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Final Countdown for Democratic Debate Showdown; American Journalist Found Guilty in Iranian Court; Israeli Police Shoot and Kill Man Who Stabbed Officer; Pressure Growing on Rep. Paul Ryan to Run for Speaker. Aired 7-7:30a ET

Aired October 12, 2015 - 07:00   ET

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

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: I want to go inside the debate hall. CNN's Jim Acosta is there.

We've been setting up all night, Jim, set the stage, literally for us.

[07:00:10] CNN's Jim Acosta is there. We've been setting up all night. Jim, set the stage, literally for us.

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: OK, John, I'll do my best. The stage is almost set. We're one day and counting to the first Democratic debate of this presidential season right here on CNN.

You can see the podiums are set up behind me, the middle podium obviously for that frontrunner, Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state. And you were talking about those polls just a few moments ago here in the state of Nevada. We do have a new CNN/ORC poll.

And Hillary Clinton, she is the frontrunner for a reason. She's way out in front. According to this poll, people who think she has the best chance to win, 59 percent in this poll; 18 percent for Joe Biden; and 17 percent for Bernie Sanders.

But a lot of people out there have not made up their minds. Have you decided, we asked Nevada voters. Definitely, 30 percent; leaning one way, 11 percent; but still deciding, a whopping 58 percent of voters.

And part of the reason why is because Bernie Sanders, who's going to be sitting -- standing next to Hillary Clinton on the stage, to her right, he is really giving her a run for her money. He has inspired the progressive base of the Democratic Party, much in the same way that Barack Obama did back in 2008.

And part of this is because of his opposition to the war in Iraq. He's been talking about that in the last 24 hours, highlighting the fact that Hillary Clinton voted in favor of the Iraq War.

But he's also talking about economic fairness issues. And he talked about that yesterday on one of the Sunday morning talk shows. Here's what he had to say about that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT), DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What it's about is, at a time when so few have so much and when the big money interests have so much political power, the real, most important question is who is prepared to mobilize the American people, to stand up to these very powerful and wealthy special interests?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ACOSTA: All right. And you've heard the expression in case of emergency, break glass. Well, in case of Joe Biden, we're breaking out podium No. 6. Here it is right here, if he decides at the very last minute to join this debate. And the debates rules are written as such. He can join this debate almost up until the last minute. All he has to do is declare on the day of the debate, if he can join us here in Las Vegas.

The podium is here set on the floor. It's not on the stage. You have to be a candidate to have that podium up on the stage. But Michaela, if Air Force Two is fired up and starts heading in this direction, you'll have to let us know, because we'll have to get that podium up on the stage. But as tell us, we've been showing our viewers all morning, there is plenty of space on this stage if the vice president decides to join us.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Just in case. And we are on standby. We're watching. We'll let you know once we hear word either way. Biden watch.

ACOSTA: No decision yet. That's right.

PEREIRA: No decision yet. Exactly. Thanks so much, Jim. We'll get back to you in a moment in Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, explosive allegations concerning the Republican-led House Benghazi investigation. Could give Hillary Clinton some more ammunition for tomorrow night's Democratic debate. Former staffer Bradley Podliska, who spent nearly 10 months working for the Benghazi committee, now accuses the panel of a partisan investigation that targeted the former secretary of state. He spoke exclusively with Jake Tapper.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR, "STATE OF THE UNION": What do you say to any viewers out there who think that you might have an ax to grind, that you're only talking because you were fired?

BRAD PODLISKA, DID RESEARCH FOR BENGHAZI COMMITTEE: As I was going to say earlier, I have a conscience. There's wrongdoing here. And I think it needs to stop. I do not want the investigation to end. I want the investigation to be refocused back to its original purpose. The victims' families are owed the truth.

Hillary Clinton has a lot of explaining to do. We, however, do not need to shift resources to hyper focus on Hillary Clinton. We didn't need to de-emphasize and in some cases drop the investigation on different agencies, different organizations and different individuals.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PEREIRA: The House committee denies the allegations made by Podliska. And in a statement, committee chairman Trey Gowdy says of Podliska, quote, "Because I do not know him and cannot recall ever speaking to him, I can say for certain he was never instructed by me to focus on Clinton, nor would he be a credible person to speak on my half. I'm equally confident his supervisor, General Chipman, did not direct him to focus on Clinton."

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: OK, Michaela, so let's talk about all of this with our Hillary Clinton surrogate and a Democrat from Ohio, Representative Joyce Beatty.

Congresswoman, thanks so much for being here this morning. Great to see you. How vindicated does Mrs. Clinton feel by this revelation from this former investigator, who believes that the investigation into Benghazi, at least the House select committee's investigation, has basically become a partisan hit job?

REP. JOYCE BEATTY (D), OHIO: Well, I think it's certainly helpful to the case, something that many of us have known all along. I think, in addition to the whistle-blower, I think you have to look at what Majority Leader McCarthy had to come on national news and apologize. I think that this was actually put in place because her polling numbers were extremely high.

[07:05:07] And to be able to think that Republicans would use this committee to bring down her pollings, to have to apologize nationally for that gaffe, and then to have a Republican staffer come and say what he has said, I think it really allows the American people to take pause and understand while it's serious, yes, but what were the real intentions here?

CAMEROTA: What happens now? Because this isn't the only investigation. I mean, we counted ten congressional committees that are investigating Benghazi. Does Mrs. Clinton believe that it will go away, that this will put the issue to bed, and it will go away or not so much?

BEATTY: I think in the public's eye, it will help the public understand. And I think last night with the president's comments on "60 Minutes," where he was able to say we were not threatened by it, I think that we've learned a lot from the hearings. Hearings brings out both sides of the issue.

So I think it gives us comfort that we were never at a national threat. I think it brought out things to teach us all a lesson. We heard the former secretary of state say she would have handled it differently in hindsight. She apologized. And that's what real leaders do. and that's what she was able to do, to bring it to the forefront, deal with it, apologize. And now I say it's time for us to move on and look at other issues.

CAMEROTA: And you're talking about her e-mail. The controversy or the issues around her e-mail. BEATTY: Yes, her e-mails. I think that was what was focused on a lot

in the committee. I think when we look at Benghazi and what happened there, and what she has said, I think that you're going to see the committee start to wrap up the whole committee process.

CAMEROTA: All right.

BEATTY: It's become far too political.

CAMEROTA: Well, that is not what the RNC is doing. In fact, they have released a new attack ad against Hillary Clinton, talking about the e-mails and her trustworthiness. Let me play you a portion of that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I did not e-mail any classified material to anyone.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A federal government watchdog has determined there was classified information.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did, in fact, contain classified information.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Total lack of accountability.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's like, my problems have nothing to do with me. They have to do with the Republicans.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're playing it off as a partisan witch hunt.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now you have the FBI, "The New York Times" chasing this story.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Those are not partisan organizations.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You think the American public is that stupid?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: So it doesn't sound as if the Republicans will be dropping this issue.

BEATTY: I think they'll try to use it in their political campaigns. Certainly, that's something they're going to do. When you look at the cast of characters that they have running, sure, they're going to be on the attack for Hillary, because Hillary's going to be front and center. Hillary is up in her polling numbers now. They also know she's someone that they can't be.

So they will try to do everything. But she's going to stay focused on the issues that the American people care more about today.

CAMEROTA: Let's talk about those polling numbers very quickly, because we do have some new ones that I want to show you that are just out this morning. Let me show you: This is for the Democrats' choice for nominee. And

it shows Hillary Clinton at 50 percent. She's ahead of Bernie Sanders, who has 34 percent. If Joe Biden gets in the race at the moment, he has 12 percent.

She also has really impressive poll numbers in South Carolina. She's at 70 percent, versus Bernie Sanders 20 percent. What is she doing right in South Carolina that she's not necessarily doing in New Hampshire, where Bernie Sanders is beating her?

BEATTY: I think what she's doing is looking at the base in most of the states. But she's talking about real issues, issues for women when you talk about equal pay. When you talk about the criminal justice system, she's talking about fairness there. And she actually has plans and ideas. She's meeting with women. She's meeting with African-Americans, and she's been out in the front point, out in the front. And she's right on point with the issues.

I think when you see her center stage tomorrow, it's going to be more than just a position on that stage. She's center stage on the issues. There are a lot of people running for president, but Hillary's ready to be president.

And I think that's the comfort that she also gives the American people. She's intelligent. She's done this before. So she's well- experienced. And I think that brings comfort to people who have been disenfranchised, who have fought so hard to have that right to vote.

And she brings out the best in all of the issues, and she relates to the people. She's serious. She's on point.

CAMEROTA: OK. Representative Joyce Beatty, thanks so much for helping to preview all these issues with us that will be center stage tomorrow night.

BEATTY: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: Make sure you tune in. It is the big event. Watch the Democratic debate hosted by CNN and Facebook. It's 8:30 p.m. Eastern in Las Vegas -- Michaela.

[07:10:08] PEREIRA: We have breaking news, Alisyn. Iranian TV reports that "Washington Post" journalist Jason Rezaian has been convicted by a court there. Rezaian was arrested in 2014 on charges of spying. Let's get right to CNN senior international correspondent Fred Pleitgen in London with all the breaking details for us -- Fred.

FRED PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it's interesting, because all this news is trickling in, and it trickled in over the past two days, when the Iranian state broadcasters started saying that they had information that Jason Rezaian, that there had been a verdict.

And then today, the news that he had, indeed, been found guilty. But we really don't know very much on top of that, Michaela. There has been very little information coming out of the court. We don't know whether or not there's been a sentence. We don't know what that sentence could be. There has been talk of this possibly being between 10 to 20 years for the crimes that Jason Rezaian has been convicted of by this revolutionary court, which again, has been very little in the way of transparency. That's something that has been criticized, as well.

"The Washington Post" came out with a statement earlier today, where its chief editor, Martin Baron says, quote, "The only thing that has ever been clear about this case is Jason's innocence. Any fair and just review would quickly overturn this unfounded verdict."

Now, one of the things that the Iranians have said is that there is a 20-day appeals process when this verdict can be appealed. We don't even know whether or not Jason has been informed about this verdict or whether or not his lawyers have been informed and whether or not they know what the sentence is, as well. And that they know that they can appeal -- Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: OK, Fred. Thanks so much.

More news to tell you about. Tensions escalating this morning after Israeli border police say they shot and killed a knife-wielding Palestinian man who stabbed an Israeli officer. Over the weekend, ten Palestinians died in a rash of violence, including a 13-year-old boy.

CNN's Erin McLaughlin has more for us from Jerusalem -- Erin.

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it was a bloody beginning to the day here in Jerusalem. Israeli police say there was an attempted stabbing in the old city. They say that it was near the Lionsgate entrance where they noticed a suspicious-looking Palestinian man. They say when they approached him, that's when he took out a knife, stabbing a police officer in his Kevlar. The police officer was uninjured, but they shot and killed the Palestinian man later identified as 18-year-old Mustafa al-Khatib of East Jerusalem, a prominent Palestinian business family.

It was the third stabbing attack in as many days, part of a wave of violence to grip the region, killing over the weekend at least seven Palestinians in clashes in the West Bank and Gaza. At least three Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted Hamas in Gaza; and at least nine Israelis were wounded in various attacks, with both sides blaming each other for the violence. It's unclear how the killing will end.

Back to you.

PEREIRA: Unsettling what's going on there. Erin, thank you.

Meanwhile, Iraq's military claiming an airstrike hit a convoy that included ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Military officials don't know his condition, only that he was apparently, quote, "carried away" in a vehicle. That strike reportedly happening as al-Baghdadi headed to his meeting with senior ISIS leaders. The Pentagon, for its part, not confirming the report at this time. CAMEROTA: Back here at home, the race for speaker of the House still

uncertain this morning. Pressure is growing on Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan to throw his hat in the ring. Here with more is CNN senior political reporter Manu Raju in Washington.

When is he going to decide, Manu?

MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's a great question. The House is on recess this week, Alisyn. It's probably a good thing, after a chaotic couple of weeks that involved the House Republican conference.

The focus continues to be on Paul Ryan, but he's debilitating several issues, including the amount of burden that it would have on him in terms of traveling across the country, doing fundraising for his colleagues. He's being told by his fellow Republican leaders at they would -- they would pick up some of that slack.

In addition he's been told that he can also work on the same weighty policy issues he's been involved with for so long. He's also worried about the fact that, if he came in, his party would be divided. And we've heard from some of his potential rivals, yesterday, that they would get behind him if he decided to run. One of them, Jason Chaffetz, talked about that yesterday on one of the morning talk shows. Here's what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JASON CHAFFETZ (R), UTAH: I think he checks every box. He's got the great experience. He's a visionary. He understands the institution. He's a great spokesperson. I think he'd be a wonderful speaker, just like I thought he'd be a great vice president or president.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

RAJU: Now, yesterday, when one of our camera people caught up with Mr. Ryan outside of his home in Janesville, Wisconsin, he said that his answer is still no and that he's still not running. He clearly has some other things in mind. He was decorating his home, putting up Halloween decorations. And he was asked who he would be for Halloween. And he said Mitt Romney.

[07:15:05] So clearly, Paul Ryan is taking a few days to digest everything. And the focus will be on him when Congress gets back into town next week -- Michaela.

PEREIRA: All right. Manu, thanks for the latest on that.

A big heads up if you're planning on flying Southwest Airlines today. You could face some huge delays. The airline has cautioned passengers arrive earlier, two hours early. Print your boarding pass at home before you arrive at the airport. They've been having massive tech knowledge problems. They began Sunday.

And they continue to plague the airline, forcing them to revert to backup systems to check in passengers. Some 450 flights have been delayed. So really make sure you prep in advance if you're planning to fly Southwest today.

CAMEROTA: I better check to see if I am flying Southwest.

PEREIRA: You might be.

CAMEROTA: Thank you for that warning.

Meanwhile, on the eve of the first Democratic face-off, new poll numbers show Hillary Clinton widening her lead in two important states. We'll break down all of that with our Real Voters, Real Choices panel, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: Elizabeth, are you concerned about her e-mails?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think I am a little bit. I feel the uneasiness. I do think it needs more time to be developed and to get more answers. I'm not sure if we will get answers about it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: Well, ahead of tomorrow's CNN Democratic debate, real voters reacting to the candidates, especially Hillary Clinton's e-mail controversy.

[07:20:04] Here to break it all down with us, our Margaret Hoover, CNN political commentator and Republican consultant; as well as John Avlon, CNN political analyst and editor in chief of "The Daily Beast." Great to see both of you guys.

So fascinating to talk to these voters in New Hampshire. I don't have to tell you guys how engaged they are and plugged in.

Democratic voters are not that concerned, really. I shouldn't say concerned. I should say interested in her e-mail issue. What do you think about that, Margaret?

MARGARET HOOVER, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, what's interesting is Hillary Clinton probably has benefited from the advantage of having this happen very early. Once this has been out for a year come next June, July, this is going to be old news. And the new narratives will have taken place. The campaign will have taken 100 twists and turns.

This may just be a total nonissue. She's going to testify on October 22 before the Benghazi committee. The committee itself may not even be constituted anymore at that point. So she may have benefitted from the sort of early outrage and then getting it off the books.

JOHN AVLON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Yes, but it's taking a real toll. There's no question about that. And even though I think the committee has continued to come under scrutiny, particularly now with the former staffer saying it's been a partisan effort, it's taken a toll.

That said, in our current hyper partisan environment, it's not surprising. If scandals fail to resonate deeply beyond the base of the opposition party, then there's a limit to the effect they're going to have in a general election.

CAMEROTA: John Berman.

BERMAN: It's interesting. It's almost like there's two campaigns going on right now. There's Iowa, New Hampshire, and then there's everywhere else.

And this morning, CNN has a look, really, a new look at everywhere else, brand-new polls from South Carolina and Nevada where I am right now. And Hillary Clinton got healthy leads, I mean, big leads in both South Carolina and Nevada, not just in the top line horse race. But you look at the issues on issues like healthcare, race relations, foreign policy, Hillary Clinton way out in front on arrivals there, as well.

So Margaret, you know, is there some safety that Hillary Clinton can't enjoy, even if she's suffering in suffering in New Hampshire? As she heads to this debate stage here Tuesday night, should she feel comfortable where she is and perhaps be careful about getting dragging down into a face-off with any one of her opponents on the stage?

HOOVER: Look, I mean, John, you raise a good point. She is winning everywhere else. I think for as much as we want to see a horse race and want to see a world-class boxing match, this debate is shaping up to look more like a civil mediation session. And even when they're not talking to each other, they're talking nicely about each other.

Bernie Sanders on "Meet the Press" yesterday, saying very nice things about her, just hoping to strike -- strike a policy contrast with her. She does -- and she knows this from 2008 -- need to be careful. She can't take anything for granted. But I just don't think you're going to see them fighting with each other. You're going to see them civilly trying to contrast one another's policies.

AVLON: Well, look, I for one refuse to be upset with more civility in politics. But I do think you're going to see folks on the down card, to extend the metaphor, things like Martin O'Malley and Jim Webb, who really have to step up their game. This debate is crucial for the existential prospects of their candidacy. It's crazy that someone who has a resume like Martin O'Malley, who spent this much time on task, then failing to convert, Jim Webb is a fascinating figure in American politics. So I'd expect...

CAMEROTA: Right. What's wrong? What's happened?

AVLON: It's a fascinating thing. I think in part Bernie Sanders has been able to galvanize an activist class base with sort of authenticity and ideological purity.

But -- you know, it is not a surprise that he's not doing well in South Carolina and Nevada. Bernie Sanders is not a swing state guy. He's in low single digits in those states. That should be all the warning shot Democrats need about the prospects of nominee Bernie Sanders.

HOOVER: Think of it this way: Martin O'Malley could be your next Carly Fiorina. Right? One of them could be.

AVLON: That's a creepy image.

HOOVER: One of them could break out. I mean, the debates are -- they are dragged down by the fact that nobody really knows who they are.

AVLON: Not for lack of trying.

HOOVER: Yes, that's the debate.

CAMEROTA: So you introduce them to voters who might not have been engaged until right now.

Meanwhile, Buzzfeed. Hillary Clinton sat down with Buzzfeed. And she did a podcast, which was last night. And they asked her about an issue for her, and that is her demeanor. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: People often say you're, like, some sort of robotic, like rehearsed person. Do you resent that, like, relatability is the kind of currency that politics deals with?

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: As a women, you're really held to a totally different standard. And you're expected to be strong and vulnerable at the same time. That's not easy to do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: Margaret, is that -- I mean, is the fact that people often talk about whether or not Hillary Clinton is too robotic, is that sexist?

HOOVER: I don't think so. You never heard that when you heard Sarah Palin or Carly Fiorina. Look, women do come under different criticisms, and that is the result of being one of the first women in politics. But being a woman in politics can cut both ways. I mean, you do stand out, because you're one of few. There are advantages; there are disadvantages.

[07:25:06] I actually think that response is a pretty authentic response. She's sort of exposing the vulnerabilities. I mean, that's -- she has an advantage I see it as, rather than just a disadvantage.

CAMEROTA: Don't we talk about Ben Carson's demeanor, as well?

AVLON: Yes. We absolutely do. And nobody talked about, you know, the -- the, you know, structural underlying societal impact of Al Gore seeming robotic and inauthentic.

I think, you know, Hillary talking about the difficulty of being both strong and vulnerable, that is authentic, because clearly, that's something -- those word choices, that tension is something she feels.

But that's something, ultimately, you bring on yourself. Society isn't responsible for your emotional -- you know, emotional state. You bring that on to the world.

John, Margaret, thanks so much. It will be very interesting to watch all of this on display tomorrow night. Great to see you guys.

What's your take? You can tweet us using the hashtag #NewDayCNN or post your comment on Facebook.com/NewDay. Love to read your comments.

Let's go to John.

BERMAN: and do not forget the big event, the Democratic debate, the very first Democratic debate hosted by CNN and Facebook. It is right here behind me at the Wynn Las Vegas. It all begins at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time tomorrow night -- Michaela.

PEREIRA: Well, the polls -- new polls show that Ben Carson running a solid second to Donald Trump. Seems he can't stop tripping over his own words, though. We're going to talk to a member of team Carson about the candidate's latest controversial remarks.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)