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New Day

Obama Pushing For Improved Human Rights; U.S. Commander's Secret Visit To Syria; Trump VP Vetting Process Picks Up Steam; Trump Struggling To Gain Support Of Top GOP Donors. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired May 23, 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)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: need to still meet strict requirements including those related to human rights.

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MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: It's interesting to hear President Obama pay heed to human rights, but he said that human rights was not tied to the lifting of this embargo.

He did say that the U.S. would keep pushing for free speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly in a country day where just a day ago the BBC was ordered by the government to stop reporting and where human rights says -- a Human Rights Watch says that the state of human rights here is dire in all areas -- Chris.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Michelle Kosinski, thank you very much for the reporting. Appreciate it.

President Obama confirming overnight the leader of the Afghan-Taliban is dead. Speaking in Vietnam, the president called the death of Mullah Akhtar Mansour, quote, "An important milestone in our longstanding effort to bring peace and prosperity to Afghanistan."

He was killed on the Pakistan side of the border with Afghanistan in a drone strike. CNN has learned the Taliban leadership has already met in Pakistan to choose a successor.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: The Iraqi prime minister saying his country is, quote, "approaching a moment of great victory." In a televised address this morning, Haider al-Abadi says Iraqi security forces are launching an effort to reclaim the city of Falluja from ISIS.

The city has been under ISIS control for nearly two and a half years. Leaflets were dropped over the weekend advising residents of Falluja to flee ahead of this military campaign.

CUOMO: Up next, exclusive unprecedented access inside Syria. The big question is can the U.S. train rebels to successfully take on ISIS? See for yourself.

And hear from a top U.S. commander on his secret mission to the region. It's a report you will not see anywhere else.

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[06:35:46]

CUOMO: In the Middle East, ISIS claiming responsibility for a series of bombings in Syria that killed 78 people at least. Now, this comes as U.S. forces work to help Syrians in their fight to reclaim areas like Raqqah, which is ISIS' declared capital.

CNN was the only television network to travel overseas with General Joe Votel. He's the top U.S. commander in the Middle East, and he was on a secret mission to Syria.

CNN's Barbara Starr joins us now with the exclusive report. Barbara, what a trip to be on.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: It was extraordinary, Chris. General Votel, of course, four-star general, the highest ranking U.S. military officer to enter Syria. Joe Votel, a longtime special operations expert himself. This time he had one more mission and CNN was with him.

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STARR (voice-over): These are the first images ever shown publicly from a U.S. special operations training camp in Northern Syria. From here and other secret nearby locations, the U.S. military is racing time to train enough local Syrian forces so they can push south towards Raqqah, ISIS' declared capital.

CNN was the only television network with General Joseph Votel on a secret day-long trip to Syria. Votel oversees the war against ISIS.

GENERAL JOSEPH VOTEL, CENTCOM COMMANDER: My principle purpose, meet with some of the Syrian democratic force and leadership and in multiple locations and also to meet with our adviser teams.

STARR: General Votel has come to Northern Syria under extraordinary security conditions. In fact, we've been asked not to reveal a number of details on how we all got here. But Votel considers this part of the war a top priority.

He is here to meet with the U.S. military advisers that are helping some of these local troops that you see work to defeat ISIS. Votel went to multiple locations. We've been asked not to disclose.

Meeting with key local leaders in the Syrian democratic forces, an umbrella organization overseeing many of these young Arab fighters the U.S. is training.

A spokesman for the Arab forces being trained here is critical of U.S. efforts. He says his group urgently needs more ammunition and weapons beyond the few ammunition supplies he says the U.S. has delivered.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We've been given a limited number of old rifles.

STARR: Due to security concerns, we are not allowed to show details of the base. Our cameras are restricted. Security is so high here, the U.S. advisers want their faces shielded, but they do want to talk about the training.

(on camera): You're a military adviser here. What do you guys do here?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are here training the democratic forces. Now, when I say training, generally that's consisting of basic level weapons training, shooting AK-47s, and shooting larger machine guns.

STARR (voice-over): Their four-star general taking an extraordinary step to see it all firsthand.

VOTEL: I have responsibility for this mission. I have responsibility for the people that we put here. So it's imperative for me to come and see what they're dealing with, to share the risks that they are -- they are absorbing on a day-to-day basis.

STARR: Even as the Arab fighters here patrol the surrounding fields, and stand watch getting ready for whatever their future holds.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CUOMO: So, Barbara, you understand this part of the world, the politics, the dynamics, so well. What did you make of Votel's confidence in terms of whether or not this can work?

STARR: Well, you know, this is a four-star general who is very pragmatic. After years in Special Forces, he doesn't take anything for granted and he's nobody's cheerleader, I have to tell you.

Very sober-minded, very much looking at whether the strategy can work. In this part of Northern Syria, you have a number of different groups. You have relatively small numbers of fighters.

[06:40:09]Can they be trained? Can they be equipped? Can you get them moving towards Raqqah and towards these key goals? It's going to take a long time. None of this will happen very quickly.

Votel in charge of trying to make it happen, but I think one of the key questions now is, will everyone have the patience to wait it out, to get these troops on that road to Raqqah, to get them moving against ISIS? It's all going to be a very long time coming -- Chris.

CUOMO: Barbara, you've said it. We've heard it from so many people so many times. This will take time and people either don't hear it or accept it, but it always winds up being a problem. Will it happen soon enough, the results?

What was the general's take on Mullah Mansour (ph) being taken out especially in light of the fact that as he knows that they were already meeting to pick the new head, but how significant is this? STARR: You know, once we all arrived here in Amman, which is where we came after leaving Syria, General Votel met with the press corps again to talk about that very question, to talk about Mansour.

He was very clear that he thought it was a good thing Mansour was gone that this could be a real step down the road, but nobody's believing the Taliban at this point are exactly going away either. All of these things all take a long time to deal with -- Chris.

CUOMO: Barbara Starr, thank you so much for taking on the rick of this assignment so we could see what's going on there in the ground for ourselves. Get home safe.

STARR: Thanks.

CUOMO: Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: What incredible reporting there from Barbara.

Well, on a lighter note, a battle of the NBA titans and the league's record-setting defending champion, Golden State Warriors, took a thunderous punch in the playoff series. Details in our "Bleacher Report" next.

CUOMO: Thunderous punch.

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CUOMO: Another series, the Golden State Warriors not so golden right now. Down two games to one with the Oklahoma City Thunder. We got Coy Wire with more in this morning's "Bleacher Report." Can they do it the hard way, my brother?

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes. OKC bringing the thump like Cuomo. The Warriors down two games to one. They were down two games to one twice in last year's playoffs to the Grizzlies and the Cavs in the finals.

They came back to win it all, though, but not so sure this is the team to whom you want to be down 2-1. Thunder rolling. Let's check it out.

Second quarter, the kick heard around the basketball world. Draymond Green drives. He's fouled by Steven Adams. Adams goes down. So what happened? You'll see it. Swift kick to Adams thunder down under.

Green's called for the flagrant one foul. Crowd goes nuts. The kick seemed to give OKC a boost. A 24-7 run after the shot to Adams apples. Thunder win 133-105. Game four tomorrow on TNT. Look out.

All right. Check this story. Coming out of the Midwest for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. James Hinchcliffe wins poll positions just one year after almost dying in a crash on the very same track. Hinchcliffe almost bled to death after a piece of his car went through his leg and pelvic region during a practice run. Now he's going to lead the field for the green flag starter there at Indy Motor Speedway. Awesome story.

Let's go from Indy to Andy. Fantastic news to report from CNN sports family future major-leaguer Beckett Andrew Scholes joined the world over the weekend.

Dad Andy says that mom, Beckett and big brother, Camden, are all doing great. Andy said, quote, "My retirement plan just doubled its value," end quote. He also said that little Beckett loves to be swaddled and he loves watching Chris and Alisyn on CNN.

CAMEROTA: He has good taste. I have rarely heard Chris Cuomo laugh as hard as he was just howling during your report and your use of euphemism for the family jewels.

WIRE: I know not of what you speak of.

CUOMO: That was good stuff, Coy. That was good stuff. Like the new Clyde Frazier, my man.

CAMEROTA: Thanks, Coy.

CUOMO: And congratulations to Andy, man, you make beautiful babies, my friend. Hope everybody is feeling well at home.

CAMEROTA: All right, Donald Trump meeting today with Senator Bob Corker. What do we think that's about? Our political panel has their theories, next.

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[06:52:36]

CUOMO: Donald Trump set to meet with Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee today. Corker has been mentioned as a possible running mate. So what would Corker bring to the GOP ticket?

Let's discuss this and so much more with CNN political commentator and senior contributor for "The Daily Caller," Matt Lewis, and CNN political commentator, former Reagan White House political director and Trump supporter, Jeffrey Lord. Gentlemen, thanks for being here.

Matt, what do you think of Senator Bob Corker as a potential VP?

MATT LEWIS, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: He could do a lot worse. Donald Trump could do a lot worse. This is a guy who is serious, obviously incredibly knowledgeable about foreign policy, I think liked on both sides of the aisle, but, look, maybe he's the secretary of state. You know? You never know where this is going to go, but I think Trump could do a lot worse.

CUOMO: OK, Jeffrey, here are some other names that have been floated or out there sort of in the rumor mill spinning around. So we have Senator Bob Corker, who he's meeting with today, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions. We have Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, former Texas Governor Rick Perry, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, of course, who "Saturday Night Live" had a good time with that, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, Ohio Senator Rob Portman, we've heard talked about, and of course, Governor John Kasich. What do you think of any one of those?

JEFFREY LORD, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, I personally am a Newt fan. I think Speaker Gingrich would be terrific. You know, it's interesting, Ali. If you think back to the Clinton/Gore ticket.

Much was made -- I mean, there was a little bit of puzzling in the beginning because they came from adjoining states, and that seemed to violate a political rule of the day that you don't have running mates from adjoining states or the same area of the country.

But what sold everybody was their youth. They were both young men. We're not going to have that kind of situation here in 2016. Both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders are not in their 40s.

So I'm wondering if we have an older ticket, if you will, and just go all the way, and have -- I think Newt is 60, 70 years old, he's experienced. He's been around the block, et cetera.

But in the end, Ali, I mean, the fact of the matter is Donald Trump makes this decision. He and he alone knows who's on his list and all the rest of us will have a good time speculating.

CAMEROTA: It is fun to play this parlor game, I must admit. So Matt, what do you think of -- yes, go ahead, Jeffrey?

LORD: I said, I'd add you to the list. Let's go for it.

CAMEROTA: You know what? I'm looking actually for the top of the ticket. No, thank you, to the VP slot.

[06:55:05]But, Matt, what do you think of Newt Gingrich or any of the other people that we just mentioned?

LEWIS: Speaker Gingrich is obviously brilliant. Tons of ideas. Sometimes a little, maybe, too many ideas. Maybe he and Donald Trump would reinforce some, you know, problems.

You know, in other words, he wouldn't balance the ticket, as Jeffrey was saying. Look, I think it's most likely somebody like Newt, somebody like Florida Governor Rick Scott. Somebody like Joni Ernst.

I would say if I were recommending it, I would go with someone like a Jim Webb. You know, a Democratic -- former Democratic senator or if you could find a high-ranking military officer who was never held office before.

But has gravitas and experience, who is willing to run with Donald Trump, then you could double down on the outsider brand, but simultaneously have somebody who brings credibility and experience. But outside of that, how about Joni Ernst? Served in the military, U.S. senator, female candidate. You could do a lot worse than that, too, right?

CUOMO: OK. Go ahead, Jeffrey.

LORD: And -- one of the things I had suggested before, when earlier in the race, was that it be Senator Cruz. I think that's unlikely, but my larger point is that I do think that this is important in terms of continuing outreach to the conservative movement.

You know, as with the Supreme Court nominees, to have a vice president that conservatives instantly respond to and say, yes, we really like this person.

CAMEROTA: OK. So Donald Trump is looking for a running mate, as we know, as well as he's looking for money and donations. So far that has been a challenge. There are reports that over a dozen wealthy donors have been holding out thus far.

They had previously donated in the past three elections cycles to $90 million to candidates. Trump's fundraising goal is $1 billion. That is a lot. Jeffrey, let me start with you. How do you think that it's going to go?

LORD: I actually think that that kind of thing will backfire at this point. When you've got, with the polls show 80 percent to 90 percent of the Republican base now unifying behind Donald Trump, people will come along.

There is such a thing such as -- Elizabeth Taylor I think was the once who once said winning an aphrodisiac and I think that that's going to be the case here.

And frankly, if they don't want to do this, then they're not going to do it, but I think there will be plenty of other people that will step up.

CAMEROTA: All right. Here's one of the challenges, Matt. This comes from Michael Block. He is an investor and a GOP donor. Here's what he had to say about Donald Trump. "He's an ignorant, amoral, dishonest, and manipulative misogynistic, philandering, hyper- litigious, isolationist, protectionist blowhard." So is that going to be a problem, Matt?

LEWIS: Well, it's hard to argue with his logic, but I don't think -- I don't think -- Donald Trump is going to leave some money on the table. There is no doubt about it. He's not a traditional Republican candidate.

Hillary Clinton is going to tap into the big money the way Jeb Bush would have been able to tap into the big money. Trump can't do that, but Trump will have enough money to run a competitive race.

And as I think Jeffrey's right. It's not about money for Trump. He's going to have message, he's going to have excitement and enthusiasm, and he'll be just fine.

CAMEROTA: OK, Matt, Jeffrey -- yes, quickly, Jeffrey.

LORD: Donald Trump is a competitive guy. At this point, he's going to do everything he can to win. So I don't think this will be a problem.

CAMEROTA: All right, we'll see if the money begins rolling in. Gentlemen, thank you.

LEWIS: Thank you.

LORD: Thanks.

CAMEROTA: All right, who do you think Donald Trump will pick as a VP? Tweet us @newday or post your comments on faceboo.com/newday.

We have a lot of news this morning including a live interview with libertarian vice presidential candidate, William Welve (ph) so let's get right to it.

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SANDERS: We have two candidates who are really very, very strongly disliked.

CLINTON: I will be running against Donald Trump.

SANDERS: I get 46 percent of the delegates and 7 percent of the super delegates.

DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRWOMAN: We are preparing for the general election. I'm confident that we're going to be able to unify.

SANDERS: Clearly I favor her opponent. She would not be reappointed.

CLINTON: I do not want Americans to believe that this is a normal candidacy.

TRUMP: We're not going to be led down the tubes by an incompetent person.

CLINTON: He is not qualified. We're going to build a wall and we're going to make it beautiful.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To round up and deport 11 million people. No. Not the United States.

UNIDENTIFIED PILOT: Thank you so much. Good day. Good night.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Something did happen that caused it to fall out of the sky.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You don't start with a theory. You start with the facts. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Many signs do point to terrorism.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CUOMO: Good morning. Welcome back to your NEW DAY. Forget about Bernie Sanders taking one for the team. He's ramping up his feud with the Democratic establishment announcing he would oust the DNC chairwoman if elected. Also slamming the party for attempting to anoint Hillary Clinton.

CAMEROTA: Clinton and Trump now neck and neck in two new national polls. One of those polls has Sanders defeating Trump by double digits.

Meanwhile, speculation building over who Donald Trump might choose as his running mate. We got the 2016 race covered by only CNN --