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County Clerk Kim Davis Returns to Work; What GOP Candidates Have to Do in Debate to Move Ahead; Voter Comments on GOP Candidates; Arnold Schwarzenegger to Take Over "Celebrity Apprentice." Aired 2:30- 3p ET

Aired September 14, 2015 - 14:30   ET

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

[14:30:00] BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Kim Davis, today, she's back on the job after spending six days in jail for denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Davis returned to her office with the promise not to interfere with the law.

And with that, the first same-sex couple wanted to get married and stepped up to the front of the line this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(SHOUTING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Look at that scene in that county clerk office. So this couple -- here they are -- they received their license amid cheers and jeers.

I need to point out that Kim Davis is nowhere to be found at that moment. Earlier, she made this statement vowing to stand her ground.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KIM DAVIS, ROWAN COUNTY CLERK: I'm here before you this morning as I return to work to say I love my Lord Jesus. I love all people and I love my job. I want to continue to serve all three as I have tried to do until now. Since January of this year, I have been asking the governor, the Kentucky legislature for one simple thing. An accommodation for my religious believes regarding marriage that would allow me to serve the citizens of this county without violating my conscience. It points to the same person, Kim Davis, to affix my name or title on a certificate that authorizes marriage that conflicts with God's definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman violates my deeply held religious convictions and conscience. For me, this would be an act of disobedience to my God. While there are many accommodations available, a simple accommodation I have proposed it is to remove my name and title the clerk of the county and completely off the marriage license. These licenses could be issued another authority, including perhaps the commonwealth of Kentucky or the governor himself.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: That was Kim Davis speaking a bit ago. Martin Savidge is in Morehead, Kentucky.

You talked to the couple right before they walked in. Did they think they were going to get a license?

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They weren't certain, going in. A couple weeks ago, they were here and went before Kim Davis. They wanted a marriage license then. She denied them. And in the interim, you had it becoming a national conversation, you had her going into jail, you had had huge protests that came out front. So today they weren't sure and here's what they said just before they went in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CARMEN WAMPLER-COLLINS, RECEIVED MARRIAGE LICENSE: You know, I feel it's unfortunate that she has taken things to this extreme. You know, I appreciate that she has her believes and she's making a stand, but to stand in the way of the people she serves exercising their rights is just wrong.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: They had to sort of go through a gauntlet of those who are Kim Davis supporters, who were shouting at the couple as they went in. But they were able to get their marriage license. It was not signed by Kim Davis. Kim Davis didn't even come out of her office and didn't even open the door. She clearly did not interfere in any way. The couple wanted to point out. This would have been a marvelous day for them, but it's overshadowed by a side show talking about a document. What they celebrate most is the fact that they after 20 years of being together have the right to be married -- Brooke?

BALDWIN: With all the cameras, they have this special moment documented.

Martin Savidge, thank you, sir.

Coming up next, back to our breaking news. A college professor today shot and killed on campus. Police are still looking for the shooter. We have new details on that.

Also a CNN producer hopped a train to the debate. Chicago here to L.A., a 44-hour train ride and asked passengers what they think about the Republican field. This is fascinating. Stay here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:38:38] BALDWIN: We're back at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California. 48 hours away from that massive debate here at the library. All eyes on the Republican field.

Let's talk Democrats and specifically Hillary Clinton. She's been in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She's been speaking at a "Women for Hillary" event. And she was asked if she will be watching this upcoming CNN Republican debate. Here was her response.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON, (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE & FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE: I will watch it and how each of the Republicans is out of touch and out of date in what they are saying and keep track of that because clearly their front runner goat gets most of the attention but there's no difference. And I want to keep drawing those contrasts so not just Democrats but Independents, Republicans and Americans, one and all, can understand that electing any of the Republican candidates would be a dramatic U-turn.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: So all eyes on the Republicans, as I said. 15 of them coming out this week, 11 on the main stage, four on the stage ahead on Wednesday night. Let's talk about what they have to punch through.

Joining me is Kurt Schlichter, who is a big fan of Donald Trump.

(LAUGHTER)

I kid.

(CROSSTALK)

[14:40:05] KURT SCHLICHTER, CONSERVATIVE COMMENTATOR: I want to make America great again, Brooke.

(LAUGHTER)

BALDWIN: I thought that would get a laugh out of you.

Also Terra Grant, who is a Donald Trump supporter.

We want to have both sides on this one.

Awesome to have both of you on.

Looking ahead to Wednesday -- I want to begin with you, Terra -- Carly Fiorina, she is really emerged especially with the super PAC ad using Trump's words against him. Using all these female faces in this ad.

Let me play this first and then we'll chat.

OK, we don't have the super PAC ad, but it was Trump who said, in the "Rolling Stone" piece, something about you can't imagine that face for president. She's taken that and run with it. She has this upper hand. You have to assume she will take on Trump in some form or fashion.

BALDWIN: How hard will it be for Donald Trump to stand up there and defend himself?

TERRA GRANT, DONALD TRUMP SUPPORTER: You know, I think she would be wise to come out swinging. I think Donald Trump definitely has not pulled any punches when it comes to Carly Fiorina. She's a force to reckon with. But I do think that she needs to be careful because Donald Trump is notoriously known for going after one's jugular. Just as long as she's got her big girl panties on, I guess, she will be good to go.

BALDWIN: Let's assume she will be wearing those. My question is about Trump. How does he attack the only woman on stage? Granted he did that the last with the moderator at the last debate and it really didn't ding him in polls, but how does he take her on?

GRANT: I think he's going to go after her role at Hewlett-Packard and how she was fired. I think he will go after some of her stances. I think he will also go after her record in the corporate world. That's where he's going to go.

BALDWIN: So then, Kurt, we have heard him say it before. She was a failed CEO and here I am this billionaire, successful businessman, which is resonating with a lot of Americans. But on the flip side, when you look at his policies, it's not a traditional conservative Republican in the sense that he's talked about wanting to raise taxes on the wealthy. He was talking to CBS and his quote was Hillary and Jeb are controlled by the hedge fund guys and Wall Street guys. How is a billionaire winning the populous vote right now?

SCHLICHTER: Brooke, to me, it's mindboggling. I prefer my Republicans to actually be Republicans and to have never, ever voted for Barack Obama. Something that Donald Trump did. The problem with Donald Trump is I don't know what he's going to do from day-to-day. One day he's talking about taxing carried interest deductions for hedge fund guys. That's not a big deal. But the next day he's saying I want to deport all the illegal aliens. Then I want to keep some. Then I want to fund Planned Parenthood. This guy doesn't have an ideology. He has no foundation. And that's why I don't like him. He says some interesting things. He fights. I like that. I was in the infantry. I respect that. But he isn't ideologically grounded. I don't know what he's going to do next and I don't need a president where I'm guessing.

BALDWIN: Despite all of that, you were on this show last week and you said he's an idiot. Then I said could you throw your support behind him ask you said yes. You said, yes. You said, yes.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: I think a lot of people are in your camp. I want to see how the other candidates respond to that. They have signed the pledge but we just saw Rick Perry drop out and he's battled Donald Trump publicly. The other candidates who have taken him on have fallen in polls. Ben Carson, he's the only one who seems impervious to this back and forth. Why is he the exception?

SCHLICHTER: I don't know. First of all, let me do a little tribute to Rick Perry while I'm here. Because he was a great governor and I'm sorry that we're losing him from the race.

BALDWIN: Oh, there you go. Nice glasses.

(CROSSTALK)

SCHLICHTER: Thank you.

Ben Carson is a great guy and a wonderful example for all Americans. He has no business running for president. He's never run anything except a neurosurgery ward. That's nothing to scoff at but I despise Jeb to the core of my being, and I will vote for Donald Trump before I vote for that guy. But we need a conservative who knows how to operate in Washington, who can pull the levers and pull down this horrible edifice that Barack Obama has built. We need somebody who can do the job. All Donald Trump can do is talk.

(CROSSTALK)

[14:45:15] BALDWIN: I'm not going to touch the Obama and cronies comment.

But final words from Terra. As a Trump supporter dork, you enjoy the fact he takes people on? Help much of the audience understand what is so appealing.

GRANT: I think the fact that he's not Washington, D.C., I think the fact he's not politically correct. I think the fact that the things that Kurt may disagree with Donald Trump the most on is what has made him who he is. He's outspoken, he is politically incorrect and I really do like the fact that Kurt said I don't like him, but if he's the nominee, I will absolutely vote for. Yeah, you will, it will be like voting for yourself. It's amazing.

(LAUGHTER)

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Terra and Kurt, thank you for coming on. I always want to hear all perspectives. I know you'll be watching Wednesday night.

The Republican presidential debate here on CNN starting at 6:00 eastern with all 11 on stage, including Mr. Trump at 8:00 eastern, here on CNN.

Coming up, the long way to the debate. We sent one of our producers on a train from Iowa to southern California, 44 hours, asking passenger after passenger what they make of this field of Republican candidates. You have to hear their responses, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:51:10] BALDWIN: We are back out here live on this beautiful Monday afternoon at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. This is a really historic site. Site of Wednesday night's Super Bowl of debates, is what I keep saying, because it really feels like that. I hope you can feel it through the screen. The energy is palpable, the excitement. Featuring all these candidates who all are vying for the Republican nomination for president. As far as how I personally got out here, I hopped a plane on Friday,

but others chose to come out here via car, via train, so I wanted to share this story for you. My colleague, CNN digital producer, Jeff Simon, took the train all the way from Chicago to Los Angeles, 44 hours. On the way, he was talking and asking questions of passengers on that train what do they think of the current Republican field. Here's what Jeff found.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(MUSIC)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When you ask about my favorites, I have to always go for a governor that's been a successful governor and has run a state for at least four years and, better than that, eight years.

(MUSIC)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Bushes were good when they were in and I hope the other Bush goes in. Mrs. Clinton, I you don't have much to say about.

(MUSIC)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I like a lot of the candidates that are running on the Republican Party. Santorum, we liked him. Jeb Bush, I like him, too.

(MUSIC)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Trump is a TV animal.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think Donald Trump is refreshing. I think he breathes fresh air because he speaks his mind. It's not always the most pleasant thing.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's OK. I just don't know that I am convinced he would be the best to run our country.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He has played the TV like a Stradivarius violin.

(MUSIC)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Donald Trump looks out for himself. He's done hurt a lot of people's feelings, women, immigrants, and I don't think you'll ever see Donald Trump as president.

(MUSIC)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think our country is just, by the year, by the day, losing perspective. And the more we do, the more irrelevant our choices in candidates will end up being because we'll pick one candidate and he will jack things up, and we'll pick someone diametrically opposed to him and he'll jack things up. Somehow we have to come back to a place we were before.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: Jeff Simon, CNN digital, thank you so much for that.

Next, he was the "Terminator," he was the governor of the state of California, he was a "Kindergarten Cop," but now Arnold Schwarzenegger is back. That's coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:58:46] BALDWIN: Here in California, Donald Trump will take center stage for that debate coming Wednesday night. As he steps into the political spotlight here in Simi Valley, Trump is leaving reality TV behind. But a short time ago, we learned from NBC they are replacing Trump on the "Celebrity Apprentice" with Arnold Schwarzenegger, former California governor and world-famous movie star.

Let's go to our CNN senior media correspondent, Brian Stelter.

Brian, I just heard here from the library he's on the list of invitees who will be here in the audience at the debate Wednesday night. They are just waiting for his office to confirm. There you have it, Arnold Schwarzenegger the new host could be here on Wednesday. So what's he going to say, you're terminated?

BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT & CNN HOST, RELIABLE SOURCES: You can't say, "You're fired," that's Trump's line. He's going to have to say something new, maybe like "Hasta la Vista, baby." I like that idea better.

(CROSSTALK)

STELTER: He does have a year to figure it out. The show won't be on until the fall of next year at least. They have some time to figure it out.

If you think about Schwarzenegger, in some ways, he was foreshadowing Donald Trump. He was a celebrity running for office about a decade ago there in California. Maybe he laid the groundwork for Trump. It will be interesting to see if they meet up on Wednesday at the debate site.

Meanwhile, Trump has already given his blessing to Schwarzenegger, so the hand off has happened.