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At This Hour

3 Winning Tickets Sold in Powerball Lottery; Rand Paul Upset over Main Debate Stage Bump as Trump/Cruz War of Words Heats Up; ISIS Claims Responsibility for Jakarta Attack. Aired 11:30a-12p ET

Aired January 14, 2016 - 11:30   ET

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

[11:31:41] KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news. You are not a new multimillionaire, or, you are and you haven't yet checked your ticket. It's a very new day for someone. Some peoples out there. They're following last night's record -- world record $1.5 billion Powerball -- go.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: You're so sad you didn't win --

(CROSSTALK)

BOLDUAN: So sad I can't even talk.

BERMAN: We're still waiting to see who nailed the winning number.

CNN has deployed its vast resources. We have reporters in all three spots where the winning tickets were sold, Sara Sidner in Chino Hills, California; Polo Sandovol in Mumford, Tennessee; and Alina Machado in Melbourne Beach, Florida.

Sara Sidner, you've been up all night at that location.

BOLDUAN: Yeah, you actually have.

BERMAN: Congratulations to you.

SIDNER: Yes, that's what I won, no sleep. It's great. But I can tell you this place was rocking for about three or four hours, from midnight to about 3:00 in the morning. People were here, they were coming from all over the place. Dozens and dozens of people showed up. And we thought, oh, certainly it must be one of the winners. No, they were just here cheering their town and cheering the fact that one of the stores here sold one of those big winning tickets. And they were also cheering for the owner of this place because he is able to get a million dollars from the lottery system just for selling that ticket.

(CHEERING)

SIDNER: Listen, the customers here totally excited about the fact that Chino Hills sold a winning ticket.

BOLDUAN: Absolutely. Thank you so much, Sara.

Let's head over to Tennessee where Polo is. Polo, what's the party like there?

POLO SANDOVOL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kate, I can tell you if you take a drive down the winding roads of western Tennessee, you'll find a very nervous shop owner right now.

Mr. Ali Alwani, you are the owner of the Mumford Short Stop, a place where reports are circulating that likely sold one of those three tickets here in Tennessee. What's going through your mind now as you wait for that phone call?

ALI ALWANI, OWNER, MUMFORD SHORT STOP: I'm just excited to be waiting for the phone call. Hopefully -- hope for the best. Maybe my store, somebody win from our store.

SANDOVOL: Everybody knows that the lucky people are not just the ticket owners but also the store owners. You're told that you could actually end up with a big payout as well.

ALWANI: Yeah, little bit I get some money, too. There's nothing wrong with that.

SANDOVOL: All right, Ali, we'll let you go as he's waiting for a very important phone call, guys, from the Tennessee Lottery Commission confirming these reports.

It's a very small community but people are definitely excited right now waiting for that confirmation that the third ticket was sold here in Tennessee.

BERMAN: All right, Polo, thanks so much.

Last, but not least, because $500 million can never be least, Melbourne Beach, Florida, Alina Machado is there -- Alina?

ALINA MACHADO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: There's two things I can tell you with absolute certainty, number one, I don't have the winning ticket that was sold in Florida. And number two, one of those three tickets that were sold was sold here at this Publix behind me.

Now, the big question is, who bought the winning ticket here? We don't know. We don't know if it was somebody who lives in Melbourne Beach, we don't know if it was a tourist. This is a popular tourist destination. This is a beach area. It could really be anyone. It could be someone who lives in Florida or somebody just passing by and happened to decide I want to give a shot at this Powerball jackpot. I want to try to go for it. And they nabbed it. So hopefully, we'll learn some of those details soon.

Here's what we also know. This ticket, if the winner decides to go for the lump sum after taxes, the ticket that was sold here will be worth about $187 million. Also worth noting, 11 tickets worth $1 million were also sold in the state of Florida. And one ticket worth $2 million also sold. So there's a lot of people in Florida potentially with some winning tickets here.

[11:35:20] BERMAN: I'd take the $187. If I had a choice between the $187 or two or the one, I would take the $187.

BOLDUAN: You're a very bold man. You're very bold.

BERMAN: Alina Machado, Sara Sidner, Polo Sandovol, thanks so much.

BOLDUAN: Thanks, guys.

BERMAN: There's a lot of other news we're looking at right now. 35 minutes after the hour. ISIS is now taking responsibility for the Paris-style attack that left two people dead and more than a dozen others injured in Jakarta. Now officials are on the hunt for anyone who might have helped the attackers.

BOLDUAN: Also ahead for us, Rand Paul still fighting to make the main stage for tonight's GOP debate. All the while, the war of words heats up between Donald Trump and Ted Cruz. We're going to break down the drama the top Republican official ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:40:10] BERMAN: Just hours to go before tonight's Republican presidential debate and Rand Paul using every last minute to fight for his place on the main stage. Paul was slotted to join Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum in the earlier debate. Some refer to it as the undercard. But he's flat-out refusing to go.

He tells CNN this morning that he has earned his place in the top tier. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. RAND PAUL, (R), KENTUCKY & PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We have raised $25 million. We have announced more precinct chairs in Iowa than any other candidate has so far. We have a first-tier campaign and we can't accept an artificial designation by the media and by the party. And it's really showing that, does the party want to be bigger, does the party want the liberty movement in the Republican Party?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: Joining us now to discuss, Sean Spicer, chief strategist and communications director for the Republican National Committee.

Sean, it is great to see you.

An artificial distinction by the media and the party. Does Rand Paul have a point? Not a single vote's been cast.

SEAN SPICER, CHIEF STRATEGIST & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE: Well, I think as you guys know the networks have each set the criteria for each of these debates. And we've taken the historic measures to make sure that there's two debates to allow all these unbelievable candidates the opportunity to have a platform to present your vision. The criteria for this debate was announced about a month ago. Obviously, we'd love Senator Paul to be here. There's a spot for him should he show up at the first debate. As Governor Christie showed the last time, I think when you go out, you make a forceful presentation, you can bounce up and down. Carly Fiorina did it early. And I think Governor Perry as well. And, look, that's what these are about. But there's a place for him here. We'd love to have him. He's a great part of the party. His supporters have tremendous intensity and enthusiasm. We'd love to have him. It's his decision obviously whether or not to ultimately be here.

BERMAN: He has been making the case that he deserves to be on the main stage. You're saying right now there's just no chance, it's not going to happen. You've listened to his arguments, the answer is, no, no way.

SPICER: Well, look, as you've seen, some of these candidates go up and down. The criteria is announced you either make it or you don't. There's always been a place in the debates for all of these amazing candidates and there is a place for Senator Paul today. That decision what the criteria was FOX's. They announced what it was and they announced who would be on the debate stage and that's what we're moving forward with tonight.

BOLDUAN: So among the big questions that no doubt will be asked tonight on the main stage, and the undercard debate, the question of Ted Cruz. The fact that his citizenship, his eligibility to be president that that has been brought in to question. Can't the GOP weigh in on this? Reince Priebus has said he's not weighing in on this candidate issue. Why not?

SPICER: Well, no, he actually said on Hugh Hewitt the other night that Ted Cruz and all of these candidates are not only eligible but highly qualified. So it is -- I mean, we believe every one of those 10 people that will take the stage tonight is eligible and qualified. We should move forward.

BERMAN: Oh, good, a message to Donald Trump essentially saying stop suggesting that he's not qualified or eligible to run for president, yes?

SPICER: Well, I'd leave that up to Mr. Trump. What I think he has said is this needs to get settled. But right now every one of those candidates is eligible, yes.

BERMAN: It's a settled issue as far as the Republican National Committee is concerned.

SPICER: Yeah. Look, it's not just the Republican National Committee. I think what this is, is candidates petition to get on ballots. States certify them whether or not they're qualified to get on. They are all certified and qualified in most of these states so far. I don't believe any of the folks on tonight have missed a ballot deadline. So it's not a question of us or not. There are 50 states and four territory who will determine who the next president of the United States is, or frankly who the nominee is of our party. If they can get and qualify for those ballots, they get on. And they're eligible candidates. We don't make that decision. BOLDUAN: So, Sean, from your position can you guarantee -- or are you

100 percent confident that your eventual nominee will not be deemed ineligible if it is challenged?

SPICER: You're asking a guy who went to a liberal arts college.

(LAUGHTER)

BOLDUAN: But I believe in you. But I believe in you.

SPICER: My legal experience is watching like "Law & Order" and "Law & Order, SVU." I don't feel confident answering that but I feel confident that the next occupant of the White House will be a Republican.

BERMAN: So, Sean, I understand there are meetings today, big RNC meetings today, where you plan to discuss the issue of the imminent brokered convention. Can you confirm that this is --

(CROSSTALK)

BERMAN: No, no. There are reports. "Politico's" supporting --

(CROSSTALK)

BOLDUAN: He's so excited to answer this.

BERMAN: I know, he's so excited to answer this. Will it be discussed for a brokered convention?

SPICER: Let me explain what's going on here. I read these stories this morning about a private secret meeting. Just to be clear, this so-called private secret meeting is open to the press and public. And it is an explanation of the delegate selection process. So CNN's got a camera here. It's more than welcome to come. The A.P. But this is a bit overblown and a bit ridiculous. It is an explanation of what the delegate selection process is. It is open to the press. It's open to the public. There is nothing to hide here. But it is sort of a media sensation more than anything else.

(CROSSTALK)

[11:45:33] BERMAN: You're laughing. We'll see if you're laughing in July, Sean Spicer.

(LAUGHTER)

BOLDUAN: You are a media sensation. Through our debate interviews we've learned Sean Spicer likes food but also a fan of --

(CROSSTALK)

SPICER: Huge fan. But I will tell you, Kate and John, I look forward to when you host your next debate because here -- we're standing in this filing center that you guys have been seeing in all these debates. This is the first time we've partnered with Google here. It is unbelievable. We've got a ton of food. I know we've talked about that in the past. It's an unbelievable experience for the media, but more importantly for the voters. This is going to give reporters here an opportunity to see things and do things that they might not have if they're not able to attend a debate. There's a lot of data. There's ways reporters can talk about what's happening here behind the scenes. It's never been done before. And we look forward to the next CNN opportunity to have one like this.

BERMAN: Looking forward to it ourselves.

Sean Spicer, thanks so much.

BOLDUAN: Thanks, Sean.

Still ahead for us, ISIS claiming responsibility for yet another deadly terror attack in a major city. Now the search is on to find anyone who may have helped the attackers. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:49:55] BOLDUAN: ISIS is now claiming responsibility for another deadly attack in another major city, Jakarta, Indonesia, the capital of the fourth most-populated nation in the world. Terrorists launched a series of assaults much like the horrific ones just weeks ago in Paris.

BERMAN: At least five attackers with guns and bombs targeted a busy commercial hub at the heart of the city. It left at least two people dead, nearly 20 hurt. Authorities say the attackers were killed. But now they're looking for anyone who might have helped them.

CNN's Kathy Quiano joins us live from Jakarta.

Kathy, what are you learning?

KATHY QUIANO, CNN PRODUCER, INDONESIA: We know police officials here are undergoing an investigation, they are investigating who might be behind these attacks. They're looking at who may have planned this, who may have funded this, because from information we're getting from them today, it's very clear this was very well executed, it was well funded, there were resources here that authorities here for a long time thought was not available to existing terror networks here. They did say many times in the past that the terror threat was low, but now that has changed. There were guns, explosives. At least 10 bombs. Five of them exploded. Five unexploded devices were later found on the site as well. There were pistols.

And the nature of the attack as well and the targets. It has been a fact here for a long time that attacks, which were quite minor over the past -- over the recent years, targeted police authorities and government authorities. And this time, they were targeting foreigners, according to police officials. And certainly that's part of the investigation here.

BERMAN: Still a lot of questions. They are on the hunt for possible accomplices. Kathy Quiano.

Again, ISIS now claiming responsibility for this attack that hit Jakarta overnight.

Thanks, Kathy.

Coming up for us, leaping off very tall buildings, bridges, with just a parachute and perhaps, you know, maybe a drink beforehand. This crazy sport is known as base jumping and there's a fantastic new CNN Film about it. We're going to talk to a former base jumper about why on earth he did it and why on earth he quit.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:55:49] BOLDUAN: Long before the era of Go Pros and the X Games, a California engineer decided to do something the rest of us honestly probably think is a bit insane, jump off a building with nothing more than a camera and a parachute. This Sunday, CNN Films presents "Sunshine Superman." It's a breathtaking look at the life of Carl Boenish, the founding father of the extreme sport now known as base jumping. Here's a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We were entirely successful in all our cliff jumps because I feel we were constantly led by the idea that we were glorifying mankind's beautiful spirits of seeking adventure and that we were within our rights of freedom and dominion over all the earth.

There are many manmade laws that aren't laws at all that need to be broken. One is a belief that it's impossible to jump off a cliff.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: All right, the film, which airs Sunday night, shows a lot of amazing footage, which is reason enough to see but it also describes this sport, which is really worth learning about.

Joining us now, Chris McNamara, a current mountain climber and former base jumper.

We learned a lot about Carl Boenish. He's the father of base jumping. You did this for years. Even after watching the film, I think a question a lot of people are left with is, why.

CHRIS MCNAMARA, MOUNTAIN CLIMBER AND FORMER BASE JUMPING: I mean, it's flying. Who hasn't dreamt of flying? I can say this is the closest thing to being in a dream and pretty much the greatest feeling I've ever known.

BOLDUAN: Can you describe the feeling? I venture to guess I will never base jump so can you describe it, Chris?

MCNAMARA: Well, when you're at the edge, it's completely terrifying. You step off. Your stomach falls away. That's not fun. But within a few seconds, it actually feels like you're flying. You're in kind of this dream world. And there's a big reason why there's so many of us that had to do it and had to do it despite the consequences.

BERMAN: It's flying, it's magical, it's wonderful, yet, you quit. So explain that.

MCNAMARA: Yeah. I mean, two things. One is, it just gets really hard to see a lot of your friends die, and that's kind of just the reality of the sport. And also, after a while, it's just not quite as exciting as it once was. And I just thought about what does 60-plus years of adventure look like versus doing this sport, that, as cool as it is, probably isn't giving up 60 years.

BOLDUAN: Let me quickly check. Do we have time to run one more clip? I'd love for us to just see one more clip.

We don't have the time to run it. We're don't have time to run it because it's a bit of a long clip.

So this is considered the deadliest spot in the world, Chris. Is it?

MCNAMARA: Yes. I would say so. I've been around mountaineering that I used to think, you know, that was the most deadly. In this sport, just so many of the people I've gotten to know sadly are no longer with us. I don't think you can say that about most modern day sports. There may be some in the past but none today where you meet 10 people in a room, there might be a chance that two of them are going to be gone, maybe four of them the year after.

BERMAN: What makes it more dangerous than sky diving, jumping out of a plane?

MCNAMARA: In base jumping, often you're starting at 3,000 feet. Especially with the wing suits, you're often flying ten feet off the ground. So you think about that margin, you know, the difference between 3,000 feet and 10,000 feet, and it's not surprising that -- it's just there's so many little things that if they go wrong, it's just -- it's just over.

BOLDUAN: That's amazing.

Great to meet you, Chris. Thank you so much.

MCNAMARA: Thank you.

BERMAN: A reminder, you can watch "Sunshine Superman" this weekend, Sunday, 9:00 eastern time, only on CNN.

BOLDUAN: Really amazing stuff.

Thank you all so much for joining us AT THIS HOUR.

BERMAN: "LEGAL VIEW" with Ashleigh Banfield starts right now.