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Comedian Tracy Morgan Hospitalized In Critical Condition; Still No Timetable For Bowe Bergdahl's Release; Immigrant Kids Arrived Alone in Arizona; Susan Rice Back in the Spotlight; California Chrome's Triple Crown Chances

Aired June 07, 2014 - 18:00   ET

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

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Was it worth it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, definitely. Yes, yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you have any idea how much interest there has been in this?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, I didn't realize it. No, no.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you think you're in trouble when you get back?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I might be, but I hope not!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: Well, the 89-year-old called the commemorations a, quote, 'first-class show."

Good evening, everyone. 6:00 p.m. eastern here. You are in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Poppy Harlow.

At this hour, California chrome takes a run at history trying to win the last jewel in the horse racing's triple crown. A feet last accomplished 36 years ago. Can he do it? We will talk about that a lot this hour.

But first, we have breaking news for you in the deadly crash that left comedian Tracy Morgan hospitalized in critical condition. A truck driver is charged with death by auto for allegedly slamming into Morgan's limo in the early morning hours. The crash killed a limo passenger James McNair who was a friend of Morgan's and a fellow comedian. The 45-year-old Morgan is hospitalized in New Jersey. His family is by his side.

Let's go straight to Alexandra Field. She is in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Alexandra, so these charges just came down. What can you tell us about that?

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the man charged here, Poppy, is the driver of that tractor trailer Kevin Roper. He is a 35- year-old truck driver from Georgia. He is expected to surrender and bail has already been set at $50,000. And that is because he is facing some pretty serious charges. We are talking about four counts of assault by auto and one count of death by auto. It's a form of homicide under New Jersey's penal law and it means that one has killed recklessly through the use of a motor vehicle. Again, serious charges for Roper here.

The Middlesex County district attorney's office says the cause of the crash is still under investigation. It involved six vehicles. New Jersey state police say it happened when the driver of the tractor- trailer failed to notice the fact that traffic was slowing down in front of him. They say that he tried to veer off at the last month but slammed into a limo forcing it to overturn.

Tracy Morgan and several other comedians were all on board that limo bus. Three people remain in critical condition today. Tracy Morgan is here at the Robert Wood Johnson hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey, along with two other passengers from that limo. And the another passenger of the limo, a friend of Morgan pronounced dead. That was James McNair, a 63-year-old comedian, Poppy.

HARLOW: And we are looking at these picture of the two of them beaming, happy friends, holding a jersey. Tracy Morgan's friend, James McNair, losing his life.

What have you heard from his family, Alex?

FIELD: McNair's sister is speaking out. Obviously, the family is still trying to process this loss. She says that her brother was sitting in the back of that limo bus, that would be the area that the tractor-trailer had slammed into. He was the father of two children. She says he was a long time friend of Tracy Morgan. The two had been friendly and working to the at least the last 15 years. So a huge loss here.

HARLOW: An absolutely huge loss. Appreciate the update. Thank you, Alex.

All right, meantime, the army hospital in Germany that is treating sergeant Bowe Bergdahl says there is still no timetable for his release, but they do say that his health is improving daily.

Today, it marks one week since the Taliban handed over Bergdahl to U.S. forces in Afghanistan in that tense exchange. They held him for nearly five years. He was freed after a prisoner swap that also set free five members of the Taliban being held in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. It is a deal called too lopsided by critics and many from the political right. But a former commander of the U.S. mission in Afghanistan told CNN's Michael Smerconish today said politics later bring military captives home now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEN. JAMES WATTIS (RET.), FORMER CENTCOM COMMANDER: Bowe Bergdahl was not a soldier. He was a U.S. soldier. He is one of us. And even if they have disagreements or disappointments or worse, if the investigation were to find misconduct, we leave that as a separate issue to be handled quite capably by the U.S. army under the U.S. constitution and the laws asked by the U.S. Congress.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: We are told when Bowe Bergdahl, if well enough to return stateside, he will first report to a military hospital in San Antonio, Texas. That is where our Martin Savidge is right now. Also joining us is Karl Penhaul. He is at Landstuhl Medical center in Germany where they are treating Bowe Bergdahl.

Martin to you first. I think they a lot of people look at this and say why he is going to San Antonio? It's not really something special about that hospital, is it?

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's not special about Bowe Bergdahl, the sergeant. It is about the fact that the U.S. army has dedicated and said that this particular medical center behind us, the San Antonio military medical center is the place for all former POWs to go and they have had that distinction sometime now. And they have specialized training, they have specialized individuals, they have a regular team here that is practiced now for five years the return of sergeant Bergdahl. They have met every six months for a week at a time for the entire time that he's been held in captivity. So in essence, they have rehearsed his being set free and his treatment here ten times.

HARLOW: And you know, Martin, I misspoke at the beginning saying it has being special about that hospital, not because it's Bowe Bergdahl. They take all prisoners of war. I think also what people want to know, is this where he is going to be reunited with his parents? Will they meet him there or perhaps he won't be ready for that immediately?

SAVIDGE: Well, you're right. It all comes down to really sergeant Bowe Bergdahl himself, how with well he is progressing and that is the first thing that is going to determine when he gets here. But when he gets here, then the whole idea there will be a reunion at some point.

But again, you're right. It is how he progresses that determines everything, whether it be how the doctors monitor him medically or mentally. But it is anticipation that his family is going to come here because they are an integral part of his whole reintegration. It is really awkward word but it means his basically he is coming back to life and that will happen inside the hospital here. It's going to be a very carefully controlled environment. His parents will come in and likely meet and see one another but only for a few minutes at the very beginning because we are told, this is by previous experience about the captives so emotionally overwhelming that is about as much as he'll be able to take. They will break for a few hours and come back and do it all again. It's all about small steps, Poppy.

HARLOW: It is such an important point, Martin. Because I think a lot of us think of the movies and you think about, you know, coming home and to loving arms and open arms and it just doesn't play out like that. I mean, there is just so many things that none of us can understand if we haven't gone through it.

So appreciate the reporting and the update from there, Marty.

I want to go to Karl Penhaul. He is there in Germany at the hospital where they are treating sergeant Bowe Bergdahl.

You know, the officials say they are under no pressure to release him any time soon. I mean, they are clearly taking the time until he is absolutely ready to come stateside. But what are you hearing about the type of treatment that he is getting right now?

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, absolutely, Poppy. They are certainly doing this bit-by-bit and could mean and that Martin could be on standby a few days more outside that medical facility at San Antonio. Because each morning Bowe Bergdahl's physicians and his psychologists get together in a huddle and say is today the day? Is he now ready that we can fly him back stateside? And, so far, that decision is, no, he is not ready to be flown back.

Now, it is a little bit of a drip-by-drip information that they are giving us. First of all, they are saying because of patient confidentiality, they are not going to tell us specifically of any psychological or physical illness he may have at this stage. But what they are saying is that Bergdahl in general terms is stable, he is making improvements, he is conversing and engaging with the medical staff around him and he is taking an interest in the kind of program, the medical program that they are putting him through.

Now, of course, they are taking special care of his diet and nutritional needs because after five years in captivity probably hasn't been eating too well. But also, the other key part of this phase two is what the psychologists are calling decompression. Now, the military psychologists say this is a little bit like if you had a bad day at the office you come home and want to take a time-out before you reengage with the family. You want to get your head together.

And essentially, Bowe Bergdahl has had a gutful of bad day at the office the last five years. And this is why they are taking it step- by-step, taking it very slowly to make sure, and to draw him out of himself.

And so, over these last few days, we understand that he has been having the chance to tell his story, to tell what he has been through in the times of captivity and to have the psychologists listen, to have even a chaplain possibly listening to him and legal representatives as well to make sure he doesn't say more than he should be saying at this stage, Poppy.

HARLOW: So much still ahead for sergeant Bowe Bergdahl as he attempts to make the return home to the United States. Appreciate the update.

Thank you, Karl.

Well, you would think that the release of a prisoner of war would be a high point for the White House. But this is turning into a huge headache for one of the president's top aides. Also straight ahead in the NEWSROOM, California chrome could make

history this hour. One horse trainer who thinks he can do it, the man that trained him from when he was born. That is straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: California chrome, well, can California chrome become part of racing history and win the triple crown this hour? It's happening in not too long. We are going to know that answer soon. But chrome will attempt to win the Belmont stakes after already capturing the Kentucky derby and the Preakness. This horse that has grabbed the world's attention really came from pretty humble beginnings. His owners invested about $10,000 in his breeding and the man at the start, Per Antonsen is with me now.

Thank you for joining us, sir. We appreciate it.

PER ANTONSEN, CALIFORNIA CHROME'S LEAD TRAINER(via phone): OK.

HARLOW: OK. So you were California chrome's lead trainer when he was younger. From really the moment he was born, give us a sense of just how proud you are right now.

ANTONSEN: Well, proud that California chrome came into the barn when he was just 20 months old, just a young horse, you know, as he yielding. And you know, when (INAUDIBLE), they got to work and did the whole thing, the preparation as far as breaking him and starting him and getting used to the saddle and bridle and getting used to the rider and all that kind of stuff, you know? We were excited about it. We didn't know it was going to be this kind of horse, you know, but showed a lot of potential growing up.

HARLOW: Yes. Talk to me about that. I mean, you knew, you said that he was special. Sort of from the first time you saw him. I'm wondering what told you that. And frankly, did you know he was this special?

ANTONSEN: Well, I didn't know he was going to be this special. I mean, as you all know, horse going up and going to the train barn and the procedure and stuff, you know, he just did everything right. He was very precocious. He had the look. It was very, you know, athletic, you know, going out to the track, went out there like he had been there before. You know, he did everything we asked him to do and, you know, when he start raising him and down the lane he was like, you know, really precocious and, you know, like -- I said just like he did -- he just did it like he used to be.

HARLOW: You know, we were doing some research today looking into this and there has been some reporting on the fact that apparently he had a lot of human interaction from a very, very early age. His mother got very ill after he was born so he had a lot of human interaction maybe more than others. How do you think that played in?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I think maybe because just, you know, a chance (INAUDIBLE), got some attention just because the way he looked. Just came into the barn just a whole big group and trained and, you know, going out to the track and stuff like that. I don't think he got a lot of attention, just like anybody else. As you said, when he stopped breeding him that is when he showed a lot of promise as far as had some abilities, just everything he kept doing was natural to him and that is what we thought, wow, he could be a pretty nice horse, you know? You know? Not knowing he was going to be this good.

HARLOW: Well, he is this good and we will see if he makes history tonight taking home the triple crown. I think a lot of people would think that Per Antonsen would be there at the Belmont stakes. He is actually watching this race alone nervously anticipating what might happen. We will all be watching.

Thank you to you, Per. We appreciate it.

ANTONSEN: You're welcome.

HARLOW: All right, meantime, the military tried for years to bring Bowe Bergdahl home. But, now, that the Taliban has given him up, the White House struggling to answer some questions about his capture and that has been a major flash point for one top White House official. We will discuss straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl is recovering from psychological trauma, according to a senior official telling CNN after suffering physical abuse during his five years in Taliban captivity. That is what that senior U.S. official tells CNN.

As he recovers in Germany, the controversy is turning into a problem for national security adviser Susan Rice. Once again, Rice is talking points are becoming a political flash point after she praised Bergdahl and called his service quote "honorable" that as was from the Sunday talk shows last week. Rice says she is not a liar. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SUSAN RICE, U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR: In the case of Bowe Bergdahl, for me to condemn him without any opportunity for him to have the chance to tell his side of the story without any due process, that we accord any American, that would be inherently unfair, similarly with Benghazi as has been recounted on many occasions. I provide the best of the information the U.S. government had at the time. Parts of it turned out to be wrong. I regret the information I was provided wrong and that I delivered to the American people. That doesn't make me a liar. That makes me a public servant trying to say what we knew at the time --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: That was a fascinating interview by our Jim Acosta. You should watch it at CNN.com. You should watch.

Let's talk about that point consider top all of us. Joining me is political commentator, Marc Lamont Hill, joining us right next to me in New York and from Dallas political commentator Ben Ferguson. Ben, let me start with you. What do make of what Susan Rice She says

there? I mean, she is talking about Benghazi saying look, the information I had at the time was this, this video that sparked these protests and what happened in Benghazi and then she is saying now. This is the information I was given at this time.

Also in that interview, she stood by her words praising Bergdahl's service saying anyone who is serving this country is doing a good and honorable thing. What is your reaction?

BEN FERGUSON, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I think, one, she is out of touch but, two, there is a trust issue with the American people with Susan Rice because of what she has said when it's mattered the most, when people lives are at risk and when people died in Benghazi was just flat out fabricated information. And she is like well, that makes me, you know, I'm a public servant. I am just doing my job and I'm just deliver talking points to the American people. Well, that is not good enough when you're in the room creating the talking points.

And I think the other issue was it just looked out of touch. No one was asking her to condemn Bowe. No one said that she should come out to say he is a terrible soldier, but to say that he is honorable and he acted in such an amazing way when there is so much doubt around him and every soldier that served with him is telling a different story. Yet again, I think shows how out of touch she is.

HARLOW: To be fair. Not every soldier. We have heard from some but not heard from even half of the people who served with him.

Marc, I have a sense you want to jump in here so let me give you a chance. What is your reaction? Because some people are saying, look, the ceremony in the Rose Garden was just a little too much, was a little over the top for a story that hasn't been fully told mere. What do you think?

MARC LAMONT HILL, POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I think the first time in American history the return of a prisoner of war, American soldier, has been met with such challenging critique. And the reason is, this is absurd to me. Ben says no one was asking her to defend Bergdahl and all was saying that he was a terrible soldier and therefore she didn't have to. You know, (INAUDIBLE) but that is simply not true.

The implicit narrative from the right has been from the beginning this was a bad soldier. This is a person whose life wasn't worth saving. In fact, many people said we should have left him there because he walked off. If that is true. We don't know yet and I think a significant problem. We had to defend his honor.

FERGUSON: What Republicans have been saying that? Wait.

(CROSSTALK)

HARLOW: Let me jump in, Ben. A lot of what we have heard -- guys! A lot of what we have heard in terms of calling him a deserter has come from those who served with him. So, let's not say Republicans and Democrats at that. This is from some people who have served with him. I want you to listen to some sound and comes from one of those people

who served alongside Bowe Bergdahl, former army specialist Gerald Sutton. He talked to our Jake Tapper yesterday. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GERALD BUTTON, FORMER U.S. ARMY, AFGHANISTAN: A time when about three days ago before left, he asked me what would it be like to be lost in the mountains or do you think I could make it to China, India, or far east on foot from where we were? In Afghanistan? And I just -- I really thought it was just a joke. And it seemed like it was a joke to him too because he laughed after I laughed. So I mean, maybe that is a big deal. Maybe not. I don't know. That was his subtle way of telling me good-bye?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: And you know what? We don't know. Because we haven't heard from sergeant Bowe Bergdahl. However, we have been hearing from a number of other people that served with him.

I want your reaction to that, Ben.

FERGUSON: Well, I think it goes back to the point. You don't walk out on national TV and say that he served honorably and admirably on the Sunday morning talk shows to cover the White House's rear end when so many soldiers that came out that served with him and at least the bare minimum throwing up major question marks and major red flags about this entire scenario, including Dianne Feinstein who is one of the most loyal female Democrats in the Senate saying she doesn't like this deal.

So, it is a question mark because people are looking at the fact and realizing this guy walked off the base, Marc! That is a big deal!

HILL: No. You're mixing apples and oranges. If you're saying, look.

FERGUSON: No, I'm not!

HARLOW: Let --

HILL: You're saying 5-1 deal doesn't make sense. I would disagree with you but that is one argument. If you say we can't secure these five former inmates in a year, that is a debatable argument. I can concede that. But to sit here and say somehow, because he may or may not have walked off the base he doesn't deserve to be saved is anti- American and anti-democratic and anti-human.

FERGUSON: Again, I didn't say that, Marc! I said --

(CROSSTALK)

HILL: You mixed the Feinstein argument with the soldier.

HARLOW: Can I jump in here for one second? HILL: Sure.

HARLOW: I do want to point this out. To you, Marc, what Ben is saying. Could there have been a better choice of words or should the words from Susan Rice have been more qualified?

HILL: Of course. What she should -- we don't know what happened but any soldier who serves in the army is worth saving. That is what she should said. Would I call him admirable or honorable? No. Because that seems -- it makes it seems that he did something above the call of duty. Sounds like he may have done something below the call of duty if these allegations are true, maybe. But either way he deserves saving. Only in Obama administration would need to be debating whether or not saying a prisoner of war is OK. That's absurd.

HARLOW: Guys? Stick around.

FERGUSON: I think it's an issue --

HARLOW: Guys, stick around. You can continue this all you want in the commercial break. But we have a lot more to talk with you about straight ahead here.

Also coming up, can Rice survive another crisis? We are going to keep talking about this. Maybe the better question is looking at her brand, what is the brand of Susan Rice right now? We are going to talk to an expert about this issue for the White House.

Also straight ahead, officials in Arizona are livid that hundreds of immigrant children are shipped to their state and they may not have what it takes to care for them right now. A big dilemma unfold in Arizona and we will talk about it with these two men straight ahead.

And he is the young man who tackled a gunman at Seattle Pacific University this week. And now, members of his community are making their mark. Finding a way to say thank you to this young man for his bravery. One supporter found out about John Meis' upcoming wedding, well, guess what? His registries set on fire.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not super surprised he would do something like that, but it's amazing and we're definitely very proud of him.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There was an act of bravery of selfless of thinking about others that put himself at great risk.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: Yes. Well, good for him.

Well, you know what, at last check, his wedding registry is almost complete. Also the (INAUDIBLE) started for his honeymoon fund has reached more than $25,000. That is going to be a pretty great honeymoon and kudos to him for the work that he did.

We will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: Well, the U.S. government is sending hundreds of undocumented children to Arizona. Many of them are unaccompanied by adults and they were reportedly caught in Texas trying to get into this country.

Our Rosa Flores has been tracking this story for us. She's live in New York with me.

What do we know, Rosa?

ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, the Arizona governor telling the Associated Press today that about 1500 people fit in this facility where these people are being held and that the situation is so dire that the state is bringing in medical supplies.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FLORES (voice-over): What's behind these walls in Nogales, Arizona, has many tonight angry, and here is why. On the other side of these chain-linked fences are children, hundreds of them, seemingly laying on the floor covered in thermal blankets.

This is where immigration officials are moving more than 1,000 undocumented children to this makeshift detention center this weekend, just inside the Arizona-Mexico border.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The feds are being tightlipped about this weekend's influx of kids and families expected here. The information that we are getting is coming again from a very outraged Arizona governor, Jan Brewer.

FLORES: Arizona's governor highly critical of the move, releasing a statement on Friday saying in part, quote, "I am disturbed and outraged that President Obama's administration continues to implement this dangerous and inhumane policy. Not only does the federal government have no plan to stop this disgraceful policy, it also has no plan to deal with the endless waves of illegal aliens once they are released here.

"If the Obama administration put half the effort into securing our border as it has invested to institute this operation, our state and nation would not be facing this situation."

This latest operation by federal immigration officials comes on the heels of an influx of women and children over the Memorial Day weekend, caught illegally trying to cross into Texas. Hundreds were flown to Tucson, then bused to Phoenix and left at a bus station to find their way.

CYNDI WHITMORE, PHOENIX RESTORATION PROJECT: Beginning on Tuesday, we started seeing families dropped off, including, you know, children most under the age of 5, some as young as 3 to 6 months old.

LEAH SARAT, PHOENIX RESTORATION PROJECT: They are now being released on their own recognizance which means giving authorization to travel and reunite with family members in the United States.

FLORES: But it's this weekend's transport of the undocumented children to Nogales that has called the entire operation into question. A spokesman for Homeland Security tells CNN the number of undocumented children crossing the U.S.-Mexico border by themselves has increased substantially, calling it a crisis situation. Officials say at least 60,000 children will try to cross into the United States this year alone.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FLORES: Now it's important to add that the influx of children that are unaccompanied with -- unaccompanied by adults has nothing to do with immigration policy. I talked to several attorneys, including the Women's Refugee Commission who did a study on this and they say that the reason why all of these children are coming to the United States is because of violence in Central America -- Poppy.

HARLOW: Wow. You know, so we've gotten this reaction, Rosa, from Jan Brewer. Have we heard anything from the White House on this?

FLORES: You know, I haven't seen anything come out of the White House but I do know that several senators from around the country are planning to file bills to try to do something about this. I can tell you that a lot of attorneys from around the country are working on cases because of the conditions that these children are being held in.

HARLOW: Right. Yes. Absolutely. Thank you for the report and the update. Appreciate it, Rosa.

All right. Let's bring our panel back in, political commentator Ben Ferguson and Marc Lamont Hill.

I want to start with you, Ben. First of all important to know what Rosa said there in terms of why these children are coming here into this country.

FERGUSON: Yes.

HARLOW: But, I mean, what do you do? What is the solution here? Because this is one case of many.

FERGUSON: Well -- yes. One, this just shows a total incompetence by the administration. That they don't have a policy and that's why you're seeing it be such a disaster. I mean, putting people on planes, then putting them on buses, then dropping them off at a bus stop was a plan. I mean, I -- I mean, the incompetence of that plan is just beyond me.

The other issue is you're putting these people's lives at risk when you're -- when you're keeping them in this way and it also brings up another glaring issue which this White House does not want to deal with. As long as you have an open border and you do not secure it, these people are going to continue to come across the border which puts their lives at risk, their children's lives at risk, but as long as they think there is a pathway to America, they are going to keep coming like this and we don't have a plan of how to deal with them.

HARLOW: Ben?

FERGUSON: So it's a big problem in the White House and they don't want to deal with it.

HARLOW: Let me jump in here, guys, to you, Marc. I mean, you know, I want Marc to respond but doesn't a plan take people on both parties agreeing, compromising on immigration reform?

(CROSSTALK)

FERGUSON: Takes leadership.

HILL: It does take leadership and I think we need to see leadership from White House, we also need to see leadership in Congress to come up with an immigration bill that makes sense. But as was just stated by the experts, it's not immigration policy that's causing these young children, these young adults to come into the country per se. It's violence in Central America. So I don't want to mix apples and oranges here.

But, Ben, I know when you're talking about immigration policy to some extent you're talking about militarizing the border and I think that that's short-term solution and a reactionary solution to a much bigger problem. We have to think about trade policy. We have to think about --

HARLOW: Yes. What do you want to see quickly, Marc, before we wrap up? What do you want to see?

HILL: A wholesome immigration policy that means -- that means reuniting families, that means giving amnesty, which means connecting people and create employment opportunities.

FERGUSON: That's not an answer.

HILL: And sensible trade policy that --

(CROSSTALK)

FERGUSON: That is not an answer. Secure the border.

HILL: Necessary to leave Central America in the first place.

FERGUSON: Poppy, this is -- this is exactly why the White House has not been able to lead on this issue. They don't know how to answer the question. They just say --

(CROSSTALK)

HILL: This is the same plan George Bush had, Ben.

FERGUSON: But you don't -- hold on, let me finish this. The Republicans have said we're willing to do a deal on immigration if part of that deal is truly securing the border and they have refused to --

HARLOW: All right, guys. Guys.

(CROSSTALK)

HILL: Same thing. President Obama said the same thing, Ben.

HARLOW: Thank you both.

HILL: He agreed to secure the border.

HARLOW: Appreciate you both. I wish we had a lot more time. I really do. You continue to talk -- can talk about it in the commercial break. But thank you for your perspective.

Clearly a problem persists, something has to happen, let's hope a solution is sooner than later. Thank you both for coming in today. Appreciate it.

HILL: Pleasure.

HARLOW: Meantime, here, coming up in the NEWSROOM, how do you survive a barrage of criticism in Washington? One way is to have a rock solid brand. Susan Rice, she is in focus right now. And is this a sign of a bigger problem at the White House?

Also straight ahead here, this is what jockeys at the Belmont are about to see. Look at that perspective. A wild mile and a half ride that could end with a blanket of white carnations. Can California Chrome win the race and a chapter in horse racing history?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: National Security adviser Susan Rice back in the spotlight right now with some controversial comments about Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl. She has been playing defense since she said this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SUSAN RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: He is going to be safely reunited with his family. He served the United States with honor and distinction.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: This comes after harsh criticism she took, you'll remember, about her comments on the Benghazi attack. Can she come back? What is her brand? We are going to talk about that with an expert right now.

Martha Pease is the co-founder and CEO of DemandWerks.

And, you know, you do this a lot with businesses looking at the importance of the brand and the stability and the reliability there. When it comes to political figures, you've got Susan Rice back in the spotlight. Some criticizing her saying you had these talking points and now they're coming out to be another story. What do you make of the impact on the brand?

MARTHA PEASE, CEO, DEMANDWERKS.COM: Well, Susan Rice is in the middle of what we call the brand bounce and that's when an unplanned event creates a reaction among consumers toward a brand and a brand bounce can be good or it can be bad. You know, in Target's case last year with the security breach it wasn't good. But if you're a known brand and you have experience in the public eye, you can weather a bad bounce more easily.

HARLOW: So look at someone like Susan Rice, a woman with a lot of experience.

PEASE: Right.

HARLOW: And a long track record.

PEASE: Right.

HARLOW: What would you say is her ability to do that?

PEASE: I think she's an unknown brand, though, to the -- to the public. And I think --

HARLOW: You do?

PEASE: Yes. I think that because she doesn't have a brand that extends beyond the commentary that she is making in response to these crises type of situations. She's got a harder time weathering a bad bounce. And so to me Susan Rice is a brand, a less well-known brand in the middle of a bad bounce.

HARLOW: It's interesting. She came out in this interview just yesterday with our Jim Acosta talking about those comments saying that Sergeant Bergdahl served with honor, saying look, you know, she is not stepping back on them. She is saying I'm talking about anyone that serves this country. It's an honorable thing to do.

PEASE: Right. And I think, you know, she's going to have to decide at some point if she is going to continue to step up and be public and facing the press and having, you know, a spokesperson kind of role in this area. And if she is, I think it might be wise for her to maybe be a little less defensive in how she answers some of the questions that are --

HARLOW: And more qualified?

PEASE: And more -- well, I think yes, more qualified and being a little less reactive in responding and trying to explain her comments. But I also think, you know, from a brand perspective, it might make sense for her to stand back for a moment and take a deep breath and really understand, really get sharp understanding of how she is being perceived and why this is getting off track.

Because she is not a strong a brand as, say, you know, a John Kerry, for instance, who can make a mistake and his brand is so strong when he makes a mistake mentioning Israeli and apartheid in the same sentence, you know, he can apologize and move on and it doesn't affect his stature on the international stage. Same is true for Secretary Hagel who might not have performed, you know, as strongly as would have been hoped in his confirmation hearings but has a brand that allows him to come back on to the national stage.

HARLOW: Interesting. Interesting. Interesting perspective in terms of looking at that longevity and that brand leading up to.

Appreciate the expertise. Thank you for coming in.

PEASE: Happy to be here.

HARLOW: Good to have you here in New York with us.

PEASE: Thank you.

HARLOW: All right. We're going to talk horse racing. Coming up here, they are down to the final stretch. About to begin the big race at Belmont. Will California Chrome lead the charge and become the first Triple Crown winner in more than three decades? We're going to see in just a few minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: In just minutes, we will know if California Chrome will gallop into racing history. The horse is trying to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed took that title back in 1978. That is right. It has been 36 years.

Joining me now from CNN Sports Laura Rutledge, also Jean Menez, horse racing reporter from Sports on Earth, and Steven Crist from the Daily Racing Forum. He is with us on the phone.

I want to start here. OK. Does California Chrome have the stuff to be mentioned with these other Triple Crown winners when you look at the names? Affirmed in 1978, Seattle Slew in '77, Secretariat in '73 and War Admiral in 1937.

Laura, what do you think? Is tonight the night?

LAURA RUTLEDGE, CNN SPORTS: I think tonight is the night. I think we will finally see this drought for Triple Crown winners and I think California Chrome can get it done and I wouldn't directly compare him to any of the other horses that you mentioned, but that's because he's a zone horse and all those horses were their own personalities as well. But I think California Chrome has everything in the tank he needs to get this done. He's been better than the other horses that we will see today and I think he wins the Triple Crown.

HARLOW: Steve, you're not a believer?

STEVEN CRIST, DAILY RACING FORUM: No. I'm not. He's a very good horse. He's not a great horse yet. He doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath of those others. And you know, 11 horses in a row have been in his position winning the Derby and Preakness and trying to win the Belmont, and the last 11 all failed. I think a lot of those horses were better than he is.

HARLOW: To you, Gene, why do you think California Chrome has it to take this home tonight?

GENE MENEZ, HORSE RACING REPORTER, SPORTS ON EARTH: Well, I think he's had the class this whole time. He has the right running style for the Belmont Stakes. He is going to be on and near the lead. He hasn't really lost the fitness that the other 11 horses who have tried to complete the Triple Crown and failed have done. So those things put together, I think this is going to be his day.

HARLOW: Laura, talk to us about the biggest threat. What's the biggest threat facing California Chrome tonight?

RUTLEDGE: I think the biggest threat would come in the form of other horses. Horses like Commanding Curve, Tonalist, some of these names that we've heard mentioned before. But that said, I think California Chrome is, by far, the best of the other horses that he'll race today. Like I said earlier. And the thing about California Chrome he is not fazed by the other distractions that other horses are fazed by. You see the horses that had the cotton in their ears because they're distracted by what's going on.

HARLOW: Right.

RUTLEDGE: California Chrome, cool, calm and collected.

HARLOW: Doesn't need it.

All right. Let me show you this very cool live shot coming to us from our affiliate KXTV. That is California Chrome's hometown. Let's listen in to the applause.

This is an excited group of people waiting just moments away for this potentially history-making run for the Triple Crown.

We are going to get a quick break in here, we're going to come right back with our experts and we will tell you the winner straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: California Chrome potentially on his way to history. The Belmont Stakes under way. About 30 seconds into this race. Let's bring our experts back in.

Gene, I know we're all watching out of the corner of our eye. What do you make of this start so far?

MENEZ: Well, it looked like he got out of the gate fine. And there was a little bit of concern there right -- as he was beginning the first turn, but it looks like the jockey Victor Espinoza got him a little bit outside and we'll see now if he can hang on.

HARLOW: Yes. We'll see if he can hang on.

Folks, you're looking at live pictures from California Chrome's hometown there coming to us from our affiliate KXTV. A lot of hopefuls there hoping this is the horse that can make history, be the horse that will win the Triple Crown for the first time in 36 years.

Laura, to you, it has been 12 attempts since the last win to make this happen. Are you hopeful?

RUTLEDGE: I'm definitely hopeful. I think this would be great for the sport of horse racing. I think this is something that everybody wants to see. So many people are watching this Belmont Stakes because they want to see California Chrome. They might not watch otherwise. So it's a great thing all around if he is able to pull it off. And either way he's drawn a lot of attention to a sport that might have been considered by some to be a dying brand.

HARLOW: And, Steve, what do you make of it this time? You say this is a good horse, not a great horse yet. We will see in maybe about a minute.

CRIST: Less than a minute. You know? This didn't work out with him going right to the lead. He's going to have to win the race from off the pace and try to run down four horses who are in front of him at the moment. If he does it, he does it. But he's not there yet.

HARLOW: He is not there yet. We've got our people on the sidelines. We are going to get to them in just a moment when this race ends but when you look at this horse from humble beginnings to you, Steve, what kind of story is this for this horse? Even if he doesn't take it away.

CRIST: We do not have a Triple Crown winner.

HARLOW: And there we have it, folks. Guys, can I get the results? All right. It looks like California Chrome has crossed the finish line, come in fourth. You're looking at some disappointed people there in California Chrome's hometown. They were hoping that this would be the horse that would take it away. Not this time around. Adding to the list of 12 others before him who have tried to get a Triple Crown between 1978, I believe it is, the last time? Yes, 1978 that we saw a Triple Crown winner. Twelve horses and jockeys have tried.

A very strong attempt here coming from California Chrome.

What do you make of the race, Steve? I mean, you were right. You didn't think he'd pull it off.

CRIST: Well, you know, he just didn't break perfectly for him. He had to try to run down these horses from the outside. And you know, he may well turn out to be the best of this year's group of 3-year- olds but there's a reason this thing hasn't been won in 36 years. You've got to be a great horse to do it.

HARLOW: Can we talk about the winner a little bit, Laura? Let me go to you. Talk to us about the horse that just won.

RUTLEDGE: I'm still trying to figure out exactly who it was because I couldn't see in here. Can you guys tell me?

(LAUGHTER)

HARLOW: Yes. Can we -- can someone tell us the horse who was the winner there? I know we're trying to go to Richard Roth who is on the phone. Do we -- do we have Richard Roth on the phone?

RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, we do.

HARLOW: Richard, what can you tell us?

ROTH: Well, there's not going to be a Triple Crown and the long elusive wait goes on. California chrome did not win the 146th edition of the Triple Crown here at Belmont, the Belmont Stakes, you might say. Basically, there was -- some would say traffic trouble, some would say it was the first time California Chrome chased some, quote, "traffic problems." He was up toward the lead early, then he was shuffled back along the rail, then he was fourth, then he made a move.

The crowd was roaring. But then in the stretch he did not -- was not able to overcome a competitor. It was a mile and a half distance which he hasn't run. Whether it was three races in five weeks, we will get an explanation later.