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Libertarian Party Picks 2016 Presidential Ticket; Clinton Campaign Nixes Advice To "Act More Like Trump"; Gorilla At Cincinnati Zoo Killed To Save Child; Iraqis Begin Operation To Liberate Fallujah; Remembering The Fallen On Memorial Day; Severe Holiday Storm Slams East Coast. Aired 7:30-8a ET

Aired May 30, 2016 - 07:30   ET

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

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[07:33:00]

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WILLIAM WELD, LIBERTARIAN VP NOMINEE: We don't agree with either party. We don't agree with a socially conservative movement, conservative elements of the Republican Party platform, and we don't agree with the spending priorities, namely spend, spend, spend of the Democratic Party. And that's a combination that characterizes a lot of people in this country.

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ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: OK, that is the Libertarian Party's new vice presidential nominee, former governor William Weld. Let's get reaction to what he said from CNN political commentator and political anchor of "TIME WARNER CABLE NEWS", Errol Louis. Errol, great to have you here in studio in with.

ERROL LOUIS, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Good morning.

CAMEROTA: Basically, what he's saying is that he believes that there's an appetite out there to take the best from both parties, as he defines it -- fiscal responsibility yet not conservative on social issues -- and that people will be open to that. What's your take on if voters are clamoring for that?

LOUIS: My take is that this is what liberal Republicans, especially in the northeast, did for decades and they are politically extinct. It is the same thing that former mayor Mike Bloomberg talked about -- fiscally conservative, socially liberal. It's the same thing that Gary Johnson talked about. These folks are sort of political orphans for a reason, and the reason is that people aren't buying it, frankly.

The Republican coalition, built as he, I think, properly says, on both fiscal conservatism and and social conservatism has enjoyed great political success. Those who didn't want to play along. The so- called Rockefeller Republicans. The liberal Republicans, again, in the northeast. Where are they now? They're all out of office. [07:35:00] And so, he's sort of trying to find a home for the

Libertarian Party. Not a great fit, hence the chaos at the convention -- the absolute chaos at the convention -- because this is somebody who, you know -- there's a sort of a third strand of Libertarianism which is a light-handed government.

On the other hand, you know, before he was governor of Massachusetts he was the U.S. Attorney -- William Weld was. You know, he's -- he wants the U.S. to remain in the United Nations. A lot of Libertarians wants the United States to go its own way. He's sort of a big government guy and that doesn't sit well with a lot of Libertarians.

So, again, a very difficult position for somebody like him to be in, so I looked at this in some ways as almost a history lesson. That there used to be this thing called liberal Republicans. They're now trying to find a new home. This very odd place, the Libertarian Party, is where one of their more prominent members, William Weld, has ended up. I don't think, however, he's going to be next vice president of the United States.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Libertarian ticket a non-event?

LOUIS: No, not a non-event. I feel like it's a -- I think it's kind of interesting. I mean, when there are lots and lots of people who are politically homeless and are sort of roaming the political landscape, it should be of some interest because our party system is really designed to try and pick those people up and try and include them under some kind of big tent in one party or other other.

And it's not as if Democrats have rejected these folks. And, frankly, it's not even as if the Republicans have rejected these folks, other than for certain offices, but where do they end up? We saw Ron Paul, we saw Rand Paul. Again, Mike Bloomberg's flirted with a run for president. Now we've got this Libertarian.

CUOMO: But, the system was around 10 percent. That's -- the size is the same as the protest vote. It's almost --

CAMEROTA: At the moment, I mean, he's just got to -- maybe it will go up.

CUOMO: Well, that's true because he doesn't get into the polling so he believes that's why he's not getting any momentum --

CAMEROTA: Yes.

CUOMO: but how does that change?

LOUIS: Well, in any given state, you know, if they can make a difference -- if they can sort of be relevant in a given swing state, you know, they're playing the same game as everybody else when it comes to presidential politics. If they were to somehow find the discipline and the strategic insight to focus on Libertarians in Virginia, who are worth 10 times what Libertarians in Massachusetts or, say, New Mexico might be worth --

CUOMO: It's a big if, the organization --

LOUIS: Well yes, a big if. And, you know, they've got to do things like have some of their nominees stop stripping in front of the cameras, and a lot of the whacky stuff.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

LOUIS: If they can get past a lot of that stuff and, again, focus on some key states, you know. Believe me, anybody who says that they're going to definitely vote in Ohio, or in Virginia, or in North Carolina, and certainly in Florida -- they're going to get a lot of people's attention and that would be a chance for them to advance their principles. Again, not necessarily a victory that will take them to the White House, but a chance to be relevant.

CAMEROTA: Let's talk about Hillary Clinton and she's getting advice from all different corners about what her tact should be now, trying to fight this asymmetrical warfare, as I've been calling it, that Donald Trump is playing.

So, Chuck Schumer said this to "The New York Times" this weekend. "As soon as Hillary Clinton clinches the nomination, we need a high-level person in the campaign whose sole job is to respond to Trump, almost on an hourly basis."

That's one suggestion. I mean, people think that she might be using an old playbook and Donald Trump has ripped that up.

LOUIS: Yes, and she might need more. If you want to go with Sen. Schumer's suggestion, she might need more than one person. There might need to be a handful of people. And, in fact, one of her strengths, frankly, as a candidate, that people have anticipated, is that she's going to have a really high-level, high-powered group of surrogates who are out there assuming that, say, President Obama and the first lady, Michelle Obama, get involved.

Assuming that, of course, her husband, Bill Clinton, already out on the trail. But if others get involved then she can really sort of cover a lot of territory, she can start to appeal to a lot of different wings of the electorate, and so forth. But the response to Donald Trump -- I, frankly, am in the camp that both certainly candidates, but definitely the media -- all you have to do is tell the truth.

Every single day there's something that's vulgar or childish or flat- out dishonest, you know, just factually wrong that comes of the man's mouth. Every single day. And I think all you can do is just tell people. It's like he just said something -- I mean, become -- even the comment you were talking about a little bit earlier with his spokeswoman.

You know, when he comes out and says this judge is disgraceful, this judge is Mexican -- well, you know, look, that's racist, that's biased. You put it out there and just move on. And you've got to trust in the good sense of the American people that somewhere down the road, when we get past the conventions, when it's time in the last, say, 60 to 90 days to really sort of make a choice --

And, again, it's steak or it's chicken. You don't get a third choice. I mean, you can go with Gary Johnson, I guess, if you want. And, you know -- and trust that people are going to say this is not what the leadership of this country is supposed to be about. I think that's probably her best bet.

CAMEROTA: Errol Louis, we shall see. Thanks so much for being here in studio with us.

[07:40:00] CUOMO: All right, so a dangerous situation, a desperate decision at the Cincinnati Zoo. Could zookeepers have done something else to save a little boy without killing a rare gorilla? You see what the gorilla just did to the 4-year-old boy? We're going to discuss it with animal expert, Jeff Corwin, next.

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[07:43:50] CAMEROTA: Officials at the Cincinnati Zoo defending their decision to kill an endangered gorilla in order to save a 4-year-old who slipped into the gorilla habitat this weekend. We want to bring in animal expert Jeff Corwin. He's the host of ABC's "Ocean Mysteries". Good morning, Jeff.

JEFF CORWIN, ANIMAL EXPERT: Morning.

CAMEROTA: What a terrible and tragic situation for everyone involved. The people who were just there sightseeing, this poor boy, the families, the zookeepers, everybody. So Jeff, let's just start at the beginning and walk through this. First of all, how hard is it for a 4-year-old boy to fall into a gorilla enclosure?

CORWIN: Excellent question. The point -- let's just say something quick about the Cincinnati Zoo. The Cincinnati Zoo is world-class zoo. They are an incredible place of conservation. In fact, they're in the front lines of conservation. There's an endangered rhino today that is alive because of this zoo. They're also an urban zoo, which means thousands of inner city kids get to visit this place and connect with nature.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

CORWIN: Now, with that said, this is a terrible, tragic situation. It has left everyone in this community reeling and heart-searching about why this happened. So many questions. These enclosures are designed to keep the public safe, to prevent creatures from escaping, and to prevent a reasonable amount of meddling.

[07:45:00] But the truth is, as we've seen in the past, if someone wants in they're going to get in. We've seen that with tiger enclosures and polar bears, and all sorts of stuff.

CAMEROTA: Yes, we have.

CORWIN: But, it's unacceptable that his kid was able to slip in. CAMEROTA: (Video playing) But Jeff, I want to ask you because we're

looking at the video on the split screen right now. When you watch this video, as an animal expert, can you help us understand what Harambe is doing with this little boy? At first, it looks like he might be protecting him. Then he grabs him by the hand and begins dragging him through the water. What's happening here?

CORWIN: It's hard to get in the mind of this incredible primate, Harambe. Gorillas, as we know -- as with all the great apes -- are incredibly intelligent, but was he looking at this child as another primate to protect or was he looking at it as just a rag doll? It's really hard to say.

I will tell you this. Harambe weighed 400 pounds. It was exponentially stronger than this child and if it had wanted to it could have instantly dispatched this child. Now, who's to say how this situation would have resulted in the end? We have seen great examples of altruism, right? We've seen when gorillas have actually rescued children that have fallen in their enclosure.

We've also seen worst case scenarios unfold when human primates connect with other primates like gorillas and chimpanzees. We've seen that in Connecticut. So, I think that this zoo felt that they were sort of almost at that point of no return.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

CORWIN: But the truth is, here's who was not at fault. It was the gorilla. The gorilla didn't escape. It wasn't running King Kong through the city of Cincinnati. It wasn't being aggressive. It was just kind of hanging out.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

CORWIN: A terrible, terrible tragic situation.

CAMEROTA: And so, at the point where the gorilla did become, to our eyes, aggressive with the little boy, where he was grabbing him and dragging him through the water, did the animal control officials have any option at that point, other than to kill Harambe?

CORWIN: You know, it is so hard to be in their skin in this incredibly tenuous -- this incredible terrifying moment. I will tell you this from what I've seen. I've seen situations where tranquilizer darts -- sedatives have been used and they can take, in some situations depending on what the medication is -- it can take upwards of 10 or 15 minutes. It may take multiple shots. So who's to say --

CAMEROTA: And that's why they said they didn't use it. I mean, that's why they said that they did the deadly force instead of using the tranquilizer gun. They said they had to make that sort of split second decision to kill Harambe.

You know, there are protests today and over the weekend. You can see people outside with posters saying justice for Harambe. Some of the visiting public are very, very upset. To your mind, is there any other way that this could have ended?

CORWIN: I don't know. All I can tell you is I've worked with many of the folks at the Cincinnati Zoo. There are folks that work there now that because of their work there are species that would have been extinct, like the Sumatran rhino, that are alive today because of their work. They're very dedicated. I think there are many questions to ask.

And you know, I think the zoo has questions to ask, but I think the public has a question they need to ask themselves. When you go to a zoo, and I'm not saying this is this case for this family, but when you go to the zoo, the zoo's not your babysitter, OK? Put down the selfie stick, refrain from the texting, be a part of that family experience, and watch your kids.

I have seen so many crazy things happen at zoos. I've seen people put their children up on railings, knowing that there's a predatory animal beneath, just to get that photo. I've seen people stick their hands into cages. I've seen people actually pick up animals. Common sense is a powerful tool when you're working with wildlife.

CAMEROTA: Yes. Jeff Corwin, great reminders for all of us today. Thanks so much for joining us. Great to get your perspective.

CORWIN: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: All right, what is your take on this story? Please tweet us @NewDay or post your comment on facebook.com/NewDay -- Chris.

CUOMO: Alisyn Camerota with a Y.

All right, so today is Memorial Day. It's not just some celebration. It is to remember the service and ultimate sacrifice of troops who died fighting for your freedom. Next, we're going to talk with the spokesman for the Anti-ISIS Coalition in Iraq. Keep it here as we honor the fallen on this special Memorial Day edition of NEW DAY.

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[07:53:45] CUOMO: Good morning to all of you. Welcome back to this special Memorial Day edition of NEW DAY. There's word this morning that Iraqi forces have launched the next phase of a military operation to retake the city of Fallujah from ISIS. Let's talk about that and the importance of this day when we honor the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our country.

We have with us Col. Steve Warren, spokesman for the Anti-ISIS Coalition in Iraq and for Operation Inherent Resolve. He joins us live from Baghdad. Colonel, thank you for being with us. Let's deal with the news of the day and then the larger significance of this day. The American people are having a hard time attaching significance to what's going on in this battle for Fallujah. Just what is at stake?

STEVE WARREN, SPOKESMAN, ANTI-ISIS COALITION IN IRAQ: Hey, CNN, I'm only getting about every tenth word. It sounds like we've got some connection problems.

CUOMO: All right, how about now, Colonel. How are we sounding?

WARREN: Hey, Chris, I can barely hear you, but hopefully you can hear me and I'll tell you that we have -- we've seen Iraqi security forces move into the direction of Fallujah along multiple axes (ph). We don't know that they've actually breached the center of the city yet, but that's certainly their objective.

And we're seeing everything from Iraqi security forces, the regular Army, to the police, to even their elite counterterrorist service all participating in this action.

[07:55:00] CUOMO: Talk to us about Memorial Day and some of the troops you want remembered.

WARREN: Chris, you know, Memorial Day is probably the most important holiday for us in uniform. It's a day that we take very seriously and it's a day that we use to remember our own fallen. And we know that as warriors, when we speak the names of those who've fallen, they live on.

And here in Iraq during this current operation, of course, we are remembering Master Sgt. Josh Wheeler, Sgt. 1st Class Louis Cardin, and Chief Petty Officer Charles Keating, who've all given their lives here in Iraq over these last several months.

But, we also think about all of those who we lost here in Iraq over the last years and, of course, the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our great country. So that's what we think about and it's a very important day for us.

But, we certainly hope that everyone in America enjoys the holiday. Take a moment to thank a vet if you can, and if not, enjoy the holiday knowing one thing, that we are on the case here. We're standing on this wall and we're going to keep you safe.

CUOMO: Colonel Steve Warren, how do you feel that the state of play is where you are right now?

WARREN: Well, we think that the state of play is much improved from a year ago. A year ago, here in Iraq, the barbarians were at the gate. Baghdad was actually threatened and, in theory, was in direct danger of being invaded by these animals that we call ISIL. Now we've driven them back.

They've lost almost 45 percent of the territory that they once held here in Iraq. They've lost 20 percent of the territory that they once held in Syria. So, we are seeing the Iraqi security forces that in 2014, quite frankly, collapsed under the pressure that ISIL put on them.

We're seeing them begin to rebuild. We've got more than 5,000 Americans here on the ground right now providing training, advice and assistance to these Iraqis. We're flowing equipment into them, so we're beginning to see this Iraqi military rebuilt itself and start to take ground back.

CUOMO: Colonel Warren, please stay safe and thank you for sharing what's going on in Iraq and what this day means to the American people and to the troops. Thank you, sir.

WARREN: Chris, thank you.

CUOMO: All right, we are following a lot of news and tracking these heavy rains and flooding on this Memorial Day, so what do you say? Let's get to it.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The water level comes up to almost our knees.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've got a lot of rip currents. Undertow's pretty strong.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lightning striking everywhere. It's just really violent and I don't feel safe.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The day has been crazy. Water rescues, people in their vehicles.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Hillary thinks the V.A. is doing good.

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: He goes around talking about he wants to have a great American military. Well, we have the best in the world.

TRUMP: We're going to rebuild our military. We're going to make it bigger and bigger, and better and stronger.

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT), DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We're going to fight until the last vote is cast.

CUOMO: With a specialMemorial Day edition of NEW DAY.

CAMEROTA: As we remember our troops who made the ultimate sacrifice.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Those are the faces of America.

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ANNOUNCER: This is NEW DAY with Chris Cuomo and Alisyn Camerota.

CUOMO: Good morning. It is Monday, May 30th, 8:00 in the east. This is a special Memorial Day edition of NEW DAY. We're going to show you a live picture now from Arlington National Cemetery. That is, of course, where President Obama will lay a wreath this morning at the Tomb of the Unknowns. This will be the last time that he does this duty.

Severe weather this morning is a big story around the country. You've got Tropical Depression Bonnie creeping up the east coast, packing heavy rain, gusty winds, and forcing some dramatic flood rescues.

CAMEROTA: A different violent storm system producing torrential rain and flooding in Texas and Kansas, and killing at least six people in that area. The weather further complicating holiday travel. So let's go first to CNN's meteorologist, Jennifer Gray. She joins us live from Hilton Head, South Carolina where it looks very pretty. Of course, that was not the case just a few hours ago.

JENNIFER GRAY, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, what a difference a day makes. Of course, rip currents will still be a huge concern all up and down the east coast, even as those skies clear. But the southeast was just the beginning. It was a wild weekend for weather all across the south.

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GRAY: This morning, rescue crews in parts of the south continuing to search for those swept away by the deadly flashfloods over the weekend.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We just hope it doesn't rise anymore.

GRAY: The rushing water enveloping cars and homes in Texas after severe thunderstorms dropped record-setting rain, rapidly generating dangerous floodwaters. The city of Brenham, where at least two people were killed by the flood, inundated with more than 19 inches of record-shattering rainfall in 48 hours.