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U.S. Commander Takes CNN Inside the Iraq War; FBI Probing Donations to Virginia Governor; Trump Versus Clinton: Which Attacks Will Stick? Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired May 24, 2016 - 06:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:31:19] CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: The Pentagon says Taliban leader Mullah Mansour was hatching plans to attack Americans. Hours after President Obama confirmed he was taken out by a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan, U.S. officials were saying that Mansour was orchestrating what they call specific and imminent assaults on the U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan. Senior members of the Taliban have begun the process already of choosing a successor.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: The head of security operations of the TSA has been removed from his position amid congressional scrutiny. Just last month, Kelly Hogan was blasted as a house oversight committee hearing over why he received a $90,000 bonus even though security lines at the nation's airports were getting much longer under his watch.

CUOMO: Facebook answering its conservative critics. The social network says the result of an internal investigation found both liberal and conservative stories were equally featured in its, quote, "trending topics." Facebook announcing it will revamp its trending topics, however, to counter charges of bias, including no longer using outside sites to determine if a trending story is relevant.

CAMEROTA: OK. Up next --

CUOMO: What do you think? Hold on. Hold on!

CAMEROTA: Well, I think it's interesting.

CUOMO: You Facebook crony.

(LAUGHTER)

CAMEROTA: Just glossing over that.

CUOMO: Don't you run away from the news.

CAMEROTA: No, I think that it's interesting that they say that they found nothing was going on. That they were equally represented but they're re-doing their process.

CUOMO: What does that tell you?

CAMEROTA: I don't know. What does it tell you, Chris Cuomo?

CUOMO: What does it tell you indeed?

CAMEROTA: I ask the questions.

CUOMO: You did it very well.

(LAUGHTER)

CAMEROTA: See how slippery he is? Not answering.

CUOMO: I don't know the answer, to be honest.

CAMEROTA: I figured that out.

All right. Up next, we have a CNN exclusive to tell you about. You're going to go inside the Green Zone in Baghdad. This is the most heavily fortified region of the Iraqi capital, as you know, but is it still vulnerable to ISIS? This is reporting that you will not see anywhere else. That's next.

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[06:37:12] CUOMO: This is a very important CNN exclusive for you. The top U.S. commander leading the charge against ISIS in Iraq takes CNN inside the war in Iraq.

The commander in question is General Joseph Votel, and he is revealing the state of U.S. training efforts and his concerns about Iraqi forces protecting Baghdad, just as they launch a major offensive to reclaim Fallujah from ISIS.

Now, CNN's Barbara Starr is live in Amman, Jordan, after this trip.

Again, this reporting, Barbara, thanks to you, and your team, you're the only television camera to go in on this mission, which was once very dangerous for you, but so important for people to see.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Chris, good morning from Amman.

General Votel making it very clear he wanted to take a very small group of reporters with him. He talks about the fact, there's nothing to hide. He feels it's important. He says, to get the word out about was the U.S. military is doing.

Votel's priority in Iraq that we saw firsthand and we traveled with him is to make sure the Iraqi military, the Iraqi government doesn't get distracted. They get trained, they get equipped and get their army out there fighting. ISIS, very much posing a challenge to that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STARR (voice-over): Protestors invade Baghdad's Green Zone for the second time. Violence rising as opposition to the Iraqi government grows. The top U.S. commander running the war against ISIS is watching carefully for the stress mounting on the Iraqi military even now as it tries to recapture the key city of Fallujah

GEN. JOSEPH VOTEL, CENTCOM COMMANDER: They're having to make decisions in terms of where they're force is going, where their priorities are.

STARR: But in Baghdad, with the U.S. embassy and military headquarters inside the heavily fortified Green Zone, does the U.S. have enough security on hand?

VOTEL: Yes, I do think we have the right security forces on ground, on the ground, from a U.S. perspective, to take care of ourselves there.

STARR: CNN was the only network with General Joseph Votel, the U.S. commander in charge of the war against ISIS, as he traveled in Iraq getting the latest assessments on security and the readiness of Iraqi forces.

(on camera): This base about one hour north of Baghdad is one of the front lines in the effort to train, advise and assist Iraqi forces. But they have at least temporarily seen some Iraqi forces being called back to Baghdad for a few weeks to deal with the security situation there, in the wake of the rising attacks by ISIS.

(voice-over): Votel is trying to convince Iraq's military to make certain to station enough troops around the country and not to flood Baghdad with security forces as the government tries to confront the latest violence in the capital.

[06:40:06] VOTEL: They are attempting to create chaos in the capital. They're attempting to divert attention away from other areas where the coalition forces and the Iraqis are having success.

STARR: This military warehouse just to the south in Kuwait brimming with more than 25,000 weapons for those Iraqi forces. All are being shipped out as more Iraqis show up for U.S.-led training.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CUOMO: All right, Barbara, let's pull back the curtain if we can. For many years, as you know I've relied on you as an insightful voice what the war is in these major theaters. Now that you are back in Iraq and in the zone seeing what's going on, what is your take on the stability of the area?

STARR: Well, I think it does begin with Baghdad, because the concern for the Obama administration is, you know, Baghdad security. You've got to be all-in. There is no other option.

Baghdad must remain secure and it's very difficult, a huge city. ISIS can still drive in from the suburbs, stage a bomb attack and drive out. You can't seal Baghdad and make it perfect.

So, what the U.S. is focusing on is making sure that they can convince the Iraqis -- yes, put forces in Baghdad. Secure the city. But don't do it to the neglect of the rest of the country. This operation now unfolding in Fallujah to the west of Baghdad, all- important, because that takes you on the road to ISIS strongholds. Getting ready to move on Mosul, north of Baghdad, all-important, because that is a major ISIS stronghold, Iraq's second largest city.

They just have to get the Iraqis to be able to deal with more than one thing at once.

CUOMO: Barbara Starr, thank you for taking the time, taking the risk and bringing us the reporting. Appreciate it, as always.

Alisyn?

STARR: Thanks.

CAMEROTA: Well, there was a scary moment during a baseball game to show you. A Pittsburgh Pirates' player oh, my gosh. Hit in the eye with a pitch and then rushed by ambulance to the hospital. The latest on Ryan Vogelsong's injury and his prognosis, when NEW DAY continues.

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[06:46:14] CAMEROTA: President Obama in Ho Chi Minh City at this hour. The place once known at Saigon. The president talking about the benefits of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. He said earlier in Hanoi, the president delivered a televised address reflecting on the pain of the Vietnam War and pressing for better human rights for the Vietnamese people.

CUOMO: The Feds are investigating donations made to the campaign of Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe. As first reported by CNN's Evan Perez, the FBI and Justice Department's Public Integrity Unit are examining whether donations to McAuliffe's campaign were illegal. Now, an attorney for his campaign says it plans to cooperate with any investigation but no other further explanations offered.

CAMEROTA: Baltimore police officer Edward Nero says he and his family are, quote, "elated" after a judge found him not guilty on all counts in the death of Freddie Gray. Nero sobbing in court when a judge ruled there was no evidence to support the charges again him. Afterwards, his father called it a victory for all police officers. The Gray family says it respects the judge's verdict. Their attorney joins us live on NEW DAY in the next hour.

A very scary moment last night on the baseball diamond in Pittsburgh. Take a look at this, pirates pitcher Brian Vogelsong hit in the face by a pitch. It's not clear if he lost consciousness. Vogelsong was carted off the field, taken by ambulance to a local hospital. The team says he's being treated for an injury to his left eye. It's not specific yet whether it's literally his eye or the bone and tissue around it. That is a big and meaningful difference. There will be an update on his condition later this morning.

Obviously, you don't have to be an expert on sports to know a pitcher's eyes are everything, especially because of the need for depth perception and location, and just his ability to live his life. So, that's a very important piece of reporting.

CAMEROTA: I have averted my own eyes during that segment, it's so disturbing to see that --

CUOMO: He seemed like he was okay. I watched several times. I don't know if his eye is okay. His general health seemed okay, but we'll stay on that.

CAMEROTA: OK. Meanwhile, it's getting ugly between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, or it's continuing to be ugly, we should say. The attacks getting more personal. Which ones will stick, which are fair? We will break it down with our panel, ahead.

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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[06:52:08] HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Trump economics is a recipe for lower wages, fewer jobs, more debt. He could bankrupt America like he has bankrupted his companies. I mean ask yourself, how can anybody lose money running a casino? Really?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: That was Hillary Clinton taking direct aim at Donald Trump's business record, highlighting Trump's past bankruptcies, four of them with his businesses, as a warning about how he would handle the economy. While Trump goes after Bill Clinton's past sexual controversies with a salacious web video.

Let's discuss with our guests, Margaret Hoover, CNN political commentator and former George W. Bush White House staff member, and John Avlon, CNN political analyst and editor-in-chief of "The Daily Beast."

Great to have you here.

JOHN AVLON, THE DAILY BEAST: Good morning.

MARGARET HOOVER, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Good morning.

CAMEROTA: To talk us through what we are seeing.

We have to talk about what attacks are fair? I guess it's the kitchen sink campaign, right? So everything is being thrown at each other.

Let's start with what Donald Trump has been doing, and that is bringing up Bill Clinton's -- the accusations from women that are still out there about Bill Clinton having perpetrated sexual assault in the past. Fair? Unfair?

AVLON: Well, it's inevitable. I don't know how you grade it ethically, because Trump obviously is also partially deflecting attention against accusations that have been made against him in the past, and just a complicated relationship with women and extramarital relationships. So, it's a degree of deflection.

But I think what's really significant is it shows that this election really is going to be the big ugly. It's going to be everything. There is nothing that's too low, and this is just a sign of things to come, folks. You know, first you played the woman card against Hillary, then he plays the rape card against Bubba, and it's only going to get worse from here.

CUOMO: So, let us agree among the four of us that it is resolve that we are discussing this round in an effort to shortcut it and have it end quickly, because none of us believes that this is what this election should be about.

AVLON: Correct.

CUOMO: Fair? Fair?

AVLON: Yes.

HOOVER: Fair, just we don't get to decide what this is about.

(CROSSTALK)

CAMEROTA: Margaret --

CUOMO: You make choices, about how much you do and what aspects o it you cover. I mean, I don't want to do a point-by-point comparison of Bill Clinton's worst points in his personal life and see how similar they are to Donald Trump.

AVLON: The worst of the '90s. No thank you.

CUOMO: One of the things that got Trump in trouble in the '90s was his being an open apologist for Bill Clinton. You know, he supported the guy, said he was a good guy, he said, Linda Trip was worst person in the world, he said his big sin was picking ugly women, this was stuff that got Trump in trouble back then. I don't understand it now.

HOOVER: Here's the thing.

CUOMO: A looking glass.

HOOVER: This election is no longer about the Republican primary base that truly would have forgiven Trump if he had shot somebody on Fifth Avenue, right?

[06:55:00] Now, we are shifting to a race that is the general election, which, by the way, Hillary Clinton seems to have gotten the memo, Donald Trump doesn't.

This is going to be about independent voters in 35 counties in seven or eight states. That's who swings elections in very tight elections and this may not be a tight election but that's who they need to be training their focus on. So, Hillary Clinton is testing a message of sort of economic competency and that Donald Trump isn't going to be able to hit it, very clever. It allows her to tap into the economic unrest on the left, while attacking Donald Trump, because she hasn't been able to have a strong economic message.

Donald Trump on the other hand is tacking to the right. He's going to the NRA. He's picking Supreme Court justices that are hyper- conservative. He isn't going towards the general election which frankly puts him at a disadvantage.

So --

CAMEROTA: It is interesting. In terms of the economy, an interesting poll that just came out. "Washington Post"/ABC news poll finds who would you trust more to handle the economy? The answer completely split, but Hillary Clinton gets 47 percent. Donald Trump gets 46 percent. That's interesting.

AVLON: It is. And actually one of the things beneath the Hillary Clinton strategy we played at the top of that speech at SEIU is to go at one of Donald Trump's perceived strengths. Smart campaign strategists do this stage of the campaign. You don't go at their weakness early, you go at theirs strength and turn it into a net negative, and saying that Donald Trump has a reputation, as a celebrity demagogue for being a very good businessman, in fact, folks, four business bankruptcies, in fact this isn't good for the economy.

And he has an edge on her in two areas. This is a tightly split poll. The economy and terrorism. So, she needs to go after those areas of perceived strength of Donald Trump.

HOOVER: And the question is, will that resonate with these independent voters in these 35 counties, in these seven swing states?

CAMEROTA: But then, using that, then is he going after her perceived strength? She's woman. So, plant the seed.

AVLON: Bingo.

CAMEROTA: That there are, a checkered past --

AVLON: Bingo.

CAMEROTA: -- in terms of women. I mean, that's what he's didn't trying to do in terms of whether or not she's come to women's defense. Go.

HOOVER: And, yes, he has incredibly high unfavorability ratings amongst, women. Right? If you really want to go at her, go at her supposed experience on the job, and then hit at the credibility of her job as secretary of state.

CUOMO: Too hard.

CAMEROTA: Yes. Too complicated.

CUOMO: This is easier.

I will say this, I think it's an open call. Maybe this is unfair.

(CROSSTALK)

CUOMO: I got to think how much -- all right. I have a pretty easy day today. I'll take some heat.

CAMEROTA: That's not a process.

CUOMO: More of a mention because I think this is more weighted towards Hillary Clinton than it is Donald Trump, this thing. I think independent voters, I don't think. We know independent voters are more resonant to message than partisan voters. OK? That you can get a pass with the partisan part of the way. Independents, no the so much.

The one who wins with the independents is the one who makes the better case about themselves. I believe that the research is still pretty solid on it now.

(CROSSTALK)

CUOMO: I think that Hillary Clinton would be well served. Donald Trump, too, but maybe Clinton more, because Trump is the manifestation of the people's rejection of the status quo. She is not that.

AVLON: Yes.

CUOMO: To say here's why I'm better. Here's what he doesn't get. Here's how you know I do get it.

I think if it comes down to these people in 35 counties, you know, that if you win Ohio you win everything, that's something to remember.

HOOVER: You have to stand for something affirmative certainly, but can't tell me negative campaigning doesn't work because all of us in politics know that negative campaigning works.

CUOMO: I'm not saying it doesn't work. I'm saying, with this select slice.

AVLON: It's not a select slice, too. I mean, 45 percent of electorate is independent voters, right? And they're not all n the center. But many are, folks are persuadable and they're going to make a decision based on who would be more effective, who won't break through the dysfunction.

What's fascinating about this matchup is this, Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump attracted voters, open primaries, by railing against a rigged system driven by special interests and big money, right? Hillary Clinton is uniquely ill-suited to argue that she can be an agent of change against special interests and big money in politics. Now, that doesn't mean Trump will win independents although they move right as a cohort in the wake of the Tea Party election.

It does mean that Hillary Clinton is going to have to fashion an appeal that can connect with their concerns and say Donald Trump is railing about dysfunction in Washington, but he would double down on dysfunction and that's the difference.

CAMEROTA: Go ahead, Margaret?

HOOVER: Look, I hate to say that he's right. I hate to agree with my husbands, sometimes. Sometimes, he actually has a good point.

AVLON: Lines square, not people.

HOOVER: Broken clocks are right twice a day.

CAMEROTA: We get it. Fantastic. Margaret, John, thank you. Great to have you here.

What's your take on all of these issues we just discussed? You can tweet us @NewDay or post your comments on Facebook.com/NewDay.

CUOMO: All right. There is a lot of reports for you this morning from around the world. We also have some big interviews. So, let's get right to it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We're going to win the whole thing.

CLINTON: Trump economics is a recipe for lower wages, fewer jobs, more debt.

TRUMP: Talk to me before the election. I'll release it.

CLINTON: We are going to unify and stop Donald Trump.

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT), DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Democracy is not always nice and quiet. It's going to be messy.

REPORTER: Forensic officials sifting through bags of human remains.

CAMEROTA: New questions about what may have brought down EgyptAir Flight 804.

REPORTER: The race out at sea continues.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It may not be until we get those black boxes that we get real answers.