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Can Mexican Police Overcome Cartels?; Obama Scolds Reporter for Detainee Question; Caitlyn Jenner's Moving Award Speech. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired July 16, 2015 - 06:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:31:10] ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: The escape of El Chapo Guzman captivating Mexico as thousands of law enforcement officers try to track down the drug kingpin. Will his escape ratchet up the work of the brutal drug cartels that Mexico has tried to put out of business?

Joining us is Mexico City reporter for "The Wall Street Journal", Dudley Althaus.

Dudley, thanks so much for being here.

Tell us how the people of Mexico are responding to El Chapo's escape.

DUDLEY ALTHAUS, MEXICO CITY BUREAU REPORTER, WALL STREET JOURNAL: Well, a lot of people, the general mood here is a little bit of disappointment but also black humor about his escape. I mean, I think people were less surprised and more impressed by the intricacies by how he got out of prison. You know, I think it just feeds into the cynicism of a lot of people.

CAMEROTA: We're looking at video as you speak, surveillance video of Guzman in his cell, and then our own correspondent Nick Valencia was able to gain access to the cell, look around, as well as to go into the tunnels, the mile-long tunnel that Guzman used to make his escape.

Here it is. You see it up close and personal of just how sophisticated his tunnel is. I mean, it is truly a work of engineering. And it speaks to how connected Guzman is. We have heard of all the gruesome things that he has done to his enemies and to their families.

So, how nervous are journalists in Mexico covering him now?

ALTHAUS: Well, I think that people take precautions. I think that -- I'm not quite sure how much this is going to affect the general violence in certain parts of Mexico. But Guzman certainly, although he had a reputation before he was captured of being less violent, less bloody than many of the other gangsters, you know, Mexico's decade of hyper violence began when Chapo Guzman went into Nuevo Laredo in the Texas border to take over smuggling routes through there and it hasn't stopped.

So, he, certainly, if he starts trying to retake territory he's lost, they have not lost that much territory from what we know, but if he starts to retry to take territory and smuggling routes, we could see enough and an uptick of violence.

CAMEROTA: And isn't that the assumption? That that is what he'll do? Now that he's free, that he will try to regain the ground that was lost?

ALTHAUS: Yes, I think so. But yet again, I don't think he has lost that much ground. The Sinaloa cartel is a foundation of various gang bosses. And he's just the most famous of them.

But it hasn't really fallen apart. There's been some infighting inside the cartel, since he's been imprisoned in recent years. But I don't think he has lost that much ground or his organization has lost that much ground that he would have to restart a war in different places. But again, we'll see.

CAMEROTA: I don't have to tell you, but Mexico is the country with the biggest wealth disparity in the world. And the current president, Pena Nieto, had promised economic relief when he was elected. That has not exactly happened yet, though there had been some upticks in manufacturing there, but now that this is such an embarrassment, such a blemish on his record that El Chapo escaped from this maximum security prison.

How much energy do you think this will suck from the president? I mean, will other energies be eclipsed by the efforts to get him back behind bars?

ALTHAUS: Well, that's a good question. I think that there's been -- you know, I think the drug violence -- the criminal violence here, except for a very localized area, have been largely divorced from the economy, the general economy or the economy performance.

[06:35:05] Mexico's economy suffers from other things. It suffers from global economy, suffers from lack of productivity and that sort of thing. Low wages are a big problem here.

As you have said, they have some success in attracting auto companies. There had eight European automotive companies either open plants or going to open plants have been announced over the last two years. So they have had some success.

But, like, even yesterday, the first auction of oil fields to private companies was widely considered a failure. Only two blocks of 14 were auctioned off.

So, the government has a lot of economic challenges apart from the drug war. How much this is going to suck off? I think it's going to suck off some energy from the presidency. He's got to come back from Paris to refocus on this. He comes back from Paris tonight and he's got to really take some action.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

ALTHAUS: But we'll see what happens with that.

CAMEROTA: Yes. Dudley Althaus of "The Wall Street Journal", thanks so much for explaining what it's like inside Mexico City today. We appreciate it.

Let's get over to Chris.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Alisyn.

Are you ready for President Obama as you have not seen him before? Challenging critics of the Iran deal, taking a reporter to task. What is behind the new disposition? Answers ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:40:17] CUOMO: President Obama seems different. He invited reporters to shout out question. He challenged critics of the Iran deal. He took a question out of the left field about Bill Cosby and then tried to take a reporter to task questioning his motives.

Let's bring in CNN senior political reporter Nia-Malika Henderson, and CNN political commentator and Washington correspondent for "The New Yorker", Ryan Lizza.

It's great to have both of you here.

First, Nia, do you want to frustrate my premise that he seemed different? And if not, let's go to what he did with Major Garrett.

NIA-MALIKA HENDERSON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER: You know, he does. But I think this has been an ongoing storyline, an ongoing story of this president who faces the voters. He does seem looser. He does seem freer. But I think, I think it's been going on for a while in 2014 I think after that election.

The midterms, you saw him behaving differently. You saw him doing things differently, signing that executive order around immigration reform, relaxing the relationship with Cuba. And then I think the race stuff also has been ongoing theme as well for the second term.

CAMEROTA: I mean, so before we get, we dive into all of that. Let's, Ryan, play the moment that got a lot of attention yesterday when President Obama seemed to dress down a reporter for his question. Watch Major Garrett here.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAJOR GARRETT, CBS NEWS: Can you tell the country, sir, why you are content with the fanfare around the deal to leave the conscience of this nation, the strength of this nation, unaccounted for in relation to these four Americans?

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I've got to give you credit, Major, for how you craft those questions. The notion that I'm content, as I celebrate with American citizens languishing in Iranian jails -- Major, that's nonsense. And you should know better.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: Ryan, what did you think of that exchange?

RYAN LIZZA, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, first of all, let me say, I know Major Garrett and he's one of the best reporters covering the White House. I do think the question was a little inartfully worded, talking about leaving the conscience of the nation. I'm not sure what he was getting at there.

And, look, I think when you're -- you know, not to criticize TV correspondents, but when you're asking a president of the United States a question at one of the press conferences, there's a little bit of pressure on you to be a little bit dramatic.

CAMEROTA: I mean, I think that Major Garrett himself, Ryan, said he was being intentionally provocative. That's right.

LIZZA: Provocative, right? And look, that's our job in the press, right?

CUOMO: Is it --

LIZZA: Sometimes, you want to provoke the president. And you want to push him a little bit.

CUOMO: But pushing him and provoking him are different things. Look, I think the rules for the presidents tend to be a little different. One of the things you always get when you interview a president, both of you know this, everybody says, I would have done this and I would have done that.

But usually that's not how it is. There's usually a deference to the office, and he did in his question assume a disposition. He did say, you're content -- and that was a little bit of a judgment. And I think he got what he was getting.

LIZZA: I think that's a fair criticism that he was -- the premise of the question was that the president signed this -- negotiated this deal with Iran and yet didn't care about folks languishing in president and Iran. And I think as everyone knows, there's a very separate issue with the Iran issues about the nuclear issue.

But, at the same time, you know, I would say -- I don't know if I agree with you, Chris, as a reporter asking the questions of the president that our job with all about deference to him, right?

CUOMO: No, no, no, that's not what I'm saying, believe me. I've been on the other side of this.

You know, we sat down with President Obama and pushed the red line. I must have said it a million times and, you know, a few days later he wound up almost wanting to bomb in Syria. I get the provocation -- that's our job. But you also have to own and give what you get. If you take a shot, you may get a shot. And then you can't complain that the president wasn't nice to you.

LIZZA: Absolutely. I haven't talked to major about this, but I guarantee he's not complaining. I think the opposite, right?

CUOMO: People are complaining for him.

CAMEROTA: Yes. But, Nia, I do want to get back to what you were talking about, which is between that exchange that we just saw, the free-wheeling nature of that press conference. Plus the president using the N-word in the radio interview as you alluded to. Also, he's been singing more lately.

So how do you explain what we're seeing?

HENDERSON: Yes, you know, I do think -- he talked about this a little bit. He's likened himself to an aging athlete. Maybe he can't jump as high or run as fast, but he's much more comfortable in the game as it were.

I think that's what we are seeing. He was at the NAACP talking about race or talking about some of the disparities in terms of race and sentencing.

[06:45:03] And this is also a territory you feel like Republicans are coming around to talking about, too.

So, this is a lane he's carved out and has folks joining him and talking about these issues. But in terms of his personality, we are seeing more of his personality I think certainly over these last few months. And you have just seen events happen around the country, whether it was what happened down in Charleston so tragically and him having to respond to these events.

CUOMO: Right.

HENDERSON: But I think some people might complain that hasn't necessarily been leaving the discussion around race, but certainly events have forced him to do that.

CUOMO: And I -- it also seems from the president's own words and disposition that he's now at a new level of contentment if we are going to use the word, that he's not going to please everybody. So might as well do it his way.

LIZZA: Yes.

CUOMO: Now, let's go to the opposite end of the spectrum, on one end, you have Major Garrett is being provocative in the name of his job. That's what he's supposed to do -- to Donald Trump who's being provocative pretty much in the name of being provocative. He's come out with one of his famous gambits, which is, how much he's worth?

He says, "I'm worth more than $10 billion." His people say the disclosure form is a joke because it is not made for people as wealthy as Donald Trump.

HENDERSON: Right.

CUOMO: This is funny to me. I spent a lot of time at ABC News investigating his net worth, which is almost impossible to reckon.

CAMEROTA: But what did you find? Is it $10 billion?

CUOMO: Here's the number one thing I learned, OK? If you question how much money Donald Trump is worth, he does threaten to sue you. He threatened to sue my parents for giving birth to me. He damned me back to the womb for saying he wasn't worth what he's saying.

CAMEROTA: So, you're not going to say how much you think he's worth right now.

CUOMO: Here's the problem, why does he talk so much about the $213 million and the 50 percent of "The Apprentice" show? Because that's verifiable. All these other billions get a little mushy because they're private holdings.

CAMEROTA: So, Ryan, who is going to tell us exactly how much he is worth?

CUOMO: He is.

CAMEROTA: And does it matter, by the way?

LIZZA: Well, I think it matters to him quite a bit because he's been challenged over the years. I don't think most Americans care if it is $5 billion, or $10 billion or $1 billion.

But these forms as Chris pointed out, it's very hard for us as reporters to verify this stuff. It is voluntarily disclosed. It's a lot of vagueness in these federal disclosure forms. They don't -- he does have to sign it under penalty of perjury, right? So, you know, he can't lie. But we don't necessarily have to means to check every one of the disclosures on the form.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

LIZZA: It seems like a real point of pride to him that one -- a lot of people in the press said he's not really running for president. If he files that disclosure form, that means he's serious. I think he says, ha, I proved you all wrong.

CUOMO: We said the disclosure forms wouldn't scare him away because again the FEC is looking to see if people lie about how much they are worth, exaggerating how little. Not overstating.

(CROSSTALK)

LIZZA: For him, it's the opposite.

CAMEROTA: All right. Ryan and Nia, thank you.

HENDERSON: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: Great to talk to you guys.

LIZZA: Thanks to both of you.

CAMEROTA: For all your political news, go to CNNpolitics.com to read more.

Meanwhile, Caitlyn Jenner in the spotlight for her first major public appearance since transitioning. Reaction to her emotional message, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[06:52:14] CAITLYN JENNER, ESPY AWARD WINNER: I know I'm clear with my responsibility going forward to tell my story the right way, for me, to keep learning, to do whatever I can to reshape the landscape of how trans issues are viewed, how trans people are treated. And then more broadly to promote a very simple idea, accepting people for who they are.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: That was Caitlyn Jenner giving an emotional speech as she received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award last night. Controversy erupted when Jenner was named the award recipient. Many accusing ESPN of exploiting Jenner's transition for ratings. What? We are shocked.

Did Jenner defeat the critics?

Here to discuss all of this is fashion model and founder of Gender Proud, Geena Rocero. And CNN senior media correspondent, Brian Stelter.

Great to have both of you.

CUOMO: And also a model.

BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: In my own way.

CAMEROTA: Yes, that's right.

Gina, what did you think of that moment last night?

GEENA ROCERO, FASHION MODEL: What a powerful moment, it was a beautiful speech and compassionate. But more so, I think this is not just about her. She was so clear at that. You know, what she mentioned in her speech, highlighting stories by saying this story of Mercedes Williamson, the 17-year-old that was murdered, the bullying and abuse that trans people go through.

This is not just about her and she is very clear in that and using her privilege and her access in telling other people's story.

CUOMO: How much apart --

STELTER: He acknowledged her privilege and said, it's not about me. I can handle the criticism or bullying, but others maybe can't. Younger people who are growing up right now and learning what it means to be transgender.

CUOMO: You know Caitlyn Jenner, you spent time with her. How important is it for her to be the face of acceptance and take on this mantle, risks and all?

ROCERO: I think it is hard to say the words of acceptance, you know? Like she's -- even from what you said, she's new at this, right? I mean, she's learning a lot of things.

And what is important in what she's doing, she's reaching out to communities. She's trying to find out stories from people that are very different from her. I mean, the things that we know and like from her transition, I think in the way, you know, our society, America, and the whole world is transitioning with her.

You know, maybe it's time to really re-examine the things that we thought that we knew, the things that define our identity, our gender, our race, our access to things. I think this is what she is allowing us to do.

CAMEROTA: Our attitudes are transitioning certainly as we accept Caitlyn.

But, you know, there was controversy, Brian, and people who say, she doesn't actually deserve the courage award for sports or whatever the ESPYs represent. In fact, there were people they thought deserving people, for instance, Noah Galloway, who, of course, was a veteran, went to Iraq, lost his arm and leg who went on "Dancing with the Stars" and has become a fitness god.

[06:55:01] And really personifies perseverance and strength and courage.

Let me read to you what Bob Costas said about Caitlyn Jenner. "In the broad world of sports, I'm pretty sure they could have found, and this is not anything against Caitlyn Jenner, I'm pretty sure they could have found someone who is much closer to actively involved in sports who you would have been deserving of what that award represents."

STELTER: This is the same thing I've actually seen on NEW DAY Twitter feed this morning, very polarizing reactions to the idea that she was giving the speech last night. Many people were amazed by what she said and the fact that she was able to stand before the sports world peers and millions of viewers and speak.

But many other people say there more others more deserving. I think in some way, that's become shorthand for dismissing Caitlyn Jenner's transition. Some people are calling her Bruce purposely, saying him purposely.

But I understand other people have legitimate questions and concerns and curiosities here.

(CROSSTALK)

CAMEROTA: They think because this is sexy and sort of she salacious that they think that's why they do this?

STELTER: Let me just point out that last year, when Michael Sam received this award, two years ago or three year ago, Robin Roberts, Pat Summitt recently, we didn't hear the same level of criticism for naming other people instead. This year, for whatever reason, it became a meme online.

(CROSSTALK)

CUOMO: Do you think, Geena, it's a little bit about what it represents?

ROCERO: I mean, this is courageous. I mean, she is a sports icon. I mean, like for her to receive that award, to know, like, to live your most authentic self-publicly and her acknowledging this is not just about her. I mean, that is so important.

This moment, it is not just a culmination of her moment but a culmination of people who have come before her who have lived their lives from Marsha P. Johnson, to people who stood up and fought for injustices.

STELTER: At the same time, there's an ominous celebrity culture, right? ESPN and ABC do have to put someone on that stage that's going to attract audience, that's going to be interesting to audience and Caitlyn Jenner very much is.

CUOMO: Pat Summitt, Robin Roberts and even Michael Sam, none of them by definition were awarded for what they did in sport but what they did around their own lives and are connected to sports.

STELTER: That's right.

CUOMO: That doesn't seem like that much of a stretch. And this is from a biased person. I love Noah Galloway. I know his story very well. I was one of the people who helped put him on the cover of "Men's Health" magazine. I think he's a great role model. But it's not always a strict definition.

CAMEROTA: But by the same token, there was a Kardashian/Jenner clan front and center in the audience, and that always attracts eyeballs.

STELTER: That's why this is prone to criticism. You know, some of the comments I've seen on Facebook, I heard people saying, this is all just about a reality TV show family. And we should point out, Caitlyn does have a show premiering in two weeks on E! E! is using this moment on ESPN to start promoting that show and even more detail.

So, there is a business element to this. Caitlyn Jenner is telling her story and profiting while doing so. But, at the same time, as I was watching this speech, I kept thinking about the 15- year-old at home somewhere in the United States who was amazed to see Caitlyn Jenner on that stage.

ROCERO: I mean, like, what we saw last night, this really is highlighting the stories of people, but at the same time, the family dynamics. Despite the kids, her mom being there. I remember when I came out and having the full support, because that's the most important thing.

You know, your transition is not just your transition. It's your family's transition. It is the community's transition.

But more so, in her case, society's transitioning with her, re- examining the things we thought we knew about gender and sex and all those things.

CAMEROTA: Great to see it through your eyes, Geena.

CUOMO: She made the point that she can take it. So many people go through identity issues that are cast out by families. We cover them all the time. We should think about that when you think about the situation.

STELTER: That's why, I want to see her saying to the sports world, work with us. Help to teach people about these issues. To say that in front of the athletes is notably as well.

ROCERO: We have to do it together. It has -- everybody. It's a collective effort.

CUOMO: So, that includes you --

CAMEROTA: Geena, Brian, thank you.

CUOMO: -- what do you think? Tweet us, use #NewDayCNN, post your comment on Facebook if you like, using Facebook.com/NewDay.

This is a big story. There's a lot of news for you this morning. Let's get to it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CUOMO: George H.W. Bush is in the hospital this morning.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Breaking a vertebrae in his neck.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If it impinges on his spinal cord or damages the spinal cord in any way, you can have paralysis or even death.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's the access point that El Chapo used to escape outside of this maximum security prison.

Just a remarkable feat of engineering. It is very difficult to breathe down here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Obama unleashed, so to speak.

OBAMA: I've got to give you credit, Major, for how you crafts those questions.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A fine line between a tough question and being disrespectful.

OBAMA: You should know better.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think President Obama's reaction was extreme.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bill Cosby's on whether his Medal of Freedom should be taken aback.

OBAMA: This country, any civilized country should have no tolerance for rape.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: This is NEW DAY with Chris Cuomo, Alisyn Camerota and Michaela Pereira.

CAMEROTA: Good morning, everyone. Welcome back to your NEW DAY. Michaela is off today.

We do have breaking news overnight to tell you about. George H.W. bush is hospitalized. The 91-year-old former president broke a bone in his neck after taking a fall at his vacation home in Maine.

CUOMO: The elder Bush has been a warrior.