MARIA-00
New Polls Show Likely Democratic Nominee Hillary Clinton has the Lead Over
Donald Trump; Global Markets Indicate a Higher Opening for Stock Prices
Across the Board; Cleveland Police Union Calls for Suspension of Open Carry
Law; Gov. Kasich Rejects Request - Part 4>
Cheryl Casone >
Metz, Lisa Boothe>
Beverages; Baton Rouge; Barack Obama; Polls; Hillary Clinton; Donald Trump;
Stock Market; SoftBank; Investors; U.S. Housing Market; Mike Pence >
BLACKBURN: Well, what we're looking at is the Clinton Foundation. And the different affiliations that the foundation has and 70 members who joined me on letter to the FBI, the Federal Trade Commission, the FTC and also the IRS saying, "Hey, you need to look at this when charity navigator cannot write you and says you have an unusual business model, when you know that they're only giving 15 percent of what they bring in to meet mission, but their mission does and include any global initiatives. They never done a box 911 to go on to their IRS filing.
So, you know, there are lots of questions around the Clinton Foundation, and the timing of some of these being contributions foreign contributions to the Clinton Foundation.
BARTIROMO: So this is was on Friday. You led a group you're calling on three agencies FBI, IRS and FTC to review the foundation that also must include the fact that while Hillary Clinton was secretary of state, there was lots of money exchanges between some of the countries and the governments that the U.S. was doing business with Hillary Clinton was doing business with. And that -- and they sent money to the Clinton Foundation.
BLACKBURN: That's exactly right, and you have to look at the timing on those. That reigning on one is a great example of this. What is going on between the U.S., Canada, Russia, how did Clinton play in to that, how did the Clinton Foundation play in to this, how did they end up with these contributions. And from some of the players in that deal, in that regards.
BARTIROMO: So she spent 25 percent of the U.S'. uranium to Russia. And then Russia spent money to the Clinton Foundation?
BLACKBURN: Well, we're going to let the investigation say exactly what that timeline was, with the transfer of that money. But yes indeed, we think it's imperative to get answers to this.
You know, Maria, I've been on this issue for over a year. We had charities in Tennessee that were shutdown for being "sham charities," because they were giving less than 50 percent, 50 percent of what they brought in to their mission. And the governor knows well, many of our religious organizations have charities and non-profits that work with him in missions and outreach. They are meticulous in how they file their paperwork with the IRS, so that they continue to meet needs around the globe.
And here you have the Clinton Foundation, who doesn't seem to play by any of those rules, my constituents look at me say, "Hey, what's going on with this." We're going to get to the bottom of it.
BARTIROMO: Yeah, but why would they do any of this? These are Obama's agencies. I mean we know what IRS has already done targeting conservatives.
Lois Lerner, wouldn't admit it, I mean, you know, Koskinen the head of the IRS will not step down. So what gives you confidence that you're actually going to move the needle on this?
BLACKBURN: I think public outcry in getting some answers will help move the needle on this just like it did on moving the FBI director to say, that Hillary Clinton was negligent and was irresponsible, and did not exercise appropriate judgment when we're dealing with e-mail scandal.
HUCKABEE: Congresswoman, how frustrating is it to you personally when the Democrats in Congress put such a firewall around the truth and prevent the questions from being raised and answered because, look, I understand the partisan environment, I get all that. And I know that whoever is playing, we're going to play hard ball. But there are some fundamental issues at stake here.
BLACKBURN: Right.
HUCKABEE: Whether or not we can trust our government and whether or not that people, especially somebody who might be president is playing by same rules as the rest of us.
BLACKBURN: That's right. It is equality under the law. And, yes, people are realizing when it comes to free speech, you got two tiers when it comes to equal justice, you got two tiers. And this is one of the things that people are saying I have had it. I am fed up, I'm a motivated voter. I'm taking all my family and we are going to vote this year. I think is Donald Trump has out performed in every single primary election. He has beat the polls. People are sick of that.
BARTIROMO: Well, you know, you've got these three agencies. But then you also have the FBI, right. And Jim Comey would not admit nor deny that there was a criminal active investigation into Clinton Foundation do you believe there is?
BLACKBURN: I think there probably is, because you .
BARTIROMO: Otherwise he would have said, "Yeah" and he would've said "No," right?
BLACKBURN: That's right he would have gone on completely and cleared her. But back in May 2015, is the first time we sent a letter, looking at this we followed it back in January. Now we're at it again this is our third time around. We're going to get it this time.
BARTIROMO: Lisa, did you want to add in it?
BOOTHE: Oh, no, we see so much of this double speak from Hillary Clinton whether it's on income and equality and the fact that we've seen income and equality get so much worse under President Obama. Whether it's fighting ISIS, when she supported President Obama's failed policies, now, she's going to get too even about the Clinton Foundation. She talks about women's rights but she supports all these countries gets money from countries that have these grotesque human rights violation and especially when it comes to woman. So she's so much political double speak from Hillary Clinton.
BLACKBURN: She's right. And people are figuring it out.
BARTIROMO: Yeah, double speak is one thing. But breaking the law is another .
BLACKBURN: Absolutely.
BARTIROMO: What if we don't get results until after the election?
BLACKBURN: We're going to push to make things available prior to the election and to get some answers on this. I know lots of people are looking at and Congress is going to keep pushing.
BARTIROMO: Congresswoman, good to see you.
BLACKBURN: Good to see you too.
BARTIROMO: Thank you so much for joining us Marsha Blackburn, joining us there.
Still to come, Volkswagen vowing to compensate car dealers purchasing diesels is a too little, too late for the beleger German automaker, details next.
Also ahead, one step closer to space travel. SpaceX is breaking two records in its latest launch to international space station, much more on that.
Coming up, we are live at Republican National Convention this week in Cleveland. Keep it right here more Mornings with Maria. Back in a minute.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BARTIROMO: Welcome back. The Midwest hit by thunderstorms in at least two tornadoes over the weekend. Now, here comes the heat.
Cheryl Casone with the story in that line right now, Cheryl, good morning.
CHERYL CASONE, FOX BUSINESS: Yeah, you saw some storms in Ohio, Maria. And it's going to be hot and sticky throughout the Midwest after those massive storms knocked down trees and damaged homes and several businesses.
Temperatures in Chicago, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin are expected to climb to 90 degrees by Thursday or Friday and possibly be even higher in Minnesota.
Plus in all of these areas, when you add the humidity, it will feel like 100 degrees or more, no matter how you slice it, the temps going to be 10 to 12 degrees above normal for this time of year throughout the entire Midwest and officials say that residents in those state should be careful when outside exercising or doing other strenuous activities.
Well, in business headlines this morning, Volkswagen promising to compensate American dealers after its massive emissions scandal. A senior executive from the German automaker made the pledge at a meeting with more than 150 Volkswagen dealers from the northeast. The scandal affected about 500,000 diesel vehicles in the U.S. alone.
Volkswagen reached a $15 billion settlement last month with customers and government authorities.
And finally a double success for SpaceX last night, the company launched its Falcon 9 rocket carrying supplies for the International Space Station and then successfully landed its first stage rocket booster back on solid ground. About 8 minutes after the liftoff the rocket booster returned the land at Cape Canaveral. The rocket was carrying almost 5,000 pounds cargo. And this was the second time that SpaceX returned that orbital rocket booster down to Cape Canaveral.
The SpaceX broke its own record for most rocket launch in the year making seven successful missions in 2016 so far.
Maria, back to you in Cleveland.
BARTIROMO: All right Cheryl, thank you so much. Still to come over 20 official vendors participating in the Republican National Convention including one decorating war veteran who's staff has start off with nothing but disabled fellow veterans, that's next.
Then Bank of America, reporting second quarter results in line with analyst expectations. The consensus calling for another dismal quarter of corporate profit we have breaking down the expectations for the earnings season next, we'll take a look at markets. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BARTIROMO: Welcome back. There are two official vendors participating in the Republican National Convention including my next guest, Flags of Valor provided beautiful hand-crafted flags made out of wood, the company is comprised of five combat disabled veterans and run by Air Force veteran Brian Steorts who joins us right now live here on set in Cleveland. Brian, good to see you.
BRIAN STEORTS, FLAGS OF VALOR PRESIDENT: Right. Thanks for having me.
BARTIROMO: Thank you so much for joining us. What we've been admiring, one of the flags, which is right here on set, how'd you come up with this idea? Congratulations.
STEORTS: Well, thank you so much. I was injured while I was deployed and went to a rehabilitation program and I didn't, you know, I didn't wear my uniform anymore. I'm used to having my flag on my shoulder. And so it kind of upset me, and there was a flag that I found that was actually a beautiful flag but it wasn't wade in the United States. And so, for therapeutic reasons I started making my own and I wanted to make it all look, you know, materials made in America and then we launched Flags of Valor and it's just been an incredible journey so far.
BARTIROMO: And obviously by design you've got all veterans working with you
STEORTS: We do. It's been -- It's incredible. It's a great therapeutic transition for them to go from military life to civilian and to really search for that camaraderie and brotherhood that we have at our company.
HUCKABEE: Brian, I'm curious about that you've done wood work before, was that a hobby for you?
STEORTS: I have. Actually, no.
HUCKABEE: This is all new?
STEORTS: It's all new. I spent a lot of time watching do-it-yourself stay-home mom videos of painting and just started thinking and that's how I got started, yeah.
HUCKABEE: It's amazing. It's beautiful.
BARTIROMO: Absolutely, really therapeutic.
STEORTS: It's very therapeutic. And, you know, we're just excited that RNC asked us to come here. The energy is great and we're hoping to do well at the marketplace and, you know, we believe in three distinct ideas and we're very old school, Maria, we make everything by hand. We believe made in America still matters, we believe that, you know, our veterans are an untapped resource, and we believe in giving back and we believe in able to work with some amazing charities and got to raise over 75,000 over the last 75 days.
MCDOWELL: Brian, how much merchandise did you bring with you? I have a feeling you might sell out given it's a long week.
STEORTS: You're right. I kind of -- We kind of figured that most people would be traveling, so I did bring quite a few. But we're also setting up a catalog system where we ship for free. So, we figured we would ship them in maybe at someone's house before they even arrive.
BARTIROMO: So what's the website, we all want to buy one now.
STEORTS: It's flagsofvalor.com and then we're on social media, all the standard Twitter and Facebook and Instagram @flagsofvalor.
MCDOWELL: What is something like this retail for?
STEORTS: So this is our medium-sized flag, it's called the Welcome Home. They're all named for specific groups of people or military events. And this one retails for $199.
BARTIROMO: Right, right. Let me ask you Brian, from your perspective as a war veteran, you know, we've been talking all day about what's going on in our world. Take us through the threats that we face at home, and how we should be protecting ourselves in light of the recent terrorist attacks and the police shootings.
STEORTS: Well, I think the buddy system is definitely good thing to stick by, always going with someone and being alert. And staying away from areas that you're, you know, not sure of. And at the end of the day, you know, everyone is here and we're excited and we all, you know, come here for one reason and it's because we love America and we're just really happy to be here.
MCDOWELL: Brian, what do you tell other companies when it comes to hiring veterans, not just any guidance that you can give them, to make sure that these men and women who put their lives at risk for our freedom are protected and taken care of?
STEORTS: Well they're all, you know, very qualified. I'm a veteran myself and I know what drives me and what drives them and they've been through some intense, you know, conflicts and they're very well at handling stress and being in those kind of environments they'll easily thrive.
BARTIROMO: And disciplined, I mean, we all know the reasons to hire veterans.
STEORTS: Absolutely.
BARTIROMO: And a number of corporations have done so, but I think, you know, what Dagen is looking for is, how can we get more of them? You know, what do you want to tell business to really contribute?
STEORTS: Well, you can reach out to, you know, each state has local veteran organizations, and ways to different, you know, job employment seekers out there.
And there's one that we use it's called Warriors (inaudible) and they do placement. And also on LinkedIn they have now Medal of Honor recipients, Florent Groberg is a spokesman for them and they help place veterans in the right kind of environment.
BARTIROMO: So, explain being a vendor here at the Republican National Convention. What does that mean? People can see you work and buy at .
STEORTS: They can. So there's only -- yes, there's only 22 vendors here, we're set up just right across from the arena at progressive field. And we get to showcase our artwork for us, and then there's, you know, all kinds of different items and t-shirts and et cetera that you can buy from other vendors.
HUCKABEE: What's the greatest thing that you get when somebody comes up and looks at your work and they admire it, they want it. There's got to be a personal connection there, right?
STEORTS: It really is. We've got to connect with almost, you know, almost everyone of our customers in one way or another and it's very rewarding to know that something that I started in my garage and I have gotten to train other, you know, all my guys, my team back in Virginia Veteran Craftsmen and it's self-rewarding, and it's philanthropic when we give back and we just love it.
BARTIROMO: I love it too, it's just fantastic. So, what did -- was it tough getting started, getting the money that you needed to start this business?
STEORTS: Well, luckily I was surrounded by, you know, a great network of family and friends and so yes, it's been a -- it's been a struggle but everything's exceeded our expectations so far.
MCDOWELL: What do you want from the next president?
STEORTS: Well, you know.
MCDOWELL: We have like only a minute.
STEORTS: No. I'm going to say this, I think whoever is going to be president is going to do a great job, and at the end of the day like I said we are just excited to be here. We have, you know, liberal and conservative customers and we're just -- we're glad to share our story.
BARTIROMO: You know, we're all looking for leadership all the time and I think when you see what you create, this flag, made of wood it makes you feel better, don't you think?
HUCKABEE: Oh, I do. And I think it's a beautiful piece of art, something that people can treasure but it also helps to start (ph) their own patriotism. Thanks Brian you've done a great job.
STEORTS: Oh, well thank you so much. We love being able to promote patriotism like this. So thank you for having us.
BARTIROMO: Congratulations, Brian.
STEORTS: Thank you.
BARTIROMO: I'm going to stop by Progressive and do a little shopping myself.
STEORTS: Please do.
BARTIROMO: Brian Steorts starting us there.
Next hour, the Republican National Convention taking over Cleveland this week. Straight ahead the CEO of one of Cleveland's largest employers will weigh in what the convention means for the community. We are live coming to you from the Republican National Convention here in Cleveland, back in a moment.
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END
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(Show: MORNINGS WITH MARIA) (Date: July 18, 2016) (Time: 06:00:00) (Tran: 071801cb.231) (Type: SHOW) (Head: Live from the Republican National Convention in Cleveland; Three Officers Killed in Baton Rouge Yesterday; Cleveland Police Prepare for RNC; War On Peace; Turkey-U.S. Relations; Earnings Season Underway; The Evangelical Vote ) (Sect: News; International)
(Byline: Maria Bartiromo, Dagen McDowell, Blake Burman, Leland Vitter, Cheryl Casone )
(Guest: Mike Huckabee, Steve Rogers, Lee Zeldin, Pete Hegseth, Kevin Kelly, Tony Perkins )
(Spec: Police; Middle East; Turkey; Business; Economy; Politics; Death; Republican Party; Cleveland; Violence; Shootings; Safety)
MARIA BARTIROMO, FBN ANCHOR: Good Monday morning everybody. Welcome. I'm Maria Bartiromo. It is Monday, July 18. We are coming to you live this morning from the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. First your top stories at 6:00 AM on the East Coast. Tragedy in Louisiana. Three officers killed yesterday. Three others wounded on the latest deadly attack on law enforcement. President Obama condemning the massacre.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OBAMA: Regardless of motive, the deaths of these three brave offers underscores the danger that police across the country confront every single day. We as a nation have to be loud and clear that nothing justifies violence against law enforcement.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BARTIROMO: The shooter, who was killed by police, has been identified as former Marine 29-year-old Gavin Long of Kansas City, Missouri. The latest attack raising questions over security here in Cleveland at the convention. The Cleveland Police Union has called a suspension of the city's open carry laws during this event.
Governor John Kasich has rejected the request as the political world descends on Cleveland this week. New polls show likely democrat nominee Hillary Clinton is in the lead over Donald Trump. The latest NBC/Wall Street Journal poll has Clinton in the lead at 46 to Donald Trump's 41. While a new ABC/Washington Post poll has Clinton up by just 4 points, 47 to Trump's 43. Donald Trump, along with his running mate governor Mike Pence, speaking to 60 Minutes on how they are prepared to lead the country.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: We are both ready. I have no doubt we need toughness, we need strength. Obama is weak, Hillary is weak, and part of it is that. A big part of it. We need law and order.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BARTIROMO: The latest developments out of Turkey now, more than 6,000 people have been arrested after Friday's failed coup with Turkey's president vowing to find all those responsible.
Onto the markets. A big deal to tell you about within technology. ARM holdings surging in the premarket on news Japanese telecom giant Softbank has reached a deal to acquire the company for more than 32 billion dollars. Take a look at the opening process that we are expecting on ARM. 67.31 to 67.35. It closed Friday at 47/00 a share. US futures this morning pointed to a higher d=opening once again this morning after the DOW industrials closed at a record level on Friday. The market expected to open up about 20 points today. Investors keeping an eye on key earnings, including Bank of America expected this hour. We will bring you those numbers.
Check the action in Europe. Stocks are mixed, but helped by Softbank's deal for ARM Holdings. As you can see, mixed performance there. The FT 100 up about 22 points right now.
In Asia overnight, markets traded mostly higher with Hong Kong's Hang Seng index leading the way. It was up two-thirds of one percent, the other major averages really flat on the session. All those stories coming up in the program, and here with me to break it down in Cleveland, Fox Business Network's Dagen McDowell, Republican strategist and Washington Examiner contributor Lisa Booth, and former presidential candidate and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee.
Great to see everybody. Excited to be in Cleveland?
MIKE HUCKABEE, FORMER ARKANSAS GOVERNOR: Excited to be inside. It's raining like crazy outside, so yes, it's wonderful, delighted.
BARTIROMO: But this is a big deal, Governor.
HUCKABEE: Yes it is.
BARTIROMO: What are you expecting out of this convention?
HUCKABEE: I think it's going to be a unifying convention. We are going to see that this whole ridiculous, petulant, never-Trump movement is going to be buried, forgotten, it's over, it's done. People if they think they are going to do anything about it now, they are delusional. So it's going to be a great opportunity to bring the party together, give Donald Trump a great momentum going out of here.
BARTIROMO: You would think, Dagen, that at this point those never-Trump people would just get on board. It's now or never, right?
DAGEN MCDOWELL, FOX BUSINESS: I'll just start off this morning by saying the governor of this state gets a big old thumbs down, because he is not here this week, and I think that that is a poor performance that he did not show up. Because there is a lot of energy here. There is a lot of money coming into this state, and there is a lot of support for this party that's showing up, and the governor should show up too.
BARTIROMO: I agree.
HUCKABEE: I think it's disrespectful of the City of Cleveland and the wonderful people here who have worked so hard to get this convention. Look, I think it's disrespectful of any of the candidates. We all were on that stage in this city a year ago. We all said we would support the nominee, and the ones who are not, I feel like are really destroying their credibility. This is not about whether they like Donald Trump or whether he hurt their feelings. We get our feelings hurt.
BARTIROMO: They made a promise.
HUCKABEE: They made a promise.
MCDOWELL: To the governor's point, what frustrates me about the never- Trump movement right now is one, it's virtually impossible to get an independent candidate on the ballot. It's just not going to happen. We've already had dates for registration pass. Also you look at the fact that Republicans are defending 20-something senate seats, I think seven of which President Obama won in 2008 and 2012. If you care about this party, why don't you then focus your attention on retaining the senate majority? And the house majority? Instead of continuing fixate on Donald Trump.
BARTIROMO: I will just add, the people who were here, did they, all they want from Donald Trump is for him to be the best candidate. Because look at the polls. It's within reach. And for sure. This morning we have a great show ahead. We will talk all about that. Trump supporter and New York Congressman Lee Zeldin will join us. Trump national campaign spokesperson Katrina Pearson is here in Cleveland. Family Research Council President Tony Perkins will join us to talk a little bit about fundraising there as well. And Tennessee Representative Marsha Blackburn will join us and former Mississippi Governor and former RNC Chairman Hailey Barber. You don't want to miss a moment of it, so do stay with us. We've got a big program ahead.
Meanwhile, police in Cleveland are on high alert right now. As the Republican National Convention kicks off today, there are more security concerns after the deadly shooting in Baton Rouge and last week's terror attack in France. Let's get to Blake Burman. He is live here as well in Cleveland with the very latest. Blake, good morning to you.
BLAKE BURMAN, FOX FBN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there Maria, good morning to you as well. Miles' worth of barricades are wrapped around the streets here in downtown Cleveland as many of the streets are closed this morning as the United States Secret Service, the Cleveland police have pretty much taken over here in Northeast Ohio. More than 70 different agencies are coordinating this event. They have been working together doing so for over a year. However, there is a bit of a political battle that broke out over the weekend as it relates to security, as the head of the Cleveland Police Patrolman's Association, a man by the name of Steve Loomis called into question the state's open carry gun laws. Loomis saying, and I'm quoting here, that he feels it makes it "much more difficult to handle convention security." Loomis also adding that he said "what we have now is completely irresponsible."
The Governor of the State of Ohio as you mentioned, is John Kasich. His office put out a statement as it relates to open carry, basically saying they feel that the governor's hands are tied on this on. A spokesperson saying, and I am quoting here, "law enforcement is a noble, essentially calling, and we all grieve that we began seeing attacks on officers. Only Ohio governors do not have the power to arbitrarily suspend federal and state constitutional rights or state laws as suggested."
The police chief here, Calvin Williams, said that they are trying to get in line officers from other states. Keep in mind that there are law enforcement not just from Ohio but from all across the country here, and they are trying to update those officers on the open carry laws so that they can keep everybody here safe.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNKNOWN MALE: The officers are being briefed on our procedures. They are briefed on the state law that applies to open carry. Our commanders on the ground are going to make sure that anybody who open carries here in this city, that they have certain responsibilities that they have to maintain.