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New Day
One World Trade Center; FIFA Arrests; How Will Gay Marriage Debate Affect 2016 Race? Aired 8:30-9a ET
Aired May 27, 2015 - 08:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:32:38] MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Here we go with the five things you need to know for your new day.
At number one, at least 18 people now dead following severe storms and flooding in Texas and Oklahoma. More than a dozen people are still missing. Several Texas counties are under a flash flood warning. Officials in Ellis County closely watching this dam, worried it could fail on Padera Lake.
An international soccer scandal breaking overnight. Top officials at FIFA, soccer's worldwide governing body, arrested in raids in Switzerland, including its vice president. FIFA President Sepp Blatter, meanwhile, is not among those arrested.
Iraq's sweeping offensive to retake Ramadi and the Anbar province from ISIS is underway this morning. Reports of 30 Iraqi have been killed by ISIS suicide bombers.
The city of Cleveland will implement broad police reform in an agreement with the Justice Department. It is meant to address a pattern of excessive force and racial bias by Cleveland PD.
LeBron James and the Cavaliers punching their ticket to the NBA finals with a four game sweep of the Atlanta Hawks. The Cavs will meet the winner of the Warrior's Rocket Series. Golden State is up three games to one.
For more on the five things to know, be sure to visit newdaycnn.com for the latest.
Chris.
CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: All right, it's time, it's time. Sneak peek of stunning views that mean much more than just the beauty and the spectacle that they behold. We're talking about the new World Trade Center. We're going to show you on tape because it's cloudy out today. So we had to get it right for you. CNN's Chad Myers is live, and that's always good. He joins us from there now.
So, Chad, look at you. Look at what's behind you right now. But that's OK because we can show the pictures anyway. And what really matters, as you've been pointing out beautifully all morning, is the significance of this place, not just its vistas. CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: It truly is. When you walk into the lobby, you see the marble that was in the original World Trade Center. Not the block (ph), not the rock, but from the same exact quarry. As you walk in and you go forward, if you remember, Chris, it's what those windows used to look like in the World Trade Center. Very vertical, very skinny. You walk up and there's a light box there and you see these vertical windows and your - the hair stands up on your arms. It really is - the amazing architecture here, but more the reverence of the place, what it stands for, we will never forget all over the place. You can just feel it in the air and on Friday, to the public, this will open.
[08:34:59] Please come when it's sunny and don't come when there's a weather man and never invite a weather man to a golf outing because it will rain. But we have - behind me, I can see straight down. I can see the ground, but that's about it. About 70 floors from the ground, there's a cloud, and then it's clear between there. But from here, all the way up, a big cloud mass and we can't show you too much except what we shot yesterday. Still, beautiful vistas, 360 degrees. You can go from Brooklyn, down south, you can see Staten Island, you can go see Jersey City, or all the way up north depending on what side of this circular building you want to be on, 360-degree views. You can spend as much time up here as you like. That comes up on Friday.
ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Chad, I don't know if you're Pig-Pen or Shleprov (ph). Didn't he also have a cloud that followed him around?
PEREIRA: What references.
CUOMO: Sheckrock (ph) (INAUDIBLE).
CAMEROTA: Shleprock (ph). Was that "Flintstones"? Yes.
PEREIRA: Wow.
CAMEROTA: Anyways, Chad, we appreciate you. Thanks for showing that to us.
MYERS: You're welcome. (INAUDIBLE).
CAMEROTA: All right, meanwhile, this huge scandal is breaking in the world of sports and Christine Brennan will be here to tackle all of the FIFA news. Stick around.
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CAMEROTA: A huge international scandal breaking in the sports world this morning. Not one but two corruption investigations against soccer's worldwide governing body, FIFA. Joining us on the phone is CNN Sports analyst and "USA Today" sports columnist Christine Brennan.
[08:40:09] Good morning, Christine.
CHRISTINE BRENNAN, CNN SPORTS ANALYST (via telephone): Good morning, Alisyn.
CAMEROTA: How surprised were you when you woke up this morning by this breaking news?
BRENNAN: You know, not at all surprised in the sense that we all knew that this could be there some day. The fact that it's actually happening, I think it's - it's one of those reactions of, it's about time, you know, that this has been something that has been discussed, bribes, everyone, it's the worst kept secret maybe in international sports, maybe in all of sports.
CAMEROTA: Well, yes. I mean this is exactly to your point. This investigation targets alleged wrongdoing that spans 24 years. So why today do you think this happens?
BRENNAN: Well, certainly it's not lost on anyone, Alisyn, that Sepp Blatter, who is the long-time chief of FIFA, the president, is going for his fifth term on Friday. Their election is Friday. So is it possible that the U.S. (ph) authorities said, well, here's a pre- election gift for you. I wouldn't be surprised if Blatter is re- elected. I've covered international sports since 1984, and if there's one thing we know, that these are the most powerful people in the world. They're Fifdoms (ph). They run them like that. They've got cronies and friends who will elect them no matter what. But I think that's part of the timing. This big meeting's going on in Zurich right now and Sepp Blatter is up for re-election and, here you go, Sepp, here's a gift for you, deal with this.
CAMEROTA: This involves $150 million allegedly in bribes. Who got rich here?
BRENNAN: Well, pretty much every soccer official, all of the federations, and at the expense of children, of those who should be getting it, developmental programs. This is, I think, still the biggest problem in international sports. And it's not just soccer, although soccer by far is the big cheese here, Alisyn. The reality is, that there's so much money being taken off of the top. As a lot of your viewers may know, but the 2018 and 2022 World Cups are actually still under investigation for bribery because there's a thought that both of those were purchased and bought illegally.
What this means to the children playing this sport, the boys and girls trying to grow the game in other areas, that's the real shame here, and that's why it's important. That's why we should care about it.
CAMEROTA: And what does it mean? I mean, as you point out, soccer is wildly popular among elementary school kids here in the U.S., around the world. So what does this do to soccer's reputation?
BRENNAN: Well, I think it takes a hit, although it's still going to be the sport that most people in the world love and that many, many Americans love as well. I think what this hopefully does is help to start to clean it up. The International Olympic Committee, people might remember, went through something with the Salt Lake City bid scandal. It did clean up the International Olympic Committee, at least a little bit. There is a way, even with these powerhouses, that takes them down and to start to clean house. And clearly with the U.S. government involved in this manner, that's what's going to happen here. CAMEROTA: So, Sepp Blatter, who is the president, he has not been
arrested. Some of his top lieutenants, vice presidents, have been. Is this all because they're going to turn on him or is he somehow unscathed in this?
BRENNAN: I was intrigued by the - that sentence in most of the stories, that Sepp Blatter's not involved. You know, pay no attention to the man behind the curtain from "The Wizard of Oz." I think that the authorities would love to get Sepp Blatter and I'm going to guess that there will be people, there already have been people, who have been also arrested or charged or had to pay fines previously who are now helping the investigation. So I think Sepp Blatter should be concerned today because this is clearly not over and we'll be hearing a press conference in an hour or two and the reality is that I think he is on shaky ground, even though he has cronies who probably still want to elect him on Friday.
CAMEROTA: All right, Christine Brennan, thanks so much for being on NEW DAY and helping to explain all of this intrigue and malfeasance. Great to talk to you.
BRENNAN: A pleasure. Thank you, Alisyn.
CAMEROTA: Thanks so much.
Let's get to Chris.
CUOMO: There is a big issue percolating for the 2016 race and it is, is religion under attack? Are people of faith under attack. Senator Marco Rubio has just taken this to a whole new level. We'll tell you what he said and what it means to his chances, ahead.
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[08:47:54] SEN. MARCO RUBIO (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Today we've reached a point in our society where if you do not support same-sex marriage you are labeled a homophobe and a hater. So what's the next step after that? After they're done going after individuals, the next step is to argue that the teachings of mainstream Christianity, the catechism of the Catholic church, is hate speech and that's a real and present danger.
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CAMEROTA: Alright. That was presidential hopeful Marco Rubio with controversial gay marriage comments, saying that labeling people homophobic borders on a threat to Christianity.
Let's explore that. Joining us is CNN political commentator and Republican strategist, Ana Navarro, and CNN political commentator and Democratic strategist, Donna Brazile. Ladies, great to see you.
DONNA BRAZILE, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Good morning.
ANA NAVARRO, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Thank you.
CAMEROTA: OK, let's dive in here, Ana. What did you think, that was to the Christian Broadcasting Network that Marco Rubio was speaking. What did you think of his comments?
NAVARRO: Frankly, they made me cringe. I am very uncomfortable and disappointed with him. As you know, I support gay marriage, I support same-sex marriage. Now look, I know Marco Rubio very well, he's a friend of mine. He is a man of deep faith, he is a man who follows Catholic dogma and, you know, for whom religion is very important.
But I think everybody running for president, on both sides mind you, needs to keep in mind that if they are elected president, they are going to have to be the president of both folks who are on the same side, the same-sex side of the issue, and against it, the religious liberty. And we need to be a big enough country so that we can somehow peacefully co-exist and I just don't think this kind of rhetoric, stoking the flames, is helpful.
I think we need to follow suit of what Pope Francis is doing, have a much more conciliatory, inclusive, less judgmental debate going on and try to figure out how we can respect those who want to get married and also respect those who have religious liberty issues.
CUOMO: Well, Donna, you know when you have the pope of the Catholic church being cited as a more secular and moderate position on an issue, you've got problems heading into it --
NAVARRO: Have you have met this hope?
(LAUGHTER)
CUOMO: I like the pope. I think whether he is Catholic or not, he is saying things that resonate because it's getting away from the restrictions and exclusions that Ana is talking about and more towards the inclusiveness of what humanity should be about.
[08:50:10] But Donna, as a political issue, Senator Rubio is a politician who was on the Christian Broadcast Network, he was preaching to the converted, that's what he was doing there, he can explain it anyway he likes, of course. But for your side, how do you deal with this issue? Because something that is supposed to be about the law and equal protection is very much being made by the Right, or certain aspects of it, as being an attack on faith. What does that mean to your side?
BRAZILE: First of all, I believe that's a false narrative. It's not -- I don't think support of same-sex marriage, marriage equality has anything to do with attacking one's faith. There are many Christians who are gay, who believe in the Lord, who preaches the gospel, who believe in what Jesus taught us in terms of loving one another, and also believe in John 8.
I find it just discouraging to hear that somehow or another, being supportive of same-sex marriage and being supportive of marriage equality is somehow an attack on religious freedom or faith. I am a woman of faith, I love the Lord, I am Catholic, and this pope has done, I think, a tremendous job in trying to explain those values in ways that I do believe enhances all life, all human beings, and of course, the gospel of love.
CAMEROTA: But Ana, let's talk about it from the flipside. Is there no truth to what Marco Rubio is saying, that it's so politically incorrect in this presidential race to say that you are against same- sex marriage, that there is a whiff of homophobia? Is there something true about what he's saying that he feels painted with the brush of homophobia or hatred just by saying that he stands for his own religious beliefs?
NAVARRO: There's a small group of people that are getting entrenched on opposite sides of the issue, and so what - there is a whiff of truth but I do not think it is a general truth. I don't think everybody is saying, you know, look, if you don't support same-sex you are a homophobe, and I don't think everybody on the other side is saying if, you know, you are calling us all homophobes if we don't support it. I think it's groups who just feel attacked, feel like the end of the world is coming because same-sex marriage is going to be a reality.
But we just saw, Alisyn, the -- you know, one of the strongest Catholic countries in the world overwhelmingly approved same-sex marriage over the weekend in Ireland. If the Irish, who have been at war for decades about so many other things can figure this out, you would think that in America, where we respect each other's rights, we could figure it out as well. And you know, I just think there needs to be less accusations and finger wagging going on on both sides.
CUOMO: Right. But that's what politics is right now, Donna --
BRAZILE: Yeah, that's right. The country -
CUOMO: I mean, as you know, that's what politics is. We all grew up in it, and while it's always been nasty, there is a toxicity to the partisan process right now that is successful that helps you, that I think is distinguishing itself, and I think that's what we are seeing in the issue, because this issue sets up as a legal issue. It doesn't set up as a personal issue, because even if they find the justice is that there is a right to marriage for LGBT, let alone if they find them to be a protected class, which many believe they won't, that doesn't mean that you're forced to like gay marriage. It means that it's just a right that exists. But it's being spun, Donna, into something else, which is that, as Marco Rubio just played it up on the Christian Broadcast Network, what is next? What are they going to take from you next? Is Sunday no longer going to be a day that you get to go to church? You know, that's what it's starting to sound like.
BRAZILE: I just disagree, Chris. I mean, I know -- I watch and I know people of faith who happens to be gay, and they don't sit around with all of this schism. They don't sit around, you know, figuring out who is a bigot, who is a homophobe. They are trying to live their everyday lives and be in love and do what everyone else is doing, trying to make ends meet. I know that everything that is in politics these days is poison, is
toxic, but there is something that is so simple, so natural about two people finding each other, falling in love, wanting to spend their life together, and while we had this debate now for over 30 years, at least throughout my political life, we have been talking about it, and we're now at a point where the majority of Americans believe that there should be no discrimination against people and there should be no discrimination when it comes to people being able to marry. That's the country, we have evolved, and I do believe at some point people will just evolve and we don't have to have the conversations anymore.
CAMEROTA: We will see what happens for the next 18 months on this issue.
NAVARRO: Can't come soon enough.
[08:55:01] CAMEROTA: Hey, don't take away our 18 months of fun.
BRAZILE: Thank you. I agree.
CAMEROTA: Ana Navarro, Donna Brazile, thanks so much, ladies. Great to see you.
BRAZILE: Thank you.
CAMEROTA: What is your take on all of this? You can tweet us using #newdaycnn or post your comment on Facebook.com/newday. We love reading those.
CUOMO: Alright. After that, you know what we all need. "The Good Stuff." And it's coming up.
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CUOMO: "The Good Stuff," and a reminder that the military mission in places like Iraq is about much more than just fighting on the ground. So back in 1996, a family marked for death by Saddam Hussein, tried to escape Iraq, but when they got to the border, their baby's name wasn't on the list. So what happens? A young American soldier steps in and starts talking.
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COL. GREG PEPIN, HELPED FAMILY ESCAPE FROM IRAQ IN 1996: I said, again, my name is Greg. If the baby's name was Greg, got to be a relative, and that means she can go.
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CUOMO: Lieutenant Colonel Greg Pepin renamed the baby on the spot so she matched his passport. As a result, the family made it to America intact. Nearly 20 years later, that baby is graduating. She didn't feel right about doing it without her savior, so tracked him down.
PEREIRA: This is so cool.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAVA BARWARI, RESCUED BY U.S. ARMY SOLDIER FROM IRAQ AS A BABY: It was the first story I probably ever heard. She's always told me about the man who saved my life.
[09:00:03] PEPIN: The day I got Lava's email was one of those signature days that kind of makes your life worthwhile.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CAMEROTA: Oh my gosh. That's so beautiful.
PEREIRA: Look at that hug.
CAMEROTA: That's great. What a great story.
PEREIRA: 20 years later. Congratulations to all of them.
