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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Clinton Opens Low Key Iowa Campaign; Congress Gets New Power in Iran Nuclear Negotiations; Crisis in Yemen: CNN Exclusive. Aired 4:30- 5a ET
Aired April 15, 2015 - 04:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[04:30:00] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: The White House says it will sign a congressional bill that will give Congress say, or at least a chance to weigh in on the deal. What effect might that have on the negotiations? That's ahead.
And then Yemen in crisis. Weeks of war leaving that country devastated. CNN cameras get an exclusive look inside that country. It's remarkable and tragic to see. We're live.
Welcome back to EARLY START, everyone. I'm John Berman. Christine Romans is not feeling well this morning. About 30 minutes after the hour.
And happening this morning: the Hillary storm moves deeper into small town Iowa. The goal in the campaign is a low-key series of listening events. What it is getting is -- well, not so low key.
Check this out, reporters chasing the Clinton caravan, the Scooby van, when it went around the corner. Not pretty, but reporters doing their jobs there. The key question is what do real life voters think, not of the cameras, but of the candidate?
Senior political correspondent Brianna Keilar in Iowa with the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hillary Clinton will spend her second day campaigning at a fruit company outside of Des Moines. This is after all a state where agriculture is king. This follows yesterday where she visited Le Claire, a small town of less 4,000 people. She stopped at a coffee shop, talked to some locals there.
And then she was there for a satellite campus at the Kirkwood Community College. She talked with students and faculty. She struck a populist tone, taking on Wall Street, and stagnant middle class wages.
HILLARY CLINTON (D), 2016 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The deck is still stacked in favor of those already at the top. And there's something wrong with that. There's something wrong when CEOs make 300 times more than the typical worker. There's something wrong when American workers get more productive, that productivity is not matched in their paychecks.
KEILAR (on camera): The only policy position Hillary Clinton outlined was a proposal to do away with what she called unaccountable money. So, super PAC, and the big donors that have proliferated along with them. Noteworthy, though, she did not explain how that would square with Priorities USA, the Democratic super PAC that she has blessed to help her in her run.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BERMAN: Our thanks to Brianna for that.
So, what about the Republican side? Presidential contender, new contender, Marco Rubio, holds his first campaign event today. He will push for tax reform. The current Florida senator spent Tuesday stuck in Washington working on Senate business, also speaking to CNN's Jake Tapper -- a really interesting interview. He said that Hillary Clinton is not entitled to the women's vote any more than he, Marco Rubio, is entitled to the Hispanic vote.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. MARCO RUBIO (R-FL), 2016 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I would never assume that every Hispanic in America has to vote for me because I'm Hispanic, because my last name is Rubio. I have to earn their support. That may intrigue them about my candidacy, but ultimately, I have to prove that I'm the right person for the job.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: So, tied right now with Senator Marco Rubio for sixth place in the latest CNN poll, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who is not so far an official candidate. Even so, he's in New Hampshire trying to build a support for a presidential run in what he is calling his "Tell It Like It Is" tour.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE (R), NEW JERSEY: I will not pander. I will not flip-flop, and I'm not afraid to tell you the truth the way I see it, whether you like it or not. I want to help lead a national conversation that rewards truth over pandering.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: He's actually calling for Social Security reform, raising the retirement age, capping benefits and certain income levels. Very interesting. He holds town halls, two of them, later this week.
New this morning -- nuclear deal with Iran -- well, not with Iran right now actually, with Congress. A compromise bill lets Congress weigh in on any final agreement between the U.S. and Iran. A bill the White House now says the president is willing to sign. The legislation passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously.
CNN's Jim Acosta Senate bill passed the foreign Senate relations committee unanimously. Jim.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, the White House is giving up on its fight with Congress over a bipartisan bill that would give lawmakers the ability to vote up or down on the Iran nuclear deal after Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee drafted a compromise bill, dropping some provisions that were opposed by the White House. Aides to the president said it was a measure Mr. Obama could support.
At issue is whether the bill would force Iran to renounce terrorism, a provision the White House deemed a poison pill aimed at killing nuclear talks. The amount of time lawmakers will have to weigh in on the deal was also shortened, meaning another White House demand.
After repeated questions from reporter, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest acknowledged that the changes brokered by the committee's chairman, Bob Corker, and ranking member Ben Cardin were enough to withdraw the veto threat.
Here's what he had to say.
JOSH EARNEST, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: What I am willing to say is that despite the things about it that we don't like, enough substantial changes have been made, that the president would be willing to sign it, because it would reflect the kind of compromise that he'd be willing to sign.
[04:35:08] ACOSTA: But Chairman Corker said there was another reason why the White House dropped its veto threat, that Republicans and Democrats were on the verge of lining up enough votes to override a presidential veto. Corker tweeted, "The simple threat that the White House dropped its veto threat because they weren't going to have the votes to sustain a veto."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BERMAN: Our thanks to Jim Acosta at the White House for that.
So, the president submitted the official request to Congress to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The Cuban government called the move a just decision. Lawmakers will have 45 days to view the request. They're not expected to block it.
If Cuba comes off the list, some sanctions would remain in place, in fact, almost all sanctions would remain in place, but U.S. businesses and banks would be more inclined to invest in the Cuban market.
Breaking overnight, the Senate came together to approve the so-called Medicare "doc fix". The final vote, 92-8. The measure repairs a formula for reimbursing Medicare physicians. It passed just in time to head off a 21 percent pay cut for those doctors. The bill now goes to the president's desk. He has already said it will strengthen the health care system and he will be proud to sign it. It's been one of these ridiculous things for the last several years.
They've had to pass a doc fix every year. This one makes it more permanent, and welcome to members of both parties.
Iraq's new prime minister is canvassing Washington for financial help today. Haider al Abadi met with President Obama and received a promise of $200 million in humanitarian aid. The Iraqi leader says he needs billions to battle ISIS and rebuild his country. He will meet with members of Congress today, along with the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, the president of the World Bank, and senior executives from oil companies, and international banks.
Iraq is facing a budget deficit of $22 billion, most of it due to falling oil price.
There are fears this morning that ISIS may take control of the key Iraqi city of Ramadi within hours. An official in Anbar province, that is western Iraq, tells CNN that ISIS fighters now have Ramadi essentially surrounded, and government forces are not sure how much longer they can hold the frontlines. They're calling for reinforcement and air support from U.S.-led coalition.
It has been three weeks since Saudi Arabia launched its first air strike against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. It has been a bloody campaign. The United Nations is now stepping in to ban arms sales to the Houthis, this as the Iranians are calling for a cease- fire. The conflict has triggered a huge humanitarian crisis, with more than 120,000 Yemenis forced to flee their homes.
I want to bring in CNN senior international correspondent Nick Paton Walsh, who has been to Yemen exclusively, on what was, Nick, a really attempted aid mission.
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: A very complex task for the UNICEF, United Nation's children's agency. They're trying to deliver badly needed medicine and food supplies to Sana'a airport, in the capital.
Now, that is the only place you can land aid and take people out effectively in so much of Yemen's capital. That was only for a brief period of time, too, a matter of two hours that they were allowed by the Saudi are force and the Houthis controlling that airport to put that plane down, 75 metric tons -- that's a lot of pallets to you and me, but nothing compared to the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Yemen, 75 metric tons taking off the aircraft in that two-hour period.
We saw two planes being loaded with civilians and the final Air India flight trying to get out. Other aircraft, too. And bizarrely, also, some Yemenis coming home to try and salvage what will remain of their lives after that bombing campaign.
But that U.N. resolution you mentioned called on the U.N. secretary- general to look for more windows to deliver humanitarian assistance. It is remarkable, John, to see that airport so heavily bombed around that main runway. But the runway itself more or less intact. A froth journey for that UNICEF plane, but one really where they need to be dozens per day to even begin to address the millions of people lacking food and medicine in Yemen -- even before, frankly, that Saudi bombing campaign got under way three weeks ago, John.
BERMAN: Yes, it's a noble effort but barely scratching the surface at this point.
Nick Paton Walsh, thanks so much.
Developing this morning: a top al Qaeda operative in Yemen has been killed by U.S. drone strike. The terror group confirms that Ibrahim al-Rubeish died Monday on Yemen's southern coast. The 35-year-old Saudi citizen spent five years as a prisoner at Guantanamo Bay and served as a top spokesman for al Qaeda in Yemen. Rubeish is one of a half dozen senior members of al Qaeda killed in the last year by U.S. air attacks.
Time now for an early start on your money.
Asian stockings are mostly lower on disappointing growth in China. I say disappoint, growth is at 7 percent in China in the first quarter. How could that possibly be a bad thing? Well, it's the slowest pace since 2009 in that country.
[04:10:01] European stocks are higher. We will hear from the European Central Bank today on interest rates and the ECB president is likely to keep pushing forward with bond-buying stimulus measures. I know you find that exciting.
Here in the United States, stock futures not moving much but do not worry, there's plenty going on because it is Tax Day. If you haven't filed yet, panic -- well, maybe don't panic. File the paperwork if you can, and it will generally cost you more to file late than pay late. If you can get the paperwork done on time, do do that extension.
Remember, you're only pushing back the deadline on the paperwork. You still have to pay the taxes you already owe. No way around it.
Forty minutes after the hour right now.
New accusations of excessive police force. An officer crashing his car into a robbery suspect on purpose. Did he go too far? We'll have details next.
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BERMAN: Police in Arizona have released graphic new video of an officer using this patrol car to stop an armed suspect by running him down as he walks along.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OFFICER: All right. One round just went out into the sky. It's definitely unlocked now. It's definitely loaded.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: The dash cam video recorded in February shows 36-year-old Mario Valencia. Earlier in the day, police said that Valencia launched a one-man crime spree that included robbery, arson and threaten to kill officers and himself.
Police, what they did is they tailed Valencia as he walked along.
[04:45:00] Finally, Officer Michael Ovechko, as you can see here, slams into Valencia with his patrol car.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(INAUDIBLE)
OFFICER: Man down.
CHIEF TERRY ROZEMA, MARANA, ARIZONA POLICE DEPT: If we're going to choose between -- maybe we'll let them go a little farther and see what happens, or we're going to take him out now and eliminate any opportunity that he has to hurt somebody, you're going to err on the side of -- in favor of the innocent people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: Valencia was taken to the hospital and released into custody two days later. He faces 15 charge, including aggravated assault and armed robbery.
New details this morning in the actions of former Police Officer Michael Slager after the fatal shooting in North Charleston, South Carolina. Officials say Slager refused to speak to investigators who arrived to the scene about an hour after Slager fatally shot Walter Scott when Scott fled following a traffic stop. Cell phone video shows that Slager firing eight shots at Scott as Scott ran away. Slager has been fired from the force and is now charged with murder.
Robert Bates, the Tulsa volunteer deputy who fatally shot a suspect after pulling his gun instead of his taser, he's free on bail this morning. The 73-year-old surrendered to authorities on Tuesday. He's charged with second degree manslaughter in the death of Eric Harris who was fleeing during a gun buying sting. Prosecutors accused Bates of negligence. His attorney claims the deputy made a split-second mistake during a frantic arrest scene.
It took almost three months but the jury has been seated for the trial of James Holmes, accused of killing 12 people, wounding 70 others in the Aurora, Colorado movie theater massacre in 2012. The group of 12 jurors and 12 alternates includes 19 women and five men. Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. If convicted of the most serious charges, he could face the death penalty. Opening statements in the trial scheduled now for April 27th.
This morning, juror in the Aaron Hernandez trial returned for a seventh day of deliberations. The former NFL star is facing a possible life sentence without parole if convicted of murdering Odin Lloyd in 2013.
CNN's Susan Candiotti has more from Fall River, Massachusetts -- Susan.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
Over the last six days for more than 34 hours, jurors have been deciding the fate of Aaron Hernandez. As they come and go from the courtroom each day, they do not look directly at the defendant. But then again, that's the same behavior they had during the trial.
They must decide whether Aaron Hernandez shot is and killed Odin Lloyd. The defense attorneys are arguing it's his friends who are responsible, that Aaron Hernandez himself was planning his future, and not a murder. We haven't had had any notes from the jurors during this past day. The last note we have from the jury was on Monday when they asked to reschedule a regular smoking break.
When the jury reconvenes this morning at 9:00 a.m., it will be their seventh day of deliberations. Will they reach a verdict?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BERMAN: Our thanks to Susan Candiotti in Massachusetts.
Two college students have been arrested and another is wanted in what police say was a spring break gang rape on the beach in Panama City, Florida. Ryan Calhoun and Delonte Martistee, both students at Troy University in Alabama, are accused in the assault, have been accused of the assault. Cell phone video shows that attack took place on a sunny afternoon while dozen of people watched. Police say it is likely the victim was drugged.
Officials are expressing their outrage.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERIFF FRANK MCKEITHEN, BAY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE: We can wear t- shirts that say save our beach all we want to. But that is not going to restore this girl who was viciously violated by these individuals.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: Police say the alleged victim contacted them after recognizing her tattoos in news reports. She told them she remembers taking a drink but does not remember being raped.
Actress Rita Wilson revealed she is battling breast cancer. The 58- year-old actress and wife of Tom Hanks tells "People" magazine she had a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Wilson underwent a procedure last week, expected to make a full recovery. She's taking a leave from a Broadway show but could return to the stage as soon as next month. Dramatic video of rain pounding the South. Roads just flooded right
there, inundated. This morning, millions facing the threat of flash floods. That's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[04:53:16] BERMAN: Mississippi is getting hit hard by flooding. The thunderstorm stalled over Columbus, dumping several inches of rain n about an hour. Look at that car there submerged at least halfway up.
At least a dozen streets were flooded, water also invading an apartment complex forcing residents to stay in shelters. There's more flooding in the forecast.
Let's bring in meteorologist Pedram Javaheri for a look at the weather -- Pedram.
PEDRAM JAVAHERI, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, John.
You know, it's one of those days a good reminder there that besides heat-related fatalities in the United States, flash flooding kills more people than any other weather even in the country and a lot of them half of those flooding, fatalities occur because of people trapped in their vehicles.
Heavy rain still in the forecast across the southern United States. You look at the numbers, just six inches of moving water can sweep a person off their feet. We take that to about 24 or so inches, that can move or lift a vehicle, so saying turn around, don't drown, that the National Weather Service often puts out, a very important to remember on a day like today.
And showers scattered about the region. Storm system just a pesky one that's going to be hard-pressed to move along quickly. Parts of the South have seen excess of 10 inches of rainfall in the past few days. A couple more inches certainly in the forecast.
And I want to show you another weather oddity taking place across portions of the United States, go in towards the second biggest city in Oregon, the city of Eugene, a tornado touching down on Tuesday. In fact, since 1950, only 104 tornado reports across the state of Oregon, only four injuries fortunately with that as well. The weather pattern across the country with the scattered storms in the South.
BERMAN: All right. Pedram, thanks so much.
So, for the first time, Americans are spending more in restaurants than grocery stores. We will tell you why this is happening, and what it means for you.
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[04:58:21] BERMAN: Let's get an early start on your money right now.
U.S. stock futures barely budging this morning. But a lot more to consider on Wall Street today. More corporations opening their books. We will get earnings from Bank of America, Delta and Netflix today.
Plus, growth worries abroad. Economic growth in China slipped to 7 percent, right? Not so bad. But not so good for China, that's putting pressure on the central bank to come to the rescue.
Plus, the European Central Bank expected to recommit to bond buying stimulus measures today. Did you feel the earth move?
For the first time, Americans spending more at restaurants than the grocery store. That's a good sign that people are feeling confident enough to indulge in going out to eat. The big shift in eating attitudes among millennials -- leaving their parents' basements and going to restaurants. They're willing more money dining, which is why you see every restaurant from Olive Garden to McDonald's trying to figure out exactly what millennials want.
Minimum wage workers going on strike today. Tens of thousands of low wage workers expected to walk off the job, demanding pay of at least $15 an hour. The push will happen in dozens of cities, including workers from fast food retail, home care and more.
In the last several months, big employers, including McDonald's and Walmart, have raised wages. It's a start, but some people say the increases are not nearly enough.
EARLY START continues right now.
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BERMAN: This was supposed to be Hillary Clinton's low-key listening tour. Not much for low key, right? Looks more like a stampede. Hillary Clinton taking over small town Iowa. We'll tell you all the implications.
You know, she's not the only candidate on the move today, big candidates making big stands. We'll give you all the latest in the White House, ahead.
