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August Jobs Report; Clinton To Travel with Media; Kaepernick Kneels During National Anthem; Headstand on a Plane. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired September 02, 2016 - 09:30   ET

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

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[09:33:42] CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The most anticipated jobs report of the year was released just last hour. It shows employers added 151,000 new jobs last month. That is lower than economists had predicted. For more on this, I'm joined by chief business correspondent Christine Romans.

Put this into perspective for us.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

Ah, perspective is what we do, isn't it, Carol.

COSTELLO: Yes.

ROMANS: Let's look at this, 151,000 new jobs. That is not the 175,000, 180,000 many had expected. It's not as strong as the two months prior, which were very strong. But it's respectable. Economists telling us it's a respectable number. Still enough to absorb new people into the workforce mostly. The unemployment rate, 4.9 percent. Wage growth, 2.4 percent. Gosh, you'd like to see that do better. That is something that the Fed has been watching. They'd like to see better wage growth so they can start raising interest rates.

Let's look at the trend, the perspective again. You can see the last three months on this chart. May was a little weak, but June, July bounced back. When you look at all that together, Carol, the average job creation over the past year, 204,000 on average a month and you had 1.5 million jobs created this year. That's the unemployment rate. That trend is fantastic. You know, experts call this nearly full employment. And as you sit here below 5 percent for the unemployment rate, it means you're not going to get a lot of 200,000, and 250,000 probably new jobs every month because you're just kind of stuck there. You want to get new people - you want to get people off the sidelines and into the labor market. Food, lower wage jobs, very good jobs growth there. Business and information services, financial services, good job growth there. Those are higher wages. Manufacturing had a tough month again.

[09:35:10] Which brings me to what Donald Trump - 19 minutes after the report came out, Donald Trump's camp had a statement. Among the things the Trump team said, "the August jobs report shows a troubling long- term trend. The Clinton-Obama economy fails to produce better paying jobs, particularly in the manufacturing industries that can reduce our trade deficit."

So right away you have team Trump looks at the weaknesses in this report, even as economists this morning are calling it respectable and saying -

COSTELLO: But for his core constituency, that's an important number.

ROMANS: Oh, yes. And this - you know, finding these little weaknesses, and in some cases big weaknesses in the jobs report, in the jobs market, where people fell left behind, that is in part of his message and that's what they're zeroing in on. And I think until the election, that's what you'll see when we get these jobs numbers.

COSTELLO: All right, Christine Romans, thank you so much, as always.

ROMANS: You're welcome.

COSTELLO: After months of scrutiny over what critics say is a lack of media access, Hillary Clinton could soon get up close and personal with reporters. An aide announcing that beginning on Monday, Clinton will fly on the very same plane as her traveling press corps. The move coming after the campaign previously resisted requests from the media to travel together. Clinton used one plane while the press used another.

So let's talk about this. Joining me now, Errol Louis, political anchor for New York One News and CNN political commentator, and Robert Zimmerman. A Clinton fundraiser and supporter.

So, Robert, it sure seems like team Clinton caved.

ROBERT ZIMMERMAN, CLINTON FUNDRAISER: Well, you know, actually, in fairness to team Clinton here, in 2016 they did 300 - Hillary Clinton did 375 interviews with the media. And she just finished actually this month meeting with the national --

COSTELLO: She has not talked to reporters for quite a long time, Robert. So now she's suddenly appearing on this press plane. The Trump camp has been criticizing her for this. Voters think there's a lack of transparency and they don't trust her. So, come on.

ZIMMERMAN: Carol - but, Carol - Carol, let's put this in perspective, seriously now. I mean besides appearing in the 375 interviews she's done, she's also met this month with the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. And compared to Donald Trump, who not only does not have the press on his plane, he actually has a blacklist banishing members of the media he doesn't like from traveling with the - traveling with his campaign and he wants to loosen the libel laws so public figures can sue members of the media.

COSTELLO: Now, see, I'm looking at Errol Louis and he's smiling. Why are you smiling?

ERROL LOUIS, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, I'm smiling because my friend, Robert Zimmerman, is a spirited advocate, as always. In this case, he happens to be not quite right. I mean, look, one thing that happens with being in proximity to the candidate is, you get to see them moving around. Are they spry? Are they energetic? You get to see the looks on the faces of their aides right after they come out of a meeting with that candidate. There's a lot more to it than just sitting down for a formal, structured interview. And we, in the media, have the right to be able to really see this.

And let's keep in mind, the members of the press who travel in the traveling press corps pay a considerable amount of money in order to be near the candidate. And to deny them access really not only frustrates the higher goal of presenting the candidate fully to the public, but it also really hurts the news organizations. That's partly why people are complaining so much.

COSTELLO: OK, I want -

ZIMMERMAN: Yes, I'm on with two dynamic journalists, so I can't possibly win. But I think now that she'll be on the plane, you'll be able to see her up close and personal all the time.

COSTELLO: Well, I'm sure she'll be asked plenty of questions when she goes back to talk to those reporters every so often about the foundation, the Clinton Global Foundation, because that came up during a campaign stop. Vice President Joe Biden was like stumping for Hillary Clinton, but when he was asked about the Clinton Global Foundation, and whether the Clintons had done enough to distance themselves from the foundation, this is what he said.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you think Americans should be concerned at all or - about the ethics of the Clinton Foundation? Has the Clinton Foundation always been 100 percent ethical in in your view?

JOE BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Look, I think the Clinton Foundation, like all foundations, have found themselves in a position where things are changing and I think she's going to change and adjust to the realities of how complicated it's all become.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And is she clearing herself up enough with that? Should be - should the foundation have stopped taking foreign donations now?

BIDEN: Well, I think you'll see them stop taking foreign donations.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: OK. So, Robert, Joe Biden certainly answered that question just like a politician.

ZIMMERMAN: You know, I don't interpret that as a slam or an attack on the foundation at all. And I really am concerned, Carol, about the swift boating of the Clinton Foundation. You'll all remember how John Kerry was attacked for his Purple Hearts by Republicans who never served in military combat. And the Clinton Foundation has gotten the highest marks from every philanthropy watchdog group. Guide Star gave them high marks for its transparency.

COSTELLO: And, Robert, that may be true, but there are questions, serious questions about the foundation and its possible connections to the State Department. So why not just, you know, just go deal with those questions? Just do it now and show the voters that, you know, you get it. We're going to like eliminate foreign donation to the Clinton Foundation right now. Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton are going to have nothing to do with the foundation. Why not say that now?

[09:40:12] ZIMMERMAN: You know something, Carol, there's a difference between perception and political spin. And what I'm really worried about, quite frankly, the foundation, according to the State Department, has met all the proper standards of transparency and separation. The State Department acknowledged that. And I think when you're dealing with a foundation that literally has reduced the drug costs for - serving 11.5 million people with HIV/AIDS medication, and they're saving 50,000 lives a year of children in Kenya, Malawi, I think they're doing extraordinary work. They're recognized as such.

COSTELLO: But surely - but surely, Errol, another organization could take over for a time and continue the good work of the foundation, couldn't it?

LOUIS: Well, I've worked on a lot of non-profits. I have to say, number one, I think - I don't like the chances of the survival of this foundation. It doesn't look like it's going to be compatible with where Hillary Clinton is heading. On the other hand, it does take time to wind something like this down. I - I mean I think even if moving at top speed, I would not expect them to be able to unwind all of the different grant contracts, all of the different employment contracts, all of the different obligations that they've undertaken all around the world in just, you know, 65, 68 days. So we're going to see this go away. I don't know that I would expect it to happen before the election.

COSTELLO: All right, I have to leave it there. Errol Louis -

ZIMMERMAN: It's also worth noting, Carol and Errol -

COSTELLO: I have to leave it there. I'm sorry.

ZIMMERMAN: OK.

COSTELLO: Errol Louis, Robert Zimmerman, thanks for being with me this morning.

ZIMMERMAN: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Still to come in the "Newsroom" -

ZIMMERMAN: Thank you.

COSTELLO: You're welcome.

Booed but undeterred. Colin Kaepernick continues his protest of the national anthem, but this time he's not alone. And Monday night at 8:00 Eastern, don't miss our CNN special report,

an in-depth look at the life and times of two major party candidates for president, of course, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: I accept your nomination.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: For the presidency of the United States.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): "The Essential Hillary Clinton."

H. CLINTON: We are stronger together in charting a course for the future.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: "The Essential Donald Trump."

DONALD TRUMP: I love you. And we will make America great again.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All on one blockbuster night. Clinton has been called the most famous person no one knows.

CHELSEA CLINTON, HILLARY CLINTON'S DAUGHTER: I never understand that. It's so clear to me who my mother is. She never forgets who she's fighting for. And she's fighting first and foremost for children and for families.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Trump has a passion for business and the spotlight.

DONALD TRUMP JR., DONALD TRUMP'S SON: No one's going to outwork him. No one's got more energy than him.

IVANKA TRUMP, DONALD TRUMP'S DAUGHTER: He always said to us, find what it is that you're passionate about and pursue it with your full heart.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Their stories from the people who know them best. CNN's special report. Hillary Clinton at 8:00, Donald Trump at 10:00, CNN, Labor Day.

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[09:46:54] COSTELLO: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick greeted with a chorus of boos as he walked on to the field last night. Despite the chilly reception, Kaepernick continued his protest, kneeling during the national anthem at a game to honor military service members. And this time, he wasn't alone. CNN sports anchor Coy Wire is following the story for us this morning.

Good morning.

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Colin Kaepernick has said he will continue to protest racial injustice in America by continuing to sit during the national anthem until he sees significant change. He has also said from the beginning, it was never his intention to disrespect the military.

Now, once the anthem played last night, something interesting happened. Instead of sitting off in a water cooler away from his teammates like he had the past three games, Kaepernick knelt on one knee, surrounded by teammates, joined by teammate Eric Reid, and also former NFL player and army veteran Nate Boyer stood next to Kaepernick there on the right, showing support for Kaepernick. Kaepernick had invited Boyer to the game after reading an open letter Boyer had written in support of Colin. And they had an hour and a half conversation before the game. They bonded. Now, after the game, Kaepernick stood by his reasoning for protesting and he clarified his stance. Listen.

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COLIN KAEPERNICK, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS QUARTERBACK: The media painted this as I'm anti-American, anti-men and women of the military. And that's not the case at all. This is really something about human rights. It's about the people. This isn't about anything other than that. And some people aren't given the same rights, aren't given the same opportunities as others.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: Now, Kaepernick also went on to say that he will donate $1 million to charities that help communities in need. That's powerful stuff. And people are listening. Up at the coast in California in Oakland, for example, Seattle Seahawks player Jeremy Lane showing support for Kaepernick, sitting during the national anthem before the Seahawks played in their final preseason game against the Raiders. Lane saying that he likes what Kaepernick is doing and wants to stand behind him.

Now, Kaepernick also answered questions about his now infamous pig socks that he wore at 49ers practice. Black socks with pigs wearing police hats. And he says he wasn't trying to bash all police officers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAEPERNICK: I have uncles, I have friends who are cops, and I have great respect for them because they're doing it for the right reason and they genuinely want to protect and help people. That's not the case with all cops. And the cops that are murdering people and are racist are putting other cops in danger, like my family, like my friends, and that's an issue that needs to be addressed.

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WIRE: Now, Colin Kaepernick has plenty of people who aren't happy about the methods he's using to bring about more awareness to racial injustice in our country, Carol, but he has so many people who are getting the message, including fellow athletes and military members who are joining him to create positive change.

COSTELLO: All right, Coy Wire reporting live for us this morning, thank you.

WIRE: You're welcome.

[09:49:56] COSTELLO: Still to come in the NEWSROOM, it is already cramped in coach, so what would you say if your seat mate started doing head stands in the middle of a flight?

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COSTELLO: A flight attendant would not stand for it when a passenger started doing headstands in her seat. CNN's Jeanne Moos reports.

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JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As if shoes on the armrest, bare feet on the tray table, ponytail over the screen aren't bad enough, how about a head stand on an aisle seat.

RAAD MOBREM, PASSENGER: We were all laughing because this was, in my opinion, the best in-flight entertainment I've ever had.

MOOS: Raad Mobrem whipped out his phone and captured this passenger limbering up on a two-hour United flight from L.A. to Mexico. He started to live tweet, making up names for the moves, from the dragonfly shuffle to the raptor spirit. But when she started to do a second head stand, a flight attendant intervened, and Raad tweeted, "my face right now."

MOBREM: She was saying, like, miss, like, if you could please stop doing that. And the lady's like, I guess. I'm like, she was just - she was a little weird, I'll be honest, but, I mean, she seemed like a sweet lady too.

MOOS: At least she wasn't naked wearing a pillow case over her eyes, or giving herself a pedicure, or trying to smash the door to the jetway.

The lady doing the head stand told the flight attendant she wasn't feeling well.

MOOS (on camera): This latest example of a passenger misbehaving comes just as American Airlines has launched a new ad campaign.

MOOS (voice-over): A campaign showcasing how the world's greatest flyers are supposed to behave. They like babies, but bring noise canceling headphones. They always ask before they raise and lower the window shade. But shouldn't you ask before raising your legs?

MOBREM: In all fairness to her, she did it really well.

MOOS: So well, she didn't even wake up the guy sleeping next to her.

MOBREM: We told him afterwards when he woke up and we showed him the videos and he could not believe it.

MOOS: Feet in the air, the 35,000 feet. Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

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COSTELLO: The next hour of CNN NEWSROOM after a break.

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