happened the other night in Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri.</s>BANFIELD: Sure. Sure. Ed, jump in here with this, because I oftentimes wonder at this point whether CPAC is going to be sort of having an internal dialogue, what's our mission here? Is the mission to come up with a big endorsement and make a front-runner and give the front-runner momentum or conversely, is our mission to kind of kick-start the general election and just bash the administration? Because we've got some serious power here.</s>ED ESPINOZA, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Well, as a Democrat, I've never been to CPAC. I don't know it would be a good idea for me to go here.</s>BANFIELD: I'd like to see you go. I'd like to see that. Take a webcam.</s>ESPINOZA: The closest I got was being surrounded by CPAC attendees on the metro last year. We all had very different buttons on.</s>BANFIELD: I bet.</s>ESPINOZA: But I'll tell you what? My impression of these events, it's not necessarily to define who your nominee is going to be or to give anyone a boost, as much as it is to define what the issues are that you care about, to really implore those upon who your candidates are and what issues are going to come up. So, here, they're going to talk about, Matt would know more than I, but I'll tell you -- a lot of it is going to talk about what they are for as opposed what they are against. One of the problems Romney has, in particular, is he's running as the not Obama. And that's just not good enough. One of the reasons that Santorum is doing well is because he's actually espousing things that he stands for. CPAC is one of the places that could help him.</s>BANFIELD: Those conservatives --</s>ESPINOZA: Correct.</s>BANFIELD: The core issues that so many people say is critical at CPAC, but Rush Limbaugh has been one of those people who's actually been avoiding CPAC, saying it's not just conservative enough. So, here's that question for you, Goldie Taylor, there was a time when everybody hung on every word of Rush Limbaugh, especially when he was the keynote address speaker, I think, it was a couple years ago. And now I come to hear that Sarah Palin, who is the keynote speaker this year, and has said no to the invitations in the past several years, I'm curious how much influence she's going to have and if she's going to reverse course and actually decide to endorse somebody.</s>GOLDIE TAYLOR, INDEPENDENT POLITICAL ANALYST: You know, I think it behooves her really not to endorse anyone. I think it's her interest to keep the Sarah Palin train running for whatever, you her outcome is -- whatever her outcomes she wants to be. You know, I think CPAC is an important convention. I think Mitt Romney has an opportunity if he misses it. This campaign process is going to drag on that much more longer. People like Senator DeMint, you know, are saying he really has to step it up. He's really got to get in touch with tried and true conservatives in a meaningful way. They just don't trust him and he's got to figure out, you know, where the keys are to the kingdom when he gets to</s>CPAC. BANFIELD: OK, guys, this is that round table game, one word answer only. And it's the name. It's the winner of the straw poll. Let's start with you, Matt. Who's it's going to be?</s>MACKOWIAK: Santorum. I think 10,000 activists. He's got the momentum.</s>BANFIELD: That's not one word, Matt. Come on, play by the rules. Ed Espinoza, who's going to win?</s>ESPINOZA: Santorum.</s>BANFIELD: All right. Goldie?</s>TAYLOR: Santorum.</s>BANFIELD: OK. How about that? Thanks, guys. We'll see what happens, a couple days from now, but it should be interesting. And we've also, by the way, got some big names coming up on "STARTING POINT" this morning. First with Arizona Senator John McCain who's going to talk to our Soledad. And then, Congressman Paul Ryan will be interviewing. So, you may be watching EARLY START, but make sure that you stay tuned for "STARTING POINT" as well. We'll be right back.