The New York Post photographer who took the picture of the man in the subway tracks before he was hit sits down to tell his side of the story. Well hear from him this hour on cnn. Good morning, welcome to early start. Im Christine Romans. And im Zoraida Sambolin. It is 5 00 a. M. In the east. Breaking news massive earthquake in japan. It happened off the coast of japan, about 300 miles northeast of tokyo you can see on the tower cam that we are going to buildings swayed for several minutes there. Lets go to alex zolbert live in tokyo what can you tell us . This happened friday evening b an hour and a half ago. An unnerving scene. A 7. 3 magnitude earthquake. As we understand it, this came along the same fault line that triggered that massive tsunami in march of 2011. We have been watching all the local stations, trying to gather all the information we can. Heres what we know at this point in terms of a tsunami. We have seen several small waves come in, about four waves. The biggest one being about one meter or about three feet. The other waves were only about 8 to 16 inches. So no sign of a major tsunami at this point. But it is quite unnerving. There are reports of the trains stopping up there, some of the roads being closed. But in terms of injuries and in terms of deaths, we are only hearing reports of a few injuries at this time. Youll remember there was the crippled fukushima plant in between that region and where we are in tokyo according to tepco, the company that operates the Nuclear Plants in japan, all is fine at this hour. But we are still waiting for the all clear when it comes to the tsunami waves. We will keep watching and keep you posted. Alex, were looking at the camera there. Its still shaking. Are those aftershocks or is that what was happening during the earthquake . I would say if youre looking i cant see the monitor at this time. This was in our office, in the cnn tokyo bureau here. Really what it is, you see that plant shaking, it doesnt look like much, but what grabs you is the noise you hear. You can hear essentially the whole building shaking. Lets see if we can recue it and maybe you it take a listen. Some people in the United States certainly know earthquakes quite well. Myself, im relatively new to it. Obviously if you havent experienced one before, it suddenly feels like youre sea sick. This one lasted about 90 seconds, but again were talking about a 7. 3 magnitude quake. Well keep watching for any signs of any waves coming into the tohoku region. Have any evacuations been ordered . Well, weve been on the phone with people up in that region, which is about 300 kilometers north of where we are in tokyo. People, it was definitely definitely sent a chill through their spine. People along the coast have evacuated. Were calling, checking to see, but it appears for now everyone is okay. All right. Alex, i know this is just happening, its very early. You mentioned there were some roads closed, but you havent heard anything about any injuries, right . Weve heard just as i was coming out here to this position, i heard a report of several people being taken to the hospital with minor injuries. In terms of where we are in tokyo people are heading home. Its after 7 00 in the evening on friday and theyre going about their business. Early indication win, it doesnt appear to be anything major, but more waves could come in. Thats what were watching for now. Alex, thank. Two men left standing between all of us and the fiscal cliff. In 25 days america goes over the edge. Thats when severe tax hikes and cuts in spending begin. According to the new york times, john boehner has asked Democratic Leaders to step aside so he and the president can attempt to negotiate a deal oneonone and no one is objecting. Paul steinhauser is live from washington. Paul, you got some new polling for us. What do americans want to see in a deal . Its interesting what they want to see and what they dont want to see. One of the biggest sticking points between democrats and republicans over averting the fiscal cliff is raising taxes on those making over 250,000 a year. Look at this from quinnipiac university, the question was asked are you okay with that . 65 say they support such a move to avert the fiscal cliff. This is the third poll over the last two weeks to show the same thing, that most americans are okay with raising those taxes on incomes over 250,000 a year. Go to the next screen, theres a partisan divide here. This explains why most republicans are dead set against this. Democrats are fine with that move. Independents as well. But only a minority of republicans are okay with raising taxes on those making over 250,000 a year. What dont republicans like . They are fine with cutting spending, but they dont want entitlements touched. Are you okay with raising the eligibility for medicare going up from 65 to 67 . 51 opposed that. Big news yesterday coming out yesterday from senator deminut. This will give me the opportunity to help take our case to the American People and to translate our policies into real ideas. So you think you can be more influential within the conservative movement as the leader of the Heritage Foundation as opposed to a United States senator . Theres no question about it. Wow. Paul what do you make of the timing of this . Hes saying he could be more effective outside the senate. You know, advisers to the senator told me he always said he was only going to do two terms in the senate. The thing is his second term isnt up for another four years. This timing is interesting. I guess he was quietly, obviously, making a deal with heritage to go over there. Demint is somebody that we all know that was a kingmaker over the last two election cycles, a kingmaker on the tea party side. He is probably the person responsible for getting five tea partybacked members into the senate, including the most famous, marco rubio. He was backing marco rubio when established republicans were backing charlie crist. He says he can do more as an ideas now over at heritage, the oldest think tank on the conservative side. Keep your eye on the governor of South Carolina, shes a republican, its up to her to pick a replacement to serve for two years who will she pick . Thats what everybody wants to know. All right. Thanks. In egypt, opponents of president Mohammed Morsi are expected to take to the streets again. They were out in force last night in cairo chanting it was time for their president to resign. Their anger was sparked two weeks ago when morsi granted himself sweeping powers. Last night, morsi refused to rescind that decree, despite calls from proponents calling for him to do so. The photographer who took a picture of a man standing on the subway tracks as a train approached insists he was trying to alert the driver of the train. That photo make it on the front page of the New York Post it is sparking outrage. People are asking why the photographer did not do more to help the victim . He told Anderson Cooper he was too far away on the platform to do anything else. The only way i thought at that moment was to start clicking away, using the shutter to fire the flash and maybe you thought that might warn the conductor . The victim was pushed on to the tracks. He said the only thing he would have urged him to do differently is to outrun the train. Seven new counts of bribery and extortion for tony mack, his brother and a business associate, they were implicated on a kickback team. The charges stem from a twoyear fbi investigation. George zimmerman is suing nbc. The man charged with shooting and killing Trayvon Martin is accusing the network of editing his 911 call to police to make himself sound racist. He says because three nbc employees have been fired for their role in producing that story. Could kickoffs get the boot in the nfl . Roger goodell saying he considered doing away with that part of the game in an effort to reduce player injuries. The League Already tinkered with kickoffs, moving them up five yards which has limited kick returns. Those typically frantic plays present the most injuries to players. We will talk to a linebacker about that in the next hour. And Steven Baldwin arrested and charged with failing to file new york state income tax returns from 2008 through 2010. He allegedly owes more than 350,000. Baldwin pleaded not guilty yesterday. He claims he left his personal affairs to paid professionals while he was on an island shooting survivor. After heading to d. C. To ask for aid for Superstorm Sandy damage, Chris Christie explains his change of heart to president obama days after the storm and days before the president ial election. Check out what he told jon stewart on the daily show. People have different skill sets at different times. I see. So he wasnt a leader until you needed leadership. Maybe until maybe until he was presented with an opportunity to lead. All right. Critics call it a step towards union busting. Protests against a proposed new labor law in a state known for organized labor. We are live from michigan next. And call it man versus python. The state of florida needs your help to kill thousands of massive reptiles. Why does this sound like it may not end well . Theyre about 10 times softer and may have surface pores where bacteria can grow and multiply. Polident is specifically designed to clean dentures daily. 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But you still have to go to the gym. The one and only, cheerios how theyll live tomorrow. For more than 116 years, Ameriprise Financial has worked for their clients futures. Helping millions of americans retire on their terms. When they want. Where they want. Doing what they want. Ameriprise. The strength of a leader in retirement planning. The heart of 10,000 advisors working with you onetoone. Together for your future. Welcome back to early start. Michigan is at the heart of organized labor. This morning its a giant step closer to becoming the 24th right to work state. Despite angry protests at the state capital, the republicanled house and senate pushed through legislation that critics say would limit workers rights and weaken unions. The governor says he will sign a right to work bill when it hits his desk. Poppy harlow is following all of this for us. What is it about this fwhbill t has protesters so unhappy . Michigan is at the heart of the organized labor movement. What we saw was three separate bills passed late yesterday. Two in the senate, one in the house. They effect both Public Workers and private Sector Workers like auto workers at ford and gm. The core of this right to work legislation means that unions and employers cannot mandate that employees join the union or pay dues to the union. Money is at the core of power in these unions. That is very, very significant. Protesters here are filling the halls of the capitol yesterday trying to rush through the doors. Eight arrests made. Mace sprayed by police. It got very rowdy here at the capitol. I want i want you to listen to one protester. It terrifies me that theyre trying to pass this through so quickly with no discussion from the other side. No understanding of whats important no discussion about the finer points, all the things this will effect. Democracy is way too important to let it slide through like this. Reporter democrats are calling this a subversion of the legislative process. This did not go through committee or public debate. The head of the United Auto Workers vehemently opposing here. Here protesting yesterday. The governor here, the republican governor saying this is a move for workplace fairness. To be proworker, to give freedom of choice to the workplace. And that the legislators move promptly an efficiently moving it through the legislature. When it arrives on my desk i plan on signing it. The data and the facts from all the right work states show its right to work for less. Its an effort by the wealthy and the right wing that they want to push workers wages and benefits down. Reporter the data shows, as you know, nonunionized workers typically make less than Union Workers. Thats the big concern here. A labor lawyer telling me this is hugely symbolic and devastating for the labor movement. The governor expected to pass legislation sometime next week. Poppy harlow, thanks. It is 17 minutes past the hour. Lets get you up to speed on todays top stories. House Speaker John Boehner asking Democratic Leaders in the house and senate to step aside so he and the president can meet oneonone to work out a fiscal cliff compromise. Thats according to the new york sometimes. The report also says everyone is on board with the idea. America goes off the fiscal cliff in 25 days triggering massive tax hikes and spending c cuts. No sign of president obama, the first lady, sash has or malia, this year its all about bo. The card was designed by iowa artist and dog lover lorissa cable. A holiday surprise for some walmart shoppers in south florida. Secret santas paid off their layaway bills. My layaway is paid . Yep. The rest of your balance is paid off. Are you serious . Yes, very serious. You no longer own a balance. Tell santa thank you very much an Athletic Club pitched in 500 which helped six families. Several layaway shoppers say they wish they could meet their secret santas to give them a hug and kiss and say thank you. Time for your early reads. Your local news making national headlines. We begin with tacomas news tribune which says day one of legalized marijuana was pretty chill. There were no run on doritos, increased in car wrecks, no crazy displays of joy. To florida, the sun sentinel newspaper, florida wildlife officials announcing the 2013 python challenge. Its a hunting contest that begins next month because the burmese python population is posing a big threat. Officials found a 75 found fully intact deer in the stomach of one captured last year. A grand prize of 1,500 is being offered to the hunter who kills the most pythons. Just about three hours away from the november jobs report. Next why stouperstorm sandy cou have an impact. Copays as low ar through a preferred Network Pharmacy like walgreens where youll find 8,000 convenient locations. 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Ning a restaurant is hard, fortunately weve got ink. It gives us 5x the rewards on our internet, phone charges and cable, plus at Office Supply stores. Rewards we put right back into our business. This is the only thing weve ever wanted to do and ink helps us do it. Make your mark with ink from chase. I just served my motherinlaw your chicken noodle soup but she loved it so much. I told her it was homemade. Everyone tells a little white lie now and then. But now she wants my recipe [ clears his throat ] [ softly ] shes right behind me isnt she . [ male announcer ] progresso. You gotta taste this soup. Welcome back. U. S. Stock futures are flat this morning after climbing higher yesterday but gains were limited because of fiscal cliff concerns. Well be hearing that until its fixed. The november jobs report is released at 8 30 a. M. Eastern today. Economists forecast 8 unemployment, ticking up from 7. 9 in october. 77,000 jobs added which is a lot Slower Growth than was anticipated. You have to go back to the summer to see growth that small. Its likely that Superstorm Sandy skewed the numbers, perhaps dramatically. Economists at Deutsche Bank expect only 25,000 jobs added after they studied the hurricane effe effects on jobs. It was difficult for the Labor Department to collect data during and after that storm. In todays report, well watch four sectors hardest hit by the storm, manufacturing, retail, leisure and hospitality and temporary help industries. Mark sandy said aside from the storm the job market turned in a good performance for the month. This simpreis impressive given uncertainty created by the president ial election and the fastapproaching fiscal cliff. Except for sandy, jobs would have been doing better, and sandy is seen as a temporary factor. Another usual factor, the layoffs and s