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Latest Poll Data for Iowa and New Hampshire; Philadelphia Police Warned of Further Attacks; David Bowie Has Died; Playboy Mansion for Sale for $200 Million. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired January 11, 2016 - 15:30   ET

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

[15:30:00] BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: But I think there may be something to what Bernie Sanders said. I don't think they thought it would be this close at this point - Pamela.

PAMELA BROWN, CNN HOST: Yes. As you said earlier, perhaps a little too close for comfort.

Brianna Keilar, thank you so much.

And the new polls show the Republican race is getting tighter in Iowa, but getting wider in New Hampshire. Just moments ago Quinnipiac University released its poll of likely Iowa caucus goers and Donald Trump, take a look, leads Ted Cruz 31 to 29 percent, well within the margin of error with the rest of the field far behind.

Also today, Monmouth University came out with its result for New Hampshire. And it is now the third poll in a row that shows Donald Trump with at least a third of the GOP vote in New Hampshire. The real race is for a distant second place among Ted Cruz, John Kasich and Marco Rubio.

With me now is Democratic strategist Harlan Hill and Republican political consultant Mindy Finn. Thank you both for coming on.

Mindy, I'm going to start with you here because in Iowa, Quinnipiac found that while Trump is slightly ahead, his negative rating is much stronger with 26 percent saying they would definitely definitively support Trump. But for Cruz that number was just seven percent. Is that a sign to you that Cruz will ultimately prevail?

MINDY FINN, REPUBLICAN POLITICAL CONSULTANT: Yes. There are some troubling signs for Donald Trump in Iowa. I mean, that race according to poll is essentially tied right now. But as you mentioned, more than a quarter of Iowa caucus goers say they would never vote for Donald Trump. In terms of the matchup between Donald Trump and say Hillary Clinton, he does not do as well as in Marco Rubio or a Ted Cruz. And as we get close to the final votes here, what we are seeing is that this rate starts to really take shape and there can be shifts even in this last few weeks. I think when voters make that final decision, it's really important for them to consider, you know, who can do best in a general election, who has the longevity here in the race.

BROWN: Yes. A lot can happen between now and then a few weeks and half of the voters apparently have not made up their minds according to this poll.

Harlan, to you now. I want to ask you about this birther debate now that is sort of ramping up against Ted Cruz. We have Rand Paul now jumping into this voicing his concerns about Cruz's eligibility. Would Democrats challenge this if Cruz does advance?

HARLAN HILL, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST/POLITICAL CONSULTANT: Well, if Cruz does advance, there's no question this is going to be on the table. So if I'm a Republican strategist, if I am Republican candidate, I think I want to get this out of the way now, you know. If your primary concern is, you know, is winning back the White House in 2016, we need to establish that Cruz is actually eligible to be the next president of the United States. So I think it is perfectly fair game for Donald Trump and for everyone else in the field to take a shot at him on this because frankly Cruz needs to answer it.

BROWN: Well, and Cruz has answered it and said he believes that he is a U.S. citizen.

But Mindy, what do you believe -- what is your take on this about Rand Paul sort of jumping into this debate? He is at two percent in the latest polls, of latest poll. Why do you think he's jumping into this?

FINN: Yes. It's hard to see how this helps Rand Paul. I think other than getting his name in the headlines, we are talking about him today. It's been hard for him to get traction in a crowded field, but it could potentially hurt Ted Cruz. The more people pile on and cast doubt on his candidacy.

BROWN: And Harlan, turning to Sanders now closing in on Hillary Clinton as we just talked about with Iowa - I mean, with Iowa, with Brianna. Should we win in Iowa and New Hampshire, should that mean that the party should see him as the candidate as he suggests or a small setback for Clinton?

HILL: I'm losing her.

BROWN: OK. You are having some issue. That's OK.

Mindy, I'll go to you on that question then. What do you think? I mean, if Bernie Sanders wins in Iowa and New Hampshire, how much of a setback would that be for the Hillary camp?

FINN: I think that would be a major setback. I mean, going back to 2008 when she entered that race as the presumptive nominee and didn't take Barack Obama seriously and look where we are today. And that's with her doing better in New Hampshire. Obviously, Barack Obama doing well in Iowa. If Sanders were to win Iowa and New Hampshire, I think that casts her candidacy into doubt and really puts him in a position of a front runner. There's no way to look at that differently.

BROWN: Mindy Finn and Harlan Hill that we just lost there due to technical issue. There he is back again. Thank you so much to both of you for coming on. Great discussion there.

HILL: Thank you.

BROWN: And up next in the NEWSROOM, a warning for cops in Philly after the ambush of an officer on duty. A tipster now tells police, the suspect had ties to a radical group.

Plus, saying good-bye to music legend David Bowie, an artist who had the rare opportunity to draw the singer's portrait shares his perspective on Bowie's legacy.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:38:33] BROWN: A warning to Philadelphia police officers. The threat may not be over. It comes after an officer was ambushed while sitting in his squad car shot three times and now a woman has approached another officer and told him his colleagues may still be in danger.

Police say Edward Archer shot at the officer Jesse Harnett 13 times. Harnett incredibly officer got out of his car, chased the suspect and shot him. Police say they are also looking into the suspect's ties to a radical group.

CNN's Jason Carroll is following this story for us.

Jason, what do we know about this tip and how credible it is?

JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's the key question, Pamela. First, let's talk about when that tip came in. It came in on Saturday as that woman approached that officer there in Philadelphia saying that Edward Archer wasn't alone. Basically saying that he had some sort of affiliation to a radicalized group of people. This is what investigators are trying to check out at this point. They released a statement, the Philadelphia police.

Let me read part of it to you. It says the Philadelphia police department and federal partners take this type of information very seriously, particularly after the recent attack on officer Hartnett. Therefore, the department along with the federal bureau of investigation is actively investigating these allegations in an effort to verify the credibility of the information give given.

Now, we should also tell you that a representative from the Philadelphia police unit has weighed in. He basically said that Archer was part of this group, according to what he knew, and saying that there may be as many as three other men that police should be looking for. I want you to listen to what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[15:40:11] JOHN MCNESBY, PHILADELPHIA FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE: Whether it was ISIS, whether it was just he's in this group, whatever it is, this guy needs to be looked at if it is credible taken off the street.

(END VIDEO CLIP) CARROLL: So Pamela, clearly several points of concern here. Some red flags for investigators, but once again what they are beginning to be doing is looking at this tip, looking at this woman who gave them the tip to see if she is credible to see if this information is credible as they move forward with this investigation.

BROWN: And in the meantime, I imagine police are taking extra precautions.

Jason Carroll, thank you very much.

Up next right here in NEWSROOM, the last days of a legend. My next guest says David Bowie's music has been a major influence on his career. Gene Simmons, the lead singer of the band Kiss joins me next. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:45:08] BROWN: He was the master of reinvention. A musical genius who defied (INAUDIBLE) and generations. David Bowie has died at the age of 69. He succumb last night to an 18-month battle with cancer. Equally tragic, the rock and roll hall of famer had just released a new album Black Star last Friday on his 69th birthday. Just the latest in his iconic body of work.

(VIDEO CLIP PLAYING)

BROWN: Truly a music legend. And no surprise here, celebrity tributes are pouring in on social media about Bowie including one from my next guest. A long-time friend of Bowie's and former band leader for Kiss, Gene Simmons. He tweeted, David Bowie, you will be sorely missed, Bowie's changes and the Ziggy story songs were a major influence for me.

Also joining me today Robert Risko a celebrity portrait artist who drew this image, take a look, as a tribute to Bowie for the New Yorker.

Gentlemen, welcome to you both. Really appreciate you coming on today.

And Gene, I want to start with you. First off, I'm sorry about the loss of your friend. Tell us how did he influence you?

GENE SIMMONS, FRIEND OF DAVID BOWIE: Well, it happened early on. I mentioned this before, but in 1975 Kiss was recording at the same recording studio David was. And we didn't know each other or anything. We were certainly in awe of his talent and were aware of Ziggy and, you know, all the great songs, Changes and so on. And for some reason he was kind enough to invite us into the studio to listen to tracks of his new record. And, of course, we were scared to death, so I walk in and I'll never forget this. As I walked into the studio looking straight in the eye, straight in the face and he smiled. And I was taken aback because, again, we had never met. And he stuck his hand out and said, hello. Wonderful to meet you. Unassuming, no ego, you can say lots of things about David Bowie, he was a game changer, marched to the beat of his own drum, never looked to see what anybody else was doing. You can't quite put your finger on who he is, what he's done. He completely was a unique artist. He was a visionary.

Now, again, there are a lot of famous people who make records and movies and stuff like that. That isn't the same thing. The air up there is rarefied and as reserved for a few. Icon is reserved for a few. David Bowie was a giant.

BROWN: And let's talk about that with Robert. You create celebrity portraits. What kind of influence or inspiration was Bowie for you as an artist? Are you a Bowie fan? Of course, he is someone who is a bit of a chameleon, but more than that he has had an impact on so many people not just who listen to his music.

ROBERT RISKO, CELEBRITY PORTRAIT ARTIST: I've been a Bowie fan ever since the beginning since the 70s when I was in high school. A friend in Pittsburgh turned me on to him. And I immediately was attracted to his (INAUDIBLE) image at the time. And I followed Bowie personally and professionally. I am a fan of his. He is a chameleon. He inspired my own kind of wearing personalities and the kind of work I do because I have to draw people for a living. And I always saw him as the artist's artist. I always thought that he was the muse for so many creative people. There wouldn't be a Madonna, there wouldn't be, you know, Marilyn Manson, so many people names off the top of my head.

But what he did, though, was he didn't copy people. He took things from the culture and he recomposed it in a collage kind of way that was distinctively his style. No one else could duplicate that. It was from the heart and it is in our dream state of consciousness, which is where all art lives.

BROWN: Gene, I have to ask you, he just released his album this past Friday. Have you listened to it? And if so, what do you think?

SIMMONS: Yes. Again, he continues to break the rules, especially his own rules. You know, everybody else is trapped, us too. You know, we are very aware of what the fans want. You don't want to dare make a left-hand turn or right-hand turn. You want to go right down the middle. He never cared that. He just says this is what's inside of me. This is what I'm going to do because I believe in it.

I think it is worth noting and I mentioned it before. The very first lyric shows you the dignity and the, you know, the greatness of the man. The very first lyric in black star, his new album, is, look up there, I'm in heaven. You know, he knew he was dying. He's been battling cancer for a year. And he did it with dignity and grace. And didn't use media, you know, for the cheapness of what some of us do. You know, it's a very, very sad state of affairs. The world is much worse off without David Bowie.

[15:50:42] BROWN: And, quickly to you both, Gene, first to you. What do you think his legacy will be going forward and his influence will be on future musicians?

SIMMONS: I'll tell you what the legacy is. And I'm clear about this because it's happened to me. Somewhere out there is a 15-year-old kid who is in Nebraska or Wyoming or some place. And while he's listening to all the pop stars and rap stars and all that stuff, he may hear all the young dudes by (INAUDIBLE) which David wrote and produced and gave to the band. He may hear "Changes" and his life will never be the same. And he'll be inspired.

The thing about Bowie, the iconic nature of him, it all -- it's generational and doesn't stop with, you know, fashion and stuff like that. He continues on. His music is his legacy and his DNA is in me. And it's going to be in the next 15-year-old kid who's going to start his own band and become great because of David Bowie.

BROWN: That's a good way to sum it up. Robert, to you.

RISKO: And I will agree with gene and add to that that again I will say he was the artist's artist. And other creative people look to him for direction, I think. And I think that follow your heart was probably something he always thought although we don't know. But just in creativity he went in to the unknown. There was nothing ever predictable. And I would say he would be the most unpredictable entertainer there ever was.

BROWN: Touching tribute from you both.

Gene Simmons, Robert Risko, thank you very much.

RISKO: Thank you.

BROWN: And up next right here in NEWSROOM, the playboy mansion up for sale for a cool $200 million. But there is a catch, it comes with a tenant who can't be evicted. I wonder who are that is. So who gets to stay and is the asking price realistic? We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:31:46] BROWN: So one of the most iconic houses in the country is up for sale. The famed playboy mansion has hit the market for a cool $200 million. The five-acre property in Los Angeles can be all yours. And if that's not enough, they will even throw in Hugh Hefner. That's right. He is part of any deal that Playboy founder gets to keep living in the mansion.

Joining me now to discuss is luxury real estate agent Josh Altman from the show "Million Dollar Listing."

Josh, thanks for coming on. First of all, have you ever heard of this before where someone's selling the house and they say, hey, but with this deal I'm going to continue to live in it?

JOSH ALTMAN, MILLION DOLLAR LISTING: Believe it or not, I have done about a dozen of those deals before.

BROWN: Wow.

ALTMAN: Where you're dealing with the family or trust or an estate where the elderly person stays in the house until they do die. BROWN: That's incredible. I have to admit I've never heard of that

before. So we have not only the playboy mansion but we have Hugh Hefner as part of this package deal. Is it really worth $200 million though?

ALTMAN: Well, let's take a step back here. We are talking about the size of the White House, the most famous house on the planet, the playboy mansion. Every young billionaire little boy dreams of buying this place, and now they can. Who cares what it's worth? It's the playboy mansion.

Look, I look at it as this. I look at it about $12.5 million for each acre of dirt. It is somewhere between five and six acres, plus it's the playboy mansion. So add another $20 million, $25 million onto it, I think it's probably worth about $100 million.

BROWN: OK, so the next question is who would buy this kind of property? What would they do with it?

ALTMAN: Well, I'll tell you one thing, they are going to be very strict allowing people into this property. You're going to have to be prequalified at least a couple times I'm sure. This to me is an international buyer all day long who wants to make a major footprint in real estate in Los Angeles. And obviously has a pretty big ego. But at the end of the day the property is incredible. The privacy is incredible. And the location is -- it's the best location. It hits all the boxes.

BROWN: No doubt about it. If you just have $100 million to pay for it. But I still can't get over the fact Hugh Hefner gets to live in the home until he dies.

In other experiences you've had what are the terms normally for this kind of thing? I mean, someone else is living there and then he's there, and like, how does that work?

ALTMAN: Well, ever since I've known Hugh Hefner looks like he is getting younger ever single year. So I don't know if that's one of the type of deals that I want to be involved in. You got to cap it off, OK. Not that I'm saying that we want him to die or this or that, but there's got to be a cap. At some point if he's still alive at a certain amount of time, let's move him out to another place. This is a lot of money, but at the end of the day it's a trophy property. You're parking your cash into it so if it's 10, 15, 20 years, it doesn't matter, it's going to be worth so much money even if it is a job that you're going to have to gut the entire house.

BROWN: OK. In a word you've been in the mansion, what kind of condition is it in?

ALTMAN: Well, for today's standards you're going to have to gut the entire property. I'm assuming it's going to cost about $20 million to bring this to where it needs to be to today's standards and then you can resell it for $200 million.

BROWN: Unbelievable. Josh Altman, thank you so much. Great talking with you.

And that does it for me. "The LEAD" with Jake Tapper starts right now. Thanks so much for watching.

JAKE TAPPER, CNN CHIEF WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Pam. Three weeks to go until actual votes are cast in 2016. "The LEAD" starts right now.