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New Day Saturday
"The Voice" Singer Fatally Shot at Concert; Donald Trump's New Attacks; Mitt Romney on Trump's Rhetoric; Outrage Over Stanford Rapist's Light Sentence; Golden State Warriors One Win Away from Championship. Aired 6-7a ET
Aired June 11, 2016 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[06:00:15] VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: A concert for an up and coming pop star turns fatal. Christina Grimmie, a finalist on the hit show "The Voice" shot and killed as she signed autographs for fans.
CHRISTI PAUL, CNN ANCHOR: And Donald Trump saying he's not a racist but he's unleashing a new branch (ph) of attack.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: And Pocahontas is not happy. She's not. She's the worst.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: And the defending GOP revolt or deepening rather, Mitt Romney in his CNN exclusive interview says Donald Trump's rhetoric could change the American character.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MITT ROMNEY, (R) FORMER PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: Presidents have an impact on the nature of our nation, and trickle-down racism, trickle- down bigotry, and trickle-down misogyny, all these things are extraordinarily dangerous.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL: Good morning. We're so grateful to have you with us. I'm Christi Paul.
BLACKWELL: I'm Victor Blackwell. Good to be with you this Saturday morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRISTINA GRIMMIE, "THE VOICE" FINALIST: You're that moves me like nobody else...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: We're beginning with the breaking news this morning. Singer Christina Grimmie, best known for her performances on "The Voice" was shot and killed after a concert in Florida. Adam Levine, her coach on Season Six of the show posted this picture
on Instagram with this, "I'm sad, shocked and confused. We love you so much, Grimmie".
PAUL: Police in Orlando say a man carrying two guns shot her as she signed autographs. She died at the hospital a few hours later. Now, officers said the shooter killed himself after being tackled by the singer's brother.
Nick Valencia is following the story. OK Nick, what more have you learned? Are they been able to connect him to her in some way yet?
NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Very limited details. We don't know the name of the gunman, the suspect, no word on the motive. That's still a mystery. Just terrible news overnight.
A great young musician gunned down as she was signing autographs for fans. And remembrances for Christina Grimmie had been pouring in since news of her shooting death broke overnight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
Breaking overnight, singer Christina Grimmie, a former contestant on "The Voice" is dead. Shot and killed after her concert in Orlando.
WANDA FORD, SEARGENT ORLANDO POLICE DEPARTMENT: They were selling merchandise and signing autographs. We know that the suspect walked up and shot Christina.
Her brother tackled the suspect and that's when the suspect shot himself.
VALENCIA: The suspect is dead as well and Grimmie's brother being called a hero for taking action that may have protected dozens of fans still inside the venue.
FORD: This is a very tragic event. This should have been something that was fun and exciting.
VALENCIA: Police say it's unclear how the unidentified gunman got two weapons inside the Plaza Live and his motive, still a mystery.
FORD: We don't know if they were friends. We don't know if he was just a crazy fan that followed her on Twitter, on social media.
VALENCIA: This is believed to be video of Grimmie's last performance filmed by a fan just before the deadly shooting. Grimmie, just 22 years old was perhaps best known as a finalist on Season Six of "The Voice."
GRIMMIE: I came in like a wrecking ball. I never...
VALENCIA: But she started out performing on YouTube as a teenager where she amassed three million followers. Fans now tweeting with the #RipChristina. UNIDENFITIED FEMALE: I've been crying. This is horrible. Honestly, it's like one of the -- like it's probably one of the worst things that could literally happen right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VALENCIA: Grimmie, best known as a YouTube sensation, three million followers, millions of views for her video. She used to open up for Selena Gomez during her Disney channel starter back in 2012.
Family, a very important part of her life. In fact fans, I was tweeting with them overnight saying, her family often spotted at some of her concerts. It was her brother in fact that stopped that gunman.
We don't know again the relationship between the gunman and Christina Grimmie. But this is a terrible loss for the music world.
"The Voice" tweeting overnight saying, "There are no words. We lost a beautiful soul with an amazing voice. Our hearts go out to the friends, fans, and family of the @therealgrimmie."
Guys.
PAUL: All right. Nick Valencia, thank you so much.
VALENCIA: Yes, thank you.
PAUL: Appreciate it.
BLACKWELL: All right to politics now. And welcome to the first unofficial weekend of the general election. Now, Hillary Clinton is taking a few days off to enjoy being now the presumptive Democratic nominee. Donald Trump is holding rallies in Florida today.
[06:05:02] PAUL: It's one of the eight states that Trump will visit over the next week. Hillary Clinton expected to visit three swing states next week including Wisconsin with President Obama.
This is of all of course part of the fight to hit 270 electoral votes. While Democratic heavy hitters are falling in line behind the presumptive nominee, a lot of Republicans seem to be some say, falling over themselves dealing with Donald Trump.
He showed why with two very different speeches and two very different tone in a matter of 24 hours.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Freedom of any kind means no one should be judged by their race or their color, and the color of their skin should not be judged that way. And right now, we have a very divided nation. We're going to bring our nation together.
If I win, we're going to bring our nation together.
(END VIDEO CLIP) PAUL: That was first. Later at an event, without a teleprompter, the fiery Trump returned with a familiar attack on Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: And Pocahontas is not happy, she's not happy. She's the worst. You know, Pocahontas -- I'm doing such a disservice to Pocahontas. It's so unfair to Pocahontas.
But this Elizabeth Warren, I call her too, the Elizabeth Warren, she's one of the worst senators in the entire United States Senate.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: All right. So, with that as context, what is Trump's approach to appeal to conservatives who are still part of the Never Trump Movement?
CNN's Sunlen Serfaty has the latest from the Trump campaign.
SUNLEN SERFATY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning Victor and Christi. Well, Donald Trump is certainly coming off a tough week in the wake of the fire storm over those controversial comments that he directed at Judge Curiel's ethnicity.
He is normally facing condemnation from party of leaders but pressured and toned down his rhetoric. And this controversy has really breathed some new life into the Stop Trump -- Never Trump Movement including from former Republican nominee Mitt Romney who told CNN's Wolf Blitzer in an interview that Donald Trump would cause trickle-down racism.
Now, Donald Trump did not have a direct response to Mitt Romney. He did not mention him by name here at his Richmond rally. But he did mock the overall Stop Trump Movement. Here's -- let me end with that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Well these poor sad people, Never Trump, they still going, "Oh, never Trump, never Trump". These poor guys, Never Trump. I saw it today. I saw it today.
By the way, I am the least, just so you know. I am the least racist person, the least racist person that you've ever seen, the least. I mean, give me a break. They're saying, is Donald Trump a racist?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SERFATY: And after all of this, Donald Trump says he will be debuting (ph) a new campaign slogan, it seems aimed at being perhaps a little more inclusive. He says he's going to be changing his famous "Make America Great" slogan now to "Make America Great for Everyone."
Christi and Victor.
BLACKWELL: All right, Sunlen, thank you so much. So, what is it going to take for Donald Trump to unite the party for
Republicans to unify behind him? Is the party already fractured beyond repair? Well, we'll discuss this deepening GOP revolt with pro and anti-Trump supporters and attackers.
PAUL: Also, CNN has obtained court documents giving new insight into the Stanford University sexual assault case. New information surrounding the night Brock Turner sexually assaulted an unconscious woman.
Details on his apparent history of aggressive behavior, alcohol abuse and drug use.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[06:12:15] BLACKWELL: All right. So this week, the Democratic Party took a pretty big step towards unifying the party. The Republican Party, not so much. Top Republicans in the country still ringing their hands over what to do about Donald Trump.
Joining me out here to discuss, Scottie Nell Hughes, Political Editor for RightAlerts.com, also a Trump supporter, if you watch his network at all, you know that. And Evan Siegfried, a Republican strategist and former Marco Rubio supporter, no supporter of Donald Trump.
Good to have you both this morning.
EVAN SIEGFRIED, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Morning.
BLACKWELL: All right, so, let's start here at Trump's rally last night in Richmond. He defended himself against the accusations that he's a racist. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: I am the least, just so you know, I am the least racist person, the least racist person that you've ever seen, the least. I mean, give me a break.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: OK, so that defense comes after a year of this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: They're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime, they're rapists and some I assume are good people. Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what the hell is going on.
I have been treated very unfairly by this judge. Now, this judge is of Mexican heritage. I'm building a wall.
JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR: If you are saying he can't do his job because of his race, is that not the definition of racism? TRUMP: I don't think so at all.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: All right, Scottie first, do you reconcile those two for us. Donald Trump says he's the least racist person you've ever met, that he's not racist, and people who disagree with Donald Trump, they listen to what we just played and they say that the evidence there is in his words and in his claims over the last 12 months. You say what?
OK. Let me stop you, Scottie. I don't want you to have to waste breath because we can't hear you unfortunately. Can we hear, can we hear Evan?
SIEGFRIED: Hopefully.
BLACKWELL: All right, well, let's go to Evan. Evan, you hear that and you say what?
SIEGFRIED: Well, you see, nobody goes out and says, hey, I'm a racist. Donald Trump is going out and trying to defend statements he's been making for months upon months.
He attacked Judge Curiel not only in the past few weeks but in February. But in May, his own attorney said Judge Curiel is both fair, impartial and a wonderful jurist. They haven't filed a motion of refusal.
Donald Trump's temperament and judgment are what of extraordinary concern to myself and many other conservatives who are looking at Donald Trump. We think that he not only cannot have access to unlimited power but if he had it, he would do some things that would create a irreparable harm and damage to this country.
[06:15:10] BLACKWELL: All right Evan, I think we have Scottie's audio problem fixed. To you now Scottie. You say what?
SCOTTIE NELL HUGHES, POLITICAL EDITOR FOR RIGHTALERTS.COM: You have to look at the timing of this charge and after I'd realized that it's political. You know, two years ago, four years ago, the person who's been throwing this biggest accusation from within Republican Party has been Mitt Romney himself.
Donald Trump was his largest surrogate. He donated millions to Mitt Romney. He didn't beat Romney at that time. He didn't a problem taking his money. He didn't say at that time that Donald Trump was racist.
Even right now, currently, those accusations from the other side. You know, Mr. Trump has been a supporter of many African-American issues. He was one of the people that donated the property at 40 Wall to the Rainbow Coalition so that they can have a prominent residence on Wall Street, because he believed that was the way to help the urban community.
I mean, the only time that we've heard this charge of racism is when he's running for Republican and he's running as a president. That's the only time we've heard it. Up until now, these charges have really never been levied against him. And you have to question why and what is the motivation.
SIEGFRIED: No Scottie, have you ever read a New York tabloid? They've been there for years, his misogyny, his racism, his thinly- veiled shots at everybody? This is a man who is so thin-skinned, that he will say anything and everything he can to not only get attention but because he's so insecure.
BLACKWELL: But let me add one thing here Scottie. You talked about the timing that Mitt Romney accepted his endorsement in 2012. At that time, Donald Trump had not said that Mexico was sending over rapists and criminals. He had not called for ban on non-American Muslims coming in. He had not called this judge or said that he cannot be impartial because he is of Mexican heritage.
But let me come to you with a question of, if he is fighting off his claim of being a racist, why come back out on the stump and continue with the Pocahontas line against Senator Elizabeth Warren?
HUGHES: Because you have seat here and look at the -- at the reason why he's saying. You look at, you mentioned those three things. And if you just take word per word, then yes I could see where that accusation is justified.
But that's not what Mr. Trump means by. And then he's going back, he's clarified. He unfortunately has to explain five times more than the other side does. And that reason why he is attacking Elizabeth Warren is actually warranted. She's the one that actually brought that upon herself by either lying or once she realize that it was falsified that she had -- that she was of American-Indian descent, she never corrected the problem. She's the one that has brought this upon herself.
And so when you look at those, those different angles right there, you've realize why this attack -- they're just actually an attack on him. And if he truly was racist, he would not be employing thousands upon thousands of Hispanics...
SIEGFRIED: Wait a minute...
HUGHES: ... thousands of ...
SIEGFRIED: ... but if Senator Warren made a horrible mistake which is indefensible, it means that he can go out and call her Pocahontas? That's the -- Scottie, hold on a second.
HUGHES: ... so don't sit there and cast stones.
SIEGFRIED: Scottie, basically, you're like the black knight in Monty Python's search for the Holy Grail. You are saying that, oh, this is minor stuff when really, you're getting your arms cut off.
You are defending the indefensible. You're saying it's just a flesh wound. This is -- my goodness, we're debating whether or not this man is racist when we should be debating policies. This doesn't advance the GOP.
In fact, if you go on the Republican National Committee's website, you know what's completely missing from there? Any reference to Donald Trump. That's how toxic he is.
He's now losing in Kansas, a state Mitt Romney won by 22 points. He's up only by three points in Utah, most Republican state in the nation which Mitt Romney won by 48 points. How much do we have to suffer to...
HUGHES: So that's the -- it's right there. Hold on.
BLACKWELL: Scottie let me, let me -- Scottie I want you to respond then we get back to Mitt Romney and Evan quickly. Go ahead Scottie.
HUGHES: I want to sit there and say, you know what, fine, if you want to believe that which is completely false, you have to look at his motivation for doing it, which was national security and to protect Americans. But if you want to have that type of approach here, how are you helping?
Because everything you do, what is your solution for? Because everything you're doing right now is the ones that are impacting those numbers. And frankly, if you look at the national poll, Hillary Clinton has had an amazing week. She's had some of the best endorsements. She did nothing. She stayed flat even.
The six points that Mr. Trump possibly lost went to the "I don't know" category. See the ones right now, the "Never Trumpers," those comments you're making right there, unless you can present a solution which by the way is impossible at this point to keep Hillary Clinton out of the White House, why don't you start trying to build up the party, bring him -- actually sit there and talk to him instead of sitting here and combatting him? You're not helping the situation.
BLACKWELL: Evan, let me get to you with this "Never Trump" movement and Mitt Romney. He has spoke with Wolf Blitzer on Friday but we heard much of this rhetoric before in the state, the speech given in Utah, it was not very effective. He's now said he's not going to run third party. He's not going to support a third party conservative so is this the full breadth of what Mitt Romney is going to offer for the next five months?
SIEGFRIED: No, what we're talking about is we're having a conversation as to Donald Trump's fitness. This isn't about some sort of political game trying to get somebody out there. Scottie raises national security issues. Many of us conservatives have very serious questions over Donald Trump's temperament and ability to even have access to this.
[06:20:08] He is probably one of the least qualified nominees in history and he has no understanding of the issues. He says he admire -- openly admires the Chinese for the Tiananmen Square Massacre. He thinks that our allies should pay us protection money like we're the mob. And this is not how you get things done. This is a recipe for a
global disaster and making the world less safe. But, you know, what do I know? I've just, you know, use common sense.
HUGHES: Well, that's exactly what's you're pointing out. Once again, we have been in this campaign now for a year. Obviously, your message hasn't resonated. Your guy lost twice. And now, you want to sit here at the time that we all need to be unified. You -- these "Never...
SIEGFRIED: Scottie...
HUGHES: ... these "Never Trump" folks, all they're doing is causing us to guarantee the election to Hillary Clinton. So unless you're going to...
SIEGFIRED: You don't even need us.
BLACKWELL: We've got to wrap it there...
HUGHES: You're right, we don't. We need the people and you don't represent them.
BLACKWELL: Scottie, don't fuse. We'll have you both back the next hour. Thanks for being with us.
HUGHES: Thank you.
BLACKWELL: All right, Christi?
PAUL: You know, a top Republican says, he will not vote for either presidential candidate in November.
So, if it's not Trump, if it's not Secretary Clinton, who would Mitt Romney support? From the exclusive interview with him and some insights next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLACKWELL: Mitt Romney offers a dire warning against to Donald Trump of presidency. A culture of what he calls trickle-down racism, misogyny and bigotry.
PAUL: The former Republican presidential nominee sat down for an exclusive interview with Wolf Blitzer to discuss Trump's comments attacking a federal judge and why Romney says he will not run as a third party candidate.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[06:25:06] WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: You have said that Donald Trump in your words would sink the country into a prolonged recession that he is not smart on foreign policy. Your words, that he's a con man, a phony, a fraud, and a fake.
If you feel that strongly, why don't you think you have an obligation to run right now? MITT ROMNEY, (R) FORMER PRESEIDENTIAL NOMINEE: Well, because he has become the nominee of the Republican Party. And the only way to win the White House in my view is to become a nominee of either the Republican or the Democratic Party.
And simply running to be a spoiler would not give the American people I think the chance to express their own views about Mr. Trump or about Secretary Clinton. I think they will do so.
I, myself, will not be voting for either one of them. I just can't bring myself to vote for Hillary Clinton. I don't think the policies that she promotes are right for the country. And Mr. Trump, I think is too greater departure from the values of our country for me to sign up as a voter for him either.
So, I'll be writing in someone else's name, it will be probably another Republican.
BLITZER: But isn't that sort of -- I mean, you're going to write in some other name that has no chance. But isn't that capping out right now of your responsibility?
ROMNE: Well, my responsibility was to express to the American people what I believe was right about the potential nominee of our party. And I did so very plainly and clearly, and the people who made the choice decided to go a different direction. That's their right.
But as an individual, I simply can't put my name down as someone who voted for principles that suggest the racism or xenophobia, misogyny, a bigotry, who's been vulgar time and time again. And the most recent attack on Judge Curiel, a racist, the approach is one which I think, seems to me I can't be part of that. I will not sign up for that. I don't want to be associated with that in any way, shape, or form.
BLITZER: So, what do you say to people like your vice presidential running mate Paul Ryan, who is very critical of Donald Trump by -- does not like any of the words he said about Judge Curiel, called it a text book definition for a racist comment but he still says he's going to support Donald trump?
ROMNEY: Well I don't argue with people who have come to a different conclusion. They're looking at the two candidates and deciding who they think is best to able to serve our country at this time. And I'm sure there are some things they'd like to change in whoever they're going to support. Every candidate has a problem or two or maybe more than that.
But for me, Mr. Trump's problems are such a dramatic nature, such a departure from the values of our country and my own personal values that I can't sign up to be a part of his campaign.
BLITZER: Are you disappointed Paul Ryan has endorsed him?
ROMNEY: I wish everybody in the Republican Party had rejected Mr. Trump and chosen someone else. But my choice is different from that of the other people and I'm sure that I can't argue with him about their choice. Their view is that Secretary Clinton would so dramatically change the nature of the Supreme Court that that represents a threat to our future. I understand that perspective. But I find that compelling but also the Donald Trump failure is also compelling.
BLITZER: He did tone down his rhetoric in that speech the other day, a rhetoric from the teleprompter. Reince Priebus, the Chairman of the Republican National Committee who's here this weekend with you, he called it a great victory speech and the right approach.
Trump says it's time to move on right now. Is that OK with you if he moves on and you forget about all the other stuff? I don't think you think it's a time to move on?
ROMNEY: Well, I can imagine that Mr. Trump would like to have people move on and forget what was said during the primary process and what's been said over the years.
But, we actually take the measure of an individual over their entire career and during the primary as well. And on that basis, we get a sense of the person's character and integrity, honesty, their values with regards to race and religion and gender.
And Mr. Trump has made that pretty clear through the campaign to this point. I'm absolutely convinced that Reince Priebus is right when he says that Mr. Trump will be able to read from the text and present a different image going forward. But that is not something which consistent with who he is as demonstrated by his past.
BLITZER: So you don't think he should get a pass if he stops talking about Judge Curiel?
ROMNEY: Well, everyone else could make their assessment but his -- he indicated what he believes in his heart about Mexicans and about race by the comments he made about Judge Curiel and he may try and distance himself from that today. But we know what he believes based on what he said.
And by the way he didn't just say it once. It wasn't a slip of the tongue which he went back and apologized for. First of all, he's repeated it time and time again. And secondly, he's never apologized for it.
So, he obviously sticks by what he believes.
BLITZER: What would he have to do to win your support?
[06:30:00] ROMNEY: Well, I don't think there's anything I'm looking for from Mr. Trump to give him my support. He has demonstrated who he is. And I've decided that a person of that nature should not be the one who, if you will, becomes the example for coming generations or the example of America to the world.
Look, I don't want to see trickle-down racism. I don't want to see a president of the United States saying things which change the character of the generations of Americans that are following. Presidents have an impact on the nature of our nation. And trickle- down racism, trickle-down bigotry, trickle down misogyny, all these things are extraordinarily dangerous to the heart and character of America.
And so I'm not looking for Mr. Trump to change a policy that more align was my own. This is not a matter of just policy. It is more after matter of character and integrity.
BLITZER: You think he is a racist?
ROMNEY: Oh, I think his comments time and again appeal to the racist tendency, that exist in some people and I think that's very dangerous.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: And if you want to see more of that interview, with former Governor Mitt Romney. You can go our website of course that's CNN.com
PAUL: Well, Hillary Clinton is responding to some criticism regarding one of our top donors. What she is saying now about a man whom he gave an intelligence role to at the state department after he donated $1 million to her foundation.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[06:35:08] BLACKWELL: 25 minutes to the top of the hour now. Good to have you this Saturday morning. I'm Victor Blackwell.
PAUL: And I'm Christi Paul. We are following breaking news this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRISTINA GRIMMIE, FORMER CONTESTANT ON "THE VOICE": I came in like a wrecking ball. I never hit so hard in love. All I wanted was to break your walls.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL: Just 22 years old, the former contestant on "the voice." Christina Grimmie, shot and killed after a concert in Orlando last night. Police said the suspect fired at the singer while she was signing autographs after that show.
BLACKWELL: Adam Levine, her coach on season six of "The Voice" posted this picture on Instagram and this, "I'm sad, shocked and confused. We love you so much, Grimmie." Police say the suspect killed himself after the shooting. Grimmie a few hours later at the hospital. Christina Grimmie was just 22 years old.
PAUL: Well, the Clinton campaign is explaining today why a big donor got top security clearance inside the state department. The controversy surrounds a stock trader named Raj Fernando. Despite having no diplomatic experience, no background in international affairs, he was appointed to the State Department's International Security Advisory Board. His main qualification appears to post appears who have been some say donating at least $1 million to the Clinton foundation.
Maria Cardona joining us now, she's a CNN political commentator and Hillary Clinton supporter. Maria, so good to see you this morning.
MARIA CARDONA, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Good Morning Christina.
PAUL: Good morning. You know, a lot of people are saying, look, this guy was granted top security, secret security clearance. He had access to highly sensitive information. He is a Chicago security's trainer. What qualified him?
CARDONA: Well, my understanding is that this is a board that seeks to have a balanced point of view from people with diverse backgrounds. And my understanding is that he had a background in international business, international finance and implementing sophisticated risk management tools and that he was interested and very focused on all of these issues.
And look, the vetting for these kinds of board positions is vast. And it is tough. And so he had to go through that security vetting. And if he got top security clearance, it's because he had the qualifications to obtain it.
Now, I don't really know anything other than that. But I will tell you this. If this is what the focus of the opposition of Donald Trump and the Republican campaign is going to be in terms of their criticism of Hillary Clinton versus their complete implosion this week in terms of what Donald Trump represents as the standard bearer for the Republican Party, then they are in a worst position than we all ever thought.
PAUL: Well, but it's not just them. I mean, we have state department staff who characterized it back in 2011 as an awkward selection for the group and it came up when network reporter started asking questions about it back then during her tenure as secretary of state.
It makes a lot of people wondered, does this amplify the argument that Secretary Clinton is exchanging donations for access or influence or does it help certainly?
CARDONA: Well, again that is certainly something that the Republicans will glom onto. They have no other argument to make for their completely embarrassing standard bearer.
PAUL: But back in 2011, people were asking about this, again, during her tenure?
CARDONA: Sure. And this will all be talked about, right in the next couple of days. That will be something that will be part of the discussion. And so we will hear what the reasons were for this person being put on the list.
But again as I understand it, he had an extensive background in international business and international finance. Those kinds of different points of view are welcome in these kinds of boards. And so again, you know, I will underscore that if this is one of the things that the Republicans are going to go after Hillary Clinton on. It doesn't surprise me one bit. Because they don't have any other argument to make to the American people and they will try to use anything and everything including the kitchen sink to try to go after Hillary Clinton when their standard bearer is so embarrassing. When their standard bearer has nothing to add and to offer other than divisive rhetoric and when we look at his history, he will do nothing but divide, degrade and defraud the American people.
PAUL: Well, I do want to at least get the Clinton prospective in here because the campaign did release a response. They said Fernando had experience as you said with other organization that is deal with foreign affairs and as to the state department.
[06:40:05] They and I want to quote this here "This was an unpaid advisory board, and one of several foreign policy-focused organizations that he was involved with. As the State Department itself has said, the ISAB charter calls for," as you said "a diverse set of experiences for ti's members. That's all there is to it."
However, when you look at the other members retired general, the formal chairman of nuclear regulatory commission, high-ranking national security experts and then this man, a Chicago security trainer, is this statement that the campaign has release enough do you think to quell the questions?
CARDONA: Well, we'll right? We'll see in the next couple of days. But as you pointed out, everybody else on this board has vast experience in the kind of background this board is supposed to deal with in terms of the issues.
And so again, the best boards and frankly the best organizations in this country come about when they have representation from a vast array of different backgrounds. And so, an international business background, I think would be something that would be an additional background, an additional point of view that would be looked at as a plus on this kind of board.
And so, there is nothing untoward here. And I go back to what I said before. If this is going to be one of the things that they throw at Hillary Clinton, because they have absolutely nothing else to compete against her on, in the battlefield of ideas, then I think Hillary Clinton is going to continue to be the choice for the American people in terms of who is going to be the person that's fighting for you and looking for solutions in bringing the country together versus Donald Trump who all he wants to do is divide us with dangerous rhetoric.
PAUL: All right, there's no doubt, the Republicans do have a lot to say about this Maria Cardona, I know you are sticking around with us as -- we continue this conversation with the other side as well. Thank you though so much for being here. Always good to see you.
CARDONA: Thank you Christi.
PAUL: Sure.
BLACKWELL: Some newly obtained court documents are now adding to this national outrage surrounding the Stanford rape case. We've got some new details on the night that Brock Turner attacked his victim behind the trash bin. His history of aggressive behavior, his drug and alcohol abuse as well.
Stay with us for those details new detail.
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[06:45:54] BLACKWELL: Well, outrage from the light sentence or over the light sentence I should say handed down to a former Stanford University student convicted of sexually assaulting a woman behind a dumpster is now being fueled by newly obtained court documents.
And those documents shed new light on Brock Turner's attack, and have apparent history of alcohol and drug abuse and sexually aggressive behavior. Turner was convicted on three felony counts of sexually assaulting unconscious woman that was behind a trash bin. And he was sentenced to only six months. He could be out in three.
PAUL: In a court documents a sentencing memo shows turner initially became aggressive with his victim's sister after she rejected him twice. Turner went after the victim when she was, "alone and inebriated." Those are exact verbiage there.
Prosecutors say he lied to his probation officer about smoking marijuana and using other drugs. He claimed he was an "inexperienced drinker and partygoer." Where he was arrested in 2014 for having a fake I.D. and walking on campus drinking beer, he was under 21 at the time.
Investigators also found evidence of excessive drinking and using drug on his cellphone, including this picture of him holding what appears to be a bong. Text messages also indicate that Turner used drugs in high school and included references to acid.
Defense Attorney Kisha Hebbon helping us understand these documents and what it could mean surrounding this case.
So, thank you so much, Kisha, for being here. In light of all this new information that's coming out. A lot of people say turner lied, about what happened that night, about past drug and alcohol abuse. Is there a chance -- a lot of people are wondering that prosecutors did not know this information during the trial and could it change the outcome in any.
KISHA HEBBON, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Well Christi, normally when an attorney is arguing that a judge abused his or her discretion, it is the defense attorney arguing that the judge imposed a sentence that is too harsh.
But here we have a judge that imposed a ridiculously lenient sentence and that information just discussed with those documents, that's all in the pre-sentencing investigation report. And the purpose for that investigation report is to let the judge know a little bit about the defense. And that information is supposed to be used in imposing the sentence. So with knowing that this defendant lied, that he did have experience with narcotics and that he did have aggressive behavior to someone else prior to committing a sexual assault, the judge should have seen those things as aggravating factors instead of mitigating factors where he imposed this lenient sentence.
PAUL: So you're saying that onus still lands on the judge here at the end of the day?
HEBBON: Absolutely. And I'm sure the prosecutor knew and I now I've really think the prosecutors are going to appeal this. Like I said, normally, it is the defense attorney that's appealing a conviction or sentence. But here, the judge clearly abused his discretion. And if that information was in the pre-sentence investigation report, the prosecutor knew it, the defense attorney knew it. And obviously the judge knew it but didn't care about it.
PAUL: What about double jeopardy? I mean, if the prosecutor appeals, what does it mean at the end of the day for this defendant or (inaudible), you know, sexual assault.
HEBBON: Right. Well, with an appeal, the appellate division basically looks at the ruling or the decision of the trial court below. And in this case, the prosecutor is going to argue that the trial court abused his discretion. And therefore, the sentence should be -- but the defendant should go back for resentencing looking at the mitigating and aggravating factors and that the sentence should be more. And in this case ...
PAUL: How often does that happen?
HEBBON: It happens a lot. Normally it's the defense. But occasionally once there is an injustice and you have an outrage with the community like we have in this case, the prosecutor has no other choice but to file an appeal and a lot of times it is send back for resentencing specially ...
PAUL: In your legal opinion, base on what you see in this. Do you think it is plausible that could happen?
HEBBON: Absolutely, absolutely. There is no, I can't understand. There is a minimum a mandatory minimum on this conviction in the state for two years. So the judge departed all the way down to six months. There is no explanation for that. And I definitely feel that if this goes to appeal that fellow division going to send it back for resentencing.
[06:50:10] PAUL: All right. Kisha Hebbon we appreciate your expertise. Thank you for being with us this morning.
HEBBON: Thank you for having me.
BLACKWELL: All right. Up next, we are looking at the NBA Finals. Andy Scholes with us this morning. And, you know, at least this wasn't a huge blowout.
ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS: That's right Victor and, you know what? Tempers flaring at the end of game four last night. Coming up, I'll show you why the Warriors may be without one of their star players for the next game.
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BLACKWELL: Well, the Golden State Warriors are now just one win away from their second straight NBA title.
PAUL: Andy Scholes is here. That's all I have to say.
BLACKWELL: I know you are hurting. I know.
SCHOLES: You know what, guys, you watch those first three games. They were blowouts. At least last night we got a really good game. And Steph Curry for the first time this series really came alive for the Warriors. You know game four in Cleveland once again last. And I got to show you this first. It really started really cool tradition at the Q. The fans sing the national anthem before the game. Take a listen.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.
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SCHOLES: The entire crowd singing. That's how you get everyone pumped up for a great game.
Now, for the first time this series, like I said, finally had a close one down the stretch. But it was Curry and the Warriors making all the big plays when it mattered most. Curry finally breaking out that low point. It's 38 points in this one. The Warriors set NBA Finals record hitting 17 threes in the game. They pull away in the final minute to win by 11. Cleveland's hope for this first title in more than 50 years, not looking very good. No team has ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals.
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[06:55:09] LEBRON JAMES, CAVALIERS FORWARD: You know, we go out there and play better -- obviously better than we played tonight, much better than even we played in game three. But we got to get one.
STEPHEN CURRY, WARRIOR GUARD: It's going to be our biggest game of the year obviously. So, this is a great opportunity for us. And we need to play with a sense of urgency in the sense of aggression like we did tonight. So, it will be a fun 48 hours to wrap our minds around the opportunity we have in front of us.
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SCHOLES: Draymond Green has been involved in multiple dust-ups during the playoff. And last night, he got into it with LeBron. Check this out. This is play where it all happened. Green is going to go down to the floor right here and watch when he gets up. He swings at LeBron's net they are regions. And as you can imagine LeBron, not very happy about this, had some words with Green. Now, Green is one flagrant foul away from being suspended for a game.
Now the reps did not give him a flagrant foul during the game guys. But the NBA can look at this and assess him a flagrant foul retroactively. And if that happens, Green would be out for game five Monday night. And that would be the Cavs slimmer of hope if may be Draymond Green misses game five. Maybe that's the way they can be back in the series.
PAUL: A flagrant foul five times fast ...
BLACKWELL: Ask if it ...
SCHOLES: A flagrant foul ...
BLACKWELL: I think if something deserve one, you know, that might be it.
SCHOLES: He's already done it. This is the second time he has done this in the playoff.
PAUL: That's the delicate area.
SCHOLES: The first time he kicks Steven Adam of the Thunder and that was a little more violent.
BLACKWELL: All right.
PAUL: All right. Thank you Andy very much. And good morning to you.
BLACKWELL: Yeah. Hey, at the top of the hour, we're going to push forward on this breaking news we have been following all morning.
An up and coming pop star gunned down after a concert in Florida. But police are saying about the investigation now into the death of former "The Voice" contestant Christina Grimmie.
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