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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Participants Set For First GOP Debate; Second Tier Debaters Respond; Trump "Not Looking To Hurt" Competitors; FBI Looking Into Clinton Email System; Bush, Clinton Trade Barbs Over Women's Health; Planned Parenthood Fetal Tissue Controversy; French Military Begins Testing Plane Debris; Lion Hunter's Guide On Trial. Aired 5:30-6a ET

Aired August 05, 2015 - 05:30   ET

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

[05:30:00] CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: -- we now know who will be at that table actually on the main stage for the first primetime Republican presidential debate tomorrow night. Based on five recent mainstream polls, Fox News has selected Donald Trump, Jeb Bush, and Scott Walker to take center stage with other top pollers flanking them.

That leaves seven Republican hopefuls sharing the consolation prize of a 5:00 p.m. debate that's likely to draw far fewer TV viewers. Let's get the latest this morning on the debate from CNN's Dana Bash in Washington.

DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, this is the biggest Republican field in modern history, 17 candidates. So it's really not easy for the GOP or the networks to navigate such a crowded debate stage.

Never mind. Candidates who have to face a front-runner reality TV star and that is why they decided to have just ten people max on the stage and Fox News announced which are going to make the cut and they determine that, by the way, based on national polling.

Here they are, Donald Trump, he's going to be in the middle. Next to him, former Governor Jeb Bush. On the other side, Governor Scott Walker. From there on out is former Governor Mike Huckabee, and neurosurgeon and first-time political candidate, Ben Carson, Senators Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Rand Paul, as well as Governors Chris Christie and John Kasich.

Now, Kasich bumped former Governor Rick Perry out of this main debate which is a big disappointment for him. He is the longest serving governor in Texas history. He really wanted to redeem himself from his embarrassing performance on the debate stage four years ago. Remember that oops moment?

But also, he has been the most aggressive about getting in Donald Trump's face. He called him a cancer on conservatism. So that is going to be a big problem for him.

But for those who will be on the stage prime time, the key thing, according to a lot of aides I've talked to is do no harm. One aide actually said something very wise, that you probably can't win at this stage of the game, but you sure can lose -- John and Christine.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Dana Bash. It's interesting to see if doing no harm is enough in a field this deep. Some of these candidates need to make a name for themselves somehow, sometime soon.

Now as for the candidates who did not make the cut for the main debate, they are reacting this morning. Some are lashing out at Fox News and the Republican National Committee.

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum's spokesman says the idea that they have left out the runner-up for the 2012 nomination, the former four-term governor of Texas, the governor of Louisiana, the first female Fortune 50 CEO, and the three-term senator from South Carolina, due to polling seven months before a single vote is cast, is preposterous.

But the RNC's chief spokesman is defending the fairness of the selection process.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEAN SPICER, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, RNC: If you don't use some degree of polling, then it becomes completely subjective. The last thing I think people want, frankly, is people in Washington or people at the RNC deciding who gets in based on the fact that they have held some kind of elective office.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Others left behind Republicans trying to put an optimistic spin on the second-tier debate. Rick Perry tweeted, "I look forward to being on the Fox News 5 p.m. debate for what will be a serious exchange of ideas and positive solutions to get America back on track."

Carly Fiorina put out a statement saying, "I look forward to answering questions on Thursday in Cleveland. I continue to be encouraged by the support of conservative activists and grassroots Republicans across the country."

A super PAC backing Bobby Jindal instantly posted an ad it plans to air in Iowa during the main debate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: The debate is Cleveland is all about a celebrity. One candidate is moving up where it counts, in Iowa, Bobby Jindal.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Lindsey Graham actually put out a pretty funny suggestion for how viewers could pregame what he called the Trump debacle by grabbing a cold one and watching the happy hour debate and hiding their cell phone numbers.

ROMANS: All right, the frontrunner, Donald Trump, positioning himself for Thursday's debate previewing the topics he plans to highlight. In an interview last night with Bill O'Reilly Trump said he does not plan to go directly at Jeb Bush or the other competitors for the nomination.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I want to be right down the middle. I want to talk about the policy and I want to talk about the wall. I want to talk about illegal immigration. I want to talk about bad trade deals.

I may say that I can negotiate better than any of these folks. I did write the deal. I built a phenomenal business, as you know. You know, I have certain abilities that they do not have. I'm not looking to hurt anybody. I'm not looking to embarrass anybody.

If I have to bring up deficiencies, I'll bring up deficiencies, but certainly I'm not looking to do that. I'd rather go straight down the middle. You don't know what is going to come at you. You don't know where these other people are going to come.

You don't know whether or not the three folks that are asking the questions. I mean, they are going to try to trick you up, which is unfortunate because all of that has nothing to do with being a great president.

But I'm doing it because it's something you have to do and, again, I've never debated. Sort of my whole life has been a debate, but I've never debated before. These politicians, all they do is debate.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[05:35:02] BERMAN: My whole life has been a debate, but I've never debated before.

On the Democratic side, Bernie Sanders is edging closer to frontrunner, Hillary Clinton, in the first in the nation primary state of New Hampshire.

A new WMUR poll finds the Vermont senator is trailing Clinton by just 6 points. That is in a poll where the margin of error is just 5.9 points. They are statistically tied. Nationally, Clinton is ahead of Sanders leading in polls by more than 30 points.

Overnight, we learned that the FBI is looking into the security used to protect Hillary Clinton's private e-mail system during her time as secretary of state. Her lawyer, David Kendall, confirmed to CNN that the FBI is checking to make sure materials were properly stored.

"The Washington Post" first reported the story said the FBI is not targeting the former secretary of state and she is not accused of any wrongdoing. The Clinton campaign sent out a statement saying, "She did not send nor receive any e-mails that were marked classified at the time.

We want to ensure that appropriate procedures are followed as these e- mails are reviewed will not unduly delaying the release of her e- mails. We want that to happen as quickly and as transparently as possible."

ROMANS: Hillary Clinton is also sparring with Jeb Bush over federal funding for women's health. The former Florida governor gave Clinton an opening while attacking Planned Parenthood at an Evangelical conference.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEB BUSH (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You could take dollar-for- dollar, although I'm not sure we need $500,000 for women's health issues.

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Jeb Bush said he's not sure we need $500,000 for women's health issues. I'm reading it because I want to quote it exactly. Now, he's got no problem giving billions of dollars away to the super wealthy and powerful corporations, but I guess women's health just isn't a priority for him.

Now, this really isn't complicated. When you attack Planned Parenthood, you attack women's health and when you attack women's health, you attack America's health.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: All right, this all spilled into a war of tweets. As Clinton told Bush you are absolutely and unequivocally wrong. Bush responded what is unequivocally wrong is giving taxpayer dollars to an organization whose practices show no regard for the lives of the unborn.

In the end, Bush walked back the original remark that started it all, and this is what he said in a statement now, "With regards to women's health funding broadly I misspoke, as there are countless community health centers, rural clinics and other women's health organizations that need to be fully funded."

You wonder if -- if he perceives down this political road and becomes the nominee, you will see that original comment about women's health in an attack ad.

ROMANS: The fact you saw Hillary Clinton talking about it on a stage almost immediately after shows you, A, that she has an organization up and running and, B, just how perhaps vulnerable that statement makes Bush a little bit.

All right, a new undercover video, a fifth has been released by anti- abortion group alleging Planned Parenthood is illegally profiting from the sale of fetal tissue. Let's get more from CNN's senior Washington correspondent, Joe Johns.

JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, call this the latest sign this controversy over use of fetal tissues and research is going to stick around for a while. Some congressional Republicans are talking about linking the fight over Planned Parenthood to a possible government shutdown battle this fall.

And the release of another controversial video is adding fuel to the fire. It's like the other productions. Edited undercover video with a Planned Parenthood official identified as a research director in Texas.

Apparently, unaware she is being recorded, talking about extracting intact fetus cadavers and body parts from abortions for use in fetal tissue research. Interspersed and talking about budgets and money.

The end of the video includes graphic pictures of what is described as fetal tissue with the voices of the actors who posed as representatives of a company that collects tissue samples, asking questions and identifying body parts with Planned Parenthood lab technicians.

Several states, including Texas, has launched Planned Parenthood investigations with a video of the group offering to suggest medical procedures in order to preserve tissue and parts for research groups to purchase.

There are calls for the Justice Department to investigate. Planned Parenthood asserted in a statement that the footage released today doesn't show Planned Parenthood staff engaged in any wrongdoing or agreeing to violate any legal or medical standards.

The latest polling on Planned Parenthood shows half of Americans oppose cutting funding to the organization, but it runs sharply along party lines, 68 percent of Democrats oppose defunding and 66 percent of Republicans favor it -- John and Christine.

ROMANS: All right, thanks, Joe.

This morning, experts are examining plane debris found washed ashore in the Indian Ocean. They are ready to determine if this really came from missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. We head to the laboratory next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:43:43] ROMANS: So testing begins today in France to determine whether debris from a Boeing 777 that washed ashore on Reunion Island came from Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.

Aviation experts are going to be doing their work in the presence of Malaysian authorities. They are hoping to link a recovered wing fragment to the doomed jetliner and learn more about its final moments.

We want to get more from CNN's Saima Mohsin. She is live outside Toulouse, France. So walk us through what exactly they are going to do with this flaperon and with this debris.

SAIMA MOHSIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Christine. They will all come together to this laboratory in the south of France, a high-tech lab with the best scientific experimentation there anywhere in the world really. They will come together.

They will open what is in a sealed container, now confirmed to be a flaperon from a 777 aircraft, but of course, what they really want to answer is that crucial question, is it from MH370? They don't want to make any mistakes.

They will want to go through the tests that they have all agreed on over the last few days. They have been meeting in Paris and Toulouse, Boeing, the United States NTSB, Malaysian authorities, French, Chinese, and Australian officials, are joining them from the Civil Aviation Authority and Transportation Boards over the last few days.

[05:45:00] This is becoming a bigger and bigger group and it just shows you how important this is. It is one of the biggest aviation mysteries on earth. Now, what are they going to do? They are going to try to find a direct link.

They don't want to really make this a process of elimination. Saying, look, we know that it's a 777 aircraft and we know that MH-370 is the only missing 777 in the world and we know that it was found in Reunion Island, which is where drift analysis say that if MH-370 went down in the Indian Ocean it went there.

They don't just want to do that. They want to find a direct link. They will take it apart piece-by-piece and carry out x-rays and sonograms and then they will let us know if it really is from MH-370. We don't have a time for that announcement -- Christine.

ROMANS: All right, Saima Mohsin, again, it has been such -- thank you for that, Saima. They need some facts and hard evidence.

BERMAN: It could happen today.

ROMANS: It could happen today.

BERMAN: What I want to know, what is coming up on "NEW DAY?" Michaela Pereira joins us now.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: We do know a few things this morning. We now know which Republicans will be on stage for tomorrow's first GOP debate, Donald Trump, of course, one of them. What kind of debate performance can we expect from the Donald? Is he going to go on the attack or are we going to see more after presidential approach?

Also Jeb Bush is in some hot water over comments for funding for women's health care, but how will that affect him going into the debate? We will talk about this with our political experts and we will be joined one of Trump's top advisers, Mr. Michael Cohen.

Also a story that seems to be resonating around the nation, you've seen this video by now showing a third grade boy in handcuffs above the elbow. The local sheriff's department defending that officer who cuffed him. We will speak with the lawyers for that boy's family and what are they looking for see happen here.

ROMANS: Good. I'm looking forward to hearing that. BERMAN: Michael Cohen back on from controversy after going ballistic on "The Daily Beast." That will be interesting. All right, Michaela, thanks so much.

All right, the guide who led the hunt to kill Cecil, the lion, has appeared before a judge and is now speaking to CNN. What did he have to say? We are live in Zimbabwe next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:50:50] BERMAN: All right, just a few minutes ago, the guide accused of helping an American hunter kill Cecil, the lion, appeared in court in Zimbabwe. Theo Bronkhorst says he has done nothing wrong. As for the American hunter, Minnesota dentist, Walter Palmer, authorities in Zimbabwe have called for his extradition. The landowner where the hunt took place also faces charges.

CNN's David McKenzie spoke to the guide moments ago and has the very latest from Zimbabwe -- David.

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, John. It was a highly anticipated appearance of Theo Bronkhorst, the guide who is accused of taking this American, Walter Palmer, to shoot Cecil, the lion, that caused all of this worldwide outrage over the last week.

Now he came into this court where I'm standing. He certainly looked a little bit overwhelmed by the cameras here that are here to see exactly what went down. I managed to speak to him very briefly before his appearance.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MCKENZIE: What do you feel about the charges laid against you and the landowner?

THEO BRONKHORST, PROFESSIONAL HUNTING GUIDE: I think it's frivolous and I think it's wrong.

MCKENZIE: And you think you'll come through this?

BRONKHORST: I got a good legal team and I hope to.

MCKENZIE: What is your feeling about the issue of hunting in Zimbabwe?

BRONKHORST: It's an integral part of our country and it's got to continue and if we do not use wildlife sustainable, there will be no wildlife.

MCKENZIE: Do you feel you had all the right permits and everything was above law?

BRONKHORST: I believe so.

MCKENZIE: What do you think about the way you've been prosecuted like this? BRONKHORST: Crazy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCKENZIE: Certainly there does appear to be a backlash or a feeling on the ground here in Zimbabwe. One senior official who spoke to us from the park authority say they hope this will all die down, this tension and so hunting can continue.

In fact, so they can get revenue to represent the conservation efforts in this country. Contrary to the public statements they are putting out which is saying they want to ban hunting outright in this area.

BERMAN: David McKenzie, interesting interview. Thanks so much, David.

ROMANS: All right, Parents, how would you like unlimited parental leave?

BERMAN: Now starting now? I would love it!

ROMANS: Yes, you've been on leave four or five years. The new reality for Netflix is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:57:02] ROMANS: Welcome back. I'm Christine Romans. Let's get an EARLY START on your money this morning. European and Asian stocks are up higher. Higher interest rates are coming in September. The Atlanta fed president, Dennis Lockhart, says barring an unexpected deterioration in the U.S. economy, which he doesn't expect the fed will raise rates next month.

He says, quote, "The economy is ready and it is an appropriate time to make a change." He is a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee. Those are the folks who decide so his comments getting a lot of attention. Not so subtle from the fed guys that higher rates are coming.

All right, listen to this new employee perk at Netflix, unlimited paid parental leave. Both moms and dads can take as much time off as they want during the first year a child is born or adopted. That mean they can come back part-time. They can come back for a few months. They can leave again.

Netflix will keep paying their full salaries the whole time. This is part of the talent wars in tech folks. Companies offering big perks to retain good employees.

You want to take time off when they are 3-month-old and they are smiling and they are so cute then. That's usually when you go back to work when they are just starting getting cute.

BERMAN: When aren't they cute?

ROMANS: Three months old, they are so cute. BERMAN: Speaking of cute, we know who will take the stage for the first Republican presidential debate. "NEW DAY" starts right now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TRUMP: Our country is really going bad. We are going downhill fast.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Donald Trump riding high in the polls.

TRUMP: The poll numbers are not only good, I mean, they are phenomenal.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The stage is set for the Republican debate.

BERMAN: Who is in and who is out?

BUSH: I'm not sure we need a half billion dollars for women's health issues.

CLINTON: I guess women's health just isn't a priority for him.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He misspoke. It's going to happen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a big mistake.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Shock and outrage after an 8-year-old boy is handcuffed in school.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They had thought this kid was now a danger.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why would that ever be OK?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Heart pounding moments from inside the circus tent that collapsed.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I saw things that I'll never want to see again.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People who were part of the circus just yelled "run!"

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Welcome to your "NEW DAY." It's Wednesday, August 5th, 6:00 in the east. And now the stage is set literally. We know who will be at the first GOP debate.

Frontrunner Donald Trump is center stage, of course, tomorrow night. Who is in and who is out? What will be the tactics, especially for Mr. Trump?

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton is pouncing on Jeb Bush for unscripted comments he made about women's health. A new report says the FBI is now looking into Clinton's private e-mail system.

Let's begin all of our political news with our team coverage of the presidential race with CNN political reporter, Sara Murray, who is live in Washington. Good morning, Sara.

SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICAL REPORTER: Good morning, Alisyn. The waiting game is over to see who is going to be on this debate stage. And now everyone is wondering what is the dynamic going to be like with Trump at center stage. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MURRAY (voice-over): Donald Trump riding high in the polls on the eve of the first GOP debate --