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Ending 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'; Buffalo Plane Crash Report; Comfort for Haiti

Aired June 25, 2015 - 07:30   ET

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


MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN HOST: All right. A lot of political discussions today. We'll go to inside politics with Mr. John King on this -- wow, it's Friday eve. Just like party (ph), John.

JOHN KING, CNN HOST, INSIDE POLITICS: Friday eve. I woke up yesterday thinking it was Thursday, but today is actually Thursday.

PEREIRA: It is actually Thursday today.

KING: So today we have adjusted to Friday eve. That's what we'll call it, Michaela and thank you.

And you're right. It's a very busy day to go inside politics. So let's get there with me this morning to show the reporting and our insights. Please learn (ph) the associated press that will keep the Washington post.

Donald Trump says - we, we're all members of the mainstream media we owe him an apology. And a statement was issued last night. Donald Trump says this, "I'm personally offended by the mainstream media's attempt to distort my comments regarding Mexico and its great people." That's what the Donald Trump says, right? So he says we have distorted his comments about Mexico and its great people.

To borrow a phrase, "We report, you decide."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: They are bringing drugs. They are bringing crime. They are rapists and some, I assume, are good people.

But I speak to border guards and they tell us what we're getting. And it only makes common sense. It only makes common sense. They're sending us not the right people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: I'm not sure what we -- what we distorted, him saying that they are bringing drugs, they are bringing crime, they are rapists. Some, I assume, are good people.

You had noted in the way in and we found the video. Thanks to your tip. This is obviously hurting his business interests in Mexico and they are now selling pinatas of the Donald -- a very lifelike look. The artist here should be applauded. I'm sorry, i don't think we owe

him an apology.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, no, I don't think we do either.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Look, he's trying to have it both ways. He's trying to be cute by saying, "I didn't mean Mexicans. I meant Mexican in-revenge (ph)."

What this reality TV star news (ph) to realize that you run for presidency, your words matter a lot more than what they do at eight seven Central on Sunday nights when you're starring in a reality show.

The longer he's in this, the bigger problem it becomes for the Republicans. If you watch the Spanish language coverage of this, it has been devastating, not only for him but for the GOP in general.

And if you are anyone else who is running in this race right now, you want him gone as quickly as possible. It is astounding that he thinks now that he can somehow find a way to reverse this and that they will take him seriously.

KING: To borrow another great phase, "We can always say, let's go to the videotape." But when this happens when he says these things.

But at the moment at the edge point, we say, "Let's look at the Fox News poll out this morning." And National Fox News poll out, Jeb Bush, 15 then Donald Trump at 11 percent. But Dr. Carson at 10. Then you have Scott Walker, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio down to Rick Santorum.

We go down to Rick Santorum because the top ten in an average of the national makes the first debate which is on Fox News. The cutoff for that is not until August 4th.

But at the moment, the Donald is at 11 percent. And like him or not -- support him or not, he will a factor in the debates because he is a reality TV

star. He's a showman.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That is exactly right. And that makes some of the Republican party nervous such as Sam (ph) William (ph) as he's going to be saying that they don't want that.

You know, these statements have put them in a difficult position. But I also think it could provide a moment of leadership for a candidate who's willing to stand up and say, "No, I don't agree with this."

You know, you could see on the debate stage, "Mr. Trump, you're wrong." I also think what those numbers tell us is that as much as there is this instinct to dismiss him as a reality TV show.

Besides show, he does have a following. There's isn't element. The Republican party is xenophobic that wants to hear this sort of thing. KING: In addition to that, Trump Carson two three not politicians.

People have -- people think the politicians - they just read the talking points. They're poll tested. Everything's focus group.

You got two guys who are not politicians -- who are different. I think some voters are looking for just something outside of the normal base (ph). Some other numbers in that poll though back to the point was that Donald Trump has staying power.

This is all voters not Republicans. 77 percent of Americans think he's a sideshow, not a serious candidate.

I'd like to talk to the 18 percent. And is he honest -- is he honest and trustworthy? 30 percent say yes. 64 percent say no.

So it's clearly, he does have some underlying image issues that will come to the floor. But at the moment, he's been somewhat popular.

Let's move on to a two-term governor who jumped into the race yesterday, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana. When he was in the House of Representatives, he was a rising star in the Republican party -- big policy guy for conservatives in the house. He's been the governor of Louisiana for two terms.

But he's been running around the country for the last two years doing everything you have to do to run for president but getting zero traction so far.

In this announcement speech, he took issue with President Obama and then specifically Hillary Clinton saying they want to divide Americans.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BOBBY JINDAL, U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm sick and tired of people dividing Americans. And i am done with all this talk about hyphenated Americans.

We are not Indian-Americans, African-Americans, Irish-Americans, rich Americans or poor Americans. We are all Americans.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Why is he a blip?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I mean, it's an amazing story -- the Bobby Jindal story. He was a rising story in the Democrat -- the Republican party until his ill-fated 2009 state of the union response. Since then, he's had a lot of trouble getting traction.

And it just goes to show you how quickly fortunes can change in politics. And I think that's something that's weighing heavily on the mind of a lot of Republicans.

[00:07:35]

They look at this field. They see it is wide open. They don't want to miss their shot and those numbers include Bobby Jindal apparently.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think he would be if he was willing to be a hyphenated American. I think there's something really interesting about the fact that he refuses to embrace his Indian-American culture.

And I think if he were to, in this day and age, given what the GOP is trying to do, he could be a rock star.

KING: It may help him because of their need to diversify.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. I think it's kind of surreal that he refuses to acknowledge that.

KING: That's an interesting point that in some conversations, we don't think the votes are there. But with some conversations with Paul (ph) Charleston (ph), would there be a reconsideration of background checks here in Washington? It looks like the votes aren't there.

Will there be new discussions about gun laws around the country? Doubt in most states.

In Wisconsin yesterday, Scott Walker, the Republican governor and he can but he has not officially announced yet for presidency though, did something that might surprise you. He signed the law that actually relaxes gun control law. There was a 48-hour waiting period background check in Wisconsin.

That's one of the things Scott Walker signed away. He says this event was scheduled before Charleston and it was. It was on the books to sign this legislation and he says to cancel it or delay it. It would have sent the wrong signal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCOTT WALKER, U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: If we pulled back on this, I think it would have given people the erroneous opinion that what we signed into law today had anything to do with what happened in Charleston.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Not afraid to standout on this issue, obviously. And a lot of Republicans think if you look at the national map, not Manhattan or Washington, D.C., that they are in a safe position on this.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, I think the focus on the Confederate flag shows how little traction there is on guns. I mean people wanted to see a response when there's some point (ph) there's this kind of a tragedy.

Republicans recognize that that's going to happen with the flag and that's not going to happen with guns.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And both of the bills are on the NRA wish list. Specifically, they want to allow and retire enough to the officers to carry guns in the schools. That was the proposal came out of the Sandy Hook shooting.

He's been working on it for a while. It will only give him an A-plus - plus-A rating at this point. I'm - you know, it was just odd timing I guess on this case.

KING: Odd timing but conservatives applauding him. They say it at a time when the left is demanding gun control in one blog this morning that he's willing to give the middle finger that was said to the left at the moment.

So Scott Walker's getting some positive buzz in the conservative press about this. Let's see how it impacts the campaign and analysis.

I'll get back to you, you know, South Carolina. You invite somebody into your house. You're serving them food. You're asking them, "Hey, come in, have a few free drinks." The last thing you expect is to get heckled, right?

Have we seen President Obama and his predecessors get heckled in public? Free speech is one of our great gifts so it comes with the territory, if you will. But look at the president yesterday. Because he's at home in his house, he gets a tad annoyed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(OFF-MIKE)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Hold on a second.

(OFF-MIKE)

OBAMA: OK. You know what?

(OFF-MIKE)

OBAMA: No, no, no, no, no, no.

(OFF-MIKE)

OBAMA: Listen, you're in my house.

(OFF-MIKE)

OBAMA: No -- shame on you. You shouldn't be doing this.

As a general rule, I am just fine with a few hecklers. But not when I'm up in the house.

Because, you know, my attitude is, if you're eating the hors d'oeuvres, you know what I'm saying? OK. And drinking the booze. I know that's right.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KING: The Secret Service, not the vice president, for the record, did escort the heckler off the premises, Alisyn.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN HOST: Being a vice president, he looked to be amused by what the president was saying there. All right, John, thank you so much for showing us that.

Yes. I can see that. All right. See you tomorrow, John.

So I am here in Columbia, South Carolina where there are lots of opinions on the Confederate flag in the wake of the Charleston massacre.

Next, we will speak to the longest currently serving South Carolina lawmaker who is also the great grandson of a Confederate soldier. What does he think should happen to the flag?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:07:40]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CAMEROTA: The confederate flag still flies here at the state capitol building in Columbia, South Carolina. The talk though (ph) here is that there's a sign.

A man is holding saying, "Honk if you want to bring it down." Supporters though upkeeping (ph) it here say that it's about Southern heritage and our next guest knows all about that proud heritage.

Brady Brown, the South Carolina's state representative -- the longest currently serving. His great grandfather was a Confederate soldier who rejoined the union after the civil war. Great to have you here, Representative.

BRADY BROWN, SOUTH CAROLINA'S STATE REPRESENTATIVE: Good morning, Alisyn and good to have you in South Carolina.

CAMEROTA: Thank you. It's great to be here.

You told me to call you Brady, so I will do that. Your great grandfather was a Confederate soldier.

So how do you feel about this flag? Is it a symbol of -- is it a proud symbol or a hateful symbol?

BROWN: Do i have heritage? Yes.

My mother loved -- she left all of her Confederate memorabilia which was left to her by her granddaddy whose name was Thomas P. Evans. He joined the army at age 16, stayed until he was 20.

In fact, it is just ironic. June 23rd, the day before yesterday would have been 150 years or was 150 years that he took the pledge to support the union signed by a union army general in Kershaw Township in Kansas, South Carolina. CAMEROTA: And in fact, you brought that very document because you

were proud that he signed that pledge to join the union. You brought it to the statehouse yesterday. Why was that important to you?

BROWN: Well, with all the heritage and the love of my mom and what she stood for and what she believed in, I know that she would have me. I know that she would have me segrate (ph) it. The right thing to do is to take the flag down.

CAMEROTA: The right thing to do is to take it down. You and your mother would feel the same way.

And why? What do you say to people who say that their ancestors died fighting for the Confederacy and they believe that it represents a proud heritage for them?

BROWN: Ask Senator Clementa. I think he's with the national page with you. I know that this state will heal.

[00: 07:45]

We spoke about some hospitality and I love when (INAUDIBLE) heal. This can begin a process of healing for a lot of people. And i just know it's the best thing to do. And in the long term, it will be great for our state.

CAMEROTA: Governor Nikki Haley said that she also believes it's time to bring the flag down. You would like to see her do so tomorrow for the funeral of Sandra (ph) Pinky (ph).

BROWN:I think it would be most fruitful (ph).

CAMEROTA: She thought she doesn't have the legal authorities, sir (ph). We also sent out a tweet yesterday saying that she weren't supposed (ph) herself involved.

BROWN: It does need to be cleaned.

CAMEROTA: We have heard a lot of people say it is time to clean this flag. And the reason you say that is there's a legal loophole that it can come down for cleaning.

BROWN: I also heard two former governors say that -- two former governors also say that on your show.

CAMEROTA: That's right. So you believe that tomorrow she should exercise that legal loophole.

BROWN: If i were her, I would -- if I were a governor.

CAMEROTA: Wasn't the scene here yesterday just remarkable?

BROWN: It was just -- the outpouring of love, compassion, caring for one another was just unreal (ph). I was touched.

I was here when the body was around the case in the system. I'm happy -- I'm happy to have been here under the circumstances. I'll never forget it. I'll be able to tell my grandchildren about it, hopefully.

CAMEROTA: And what I saw was black, white, old, young, people came dressed as though they were dressed for church. It was 100 degrees here yesterday as they stood outside in this line for an hour.

BROWN: The perception of a lot people about South Carolina is wrong. We're a loving state. We're a forgiving state.

Our South Carolina hospitality out of Southern Haribeach (ph), we have warm, wonderful people here.

CAMEROTA: I saw that on full display yesterday and no one was talking about the flag. Is it possible we're too focused and lawmakers are too focused on that one symbol and not the underlying roots of what went wrong here?

BROWN: Well, the lawmakers who are -- who are adamant about giving it up is basically constituent-base that wants them to do that. My constituent-base is mixed. But again, I realized it and I think for the good of this state and for the people that it's time that we all -- that we put it in a place of honor -- a museum.

CAMEROTA: Thank you so much for being on "New Day."

BROWN: Thank you. My pleasure to be here with you.

CAMEROTA: Thank you and as mine as well. And we will see what happens.

(CROSSTALK)

BROWN: Have a great day. God bless you.

CAMEROTA: You, too, Brady. Thanks so much.

What's your take on all these? Please tweet us using the hastag #newdaycnn or post your comment on facebook.com/newday. I'd love to read your thoughts on the flag and everything else.

OK. Back to you, Michaela.

PEREIRA: OK, Ali. Great conversation there.

Well, tonight CNN is taking a trip back to the '70's. Do you remember this iconic and powerful image from Vietnam -- the young girl burned, screaming from a napalm attack? Where is she now?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:07:50]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN. PEREIRA: Tonight's episode of the CNN special series, "The Seventies"

looks at America's long national nightmare. The Vietnam war as it finally comes to an end.

We learned the story behind this iconic photo of a little Vietnamese girl running from a napalm attack, her arms outstretched screaming in pain. Where is she now?

(START VIDEOTAPE)

PHAN THI KIM PHUC: My name is Phan Thi Kim Phuc and I am the girl in the picture in the Vietnam war in 1972. I'm really blessed to be alive.

TEXT: At the age of nine, half of Kim Phuc's body was severely burned during a South Vietnamese bombing. This picture of her was taken after the attack. It quickly became an iconic image of the Vietnam war.

PHUC: I look at that picture. I just wish and I dream it the whole of my life I never see another child suffer like that.

TEXT: Kim Phuc's life threatening injuries required many surgeries.

PHUC: I still have the pain. I still have the scars. I still have the memory but my heart is healed.

TEXT: In 1992, Kim Phuc was granted political asylum in Canada.

PHUC: I'm so happy to be here in Canada as my second home. I'm living in Toronto Area with my wonderful husband. I have two boys.

My parents are living with me too. And I have my niece, Danielle (ph). This is the daughter of my younger brother here in the picture. I sponsor her to Canada to study.

And what I'm doing right now, I have a foundation. It's the -- my Kim Phuc Foundation International. Our mission that we just focus in helping the children who are victims of war -- who are under privileged.

I realized that if I couldn't escape that picture, I wanted to go back to work with that picture for peace. And that is my choice.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PEREIRA: And she still has joy through all of that. What a remarkable, remarkable woman. You can catch the CNN original series, "The Seventies" that airs tonight at 9:00 right here on CNN. It's a must-see.

TEXT: CNN Original Presents "The Seventies" Peace with Honor, tonight 9 PM.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN HOST: So we have the headline for you out of manhunt -- a second prison worker arrested in connection with the escape of those two fugitives. But the question is, is he a victim as well? We'll tell you why.

[00:07:55]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(START VIDEOTAPE)

BROWN: When Corrections Officer Gene Palmer is now the focus of a lot of key questions facing several serious charges including promoting dangerous contrabands. Palmer did not know what was inside the package destroying evidence and official misconduct.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a violation of security policies.

PEREIRA: The Boston bomber speaks.

UNINDENTIFIED FEMALE: He said, "I am sorry for the lives I have taken, the suffering I have caused and the damage i have done."

UNINDENTIFIED FEMALE: I regret having ever wanted to hear him speak because what he said showed no remorse.

BROWN: The Confederate flag is coming down in more southern states.

UNINDENTIFIED MALE: The future of the Confederate flag shadows the mourning in South Carolina.

UNINDENTIFIED MALE: Stopping this tragedy in this country, they should have happened a long ago (ph).

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CNN ANNOUNCER: This is "New Day" with Chris Cuomo, Alisyn Camerota and Michaela Pereira.

CUOMO: Good morning. Welcome to your "New Day". It is Thursday, June 25th at 8:00 in the East.

There's Alisyn in Columbia, South Carolina. Of course, following these growing calls are to remove the Confederate flag.