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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

East Coast Flood: Hurricane Joaquin Gains Strength; Russia Begins Airstrikes in Syria; Trump: Will Send Syrian Refugees Back If He Wins; Blue Jays End 22-Year Drought. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired October 01, 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: Good morning. Welcome to EARLY START.

[05:00:00] I'm Christine Romans.

Nice to see you this morning.

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Nice to see you, too, Christine.

I'm Boris Sanchez. It is Thursday, October 1st, 5:00 a.m. in the East.

We are following breaking news. Joaquin now a category three hurricane bearing down on the Bahamas as another storm produces record rainfall up and down the East Coast.

ROMANS: Yes, it does not look good. Look at Massachusetts. A very dry September ending like this, dramatic fashion, four inches of rain. Just north of Boston, this woman had to be rescued after being stuck in the flood waters.

Look at this driver plowing deep water in Worcester, Massachusetts, the driver gets relatively dry land, stalls out, watch this -- opens the car door and boom, all that water comes pouring out.

The weather now snarling traffic across the region.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's bad. It's just gridlock everywhere. It is flooding everywhere. I have been on the road for two hours.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: In Maine, the National Weather Service says more than 5.5 inches fell on Portland. One of the ten all time wettest days in that city's history. The rain knocking out power, downing trees and flooding roads. Only trucks and SUVs getting through there.

ROMANS: Let's go to Maryland now, just west of Baltimore here. Knee deep flash flood water rushing through the streets. A local YMCA flooded out, three feet of water there. And the car in this photo we're going to show you totaled. Here's the owner.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I really did not know that flash flood meant boom, quick, rain, everything.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It looked like a freaking river, it's what it looked like.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Well, guess what? It's not over yet. This is just a prelude to Hurricane Joaquin. So, where is it going to hit?

Let's get right to meteorologist Pedram Javaheri.

Good morning, Pedram.

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Hey, good morning, guys.

There, you have the latest update just coming in from the last couple of minutes from National Hurricane Center. Some changes here in the forecast track that we'll touch on with the category three that still sits there slowdown just a little bit. So, they have rainfall potential certainly through the roof across portions of Turks and Caicos and Bahamas at this hour.

We think it is strengthening in the next several hours. And beyond that, the track shifted to the east. This is good news when we come to what we're eventually seeing hopefully take place over the several days as we approach Sunday into Monday.

The reason I say that is the models over the past several days, of course, have a lot of consistency with going in towards the Eastern Seaboard, towards the Carolinas, towards the mid-Atlantic states. Gradual shifting to the east with good news. We hope this all shift further to the east again in the coming days.

I want to show you the track because we think at this point, this takes it in towards portions of the Carolinas, Cape Hatteras and Kill Devil Hills sometime in the early morning hours of Monday, shortly after midnight Sunday, 90-mile-per-hour winds. That would be category one.

Beyond that right now, it would approach New Jersey some time on Tuesday, shortly after midnight after -- between 11:00 p.m. Monday night to about 2:00 a.m. Tuesday. That would put it in New Jersey as a strong tropical storm. But again, we hope this track continues to shift.

Something worth noting with these features and these tracks, you don't want to buy in and fall in love with the central track. It certainly can go to west, it can go to the east if it takes the easterly track, if we're talking about potentially missing land in its entirety, that would be excellent news especially around cooler waters up in the north. That will make a difference, a quick quickening of the storm system.

But again, if you look at the vast majority of the models with the spread, it is still there. We don't have the high concentration in one particular region across the Mid-Atlantic with one model offshore. Again, you notice the particular model that we kind of followed with the track that would take to the northeast, brings in a significant strong system, the trough that digs in to the northeast. We have a hurricane offshore. Notice how they interact, because that is a key player in trying to grab the tropical feature and essentially shove it right to the northeast. That is what we do not want to see play out and the European model that has been consistently saying an eastern track is nudging it back to the west but still say it will go to the north and well out of the areas into the open waters. So, that would be good news in the forecast there.

But, of course, if this comes in close to land, we are talking about significant rainfall, upwards of 10 inches on top of the 6 plus inches over this region and up to the north, four to six inches a possibility. So, you think about this time of year, the trees with a lot of leaves on the trees and winds will weigh down on the trees. It is something worth following.

ROMANS: It reminds me of Hurricane Irene, or Tropical Storm Irene. That hit when it was full blown, everything was leafed out in the Northeast. It was a real problem. It was another Halloween storm that year, real problem.

I mean, for a lot of us here on the East Coast, I've got to be honest, Pedram, we are storm weary here.

JAVAHERI: Absolutely. This is a good time to make all those precautions even if the storm system takes a right turn. We have not seen a major impact in the United States since 2005. So, this is not get to a major hurricane to the U.S., but still, it's an area that was hit too hard a couple of years ago. So, proper precautions are always a good thing at this point.

ROMANS: All right. Pedram says don't fall in love with the middle track. I have not in love with any of your track, but talk to you again in the little bit. Thanks, Pedram.

[05:05:00] SANCHJEZ: The U.S. countering Russian claims its first air strikes in Syria targeted ISIS. Russia's first word about the air strikes came when a Russian official appeared at an American embassy in Baghdad with a note warning the U.S. to stay out of the Syrian air space.

CNN's Barbara Starr asked Ash Carter about the unusual move.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: You have been dealing yourself with the Russians for years. So, a Russian general shows up this morning at an embassy in Baghdad and apparently reads you, your people a note saying airstrikes are going to begin in one hour.

What do you make of that? Is that -- as secretary of defense, is that acceptable military to military relations with you? And where does this leave you if you sit down and talk to the Russian military about the way ahead? Is this not a little bizarre?

ASH CARTER, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: You're right. I have been dealing with them for a long time and this is not the kind of behavior that we should expect professionally from Russian military professionally. That's one reason why I think it is a good thing to have an avenue of communication that is less unprofessional than a drop-in.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: The U.S. is also accusing Russia of misleading about the target of its air strikes. American officials say the war planes were not flying in ISIS-held regions and "The Washington Post" reports that it hit anti-rebel troops in Syria.

Defense Secretary Carter accusing Russia of, quote, "pouring gasoline on the fire of Syria's civil war."

For the latest, let's bring in CNN's Matthew Chance live for us in Moscow.

Matthew, this has to be a clear indication to the West that Russia's priority is not ISIS, right?

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I think that actually if you watch closely what the Russians have been saying, they never really stressed the emphasis is ISIS. They are talking about ISIS a lot. They know well that ISIS has no friends and if Russia emphasizes their targeting, no one is legitimately going to contradict them.

But they've also said all along that their priority is supporting the government of Bashar al Assad. Vladimir Putin a couple days ago at the U.N. called him a valiant fighter against Islamic extremism. And he said it was a big mistake for the west not to give more support to Bashar al Assad and his Syrian government.

And so, that's clearly the priority now. They are striking ISIS targets, but, you know, they're striking other targets as well. The Kremlin doesn't draw any distinction between ISIS and other fundamentalist groups, the non-Islamic groups that are fighting inside Syria. It puts them all in the same basket as Islamic terrorists. It committed itself to fighting all of them.

It is particularly focusing it seems on the groups that pose the biggest threat to the regime of Bashar al Assad. These are non-is groups in the first stage. That is why the strikes are focused on the groups other than the Islamic State.

SANCHEZ: All right. Matthew, thank you.

Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, set to meet with John Kerry later today. We'll see what comes of that meeting.

ROMANS: All right. No government shutdown at least for now. Breaking overnight, Congress passing a stop-gap spending bill with just hours to spare keeping the government funded through December 11th. That's when Republicans are expected to push hard to defund Planned Parenthood.

President Obama signing the measure when it reached his desk, calling it good news and a cause to celebrate even if the bar for Congress he says is, quote, "somewhat low".

SANCHEZ: A high ranking official at the Secret Service facing disciplinary action this morning for allegedly trying to smear the reputation of Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz. Assistant Director Edward Lowery accused of sending an e-mail encouraging Secret Service staffers to release embarrassing and private information about the Republican lawmaker, specifically the fact that Chaffetz applied to the Secret Service 12 years ago and was rejected.

Chaffetz now chairs a committee that oversees the Secret Service. He has been critical of the agency and admits these revelations have him rattled.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JASON CHAFFETZ (R), UTAH: It's a little bit scary. Secret Service diving into my background as a sitting member of Congress -- I -- it's not about me, but it is about what are they doing over there? These people are entrusted with guns by the president for goodness sake and if they -- they are supposed to be the Secret Service, we give them police powers and we give them the ability to, you know, dive into confidential information and it sounds -- it's very disconcerting.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Congressman Chaffetz also slamming House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy for his suggestion of the 2012 investigation of the Benghazi terror attack was, quote, "paying off politically for Republicans". Chaffetz is still backing McCarthy for speaker, but Chaffetz thinks he should apologize. The California congressman is the leading candidate to replace Speaker John Boehner. He says the House investigation was a success because it's now contributing to Hillary Clinton's slumping poll numbers.

[05:10:03] Meantime, the Democratic frontrunner, Hillary Clinton, eager to pounce on those comments.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: So, when I hear a statement like that which demonstrates unequivocally that this was always meant to be a partisan political exercise, I feel like it does a grave disservice and dishonors not just the memory of the four that we lost, but everybody who has served our country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: More controversy surrounding Clinton. New e-mails released by the State Department show that her staffers were concerned of the use of a private e-mail server, worrying that it might invite hackers. The e-mail span between 2010 and 2011 and they also reveal five phishing attempts targeting her account while she was the secretary of state. It was also revealed that two months of the e- mails at the start of her tenure are missing. Federal officials confirmed they have not been able to recover them.

ROMANS: All right. Ten minutes, 11 minutes past the hour. Time for an early start on your money.

Stocks around the world, U.S. stock futures starting the fourth quarter strong. Look at that, the Dow rose 235 points. A powerful bounce to end what was the worst quarter for stocks in four years. If you wonder what happened four years ago, stocks bounced into the end of the year.

Hurricane Joaquin getting closer to the United States and some are betting some companies would capitalize on storm prep and possible cleanup efforts if in fact there is Joaquin that meets U.S. shores. Shares of Generac, which makes affordable generators, climbed 9 percent yesterday, Owens Corning, makes roofing mater, that went up 4 percent. And check out Lowe's and Home Depot, they also got a boost yesterday.

I got to tell you, while we were watching Pedram's forecast, I keep thinking I have to be to Home Depot or Lowe's by what, like Thursday night or Friday -- maybe tonight, I don't know.

SANCHEZ: If you want to beat the crowd, yes. Why not?

ROMANS: I know, I know. Especially the northeast, people are so weary from all these storms over the past few years.

SANCHEZ: We got to be.

ROMANS: More likely, they run out there and batteries and flashlights.

SANCHEZ: Vodka as well.

ROMANS: Maybe, maybe.

All right. Send them back, he says. Donald Trump explains what will happen to Syrian refugees if he is elected as Bernie Sanders breaks a fundraising record, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:15:18] ROMANS: Donald Trump and Jeb Bush butting heads again on the campaign trail. This time over the subject of refugees fleeing the civil war in Syria. Trump telling the New Hampshire town hall and telling our very own Don Lemon that as president he would send refugees back because he thinks they could be ISIS sympathizers in disguise.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Why are we accepting all of these thousands? Now, I heard a number today, 200,000. That's almost like -- are they bringing -- are these people ISIS?

We have no idea who they are. We have no idea where they come from. I'm telling you right now, they may come in through the weakness of Obama, but they are going out if I become president. They will not say there. They are going back to Syria, whether it is safe zones or whatever. But they are going back to Syria.

JEB BUSH (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We have a noble tradition of taking care of refugees. We have done it since the beginning of time. And I think we need to maintain that.

Having said that, we need to screen people and do the things that are appropriate to make sure the people coming here are legitimate.

But send them all back to a hell hole? This is the same guy that is also advocating exactly what seems to be supportive of Putin and his emergence in Syria.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: The political jabs from Jeb did not stop there. Bush also campaigning in New Hampshire says Donald Trump needs to put on his, quote, "big boy pants". PJ attack from the governor.

Jeb's former Florida protege Marco Rubio, who's edge past him in the latest polls, was also a target. Bush sat down with our senior political correspondent Dana Bash.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: There has been so much talk of Donald Trump and how he has affected Jeb Bush's campaign.

But the other story line, a big one, is how Marco Rubio is affecting Jeb Bush's campaign. Rubio is not only seemingly doing better here in New Hampshire and even nationally, but it is a personal issue for him because the two of them knew each other very well in Florida.

The two are friends. Jeb Bush was his mentor. And there are a lot of Republicans who we talked to who are actually torn between the two.

So, I asked Jeb Bush about that. Here's what he said.

BUSH: I'm a proven leader. I disrupted the old order in Tallahassee. I relied on people like Marco Rubio and many others to follow my leadership. And we lead the state on job growth, reduced the role of government, reformed the things that were broken, took on some very powerful interest and we won, and I could be that disrupter in Washington, D.C.

Look, we had a president who came in and said the same kind of thing, new and improved, hope and change. And he didn't have the leadership skills to fix things. In fact, he has been the greatest, most divisive president in modern history. What we need is someone with proven leadership to fix things, and I believe I have those skills.

BASH: That line talking about his own leadership, that is something that he is trying to press more and more. We heard it here at his town hall and maybe more importantly his campaign is now spending money, big money, on ad talking about his bio, talking about his record, ads here in New Hampshire and other early contest states, because his aides believe this is something he can actually pull off because he's got the money, he's got the organization, as long as people actually know that he's just not another Bush.

The question is, how long that's going to take? And they said they are in it for the long haul.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: A big third quarter haul for Ben Carson. His campaign announcing it raised more than $20 million over the over the past three months. Carson speaking to a group of fellow physicians in New Hampshire Wednesday, sounding a bit like Donald Trump when talking about his campaign.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. BEN CARSON (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I've made it very clear that I'm not going after the billionaires and the special interest groups. I'm not licking anybody's boots. And I'm not going to be beholden to a bunch of special interest groups. There's only one special interest group and I mentioned it and that's the American people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton's third quarter fundraising take was $28 million, just a few million more than her chief rival for the nomination, Bernie Sanders. It's also a sharp drop from the record setting take of $47.5 million in the spring.

The pace for Bernie Sanders picked up over the summer. He collected $35 million in the past few months.

His campaign touting the fact that it reached a million online donors faster than any candidate ever. I got to tell you, the crowds he has been drawing unbelievable. Surprising the candidate himself. When you go to Iowa and other states, you know, really big crowds, unusually large crowds.

[05:20:05] It looks he is getting the money.

SANCHEZ: Very passionate supporters as well.

ROMANS: All right. New York Mets fans holding their breath this morning. Their number one slugger -- no! -- hit by a pitch. Will he recover in time for the playoffs? The x-rays are in. Andy Scholes -- Dr. Andy Scholes has this morning's bleacher report next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: For the first time in 22 years, the Toronto Blue Jays are the king of the American League East.

SANCHEZ: And the Mets are praying for Yoenis Cespedes.

Andy Scholes has more in this morning's bleacher report.

Good morning, Andy.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, guys.

Yes, usually this time of year, our friends north of the border have hockey on their minds. But the ice is going to have to wait a little while because the Blue Jays have a date with the post season. Toronto had won the American League East since the back-to-back World Series in 1992 and 1993. Jays played a double header with the Orioles yesterday. They needed to just win one game in order to clinch the division and they won game one of the double header, but have to wait until the second game to pop champagne bottles.

The Jays, they are still battling the Royals right now for the best record in the American League.

No doubt who has the best record in the National League, though, the St. Louis Cardinals clinching the NL Central by winning the second game of their double header with the Pirates. Now, this was the team's 100th win of the season. The Cardinals will now face the winner of the wild card game between the Pirates and Cubs in the National League division series.

[05:25:01] All right. The Mets will be facing the Dodgers in the NLDS. They got a big scare last night. Slugger Yoenis Cespedes gets hit on the wrist by Justin De Fratus. Luckily, he didn't break any bones, x-rays are negative, just a finger contusion.

And the Mets retaliate. Logan Verrett right in the back his Odubel Herrera right in the back. Then in the sixth, Hansel Robles goes high and tight to Cameron Rupp. As you can imagine, he didn't appreciate that. The benches would clear, but no one would throw in punches. Phillies wound end up winning this game by final 7-5.

Tony Stewart officially announcing his retirement during a press conference yesterday. The three-time NASCAR champion said his retirement had nothing to do with the tragic death of Kevin Ward Jr. on the dirt track one year ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TONY STEWART, 3-TIME NASCAR CHAMPION: The tragedy, nothing will change that. It happened. But it's not going to direct the rest of my life. I'm still going to go race. As far as the cup series, it had no bearing on that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Michael Vick to make his return in the lineup tonight. He is filling in for injured Ben Roethlisberger for the Steelers as they host the winless Ravens on Thursday night football. Interesting to see how he does.

ROMANS: Sure will.

SANCHEZ: Mike Vick after all these years, still playing, and no room for Tebow in the NFL?

Andy, thank you.

SCHOLES: All right.

ROMANS: Andy Scholes.

SANCHEZ: The East Coast flooded. Record rainfall happening as Hurricane Joaquin gains strength and barrels toward the U.S. We are tracking the storms, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: The East Coast flooded already and then could it happen again?