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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Russian Jet Broke Up Mid-Air; GOP Debate Meeting Ends With Modest Goals; Fred Thompson Dies; Royals Rally to Beat Mets. Aired 5:30-6a ET
Aired November 02, 2015 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[05:31:30] MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Happening right now, key clues emerging after the plane crash that brought down a passenger jet headed for Russia. We have what officials are learning as grieving families demand answers.
ALISON KOSIK, CNN ANCHOR: Republicans are trying to rip control over their presidential debates from the Republican National Convention, a high level meeting going down last night. We have all of the takeaways.
MARQUEZ: They are a laughing stock no more. The K.C. Royals crowned champions of the baseball world. We have highlights of another big comeback. Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Miguel Marquez.
KOSIK: I'm Alison Kosik. It is 30 minutes past the hour. Crash investigators trying to determine this morning what brought down a Russian passenger jet killing all 224 people on board. The Metro Jet flight operated by Kogalymavia airlines crashed Saturday 20 minutes into the flight from the Egyptian resort to St. Petersburg, Russia.
Russian officials are now saying the plane's fuselage disintegrated in mid-air scattering debris across eight square miles in a remote part of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. The cause of the crash, though, is still unknown.
Was it a technical problem with the 18-year-old airbus jet? In the last hour, airline officials rejected that explanation saying in a news conference that the plane's maintenance was up-to-date and that, quote, "The only explanation was an external influence on the plane."
That seems to be a reference to another possibility of a terror attack. For the latest on the search for answers, let's bring in CNN's Ian Lee live in Cairo.
You know, it's stunning to hear the acknowledgment from the folks -- from the airline company that there could have been a terror attack on this plane.
IAN LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. There have been so many contradicting pieces of information out. First, we have the Egyptian officials so far place this on a mechanical issue. But then we just heard from Metro Jet official saying that they reject technical issues that could have happened to the plane.
Also as you said, that if the plane disintegrated over the Sinai, like Russian officials said, it had to be an external force. It raises the question of a possible terrorist attack.
There have been questions about the fly-ability of the plane not only by officials and also the co-pilot who talked to a family member. Here is his ex-wife.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NATALYA TRUKHACHEVA, EX-WIFE OF CO-PILOT SERGEI TRUKHACHEVA (through translator): Our daughter had a telephone chat with him before the flight. He complained before the flight that one could wish for better technical conditions of the plane.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEE: So Alison, that does then point to a possible terrorist attack when we hear this information from the Metro Jet. But just to put this in context for you, we know that militants in the Sinai Peninsula do not have the capabilities of shooting down a jet that is flying over 30,000 feet.
That must lead to the possibility of a bomb, frankly, we don't know. Those black boxes are in Cairo. They are going to be analyzed. We know that there are teams on the ground going over the wreckage. We have 144 bodies have been flown to Russia.
We know that 187, according to state media, have been retrieved from the desert, which leaves over 30 still unaccounted for. This is a massive area over eight square miles of wreckage to go through -- Alison.
KOSIK: All right, hopefully those black boxes can net some answers here. Ian Lee, thanks so much.
MARQUEZ: Now Republican presidential candidates trying to seize more control of the TV debate process from networks and the Republican Party itself. Meeting last night face-to-face for the first time, but this morning, the campaigns have precious little agreements on key issues.
A source inside the meeting telling CNN's Manu Raju, the campaigns will take over negotiation with host networks on the debate format and seeking a two-hour time limit and 30-seconds for opening and closing statements.
Among other things, the RNC will continue to handle basic debate logistics. The campaigns, though, will push for earlier information on debate moderators and whether candidates will get equal speaking time.
Among the points where no agreement was reached, CNN's source says lower polling candidates want two debates split between equal numbers of randomly selected candidates and the Bush campaign wants Telemundo restored as the debate co-sponsor while the Trump campaign said it would boycott the debate if that happens.
[05:35:10] Now joining us to add absolutely clarity, understanding and completely putting any questions to rest on this issue is Eric Bradner, CNN Politics digital reporter. Eric, these are important to the candidates. Will we see debates going forward?
ERIC BRADNER, CNN POLITICS DIGITAL REPORTER: I think you will. There is another one coming up on November 10th. There's not much time to figure all of this out, though. CNN will host another debate in December.
This is the entire campaign in a nutshell. The Republican National Committee entered the cycle determined to take more control to prevent dozens of debates from spreading up everywhere and here are the candidates saying no.
They're going to take over the central roll role in the process that show unwieldy this entire thing is. The campaigns are, you know, expressing some points of agreement that are basic, the two-hour time limit and opening and closing statements, that sort of thing.
But the bigger things they talked about they did not agree on. What remains to be seen is whether in these next couple of debates, we see something that spurs more conversation about those issues.
Whether more candidates might drop out or moderators might do a job that candidates again take particular issue with, something like that to spur more discussion of these bigger changes that a lot of the campaigns want even though they don't all agree on them.
KOSIK: All right, so I'm wondering which candidates may benefit from these new rules?
BRADNER: So Donald Trump and Ben Carson's campaigns are the ones that have been really pushing hardest. This is in part because debates are not avenues for those two to really shine. They are not most comfortable with them.
Jeb Bush's campaign was really angry after the last debate. Felt like he did not get an opportunity to make his case. He was cut off by moderators and not enough speaking time. That is why the candidates are concerned about opening and closing statements.
Making sure they all get equal time because some are feeling shut out. Given the nature of the debates, that changes from night to night. Those are three of the campaigns that are really interested in these rules.
All of them had something they want to work on. Bobby Jindal's campaign was pushing to do the split, seven and seven in the first and second debate rather than basing it on polling numbers.
Donald Trump's campaign was opposed to that. They don't want to look like they're not the frontrunner. It just depends.
MARQUEZ: Well, it depends on so much. For Jeb Bush, it depends a lot. He is on the defensive after the last debate. Here is what he had to say on "Meet The Press."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEB BUSH (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: In this era of gridlock, it is hard to break through. I think he has given up. That is the wrong thing to do. This is about public service and solving problems. I will be better. I know I got to get better doing the debate. I'm a grinder. When I see I'm not doing something well, I reset and get better.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARQUEZ: In the first bit of that, he says that basically Marco Rubio has given up and in the second part he says he is a better debater. He doesn't exactly come off with fireworks in this. Is this enough or does he still need to go farther?
BRADNER: He probably has to go farther. This is Jeb Bush trying to stop the boat from taking on water. He knows the campaign is in a tight spot after the poor performance in the last debate.
He knows a lot of establishment Republicans and big money donors are looking at Marco Rubio perhaps as their preferred candidate to go up against the outsiders like Carson and Trump and Fiorina as opposed to Jeb Bush, who looked like he would be much stronger with those types of supporters.
You know, this is in the wake of the poor debate performance. He will have some time now to reevaluate strategy and message. He is in a tight spot right now.
He is trying to, you can see him trying to feel out a way forward and continuing to hit Marco Rubio on his missed votes in the Senate. He thinks that could work for him even his tactics didn't work in the last debate.
KOSIK: It's hard to really think he is being genuine in the attacks. It's almost like he is grasping at straws because Jeb has been really complimentary of Rubio in the past. Anyway, the beat goes on here. Thanks so much, Eric Bradner, for your analysis this morning.
[05:40:00] And Bernie Sanders' first TV ad buy of the campaign on the air this morning in Iowa and New Hampshire.
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ANNOUNCER: He is taking on Wall Street and corrupt political system.
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KOSIK: The campaign says it will spend more than $2 million on the ad over the next ten days. This month after the Clinton campaign went on the air in key states. Hillary Clinton is in Northern Illinois fundraising in Chicago and Evanston.
Time for an EARLY START on your money, bad start for the week for stocks, at least some, Asian stocks are lower. A new survey shows China factory activity slowed for the third month in a row.
We are seeing European stocks and U.S. stock futures bouncing back from earlier losses. Stocks have been on fire lately. On Friday, stocks closed the best month in four years. Dow climbed 1,500 points in October. S&P shot up more than 8 percent.
Chipotle has closed dozens of restaurants in Washington and Oregon after an E. Coli scare. The source of the contamination has not been determined yet, but 22 cases have been linked to six locations in Seattle and Portland areas.
Chipotle closed 43 restaurants out of a precaution. E. Coli infections are caused ingesting human or animal waste and they can range from mild to life threatening.
MARQUEZ: Not Chipotle!
He was known to generations of Washington observers and entertainment fans alike. Fred Thompson has passed away. We will have more on his great life.
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[05:45:18]
KOSIK: Fred Thompson is being remembered this morning from Tennessee to Washington to Hollywood. The former senator and actor died Sunday following a recurrence of lymphoma. Thompson was first elected to fill Al Gore's Senate seat in 1994 before winning a full term.
He briefly ran for president in 2008. He appeared in several films, but he is best known for his role on the TV show, "Law & Order." Fred Thompson was 73 years old, one of my favorites.
MARQUEZ: I loved Fred Thompson.
Let's see what is coming up on "NEW DAY" with Alisyn Camerota. She is there for us. How are you?
KOSIK: Good morning.
ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Thank you, Miguel, for reading the intro just as I wrote it. I appreciate it. Great to see you, guys, this morning. Let me it tell you about NEW DAY because we will have the latest on that Russian plane that crashed in Egypt this weekend.
Was this a technical failure or a terror attack? Our aviation experts have been looking at all the evidence and they will be here to give us their take.
Plus we have all of the latest developments on the emergency GOP meeting this weekend in which the Republican candidates vented their frustration about the debates and their future demands. We will share with you what our sources in the room say happened.
We will also talk to the RNC about what they plan to do and Team Trump and two candidates will be here, Chris Christie and Lindsey Graham. Stick around for that in 13 minutes.
KOSIK: All right, the three decade wait is over, the Kansas City royal's world champions. The baseball season coming to a wild finish early this morning, the highlights coming up.
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[05:50:39]
MARQUEZ: The Kansas City Royals, anointed, celebrating their first World Series championship in 30 years.
KOSIK: Andy Scholes has more on the epic comeback in game five in this morning's "Bleacher Report."
ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, guys. I feel bad for the Mets. The Royals team is relentless. When you think they are down and out, they find a way to make a comeback. The first team to win three games in a World Series, in which they trailed late in the eighth inning or later, and game five is their best comeback yet.
Matt Harvey was staying in this game to pitch the ninth. And in the ninth, Hosmer with the double to left. And this next play is what you will remember for a long time. Hosmer bolts for home. The throw is wide. That ties the game at 2-2.
We go to extra innings. In this 12th, Christian Colon, his first post season at-bat. This single gives the Royals the lead. They go on to win, 7-2. Salvador Perez is the MVP. Rachel Nichols was in the clubhouse and caught up with Eric Hosmer.
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RACHEL NICHOLS, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: When you are making the run from third and it changes everything. What are you aware of?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know. I think when I first decided to go home. I thought it was a mistake. I could not turn back at that point. You have to figure out a way to get there. Day in and day out, regular season and on to the post season, we always found a way to get back into something. Always found a way to get the job done. You know, really no other way the World Series could have ended without us making a comeback.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCHOLES: The party will continue into Tuesday with a victory parade.
KOSIK: What is the significance of the goggles on him?
SCHOLES: You have to block all of the champagne. It stings. I know. I have been in the locker rooms before.
MARQUEZ: Champagne is very dangerous. That is why it is for drinking only.
SCHOLES: That's right.
KOSIK: Leave the eyes out of it.
It's officially November. Did you know? What does that mean? What else but holiday shopping. The guide for the early deals is coming up.
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[05:57:02]
KOSIK: I'm Alison Kosik. Let's get an EARLY START on your money. Asian stocks are lower. A new survey shows Chinese factory activity slowed for the third month in a row. But European stocks, U.S. futures, they are bouncing back from earlier losses.
A little perspective here, stocks have been on fire lately. On Friday, stocks closed the best month in four years. The Dow climbed 1,500 points in October. The S&P 500 shot up more than 8 percent.
Oil prices are falling this morning, down more than 1 percent at the moment. Prices have been relatively low for the past year. That is bad news for oil workers. Chevron is the latest to slash jobs between 6,000 and 7,000 this year. That's 11 percent of its work force. Profits plunged 64 percent from a year ago. Exxon and Conoco Phillips announced thousands of job cuts.
Halloween is over. That means holiday shopping is here. Retailers started special most promotions yesterday. Target will offer a 50 percent discount on a different toy every day. Toys R Us is launched a special deal. Walmart is discounting electronics and baking essentials. Shoppers can shop in stores with their phones. I see your wish list grow.
MARQUEZ: Checking it twice.
KOSIK: Don't check it too long.
MARQUEZ: Busy time buying of stuff for me.
KOSIK: I am sure I will.
MARQUEZ: So what brought down that jet carrying 224 souls from Egypt to Russia? Officials in just the last hour with stunning suggestion. "NEW DAY" has the latest on the investigation. That starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The airliner broke into pieces in midair.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is a lot questions about the air worthiness of this plane.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: More than half of the bodies have been recovered at this stage.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are a number of issues that could have affected this plane and terrorism has not been ruled out.
BEN CARSON (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We need to mature in the way that we do these debates.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They want the debates to be more substantive.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Smaller groups on the stage, better questions.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In the past, the campaigns themselves have negotiated with the TV networks.
DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We have to take care of ISIS, but we're afraid to have a tough question.
ANNOUNCER: The world's 2015 world champions, the Royals.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A world champion for the first time since 1985.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Welcome to your NEW DAY. It is Monday, November 2nd, 6:00 in the east. First, the good news, the Kansas City Royals, is number one, their first World Series title in 30 years, dispatching the New York Mets in decisive fashion, 7-2 last night.
We'll have plenty on that and the whole George Brett conversation we have here. We'll have with you again.
