Return to Transcripts main page

New Day

Mosul Dam Requires Daily Maintenance; One-On-One With Presidential Hopeful Ted Cruz; Bleacher Report; War of Words Intensifies Ahead of N.Y. Primary. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired April 08, 2016 - 06:30   ET

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

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[06:30:01] ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: ... that all intact is a process that needs to happen daily. Workers are drilling bore holes. This one will go down 150 meters, or around 500 feet.

Drilling that particular distance takes about a week. And the machines go up and down along the length of the dam, breaking up and then repouring cement to try to ensure the stability of the dam's foundation.

It's a process called grouting. When ISIS retreat took over the dam in 2014, this was halting for 45 days. Intense around the clock routing reverse those weakness. The U.S. recently issued a stark warning describing the potential for collapse as "Serious and unprecedented." A catastrophic event that would see Mosul, Iraq's second largest city and under ISIS control, entirely submerged with flooding as far downstream as Baghdad, that warning saves the lives of up to 1.5 Iraqis would be at risk.

But the dam's manager Riyad al-Naemi insists that disaster is not imminent.

RIYAD AL-NAEMI, DAM MANAGER, (Through Translator): If the dam were to collapse, when the water level is at 330 meter above sea water then yes, Mosul would be flooded. But with current levels there would be minimal damage.

DAMON: The seepage is one of the reasons why he says the U.S. is so concerned. But he claims his team has determined that it is not impacting the dam's foundation. Still last year the U.S. installed an early warning system, they monitor regularly. And there is an urge need for repairs.

Millions of Iraqis are directly reliant on the Mosul dam in one way or the other. But years of neglect by the Iraqi government do to politics, bureaucracy and corruption are already being felt.

Couple of that with security concerns that for years kept international companies from taking up the job. An Italian company has been contracted to repair and refurbish the dam. But work is yet to begin. When Iraq where nothing is ever entirely predictable. It is always the best to plan for the worst.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Concerning situation there. Our thanks to Arwa Damon.

All right, back to politics. One on one with Ted Cruz. The Texas Senator defending that controversial New York values comment.

Hear what he is saying now and the bitter backlash next on NEW DAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:06:37] PEREIRA: No apologies from Ted Cruz. In fact, he is doubling down on his New York values comments despite taking a beating from the tabloids.

He says everyone know that he meant the liberal values of New Yorkers. CNN's Dana Bash sat down with the Texas Senator. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Senator Thank you so much for sitting down with me.

SEN. TED CRUZ, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It's great to be with you Dana.

BASH: I'm sure you've seen this. I'm glad you're laughing because the New York Daily News gave you a warm welcome. They actually gave you some helpful hints to take the F train and the U train.

CRUZ: Very helpful.

BASH: Very helpful. In all seriousness, you know, when you saw this, what did you make of this?

CRUZ: I laughed out loud. Look, I have never been popular with left wing journalists or tabloids. And frankly that's not my target audience. You know, I'll tell the energy and support we are saying, we just did like a wonderful gathering here. I came to Brooklyn and bake some mozza (ph) and just spoke Russian/Jewish community and the orthodox community and acidic (ph) Jewish community and the energy and enthusiasm we had here today was tremendous.

BASH: Been out there since the origin of this, which again I'm glad you're having fun with it because it is the New York tabloid. That you, several months ago disparaged New York value.

Now, I was Upstate with you earlier today and I am well aware and talking to voters there that in Upstate they got what you are saying.

CRUZ: Yeah.

BASH: That you're talking about liberals in New York City.

CRUZ: Sure.

BASH: And that conservatives in Upstate, New York are quite different. But you understand how a sound bite is played and how your opponent is using it against you here. And you regret in using that terminology now that you're asking for New York voters to vote for you.

CRUZ: Not remotely. Because every one in New York and outside of New York and outside of New York knows exactly what I meant by that. And it is the liberal values of Democratic politicians who have been hammering the people of New York for decade. They have suffered under these liberal values.

BASH: OK, so no question you did very well in Wisconsin and you should be commended for that victory.

CRUZ: Thank you.

BASH: But, do you concede that at this point your only realistic way to get the nomination is at the convention. Not the only mathematical way. But you're only realistic term.

CRUZ: Not remotely. Look, we have a clear path forward to get 1,234 delegates. It's difficult. We've got to win. And we got to win consistently. But I'll point out, in the last three weeks we have won in four states in a row. We won a landslide in Utah. Nearly 70 percent of the vote. We got all the delegates.

BASH: But now you're here in New York and you're 10 place even behind John Kasich. You've got Maryland coming up, you are in third place in the poll. Some o this 88 percent of the remaining delegates to win?

CRUZ: Well, let's see what the voters say. You know, I actually think that the people of New York, particularly Upstate New York, have and awful lot in common with the people in Wisconsin. Very, very similar. And what we're seeing happening across the country. What I hope we'll see in New York is that Republicans will unite.

BASH: One of the things that could help you is if you had more support from your own Republican Senate colleagues. You do know have two endorsements. But given how much momentum you say you have out of Wisconsin, how much many of your colleagues really dislike Donald Trump and don't want him to be the nominee. Why don't you have more support from Republican senators?

CRUZ: You know Dana, I recognized that folks in the media focus on Washington. You cover Capitol Hill. That's a natural thing ...

BASH: ... Washington does opinion leaders at the convention.

CRUZ: What I can tell you is the energy and support we're receiving from the grassroots is overwhelming.

[06:40:00] And my focus is on beating Hillary Clinton. And poll after poll after poll shows Donald losing badly to Hillary. And poll after poll after poll shows me beating Hillary. BASH: But to get the change to beat Hillary Clinton, you know, how it works. You actually have to be the Republican nominee. One of the things that my colleague Manu Raju in the Senate has heard from several Republican senator is that, they've probably would think about backing you and telling all of there grassroots activist to back to you.

If you would to apologize for saying that your Republican leader Mitch McConnell was a liar. Would you apologize?

CRUZ: You know what? Dana, this is why people are so frustrated with Washington. It's the inside battles back and forth. This isn't a game. This isn't about Washington power brokers. This isn't a smoke-filled room. If we want to turn the country around -- let me tell you who should apologize. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton should apologize to the American people ...

BASH: But your problem is Mitch McConnell a liar not them.

CRUZ: They should apologize to the American people for seven years of economic stagnation, for people seeing jobs going overseas, for wages stuck. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton should apologize to all the single moms who've been forced into part-time work because of Obamacare.

BASH: So no apology to Mitch McConnell? Because it could help you.

CRUZ: Look, my focus is not on Washington. That ain't going to happen. And if the Washington lobbyist wants to see that happen they can hold their breath a long, long time. My focus is on the American people and uniting Republicans behind shared values and a shared vision.

Now, I will tell you this, , you know, I am happy to praise Mitch McConnell and praise him effusively for his stand, along with Chuck Grassley, saying we are not going to hold hearings for a replacement for Antonin Scalia.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PEREIRA: You did a great job. You try to hold him to some of those things. But again, he has talking points and the points he's trying to make even though you came back at him. Well done.

BASH: Well, thank you. But I thought what was most - well, several things that were telling. Is the fact that even though he is in this position where he's trying very hard to say -- and he does, that he has a much wider support than he ever has. I mean this is Mr. Outsider. He is still not getting over the last hump of getting his own colleagues, the people who know him, best and there lots of reasons for it. But it really is because of what he said in large part about the Republican leader. And he simply will not apologize because he doesn't want to anger the people who like the fact that he is anti- establish so.

PEREIRA: He's been out on both ways. Catch me if you can kind of situation. BASH: Yes.

PEREIRA: All right. Dana, thank you so much. Top of the hour we're going to talk with Donald Trump's new convention manage. He'll join us live here on New Day Paul Manafort.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: The 2016 Masters is beginning to look a lot like the 2015 Masters. Why? You got Jordan Spieth on top again trying for back to back green same jackets. Can he be stopped?

We're going to take you live to Augusta.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:46:44] PEREIRA: It's time for money your vote, Chief Business correspondent Christine Romans in the money center. Happy Friday.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Happy Friday. It is round three in the fight between Bernie Sanders and the CEO General Electric. Sanders started it when he slammed G.E. for taking jobs overseas. CEO Jeff Immelt hit back "G.E. has been business 124 years. And we've never been a big hit with socialists. We create wealth and jobs, instead of just calling for them in speeches. And then response to that the Sanders campaign lashed out e-mail (ph) multimillion dollar pay package. "If the CEO of General Electric wants to know how his company is destroying the fabric of America, he should take a good look in the mirror."

Chris, G.E. saying now they would invite Bernie Sanders to come visit a plant that has high paying jobs in Vermont, they say he's never been there. Chris.

CUOMO: Yeah. Christine Romans, thank you very much. So, let's get back to golf shall we? American golfer Jordan Spieth looking very strong in his bid for back-to-back Masters Titles, remember how rare that is. You don't remember? Well, heres Andy Scholes is in Augusta, Georgia, home of the Masters tournament. I thought your headline was going to be what happens with Ernie Els. But Jordan Spieth is the man in the positive way. So I guess you've got to go with that.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORT ANCHOR: Yeah. Well Chris, you know, we will get to Ernie in just one second. Now let's talk a little Spieth first because he was so dominant yesterday. He's trying to do something that no golfer has ever done. And that's lead wire-to-wire at consecutive to Masters. Now Spieth dominating yesterday in round 1, shooting a 6 under to grab the lead.

Now, he's now had the lead for the last five rounds here in Augusta. Spieth looking to become just the fourth golfer to defend his Masters Title. Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo and Jack Nicklaus are the others. Spieth two shot lead heading into today's second round. He tees off at 12:55 eastern.

Now while Spieth had a great first day. Like you said Chris, Ernie Els did not. Els had an easy par putt on the very first hole. But he went on do not only missed that. He went miss not one, not two, not three, but five more putts, ended up with a nine on the first hole which was a course record.

Now, in the NBA last night, the Warriors beat the Spurs for their 70th win of the season. Their 70-9. Three wins away Alisyn from breaking the 95-96 bulls all time record that they set is back, like I said in 95-96. And of course I know you're waiting to see anxiously to see if they'll be able it done. Got to win the last three games of the season.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: I knew that. Thanks so much, Andy, for all of that.

Well, that's all would not go office (ph). The battle for New York intensifying between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Both of course have deep ties in the state. But is the battle causing cracks within the Democratic Party?

[06:48:31] New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio with his take next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CAMEROTA: Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders spent the better part of the week sparring over qualifications or lack thereof of being president and going after each other on things like Sandy Hook and the Iraq war and much more.

Here to discuss all of it is New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio who has endorsed Hillary Clinton. Mr. Mayor, thanks so much for coming in.

MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO, (D) NEW YORK: You're welcome Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: OK, let's talk about the tone of the race which seems who devolved somehow over this week into a childish game of tit for tat. What happened?

DE BLASIO. Well look, there's always temporary ups and down in any election. I think when you look at the big picture of this year, the Democrats comported themselves with a lot of decency respect, a lot of respect. Look, even after their exchange, Hillary said outside the Yankee Stadium she sure rather have Bernie Sanders than Ted Cruz or Donald Trump.

And I think that's been the overall tone. Remember when Bernie said during one of the debates, enough with the e-mails. In the bigger schema things, this has been pretty civil and respectful. And Democrats around the country by the way are pretty clear. We'll unify one way or the other because we're really concern about people like Trump and Cruz.

CAMEROTA: He back up Bernie Sanders, by the way, backed off his notion she wasn't qualified to be president yesterday as well. However, during the course of this week, thief both seemed to go for the jugular in a way we haven't seen before.

[06:55:01] Hillary Clinton suggested that Bernie Sanders bear some responsibility for the pain of Sandy Hook families because of his voting record on guns and he countered in saying that well then maybe she bears some responsibility for the pain of those fallen in Iraq War. So listen to what he said on Wednesday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BERNIE SANDERS, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What happened in Sandy Hook is a tragedy beyond comprehension. But may be Secretary Clinton might want to apologize to the families who lost their loved ones in Iraq. Or Secretary Clinton might want to apologize to the millions of workers in this country who lost their jobs because of the disastrous trade agreements that she supported.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: So, are these below the belt attacks or important points of discussion, Sandy Hook and trade deals?

DE BLASIO: I think everything is fair game in terms of talking about people's record. But I don't think that's what the people are focus on this country right now. They want to know where are we going, because we are dealing with a crisis in terms of income inequality.

We don't have the kind of economic opportunity people need to this day. People have certainly not secured that the next generation is going to do as well as they've done. They want to hear solutions to that. Now to the credit of both Democrats they've actually been speaking to those issues whereas the Republican have been divisive and negative towards each other and towards the people who make up this country.

I would argue in the final analysis. Why Hillary wins the day? Beyond the extraordinary experience she brings to us she has the most solid program and platform for addressing income inequity, taxing the rich, raising wages and benefits, the basic things we need to do. It is absolutely clear she knows how to get things done. That's really what this is about. The people are much more interested in where are we going?

CAMEROTA: In terms of the tone. Was this a one off this week?

DE BLASIO: I think it was exceptional. I think it was, yeah.

CAMERA: Do you think they turn on common Monday ...

DE BLASIO: I think first of all, that "Washington Post" headline was absolutely inaccurate and unfair and I think that helps ...

CAMERA: You're talking about the one that Bernie Sanders thought Hillary Clinton was saying that he was unqualified.

DE BLASIO: Correct. I think that was not helpful and in accurate. But if you look at the hole trajectory as an election now that almost a year. It's been civil and respectful in the main. There's been a lot of agreement. And in the final analysis, I believe Democrats unify. I believe they're going to either file around Hillary Clinton.

CAMEROTA: I want to ask you about a particularly fiery moment on the campaign trail that involves Bill Clinton last night. He was asked by Black Lives Matter protesters -- he was heckled basically. And they brought up again Hillary Clinton's use years ago of the term super- predator. Here's his response on the trail.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FMR PRES. BILL CLINTON, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: I don't know how you would characterize the gang leaders who got 13-year-old kids hooked up on crack and send them on the street to murder African-American children. Maybe you thought they were good citizens. She didn't. She didn't. You are defending the people who kill the lives who you say matter. Tell the truth.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: He was upset, as you can hear in that moment. Has Hillary Clinton gone far enough in apologizing for those super-predator comments?

DE BLASIO: Oh, she has. She has been very clear. In fact the first major speech she gave in the campaign was a powerful call for change in terms of criminal justice, in terms of ending mass incarceration. I think she has had an unusually clear powerful voice among any American political leader, certainly in this last year as Black Lives Matter had emerged. Hillary offered a very clear vision of where you go in the change that make ...

CAMEROTA: But to why are they getting message. Why are they still heckling Bill Clinton? Why are still bring it up at rallies? Why aren't the protesters hearing her?

DE BLASIO: Look, get inside the mind of people who have a particular issue they are trying to promote. And if they have difference with President Clinton, that not necessarily the same question of what they think about Hillary Clinton and her platform and where she wants to take it.

CAMEROTA: But in that one I believe they were talking about the super- predators comment.

DE BLASIO: Look, I think she has been very clear about saying that comment does not reflect her values and that she has a vision for fundamental reform when it comes to criminal justice and mass incarceration. And again, it's one thing to talk about what people have said or done in the past. That's very worthy. That the big question, the question that everyday people care about is where are we going? What are you going to do for us? Hillary understands that mass incarceration has to end in this country.

CAMEROTA: Mr. Mayor, can we talk about the peculiar exercise that all high profile politicians feel also they must put themselves through and that is riding the New York subway. Why do they keep doing this? We know they are not of the people. Look at Hillary Clinton here on the subway yesterday. She doesn't ride the subway.

DE BLASIO: Well, when she was our senator, she did ride the subway all the time. You got to ride the subway toward the people, by the way, one of the most wonderful experiences in terms of every kind of people being together. United Nation's of humanity is the New York City subway.

[07:00:03] CAMEROTA: I totally agree with you. It is melting pot that you've never seen before until you ride the New York subway and everybody interaction.

DE BLASIO: Do you want meet thousands of people really quickly, just get on the subway.

CAMEROTA: There you go, and having intimate exchange with them.