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Tight Security as Protesters Descend on Republican National Convention; Police Union Asks Lawful Open Carry in Ohio be Stopped around Convention; New Details on Baton Rouge Officer Shooter; "Never- Trump" Delegates Make Last-Ditch Effort Against Trump; Interview with Actor/Model Larry Sabato Jr. Aired 2:30-3p ET

Aired July 18, 2016 - 14:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:32:47] BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: We're back live at the Republican National Convention. I'm Brooke Baldwin, taking a peek outside here. Security around the Quicken Loans Arena is tight. Teams of officers for what are expected to be thousands and thousands of protesters descending upon Cleveland. Many have marched outside the convention site. All of this. Keep in mind the context and backdrop of this week, the deadly ambush of police in Baton Rouge has officers and protesters in Cleveland reassessing their approach and tone.

I have Sara Sidner in the thick of things outside this arena in the Cleveland public square.

Sara, tell me what you're saying.

SARA SIDNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We're walking a mile and a half around the entire area that's been heavily protected, protesters got into the streets but police have calmly been on the side, it's been a very calm but very loud protest. I want to let you knee a few seconds ago we saw someone holding a long gun strapped across his back, proof that it is an open-carry state here in Ohio. The police handled him calmly. The protesters basically ignored him with a couple yelling at him that he was an idiot, according to the protesters but there were no issues between the two.

What you're hearing is a lot of people who are against Trump becoming president. There are people here from the immigrant community. There are people here from the black, from the Black Lives Matter community, from the Latino community, people here from the Muslim community as well, and just some folks from around the world who do not support Trump.

We have not yet seen pro-Trump supporters yet but we have certainly seen hundreds upon hundreds of people marching in the streets slowly, deliberately, loudly, but calmly -- Brooke?

BALDWIN: Sara Sidner with what's happening outside.

The increased security not enough for Cleveland's largest police union. The anxiety over the deadly police ambushes both in Baton Rouge and in Dallas has prompted the group's president to demand, in Ohio, Governor John Kasich, restrict guns near the convention site.

Keep in mind, the state of Ohio is an open-carry state, meaning you have the license you can carry, as Sara just mentioned, a long gun, a gun in a holster, open.

The city has assigned 500 officers but they have gotten all kinds of other officers and jurisdictions around the country to help. The governor has said with regard to suspending open carry that it's not legally possible.

[14:35:15] Let's talk about that. CNN law enforcement analysts, Art Roderick and Bob Reid are with me. Art also a former assistant director of if U.S. Marshals Office. And Bob was once a Cayuga County sheriff for a couple of years.

So between the two of you, I'm sure we have many, many years in law enforcement.

Coming in, Bob, to you first, do you think they should restrict open carry. Do you think folks should be able to walk around openly with handguns just outside the perimeter?

BOB REID, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: I think they should be restricted. I think for the next five days you should not be able to have an open carry. When this was discussed with law enforcement is over the last 18 months, a lot of this with us discussed six months ago before the last 10 days with Dallas, with Baton Rouge and all of those issues that have happened over the last ten days. So I think things have changed a little bit. I get the governor saying, OK, that's not what -- he doesn't have the power to do that. But I think if he would create a state of emergency in the county, I think he can. I'm no lawyer.

BALDWIN: Yeah, yeah.

REID: But I am absolutely in step with the union in reference to open carry restrictions.

BALDWIN: There may be a change depending on the tone and tenor outside.

But let's roll along assuming you can carry a weapon. We were talking earlier and you said one of the things that makes you nervous is these two crowds, the pro-Trump folks, the anti-Trump folks, could clash.

ART RODERICK, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: They could.

BALDWIN: And it could get worse over the week.

RODERICK: They could, and it probably will get worse over the week. We heard there has been some verbal judo going back and forth between the two groups and I know law enforcement is trying to keep these groups separate so they can have their protests, peaceful protests and move on.

We are hearing that there are some open carry weapon. I think Sara's report mentioned --

BALDWIN: She did.

RODERICK: -- that there was a long rifle scene. And, Brook, as you recall from Dallas there were protesters carrying long rifles. The minute the shooting started, they ran up to law enforcement and gave them their rifles and said, "I'm not part of this."

BALDWIN: Wow.

RODERICK: So I think some groups -- I've heard some groups have voluntarily put out to their people please don't bring any weapons. Let's keep this calm in honor of the law enforcement officers killed in Dallas and in Baton Rouge. And hopefully, a lot of these groups will hear this. But the Secret Service has already prepared for this, Secret Service, Cleveland P.D. and the almost-hundred-plus agencies here supporting this national special security.

BALDWIN: I know we're all holding our collective breaths that everyone is allowed to protest and go for it, but let's keep the peace this week.

Gentlemen, thank you so much.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Coming up, we will talk to one of tonight's speakers here at the Republican convention, actor, model, Antonio Sabato, Jr, joins me live in the convention studio. We'll talk to him about why he wanted to be here, why he wants to speak on behalf of Mr. Trump. He has personal stories about his time growing up and traveling to Nice, given what happened there.

Also, we are going to take you back live to Baton Rouge. Police are telling us more about the man who lured officers out to kill them, and the brave, brave police officers who lost their lives.

I'm Brooke Baldwin. We'll be right back.

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[14:42:52] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back. John Berman here in Baton Rouge.

Just moments from now, we're going to have a news conference. We will get new details about the attack just more than 24 hours ago that left three officers dead. A source with knowledge of the investigation now tells CNN that a videotape of the attack shows a "meticulous, planned approach toward the officers." He went in designed to kill police. Two policemen and a sheriff's deputy were shot and killed, three other officers were wounded, one in critical condition clinging to life.

Authorities are also learning more about the killer, an ex-Marine, who ambushed these officers a mile from where I'm standing right now. The officers were responding to a 911 call about a man dressed in black armed with an assault-style rifle. Police eventually killed this gunman in a fire fight.

Joining me now with more on the officers involved in this confrontation, CNN's Brian Todd.

Brian, what are you learning?

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John, we got good news just a few moments ago. We've learned from the people at our lady of the lake regional medical center not far from here in Baton Rouge that one of the law enforcement officers that was treated for injuries has just been released. There is another one there in critical condition, that officer's name is Nicholas Tullier, 41 years old. But at least one officer who was treated at the medical center has been released so that officer's condition has been improving.

This is the scene where this played out. This is Be Quick convenience store and gas station here in Baton Rouge this is where the shootout occurred and where it ended.

And what strikes you is how busy this area is I'll take you over here a little bit. Our photo journalist, Tony, has been walking over here. There's a lot of members of the media here, we have to shoot r past the a bit but you can see this is a huge section of airline highway here where there's a lot of traffic, a lot of business, there's a huge shopping center just across the way. A lot of businesses ling this end of the street as well so it's astonishing, John, that even though it was at 8:45 on Sunday morning when this occurred, astonishing that really more loss of life also did not occur.

[14:45:21] What we are getting from sources is that this killer, Gavin Long, planned this attack. There are indications he might have tried to lure the officers to this spot by wearing all black, by wearing a mask and had, an A.R.-15 style assault rifle knowing someone would call 911. There could be an indication that he might have called 911 himself to lure the officers here. It was a virtual ambush that occurred, him luring the officers to the spot and what is also astonishing here is the level of violence that took place in a short amount of time, from the time officers first got the call at 8:40 a.m. local time to the time it was all over, seven minutes. An astonishing amount of violence in seven minutes with at least three law enforcement officers dead, three others injured and the killer dead as well.

BERMAN: Had they not responded as quickly and powerfully as they did perhaps there could have been a greater loss of life.

Brian Todd, thank you so much.

As Brian was saying, meticulous planning, that's what we've learned since yesterday about this attack. There are many, many questions. Did this killer who drove 800 miles from Kansas City? Did he have any help here in Baton Rouge? Did he have any contact with anyone in Baton Rouge? Did he know anybody here in this city? These are key, key questions. We could get answers in just a few minutes, a news conference here from law enforcement and officials here. We'll take it when it happens. Brooke, meanwhile, back to you.

BALDWIN: I'll take it, John Berman. Thank you so much.

Back here in Cleveland, Melania Trump is the headliner tonight, prime- time speaker at the Republican National Convention. Also on the stage this evening, actor, model, Donald Trump supporter, Antonio Sabato Jr. He'll join me live right here in the CNN convention studio.

Plus, as we're just watching, we're waiting for the update on the deadly ambush on the police officers in Baton Rouge. A live news conference is set for the top of the hour. We will take you there.

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[14:51:23] BALDWIN: All right, the band has started to play in Cleveland inside the big Republican National Convention. At this 11th hour, let me just add this. We're hearing about a little bit of drama developing at the convention on day one. Some "Never-Trump" delegates are making a last-ditch effort to, we'll say, complicate things.

I have political director here at CNN, David Chalian; Mike Shields, a CNN delegate analyst and the head of the super PAC dedicated to electing Republicans to Congress.

What's going on?

MIKE SHIELDS, CNN DELEGATE ANALYST: DAVID CHALIAN, CNN POLITICAL DIRECTOR: This is the business part of the convention where the delegates are going to vote and this is where we're going tv "Never- Trump" moment. This is where it would have happened. That won't happen today. There won't be an unbinding vote, that sort of thing, we're focused on the rules package, the rules of the RNC and there are some pro-Cruz forces that want to change the nominating process. So in some ways, what we're seeing an effort to start the 20 campaign for Ted Cruz.

BALDWIN: 2020 campaign for Ted Cruz?

SHIELDS: They want to change the nominating process and if they lose they're victims and the establishment shoved them aside and if they win they'll try to have closed primaries and there could be a vote on the floor on the rules package and the ability to change the rules and nominating process.

DAVID CHALIAN, CNN POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Mike, you know this better than I do, so correct me if I'm wrong but although you say this is more about the RNC rules process in the 2020 calendar, if, indeed, the full rules package comes up for a full role call vote up or down, obviously the unbinding votes, even though they failed in committee will, right, because the binding is part of the rules right now, too. The whole rules package goes down, won't they feel a sense they made a mess?

SHIELDS: Yeah. I think part of their desire is to cause a little embarrassment and chaos. Since they can't nominate their candidate, they want to prove a point, so one way they can do that this whole week is on the rules packages coming on the floor.

BALDWIN: But this is it. After that happens, it's like Donald Trump week, right?

SHIELDS: That's right.

BALDWIN: Make no mistake.

CHALIAN: And, Brooke, what we're watching for is whether or not they can force a full-floor vote on that full rules package. May not happen but, if it does, it's still expected to fail. This is a little blip today to embarrass Trump.

BALDWIN: David Chalian, Mike Shields, thank you so much.

And if there is one word -- and when we're talking about the speakers as we're talking about Donald Trump. If there's one word that sums up the speaker list it could be "eclectic." It includes a mix of politicians, military veterans, Donald Trump's family members, and some familiar faces from Hollywood, including my next guest. He is Antonio Sabato Jr, perhaps best known for his soap opera roles, Calvin Klein model, currently hosts a syndicated home renovation show.

Nice to meet you.

ANTONIO SABATO JR, ACTOR & MODEL & TRUMP SUPPORTER: Nice to meet you also.

BALDWIN: Welcome to Cleveland.

SABATO: Good to be here. I love this town.

BALDWIN: For folks watching, who know you not from politics, why are you here?

SABATO: Right. Because I love this country. I love it very much. I've been here since 1985. And --

BALDWIN: From Italy.

SABATO: From Italy, yes. I'm very passionate about this nation and I'm here to support our next president of the United States.

BALDWIN: You have never been to a political convention before?

SABATO: No.

BALDWIN: Thoughts? Impressions so far?

SABATO: I love it. I've met a lot of amazing people, officers and sheriffs and politicians but at the end of the day I think they want the same thing, they want this country back to where it used to be, even better if we can make it and they love this nation, they love America.

BALDWIN: We were talking about the phone earlier today and I said "Trump," and you said you go back to the '90s.

SABATO: Yeah.

BALDWIN: Talk about what he was like circa 1994 versus now?

[14:55:03] SABATO: He was just always a gentleman. He's always the guy that would open a door and let you in and ask you questions, how are you feeling? How are you doing? You need anything? He's always been like that. And he's there now. He loves this country so much that he's willing to put everything he's worked so hard for on the side and focus on this nation. He doesn't have to be a politician. People say -- he doesn't have to. He has all the money in the world. He's set. He's good to go. He's got a beautiful family.

BALDWIN: Let me push back on the "Lying Ted" and "Crooked Hillary" and calling people liars.

SABATO: But you need to have somebody who will fight, be a leader, tell you the truth and cut between these lies. And after seven and a half years of Obama in which he's lied to everyone constantly telling not the truth, you have a guy in between these parties. He's not a Republican, not a Democrat. He says I love this country and I want to do what's best for this country. You might not like what I have to say but at least it's the honest truth. That's refreshing.

BALDWIN: You're speaking tonight.

SABATO: I'm speaking tonight.

BALDWIN: You've met a lot of celebrities through the decades. In terms of politicians, who are you geeking out over meeting this week?

SABATO: Well, I mean, from -- I've loved both parties. I don't want to really pick on one more than the other, from the Cruzs to Rubios. I want to meet the officers, the police officers who are working here, the DEA agents, sheriff's department, Secret Service, these guys that I admire. And I just want to be there for them. And obviously Trump's family. And my thanks go to Jesus Christ everyday. I have admiration for God. I love the Lord. I'm here. Why would I be here? I'm here for a reason. It's good. It's a good reason.

BALDWIN: Antonio Sabato Jr, thank you very much.

SABATO: Thank you. Thank you. My pleasure.

BALDWIN: We'll be watching for you at 9:00 tonight on night number one at the RNC.

Coming up next -- you mentioned law enforcement -- we know police in Baton Rouge are holding a news conference in a matter of minutes here, giving us new information as far as what happened earlier this week. We're expecting to learn those details and what drove that man to kill.

Stay with me. [14:59:57] BALDWIN: Here we go. Top of the hour. You're watching CNN's special live coverage. I'm Brooke Baldwin, in Cleveland, where the Republican National Convention is officially under way.