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New York Primary Voting Underway; Anthony Bourdain Tours Manila; Trump Dispenses Strategic Nicknames; Aired 10:30-11a ET

Aired April 19, 2016 - 10:30   ET

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


[10:33:00] CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning. I'm Carol Costello. Thank you so much for joining me. Voters in New York are heading to the polls for today's state primary. This is a closed contest, so only registered Democrats and Republicans can participate.

With New York's large delegate count, the outcome could make or break several campaigns. Miguel Marquez joins us from a polling place in Lancaster, New York, that's just outside of Buffalo.

Good morning.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol. New York's second biggest city and certainly 247 Democrats available and 95 Republican delegates. A huge delegate haul for both sides. Very steady stream of voters here today. Glen is checking in the voters as they come into this polling station in Lancaster, then they go over to their voting district there to check in there, and then they actually vote. We've seen several hundred here.

Across the state since December along there have been 307,000 new registrations, 170,000 of them Democrats, about 54,000 of them Republican, gives you a sense of the excitement from both sides there. Certainly the Democrats seem far more excited to register and to vote in this election. In part this is a bigger day and they're expecting heavy turnout because New York matters for the first time for both parties in a presidential primary in about 40 years, and three New Yorkers, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and Donald Trump all running in this one. Lots of excitement out there -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Certainly so. Miguel Marquez reporting live from Lancaster, New York, near Buffalo. Thanks so much.

Checking some other top stories for you at 34 minutes past. Five people have drowned in Texas as record rainfall triggers flash flooding. 1,000 homes have flooded, many of them still without power. Crews have carried out more than 1200 high-water rescues. More than 20 inches of rain fell in some areas in a single day. That was yesterday. And the total could rise today with more showers in the forecast.

Aftershocks are slowing recovery efforts in Japan. Rescue and clean- up efforts underway after twin earthquakes hit killing at least 43 people and injuring more than 1,000 more.

[10:35:08] The tremors ripping up roads, bridges, and rail lines. Officials now warning of further building collapses and landslides.

The death toll in the Ecuador earthquake has now topped 400 as rescue teams continue to search for survivors buried in the rubble. According to a CNN affiliate, a 35-year-old man was rescued from the ruins of a hotel yesterday. He actually called his mother from underneath the rubble to tell her he was trapped. Another rescue also took place yesterday. Crews managed to pull a dog out of a collapsed building.

Michigan's embattled governor is urging Flint residents to stop using bottled water and start using filtered tap water. Governor Snyder says he will lead the way drinking tap water for 30 days. Governor Snyder started with a glass at a Flint home yesterday. He says he even filled up three one-gallon jugs to go. Residents are still concerned as recent testing shows lead levels in the city's water supply remain slightly elevated.

Coming up next in the NEWSROOM, undecided on Election Day? A Republican Party loyalist from Long Island grappling with who to vote for after his guy dropped out.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:40:34] COSTELLO: Long Island is usually friendly territory for Republicans in presidential elections, so conventional today's primary, there should be -- it should be favorable for frontrunner Donald Trump. But some Republican state lawmakers from Long Island are less than enthusiastic about supporting Trump at this point. One of them is Assemblyman Dean Murray who had supported Marco Rubio until Rubio dropped out of the race. Now you are undecided. Still?

DEAN MURRAY (R), NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY: This is true. Yes, I am. Yes, I am. I'm still lamenting the fact that Marco's name will not be on the ballot today.

COSTELLO: Wow. So when do you plan to cast a vote?

MURRAY: As I leave the studio here I will go to my polling place and I will cast my vote.

COSTELLO: And you're still --

MURRAY: And I still have not decided completely.

COSTELLO: So as you're looking at the ballot, what are you going to do? Close your eyes and just --

(LAUGHTER)

MURRAY: No, you know, on the way back from here to the voting -- polling places, I will continue to do my homework and I would encourage anyone who is still undecided, check out where each candidate stands on the issues. You know, we have too much bumper sticker politics. We don't need that. We need details. We need to know where these candidates stand on the issues.

COSTELLO: Well, I think most voters would agree with you. Right? So Donald Trump is the frontrunner.

MURRAY: Yes.

COSTELLO: He's supposed to win New York by leaps and bounds. So why are you so hesitant to cast your vote for him?

MURRAY: I just -- you know, each candidate has their strengths and each has their weaknesses. Now as I said, I supported Marco Rubio because I think and I still think he would be the best president.

COSTELLO: Is it because Donald Trump called Marco Rubio Little Marco?

MURRAY: And the hands and everything else.

COSTELLO: Yes.

MURRAY: No, I think -- that part of it is unfortunate. It's unfortunate that the campaign has gotten to that point where there's name calling, finger-pointing, things like this. We need to really concentrate on the issues. We have serious issues out there whether it's domestically --

COSTELLO: So what are your reservations about Mr. Trump?

MURRAY: You know, I would say I want a few more details. I like what -- some of the things he's saying and I don't like some of the things he's saying.

COSTELLO: Like?

MURRAY: I think -- well, when you talk about the immigration policy, I'm happy that he's got that discussion going because it's something that needed to be done. We need to be taking steps to remedy this. There's been talk for 30 years and yet nothing done. So I like that he's bringing it up and he's got the discussion very lively and going, but maybe some of the fact that he's taken is a bit too much.

COSTELLO: Like the wall?

MURRAY: I'm OK with the wall. I don't know about rounding everyone up and, you know, kicking them out kind of thing.

COSTELLO: OK. So Ted Cruz and his New York values comment, is that why you're hesitant about Senator Cruz ?

MURRAY: Yes. And I'll be perfectly blunt, yes. I think he played that well to his advantage in Iowa, but now he's coming home to roost in New York, and I took offense to it, and I think others did, too.

COSTELLO: What do you think it means? Because Senator Cruz says it means the liberal values of New York City. The liberal politicians, rather.

MURRAY: Listen, I am a politician here in New York, and I work in Albany, and he's right, it is the liberal bastion, if you will, but there are also some conservative values in there as well. So when you make those kind of sweeping statements, I think you should be ready to pay the price when you do that. And I think that's the problem with this campaign to this point is there have been too many of those sweeping overall statements and generalizations.

We were talking on the way in here to the studio about labels and tags that have been given to all of the candidates, and anyone supporting them is considered -- well, you're sympathetic to amnesty or you're this or you're that. I think that's ridiculous. We need to be looking at issues.

COSTELLO: OK. I didn't mention John Kasich but he is expected to finish second here in the state of New York.

MURRAY: Yes, yes.

COSTELLO: So why not him?

MURRAY: I met with him about a week and a half ago, and I think he is an extremely sincere person. I think he really wants to do well. I do have some issues with some of his issues. Common Core for one. I'd like more details. I'd like more details from a lot of them which is why I'm still --

COSTELLO: It's too late.

MURRAY: I know, I know. I'm still a little bit undecided but I will make that decision and I will be voting.

COSTELLO: Has this helped?

MURRAY: Yes. Yes. I think --

COSTELLO: Talking about it publicly on national television?

MURRAY: Exactly. I will tell you this, I am not undecided in one race, though. I will be encouraging everyone to vote for Chris McGrath for New York state Senate today so -- in the Ninth District.

COSTELLO: At least you have your mind made up about someone.

MURRAY: Exactly. That's right.

COSTELLO: Thank you so much and good luck.

MURRAY: My pleasure. Thank you.

COSTELLO: It was an enjoyable conversation.

MURRAY: Thanks.

COSTELLO: Assemblyman Dean Murray, thank you.

CNN's live coverage of the New York primaries begins this afternoon 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Be sure to join us.

[10:45:01] Also still to come in the NEWSROOM, Anthony Bourdain is back. Where he set out on his latest season of "PARTS UNKNOWN" and what he learned.

And the Dow finally back above 18,000. Some say the milestone shows investors aren't too worried about slow global growth.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Anthony Bourdain is back with a new season of "PARTS UNKNOWN." In the premiere episode this Sunday he travels to the Philippines. He finds that for many mothers in Manila spending years away from your family is just a part of life.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm hungry. Although we always say it's lady's first, I think we'll serve you.

ANTHONY BOURDAIN, HOST, "PARTS UNKNOWN": It's OK this time? Just this once. So good. So how long have you been back in the Philippines.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In the Philippines, three years.

[10:50:01] BOURDAIN: Three years now.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

BOURDAIN: Where have you worked? Hong Kong for five years.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For five years and then I went to America. I stayed there for almost 30 years.

BOURDAIN (voice-over): Aurora is recently back in Manila after most of her life spent abroad.

(On camera): What kind of work were you doing?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I did housekeeping, you know, and babysitting.

BOURDAIN (voice-over): The money she sent home put everybody here and many, many more through school, lifted them up to a more comfortable life.

(On camera): And you left that family behind.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

BOURDAIN: To go out there and make money.

(Voice-over): That's never an easy decision, a painful, painful choice. Aurora's children, now middle-aged, are finally getting to know their mother.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK, OK, OK. Bring the food inside.

BOURDAIN (on camera): Many, many, many Filipino women like you had to leave their families, go abroad. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. Absolutely.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Anthony Bourdain is here to tell us more about his trip to Manila, and it's just -- it's sad actually.

BOURDAIN: Very emotional. This is not an atypical story. Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos leave the country, leave their families, leave their own children to spend most, if not all, of their lives abroad sending money back. It's an enormous and vital part of the Filipino economy. It's very much part of the overseas experience and I think it's going to be a very emotional show for a lot of Filipinos living here.

COSTELLO: And, you know, just in the short clip we saw, they seem so positive.

BOURDAIN: This is not unusual situation. I mean, their options are limited. The government doesn't do much for people. It's really -- somebody goes abroad, maybe everybody. I mean, this family many, many people in the family are working elsewhere and often under really terrible conditions. But this shows an examination of that part of the Filipino character that music is very important, entertaining, and most significantly caring for other people.

Unfortunately, many Filipinos are forced to care for people who are not their own family or friends, though at the same time they manage to do that. This woman literally raised an entire family and many strangers. Her faith is very important to her, many strangers back in Manila. So an incredible responsibility and a burden.

COSTELLO: I can't wait to watch. Anthony Bourdain, thanks for stopping by. Always nice to see you.

Tune in this Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. Eastern for the premiere of an all-new season of "PARTS UNKNOWN WITH ANTHONY BOURDAIN" only on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:57:16] COSTELLO: Let's head out to Brooklyn now. Voters hitting the polls on this primary day. And Hillary Clinton hoping to break Bernie Sanders' winning streak. In the meantime Donald Trump is looking for a solid win in New York, a win that will propel him to the GOP nomination. Our live coverage of the primary begins in a little over five hours.

All right. Nicknames, they are one of Donald Trump's favorite weapons and now he has a new one for Hillary Clinton.

CNN's Jeanne Moos plays the Trump nickname game.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They are nicknames designed to more than just nick an opponent. TRUMP: Lyin' Ted, Lyin' Ted. What's your name? My name is Lyin' Ted

Cruz.

MOOS: From Lyin' Ted to low energy Jeb to --

TRUMP: Little Marco.

MOOS: Donald Trump revels in misspelling them.

TRUMP: How would you spell that? L-Y-E-N. Lyen.

MOOS: And now he's got a new nickname intended to torment.

TRUMP: Crooked Hillary. Crooked Hillary, folks.

CLINTON: I don't respond to Donald Trump and his string of insults.

TRUMP: She's been crooked from the beginning.

CLINTON: He can say whatever he wants to say about me.

TRUMP: Crooked Hillary Clinton.

CLINTON: I really could care less.

MOOS: Sometimes the Donald dispenses a nickname that doesn't stick. For instance, all those crazy Megyn Kelly tweets never quite took off.

Trump suggested a nickname for himself when the candidates asked what they'd like their Secret Service name to be.

TRUMP: Humble.

MOOS (on camera): Actually, the Secret Service ended up code naming Trump "Mogul."

(Voice-over): Mogul has been the target of nicknaming retaliation from Ted Cruz.

CRUZ: Donald wakes up at night in cold sweats that people will call him Losin' Donald.

MOOS: And on Monday, Hillary went on a radio show that bestows "Donkey of the Day" dishonorable mention, a zinger once aimed at her. Hillary nominated Trump.

CLINTON: I think he's the donkey of the decade.

MOOS (on camera): Of course, the nickname for Donald is "The Donald." Where'd that come from? His first wife Ivana born in Czechoslovakia called him "The Donald" as she was learning English.

It turns out The Donald's ancestors changed the family name to Trump. When John Oliver heard the original name, well, everything old is new again.

JOHN OLIVER, HOST, HBO'S "LAST WEEK TONIGHT": And this is true, Drumpf, yes. (EXPLETIVE DELETED) Drumpf.

MOOS (voice-over): Hats off to nicknames.

OLIVER: "Make Donald Drumpf Again" hat.

MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: It's such a strange election season. It's always interesting, though, right? Thank you so much for joining me today. I'm Carol Costello. "AT THIS HOUR WITH BERMAN AND BOLDUAN" starts now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: No New Yorker can vote for Ted Cruz.

CRUZ: If I'm the nominee --

(END)