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New Day

More Snow on the Way; Kerry Defends Israel, Pushes Iran Nuke Deal; Ukraine: Nemtsov Held Damaging Russian Information; Who Was Putin-Critic Boris Nemtsov?; Clock Ticking on DHS Funding

Aired March 02, 2015 - 06:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: The northeast blind-sided by another wave of winter's weapons. Boston could beat the all-time snowfall record. It all comes down to what comes next. Let's get to Meteorologist Chad Myers. Is there any chance of avoiding a record?

CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, we're at 3-1/2 inches away, I don't see how you avoid that with many more snow events possible. I mean, look at this, 2014 to '15 up to 103.9 inches already and more to come.

The bigger story today is the fog in D.C. and Atlanta and Charlotte, all the way back to Texas, quarter mile visibility, eighth of a mile visibility in Raleigh that will slow down airplanes this morning.

Here comes the next storm that will likely bring some snow to Boston probably 2 inches to 4 inches will be the likelihood, but it warms up and for you, Christopher, to stop your incessant whining I will finally give you a warm day. Snow and ice the next couple days, but look at this, I give you 45 on Wednesday.

CUOMO: Chad, only in opposite world do you come at me for whining. I had to draw your tears when we were outside the last time.

MYERS: I know.

CUOMO: Thank you for the latest, my friend. We will check in with you many times because we have to know what's coming in this time. Thank you very much.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington for Tuesday's controversial address to Congress. Relations between the U.S. and Israel, at least between the leaders, seem to be at a new low as Bibi prepares to slam the administration's nuclear talks with Iran.

This comes just two weeks before Israelis head to the polls to decide whether or not Bibi should be reelected. Netanyahu today speaks to a pro-Israel lobby group. We'll get an advance on his message.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Secretary of State John Kerry defending Israel before the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva. Kerry is pledging the U.S. commitment to protecting Israel. Kerry meets with Iran's foreign minister later today to push for that agreement in nuclear talks, which Netanyahu is in Washington to denounce.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: William Shatner facing some backlash on Twitter after announcing that he will not be able to attend the funeral on Sunday for his "Star Trek" co-star and friend, Leonard Nimoy. Shatner apparently had a charity event in Florida, said he could not make it back in time, which left many people outraged.

Instead Shatner chose to have a virtual funeral for his friend and answered questions about what Leonard Nimoy was really like in person.

CAMEROTA: That's nice.

CUOMO: All right, so one of the kremlin's biggest critics killed in the shadow of the kremlin, Boris Nemtsov gunned down just days before leading a big rally that was going to protest Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine's president is now suggesting Boris Nemtsov knew too much. What did he know? We look at it ahead.

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CAMEROTA: The mystery deepness into the assassination of one of Russia President Vladimir Putin's top critics. Boris Nemtsov gunned down days before he was set to lead a rally opposing Russia's aggression in the Ukraine.

The big question, did he hold damning evidence against the kremlin? For the latest, let's get right to CNN Matthew Chance in Moscow -- Matthew.

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You can see, Alisyn, a sea of flowers that was been made this tribute for Boris Nemtsov. This is the exact place where he was gunned down on Friday night in the shadow of the kremlin.

You can still see days after the killing there's a trickle of well- wishers that are coming by paying their respects to this assassinated political opposition leader, all this a day after one of the biggest rallies that the Russian capital has seen for years.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHANCE (voice-over): Thousands marched in grief and outrage over the murder of one of Vladimir Putin's fiercest critics.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is something -- something absolutely unbearable.

CHANCE: Boris Nemtsov, a former Russian deputy prime minister under Boris Yeltsin was shot four times in the back while walking with had his 23-year-old Ukrainian model girlfriend, the killing caught on surveillance camera.

You can see the couple here walking along a bridge right in front of the kremlin just before midnight. A snowplow passes in front of them. That's when out of view investigators believe a hand shoots Nemtsov then runs into a getaway car. President Putin ordered an investigation and quickly condemned the killing. In 2014 Nemtsov a prominent Russian opposition leader compiled a detailed report on alleged corruption at the winter Olympics in Sochi.

BORIS NEMTSOV: This is the most corrupted games in the history of mankind. They steal about 25 billion to 30 billion U.S. dollars.

CHANCE: More recently Ukrainian president, Petro Poroshenko said Nemtsov was about to reveal information that would prove Russia's involvement in the conflict in Ukraine, saying that, quote, "Someone was very afraid of that." Some mourners believe that someone was Putin or his supporters.

(on camera): Do you believe that Mr. Putin, President Putin, is responsible for this killing is this.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We do believe in this.

CHANCE: But the kremlin says this tragic killing was simply designed to damage Russia and to create a political storm. Well, the popularity of Vladimir Putin is still skylight, latest opinion polls suggesting that it's 86 percent, which is absolutely incredible.

The big question, though, is will this killing change those opinion poll numbers or will they simply it -- will it simply send a message that if you oppose the kremlin like Boris Nemtsov did this is what could happen to you. Back to you, Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: Yes, Matthew, those are the big questions this morning. Thank you for that.

As outrage and conspiracy theories swirl over the death of the outspoken Putin critic, listen to Boris Nemtsov's eerie prediction of his own fate in a candid interview with CNN's Anthony Bourdain.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NEMTSOV: I'm a known guy and this is a safety because if something would happen with me it will be a scandal not only in Moscow city but throughout the world.

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CAMEROTA: Let's bring in now CNN's chief international correspondent, Christiane Amanpour. Good morning, Christiane.

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: So you hear there it sounds like Boris Nemtsov pre-staging his own if not death at least jeopardy and just two weeks ago, he told a blog, quote, "I'm afraid Putin will kill me." Why did it seem the danger to his life was increasing lately?

AMANPOUR: Well, he also told had his mother said that. He said that his mother had been telling him stop bark Putin because they will kill you. So this is because this has happened in the past.

Critics of the kremlin over the last many years have been gunned down. Remember the great journalist and human rights activist an Anna Politskofiya. They are not a big threat to Vladimir Putin.

Look at his favorable ratings, look at all the control he has, done of these opposition figures have any access to the state run media or anything like that, but they are irritants and the notion that he was going to lead an anti-Putin march for the first time in about three years probably upset a lot of the people around Vladimir Putin.

Now, the kremlin says it wasn't behind it and it is going to be investigated. Putin taking the file himself, but an environment of permissibility has been created in Russia over the last many years so that even if it was a vigilante, they knew that shutting down somebody like Boris Nemtsov would be something that was viewed favorably by the kremlin.

CAMEROTA: Of course, one of the theories is that he had some sort of damning evidence that he was going to present two days after he was gunned down at that anti-government rally. He was going to announce something. Do we know what he was going to say?

AMANPOUR: We don't really know, but obviously the president of Ukraine has said that and that's how we sort of know this was going to happen, but do you know what, Alisyn, we don't really need Boris Nemtsov to put that out.

He may have had more details, but if you go to Russia itself there are regular newspaper mornings, you know, obituaries for Russian soldiers who have been killed in the war and when mothers go and, you know, want answers, where was my son killed?

Why was he killed? They get told that they're traitors. Mothers of Russian soldiers, who are dying in these wars in Ukraine. So we know that there is that information.

We also know from NATO and other satellite imagery that soldiers and heavy military hardware has been crossing at various periods from Russia into Ukraine.

So we know that this is a fact. Had he got specific new information that would have added to that dossier of what is known? What happens?

And all of this, you know, goes against, as I say, the environment that's been created by maximum amount of state run propaganda that anybody who questions what the kremlin is doing is an enemy of the state.

CAMEROTA: And, you know, Boris Nemtsov was a well-known critic of Putin and he also knew Putin well. He used to work for him. So knowing Putin's desire for retribution against people who speak out and knowing his iron fist why was Nemtsov so willing to continue to speak out against Putin?

AMANPOUR: Well, you know, Nemtsov was actually potentially at one point the chosen successor of Boris Yeltsin the previous president and he was his deputy prime minister.

He obviously through Putin, but when Putin was chosen their paths divided and diverges and he was thrust into sort of the opposition path. People believe there is a very small but quite vocal opposition, you know, sort of group in Russia right now.

But they've been thoroughly quashed and it's very difficult for them to get their voices heard. Why does he keep speaking out? Because there are people who believe that they must people speaking out despite the dangers.

The real big name in Russian opposition politics is Alexi Navalny. He is the blogger. He is the lead anti-corruption blogger and he was meant to be leading this rally this weekend.

He was jailed before the rally so that he couldn't go out on the streets and lead the rally. He said Nemtsov now you must lead the rally and Nemtsov was killed two days before the rally.

CAMEROTA: All right, Christiane Amanpour, thanks so much for all of the context this morning. Obviously, we'll follow this story -- Michaela.

PEREIRA: All right, the clock is ticking, the new deadline to fund Homeland Security just five days away. Will Speaker John Boehner allow a clean vote in the House? If he does could it spell the end of his tenure as speaker? We'll explain.

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REP. PETER KING (R), NEW YORK: -- straight streams have never greater at any time since 9/11, it's absolutely irresponsible. I said the other night at the Republican meeting that they are self-righteous and delusional and they don't realize what's happening --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: That was Republican Congressman Peter King calling out his party's right wing. Lawmakers only managed to approve one week's worth of funding setting up another crucial test for House Speaker John Boehner's leadership.

CUOMO: All right, let's look at the left and right on this. We've got Kevin Madden, a CNN political commentator and former press secretary for House Speaker John Boehner, a very key credential, and Richard Socarides, former senior advisor to President Bill Clinton, and a Democratic strategist. So we start with you, Mr. Madden.

KEVIN MADDEN, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Yes.

CUOMO: What do you think Mr. Boehner thinks he can achieve by holding up this process. I think so much of the when it looms over our heads like the last shut down and we foe how that went? MADDEN: Look, I don't think Boehner is interested in interested in holding up the pro he is. I think so much of the maneuvering was an effort to try to get the process moving. He really does want to move his conference together.

I think that's his key goal right now. That conference they do believe that what the president did with his executive action was unconstitutional. They also believe that the public is on their side. We had an election in 2014. This was a big part of that election and Republicans won historical majorities.

Lastly if you look at the law, the law is on their side. The only judge is that has ruled on this has ruled that with the 26 states that are suing this action against this executive action and that has emboldened this Congress to the point where we are at.

But the point still remains the same that the Democrats, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi they're not listening to the electoral judgment from 2014. They don't want to cede any Republican authority on this.

So I think that -- somehow towards the end of this week John Boehner is not going to want the government shutdown and he probably will move to pass a bill with Democrat support.

CAMEROTA: Kevin, you say that they think the public is on their side and the 2014 election is good evidence, however, more recent polling suggests the Republicans would shoulder the blame if DHS were to be partially shut down or the government shut down.

I want to bring hope in Richard here. So this fight, I mean, they waited two hours up until the deadline then they didn't extend it for a year or month, they extended it for one week. What is that?

RICHARD SOCARIDES, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: All they could get is a week, all Boehner can do is to get his caucus to extend it for one week. I'm glad Kevin talks about the elections, brings up the election.

Because it seems to me that Republicans in the election said if you give us an effective majority, if you give us both Houses of Congress and let us govern that we will govern effectively.

They are now failing at this most basic test it seems to me because they can't get anything done. I mean, this is like a nightmare for the American people. It's like a recurring dream that won't go away.

CUOMO: Is Boehner done, Kevin?

SOCARIDES: No.

CUOMO: Is this an example that he doesn't control the caucus, that this is the best that he can do. They're not listening to him?

MADDEN: Richard is right. John Boehner, I believe, is very aware of that risk that we send a message to the American public that we can't govern. I think when you're -- and to Alisyn's point when you are the president of the limited government you do pay a price should the government shut down.

I think once the Senate tries to move to conference this bill and that doesn't work there will be an effort to pass this and make sure that DHS is funded.

CAMEROTA: Kevin, I just want to -- because you worked for John Boehner as press secretary where why is he having such a hard time corralling his conservative caucus?

MADDEN: This is not -- leadership on Capitol Hill is not an event it's a process. You have 50 to 60 members of the Republican conference that believe that the true test of their conservativism is voting no often and that is a very big challenge.

I think John Boehner recognizes that and what he has been trying to do lately and I think that's evidenced by a lot of his actions is he's trying to show them that the benefits of governing is going to eventually help their conference get good legislation, but right now he's struggling with that.

CUOMO: The premise here or something that we need to question, Alisyn, because the idea that Congress needs to govern. I don't know that that applies. Congress needs to bring hope back and forth.

Really this is about the White House when it comes to governing and I wonder you have an opportunity here, you have an opportunity here. They're not getting it done that's what you just saw from the house. Now, you can either just complain about it which you guys love to do or take it as an opportunity to lead.

SOCARIDES: And I feel a -- I have a little sympathy for John Boehner because this is not what he wants, but what he's dealing with is a Republican Party that is at war with itself.

There are members of the Republican caucus in Congress who would rather shut down the government. They would rather put national security and national safety at risk.

CUOMO: They are about opposition.

SOCARIDES: Than compromise even a little bit.

CUOMO: That little slice is about opposition.

SOCARIDES: I don't think John Boehner is malicious. I think he likes to get a deal done. I think he'd like to work with Democrats but this is the Republican Party at war with itself.

CUOMO: What are the Democrats doing? What are the Democrats doing to make that easier other than pointing out what you just said?

SOCARIDES: The Democrats don't have a majority in Congress so there's very little they can do.

CUOMO: Harry Reid to have could have put it up for a vote and he wouldn't. SOCARIDES: They permitted this interim funding agreement to go through and I think they will cooperate to try to get a deal. I think we have to get a deal. There are reasonable people will prevail in this.

But it's this -- it's this Kamikaze caucus of the Republican Party that is very maliciously oriented and they would rather tear everything down if they don't get their way.

CAMEROTA: You called them malicious, but the Tea Party, Kevin, stands for taxed enough already. Their entire mission statement is to reign in government spending and reign in government overreach. That's what they do. They don't see it malicious.

SOCARIDES: And they have a core believe that what the president is doing is unconstitutional. The president himself said 22 times that the actions that he took on immigration would be unconstitutional.

CUOMO: Kevin, aren't you confusing two different issues in that, yes, you're right, you have your legal issues, you have your court fight, you have a judge on your side right now, but by doing this you're not helping that effort by doing this. You're creating another problem, not a solution. I think that's --

MADDEN: And I think that's where you have folk like Peter King and John Boehner and others who believe, look, we've had as many votes adds we can on this.

Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are standing in the way. We have to fund the department. Let the legal process work on out one side, we will have another chance to reverse this action again.

The one thing that we're disagreeing over up there, it's not malicious intent it's about tactics. I think some of the tax ticked up there are make taking the wrong approach.

SOCARIDES: I feel badly for you, I feel a little badly for John Boehner because you are not defending these guys. The truth is that your folks want to deal.

You are as frustrated as the American people are, but you all said if you had a majority of both houses you would govern effectively and you are failing at that most basic test.

CAMEROTA: Very quickly, Kevin, your sons.

MADDEN: Now, look, I disagree with that. I think this is part of the process. It is a very messy process, Richard. It is not one that we like. But, remember, the president by taking unconstitutional action and forcing this debate he didn't help it, either. And the Democrats aren't exactly in a compromising mood. They are the ones who are holding up a lot.

SOCARIDES: Do you really believe that the president took unconstitutional action you have your remedies. You can challenge that in court, you can -- there already are remedies that are available.

MADDEN: No one said it was going to be pretty.

CAMEROTA: Watching the sausage being made or not be made in this case --

MADDEN: Separate but equal.

CAMEROTA: All right, thanks. Richard, Kevin, thanks so much for the debate.

All right, so we are following a lot of news this morning. Let's get right to it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REPRESENTATIVE JOHN BOEHNER (R), HOUSE SPEAKER: This is a serious issue. We're not going to resolve this issue by sticking our hands in the sand.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Something happens to Israel and that's knots the end of it, that's just the beginning.

JOHN KERRY, SECRETARY OF STATE: The main goal here is to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.

NEMTSOV: If something happens with me it will be a scandal.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A politicians has been killed in the center of the city next to the kremlin.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a dangerous time if you are in any way a member of the opposition.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Cleveland is blaming a 12-year-old boy for his own death.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tamir Rice murdered.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CAMEROTA: Good morning, everyone. Welcome back to your NEW DAY. The nuclear ambitions of Iran threatening to unravel the relationship between the U.S. and Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arriving in Washington for his controversial speech to Congress tomorrow, a speech the White House never approved.

CUOMO: Going to get a peek whether Bibi will double down or take a step towards the White House in just a few hours. Mixed feelings about the Israel leader being in the U.S. is unusual to say the least. We have comprehensive coverage of the prime minister's visit and what it means for U.S. Israel relations and Bibi's political future.

So let's start with CNN's senior White House correspondent, Jim Acosta. What is the word out of the White House? JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Chris, good morning. The White House is offering Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu an icy welcome this week.

As you know, Netanyahu will be giving two piece speeches, one today at the AIPAC Conference here in Washington and then tomorrow to a joint session of Congress, but the White House is not remaining silent this week.

They're going to put out firepower of their own, National Security Adviser Susan Rice and the U.S. Ambassador. President Obama will be sitting down for an interview with Reuters later on this afternoon.

And you will recall it was Rice last week who said that the set up where Netanyahu is going to be giving the speech to Congress, he arranged this with John Boehner without looping in the White House, rice called all of that destructive. John Kerry sort of dialed down some of that rhetoric. Here's what he had to say.