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In Video, Boko Haram Leader Appears To Offer Deal To Exchange Prisoners For Schoolgirls; Sterling To CNN: "I'm Not A Racist"; Public Tours Resume At Washington Monument; GOP Appears Split Over Minimum Wage Hike

Aired May 12, 2014 - 10:00   ET

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

ISHA SESAY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: There are clearly in duress as they sit there on camera clothed in traditional Islamic clothing wearing the hijab, the headdress and reciting portions of the Koran. These are girls that are afraid. There is no doubt about that. I think the tape also demonstrates, Carol, just the brazenness of Boko Haram that they would keep 100 plus of these girls together, film them on camera in a non-descript location out in the open air clearly without any concern of being under any real pressure on the part of the Nigerian government. Here they are for the world to see that they have indeed got these girls and they feel that they hold the cards -- Carol.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: What are officials saying about this video?

SESAY: CNN is tirelessly hitting those phones trying to connect with Nigerian officials to get some independent reaction from them to get their sense of this video and what they make of it and of course, that specific demand that is made in the video that they will hand these girls over in exchange for held Boko Haram prisoners. We have not been able to attain any reaction, any comment, but we continue to work that -- Carol.

COSTELLO: I know you are continuing to try. Isha Sesay reporting live from Nigeria. Those girls were kidnapped from their school in the Northern Nigerian town of Chibok. It's a day's drive from the capital.

Nima Elbagir visited that town. We will hear a report over the coming days. Now Nima talk with one of the girls who managed to escape her captors and explains why the town still lives in fear.

NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: By an absolute miracle, some of those girls managed to escape on that horrifying night. Even for them, this nightmare isn't yet over. One of them has agreed to speak to us, but she's asked that we don't identify her in any way and we don't give away her name, family house, anything that could bring about what she fears the most, the kidnappers could come back for her.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ELBAGIR: What kind of car? Was it one or more? And this was at 10:00 at night? So did that make you feel that they had come to get you, to get the girls? That's when you knew they had come to kidnap you?

That was really brave of you. Can you describe the men that came and took you? What did they look like? Were they wearing civilian clothing or military uniforms? What were they wearing? What was their dress? What were they wearing? Did they look like soldiers? You feel afraid? You don't want to talk about what they look like? It's OK. I understand. I understand. I'm sorry.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: That was Nima Elbagir in Nigeria with her exclusive interview with one of the few girls who managed to escape a mass kidnapping on her school. We'll continue to cover this story of course. The outcry for these girls safe return spans the globe. In Brooklyn yesterday dozens gathered to light candles and raise awareness to rescue them. Here at CNN, we'll bring you the very latest as the story unfolds. If you want to help girls worldwide trying overcome barriers to education, go to cnn.com/impact.

New this morning, disgraced NBA owner, Donald Sterling breaks his silence and pleads for your forgiveness. In an exclusive interview with Anderson cooper, Sterling maintained he's not a racist and that his ugly rant was a terrible mistake. He also shifted some of the blame to his assistant, V. Stiviano who secretly recorded the conversation that may cost him his team.

Sterling's wife says she will not surrender her half of the team without a fight and makes startling comments about her husband, his mental state and their marriage. We'll hear from her in just a minute. First, let's listen to some of Donald Sterling's exclusive interview with Anderson Cooper.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STERLING: I'm not a racist. I made a terrible, terrible mistake and I'm here with you today to apologize and to ask for forgiveness for all of the people that I have hurt, and I've hurt so many people. So many innocent people. I hurt myself. You know, I spoke to a girl that I was fond of. When I listened to that tape, I don't even know how I could say words like that. I'm so sorry. I'm so apologetic.

ANDERSON COOPER, HOST, CNN'S "AC360": What are you sorry about?

STERLING: Well, I'm sorry that so many people are hurt. I never dreamt that this could happen. It's a terrible, terrible nightmare. My players, they didn't need this. They didn't need this cloud over their head. They're good people. I love them. I respect them. And I would always be there for them. For them to hear that I am a possible racist is so painful to me because I'm not a racist. I've never been a racist. It's not me.

COOPER: When you saw them wear their warm up jerseys reversed and the name clippers wasn't on in the first game, what did you think?

STERLING: I really didn't pay attention to that. They are Clippers and they're mine and I'm theirs. That's how I feel. I would do anything for them. I made a mistake. I hope it's in their heart to forgive me for that mistake. I don't know why the girl had me say those things.

COOPER: You're saying you were set up?

STERLING: Well, I was baited. It's not the way I talk. I don't talk about people for one thing ever. I talk about ideas and other things. I don't talk about people.

COOPER: Do you know how the tape got released?

STERLING: No.

COOPER: Do you think she did it?

STERLING: I don't know. I mean, an 80-year-old man is foolish and I'm kind of foolish. I thought she liked me and really cared for me. I guess 50 years, 51 years older than her, I was fooling myself. I don't trust her. I wish I could ask her why and if she was just setting me up. I think that people say she was taping me for two years. So maybe I was just fooling myself thinking for two years that she cared for me. She certainly acted like it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Be sure to watch Anderson Cooper's full interview with Donald Sterling that's tonight at 8:00 Eastern here on CNN. Let's go to Los Angeles now and check in with CNN's Stephanie Elam following this story. Stephanie, clearly Donald Sterling blames V. Stiviano. He said the girl had me say these things.

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I don't know how anyone could get you to say something that you don't believe, but that is what he is saying. It's also interesting to note he doesn't talk about people but one person he continually talks about is Magic Johnson, someone that comes up every time we hear from him which we'll hear from more tonight in Anderson Cooper's exclusive interview.

The one issue that keeps coming up is that it's been a couple weeks now since this tape came out and this is the first time that we're actually hearing him say he's sorry and a lot of people wonder the validity of that because it did take so long -- Carol.

COSTELLO: It did take a long time. Also his wife decided to go on national television. Shelly sat down with ABC's Barbara Walters. Let's listen to a bit of what she had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHELLY STERLING, WIFE, DONALD STERLING: It was horrible when I heard it. I mean, it was just degrading and it made me sick to hear it. But as far as a racist, I don't really think he's a racist.

BARBARA WALTERS, ABC: Have you discussed these remarks at all with your husband?

SHELLY STERLING: He saw the tape and he said I don't remember saying that. I don't remember ever saying those things.

WALTERS: What did you think then?

SHELLY STERLING: That's when I thought he has dementia.

WALTERS: Really?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: All right, she says she thinks her husband has dementia. I asked Anderson Cooper about whether Donald Sterling was completely there during this interview. Anderson said he noticed no sign of that. He's not a doctor or anything. Donald sterling certainly remembered certain points he wanted to stress and went back to them and was mentally present during this interview. What do you make of Shelly Sterling saying that?

ELAM: If they were in fact estranged and she says that they were only together on his 80th birthday, the infamous video we've seen of them coming out of the restaurant where she is defending him, but she says she was defending herself about being a racist, she says they're estranged and not together and if that's true, how would she know if he is in dementia?

The other issue with this is this is not the first time that race issues have been applied to the Sterlings where they have been accused of these. They did make their money through real estate and they've had tenants who sued them about this before. They have settled out of court. They never have been actually found to be racist. Not like you can be found that way.

This is not the first time this issue has come up and I do think when she's looking at this, there's two sides that we have seen. Previously put out a statement saying she supported Commissioner Silver and the NBA's decision to ban her husband and in the latest interview with Barbara Walters saying she can't comment on that over whether or not that was a good decision. Seems like we get a mixed message from Shelly Sterling. So it seems like we are getting a mix message here from Shelly Sterling.

COSTELLO: Stephanie Elam, thank you so much. At the bottom of the hour we'll talk to Leigh Steinberg, a sports attorney to hear his views on these latest developments.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM, for nearly three years it was covered in scaffolding but not anymore. The Washington Monument back open. Erin McPike is there. Good morning.

ERIN MCPIKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, good morning. The tallest building in Washington is now stronger than it was before the 2011 earthquake. More on that after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It survived an earthquake. Now after nearly three years and a multimillion dollar makeover later, the Washington Monument, that gigantic tribute to America's first president reopens at this hour. Let the fireworks begin. Erin McPike is on the National Mall. Good morning.

MCPIKE: Carol, good morning. The bulk of the damage was at the very top where that pyramid structure stops at the 450-foot mark. There are about 150 cracks up there. Those have all been repaired. That's where a bunch of debris fell. The national park service has took extra care in this repair process that has generally been on time and on budget despite our very harsh winter.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MCPIKE (voice-over): For three years crews have been restoring the Washington Monument to its original glory. Hard work, stone by stone that's come to a long awaited end. Now that the 555-foot monument reopens to the public.

BOB VOGEL, SUPERINTENDENT, NATIONAL MALL AND MEMORIAL PLAZE: One of the most spectacular views in America and certainly the best view in Washington, D.C. and we're very excited to allow visitors back up at this level.

MCPIKE: It's been closed since August 23rd, 2011, when a 5.8 magnitude earthquake shook the marble and granite sending debris flying.

SGT. DAVID SCHLOSSER: We had some initial reports that there may have been some mortar and stones that had come loose.

MCPIKE: The large crack pictured in this video caused rain to pour inside and down the stairs.

UNIDENTIFIELD MALE: Had to do a careful analysis of over 20,000 stones at the monument before we could figure out exactly what we needed to do to repair it. The first couple of weeks we had people who were repelling down and they were doing photo documentation and analysis of each of the stones to determine the significance of the damage.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The worst damage was at the top.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Many people who have lived here for many years suddenly have a renewed interest in going to the top of the Washington Monument. We're very excited. That's what we're here for is to have this site open to the public.

MCPIKE: The $15 million restoration project for a while lit up Washington skyline until the most soaring site in the nation's capital was back to the way it should be.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCPIKE: And Carol, you know that we don't take advantage of all our many tourist attractions here unless of course we have family in town. I will tell you that Bob Vogel of the national park service told me that getting up into the Washington monument has become the hottest ticket in town when the website reopened to issue tickets he said 16,000 tickets went in 15 minutes.

But also this morning we have seen people line up at that office to get tickets for tours today. There are still tickets available today. I waited in that line this morning. Look what I have. Two tickets. I lived here for almost 13 years and I'm going to go up at 3:30 this afternoon. Finally after all of this time.

COSTELLO: Who are you taking with you? Who is the lucky person?

MCPIKE: CNN producer, extraordinaire, Eric F is coming with me and he'll talk about it today on "THE LEAD WITH JAKE TAPPER."

COSTELLO: That was wonderful. Erin McPike reporting live. >

Still to come, rallying point for Democrats and now some key Republicans are breaking away from their party. Up next, why Democrats are not the only ones now calling for an increase to the federal minimum wage.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Finally something Republicans and Democrats can agree on. Well, sort of, kind of, maybe. In a break from the Republican Party, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Tim Pawlenty say they believe the current minimum wage of $7.25 should be higher.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MITT ROMNEY, (R), FORMER PRESIDENT CANDIDATE: I, for instance, as you know part company with many of the conservatives in my party on the issue of the minimum raise. I think we ought to raise it because our party is all about more jobs and better pay and I think communicating that is important to us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Say what? Romney's comments come just two weeks after his own party blocked a bill in the Senate that would have increased the federal minimum wage to more than $10 an hour. Let's bring in CNN chief business correspondent, Christine Romans. This is change of heart or has Mr. Romney always believed this?

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: He's believed it and then he's been pushed back by conservatives in his party before and had to walk it back. Now he's saying, look, if we want to be the party of regular Joe and Jane and we want to make sure that working people support our policies, we need to think about a higher minimum wage. You mention Tim Pawlenty, used to be the governor of Minnesota, also Rick Santorum, the former senator, was on "STATE OF THE UNION" yesterday. Listen to his distinction.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICK SANTORUM (R), FORMER SENATOR: I think Governor Romney came out in favor of President Obama's increase. I'm not in favor of President Obama's increase. When I was in the senate and House I voted for incremental increases that did not cost jobs. If you look at the CBO report, half a million people would lose their jobs as a result of the Obama minimum wage increase. I'm talking more in the range of $1 phasing that in.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: So it's how you would implement it and not implement it is the distinction here for Senator Santorum. Let's look at what Americans say, 71 percent of Americans support a minimum wage increase. When you look at Republicans, you know, about half in a lot of different polls that we look at, a little over half of Republicans support an increase and agreeing on the 10-10 minimum wage is what the president wants.

A third agrees that's what the level is it should be. You heard him talk about damage to the economy. You hear this a lot. I hear this over and over again from Republicans and conservative economists, 500,000 people would lose their job. That's according to Congressional Budget Office. But 900,000 people may be lifted out of poverty according to CBO.

That's a tradeoff here. You put money in people's pockets but you might be taking a job away from someone to do so. This issue is not a dead issue. No question. You have companies already doing it. We heard from gap recently. Trader Joe's, Costco. Other companies said we pay higher than the minimum wage on principle and it's good business for us and you have states that are doing this too.

States that already have a higher than $7.25 federal level minimum wage, 21 states. Four states are set to join. Oklahoma is a state I didn't put on the chart but they passed a law banning increasing the minimum wage -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Interesting. Interesting. Christine Romans, many thanks.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM, Donald and Shelly Sterling taking on the NBA and each other as both fight to hang onto the Los Angeles clippers. Is it all a little too late? I'll talk to a sports super agent that inspired Jerry McGwire to get his perspective.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Good morning. I'm Carol Costello. Thank you for joining me. Donald and Shelly Sterling, the embattled owners of the L.A. Clippers and estranged husband and wife each making their case to the public for why they should retain control of the team in the wake of Donald Sterling's racist rant. Now in a CNN exclusive, Donald Sterling is breaking his silence and seeking forgiveness.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STERLING: Am I entitled to one mistake after 35 years? I mean, I love my league. I love my partners. Am I entitled to one mistake? It's a terrible mistake and I'll never do it again.

COOPER: The vice president of the NBA Players Association says players won't accept anyone in the Sterling family owning the Clippers, not you, not your wife, not your son-in-law, not your daughter, do you believe that?

STERLING: I don't know. The people that are going to decide my fate I think are not the media and not the players union but the NBA.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: In the meantime, in an interview with ABC, Shelly Sterling continued to distance herself from her husband speaking candidly about the man she's been married to for more than 50 years.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHELLY STERLING: It was horrible when I heard it. I mean, it was just degrading and it made me sick to hear it. But as far as a racist, I don't really think he is a racist.

BARBARA WALTERS, ABC: Have you discussed these remarks at all with your husband?

S. STERLING: He saw the tape and he said I don't remember saying that. I don't remember ever saying those things.

WALTERS: What did you think then?

S. STERLING: That's when I thought he has dementia.