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Republicans Compete For Speaker Job; World Leaders Urge Action On Climate Change; Trevor Noah's "Daily Show" Debut. Aired 7:30-8a ET
Aired September 29, 2015 - 07:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[07:30:01] ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: President Obama and Vladimir Putin finding some common ground in the fight against ISIS in a 90- minute talk at the U.N. They agreed that the U.S. and Russian militaries will coordinate to avoid fighting each other.
But there's little agreement on the future of Syria where Putin is trying to build support for the Assad government. Today, President Obama will host a summit on fighting extremism among young people.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking overnight, the U.S. targeting Taliban positions in Northern Afghanistan with air strikes. The attacks come one day after Taliban fighters took over the city of Kunduz. They released hundreds of inmates from a local prison, include something Taliban prisoners.
Afghan security forces now claim they are launching an offensive to recapture the city with reports the Taliban is using human shields to keep them away.
MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Former New York State Prison worker, Joyce Mitchell, sentenced up to seven years behind bars for helping two convicted murders escape from maximum security prison back in June. She must also pay $6,000 in fines and a hearing about an additional fine for restitution to repair the prison will be held at a later date.
BERMAN: Really scary moment for the St. Louis Cardinals last night. A little disturbing I should warn you. Steven Piscatti (ph) and Peter Borjos (ph) converge as they were trying to track a fly ball. They collided. You can see right there, he takes a knee to the face. He was lying on the field for a longtime motionless.
He did wave, thankfully to the Pittsburgh crowd as he's being taken off the field. He does have movement in his hands. All the tests came back. He remained in the hospital overnight for observation.
PEREIRA: That's terrifying to see.
BERMAN: Awful. All right, members of the House starting to throw their hats into the ring to replace John Boehner as the next Speaker of the House. Our next guest hopes he gets the job. There are only two people that have thrown their hat in the ring for the job.
One of them is Florida Republican Congressman Daniel Webster, he joins us right now. Congressman, thank you for being with us. The other person to throw his hat in the ring is the House majority leader, Kevin McCarthy, seen by most to be the frontrunner by far. Why you and not Kevin McCarthy?
REP. DANIEL WEBSTER (R), FLORIDA: I'm running for one reason. I want to see a Congress that is based on principle and every member is -- made a player. We have a member-driven, principle-based Congress. I did that in Florida as speaker of the House there. I know it can happen.
It's totally different in that you take that pyramid of power where at the top most of the decisions are made by just a few people. You push it down and spread it out. So every member has that opportunity to be successful.
It is a great way. It's a freeing way. Amendments that aren't heard and are killed by the process would go away. And that everyone would have an opportunity for amendments, bills, other things, participation in the process. It's a great way to run a house. In the end, in Florida, when we did that, the numbers turned right side up.
BERMAN: The man who's had the job for the last five years, Speaker John Boehner says part of the problem is there are people inside your caucus with unrealistic expectations. He calls them false prophets. Listen to what he says right here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R-OH), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: There are people out there, you know, spreading noise about how much can get done. I mean, this whole idea that we're going to shut down the government to get rid of Obamacare in 2013, this never had a chance.
But over the course of the August recess in 2013 and the course of September, you know, a lot of my Republican colleagues who knew it was a fool's errand, really, they were getting pressure from home to do this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[07:35:10] BERMAN: So was it a mistake to shut down government to try to defund Obamacare?
WEBSTER: The point is, if you change the process, one of the keys is taking up the most important issues first, not last. When you push against a deadline, you're basically giving the members really just one choice.
If you start early then you have the opportunity to work with the Senate, work out the differences and come up with something that actually runs closer to what we call regular order. If we have differences, working out a conference long before the date that the deadline comes.
Same with re-authorization, we get right to the three or four days before and then the only option is passing a continuing resolution. That's wrong. We need to take up those issues first, not last. BERMAN: The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, when he came into power, he seasonally said no more shutdowns. Will you vow as part of your campaign to be speaker that there will be no government shutdowns on your watch?
WEBSTER: Well, sometimes, you know, we may pass something and the president himself vetoes it. At least I know when Ronald Reagan was president. That was called a shutdown by the president. If we do a responsible job, get our appropriation bills out early, if we send them to the president, then we have plenty of time to deal with that without having to shut down government.
BERMAN: You know, for instance, right now, he will veto any measure that defunds Planned Parenthood. So would you be willing to shut down the government or your half of a shutdown, if it were, if the president vetoes such an action?
WEBSTER: Well, I don't think that's the point I'm trying to make. What I'm trying to make is the point that we need to get away from deadlines where we push ourselves into a corner. It's not the way to run a House. To me, I think we can do that. If we take up the most important issues first, we'll avoid those kinds of catastrophes.
BERMAN: What do you say to those 40 or so members in your caucus who want to see stronger language from the speaker? Want to see Republicans in Congress taking on the White House even more? Do you want those voices louder or would you warn them to calm down a little bit?
WEBSTER: I believe that if you let everybody have a say early on, up front, everybody, not just them, but anybody else. You work through the process where the committees hear the bills. They come to the floor and you vote on them, take them up first, we have plenty of time for opportunities.
I believe that most of the people just want a chance to vote on their amendment or vote on a bill or vote on a proposal. If they lose, they lose. That's not the speaker's or anybody else's problem.
But it is his or her problem if those ideas are killed only because they weren't allowed to happen. We go in every day and pass a rule that circumvents the rules we have, every single day, and it cuts out amendments. It shuts off debate. It takes the system and in a sense defrauds the membership and the public.
BERMAN: How many votes do you have lined up right now?
WEBSTER: Well, I'm working on that. I work every day. We'll see. I can tell you that sometimes there are votes and you've got to wait till the vote take place before you really know.
BERMAN: All right, Daniel Webster of Florida, good luck. Thanks so much for being with us.
WEBSTER: Good to be on. PEREIRA: Action on climate change has been slow despite constant calls to move. Could this finally be the year something gets done? We'll have a look at why that could be the case, ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:42:40]
PEREIRA: Chinese President Xi Jinping is urging members of the international community to adopt measures to combat climate change. His remarks before the U.N. General Assembly come a few days after Pope Francis advised countries to reach an agreement at the U.N. climate change conference this coming November.
Joining us to weigh in is Christiana Figueres. She is the executive secretary for the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, which means she's in charge of getting 195 nations to agree and to be ready to take on this goal of combatting climate change.
We know in the past 20 years of U.N. negotiations, a legally binding universal agreement has been elusive. This is a daunting task. You probably have the hardest job in the world right now. You sit here in front of me looking so calm.
CHRISTIANA FIGUERES, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, U.N. FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE: Actually, it's not the hardest job in the world because so many good things are happening. Just this morning, we hear six of the largest financial institutions in the United States are supporting this.
We've heard the pope. We heard President Xi not just calling for measures on climate change but already putting forward what China is going to do.
PEREIRA: We know China is a big chunk of the problem.
FIGUERES: And wants to be a big chunk of the solution.
PEREIRA: On the other side, I am generally a Pollyanna. India is another big problem in this equation, has not been as quick to act. Are you feeling like that will change imminently?
FIGUERES: I do. Stay tuned for Thursday.
PEREIRA: OK.
FIGUERES: They will be coming with very impressive news also on Thursday, because here the thing. This is the new economy. This is the new growth. Nobody wants to be left behind because they all see this is good for their economy, this creates jobs. This gives them energy safety. It certainly contributes to water security, food security, on and on and on and on.
PEREIRA: Except for here in the United States. You obviously are aware of what is going on. We have several men and women who want to become president of the United States. We know there are several of them that don't agree there is scientific consensus on manmade global warming and climate change. Does it make your job more difficult when there isn't a major nation, like the United States, speaking with one voice?
[07:45:02] FIGUERES: Well, of course. Actually, it only pains me that the United States is not monolithically behind this, because there is such opportunity. There is not a country in the world that has the industrial potential of the United States.
And why the United States wants to let China be number one in solar energy, China be number two in wind energy, because those are the energies of the future, why would they want to let those opportunities go?
Whether you believe in climate change or not, which is, frankly, to the point of competitiveness irrelevant. Just from that point of view.
PEREIRA: What do you say to those skeptics and to the people that say the scientific consensus is just not there?
FIGUERES: Let's leave that aside. My question is, do you want the jobs, the stability?
PEREIRA: So you change the narrative and have them focus on a different aspect of it and maybe bring them to the table that way.
FIGUERES: This is the greatest opportunity they've had in many years.
PEREIRA: We know that countries have been making pledges to battle climate change. Do you think these pledges are enough to constitute real change, real progress?
FIGUERES: It's an exciting moment. As you and I speak right here, we may be getting the number 100 pledge. We already have maybe -- 99 certainly and maybe even 100 pledges of countries that are coming forward.
PEREIRA: OK.
FIGUERES: Now having said all of that, let me say, we know that even if 195 countries came in this year with their pledges that is not going to be enough to put us into a safety zone. It is definitely progress because where we used to be in 2009, 2010 was heading for a four to five degree increase.
That would have been a disaster. With all of the efforts we've seen up until now, if they're all implemented, we're actually on a trajectory of 3 degrees. We're definitely better but not good enough. It is not sufficient because we have to get down to 2 degrees.
PEREIRA: To two.
FIGUERES: That's why the Paris agreement we're all working toward is not going to be a one-shot deal. It has to be a progressive effort over several decades to get us to where we need to. PEREIRA: The progressive effort you talk about, you're right, it's not just one and done, you make a pledge, meet the goal and forget about it. The countries have to prove they're maintaining.
FIGUERES: That's exactly right.
PEREIRA: That requires monitoring. How does that work?
FIGUERES: There's a whole monitoring system that is actually being put in place. First, the countries have to report and they have to be monitored and then they have to take a look at the capital that is shifting and the technologies that will be developing and they will be able to see that there is much more that they can do over time.
PEREIRA: Well, I was expecting doom and gloom. This woman is very positive. She has a big job ahead of her. We appreciate you making time on this busy schedule you have to come in and talk to us about this. We wish you well.
FIGUERES: Thanks for the opportunity.
PEREIRA: Hopefully we can talk to you again. Christiana Figueres, thank you -- Alyson.
CAMEROTA: OK, Michaela, I know you've been looking forward to this, the new "Daily Show" host, Trevor Noah, made his long awaited debut last night. How did it go? In case you were sleeping, we have the best late-night laughs for you. Stick around.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:52:11]
CAMEROTA: Trevor Noah, off and running as the new host of "The Daily Show." The South African comedian took aim at the pope's U.S. visit and John Boehner's resignation among other hot topics. Noah also paid homage to Jon Stewart and he addressed the late night transition.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TREVOR NOAH, HOST, "THE DAILY SHOW": I can only assume that this is a strange for you as it is for me. Jon Stewart was more than just a "Late Night" host. He was our refuge and in many way our political dad. And it's weird because dad has left. And now it feels like the family has a new step dad and he's black.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PEREIRA: Way to go. Address the awkwardness of it because it is weird to him.
BERMAN: Seth Meyers tweeted out yesterday. After last night he's got to do it again and again and again. So hopefully he's got more jokes. So between Donald Trump, the general assembly and John Boehner's resignation and the presidential race, the "Late Night" host had a lot of material. This was the case last night. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Without naming any names, if we have a female president next, would you leave a letter for her husband? Things he needs to know more than anything else about the job.
MICHELLE OBAMA, FIRST LADY: I would say follow your passion. Just be you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think he does.
OBAMA: I think he would.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The next speaker is going to face the same problems that Boehner did.
NOAH: The same problems that include a hair trigger set of tear ducks that go off any time a child pick it is a flower.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A 193 countries or as Donald Trump put it, offended them, offended them twice. Still need to offend them. Loser.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PEREIRA: But that would actually take him admitting that he's offended. He's like they love me.
CAMEROTA: I love the hair trigger tear ducts.
BERMAN: He feels deeply.
CAMEROTA: He has no problem with crying. Meanwhile, President Obama clashing with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
BERMAN: A man who has never cried.
CAMEROTA: Right. He cries bullets. What is the plan over Syria?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:58:35]
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Their first face-to-face meeting in two years.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm amazed they came out to do that handshake at all.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Putin blaming the U.S. for the rise of ISIS.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: United States is prepared to work with any nation, including Russia and Iran to resolve the conflict.
CAMEROTA: The United States launching an air strike overnight against Taliban targets in Northern Afghanistan.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The 500 Taliban prisoners were freed from the city's prison.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The largest city that the Taliban have been able to take control of since 2001.
DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: As far as Hillary is concerned, I don't think she'll be very difficult to beat.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CAMEROTA: Good morning everyone. Welcome back to your NEW DAY. It is Tuesday, September 29th, 8:00 in the east. John Berman joins us.
It's the diplomatic duel everyone was watching. So what transpired when President Obama sat down with Vladimir Putin to hash out their differences on Ukraine and Syria?
PEREIRA: The meeting came just hours after both leaders clashed with drastically different visions on solving key issues at the United Nations. CNN White House correspondent, Michelle Kosinski, has more for us outside the U.N. Another busy day there ahead.
MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right. This happened after two years of not having a sit down conversation after all this happened since then and after something of a showdown here at the U.N.
Also it seems to have worked, I mean, granted there are still gargantuan differences there, but both sides are calling it constructive and that is about the most anyone had hoped for.
