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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Email Issue Haunts Clinton Campaign; Democratic Senator to Vote Against Iran Nuclear Deal; Manhunt for Bangkok Bomber; Explosion at Washington State Motel; Wildfires Ripping Through the West; Alex Rodriguez Hits 25th Grand Slam MLB Record. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired August 19, 2015 - 05:00   ET

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

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Hillary Clinton defending her use of the email as secretary of state, pressed if she has wiped her server clean or tried to before handing it over to the FBI.

[05:00:06] The questions do not end.

President Obama facing new opposition to the nuclear deal with Iran from within his own party.

And happening now, investigators hunting for the man behind a deadly bombing in Bangkok. We are live with how they plan to track him down.

Good morning and welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans. It is Wednesday, August 19th, 5:00 a.m. in the East. Nice to see you this morning. John Berman is off today.

Up first this morning, Hillary Clinton is defending herself, again herself, again, as questions continue about her private email server. She took more questions from reporters at a town hall event in Nevada. Clinton repeating her stance she never sent or received anything marked classified from a private e-mail account. She also says she does not know if her private server was ever wiped clean.

This following an NBC News report the server was cleared before it was turned over to the FBI or tried to be cleared. The FBI is looking to recover any data.

Clinton now getting testy with reporters over questioning about that server.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON (D), 2016 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: My personal e-mails are my personal business, right? So, that's all I can say.

REPORTER: But, to answer the question, did you try to wipe the server? You didn't answer the answer.

CLINTON: I'm not -- you know, I have no idea. That's why we turned it over --

REPORTER: But you said you were in charge of it. You were the official in charge. Did you wipe the server?

CLINTON: Like, with a cloth or something?

REPORTER: I don't know. You know how it works digitally. Did you try to wipe the whole server?

CLINTON: I don't know how it works digitally at all.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: CNN senior Washington correspondent Jeff Zeleny has the latest for us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Christine.

Hillary Clinton was defiant on Tuesday night at a campaign stop in Nevada, saying she did not send or receive any e-mail messages that were marked classified. She was there for a town hall meeting, but she took questions from reporters afterward, and the e-mail questions dominated the conversation.

CLINTON: Whether it was a personal account or a government account, I did not send classified material and I did not receive any material that was marked or designated classified, which is the way you know whether something is, what you're seeing now is a disagreement between agencies saying, you know what? They should have, and the other saying no, they shouldn't.

That has nothing to do with me. If it had been a government account and I said, release it, we would be having the same arguments.

ZELENY: Now, of course, she is facing questions from reporters, congressional hearings are just around the corner and even a Justice Department investigation about this ongoing e-mail controversy is still in front of her.

This all goes back to her decision to use a private e-mail server while she was secretary of state. Now, running for president is all about navigating obstacles and she sure have a few in front of them. Of course, she has many advantages. She's the front-running Democratic candidate, some 20 points ahead of Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. But she does have obstacles.

Now, whether it's the Black Lives Matter activists that have been following her and other Democratic presidential candidates around, or if she's answering questions for yet another day about the controversy over that private e-mail server that she decided to use as secretary of state, she's defiant, saying that she did nothing wrong. She closed her time in Nevada saying, "I know there is a certain level of anxiety or interest in this, but the facts are the facts."

But, Christine, I can tell you -- those questions will keep on going as she keeps on campaigning. Back to you. (END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: They certainly will. OK, thanks for that, Jeff Zeleny.

On the Republican side, candidates are converging on New Hampshire today. John Kasich, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, and Bobby Jindal are all expected to speak at an education summit.

Donald Trump is also heading to New Hampshire. He's going to hold the first town hall event of his campaign. No doubt immigration will come up because that is, of course, the first cornerstone he has put of his domestic agenda. The controversial plan is forcing much of the GOP field to tackle this notoriously sticky subject. Candidates are weighing in both for and against the elements of the Trump's agenda.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR, THE SITUATION ROOM: What about the 14th Amendment to the Constitution which the courts have said automatically grant citizenship to children born in the United States, even if their parents are here illegally?

MIKE HUCKABEE (R), 2016 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, I think that's going to require a little bit more discussion. The fact is that we have operated under that assumption really since the 1800s. And to change it, it would require some strong will, either on the part of the president.

GOV. SCOTT WALKER (R-WI), 2016 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Our southern- based border is being penetrated every single day by drug cartels pushing drugs, firearms, human trafficking. No sovereign nation should be in position with that happening. As president, I'm going to secure the border once and for all and I'm going to uphold the laws of the great United States of America.

SEN. MARCO RUBIO (R-FL), 2016 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I don't agree with that. I certainly that we have to do a better job of preventing -- I'm open to doing things that -- to prevent people who deliberately come to the United States for purposes of taking advantage of the 14th Amendment, but I'm not in favor of repealing it.

GOV. JOHN KASICH (R-OH), 2016 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The idea we would go out in cars and hunt people down, it's not doable. And, secondly, I don't think it's right! I don't think it's humane!

JEB BUSH (R), 2016 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This constitutionally protected right and I don't support revoking it.

[05:05:03] There is a way to use leadership to solve abuses for people that are coming into the country, having children so that their children can be citizens. That is a legitimate problem. In a targeted way you can deal with this issue.

But to suggest that people born in this country are not United States citizens and they don't have this in the Constitution, I just reject out of hand. (END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Be sure to join us tonight for a CNN special report, "The Donald Trump Interview". The Republican front-runner sits down with Chris Cuomo to discuss his campaign. That's tonight at 9:00 p.m., only on CNN.

All right. Now to the Iran nuclear deal. Another top Democrat coming out against the agreement. This time, it's New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, the senior member of the Foreign Relations Committee. He says the deal allows Iran to use the money it gains to further destabilize the region.

So how could the senator's opposition hurt the president's effort to get lawmakers on board?

CNN's senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta tells us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Christine, the list of Democrats coming out against the Iran deal is growing, as expected. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee's former chairman, Bob Menendez announced his opposition to the nuclear agreement, joining Senator Chuck Schumer who's also decided against the deal.

Here is what Senator Menendez had to say about his opposition to this deal.

SEN. ROBERT MENENDEZ (R), NEW JERSEY: I have looked into my own self and my decision to principle may unfortunately lead me to an unpopular course. But if Iran is to acquire an nuclear bomb, it will not have my name on it.

ACOSTA: Now, Menendez is hardly the biggest setback of the week for the White House. That distinction goes to Republican Senator Jeff Flake who likely ended any White House hopes for bipartisan support for the deal.

A White House official did say that the president is engaged on this issue, while he is on vacation here at Martha's Vineyard, adding, quote, "We remain confidently that ultimately a majority of Democrats in both the House and the Senate will support this deal."

That is critical as Republicans face an uphill battle, needing 11 more Democratic senators to defy the president, vote to block the agreement, and then join GOP efforts to override any presidential vetoes. That's not to mention the dozens of Democratic defections Republicans are also seeking in the House, which explains why Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was quoted in Kentucky this week as saying, the president has a great likelihood of success -- Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. Jim Acosta, thanks for that, Jim. Bangkok's Erawan Shrine is back open this morning two days after that

deadly pipe bomb attack. Investigators are hunting for the man believed to be responsible. A police spokesman now saying authorities are, quote, "very sure" this man here on close circuit television in the yellow shirt, is the bomber. This morning, Thailand offering a big reward for helping track him down.

CNN's Saima Mohsin is live in Bangkok this morning.

And, Saima, you are near the shrine where this attack happened just two days ago.

SAIMA MOHSIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Christine, the shrine has opened up two days after that dreadful bomb attack. People coming here to pay their respects. They are lighting incense and saying their prayers and leaving flowers right around here. We have seen people, locals, foreigners come here.

And that is what this shrine is all about, Christine. It's about people of all religions and no religion coming. People from all over the world coming together, which is why there was so many international tourists caught up in this bombing and that is why we are now seeing high visibility of policing as well.

That's the name of the game now for the government. They want people to feel secure. They want them to be safe and they are saying that every police officer around the city is being deployed, anyone who is available.

Take a look at why, Christine. The damage from that blast has torn through the windows so high up of this upscale mall. Now, this area is -- actually, a major crossroads and arterial road and intersection and train station and shopping malls on each corner and that is why this is so central in this area.

Now, that bombing you mentioned, believed to be the main suspect, he came into this shrine. He is identified as the man in the yellow shirt. He stood and looked around for a while, observed what was going on and then the backpack he was wearing, he took off and left to be what we believe under a bench.

Now, there are benches ling all the way around this shrine. Left it under the bench and then CCTV footage saw him leaving without that backpack. They believe he planted that bomb in the backpack inside the shrine, maximum impact, maximum damage. That is why they are on the hunt for this man.

But, Christine, new information, as you say, 1 million baht reward released. That is about over $30,000. The sketch released today of what they believe he looks like. They are trying to piece together more imagery of this man.

[05:10:01] They're asking the public, like police did after the Boston bombing after that marathon attack, asking people for footage from their mobile phones and photographs, trying to bring it together and because there is so many people here taking pictures, filming what is going on, they are hoping they can piece together more evidence, more imagery. And because they believe this man was not acting alone, they are trying to find his accomplices, too -- Christine.

ROMANS: We hope there is a lot of cell phone footage to help them put those pieces together and refine that picture if they need to. Thank you so much for that, Saima Mohsin, in Bangkok for us this morning.

Ten minutes past the hour and time for an early start on your money. Stocks around the world mostly lower, down. Asian shares mostly lower, thanks to worries about, again, the stability of China's economy. That has been a central theme for weeks now. European shares down too.

Parliament voting on the latest bailout for Greece this morning. This is the third Greek bailout worth $95 billion. If it passes, Greece will receive the first chunk of desperately needed cash on Thursday.

Target reaching a $67 million deal with Visa. This is in regards to that huge 2013 data breach that money will go to the banks to issue Visa cards to cover expenses related to that hack. It follows the rejection of a smaller settlement with MasterCard. The 2013 breach was one of the largest ever, exposing about 40 million credit and debit cards.

The little pink pill getting the green light from the Food and Drug Administration. Flibanserin is the first prescription pill to boost libido in women. The drug comes with the FDA's strongest warning. It should not be used by women who drink alcohol. Potential side effects including low blood pressure, fainting.

The drug could be available by October. The FDA had rejected it twice before. But many saying more than a dozen double digit number of erectile function drugs for men, this is the only sexual dysfunction drug for women.

Breaking news overnight: a motel suddenly explodes in Washington. The damage report after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:15:10] ROMANS: Breaking overnight: an explosion rocks a Motel Six in Washington state. One person left critically injured by this fireball that destroyed a big chunk of the building. It happened in Bremerton, about 15 miles west of Seattle. Workers were already evacuating the building after report of a gas leak when the building was reduced to rubble.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It shook the hell out of everybody here. I mean, it was, like, we were stunned. Like, what happened? I guess a good part of the building is gone. And, all of a sudden, they just showed up and there was ambulances and everything else. We just hoping nobody got hurt and stuff over there.

(END VIDEO CLIP) ROMANS: It is still unclear if everyone got out of the building before that explosion.

Ex-Subway pitchman Jared Fogle is expected to plead guilty today to child pornography charges. FBI agents raided his Indiana home last month. They seized DVDs and computers in connection with a child porn investigation. Subway suspended its relationship with Jared shortly after that raid. Earlier this year, the former director of Fogle's foundation was arrested and charged with possessing and producing child pornography.

Sandra Bland's suicide in a jail cell last month prompting a new review of jail safety in Texas. The state's lieutenant governor says legislative hearings will begin in September. Texas has had an average of 25 suicides in county jails each year since 2012. Police say Bland hanged herself with a garbage bag in her cell days after her arrest following a traffic stop. Bland's family has filed a wrongful death suit.

Three people remain missing following heavy rains that triggered a series of landslides in Alaska. Officials say 2 1/2 inches of rain fell in just 22 hours causing landslides and sinkholes in the town of Sitka. Alaska's governor declaring a state of emergency and plans to travel to the affected area today to survey the damage.

Wildfires still ripping through seven states out west. This one, this one called the "Rough Fire" burning in Fresno, California. Look at those flames and the smoke just pouring from that inferno. So far, this fire alone growing to nearly 21,000 acres. Crews having a tough time gaining an upper hand.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are hitting it with everything that we can. We have brought an aircraft. We have brought in hand crews, dozer lines. We are doing everything we can to get this fire out as soon as possible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Firefighters battling wildfires in Idaho, in Montana, Oregon, Washington. The total acres burned so far this year is more than 7 million acres.

For more, let's get to meteorologist Pedram Javaheri -- Pedram.

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Hey, Christine, pretty incredible temperature trend the next couple of days. Looks like some improvement going from 90 in the northwest down into the 70s. Unfortunately with all of this comes gusty wind, that's the concern around the fire threat over the western portion of the United States.

Look at this footage. This is coming out of an area near the Soda Fire in Boise, Idaho. Incredible fire, what's known as a fire tornado developing over this region. In fact, it's nothing really exactly like a tornado. You get

differences in air masses that create tornadoes, but in this case, you have tremendous heat rising from the flames in the vicinity around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and turbulent weather in the vicinity of this area picks it up and brings up columns of air that are rising in the vicinity of this fire whirl or fire-nado as it's known.

So, it has the potential to cause large-scale damage and it brings debris with it and lofting it and beginning additional fires and that's the concern over this region, what the firefighters essentially have to deal with in the coming couple of days when you're talking about talking about starting spot fires downstream.

But weather pattern now across the eastern side of the country. We do have a severe weather threat around areas of Michigan over the next 24 hours. About 3.5 million people dealing with that. Temperatures, Christine, cooling off into the 70s while thunderstorms in New York about 82 degrees.

ROMANS: All right. We'll take it. Thanks so much for that, Pedram Javaheri.

Alex Rodriguez breaking out of his power slump in a big way. Did he help the Yankees to a win? Andy Scholes has the details in the bleacher report, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:22:48] ROMANS: Another brawl erupting at an NFL training camp. This time it was between the Cowboys and the Rams. Andy Scholes has more in this morning's bleacher report.

Hey, Andy.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Earlier this month, we saw a couple of big fights break out when the Texans and Redskins practiced together. The Cowboys and Rams took it to another level. The two teams were holding their second joint practice in Oxnard, California, and two fights would break out between them.

This is video from the second fight. You can see punches flying, players going to the ground. Dez Bryant ran in there at one point. He actually got punched right in the face, as you can see, this fight spills into the fans who were watching on the side. Coaches decided to end practice after this fight.

Cowboys V.P. Steven Jones says something needs to be done about this if teams want to continue to practice with one another during training camps.

The deflategate saga will continue this morning in the federal court. Tom Brady was reportedly in New York ready to attend today's settlement talks with the NFL. The judge Richard Berman told him, well, there was no need for Brady to show up because the two sides have made no progress toward a settlement. The NFL Players Association has said they want this resolved by September 4th. All right. Coming in the last night's game against the twins, A-Rod

was in a terrible slump, 0 for his last 18 when he came up with the bases loaded in the seventh. But, boom, goes the dynamite. A-Rod, a grand slam to give the Yankees the lead. It's A-Rod's 25th grand slam in his career the most in baseball history and Yankees go on to beat the Twins 8-4.

The controversy at the Little League Softball World Series between two teams was settled on the field yesterday. Here is a little back story for you -- the team from Washington was accused of sitting its best players and swinging at pitches in the dirt to purposely lose their last game of pool play because by losing, they would still advance, but the loss would eliminate one of their biggest competitors, the team from Iowa. After Iowa protested, the Little League World Series decided to have a one-game playoff between the two teams and, guess what.

[05:25:00] Iowa would come out on top in this one, beating Washington 4-3 to advance to the semifinals. However, Iowa to lose to Rhode Island in the semifinals game so they are also just like Washington.

But, of course, the moral of this story is you play to win the game!

ROMANS: Yes.

SCHOLES: You never play to lose. If you do, bad things are going to happen.

ROMANS: Even if the rules are crazy. You play to win the game!

SCHOLES: Yes.

ROMANS: All right. Thanks so much. Andy Scholes, nice to see you.

All right. Hillary Clinton on the defensive bombarded, bombarded by new questions about her use of e-mail as secretary of state. How she is responding, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: Hillary Clinton making jokes, even as she is bombarded with questions over her e-mail use as secretary of state. How the campaign is handling the controversy this morning.

Another Democratic senator coming out against the Iran nuclear deal. How this new opposition could hurt the president's plan, ahead.

Happening now: A manhunt to find the person behind a deadly bombing in Bangkok. We are live with the new developments.

Welcome back to EARLY START this Wednesday morning. I'm Christine Romans. It's half past the hour. John Berman has the morning off.

Let's begin with this -- up first this morning, Hillary Clinton defending herself as questions mount about her private e-mail server. Now, she took questions from reporters after a town hall event in Nevada.

Clinton repeating her stance -- she never sent, she never received anything marked classified from that private e-mail account. But she also says she does not know if her private server was ever wiped clean. This following an NBC News report that an attempt was made to clear the server before it was turned over to the FBI and the bureau is looking to recover any data.