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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Las Vegas Police: Driver Runs Down People On Strip; New Hampshire Schools Forced To Close Over E-mail Threat; President Defends ISIS Strategy; Trump Calls Hillary Clinton "A Liar"; Sanders Says He's Sorry For Breach; Enrique Marquez Heads Back To Court; Dozens Missing In Chinese Landslide. Aired 5:30-6a ET
Aired December 21, 2015 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Our breaking news this morning, a driver behind bars accused of mowing down dozens of pedestrians on the Las Vegas strip. What we are learning about the deadly crash. Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.
BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Boris Sanchez. We are 30 minutes past the hour. We begin with that breaking news from Las Vegas. A female driver is in police custody after slamming into more than 30 pedestrians on the strip in front of the Paris Hotel. Police say a 3-year-old child was also in the car. Officials say one
person died and 37 people were hurt, six of them are still in critical condition. People witnessed the entire thing are in disbelief as police believe the suspect did this on purpose.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Up to this point, we have a black female in her 20s with a child in the car, 3 years old. She was driving a 1996 Oldsmobile four-door vehicle with Oregon plates. She went up off the street on to the sidewalk two or possibly three times.
Based on the evidence and information from our fatal investigators, at this point we are treating this as an intentional act. She is in the detention center right now. She is speaking to detectives. They are drawing her blood and I expect her to be charged within the next few hours.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right in front of me. By the time I looked to the right, you could see here driving away and people bouncing off the windshield. She came to a stop here at the Paris intersection. Then people were punching the window to get the child out of the backseat. She accelerated and kept mowing everyone down.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I saw the car up on the sidewalk coming toward us. There was a lady in it, an African-American lady. It looked like she wasn't even trying to stop the car. She had both of her hands on the wheel and looking straight forward. There were men running after the car to get her to stop the vehicle.
(END VIDEO CLIP) SANCHEZ: The witnesses describing that surreal scene. It appears the driver did this intentionally, though officials have ruled out terrorism. As soon as we get more information, we will bring it to you.
ROMANS: New Hampshire school officials forced to close more than a dozen schools after receiving a threat of violence. At this point, they have not described the nature of this threat, but it is specific and extending to a pair of schools in the Nashua District.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So it was a threat that was received via e-mail that had specific directions to the two Nashua high schools with specific threats of violence, which is why we are taking kind of seriously.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: New Hampshire's governor says the state is working with local authorities and the FBI to determine if this threat is credible. Schools in the district are expected to open tomorrow. Last week, both New York and Los Angeles school districts received threats. Los Angeles officials deemed the threat credible and closed for a day.
SANCHEZ: New this morning, President Obama says the media's saturation coverage of ISIS is the key reason that Americans people are so worried about the terror group. The president also conceives in an interview with NPR that his administration could do a better job explaining its strategy for containing ISIS.
Senior White House correspondent, Michelle Kosinski, is following the president on vacation in Hawaii.
MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Boris and Christine, the first family is now officially on vacation. The president has already played some golf and done some hiking.
But before he left, he had an interview with National Public Radio especially on the subject of ISIS. Despite all the criticism that's been out there during this political season, and some coming from his party, despite polls showing many Americans does not agree with the current ISIS strategy.
The president again defended it. When asked why so many are dissatisfied with it, he cited not only ISIS' own propaganda machine but the media. He says when people turn on their TVs he is not surprised that they become concerned. Listen.
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[05:35:11]UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you suggesting that the media are being played in a sense here?
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Look, the media is pursuing ratings. This is a legitimate news story. I think that, you know, it is up to the media to determine how they want to cover things. There is no doubt that the actions of ISIL are designed to amplify their power.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOSINSKI: The president says he thinks it is a legitimate concern that the administration hasn't done enough to fully explain all they have done against ISIS and it is their goal to better inform people.
He also hit out at his critics. A few out there who proposed specifics, they would do that the administration's not doing like Hillary Clinton. He actually mentioned Lindsey Graham by name.
Things like sending a smaller number of American ground troops. He said for the most part, the criticism is nonspecific and it's along the lines of simply bombing more -- Boris and Christine.
ROMANS: All right, thank you so much for that. Donald Trump giving as good as he got against Hillary Clinton. Clinton claimed that Trump's proposal to ban all Muslims from entering the U.S. is being used as a recruiting tool by radical Jihadists. Trump said there is no proof of Clinton's claim. Trump calling her a liar.
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HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We also need to make sure that the really discriminatory messages that Trump is sending around the world don't fall on receptive ears. He is becoming ISIS' best recruiter.
They are going to people showing videos of Donald Trump insulting Islam and Muslims in order to recruit more radical jihadists. I want to explain why this is not in America's interest to react with this kind of fear and respond to this sort of bigotry.
DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (via telephone): Nobody has been able to back that up. It's nonsense. It's just another Hillary lie. She lies like crazy about everything whether it is trips where she is being gunned down in a helicopter or an airplane. She is a liar and everybody knows that. She just made this up in thin air.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: CNN politics reporter, Eric Bradner is here to talk about Donald Trump as a fact checker, a rare and in this case, a correct assessment from the Donald.
ERIC BRADNER, CNN POLITICS REPORTER: It is pretty rich to hear Donald Trump checking someone else's facts. He is not wrong here. Hillary Clinton made a specific claim. She said ISIS is doing this.
Now, national security experts, especially in the Obama administration warned that ISIS could do this. Have raised some caution about Donald Trump's remarks. That's pretty universal across a lot of national security circles. This is a very specific claim that Hillary Clinton made. There's no evidence yet to back up that ISIS is specifically doing this. So, this is a preview of two candidates who will hold nothing back in going after each other.
Trump and Clinton are focused the most on each other lately. Trump bashes everybody. He is focusing on Hillary Clinton saying he thinks she won't make it to the election. Hillary Clinton dropped her attacks on all of the other candidates and focused on Donald Trump. It is getting nasty.
SANCHEZ: Speaking with Hillary Clinton Saturday was the Democratic debate, many were expecting perhaps some fireworks between her and Bernie Sanders considering the information released last week that some Sanders' campaign officials got into private information of the Hillary Clinton campaign. That did not exactly happen. Listen to this.
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BERNIE SANDERS (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Not only do I apologize to Secretary Clinton and I hope we can work together on an independent investigation.
CLINTON: I very much appreciate that comment, Bernie. I don't think the American people are all that interested in this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: This is kind of a moment where everybody comes together. It is a love fest. How much of this has to do with angling toward the national election?
BRADNER: A lot of it especially for Hillary Clinton. This is a candidate who is up nearly 2 to 1 in a lot of national polls over Bernie Sanders. She is sending the message that she doesn't see anything to be gained by picking a big fight with Sanders over this issue.
She is focused on the general election. She is trying to play the role of uniter. That's why she's talking so much about Republicans rather than criticizing people within her own party. Even over the data breach. She is focused on hitting Donald Trump.
[05:40:12]She is trying to send the message to the democratic primary voters that she is the best candidate to take on the Republicans. These candidates are close right now in Iowa and New Hampshire. New Hampshire, Sanders actually leads.
This is not quite over because the democratic National Committee will do an independent audit in how much data the Sanders campaign actually accessed. If it is a ton, that could concern the Clinton campaign especially in the get out and vote early in the states.
I don't think we've quite heard the last of the story, but the candidates are sending the message that they are not the ones duking it out over something that is pretty in the weeds for the general voter.
ROMANS: Let's talk about the president. President Obama is on vacation in Hawaii with his family. He sat down with NPR. We have new sound from the president. He was asked to explain the phenomena of the Donald Trump supporter in this country.
He kind of gets very -- he sits down and talks about technology, loss of factory jobs and globalization, income inequity and wage stagnation, and then this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Particularly blue collar men have had a lot of trouble in this new economy where they no longer getting the same bargain when they were going to a factory and able to support their families on a single paycheck.
You combine those things and it means that there's going to be potential anger, frustration, fear, some of it justified, but misdirected. I think somebody like Mr. Trump's taking advantage of that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: That's the first time I have heard him very specifically talk about Trump supporters.
BRADNER: Donald Trump is a guy who has questioned whether President Obama was even born in the United States. Yet, here's President Obama trying to in a kind way, really, explain away the support for Donald Trump.
Even as Democrats everywhere really struggles to be able to understand this. President Obama's rhetoric matches Jeb Bush on this. Jeb Bush has been talking about Trump really taking advantage of people's fears and anxiety lately. It was an interesting answer from the president.
ROMANS: I think so too. All right, Eric Bradner, nice to see you this morning. Thanks.
SANCHEZ: We are following breaking news this morning. A driver accused of purposely plowing through the crowded street on the Las Vegas strip.
Plus disturbing new details about the female San Bernardino shooter, the warning signs officials missed when letting her into the country.
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[05:46:54]
ROMANS: We are following breaking news from Las Vegas this morning where a driver is in custody after mowing down nearly 40 pedestrians. Police say the suspect drove up on the sidewalk and through entrance of the Paris Las Vegas Hotel. At this point, we know at least one person is dead and six in critical condition. Officials say it appears this was intentional and the woman driving several times on the sidewalk. She had a toddler in the car with her. They think this was intentional. They do not think this was an act of terrorism.
SANCHEZ: Disturbing details emerging about the female terrorist in the San Bernardino mass shooting and how she got into the U.S. The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said U.S. immigration officials, quote, "sloppily approved Tashfeen Malik's visa application."
The materials in the file apparently did not show that Malik and her future husband, Syed Rizwan Farook, had met in person while in Saudi Arabia. Meeting face-to-face is a requirement for the fiancee visa to the U.S. The pair as you might recall downed 14 people at a health department training event earlier this month.
ROMANS: The neighbor accused of buying the rifles used into the attack will learn where he will spend the holidays. The judge will hear the bail on 24-year-old Enrique Marquez. He faces charges, including providing material support for terrorism. This weekend, the last three memorial services for the victims of the attacks were held.
Let's take a look at what is coming up on "NEW DAY." Chris Cuomo joins us. Hi, Chris.
CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR, "NEW DAY": Bail will be a surprise on that case. And our main focus is what happened in Las Vegas? The kid in the car and the mom driving down recklessly and trying to hit people.
We do know that she is in custody. We know that she is about to be charged. We do know that they drew blood. Obviously they want to find out what was in her system at the time. We will talk to witnesses.
We are also going to look at a lot of political change that has happened since the debate. You also say these debates change the dynamic especially for Jeb Bush, something new going on with him and Donald Trump.
Also on the Democratic side, why are they going after Donald Trump so much? What does it mean? Is that a vote of confidence in Trump? We will go through it this morning.
ROMANS: Thanks, Chris. Good to see you.
SANCHEZ: Good to see you, too.
This set the internet on fire last night, a royal mess at this year's Miss Universe pageant. Here are the final two contestants on stage. When Steve Harvey dramatically announces that Miss Colombia has won the title, she gets the crown and starts crying. Everything seems according to plan, right? Wrong. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) STEVE HARVEY: Miss Universe 2015 is Colombia. Hey, folks, there's -- I have to apologize. The first runner up is Colombia.
[05:50:08]Miss Universe 2015 is Philippines.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: Cringe. Steve Harvey tweeted his apologies to Miss Colombia and Miss Philippines saying, quote, "It was a terribly honest and human mistake. I'm so regretful." You may notice that Colombia and Philippines are misspelled. He since deleted that tweet.
If you look at her face after Steve Harvey says there's been a mistake, Miss Colombia, it will be a while before she gets over it. It is supposed to be a lighthearted thing.
ROMANS: It is not funny for Miss Colombia. I love Steve Harvey.
It's 50 minutes past the hour. The force was with "Star Wars" this weekend. It shattered all of the records at the box office. Did we think it would not? We have an EARLY START on your money next.
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SANCHEZ: Devastation striking Southern China yesterday morning. Dozens of people missing after a massive landslide hits the city of Shenzhen. Hundreds of people are now furiously digging through debris looking for any signs of life.
Let's get to CNN correspondent, Matt Rivers, in Beijing with the very latest.
[05:55:04]MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Christine, Boris, this is an ongoing situation in Shenzhen. We know 91 people remain missing according to the authorities, 59 are men, 32 are women. They were inside 33 different buildings in the industrial park that was effected when the landslide occurred 11:00 a.m. Sunday morning.
Thirteen people have been hospitalized so far, three of whom are in serious condition although no deaths have been reported as of yet. Those numbers will likely change as the situation continues to unfold.
We know that 700 people right now are searching an extremely large area where this occurred in 380,000 square meters in total using things like drones and rescue dogs trying to find survivors.
Fourteen people have been rescued from the rubble so far. As for what caused all this, this is very much a manmade disaster according to Chinese state media. What actually collapsed was a large pile of earth.
State media reporting it was made of construction waste. Trucks come in on a regular basis and dump waste there. It eventually got to be three stories tall. Who is at fault here? Who is to blame?
That investigation will take the backseat as the focus remains on trying to rescue anyone who might still be trapped in the rubble -- Christine, Boris.
SANCHEZ: All right, Matt, thank you.
Staying in Asia now, Vladimir Putin saying that Russia will continue to develop nuclear weapon systems even though he says he does not intend to use them.
In a documentary aired on Russian state television overnight, Putin said, quote, "We have never brandished and never will brandish this nuclear club, but our military doctrine allocates it a place and a role."
ROMANS: Let's get an EARLY START on your money this morning. Will there be relief after a horrible stock market on Friday? U.S. futures suggest so. Friday was the worst day since September, the Dow crumbled 367 points.
Wall Street's enthusiasm over the fed's interest rate decision simply vanished replaced by the drama over a bear market in oil. This morning, though, there are renewed hopes that crude may bottoming out.
Dove chocolates recalled over allergy threats. The chocolate snowflakes which may contain nuts were mixed in with Sneakers Milky Way and Twix pieces a risk for customers with peanut allergies which are not expecting the bag to contain any nuts. Dove is recalling about 7,000 packages that were sold between September 19th and December 1st.
"Star Wars" rules the box office. The "Force Awakens" had the biggest opening in movie history raking in $238 million. This is the seventh film in the franchise. You may have heard of it. It was a critical hit.
It has a 95 percent rating on the web site, Rotten Tomatoes. I'm actually surprised anyone thought it would not get the record. It has had so much publicity.
SANCHEZ: I'm surprised critically it did as well as it did. The other three prequels didn't do well.
A driver mowing down dozens of pedestrians on the Vegas strip, "NEW DAY" starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People bouncing off the front of the car.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We turned around and saw people laying in the streets. A lot of them were badly injured.
SANDERS: Somebody like Trump comes along and says I know the answers.
TRUMP: This foolish guy Bernie.
CLINTON: He is becoming ISIS' best recruiter.
TRUMP: She lies about everything. She is like a snake with no energy.
JEB BUSH (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I want to get this off my chest. Donald Trump is a jerk.
TRUMP: Bush, incompetent.
HARVEY: Colombia. I have to apologize. Miss Universe 2015 is Philippines.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CUOMO: Good morning. Welcome to NEW DAY. It is Monday, December 21st, 6:00 in the east. Mich is off. We have breaking news from Las Vegas. One dead and dozens injured after a driver plow into the crowded sidewalks in the Vegas strip. We have witnesses describing the scene as the woman just mowed into people as others try to stop it.
ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: That driver is in police custody. Adding to the shock of the story, she had a 3-year-old in the car. Authorities call this an intentional act, but they rule out terrorism. So what do they think happened?
CNN's Stephanie Elam is live in Las Vegas with this developing story. What do we know, Stephanie?
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It happened behind me on the Las Vegas strip. This is a city that never shuts down. There are always people walking. At this point one person is dead, 37 others injured, some of them critically.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a huge tragedy that's occurred on our strip.
