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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

White House Narrows Kavanaugh Probe; Canada Joins Revamped NAFTA; 84 Killed In Earthquake And Tsunami; Remembering Las Vegas Victims, One Year Later; In Love With A Dictator. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired October 01, 2018 - 4:30   ET

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


[04:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KELLYANNE CONWAY, WHITE HOUSE COUNSELOR: Not meant to be a fishing expedition.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DAVE BRIGGS, EARLY START SHOW CO-HOST: The White House narrowing the focus of the FBI investigation in to Brett Kavanaugh was in, was out. And is the investigation just a means to an end?

CHRISTINE ROMANS, EARLY START SHOW CO-HOST: And breaking Canada agrees to join a trade deal with U.S. and Mexico is a big symbolic win for the President. What it means for milk drinkers and car buyers in North America.

BRIGGS: The death toll arising sharply after an earthquake and tsunami devastates an Indonesian Island.

ROMANS: And one year later Las Vegas (inaudible) remembering the victims of the worst mass shooting in modern American history. . Welcome back to "Early Start." I'm Christine Romans.

BRIGGS: I'm Dave Briggs. On this Monday, October 1st, 4:31 Eastern Time. FBI agents working against to the bottom of what really happened in the summer of 1982. If the White House will let them. Sources telling CNN the FBI investigation into allegations of sexual wrongdoing by Supreme Court Nominee, Brett Kavanaugh is narrowly focused. Sources briefed on the matter say the White House is controlling the scope of the probe which they say will be limited to questions asked by the senate. Here is Kellyanne Conway on State of the Union.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONWAY: It will be limited in scope. It's meant to last one week. I believe beginning last Friday. And it will not meant to be a fishing expedition.

(END VIDEO CLIP) ROMANS: A source Kavanaugh's drinking history is not part of the

probe and that agents will interview just a handful of people. One person already interviewed yesterday is Deborah Ramirez. She came forward last week with the accusations that Kavanaugh exposed himself to her at a party while they were at Yale. A claim Kavanaugh quickly denied.

BRIGGS: President Trump for his part says the FBI has free reign tweeting yesterday, quote, Democrats who are only thinking of obstruct and delay are starting to put out the word at the time and scope of FBI looking into Judge Kavanaugh and witnesses is not enough. For them it will never be enough. Now the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee wants the White House to explain exactly what marching orders it gave the FBI. Here is Boris Sanchez with the latest from the White House.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN NEWSROOM HOST: Christine and Dave, the ranking Democrat of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Dianne Feinstein putting out a statement Sunday afternoon demanding that the White House counsel and FBI Director, Christopher Wray give Republicans and Democrats on the committee the exact directive that the White House is handing to the FBI. The exact parameters of these FBI probe into Judge Brett Kavanaugh in the accusations that he acted inappropriately during a party back in the summer of 1982.

Feinstein saying that the stakes are simply too high. She is essentially responding to a reporting by CNN and other outlets that the sources have indicated that the White House is guiding the parameters of this investigation very tightly narrowing its scope. Democrats were not happy about that news. Including Senator Amy Klobuchar who grilled Brett Kavanaugh on Thursday. She spoke with Jake Tapper on State of the Union, Sunday morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. AMY KLOBUCHAR, (D), MINNESOTA, JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: The White House decides who to nominate and then that person is submitted to a background check. I never heard that the White House either under this President or other Presidents is saying you cannot interview this person or you can't look at this time period. You can only look at these people from one side of the street from when they are growing up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: The Press Secretary Sarah Sanders was also on the Sunday morning talk shows. She says that the White House does not want to micro manage the FBI. Although she admitted that she did not know whether White House Counsel, Don McGahn, had told the FBI specifically who they could or could not interview or which questions could or could not be asked. Dave and Christine.

(END VIDEO) ROMANS: All right. Boris from the White House, thank you, Boris. A

Yale classmate claims Brett Kavanaugh is not telling the truth about his drinking habits in college. Chad Ludington says the judge was a frequent and heavy drinker and that he mischaracterizes his conduct at Yale in his Senate testimony. Ludington admits he often drank with Kavanaugh. FEC, Ludington made small political contributions to Democratic candidates.

[04:35:11] BRIGGS: The drinking accusations could be a critical point for Jeff Flake. The Arizona Senator telling "60 minutes," Kavanaugh's nomination is done if he lied to the Judiciary Committee. Flake backed Kavanaugh in the committee vote, but said he would not vote for him on the Senate floor without an FBI investigation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What are you doing, sir?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: Flake's decision to bring the process to a halt followed by an emotional confrontation with the two women in an elevator on Capitol Hill.

ROMANS: With the Kavanaugh nomination in limbo in just 36 days until the midterms, Democrats are using the issue as part of their pitch to voters. Former Vice President Joe Biden rallied the party faithful in providence, Rhode Island last night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Just last week, we witnessed from the Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee a degree of invective blind rage and brut partisanship that threatens not only the senate, and the Supreme Court, it threatens the basic faith the American people have on our institutions.

WILLIE NELSON, SINGER: Vote them out when we're done we'll sing and dance and shout --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: Catchy. Vote them out. Country music legend, Willie Nelson debuting a new election theme number at rally in Texas, for Senate candidate, Beto O'Rourke on Saturday night. 55,000 people in attendance, supporting O'Rourke in his race against Senator Ted Cruz.

In Florida, Michelle Obama joining in Democrats midterm battle at the voter registration rally on Friday night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHELLE OBAMA, FIRST LADY OF THE U.S.: I'm tired of the daily chaos and the pettiness and meanness that too often dominates the political discourse.

(CHEERS)

(APPLAUSE)

We are all are. It is exhausting and honestly it is depressing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: And this from Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren.

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SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN, (D), MASSACHUSETTS: I will take a hard look at a run for President.

(APPLAUSE)

(CHEERS)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: Warren said it is time for women to go Washington and fix our broken government.

ROMANS: All right. A big win for President Trump's agenda. The U.S. and Canada reaching a last-minute deal to revive NAFTA. Keeping the 24-year-old trade pact a three-country deal. The agreement came just hours before the midnight deadline. Canada will join a U.S.-Mexico deal made in August. That was looking unlikely last week. The top U.S. trade official warn Canada, the U.S. is ready to move ahead with just Mexico, the negotiators worked all weekend to strike a deal. This is a milestone for President Trump, who vowed to renegotiate NAFTA blaming it for killing American jobs. The U.S. says this new deal will create good well-paying jobs for all North Americans. It is also basically NAFTA no more. It is now the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement, USMC. An update the original 1994 trade pact introducing rules for digital businesses had emerge since then, promises higher wages and labor standards for auto workers and give U.S. farmers more access to Canada's dairy market. That was a huge point during talks.

In return the U.S. will keep a mechanism for resolving disputes that Canada wanted. The deal now faces Congress, unless approve it. Many lawmakers said they would not support a NAFTA reboot without Canada. U.S. businesses rely on duty free trade with America's second largest trading partner.

BRIGGS: Unimaginable devastation this morning in Sulawesi. The death toll on the Indonesia Island climbing to more than 840, two days after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake and tsunami triggered ferocious 10-foot high waves. One government official warning the final body count could be in the thousands. Rescuers now combing through chunks of concrete and splintered wood hoping to find survivors. CNN's Alexandra Field live in Hong Kong for us with the latest. Alex, good morning.

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Dave, those images show entire communities flattened and officials don't even know the extent of the damage and the destruction yet. That is because it is frankly so difficult to reach so many people who are so desperately in need. They have already dug graves for about 1,000 people. Mass graves with 844 already dead. Officials are expecting the number to climb as they can reach more areas most hard hit by the earthquake and tsunami that followed just minutes later. This has been incredibly difficult work with roads blocked by landslides, downed bridges and a closed airports over the weekend.

Rescue crews emergency officials have had a terribly difficult time reaching those who need the help and sifting through the debris looking for survivors. They are trying to bring in heavy equipment. They have a need of fuel.

[04:40:04] Nearly 50,000 people are out of their homes. Others who do have homes to return to are still sleeping outside, because they are afraid of the aftershocks. Hospitals are even treating people outside, because of the damages to buildings and the aftershocks. We know there is desperate need for tents, blankets, medicine, food, all kinds of supplies for those who have survive. Rescue workers will continue the mission day and night. International offers of assistance are flooding in. The Indonesian government says they will be open to accepting those offers. A long road to rebuild ahead now. Dave.

BRIGGS: Just brutal images. Our Alexandra Field, live for us in Hong Kong. Thank you.

ROMANS: All right. The President has growing affection for Kim Jong- un.

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DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And then we fell in love. OK? No, really. He wrote me beautiful letters.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Love letters from a murderer. How far is too far with normalizing a dictator? We are live in Seoul.

[04:45:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: All right. President Trump appears to have a crush on Kim Jong-un. And he insist the North Korean leader feels the same way about him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: I was really being tough and so was he. We are back and forth and then we fell in love. OK? No, really. He wrote me beautiful letters. They're great letters. We fell in love.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Mr. Trump grumbled about being cast un-presidential for describing Kim in such glowing terms which begs the question, is the President of United States is being played. Paula Hancocks reporting live from Seoul this morning. Paula, you know, it wasn't long ago that Democratic Senator running for President Barack Obama said that he would meet with string men like Kim Jong-un in his first year without precondition then he was criticized for being naive and weak. This president said he is in love with Kim Jong-un.

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Christine, this is really quite remarkable. There have coming been many eyebrows being raised certainly here at this kind of talk from the U.S. President. It is no secret that he is focusing more on the fact he believes that he has a personal relationship with Kim Jong-un. It is that relationship that he is been focusing on as opposed to the exact details of any step by step denuclearization.

We have certainly heard from many North Korean experts here questioning whether or not North Korea is getting the upper hand here. Whether Kim Jong-un is playing the U.S. President by sending these letters and effectively flattering him into this kind of response. But officially there is going to be no response to this from the South Korean government. We also know that South Korean President Moon Jae- in also has what appears to be a growing rapport with the North Korea leader Kim Jong-un. He just had his third summit up in Pyongyang and a three day summit.

Well, you saw the two smiling and hugging and they appeared to be becoming closer. So, I think what we're expecting now is the second summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un could well go ahead. All three leaders appear to want this to happen. The U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, is also expected to head to Pyongyang at some point this month. Christine.

ROMANS: All right, Paula Hancocks for us in Seoul. Thank you so much for that.

BRIGGS: Breaking overnight. Iran launching six ballistic missiles in the Eastern Syria targeting militants alleging behind last month attack on the military parade. Our Barbara Starr reported last week U.S. Intelligence was concerned about this kind of the strike and the threat of Iran hitting U.S. forces in Syria. According to state media, the missiles had death to America and death to Israel and death to Saudi Arabia written on them. Iran blame the U.S. and the allies for the parade attack. The anti-government group ISIS claims responsibility.

ROMANS: All right. California (inaudible) gender equality in corporate America, becoming the first state to outlaw all-male boards. More on CNN Money next.

[04:50:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRIGGS: Breaking overnight. California has just passed the nation's strictest net neutrality law. Internet service provider in the state will be barred from blocking or slowing specific types of contents and apps. And will not be allowed to charge companies for high speed access to customers. Just hours after Governor Jerry Brown signed that bill into law, the Justice Department said it is filing suit to block it. It says the state is quote, attempting to subvert the federal government efforts to deregulate the internet. The administration is already battling California in court over emission standards immigration and other issues.

ROMANS: Las Vegas marking one year since one of the darkest days in American history. It was last October 1st when a gunman opened fire at the concert goers attending the route 91 harvest music festival on the Las Vegas strip. 58 people were killed, more than 500 others were injured. Remember this is our plan throughout the day today and including 58 seconds of silence in the sunrise ceremony. The strip will go dark at 10:05 tonight. The moment the attack unfolded. There is also a reading of the names ceremony to Las Vegas healing garden, authorities have yet to uncover the gunman's motive for the shooting.

BRIGGS: A 13-year-old California boy who was attacked by a shark over the weekend is showing signs of improvement this morning. Police say the boy is now listed in serious condition. Downgraded from critical following the attack in the waters not far from San Diego. The victim was diving for lobsters at the time and he was not alone. People in the water along the beach sprang into action and brought the boy to shore using a kayak after hearing his cries. He is being treated for traumatic injuries to his upper torso. Swimmers are being allowed to return to the water for the first time since the attack this morning.

ROMANS: Despite what your social media feeds are telling you, a skull shaped asteroid is not barreling toward earth this Halloween. Asteroid TV145 looked like a skull when it pass by three years ago at that time and it missed earth by just 300,000 miles. This year, the closest it will come is 25 million miles and won't happen until November 11th, it is way after Halloween. It also likely changed shape. In the meantime NASA said it is likely a dead comet which means it has no glow or tail.

[04:55:10] BRIGGS: "Saturday Night Live" back for season 44. The cold open on the Kavanaugh hearing that cast a little celebrity help with Matt Damon playing the judge.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now I am usually an optimist. I'm a keg is half full kind of guy, but what I have seen from the monsters on the committee makes me want to puke and not from beer.

(LAUGHTER)

Dr. Ford has no evidence. None. Meanwhile, I've got these. I've got these calendars. These beautiful -- creepy calendars. I'm lifting weights with P.J. and Sqee and Donkey Don Doug. You don't care about Sqee and Donkey Don Doug, do you? You just want to humiliate me in front of my wife and parents and Alyssa freaking Milano.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: The hair is perfect, let us go a check in in CNN Money this morning. Global stocks mostly higher as the U.S. and Canada reach a last-minute deal to 11th hour deal to revive NAFTA. A big win for President Trump's trade agenda. As U.S. Stocks open the fourth quarter near record highs. The third quarter ended yesterday. It was the S&P 500 best in five years, leaning 7 percent, it is also near all-time highs as the DOW. Stock up strong corporate earning with high consumer confidence and low unemployment. The nine-year old bull market faces a few hurdle this quarter like the U.S. trade war with China and a little thing called mid-term elections.

Elon Musk will pay $20 million and he will step down as Tesla's chairman settling those charges from the SEC. In August, Musk tweeted, he had secured funding to take tesla private which boosted the stock. The SEC said that is not true and Musk misled investors. So he will pay the fine and leave the board. But he stays to keeps his job as CEO. He also faces a big test this week. Tesla releases a critical production report Tuesday. It will show if tesla can sustain its long promise target of 5,000 model 3S per week.

Another, Facebook's reputation exposing nearly 50 million users in its largest data breach ever. On Friday, Facebook says, hackers gain access to digital log-in codes by exploiting flaws in Facebook's code. Facebook patched the code and notified law enforcement. Now Facebook has not said exactly what information was exposed. But in the meantime, there are a few things experts say you can do to protect yourself. And you should log out of Facebook. Change your password and unlink related apps like Instagram.

But California taking a step toward a gender equality in corporate America, becoming the first state to outlaw all-male boards. By the end of 2019, all publicly traded firm in California must have at least one woman on their board or face a penalty. Many companies in the S&P 500 have one woman. But only a quarter have more. The law goes further. Requiring boards with six or more Directors to have three women on it. That is a threshold even big California companies like Facebook and Tesla don't meet. Wow.

BRIGGS: We have seen a lot of women complain about that saying, we want to be chosen for boards because of qualifications. Not because the law requires it.

ROMANS: The question is are companies overlooking well-qualified women in this roles because you know, the old habit of choosing people you look like.

BRIGGS: let us know what you think about, we have "Early Start" on Twitter. We continue right now with the latest on the FBI investigation into the Brett Kavanaugh accusations.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KELLYANNE CONWAY, WHITE HOUSE COUNSELOR: Not meant to be a fishing expedition.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: The White House narrowing the focus of the FBI investigation of Brett Kavanaugh. What's in? What's out? Is the investigation just a means to an end?

ROMANS: And Canada agrees to join the trade deal with the U.S. and Mexico. A big symbolic win for the President. What it means for milk drinkers and car buyers in North America.

BRIGGS: And the death toll rising sharply after the earthquake and tsunami devastates an Indonesian island.

ROMANS: And one year later, Las Vegas remembering the victims of the worst mass shooting in modern American history. 58 seconds of silence at 10:05 p.m. tonight. Good morning. Welcome to "Early Start." I'm Christine Romans.

BRIGGS: Good morning. I'm Dave Briggs. It is Monday, October 1st. 5:00 a.m. in the east. October 1st means the Supreme Court term begins today with only eight members.

ROMANS: Four and four.

BRIGGS: Meanwhile FBI agents working this morning to get to the bottom of what really happened in the summer of 1982 if the White House lets them. The sources telling CNN the FBI investigation into allegations of sexual wrongdoing by Supreme Court Nominee, Brett Kavanaugh is narrowly focused. A source is bringing down the matters in the White House controlling the scope of the probe which they say will be limited to questions asked by --