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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

The War on ISIS: Boots on the Ground?; NFL Drowning in Controversy; Scotland Gears Up for Big Vote

Aired September 17, 2014 - 04:00   ET

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

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Fighting ISIS with boots on the ground. Could American troops be returning to a combat role in Iraq? One U.S. general's warning of what may be required to take down the terrorists.

As skepticism grows over the president's plan to extinguish ISIS, can Syrian rebels be trusted? We're live in Iraq with the very latest on our big story this morning.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: And breaking news this morning. The NFL is just drowning in controversy. The Vikings banning Adrian Peterson from all team activities, reversing course after reversing course. Child abuse allegations just too much for team owners, this as Ray Rice appeals his domestic violence punishment.

Off-the-field happenings taking center stage and it could end up costing the NFL big.

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm John Berman.

ROMANS: And I'm Christine Romans. It's Wednesday, September 17th. It's 4:00 a.m. in the East.

Let's begin here. A stunner from the country's top general. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey saying he is open to putting U.S. ground forces back in Iraq, this time to defeat ISIS. Dempsey raising concerns that about half of Iraq's army is incapable of partnering effectively with U.S. troops in the battle against Islamic militants.

The president has ruled out putting ground troops into Iraq. But Dempsey appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday opened a surprise amount of daylight between he and his boss.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEN. MARTIN DEMPSEY, CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: This will require a sustained effort over an extended period of time. It's a generational problem. And we should expect that our enemies will adapt their tactics as we adjust our approach.

My view at this point is that this coalition is the appropriate way forward. I believe that will prove true. But if it fails to be true and if there are threats to the United States, then I, of course, would go back to the president and make a recommendation that may include the use of U.S. military ground forces.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: If, if and then may, those are really caveats there. A White House spokesman later reiterated the president's determination not to deploy ground troops, calling Dempsey's remarks hypothetical.

BERMAN: The House is set to vote today on the president's plan to arm and train the so-called moderate Syrian rebels fighting the Assad regime, and also battling ISIS. The plan is drawing fire from both sides. Republicans are calling it inadequate, and many Democrats warning that arms could eventually wind up being used against the United States. Even so, the authorization is expected to pass the House before heading to the Senate later this week.

Now, also this morning, the president is in Tampa for a visit to U.S. Central Command. This is part of his effort to drum up public support for the fight against ISIS. He arrived Tuesday night, shaking hands with U.S. troops there. Later today, he will be briefed on the battle strategy against Islamic militants. And the administration will continue to press the case on Capitol Hill as Secretary of State John Kerry appears before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to discuss the president's plans.

ROMANS: ISIS and its supporters are thumbing their noses in the face of a 40-nation international coalition committed to fight it. So far, the U.S. coalition member outside Iraq and Syria has fired a shot. ISIS sympathizers have been goading the U.S.-led coalition with tweets like this one, "We welcome America into Syria with open arms and an explosive belt."

And ISIS itself celebrating a claimed victor with the downing of a Syrian fighter jet that has not yet been independently concerned.

Meanwhile, Iraq's national security adviser, Faleh al-Fayyad, met Tuesday with Syrian President Bashar al Assad, even though U.S. officials say there's no coordination with the Assad regime in the fight against ISIS.

I want to go to Jomana Karadsheh now live in Baghdad this morning where U.S. airstrikes are escalating.

Jomana, what is the reaction to increased U.S. military presence there?

JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, when it comes to airstrikes, Christine, everyone is welcoming this. They are seeing a difference when it comes to the areas where these airstrikes have been taking place, facilitating it, making it easier for the Iraqi ground forces to combat ISIS and to make some advances there.

But when it comes to talking about U.S. troop presence here, the reaction mostly from Iraqi officials -- yes, they do want to see more advisers, more trainers here because there is that admission, realization, that Iraqi troops are not ready nor capable of doing this on their own with airstrikes. That's not going to be enough. They need more training, equipping and advising and, thus, that cannot happen with more U.S. advisers on the ground.

Ordinary Iraqis you talk to say as long as this is not a visible presence, they don't want to see another U.S. military occupation as they describe it. But what we've seen in the past couple days is reaction from the Iranian-backed Shia militias. If you recall, during the presence of U.S. militants here in the past, these militias were accused of carrying out deadly attacks, kidnappings and killings and EFPs, targeting U.S. military forces.

And the reaction so far, very similar rhetoric from what we've been hearing from Iran. The U.S. is using ISIS as a pretext to reoccupy Iraq in the name -- these are the words of Shia cleric Muqtada al Sadr, who commands one of the most powerful Shia militias here.

So, there is concern about the safety of these U.S. advisers and trainers on the ground when you hear statements like this -- something than a security adviser told me very recently and Iraqi expert saying this is what happens when you sideline Iran here. It could use its proxies here to sabotage the military efforts against ISIS.

ROMANS: So many complicated moving parts in this whole thing.

Jomana Karadsheh, thank you so much.

BERMAN: Yes, the complicated moving parts. We mentioned earlier concerns over the fact that weapons for the so-called moderate Syrian rebels could eventually end up being used against American troops, but there are warnings of other ways this effort could be complicated. Arizona Senator John McCain blasted the administration's plan during Joint Chiefs Chairman Martin Dempsey's testimony on Tuesday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: You'd think that these people you're training will only go back to fight against ISIL? Do you really believe that, General?

DEMPSEY: We do not have to deal with it now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: What the senator was talking about there was the idea that the moderate Syrian rebels would actually prefer to be fighting against Bashar al Assad, would not use the training and weapons that the U.S. gives to fight against ISIS.

The speaker of Syria's parliament had a similar warning about insurgents fighting his government, in a letter to the House leaders. He claims that so-called moderate rebels sold an American hostage to ISIS. He said there's nothing to stop the rebels from doing the same with the weapons they get from the United States.

One of the interesting things there is the fact that he's sending to U.S. House leaders. The Syrian government trying to get involved in U.S. politics here. ROMANS: All right. An Upstate New York man will be in court

tomorrow, charged of plotting to murder American soldiers in recruiting on behalf of ISIS. Prosecutors in Rochester, New York, say 30-year-old Mufid Elfgeeh, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Yemen, attempted to buy guns from undercover agents to carry out his deadly plan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIAM HOCHUL, U.S. ATTORNEY: Mr. Elfgeeh expressed on numerous occasions his interest in killing American servicemen as they're returning from the war zones. He also spoke about also hurting members of the Shia Muslim community here in Rochester.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: A grand jury indictment handed up Tuesday. Elfgeeh is also charged with recruiting for ISIS. His attorney is expected to enter a not guilty plea.

BERMAN: The United Nations says a billion dollars is needed now to battle the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The U.N. Security Council votes today on a resolution urging countries to provide field hospitals and other badly needed supplies to Ebola stricken countries.

In the House, there appears to be widespread support for President Obama's $88 million request. The president expected to ask Congress for another $500 million for his Ebola plan today. Meanwhile, Dr. Kent Brantly, an American Ebola survivor, will testify at a hearing today. He's already warning lawmakers that there is no time to waste. A sentiment echoed by the president.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. KENT BRANTLY, EBOLA SURVIVOR: It is a fire. It is a fire straight from the pit of hell. We cannot fool ourselves into thinking that the vast mode of the Atlantic Ocean will protect us from the flames of this fire.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's spiraling out of control. It is getting worse. It's spreading faster and exponentially. This is an epidemic that is not just a threat to regional security. It's a potential threat to global security, if these countries break down, if their economies break down, if people panic.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: So the president is launching a very big effort here to battle Ebola, planning to send 3,000 U.S. troops to West Africa, along with materials to field hospitals additional health care workers, medical supplies. There is some hopeful news from the National Institutes of Health. The first human trial of an Ebola vaccine developed by the drug make GlaxoSmithKline is producing no adverse effects in the 10 volunteers.

Well, what it means it didn't cause any side effects in them so far, which is a good sign.

ROMANS: All right. Two Veterans Administration whistle-blowers set to testify before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs today. These two doctors say the inspector general downplayed the link between patient deaths and delays in health care at V.A. medical centers. Reports of poor medical care earlier this year led to the resignation of the V.A. Secretary Eric Shinseki.

CNN first brought you the story that 40 veterans died while waiting for medical care at the V.A. Medical Center in Phoenix.

BERMAN: Competing action in the issue of Benghazi in Congress. The Select House Committee will hold hearings this morning all about the killing of ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, and three other Americans as well.

House Democrats seemed to try to get out ahead of this committee hearing on Tuesday, with a report containing a point-by-point rebuttal to anticipated Republican attacks.

ROMANS: All right. Breaking news this morning, the Vikings banning Adrian Peterson from all team activities. Allegations of child abuse now forcing him from the field -- a late-night reversal of a reversal.

BERMAN: A reversal of a reversal, wow, whiplash, money talks I think.

Plus, a manhunt to find a suspected cop killer. Investigators say he could strike again. We'll have that next.

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ROMANS: Breaking news this morning: the Minnesota Vikings reversing course again on Adrian Peterson, after reinstating their star running back for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. The team has now decided to ban Peterson from all team-related activities until legal proceedings have concluded in his child abuse case. The governor of Minnesota, Mark Dayton, Senator Al Franken, they have been calling on the Vikings to suspend Peterson.

The embattled running back is still getting some support from fellow players.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got what we called whoopings. With a belt and stuff like that. For me, growing up, it was normal. I most definitely discipline my daughter. I have a 1-year-old daughter I definitely will try to obviously not leave bruises, but I will definitely discipline her harshly, depending on what the situation is.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

ROMANS: Oh my God. Peterson has lost one of his biggest endorsement deals. Castro motor oil terminating its relationship with the Vikings star. Peterson and other major sponsor, Nike is standing by him for now. I'm really surprised to hear and here's why -- so many of the brain science and child development experts like all of them say that harsh punishment of a 1-year-old reinforces negative behavior does not enforce positive behavior or show in any way discipline.

BERMAN: Yes, as I was watching that, having had a couple of 1-year- olds. What do you discipline a 1-year-old for? Being 1? I don't know.

ROMANS: He said harshly discipline.

BERMAN: All right. He no longer has a team, but Ray Rice has the NFL Players Association on his side. In the legal battle against the league, the union formally appealed Rice's indefinite suspension, claiming he was suspended twice for the same infraction, which in fact he was. Rice initially received two-game ban for the domestic violence incident.

The union at a statement said, quote, "The NFLPA appeal is based on supporting facts that reveal a lack of a fair and impartial process, including the role at the office the commissioner of the NFL. We've asked that a neutral and jointly selected arbitrator hear the case as the commissioner and his staff will be essential witnesses in the proceeding, and thus cannot serve as impartial arbitrators."

We're also learning that Ray Rice received domestic violence and conflict resolution training back in 2008 as part of an NFL rookie symposium.

Meantime, the singer Rihanna who was herself the victim of a domestic abused case, she's not hiding her anger at CBS for pulling her opening number from "Thursday Night Football." She took to Twitter to say, "CBS, you pulled my song last week. Now, you want to slide it back in this Thursday. No, expletive, the one that has the F in it. Y'all are sad for penalizing me for this." And then, another simply saying, "The audacity."

CBS reportedly will not use the song this week. CBS after Rihanna swore at them said they are just not going to use the song, sort of period.

ROMANS: Anheuser-Busch just became the first sponsors to criticize the league's recent action over domestic violence, and now, child abuse. A company said a statement, "We are not yet satisfied with the league's handling of behaviors that so clearly go against our own company culture and moral code."

Anheuser-Busch is one of the NFL three major sponsors, spending $50 billion a year on sponsorships. And that doesn't even include the millions of companies spent on commercials during broadcasts. That big ad spending makes it possible for the league to charge broadcasters $5 billion this year to show its game. The league responded to the criticism saying there will be more action soon.

Seventeen minutes past the hour, an EARLY START on your money now. European shares moving higher. U.S. stock futures barely budging, though, this morning. We'll keep an eye on all that. A lot going on this week. A lot going on this week, so we'll keep an eye on that for you.

BERMAN: All right. Authorities in Pennsylvania have identified the suspect wanted in an ambush killing of a state trooper last week in a rural police barracks. They say 31-year-old Eric Matthew Frein is a survivalist and an experienced shooter who has talked about wanting to kill law enforcement and commit mass murder. They've now asked for the public's health as they conducted an all-out manhunt.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nothing you've ever seen before. I mean, helicopters, police presence everywhere.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's quite disturbing, very disturbing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't know where he is, so we're going to look everywhere. This fellow, as we said, is armed and extremely dangerous. So, people should take caution.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Take caution indeed.

Bryon Dickson was killed. Trooper Alex Douglass seriously wounded in that ambush. But the suspects still at large. Officials in the Pocono Mountain School District have cancelled classes today as a safety precaution.

ROMANS: Now to the latest in the Michael Brown shooting. Protesters in Ferguson, Missouri, packing a county council meeting today, calling for the immediate arrest of Officer Darren Wilson.

Chants of "arrest him now, I've got my hands on my head, please don't shoot me dead" as they marched out of the meeting Tuesday. The same group is also demanding that lead prosecutor Bob McCullough recuse himself from the Ferguson investigation. They say he can't be fair and impartial because of his deep ties to the police force.

BERMAN: In less than 24 hours --

ROMANS: It's such a big story.

BERMAN: -- Scotland is going to vote on independence. However, the United Kingdom, Great Britain, not going down without a fight. What leaders are now offering to keep Scotland in the -- well, the sort of United Kingdom? We're live, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: Tensions building in Scotland this morning and much of the United Kingdom as voters get ready for an historic vote on whether to split from the rest of the United Kingdom. Tomorrow's vote could see Scots declare independence, potentially splitting up Great Britain after 300 years.

Now, some U.K. officials in Britain are pledging to give Scots new powers in an effort to sway a vote against independence.

I want go to Max Foster right now who has the latest from Edinburgh.

And, Max, these polls are so, so close.

MAX FOSTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, three out today, John, and they're all too close to call. And you can really tell the story here from Edinburgh, by looking at the front pages of the newspapers.

So, one of the polls on "Scotsmen" saying the polls has "no" in the land. But actually the "yes" campaign is closing the gap.

And "The Herald", the only newspaper in Scotland supporting the "yes" campaign, is making the point that yes the pro-independent campaign is closing the gap and has the momentum and could overtake no by tomorrow. That's the suggestion, at least.

Very clear on the front of "The Daily Mail", 24 hours to save Britain or to go independent. It really is a date with destiny tomorrow. We talked a bit about how there's a lot of attention to the run-up to tomorrow's poll.

You know, this has been two years of campaigning and a lot of aggression, particularly on the yes side. And a very simple message here, keep the heat and carry on. That's the Scottish play on keep calm and carry campaigning, and to keep things calm really, because it is pretty tense here at the moment.

BERMAN: Max, I think we have about a thousand questions here in the United States for you about this referendum. Can't possibly ask them all the time we have. But let me ask one that I think is surprising to many Americans.

Scots want independence, they want to break away. But they want to keep the queen. They want to keep the monarchy. It seems as if they don't quite under this independence thing.

FOSTER: I think this is a huge thing for the queen. I mean, she only came close to commenting. She can't get involved in politics. You know, she has to stay above politics. That's her constitutional rule.

But she did say to a churchgoer recently she really hope that Scots consider this. You can imagine there was a very big British empire. Empires come and go. And the empire's really been cut back, of course.

But now, you're talking about home turf, and her home state being split. I think she's pretty concerned about this. We have to say, in all essence, we're not talking about a big change in her role in Scotland, because the yes campaign they do want to keep her as head of state. But I certainly think that she's concerned about what's happening here. A breakup of the U.K., it's a huge moment in British history.

BERMAN: It would be colossal, after more than 300 years, that vote is tomorrow. If they do vote to split, it would take 18 months to implement.

Max Foster, great to have you here for us this morning. Thanks so much.

ROMANS: Big questions before the referendum of what a yes vote could mean for both economies.

Harvard economist Ken Rogoff told me there are a lot of unknowns, the biggest being currency.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KENNETH ROGOFF, PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS, HARVARD UNIVERSITY: When you got through with this divorce, suddenly you don't have the currency. What currency do you have? That's one of the first questions people will have, it's one of the first questions investors have. You really don't have an answer.

They say it's the pound. The British say it's not the pound. People say, well, maybe Scotland will join the euro. That creates a lot of problems for the rest of the eurozone. And they could have their own currency, but that's not a magic elixir when you don't have long credibility.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: It's a really big deal. Rogoff also said a yes vote could be -- maybe good for Scotland in the long run, he said like in a hundred years. But it's the short term uncertainly that is so concerning about this. He said, basically, it would be a mild negative for the U.K. and very big -- very big negative for Scotland.

He also said, look, when Americans say why does this matter to me? I've heard this, why do I care? He says, because the U.K. and U.S. have the strongest alliance in the world. And this is our best friend breaking apart. It's a very big deal.

BERMAN: It has huge implications for international relations as well. Again, what do you do to every other separatist movement in the world?

ROMANS: To say nothing of America's nuclear position in northern Europe, it's in Scotland.

BERMAN: Fascinating. It will all be decided tomorrow.

Twenty-seven minutes after the hour.

Could U.S. troops end up fighting on the ground against ISIS? A new warning from a top U.S. general as there is skepticism now about the president's plan to battle the terrorists. We're live next.

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