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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Democrats Face Off In Univision Debate; Tonight: Last GOP Debate Before Super Tuesday 3; Brock Osweiler Leaves Broncos for Texans. Aired 5-5:30a ET
Aired March 10, 2016 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: The race for president on fire this morning. Republicans just hours from taking the CNN debate stage. Pivotal elections in states like Ohio and Florida. They're now just days away. This as overnight, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders held their most contentious debate yet.
Good morning and welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans in New York.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: I'm John Berman, at the University of Miami, in Miami. It is debate-apalooza. Thursday, March 10th, 5:00 a.m. in the East.
We have the Republican debate at The U tonight.
And breaking overnight, it was Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton head-to-head here in Miami, in a bilingual debate sponsored by Univision and "The Washington Post". It aired right here on CNN.
The timing of this debate fascinating, right? It comes just after the stunning Bernie Sanders upset in Michigan, clearly reshuffling the stakes of this race. Hilly Clinton, you know, she had been pivoting toward a general election fight against Donald Trump.
[05:00:06] Well, pivot no more. At the debate overnight, it was all about Bernie Sanders. They went one-on-one for two full hours, throwing bombs, facing tough questions. It was a sight to behold.
Senior political correspondent Brianna Keilar with the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, Hillary Clinton getting some sharp questions about e-mail practices while secretary of state and about her trustworthiness. Bernie Sanders questioned by these moderators about being a career politician.
But at this Univision debate, it was immigration that was the big topic. Hillary Clinton hit Bernie Sanders for his failure to support comprehensive immigration reform in 2006 and 2007, when he sided with labor unions. And Bernie Sanders took on Hillary Clinton for her opposition to drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants, something that was an issue for her back in 2008.
Also, their positions on children fleeing violence in Central America came up.
SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Honduras and that region of the world may be the most violent region in our hemisphere, gang lords, vicious people, torturing people, doing horrible things to families. Children fled that part of the world to try, try, try, maybe, meet up with family members in this country and taking a route that was horrific, trying to start a new life. Secretary Clinton did not support those children coming into this country. I did.
(APPLAUSE)
JORGE RAMOS, DEBATE MODERATOR: But, again, yes or no. Can you promise tonight that you won't deport children, children who are already here?
HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I will not deport children. I would not deport children. I do not want to deport family members either, Jorge.
SANDERS: So, to answer your question, no, I will not deport children from the United States of America.
KEILAR: This debate happening in the shadow of the Michigan primary where Bernie Sanders staged a massive upset and got some momentum despite still being down in the delegate math. But of these candidates are now pushing forward to these series of contests that we'll see next Tuesday. Even the Sanders campaign admits Florida is advantageous to Hillary Clinton.
But Bernie Sanders and his campaign, they are hoping that what happened in Michigan where they had a message that appealed to this industrial state, where labor unions are strong, that that may give them a toe-hold in Illinois and Ohio as well -- John and Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BERMAN: All right. Brianna Keilar, thank you so much.
Let's talk more about this big event last night. Joining us here is CNN political reporter Eric Bradner.
Eric, you know, Brianna Keilar had an interesting point there. She said the shadow of Miami -- the shadow, rather, of Michigan looming over everything. It really did.
I mean, you could feel Michigan weighing down that debate. Michigan reshuffled the race. It made it a race for a long time. And Hillary Clinton, you know, pivot no more. She's got to deal with Bernie Sanders for a while.
ERIC BRADNER, CNN POLITICAL REPORTER: That is right. And she showed that she was aware of that last night. There is no more of the attack Donald Trump rather than Bernie Sanders thing. It was hand to hand combat the entire two hours.
The immigration exchange was a great example of that. Hillary Clinton really came ready to unload on Sanders. She was attacking him for 2007 vote. She was ready to go further than he was and President Obama has on stopping deportations.
She clearly was not afraid of being dragged to the left on that issue. Something that could come back as a significant point of contention in the general election. So, Hillary Clinton came prepared to fight. And Bernie Sanders seemed to be getting more and more comfortable with his economic message.
And the timing is key because not only do we have a bunch of big races coming up on Tuesday, but this could be the last Democratic debate. It's the last one on the calendar. So, this is the final opportunity to go head-to-head like that.
ROMANS: You know, Donald -- you know, he has really pulled her to the left on some of these things. I mean, no question. She longed talked about the affordability of college. But she is sort of talk more about, you know, making sure kids can graduate from college without having debt after four years.
But Bernie Sanders is selling free college and free health care and tax hikes for the rich, breaking up the banks. He has been incredibly consistent.
She has been trying to say, look, I understand the nuance of policy. I'm the rational one to get something done. He's just selling you a pipe dream. Is that going to work? Is that going to work in Ohio?
Well, it's a tough sell. It's to argue that Democratic based voters hopes and dreams are unrealistic.
But Hillary Clinton had a fascinating moment in the debate where she said, look, I'm not that good at this. I'm not that good at politics. I'm not Bill Clinton. I'm not Barack Obama. This is what I am, this sort of policy geek, policy wonk who can find problems to solve and offer very specific solutions to them.
[05:05:06] BERMAN: We can actually play that, but I think we have that bite lined up. And you can hear what she has to say. And again, what's so interesting about this is for someone who's been in the political eye for decades, you know, occasionally, she reveals a little bit more of herself and this was just one of those moments.
Let's listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLINTON: I am not a natural politician, in case you have not noticed like my husband or President Obama. So, I have a view I have to do the best I can and get the results I can, make a difference in people's lives and hope that people see that I'm fighting for them.
(END VIDEO CLIP) BERMAN: Is that going to help her connect to younger voters? One of her big weak areas. You know, hard to tell.
BRADNER: Yes, authenticity is a problem that Hillary Clinton has had this entire race. She's running against a candidate who people just believe. People believe that Bernie Sanders says what he means.
And so, revealing a bit of herself that way is important. It is a way to sort of say, this is who I am. This is what I am. To explain the failings of her campaign at times. Why she can never really run away with things. Why she is always in a dog fight.
I thought it was a striking moment. It was probably the most memorable moment of last night's debate.
ROMANS: What about Wall Street speeches? The ties to Wall Street? She was a New York senator. So, obviously, Wall Street was right in her backyard.
She did go to Wall Street in the days before the financial crash and said subprime mortgages are a real problem. Cut it out as she has put it. But Bernie Sanders has tried to paint her as too cozy to Wall Street, while he is the guy who's going to break up the big banks. He's the guy who's going to fix the system that's rigged against the little guy.
He continued to hammer on that last night, Eric.
BRADNER: He did. You know, part of why this is so effective for him is Bernie Sanders' position is not complicated. Hillary Clinton's is. Hillary does leave room for compromise. He doesn't. This is something that has been a problem for her for months.
These Wall Street speeches. He has been saying look, release the transcripts, release the transcripts, show an increasing willingness to attack her on the debate stage over it.
While Clinton still doesn't have a good answer. She doesn't have a good explanation for why she won't release them. She says, well, I'll do it when the Republicans release all their speeches and when Bernie Sanders releases his.
But Sanders has a great comeback to that. He throws his hands up and says here are my Wall Street speeches. There are none.
So, yes, this is something that has continued to hamper her and calls her credibility on these issues into question which drives her crazy because she has so many specific policy proposals that she thinks are stronger than Sanders.
BERMAN: That was the Democrats last night. That was the heat. That may be nothing compared to what we get tonight at the University of Miami.
In just a few hours, the four remaining Republicans running for president, they face-off. You can see the hall right there at the University of Miami. The CNN Republican debate just a few hours away. Give you a preview, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[05:12:19] DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think Ted is actually a bad talker, pretty good debater, bad talker. Can't talk. I don't mind debating him at all. The problem is, when I debate somebody, then people say I'm not a nice person, but they say, you won the debate.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: So, bottom line, tomorrow night, you are expecting a different tone by you'll be ready --
TRUMP: I think it's going to be softer, but I'll be ready. I mean, you know, I think Marco is going to be a different person. Marco's been, you know, mortally wounded. I -- you know, questions will Marco be there. These debates to me are getting very boring if you want to know the truth.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: Donald Trump last night with Anderson Cooper about tonight's big face-off at the University of Miami. There is a live look inside the hall. Donald Trump speculating about whether Marco Rubio will even be here. We think there will be four candidates on the stage tonight.
Let's talk about what we might see. CNN politics reporter Eric Bradner is with us now.
Four candidates, a few days to go before the epic winner take all primary, Florida, Ohio, we can throw up the poll with the uphill climb that Marco Rubio has. You know, in all the latest poll, Marco Rubio trailing double digits here in his home state of Florida.
That's tough. He has a lot of work to do. Donald Trump, he wants to close the door tonight.
BRADNER: Yes, he does. Marco Rubio admitted on the last couple of days that his attacks on Donald Trump were a little childish. He's going to try to recalibrate for a Hail Mary, really, according to the polls in Florida.
If he somehow pulls it out, that's significant and, all of a sudden, a contested convention is likely and so on. But if he doesn't, then we're looking at a big shakeup in the race in just a few days.
So, tonight is really sort of a moving day for Marco Rubio. He's got to find a way to reassert himself without being diminished.
Donald Trump meanwhile, you listen to him taking a softer tone. At the same time, he talks about how, you know, he's mean to people and he is told that he won. So, Donald Trump is not going to stop being aggressive on the debate stage. The question is who his target is, that guy he's called "Little Marco", or does he start to attack Ted Cruz more?
BERMAN: Lying Ted. He's got names for anybody, except for John Kasich. John Kasich is just Governor Kasich.
BRADNER: And Cruz is the one who's winning. Cruz is winning states. Nobody else is at this point.
ROMANS: And voters have rewarded that behavior, that salesmanship and confidence with maybe not much policy prescription behind it. I want to listen to something, you hear this remarkable interview last night with Anderson Cooper.
[05:15:01] Anderson really pressed him, you know, how would you do that, Donald Trump, again and again, on a lot of different subjects, and there was this exchange Islam that got a lot of attention.
Let's listen to it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER: Do you think Islam is at war with the West?
TRUMP: I think Islam hates us. There's something there that is a tremendous hatred there. There's a tremendous hatred. We have to get to the bottom of it. There's an unbelievable hatred of us.
COOPER: In Islam itself?
TRUMP: You're going to have to figure that out.
COOPER: The question is, is there a war between the West and radical Islam or is there a war between the West and Islam as well?
TRUMP: It's radical, but it's very hard to define, it's very hard to separate because you don't know who is who.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Islam hates us. But what's the policy prescription? We have to figure that out, Eric.
BRADNER: Yes. This is the salesman-like quality he has. He never commits to anything. He always leaves himself wiggle room. And he stays away from specifics.
He doesn't want to get pinned down. He knows what appeals to supporters is strength, the idea that he is selling a brand -- a brand of someone who is confrontational and confident and can get things done. It's not exactly about what it is specifically or how he does it. It is the idea he is stronger, he is not willing to back down. Everyone else is.
BERMAN: Ted Cruz is the closest competitor to Donald Trump right now. If you listen to Cruz, he is the only legitimate competitor to Donald Trump. Ted Cruz has been campaigning here in Florida, Marco Rubio's stronghold. He got endorsed by Carly Fiorina here in Miami yesterday. And Ted Cruz has got some new language on the idea of the contested. Up until now, Cruz has said no, we don't want that. I want the delegate winner to be the nomine. Now, all of a sudden, well, maybe so. Let's listen to what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Look, Reagan and Ford battled it out at a contested convention. That's what conventions are for. If you are fighting between candidates who have earned the votes of the people and it's the delegates at the convention elected to do that, that's the way the system works, and that's perfectly appropriate.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: Sounds like what Ted Cruz is saying he is okay with the notion of the contested convention as long as he is one of the two contestants.
BRADNER: Absolutely. Ted Cruz is the most carefully calibrated candidate out there right now.
BERMAN: He is the one of the most calibrated candidates I have ever seen.
BRADNER: Absolutely. He loves this. He loves the game. He loves the details and politics of it. So, a little shift like that, him starting to acknowledge that he would be competing in a contested convention is significant. We can't understate that.
So, what this means is how do you get there? Is it John Kasich winning Ohio and then sort of competing and more moderate eastern states and denying Trump anything close to the number of delegates? Or is it a one-on-one race between Cruz and Trump and ends up being a draw? How does it happen?
But Cruz, who has been saying all along that he wants to see the voters decide this, is now talking about a convention is a good signal that Republicans see it more likely.
BERMAN: And the first step is here tonight at the University of Miami. However you cut it, the debate tonight will be the place setter for the campaign. Stay with CNN all day long. We're going to be here all day covering this. The debate coverage itself starts at 8:30 p.m. tonight right here on CNN.
Christine?
ROMANS: All right. Can't wait, John.
All right. The Denver Broncos find themselves without a starting quarterback. So, who will be running the offense for the Super Bowl champions next year?
Coy Wire knows in this morning's bleacher report next. Atlanta is home to the world's busiest airport and millions of
business travelers go through the city every year. On today's "Off the Clock", a local travel writer takes us to one of Atlanta's most relaxing getaways where you can recharge on the road.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATE PARHAM KORDSMEIER, TRAVEL WRITER: Hi, I'm Kate Parham Kordsmeier, a food and travel writer based here in Atlanta.
And today, I'm taking you to one of my favorite hidden gems in the city, Jeju Sauna. It is a Korean spa perfect for business travelers looking to unwind, detox and relax. A ton of mind and body health benefits that you get from each of the saunas. And each has a specific purpose. Some are great for increasing blood flow and some help with stress and tension relief.
ERIKA COLINDRES, JEJU SAUNA: In Korea, there are thousands of these, but they are smaller. My mom wanted to bring her culture and her tradition to this area. It is a destination spa. There is nothing like it. Plus, it's really, really healthy for your body.
KORDSMEIER: My favorite two rooms are the first two you see in here. One is amethyst it is good for calming and relaxation. The second is a salt sauna. It's made of rock and land salt.
[05:20:02] It's really good for detox.
I love going into the rooms and doing yoga poses and meditating, really a unique experience.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: All right. Some big moves yesterday during the NFL's first day of free agency.
Coy Wire has more in this morning's bleacher report.
Hey, Coy.
COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Christine.
One of the biggest shockers of the day is quarterback Brock Osweiler not resigning with the defending Super Bowl champ Broncos, but packing his bags and heading to Houston. Maybe money bags.
A reported $72 million over four years. Nice for Brock, but now, the Broncos is between a Brock and a hard place.
[05:25:00] Osweiler was the logical heir apparent to Peyton in Denver who retired this week. He'd been Peyton's back up for 3 1/2 years, and looked pretty good when Peyton was out with an injury.
But now, the Super Bowl champs are without a starting quarterback. Look for them to take a crack at former Jet quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Smart Harvard who happens to have the same agent as Osweiler.
One of the first moves on the first day in the happen. Johnny Manziel was not let go by the Cleveland Browns. The troubled quarterback whose domestic violence case is awaiting a grand jury decision was expected by many to be cut by the team as soon as possible. The former first round pick has denied accusations by his ex-girlfriend that he hit her and threatened to kill her.
To the NBA and the human highlight reel Steph Curry. Don't look now. They extended their NBA home win streak against the Jazz last night. Steph Curry buzzer beater, first half, 55 footer.
Who is this guy? He's on fire. He sprints to the locker room to put it out. You have to stop, drop and roll, Steph.
Warriors on the roll. Look at them. They beat the Jazz, 115-94.
Kobe Bryant on fire at the Staples Center. He wasn't playing. The L.A. Kings were. The Lakers had the night off. He and his wife Vanessa were on a date and found themselves on the kiss cam.
And there they are. Look at that smile. No hesitation in Kobe's game either.
Christine, I hope you're feeling the love this morning and having a great Thursday thus far.
ROMANS: I am. I'm here all by myself, Coy. I'll send you a kiss.
COY: I caught it. Thank you very much.
ROMANS: Don't tell anybody. Coy, nice to see you.
WIRE: You too.
ROMANS: In just hours, Republicans take the CNN stage. Just hours ago, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders held their most heated debate yet. New action in the race for president, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
