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Obama Compares GOP Field To "Hunger Games"; Jim Webb Launches Longshot 2016 Run; Jindal Gives Up Gay Marriage Fight In New Orleans; Rick Perry: GOP Must Embrace Black Voters; What's Causing Surge In Shark Attacks? Aired 7:30-7a ET
Aired July 03, 2015 - 07:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JOHN KING, CNN HOST, "INSIDE POLITICS": Amen. I think you respect the office, no matter who holds it. It's good. A little more respect in our politics would actually be a good thing.
[07:30:07] So let's get to the president's message. You know, he was there to taut his economic record to say, look, the economy is recovering.
Doing out a pretty good day, a pretty good unemployment report came out yesterday. There are some signs of weakness. The president was having a good time talking about his policies and then making note of the campaign to succeed him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: You have some healthy competition in the Democratic Party. I have lost count of the Republicans. You have enough for an actual "Hunger Games." That is a -- that is an interesting bunch.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Having a little fun there.
SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICAL REPORTER: That's an interesting bunch. Yes, that sounds about right to me. I think you could tell President Obama here is having fun. He's at a good moment in his presidency. It's helpful for Hillary Clinton to have the president trolling specific candidates.
He went on to really criticize what's been going on in Wisconsin, criticize Scott Walker's record. That's very helpful to Hillary Clinton. She doesn't have to take on any Republican one-on-one and elevate them about the rest of the field.
KING: It's a great point. The president is also above 50 percent. Is it a huge help? Who knows? But it certainly doesn't hurt the Democrats to have a president above 50 as opposed to below 50.
ROBERT COSTA, "THE WASHINGTON POST": Certainly, and I think the president's "Hunger Game" analogy. Who is Catnis Eberdene for the Republican field? Someone who can come from the back of the pack, someone who is not expected, I think that's going to really happen in this Republican race.
You have 14 official candidates. You don't need to be a front-runner in the summer. You can have the debate, everyone now, Rubio, Walker, everyone, Carly Fiorina, Ben Carson. They are all hovering at 10 percent. They could all rise.
MURRAY: It's more dangerous to be the front-runner now.
KING: That is right. You mentioned to benefit Hillary Clinton, we should be fair as the president said there's a lively debate on the Democratic side. We do know Bernie Sanders moved his numbers up in both New Hampshire and in Iowa.
But we have a fifth Democrat now in the race, Jim Webb, he is the former Democratic senator from state of Virginia. He was the navy secretary in the Republican administration for Ronald Reagan.
This was a bit of an odd announcement. He just did this online. He didn't have a big event. He didn't even tell us. Here is part of his online announcement.
"I understand the odds particularly in today's political climate where a fair debate is so often drown out by huge sups of money. I know that more one candidate in this process intends to raise at least a billion dollars that would be Hillary Clinton.
So let's give our younger people a cause worth fighting for. Let's clean out the manure-filled stables of a political system that has become characterized by greed." Anybody can win in today's volatile politics, but help me with this one.
MURRAY: I would love to be able to help you with this, but I just can't. This is a guy who put the statement out, as you said, totally, you know, without any warning to the press and then will be spending this weekend on vacation.
So it's not like he put it out and is like yes, let's hit the trail. He just kind of put it out there and I don't know what he's expecting to happen. He hasn't really built much of an operation around it.
COSTA: Here's why Webb matters. He is anti-war. He came to the Senate in 2006 because he opposed the Iraq war and he provides an uncomfortable reminder to Secretary Clinton supporters about her past support for the conflict in the invasion. If he gets any kind of traction, he could become the voice whose is also a military veteran, who becomes a threat of sorts.
KING: He is unorthodox in his interest and the question is, is he active? Does he actually get out there and do the work? I think that's one of the big questions. One of the big questions after the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage was, how would the sitting governors, Republicans who are running for president handle it?
John Kasich lost, the state actually was part of the lawsuit -- he lost. John Kasich said, the court ruled, you have to do it. Bobby Jindal in Louisiana initially said I want to see if we have options here.
Yesterday, he lost the last option. In New Orleans, the state agency that issues is actually controlled by the governor's office. They immediately after the Supreme Court decision said let's see what happens in the federal courts in Louisiana. Now that final court decision is done. Jindal has no choice but to comply. Is this a big deal?
COSTA: He's a crusader on the social issues. He is trying to get some momentum by moving to the hard right. Jindal will continue to make the fight, but someone who is a very smart man, knows the law, knows the fight is over perhaps at least in the courts.
MURRAY: I think the fight was over when the Supreme Court made their decision. The idea that there was going to be some way they could get around it in Louisiana. I think it was something of a pipe dream. I also think the reality is when you talk to younger Republicans.
When you talk to people sort of beyond the side of Republicans, they don't want to see someone like Bobby Jindal crusading against it. They want more of a John Kasich reaction to say here is my belief on this, but the court has ruled and we should respect this decision and move forward.
KING: Interesting speech from the Texas governor, Rick Perry, another Republican who ran last time. Remember, it was a bit of a disaster. But he has a great political skills, people have been wondering can he put it together the second time around?
Interesting speech yesterday where he challenged African-Americans, he said, look, you know, a big slice of your community is living in poverty. A big slice of your community does not have the opportunity that others have had. Maybe you shouldn't be so loyal to the Democrats, Rick Perry said and then he said this about Republicans.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[07:35:06] RICK PERRY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Too often, we, Republicans, me included, have emphasized our message on the Tenth Amendment, but not our message on the 14th. For too long, we, Republicans have been content to lose the black vote because we found we didn't need it to win. When we gave up trying to win the support of African-Americans we lost our moral legitimacy as the party of Lincoln.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Interesting.
MURRAY: I think this is a very smart move by Rick Perry. I don't know if he can actually win over any black voters by doing this, but I do think when you look at his campaign right now, they know they need to work it.
If he had gone out and given a regular economic policy address, we wouldn't be talking about it. The idea that he's out there giving an interesting speech, trying to broaden it for the Republicans is a very good move.
When you talk to policy advisers, they say the reason they joined onto his campaign, which of course, is going to be a tough log is because he's willing to take sort of these interesting ideas especially on economic policy and try to put them into place.
KING: And a lot of Democrats saying don't believe him. He's dead right. Republicans do need to try to improve their standing in this community, Alisyn. When a candidate tries, even if you want to go back and say where were you a year ago or two years ago, three years ago, if it's a legitimate meaningful effort, give them a chance.
ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: It sounded legitimate. That was a profound message and he sure sounded sincere about that. So I'm sure you will analyze all of that, John, this weekend. Make sure to watch John King and his "INSIDE POLITICS" panel break down all the best political news of the week every Sunday 8:30 a.m. Eastern. See you then, John.
All right, so there have been ten shark attacks along the Carolina coast in just the past two months. What is bringing them closer to shore? We'll ask one of the world's leading shark experts. That's next.
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PATRICK THORNTON, SHARK ATTACK SURVIVOR: I started shouting, shark, shark, everyone out of the water at the same time I'm punching the shark.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Ten shark attacks in the past two months all along the coast of the Carolinas. A big spike from past years and it's causing all sorts of concern ahead of the holiday weekend. What is behind this increase and should beach goers be taking extra precautions?
Joining us now is George Burgess. He is director of the Florida program for shark research, the guy to talk about all of this. First of all, what is up with all these attacks? Are the attacks on the rise, George, or is this nature sort of taking its natural course?
GEORGE BURGESS, DIRECTOR, FLORIDA PROGRAM FOR SHARK RESEARCH: Well, Michaela, it's a little bit of both. Certainly Mother Nature is the bottom line on all of this and we need to remember that. But in North Carolina, we have a larger number in a smaller period of time than we have ever had in that area. It's definitely an area of concern there. The big picture, we are not under siege.
PEREIRA: OK, so what is happening along the coast of the Carolinas?
BURGESS: It's kind of a perfect storm of variables that I think that are contributing. We know of some of them and others we don't know, we will call them the x-factors. Some we know, higher water temperatures, plenty of baitfish close to shore, sea turtle nesting season, which means the big turtles are going in and out of the water and the big sharks are looking for them.
We've got summer and school is out, so lots of people entering the water. We have lots of people, lots of sharks, lots of food. That's a formula for shark attacks. On the other hand, it doesn't explain seven attacks in three weeks in North Carolina. There's an x-factor in there, something else going on as well, that we are not sure of right now.
PEREIRA: What is your gut telling you on the x-factor?
BURGESS: You know, the x-factor could be things like current changes. It could be upwellings offshore, some other oceanographic events. As we have more time to study it after the fact, hopefully, we'll identify that.
PEREIRA: So do you think this is our new reality, George, or is it just our new reality for the short term?
BURGESS: It's our new reality for the short term, but in a very small way, it's a new reality. The fact of the matter is each year we are putting more people in the water. That means more shark attacks in the future because it's just a matter of odds.
Of course, shark populations which are really low right now as a result of over fishing are going to be rising as a result of management efforts. That's going to going up as well.
CAMEROTA: All right, so obviously education awareness is going to be key especially this weekend. What can we tell people? I understand you have some tips we can pull up on the screen.
BURGESS: Yes, we can stick together in groups.
PEREIRA: OK.
BURGESS: That's a good strategy. We can avoid areas where times and areas where sharks are going to be abundant. So let's not be in the water between dusk and dawn when shark bites occur more often.
PEREIRA: Is that when they are feeding?
BURGESS: That's when they are feeding. That's their preferred feeding time and then just some common sense stuff. Stick away from fishing piers, people fishing on the beaches, where sea birds are diving. That kind of stuff, it means there is fish around. If there is fish around, there are likely sharks.
PEREIRA: Right. And I thought it was very interesting leave your bling on the beach. Why?
BURGESS: Yes, leave the bling on the beach. That's right. Well, rings, necklaces, bracelets, all that reflect light and it looks like the light reflecting off scales of fish, their primary food items. PEREIRA: You do not want to be mistaken for a smaller fish. Here is a question that I'm very curious about. We know that shark attacks are very rare. What is the statistics, 1 in 11 million or something like that?
BURGESS: Yes, it's immensely minute. It's almost incontestable for you to get bit. That's it.
PEREIRA: OK, so let's say, George, if I encounter or someone this weekend happens to be in waist-deep water and a shark comes along, what is the best course of action? Should you fight back? What is the best thing to do?
[07:45:12] BURGESS: Well, obviously, the first thing to do is get out of the water, if you can.
PEREIRA: As best you can.
BURGESS: If you can't because a shark is approaching you, be aggressive. They respect power. If you can pop them on the nose, give them a smack to the nose, they oftentimes will veer away. Use that time, of course, to get out of the water.
Finally, if you are in the mouth of a shark, unfortunately, you are in there, claw at their eyes and their gill openings with your fingers. Those are sensitive areas on a shark and maybe they will get the message.
PEREIRA: I would hope they would, but the fact is the best thing to do is take some of those tips that you have said. Just avoid swimming in waist-deep water, dawn or dusk because that's the time they are feeding.
George, that was real advice you gave us there. We appreciate it. Have a great long weekend. Folks at home, please tweet us. I'm sure you are getting in on all of these conversations. Don't mind John Berman over here. You are prepared now.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN GUEST ANCHOR: Less chumming before swimming -- claw out their eyes.
CAMEROTA: I never thought THAT once you are in the mouth of a shark, what to do.
PEREIRA: Panic.
CAMEROTA: No, claw at their eyes, don't panic.
BERMAN: The last ship setting sail for a second season. The fate of the human race lies with the crew of the "USS Nathan James." Can they save the world? The show's star, Eric Dane, is here next on NEW DAY.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:50:05]
(VIDEO CLIP)
PEREIRA: That was an early look at the second season of TNT's riveting series, "The Last Ship." It follows the crew of the "USS Nathan James" returning from mission in the arctic and taking the fate of humanity in their hands.
I was the lucky girl who got to sit down with Eric Dane who stars as the ship's commander. TNT is owned by our parent company Turner Broadcasting.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PEREIRA: So this is one of those cliffhanger where you kind of shows intensity, but people are really resonating with it. Do you think it's because it's sort of got this torn from the headlines vibe to it? Some of the headlines like the Ebola crisis --
ERIC DANE, ACTOR, "THE LAST SHIP": We are so ahead of the curve too. I think any viewer would probably think the story lines they're seeing were torn from the headlines and written postfactum. But we shot the pandemic a year before the Ebola crisis came out.
PEREIRA: Did it give you the shivers a little bit when you saw how things worked out in reality?
DANE: Yes, I mean, 30 years ago, this would have been science fiction. Now it's somewhat probably, which is scary. I mean, the Ebola outbreak happened in somewhat of a secluded area. It was pretty well contained. Had that happened in a largely populated city or even gotten onto an airline, it could decimate 80 percent of the world's population.
PEREIRA: The topics that you are looking at, really incredible. Season two begins with your crew arriving with the cure. You're welcome back with extreme hostility, what do we expect the next season?
DANE: A lot of the same.
PEREIRA: More anxiety and hostility?
DANE: We've created a cure, a vaccine. We have to set up communications and reestablish civilization. People have sort of run amok. Makes you want to go out and inoculate people. So we need to establish order and there's been somewhat of a makeshift government set up run by Alfred Woodard.
PEREIRA: Tremendous actress.
DANE: Very good actress. And the Nathan James makes port in Baltimore, which is the last place you want to die in Baltimore. So from there we need to cure the sick.
PEREIRA: It's going to be a great season.
DANE: Bigger, higher, faster, stronger. PEREIRA: Isn't that the mantra of television shows? What drew you to this? This is a departure from where we last saw you as mcsteamy. This is a different turn for you and a chance to go in a very different way. What appealed most about this character for you?
DANE: Well, I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that it was a lot different than what I was doing and the people involved were very appealing to me. The creators of the show are tremendous writers and Michael Bay, you know, is Michael Bay.
PEREIRA: Enough said, right?
DANE: I love this character. I'm having a blast with this role. It's the best job I've ever had.
PEREIRA: Did you do a lot of research into the world of the military? Did you shadow naval officers because we know that part of it is shot --
DANE: Yes. We go into San Diego and we're on the base.
PEREIRA: You must love that, right?
DANE: It's amazing. There's lots of buttons to push. They've taken us out to sea and they put the ship through its paces and shown us what it could be. It's pretty spectacular. You feel incredibly safe on a naval destroyer. Once you put on the uniform and you're immersed in that culture you're there.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PEREIRA: All right, great conversation with Eric Dane. "The Last Ship" airs Sundays at 9:00 p.m. Eastern on TNT.
CAMEROTA: It looks good. Meanwhile, amid threats from ISIS, security has been stepped up coast to coast. Millions of people are heading out this holiday weekend. So is there reason to worry this weekend or are authorities going overboard? We'll put that to our experts.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:58:36]
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST, "THE SITUATION ROOM": Federal authorities warning of possible terror threats tied to the July 4th holiday weekend.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are concerned because there is a group of sympathizers in the country.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They are activated in their own minds to go do something. That is so much more difficult.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Reported of shots fired inside Washington's naval yard.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There is no evidence of a shooter.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This was the normal reaction that they had trained and prepared for.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I hate to critique, but it looked like a bunch of kids running toward a soccer ball in a 5-year-old game.
BERMAN: "Buffalo News" is reporting that Richard Matt sent a letter to his daughter just before the break-out.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Quote, "I always promised you I would see you on the outside."
BLITZER: Crowd, donations, and poll numbers are all in the rise for the Vermont senator, Bernie Sanders.
PERRY: I don't think Donald Trump's remarks reflect the Republican Party.
CHRISTIE: The comments were inappropriate.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PEREIRA: Good morning, everyone. Welcome back to your NEW DAY. It is Friday, July 3rd, 8:00 in the east. Chris Cuomo is off. We are stuck with this guy.
Up first, security is stepped up across the U.S. amid potential threats over the holiday weekend. The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are urging authorities nationwide to be extra vigilant.
PEREIRA: We saw yesterday's security jitters certainly after that scare at the Washington navy yard with law enforcement rushing in great numbers towards the scene. We begin our coverage with CNN's Boris Sanchez live at New York's Penn Station where a few people are expected this weekend -- Boris.
BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Michaela.
[08:00:03] Tens of millions of Americans are hitting the road this weekend. And we've seen an expanded law enforcement here at Penn Station in New York and other parts of the country.
