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"The Hunt" Fugitive Captured; U.S., Russian Militaries to Coordinate in Fight Against ISIS; Could Bush Lose Donors if His Poll Numbers Keep Slipping? Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired September 29, 2015 - 06:30   ET

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


[06:30:00] ERROL LOUIS, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: We're going to blow the first chance to talk to 20 million people, we'll come in at some later time because that will somehow be better for us, I can't see how.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Errol, Sara, thanks so much for being with us. Really appreciate it. I hope your taxes get cut no matter who is elected president.

What is your take on this? Tweet us using #NewDayCNN, or post your comment on Facebook.com/NewDay.

And, of course, mark your calendar, CNN and Facebook host the first Democratic debate two weeks from tonight, October 13th. Will Joe Biden be there? He has until 8:59 p.m. Eastern to choose. The debate starts at 9:00 p.m. Do not miss it.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Where is that again, John Berman?

BERMAN: Las Vegas, Nevada.

PEREIRA: You'll do anything to get to Vegas, won't you? My goodness.

All right. This is quite a story.

A fugitive for 25 years, wanted for attacking women and keeping them imprisoned in a house of horrors, he has been arrested. Police say they couldn't have done it without the help of CNN's "THE HUNT WITH JOHN WALSH".

We'll give you details ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:35:00] PEREIRA: The U.S. and Russian militaries will coordinate to avoid fighting one another in the battle against ISIS. That comes after a 90-minute sit-down between President Obama and Vladimir Putin at the United Nations. There's little agreement on the future of Syria where Putin tries to build support for the Assad government. President Obama will host a summit today on countering extremism among young people.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: We do have some breaking news overnight: U.S. forces launching an airstrike against the Taliban in northern Afghanistan. The offensive comes one day after Taliban fighters seized control of the city of Kunduz in a surprise, predawn attack. Afghan security forces launching an offensive to try to retake the city this morning amid reports the Taliban fighters are using human shields to thwart them.

BERMAN: Typhoon Dujuan punishing Taiwan with 150 mile-an-hour winds and more than 2 feet of rain. Two people have been killed with hundreds injured and hundreds of thousands without water or power. Six people are still missing this morning.

Bon Jovi was forced to cancel two concerts there. This would have been the band's first performance there in over 20 years.

PEREIRA: A fugitive on the run for nearly 25 years featured on CNN's "THE HUNT WITH JOHN WALSH" captured in Mexico. Paul Jackson is accused of kidnapping and raping women, locking them in a house of torture in Oregon.

CNN's Boris Sanchez joins us with more.

They got another one of the bad guys off the street.

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Another win for John Walsh. At least the fifth fugitive captured with assistance by "THE HUNT." Paul Jackson had been on the run since 1991. He fled shortly after being put out on bond. He and his brother Vance were arrested but they both got away before going on trial. Vance turned himself in in 2005, facing 108-year sentence, he still didn't give up any information as to his brother's whereabouts.

But thanks to a tip given by a viewer of "THE HUNT," authorities were able to track down Paul Jackson in Guadalajara, Mexico. He was arrested as he was walking to work at an electronics store there.

John Walsh was on CNN last night. He brought up a very good point.

During the initial investigation in the early '90s, officers discovered dozens of photos of women that they believe these brothers assaulted and raped, but not all of the women were tracked down, not all of them were identified, leading to speculation that these brothers could be capable of worse than they're already accused of.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN WALSH, THE HUNT (via telephone): Not only would grab these girls and brutalize them, but they took pictures to humiliate them and threaten them. They found out that there were multiple victims and no one's really going to know how many of these girls that they grabbed, and the real question is how many of them didn't make it out of there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Paul Jackson is expected to be extradited back to the United States where several of the women that he's accused of attacking are likely to testify against him.

CAMEROTA: Oh, my gosh. It works, Boris. I mean, it just works to have millions of eyeballs on the subject. Thanks so much for that.

All right. Well, Russian President Putin giving strong support for Syria's president during his U.N. speech yesterday, also moving tanks and ammunition into Syria. What's behind all of this? A top military expert joins us, next.

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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[06:42:18] BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The United States is prepared to work with any nation, including Russia and Iran to resolve the conflict.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PEREIRA: That was President Obama suggesting that he is open to working with Russia and Iran to resolve the conflict in Syria. So far, the U.S. and Russia, they don't see eye to eye on how to end the fighting there. Russia is moving military assets into Syria and has voiced support for the Assad regime.

What is their end game?

I want to turn to Lieutenant General Mark Hertling, a CNN military analyst and retired army former commanding general of Europe and the Seventh Army. Always a good voice to add to our conversations on these types of matters.

Good to talk to you.

So, this long awaited meeting, the two meet face to face, Obama and Putin. They have competing visions on how to end the situation in Syria. While they might agree on the political resolution, they don't agree on the outcome which essentially has Russia on the side of Assad staying in power.

Talk to us about the challenge here. If there's no breakthrough, no clear breakthrough, there's really no indication on how to move forward, is there?

LT. GEN. MARK HERTLING (RET), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: That's exactly right, Michaela. And it's critically important to understand that Mr. Putin is backing Mr. Assad for a variety of reasons. He has bases there. He sees them as one of his powers in the Middle East. He sees the potential for continued influence in this area. So, you're going to see a continued effort to back Assad.

Now, the president moved a little bit yesterday which was interesting, basically saying we might look at other solutions and Russia and Iran might help. Both of those are critically important aspects of this undertaking.

PEREIRA: Might look at other solutions. Let's talk about any potential room -- for wiggle room, if you will. Do you see there's any type of scenario where the U.S. might agree, even reluctantly to keep Assad in power?

HERTLING: I do with the potential, that's certainly the status quo that was in existence before this event, but perhaps a power sharing element with the individuals who are looking for more independence within Syria as part of the so-called backlash of the Arab spring.

So, you're going to see, maybe, issues of can Assad stay in power by sharing power with others? A more representative government to bring an end to the civil war.

What's been interesting, though, there's a contention that ISIS has caused all the problems in Syria. The United States doesn't believe that. It believes that Mr. Assad has caused most of the problems in Syria and caused ISIS as well.

PEREIRA: Well, another topic of discussion obviously between the presidents of Russia and America, was Ukraine. It's the first meeting since the Russian incursion into Crimea.

[06:45:00] What leverage does the U.S. have in that region given the fact they need Russia in terms of this big pressing issue of Syria. It really makes you question that.

HERTLING: Yes, not much, Michaela. That's what's been interesting, because you're seeing a shift and perhaps a sleight of hand by Russia, taking the attention off of Ukraine. They've done some things over the last several months in western Ukraine that has established their positions there. They're building more military bases with eastern Russia along the border with Ukraine to reinforce that.

So, these are the kind of things I think Russia is really saying, hey, look over here towards Syria and forget about what we're doing in Ukraine. There's still a lot of issues to be resolved in Ukraine, especially the violation of the Minsk accords, which has been repeated over the last winter and summer.

PEREIRA: General, let me pivot to today's news that we're seeing out of Afghanistan. We know the Taliban taking Kunduz, a city there in Afghanistan, a province by the same name. There's been a lot of discussion about the U.S. troop drawdown. Should that even be a topic of discussion when you see what is going on? We've even seen other attacks in the last few months from the Taliban and other rebel forces in the area. The Taliban is continuing somewhat unfettered, given this security vacuum in Afghanistan.

HERTLING: Yes, there has been indications of these kind of movements in the northeastern provinces for many months, Michaela. General Campbell, the commander in Afghanistan comes back in just a few weeks to testify to Congress as to what happens next. Should we continue the drawdown as it currently is scheduled?

I think this is going to certainly influence this. You also have to remember this is about the one-year anniversary of President Ghani. So, he's under pressure to provide more security in all of his provinces.

We've seen U.S. aircraft supporting the Afghan government and the Afghan security forces because they can't do it alone just yet. You'll see U.S. special operating forces supporting the commandos in Afghanistan as they attempt to reinforce Kunduz. The important thing to understand is, Kunduz hasn't been overtaken by the Taliban. They are in and out of there. But it's a visual that the Afghan government and the U.S. government can't afford right now.

PEREIRA: No. It certainly got at tension of leaders and of the media as well.

Lieutenant General Mark Hertling, always a pleasure to have your mind on those matter, thanks so much for joining us.

HERTLING: Thank you, Michaela.

PEREIRA: John?

BERMAN: All right. Thanks, Michaela.

Is Jeb Bush facing a critical point in his presidential campaign? Big financial backers, getting nervous? Might they abandon the former Florida governor? We're going to ask one of his biggest donors, next.

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[06:52:07] BERMAN: A stark warning to Jeb Bush from top donors, turn your poll numbers around or else. And by else "The Washington Post" reports that these donors mean look elsewhere or in other words, flee.

Here this morning to discuss the implications, Francis Rooney, former U.S. ambassador to the Holy See under George W. Bush. He's now the co-chair of Catholics for Jeb and a long-time political donor and fund-raiser.

Ambassador, thank you so much for being with us.

"The Washington Post" reports that fund-raisers and donors are getting nervous about Jeb. They're saying turn your poll numbers around or we might defect. What do you think these donors are nervous about?

FRANCIS ROONEY, CO-CHAIR, "CATHOLICS FOR JEB": Well, I don't know that that's really the case. I haven't had any of my donors exercise any concern whatsoever. I think most people are a little bit dismayed about the mood in the country reflected in the current polls. But we're in the early innings of a long game here, and I hope that over time people realize what we're trying to accomplish is elect leader of our country, not political posturing and demagoguery, which is easy, instead of electing someone like Governor Bush that can exercise sound leadership and has the record to show he can do that.

BERMAN: You say donors are dismayed by the mood in the polls. What about the polls themselves? Because in the latest poll NBC News/"Wall Street Journal," Jeb Bush is down at 7 percent, fifth place, and what might be a bigger concern is the trajectory here. In July, he was at 14 percent.

You know, Jeb Bush likes to say this is a long race, that he's the joyful tortoise. But right now, he's a tortoise sprinting downward.

ROONEY: Well, yes. The polls are saying something.

But if you look at back at previous elections, there have been all kinds of people who have polled well, not polled well, come and gone and move around. And at the end of the day, this is a long, long game, and we're in the early innings. I believe the governor is the only person that has the staying power and sound judgment to be the leader of our country and accomplish what we need done in light of what's happened on the last seven years.

Hopefully, overtime, people are going to hear what he has to say, look at his tax plan, compared to the somewhat irresponsible one that's being talked about this morning, and realize he's the guy that can help put our country back, as the pope for last week, in the position of leadership in the world again.

BERMAN: Hopefully over time. Those are the words you just used. But the fact is, at least according to the polls, they're not seeing it right now. They're looking at four other people before they look at Jeb Bush.

What's the problem in breaking through? Is the campaign itself doing something wrong? Could they be doing something better? Or is it the candidate?

ROONEY: Well, I think the candidate and the campaign are doing exactly what they need to do. The governor put out a very thoughtful tax plan which I wish the media would focus on the substance of what he's saying and realize he has substance behind him instead of the demagogic rhetoric.

[06:55:02] Very few people are speaking about what they will do, about the fundamental issues facing our country, like immigration, education, the two things that the governor is particularly expert in.

BERMAN: One of the things that happens occasionally with Jeb Bush, you do hear concern about this, when he does talk, he does run into problems with some of the things he said. Recently he was talking about African-Americans. He was talking about what he would provide to them if he's president compared to what Democrats offer. And he used the words free stuff.

Let's listen to what he says.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEB BUSH (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: My message is one of hope and aspiration. It isn't one of division and get in line and we'll take care of you with free stuff.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: We'll take care of you with free stuff. There are African-American voters and commentators that say that's flat out patronizing. That they're not looking for free stuff right now, and the use of that phrase, they say, shows that Jeb Bush is somewhat insensitive.

Your reaction?

ROONEY: Well, I think it's easy to take one word out of context and misinterpret the overall message there. America is built on people having opportunity to rise up and have employment and obtain human dignity that comes from providing for your family. I think all Americans share in that aspiration.

I think that's what the governor's goal is, to come up with an economic plan and spending plan which will allow us to return to a broader base of economic opportunity for all Americans.

BERMAN: How long do you think Jeb Bush has before he needs to start moving up in the polls?

ROONEY: Well, that's a little above my pay grade. I'm not an expert in campaign organization and development. I would say this is a long time.

We have over 100 days until the first primary. It's going to be a long struggle. We see many campaigns where people were well ahead and well behind and it flip-flops during the course of the campaign.

BERMAN: Ambassador Francis Rooney, thanks so much for being with us. Really appreciate our insight in this.

ROONEY: Thank you very much.

BERMAN: All right. We're following a lot of news. Let's get right to it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They don't have much option but to coordinate and cooperate.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is no chemistry here.

OBAMA: We, the nations of the world, cannot return to the old way of conflict and coercion.

CAMEROTA: The United States launching an air strike overnight against Taliban targets in northern Afghanistan.

PEREIRA: The Taliban has already done considerable damage.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The largest city that the Taliban have been able to take control of since 2001.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm going to put people to work and we're going to have an economy that really is beginning to be hot.

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

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PEREIRA: Good morning. Welcome back to NEW DAY. Chris is on assignment. John Berman is joining us.

Well, little agreement and a whole lot of contention emerging after a highly anticipated meeting between President Obama and Vladimir Putin. The leaders sitting down, butting heads on big conflicts in Ukraine and Syria.

CAMEROTA: Now, the meeting was described by Putin as surprisingly frank. How does the White House categorize it?

Let's ask CNN's White House correspondent Michelle Kosinski. She's live at the U.N. with all of the details.

Good morning, Michelle.

MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESONDENT: Hi, Alisyn.

Right, this went from something of a face-off here, dueling speeches, President Obama slamming Putin's choices, Vladimir Putin blaming the U.S. for many of the world's problems to face time between the two of them for the first time in two years. It seems to have gone about as well as anybody would expect, both sides calling it constructive, at least opening the door to more dialogue on ISIS and on Syria.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KOSINSKI (voice-over): With that stiff, sideline the handshake, preceded by an awkward, cold toast and two scathing speeches --

OBAMA: We cannot stand by when the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a nation is flagrantly violated.

VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): We think it is an enormous mistake to refuse to cooperate with the Syrian government.

KOSINSKI: President Obama and Putin did manage to tolerate each other enough to hash out their significant differences for an hour and a half behind closed doors, starting with Obama confronting Putin over his refusal to back down in Ukraine.

But on Syria, where Putin continues to back and even try to rally international support for long-time ally President Bashar al Assad, currently at war with his own people. And President Obama believes he must go, calling him a tyrant.

OBAMA: There cannot be after so much bloodshed, so much carnage, a return to the prewar status quo.

KOSINSKI: They do agree fighting ISIS is the priority, as difficult as that may be to coordinate.

NICHOLAS KRISTOF, COLUMNIST, NEW YORK TIMES: Syrian government air strikes on a hospital killing three health care workers, thereby, Assad is empowering ISIS. So, the idea that you're going to fight ISIS by supporting the Assad regime is crazy.

KOSINSKI: So, in this rare meeting, they decided the U.S. and Russian militaries will communicate to avoid fighting each other.