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New Day
Ayotte's Re-election and Veterans Benefits; Christie Rocks Out at Concert; Kalamazoo Shooting Survivor Speaks Out. Aired 8:30-9a ET
Aired April 28, 2016 - 08:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:31:29] CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: A question that is more worth considering with the state of the race is, if Donald Trump becomes the GOP nominee, what will it mean for other Republicans in the re- election process for Congress? Let's ask one, New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte, who is running for second term this fall.
Senator, it is good to have you with us this morning.
SEN. KELLY AYOTTE (R), NEW HAMPSHIRE: Good morning, Chris. Good to be with you.
CUOMO: So, the Trump speech on foreign policy. Not enough? Too much? What say you?
AYOTTE: Well, I have to confess, Chris, I did not listen to it because I was here -
CUOMO: What?
AYOTTE: I was here doing my work in the Senate.
CUOMO: Oh.
AYOTTE: So I can't - I can't comment on it because I haven't listened to it yet. I will have to listen to it, but was busy doing other work.
CUOMO: A clever diversionary tactic by you, senator, playing -
AYOTTE: No diversionary. Lots of work to do here.
CUOMO: Absolutely. Everybody agrees with that.
Let's talk about what you know to be some of the headlines of this, though. Many say it is a new isolationism. America first is the theme. Do you believe it is as simple as that for America?
AYOTTE: Well, Chris, I serve on the Armed Services Committee. I believe, as we look at what's happening around the world, we have so many challenges. In fact, Ian Clapper (ph) has said this is one of the most challenging times he has seen, and he's worked in this area in national intelligence for decades. So I believe that having a strong military and making sure that America supports its friends and allies and continues to be a leader around the world is important for the defense of this nation. So that's been my - my view on foreign policy. And I've consistently brought that forward in the Armed Services Committee.
CUOMO: Do you have any concerns that a Donald Trump GOP nominee might compromise your re-election efforts?
AYOTTE: Well, I'm going to be focusing on serving people in New Hampshire and I think New Hampshire understands, my race is about who's going to be their voice here in the Senate to get things done for the people of our state with common sense New Hampshire values. So, again, we're a very grassroots politics state. So I think our folks will be focusing on, on my work in the Senate.
CUOMO: Senator, I'm about to give and then take away. On my wrist right now, I have on a band from IAVA, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Association.
AYOTTE: Yes.
CUOMO: I'm wearing it for a simple reason, what's going on with the GI bill in Congress. As you know, everybody says they support the troops. This is a beautiful example to show it. And yet there was a sneaky vote in Congress to divert money from within the GI bill instead of adding money to it. This has veterans very upset. What can you tell us about the status of maintaining and growing the GI bill?
AYOTTE: Well, Chris, I'm actually the wife an Iraq veteran, so I - I really believe what the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have done for us and continue to do - we are still at war. We still have, obviously, our men and women over in Afghanistan and now - now back in Iraq. So what happened in the House in February, sort of one of those sleight of hand issues, it happened without enough public notice, is a cut to those who reenlist in our - our post-9/11 GI bill, they can assign their education benefits and their housing benefits to their children or spouse, and they cut that by the housing piece of it by 50 percent for a veteran's bill they did.
I think it's wrong because we're talking about people, if you re- enlist, you were told you could transfer this benefit. And it's really important because we're talking about Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who have done multiple deployments. So it's absolutely wrong. Right now in the Senate VA Committee, I hope that they will not include this. And, in fact, I've talked to the chairman about this issue, and I'm actually very encouraged that they won't include it in the Senate version, because it's absolutely wrong.
[08:35:11] CUOMO: We put out a request for a position on this to all the presidential candidates. We've heard from Clinton and Sanders. Have not heard from the Republicans as of yet. But I have to tell you, I'm wondering if that's a coincidence because members of your party up high have been saying, look, this GI bill, this version of it, was a recruiting tool. It was very expensive. It served its purpose. We can't afford it any more. How can we afford so many of the things, how can we not find money elsewhere, how can we make their money a priority for cutting? What do you say? AYOTTE: Hey, Chris, this is what I say. This is about not breaking our
promises to those who are continuing to defend this nation. Less than 1 percent of our population defending the rest of our freedom. We're still at war. They're still in Afghanistan. The president is sending them back to Iraq. I say keep our promises. It's absolutely wrong. This should be the last place that we're looking. Let's make sure that we ensure that those who have defended this nation and our freedom, that we don't break these promises. And that's why I'm going to fight hard for this. I appreciate all the work that the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have done to bring light to this issue. And, again, I meet many of my veterans in New Hampshire, members of our guard, who have done four and five deployments at this point.
CUOMO: Well, look, it's also not a coincidence that you're alone with me this morning. There are not a lot of senator whose are joined in this cause right now, and it's something that needs to get attention. Do you think the bill can be saved?
AYOTTE: I do. And I think - I've talked to the chairman of the Veterans Committee in the Senate and I'm very encouraged by what I hear. But, again, that's why I'm here bringing attention to the issue because I do think it's important to the American people. We support our veterans, and we promised them this. Many of them re-enlisted. They had done multiple deployments. They've - we've asked so much of them. And we should follow through.
CUOMO: Senator Kelly Ayotte, coming out for the veterans, has a re- election coming her way. Thank you for coming on NEW DAY to make your case for veterans. Appreciate it.
AYOTTE: Thanks, Chris. Appreciate it. Thanks, Chris.
CUOMO: Alisyn.
ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: OK, now a terrible but inspirational story to tell you about because she was one of the victims of the Kalamazoo mass shooting, but now one brave 14-year-old girl is on the road to recovery and talking to CNN about what happened to her. That incredible story, ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:41:31] MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: All right, time to the five things to know for your new day.
Donald Trump laying out his foreign policy plan in Washington, D.C., with a blunt message, America comes first. In the meantime, rival Ted Cruz picks Carly Fiorina to be his running mate.
And Bernie Sanders says he'll keep fighting the good fight. The news not as good for hundreds of Sanders' campaign staffers who are being laid off.
The DEA joining the investigation into the death of Prince after officials found painkillers on the singer and inside his home. Investigators now waiting on toxicology results to determine the cause of death.
Former House Speaker Denis Hastert sentenced to 15 months in prison for fraud charges linked to hush money he paid to cover up allegations of sexual abuse. The judge calling Hastert a serial child molester after he admitted to those crimes.
Well, it's draft day for the NFL. The first round getting underway tonight. The L.A. Rams on the clock with the topics. Quarterbacks Jared Goff or Carson Wentz expected to be taken first.
And about a sixth thing to know, Alisyn and Chris, you're pretty awesome.
CUOMO: Yes, you don't mean that.
PEREIRA: Dot com. I do.
CAMEROTA: Michaela, I have something for you.
PEREIRA: Yes.
CAMEROTA: You know that saying, dance like no one's watching?
PEREIRA: Yes.
CAMEROTA: Yes. I know you live by that.
PEREIRA: Totally.
CAMEROTA: So does New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, apparently. He also embraces that philosophy because he was recently spotted rocking out at a Springsteen concert. CNN's Jeanne Moos shows us his wild moves and air guitar.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When Chris Christie's wife made that ever so subtle eye roll -
DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The only thing she's got going is the woman's card.
MOOS: As Donald Trump slammed Hillary, we wondered what her husband was thinking. Was he reliving his wild and crazy night before? The governor didn't just clap his way through a Bruce Springsteen concert in Brooklyn, he belted his way. And played air guitar. And took selfies with strangers and then sang with them.
And he didn't care that cellphones everywhere were spying on him. He didn't act trapped. He acted free.
"I've never seen such a display of such pure joy from one man," tweeted a concert goer. "I mean the guy is rocking out like no one's watching." "Hey, when you're in a trance with your eyes closed, no one is watching." Even Christie critics at Gawker (ph) called him a concert hero. "Guys,
Chris Christie couldn't be cuter if he tried," tweeted another audience member.
The New Jersey governor has idolized The Boss since he was a boy. He's attended over 130 Springsteen concerts.
MOOS (on camera): Politically speaking, the governor and the rock star dance to the beat of a different drummer. Springsteen, a die-hard liberal, turned down Christie's request to perform at his first inauguration.
MOOS (voice-over): But they shook and hugged it out at a Hurricane Sandy telethon.
GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE (R), NEW JERSEY: He told me, it's official, we're friends.
MOOS: Even if The Boss did once sing a parody about bridgegate with Jimmy Fallon.
JIMMY FALLON AND BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN (singing): (INAUDIBLE) the Governor Chris Christie for the New Jersey traffic jam.
MOOS: Now the one jamming is the governor.
Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PEREIRA: I love it.
[08:45:00] CAMEROTA: That's awesome.
PEREIRA: Phenomenal.
CAMEROTA: It wasn't just air guitar. It was air drums -
PEREIRA: And the whole like, feeling it.
CAMEROTA: (INAUDIBLE).
CUOMO: Look, he's - he loves The Boss.
PEREIRA: So great. It's so great.
CUOMO: There's no question about it. The suit and tie is a little bit of a giveaway, you know?
PEREIRA: Belie his pure enjoyment. Yes, I know. I know.
CAMEROTA: Yes, that is an interesting choice for a concert.
CUOMO: You know, that's all. That's all I have on it. Otherwise, good for him. Got to love The Boss.
PEREIRA: I know.
CUOMO: All right, when we come back, we have a young survivor of the Kalamazoo shooting. She's telling her story. What a remarkable story it is. Wait until you get to hear this.
But first, saving the environment while you surf. The world's first green wet suit. That's right, you wet suit wearers, they're not always good for the environment. Part of the future of adventure could be good for the world as well. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The problem with traditional neoprene wet suits is they are made out of toxic materials, they're from a finite resource, and there's no way to dispose of them.
Ulex (ph) is a rubber company. They thought, oh, well, we might have an alternative in using natural rubber to replace neoprene. Our new Ulex suits are the world's first neoprene-free wet suits. One of the great things about Hevea is the forest actually absorbs CO2 out of the atmosphere. That part of the process is actually carbon negative.
We invited all the other wet suit companies to use Ulex. We didn't require any licensing fees. Here it is, ready to go, please use it. The goal is to get neoprene out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:50:19] PEREIRA: The man accused of going on a deadly shooting spree in Kalamazoo, Michigan, back in February, he faces a hearing next month to determine if his case will go to trial. That shooter told investigators that the Uber app made him kill six people, injure two others. Among the people that he shot was a 14-year-old girl who survived. Kyung Lah joins us this morning with an update on this young lady's remarkable recovery.
Kyung, I'm so glad you're doing this.
KYUNG LAH, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's simply remarkable when you think she was 04-years-old, only 14-years-old. She was shot at close range in the head. Now two months after the shooting, she's not just talking, she's smiling.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LAH: This one is?
ABBEY KOPF, SHOOTING SURVIVOR: Sharkie.
LAH: And that one is?
A. KOPF: Cutie Pie.
LAH (voice-over): What you see in Abbie Kopf, the bright smile of a cherry child. But look closer.
LAH (on camera): So that part you're going to get replaced?
VICKIE KOPF, ABBIE'S MOTHER: Yes, that part we're going to get replaced.
LAH (voice-over): That part of her skull lost when the 14-year-old was shot in the head. She had just left this Kalamazoo Cracker Barrel, a night out with her grandmother, Barbara Hawthorne and three other elderly women. Uber driver Jason Dalton, charged with opening fire on their two vehicles, part of a seven hour random shooting spree across Kalamazoo.
A. KOPF: My grandma Barb, and she was killed in the shooting.
LAH (on camera): Do you remember what happened?
A. KOPF: Not really, except for I got shot in the head.
V. KOPF: I remember them bringing us into the room. It was horrific to see. A sight nobody would want to see. I kept telling her. if she could hear me, if she was in there, to give me a sign. And, sure enough, her hand moved.
LAH: Do you remember waking up? Can you tell me about that?
A. KOPF: My mom was there with me. She was crying.
LAH (voice-over): Just weeks later, Abbie was walking. Two months after being shot in the head, doctors said she could go home.
LAH (on camera): How did your daughter survive this?
GENE KOPF, ABBIE'S FATHER: Sheer dumb luck. The path of the bullet. It was cold that night. She was near a trauma center.
The United States has had a rash of mass shootings over the years.
LAH (voice-over): Parental frustration led this father to a CNN Democratic debate to ask the candidates about gun violence.
G. KOPF: I don't know if there's an answer to the problem, but I'm hoping to gain as I'm rubbing everyone's nose into the problem, because it seems we as a country keep sweeping it under.
LAH: They don't know Abbie's long-term prognosis. She suffers from debilitating migraines and needs around the clock care. Her parents sleep on the couch with her. They can no longer work, yet they remain grateful.
V. KOPF: If anybody can do it, this little girl right here can.
A. KOPF: I'm not little, I'm 14.
V. KOPF: You are so right.
LAH: To still be a family.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PEREIRA: That Abbie and that smile and that spunk, my goodness. Obviously there's a lot of challenges ahead for her. Talk to us about this road ahead for her.
LAH: Well, it's very unknown, it's very murky because where she was hit in the brain, it was the frontal lobe. That part of the brain continues development. It doesn't finish development until she's about 16 years old. It controls body movement, eye movement. It controls emotions, judgment. They just don't know at this point, Michaela. She's going to need lifelong care.
PEREIRA: Kyung, this is the important stuff for us to get to. Thanks so much for bringing us her story. We wish Abbie well.
LAH: Yes.
PEREIRA: I would argue Abbie's "The Good Stuff," but we'll have more of it coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:58:25] CUOMO: "Good Stuff." Nine-year-old Will Baker loves to play baseball, but when he was diagnosed with a rare virus, it attacked his nervous system, paralyzed his right arm.
PEREIRA: Oh, no!
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Like Polio. It's not Polio but it's like Polio. And it's left his right arm paralyzed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CUOMO: I'm treating it like it's no big thing because, you know what, Will treated it that way.
PEREIRA: That a boy.
CUOMO: He said, I'm going to play pro ball and I'm determined to stay in the game.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He excels at every position. He just does not let any position, you know, take him - take him down. He just does it all.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CUOMO: He showed talent. Good news came along with it. Surgeons created a sling that helps him lift his arm so he can catch the ball quickly -
PEREIRA: Are you kidding me?
CUOMO: Switch the glove between hands and continues playing.
CAMEROTA: Oh, my gosh.
PEREIRA: That's awesome.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILL BAKER: You never know until you actually try.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PEREIRA: Oh, way to go, kiddo.
CUOMO: That's right. And guess, you know what, there was a pro pitcher who played a lot of years, some of them with the Yankee -
CAMEROTA: That's right.
CUOMO: Named Abbott, and he did exactly that.
CAMEROTA: Oh, my gosh.
PEREIRA: Keep going. Keep going.
CAMEROTA: OK, we have more. Now to the better stuff. Come on in, guys.
PEREIRA: Come on in. Run on over. Run on over. Come here, come here, come here, come here, come here, come here.
CUOMO: Who are these little people?
CAMEROTA: Once a year, we like to introduce you to our producing staff.
CUOMO: Come on. Just sit down, sit down. It's all right.
CAMEROTA: These are our executive producers right here.
PEREIRA: There we go.
CAMEROTA: This is who runs the show.
UMP: Yes, they're bosses.
CAMEROTA: Just kidding.
PEREIRA: This one's real tough.
CAMEROTA: It's take your kid to work day.
Hi, guys. Thanks for being here.
PEREIRA: You all wave and smile at mom and dad out there and on TV (INAUDIBLE). CUOMO: These people all want Michaela's job.
PEREIRA: Yes, they're all auditioning to replace me tomorrow.
CUOMO: And they are all over qualified.
PEREIRA: Take a look at these good-looking faces.
CUOMO: Smile. Say to all your friends, I'm not at school and you are.
KIDS: I'm not at school and you are!
PEREIRA: All right, we're going to throw it to Carol Costello in the NEWSROOM.
[09:00:02] Everybody say, good morning, Carol. One, two, three.
KIDS: Good morning, Carol.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, kids. And, remember, Ashleigh Banfield, I am not babysitting while you're on the air.
PEREIRA: Oh, Ashleigh, (INAUDIBLE) babysit.
CAMEROTA: There goes that plan.
