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Anchored by Jake Tapper, The Lead airs at 4 p.m. ET on CNN.

Anchored by Jake Tapper, The Lead airs at 4 p.m. ET on CNN.

On the Next Episode of The Lead

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money lead

December 16th, 2013
06:47 PM ET

Beyonce's new 'no promotion' marketing

(CNN) - Singer Beyonce may be the first artist whose most successful marketing gimmick, was no marketing at all.

The chart-topper's surprise fifth studio album dropped on Friday, and is expected to debut at number one on the charts.

It is already setting records. Just three days after its release, the self-titled album broke the iTunes record for the largest sales week.

This comes after zero pre-release promotion - there was no groping giant teddy bears on stage, or half-naked Instagram selfies, or other bizarre publicity stunts drumming up buzz months in advance.

Beyonce just relied on her talent and international star power to sell records, and fans flocked.

"What she's doing is not removing all promotion. It's really making the promotion transparent," said Wall Street Journal editor Christopher John Farley.
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national lead

December 16th, 2013
06:36 PM ET

Do parents of Newtown, Columbine shooters owe an explanation?

(CNN) - After every shooting like the one at Arapahoe High School in Colorado Friday, the same two questions are asked: Why? And could this have been prevented?

Often people seek answers from the parents of the killer, who are quite often not forthcoming. Some parents go into hiding.

"It's very comforting to hold the parents of the killers accountable, it makes us feel like the situation can be controlled," said Andrew Solomon, author of "Far From the Tree: Parents, Children and the Search for Identity." Solomon interviewed the parents of Colombine shooter Dylan Klebold multiple times over seven years.
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sports lead

December 16th, 2013
06:29 PM ET

Mike Tyson: I don't believe in redemption

(CNN) - Former boxing champion Mike Tyson has been the baddest man on the planet, served time behind bars, did a cameo in a blockbuster comedy, and even starred in his own one-man show on Broadway.

Now 'Iron Mike Tyson' is an author, telling his life story with a bare-knuckle honesty that is both tragedy and comedy.

But Tyson isn't seeking redemption with his new book, "The Undisputed Truth."
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politics lead

December 16th, 2013
06:26 PM ET

Editor: I want to punch that 2016 presidential poll in the face

(CNN) - In a Des Moines Register poll, Republican Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin is doing gangbuster numbers, scoring 73% favorability in the all-important state of Iowa. Governor Chris Christie, R-New Jersey, saw a high unfavorability scoring of 30%.

Is Paul Ryan the heir apparent?

"No!" said national editor for The Cook Political Report Amy Walter. "I just want to take that poll and just punch it in the face."
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national lead

December 16th, 2013
05:53 PM ET

Colorado shooting victim described as sweet, smart, a horse lover

(CNN) - Friends of Claire Davis, the 17-year-old senior critically wounded in Friday's shooting at a Colorado high school, are wondering why bad things happen to good people.

Davis is in a struggle for her life at a hospital in Littleton, near Arapahoe High School, where a classmate shot her in the head.

She remained in critical condition Sunday.

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