Return to Transcripts main page
Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Republicans Pull Ahead in Tight U.S. Senate Races; Ebola Nurse's New Apology; Nik Wallenda's Death-Defying Stunt; ISIS Forces Slaughter Sunnis in Iraq
Aired November 03, 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: New polls spelling bad news for Democrats and President Obama, just one day from midterm elections. Republicans now pulling ahead in toss-up races across the country. The White House now preparing for Democrats to lose control of the Senate. We are breaking down the numbers, the big races, the last minute -- the last moment push coming from political heavyweights this morning.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Nurse Kaci Hickox, who treated Ebola patients, she won her fight in court against the state imposed quarantine, but now, she is opening up with a new apology for the public.
ROMANS: And a death-defying stunt broadcast on live television. Daredevil Nik Wallenda blindfolded, tight-rope walking between two Chicago skyscrapers wires. He shares his frightening tale ahead.
BERMAN: I call that Monday.
ROMANS: Right.
Good morning. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.
BERMAN: And I'm John Berman. It is Monday, November 3rd. It's 4:00 a.m. in the East.
Republicans waking up to good news this morning. A swarm of polls gives them an edge for their candidates and sharply increases the odds that the Republicans will gain control of the Senate. Of course, this spells trouble for Democrats.
This weekend, Harry Reid told a progressive group that Iowa is critical. Just hours after he said that, a "Des Moines Register" poll came out showing Republican candidate Joni Ernst seven points up over Democrat Bruce Braley. That is a much bigger margin than other recent polls.
Democrats have been sending out the big guns to Iowa. Bill Clinton was there. But that did not dim Joni Ernst's confidence.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) WILLIAM J. CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT: America is coming back. The question is how. We are going to come back. We have got to grow together and to grow together, we have got to work together. And to get that result, Iowa needs to send Bruce Braley to the Senate.
JONI ERNST (R), IOWA SENATE CANDIDATE: We are reaching out to every Iowan that we can. So, it's not just Republicans. It's independents and it's a lot of Democrats that see the need to change direction.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Another big gun deployed in another trouble spot for Democrats, the Kentucky Senate race. Hillary Clinton stumping in Lexington for challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes. Democrats have been hoping to pick off Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. But a new NBC News/Marist poll has McConnell nine points ahead of Grimes, up slightly from an 8-point split in early September. Grimes and Clinton speaking on Saturday to define Grimes' five-term Republican opponent as a creature of Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALISON LUNDERGAN GRIMES (D), KENTUCKY SENATE CANDIDATE: He doesn't have a plan for the future. He doesn't have a vision that's for me or for you because our senator bought and paid for by the millionaires and billionaires. That's all he's been looking out for.
HILLARY CLINTON, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE: Make sure you send Alison Lundergan Grimes to Washington to fight for you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: In Louisiana, Senator Mary Landrieu is leading a three-way race for reelection by seven points. The problem for her is, in Louisiana, a candidate has to reach 50 percent to win outright. Otherwise, the top two voters on Election Day go to a runoff and that would lead to a head-to-head match up with Republican Bill Cassidy. The latest poll show Landrieu trailing in that matchup.
ROMANS: In Georgia, Democrats are in similar situation there. Their hopes that Michelle Nunn could beat Republican David Perdue in that traditionally red state are fading this morning. The latest NBC News/Marist poll there shows Perdue ahead by four points. As in Louisiana, if neither candidate gets to 50 percent on Tuesday, they will go to a runoff. And then, even then, the polls show the Republicans would still be ahead 48 percent to 44 percent.
In a debate on Sunday, Nunn went after Perdue on economic inequality, while Perdue did his best to saddle with Nunn with President Obama's deep unpopularity in Georgia.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHELLE NUNN (D), GEORGIA SENATE CANDIDATE: David, during your tenure at Dollar General, you made over $40 million, and yet, there were 2,000 women that sued the company during your tenure. And they said they were paid less, and it was found by federal investigators that they were paid less.
DAVID PERDUE (R), GEORGIA SENATE CANDIDATE: There's no wonder why this president wants you in Washington. He needs a rubber stamp to make this government bigger. He's already added $7 trillion to our debt. He wants to add $6 trillion more. He's on track to more than double our debt, even though he said he would cut it in half.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: President Obama just wrapped up campaign stops in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, stumping for gubernatorial candidates in states where he is still popular enough to help turn out votes. For the most part in this election cycle, the president has headlined just big money fund-raiser to those who prefer to stand to avoid standing too close to the president at rallies.
CNN's Washington correspondent Erin McPike has more on this from the White House.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ERIN MCPIKE, CNN WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, President Obama headlined his last campaign rally of the season yesterday. He had campaigned in just seven rallies this year. He was in Connecticut yesterday afternoon campaigning for the Democratic governor. He has been trying to get the women and Latino voters. Listen here to him make an appeal just yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Hope is what America is all about, hope and better days. Hope and building up the middle class. Hope in handing down something better to our kids. That's why you have to vote. That's what Dan Malloy believes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MCPIKE: Now, again, President Obama won't be campaigning today or Tuesday. That was it. The White House is likely preparing for this possible Republican Senate takeover that would happen after the elections on Tuesday. Listen here to Republican Senator Rand Paul and former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell talk about the likely outcome on CNN's "STATE OF THE UNION" yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. RAND PAUL (R), KENTUCKY: I think the wind is at our back. I think this election is going to be a referendum on the president. Even he acknowledged, his policies will be on the ballot. And he will indirectly on the ballot.
ED RENDELL (D), FORMER PA GOVERNOR: I think the Republicans, be careful what you wish for. If they get the Senate, they better do something. They better send the president some responsible piece of legislation or they'll get crushed in 2016.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MCPIKE: We also learned this weekend that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was briefed over the weekend. He was told that he should expect that Wednesday morning, he will wake up and be the majority leader to be, John and Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: All right. Erin McPike, thanks for that.
President Obama's Pennsylvania trip on Sunday faced a non-political hitch of its own. Air Force One developed what White House calls a minor mechanical problem with its wing flaps while the President headlined a rally at Tempe University. It was replaced with a back-up plane, a modified Boeing 757, usually use for runways too short to accommodate the modified 747 the president normally uses a 747.
BERMAN: There are some tight races for governor across the country, drawing plenty of star power. In Florida, Vice President Joe Biden campaigned for Democrat Charlie Crist, while former Governor Jeb Bush stumped for current Governor Rick Scott. Later today, Bill Clinton will put in an appearance making one last push for Charlie Crist at University of Central Florida rally.
ROMANS: There are also signs the race for governor of Maryland may have tightened, even though Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1 in the deep blue state. Democrat Anthony Brown, the current lieutenant governor, has slid to within a point of Republican Larry Hogan in the polls. And the respective "Cook Political Report" just declared that race, that Maryland race is a toss up. National Democratic groups are pumping money into the race. First Lady Michelle Obama headed in Baltimore today for a big rally at the War Memorial Building.
BERMAN: A bunch of close races for governor. "The Cook Political Report" now rates a total of 14 states across the country are too close to call, including ten involving incumbents. That's the greatest number of imperiled incumbents in the report's 30-year history. Democrats had been hoping to eat into Republican edge on Tuesday, but they are finding themselves on defense in several states, including as we just said, Maryland and also Connecticut.
ROMANS: All right. An apology from Kaci Hickox. Even though the Maine nurse has a court order blocking her quarantine, she still plans to stay away from her neighbors until her 21 incubation period for Ebola expires.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KACI HICKOX, NURSE: I understand the community has been through a lot in the past week and I do apologize to them for that. I will not go into town into crowded public places. You know, I have had a few friends visit me in my home. That's absolutely fantastic.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Hickox says her goal all along has been to make the national Ebola debate about science, not politics.
BERMAN: A possible Ebola patient is being evaluated right now at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina. The unidentified male patient flew into Newark International Airport three days ago from Liberia, we are told, he traveled to Durham on a commercial bus before developing a fever on Saturday. Lab results due back this morning.
ROMANS: A New York City doctor battling Ebola showing signs of improvement this morning. Dr. Craig Spencer's condition had been serious but stable. He has now just been upgraded to stable, nine days after he was admitted with a high fever. Spencer contracted the virus in Guinea while treating Ebola patients for Doctors Without Border.
BERMAN: And since his return, there's been a raging debate -- should health care workers returning from West Africa face a mandatory quarantine even if they show no symptoms of Ebola?
So, look at the results of this new NBC News/"Wall Street Journal" poll. Seventy-one percent of Americans say that these medical workers should undergo a 21-day quarantine. Only 24 percent say they should not.
ROMANS: All right. Nine minutes past the hour this Monday morning, time for an early start on your money. Stocks back at records. U.S. futures pointing slightly lower right now. This would be the first trading day of November, folks.
November historically a good month for stocks. But again, October is supposed to be a scary month, and despite a rocky start, stocks ended the month at record highs.
The Dow climbed 195 points on Friday, closing at a high. So did the S&P 500. . All together in October, the Dow and S&P gained 2 percent. The NASDAQ climbed 3 percent.
What is it going to take to keep the rally going into November? That's the big question. First, the outcome of the midterm elections is important. Wall Street hoping for Republican victories and pro- business policies. Also watching for strong corporate earnings as consumers start their holiday spending.
BERMAN: You know, one question, though, is that they already baked into the cake the idea that Republicans will take over the Senate. Did that contribute to the gains we see in the last few days?
ROMANS: Maybe. That's a very good point.
BERMAN: Ten minutes after the hour.
Breaking overnight: Investigators revealing what they believe caused the Virgin Galactic disaster. Who they say is responsible for the crash.
ROMANS: Plus daredevil Nik Wallenda blindfolded, on a tightrope, walking between two skyscrapers in Chicago. It's dramatic. We've got the video, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BERMAN: Federal investigators are blaming an improper pilot command for Friday's crash in the Virgin Galactic spacecraft. At a news conference Sunday night, officials said the spacecraft's co- pilot prematurely deployed the ship's feathering system, leaving the structure to violently break into pieces and leaving a debris field on the ground five miles. The feathering system is used to help the aircraft descent.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRISTOPHER HART, ACTING CHAIRMAN, NTSB: Today, the investigators did extensive work on scene. They found almost all of the important parts of the space vehicle that we need in order to complete our investigation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: The accident killed 39-year-old co-pilot Michael Alsbury. Pilot Peter Siebold parachuted to safety and is described as alert and talking to his family and doctors this morning.
ROMANS: We are learning new details this morning about how Missouri police kept media away from covering protests following the Michael Brown shooting. According to "The Associated Press", the FAA an agreed to a request by police to restrict 37 square miles of air space over Ferguson for 12 days, citing security concerns. But audio recordings reveal local authorities wanted to keep news choppers away during street protest. The FAA expected to release the audio recordings today.
BERMAN: Breaking overnight, the woman who became the face of the Death with Dignity Act has died. Brittany Maynard ended her own life Saturday at her home in Oregon. Maynard had been diagnosed earlier this year with a fatal brain tumor and was told by doctors she had just six months to live. She made headlines after saying she intended to die under Oregon's Death with Dignity Act. Brittany Maynard was 29 years old.
ROMANS: All right. In Hawaii, lava that's been racing toward a small town in the big island has slowed a bit, according to officials.
BERMAN: That's a race right there.
ROMANS: Right. Director of Hawaii's civil defense says the flow has stalled 480 feet from the main road in and out of Pahoa. Still, authorities alerted about 50 household in the city. They need to be prepared to evacuate. Lava has been erupting from Mount Kilauea since June. So far, it smothered part of a cemetery, cross the country road and burn through vegetation.
BERMAN: The United Nations has issued a new report on climate change. Officials say adverse consequences will become irreversible unless greenhouse emissions are curbed soon. The report shied away from specific recommendations, but it did suggest that global warming can be reduced with shifts to renewable energy sources and technology that captured more greenhouse emissions from the atmosphere.
ROMANS: All right. Sixteen minutes past the hour.
Record-breaking snowfall this weekend from Maine to the Carolinas. Look at that. That was the scene before the New England Patriots game.
BERMAN: You should have seen the scene after. Sorry, I digress.
ROMANS: The flurries coming down and crews quickly cleaning up. Gusty winds creating hazardous conditions for drivers and this was theme in Columbia, South Carolina. You see the white stuff covering parts of the city.
And the same story in North Carolina. This is Sparta, where plows were out in force clearing the roads. Welcome to November, everyone.
Let's get an early look at our weather with Jennifer Gray this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JENNIFER GRAY, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Good morning. We are going to warm up across the East after a very cold weekend. Sunny and warmer across the Southeast and the warm air will filter into the Northeast as we go through the week as well. Cooler air will be found around the Rockies with the center part of the country being the warmest spot.
So, for this afternoon, Atlanta will be at 65 degrees, 63 in D.C. Temperatures in Dallas, 77 degrees. Close to 80 in Houston. And Denver starts to fall with temperatures around 44 degrees this afternoon.
That rain, showers and storms push a little deeper into the South and farther East impacting folks all the way from the Great Lakes, all the way through Texas. Warmer air ahead of front, though, will continue to impact the Southeast.
Temperatures tomorrow, 69 degrees in Dallas, 70 in D.C., 54 in Chicago. Temperatures around 57 in Kansas City.
Back to you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BERMAN: All right. Jennifer, thanks so much.
Dramatic footage this morning from high above the Chicago River. That's exactly how he wanted it. This is what Nik Wallenda saw Sunday as he looked between two skyscrapers in Chicago, the Windy City. Fortunately for Wallenda, the city did not live up to its nickname 600 feet in the air.
ROMANS: Wow. BERMAN: For an encore, he walked between Marina City's east and west towers blindfolded.
ROMANS: Wow.
BERMAN: Wallenda called the record-breaking stunt the most challenging of his career so far.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NIK WALLENDA, TIGHTROPE WALKER: The big thing is the intimidation factor. You know, when you walk to the edge of the building and look down 600 feet and say, I'm doing this blindfolded, and there's winds. And even though the winds were light and praise God for that, it's still -- there's winds. And even hearing them, it is extremely, extremely intimidating.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: It looks like it was cold.
BERMAN: You can wear a hat for that. I don't know how it helps you not fall off the tightrope. I mean --
ROMANS: Wow. That's cool. All right. Cool and something I would never do.
Nineteen minutes past the hour.
Happening now: grim news in the fight against ISIS. The big blow to the U.S. strategy to fight the terrorists in Syria. We are live with the latest there next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BERMAN: At least 45 people are dead this morning and other 55 injured following a suicide blast in Sunday in Lahore in Pakistan, near that country's border with India. A police spokesman says the bomber detonated his suicide vest after a parade at a nearby border crossing. Two Pakistani Taliban groups made competing claims to this bombing.
ROMANS: A bloody weekend in the shadows of Baghdad. ISIS forces slaughtering dozens of Sunni tribal members in Anbar province. Many of them pulled from their homes in the dead of night and executed. ISIS gaining a strong foothold now in Iraq's western desert.
I want to bring in senior international correspondent Nick Paton Walsh live this morning for us from the Turkish-Syrian border where there is potential progress for U.S. -- for Kurds in Kobani.
Bring us up to speed to what's happening, Nick.
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Christine, behind me, you join me in the last few minutes or so what seems to be exchange of artillery fire to the west of Kobani. Now, the key issue here is the Curds claim they have advanced significantly towards the west. About three to four kilometers out, they say, pushing ISIS far back.
And, in fact, one village here that we know has been an ISIS hold out has been hit with artillery. Basically, Kurds inside that city say the Peshmerga came in with heavy weapons. Those heavy weapons have been able to provide the back up they need to push ISIS back to let their Syrian Kurdish fighters push back to the east and way far out to the west, too. That's what the Kurds are claiming. ISIS still have a vote in the fight and set to bring in reinforcements, even though the Kurds they can stop them on the way.
So, potential progress, substantial progress here in Kobani. But it comes after a bad weekend, as you mentioned. Those Iraqi Sunni tribe members in Anbar, the Albu Nimr tribe, who had suggested they might be willing to rise up against ISIS, also Sunnis, but using grievances amongst the Sunni population to find a space in which to operate, if that Albu Nimr Tribe is risen up, it could be a key assistance for the U.S. strategy there.
These massacres of 50 tribal men and women there, significantly hampering perhaps that, but also maybe the tipping point which may send this tribe into action against ISIS. Will the Iraqi government give them the arms and weaponry they need? If that hasn't happen, they're not going to fight back -- Christine.
ROMANS: Nick Paton Walsh, thank you for that this morning. Just really -- just tragedy all around.
BERMAN: This morning, new polls showing the clearest sign yet that Republicans may be on the verge of taking control of the U.S. Senate, pulling ahead in a lot of the tight races across the country. We'll break down the new numbers right after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
