John Edwards' Defense Begins Its Case
COSTELLO: Twenty-two minutes past the hour. This morning, John Edwards' defense team begins presenting its case in his corruption trial. The former Democratic presidential candidate has pleaded not guilty to violating campaign contribution laws. Prosecutors say he used hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign money to conceal his affair with Rielle Hunter. Joe Johns previews the defense.</s>JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: Carol, the defense is expected to start putting on its own witnesses and testimony in the John Edwards campaign finance trial. Among the first in a handful of witnesses who could be called to the stand by the Edwards defense team, Wade Smith, a long time North Carolina attorney and friend of John Edwards. Testimony came in earlier in the trial suggesting that Wade Smith said John Edwards knew that some of the hush money coming in from a wealthy benefactor was for Edwards benefit. The money and question at the center of the case was used by Edwards "fixers and to pay expenses for his mistress Rielle Hunter and her baby girl Quinn. The question is whether the money should be considered a campaign contribution to support Edwards political aspirations or if it should be considered a private gift. The defense is putting on its case after the prosecution rested and the judge refused on Friday to dismiss the case. Other witnesses who could be called include a woman who handled campaign finance disclosure reports to the Federal Election Commission and a former pollster and political adviser to Edwards. Still no indication whether Edwards himself or his mistress Rielle Hunter will testify. Some legal experts say either move could be risky for the defense -- Carol.</s>COSTELLO: Now is your chance to talk back on one of the big stories of the day. The question for you this morning, why aren't the presidential candidates talking more about the economy? Politicians seem to keep talking about social issues like a supposed war on women or same-sex marriage. Today, President Obama will speak at Barnard College for women and tape appearance for "The View" and attend a fund-raiser for Ricky Martin. I don't think the economy is front and center at that event. This comes after Mitt Romney's speech to students at evangelical Christian college, Liberty University, where he drew a line in the sand on the subject of marriage.</s>MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Marriage is a relationship between one man and one woman.</s>COSTELLO: Keep in mind those same liberty students could have a tough time find ago job in this economy. When the candidates do talk about the economy, it's often to attack one another. Like the new Obama campaign ad featuring steel workers who say Romney's Bain Capital firm cost them their jobs.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was devastated. It makes me angry. Those guys were all rich. They all have more than they'll ever spend, yet they didn't have the money to take care of the very people that made the money for them.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bain Capital walked away with a lot of money they made off of this plan. We view Mitt Romney as a job destroyer.</s>COSTELLO: In speeches, Mr. Romney talks about Obama being to the left of Bill Clinton. A CNN/ORC poll shows 53 percent of the Americans say the economy, not social issues, is the most important issue facing the country today. But what are they hearing? Recently from the president about homeowner and student loan relief. From Romney about how the free market helps economic growth. But Americans appear ready to hear big, bold plans on how to fix things. But will they? So, the talkback question for you today: why aren't candidates talking more about the economy? Facebook.com/CarolCNN, Facebook.com/CarolCNN. I'll read your comments later this morning. You better think twice before you pad your resume with a fib. That advice comes too late for a Yahoo's top man. Today, he has new reason to polish his resume.