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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Fiery Democratic Debate in Michigan; Remembering Nancy Reagan; North Korea Threatens Preemptive Nuclear Strike; Aired 4-4:30a ET

Aired March 07, 2016 - 04:00   ET

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

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[04:00:15] SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: If you are talking about the Wall Street bailout where some of your friends destroyed this economy.

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You know --

SANDERS: Excuse me. I'm talking.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN DEBATE MODERATOR: Let him sprung.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Anger, frustration and attacks on the debate stage, but this time it's the Democrats. A dramatic night at the CNN debate in Flint.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: With four states voting tomorrow, Ted Cruz suddenly building momentum for the GOP. Does Donald Trump have reason to worry this morning? This as the party and the political world pause to remember Nancy Reagan.

Good morning, and welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.

BERMAN: I'm John Berman. It is Monday, March 7th, 4:00 a.m. in the East.

And breaking overnight, high drama, high stakes at the CNN Democratic debate in Flint, Michigan. This one was different, folks. Just a couple of days before the crucial Michigan primary with the backdrop of the Flint water crisis looming over the entire event. You could sense the frustration bubbling over at some points. And you could sense that both candidates believe there are not many more chances to change the trajectory of this race. Here are some highlights.

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SANDERS: I am very glad, Anderson, that Secretary Clinton has discovered religion on this issue. But it's a little bit too late. Secretary Clinton supported virtually every one of these disastrous trade agreements written by corporate America.

CLINTON: When I talk about Senator Sanders being a one-issue candidate, I mean very clearly you have to make hard choices when you are in positions of responsibility. The two senators from Michigan stood on the floor and said we have to get this money released. I went with them and I went with Barack Obama. You did not. If everybody had voted the way he did, I believe the auto industry would have collapsed taking four million jobs with it.

SANDERS: Let us be clear. One of the major issues -- Secretary Clinton says I'm a one-issue person. I guess so. My one issue is trying to rebuild a disappearing middle class. That's my one issue.

CLINTON: To think about what it must feel like to send off your first grader, little backpack maybe on his or her back, and then the next thing you hear is that somebody has come to that school using an automatic weapon, an AR-15, and murdered those children.

Now they are trying to prevent that from happening to any other family. And the best way to do that is to go right at the people.

COOPER: Senator Sanders --

CLINTON: We talk about corporate greed. That gun manufacturing sell guns to make as much money as they can make.

SANDERS: We are, if elected president, going to invest a lot of money into mental health. And when you watch these Republican debates, you know why we need to invest in mental health.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: All right. CNN's Jeff Zeleny has much more on the debate from Flint, Michigan.

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, the lively and contentious Democratic debate here in Flint, Michigan, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton going after it on trade, the auto bailout, even crime issues. It was one of the most contentious Democratic debates that we have seen really and of course not as comparable to Republicans but for the Democratic side, it was pretty raucous. And of course, Bernie Sanders is running out of time to make his case to Democrats that they should elect him.

Now one of the things I was really struck by, we are here in Michigan in the heart of the auto industry, Hillary Clinton assailed him for voting against the auto bailout back in 2009. Listen to what she said.

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CLINTON: I voted to save the auto industry. He voted against the money that ended up saving the auto industry. I think that is a pretty big difference.

SANDERS: Well, I -- if you are talking about the Wall Street bailout, where some of your friends destroyed this economy --

CLINTON: You know --

SANDERS: Excuse me, I'm talking.

COOPER: Let him sprung.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)

CLINTON: If you're going to talk, tell the whole story, Senator Sanders.

SANDERS: Let me tell my story, you tell your story.

CLINTON: I will.

SANDERS: Your story is for voting for every disastrous trade agreement and voting for corporate America. Did I vote against the Wall Street bailout when billionaires on Wall Street destroyed this economy? They went to Congress and they said please, we'll be good boys, bail us out. You know what I said? I said let the billionaires themselves bail out Wall Street. Shouldn't be the middle class of this country.

CLINTON: OK.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ZELENY: Now in the middle of all this contentious exchanges, it is hard to know if any gains were really made. If you're a supporter of Senator Sanders going into this debate, you certainly supported him coming out of it. The same for Hillary Clinton.

Now there's just one more full day of campaigning before this Michigan primary goes to the voters and this campaign will be critical. The rustbelt voter, a central part of the electorate here.

[04:05:05] If Bernie Sanders can make gains here, can win here, this will definitely propel this nomination fight even farther. If Hillary Clinton wins, it will just keep her assertion going on and her delegate lead certainly going strong here. So a big day of campaigning today in Michigan. Hillary Clinton is campaigning. Bernie Sanders as well. And then they both scatter to those March 15th states, but first the Michigan primary on Tuesday -- John and Christine.

ROMANS: All right, Jeff Zeleny. Thank you for that, Jeff.

Quite a night. Joining us this morning to discuss the debate and its effect on tomorrow's primaries, CNN Politics reporter Tom LoBianco is live in our Washington bureau.

Good morning. You know, I saw some substance in that debate last night. I saw a real kind of conflict on trade, I saw conflict on the auto bailout. I saw them really talking about some of the issues that are behind how people feel or at least their perception about the economy.

Do you think that they stepped it up a notch here talking about some real substance? TOM LOBIANCO, CNN POLITICS REPORTER: Absolutely. You could hear a

lot of the themes, a lot of the same tones, the messages distilled, you know, as pointed out earlier. This is really -- we're are getting late in the game here. There is not many chances to change it. You know that exchange where she interjected and he came right back at her, and said, excuse me, I'm talking, that lit up Twitter. You know, there was a lot of reaction about that last night.

It didn't look good at all for Sanders. You know, some of the Clinton people were saying that's a Rick Lazio moment, of course harkening back to the 2000 Senate race there.

ROMANS: But he lost.

LOBIANCO: Yes. Right. Exactly.

(LAUGHTER)

LOBIANCO: So I'm sure they're -- you know, they're hoping there will be a repeat of that. But you could see the anger, the tension. I mean, things were -- you know, it's easy to forget that just a few months ago we were asking the question, when will they actually go after each other? Well, now there is no question.

BERMAN: Well, we know, I mean, that's why, you know, more than anything, more than substance, I sensed urgency, Tom. I mean, you have Michigan and Mississippi tomorrow. Michigan is a state where Bernie Sanders has to do better than he has been doing in the south. He needs to prove that he can win states that have a minority -- a significant minority population because there are more and more of these states going forward.

LOBIANCO: Absolutely. The southern firewall that Clinton touted back -- you know, right after New Hampshire and before New Hampshire, it's strong. It's held up well. It's built up her lead in the pledged delegates and the -- you know, the election, the elected appointed delegates, so to say. So this bolsters her case. And this is a big test.

You know, you could see the Sanders camp has really spent not just time but a fair amount of money on air in Michigan. I think the last I checked of our CMAG-Kantar numbers, I think it was a little bit north of $4 million spent on air up there. That's quite a bit. And, you know, for the -- especially for these, if it's not New Hampshire, it's not Iowa, once she start getting past those two early states, you don't see barrages like you do -- like you do there. And that just goes to show he is putting his money where the concern is. And Clinton hasn't had to spend nearly that much up there.

(CROSSTALK)

ROMANS: We just showed those maps of what tomorrow looks like. What an important day tomorrow is. Michigan and Mississippi. And then next week, the next -- you know, the next seven to 10 days for these candidates pretty critical. Do you see either of them attacking in a different direction after last night or have they honed their message now and they sell it to these states?

LOBIANCO: Well, what's interesting about this is that as long as Sanders stays in the race, he keeps pulling Clinton to the left. You know, shortly before the debate last night, the spokesman Brian Fallon, the Clinton spokesman, told Wolf Blitzer that she would not be calling on Governor Rick Snyder of Michigan to resign. Of course, Bernie Sanders had done that a little while ago. And then, you know, right around the opening of the debate, she says it's time for him to resign.

The longer he stays in, the more he pulls her to the left. And, you know, if the path to victory, the path to the nomination is disappearing or nonexistent, there is almost no reason for him to leave because he still pulls her that way. He still pulls her to where he wants to be and where his supporters want to be. To where that liberal base, that liberal core, wants to be. So, you know, even if the opportunity disappears for an actual nomination, there is almost no reason for him to leave.

BERMAN: All right, Tom. Tom LoBianco for us in our Washington bureau. We'll talk to you again about the Republicans in just a moment.

ROMANS: All right. Stay with CNN for the most comprehensive political coverage anywhere. Tomorrow, of course, is Super Tuesday number two. Michigan the big prize.

[04:10:03] But voting in three other states as well. Wednesday brings another Democratic debate in Miami. And Thursday, a Republican debate in Miami.

It is a full week of big political events right here on CNN.

BERMAN: All right. Today the world is mourning the loss of Nancy Reagan. We're going to discuss the plans to honor her life next.

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ROMANS: Tributes still pouring in from across the country and around the world for Nancy Reagan who died Sunday at her home in California from congestive heart failure. She was 94 years old.

Nancy Reagan was one of the most influential women of the 20th Century. She was of course first lady to her husband, President Ronald Reagan. Fiercely protective during his two terms in the White House. The depth of her devotion perhaps even more evident in the years after he left office and battled Alzheimer's disease.

The president and Mrs. Obama extending their condolences in a statement saying, "They were fortunate to benefit from her proud example and her warm and generous advice."

Nancy will be buried next to her husband at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California.

Let's get this morning from CNN's Paul Vercammen. PAUL VERCAMMEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John, Christine, the preparations

underway for the services for Nancy Reagan. They're going to set up bleachers and a tent, a stage and lights, and more, as they remember Nancy Reagan outside. Her body, in a closed casket, will lay in repose in the lobby of the Reagan Library behind me.

[04:15:06] Now the library is closed and for those who had hoped to come to the library, they were disappointed that they were turned away, but they said they understood. And they fondly remembered Nancy Reagan.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was really heartbroken. I think she was one of the best first ladies we've ever had and my goodness. 94 years old. That's a long time to live. Bless her heart. I'm glad they're together again.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sad to see her go. I know she was getting older and everybody has their time. And she's lived a good long life. And out here to pay respects for her passing. And Simi Valley loves her. And we're going to miss her.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VERCAMMEN: Nancy Reagan thought of as so loyal will be laid to rest next to Ronald Reagan. This will be on the west side of this property, a beautiful spot that faces toward the Pacific Ocean.

Back to you now, Christine, John.

BERMAN: All right, Paul Vercammen, thanks so much.

Let's bring back CNN Political reporter Tom LoBianco in Washington.

Tom, I don't think it's any surprise to learn that every Republican candidate for president and every Democratic, you know, candidate for president, every public official in America already sent out their condolences and their thoughts and their prayers on the passing of Nancy Reagan.

LOBIANCO: It was a rare moment of unity across the spectrum. You know what an iconic figure. Really closing of an era, too. I mean, you look back. I saw somebody who sent out a picture of her with Mr. T in a Santa suit. You know, just yukking it up. And you know, really embodied the '80s in a way. You know, just an iconic leader. The just say no program. You had Democrats and Republicans singing her praises. I mean, you go from this election, which has just been something else, to looking back on her time and it is just an incredible contrast.

ROMANS: I thought the same thing, Tom. You know, when this news was breaking yesterday I thought, you know, I didn't cover the Reagans. I grew up, they were the -- you know, they were the first lady and the president of the United States when I was a -- when I was a kid. And I was just really struck by how such a 20th Century story when we are in the middle of a very busy 21st Century political season.

LOBIANCO: Absolutely. I mean, yes. You look back on that and you know, you are transported. It provides a little perspective on things. You know, it's a good reminder that, you know, as much as we all get kind of washed up in the current moment, those who have come before and those who will come after, again, just an iconic figure in American politics.

BERMAN: Let's talk about the moment we're in right now. The Republican race for president right now. It was a really interesting weekend that I think may have halted some momentum. Giving a candidate one momentum and some momentum and maybe, you know, driven another candidate and his supporters crazy a little bit. Where are we this Monday morning in the Republican race?

LOBIANCO: You know, I think last week, you know, before Tuesday, people were talking about Marco-mentum. And I think that, you know, if there is any question of Cruz-mentum, so to say, Ted Cruz-mentum, I think that was put to rest on Saturday. You know, at some point, you've got to figure out which horse you're going to get behind. If you're the establishment types, if you're -- you know, you're part of the never Trump movement, yes, there's a possibility to block Trump at the -- at the convention if you can amass enough non Trump delegates, so to say.

BERMAN: Well, Tom, what happened this weekend, just in case people are getting up to speed right now, is it Ted Cruz won Kansas big, he won at Maine, very big. Donald Trump just squeaked by in Louisiana and in Kentucky. And Marco Rubio, that was all Saturday finishing a distant third or in some cases fourth. And a lot of people getting very, very nervous about Marco Rubio. Now Rubio did win Puerto Rico yesterday. He won that going away. Puerto Rico can't vote in the general election, but the delegates do count there.

LOBIANCO: Right. Yes. So, you know, what's interesting about this is that they have to kind of figure out which -- who are they going to get behind. Can you get behind a Cruz? You know, again, Michigan will be a big test here. I mean, kind of some surprises there. This kind of speaks to the -- to the organizing, to the strategy of the Cruz campaign. Pulling out some big wins there on Saturday. Some surprises. Keeping it tight in other cases.

And, you know, if he -- does he become the anti-Trump candidate? Is he the one? What's ironic about this is that Trump has been saying for at least a week now that he would like a one-on-one showdown with Cruz. Of course, that could -- that could easily benefit him. Stop diluting the anti-Trump factions so to say.

[04:20:16] ROMANS: All right. Tom LoBianco, so nice to see you. Thanks for getting up so bright and early for us. Talk to you again very, very soon. Thank you, Tom.

Time for EARLY START on your money this morning. Spending big money in advertising did not guarantee a victory for Marco Rubio on Super Saturday. The Florida senator and his ally spent nearly twice as much in TV advertising per vote as all the other candidates combined. Republicans and Democrats. And Rubio won zero of the states up for grabs.

Here's how it broke down. In the last 15 months up to Saturday, Conservative Solutions, the PAC backing Rubio, spent more than $124,000 on ads. Rubio won just 85,000 votes. That works to about $1.46 a vote. Donald Trump who won two states Saturday spent no money on advertising. Ted Cruz who also won two states spent about half as much money as Marco Rubio.

There is so much money awash in these -- in these races. It's just so interesting to see how they deploy it and what they get for it.

BERMAN: And, you know, in the contest in Florida, which is now eight days away, there is a ton of outside money being spent against Donald Trump.

ROMANS: Yes.

BERMAN: More than $10 million right now being dumped into that state against Donald Trump.

ROMANS: Really?

BERMAN: People there saying they have not seen such an onslaught to date in this campaign.

Twenty-one minutes after the hour. North Korea's new nuclear threats. The unpredictable regime now warning of preemptive strikes. We're live in Seoul next.

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[04:25:26] BERMAN: All right. New tensions this morning in the Korean Peninsula with the North Korea threatening a, quote, "preemptive and offensive nuclear strike." This as the United States and South Korea begin their annual joint military training exercises.

CNN's Paula Hancocks following these developments. She is live in Seoul, in South Korea.

Paula, you know, what's the threat exactly and what's the reaction?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, this is what North Korea has done in the past and it has now done it again, threatening Washington and Seoul with nuclear war. Now it does come at a time when tensions are already high on the Korean Peninsula. Today is the first day of those massive joint military drills between the United States and South Korea. They are the largest ever, we're told. 300,000 South Korean soldiers, 17,000 U.S. soldiers.

There'll be drills on land, by sea and in the air. They are significantly larger than last year. And this is what North Korea sees as a dress rehearsal for an invasion. But the U.S. and South Korea said they are defensive in nature. They happen every year. They are just so that the allies can work well together.

And of course this comes after January. You had a nuclear test from North Korea in February. You had a satellite launch which everyone thought was a long-range missile test. And then just last week, you had those U.N. sanctions against North Korea, the strongest sanctions in two decades -- John.

BERMAN: All right. Paula Hancocks monitoring the developments for us. Always interesting to see what the North Koreans threaten and what they actually do and what is behind it all. Thanks so much, Paula.

All right. The Democratic debate on CNN last night in Flint. A new tone to be sure. New urgency just a couple of days away from the key Michigan primary. We'll tell you what changed after this faceoff. That's next.

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