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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Republicans Vote in Four States Today; Democrats Vote in Two States Today; U.S. Strikes Terrorists in Somalia; Big Win for Erin Andrews; Aired 4-4:30a ET

Aired March 08, 2016 - 04:00   ET

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

[04:00:01] COOPER: That does it for us. Thanks for watching. "EARLY START" begins now.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: A make-or-break day in the presidential race. The candidates making a big push in key states. Michigan, the crown jewel today. Who is in for a big night? Who can see their White House hopes erased?

We have it all covered starting now.

Good morning. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm John Berman. Christine Romans is sick today. It's Tuesday, March 8th. It's 4:00 a.m. in the East. And this morning begins a crucial day in the calendar. It is Super Tuesday, the sequel.

On the Republican side, voters go to the polls in four states. 150 delegates up for grabs. Donald Trump looking to regain his momentum after trailing Ted Cruz in delegates in this past weekend's races. A new Michigan poll shows Trump 13 points ahead. But Ted Cruz and especially John Kasich have been gaining, while Marco Rubio showing real signs of trouble, fading fast.

CNN's Sara Murray kicks off our team coverage. She's with the Trump campaign, has the latest from Mississippi.

SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICS REPORTER: Donald Trump was rallying a crowd of thousands here in Mississippi last night, just hours before voters in this state and three others head to the polls today.

Now Trump and his campaign have made it clear that Mississippi and Michigan are their top prizes today. These are both very delegate- rich states. But even as Trump was talking to voters here in Mississippi, he had an eye on Florida and was taking swipes at Marco Rubio.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And then we have little Marco Rubio. I thought when we had, you know -- Chris Christie endorsed me. Good guy. Really good guy. He endorsed me two weeks ago. And when Chris was on the stage -- Chris is the governor of New Jersey, but he was a former prosecutor and a tough cookie. And I thought -- honestly, I thought Marco was going to faint. He was choking like a dog. He was pouring down sweat. And Chris hit him once, and it was fine. He said the Obama thing.

Remember the phrase? And then he did again, and he said it again and again and again and again. And after the fifth time I was getting ready to -- you see that size of that hand? Look at that. I was going to grab him to show him how strong that hand is because he made that sucker up. I was going to say, Marco, I won't let you fall. I don't want you to get hurt, Marco.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MURRAY: Now as soon as we get past these states that are voting here today, the Trump campaign is going to be laser-focused on Florida. That's because that is where they want to knock Marco Rubio out of the race for good. They went up on the air with a new attack ad against him. All of this in the face of Rubio's allies who are spending tens of millions trying to secure the senator's victory in his home state.

Back to you guys.

BERMAN: All right, Sara.

On the Democratic side, voters go to the polls in two states today, Michigan and Mississippi. Big implications for the race for both states. The Clinton campaign may hoping for a show of strength in both the Deep South and the industrial north where polls show her way ahead in -- well, ahead in Michigan.

CNN's Jeff Zeleny has more from Hillary Clinton's final rally before the voting.

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: The Michigan primary is now upon us and what a frenetic final day of campaigning it was. Talk of the auto bailout, talk about trade, talk about guns. But Hillary Clinton is increasingly trying to impress upon Democrats the time is now to start thinking long-term. Thinking toward the fall. At her closing rally in Detroit, listen to what she said to Democrats rallying for her.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Everything I've just said the Republicans disagree with, and so we've got our work cut out for us. That's why it's so important for all of you to turn out as many voters as you can tomorrow because the sooner I could become your nominee, the more I could begin to turn our attention to the Republicans.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ZELENY: Now that is the farthest she has gone to saying Democrats, hey, it's time to wrap this up. Of course, she's not calling for Bernie Sanders to drop out. Anything like that would certainly backfire. But if she has a strong night tonight in Michigan, if she wins the delegates here as well as in Mississippi, they're going to continue to make their case that they believe it's mathematically impossible for him to overtake her. Now the Sanders campaign will argue that, look, there's some 70

percent of the delegates still to be picked. Those big states in California, in New York, in New Jersey still to come. But if Bernie Sanders does not win here today in Michigan, that will make his argument that much harder. That's why Bernie Sanders is campaigning so aggressively in the final hours. He is ending his night tonight in Florida, though. That state, among others, votes next Tuesday.

BERMAN: All right, Jeff. Jeff Zeleny, thanks so much.

Let's break down the big day, Super Tuesday, the sequel. This time it's personal.

Ellis Henican joins us right now. He's a columnist for "Newsday," the author of "The Party is Over."

Ellis, it's all about Michigan today. Let's talk about the Republicans first. This is a state where Donald Trump has led in the polls by a lot for a long time.

[04:05:05] But, but, you know, if you look at the recent polls, maybe John Kasich, maybe Ted Cruz, they're closing in.

ELLIS HENICAN, COLUMNIST AND CO-AUTHOR, "THE PARTY'S OVER": That's right. That's right. Will Donald stump? That's really the big question. Michigan is somewhere he ought to do well. A lot of white working class voters. A message that would echo about protecting American jobs. The auto industry right there. So what we've got to watch is, does Donald keep up the momentum or was there actually a bigger sign over the weekend? I think we'll know that tonight.

BERMAN: Is there a fade? Is there a fade?

HENICAN: Yes.

BERMAN: And are others closing in particularly Ted Cruz and John Kasich?

We put up those numbers again in Michigan. There's another interesting number up there and that's Marco Rubio in fourth. You can't even see how far he is?

HENICAN: Where is he?

BERMAN: Yes.

HENICAN: Where is he? Marco?

BERMAN: Down at 13 percent and fading.

HENICAN: Right. Talk about little Marco. Right? I mean, I got to say, he's got to be focused on Florida. 100 percent on Florida. And Donald and Ted Cruz trying to undermine him there. I don't know. It's not looking too good.

BERMAN: But a bad day today. A bad day today certainly doesn't not help the case in Florida.

HENICAN: A bad day today.

BERMAN: It doesn't help make the case in Florida. Correct?

HENICAN: No. And that case on its own is hard. He is eight points back in the latest polls. The numbers are not looking good. I mean, maybe there is a home state momentum, but we have not seen signs of it.

BERMAN: I think we have some sound to Marco Rubio. Marco Rubio is making the case that everything is fine. He is on pace in Florida. He's competing there hard. Let's listen to what Marco Rubio says right now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. MARCO RUBIO (R-FL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm going to be on the ballot. We're going to win Florida. We'll be -- this is going to be a very long process. You guys have never covered a campaign like this. This is unchartered territory. No one, not even Donald Trump is on track right now to have 1,237 delegates. I mean, Donald Trump would literally have to win every -- half the delegates remaining between now and the end of this to be the nominee. And he's not on pace to do that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Now, look, Florida is winner-take-all in delegates. Florida is one week from today. 99 delegates at stake. Winner take all. It's Marco Rubio's home state.

CNN put out a report yesterday which said that there are some Rubio advisers who are concerned right now about Florida.

HENICAN: Yes.

BERMAN: And say maybe he should think about getting out so he doesn't embarrass himself in his home state going forward. Now the Rubio campaign, you know, vehemently denies that's the case. But --

HENICAN: Right. And the donors want to get on another train if it is not going to be Marco. I mean, some of the establishment people may say, well, gees, is there any life left in Kasich? Is that something that might happen in Ohio? Maybe it's time to make their peace with the two they don't like, with Cruz and with Trump.

BERMAN: All right. Let's talk about the Democrats right now. Two states up for grabs today, Michigan and Mississippi. Mississippi is in the deep south. One of these states there's a large African- American voting population on the Democratic side. These are states where Hillary Clinton has done very well leading up to now.

But Michigan is where everyone is looking. Michigan is the first industrial northern state to vote in this campaign. And it's a state where both campaigns have competed quite hard. HENICAN: Right. And the same reason that Michigan would be amenable

to someone like a Trump also ought to help Bernie Sanders. If he is going to make his stand anywhere, it's got to be somewhere where that class commentary works, where people are feeling strained a little bit. You know, it's looking like it's heading in Hillary's direction. But if Bernie is going to have any life left in that campaign, that's where he's going to show it.

BERMAN: Does he need to win or does he need to show up well there?

HENICAN: You know what, it would sure be nice for him to win. I mean, I don't know anyone in the Democratic politics right now who gives Bernie that realistic a chance to get the nomination at this point. But, you know, listen, a strong second place would give us something to talk about. Winning would be real. I'm not sure either one of them is going to happen.

BERMAN: I know you said two states on the ballot today for them. Now the rest of the week is actually quite busy. It doesn't end today. We have a Democratic debate tomorrow night.

HENICAN: That's right.

BERMAN: There's a CNN Republican debate on Thursday. Again, any way for the candidates to change the trajectory of the race right now?

HENICAN: Well, you know, look at Kasich. He is someone who might be able to if he has a strong showing in Michigan today. I mean, certainly if he wins Michigan, it would propel him. I don't see fundamental change on the Democratic side. But that question about trump. I mean, are those cracks real? His entire image is, I'm a winner. If he stops looking like a winner, that could have real impact, John.

BERMAN: You know, where you're seeing this all play out is Florida. Even though there's voting today in Michigan, Mississippi, Idaho and Hawaii, Florida is where everyone is dumping their money at, of course, right now. You know, Donald Trump has got a negative ad up about Marco Rubio. When he's going to put up. The Rubio forces, or I guess the never Trump forces are the Super PACs backing Marco Rubio going after Trump.

HENICAN: That's one point.

BERMAN: They are spending millions against Donald Trump there.

HENICAN: You know, if last week was a Super Tuesday, and next week is Super Tuesday, I guess we call this pretty good Tuesday. Huh?

BERMAN: I call it Super Tuesday the sequel, this time it's personal.

HENICAN: Super -- you know.

(CROSSTALK)

BERMAN: All right. Ellis Henican, we'll talk to you again a little bit. Thanks so much for being with us.

And of course, stay with CNN for the most comprehensive political coverage on earth. We'll have results from today's Super Tuesday voting. That is tonight beginning at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday there is a Democratic debate in Miami. Univision will simulcast.

[04:10:04] Thursday, our own Republican debate in Miami. This is the last Republican debate before Super Tuesday. Maybe the last Republican debate ever for all we know. Sunday night, we've got a Democratic town hall, this from Ohio State University. That is just two days before the Democratic primary in Ohio. Mind spinning, head numbing or mind numbing, head spinning, either way you want to look at it there's a lot going on and it's only right here on CNN.

All right. Former First Lady Nancy Reagan will be laid to rest on Friday. The service is set for 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley in California. Mrs. Reagan will first lie in repose at the library with public visitation tomorrow and Thursday. First Lady Michelle Obama, she will attend the funeral. Nancy Reagan will be buried on the library grounds at a beautiful location alongside her husband. She died Sunday at the age of 94.

Time now for an EARLY START on your money. Stock futures pointing lower. Oil slipping. Europe and Asia posting losses right now. A surge in one commodity, though, suggests that China's economy could be ready to rebound. Iron ore prices are spiking. I know you've been watching this closely. Iron ore up 70 percent Monday, sending a one- day record. That is up a stunning 54 percent since the start of the year.

Iron ore is seen as a proxy for global economic demand. And there is hope that China will further stimulate its economy. Some analysts, though, say this rise is overblown and that prices will actually fall back to normal levels.

The United States with a big air strike against suspected terrorists in Somalia. Why the United States says it had to act now. That's straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:15:14] BERMAN: New details emerging this morning about the U.S. air strike in Somalia which is believed to have killed 150 members of the al-Shabaab terror group. U.S. officials say the fighters were standing at attention possibly taking part on a graduation ceremony on the verge of carrying out an attack on U.S. forces in Africa.

CNN's national security correspondent Jim Sciutto has the latest.

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: John, this was one of the largest U.S. strikes against terrorists ever. The Pentagon says some 150 fighters from the terror group al-Shabaab killed in the strike. The target was an al-Shabaab training camp and the timing was key here because U.S. intelligence indicated that these fighters were about to carry out an attack on African Union Forces and U.S. forces in Somalia.

U.S. commanders acting, says the Pentagon, in self-defense, both manned and unmanned aircraft carrying out this strike. Now at the same time you have al-Shabaab claiming responsibility for another attempted bombing of a passenger jet. That bombed enclosed, hidden in a laptop. You may remember it was just a couple of weeks ago when a laptop bomb exploded on a jet in the air punching a hole in the fuselage. And it is believed carrying that bomber -- sucking that bomber out of that hole. So two attempted attacks on passengers jets claimed by al-Shabaab, as well.

The ambitions of this group greatly concerning to U.S. counterterror officials, attacking Western targets not only inside the country in Somalia, but the concern that they would do the same outside the country as well.

A growing concern, and of course also a concern here that they're sharing technology with AQAP, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. It is that group that has been the principal concern in terms of hiding explosives inside electronic devices such as laptops before, but now it appears that al-Shabaab has that same technology, something the U.S. is watching very closely.

BERMAN: All right, Jim. Jim Sciutto, thank you so much.

A big victory for gay rights activists. The U.S. Supreme Court ruling that states must honor adoptions by same-sex parents who move across state lines. In a unanimous decision the justices slammed the Alabama Supreme Court for denying a woman's right to visit the three children she adopted and raised with a former partner in Georgia.

President Obama is expected to nominate a new justice to replace Antonin Scalia any day now. Texas Senator John Cornyn (INAUDIBLE) his Republican leader to voice strong opposition to anyone picked by the president. Cornyn, a member of the Judiciary Committee, says the nominee will be forced to endure such a battle that he or she would, quote, "bear some resemblance to a pinata." The Republicans want the next president to choose a replacement for Justice Scalia.

A big win for sportscaster Erin Andrews. A stunning award in her civil suit stemming from a peephole video. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:21:58] BERMAN: Today marks two years since Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared. There was a moment of silence overnight in Kuala Lumpur to remember the 239 people on board. The Malaysian prime minister says he is still hopeful that the plane wreckage will be found in the Indian Ocean. If not, the three countries involved in the search, Australia, China and Malaysia, they will meet to decide on next steps.

Now this is slight change from last year when the Australians said the search would end after the current search area is checked. A team of experts is now examining debris found last week by an American tourist in Mozambique. That wreckage could have come from MH-370. A big legal victory for sportscaster Erin Andrews. A national jury

has awarded her $55 million in her civil suit against a stalker and the hotel where he secretly videotaped her nude. Jurors divided, I guess, you could say the penalty between the convicted stalker Michael Barrett and two companies who own and operate the hotel.

Let's get more from CNN's Nick Valencia.

NICK VALENCIA, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It was an emotional trial for the sportscaster to say the least. She had to relive this experience in extensive detail. Seven days of testimony. Two days of jury deliberations for the jury to finally decide on Monday afternoon to award the sportscaster Erin Andrews with $55 million.

They found that Michael Barrett, her stalker, was 51 percent responsible and he will owe $28 million. The hotel group Windsor Capital was found 49 percent at fault and will owe $26 million.

As the verdict was being read, Andrews could be seen wiping away tears. Her jaw clenched as she let out a heavy sigh of relief. The cameras were ordered to be turned off in the courtroom by the judge right after the verdict was read. But according to local reports, Andrews could be seen hugging jurors.

She left the courtroom without talking to the media but did release a statement online, saying, quote, "I would like to thank the national court, court personnel and the jury for their service. The support I received from the people of Nashville has been overwhelming. I would also like to thank my family, friends and legal team. I've been honored by all the support from victims around the world. Their outreach has helped me to be able to stand up and hold accountable those whose job it is to protect everyone else's safety, security and privacy."

It's unclear if the defense will launch an appeal. They have 30 days to do so -- John.

BERMAN: All right. Our thanks to Nick Valencia for that.

A stunner from tennis star Maria Sharapova. She revealed she failed tested a drug test at the Australian Open. Sharapova tested positive for meldonium, a drug she has taken since 2006 for health issues she said.

The World Doping Agency just added this drug to its list of banned drugs. They say the stimulant. Sharapova says she takes full responsibility. The five-time grand slam champion has been provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Federation pending an investigation.

Her announcement drew a lot of reaction on social media. A lot of it supportive, some of it, though, highly critical including from tennis hall of famer Jennifer Capriati who tweeted, "I did have the high priced team of doctors that found a way for me to cheat and get around the system and wait for science catch up." [04:25:05] All right. Moving on right now. Just ahead for us, a high

stakes day in the presidential race. Voters in four states set to head to the polls. Six candidates remain. Whose campaign could take a big hit today? The latest from the trail next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: Let the voting begin. Michigan, Mississippi, the biggest states at stake today. This is Super Tuesday the sequel. This time it's personal. Who is ahead and who is at serious risk?

Welcome back to EARLY START, everyone. I'm John Berman. About 29 minutes pas the hour. This morning begins a crucial day on the campaign calendar. It is Super Tuesday part two. Needs a better name than that, folks. On the Republican side, voter goes to the polls in four states. Michigan, Idaho, Mississippi and Hawaii. 150 delegates up for grabs. Donald Trump looking to regain his momentum.

You may have missed this but Donald Trump actually trailed Ted Cruz in the delegate race in the contest this past weekend. And Donald Trump does look good in some of these states heading to the polls today. Poll out of Michigan shows him some 13 points ahead. But in the same poll, Ted Cruz and especially John Kasich seen to be gaining ground and gaining ground fast. Marco Rubio slipping and slipping big down at 13 percent with some possibility of going even lower than that.

CNN's Sara Murray kicks off our team coverage. She's with the Trump campaign, has the latest from Mississippi.