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New Day
Who is Huma Abedin?; Interview with Binta Brown; Duke and Duchess are Bucking Tradition; Caroline Kennedy Nominated
Aired July 25, 2013 - 08:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HUMA ABEDIN, ANTHONY WEINER'S WIFE: Anthony's made some horrible mistake, both before he resigned to Congress and after. But I do very strongly believe that that is between us. I love him. I have forgiven him. I believe in him. And as we have said from the beginning, we are moving forward.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: I can only imagine how difficult it is for someone to have to stand there and say that, but the woman that you see there in that press conference, is that the Huma that you know?
BINTA NIAMBI BROWN, ATTORNEY, HAS KNOWN HUMA ABEDIN FOR A DECADE: Yes. I mean, it's someone who has integrity and compassion, and is trying to do the right thing, who doesn't want the public to be misled. It's 150 percent quintessential Huma.
It's funny what you said before; I've actually seen Huma speak publicly twice. The first one was at the event we had earlier this summer for Anthony's campaign, and the second time were the clips that I saw; actually just now is the first time I really saw the clip, because I have been traveling. But --
(CROSSTALK)
BOLDUAN: Because that's how private she really is.
BROWN: That's how private she is. She does not speak publicly.
BOLDUAN: Let me ask you, so you held this -- you co-hosted this fundraiser for Weiner's bid, mayoral bid.
Will you be supporting his campaign now?
Because this is news to you as well. You did not know about these revelations when you were hosting --
BROWN: No, and I had no idea what was going on at all yesterday until my phone started ringing.
BOLDUAN: Does it change your opinion of him?
Can you support him?
BROWN: You know, I want to keep focused on the big picture, and there are a couple of things in it for me, which is that I believe Anthony loves this city. I believe that he's going to fight for the city.
And if he can get past this and provided there's nothing more, I think that he would actually be quite good for the city. But I also stand by my friends. And Huma has been a very good friend to me. And if she is telling me -- and the rest of the world, for that matter -- that she believes in her husband, I believe in her. She has always shown tremendously good judgment, which is one of the things I so admire about her.
BOLDUAN: Has to be hugely disappointing, though?
BROWN: It is. I mean, look, come on, this is not the kind of thing that anybody -- especially when you put your name on something for someone, you don't want to wake up and find out -- or as is my case, come back into the country and find out that there's more and that it's recent. That's not -- it's not OK.
BOLDUAN: OK. All right. It's great to meet you. Thank you so much for coming in. Thank you for your insights.
BROWN: Sure.
BOLDUAN: Chris?
CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Kate, we're going to take a break here, just about 30 minutes past the hour, 33 minutes actually.
When we come back, we're going to learn a whole lot more about Kate Middleton's family and why they're expected to play a very big role in the life of young Prince George.
And you know how we wonder if our kids are learning to do the right thing? Well, meet an 8-year-old kid who showed the good stuff, even in a tough, scary situation.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CUOMO: The Killas for you here on Thursday. Welcome back to NEW DAY everybody. It is July 25th, I'm Chris Cuomo.
BOLDUAN: And everyone, I'm Kate Bolduan, joined by news anchor Michaela Pereira. Good morning.
Coming up this hour, Caroline Kennedy is getting into the family business, it seems, for the very first time. We'll talk about the president tapping her to be the next ambassador to Japan.
CUOMO: Plus it is time to meet the Middletons. So just how hands-on are the proud grandparents planning to be? We're going to answer that question for you. But first, to Michaela for the five things you need to know for your new day.
MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Let's start with number one.
Seventy-seven people have been killed in that horrific train derailment in Spain. We have now learned that Americans are among the 178 injured. The train was speeding around a bend when it went off the rails.
Anthony Weiner refusing to quit New York City's mayoral race over a new sexting scandal with a woman he met online after he resigned from Congress in disgrace.
President Obama heading to Jacksonville for his part two -- or for part two of his economic reset. He'll talk about the progress the country has made and lay out his vision for our economic future.
Pope Francis visiting Brazil, where he will visit one of Rio de Janeiro's poorest hovelas today. Later he'll preside over the welcoming ceremony for World Youth Day.
And at number five, how about this? If you are a rocker, you'll appreciate this. The band is back together. Ozzy Osbourne rejoining Black Sabbath for a tour to promote their album together since 1978.
Chris and I remember that year. The tour kicks off tonight in Woodland, Texas. We were mere children, babes, really, in arms.
CUOMO: Ozzy.
PEREIRA: We're always updating the five things to know for your new day. So be sure to go to newday.CNN.com.
CUOMO: I love the tattoos on the fingers that he had. Remember that? Ozzy.
(CROSSTALK)
BOLDUAN: (Inaudible) no tattoos.
CUOMO: You know you wrote it -- you know you wrote it on pens.
BOLDUAN: What?
CUOMO: You know your pen?
BOLDUAN: I did not. I will tell you, no tattoos. Trivia you didn't care to know about.
All right. So the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, they are bucking tradition, they're doing it their own way, folks, staying with Catherine's parents in the village of Bucklebury along with their newborn son. And it seems the commoner grandparents are expected to play a very uncommon role in the future king's childhood.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOLDUAN (voice-over): Royal experts have long suspected that Prince William and Catherine will blaze their own trail when it comes to raising their family. And it looks like they're wasting no time.
PRINCE WILLIAM, DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE: He's a big boy. He's quite heavy.
BOLDUAN (voice-over): After just 17 hours at Kensington Palace, Catherine, William and little Prince George quickly hit the road for the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, leaving the palace and royal family behind in London.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I imagine it's kind of nice for Will that he -- you know, the focus is off him. In Bucklebury they can have some kind of relief hanging out with real people, where he doesn't have to put on airs and protocol (INAUDIBLE) low level.
BOLDUAN (voice-over): Traditionally, raising an heir has been the responsibility of the royal family. But Carol and Michael Middleton are expected to play major roles in their grandson's upbringing.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think what the palace learned from the whole Diana misstep was that you actually have to bring in the non-royals if you want to have success.
BOLDUAN (voice-over): The Middletons were Prince George's first visitors at St. Mary's Hospital.
CAROL MIDDLETON: He's absolutely beautiful; they're both doing really well. And we're so thrilled.
BOLDUAN (voice-over): And while they may not have royal blood, they are a self-made success story. Their family business Party Pieces is an online empire worth millions. The Duchess of Cambridge has always been especially close with her mother. And now these modern royals are hoping Carol's hands-on approach will help bring normalcy to their son's life.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She will be doing a lot of child care, you know, in that kind of I'm going to spoil you, but also discipline you thing that grandmothers do so well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BOLDUAN: And when you think about it, of course, who else do you want to be with it after you've had your firstborn or any of your children? You want to be with your mother.
CUOMO: Especially a new mom. You want that comfort and security around you.
You know what, I can't get used to saying the word "commoner". It bothers me.
BOLDUAN: I know. I always feel like I need to say it in quotes. It's just -- it's a kind of a technical term over there.
CUOMO: I know, but --
(CROSSTALK) BOLDUAN: They're not of royal descent. It's OK.
But one thing about this story, this kind of story -- we're talking about meet the Middletons, that I do enjoy all the royal watchers were saying when I was over there that this is very different, the inclusion and the role of these in-laws, very different than how things were handled in the past.
And it shows to them that the royal family has really learned from mistakes that they may have made with Princess Diana, being one.
PEREIRA: Well, it's a changing world, too. And to be a royal in this new world order, I imagine they would have to change. Right?
BOLDUAN: And that's what they're (INAUDIBLE) and that's what -- of course, I mean, it's about succession, it's about keeping the monarchy going and keeping it relevant and that's what they're hoping that William, Kate and little Prince George can do.
CUOMO: Very nice, AKA Bruno.
All right. It's time for the good stuff, everybody, in today's edition. Eight-year-old Omari Freeman. Check out this surveillance video from a convenience store in North Carolina.
You can see little Omari, right, and in the upper corner there's a man up to no good, a big man. Watch as he pockets two beers from the fridge. He thinks he's gotten away with his little five-finger discount. But no, he hasn't.
Little Omari confronts him. He follows him as the guy leaves the store, and tells the cashier. Eventually the would-be thief is forced to come back into the store, put the beers back and 'fess up. For his bravery, Omari was honored by the police chief.
So why did Omari do it? Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OMARI FREEMAN, EIGHT-YEAR-OLD HERO: I didn't want him to walk out the door without paying for it, and taking stuff that he didn't pay for.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CUOMO: The kid's been taught right and he knew how to use it, even in the face of that scary, big, older man. Right?
BOLDUAN: That man is three times his size.
CUOMO: What does he want to be when he grows up? A police officer. That's right.
Meanwhile, the man he called out, wanted for the same thing in another city.
BOLDUAN: Good boy. That is a good, good boy. CUOMO: Right, Come on.
BOLDUAN: That's a lot of courage.
PEREIRA: A lot of courage. Wow.
CUOMO: That's what it is.
(CROSSTALK)
CUOMO: Kid's doing the right thing, raised in the right way. We love it.
Tell us about the good stuff in your life, in your community. We want to keep telling you these good stories. Tweet me, tweet any of us, Facebook with the hashtag #newday.
BOLDUAN: Good stuff.
All right. Coming up next on NEW DAY, Caroline Kennedy is stepping into politics herself, President Obama tapping her for a big diplomatic role. But is she ready for the assignment?
CUOMO: Plus, we will answer the burning question --
BOLDUAN: Yes.
CUOMO: What the heck is a zonkey?
BOLDUAN: I think the video speaks for itself.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
CUOMO: That's not much of a question, is it? Not a question at all.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BOLDUAN: Welcome back to NEW DAY, everyone.
Caroline Kennedy the daughter of former President John F. Kennedy nominated for the next -- next U.S. Ambassador to Japan. If she is confirmed by the Senate, Kennedy would become the first woman ever to hold that post. Jill Dougherty is live at the State Department for more on this. Hi Jill.
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi Kate. Well you know, there's nothing new about presidents nominating friends or campaign contributors as ambassadors, but when they've got that Kennedy name attached, it raises it to another level.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DOUGHERTY (voice-over): Her family name is as close to royalty as it gets in American politics. Caroline Kennedy, the only living child of slain President John F. Kennedy and his Camelot wife Jackie. CAROLINE KENNEDY, DAUGHTER OF JFK: I've never had a candidate who inspiring me the way that people say that my father inspired them, but I do now. And his name is Barack Obama.
DOUGHERTY: For most of her life she shunned the spotlight, but in 2008 she endorsed Barack Obama and was a national co-chairperson of his 2012 campaign. Now he's nominated her to serve as his ambassador to Japan, an important ally in a crucial economic region.
She was asked about a possible appointment this spring.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Would you like Japan or Canada better?
KENNEDY: What? I don't know. Which is closer to 57th street? There you are I don't know.
DOUGHERTY: She did come close to running for Hillary Clinton's New York Senate seat, the same one her uncle, Robert Kennedy, held until he was assassinated but she quickly withdrew, citing personal reasons. Caroline Kennedy, now 55, has written ten books. She heads the Kennedy Presidential Library Foundation. She's a lawyer and mother of three.
Kennedy has little diplomatic or government experience, but her family legacy could help make the case for her nomination.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DOUGHERTY: And if Caroline Kennedy is confirmed by the Senate as ambassador to Japan, it could be a bump for U.S.-Japanese relations. After all the Japanese foreign ministry noting in a statement she has the deep confidence of President Obama -- Kate, Chris?
BOLDUAN: All right Jill, thanks so much.
CUOMO: All right. We're going to go to break right now. What do you get when you combine a donkey and a zebra? I know --
BOLDUAN: That.
CUOMO: -- that this is going to get me all over YouTube, but I'm saying it anyway. John Berman is back with the Zonkey -- it's the word of the day.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CUOMO: He's back. The messiah, it's that time of the morning. John Berman in Washington, because he's special, so we're doing a special NEW DAY award of the day award from Washington edition -- JB.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's great to see you guys. It's great to see you. You know, you thought we were done with baby news but no. Our runner up today is the other most remarkable baby of the week. I bring you a baby Zonkey or is it a de-bra? His mother is a donkey, his dad is a zebra. This happened at a farm in Italy. There was fence apparently between the parents, but no fence can keep zonkey love from flowering.
PEREIRA: Oh my God.
BERMAN: All right I have other breeding news to tell you about. This is the more famous breeding news our winner today is the royal family for their new royal names. A lot of people have really noticed something interesting about the name George Alexander Louis. Of course if you're talking about the most famous Georges of all time the most famous is probably George Costanza from Seinfeld. Right we can all agree on that.
PEREIRA: Oh that's hilarious.
BERMAN: Well George Costanza was played by Jason Alexander. Amazing there's a double connection there. But wait, there is more. Guess what George Costanza's middle name is? That's right you can see it on the screen here.
BOLDUAN: Stop it.
BERMAN: It is Louis. I am not kidding about this. This is a triple connection, it's a Costanza trifecta, if you will. And wait look at this from the actual show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can I get a pack of gum, please?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I beg your pardon your majesty, but we don't accept bills with lipstick on the President.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PEREIRA: Wow.
BERMAN: So that is what King George will look like one day. We know he will be a monarch. Today we're giving him a special award out of his clear respect for Seinfeld. We're giving him the "Monarch of his Domain" award. That's an inside joke for Seinfeld fans. You can look it up everyone. Clearly you know Will and Kate big Seinfeld fans. So cheers to them.
PEREIRA: Clearly.
BOLDUAN: Big Seinfeld fan.
CUOMO: John Berman, something about having the capitol behind you has made you even more of a genius.
BERMAN: Something had to help right.
BOLDUAN: We needed some help somewhere but I'm so glad you're back, John, even from a distance.
PEREIRA: Absolutely.
BERMAN: See you next week.
CUOMO: A sense of humor and senatorial -- looking good.
BOLDUAN: Senator Berman, maybe?
CUOMO: He is handsome.
BOLDUAN: He's good looking.
CUOMO: We'll take a break. We'll be back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BOLDUAN: Yes. I'm back from London. And you of little faith have been complaining all morning that I did not bring you anything.
CUOMO: Because you didn't.
BOLDUAN: But I did. Because I love you so I brought you gifts. I will now unveil them in this beautiful bag. Michaela.
PEREIRA: She loves us. Yes darling.
BOLDUAN: You get the awesome --
PEREIRA: Oh my.
BOLDUAN: -- one of Harrods' beautiful mug celebrating the first born.
PEREIRA: It's so beautiful.
BOLDUAN: It's actually very cute.
BOLDUAN: And of course, Chris.
CUOMO: What do I get?
BOLDUAN: You get the magic boxer shorts. Put water on them and they become boxer shorts.
CUOMO: Really? That's just what I needed Kate. Thank you very much. I'm all out of dehydrated underwear, as it turns out.
BOLDUAN: I know. We talk about it all the time. It's so awkward.
PEREIRA: I think she loves me more.
CUOMO: Do you think?
PEREIRA: It's pretty clear.
CUOMO: You feel like your gift is better than mine?
PEREIRA: My gift is pretty solid.
CUOMO: Because I have a pair of royal undergarments in my hands dehydrates.
PEREIRA: (INAUDIBLE) -- to our relationship.
CUOMO: Yes, but they're not going to fit, though.
BOLDUAN: Oh, God, don't do it.
On that note, let's go to Carol. That's it for NEW DAY.
Carol Costello with "CNN NEWSROOM" begins now.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: I guess we have answered the boxer brief comments. Thanks Chris.
PEREIRA: I think we have.
CUOMO: Oh, no, no.
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: Have a great day, guys.
BOLDUAN: See you Carol.
COSTELLO: "NEWSROOM" starts right now.
