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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

America's Choice 2020: Biden Goes Bust?; CBP Officials Concerned About Riots, Hunger Strikes; Iran Nuclear Deal Crumbling; CNN Exclusive: Dems Investigating Pompeo Security; What Killed Tyler Skaggs?. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired July 02, 2019 - 05:00   ET

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


MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN ANCHOR: A major shift in the 2020 Democratic race. Big movement after the first debate. Who's up and who's down? A new CNN poll moments away.

DAVE BRIGGS, CNN ANCHOR: Uber Eats with guns. CNN has learned exclusively House Democrats are investigating how the secretary of state and his family are using their security detail.

KOSINSKI: And tragedy hits Major League Baseball.

[05:00:01] Twenty-seven-year-old Tyler Skaggs, pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels, dies suddenly in Texas.

Good morning and welcome to EARLY START. I'm Michelle Kosinski.

BRIGGS: Good morning. Good morning to all of you. I'm Dave Briggs. Tuesday, July 2nd, it is 5:00 a.m. in the East.

The momentum has shifted. It is early in a very long race, but we have proof now that one debate indeed can make a difference.

A new CNN poll showing initial voter reaction to the first Democratic debate as big moves up and correspondingly down. The top tier now plainly clustered into four leaders -- Biden, Harris, Warren, and Sanders. The numbers include substantial drop for Joe Biden, and big gains for both Harris and Warren, thanks to moment like this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. KAMALA HARRIS (D-CA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You know, there was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools and she was bused to school every day. And that little girl was me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOSINSKI: One noteworthy result though for Biden. Despite coming under scrutiny on civil rights issues, support for the former vice president remains strong among black voters.

There's glaring contradiction when it comes to health care in a new CNN poll. Only 30 percent of potential Democratic voters want a national program like Medicare-for-All to replace private insurance. But 49 percent favor a national program while keeping private insurers too. So, almost half want both in play.

But when it comes to which candidate can best handle the health care issue, Bernie Sanders comes out on top with 26 percent. He strongly backs Medicare-for-All and wants to see the end of the private insurance industry.

BRIGGS: And on the topic of health coverage, all ten Democratic candidates raise their hands to support it during the second night of the debates last week. According to the CNN poll, that's not a popular position. Fifty-nine percent of all voters are against it, along with 38 percent support it. Six in ten percent favor health coverage for the undocumented.

The U.S. is heating up its trade fight with the European Union over aircraft subsidies just as tensions with China begin to slow down. U.S. proposing new tariffs on E.U. goods worth $4 billion. The tariffs cover 89 products including meat, cheese, pasta, fruits, coffee and whisky, adding that the tariffs on E.U. exports worth $29 billion announced in April.

Washington has been locked in a dispute against the E.U. for years over subsidies for Boeing and Airbus. The Trump administration has already imposed tariffs on European steel and aluminum. The E.U. responded with tariffs on the U.S. worth more than $3 million. Trump has also threaten to slap tariffs up to 25 percent on cars coming into the U.S., a move that could hit European automotive powerhouses like Germany and France.

There will be a public hearing next month to discuss the proposal. Before the news of the new tariffs broke, stocks rose on trade optimism and the S&P 500 set a new closing record. Investors will be looking to see if stocks can hold onto those gains.

BRIGGS: CNN has learned exclusively that a House committee is investigating the use of taxpayer funded diplomatic security by Secretary Mike Pompeo and his family. According to a whistle-blower who sparked the investigation, agents say they felt at times like, quote, Uber Eats with guns. There have been issues with special agents being asked to carry out tasks that they felt were questionable for the family.

In April, one agent was asked to pick up Chinese food and the whistle- blower claims on another a special agent was ordered to pick up the family dog from a groomer.

Lon Fairchild, a special agent in charge of diplomatic security, said he didn't deny tasks agents were asked to carry out but he said this in a statement about Secretary Pompeo. At no point during my service did he or any member of his family ask me or any member of my team to act in any way that would be inconsistent with our professional obligation.

But a former senior diplomatic security official tells CNN such task would not be appropriate especially without the secretary himself in the car.

BRIGGS: Border Patrol officials have been raising concerns that a riot or hunger strike could break out because of conditions inside the agency's El Paso facility. A draft report from the homeland security inspector general in May details concerns about over crowding, access to food and clothing for migrants and low morale among agents. Another group of lawmakers toured border facilities Monday. Lawmakers criticizing migrant holding sites in Texas as toxic and broken.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ (D-NY): There's abuse in these facilities. There's abuse. This is them on their best behavior and they put them in a room with no running water. And these women were being told by CBP officers to drink out of the toilet.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[05:05:00] KOSINSKI: So, that drinking out of toilets claim is one that Border Patrol denies. Congressman Joaquin Castro putting a human face on the crisis. Capturing this image of some conditions pushed Congress to approve $4.6 billion in emergency funding last week.

Nick Valencia has more now from Clint, Texas.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Dave and Michelle, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus toured three border patrol facilities here along the southern border. But it was at this one at Clint when a recent trip independent monitors called conditions unconscionable, that the congressional delegation spent nearly an hour and when they emerged, some members were clearly emotional. It was the chairman, Joaquin Castro, who says that migrants are being held in dehumanizing conditions. Another member of Congress said it was a very dark day for America but it was perhaps the most impassioned speech that was delivered by Representative Ayanna Pressley.

REP. AYANNA PRESSLEY (D-MA): This is bigger than a funding debate. This is about the preservation of our humanity and this is about seeing every single person there as a member of your own family.

VALENCIA: The congressional visit comes on the same day that an investigative team for "ProPublica" reported about a closed Facebook team consisting of 9,500 current and former border patrol agents, and a Facebook group features jokes about migrant deaths, racially derogatory comments about Latino lawmakers, including the suggestions that burritos should have been thrown at them.

Now, the National Border Patrol Council has responded to this, saying the National Border Patrol Council condemns the inappropriate and unprofessional social media posts related to members of Congress and those encountered by Border Patrol agents -- Dave, Michelle.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOSINSKI: A lot of layers to this story. Thanks, Nick.

The U.S. border patrol chief has responded to the lewd Facebook post with a message to her staff. Carla Provost calls the post highly inappropriate and offensive. She says, most importantly, the words of these few individuals directly undermine trust in the Border Patrol and the dedication and compassion with which the rest of you undertake your duties each and every day.

BRIGGS: The shocking death of Tyler Skaggs rocking the baseball world and its fans this morning. The 27-year-old Los Angeles Angels baseball pitcher was found unresponsive in his South Lake, Texas, hotel room on Monday. The Angels were in town to play the Rangers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRIS WOODWARD, MANAGER, TEXAS RANGERS: There were a lot of pretty emotional guys in there. You could tell it -- some guys knew him. Some guys -- you know, I think Chavy actually played with him in L.A. Some guys that didn't know him were pretty visibly shaken. You could tell. Like I said, this is something that we don't deal with on a daily basis.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: Police tell the "Los Angeles times" they do not suspect foul play nor suicide. On Sunday when the team landed in Texas, Skaggs posted this photo on Instagram of all his teammates wearing cowboy hats. He was just married in 2018. Instagram post show 2018 was the best year yet. Moments of silence and tributes around the Major Leagues last night. More coming up in the "Bleacher Report".

KOSINSKI: If you cook at home, you probably have some frozen veggies in the freezer. Next, a recall you need to know about.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:12:59] KOSINSKI: A hospital patient says he was racially profiled before being allowed to go on a walk with an I.V. drip. Police arresting 24-year-old Shaquille Dukes and two of his friends. Dukes wrote on Facebook, he was on vacation last month in Freeport, about 100 miles west of Chicago when he came down with double pneumonia.

He said he was feeling better and asked Doctors if he could go for a walk while pushing a steroid and antibiotic IV drip, and says as he and his friends went outside, a security guard asked if they were trying to leave the hospital and sell the IV equipment on eBay?

Dukes told CNN he was transported back to the hospital, this time in handcuffs. The police department has appointed an independent investigator. The hospital declined to comment citing patient confidentiality even though the patient is talking all about it but says it is cooperating.

BRIGGS: A tragic coincidence in Louisville, Kentucky. A new father, 20-year-old Tyrese Garvin, dies at the same hospital where his twins were just born. Police say Garvin was killed in a random drive-by shooting as he walked home following their birth last week. Garvin was rushed back to the same Louisville hospital. He was on life support for several days before being taken off. Three teens are facing charges in the fatal shooting.

Butternut Squash, California -- cauliflower, zucchini and select veggie bowls all part of voluntary recall. They were sold under the Green Giant Fresh, Trader Joe's and the Signature Farms brands, and the food and drug administration, citing possible listeria contamination. The products came from a grower's express production facility in Biddeford, Maine. Most of them labeled with a best use by date of June 26 and June 29. There have been no reported illnesses.

KOSIONSKI: A 5-year-old Delaware boy who has autism and a brain tumor is getting his beloved replica wrestling belt back after it was stolen. They recently sent the belt to a designer in Washington state to make it look more authentic. Two women were caught taking the package from the front porch but after police released images of the thieves and local media told Timmy's story, the belt was returned along with a four-page handwritten apology.

The women claimed to be homeless drug addicts looking to make a few bucks. The designer said he won't file charges as long as the women get help.

BRIGGS: You remember that little league baseball brawl in Colorado? Well, it now has a happy ending for the young umpire whose call is said to have sparked it. Josh Cordova, the 13-year-old ump, made his big league debut at Coors Field Sunday. He was a guest of Major League ump Chris Guccione who invited Josh and his family to the Dodgers and Rockies game.

Now, Josh's call in a game played by 7-year-olds reportedly sparked the all-out brawl among parents at a youth baseball game in Lakewood, Colorado. Guccione said he was dumfounded and saddened but he was impressed that Josh stood his ground and defended his call.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRIS GUCCIONE, MAJOR LEAGUE UMPIRE: He could have very easily backed down but he didn't and I'm -- I commend him for that.

JOSH CORDOVA, TEEN UMPIRE: I'm so appreciative for everything that he's done and it's kind of surreal. I never thought it would be this big.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: Bravo, Josh. He was given his own official MLB umpire gear. He says he didn't want his experience to discourage future youth baseball players from pursuing the sport. Six have been charged with disorderly conduct in that ugly brawl. Still looking for several others.

KOSINSKI: That boy is a great example to parents everywhere. I hope they learn something --

BRIGGS: Or parents are an awful example for everyone, everywhere.

KOSINSKI: Parents are annoying and Nick's parents being overbearing and then sports in the mix and it just turns primal.

BRIGGS: Toxic cocktail.

KOSINSKI: Yes.

BRIGGS: All right. Ahead, day one at Wimbledon filled with upsets, including a 15-year-old idol beating her idol. Coy Wire has that emotional story in the "Bleacher Report".

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:22:04] BRIGGS: Major League Baseball teams and fans are mourning the tragic loss of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs across ballparks Monday.

Coy Wire has this story in the "Bleacher Report".

Good morning, my friend.

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

Tyler Skaggs was just 27 years old. He was found dead in his hotel room, where the Angels were set to play the Rangers. The game was postponed. Fans gathering back in California outside of Angels Stadium paying tribute to Skaggs. He grew up in the Los Angeles area.

The baseball community is close knit. Moments of silence being held at MLB parks across the country. Skaggs was drafted in 2019, just 15 picks behind Angels star Mike Trout. The two were teammates earlier in their careers.

Trout tweeted this: Words cannot express the deep sadness we feel right now. Our thoughts and prayers are with Carli, that's his wife, and their families. Remembering him as a great teammate, friend and person who will forever remain in our hearts. We love you, 45.

Let's move to tennis where something incredible happened. Cori "Coco" Gauff, a 15-year-old from just outside Atlanta got kiss from dad before stepping on the court in London to pull off a major upset at Wimbledon. Gauff ranked 313th in the world was able to take down the great Venus Williams who at 39 years old won four majors before Gauff was even born.

Gauff is the youngest woman to qualify for Wimbledon in the open era, so you can imagine what this first round win must have felt like, especially considering Venus and Serena Williams are her eye dolls. Gauff is the first time she's ever cried after winning a match.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COCO GAUFF, YOUNGEST WOMAN TO WIN A MATCH AT WIMBLEDON SINCE 1991: I never thought this would happen. I'm literally living my dream right now and not many people get to say that, so I'm just happy that Wimbledon gave me the opportunity to play and I obviously never thought that I would be this far.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: Who's ready for some soccer? Of all the spectacular players at the women's cup in France, one of them set themselves apart from the pack, one of them USA's co-captain Megan Rapinoe. She finds herself tied with two other players for most goals in the tournament. England's Ellen White and teammate Alex Morgan who spoke highly of Rapinoe ahead of team's match with England today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALEX MORGAN, USA FORWARD: Megan Rapinoe has put the team on her back from Spain to France, and it's going to take players like that and a couple individuals each game to step up and really help carry this team and Pinoe has done that in great fashion.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: Great fashion indeed. Today is Alex Morgan's birthday. So, happy birthday to her. A win over England would give team USA the most consecutive World Cup wins today. That match is at 3:00 p.m.

BRIGGS: Happy birthday to Alex.

Another win probably sells more home jerseys, that U.S. home jersey, the highest selling ever at Nike, eclipsing the men.

[05:25:02] Thank you, my friend. It should be a great match today.

WIRE: Yes.

BRIGGS: What's ahead, my friend?

KOSINSKI: Are you going to watch it?

BRIGGS: Absolutely. I will be parked on the couch.

KOSINSKI: I'm going to be nervous though.

Well, one debate goes a long way. Joe Biden loses almost 1/3 of his support after a rough performance so who's on the rise? A new CNN poll, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KOSINSKI: A major shift in the 2020 Democratic race. Big movement after that first debate. Who's up and who's down?

A new CNN poll moments away.

BRIGGS: The president says Iran is playing with fire exceeding limits established in the now crumbling nuclear deal. Is Tehran beyond the point of no return?

Welcome back to EARLY START, everybody, on a Tuesday. I'm Dave Briggs.

KOSINSKI: I'm Michelle Kosinski. It's 29 minutes past the hour.

It is early in a long race but we now have proof that one debate truly can make a difference. A new CNN poll showing initial voter reaction for that first Democratic debate has big moves up as well as down. Top tier now.

END