Transcripts For MSNBCW The Daily Rundown 20140812 : vimarsan

MSNBCW The Daily Rundown August 12, 2014

With senator reid. The fbi steps in to investigate how 18yearold Michael Brown was killed. Legacy of laughter. Academy award winner Robin Williams dead at the age of 63 after an apparent suicide. Good morning from washington. Its tuesday, august 12th, 2014. This is the daily rundown. Im Chris Cillizza in for chuck todd. We begin this morning, though, in iraq, country dealing with military humanitarian and political crises all at the same time. Together they paint a picture of a nation that may be unraveling before our eyes. U. S. Officials are saying theyre doing what they can and are ready to do more but not until the country is beginning to show some signs of stability. Without any question, we are prepared to consider additional political, economic and security options as iraq starts to build a new government and very much calculated to try to help stabilize the security situation, to expand Economic Development and to strengthen the democratic institutions. Secretary of state kerry is referring to concerns that iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki could spread chaos as he tries to hold on to power, despite the nomination of his successor. On monday, crowds of maliki supporters filled the streets of baghdad and members of malikis Political Party vowed to stand behind him. A unity government could not include maliki and pick the Deputy Speaker of parliament to replace him as minister. The Obama Administration was quick to praise that move. Under the iraqi constitution, this is an important step towards forming a new government that could unite iraqs different communities. Earlier today, Vice President biden and i call ed dr. Abadi t congratulate him and encourage him to krae ate a new cabinet as soon as possible, inclusive of all iraqis. Fighting goes on northeast of baghdad, and four isis checkpoints were struck in sinjar mountain where thousands of refugees remain trapped. Drop of water and food for those refugees monday night. Growing calls inside the United Kingdom to join the u. S. In launching air strikes as well. For the very latest, im joined by nbcs duncan golestani, live in the kurdish capital. Fastmoving situation. Lets start with the situation on the ground right now. Good morning, chris. Fighting is so localized, going on in many places. Because of the way isis fights in the east of the country around about an hour away from baghdad. That town had fell to isis. Trying to move back into that town with the support of usair cover. Back up here toward the north kurds are happy theyve taken over the weekend the town. Its important because its a northsouth transit route. Theyre celebrating that they have retaken that town. Were hearing there might be a rally later on in the center of the city because they are happy and no doubt happy, too, about the news that they may be getting weapons directly from the United States. Those weapons desperately needed because they are massively outgunned by isis, chris. Thank you, duncan. Lets bring in deputy spokesperson for state department who joins me in studio. Thank you for taking the time. We played secretary of state john kerry. I want to quote him saying the u. S. We consider, quote, additional Political Economic and security options. Can you give us any sense of what those might be . Increasing our Political Economic military support in the last days and weeks but particularly since june when isis really rapidly advanced into iraq, further into areas in iraq. I think much quicker than many people would have guessed. This has been a continual process. It will be ongoing as we see a new government get up and running. You mentioned the new Prime Minister designate nominated yesterday. Iraqis are surrounding him, which is a good sign. His new replacement, he said, would be corrective, controls some of the forces in the military there. What role, beyond supporting the new Prime Minister designate can the u. S. Play . Including Prime Minister maliki. Theres a process here. While we always knew it would be difficult and certainly not without challenge. Many members of the party and elected a new Prime Minister. Politics in democracy is tough. We knew it would be difficult. There is a path that we think the iraqis can work on. We talked about humanitarian versus political versus policy. This was initially our aid to the refugees was cast as a humanitarian effort. Now were involved in a political effort here, Nuri Al Maliki and his successor. How do you deal with the open is there an openended committee . The senate says there shouldnt be. Well, theres actually three things at play here. On the political side, weve been having conversations for many weeks about iraqs political transition and the fact that fighting, going forward, is to put a new government in place that can bring iraqis together to do that. When you heard the president announce this new military action, the humanitarian piece, air drops that you showed. Brits are now joining us. The second part of it was taking strikes to protect erbil, which weve seen. And in the past 24 hours, taking military strikes around the sinjar Mountain Area to protect the tens of thousands of people trapped on that mountain. Were giving them food and water that they need and taking active military steps to protect them. These are limited objectives here. The president said theres not a specific end date. I think it would be silly to put one down on paper on such a fluid, fastmoving situation. But long term, the iraqis need to have a strategy to fight this war. Were helping them do that with arms, training. Marie harf from the state department. Thank you. Thank you. Lets turn to rhode island democratic senator jack reed, a handful of senators that opposed the iraq war the first time around. Senator reed, youve heard marie. Weve heard from the president , from secretary of state john kerry. There does not appear, in the senate or in the american public, a desire for anything resembling an openended commitment. Yet we have the humanitarian crisis on sinjar mountain, the battle with isis. We have the situation in the political world of iraq. How does america accomplish its objecti objectives . First the president acted to protect american interests particularly in erbil. When that city was threatened we have american diplomats there, other personnel there. American interests, american lives. Second, he recognized there was a humanitarian crisis with people trapped and actually being attacked by the isil. That will be, i think, rather short in duration until those people are evacuated. The key issue is the issue of the political situation in baghdad. And that is something that we have to respect iraqi institutions, but we also have to make it clear our presence. And the president has done that. Its encouraging to note they have elected a speaker and a president and the president has called for the election of a new Prime Minister, abadi, who is, i think, a better individual to unify the government. And the key issue in terms of politics is the alienation of the Sunni Community and the fragmentation of the country. If we put that together, if the iraqis put it together, theyre the ones that can do it. Limit our involvement over time. You talk about the political conversation being the most important in both our role and iraqs future. I understand your points about moving on to the next Prime Minister, but Nuri Al Maliki continues to insist he called the appointment or the nomination of the new Prime Minister an error. His words, not mine. What do we do if he does not choose to step down . Do you think thats a possibility . He has been someone who has both, through his overt actions, through his comments, has ailiented more iraqis than brought them together. A significant number of people are calling for his resignation. The military has basically indicated in many different ways that they remain loyal to the nation, not to the individual maliki as Prime Minister. These are forces that ultimately will lead to his recognition that he cant go on. Its not going to be smooth. Its going to be an iraqi transition. If the moment for his resignation is building and i think that will continue. Wall street journal oped this morning. The main u. S. Strategic priority should now be rolling back into feeding isis so it cant establish a terrorist cal faiph. We have to be careful about the slippery slope here. Whats your view on how engaged we should be and what should be the end goal of our involvement here . Well, we have to, first, stabilize the situation. Also we have to work with and through the Iraqi Security forces, and in the ability to go after isis or isil and not only keep them in the box but gradually reclaim the country of iraq. But that is best done and can only be done by effective action by iraqi forces and there are opportunities or occasions we might be able to assist them. Those are very limited. This has to be carried on by the Iraqi Military forces with the leadership that tries to uchltu unify the country rather than divide it. Including an interview with jeffrey goldberg, this administration did not act forcefully enough in the beginning of the uprising and now has this isis problem on their hand that is she warned was a potential if we did not act more aggressively. Do you agree or disagree with that criticism . Secretary clinton is a thoughtful person. Im sure she gave her best advice to the president. Im sure he also received a variety of advice with respect to syria. Finding reliable forces in which you could provide weapons and training equipment. Its still a challenge to find those reliable sources within syria. I think the president s perspective he is the one who is getting the information and the advice from all sorts of quarters. The risk of putting equipment in and seeing it fall into the wrong hands, indeed, we just saw in iraq where an army that we have been training for many, many years collapsed in front of isis and isis seized the equipment. I dont think its clear cut as simply putting in the equipment would have made a difference. Syria, like iraq, say political issue ultimately. You have to have the political cohesive forces that can use equipment properly and not misuse it. Rhode island democratic senator jack reed, thank you for your time. Thank you. Robin williams sudden death, the actor was found dead monday from an apparent suicide. Williams had been battling severe depression, his publicist said. Good will hunting, being remembered as a versatile hunter who could play anyone from an alien to a therapist to Teddy Roosevelt and dwight eisenhower. Well share some of those clips for you throughout this hour and, of course, good morning vietnam arguably his most political film. Good morning, vietnam hey, this is not a test. This is rock n roll. Time to rock it from the delta to the dmz. Is that me or does that sound like an Elvis Presley move sni. What a great character, breakout role for williams, one that showed audiences he could be more than just a comedian, a golden globe and Academy Award nomination. Also earned williams in the place of the hearts of many u. S. Service members. Along with his work for the homeless in st. Judes childrens hospital, he volunteered his time to the uso. Uso expressed its condolences on facebook and twitter, calling him one of the great comedic actors of his generation, tweeting Robin Williams circled the globe, entertaining troops and families, part of the uso family, he will be sorely missed. President obama released a statement on williams death saying, quote, he gave his immeasurable talent freely to those who needed it most, to those station add broad to those on our own streets. Robin williams was 63 years old. Up next, key races on this august primary day. First, police and protesters clash again in a st. Louis suburb. Tear gas and rubber bullets fired, outrage over the Police Shooting that killed the unarmed teen. Before a break, a look ahead at todays planner. Texas governor rick perry, no, he is not the governor of iowa. Is he still there. Polls cloe close later tonight on those three primary states, connecticut, wisconsin, minnesota. Youre watching the daily rundown on msnbc. So factors like diet can negatively impact good bacteria . Even if youre healthy and active. Phillips Digestive Health support is a duoprobiotic that helps supplement good bacteria found in two parts of your digestive tract. Im doubly impressed phillips Digestive Health. A daily probiotic. With the top speedou compare of comcast the top speed of business dsl from the internet. Phone company well, theres really no comparison. Why pay more for less . Call today for a low price on speeds up to 150mbps. And find out more about our twoyear price guarantee. Comcast business. Built for business. This afternoon, officials in a st. Louis suburb planned to release the name of the officer who fired the shots that killed 18yearold Michael Brown, touching off two days of violent protests. Last night, police fired tear gas into the crowd, reportedly using rubber bullets and marching in lockstep to contain the demonstrators. 15 people were arrested. On sunday night, 32 people were arrested when protests turned violent and crowds looted a dozen stores. Fbi agents are now investigating the shooting that sparked those protests. Police say an officer shot brown during a scuffle with officers at an apartment complex on saturday. Witnesses say brown had his hand s up when he was killed. Browns mother told msnbcs al sharpton she wants the violent protests to stop. The violence needs to stop. The support is all needed. All needed, but not the violence. Nbc news correspondent ron allen joins us live from ferguson, missouri, north of st. Louis. What do we know about the police plans for releasing the name of the officer today . Reporter we expect that later today at some point, chris. Its widely believed here that the officer is a white officer. The force here is predominantly white. Theres a small contingency of black officers on the force. Most of the leadership is white, its a black community. Thats the underlying essence of the problem and the tension here. This place behind me, Convenience Store and gas station was damage aid couple of nights ago. Its about as bad as it gets. Also along the street a number of businesses have not opened because of the violence. Last night was relatively calm. Its unclear whether the release of the name and identity of the officer will cause emotions to rise again. I think most people think they know who he is anyway at this point. So, again, a night of calm. The other thing happening, there are more protests claimed outside the Prosecutors Office and everyone is still trying to figure out what the police here are going to do. Theres some feeling of satisfaction that the fbi has gotten involved. Theyre seen as a better arbiter of whats happening here, if you will, the federal government, as opposed to the local authorities. Still from the Civil Rights Community here and across town, a lot of calls for nonviolence. A lot of calls for calm. Theres still a lot of tension here. Today is the first day of school. There will be a lot of School Children going back in this community. The underlying problems here still remain. And the regulation is going to take some time. So, all of this could simmer for a while. Several weeks, the local authorities here are saying. And the feeling in this community is very raw. Theres still a lot of anger. The feeling here is what happened what theyre being told happened was that Michael Brown essentially was stopped on the streets by the police, that the police sort of, in some way, started the altercation that he was trying to move away from the police car when he was shot. And that he was shot with his hands in the air. The police tell a very different version. They say that he physically assault an officer, that there was a fight inside the vehicle, a shot was fired inside the vehicle and that the officer essentially was retaliating for something that Michael Brown allegedly started. So, two very different versions of what happened. Thats why theres still so much anger here. Its going to take a while. Reverend al sharpton, who is also, of course, the host of the msnbc show, will be here later today to talk to the family and talk to the community. And, again, its the hope and the call is for nonviolent protests and hopefully, that will continue here as this goes forward. I just want to quickly zero in on you mentioned the fbi getting involved. Do we know what role theyre playing . Is it a support role . Are they taking over the investigation . Where do they fall on this whole thing . Theyre not taking over the investigation. Theyre pretty clear about that. Conducting a parallel investigation. The federal government, of course, can charge civil Rights Violations in a context like this, a very broad category of charges that essentially says Michael Brown was not able to carry out his Constitutional Rights to live in peace and walk down the street. Thats the federal charge that perhaps could come. The local charge, of course, is could be charges against the police officer, state charge of aggravated of murder is what some people want to see happen here. Homicide. So, again, thats what the federal role is. Theres a long history of the federa

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