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Legal View with Ashleigh Banfield

Sanders Endorses Clinton. Aired 12-12:30p ET

Aired July 12, 2016 - 12:00   ET

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

[12:00:05] HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: That remains a problem even in our best police departments, but it also remains a problem across society.

And I'm asking for all of us to really search our hearts and minds to make sure we don't have those implicit biases. Let's learn from police departments like Dallas that had made strong progress and applied their lessons nationwide, because everyone in every community benefits when there is respect for the law and when everyone is respected by the law.

(APPLAUSE)

Remember when gunfire broke out in Dallas, the peaceful protesters and the crowd that had gathered to support them ran to safety while the police officers, who just minutes before, they had been talking with, and taking pictures with, and protecting the protesters, the police officers ran the other way. They ran into the gun fire. That's the kind of courage and dedication our police responders show every day.

So yes, let's take meaningful action to end the epidemic of gun violence in America.

(APPLAUSE)

From Sandy Hook, Orlando, to Dallas and so many places, these tragedies tear at our soul and so do the incidents that don't even dominate the headlines. Sunday, a young man, Seth Rich, who worked for the Democratic National Committee to expand voting rights, was shot and killed in his neighborhood in Washington. He was just 27 years old. Surely, we can agree that weapons of war have no place on the streets of America.

(APPLAUSE)

Our police and first responders should never have to face a mad man, a racist, a person filled with hatred with an assault weapon. We owe it to every officer that puts his or her life on the line to protect us, so let's protect them. And we can't stop there, this is part of a broader challenge across our country.

Inequality is too high. Wages are too low, and it is just too hard to get ahead for too many Americans. We need an economy that works for everybody, not just those at the top, not just millionaires and billionaires but everybody. To do that, we need to go big and we need to go bold.

(APPLAUSE)

This isn't a time for half measures. So we're setting five ambitious goals. For starters, for my first 100 days as President, we will make the biggest investment in new good-paying jobs since World War II.

(APPLAUSE)

More jobs here in New Hampshire and across our country, especially in places that have been left out and behind, in communities of color, in coal country, Indian country, everywhere where a person deserves the same shot as the American dream as anybody else in our country.

(APPLAUSE)

CLINTON: When I say good-paying jobs, I mean it. As Bernie said, Donald Trump thinks wages are too high. He actually stood on a debate stage and said so. He does want to get rid of the federal minimum wage altogether.

[12:05:09] Well, both Senator Sanders and I believe anyone who is willing to work hard should be able to find a job that pays well enough to support a family. And Bernie is right, $7.25 an hour is a starvation wage.

(APPLAUSE)

So, sorry Donald, if you're watching.

(LAUGHTER)

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We're not cutting the minimum wage. We're raising the minimum wage.

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And we're going to create millions of good jobs by making America the clean energy super power of the 21st century.

(APPLAUSE)

As Bernie reminds us so powerfully, we owe it to future generations to work together to combat climate change. And we're going to do it. We've got the intelligence. We've got the innovation. We're going to roll up our sleeves and demonstrate to the world what America is made of. We're going to have that clean energy economy and we're going to make it work for everybody.

(APPLAUSE) And make no mistake, we will defend American jobs and American workers by saying no to the assault on the right to organize and bargain collectively.

(APPLAUSE)

And we're going to say no to attacks on working families and no to bad trade deals and unfair trade practices, including the Trans- Pacific Partnership.

(APPLAUSE)

Second, we're going to make college debt-free for all, and help millions of people struggling with existing student debt save thousands of dollars. Here in New Hampshire, you know students are carrying one of the highest debt loads in the country. I've heard from young people who can't start a business, move out of their parents' home, or even get married because of all the student debt holding them back.

So with your help, we're going to make it so future students won't have to borrow a dime to attend public colleges or universities.

(APPLAUSE)

Thanks to the new proposal Senator Sanders worked on together for families making less than $125,000 a year, we will eliminate tuition at those schools altogether.

(APPLAUSE)

And we will do more to help students cover all the costs of getting an education, including books, supplies and living expenses.

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Because in the words of a student I met here in New Hampshire, paying for college shouldn't be the hardest thing about going to college.

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Third, we're going to rewrite the rules and crack down on companies that ship jobs and profits overseas.

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Let's reward the companies that share profits with their employees instead.

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And we will defend and strengthen the tough reforms President Obama put in place on the financial industry, not let Donald Trump tear them up, because we do -- we do need to make sure Wall Street can never wreck Main Street gain. (APPLAUSE)

Number four, we're going to make sure Wall Street corporations and the super rich pay their fair share of taxes.

(APPLAUSE)

[12:10:02] CLINTON: When people say the game is rigged, the best evidence is our tax code. It is riddled with scams, loopholes, and special breaks. It is wrong that some millionaires do pay a lower tax rate than their secretaries and we are going to stop it.

Now compare -- compare what Senator Sanders and I intend to do with Donald Trump's plan. His tax plan would make our current system even worse.

Independent analysts say he would in add $30 trillion to the national debt in order to give a massive gift to the wealthiest Americans, Wall Street money managers and our largest corporations. But after all, what else should we expect from someone who calls himself "The King of Debt?"

Now, we have been pointing out -- we have been pointing out the problems with his tax plan for months. And I think Donald is starting to feel the pressure.

In fact, even as we speak, he's apparently bringing in the biggest names in trickle-down supply side economics to help him figure out what to do. Now these are the same advisers who brought us 30 years of a disastrous Republican philosophy that gave the huge breaks to those at the top.

Now you don't have to be a psychic to know what's going to happen next. They are going to come back with another plan with maybe some bells and whistles, Bernie, that tries to disguise the fact that they still are slashing taxes for the wealthy, large corporations and Donald Trump himself.

And they will try to use voodoo economics...

(APPLAUSE)

... to tell us all the ways it will actually help the economy. But they are not fooling anybody, at least I hope they're not. Just like his current plan, which he calls inspiring, tremendous and amazing.

(LAUGHTER)

You know, he uses a lot of adjectives to avoid telling you any specifics. (LAUGHTER)

Here is what we know for sure. Whatever he comes out with next is going to give huge tax cuts to the corporations and the rich at the expense of the middle class.

Now, there is that old saying. You've heard it. I used to hear it a lot in Arkansas. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.

(APPLAUSE)

And I got to tell you, the first time that the Republicans pulled voodoo economics, you know, they fooled us. Shame on them. But if they come back with the same argument and people fall for it, shame on us.

But I promise you this. Senator Sanders and I will spare no effort to make sure the people of America know that, once again, Trump and his cronies are trying to pull the wool over our eyes and come back with the same failed policies that hurt us before. We are not going to let them get away with this again!

(APPLAUSE)

And finally, our fifth goal is we are going to step up and respond to the way American families actually live and work in the 21st century. Our families and our workplaces have changed. So isn't it time for our policies to change, too?

Let's expand Social Security to match today's realities, not cut or privatize it.

(APPLAUSE)

Let's join the rest of the developed world and offer paid family leave.

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And finally, let's guarantee equal pay for women once and for all!

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CLINTON: Now, I -- I can just envision the tweets Donald is putting together. And you know, Donald Trump can accuse me of playing the woman card all he wants. If fighting for equal pay and paid family leave is playing the woman card, then deal me in!

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[12:15:23] I'll tell you, these aren't just my fights. These are Bernie's fights. These are America's fights. And I feel with all my being these are fights we have to wage and win together.

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As Bernie and his supporters have argued so eloquently, we won't get anywhere unless we overhaul our campaign finance system.

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It is past time to end the stranglehold of wealthy special interests in Washington and get back to government of the people, by the people and for the people.

(APPLAUSE)

That's why as president from my very first days, I will make campaign finance reform a top priority. We will do everything we can to overturn Citizens United. And we will require everybody, Democrats, Republicans, independents, whoever, to disclose all of their donors. And while we are at it, we are going to create a small donor-matching system to make it easy for more Americans to be elected at every level of government.

(APPLAUSE)

Because just like -- just like Bernie, I have met so many impressive people here in New Hampshire and across America with great ideas for our country. I want to see you run for office and win.

And here's another radical idea: let's make it easier to vote, not harder.

(APPLAUSE)

Let's fight back on a tax against voting rights across the country, a tax that disproportionately affect low-income voters, people of color, students, the elderly and women.

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That means we need to restore the Voting Rights Act and then keep going. All Americans should automatically be registered to vote on their 18th birthday.

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Every state should have at least 20 days of in-person voting, and no one in America should ever have to wait more than 30 minutes to cast their ballot.

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So Senator Sanders and I will be working to get unaccountable money out of politics and the voices of everyday Americans back in. Because as Bernie has said, this isn't a progressive issue, it's not a conservative issue, it's an American issue.

(APPLAUSE)

And let me close with this. To everyone here and everyone across the country who poured your heart and soul into Senator Sanders' campaign, thank you.

Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

I was proud of the campaign we ran. It was a campaign about issues, not insults. And our country desperately needs your voices and involvement, and so does this campaign and so does the Democratic Party. Because you know what? We need to take back the Senate and take back the House, and make sure we have Democratic governors and Democratic state legislators.

(APPLAUSE)

Let's open the doors to everyone who shares our progressive values. This is one of the most important elections in our lifetimes.

So, I'm asking you to stand with us, and then I'm asking you to keep working in the weeks, months, and yes, years ahead. You will always have a seat at the table when I am in the White House.

(APPLAUSE)

CLINTON: As Bernie will tell you, talk is cheap. We need to keep fighting to make sure everything we've stood for is real in the lives of people across America. This amazing country of ours is worthy of our best efforts.

This election, let's send a clear message: In America, we don't tear each other down; we lift each other up. We build bridges, not walls. We put common interest ahead of self-interest. We stand together because we're stronger together.

(APPLAUSE)

So I need your help. Please join this campaign. Make it your own. You can take out your phone right now and text join -- J-O-I-N -- 47246. Or go to HillaryClinton.com. We accept $20 -- $27 donations, too, you know.

(APPLAUSE)

I can't tell you how grateful I am to be standing here with Senator Sanders. Because I think both of us realize that each of our campaigns together represent the best of who we are. And now it is time for us to take that message to the rest of the country.

I am fully aware that the other side will do everything possible to distort, to dis-inform, and we can't let that happen. We have to be standing up and fighting for the America that we know we can create together. I am confident and optimistic about our future, particularly when it comes to young people. I think America's best years are still ahead of us.

So join with us. Let's make this happen together and win the election.

Thank you very much.

(APPLAUSE)

[12:22:34] ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Well, as we zoom in outside of the banner image, that image really says it all, "Stronger together," finally, on June - or July 12th. An endorsement from Bernie Sanders to Hillary Clinton coming at you live from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Yes, that New Hampshire. And there they are, smiling together.

And if you saw those reverse angles in the audience, there were a whole lot of signs, Bernie and Hillary signs, but are the signs there that Hillary's really looking for, and is support from those supporters of Bernie Sanders.

A lot of words were exchanged today from that - from that podium, but will they land where they need them to land? The most important words that were uttered from that podium came from one Senator Bernie Sanders, and here it was.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (D), FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I have come here to make it as clear as possible as to why I am endorsing Hillary Clinton.

And I intend to do everything I can to make certain she will be the next president of the United States.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BANFIELD: And with that, this is the scene afterwards, smiles, congratulations, handshakes, photographs. And what Hillary Clinton hopes will be, I'll support you, madam secretary, I'm switching sides.

She also uttered the word how grateful she is to have the support of Bernie Sanders, because there were other words by commentators saying it would be the nightmare scenario had he sat on his hands throughout this election, or worse mounted a third party run for president. That's not happened.

Somewhere in that crowd, if you go to a big, wide shot, I know our senior Washington correspondent Jeff Zeleny was standing by live watching that whole event in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. And I've also got the greatest political minds here, CNN's chief political analyst Gloria Borger is sitting here with me, CNN political analyst David Gregory, host of "The David Gregory Show" podcast, CNN commentator Bakari Sellers, a Hillary Clinton supporter and former South Carolina state representative, and Bill Press, a CNN political commentator and Bernie Sanders supporter and someone I've worked with for more years than I care to admit.

So, I'm going to start with you, Jeff Zeleny, because you are there. It felt electrified. It looked exciting. But at one point I actually heard people booing. So, start from there and then take me through the event.

[12:25:10] JEFF ZELENY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Ashleigh, there's no doubt that this type of feeling, at least initially, of somewhat of an arranged marriage. There were Bernie Sanders supporters on one pocket of bleachers here in the gymnasium, Hillary Clinton supporters on the other pocket. But there's no doubt about it that the Clinton campaign is so pleased by this image. Some Bernie Sanders supporters walked out of this room, no doubt, but being in Unity, New Hampshire, eight years ago, like I was when Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were together, being on the other side of that is simply joyous and joyful for Hillary Clinton. She applauded vigorously for Bernie Sanders and she said two words that are very key. He said, "thank you." Thank you for making this a vigorous campaign. And you could tell that, you know, she meant those words when she said then and she said she would open her campaign to Bernie Sanders supporters.

Let's not mistake the one person not in the room who was unifying this Democratic Party more than anyone else, that's Donald Trump. There's no question that Bernie Sanders, the key themes and anthems of his speech were an anti-Trump message, perhaps more than a pro-Clinton message. But that is just fine with the Clinton campaign because the end result is the same. So they were heartened to hear Bernie Sanders say that he will travel to all corners of this country to support Hillary Clinton, to get her supporters on the same side.

Now, voters we've talked to here may be a little slower in coming along. I talked to several Bernie Sanders supporters who said they simply will not support her. We'll see about that. Eight years ago, a lot of Clinton supporters said they would never vote for Barack Obama and he, of course, won and then won re-election here. So this is a process, but the process began today in Portsmouth with that hug there that will be on the front pages of newspapers everywhere. It's a pretty big moment in this Democratic primary, 35 long days after she clinched the nomination.

BANFIELD: Right. I mentioned that whole July 12th business for a reason because it is real late in the process and a lot of people said very damaging to push that far.

Jeff, stand by for a minute.

I want to bring in Gloria Borger on this because you were doing play by play with me as you watched this speech -

GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: Yes.

BANFIELD: And you said, yes, uh-huh, this - this is a speech that she's giving for his supporters, not so much for her supporters.

BORGER: Yes. Yes. Hillary Clinton, obviously, was an anti-Trump speech, as Bernie Sanders' speech was an anti-Trump speech. But what Hillary Clinton did today was lay out the areas in which she and Bernie Sanders have come to agreement. You know, there was a platform committee meeting and they came to agreement on things like health care, on things like minimum wage, not so much on trade yet, but it's very clear that - BANFIELD: Wait, not so much. It was completely devoid.

BORGER: Right. Right.

BANFIELD: I heard nothing in there.

BORGER: But - right. But they - you know, she talked about wanting to make college debt-free, for example. Fully paid family leave. No to bad trade deals. Didn't talk particularly about the TPP, which is -

BANFIELD: Right.

BORGER: Something that they - that they may have some disagreement on.

BANFIELD: That's a simple low-hanging fruit, like no to crime.

BORGER: Exactly. Exactly.

BANFIELD: Right?

BORGER: But her point was to Bernie Sanders supporters, look, Bernie Sanders is supporting me because now we have come together on the issues that are important to you.

BANFIELD: And to you.

BORGER: And to you. And this is why I would ask for your support. And if you look at the Pew poll that was done last week, a lot of the Sanders supporters don't trust her and may not like her, but according to Pew, 85 percent of them say, well, we're going to end up voting for her. You know, Trump is trying to get these supporters, but it could become increasingly difficult with Sanders out there saying, I give my full-throated endorsement to her.

BANFIELD: That was pretty full-throated too.

BORGER: Yes, it was.

BANFIELD: It took a while. It took about seven minutes in for him to actually utter those words.

BORGER: He had to thank his supporters, right?

BANFIELD: OK. You know, he can have his moment.

Bakari Sellers, to you, with the reaction. Look, the Pew poll aside that Gloria just quoted, and that is a big leap from where it was just a few months ago in - what was it 85 percent -

BORGER: Yes.

BANFIELD: Or 80 - 80 or 85 percent now of Bernie's supporters say they will support Hillary.

Donald Trump was really lightning fast in getting his tweets out about what Bernie was doing today with this endorsement and it looks like it's right out of the playbook from veteran political operatives who know how to run campaigns. He said, "I'm somewhat surprised that Bernie Sanders was not true to himself and his supporters. They are not happy that he is selling out." He went on to tweet, "Bernie Sanders, who has lost most of his leverage, has totally sold out to crooked Hillary Clinton. He will endorse her today. Fans angry."

So he's possibly playing for some of those disenfranchised Bernie folks. Is he going to be able to sway some of them over?

[12:29:51] BAKARI SELLERS, CNN COMMENTATOR: No, not at all. And I think that - let me not say an absolute not at all. It's going to be very few to minuscule. The reason being is because it's going to take more than one or two tweets to actually bring Bernie Sanders supporters around to Donald Trump. What Donald Trump is proving throughout this entire campaign is that he lacks substance on issues that we care about. You can't go down the issues of health care, college education, the minimum wage and you see how far