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Bill Clinton Gets Personal in Speech About Wife; Day Two Speakers Share Personal Stories of Clinton; Interview with Senator Bob Casey; Aired 9-9:30a ET
Aired July 27, 2016 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[09:00:00] CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: National Convention. Good morning, everyone. I'm Carol Costello. Thank you so much for joining me.
The nomination, and the party faithful embrace her moment in history. Democrats become the first major party to name a woman as their presidential nominee.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: And I can't believe we just put the biggest crack in that glass ceiling yet. If there are any little girls out there who stayed up late to watch, let me just say, I may become the first woman president, but one of you is next.
Thank you all. I can't wait to join you in Philadelphia. Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: We will hear Clinton speak tomorrow. But tonight a star powered lineup. New York's former Republican mayor, Michael Bloomberg, will endorse Clinton as a clear choice against Donald Trump. Tim Kaine will formally accept the VP nomination, and Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama will take the stage.
But it's the former president who has much of the crowd buzzing on this morning-after.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BILL CLINTON, 42ND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In the spring of 1971, I met a girl.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Bill Clinton gets intensely personal about his wife, weaving a love story, sometimes more private than political.
For more on Bill Clinton's big speech, let's start with Michelle Kosinski. She's inside the convention hall.
Hi, Michelle.
MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Carol. Right. An emotional night. A historical night. I mean, it was Hillary's night. But Bill Clinton also was very much a part of that making history. And here we have a former president, but here in the role of her husband. And it wasn't the usual Bill Clinton we see talking about the issues passionately. He wanted to tell a story. And to counter that parody we always see of Hillary Clinton as this robotic political machine, driven by ambition, I mean, she herself has at times participated in and laughed at that joke.
But he wanted to tell the story of Hillary Clinton, the woman, the mother, driven by public service. He sort of told the series of anecdotes that spanned virtually her entire life, beginning with the moment that they met.
And here's part of what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
B. CLINTON: I was driving her to the airport to fly back to Chicago, when we passed this little brick house that had a for sale sign on it. And she said, boy, that's a pretty house. It had 1100 square feet. An attic fan and no air conditioner in hot Arkansas. And a screened- in porch. Hillary commented on what a uniquely designed and beautiful house it was. So I took a big chance. I bought the house. My mortgage was $175 a month.
When she came back, I picked her up. And I said you remember that house you like. She said, yes. I said, while you were gone, I bought it, so you'd have to marry me now.
(LAUGHTER)
B. CLINTON: The third time was the charm.
She's insatiably curious, she is a natural leader, she's a good organizer. And she's the best darn change maker I ever met in my entire life.
This woman has never been satisfied with the status quo in anything. She always wants to move the ball forward. That is just who she is.
Those of us who have more yesterdays than tomorrows tend to care more about our children and grandchildren, the reason you should elect her is that in the greatest country on earth, we have always been about tomorrow. Your children and grandchildren will bless you forever if you do.
God bless you. Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOSINSKI: It was interesting how he countered Donald Trump to describing Hillary Clinton as real and him as not real. Likening him to a cartoon. But Bernie Sanders also had an emotional moment yesterday when Larry Sanders cast the vote for his little brother. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LARRY SANDERS, BERNIE SANDERS' BROTHER: I want to be before this convention the names of our parents, Eli Sanders and Dorothy Glassford Sanders. They did not have easy lives and they died young. He makes me proud, the accomplishments. They loved him.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Democrats --
[09:05:06] SANDERS: They loved the new deal of Franklin Roosevelt and would be especially that Bernard is renewing that mission. It is with enormous pride that I cast my vote for Bernie Sanders.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you very much. Democrats abroad --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOSINSKI: The story yesterday was just full of emotion. Well, tonight we hear from President Obama. The White House says he very much feels the importance of this moment. They say he's been working on this speech for weeks, Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, Michelle Kosinski, reporting live from inside the convention hall. So let's talk about all of this. I'm joined by CNN political commentator, Sally Kohn, cultural critic Michaela Angela Davis, CNN political commentator and Donald Trump supporter, Scottie Nell Hughes, and the director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics, Larry Sabato.
Welcome to all of you.
SALLY KOHN, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Thanks, Carol.
COSTELLO: I want to focus first on the historic nature of this night.
So, Michaela, as you watched, you know, the glass shattering and Hillary Clinton appearing with all of those little girls, what went through your mind?
MICHAELA ANGELA DAVIS, CULTURAL CRITIC: That -- it was incredibly powerful. And to think -- you know, I was thinking my daughter and who has seen a black president and now a woman nominated. And I was thinking about Shirley Chisolm, you know, and what this moment really mean. I mean, she was on the floor and she just said, white men, white men, we have to change the conversation. And it's not a concept. It's not a metaphor anymore.
It's actual and it's real. And to feel people feeling that history is possible just lifted the doom and gloom that we've been -- we were in a very intense moment. Right? And so I think the country needed to see that we are moving forward no matter what side you're on. This is proof. This is a fact that happened. History happened. And it was -- it was incredibly powerful. And to make it -- to center the conversation on children is such that no one can dispute that. No one is going to go and say no, children don't matter. The whole conversation was on our children and our future. And I felt it for my daughter. COSTELLO: And, Sally, for younger women and younger men who think
that, oh, well, you know, so first woman is nominated by a major, you know, political party in the country. If you think about the first man and how weird that sounds, that we might have a first man --
KOHN: We'll get over it.
COSTELLO: -- it sort of brings it to focus.
(LAUGHTER)
KOHN: We'll learn. I mean, look, I was actually in a room, you know, going about our business with a -- happened to be a group of all women, diverse in age from, you know, about early 20s and maybe 40s or 50s, and suddenly someone said to me she is about to cross the threshold. And we all stopped.
Some of us had, myself who supported Senator Sanders, some had worked tirelessly for Hillary Clinton. We all stopped. And it was one of those moments that we all held each other and cried. I will remember it forever. It was a proud moment. I don't care if you're a Democrat or Republican. I have a 7-year-old daughter. Hi, honey. And -- when she was about 3 years old because I'm this parent, I bought -- I got her a playing card, you know, a deck of the presidential cards. She started to memorize them all. She's quite good at it.
At a certain point, you know, she got around to the 30 or something, she said, mama, why are there no girls? And you know what's true is she like all children grow up in this amazing country where we have women and men and we tell -- and people of color, and white folks, and immigrants, and citizens, and we tell everyone that you can be part of this country, that that is what makes this country great. And it is.
But we haven't really shown that at the very top of the American -- of American political power ladder, and now we have a shot to do it. I don't care who you are. Who you vote for. It is a great moment to be an American.
COSTELLO: So, Larry, Bill Clinton spoke on behalf of his wife and mostly he talked about Hillary Clinton and not himself. Was it a good speech in your mind?
LARRY SABATO, DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR POLITICS, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA: Well, it was, but first, I've got to say as the only male on the panel, you know, it's also --
(LAUGHTER)
KOHN: You can be president, too, Larry. You could be a first lady.
COSTELLO: You can be first lady.
SABATO: I suppose. Thanks a lot. Look, this is good for men, too. I happen to be at the University of Virginia. My president, Theresa Sullivan, is a woman. I love having a female boss. It would be good for everyone. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
SABATO: Not to say it has to be Hillary Clinton, it could be a Republican woman. But I think it's a good thing all the way around. As far as Bill Clinton is concerned, I've already heard all the usual criticisms. I say that as unfortunately an aged long time pundit. Back in the '90s, every time Bill Clinton gave a State of the Union address or some big speech, we would come on as a panel and we would say way too long.
[09:10:04] He meandered all those personal anecdotes. Couldn't he get to the point? And then the polls would roll in, 75 percent approval, 80 percent approval. I guarantee you, if we had those instant polls for that speech, that would be precisely what they show.
We may think some of it was excessive. I believe the average voter who doesn't pay close attention to politics learned a lot from that speech. Actually I learned things.
KOHN: Yes.
SABATO: That I didn't know about their relationship.
COSTELLO: OK, Scottie, the theme of the night seemed to be, when it was all wrapped up, you know, seemed to be it will be women who defeat Donald Trump. And I think that the president of Planned Parenthood put it in those stark terms. So I want you to comment on what she said after we listen to her remarks.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CECILE RICHARDS, PRESIDENT, PLANNED PARENTHOOD: Donald Trump has called women fat pigs and dogs. He wants to punish women for having abortions. And he says pregnancy is, quote, "an inconvenience for a woman's employer."
Well, Mr. Trump, come this November, women are going to be a lot more than an inconvenience. Yes. Because women are going to be the reason you're not elected to be president.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Agree, Scottie?
SCOTTIE NELL HUGHES, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Completely disagree. I mean, I agree, last night was historical. Let's put it in the history books. But if a woman walks into the voting booth and pulls that lever for Hillary Clinton just because she is a woman that right there I think is sexist. Last night we had a great opportunity, and Hillary Clinton when she was in that room of girls, as you addressed, said, you know, if you're a daughter or you're a girl, you could be president, too, this would have been an excellent opportunity to say, you know what, whether you're a boy or you're a girl, both of you, my job will be to make sure it's equally an option for both of you.
That's the problem we've done. We continue to say we want equality. We want equal. But we then tear down one group and try to build up another. That's what I heard last night when she said that.
COSTELLO: So Hillary Clinton tearing down men?
HUGHES: I think she was to a certain extent. What about my son? Does my son, from what she said, your daughter can become one as well. I immediately, what about -- what about making it equal, and so both of them have the opportunity. Why is it that she is going to sit there and put favor on one? That's the problem we have with today. And I think we have that issue with race, we have that issue with gender, and while like I said, I'm celebrating the fact, yes, she got the nomination, but I think we have to sit there and go beyond that now and actually look at their policies.
COSTELLO: So these two women are sitting here aghast at what you just said.
DAVIS: No, I mean, I'm glad you say that's what you heard because there is no disputing your lens, like that's what you heard. But it's just stunning how when you can say something positive about one group that it's a negative on another. And I think that's really where the discourse gets so convoluted when you say something like girls are powerful, you're not saying boys are not. We have 40 something example of --
(CROSSTALK)
HUGHES: Forty-four to be specific. But --
DAVIS: Forty-four proof.
HUGHES: But Hillary Clinton is not yet president if she gets elected for women.
(CROSSTALK)
KOHN: Whoa, whoa, hang on a second. So I'm so sorry. But acknowledging that Hillary Clinton is a woman, that it is a historic accomplishment to break that glass ceiling that has existed.
HUGHES: But --
KOHN: Wait, wait, wait. It's not just -- it's not the same as saying we would only vote for women, and Scottie, I love you, but saying that, that is sexist.
HUGHES: But let me --
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: Wait. Let --
KOHN: Wait a second. Let me also just say to the larger point of the either-or. Right? Last night a group of mothers whose sons and daughters have died for whatever -- they have lost their children at the hands of -- many, many, many cases, I think we can hopefully agree, unfortunate police actions. Let me just say, Jordan Davis' mother said the majority of police are doing a good job. Where was that coverage?
You want to turn everything into you're saying Black Lives Matter so you're anti-cop. You're saying great, we have a woman candidate, so you're anti-men. That's not what is being said in that convention.
HUGHES: Can we address right now what we're talking about in this segment right here? I hear what you just said on this. That is when you sit here and you look at what Hillary Clinton was talking about, you know, that's our problem is we continue to make this a difference. You and I, none of us at this table right now because we're women. And anybody that would give me a job because just because I am a woman, no, it's because we worked hard. We've done our job.
There was never a glass ceiling and if there was we ignore it. We put our time into it. We're not here because of a glass ceiling. Carol Costello is not hosting because she's a woman. She's here because she's put a lot of work into this.
(CROSSTALK)
HUGHES: She's put a lot of time. Let's actually have a conversation where we're actually people.
COSTELLO: Actually let's turn --
DAVIS: Oh my gosh.
COSTELLO: Larry is sitting there.
SABATO: Carol, I'm just -- I'm so grateful you left me out of this.
(LAUGHTER)
[09:15:03] SABATO: It's perfectly OK to continue with the members of the panel. But look, I think it's -- we ought not to get sidetracked. I think we can all agree, it is a terrific thing and it's another symbol of American progress. It is something everybody can celebrate. That a woman has become a major party presidential nominee. It should have happened years ago. Margaret Thatcher got in in 1979, Indira Gandhi in the '80s, et cetera, et cetera. But it's happened. It's a great thing. This is progress. This is something to be -- to refresh your patriotism about.
KOHN: Yes.
COSTELLO: OK. So we're going to --
DAVIS: How can you have a conversation with no historical context? Like --
(CROSSTALK)
HUGHES: I mean, we've had amazing female leaders. Like Margaret Thatcher, Geraldine Ferraro, Carly Fiorina.
KOHN: Wait, can I just say in all honesty, Scottie. If the Republicans had just nominated a woman to be president, which I hope to see in my lifetime, you would be up here, saying how important that is for this country and for that party what --
HUGHES: No, because --
(CROSSTALK)
HUGHES: I don't think that's the -- we look at the assets of both males and females.
KOHN: All I heard --
HUGHES: The Democrats want to sit there and go make females higher than men. Why don't we actually try working together.
DAVIS: Wow.
COSTELLO: OK.
KOHN: OK.
(LAUGHTER)
COSTELLO: OK. I think that's a good place to end this. Sally Kohn, Michaela Angela Davis, Scottie Nell Hughes, Larry Sabato, thanks so much.
Still to come in the NEWSROOM, powerful words from the mothers of African-Americans killed by gun violence. What they had to say and the criticism now being hurled at Democrats, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:21:03] COSTELLO: A big night at the DNC with a major lineup of speakers, among them President Obama who will make the case for Clinton as a progressive policy he's enacted over the last eight years. Vice President Joe Biden will also speak, presumptive vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine will talk, and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg who ran as a Republican and an independent will also speak. He is expected to endorse Mrs. Clinton tonight.
Last night's convention speakers making some -- making for some powerful moments. These nine mothers, whose unarmed African-American children killed by law enforcement or gun violence took r& to the stage.
Let's bring in CNN senior political reporter Manu Raju to talk about that. Good morning, Manu.
MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: That effort to reintroduce Hillary Clinton in the eyes of voters, a difficult task, given how well she is known across the country. But an effort to try to -- to personalize Hillary Clinton and show that she is someone who is sympathetic and responsive to people in times of need.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) GENEVA REED-VEAL, MOTHER OF SANDRA BLAND: She knows that when a young black life is cut short, it's not just a loss. It's a personal loss. It's a national loss. What a blessing tonight to be standing here so that Sandy can still speak through her mama.
RAJU (voice-over): The Mothers of the Movement uniting to endorse Hillary Clinton on the national stage. Nine mothers showing strength in numbers after losing their sons and daughters to gun violence and racial injustice. Each of them recalling details of a private meeting they had with Clinton after their lives changed forever.
LUCIA MCBATH, MOTHER OF JORDAN DAVIS: Hillary Clinton isn't afraid to say that black lives matter. She isn't afraid to sit at a table with grieving mothers and bear the full force of our anguish. She doesn't build walls around her heart.
RAJU: Framing Clinton as a criminal justice reformer.
SYBRINA FULTON, MOTHER OF TRAYVON MARTIN: This isn't about being politically correct. This is about saving our children. That's why we are here tonight with Hillary Clinton.
RAJU: First responders and this 9/11 survivor talking about Clinton's personal commitment after the attacks.
LAUREN MANNING, 9/11 SURVIVOR: Hillary showed up. She walked into my hospital room, and she took my bandaged hand into her own. For years she visited, called, and continues to check in because Hillary cares. When I needed her, she was there. She was there for me, and that's why I'm with her.
RAJU: California Senator Barbara Boxer opening up about Clinton as a devoted family member and friend of more than 20 years.
SEN. BARBARA BOXER (D), CALIFORNIA: I know her as the loving aunt who helped plan my grandson's birthday parties when he was so just a little toddler. And I saw her rush over after a busy day at the State Department to cheer him on at his high school football games.
RAJU: A night of testimonials aimed at humanizing the Democratic nominee and quelling the tensions from Bernie Sanders supporters on the second day of the convention.
JOE BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Look, they worked hard. We got to show a little class and let them be frustrated for a while. It's OK. They're all going to end up voting for Hillary. You think any of these guys are going to walk in and vote for Trump?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[09:25:03] RAJU: Now that was a personal side of Hillary Clinton. Well, tonight we'll hear about the military side. Speaker after speaker will be talking about her as possibly as commander-in-chief, how would she command the military. This all of course an effort to turn around those sliding poll numbers. A couple of days ago, we saw that CNN/ORC poll showing that voters simply still do not trust Hillary Clinton -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, Manu Raju, reporting live for us this morning.
Now I'm joined by Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey to talk about all of this and more. Welcome, Senator. Thank you for being here.
SEN. BON CASEY (D), PENNSYLVANIA: Carol, good to be with you. Thanks.
COSTELLO: Nice to have you here. You probably missed our first conversation before the break. It was rather raucous. But one of Donald Trump's supporters said that this Democratic convention was all about pitting one group against the other. Can you address that?
CASEY: Well, that's the usual Republican tired line when they're not doing so well. They had a terrible week in Cleveland. I'm not sure there's been a convention --
COSTELLO: Well, they did get a bounce.
CASEY: In my life.
COSTELLO: Especially among independents, they got a bounce.
CASEY: It will be fleeting. But look, I think they had a really difficult week because it was all about -- whether it's from their nominee or from the party, it's fear, smear and divide. I think our party is coming together. It doesn't mean we don't have some raucous debates, even debates like you just had here. But I think we're going to come out of this week a lot of more unified that they did.
COSTELLO: I think specifically what Scottie Nell Hughes said was that, you know, last night was all about tearing down men, white men.
CASEY: I didn't see that.
COSTELLO: You're white man. Do you feel torn down?
(LAUGHTER)
CASEY: No, not at least not this morning. No, but believe me, I think that what happened yesterday was a series of testimonies from people who know Hillary Clinton. Who know her personally. I know her as well.
We saw yesterday the Hillary that we know, the person that we know. A person of strength and character and faith. And also a person who cares very deeply not just about her own family, but I think the family of the country. And tonight we'll know more about national security and steadiness and strength. And that's --
COSTELLO: On the subject of national security.
CASEY: Yes.
COSTELLO: President Obama was on the "Today" show this morning and he talked a lot about Donald Trump's -- in his terms, Donald Trump's lack of knowledge about national security. He also talked about what point he wanted to get across in his speech tonight. So let's listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I hope my headline is that the president of the United States is profoundly optimistic about America's future. And is 100 percent convinced that Hillary Clinton can be a great president.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: All right, so it -- it seems like we're living from two different Americas because the Democrats -- say America is already great. The economy is improving. People should feel good about America. Republican convention was totally the opposite. Which America are we living in? I think voters are confused about that.
CASEY: I think, first of all, the president is right about Hillary. But we are living in a time now where, even though the economic data is good, the unemployment rate is low, it is not only low, it was cut in half in President Obama's eight years, and now seven years --
COSTELLO: Yet the perception is that some people just aren't doing that great.
CASEY: And 14 million jobs, and 20 million people with healthcare. The deficit is down by $1 trillion. But we are at the end of 40 years of not a lot of wage growth. By one estimate, 9 percent wage growth over 40 years. We're at the end of that. And that's why Hillary from the beginning of this campaign focused on the main -- I believe the main challenge we have domestically and that's raising wages for hard- working Americans.
So that is going to be the challenge we face going forward, and I have no doubt that Hillary's ideas and her experience will be able to focus on that problem, attack it and come up with solutions.
The amazing thing about Donald Trump and it's not amazing, it's disturbing, is that he doesn't seem to want to learn anything about these big issues. How to raise incomes, how to better secure the country. And that's troubling in a very dangerous world.
COSTELLO: Senator Casey, thanks for stopping by.
CASEY: Thanks, Carol.
COSTELLO: Appreciate it.
Still to come in the NEWSROOM, Hillary Clinton makes history and actually so will her husband, if he becomes the first man.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
