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France Honors Three American Heroes; South Korea Demands Apology as Talks Drag On; Vice President Biden Leaning Toward a 2016 Run? Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired August 24, 2015 - 06:30   ET

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


ZEKE MILLER, POLITICAL REPORTER, TIME: -- with Hillary super PAC. There's a structural problem there to get enough talented, qualified operatives in a such small amount of time before the Iowa caucuses on February 1st.

[06:30:03] Things are going to be hard for the vice president. Hillary Clinton has a very large head start, maybe an insurmountable head start for any Democrat right now.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Thanks so much. Great to see you, Errol and Zeke. Great to have all that information.

Mark your calendars, everyone. The next presidential debate is less than three weeks away. CNN's Jake Tapper will moderate the next debate. This is September 16th, Wednesday, it's live from the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California.

Set your dial.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Will do. All right, Alisyn.

Three American heroes honored for foiling a potentially a massacre on a high speed train in France. It has people wondering just how vulnerable trains are in the U.S. Can he it be prevented with tougher security measures. We'll explore that ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[06:35:00] SPENCER STONE, U.S. AIR FORCE: I turned around and saw he had what looked to be an AK-47. It looked like it was jammed or wasn't working and he was trying to charge the weapon. Alek just hit me on the shoulder and said, "Let's go".

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: And go is what they did. That was U.S. Airman First Class Spencer Stone. He was honored this morning, along with his friends, for helping subdue an armed man on a high speed train in France.

The foiled attack is now raising concerns about the vulnerability of trains here in the U.S. to potential are current measures enough?

We want to turn to Juliette Kayyem. She's CNN national security analyst and former assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, right in the wheelhouse to talk about this.

You wrote a great op-ed or piece for CNN.com. And in it, you sort of reflected, and I think a lot of us have that feeling.

Should we be so lucky to sit in a situation near Alek and Anthony? They are not going to be everywhere. We can't count on heroes amongst us all the time. But there are lessons we can learn from what happened in France.

So, let's talk about that. The reaction of these people to run towards danger while the rest of us cower looking for safety. What is the right thing to do in a situation like that, Juliette?

JULIETTE KAYYEM, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Well, I think it's so fact dependent. That sort of my cautionary statement in the column, which is, you know, in some instances, not a train, but universities and colleges where there's a lot of active shooter training going on right now, what we recommend to people is to run away -- to save your own life and the lives of others by not cowering or staying put.

Now, in a train, that's not so easy.

PEREIRA: You are in a closed space.

KAYYEM: You actually can't do it. Right.

And so, part of what we have to learn, coming from articles coming out in the incident is that the French train officials were really slow in terms of notifying people what was going on, stopping the train. You want to stop the train because then people can jump out and you have fewer people on the train. This was a combination of heroism, luck and just -- you know, I love these guys. It rarely happens in my world.

PEREIRA: I know, I know, in your world especially. I think all of us want to give them a collective big old hug.

KAYYEM: Yes.

PEREIRA: OK. So, let's talk about the security that does exist or doesn't exist on board. I know things differ from country to country and continent to continent. But it sounds as though the response was slow. Are transportation officials working with the workers on board to amply, I don't know, train them?

KAYYEM: I think so, but probably not enough. I mean, it's the train workers that are going to be the first responders. There has to be more training both here and in Europe.

But the challenge is not, you know, do we have enough police officials on each train, which can be ramped up. It is that in Europe, for example, 40 million people ride the trains a day. That is, I mean, it is the commercial activity, what we talk about is flow -- the flow of people, goods, commerce and business.

The more security apparatus you are going to put on it, the slower that flow is going to be, which is going to have all sorts of impacts for everyone, including people's capacities to go from point A to point B. So, trains represent, in some ways, an alternative to the major security apparatus on -- at airports. So, the more security you put on trains, the market is going to drive elsewhere to individual cars or buses, which will become their own soft target.

PERIERA: That's the issue.

(CROSSTALK)

PEREIRA: No, I understand, but you can't just sort of replicate what we have seen happen with air travel. Even that has slowed us down going through the airport security. It's just not scalable when you look at transferring to rail. I want to pivot really quickly to the gunman. He has been identified. Officials believe that he's associated with a French ISIS cell inside Turkey. Potentially, this is a lone wolf attack. His lawyer says he was hungry and was on the train to rob people.

This is a challenge. Quickly, give us an idea of how they can fight this lone wolf situation.

KAYYEM: Well, one is that there's surveillance we used to pick him up. What they have to do is increase the surveillance on those whose travel appears to show that they have had some sort of training. The Turkey/Paris or Turkey/France nexus we have seen before.

France has a problem, I mean, it really does. Not just internally, but obviously this refugee crisis which we view as a different story. It's really not a different story. The refugee crisis is now creating radicalism in western European countries, which they don't have the resources or even though France is changing laws to catch all of these people. So, it's obviously a scary combination.

[06:40:02] PEREIRA: All right. Juliette Kayyem, thanks so much as always for your expertise.

Alisyn?

KAYYEM: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: OK, Michaela.

Well, tensions continue to escalate between North and South Korea this morning, following a fatal land mine explosion. The South demanding an apology, the North refusing. We'll give you the latest when we come right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: A man boards a train with an AK-47, a pistol, box cutter and load of ammo. It's a recipe for disaster but not this time. Childhood friends, Spencer Stone, Anthony Sadler and Alek Skarlatos, awarded Knights of the Legion medals for bravery in France because they stopped the attack. The gunman, a Moroccan, linked to ISIS fighters in Turkey according to a counterterrorism official. His lawyer claims he found the weapons and was on the train to commit a robbery.

CAMEROTA: Tense negotiations between North and South Korea this morning. South Korea's president demanding an apology from Pyongyang, following a landmine blast that injured two soldiers. But the North is making its own demands.

CNN's Kyung Lah is live in Seoul with the latest. What is the latest, Kyung?

[06:45:03] KYUNG LAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the South Korean government says that the president, that is, says these talks that are happening right now, these talks that are now stretching into the third day, that nothing will be accomplished unless North Korea apologizes.

She wants them to say sorry for putting land mines in the DMZ, land mines that seriously injured two South Korean soldiers. Without it, she says, any sort of deal, any sort of deal, any sort of peace is off.

Well, meanwhile, while this is happening, these talks long and difficult, what's happening on the ground here is that South Korea is detecting troop movement. That the artillery forces on the front line from the North Korean side, that they have doubled, that 70 percent of North Korean submarines left their bases. So, while the talks are aiming for some sort of a middle ground, it appears, as far as what's happening on the ground are still preparations for war -- Chris.

CUOMO: Obvious show of force. What happens next? What does it mean for the U.S.? We'll follow on all of this. Kyung, thank you very much.

So, the son of an Oklahoma politician is accused of stabbing him to death outside of a restaurant last night. Police say Oklahoma labor commissioner, Mark Costello, suffered multiple wounds to his head and neck. His 26-year-old son was taken into custody. No word yet on a motive.

PEREIRA: To a decidedly lighter story, the National Zoo in Washington is celebrating this morning after giant panda twins were born over the weekend. They are only the third set of twin cubs to be at a U.S. zoo. So far, the zookeepers say the twins are vocalizing well and appear strong. Meanwhile, their big sis turned 2 a day after her siblings were born. What a birthday bash, she had complete with her favorite frozen fruitsicle cake. Completely --

(CROSSTALK)

PEREIRA: Oh, yes, he takes that they --

CAMEROTA: What?

CUOMO: Dangerous animals.

CAMEROTA: Pandas?

CUOMO: Yes.

CAMEROTA: No, they are adorable stuffed animals we should play with. But the babies are not cute.

CUOMO: They are cute to the mommy. Not an unusual situation for babies in general. Everybody's baby is beautiful, but really to the mom, that's always true.

CAMEROTA: All right. There you go.

Rain is headed to the northeast. Let's get to meteorologist Chad Myers for a look at the forecast.

Hi, Chad.

CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: You can dress him up, but don't take him out.

CAMEROTA: It's true.

CUOMO: Don't hide the truth. Don't hide the truth, Chad. Turn around and speak truth to the board.

MYERS: All right. Rain coming into the Northeast, but not very much. It's cooler weather. It is going to be an amazing week., finally, finally cooler weather here going to push in.

Look at the temperatures now. Minneapolis, it is 57. Bismarck, you are 44. That is, right now, this instant, nice weather think the weekend. It is going to be nice from now to Friday and Saturday. New York City is going to be in the 70s and 80s, going to feel nice. Humidity is gone for a while.

Guys, back to you.

PEREIRA: All right. Thanks so much for that update.

So, the big question: is he in or is he out? Vice President Biden keeping everyone guessing about a possible 2016 run after a meeting over the weekend with Senator Elizabeth warren. What does it mean for Hillary? We've got a Biden insider ahead. We'll ask that.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[06:52:46] GOV. JERRY BROWN (D), CALIFORNIA: Hillary, I would say, don't jump in. If I were Joe Biden, I would give serious consideration.

MARTIN O'MALLEY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You know, I have a great deal of respect for Joe Biden. He is a very, very good and decent man. It would be nice to have one lifelong Democrat in the race.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: Vice President Joe Biden has the political world buzzing after meeting with Elizabeth Warren this weekend. Will he join the Democratic field?

Here to discuss is Robert Hoopes. He's an informal former adviser to the Draft Biden effort and former chief of staff for Biden at the Democratic National Convention Committee. He's currently president of Vox Global.

Robert, thanks so much for being here. Is Joe Biden getting into the race?

ROBERT HOOPES, INFORMAL ADVISER TO "DRAFT BIDEN": Well, I'm not advising on him whether or not he should get in. But he is certainly somebody who having run twice before knows what is involved in making that kind of decision. And I think what you are seeing is somebody who is taking this incredibly seriously and doing really smart things as they think about the process.

And, of course, there is this, you know, extraordinary variable relative to his son and his family and having to make that decision. But, I think you are going to see a decision from the vice president in the next four to six weeks.

CAMEROTA: OK. You say he is doing incredibly smart things to try to sort of take the temperature of where everyone is. And, one of those, I guess, is meeting with Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Joe Biden has been in Democratic politics for decades, obviously. What can she tell him about this decision?

HOOPES: Well, look, I think -- I'm not sure as the specifics of the process of that meeting. But if I were advising the vice president, I'd say there's a number of people that are important to meet with in a Democratic Party.

And Elizabeth Warren would be at the top of that list. She is an incredible voice of the Democratic Party. She has an incredible grassroots following. And I think one of the things tough do, as you go about this process, is listen to other people. So, he's meeting with Elizabeth Warren. He's going to be talking to and it's been widely reported, other people in key states.

(CROSSTALK)

[06:55:02] CAMEROTA: Such as, meaning fundraisers, donors?

HOOPES: Well, look, I know what I read in the newspapers, he is reaching out to people in, you know, places where he's got a lot of friends, places like New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina, Nevada, some of the key primary states for the vice president.

CAMEROTA: What would Biden bring to the race that Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders don't have covered already?

HOOPES: Look, I think if the vice president decides to run, it's going to be about the vice president. It's not going to be about any of the other candidates that are out there. I think he brings an incredible voice for the middle class. I think he brings and incredible voice to civil and gay rights. A time he brings an incredible voice to world is very fluid and very dangerous, the vice president probably has more experience in foreign policy than any other candidate. And I would say he brings a humanity and an authenticity to this race that I think voters are going to be really drawn to with the vice president.

CAMEROTA: It's interesting you use the word authenticity. Many people are saying, in some strange way, the assent of Trump is helping Joe Biden. Because it seems as though the populous wants an unvarnished candidate right now. Is there -- is he somehow. Is he the Democratic counterpart to Donald Trump?

HOOPES: No. He's not. The vice president has been deeply committed to public service and public policy his entire career. And he will be doing that long after whatever decision he makes here. He is not splashing in and nor, by the way, would it be about the vice president. It would be about the American people. It would be about the middle class.

I think his authenticity transcends, you know, primetime television shows or anything else. But it's part of the policy and the issues he's worked on. I think that's what people care about.

CAMEROTA: OK. Robert Hoopes, thanks so much for being on NEW DAY. Come back when you have spoken to the vice president and you have some scoop for us.

HOOPES: All right. Thanks.

CAMEROTA: Thanks so much.

What's your take on all of this? Will he get into the race? You can tweet us #NewDayCNN or post your comment on Facebook.com/NewDay. We will read them on the show.

Meanwhile, we are following lot of news. Let's get right to it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CUOMO: Three bona fide American heroes honored by the French.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The word hero has never been more appropriate.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It wasn't really a conscious decision. We just kind of acted.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He seemed like he was ready to fight to the end.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The suspect is identified as Ayoub al Khazzani.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The belief here is that this was connected to terrorism.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The guy had a lot of ammo. Intentions were clear.

PEREIRA: Stock markets in Asia and Europe falling sharply.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wiping up all these gains for the year in a really dramatic, the worst losses in four years.

CAMEROTA: Pandemonium at the United States capital.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The giant panda Mei Xiang gave birth to a pair of beautiful baby cubs. Zoo keepers had no idea that the second baby was on the way.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was really excited. I was really happy. I teared up a little bit.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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

CAMEROTA: Good morning, everyone. Welcome back to your NEW DAY.

Breaking news overnight -- those three heroic Americans honored in France for taking down that gunman on a high speed strain. Spencer Stone, Anthony Sadler and Alek Skarlatos were presented Legion of Honor medals for bravery a short time ago by the French president.

CUOMO: Well-do, well-earned. So, officials say the heavily armed suspect is linked to is. His lawyer says he found the weapons in public and was there to rob passengers because he was hungry.

CNN's coverage begins in Paris with senior international correspondent Nic Robertson.

What more have we learned?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Chris, I can tell you it's a rainy day here, but it hasn't dampened the spirits of these three young American heroes They had put their lives on the line risking themselves to save the other passengers on the train from what could have been ultimate carnage.

To Stone, the air serviceman whose hand was injured, Spencer Stone, his arm still in a sling was the first to lead the three friends in to meet the French president.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROBERTSON (voice-over): This morning, three young Americans arriving to a red carpet ceremony in Paris. The French president presenting them with the country's highest award of bravery, the Legion of Honor. The honor came after this incredible scene was viewed around the world, a gunman hogtied on the floor of a passenger train.

The close friends say they acted on instinct.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was either do something or die.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It wasn't a conscious decision. We just acted.

ROBERTSON: Twenty-three-year-old U.S. Airman Spencer Stone led the charge.