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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Republicans Battle for Delegates; Clinton & Sanders Trade Blows in New York; ISIS Defectors Speak to CNN; NBA Coach Speaks Out Against N.C. Law. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired April 12, 2016 - 05:00   ET

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

[05:00:05] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: EARLY START continues right now.

(MUSIC)

BERMAN: Donald Trump says the Republican nominating rules are crooked and rigged. Now, the Republican Party chairman, he fights back.

MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN ANCHOR: Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are in an intense battle for votes in New York. Clinton says Sanders can't stand the glare of the New York media.

BERMAN: A CNN exclusive, fascinating -- ISIS defectors in Afghanistan switched sides. They share their story only with CNN. We're live.

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm John Berman.

KOSINSKI: I'm Michelle Kosinski. It's Tuesday, April 12th. It is 5:00 a.m. in the East. Wow.

This morning, rigged, crooked and corrupt. More words from Donald Trump and these are directed at his own party and its own nominating process. Today, the Republican frontrunner heads to upstate New York, bringing his new message, blasting the party system of selecting delegates to its convention in Cleveland.

That was one big theme we heard from him overnight at the huge rally in Albany. Trump also had some words for Hillary Clinton, saying he expects her to be the Democratic nominee, despite being, in his words, "guilty as hell" of mishandling her classified e-mails.

For the latest, let's bring in CNN's Sara Murray who can shed some light on all of this.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John and Michelle.

Donald Trump is not backing down on his criticism of the Republican nominating process. He stumbled in the delegate wrangling in places like Colorado and places like Louisiana. Speaking here in Albany, New York, last night to a crowd of thousands, he suggested to them the system is rigged.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: So, we have a rigged system. So, in Colorado, they were going to vote. And you saw what's happened in Colorado. It's one of the big things. It's a fix.

Because we thought we were having an election and a number of months ago, they decided to do it by, you know what, right? Right? They said, we'll do it by delegate. They said they're going to do it by delegate. Oh, isn't that nice?

And the delegates were all there all waiting. The head guy, in fact, one of them tweeted out today or said today by mistake and then they withdrew. It's something to the effect, see, never Trump, look what we did, because if I go to the voters of Colorado, we win Colorado. So, it's a crooked, crooked system.

MURRAY: Now, the reality is when Donald Trump was up against Ted Cruz in Louisiana, he did win, but only narrowly, only to see Ted Cruz out- organized him behind the scenes in some of these state conventions. That is something the Trump campaign is hoping to rectify with a couple of staff changes.

Meanwhile, Trump gave us a preview of what could be his general election message, hitting Hillary Clinton hard from the stump here in New York.

TRUMP: I don't think the e-mails will take her down because she is being protected by the Democrats. It would take anybody else down but it's not going to take her down, because she is being protected by the Democrats, which is a disgrace. But she's going to have to live with that when she runs because everybody knows that she is guilty as hell, OK? Everybody. Her whole life has been a big, fat, beautiful lie.

MURRAY: Now, that shift to hitting Hillary Clinton even harder about her e-mail scandal, about her past is a strategic one for the Trump campaign. They feel like they are inching ever closer to becoming the presumptive nominee and they want to prepare to take on Clinton in a general election.

Back to you, guys.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOSINSKI: Thanks, Sara.

So, Donald Trump is making those headlines and now, RNC chairman Reince Priebus is firing back at Trump's criticism of the party's delegate process.

Take a look at this tweet from him. Priebus now telling Trump, "The rules were set last year. Nothing mysterious. Nothing new. The rules have not changed. The rules are the same. Nothing different."

BERMAN: So, he is saying they are the same and there's nothing different.

KOSINSKI: Nothing to see here, move on, nothing to see here.

So, in a new interview with "USA Today", Donald Trump is offering up a few possible choices for his running mate if he secures the nomination. John Kasich, Marco Rubio, both on the list. They both say they have no interest in being vice president. And so is Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker on that list, who responded by saying, "I literally just heard it in the car and I laughed. It's interesting to hear that after what was said about me a couple weeks ago."

BERMAN: Let's talk about all of this. Joining us right now is Tom LoBianco, CNN politics reporter. He is in our Washington bureau.

Tom, there was that CNN town hall with John Kasich last night. And Kasich was asked about all of this musing about whether or not he might be the vice presidential pick. Of course, Donald Trump getting that new interview to "USA Today", listen to how Kasich responds to the VP speculation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. JOHN KASICH (R-OH), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm not going to be anybody's vice president. I would be the worst vice president the country ever saw, you know why? Because I'm not like a vice president. I'm a president --

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: You don't want to be second fiddle?

KASICH: Well, it's not -- it's not so much about that, Anderson. Look, I'm running for the top job. If I don't get the top job, OK, I'm still governor of Ohio.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[05:05:05] BERMAN: It's interesting, Tom. I mean, that's what everyone says early on in the process right now about whether or not they would be vice president. The reason people are asking this question is a lot of people saying, why is John Kasich still in it? What is he doing right now? Is he angling to be either a VP pick for Ted Cruz or Donald Trump?

TOM LOBIANCO, CNN POLITICS REPORTER: Well, you know, originally, when he started this thing, Kasich started this thing back in July, and we were looking at it back last June. I mean, almost a year ago now. That was the question.

The VP was the big one. There are so many candidates in there. Jeb Bush, Scott Walker up at the top of the field. And you thought, OK, maybe this is the guy who carries Ohio for the Republican ticket and helps win back the White House, changes the map a little bit.

Now, it's interesting. He could get the nomination. It is still a tough road for him. It is not easy. But if Trump can't clear that 1,237 or make it close enough to where the party officials feel and leaders feel like they need to basically keep it from a contested convention, if Kasich can get to a contested convention in Cleveland, then he's got a really good shot at starting to maybe getting the nomination. It's definitely a possibility.

KOSINSKI: So, Tom, what do you think Donald Trump is looking for in his VP pick? I mean, he put those names out there. But do you think he's going to be trying to pull, I don't know, some diversity? You think about Kasich with Trump, that just seems almost too strange a mix, I don't know. That match just could not be made in heaven.

What do you think? What do you think he is going for here? This is something that people now are really starting to talk about.

LOBIANCO: Sure. Well, either, you know, you could argue some partisan diversity there, right? You have Trump and you have three establishment picks -- Walker, Rubio and Kasich he's floating.

You know, it's clear they don't really want any part of it, but you can see where he needs some of that. He really needs to bring some of these folks back into the fold. He needs to assuage concerns.

You have seen him doing this behind-the-scenes. He had the meeting with the Republican Party a little over a week ago, right before North Dakota. And you know, you can see that he wants -- they want to keep everyone in line. And that's -- and you can do that. You can do that. That's outreach. That is good partisan outreach. Of course, Walker laughed it off.

BERMAN: Trump actually said he wants an insider. If he gets the nomination, if he'll pick an insider to be the VP. You don't hear that very often.

KOSINSKI: What about, you know, Sarah Palin, or Chris Christie? They are still out there, still available.

You know, I thought it was interesting, too, when you are talking ideologically. Listen to John Kasich from last night talk about these religious freedom laws that are coming up.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KASICH: I read about this thing they did in Mississippi where apparently you can deny somebody service because you're gay? What the hell are we doing in this country?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOSINSKI: He is talking about, you know, a little more liberalism there on the social side. But right after he made that strong statement, he kept saying over and over again that, well, you might disagree with a lifestyle. You might not feel that it's right. It really seems like he was starkly playing it both ways.

Did you notice that, Tom?

LOBIANCO: Well, you know, it's classic split in the party. But he can't lose the -- I mean, this is sort of everything's really pushed to the right, if you will, this cycle. But you can't lose. He's in a weird spot. The establishment, you could argue is going to support him. A lot of

the old establishment and definitely some more moderate Republicans are going to support him. But that's not enough to get him over the top.

So, you know it sounds like at the beginning of that answer is really his inclination. That's kind of how he -- it seems how he really feels about it. But you can hear him hedging a little bit.

You know, again, this is all -- this is convention work. You know, it doesn't look like these guys, any of these guys are going to get to 1,237. It is possible Trump could do it. But if it goes contested, you need to swing blocks of delegates. You need to be pulling in states.

You are fighting a lot of the battles you had in the primaries and caucuses over the last few months. And he needs to pull those folks in. You can't get to 1,237 with just moderates and moderate liberal, Republicans.

BERMAN: Big Democratic race here in New York as well. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders facing off Thursday night. We heard from someone we hadn't heard from in a while with the Democrats last night, or maybe not depending on which interpretation.

Vice President Joe Biden said some words that made people's eyes pop a little bit. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSEPH BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I don't think she's held to a higher standard and this country is ready for a woman. There's no problem, we'll be able to elect a woman in this country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[05:l0:00] BERMAN: Now, it's interesting. When he said that, his aides apparently tried to end the interview thinking Joe Biden was saying he wants a woman to be president. And he clarified after, I wasn't necessarily talking about Hillary Clinton. But he said it. It's out there now.

KOSINSKI: Yes, but why not just throw everything out there now? I mean, come on. Why hold back?

But don't you think, Tom, that last night, seeing Kasich out of a debate where he's sometimes lost in the crowd, when you have Trump and Cruz and all of their back and forth, but here he is with his family. I mean, don't you think this was a much, much better scene for him? A better way to actually hear his voice on these issues?

LOBIANCO: Sure. You know, you heard the candidates say that. They love the town halls. They love the format. It presents them in a more human fashion. And, you know, what could be more humanizing than having your better halves, your family there with you. You know, it is good for them. I mean, New York is a huge primary. That's the next big ticket we

have coming up here. Beyond the delegate battle behind the scene, you have actual primaries that you've got to win. We've got California out there which could be a deciding factor.

So, they still have to play to the voters here. And, you know, these town halls are great opportunities for them. They love them.

BERMAN: All right. Tom LoBianco, thanks so much for being with us. I appreciate it.

Three-night CNN town hall event, it continues tonight, the Trump family. Donald Trump, his wife Melania, daughter Ivanka on stage, answering voter questions.

Tomorrow night, it's going to be Ted and Heidi Cruz. All live. All in New York, 9:00 p.m. each night, only on CNN.

KOSINSKI: I would like to see a family feud break out during the town hall.

BERMAN: Survey says?

KOSINSKI: But there is another CNN exclusive. The Democratic presidential debate this Thursday night at 9:00 p.m. in Brooklyn. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders face-to-face for the first time in more than five weeks. And this is the last time before the crucial New York primary only on CNN.

BERMAN: All right. Severe storms slamming the South, and it's not over yet. Amazing pictures. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:16:25] KOSINSKI: Republican Senator Chuck Grassley and Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland break bread this morning. But don't expect a breakthrough when it comes to a confirmation hearing. Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has already vowed to block Garland or any other nominee until a new president takes office. After Grassley and Garland meet for breakfast, the federal judge sits down with two other Senate Republicans today, Pennsylvania's Pat Toomey and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.

BERMAN: A challenge now to Mississippi's controversial religious freedom law. A Democratic senator in the state plans to introduce a bill today that would repeal the measure. The new law takes effect in July will allow businesses to deny service to members of the LGBT community based on the business owner's religious or moral beliefs.

KOSINSKI: Parts of the south today under the threat of new severe thunderstorms, a round of nasty weather left a trail of destruction in the region yesterday. Look at the damage. See a toppled tree destroying this home.

Meanwhile, look at the scene here in Wylie, Texas. Winds gusts reaching up to 70 miles an hour in the region and the softball-sized hail. You can see that falling in this backyard. Of course, with the hail, comes major damage in the north Texas city. Many homes left with broken windows and debris scattered in the streets.

BERMAN: Let's get an early start on our money. Alison Kosik is here with that.

ALISON KOSIK, CNNMONEY CORRESPONDENT: And good morning to you.

Markets are lower around the world. Asian stocks closed lower. European markets are also in the red.

But U.S. stock futures, they are turning around, in the green at the moment. Though stocks yesterday kicked off the week on a bad note, though, they were just modest losses. The Dow lost 21 points. That's about 0.1 percent. The S&P and NASDAQ also closing lower and after yesterday's session with the S&P 500 closing lower, that puts it back in negative territory for the year.

Amazon customers are telling Jeff Bezos to dump Trump. More than 13,000 customers signed petition that was started by a women's rights group demanding Amazon cut ties with Donald Trump. Trump currently has eight items on Amazon.

Now, earlier this year, Macy's pulled Trump's clothing line from its shelves. But even if Amazon takes down Trump's products, the online retailer still stands to profit from the GOP frontrunner. A search for Trump on the site, you pull up everything from Trump bobbleheads, the Trump's face mask, even Trump toilet paper.

You know how he says make America great again? Well, make America wipe again.

KOSINSKI: No, he didn't.

(LAUGHTER)

BERMAN: Thanks so much.

North Carolina's religious freedom law. Critics call anti-gay sending a lot of shock waves through the business world and the sports world. Now one coach is calling on the league to take action.

Coy Wire with this morning's bleacher report. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:23:35] BERMAN: NBA coach Stan Van Gundy speaking out yesterday against North Carolina's recently passed religious freedom law.

KOSINSKI: Coy Wire has more in this morning's bleacher report.

Good morning, Coy.

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you both.

Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy, he's speaking his mind. He's not shying away from feelings regarding what some are calling anti-LGBT legislation in North Carolina. He says the league should move this next year's NBA all-star game away from the city of Charlotte. Some people have been calling for a move since the law was passed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STAN VAN GUNDY, PISTONS HEAD COACH: I think it is against everything we stand for. We went through this. People had their rationale for discriminating against blacks back in segregation. I don't care, you know, religious freedom and all of that -- I mean, those are -- look, that's the same stuff.

Standing up for things that are right makes things tougher. I don't think the game should not be there if they're not going to change that -- if they're not going to change that law.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: About two weeks ago, the NBA released a statement saying it's deeply concerned about the new law and it runs counter to the guides principles of respect. But they haven't yet said whether they will move the all star game from Charlotte or keep it there.

Really cool moment at Fenway Park yesterday, guys. David Ortiz playing in his final home opener yesterday, when his 15-year-old daughter Alexandra gives Big Papi a big surprise. She sneaks up to the mike during pre-game ceremony, sings the national anthem.

[05:25:01] Ortiz had no idea she was going to do this. She'd been practicing with her chorus teacher while Ortiz was away at spring training and on the team's opening road trip. What an awesome surprise.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID ORTIZ, PLAYING IN FINAL SEASON: She always sings and doing all kinds of crazy stuff at home and at school. But, you know, it was a total surprise, you know? I was nervous.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: Berman, he actually said he was more nervous for that than he's ever been at any at bat.

Now, Bill Duggan, this guy right here, life long tigers fan caught five foul balls yesterday, five, at the Tigers home game. He caught six if you count the one at batting practice. It broke his previous record of four during a game.

Now, Bill is a legend there at Comerica Park. Apparently, he has been doing this for years. He's been called a wizard, sticky fingers and playing old lucky, too. Best part of the story, guys, he gave every baseball away to the kids and you know what? He says he doesn't need it anymore. He has 200 or 300 of them at his house from over the years.

BERMAN: You've got to give them away. You catch a foul ball, you've got to give it to the nearest kid.

WIRE: He is the foul ball fairy. He gives to the kids.

KOSINSKI: Yes. Why not?

BERMAN: All right. Coy, thanks so much.

KOSINSKI: Thank you.

WIRE: You're welcome.

KOSINSKI: Well, there's a battle over delegates brewing enraging Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, late last night blasting the process that could hand the nomination to Ted Cruz or John Kasich. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)