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Edward Djerejian is Interviewed about Retaliation Against Iran; White House Calls Trump FEMA Claims False; Anticipating an October Surprise; Springsteen Endorses Harris. Aired 6:30-7a ET
Aired October 04, 2024 - 06:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[06:31:58]
KASIE HUNT, CNN ANCHOR: While Israel contemplates how to retaliate against Iran for this week's deadly missile attacks, the Israeli military has been pounding Beirut from the air.
Overnight attacks battering Beirut's southern suburbs. Two soldiers from Lebanon's U.S. backed army were killed. And 1.2 million Lebanese people have now been displaced by the fighting. The State Department believes the Israeli war cabinet is still trying to decide how to strike back at Iran. President Biden hoping to avoid a major escalation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President, how confident are you that an all- out - all-out war can be averted in the Middle East?
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: How confident are you it's not going to rain? Look, I -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE).
BIDEN: I don't believe there's going to be an all-out war. I think we can avoid it. But there's a lot - a lot to do yet.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNT: The president has publicly stated he opposes attacks on Iran's nuclear sites. Donald Trump disagrees.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP (R), FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT AND 2024 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I mean, to make this statement, please leave their nuclear alone, I would tell you that that's not the right answer.
That was the craziest answer.
Because you know what, soon they're going to have nuclear weapons, and then you're going to have problems.
(END VIDEO CLIP) HUNT: All right, joining us now is Edward Djerejian, former U.S. ambassador to Israel and former U.S. ambassador to Syria.
Mr. Ambassador, thank you so much for being on the program this morning.
We have heard from a number of former Israeli officials urging the Israeli government to seize what they view as an opportunity to strike these nuclear sites. Do you think that's what Israel should do? And how do you see this playing out, given your deep expertise and long experience in the region?
EDWARD DJEREJIAN, SENIOR FELLOW, HARVARD'S BELFER CENTER: Well, Kasie, I think it's abundantly in the national security interests of the United States, and many countries in the region and internationally, that a major war in the Middle East be averted at all costs because that would be a march of folly, that the consequences of which nobody can predict.
So, the main objective of diplomacy and statecraft now is to contain this conflict and get back to an agreement, both on the Hamas front and on the Lebanon-Hezbollah front.
And there are two initiatives that the administration - Biden administration has been working on. One, obviously, in Gaza to get a ceasefire and release of the Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoner exchanges. And then stabilize the situation there and take steps to address the Palestinian-Israeli issue. And the second one is on the Lebanon front. There's a U.N. Security Council resolution that was put in effect in 2006, which is a framework for getting Hezbollah to move north of the border with Israel, to the Litani River, to demilitarize the militias, like Hezbollah in Lebanon, and to start stabilizing Lebanese-Israeli relations.
[06:35:08]
The challenge now has to be getting back to the negotiating table and not weaponizing diplomacy, as we've seen. The Israeli government has had very successful, tactical strikes, decapitating Hezbollah leadership, Hassan Nasrallah, their charismatic leader. It's continuing to target Hezbollah's leaders as we speak in Beirut today.
HUNT: Yes.
DJEREJIAN: And it still hasn't finished the job in Gaza.
HUNT: Sir, what do you believe are Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's imperatives here? And I think my central question is, is the Israeli prime minister taking advantage of the fact that there is this heated - like we are in the heated final days of a U.S. presidential election. Is he pushing forward more aggressively in part because of that?
DJEREJIAN: Absolutely, Kasie. I think that he - he feels he has a relatively open field because of our upcoming presidential elections. It's very difficult for the Biden administration, on the cusp of a very tight presidential race, to alienate certain important constituencies on our country. Both the American Jewish vote, the Arab - American Arab vote, the - in battleground states.
So, he - he knows the American political scene very well, like the back of his hand. And I think he is taking advantage of the inhibitions of the Biden administration to be more assertive in reining in what he has been doing in really asking for total military victory in Gaza, and now attacking of Beirut in - in southern Lebanon. So that, obviously, is a consideration.
HUNT: Yes.
DJEREJIAN: It is his personal interests that continue the warfare to certain measures.
HUNT: A really fascinating perspective.
Mr. Ambassador, thank you very much for being on with us this morning. I really appreciate your time.
DJEREJIAN: My pleasure.
HUNT: All right, let's turn now to Hurricane Helene and the rising death toll, with more than 200 people now confirmed dead, hundreds more still missing. Helene now the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. President Biden and Vice President Harris touring hard-hit communities across the southeast and, earlier this week, deploying active duty troops.
Donald Trump preparing to make his second visit to Georgia today and claiming, without evidence, that the Biden administration is withholding aid from states, including Georgia and North Carolina.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP (R), FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT AND 2024 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: They stole the FEMA money, just like they stole it from a bank, so they could give it to their illegal immigrants that they want to have vote for them this season. You know, they're trying to get them on the voters roll. We cannot let that happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNT: The White House pushing back against those allegations, releasing a statement that says this, quote, "this is false. The Disaster Relief Fund is specifically appropriated by Congress to prepare for, respond to, recover from and mitigate impacts of natural disasters. It is completely separate from other grant programs administered by FEMA for DHS.
Our panel is back here.
Now this has clearly become a big flashpoint on the right. Alex, they were talking about - they're tying it basically to immigration. All of the places where they feel stronger in with this disaster relief question. Overarching all of it is the fact that, I mean, the response has - we're a week out now and there are still people missing, cut off from the world. I mean we were just playing video of a man holding up a mirror to try to get attention from a helicopter pilot. I mean this is happening in America. That is a challenge for Biden and Harris.
ALEX THOMPSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Yes, and Trump seized on it right away last weekend. He was the first one of these three people to be on the ground when he went to Georgia last weekend.
Meanwhile, you know, after the hurricane made landfall, Joe Biden did go to - did travel to Rehoboth Beach over the weekend. When he was asked about it, he said, well, I had a telephone. And it seems like a little bit flip. And then Kamala Harris also realized there was a problem because she was out on the West Coast on a fundraising swing and quickly sort of came back. And now you see that they are scrambling to sort of show that they are on the ground. Joe Biden making several visits to storm damaged areas just the last two days. And so they are trying to sort of play a little catch-up here.
HUNT: Yes, I mean, Meghan, how would you grade the performance so far from -
MEGHAN HAYS, FORMER BIDEN WHITE HOUSE DIRECTOR OF MESSAGE PLANNING: Well, I think it's a little bit more nuanced. The resources that they draw from going on the ground, that takes actually away from people doing rescue and these active, you know, things that the people actually need, the police resources. So, I don't think it's fair for them to be on the ground. I actually think it's a mistake for them to be on the ground.
HUNT: But what about going back to the White House as this is unfolding?
HAYS: I mean the president can be the president from anywhere. So, I - like, that falls a little flat. He shouldn't be so flip, but that's his nature to say flip things. You just saw him say that about Israel, about, you know, are you confident it's not going to rain.
[06:40:06]
So, that's just his nature. Is it appropriate? Probably not. Should he choose a different tone? Sure. But that is his nature.
But I do think, you know, he was very quick to put out disaster relief declarations. They are very quick to do that. That is always something they do. He's always in touch with the governors and the mayors on the ground. I don't think anyone on the ground is saying that their actions are slow, but being there -
THOMPSON: Well, Governor Kemp did complain that -
MATT GORMAN, FORMER TIM SCOTT PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN SENIOR ADVISER: Governor Kemp, yes.
THOMPSON: That some of the town - that not enough counties were covered by the disaster declaration. Said he had to call Jeff Zients, the chief of staff, and then get it expanded. HAYS: Totally fair. But I also think though that optics do matter. And being on the ground matters in those - and that's what people remember. And so I do think, you know, it is hard - the resource argument is a fair argument, but it is hard to show people and tell people that when they don't have lights, they don't have cell coverage, their - their family members are missing.
GORMAN: Yes, I think they want - they want to see leadership.
HAYS: Yes.
GORMAN: And even last night he was saying, what storm zone? And people are very happy. And you're right, certainly doesn't look like people are happy on the ground. But Governor Kemp wasn't happy with the limited scope of the FEMA declaration. And there's also been mixed messages from Mayorkas and DHS and FEMA about this. Three months ago they were saying, we have plenty of money, we'll be fine, recently saying, we don't have enough to get us through hurricane season. And so that mixed message is - I just - I think it's been a lackluster response across the board for a storm that is sneakily historic.
HUNT: Yes.
All right, straight ahead here on CNN THIS MORNING, the ever so famous October surprise. It can shift a race in the final weeks. Could any event this month be as pivotal as October surprises of the past? Michael Smerconish is here to discuss.
Plus, the boss backing the Dems. Bruce Springsteen speaks out on why he's voting for Kamala Harris.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[06:45:58]
HUNT: It's perhaps the most well-known moment from the 2016 presidential campaign. The now infamous "Access Hollywood" tape. We, of course, have to warn you, it contains graphic language.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP (R), FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT AND 2024 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'll admit it. I did try and (EXPLETIVE DELATED) her. She was married. I moved on her like a (EXPLETIVE DELETED). But I couldn't get there. And she was married. You know, I'm automatically attracted to beautiful. I just start kissing them. It's like a magnet. Just kiss. And I don't even wait. And when you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.
BILLY BUSH: Whatever you want.
TRUMP: Grab them by the (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNT: It's been a minute since I've actually seen that tape, which was released in October of 2016, just one month out from Election Day. Many thought it would end Donald Trump's chances of becoming president. It was a so-called October surprise. That term was coined by Ronald Reagan's campaign manager in 1980.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Reagan campaign was allegedly fearful President Carter would stage an October surprise, gain the hostages released and win re-election.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNT: The term October surprise, of course, describes a late-breaking story that could shift the race just before voters head to polls. In - between Jack Smith's new January 6th filing and the conflict in the Middle East, could any news event this month be as influential as October surprises past?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR (October 28, 2016): We've got some breaking news I want to bring to our viewers right now. A new possible investigation by the FBI into Hillary Clinton's emails.
SEN. MITT ROMNEY (R), 2012 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (May 17, 2012): There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are - dependent upon government, who believe that - that they are victims.
GEORGE W. BUSH, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT (November 2, 2000): Twenty-four years ago I was apprehended in Kennebunkport, Maine, for a DUI. That's an accurate story. I'm not proud of that. I oftentimes said that years ago I made some mistakes. I occasionally drank too much. And I did on that night.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNT: Joining us now, CNN political commentator Michael Smerconish. He is also the host of CNN's "SMERCONISH." And because it's Friday, he is here.
Michael, wonderful to see you. Thank you so much.
A fascinating look at October surprises past. I'm curious if you think any of the things - I mean I have - I've covered most - not the 2000 election, but the other - the others that we saw stacked with Hillary Clinton, I had Romney. I remember where I was oftentimes -
MICHAEL SMERCONISH, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Me too.
HUNT: Trying to write an AP lead about that Romney lists, getting - running to a camera then at the - at the bureau at NBC, where I was working at the time when the Comey letter dropped.
What do you think we're looking at this time? I mean the -- frankly, the intensity of potential crises is very high compared to those previous cycles.
SMERCONISH: So, the "Access Hollywood" - by the way, great to see you. Always great to see you on a Friday.
The "Access Hollywood" tape that you played I think represented the ninth time in that cycle where I said, well Trump's done. He's never going to come back to this.
HUNT: Yes.
SMERCONISH: And, of course, I was wrong in every one of those instances.
HUNT: We all were, Michael.
SMERCONISH: And, Kasie, what I - what I think is significant is, that was the 2016 cycle and he won that election. And as I evaluate - Stephen Collinson has a great piece at cnn.com right now about the October surprises that are on our plate. And it's the port strike, which has now been suspended, as you've been reporting, it's the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, it's the situation in the Middle East, it's that filing by Jack Smith.
My opinion is, there's a lot in play, but none of it is going to matter. This is the most insane cycle that I've ever seen in my life.
Do you remember Kristi Noem and the goat? Do you remember Kristi Noem and the dog? Do you remember RFK and the bear? RFK in the whale? RFK and the journalist?
HUNT: I have to say, don't forget the whale.
SMERCONISH: I mean I can't - I can't keep up with all these things. But none of them seem to move the needle. Because when it's all said and done, we're at 50/50 and it comes down to seven states and they're all within the margin of error.
HUNT: Yes, it honestly makes me wonder if there is any such thing as an October surprise anymore.
[06:50:00]
SMERCONISH: I think that I - I've been saying on radio for a year that there are people whose names we do not know and events that we could never anticipate that are about to play out. And even this close, four weeks from Tuesday until the conclusion, I still think there are going to be some shockers. I don't know what they'll be, but my hunch is that if you and I are having a conversation the Friday before the election, and I hope that we are, we're probably going to say, who the hell knows. Its 50/50. And it comes down to seven states. And they're all within the margin of error.
HUNT: I hope - I definitely would love to see you on that Friday. And let's revisit this and see from here - from here on out, because this - I mean there have been so many surprises through this campaign with, of course, Harris changing out the top of the ticket. Briefly, Michael, before I let you go, can we talk about Pete Rose for a second because he just passed away, as you know, and he is a baseball great. And there is this question about whether he deserves a spot in Cooperstown. It does seem like, by our modern standards, he should, but I'm curious your take.
SMERCONISH: I'd say put him in with the asterisk. I - he died without the privilege of being accepted, admitted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. And I think that's significant. He has to be there by the merits. I mean, what, 22,000, 23,000 have played that game and only one got 4,256 hits. So, I think this is the appropriate ending. Put him in. There's an asterisk on the plaque. But put him in at long last.
HUNT: All right, Michael Smerconish, always great to see you. Thank you so much for being here.
SMERCONISH: You too. Thank you.
HUNT: Talk to you soon.
To all our viewers, don't forget to tune in to "SMERCONISH" tomorrow morning, 9:00 a.m. Eastern, right here on CNN.
All right. 51 minutes past the hour. Here is your morning roundup.
Port workers returning to work today after a three-day strike. The union representing the striking workers came to a tentative deal with the management group that represents shipping lines, terminal operators, and port authorities. It's going to last until mid-January.
Country music star Garth Brooks has been accused of sexual assaults by a former hair and makeup artist. She alleges Brooks raped her in a hotel room on a work trip in 2019. Brooks claims he is being extorted, and says the accusations were made after he denied the alleged victim's request for salaried employment and medical benefits.
New York Congressman Mike Lawler now apologizing for a photo taken in 2006. The photo, seen here, was obtained by "The New York Times." It shows Lawler in a Michael Jackson costume, complete with a faced darkened by makeup. Lawler is fighting for re-election in a competitive district and said this last night about the controversy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. MIKE LAWLER, (R-NY): I can't change what happened 18 years ago, but I certainly, with wisdom and age, understand that that is not something I would do today, and certainly understand why people would be upset or offended by it. And for that I'm sorry.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNT: So, Elliot, he also went on to say that he was paying homage to Michael Jackson and that that made it different from - he referenced minstrel shows that were mocking and derogatory.
ELLIOT WILLIAMS, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Right.
HUNT: How do you evaluate how he's navigating this?
WILLIAMS: Right. Yes, look, it's - it's not a minstrel - it's not "Song of the South" that he was engaged in here. But - but let's be clear, it just shows poor judgment when he was actually an adult. And I think we forget when assessing the conduct of people in the past that, you know, he ought to have known better at the time. Certainly, maybe he was attempting to respect Michael Jackson, but I think at a certain point you got to know you just don't do blackface.
HUNT: In 2006.
WILLIAMS: In 2006. I - you know, I - look, is this - the voters can assess what they want in that district between him and Mondaire Jones, what makes the most sense for them and, you know, but it's really just a question of judgment more than, oh my God, the racist story of 2024. It's - it's really not.
HUNT: All right, let's turn now to the growing list of Kamala Harris' celebrity endorsements.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN 20-TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNER: Hi, I'm Bruce Springsteen. Friends, fans and the press have asked me who I'm supporting in this most important of elections. And with full knowledge of my opinions, no more or less important than those of any my fellow citizens, here is my answer, I'm supporting Kamala Harris for president and Tim Walz for vice president, and opposing Donald Trump and J.D. Vance.
Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are committed to a vision of this country that respects and includes everyone.
That's the vision of America I've been consistently writing about for 55 years.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNT: The boss has spoken. Rockstar Bruce Springsteen revealing in that Instagram video he'll be voting for Harris next month. The music legend has been a longtime Democratic donor. He has joined candidates like John Kerry, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail over the last two decades. And he's also publicly criticize Donald Trump, making this prediction about a Trump presidency back in 2016.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SPRINGSTEEN: This is a man whose vision is limited to little beyond himself, who has the profound lack of decency that would allow him to prioritize his own interests an ego before American democracy itself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[06:55:01]
HUNT: All right, our panel is back.
Meghan Hays, I - I was at that rally actually where he - that - you know on Independence Hall -- Mall and he was, you know, one of a number of celebrities - that was actually one of the events when I look back on covering the 2016 campaign that sort of previewed what was going to happen even when many in the pundit class thought Hillary was going to win. There was no question that she was going to win. The energy, I mean, you could see it there in that clip, right? His energy was kind of low. It wasn't like a Bruce Springsteen rockstar concert. It was almost a ballad. The crowd was, yes, fired up in certain - in the way that, you know, you can't help being when you're with other people, but it was not the sort of raucous Obama '08 the way that it can be.
And I just - I guess part of what I took away from it is that this stuff doesn't really matter that much at all. It doesn't say a lot necessarily. But I'm' curious your thoughts.
HAYS: No, I don't think that these endorsements matter. I mean I don't think this is a surprise to anyone. I mean, Joe Biden's been using a Bruce Springsteen song for his walk out for many, many years now. So, like, this is not a surprise to anyone.
I think the endorsement that did matter was Taylor Swift and registering 300,000 voters or getting people to be engaged there. So, I think that she moves the needle here. But, I mean, it's a great endorsement. He will do rallies for her and go out and do some concerts and it will be great for everyone to drum up support, but I don't think it's going to move the needle.
HUNT: How does it cut, Matt, to - in terms of - one of the things we've been seeing on the Republican side is this abrasive anti-elite- ism, right?
GORMAN: Yes.
HUNT: And the sense that, you know, Hollywood and the coasts, et cetera, are all in it together and they're not looking out for you.
Look, I think Republican voters, and certainly the Republican operative class, are very used to this sort of thing. I mean Bruce has been doing this for 20 years. I'll still see his shows. Seen him 21 times, twice in the last month. I'll do 22 -
HUNT: I was going to say, weren't you just in Europe.
GORMAN: Oh, yes, yes, yes, exactly. Well, I saw him two weeks ago or whatever. But, yes, no, it - this is - this is baked in, in so many respects, where, you know, in '04 I think was the first election where - and it was the first lecture really Springsteen endorsed and he was campaigning with John Kerry. It was Kerry's song "No Surrender," that was his campaign song, that really tilted in a large way. If you remember, in 2000, like you had Brittney Spears perform at the inauguration. It was much more bipartisan than it is right now. HUNT: Yes, it is. And, I mean, Alex, does this - the Trump people have
found their sort of celebrities, but they are -
THOMPSON: Kid Rock.
HUNT: Kid Rock and Hulk Hogan, right, like ripping his shirt off.
THOMPSON: Yes. Y es.
HUNT: It is a different vibe.
THOMPSON: Incredibly different vibe. And, you know, to both of their points, I mean, Bruce has sort of a mixed - a mixed record of success, right? He did - he supported Obama but he also supported Kerry and Hillary Clinton. So -
HUNT: So, Democrats have had a mixed record of success.
THOMPSON: That's true. But I give Bruce that sort of power.
WILLIAMS: Yes, he has it. No, he -
THOMPSON: They call him "The Boss" for the reasons.
So, you know, it is interesting though to the - the anti-leaders (ph) of the point. The Trump campaign actually cut a new ad, which features heavily Kamala Harris dancing that they've been putting on the air. And they basically say, we don't need a TikTok star in the White House and sort of this like, you know, and it reminds me that -
HUNT: But they pout that DJT dancing video on a loop at the Republican National Convention.
THOMPSON: I - which I don't understand. Maybe it's because - because people find it relatable to be a bad dancer but - for (ph) a reason (ph).
HAYS: But to the earlier point, is this moving Gladys or Judy? Like, are they - are they moved by any of this? No.
GORMAN: No. No.
WILLIAMS: No. Literally no one turns on their TV and sees "The Boss."
HAYS: No, so -
WILLAIMS: It's setting up a kick-ass concert for the night before Election Day, but that's probably it.
HAYS: Correct.
HUNT: Yes, I'm interested to see if it's -
WILLIAMS: It's going to be -
GORMAN: Yes. WILLIAMS: Yes, I'm saying Bruce. It'll be funny to watch, but no one's changing their votes.
GORMAN: Hopefully (ph) better than the Philly one.
WILLIAMS: In Philly, right.
HUNT: Yes. I mean that was a good - it was a huge crowded, I feel like. Don't get me wrong.
WILLIAMS: Yes.
HUNT: We can see the optics there, but, man, the energy was - the energy was really interesting.
All right, I'll leave you with this. After an impressive rookie season, understatement, Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball star Caitlin Clark receiving this well-deserved honor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The best is yet to come.
CAITLIN CLARK, INDIANA FEVER PLAYER: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So, congratulations, Caitlin, you are the 2024 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNT: The Indiana Fevers star, the new WNBA Rookie of the Year, receiving 66 out of 67 votes for the title. After Indiana chose Clark as the first overall pick in the WNBA draft, she had a momentous start, breaking a number of WNBA records, including assists in a single game with 19, the most in WNBA history. Her bragging rights, taking center stage on "Saturday Night Live" right before the WNBA draft to address some of the haters.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The University of Iowa announced that basketball star Caitlin Clark will have her jersey retired and replaced with an apron.
CAITLIN CLARK, INDIANA FEVERS PLAYER: Since you're such a big fan, I brought you a souvenir. It's an apron signed by me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNT: Pretty awesome.
Meghan Hays, the - women's - watching women's basketball just explode into the cultural consciousness has been really fun to watch.
HAYS: Absolutely. And it just - it's super engaging for people that - them selling out actual arenas where the men play. I mean, I hope that we get to a point where they're being paid as much as the men, but here we are.
[07:00:00]
HUNT: Right, here we are. No, I mean it's - it's - to women's soccer. I mean we've got women's soccer here now too in D.C. And I have a lot of friends who are spending a lot, you know, taking their daughters. It's just the - the sort of evolution of this has been really fun.
All right, thanks guys for joining us today. Thanks to all of you also for being with us. I'm Kasie Hunt. Don't go anywhere. "CNN NEWS CENTRAL" starts right now.
