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Two People with Syrian Passports Arrested in Terror Raids; Eyewitness Describes Abaaoud's Role in Paris Attacks; Trump & Cruz 5 Points Apart in New National Poll. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired December 14, 2015 - 06:00   ET

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

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[06:30:20] MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Two people with Syrian passports arrested in terror raids in Geneva. Swiss police finding traces of potential bomb-making chemicals in a car there. The search for more radicalized suspects is not over.

CNN's international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson, live in Geneva with the latest for us and what they found.

Nic?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, Michaela. There were two terror investigations going on here right now. The investigation into these two men with Syrian passports. The authorities here say they appear to be authentic passports, but of course, we know that terror suspects have used fake Syrian passports in the past. So that is a concern for authorities here.

They won't say if these men had visas in their passports that would allow them to be travelling legally inside Europe. Those traces of explosives or precursor chemicals at least that may have been -- that could be used potentially to make a home made explosive device, that's what police are investigating.

The other investigation ongoing right now is that the one coming from a lead by U.S. intelligence officials that said four ISIS members were communication intercepted, where they were chatting about the possibility of attacking either here in Geneva or Toronto in Canada or Chicago.

That continues to be a part of an investigation here. The police at the moment not saying if this currently -- either of these current investigations are linked to the attack in Paris last month, but that is a concern here. Geneva, of course, just a few miles away from France. And the possibility of that link is very, very real.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Nic, thank you very much. Appreciate it.

We also have breaking details this morning about the Paris attacks. And we've learned something very new and disturbing about the man on your screen right now, the alleged planner. You'll want to hear this when we come back.

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[06:36:04] CUOMO: We have breaking details this morning about last month's terror attacks in Paris. Just how involved and just how coordinated these attacks were as they unfolded.

The details are the subject of this morning's cover story in the "CTC Sentinel." That name is going to ring familiar to you because one of the friends of NEW DAY that we're about to talk to.

Let's bring in CNN contributor, Jean-Charles Brisard. He joins us right now from Paris. Along with CNN's terrorism analyst and editor- in-chief of the "CTC Sentinel," Paul Cruickshank.

Paul, it's good to have you this morning. Thank you for bringing us this information. Tell us what it is and tell us what it means.

PAUL CRUICKSHANK, CNN TERRORISM ANALYST: Well, this is our cover story from Jean-Charles Brisard, one of the very top terrorism experts in France. And in this story in the "CTC Sentinel," which we're just publishing, he is revealing that the ring leader in this plot in Paris, Abdelhamid Abaaoud that night, he was outside the Bataclan, where that massacre took place for more than an hour speaking very animatedly into a cell phone, a hands-free cell phone.

And the interpretation of this is that he was stage managing what was going on inside the Bataclan Concert Hall itself, in touch with the attackers as the attack was ongoing. And earlier that night, he had been in touch with the stadium attackers as well, right until the time when they blew themselves up, Chris. Some stunning new details.

CUOMO: Absolutely. Jean-Charles, pat on the back to you for some excellent reporting on this. This is a battlefield-type tactic. Not familiar to us in terms of terror attacks.

What do you make of how this information came to you and what you think the significance is?

JEAN-CHARLES BRISARD, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, I've been able, indeed, a couple of days ago to interview a witness whose testimony was taken by the investigators. The witness was parked in a car for more than an hour. A couple of blocks away from the Bataclan and from the scene. And the witness describes that a man was shouting and yelling over the phone for all an hour, very agitated and that the witness came across, actually, in full light, of this individual that night.

The witness didn't know who it was. And only this came out days later when the picture of Abaaoud surfaced in the media, who it was. And indeed, the interpretation is Abaaoud as Paul just said was in full control on the various phases of the plot including in contact and phone contact with the suicide bomber at the Stade de France.

According to the prosecutor, he came back in Paris and went around the various scenes of the shootings, in the (INAUDIBLE), and then near the Bataclan. It suggests that we face a very dynamic threat, plot, actually, moving from one place to another, in order to make it longer in terms of -- and more difficult indeed to stop in the end. And we've seen the plot then moved to Saint-Denis and finally the presumed ringleader was killed. Abaaoud was killed in Saint-Denis, but it took a long time until we get to him.

CUOMO: We thought it was brazen for him to be hanging out near the same city that they attack, let alone outside the targets orchestrating behavior. Again, Paul, this is battlefield-type marshalling, not what we're used to see in a terror attack, certainly of the suicide variety. What do you make of it from a strategic standpoint?

CRUICKSHANK: Well, this is culmination of a --

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CUOMO: Go ahead.

CRUICKSHANK: Go ahead, Jean-Charles.

CUOMO: Paul, go ahead.

Jean-Charles, let Paul answer. Go ahead.

CRUICKSHANK: I mean, this is coordination of terrorism...

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BRISARD: I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

[06:40:15] CRUICKSHANK: ...in real time from the ring leader on the ground. It's already quite extraordinary. Remember, we saw in the Mumbai attacks back in 2008, the attackers in that plot, they were in touch with (INAUDIBLE), but they are all the way back in Pakistan over the phone.

Well, in this case, the ring leader right there on the ground, controlling this, stage managing this in real-time. And as Jean- Charles has been laying out, this was a very dynamic operation. It wasn't just a static terrorism attack happening in one instant or a few instances like say the London bombings back in 2005.

This was a multi-hour rolling event. And, indeed, Abdelhamid Abaaoud had plans for a second wave of attacks when they have that raid on the safe houses in Saint-Denis on November 18. He was planning an attack on a shopping center at La Defense in Paris.

Also, we've learned that he had knowledge of plans to attack schools and Jewish targets in France. And just this morning, we have seen a stabbing of a kindergarten teacher, Chris, in Paris by somebody saying this is for the Islamic State. This is for ISIS, a very interesting connection given what Abdelhamid Abaaoud was planning.

CUOMO: Yes, two different looks at different ways that the enemy is trying to attack those who love peace. Paul Cruickshank, thank you very much. Appreciate you bringing this information to us.

Jean-Charles Brisard, again, a pat on the back to you for some excellent reporting. Appreciate it.

Alisyn?

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: OK, Chris, back here at home.

Ted Cruz surging in the polls in Iowa and jumping ahead of Donald Trump. Many pundits think Cruz will win the whole enchilada of the primary.

Our pundit extraordinaire John Avalon brings us history lesson to our magic wall to show what might happen to Ted Cruz.

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[06:46:00] CAMEROTA: All right. You see the clock there to my left. Right?

The final countdown under way for tomorrow night's big Republican debate, live right here on CNN. Donald Trump will be in the center. He will be flanked by Ben Carson and Ted Cruz.

Cruz narrowing the gap in national polls with Trump and even leading in new polling out of Iowa. Cruz and Trump engaging in a war of words on Twitter. Trump calling Cruz, quote, "A little bit of a maniac."

Nine candidates will compete in the primetime debate with Chris Christie and Rand Paul being awarded spots in the main stage based on late polling numbers.

PEREIRA: Police classifying two mosque vandalism incidents in Hawthorne, California, just outside of Los Angeles, as hate crimes. One vandalized mosque had, quote, "Jesus is the way" spray painted across the front. Another mosque was defaced. A fake grenade was left in the driveway. Both incidents is taking place about 75 miles from the site of the San Bernardino terror attack.

CUOMO: We have a deal in Paris on sweeping climate change. It now heads for U.N. headquarters in New York. That's where representatives of at least 55 countries must ratify it so it can take effect in 2020. The Paris agreement commits the 195 countries signing on to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius through the year 2100.

CAMEROTA: All right. I hope you stayed up late on Saturday night because you got a real treat. Actor and comedian Will Ferrell brushing up on his George W. Bush impression on "SNL."

The former cast member reviving the character and announcing that he, George W. Bush, is running in 2016. He took shots at the Republican field, including his own brother.

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WILL FERRELL, GEORGE W. BUSH IMPERSONATOR: Jeb, oh, boy. Poor Jeb. You've got to admit, it's a pretty good plot twist that I turn out to be the smart one. I wish you would have asked me about the exclamation point on the end of his name. Look, I don't like the taste of broccoli. But it doesn't get any tastier if you call it broccoli!

(LAUGHTER)

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CAMEROTA: We need more.

PEREIRA: I know. We've missed him.

CAMEROTA: We have.

PEREIRA: I know. Will Farrell so funny.

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CAMEROTA: So spot on. I feel like there's lots of room for him over the next while to do that.

CUOMO: I paid homage to him with "Strategery."

PEREIRA: He did. He did. There's a lot of Will Farrell on today's show.

All right, sports for you.

In last night, primetime game, Tom Brady and "The Patriots" showed they are back in the driver's seat and heading towards the playoffs.

Coy Wire has more for us on last night's huge win in our "Bleacher Report."

Happy Monday.

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Happy, Monday, Michaela. Just a week ago, New England had fallen to the in the AFC Playoff race losing two games in a row. And last night, they had travel to Texas to take on the Texans looking to avoid their first three game losing streaks since 2002.

The injury bug has been biting Tom Brady's boys lately. A big reason the packs have stumbled, but Brady had his best weapon back for this match up. Rob Gronkowski doing what he does best. The Packs spike the Texas 27-6, right back to top. The AFC says they clinch a playoff spot for the seventh straight season.

Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers just keep getting better as their perfect season continues. Newton went for the knockout early against my former team, The Falcons. Come on, man. The cats put 21 points on the board in the first quarter alone. Two of the haymakers here, Ted Ginn Jr., they go on to win, 38-0. Clenching a first round playoff. And Carolina is now only the ninth team in NFL history to make it to 13-0. That's worth having about.

Finally, Oklahoma City Thunder Guard, Russell Westbrook, to the left of your screen is a human highlight reel. 0.7 of a second remaining in a half and he puts on a one-man show.

Watch this again. He bounces it off Rodney Hood's back, catches it then hits the fade away jumper. Are you kidding me? The Thunder were still down 13 to the Jazz if they have the best shot provided a spark, then fuel to the fire for a second half comeback with half time.

[06:50:05] This fan from half-court for $20,000. Money! No one had made that shot in two years at Thunders games. So everyone in the house goes wild. The Thunder would storm back to beat the Jazz in overtime, 104-98.

Chris?

CUOMO: Strong, strong shot. I like the two-hand release. Respect it.

WIRE: Money.

CUOMO: It was money in the bank.

Coy, thank you very much. Good to see you as always.

So big news on the political front this morning. There is a new Republican front-runner in Iowa. His name, Senator Ted Cruz, center of your screen. Taking over the top spot from Donald Trump. G.O.P. insiders, some of them say the Texas senator will overcome Trump nationally as well.

So what's the plus/minus on Senator Cruz? Is he conservative enough? Is he too conservative? We're going to go inside the numbers, interesting info, ahead.

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[06:55:13] CAMEROTA: Just one day away from CNN's G.O.P. debate and about seven weeks away from the Iowa caucuses.

Donald Trump as you know has been leading in the polls for months, but some politicos say he is not the one with the inside track to nomination. So who is? Smarty pants John Avalon has an answer. He's our CNN political analyst and editor-in-chief of "The Daily Beast." He's here to take a look.

John, great to see you.

JOHN AVLON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Hey, good morning.

CAMEROTA: So this is a dynamic duo.

AVLON: Oh, yes.

CAMEROTA: Interesting to see these two taking off the gloves and beginning to sort of go at each other. Let's look at the polls very quickly to remind us of where we are.

National poll, Trump still on top, 27 percent to 22 percent. However, here's what's interesting. What's happening in Iowa? This is the "Des Moines Register" poll. He has a ten-point lead on Trump, Ted Cruz does. And then that wasn't an outlier because the "Fox News" poll shows Cruz leading as well.

AVLON: That's right. These are enormously important. First of all, Cruz benefiting from Ben Carson, plummeting in these polls over the last several months. The national polls, we've still got Trump in lead but, Iowa, that crucial first caucus, Ted Cruz, his strategy has always been to try to Iowa. He's been doing slow and steady. He's been the tortoise to Trump's hare, but really seeming to pay off right now. So that's really to look at.

And the macro issue is this, Alisyn, Ted Cruz is trying to triangulate himself between Donald Trump and Marco Rubio. That's the strategy. If he can get the tea party and the evangelicals support and split the difference with those Trump supporters who has one Iowa state senator who endorsed them say he's like Trump. He's just a little bit less intense. That's the play. And that's one of the reasons why so many insiders are saying keep an eye on Cruz.

CAMEROTA: But, I mean, we talk about how important Iowa is. But, I mean, look at Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee. They're not even in the main debate tomorrow night. So how important is it?

AVLON: Funny you should say that. Let's check out the next poll.

CAMEROTA: OK. So this is -- these are, again, the "Des Moines Register" poll and it asks which candidate has the right values to lead the U.S.? Cruz wins there at 34 percent.

AVLON: Cruz wins there. Now this is what's important. The reason Santorum who won Iowa narrowly last time, Mike Huckabee. The caucuses often elevate a socially conservative candidate. The evangelicals are a large bloc. But what's really interesting about this poll and this year is that social issues are in the bottom quarter of issues Iowans say they care most about. But you've got that muscle memory.

You've got folks like Congressman Steve King who really championed, you know, who's here just a second ago, who championed that evangelical vote. Cruz is trying to really, really solidify that loyalty. And when Carson falls, that's why Cruz gains.

CAMEROTA: Let's talk about another important thing, that's the dough.

AVLON: Money.

CAMEROTA: The Cruz campaign has $26.5 million. His Super PAC has almost $38 million. This will carry him past Iowa.

AVLON: Follow the money. This is incredibly important. So Ted Cruz's sugar daddy is a guy named Bob Mercer. Bob Mercer has help set up these four Super PACs. And they have been holding on to their cash. They have not been spending it. So this is very much from a financial standpoint a hold your fire situation. It's one of the reasons why insiders say Cruz is well positioned to convert an Iowa win.

CAMEROTA: However, not so fast, John Avlon because here's the downside to Cruz. He has little support from his fellow G.O.P. senators and possibly little appeal beyond the conservative base. About the G.O.P. senators, who cares? If the voters like him, I mean, who cares what the party thinks of him.

AVLON: Well, look, I mean, politics is perception. And if the people who know you best kind of loathe you, that's a real problem in leading a party, right? It's beyond, you know, the superficial resemblance to John McCarthy. That's mean spirited. Let's put that aside. Let's really just dig into the fact that this guy led the kamikaze caucus into the shutdown. And it is one term in the Senate same as Barack Obama, very important to point out, he has not won a lot of love and respect from his fellow senators, which is one of the reasons so many of those folks are rallying on Marco Rubio.

CAMEROTA: You want to give us a history lesson. Let's do that. So you say who compares to Cruz that we've seen in the past? The first one you said Barry Goldwater?

AVLON: Yes. Let's dial back for a second. So if you go for a hard-core conservative candidate, right, Barry Goldwater is the guy who wrote the book. If Ted Cruz is trying to appeal to evangelicals and tea partiers, you go for the conservative guy.

Here's the problem when you go with pure ideological purity. Democrats won 44 states. Incumbent president, a different time.

CAMEROTA: Times have changed.

AVLON: But times have changed. And most importantly, the Republican Party has moved further and further right. But if you really want to go for the ideological purity move, you run the risk of an electoral land slide. That's just reality.

CAMEROTA: Very quickly, you say, would you look at Pat Robertson's cabinet?

AVLON: Yes, this is 1988. If you go for a pure evangelical play. Again, Cruz trying to broaden out. No electoral experience, but he ran against the establishment candidate, then Vice President George Herbert Walker Bush which didn't work out so well. Again, the party has moved. Also in that campaign, Pat Buchanan. Another ideological play. Both guys really beat up the establishment candidate, ultimately didn't win. George Herbert Walker Bush wins the presidency.

CAMEROTA: John Avlon, thanks for the history lesson. Great to talk to you. We'll bring you in for the 48 hours as you know.

We're following a lot of news, though, this morning. So let's get right to it.

Donald Trump and Senator Ted Cruz just five points apart.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: His frontrunner status is being challenge by Cruz in the State of Iowa.

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