. >> more from my conversation with political satirist bill durst, next.every purchase, every day. 2% cash back. that's setting the bar pretty high. thanks to spark, owning my own business has never been more rewarding. [ male announcer ] introducing spark the small business credit cards from capital one. get more by choosing unlimited double miles or 2% cash back on every purchase, every day. what's in your wallet? this guy's amazing. >>> tonight the debate fireworks were limited to two republican presidential hopefuls down in texas. newt gingrich is enjoying a recent upswing in the polls and herman cain, the virtual front running coming off a tough week with past allegations of sexual misconduct coming back to haunt him. it wasn't what happened during the debate that has people talking but what happened immediately after. cnn's political reporter shannon travis was there for the whole thing. shannon, update us. what happened? >> reporter: well, don, it's clear that after a week of questions and claims surrounding herman cain, details and denials his camp

. >> more from my conversation with political satirist bill durst, next.n you're a sports photographer, things can get out of control pretty quickly. so i like control in the rest of my life... especially my finances. that's why i have slate, with blueprint. i can create my own plan to pay down large purchases faster... or avoid interest on everyday items. that saves me money. with slate from chase, i'm always in control. financially, anyway. get slate with blueprint and save money. call 855-get-slate today. >>> tonight the debate fireworks were limited to two republican presidential hopefuls down in texas. newt gingrich is enjoying a recent upswing in the polls and herman cain, the virtual front running coming off a tough week with past allegations of sexual misconduct coming back to haunt him. it wasn't what happened during the debate that has people talking but what happened immediately after. cnn's political reporter shannon travis was there for the whole thing. shannon, update us. what happened? >> reporter: well, don, it's clear that after a week of

durst spirit -- spare the life of walter bishop jr.. the judge also punished bishop with a life sentence plus 20 years for conspiracy to commit murder and tandy and violations. prosecutors believe it could be eligible for parole in 50 years. >> we had a fair trial. i am happy that we have that opportunity. >> absolutely. these cases are very stressful. they go on for a long time. it is difficult to think that any jury should be put in the position of having to decide weather someone -- whether someone lives or dies. karla porter will go on trial next year. >> the man convicted in the hit and run death will spend the next three months in jail. prosecutors say he hit the 77- year-old and left him for dead during this past january snowstorm. it happened a long mountain road in pasadena. he told the judge that he should not be entirely to blame because road conditions were bad. the victim was in the roadway. the judge responded by saying, i am not punishing you because you had the accident. i am punishing you because you left the scene. the

durst those arguments justices questioned the -- the fairness of a one-sided legal challenge. >> would you really have us here today with only you arguing this proposition? >> the court made the point they do their job best when they can hear from both sides. >> reporter: it is an emotional issue through has drawn hundreds to the building for the past few rulings. if the court rules sponsors can defend the measure the 9th circuit will look at other aspects of the initiative the court rules the sponsors have no legal standing it is the still the 9th circuit's call but may resist the appeal and leave a lower court ruling in place. broader issue precedent that could be used in other ballot initiative cases if the governor and attorney general decline to get involved. decision expected 10:00 this morning. many believe the final decision on prop 8 will come from the u.s. supreme court. terry mcsweeney, abc7 news. >>> in a little over two hours energy secretary is scheduled to testify before a house committee and take responsibility for the government's loan guarantee to the now bankrupt sol

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. >> i was talking about cain's slow recall earlier with comedian will durst. take a listen.hing their heads. it seems like his memory is slowly being revived, doesn't it? >> it harkens back to bill clinton. it depends what the definition of "is" is. it depends what the definition of "agreement" or "settlement" is. his story, let's face it, has changed more often than mitt romney's policies. >> will is a funny guy. we'll get more of his take on cain and some of the other names in the race tonight at 10:00 p.m. eastern right here on cnn. >>> we all know the popular website groupon can save you money and now it could actually make you money as well. offering stock, to the public. but is it really safe to invest in the online dealmaker? that's next. >>> but first, middle class students apparently are not making the grade. a report from the think tank third way finds middle class students are consistently underperformers and underachievers. only 1 in 4 likely to graduate from college. this week's perry's principles, education contributor steve perry offers some perspective. >> on