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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Top General Open to Ground Fight Against ISIS; Funding the Ebola Fight; NFL Drowning in Controversy

Aired September 17, 2014 - 04:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Going to war with ISIS -- possibly, on the ground. Could American troops return to a combat role in Iraq?

New warning from one U.S. general about what might be required to take down the terrorists. This as some skepticism growing louder about the president's plan.

We're live in Iraq with all the angles on this developing story.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news this morning. Banned from the team, Vikings owners telling Adrian Peterson stay away from team activities. Child abuse allegations costing his spot on the team for now. This as Ray Rice appeals his own domestic violence punishment.

Off-the-field violence keeping the NFL in the headlines. And we're now learning just how much this could cost the league.

Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.

BERMAN: I'm John Berman. Great to see you today. Thirty-one minutes past the hour.

A lot of questions this morning about comments from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Martin Dempsey. The general said he would be request U.S. troops be put in combat situations in Iraq to defeat ISIS. The chairman also raised concerns that about half of Iraq's army is incapable of partnering effectively with troops in the battle against the Islamic militants.

Now, the president has said he would not use ground troops in Iraq for combat. But General Dempsey appearing from the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday said if the situation changed, it could be a possibility.

(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)

BERMAN: A White House spokesman later reiterated the president's determination not to deploy ground troops for combat, calling the general's remarks hypothetical.

ROMANS: Meanwhile, the U.S. House is scheduled to vote on the president's plan to arm and train moderate Syrian rebels fighting ISIS. The plan is drawing fire from both sides. Republicans calling it inadequate and Democrats warn that the arms could be used against the U.S.

Even so, the authorization is expected to pass the House before heading to the Senate later in the week. Also this morning, the president is in Tampa for a visit to U.S. Central Command as part of his effort to drum up public support for the fight against ISIS. He arrived Tuesday night shaking hands with U.S. troops.

Later today, he'll be briefed on battle strategy against Islamic militants. And the administration will press its case on Capitol Hill as Secretary of State John Kerry appears before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to explain the president's ISIS plan.

BERMAN: ISIS remaining defiant in the face of 40-nation international coalition now committed to fight, albeit in a different levels. So far, the U.S. is the only coalition member outside of Iraq and Syria that has actually fired a shot.

ISIS sympathizers have been goading the United States-led coalition, with tweets like, "We welcome America into Syria with open arms and an explosive belt." ISIS itself is celebrating a claimed victory, the downing of a Syrian fighter jet that has not yet been independently confirmed. Meanwhile, Iraq's national security adviser met Tuesday with Syrian President Bashar al Assad even though U.S. officials say there is no coordination with the Assad regime in the fight against ISIS.

Jomana Karadsheh live in Baghdad this morning where airstrikes have been escalating.

Jomana, we've been talking about this shift, this change in the U.S. policy in Iraq. And we can already see it in some cases in these military operations.

JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, John. What we're seeing in the last couple days is what President Obama has been talking about last week, that expansion of the scope of the mission here. It's not just expanding the geographical area. As you know very well, those strikes have been taking place since they started in August 8th -- mostly focused in the northern part of the country. But what we have seen over the past couple of days is increased

strikes taking place very close to Baghdad, about 22 miles from here. And this really is also a broadening of the scope of the mission. Earlier when this mission started, it was humanitarian intervention, and it was to protect U.S. personnel and U.S. facilities here.

But this is what President Obama was talking about, that they want to try and enable Iraqi security forces to go on the offensive. And what we are seeing is this does help them. In the areas where these airstrikes have been taking place.

For example, southwest of Baghdad. This has been a really problematic area where we have seen intensified fighting taking place between Iraqi security forces and ISIS militants there for the past couple of months.

And what these Iraqi grounds forces really lack is precision air strikes. That air cover that they do not really have. So, this kind of support they are getting does allow them and enable them to go on the offensive, as U.S. officials put it.

But the real test, John, is going to be whether these Iraqi forces are going to be able to recapture territory on their own and hold it. That's going to be the real challenge.

BERMAN: Absolutely. It's the beginning of the next phase. The question is, how far will it go and will it require greater U.S. involvement either from the air or ultimately from the ground?

Jomana Karadsheh in Baghdad, thanks so much.

You mentioned earlier, the concerns that weapons for the so-called moderate Syrian rebels conventionally end up being used against American troops. But there are warnings now of other ways the effort could back fire. Arizona Senator John McCain blasting the administration's plan during Joint Chiefs Chairman Martin Dempsey Tuesday. He says the weapons would be used against the Assad government first and foremost, not ISIS.

(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: The speaker of Syria's parliament had a similar warning about the insurgents fighting his government. In a letter to U.S. House leaders, he claimed the so-called moderate rebels sold an American hostage to ISIS. He says there is nothing stopping the rebels from doing the same with the weapons that they get from the United States.

ROMANS: The United Nations is calling for $1 billion 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 sport for the president's $88 million request. The president is expected to ask Congress for another $500 million for his Ebola response plan today.

Meanwhile, Dr. Kent Brantly, an American Ebola survivor, will testify at a hearing today. He's already warning lawmakers 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: The U.S. is stepping up its response to the Ebola crisis. The president planning to send 3,000 troops to West Africa, along with materials to build field hospitals, additional health care workers and also sending medical supplies.

Now, there's hopeful from the National Institutes of Health. The first human trial of an Ebola vaccine, this was developed by the British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline, it is producing no adverse effects in 10 vaccinated volunteers.

BERMAN: Two doctors who blew the whistle on the Veterans Administration are set to testify before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs today. The physicians say the V.A. inspector general downplayed the link between patients' deaths and delays in health care at V.A. medical centers. Reports of poor medical care earlier this year led to the resignation of V.A. Secretary Eric Shinseki. CNN first brought you the story, 40 veterans died while waiting for medical care at a V.A. medical center in Phoenix.

Competing action on the issue of Benghazi in Congress. Select House committee holds hearings over the killing of U.S. ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, and three other Americans. House Democrats seemed to try to get out ahead of the committee on Tuesday, with report containing point by point rebuttals to anticipated Republican attacks.

ROMANS: Thirty-nine minutes past hour. An EARLY START on your money.

European stocks higher. Asian stocks ending their day mixed. Europe stocks barely moving right now. You know, stocks rallied yesterday. The Dow reaching an intra-day high.

Today, it's all eyes on the Federal Reserve. Fed Chair Janet Yellen, and her colleagues will wrap up a two-day policy meeting with a statement. Who knew a statement could be so exciting? But everyone wants to know if that statement says anything about interest rates.

BERMAN: You know how to party, Christine Romans.

ROMANS: Even if changes the way they use the word "considerable", it will be a very big deal. Economic data is showing the U.S. economy is improving. The Fed is watching that closely. Some analysts worry an interest rate hike could come closer sooner than we think.

The statement -- any hints on the time line to raise rates is going to be incredibly important to watch.

BERMAN: And incredibly exciting.

ROMANS: I know.

BERMAN: Breaking news overnight, the Vikings banning Adrian Peterson from any and all team activities. He faces child abuse charges. And they're not his only problems this morning. Stay with us.

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ROMANS: Breaking news this morning. The Vikings reversing on Adrian Peterson, after reinstating their star running back for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, now the team has changed its mind. It's now decided to ban Peterson from all team-related activity until his legal proceedings have concluded and he can take care of his personal business the way the team put it with his child abuse case. The governor of Minnesota, Mark Dayton, Senator Al Franken, they have been calling on the Vikings to suspend Peterson.

The running back still getting some support from his fellow players.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REGGIE BUSH, DETROIT LIONS: I got what we call whoopings, with a belt and stuff like that. For me, it was normal. I most definitely discipline my daughter. I have a 1-year-old daughter. I will definitely try not to leave bruises or anything like that on her, but I will discipline her harshly, you know, depending on what the situation is.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: That's Reggie Bush running back for the Detroit Lions. Is he say he will discipline her ultimately, or is he saying he disciplines his 1-year-old harshly now?

ROMANS: He said he disciplines his 1-year-old harshly. I've looked at it five times now. Maybe he's trying to help out his friend. But that's a pretty startling admission, a 1-year-old. I don't think there's any child behavior experts who say disciplining a 1-year-old does any good.

BERMAN: Also, with a 1-year-old, where's the difference between a good behavior and bad behavior? I don't understand what you can do wrong.

ROMANS: It's really raising a lot of questions and a huge conversation about all of this. Peterson has lost one of its biggest endorsement deals, Castro motor oil terminating its relationship with the Viking star. Peterson's other major sponsor, Nike is standing by him for now.

And the biggest question I hear say, everything your parents did wasn't necessary right. You all that, right? You know? I mean, if you've been whipped and switched and beaten, it doesn't necessarily mean that's the right thing to do.

I think there's a lot of brain science and child psychology that I hope we can hear more about actually, instead of just the players, of what would they think or they do. I think this raises a real opportunity to talk to child brain experts about what happens when you treat your kids this way.

BERMAN: And it, of course, raises questions with for the NFL, which is dealing with so many issues including Ray Rice. He may no longer have a team but he does have the NFL players association on his side in a legal battle against the league. The union formally appealed the Rice's indefinite suspension, claiming he was punished twice for the same infraction. Rice initially received a two-game for the domestic violence incident.

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

Excuse me.

We're also learning that Ray Rice did receive domestic violence and conflict resolution training back in 2008. It's part of the NFL rookie symposium that so many of the players go through.

In the meantime, singer Rihanna who was herself a victim of domestic abuse, is not hiding her anger at CBS for pulling her opening number from "Thursday Night Football." She took to Twitter saying, CBS, you pulled my song last week, now you want to slide it back in this Thursday? No." There's an expletive there, which we can see on the screen. "Y'all are sad for penalizing me for this." Then she sent another tweet saying simply, "The audacity."

CBS said they would not use the song this week after Rihanna swore at them on Twitter.

ROMANS: Wow.

All right. Forty-seven minutes past the hour.

Authorities in Pennsylvania naming the suspect wanted in the ambush killing of a state trooper last week at a rural police barracks. They say 31-year-old Eric Matthew Frein is a survivalist and an experienced shooter, who's talked about wanting to kill law enforcement and commit mass murder. They're asking for the public's health as they conduct an all-out manhunt.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Like 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)

ROMANS: Bryon Dickson was killed and trooper Alex Douglass was seriously wounded in the ambush. The suspect is still at large. Officials in the Pocono Mountain School District have cancelled classes today, as a safety precaution. His father was quoted as saying that he was in a -- belonged to a gun club in high school. And he doesn't miss -- when he shoots, he doesn't miss.

BERMAN: Shocking details coming to light about comedian Joan Rivers' final days. A source close to the investigation into her death telling CNN she went into cardiac arrest as her personal doctor began performing an unauthorized biopsy on her vocal cords.

Now, even more bizarre, a clinic staffer who said the doctor who has not been identified took a selfie while Rivers was under anesthesia. Rivers was at the clinic for scheduled endoscopy. I hadn't one of those, thankfully, by another doctor.

ROMANS: Oh my.

All right. California burning this morning. Thousands forced from their homes. The latest on this firefight. That's next.

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BERMAN: Residents in the California -- lumber town -- residents in California, near the Oregon border are returning to find much of it burned to the ground. A fast-moving wildfire destroyed some 150 homes and buildings, including two churches. The fire is one of a dozen fires burning all over California fueled by strong winds and extreme dry heat.

ROMANS: Yes, it is rough out there. I want to get an EARLY START on your weather now with Chad Myers this morning.

CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: And good morning. At least good morning to most of you. Good evening in for you in Hawaii.

Scattered storms across part of the Southeast today, across Florida as well. High pressure in control of the Northeast. The showers that you saw yesterday completely gone. Lots of sunshine today. Call it partly cloudy, but more sun than clouds, for sure.

And there's Odile. Odile making flash flooding across the Southwest. This is the moisture that came in from the hurricane that moved over Cabo San Lucas, moved over the gulf of California, warm water here. And up into the desert southwest with an awful lot of rain.

Some of that rain is going to come down, because there's no jet stream there, when it starts to rain in one spot, it's going to continue to rain in that spot for a long time. And that especially makes flooding on the desert. Watch out there. That's your flash flood forecast for tomorrow.

Sunny skies across in the east and southeast, and the same story really. Temperatures don't change very much. The cool front moves across the Northeast, takes the rain showers away brings you a high tomorrow right at 74.

Enjoy your day, guys. Back to you.

ROMANS: All right. Chad, thank you for that.

And, you know, we got this new billionaire census out. Just what you always wanted to know.

BERMAN: Yes.

ROMANS: How happy and rich are the billionaires? Guess what, there are more ultra wealthy people than ever. Who are they, John Berman? Who are they?

BERMAN: Yay!

ROMANS: And how did they get all that money?

An EARLY START on your money, next.

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ROMANS: All right. Let's get an EARLY START on your money this morning.

European stocks higher, U.S. stock futures barely moving so far. Why? Because, well, the Federal Reserve is meeting today. The Fed Chair Janet Yellen and her colleagues wrapping up a two-day policy meeting. They'll release a statement.

No one really wants to do anything until they see what's on that statement, if she's changed any of the language, any verbiage about when the Fed is going to raise interest rates. You know, the economy data has been improving. That could convince the Fed to raise interest rates earlier than planned, even a slight hint in a timeline change could be a big deal for markets.

All right. Brand new on CNN Money this morning, the world has 155 new billionaires, applause, slow golf clap. That's brings the total to about 2,300 people, a 7 percent jump from last year.

Who's your standard billionaire? Well, he or she has to average $1.3 billion. The average age of 63 years old. And most didn't reach billionaire status until late 40s. Berman, there's hope for you yet.

They're all mostly male, by the way. Only 286 of them are women. And not all of them have a bachelor's degree, but there's a chance they went to Penn, Harvard or Yale, if they do.

Apple's new iOS8 software will be available for free download today. It comes with key updates like messages, e-mails, photos. Its new health app that can communicate with other fitness apps and get all your data in one place, and a smart keyboard will suggest appropriate words to complete your messages.

BERMAN: Yes, I'll give you an appropriate.

ROMANS: It's available to -- it's available on iPhone 4S, iPad 2, and all the models. And billionaires, by the way, have someone else doing it for them.

BERMAN: You know, I've been reading a lot of reviews out this morning of the new iPhone 6, a lot of them say the new operating system is the best part. So, if you have the 5 or 5s, you can get all the benefits of the new phone without actually buying it. So, pay attention to these reviews.

EARLY START continues right now.