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Mississippi: Cochran Versus Tea Party; Ninety U.S. Military Advisers Arrive In Iraq; U.S. Men's Soccer Team Preps For Germany; Retailers Cashing In On World Cup Fever

Aired June 24, 2014 - 15:30   ET

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

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BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Bottom of the hour, I'm Brooke Baldwin. Three hot primary races are being contested right now as we speak. Take a look at the map. Will you see the states we're talking about? You have Republican votes in Colorado and Mississippi and a Democratic race in New York.

New York, let's start there. This is where Charlie Rangel, 84 years of age of this man. Forty three tumultuous years in office. He is the voice of Harlem in Congress. Charlie Rangel might be running in his last race today. We talked about that one last hour.

Speaking of long timers, Mississippi's Thad Cochran, six terms as a U.S. senator, 36 years in office. Thad Cochran like some other Republicans faces a challenge from the right as in the Tea Party. That's an odd race. We will take you to Mississippi for that in just a second.

To Colorado quickly here, former Congressman Tom Tancredo, his famous quotes now include this one, quote, "You can't criticize Barack Obama because he's black. If you do, you're a racist." That's what Tom Tancredo told "The New York Times." Tom Tancredo is one of four Republicans running today for the party's nomination for governor in Colorado.

But let me take you back to Mississippi and the race there because here we go again. Tea Party time. Another Tea Party challenge to a big name Republican. And I need not remind you to what happened to Eric Cantor in Virginia just two weeks ago today.

CNN's chief congressional correspondent, Dana Bash, hopped the plane from Washington to Mississippi. She joins us now live from Jackson. How is it looking down there?

DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It is really unclear. Both sides who I talked to are claiming that they feel good about the fact that their supporters are getting to the polls. You have to remember that three weeks ago, Chris McDaniel, the Tea Party challenger won effectively, and got more votes by fewer than 1,500 votes.

Neither one because neither got 50 percent that's why we've had this run off. But that's how close it was. What you've seen since then, Brooke, is a lot of enthusiasm still on the anti-establishment side even more, perhaps, since two weeks ago when Eric Cantor had a surprising loss because those who really want to send Washington a message feel some momentum on their side.

But then on the other side, you've had Thad Cochran and the more establishment Republicans nationally wanted to make sure that the Tea Party doesn't have a win here come in and really try to run this as a general election campaign not just going for Republicans but Democrats, too who have traditionally supported Thad Cochran in the general election to push them to vote today in this Republican run off.

BALDWIN: So you have caught up with both of these men. I will get to that in a second. Among many of the clashes that have really defined this race that you are there covering, today, we have McDaniel crying foul saying that Cochran is luring Democrats to vote for him out of desperation says McDaniel. Let's listen to the both of them. Take a listen.

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CHRIS MCDANIEL (R), MISSISSIPPI SENATE CANDIDATE: They are usually walking around money. They are hiring people to go out there and reach in the liberal Democrats homes and bring them to the polls. Now that's fine in a general election certainly. This is a Republican primary.

BASH: I just talked to Chris McDaniel who said that the fact that you're courting African-American Democrats or Democrats in general is prove that you're a liberal not a conservative.

SENATOR THAD COCHRAN (R), MISSISSIPPI: My responsibility as a United States senator has been to help the people in the state of Mississippi not just one party or one race or a select group of friends.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: So you got both sides. You got his reaction. Thad Cochran, as we mentioned, a six-term incumbent. The fact that he may need Democratic votes to beat a guy from the Tea Party. Dana Bash, you've been doing this a little while. This sounds a little ominous to me.

BASH: Certainly. We knew this was a tough race for Thad Cochran when he didn't win on primary day. What is fascinating that Cochran and his supporters are not only going after Democratic votes, the super PAC here in Mississippi who has been raising lots of money to try to get him to win, they have been spending a lot of money. Won't tell us exactly how much, but a lot of money to get out the vote efforts in the Democratic areas.

You heard Chris McDaniel saying that they got walking around money. That they are paying voters. That's certainly an allegation that would be illegal but what they are doing is legal. It's what you see parties do on both sides the aisle in regular campaigns. Use their money that they raise to get out the vote whether it's paying people to make phone calls or paying activists so organize in their particular area.

It is unusual to see for a Republican to do that in Democratic areas with Democratic votes here in a Republican run off, but it's legal as long as these Democrats didn't vote in the Democratic primary. They are first time voters in this runoff.

BALDWIN: It could be a long night for you, Dana Bash, in Jackson, Mississippi. We will be watching as the poll results close. Thank you so much. Let's move on though.

As we have been reporting, CNN has just learned that 90 Americans, these non-combat troops have just arrived in Iraq. They are joining the 40 others who already there. These are the military advisors that the president announced last week. These are the advisors who will have their work cut out for them as the U.S. is estimating as many as 10,000 militants are now fighting under that ISIS flag.

We are learning more about where they are coming from. Many of them prison escapees. Let's go to Nic Robertson, our senior international correspondent for more on this part of the story. Nic, what can you tell us? Who are these fighters who are increasingly joining the ranks of ISIS?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: A lot of them are being attracted in from places like Europe or North Africa. The call that they are heeding is that ISIS is an ultra-radical Islamist offshoot of al Qaeda. That is an attractive message. The young men that this is coming think they can get into a fight. They see a lot of the stuff that's been posted on the internet over the past year or so while ISIS has been amping up in spite in Syria. They are coming here. They are getting weapons in their hands. That's an attractive proposition.

They are getting into battles. If they die, they believe it's for the good of God and for the good of their cause. It's a very -- if you will, inspiring message for some of these people. The net result is in Syria, they've dug in. They've got safe havens and now they are in Iraq. They've got a lot of weapons that they didn't have before and a lot more money.

The fact that they are digging in and securing areas in Iraq, including major cities, means that they are getting stronger and the longer and more time they have to dig in, the harder it's going to be to get them out of there and to squash them -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: The quote from the U.S. calling ISIS functioning as, quote, "an increasingly capable military force." Nic Robertson, thank you so much for us in Iraq. I want to talk about this breaking news out of Indiana we followed out the top of the hour. Now we have pictures. Ominous skies over Indianapolis, a confirmed tornado. We have much more with Jennifer Gray right after this quick break.

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BALDWIN: This is CNN breaking news, back from our breaking story on the world of weather. We top the hour with news of a confirmed tornado touching down in the Indianapolis area. There's been a tornado warning in affect for folks there. Let's hop back over to Jennifer Gray who's been watching this. Still a warning in effect so far.

JENNIFER GRAY, AMS METEOROLOGIST: We still have a warning. It is now on the northeast side of Indianapolis. We do have reports of damage just outside the city that has come through in the last half hour or so. This warning right here for Delaware and Fishers in Hamilton County is expected to expire right around 3:45 Eastern Time.

So in the next 5 minutes or so that is set to expire. Maybe extend it a little bit farther to the north and east. We will wait and see, but as far as that confirmed tornado that was on the ground in the last half hour or so no longer on the ground so the threat inside the city of Indianapolis has gone down now.

Now the threat has moved to the northeast side of the city. Still some nasty weather though. We still have showers and storms well to the south and west that will continue to move into the city. None of those are severe, but still nasty weather going on in Indianapolis right now, Brooke. The threat continues on the northeast side of the city.

BALDWIN: OK, Jennifer Gray, thank so much for the update. The U.S. men's World Cup soccer team will be taking on power house Germany with really one of their best players. They are the coach saying that the U.S. striker, Jozy Altidore, is still recovering from his bad hamstring injury in that U.S./Ghana game two weeks ago. Having one player out isn't phasing the team as they are preparing for Thursday's key match.

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JURGEN KLINSMANN, U.S. HEAD COACH: We are going to play this game to win it. We are not made for going to a game to go for a tie. It's not just in our DNA. It's not even in the DNA of the German side.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Alex Thomas is CNN international sports anchor, joining me from Rio De Janeiro. So we'll get to the U.S. team, Alex, in just a minute, but can we talk about the bite discussed around the world by this player called "The Cannibal."

ALEX THOMAS, CNN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS ANCHOR: His name is Louis Suarez. This isn't the first time he has bitten an opponent on the field of play, Brooke. Remarkably, this is one player in the top five in the world and he helped Uruguay get through to the first knock out round by beating Italy a goal to nil here in Brazil a little bit earlier on.

All the headlines will be about the bite. He clashed with one of the Italian defenders. Television replays seemed to suggest very, very strongly that Suarez did indeed bite the defenders shoulder. He pulled his shirt down to show the referee. He did nothing about it at the time. He, later saying to Italian television that Suarez is a cheat, but FIFA won't do anything about it because he's a star. You we know that FIFA are going to look into this incident the way they do with any controversial matters on the pitch. A lot depends on whether the referee will mention it in his match report. It's certainly that has created a huge buzz on social media, Brooke, and cast a shadow on a world cup that has been very entertaining until now.

BALDWIN: Let's move along and talk about Team USA practicing today in Sau Paolo, can they hold up. How are they looking, you know, heading to Thursday's match with Germany with Altidore again on the sideline?

THOMAS: They are going to be very confident. If you look at statistical analysis over this game. We know how much the U.S. sports love to break it down to numbers. They have a very good chance. They are based in Sao Paolo. We heard their coach speaking moments ago. They got on a plane and flown into the city that will host Germany against the United States.

Both seems only need a draw to get through. They won't be playing for not -- to get aside this talk of collusion because it is the best way to stop yourself from losing if you just sit back and try to defend inevitably Murphy's law suggests you're going to concede a goal.

Jozy Altidore is out. His hamstring injury that he picked up in the first game of this World Cup for the United States hasn't recovered in time. Some conspiracy theorists suggesting he's being rested because they know it will be a draw. He's not a great individual, but he works very well with Clint Dempsey, who scored for the United States two games so far.

They looked really good. They surprise people. The group they are in was supposed to be the group of death as it is called. I think it will be the United States that is still alive against Germany, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Yes, let's hope so. I talked to Coby Jones yesterday who played for Team USA in a couple of World Cup. What's the hottest seller? We will tell you, next.

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BALDWIN: With the U.S. men's team on a roll, so far, in the World Cup, you can bet that retailers want to cash in as fans new and old make a run for Team USA merchandise. So CNN Money correspondent, Zain Asher went out to some stores today. She joins us now live in New York. And so are people grabbing the jerseys and all the soccer swag?

ZAIN ASHER, CNN MONEY CORRESPONDENT: Brooke, you bet they are. We are at Modell's on the east coast. This is their number one -- it's their number one rain maker, the men's U.S. soccer jersey. They were completely sold out. We spoke to the CEO, Mitchell Modell who says, this is the best they have done in terms of sales compared to any other World Cup. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) MITCHELL MODELL, CEO, MODELL'S SPORTING GOODS: We more than tripled the amount of merchandise we bought for this year. In 2010, it started, you know, taking a play. A lot of our inventory is in USA. If they have advance, which they have a great shot in the next round, it's going to be Christmas in June.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ASHER: You heard it right. Christmas in June. Other countries proving popular are Brazil, t-shirts from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, as well. But also the payday is on the day of the game. So on Thursday, you can bet that a lot of fans will be flocking to the stores to get U.S. jerseys, Germany jerseys, as well.

But interesting enough, one mistake they made this time around is that they pre-ordered a ton of jerseys and t-shirts with Landon Donovan's name on the back. Obviously he did not make the cut. Now you have all retailers stuck trying to sell the jerseys. It is a game of chance for all the retailers.

Because what they tend to do is look at the betting odds to see which teams might make it the cut in terms of the knockout phase. Obviously England didn't make it, Italy just a couple of hours --

BALDWIN: Do you get a discount on those?

ASHER: Spain, as well. So you just never really know.

BALDWIN: Maybe you get a discount for those teams knocked out. Hopefully not Team USA. I saw that price tag, 90 bucks for a jersey.

ASHER: Yes, exactly, 90 bucks is the standard price. But obviously if a team doesn't make it to the next round, there is a discount. That depends on the popularity and also the inventory, as well. So if they've overstocked, you get a ton of discounts.

BALDWIN: Zain Asher, thank you so much. Thanks for taking the trip to the store for us today. Appreciate that.

How about this, I learned a new word today, a fablet. I guessed it was a fabulous tablet. I was wrong. It's a cross between a phone and tablet. This is why I'm not our tech reporter. Apple is hoping for another best seller, we have that for you coming up.

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BALDWIN: In Great Britain, former newspaper editor, Andy Coulson, has been found guilty of phone hacking. The case was sparked after it was revealed that journalists at the "News of the World" hacked the phone of a then missing teenager in 2002. Coulson's former colleague, Rebekah Brooks was charge, cleared of all charges related to the hacking investigation.

And now talking tech and specifically that phone that you are so attached to, right? So there's this report out today that the iPhone is about to join the whole bigger is better screen trend. Let's go to the professional here. CNN Money tech correspondent, Laurie Segall, with the news on this next iPhone. We're talking what, bigger screen?

LAURIE SEGALL, CNN MONEY TECH CORRESPONDENT: Yes, if this gets called the iPhone Air, I want credit. That would be an interesting name for it. Let me get to the rumors. The reports that the next generation iPhone could have a thinner rounder design. It will come in two sizes both bigger than the current iPhone.

Don't have the specific numbers unfortunately, but "Bloomberg" did put out a report today saying one model would have a 4.7 inch display compared to the current 4-inch screen. Bloomberg cited a 5.5-inch version. That's comparable to the Galaxy Note.

We're seeing if these were announced, these would be the largest iPhones to date. People want a bigger screen. Apple seems to be, we can't confirm, but taking note. A lot of competition out there.

BALDWIN: Of course, when I see the large screen, my first thought is great, that's more screen to crack when I drop my phone. Those of us who don't do that, that's good for you. Do we know when they might be announced?

SEGALL: The iPhone announcements tend to happen in the fall. People like to say with the Worldwide Developers Conference that happened in June, people hope for it, but it's always pushed to the fall. It's happened the last couple years. We'll probably learn more about it then -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: On the iPhones you have the headphone jack. We know the news Apple just bought Beats by Dre, the headphone company. There have been rumors swirling that this headphone jack on the iPhone will go away because you don't necessarily need the cord for these Beats headphones. What's the truth?

SEGALL: You know, look, the Beat acquisition gave Apple access to music licensing and talent. The rumors if Apple got rid of the current headphone jack, they would connect through the lightning port where you charge your phone. That doesn't make sense now, but Brooke, it could make sense long-term. Getting rid of it would provide space, use for battery life.

Think about this. Anyone building headphones for the iPhone would have to pay Apple for licensing fees. People might not be that happy. You might have to get adapter. Headphones might not work on new devices. So I think this might be speculation, but this isn't completely unreasonable.

BALDWIN: OK. What about iWatch, iTelevision? I'm keeping you here putting you on the spot. Do we know anything more about that?

SEGALL: There's always speculation. We want the next big thing from Apple. Remember when Steve Jobs used to get on stage and would say one more thing and he would come out with this mind blowing device you had never heard of. We want this. Google IU is tomorrow. People are looking at wearable technology, looking at tech moving beyond the screen. There's a lot of pressure for Apple to be able do this, to deliver this. That being said, I have a feeling in the fall, it's going to be all about the iPhone. That tends to be how these things go -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: OK, you can call it here and maybe they will call it the iPhone Air.

SEGALL: You heard it first here.

BALDWIN: Live on CNN. I like it, Laurie Segall. Thank you so much for joining me. And that's it. We'll talk about Google tomorrow. That could be big.

I'm Brooke Baldwin. OK, in 9 seconds I'll tell you that this is a woman rescued off the tracks by a police officer. The end. I'm Brooke Baldwin. Got to go to Washington. THE LEAD with John Berman starts now.