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U.S. General Wounded; Blue Wave Fading; Sports Headlines; Lottery Fever Grips the U.S. Aired 6:30-7a ET
Aired October 22, 2018 - 06:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[06:33:22] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, we have an update on a story we first told you about last week. A top U.S. general is among those who was injured in a deadly Taliban attack in the Kandahar province of Afghanistan. Our Ryan Browne live at the Pentagon with more.
And this is different, Ryan, than what we heard last week.
RYAN BROWNE, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY REPORTER: Well, John, we're learning new details about the attack. And initially we were told that a U.S. service member was wounded, one of two Americans wounded in this insider attack in Kandahar that took the lives of several senior Afghan officials.
Now, we're learning the identity of one of those wounded Americans. It's Brigadier General Jeffrey Smiley (ph), who oversees the U.S. and NATO military advisory mission in southern Afghanistan. He was wounded in the attack. And he's still in command. He's recovering from a gunshot wound in Afghanistan.
But, again, his being wounded really underscores how high level this meeting was. You had some of the most senior U.S. and NATO military commanders meeting with local Afghan leaders in Kandahar. And the meeting had just concluded when this group came under attack from one of the bodyguards to a senior Afghan official.
Now, the Taliban have claimed responsibility for this attack. The senior most U.S. military commander in Afghanistan was present. So close to the attack that he drew his sidearm during the incident. He did not use it. But that just really underscores how high profile this was.
Now, that same commander, General Scott Miller, was on the ground in Kabul the very next day chatting with local security forces as they got ready for the Afghan parliamentary elections over the weekend that saw millions of Afghan voters turn out despite the threat to violence.
Alisyn.
ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Ryan, thank you very much for that reporting.
[06:35:02] Now to this story.
"The New York Times" reports that the Trump administration is considering rolling back protections for transgender people. The Department of Health and Human Services is reportedly pushing an effort to narrowly define gender as a biological condition determined by what is assigned at birth. The move would effectively define transgender out of existence under federal law. The H\human Rights Campaign slammed this proposal, calling it, quote, a destructive precedent.
BERMAN: Four Americans tourists and their guide were killed in a rafting accident in Costa Rica over the weekend. Authorities say three rafts flipped on a river and the five victims were carried away downstream. The river was swollen by heavy rains. And the National Emergency Commission had issued an alert in the area for possible flooding.
CAMEROTA: Dozens of Clemson University students are recovering after the dance floor at an off campus fraternity party gave way beneath their feet over the weekend. You can see the video of it happening and the aftermath. Police say 30 people were treated at the hospital for broken bones or lacerations after suddenly falling into the basement. No one suffered life threatening injuries. An investigation into how this floor collapsed is underway. The university says it is providing medical and mental health services to those impacted by that incident.
BERMAN: Look at that.
CAMEROTA: Terrifying. Scary. But, you know, amazing that nobody -- there was no loss of life.
BERMAN: All right, Republicans all of a sudden feeling OK about the midterms. We'll talk to the chairman of the Democratic National Committee next.
Also, the Mega Millions jackpot at $1.6 billion. We will tell you --
CAMEROTA: That's billions.
BERMAN: Billions. $1.6 billion.
CAMEROTA: Oh.
BERMAN: All right, we're going to tell people the winning number. I'm going to tell people what number's going to win.
CAMEROTA: You know?
BERMAN: I'm going to tell people who's going to win.
CAMEROTA: Fantastic.
BERMAN: Yes.
CAMEROTA: Let's do that.
BERMAN: Come back.
CAMEROTA: Great.
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[06:40:42] BERMAN: So here's a quote that might make Democrats shutter. Quote, the widely predicted blue wave of Democratic gains in the House in 2018 now is running into a riptide of uncertainty that has been created with a surge of Republican intensity. That quote comes from a Democratic pollster talking about the new NBC News/"Wall Street Journal" poll.
Joining us now to discuss that Tom Perez, chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for being with us.
Why has the Democratic advantage ebbed?
TOM PEREZ, CHAIRMAN, DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE: Oh, I don't think the Democratic advantage has ebbed. I mean I look everywhere across the country, Democratic primary turnout was up 89 percent from 2014. The field, 75 House seats that are in play, there's a dozen governor seats where we have an opportunity to flip that seat from Republican to Democrat. Elections are already underway in states across the country and we're talking about the issues that matter most to people, health care, pre-existing conditions are on the ballot, prescription drug costs are on the ballot. And now we know from Mitch McConnell that Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security are on the ballot because they want to cut that in order to finance their reckless tax cut for the wealthy that they passed last year.
BERMAN: And, but -- but -- but, in the battleground states in this "Wall Street Journal"/NBC News poll, the congressional ballot test is tied as many people want to see Republicans control the House as Democrats. In this new NBC News/"Wall Street Journal" poll, the president's approval rate is at 47 percent, the highest it has been in that poll. What do you attribute that to?
PEREZ: Well, listen, we -- we always knew that this election was going to be close. I don't use the term blue wave. I always talk about the need for the blocking and tackling. I always talk about the need for organizing, to make sure you're leading with your values. And that's how we've been winning throughout this year and throughout 2017 is talking about those key issues that matter most.
I still have a lot of confidence in the House. I know the Senate is a tougher map. But we've got great candidates. And then I look at these governor's races and I see the work that's being done. I mean you saw what Andrew Gillum did yesterday in his debate and you see the polling down in Florida. We've got opportunities from Maine, to Michigan, to Ohio, to Nevada, New Mexico, Georgia and elsewhere. And the playing field is vast. And what we need to do is make sure we turn out our votes. And we turn out our voters by organizing. And we've been doing that. And we turn out our voters by making sure we're continuing to talk about the key issues, health care, health care, health care, Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid. The Republicans want to cut this. They want to make sure that if you have a pre-existing condition, you're out of luck. Democrats want to make sure that health care is a right for all.
BERMAN: You say you want to turn out your vote. And at least anecdotally, and in some of the polling, it has shown up that Latino voters are not turning up or out as much as Democrats would like to see in some cases. What can you do to change that over the next two weeks? What do you attribute that to? And is there anywhere else you would like to see, you know, to light the fire underneath Democratic voters in the next two weeks?
PEREZ: Well, we've been aggressively courting every voter, including, but not limited to, Latino voters. I was out in Las Vegas last week and we have organized and registered more Latino voters. And we've -- and that's continued a really good trend in Nevada that's going to help Steve Sisolak running for governor, it's going to help Jackie Rosen running for Senate, it's going to help people up and down the ballot.
Let's be honest, I mean, Donald Trump is -- put the fear of God into a lot of Latino voters. He has demonized them. He debases them. And he wants them to stay home. We're not going to allow that to happen. That's why we were very aggressive in Florida, Pennsylvania and elsewhere, places that have a number -- a large number of Puerto Ricans who had to flee the island in the aftermath of Maria. And we remind them that Rick Scott praised Donald Trump's response to Hurricane Maria. There's nothing to praise about his response to Hurricane Maria. And Puerto Rican voters in Florida, Pennsylvania and elsewhere are going to remember that when they go to the polls.
BERMAN: You talk about the politics of fear. And one of the things that the Republicans are now running on, it's a slogan the president has used, is jobs not mobs, and sometimes he does it in reverse depending on what he's trying to say there.
[06:45:02] But let me read you some quotes from some Democratic leaders. And I want to get your take on if you think this is the right approach. Eric Holder, the former attorney general, says, when they go low, we kick 'em. We don't do anything illegal, but we got to be tough. Hillary Clinton, cannot be civil with a political party that wants to destroy what you stand for. Representative Maxine Waters, if you see anybody from that cabinet in public, you get out and you create a crowd. And you push back on them.
What the Republicans are trying to say is, is this is the mob mentality from the Democrats. Look how aggressive they are being there. Do you think that the language being used by some Democrats is not helpful?
PEREZ: Listen, when they go low, we go vote. When they go low, we talk about the issues that people care about. A mob is when John Lewis tries to crawl across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and gets assaulted. A mob is when what you saw in Charlottesville last year, when white supremacists brutally attacked and murdered people. A mob is what happens when a president condones a public official assaulting a member of the media. That's what the Republicans are doing. Democrats are not talking about mob rule. We're talking about the rule of law. We're talking about restoring guardrails. We're talking about restoring facts. We're talking about fighting for health care. We're talking about fighting for Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. That's what we're talking about.
And so when they go low, we go vote. And we have put together an operation across this country that is unprecedented for a midterm election. We've invested more in the DNC in states across this country than we ever have in a midterm election cycle. And because health care is so important to people, because Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security are so important to people, that's why I feel good about what's happening.
But, again, progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability. And that's why we're out there doing the blocking and tackling that happens when you're 15 days out from the election and elections have already opened in so many states.
Fifteen days -- the chair of the Democratic National Committee Tom Perez -- fifteen days the headline there. Also, I think I'd want to go back to that transcript and point out how many times you mention health care. I think that illustrates what Democrats want to talk about in the next 15 days.
PEREZ: It's the number one issue across America.
BERMAN: Mr. Chairman, thanks so much for being with us. Appreciate it.
PEREZ: Take care.
BERMAN: Alisyn.
CAMEROTA: Maybe some of the candidates will listen to that.
BERMAN: Well, it's interesting, because Begala was saying before --
CAMEROTA: Absolutely.
BERMAN: He would like the candidates to be talking about that more and you have the chair there listing (ph) it (ph).
CAMEROTA: Well, the pundits and the strategists are talking about it more than the candidates.
Meanwhile, the NBA handing out punishment for a basket brawl. (INAUDIBLE).
BERMAN: That's a basket brawl.
CAMEROTA: That's a basket brawl between the Lakers and the Rockets this weekend. "The Bleacher Report" is next.
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[06:51:38] CAMEROTA: Now to my husband's favorite story, Kansas City Chief's star quarterback Patrick Mahomes continues his scorching hot start to the season.
BERMAN: Scorching hot!
CAMEROTA: Coy Wire knows what I'm talking about.
BERMAN: Scorching hot. Speaking of scorching hot, here's Coy Wire.
CAMEROTA: Yes, let's bring in Coy Wire.
Hi, Coy.
COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Hi. Good morning to you. Yes, your hubby has a fun team and player to cheer for. Patrick Mahomes now 22 touchdowns. That's more than any quarterback in NFL history through the first eight games of a career, two of his four last night, went to the NFL's leading rusher from a season ago. Kareem Hunt (ph), who had the run of the day, a disappearing act, spinning away from Bangle's defenders. And then another Houdini, if you will, leaping over a defender, left reaching for air, moving a pile of them as well.
Mahomes has so many weapons. And young Patrick, he is just the brightest rising star in the NFL right now. That's Demetrius Harris there, one of his three touchdowns in the first half alone. Think about this, the Bills have thrown three touchdowns all season. The chiefs romped the Bengals 45-10.
The NBA has suspended three players for the brawl that broke out between the Lakers and Rockets on Saturday. L.A.'s Rajon Rondo received a three-game suspension. Brandon Ingram got four. And the Rocket's star Chris Paul is suspended for two. This and the Rockets' victory overshadowing LeBron James' home debut.
Alisyn, I want you to prepare. Boston is back in the World Series starting tomorrow.
CAMEROTA: Oh, no, this isn't over?
WIRE: Game one. You're going to get it.
CAMEROTA: Oh, no.
WIRE: Yes. Yes. You (INAUDIBLE).
CAMEROTA: I really thought last week was the -- the grand finale.
BERMAN: No, it's scorching hot.
CAMEROTA: You are. Just stop.
WIRE: It's just starting for Berman.
BERMAN: It is scorching hot.
CAMEROTA: Oh, my gosh.
Coy, thank you for that warning. OK, so with the Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots soaring, they are now up to more than $1 billion.
BERMAN: Is that with a "b"?
CAMEROTA: Yes. So you may be tempted to get into an office pool. But is that a good idea?
BERMAN: No.
CAMEROTA: John Berman doesn't think so. But the rest of us do. And Christine Romans is going to tell us what we need to know, next.
BERMAN: She's going to side with me.
CAMEROTA: I know she is.
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[06:57:58] CAMEROTA: OK, it's time for "CNN Business Now."
There are now more than $2 billion up for grabs as the jackpots -- I can -- I can feel your stare.
BERMAN: Did you win? Did you win last week?
CAMEROTA: I did. I won $22.
BERMAN: OK. So --
CAMEROTA: Along with 45 other people. So the jackpots for Mega Millions and the Powerball continue to soar, but there are apparently some things you should know before getting into an office pool.
CNN chief business correspondent Christine Romans joins us now with more on why she's such a party popper.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: I am a party pooper. Now, I'm looking at the legal ramifications of that office pool. Listen, $2.2 billion from two potential lottery winners. I mean this is real money, right? Mega Millions offering $1.6 billion with the drawing Tuesday, with no winners Saturday. Powerball is now $620 million, that next drawing is Wednesday.
Now, the odds are long. Really long. You're more likely to be hit by lightning or attacked by a shark or maybe both than win the Mega Millions.
BERMAN: Hit by lightning while being attacked by a shark.
ROMANS: And playing the tuba.
So let's just suspend all reason for a minute and dream and pretend that your office pool was a winner. A winning ticket shared among co- workers. Guess what, it's a recipe for a lawsuit and years in court to settle the winnings. This has happened before. So lottery officials and lawyers are saying coworkers should get everything in writing before you throw money into the office pool. A few more tips here for you. Only enter with people you trust. Create rules of the pool. Again, everything in writing. Assign a pool leader. Someone who will track the money and the possible winnings. Make photo copies, front and back, for each pool member. The easiest way to avoid conflict, honestly, is to buy the ticket yourself. But one word of warning here you guys. Say you win $22, like we did, in our pool and you roll it forward, don't let new people come into that. Don't mix up the money. You've got to keep it very close to the vest here.
CAMEROTA: OK, I can see the complications now.
ROMANS: Yes.
BERMAN: You're all going down. All of you in this pool here are going down.
CAMEROTA: You're going to be so sad when we win $1.6 billion.
BERMAN: I'm buying a ticket by myself. And my ticket by myself, I'm not going to sue.
CAMEROTA: Fair enough.
[07:00:02] BERMAN: Thank you to our international viewers for watching. You have no legal jeopardy here. And for you, CNN "TALK" is next. Four our U.S. viewers, we have this remarkable, exclusive new video and the murder investigation of "Washington Post" journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
