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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Biden & Harris Share Debate Stage Again; Dangerous Heat Wave Ahead; U.S. Downs Iranian Drone; Tiger Woods Struggle At British Open. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired July 19, 2019 - 05:00   ET

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


JESSICA DEAN, CNN ANCHOR: -- to our international viewers for joining us this morning.

[05:00:03] How do you follow all of that? Have a great rest to your day -- a rest of your day.

For our U.S. viewers, EARLY START continues right now.

(MUSIC)

DAVE BRIGGS, CNN ANCHOR: The stages are set. Progressives on night one, rematch in night two. What to expect at the CNN Democratic debates.

DEAN: Do not under estimate the heat. A hundred and eighty-five million people in more than 30 states at risk. Triple digits for most of the east.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The drone was immediately destroyed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: Another flare-up with Iran. The U.S. downs a drone in a critical waterway. What the Iranians are saying though?

DEAN: And how would you escape a building on fire? This man decided to scale down a 19 story building.

Good morning to you. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Jessica Dean, in for Christine Romans.

BRIGGS: Good morning to you. Good morning, everyone. I'm Dave Briggs. It is Friday, July 19th. Happy Friday, everyone. Five a.m. in the East.

We are set now for round two. Your lineups altogether for the CNN Democratic primary debates. We'll get the rematch some of you are waiting for.

Former Vice President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris together on the same stage again. That's Wednesday night, July 31st.

In case you forgot, here's what happened the last time these two tangled.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. KAMALA HARRIS (D-CA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Do you agree today that you were wrong to oppose busing in America then?

JOE BIDEN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: No --

HARRIS: Do you agree?

BIDEN: I did not oppose busing in America. What I opposed is busing ordered by the Department of Education.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: That dispute over race hurt Biden and the fight for the nomination certainly tightened in the polls.

DEAN: Cory Booker will also be on that night two stage. He and Biden have also clashed over race and you can expect more scrutiny of Biden's record. Booker's deputy communications director tweeting: Mark the date: July 31, 2019. Joe Biden finally gets his own Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

A reference to the contentious Anita Hill-Clarence Thomas hearings that Biden chaired back in 1991.

BRIGGS: For the first time, the debates will also feature the leading progressives head-to-head. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren sharing the same stage, that does mean Sanders won't have a chance to take on Joe Biden.

Here's how Sen. Warren sees all this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I am delighted. Bernie and I have been friends for a long, long time. We've worked on a lot of issues together.

I'm here because I believe we have a country that is working great for a thinner and thinner slice at the top. And, 2020 is all about making this country work for everyone else -- making democracy work for everyone else.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: OK. So, mark your Google calendar. Democratic debates air live, July 30 and 31, moderated by Dana Bash, Don Lemon, and Jake Tapper, live from Detroit right here on CNN.

DEAN: A dangerous potentially deadly heat wave today and extending, 185 million people in more than 30 states under some sort of heat advisory. Heat indexes will be well over 100 for most places in the eastern half of the United States. And remember, extreme temperatures like these are the most deadly weather events in the U.S.

Meteorologist Ivan Cabrera has the latest now from our Weather Center.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

IVAN CABRERA, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Hey, good morning.

Still seeing the heat index values of 110 to 115 degrees, with 250 million-plus of us feeling this -- about 86 percent of the country, essentially. One hundred five to 115 right through Sunday, so this is a prolonged heat wave.

It will not be hotter this summer, I don't think. I mean, this is quite a stretch here.

As I mentioned, we're looking at a quarter-million people impacted by at least temperatures above 90. And then when you factor in the humidity it's going to feel like 105 to 115. And not just this afternoon but Saturday we could be breaking some records as well, and then heading into Sunday as well.

Chicago, your heat wave ends on Sunday with a front that will eventually make it into the northeast -- it just will take its sweet time getting here. And so that by Sunday, we're still pushing 100 in Boston, New York, D.C.

And then, the front comes in. Mid-80s as we head through the early part of next week. It's going to feel like I'm going to want to put a sweater on by Tuesday with highs in the 70s and 80s -- guys.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRIGGS: All right. Get healthy, my friend.

Another escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Iran. President Trump saying the Navy ship USS Boxer destroyed an Iranian drone.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: The Boxer took defensive action against an Iranian drone, which had closed into a very, very near distance, ignoring multiple calls to stand down, and was threatening the safety of the ship and the ship's crew. The drone was immediately destroyed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: Trump said it happened over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passageway for trade, oil, and gas.

[05:05:05] Fred Pleitgen is tracking this live from Berlin?

Fred, any reaction yet from the Iranians?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, there certainly is from reaction from the Iranians. They Iranians are saying, and this comes from the form of Iranian politicians and military figures, that they have not lost any drones. But now, for the first time, they're actually acknowledging that apparently they flew a drone very close to the USS Boxer as it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

What we have now is a statement from one of Iran's top spokespeople for Iran's military and he says, quote, contrary to Trump, so directly speaking to those comments that we just heard from the president, delusional and groundless claim, all drones belonging to the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, including the one mentioned by the U.S. president, have returned to their bases safe and sound after carrying out their scheduled surveillance and control operation.

So, Iranians are essentially saying, yes, they did fly a drone in that area. They know which drone the president is apparently talking about, but they are saying that that drone was taken down. The U.S., of course, saying that it was electronic countermeasures by detachment of marines that took that drone down.

All of this, of course, Dave, you're absolutely right, happening in that key Strait of Hormuz, extremely narrow waterway. I went through there once on the USS Abraham Lincoln, giant aircraft carrier. You can constantly see the shore on both sides as you're going through. You can constantly see Iranian ships, Iranian military vessels, and Iranian planes buzzing around that area as well.

And, of course, we have seen some major tensions there, some international tankers getting attacked. The U.S. blaming Iran, the Iranians saying it wasn't them, and the, of course, that massive incident that happened almost a day a month before the incident with the USS Boxer with the Iranians shooting down an American drone. The U.S., of course, saying that was an international air space, the Iranian saying that it had entered into their airspace, Dave.

BRIGGS: Nobody knows the region better than Fred Pleitgen. Great context for us. Thank you.

DEAN: President Trump wants you to believe this made him unhappy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CROWD: Send her back! Send her back! Send her back!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DEAN: The president inspired those chants by denigrating Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. Now that he's facing a backlash he's trying to rewrite history.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: It really was a loud -- I disagree with it, by the way, but it was quite a chant and I felt a little bit badly about it. But I will say this. I did -- and I started speaking very quickly. (END VIDEO CLIP)

DEAN: All right. Well, let's break down all of that and break out the CNN timer and find out how quickly the president did start speaking once he heard those ugly chants.

Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: Omar has a history of launching vicious, anti-Semitic screeds.

CROWD: Send her back! Send her back! Send her back! Send her back! Send her back! Send her back! Send her back! Send her back! Send her back!

TRUMP: And she talked about the evil Israel --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: Hmm.

Seems like Mr. Trump milked every moment, in fact bathed in it. He didn't say a word until the chanting end the. After he left North Carolina and returned to the White House he tweeted, quote: What a crowd. What great people. The enthusiasm blows away our rifle.

So, why is the president backtracking? Well, CNN has learned close allies and aides, including his daughter Ivanka, have expressed concern that chant could wind up defining a dark and divisive campaign.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CROWD: Welcome home, Ilhan! Welcome home, Ilhan!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DEAN: Congresswoman Omar was back in Minnesota Thursday. And here's her message in the face of the hate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. ILHAN OMAR (D-MN): I know there are a lot of people that are trying to distract us now, but I want you all to know that we are not going to let them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DEAN: Senior Democrats are calling for a security evaluation for Congresswoman Omar and the three other lawmakers Trump called out by name at his Wednesday night rally in North Carolina.

BRIGGS: All right. The fight for 15 is heading to the Senate. The House passed The Raise the Wage Act Thursday. But there's little chance it's taken up in the Republican controlled Senate. The Raise the Wage Act would bring federal minimum wage up gradually from $7:25 to $15 an hour by 2025.

If passed by the Senate, it would mark the first federal wage increase in a decade. Fast food workers have been protesting for higher pay since 2012. Since then, some cities and states, including California and New York have raced it on their own. Walmart CEO recently said the federal minimum wage is too low. Amazon adopted a $15 minimum rate last year.

[05:10:01] And back in November, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said he doesn't think minimum wages are a good idea at all, raising doubts that President Trump would sign it.

DEAN: The water is back on at least for now in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. A water main break left about 220,000 customers without service Thursday. On Wednesday, a sub contractor repairing electric line struck a pipe that supplies water to a treatment plant, and that cut off the city's water supply and ticked off the mayor.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DEAN TRANTALIS, FORT LAUDERDALE MAYOR: I don't want our calm demeanor and competency right now to in any way suggest that we are going to hold on back in our attempt to try to seek compensation not just for the city, not just for the city customers but for as many as possible that's been affected.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DEAN: Repairs on a broken pipe are expected to last through the weekend. A boil water is in effect and water distribute sites will stay open until at least Saturday.

BRIGGS: Astonishing video overnight from an apartment fire in west Philadelphia. One man trapped in the 19th story of a high rise took a very unusual and risky way out. Unidentified man climbed down the outside of the building and made it all the way to the ground apparently without a scratch.

CNN affiliate WPVI report said some residents were unaccounted for after the building was evacuated. The source of the fire believed to be a trash compactor.

DEAN: More than a dozen officers in Philadelphia will lose their jobs over hateful and racist posts on social media. That's coming up.

But, first, in CNN's series, "The Global Energy Challenge", we showcase the people and ideas making a difference in the climate crisis. In India, one American entrepreneur is providing clean energy to a customer base of some 30 million.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN DEFTERIOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Of this edition of "The Global Energy Challenge", Rajasthan, India.

In the rural areas, millions live without access to electricity priced out and off grid. Through job creation and innovation, an American businesswoman has built an social enterprise to power a community. Company Frontier Markets manufactures and sells solar products.

The all female sales force made of local women has become key to success.

AJAITA SHAH, CEO, FRONTIER MARKETS: So, by partnering with these women and training them, they essentially became our light and our swords, to really become the change makers in these villages. Today, our 3,000 solar ladies are actually addressing over a half a million households needs when it comes to clean energy challenges. They're not only communicating benefits of clean energy, but they're actually now helping us understand, what are the next new innovations?

DEFTERIOS: John Defterios, CNN, India.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:17:48] BRIGGS: Jeffrey Epstein will remain in jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. A federal judge saying the multi- millionaire is both a danger to the community and a flight risk. Epstein is accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls. The judge says the court is also concerned for new victims. Epstein's proposed bail package would have allowed him to return to his multimillion dollar New York home accompanied by armed guards and a live-in court appointed trustee. The bail proposal irretrievably inadequate.

DEAN: Hateful and racist posts on social media will cost 13 Philadelphia police officers their jobs. The department is suspending them for 30 days with intent to dismiss. Four others whose posts were deemed less offensive will also be suspended for 30 days but not fired. Seventy-two officers in all were taken off the street last month following an investigation of those posts which allegedly included a Confederate imagery, anti-Muslim sentiments, violent rhetoric and racist comments.

BRIGGS: All right. Ahead right here, the Yankees were not happy with the home plate umpire yesterday. Andy Scholes tells us why this these not suitable for TV highlights in the "Bleacher Report".

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[05:23:59] BRIGGS: The second round of the British Open underway and Tiger Woods has plenty of work to do if he hopes to just make it to the weekend.

Andy Scholes has more in "The Bleacher Report".

Good morning, my friend.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, Dave.

It was certainly a rough opening round for Tiger. He shot 7 over par. His worst opening round ever at the British Open. Things went south right off the first tee for Tiger. He was tweeted and after four back surgeries.

After he won the Masters, we will hope Tiger is back. But he gave a grim assessment where he is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TIGER WOODS, 15-TIME MAJOR CHAMPION: And just father time and some procedures I've had over the time. Just the way it's going to be. As I said, one of the reasons why I'm playing less tournaments this year, I can hopefully prolong my career and be out here for a little longer.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: And going into the first round, Rory McIlroy was the favorite.

[05:25:05] But Rory had worst day than Tiger. He had a quadruple bogey on hole number one. And he finished the day with a triple bogey on 18. Rory shooting 8 over for the day, certainly disappointing for him.

Brooks Koepka out there right now just three shots off the lead.

All right. If you're an Astros fan, and your team play on the road, just about the coolest thing to happen would be to catch a home run ball. It happened for this father and son. Astros fans sitting in left field in Anaheim, but the son for some reason threw the ball back on the field.

Look at dad, Dave. He was not very happy about it. I'm guessing the boy had seen it done. Someone else was yelling throw it back, because dad was like, we just caught an Alex Bregman home run ball while watching our team play in Los Angeles.

BRIGGS: If that were Andy Scholes, an Astros fan, your son is not eating that night.

SCHOLES: My son would be in a world of trouble.

BRIGGS: No ice cream for you.

Speaking of no ice cream, Aaron Boone may have offended a few kids with his let's just call it a bit of a rant. What happened here, Andy?

SCHOLES: Aaron Boone and the Yankees were not happy with the strike zone. Earlier this game, Brennan Miller, you see it right there, Brett Gardner beating the dugout a little bit after striking out. Boone quickly after this got ejected and you could hear on the broadcast just say, rough start to the game for you, you need to get better, that was the nice part of that exchange.

BRIGGS: There was a much more expletive filled version about his guys in the box. We'll tweet that out. Not fitable for audiences at this point.

Andy, thank you.

Jessica, what's coming up?

DEAN: Thanks, guys.

The CNN Democratic debates are taking shape. Which candidates will share a stage and who won't get a chance to take on frontrunner Joe Biden.

Also, 250 million people will be taking over the next week few days, triple digits for much of the east.

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END