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Remembering 9/11; Interview with Bobby Jindal; Clinton's Lead Over Sanders Shrinks; Aired 10-10:30a ET

Aired September 11, 2015 - 10:00   ET

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

[10:00:12] UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Gary Robert Hagge.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Andrea Lynn Haberman.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Barbara Mary Habib.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: All right. For those viewers just joining us now, good morning to you. I'm Carol Costello. Thank you so much for joining me.

That was a moment of silence marking the fall of the South Tower of the World Trade Center, and in just a few moments we'll pause again to remember those on board United Flight 93. As you know, that plane crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, as passengers onboard overpowered the hijackers in an attempt to regain control of that plane. There will be a moment of silence in New York as well as a new memorial at the crash site in Pennsylvania.

Deborah Feyerick live in Lower Manhattan with the ceremonies here. Good morning, Deborah.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol. You think that this was a day on which 3,000 people were simply murdered in cold blood and yet there was so much resiliency. We talk about the people on that plane who overpowered the terrorists at the wheels. The famous slogan, "Let's Roll." They knew they were going to die and yet they did what they had to, to try to keep that plane from crashing into other buildings.

And I hear the names being read out, and for some people time has lessened the pain but for so many it feels like this just happened yesterday. I spoke to the NYPD commissioner Bill Bratton and he reminded me that half the people currently living in New York City were not living here when the towers fell on 2001. So he said there is a risk of complacency, of people forgetting.

But as you mentioned earlier, Carol, think about how our lives have changed. Whether we fly, how we get into concerts and how our bags are screened. You know, security and counterterrorism efforts are now part of our daily lives. So things really have changed, and for the people who lost loved ones on that day, you know, look, I think of the moms who perished in that tower who had unborn children.

Their names are engraved around the fountain, the Infinity Fountain, and I think of those mothers who lost husbands, those children now also 14 years old. So it's not just marking the passage of time with how our lives have changed, but it's also marking the passage of time with the lives that have grown out of that. So a very powerful day here, Carol.

COSTELLO: Very powerful day. You know, you mentioned Todd Beamer who was aboard Flight 93 and, you know, the cockpit voice recorder picked up him saying, "Let's roll," right? And they were trying to overpower those hijackers.

I think another touching moment from inside the plane right before the plane crashed, there was a woman named Elizabeth Wainio who called her family and said, "I have to go. They're breaking into the cockpit. I love you."

It's just so many amazing stories of heroism on board that flight which crashed into the ground in Shanksville and saved so many lives in Washington, D.C.

So we're going to pause now so we can honor those people.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To shift the story from state's rights to slavery as the root cause of the civil war. At Selma to Montgomery, Little Rock Central High, Tuskegee Airmen and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, we tell the story of civil rights. And during this recent 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights March, we engaged young people from across the country, including from Ferguson, Missouri.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stewart D. Harris.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: John Patrick Hart.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Eric Hartono.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: John Clinton Hartz.

COSTELLO: All right. With we now, Republican Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana. Of course as you know, he's running for president of the United States.

Welcome, Governor Jindal. Your thoughts on this day.

GOV. BOBBY JINDAL (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, look, we are an amazing, amazing country. We're blessed to be in this exceptional country. The awful attacks of 9/11 obviously brought this country to our knees but we got back up. This is a country that rallies around our communities, our neighbors, complete strangers. We saw that on the awful, awful attacks of 9/11. I saw that in my state a few years later during Hurricane Katrina, so this an amazing, compassionate, resilient country.

Obviously our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones that awful day 14 years ago whether it was first responders, whether it was folks in the planes, people in the buildings. It just -- we know that we can't bring back their loved ones, their husbands, their wives, their sons, their daughters, so our thoughts and prayers go to those families. [10:05:11] COSTELLO: How did that day change you, Governor?

JINDAL: You know, I think for all of us in America, it reminded us whatever our differences -- and we have differences, we're still united as a country. And I think it brought us together. We saw some unity, and I hope we never forget that. It's fine to debate our differences, and we should. That's part of who we are as American people. But ultimately there's a lot more that binds us together. And what it reminded me of that this country built on freedom will always withstand -- there's no external threat or a challenge that can take away what makes this country great.

But I was just -- I was humbled to see the resiliency of the American people. And just the compassion that people put out. I was lying in D.C. at the time. I was working in D.C. at the time. It was just amazing to see people come together.

COSTELLO: I agree with you there. You know, you well know, Governor Jindal, that terrorism still tops the list of concerns in the United States, but our politicians seem to be focused on insulting one another. You've joined the pack recently calling Donald Trump a madman. Is that the only way to make Trump stop insulting his fellow Republicans?

JINDAL: Carol, this is a serious moment in our country's history. I think we've got an incredible opportunity to get our country back. As a conservative I think our country is slipping away from us. $18 trillion of debt. You mentioned the international war on terrorism. I believe we've got a president who is making a truce with Iran while he declares wars on trans fats. He refuses to say the terms radical Islamic terrorism. Planned Parenthood engages in these barbaric acts. The idea of America slipping away and we've got an opportunity, a moment to get our country back --

(CROSSTALK)

COSTELLO: So --

JINDAL: -- to intimate conservative Christians.

COSTELLO: And I understand your concerns about all of those issues, so why come out and called Donald Trump a narcissist and a madman and other things?

JINDAL: Well, I think the danger of Donald Trump -- I like the idea of Donald Trump. I think it's very entertaining when he takes on the D.C. establishment, when he says politically incorrect things. I think he's right we need an outsider. What worries me is, however, that as conservatives, we have a choice. Do we turn our principles, do we turn to a man who believes in nothing but himself?

Look, he has no ideology. He doesn't believe in anything other than Donald Trump. He's a narcissist, he's an egomaniac. Let's not waste this opportunity. He's not for limited government. The only thing he is for is for Donald Trump. This is a serious time. It's time for us to turn to proven

conservative leaders. It's time to put the Donald in the elevator, send him downstairs, and tell him that he's fired.

COSTELLO: Well, here's the thing. Because as you know, Donald Trump responds to those who insult him and you are no exception. He tweeted out this morning, "Oh wow, lightweight Governor Bobby Jindal, who is registered at less than 1 percent in the polls, just mocked my hair. So original."

JINDAL: That exactly sums up what is wrong with Donald Trump. I gave a speech yesterday, called him a narcissist, and saying he was an egomaniac. And all he heard was a stray comment about his hair. That's the whole point. The reality is, look, he's been for socialized medicine, he's been for tax increases. He doesn't an ideology. He's not conservative, he's not liberal, he's not an independent, he's not a Democrat, he's not a Republican, he is for Donald Trump.

This is a rallying cry to conservatives to say let's put our faith in our proven conservative principles. It's time to shrink the government economy, grow the American economy. This is no time to turn into an entertainer.

Look, he's a great reality TV star and that's wonderful. Put him back on TV, but, you know, folks say they're worried about giving him the nuclear codes. It's not that, he will implode in the general election. But it's even worse than that, if he were to be elected, we have no idea what he would actually do in the White House.

COSTELLO: So you don't want him to be in charge of that red button I would assume.

Well, let me ask you this question. Some women in the GOP think Trump is cementing an image of Republicans being a party of grumpy, misogynist old men. Are you glad Carly Fiorina is going to be on the same debate stage as Donald Trump?

JINDAL: Look, I think the more that get to debate the better. I think it was ridiculous, he went after -- and the reason I made fun of his hair and the reason I said that a guy that looks like he's got a squirrel on his head shouldn't be attacking anybody else for their appearances was in response to his attack on her appearances. But that's the problem.

The whole thing is a carnival show. You know, it all becomes about silly insults and outrageous comments and he will just say the most outrageous things and offend people. That's not what -- that's not what we need in the leader of the free world. That's not what we need at this critical time in our country's history. We've got a once-in- a-lifetime opportunity to rescue the idea of America, to get us back on path.

COSTELLO: Is part of you cheering Carly Fiorina on?

JINDAL: Well, look, I think I'm the candidate that's best qualified to be that conservative leader. The voters will decide. The reality is, though, that I'm the only candidate that's reduced the size of government. Everybody alleges talks about it. I'm certainly glad to see her stand her ground and hit back at Trump. I'm glad to see others come out and criticize Trump for his outrageous comments as well.

COSTELLO: Here's the other thing. You say you're the best candidate, yet the polls show you at 1 percent and some accuse you of this -- you know, calling Donald Trump names, trumping Trump as far as insults go, as sort of a desperate move because even when you appeared at the National Press Club yesterday, the audience was very small.

[10:10:03] JINDAL: Well, but the reality is our strategy is working in Iowa. We focused on the early states, we're moving up in the polls. We're going to 99 counties, we're doing town hall meetings. We're building momentum.

The reality is, is our strategy is working. This is not about me. This is bigger than that. This is about the conservative movement. This is about our country. This is about a moment in time. The Democrats have gift-wrapped this election for us. They've nominated their weakest candidate who is running the worst campaign. We're in a great position to win this election. Let's not blow it.

And look, I agree with Trump in going after the D.C. establishment. I think that's right. I think we need to fire everybody in D.C. I think we need to be willing to be politically incorrect. I think we need to shake up and challenge the status quo.

COSTELLO: OK.

JINDAL: But he is not the person to do that.

COSTELLO: OK. So there's one positive about Donald Trump. So I'll ask you this question and I know Wolf Blitzer asked you this question yesterday. But if Donald Trump wins the Republican primary, will you support him?

JINDAL: Carol, he's not going to win the -- the nomination. The reality is --

COSTELLO: But if he does, will you support him?

JINDAL: Look. He is not going to be the nominee. I'm going to support the Republican nominee. I'm going to be the Republican nominee. He is not going to be our nominee. The reality is --

COSTELLO: But at the moment he has more of a chance to be the Republican nominee than you do, frankly. He's at 30 percent and you're at 1 percent in the polls.

JINDAL: He's not a serious candidate. He doesn't have the substance. He doesn't have the intellectual curiosity or the policy depth. He's not going to be the nominee. And that's the point of this speech yesterday at the National Press Club. The whole point of this is to rally conservatives and say let's get serious. He's a great entertainer. We've enjoyed the show. The idea of Donald Trump is great. The substance isn't. The substance is a narcissist --

COSTELLO: OK. So I'm just going to try one more time, Governor Jindal.

So, yes or no, would you support Donald Trump if he wins the Republican nomination?

JINDAL: I'm going to support the Republican nominee. I'm going to be the Republican nominee. Donald Trump will not be --

COSTELLO: Even if it's Donald Trump, you're going to support that?

JINDAL: Donald Trump will not be our nominee. That's the whole point. We're fighting hard to make sure he is not our nominee. He will either implode in the general election or even -- even worse than that, if he were to win, who knows what he would do in the White House. We have no idea -- we know he doesn't believe in limited government. Who knows what he believes in. His only concern with top down government is that he is not the one in charge. That's not his concern.

(CROSSTALK)

COSTELLO: So he would be too dangerous for you to support even if he wins the nomination?

JINDAL: Look, I'm going to support the nominee, but I'm going to be the nominee. Donald Trump is not going to be our nominee.

(LAUGHTER)

COSTELLO: OK. I gave it my best try.

Governor Bobby Jindal, thank you so much for joining me this morning. I appreciate it.

JINDAL: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Right now to the Democrats and a new CNN poll that shows a dip in support for Hillary Clinton as enthusiasm for a potential Joe Biden candidacy grows.

Our senior Washington correspondent Jeff Zeleny joins me now to walk us through those numbers.

Good morning, Jeff.

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol. More challenges for Hillary Clinton. Our new poll shows that she continues to take a hit after what's really been a bruising summer. For the first time she is below 40 percent in national polling.

Let's take a look at some of these numbers. Only 37 percent of Democrats now say she's their choice for president. That is down 47 percent from August. Now Bernie Sanders is only 10 points behind her at 27 percent. But meanwhile, support for Joe Biden has climbed now to 20 percent.

But, Carol, perhaps most striking of all, a steep decline in enthusiasm. Only 43 percent of Democrats now say they're enthusiastic about her candidacy. That is down from 60 percent when she first jumped in back in April.

Now when you look at these head-to-head match-ups with Republican candidates, Clinton is essentially tied with them. A double-digit lead earlier this summer has now evaporated. She runs practically even with Trump and slightly behind Jeb Bush but it's a different story with Joe Biden. He runs 10 points stronger than Trump and eight points higher than Bush.

But despite all of this, Carol, here is a bit of a reality check. A wide majority of Democrats still believe that Clinton will win the party's nomination, 65 percent. The question, of course, is how strong of a challenge Bernie Sanders or even perhaps Joe Biden, should he jump in, will give her before the voting begins early next year -- Carol.

COSTELLO: You're going to keep an eye on it for us. Thank you so much. Jeff Zeleny reporting live for us.

And you do not want to miss the GOP presidential candidates facing on and off back-to-back debates. Watch next Wednesday night, September 16th at 6:00 and 8:00 Eastern only on CNN.

And CNN will also host the first of six Democratic debates, October 15th in Nevada. What do you want to hear from the candidates? Tweet us our debate questions using the hashtag CNNdebate.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM, countless refugees seeking a new life with joy filled moments as one raft crammed with families finally arrives in Greece.

[10:14:32]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: All right. I want to take you out to Baltimore where the embattled mayor of the city, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, is holding a news conference and she's basically telling reporters she will not seek re-election. Let's listen.

MAYOR STEPHANIE RAWLINGS-BLAKE, BALTIMORE CITY: -- campaign, and I haven't lost a campaign since middle school, and Anthony Watson isn't in this campaign. So it's not that I didn't think I could win, I just knew -- I had to ask myself the question at what cost and at this time. I believe that I could have won because there's no other candidate who could demonstrate what I have -- what I have done or what more they could do to make this city but -- to make this city better. But I knew that the next 15 months had to be more -- about more than that.

I have a track record of making the right decisions for our city's future. That track record includes not always making what many would think is the political decision or the popular decision, but it's the right decision. I have always done what I knew would move the city forward, and my record reflects that.

[10:20:11] When I came into office, the city was in turmoil for many reasons. We had a budget deficit of over $140 million. The pension system was spiraling out of control. People had lost hope and faith in city government, and at that time I got busy. I put forward ethics reforms, increasing the staff and the budget for inspector general's office to attack waste, fraud, and abuse in city government.

I put forth more pension reforms than I would say any mayor -- any government official in the country, reforming our pension system and putting ourselves in the position so that pension that our city workers, that our fire and police officers depend on, is there for them when they retire. I reduced the city's structural deficit by more than half. We have the city's first, and I say the country's first, 10-year financial plan. We've increased the city's combined bond rating to the highest level it's been since the '60s.

You don't get there by not being -- by being unwilling to make the tough decisions to move our city forward. We've reduced property taxes to the lowest level in decades with more --

COSTELLO: All right. So we're going to break away with this. But in a nutshell the Baltimore city mayor, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, will not seek re-election. As you know, she's been embattled lately because of the riots taking place in Baltimore and these six police officers who have been indicted in the death of Freddie Gray. Six separate trials and before those trials even begin the city decided to settle with the Freddie Gray family for $6.4 million. And many people in Baltimore thinks that poisoned the well for these police officers.

Again, the Baltimore city mayor says she will not seek re-election, although she says it has nothing to do with what's happening in her city at the moment as far as the Freddie Gray case or police.

Checking some other top stories for you at 22 minutes past. Cuba is pardoning more than 3500 prisoners in honor of Pope Francis' upcoming trip. That's according to state media. The Pope was scheduled to visit Cuba in one week on September 19th. The prisoners could be released within the next 72 hours.

Fiat Chrysler is recalling more than 1.7 million ram trucks. The automaker is worried about faulty wiring in a steering wheel that's led to the driver's side airbag deploying. Two injuries are linked to that issue. Chrysler is already under fire from federal regulators over its handling of recalls.

The NFL kicked off what's likely to be another record breaking money season. The Patriots and Steelers facing off in Foxborough. The world's richest sports league raked in $12 billion in revenue last year. And that's expected to hit $13 billion this year.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM, lately Vice President Joe Biden is hearing cries of run, Joe, run. Now an emotional Biden is opening up about whether he will enter the race. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:27:25] COSTELLO: Ceremonies are now underway in New York. The victims of those lost on that tragic day 14 years ago, reading their names in a touching tribute. We're going to pause in just a few moments at 10:28 Eastern Time. Of course that marks the very moment the North Tower at the World Trade Center fell and was struck by American Airlines Flight 11.

It took a long time for the North Tower to fall. It didn't collapse, as I said, until 10:28. Approximately 1600 people on the ground, including emergency workers, died when that tower came down. Let's pause.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Never knowing that he wouldn't return. He left the building that day but went back in. Don't know what you were thinking, but you are a true American hero. You're my hero. You're my son, and I love you. Your family is here today with us. I know you're looking down smiling and shaking your head, saying, that I'm nervous, but I am, so God bless, son. Love you. Keep smiling.

(APPLAUSE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael Patrick Laforte.

COSTELLO: All right. We're going to step away and move on to politics now.

"I'd be lying if I said that I knew I was there." That's Vice President Joe Biden on the late show with Stephen Colbert when asked whether he's decided to run for the country's highest office. During an emotional interview, Biden opened up about the death of his son Beau and why his decision to run for president depends on family.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: A couple months before he died I was at his house, and he said, dad, sit down. I want to talk to you. And Hallie, his wife, incredible kid.

(END)