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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Biden Still Mulling a White House Run; Review Finds Top Secret Emails on Clinton Server; Jailed Clerk Files Appeal, Gets High Profile Support; Ohio State Quarterbacks Shine in Opener. Aired 5-5:30a ET
Aired September 08, 2015 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: The Kentucky clerk in jail for refusing to issue wedding licenses to gay couples, making a new appeal and getting some high profile support.
[05:00:05] Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm John Berman.
ALISON KOSIK, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Alison Kosik. It's Tuesday, September 8th. It's 5:00 a.m. in the East.
And Joe Biden is signaling he is ready to run, whether or not he decides to jump into the presidential race -- oh, that's another question. The vice president radiated renewed energy as he marched and shook hands in Pittsburgh's huge Labor Day parade and give a fiery speech aimed straight at a key Democratic constituency, labor.
Senior political correspondent Brianna Keilar is there with the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John and Alison.
As Democratic and Republican presidential candidates fanned out across key states, it was Vice President Joe Biden here in Pittsburgh who really raised eyebrows. He gave a very fiery speech to union members with populist undertones. He talked about how college should be free and how the wealthy should be taxed to pay for it. He railed against trust fund babies, his words, and what sounded suspiciously like a stump speech.
JOSEPH BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm hot, I got -- I acknowledge that. I'm mad. I'm angry. How many people in your own neighborhoods -- how many people in your own neighborhoods are in trouble can look their kids in the eye and say it with heart, "Honey, it's going to be OK, it's going to be OK"? Not enough, because the level playing field doesn't exist.
KEILAR: Mr. Vice President, sounds like you have a rationale for running.
BIDEN: I'm going to run part of this parade.
KEILAR: And he really did. He was jogging, zigzagging across the parade route, talking to parade goers. Some who told him that he should run, some who said he should beat Hillary Clinton who was in Iowa trying to shore up support there, saying that she had the policies and tenacity and vision to make her candidacy a successful one.
Bernie Sanders was in New Hampshire trying to shore up support there where he was the leader in recent polls. But for Joe Biden, it's a decision that he is continuing to mull over. He is keeping a council of a small, close-knit circle of confidants and long-time friends as he tries to decide whether he's going to get into this race or not -- John and Alison.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BERMAN: All right. Our thanks to Brianna for that.
New developments overnight in the Hillary Clinton e-mail controversy. The CIA and other intelligence agencies say two e-mails Clinton received on her personal account contained top secret information at the time they were sent. "The New York Times" report a special intelligence review has endorsed by a finding by the two agencies inspector general, a finding disputed by the Clinton campaign and the State Department. They say different agencies acquire information in different ways, and often have different ideas about whether it should be classified.
Some good news for Clinton on Monday. She picked up the endorsement of Iowa's one and only Democrat in Congress, Representative Dave Loebsack, who told a Labor Day picnic crowd she's going to work for the middle class because that's where she came from.
The former secretary spent the holiday weekend pitching voters across Iowa.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I watched George W. Bush and his Republican administration try to reverse everything that had been done. And you know? They did a really good job of it, didn't they? They drove us into a ditch.
And they did it because they continued to believe that the only way that anybody should be involved in the economy is to do exactly what you're told by the people on top, the big corporations, and get out of the way of trickle down economics. It didn't work before. It can't work again.
I believe I've got the vision, the policies, the skill, the tenacity and the determination to get us back on the right track.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP) BERMAN: Today, Clinton is set to propose a new slate of campaign finance reform measures. They will include limits on political donations by corporations and big donors.
KOSIK: Republican candidate Carly Fiorina is attacking Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump at the same time. Fiorina says she sometimes feels the one candidate consistently going after Clinton. And she wonders why trump is not focusing more fire on the Democratic frontrunner.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARLY FIORINA (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Mrs. Clinton is the same person who compared Republicans to terrorists. For heaven's sakes, I actually wish Mr. Trump would throw a little more heat Hillary Clinton's way. I feel sometimes as though I'm the only candidate who's consistently been critical of her. The truth is Mrs. Clinton has lied as secretary of state about Benghazi, about her e-mails, about her server. And so when she revives this war on women, make no mistake, she will. This is her go-to line.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: Republican contender Mike Huckabee is in Kentucky today. He plans to lead a rally of support of Kentucky clerk Kim Davis.
[05:05:01] She is in jail for contempt after refusing a federal judge's order to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Her lawyers have filed an emergency appeal demanding her release. Today is the first day that that motion can be heard.
For the latest, let's turn to Jean Casarez.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John and Alison, it is expected today that Mike Huckabee, presidential contender, is actually going to Kentucky not only to lead a rally for Kim Davis outside of the jail, where she still sits, but to go inside and talk with her.
Her attorney confirmed with CNN that Mike Huckabee called Kim Davis on her cell phone, and already spoke with her last week. Now, this is all the while Kim Davis tells her attorney and also her husband that she is very comfortable in jail because her beliefs are so strong in this area.
Well, contrary to that, her attorneys have actually filed an emergency petition with the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals asking for emergency relief. Basically that she'd be released from jail.
Technically, they are asking for an injunction against the governor. They have a suit against the governor because they say that he issued just absolute directives saying that all county clerks must issue same-sex marriage licenses and her with her religious beliefs told her she could not do that, but there weren't any exclusions for her. Now, additionally, in spite all of this, the community is rallying
around Kim Davis over the weekend. They had a rally in support of her. Many people coming from out of town. But her office, at the end of last week, started issuing same-sex marriages. Her county clerks did that for her, deputy clerks. Her name is not on it.
But she still believes as the elected clerk, that it is coming from her, that she is, in effect, endorsing it, although the current order from the district court said -- you are not endorsing it as the county clerk. You are showing the people are who they purport to be. And under the law, that they have a right to marry.
Additionally, the order in effect right now says she took an oath to offer and to honor the Constitution of the United States, which the Supreme Court says, allows for same sex unions. We will see what the future holds in Kentucky -- John, Alison.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOSIK: OK, Jean, thanks for that.
Former Vice President Dick Cheney set to deliver what's being billed as a major address against the Iran nuclear deal later this morning. He's going to be talking about the consequences of the agreement for the United States and its Middle East allies. Congress votes on the measure next week.
And look at a quote from the preview copy of the speech. Cheney says, "Arming and funding Iran while simultaneously providing them a pathway to a nuclear arsenal is not an act of peace. It's not, as President Obama explains, the only alternative to war." Cheney says it's madness.
BERMAN: France could soon begin launching air strikes against ISIS targets in Syria. Until now, they have only taken part in attacks against ISIS in Iraq. But French President Francois Hollande says he has proof the group is plotting terror attacks from inside Syria. Britain has begun conducting some airstrikes in Syria, its first armed drone strike against ISIS inside Syria's border two weeks ago killed three ISIS operatives.
KOSIK: Time for an early start on your money. Asian markets are closed mostly higher. But more signs that China's economy continuing to slow. New trade figures came out there showing that both imports and exports fell sharply for August.
And take a look at Japan. The Nikkei losing all of its gains for the year after a weak Japanese GDP report.
Here in the U.S., markets look like it could open again after the Labor Day holiday higher. A good sign after a rough end to the week Friday. The Dow, the NASDAQ and the S&P 500 all fell about 3 percent. Earlier this year, you look at the how the Dow is doing, stocks actually, all stocks were at record highs. Now, the Dow is off 12 percent from its high, the S&P on the edge of correction territory.
Ouch for our 401(k).
BERMAN: Yes, ouch indeed.
All right. Later today, Pope Francis expected to announce revisions to the marriage annulment process for Catholics. The Vatican is not releasing details of these provisions, but the pope has said he believes obtaining annulments can be too costly and cumbersome. The pope's attempt to ease church rules has created some divisions with the Vatican. You read "The Washington Post", there's one staunch conservative cardinal publicly warning the pope does not have the power to change church doctrine.
KOSIK: Thousands mourn a sheriff's officer killed in the line of duty, but are investigators any closer to tracking down the killers? New details next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[05:12:56] BERMAN: Authorities in Illinois expected to reveal new evidence later today in the slaying of Police Officer Joe Gliniewicz. He was killed last week in Fox Lake, north of Chicago. The manhunt for the three suspects continues.
On Sunday, family, friends and thousands of fellow officers from across the country along with his family said the final farewell as Gliniewicz was laid to rest.
Let's get more now from CNN's Ryan Young.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RYAN YOUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John and Alison, how do you remember an officer with a name bigger than life? His name was "G.I. Joe", and the community, and we saw more than 2,000 officers come to the funeral for Lieutenant Joe Gliniewicz. More than 1,000 of them got into their cars and were part of the 17-mile procession that lasted over an hour to get from one car in and one car out.
We saw community members show up and stand along the highways to pay respects their respects to a man who so many say gave so much to the community. In fact, there was a very impassionate moment when his brother got up and talked about his fallen brother.
MICHAEL GLINIEWICZ, LT. JOE GLINIEWICZ'S BROTHER: When we were growing up, we all knew Joe was a hero. But now, the nation knows he's a hero. You will always be part of my life.
YOUNG: So, we know police plan to have a news conference Tuesday afternoon to talk about new evidence they have found. Many people are hoping that will help them solve this case or get them closer to suspects. A $50,000 reward is also being offered in connection for information in the case. So many people hoping to get more about the suspects as police continue to work this case -- John and Alison.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOSIK: OK, Ryan, thanks for that.
A stunning indictment by the Italy's highest criminal court of police, prosecutors and judges in the Amanda Knox case. The five-judge panel explaining why it overturned the murder convictions. It says the prosecution had stunning flaws and went to trial without a lack of biological traces tying Knox and then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito to the death of Meredith Kercher in 2007. The high court's ruling back in March cleared Knox and Sollecito once and more all in Kercher's murder.
Knox responded with a post on her blog saying, "I'm grateful that the Italian Supreme Court has filed its opinion and forcefully declared my innocence.
[05:15:08] I will now begin the rest of my life with one of my goals being to help others who have been wrongfully accused."
BERMAN: New York City's West Indian parade marred by violence. And an aide to Governor Andrew Cuomo is in critical condition after being shot in the head. Two other people were injured by gunshot Sunday and a fourth person fatally stabbed. Police say the Cuomo staffer, 43- year-old Carey Gabay, was caught in the crossfire between two rival gangs. No arrests yet made.
KOSIK: A Muslim flight attendant accusing her employer ExpressJet of discrimination, claiming she was suspended for refusing to serve alcohol because of her religious beliefs. The complaint by 40-year- old Charee Stanley says the airline initially agreed to a religious accommodation, but then put her on a year-long unpaid leave after another attendant complained. ExpressJet in a statement says they value diversity, but cannot comment on personnel matters.
BERMAN: Heavy rain in the Midwest means a serious risk for flash flooding.
Let's bring in meteorologist Pedram Javaheri with the latest on that -- Pedram.
PEDRAM JAVAHERI, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, John. Good morning, Alison.
Let's show you what's happening here across the Midwest, because yes, we have seen tremendous rainfall in recent days. In fact, much of the state of Iowa, just northwest of Des Moines, upwards of 6 inches have come down, another line of active weather cruising by this morning. That is easily the most active line of weather in the country. We do have flood watches literally for the entire state. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, working away further to the east, around say, Iowa City as well, the concern for flooding exists.
And again, this is mainly because of the amount of water that came down. We do have about 12 river gauges reporting at or above flood stage right now. And the severe weather threat certainly there as well, expansive from, say, Wichita, all the way out there towards Detroit over the next 24 or so hours. The main concern is what we had yesterday with hail and wind being the priority there. But if you take a look, the forecast rainfall, 1 to 2 inches. The
general theme, some areas can get over 4 inches inside this week and then you work toward the Northeast, the big story is the record heat. Temperatures in the 90s in LaGuardia and also Newark we set record temperatures. The temps today will eclipse records in a few spots. In Hartford, 95, New York City could tie a record with a high around 93 today -- guys.
BERMAN: All right. Pedram, thanks so much.
The top ranked Ohio State Buckeyes taking on Virginia Tech, a team that beat them last year. Could the Hokies pull off another upset or does Ohio State have so many quarterbacks doing so many things? I mean, unbelievable. Coy Wire with the highlights coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[05:21:12] BERMAN: Number one Ohio State showing the college football world overnight that they have plenty of options at quarterback. Each and every one better than your quarterback.
KOSIK: Coy Wire has more in this morning's bleacher report.
Good morning.
COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS: Good morning, Alison. Top of the morning to you, John.
Yes, those quarterbacks can play. The Buckeyes only loss last season was to Virginia Tech. Of course, the Buckeyes got the last laugh, eventually going all the way to win the national title.
Coach Urban Meyer keeping everyone guessing on who's going to start at quarterback with sophomore Cardale Jones getting the last second nod. Tech kept it close early, actually leading at the half. Third quarter, Jones finds Ohio state's former quarterback turned wide receiver Braxton Miller, 54-yard touchdown.
Now, speaking of Miller, this time playing quarterback bursts around the corner. Don't blink. Look at that spin move. Are you kidding me? Fifty-three yards and the play of the game. Let's look at this again. This kid's got magic in his feet. Looks like David Copperfield has a hold of the Nikes.
Buckeyes go on to win, 42-24.
NFL rookie Adrian Coxson announcing yesterday that he is retiring due to concussion concerns. The undrafted wide receiver was taken off the Packers' practice field by ambulance on August 1st after suffering a grade three concussion. Coxson says he was examined by doctors and was advised to retire saying, quote, "The next hit to my head could possibly kill me," end quote.
The Packers released Coxson on August 17th.
Now, the two high school football players accused of attacking an umpire during a game on Friday now under police investigation. The Marble Falls Police Department in San Antonio is investigating the incident and looking over several videos from the game. The two players from John Jay High School were kicked off the team and out of the school after allegedly targeting the umpire. No arrests have been made at this time.
To the U.S. Open. Three seed Andy Murray had a pretty big night against South African Kevin Anderson, and his racket got the worst of it. Surprisingly, smashing it into pieces didn't help, in the longest match of the tournament, four hours and 18 minutes. Murray in the end upset by Anderson in four sets.
Speaking of upset, Venus Williams could hand one to her younger sister, Serena, tonight in the quarterfinals. What an upset it would be. Serena is going for the calendar grand slam. She's already won three of the four major tournaments this year. Now, the calendar grand slam hasn't been accomplished since Steffi Graf did it in 1988, when Serena was just 6 years old. Serena has won six of the last seven matchups with her sister Venus.
Alison and John, it should be fun to watch.
KOSIK: Hopefully, we won't see any destruction of tennis rackets.
BERMAN: No, they get along amazingly well considering the sibling rivalry there.
WIRE: That's right.
BERMAN: All right. Thank you so much, Coy.
WIRE: You're welcome.
KOSIK: Crowds rallying behind Joe Biden. But will he enter the race for president? What he is now saying, ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[05:27:42] KOSIK: Give it a go, Joe. Crowds cheering Vice President Biden. But will he enter the race for president?
BERMAN: A new review finds that Hillary Clinton received top secret information on her private e-mail server though her campaign and the State Department say no.
KOSIK: A Kentucky clerk in jail for refusing gay couples the right to marry. Filing a new appeal and getting high profile support.
Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Alison Kosik.
BERMAN: And I'm John Berman. About 28 minutes past the hour right now.
This morning, is this the sign that Biden that some Democrats have been looking for? The sign that he is running for president. In Pittsburgh, Joe Biden was undoubtedly running -- running along a parade route, at least.
The vice president radiated energy as he marched and sometimes ran in the city's huge labor Day parade. He gave a fiery speech aimed straight at a key Democratic constituency, labor.
Senior political correspondent Brianna Keilar is in Pittsburgh with the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KEILAR: Good morning, John and Alison.
As Democratic and Republican presidential candidates fanned out across key states, it was Vice President Joe Biden here in Pittsburgh who really raised eyebrows. He gave a very fiery speech to union members with populist undertones. He talked about how college should be free and how the wealthy should be taxed to pay for it. He railed against trust fund babies, his words, and what sounded suspiciously like a stump speech.
BIDEN: I'm hot, I got -- I acknowledge that. I'm mad. I'm angry. How many people in your own neighborhoods -- how many people in your own neighborhoods are in trouble can look their kids in the eye and say it with heart, "Honey, it's going to be OK, it's going to be OK"? Not enough, because the level playing field doesn't exist.
KEILAR: Mr. Vice President, sounds like you have a rationale for running.
BIDEN: I'm going to run part of this parade.
KEILAR: And he really did. He was jogging, zigzagging across the parade route, talking to parade goers. Some who told him that he should run, some who said he should beat Hillary Clinton who was in Iowa trying to shore up support there, saying that she had the policies and tenacity and vision to make her candidacy a successful one.
Bernie Sanders was in New Hampshire trying to shore up support there where he was the leader in recent polls. But for Joe Biden, it's a decision that he is continuing to mull over.
