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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Obama Endorses Hillary Clinton; Can Donald Trump United the GOP?; Suicide Bombings Rock Baghdad. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired June 10, 2016 - 04:30   ET

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

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[04:30:33] ALISON KOSIK, CNN ANCHOR: Democrats unite behind Hillary Clinton and against Donald Trump. President Obama impassioned endorsement as party leaders unleash a wrath on Donald Trump.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Donald Trump campaigns today to bring Republicans back together, rallying with party's base after private meetings with top donors.

Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.

KOSIK: Good morning. I'm Alison Kosik. It's 30 minutes past the hour.

And this morning, top Democrats closing ranks behind Hillary Clinton in a highly choreographed effort to elevate as the party's presumptive nominee and disarm her Democratic rival. President Obama met with Bernie Sanders at the White House.

Two hours later, the Clinton campaign dropped a web video unveiling the president's long anticipated endorsement of Secretary Clinton.

White House correspondent Michelle Kosinski has the latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Alison and Christine.

Right, to see this play out was truly remarkable. Here we have a presidential endorsement in a video on Twitter that was released by the Hillary Clinton campaign. When has that ever happened?

It was recorded on Tuesday. It was well-produced. You could hear the music behind it there.

So, it was clear the White House wanted to let the meeting play out, private meeting between the president and Bernie Sanders at the White House yesterday. It was a lengthy meeting. Let the discussion happen. Let the president hear out Bernie Sanders and work on a path forward. How will he be engaged? How will he work with the White House and Hillary Clinton? Then, as soon as that meeting was over, bam, within two hours, the

endorsement was out. And the president wasn't holding back.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I know how hard this job can be. That's why I know Hillary will be so good at it. In fact, I don't think there's ever been someone so qualified to hold this office.

She's got the courage, the compassion and the heart to get the job done. And I say that as somebody who had to debate her more than 20 times. I'm with her. I am fired up. I cannot wait to get out there and campaign for Hillary.

KOSINSKI: The White House is wasting no time on that either. I mean, now the president is free, unleashed. She's hitting the campaign trail on Wednesday with Hillary Clinton in Wisconsin.

And for Democrats right now, it's all about unity. I mean, they want Sanders many supporters to ultimately support Hillary Clinton. They feel that Sanders voice will be crucial in that to rally them, to ultimately go to her side. As well as the voice of President Obama who is such a powerful influence on the younger voters -- Alison and Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. Michelle Kosinski, thank you for that.

President Obama's endorsement marks a new phase of Hillary Clinton's campaign. It also represents a message to Bernie Sanders that he should start reshaping his role in the Democrats battle to defeat Donald Trump. Sanders signaling he is not ready to drop out quite yet.

CNN's Jeff Zeleny has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Christine and Alison, that sound you heard in Washington was the sound of Democrats coming in line together. It really brings the relationship between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton from rivals to friends full circle again.

Now, the president has been eager to jump into this race from the very start and campaigning against Donald Trump. Now, he will be able to.

Bernie Sanders met in the Oval Office on Wednesday and at the vice president's residence, and Democrats on Capitol Hill also greeted him. It was a sign of respect throughout the day and a sign of the leverage he has after winning 22 states.

Now, he said he has one focus and one focus of all going after this, and that is Donald Trump.

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The American people will not vote for or tolerate a candidate who insults Mexicans and Latinos and insults Muslims, who insults African-Americans and women. Needless to say, I am going to do everything in my power and I will work as hard as I can to make sure Donald Trump does not become president of the United States.

ZELENY: Now, Bernie Sanders says he will stay in the race until next Tuesday when voters in the District of Columbia have their say.

But then, he is expected to get out of this race and campaign aggressively for Hillary Clinton. We don't know exactly when they are going to have their first meeting. That will be coming soon. He may even join President Obama when he is out campaigning with Hillary Clinton.

[04:35:00] But the matter now is, will the supporters of Sanders who spent so much time campaigning against Hillary Clinton looking for an alternative, if they will come together or leave Sanders and go their own way -- Christine and Alison.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOSIK: All right. Thanks to Jeff Zeleny for that.

Two other big Democratic holdouts also endorsing Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren formally throwing their weight behind the presumptive Democratic nominee. Warren had been the only female senator who didn't line up behind Clinton early on. Both praising Clinton taking direct aim at Donald Trump.

They blasted the Republican for saying an American judge can't be fair because of his Mexican heritage.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)

JOSEPH BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I find Donald Trump's conduct in this regard reprehensible. Evidenced by the bipartisan condemnation of the action for what it is, a dangerous attack on a vital pillar of democracy, the independent judiciary by threats of intimidation and undercutting the legitimacy of a judge by suggesting that because of his heritage, he is incapable of being fair. In addition to this, it is racist. In addition to this.

SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN (D), MASSACHUSETTS: Trump is criticizing Judge Curiel for following the law instead of bending it to suit the financial interests of one wealthy and oh, so, fragile defendant. Now Trump also whined that he is being treated unfairly because the judge happens to be, we believe, Mexican.

Now like all federal judges, Judge Curiel is bound by the federal code of judicial ethics not to respond to the attacks. Trump is picking on someone who is ethically bound not to defend himself, exactly what you expect from a thin-skinned racist bully.

(END VIDEO CLIPS)

ROMANS: All right. Elizabeth Warren there.

Democrats move to unite. Donald Trump has a tough job ahead of him trying to get Republicans to line up behind him. House Speaker Paul Ryan repeating his message that Republicans who support a conservative agenda must back the nominee even, even if they don't agree with everything he says.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. PAUL RYAN (R-WI), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: We have a far better chance of putting these ideas in place with a Trump presidency than Clinton presidency.

WKOW ANCHOR: Do you worry at all that people are going to hear to the next few weeks and think, well, getting your agenda passing the law is more important to you than, you know, how our nation looks, how our president acts over the next four years?

RYAN: Yes. That's a legitimate question, I think. That's why I condemned his comments as clearly as I can. I have spoken to him about it. I spoken to him about other issues and things he said in the past, and I think this has to change. He has to fix this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Today, Trump will work to rally the Republican base, headlining the Faith and Freedom Coalition Conference, heavily attended by evangelical voters. Then, Trump heads to Richmond, Virginia, for a rally tonight at 8:00. Two stops on a busy schedule.

Trump promised dozens of top party donors on Thursday that he would keep up in order to beat Clinton in November.

CNN politics reporter Sara Murray has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICS REPORTER: Good morning, Christine and Alison.

While as the Democrats enjoy the show of unity, the president throwing his support behind Hillary Clinton yesterday, the same was not playing out on the Republican side of the aisle. Now, Donald Trump said his days of needling Hillary Clinton on Twitter, saying, "Obama just endorsed crooked Hillary. He wants four more years of Obama, but nobody else does."

But we are seeing unity on the Democratic side that we're still not seeing with Republicans. Donald Trump is still trying to move past this firestorm he caused by criticizing a federal judge. We saw Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, we saw Ohio Governor John Kasich saying they're not sure if they'll ever be able to throw their support behind Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, his campaign is trying to pivot. They're trying to shift into the general election. They're going to be doing that today. He is campaigning in Virginia. He is going to be hitting some key battleground states over the weekend, as well. Pennsylvania and Florida, they're hoping that they can focus in on Hillary Clinton, move past this latest dust-up and get rolling on the general election.

Back to you, guys.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOSIK: All right, CNN's Sara Murray.

And some exclusive reporting now from "USA Today" showing Donald Trump does not always pay his bills. The newspaper contacted hundreds of people who claim the billionaire developer stiffed them. On that list, painters, dishwashers, carpenters, and even Trump's own lawyers. The report found that Trump has been involved in over 3,500 lawsuits in the last three decades, with dozens of them alleging a failure to pay.

Trump claims he always pays on time. In the few cases he did not, he says it was because the work was unsatisfactory.

ROMANS: All right. About 40 minutes past the hour, let's get an early check on your money.

Global stocks markets are falling this morning, signaling a rough day ahead for stocks. Dow futures reporting lower. Investors are rushing into the safe haven of bonds pushing the ten-year treasury down to 1.68 percent.

[04:40:08] Shares of Tesla fell almost 3 percent yesterday and could take another hit today. Federal auto safety regulators are investigating reports of a flaw in some Tesla models. It could cause the driver to lose control. Investigators are looking into reports that Tesla has been asking owners to sign nondisclosure agreements before Tesla would pay for the repairs.

The agreements reportedly require that vehicle owners don't say anything to anyone about the problem, the repair, or even about agreement itself. Tesla has not responded to our request for comment.

KOSIK: A lot of concern about the reputation.

All right. The final farewell to an iconic fighter. Muhammad Ali to be buried after an emotional journey through his hometown. Thousands expected to attend it this morning, next.

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[04:45:03] ROMANS: A final farewell today for the greatest, Muhammad Ali. It begins with the 16 to 18-car procession through the streets of his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. That will be followed by a huge celebration of Ali's life, an interfaith service with Bill Clinton and Billy Crystal among others, delivering eulogies. President Obama remembering the champ reflecting on a pair of Ali boxing gloves he displayed at the White House.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: I don't know how good of a boxer I am. I have had to slug it out here a little bit here in Washington. There have been times where I have been the underdog just like the champ. There have been times where I got beat up a little bit and had to come back. And that says resilience. That's what these boxing gloves represent to me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: You can join CNN at 1:30 Eastern Time this afternoon for a live special coverage. "The Greatest: Remembering Muhammad Ali", anchored by Don Lemon. On Thursday, thousands attended a Muslim prayer service where Ali was memorialized as the people's champ.

KOSIK: Outrage is growing over the sentence of a former Stanford student athlete that -- what he received for raping a woman who was intoxicated and unconscious. More than a million people have signed online petitions, calling for the Judge Aaron Persky to be removed from the bench.

And Vice President Joe Biden even adding his voice in an open letter to the victim published on "BuzzFeed". In it, he expressed his furious anger, said he is awed by the victim's courage for speaking out.

The defendant, Brock Turner, got six months in jail. Now, it appears he'll spend even less time behind bars.

We get more now from CNN's Dan Simon.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We are at the Santa Clara County jail where the former Stanford athlete is serving out his short jail term. We are told that Brock Turner is in protective custody given the high profile nature of the crime. He was originally sentenced to six months in jail, but now we know it is just going to be three months. Oftentimes, California inmates are released early as long as there are not behavior problems and they get released because of jail overcrowding.

As you can imagine, people on the Stanford campus are outraged over this. We talked to several students. Here is sampling of what some of them had to say.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A lot of people say it's white privilege and I would agree. It also has to do with class and money and resources that people have here. So, I don't think it's fair.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: After reading the letter from the victim, it really sounds that it's not really like giving her justice in that sense. And that's really sad.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think in general, justice is not served when it comes to this issue. Just that this is bringing that to the limelight. SIMON: This is being felt so widely on campus that graduating seniors

are planning some sort of demonstration during this weekend's commencement. We are also learning a bit more about Brock Turner's past.

In his letter to the judge, he characterized himself as someone who is a bit naive, somebody who grew up in a small town in Ohio who had no experience when it came to drugs and alcohol. But, apparently, prosecutors say that is an outright lie. On his cell phone, they uncovered text messages and photos that reveal that he did in fact use alcohol and drugs, even in high school. Some of the drugs included high potency, concentrated marijuana and LSD.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. Dan Simon, thanks for that.

The story every day, new outrage every day. The latest about his history sort of at odds with the picture that the family painted of this young man who was somehow caught up in drinking culture, less a rape story than somehow a drinking story. That was one reason why people were just so outraged.

The vice president pending a letter to the victim that went viral yesterday. So, every day, a new development here that people are very interested and sparking a national conversation really.

KOSIK: And the victim's father coming out and saying it is not Brock who is the victim here, because Brock was making himself out to be the victim.

ROMANS: That's right.

KOSIK: All right.

ROMANS: Forty-nine minutes past the hour here.

Dylann Roof, the suspect charged with fatally shooting nine people at an historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina last year, wants a judge, not a jury to decide his fate. Attorneys for the 22- year-old Roof say he is willing to waive his right to a jury trial, but it appears prosecutors won't consent. Roof's trial is scheduled to begin in November. The government will seek the death penalty.

KOSIK: Day two of testimony of the latest Freddie Gray trial. Baltimore police officer Caesar Goodson faces the most serious charges, including second-degree murder. Now, Freddie Gray suffered a fatal spinal injury riding in the back of Goodson's police wagon. Prosecutors have yet to secure a conviction in the case, which prompted riots in the city.

In all, six Baltimore police officers were charged, the first trial ended in a hung jury. A second officer was acquitted last month.

ROMANS: A federal appeals court says there is no protection for concealed weapons. The ruling means states can restrict or forbid citizens from carrying and sets up a possible Supreme Court showdown.

[04:50:06] At issue, the California weapons law which requires citizens to prove they have good cause to carry concealed firearms.

KOSIK: Warm weather now and possible severe thunderstorms for the eastern half of the country. More now from meteorologist Derek Van Dam.

Good morning, Derek.

DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, consider yourself lucky, Alison and Christine, because it's really the New England region that's going to stay away from the oppressive heat that's building across the central U.S. We've got a large upper level ridge that's allowing for the heat to build over the central parts. That warmth will shift slowly to the south and east, impacting places like here in Atlanta, Georgia.

Take a look at these temperatures for the next few days. Denver, 93. Fargo at 93. Wichita as well in the lower and mid-90s. More of the same for Kansas City.

But look at the New York City and Boston region. Temperatures will stay rather temperate. The forecast looks pretty good at least for today. You can see a few thunderstorms popping up. However, across central Wisconsin and into the Minneapolis region. Look out for the potential of damaging winds and large hail and isolated tornadoes.

Then we focus our attention across the Dakotas and Montana on Saturday. And then, look at the eastern coastline. We have the potential for severe weather Saturday afternoon.

Back to you.

ROMANS: Derek, thank you so much.

I tell you, there is one investment everyone seems to love right now. I'll tell you what it is right after the break.

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[04:55:48] KOSIK: Another bloody day in Baghdad. Two suicide attacks in the Iraqi capital, killing 31 people and injuring dozens more. Both bombings the work of ISIS. One of the targets, an Iraqi army checkpoint. Seven civilians and five soldiers killed in the attack.

Let's go live to Baghdad and bring in CNN's Ben Wedeman.

So, Ben, is this an example of ISIS, you know, trying to fight back as we see Iraqi forces move into Fallujah?

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Certainly that is the theory, Alison, that the Iraqi officials are going on, that now that ISIS is not only on the defensive in Fallujah where Iraqi forces have entered the southeastern part of the city, but looking at -- and the big picture, of course, there on the defensive in Syria and Libya as well.

So, this is their way of striking back. Of course, keep in mind, that in May, there was a wave of car and suicide bombings in Baghdad that left 200 people dead. That is probably one of the factors for the Iraqi government when it came to launches this current offensive against Fallujah, to drive ISIS out of Fallujah, because they feel that many of those bombs are either made in Fallujah or the decision to send the bombers to Baghdad come from ISIS leaders in Fallujah.

So, these bombings Thursday are just another reason why Iraqi forces and Iraqi government have decided to push this offensive, and crush ISIS and Fallujah is only about 40 miles from Baghdad. So, they want to get this job done as quickly as possible to prevent further bombings like what we saw yesterday, Alison.

KOSIK: And, of course, the goal is to get into Fallujah and hang on to Fallujah as well.

All right. CNN's Ben Wedeman live from Baghdad, thanks.

ROMANS: All right. It is almost the top of the hour. It is Friday. So, let's check on your money this morning.

We've got Dow futures pointing lower. Investors instead are pouring into the safety of U.S. treasury bonds as they rush into the bond market. That pushes down the yield. The yield is now down to 1.67 percent. That's the lowest since February.

You can see stock markets in Europe and Asia trading lower as well.

Uber is now letting users book rides ahead of time. Something Uber said it would never do. It is only available on Uber X business accounts starting in Seattle, but spreading to other cities popular for business travelers. Pricing will be the same as opening up the app and hailing a ride. You can order from 30 minutes to 30 days in advance. Imagine scheduling your Uber.

Rival Lyft started a similar program in San Francisco earlier this year, but only let's you book 24 hours in advance. So, starting in Seattle. We'll see if it's successful and spreads.

Millions of Twitter credentials stolen and for sale by criminals on the so-called dark web. Hackers could have easily guessed the most popular password. Nearly 33 million credentials are stolen according to Leaked Source. Yes, the most popular password is 123456, 120,000 Twitter users had that combination. Other remarkable easy passwords popular among Twitter, 123456789 and qwerty and password.

Twitter says it is confident its systems weren't breached. Security experts say the hacker may have accessed it from malware installed on user's computers. The hack could be the cause of Twitter hacks as of late including Mark Zuckerberg, Katy Perry and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

KOSIK: So much for creativity in making those passwords.

ROMANS: I hate all those passwords.

KOSIK: All right. EARLY START continues now.

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KOSIK: Democrats unite. President Obama with an impassioned endorsement of Hillary Clinton while Vice President Biden and Senator Elizabeth Warren go on the attack against Donald Trump.

ROMANS: Donald Trump on the campaign trail to unite the Republican base starting with evangelicals. His strategy ahead, and what he promised top party donors.

All right. Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.

KOSIK: Good morning. I'm Alison Kosik. It's Friday, June 10th. It's 5:00 a.m. in the East.

And this morning, top Democrats are closing ranks behind Hillary Clinton in a highly choreographed effort to elevate Clinton as the party's presumptive nominee and disarm her Democratic rival.