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Remembering Newtown Victims; Jeb Bush Remarks on Immigrants Cause a Stir; Talking Fathers Day with John Berman

Aired June 14, 2013 - 15:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Six months ago today, 20 children lost their lives inside their classrooms, six adults also killed in the tragedy that shook the nation. Look at this here and you will see this little girl holding up this sign with two simple words, here it is, "Love wins," when Newtown held a moment of silence just this morning.

People there six months later still trying to cope with so much pain.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HESLIN: People say, I'm so sorry. I know how you feel.

Well, you don't know how I feel.

My name's Neil Heslin. I'm Jesse Lewis' father. Jesse was a victim in the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre.

A handshake, a hug, a pat on the back, it's all you can -- all you can do. There's no words. There's nothing to make you feel any better.

SARAH CLEMENTS, STUDENT: Sometimes, I can't remember details from that first week, and then, sometimes, it feels like it was yesterday.

I'm Sarah Clements. And I'm a junior at Newtown High School. It's still kind of hard for me to take tests. And I have started hearing more people that have said that, similarly, like, every time they go into a room, they, like, look for where they would hide.

Even though it's, like, really hard to hear, it makes me feel better because, like, I know I'm not the only one. Even teachers have said that they do that.

I think being in the school environment is something that's really conducive to healing. And I think I saw that from the first week that we came back, like we watched, like "Finding Nemo," and we cut out paper snowflakes. Nobody took attendance.

And I think that's changed us in the long run. I think we're a much kinder and more aware community.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Just some of the voices, some of the people in Newtown. I urge you to go to CNN.com to click on this piece by Wayne Drash and Emmy Bordeaux who helped put this whole thing together for CNN.com, Emma-Lacey Bordeaux.

I want to bring in Poppy Harlow now, who is live in Newtown. And Poppy, I know you talked to victims' families today, including two sister who turned their grieving into action, Jillian and Carlee Soto.

How are they?

POPPY HARLOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They're doing as best as can be expected, Brooke, their sister, Vicki Soto, one of the 26 victims in this horrific shooting, a 27-year-old first grade teacher who they were telling me about this morning, loved to sit in her pajamas, wrap up in a blanket, watch a movie, loved teaching those kids.

And they feel broken by the fact that she's gone. One of the sisters, Jillian, told me, I'm an accidental activist, and that's why she's here today at this event. It's put on my Mayors Against Illegal Guns. You see them behind me.

They're reading off the names of all of the people in this country that have died from gun violence over the last six months since the Newtown massacre happened.

They're kicking off a 25 state bus tour, 100 days long, and here today they're calling for federal gun control legislation to be passed.

I want you to listen to what we heard this morning from those sisters, Jillian and Carlee.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JILLIAN SOTO, SISTER OF NEWTOWN VICTIM, VICTORIA SOTO: My family is broken. My mother lost her first child. My brother lost his older sister. It's -- we take it day by day.

But our sister wasn't just -- you know, she didn't just die of an illness. My sister was brutally murdered in her first-grade classroom. You can't really recover from that. You only can move on.

HARLOW: Does being here today, does working towards changes in gun legislation, that's what you're doing here today, does that help you cope somehow?

CARLEE SOTO, SISTER OF NEWTOWN VICTIM, VICTORIA SOTO: I feel like it does. I feel, especially today of all days, to be in Newtown, this is where my sister was. This is where my sister lost her life, was here in Newtown.

So a part of me feels like I'm here with her on this tragic day. And fighting for this, she fought to save her kids just like the other five educators. They fought to save Sandy Hook.

And now we're fighting to save everybody else, so I feel like we're honoring them as best as that we can. (END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: Now, Brooke, as you know, the federal gun legislation that they were pushing for failed in the Senate in April.

But we have seen a lot of action on a state level. Here in Connecticut they've had sweeping gun legislation, also, in New York, Colorado and other states.

Some other states, about a dozen states, have actually loosened gun laws since Newtown.

But I did reach out to the NRA because I wanted to hear from them any thoughts on this day in response to this from Mayors Against Illegal Guns. Did not hear back from the NRA, but we did get this statement that I want to read to our viewers from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which is based right here in Newtown.

Here's what they wrote to us. They said, "Newtown is a small community and, six months after the terrible tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary, we are no less affected by the profound sadness of the families and the first-responders who were involved. Our hearts go out to them."

And you know, Brooke, I just got done talking to two young gentlemen who came here this afternoon, both bearing weapons, both with shotguns in holsters. And they said, you know, we are here because we don't believe that the right things are being focused on.

They want to see more of a focus on mental health, necessarily, than assault weapons ban or background checks.

So even in this community, you do have a lot of division over this issue.

BALDWIN: Yeah. Poppy Harlow, thank you.

Now to our showcase of CNN Heroes this afternoon. Nearly 2 million people die from indoor air pollution or secondhand smoke, so a retired Oregon woman, changing those statistics with a true passion and unique innovation.

She is Nancy Hughes, a CNN Hero.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NANCY HUGHES, CNN HERO: People have no idea that cooking kills people. Indoor air pollution is estimated that it kills millions of people every year.

A mother who has got a baby over an open fire, I mean, that's the equivalent of that baby smoking packs of cigarettes every day.

After my husband died of breast cancer, my life changed because I volunteered with a medical team in Guatemala. There were doctors who could not put tubes down the babies' throats because the throats were so soaked with creosote.

This is what they're breathing. Their lungs are like this inside. I thought, we need to change this.

My name is Nancy Hughes, and I work to save lives and save forests by providing fuel-efficient stoves to the world.

The stove is called the Ecocina. E for environmental, and cocina for kitchen. It's safe. It's cool to the touch. It prevents the creosote buildup in the lungs. It contributes to better health by preventing skin diseases, eye diseases.

Also, you don't have to cut down trees. You can use small branches. It's kind of a little miracle.

We started six factories in five countries. We wanted to give employment in the areas where there's poverty. Those factories that we started have produced 35,000 stoves.

I'm addicted to this. The first year, I went to Latin America eight times on my own nickel.

There are a lot of women and a lot of children who are breathing a lot easier because of the Ecocina stove.

I'm 70 now, and this is what I do in my, quote, retirement, unquote.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: And so far more than 35,000 of Hughes' stoves have been distributed in Latin America, saving the lives of 280,000 people.

Coming up, American Airlines adding more seats to some flights, which means less room for you. How close is too close? We're asking that question.

Plus, Ringo Starr gives us a tour of his Beatles exhibit and shows us some pretty cool, never-before-seen items. Troy Dunhan (ph), trying out the drums, apparently it didn't work so well for her.

And one of my TV crushes here at CNN is about to join me live. We've got a little surprise for Mr. John Berman, dad of two little ones, ahead of father's day. That might embarrass him a touch.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: If you think you don't have enough wiggle room when you fly, brace yourself because you're about to be more cramped. That is if you're flying American Airlines. American has announced plans to pack more seats on its 737 and MD-80 planes.

Translation, you're going to lose about an inch of leg room, and that's not fun for those of us who are extra tall, it seems.

But customers will get an extra flight attendant on their plane if that makes you feel better. The company says it's looking for ways to beef up revenue after its merger with US Airways.

And now to this. Usually this time in the show, you know, I get to talk with Jake Tapper, host of "The Lead," talk about the big scoop, the big story that's coming up.

But today my friend Jake is off, and so my favorite guy is filling in, the John Berman. And, Berman, how are you?

JOHN BERMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm good. Favorite guy, I like this.

BALDWIN: You like this? And so, ahead of Father's Day weekend, I just thought I would surprise you. Let's show some pictures of your little dudes.

Tell us about them.

BERMAN: I have six-year-old twin boys. That's me in the middle. Those are my boys, Teddy and Joseph.

BALDWIN: Oh, wait. Sorry, Berman. We're getting someone else calling on the line. Is there a Mrs. Berman on the phone?

KERRY VOSS, WIFE OF CNN ANCHOR, JOHN BERMAN (via telephone): Hello, John Berman. Happy Father's Day.

BERMAN: Hello.

BALDWIN: It's your wife! Surprise! Kerry ...

BERMAN: (Inaudible) because I haven't seen her in three days.

BALDWIN: Give me the real scoop, Kerry. What are the plans for Father's Day? How amazing a dad is Berman here?

VOSS (via telephone): Well, I'm happy to publicly say that you are an awesome dad. And I'm constantly amazed by your enthusiasm and patience.

But the best example I have of how awesome you are as a dad is you somehow manage to make two boys growing up in New York into diehard Boston sports fans.

BALDWIN: That's wicked awesome.

VOSS (via telephone): They wake up in the morning wanting to know how the Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics did in last night's game, so ...

BALDWIN: How does that make you feel, Berman?

BERMAN: That makes me feel like a success.

BERMAN: That is a success in the life of John Berman. I feel like I know you decently well.

Kerry, I hear the little guys in the background, so I know you can only hop on. VOSS (via telephone): The bus has arrived. What do you want to say, guys?

UNIDENTIFIED MALES: Happy Father's Day!

VOSS (via telephone): There we go.

BERMAN: That's awesome. That's so awesome.

BALDWIN: I'm in love.

Kerry, thank you. Kerry Voss on the line.

John Berman ...

VOSS (via telephone): No problem. Look forward to meeting you.

BALDWIN: I look forward to meeting you as well. I feel like I know her, John Berman.

And so before we go, I guess I should mention you're doing the show called "The Lead."

BERMAN: I am. I'm actually now worried that my boys are going to go break something now. You've heard the cute side of it. Now they're off. And they're going to break their feet or break something in the house.

Coming up on "The Lead," we've got all kinds of fascinating stuff. Talked to John McCain about the issue in Syria, the White House now saying the Syrians have crossed the red line. We'll talk to John McCain about his view on whether the White House is now going far enough.

And maybe my favorite story of the day. How many times have you sung "Happy Birthday" in your life, Brooke Baldwin?

BALDWIN: I know about this, this crazy story, this crazy case. Who knew?

BERMAN: Who knew? And it could cost you a lot of money. We're going deep into this, talking about how much it will cost all of us to sing that song we all love so much.

BALDWIN: John Berman, thank you. Happy Father's Day. Love you, man.

BERMAN: Thank you so much, Brooke. What a treat.

BALDWIN: Thank you. We'll be right back with "CNN Pop."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: It is Flag Day in case you see a lot more of them waving around on front porches today. But one TV network apparently thought flags have another use.

Here is today's "CNN Pop."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: The American flag as a table cloth? HGTV apologizing for this Fourth of July decoration idea. Critics blasted the picture after it showed up online.

Pricey parking, an auction bidder won these two spots in Boston for $560,000. Yeah, wicked expensive. The buyer says she owns the building next door.

Ringo Starr takes CNN down memory lane, the former Beatle giving us a tour of the exhibit at the Grammy Museum in L.A.

RINGO STARR, MUSICIAN: Well, I think of the incredible moment of coming to America. Even on the plane you could feel New York buzzing.

From postcards to pictures, he hopes it gives fans an idea of what it was like to be a member of the Fab Four.

What happens in this White House has a knack for ending up on the big screen. "The Hollywood Reporter" says a movie is in the works about President Obama's drone program.

It comes, of course, after "Zero Dark Thirty," the thriller on the raid that took down Osama bin Laden.

And that's today's "CNN Pop."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: Coming up, regardless of where you stand on immigration reform, you have to give props to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

His argument for change? I doubt you have heard this one before. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush spoke at a rally day for conservatives and one statement certainly stood out amongst the rest. Here he was.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEB BUSH, FORMER FLORIDA GOVERNOR: Immigrants create far more businesses than native-born Americans over the last 20 years.

Immigrants are more fertile, and they love families, and they have more intact families, and they bring a younger population.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: More fertile, have more families, Candy Crowley, chief political correspondent and host of "State of the Union," first, I just have to ask you, when you heard that what was the visceral reaction?

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: I have to tell you it was flagged as it came in, so I knew that it had in fact caused, you know, a bit of a stir.

BALDWIN: A couple.

CROWLEY: Having looked at it and knowing what we know about the background of Jeb Bush, it certainly strikes me as sort of an inept way to say something that he's not usually known for that, but I'm not sure you can read more of that into it.

The facts is that his facts are correct, that there are more Hispanic children born than there are non-Hispanic, white children or any other part of the population. We know that in large part Hispanics account for most of the new population now in the U.S.

His point here was the reason that we should be embracing immigration reform is that they are -- that in fact, immigrants are going to be the economic engine that takes this country forward.

We learned yesterday that more white people are dying than are being born now. So the country is change. So his facts are right.

We also know that Jeb Bush is married to a woman who was born in Mexico, a Mexican American. We know that he is embraced by the Latino community in large part, certainly when he was in Florida as governor.

BALDWIN: So do you think that he will catch flack for this?

CROWLEY: Oh, I think that he will, and I think it's because there is an "R" after his name, and so already, you can look at the Twitter- verse and see that that people are objecting to it.

And so I think, obviously, any time a Republican treads into this water where the Republicans are seen as not having been as embracing of immigration reform as they should be or whatever, that it is going to get highlighted.

It's just that Jeb Bush seems to be kind of the wrong vehicle, given his background and all of that, but it was an interesting comment. I think inartful is probably the worst that it was.

BALDWIN: OK. In our poll, so says Candy Crowley.

Candy, thank you so much. I always love your perspective on things.

Watch Candy, 9:00 a.m. Eastern, Sunday mornings. Senator Bob Menendez and Congressman Mike Rogers will be joining her, "State of the Union," right here on CNN.

Now you have golfer Phil Mickelson put the family ahead of his career. So far it is not hurting his performance at the U.S. Open.

But is Tiger Woods' play being hampered by an injury? We're going to get the latest on the round two of the U.S. Open, live from the course, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: His eyes were red and so was his first round score. Yeah, we're talking lefty Phil Mickelson attending his daughter's eighth- grade graduation in San Diego Wednesday.

So he was on precious little sleep when he teed off yesterday. Here it was, but his three-under-67 still had him atop the leadership board of the U.S. Open.

It's time for a Bleacher Report on this Friday, and joining me now from the U.S. Open, tough gig, Don Riddell, tough, tough, tough.

Let me just begin with what we know how close Mickelson has come in the past at the U.S. Open, five times the runner up, but he has to be feeling good starting the second round and still leading.

DON RIDDELL, CNN SPORTS: Well, he's actually just teed off, and he would have been feeling good up until a few minutes ago because he's bogeyed the first hole.

BALDWIN: Oh.

RIDDELL: And not great for Phil Mickelson, but, you know, everybody has been going backwards today on this golf course.

Very, very few people are posting good scores. So Mickelson just has to be able to be able to kind of keep his head above water, and he will be OK.

But we'll learn more over the next 17 holes about how realistic his challenge is going to be, and as you have say, he has finished runner up here five times. That is a record.

And his kind of love/hate, heartbreak affair with the U.S. Open began back in 1999 when he finished second for the first time, and his daughter was born a day after that. It was the same daughter that he was celebrating on the West Coast earlier this week when he returned to her school graduation.

And what a great story arc it would be if he was able to come here, given that he is celebrating his daughter, Amanda, and win here this Sunday on Father's Day and on his birthday, but there's still an awful lot of golf still to be played.

BALDWIN: Yeah. As far as Tiger Woods going, how is he doing? How is his wrist?

RIDDELL: He has just finished his round. He was even par for the day, so he's three-over for the tournament. Not great, but given how everybody else has played, that absolutely puts him in contention.

An d he was struggling with the arm or his wrist throughout the day. It was clearly troubling him at times. The rough is so thick here when the golfers get stuck in that, it is very, very hard to get themselves out of it. And those shots were troubling Tiger, but he seems to be OK and he's posted a pretty respectable score today.

BALDWIN: Don Riddell, thank you so much.

And before we go, we have a video I want you to see. Watch the left- hand side of the screen here as you're going to see a man falling five stories, smashes into the sidewalk.

Watch it again. Here he goes. He is lying there. People obviously gather around to help him.

And then we're showing you, he is OK. Moments later, he gets up and walks away. He's the one there in the middle, striped shirt, and again, the fall. People try to help, again, amazingly, walks away. No serious injures have been reported. Stunning. That was in China.

Thanks so much for being with me here on this Friday afternoon, and as always I like to just repeat, if you missed an interview you want to see, just go to the Brooke Blog, CNN.com/Brooke.

Have a wonderful weekend. I'm Brooke Baldwin.

Now to John Berman in for Jake Tapper. "THE LEAD" starts now.