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Clinton Stumps in Ohio as Trump Visits Mexico. Aired 9-9:30a ET

Aired August 31, 2016 - 09:00   ET

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

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now in the newsroom. The stakes could not be higher. Today Donald Trump sets the record straight on his signature issues.

DONALD TRUMP, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: When Mexico sends people. They're not sending their best, they're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime, they're rapists. 11 million people in this country that came in illegally. They will go out.

COSTELLO: First, a surprise trip south of the border and face to face meeting with Mexico's President.

TRUMP: I will build a great, great wall. On our southern border. And I will have Mexico paying for that wall. Mark my words.

ENRIQUE PENA NIETO, MEXICAN PRESIDENT: There is no way that Mexico can pay a wall like that.

COSTELLO: Let's Talk. Live in the CNN Newsroom.

Good morning, I'm Carol Costello. Thank you. This could be the single most important in Donald Trump's Presidential bid. The nominee will hold is first official meeting with the head of state, in a country that's been angered and insulted by his tough talk on immigration. Then Mr. Trump will travel to the border state of Arizona. For a major speech on reform that propelled his candidacy, but also polarized millions of people on both sides of the border. That includes Mexico's former President, ripping into trump moments ago on CNN.

VINCENTE FOX, FORMER MEXICAN PRESIDENT: He is not welcome to Mexico by a 130 million people, we don't like him. We don't want him. We reject his visit. I don't understand. President Pena Nieto has offered this opportunity. I think it's nothing more than political stunt. Trump is using Mexico, is using President Pena Nieto, to boost his sinking poll numbers. I think the president Pena Nieto, is taking a enormous political risk by hosting Trump.

COSTELLO: Ok, so we're covering all the angles of this story this morning, we start with John Vause. He's in Mexico City, ahead of Trump's visit. He's on the phone, John take it away.

JOHN VAUSE, CNN REPORTER: Hey, good morning Carol. As you say, Donald Trump isn't popular at all to say the least. Not, just because of his tough words on immigration, he's also had a very tough policy on trade as well. Mexico's been his focus is his campaign since the day it began.

(inaudible) This is the country that makes pinatas. Donald Trump. There have been a lot of angry exchanges between four Presidents of Mexico, (inaudible) and also the current President of Mexico Enrico Pena Nieto.

Back in March, he drew lines making Trump a factious dictator. This is what he said. There have been episodes in human history. Unfortunately, where these expressions of this strident rhetoric have only led to very ominous situations. In the history of...

(AUDIO DROPS)

COSTELLO: Oh my goodness, we lost him and I apologize for that, because I was really excited myself to hear what John Vause has to say. But Donald Trump will be making his way to Mexico. Right before his big speech in Arizona that will happen sometime later this morning.

Of course we'll keep you posted.

As you heard, John Vause says, Mr. Trump is not exactly popular in Mexico. What will he say to the Mexican President? You know, he said a lot of nasty stuff about trade with Mexico right? And getting rid of NAFTA (ph), which is very much in Mexico's interest. Perhaps it will be a contentious conversation. We just don't know.

Of course then there's that big immigration speech tonight in Arizona. Mr. Trump will present his immigration plan once and for all to America's people. CNN's Jason Carol is live here with a preview of that and what Mr. Trump's running mates have to say about this upcoming speech.

JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: At this point you really can't talk about one without talking about the other. You know, before we even get to the speech, let's just go over a few quick things about that meeting and what might happen. As you know Mike Pence spoke about this a littler earlier today on CNN. He seems fairly confident that there will be some sort of a discussion about the wall.

We know that Donald Trump will not be alone, right? We know that former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani will be there. Senator Jeff Sessions will be joining him, as well as Jared Cushnor (ph).

Trump won't be alone, but the question is, will there be some sort of offer of an apology for all of the rhetoric that has gone back and forth by both of these men. Let's be honest, it's not just Donald Trump. It's the Mexican President as well.

Let's first go to what Mike Pence had to say about that meeting first.

MIKE PENCE, (R) VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Today it's really the beginning, beginning of a conversation. Negotiations will follow this. But, it all precedes out of a relationship. To know Donald Trump is to know, not your standard issue politician, but really a business leader that knows - - you've first got to sit down with people. You've got to look them in the eye, you've got to tell them where you stand. They can express their visions, and that's where a real negotiations can begin.

Make no mistake about it. I am very confident that my running mate will be very clear with President Pena Nieto about our priority of securing the border. Building a wall.

CARROLL: And so now to the speech, because that's the other big story of the day obviously, and what might Donald Trump say?

His hardliners are obviously looking for him to stick to his original promise. To deport the 11 million people - - undocumented people, living here in the United States.

There's been some sort of a question if he would soften his approach? Soften his rhetoric? His son weighed in on this particular issues. So now lets listen to what he has to say about the speech.

DONALD TRUMP JR.: We have to let ICE do their job. Enforce the existing laws on the books. I mean, so of this isn't rocket science. These are laws that are there today. They've been on the books for years. They've been expanded.

These guys are basically told that they can't do that. We have to have baby steps first. We have to let ICE do their jobs. And we have to do this for the benefit of the American people.

CARROLL: Key words there are baby steps. Because we've never heard those words, Donald Trump used that term baby steps. In any way shape or form, in terms of relation to his immigration policy. Perhaps what we are going to be seen later on when he doesn't get this immigration speech, is what Kelly Ann Conway said initially. Which is what you will not see in terms of a softening of policy, but a softening of approach.

I know we are parsing words there. Not my words. Their words.

COSTELLO: it will be interesting to see how the meeting with the Mexican president will play into his speech this afternoon too.

CARROLL: We'll have to see if there is some sort of relation between the two of you what we're hearing is that Trump's policy positions, at least what that campaign is saying, will remain the same.

COSTELLO: Alright, Jason Carroll, thank you so much. Let's talk some more about this. With me now Jesus Marquez member of the national Hispanic advisory council for Trump. And a Las Vegas radio commentator. And Daniel Garza. He's the executive director of Libre' initiative. A nonprofit group that empowers the American Hispanic community. Welcome to both of you.

Wow. There's a lot to talk about so let's get it right now, shall we?

Isn't this trip to Mexico a little risky for Mr. Trump? What if he sits down and says, hey I'm going to build this wall, Mr. President. And the Mexican President says no you're not, cause we're not paying for that. What then?

JESUS MARQUEZ: First of all I think that Trump is going to Mexico by invitation from the Mexican President. It's something normal. Mexican President is a leader of a country that is our neighbor. That obviously extended the invitation to both candidates. It's very real that, Mr. Trump and Clinton could be the next president of the United States. It's very smart to have both invited to Mexico. Up until Mrs. Clinton has not accepted that invitation and Trump did. I don't see nothing wrong with that.

COSTELLO: Daniel, the Mexican president said he extended the invitation to Mr. Trump to quote, protect Mexicans wherever they are. What does he mean by that?

DANIEL GARZA: Look, I imagine - - I know Jesus said that this is very normal. For me, it's very extraordinary that a Mexican president would involve himself at this junction in a campaign race between two presidential candidates. And try to influence either the campaign or the policies themselves. In the advent of a possibility of a Trump tenancy. Look I understand that the president of Mexico is concerned about the rhetoric coming from Donald Trump regarding immigration. He has taken very harsh positions. To answer your question and so, there's a legitimate concern about Mexicans abroad. I think his biggest worry is the fact that Donald Trump is threatening to undo NAFTA, which has been very beneficial to Mexico. There is an interdependency between Mexico and the United States. He wants to make sure that is addressed and taken care of. That there is a strong relationship between the two countries that continued forward.

COSTELLO: Okay, so that is important, NAFTA, because people of Mexico, that is an important issue especially when it comes to Mexico's economy. Back to my initial point Jesus, Mexico's president, his approval ratings were extraordinarily low in Mexico. And he is in the midst of all of these scandals right now. Mr Trumps approval rating among the Mexican people is also extraordinarily low. Is there a chance that the Mexican president could be using Mr. Trump to help his own poll numbers?

MARQUEZ: That could be an argument. I guess. Even though some may see this as an extraordinary event. It is also, possible that Donald Trump could be our next president. The president of Mexico is trying to get a good relationship with either one of the leading candidates. In this case Clinton and Trump.

Now, going back to the risky part, president is going through some scandals. The main one being the casa blanca scandal. Which by the way, I don't see too much different from the Clinton foundation scandal. The fact it is risky doesn't mean that it, this could be a productive meeting. Donald trump being a business leader by his trade. I think that he, this could be something positive for both of them.

COSTELLO: Here's the thing, actually Hillary Clinton's campaign is sort of dredging up all of the things Mr. Trump has said about Mexico. On her website she has released this string of tweets that Donald Trump has sent out during his run for the presidency. I'll give you a few examples. Donald Trump tweeted out Mexico's court system corrupt I want nothing to do with Mexico other than to build an impenetrable wall and stop them from ripping off the United States.

Another tweet from Donald Trump about Mexico, Mexico's totally corrupt government is horrible with El Capos escape. Totally corrupt. US paid them three billion dollars.

Another one from Donald Trump about Mexico. Only very stupid people think that the united states is making good trade deals with Mexico. Mexico is killing us at the border and at trade.

Do you think, Daniel that President will bring up any of these tweets when he meets with Mr. Trump? When it is done how might the Mexican president spin this?

GARZA: I hope he does bring it up. This is a harsh rhetoric. It's not only the rhetoric, it's the harsh policy positions that he's taking. Let's remember that her wants to intercept remittances hard working migrants that are sending their money back to their mothers and grandmothers families. He is also rescinding birth right citizenship, build the wall. Let's also remember Hillary Clinton has been very harsh on her position as well in the past. She spoke with content about immigrants while a senator of New York refused to provide them drivers licenses when she was running for president the first time. Also called to return the migrant kids from Central America back to an environment where there was drug traders and sex traders and violence going on.

She's also had to step back, and she's also voted numerous times according to her for 700 miles more of wall. I think both candidates have something to answer for and I think if we can get a shift, not only the narrative from Donald Trump, but a shift on policy that is going to make our country stronger, induced family cohesion. Get the economy back on track and allow the private sector to respond to market curses. I'd be very please and so would other Latinos as well.

COSTELLO: Ok, so, for Trump's core supporters. Any shift in tone would terribly disappoint them Jesus.

COSTELLO: Actually I agree with Garza. Both candidate has had some harsh rhetoric in truth of Mexico and immigrants. The good thing is that now Mr. Trump, he's trying to open the dialogue with Latino leaders here in the united states, and now going to Mexico. Obviously without abandoning his principle of securing the border. And making sure that from here on immigrants that come into the united states goes through the legal processes. Of course he's also still under the foundation of making sure that the current laws are enforced. Look, president Obama has deported more people in the last decade, nobody talks too much about that. So, Donald Trump is going to just confirm the laws and make sure that those laws are enforced. And then, we'll see what happens with the other 11 million people that are here that don't have any other criminal record in their past.

COSTELLO: All right. I have to leave it there. Thanks to both of you. Jesus Marquez, Daniel Garza. Thank you.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM: Hillary Clinton back on the campaign trail in the battleground state of Ohio. Is anyone watching thanks to Trump's big move today?

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COSTELLO: As Donald Trump visits Mexico today, Hillary Clinton is focusing on a state she hopes to put a win column on Election Day, that would be Ohio.

[09:20:06] Clinton heading to Cincinnati for a speech on veterans issues at the American Legion Convention. But will her visit be overshadowed by Trump's big trip south of the border?

Trump's running mate Mike Pence tells CNN that the visit with Mexico's president is a sign of Trump's leadership.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. MIKE PENCE (R-IN), VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: I don't know where Hillary Clinton is today. I heard she's going to Cincinnati today. But I think the American people can see quite a contrast between Donald Trump who gets an invitation from a world leader, drops what he's doing, even with a major speech on schedule for tonight, and heads down to Mexico to sit down with the president of that country to begin a conversation about how we move the interests of the American people forward and how we work with our neighbors in a more constructive and effective way.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: All right. So let's talk about that. Here to discuss, David Catanese, senior political reporter for "U.S. News & World Report", and Maria Cardona, Clinton supporter and CNN political commentator.

Welcome to both of you.

MARIA CARDONA, HILLARY CLINTON SUPPORTER: Good morning.

COSTELLO: Good morning.

Maria, should Hillary -- because Mexico's president extended an invitation to Hillary Clinton as well, should she have cancelled her trip to Ohio and visited the Mexican president instead?

CARDONA: No, absolutely not. This is something taking place in the United States of America. The most important thing Hillary Clinton can be doing is having a conversation with American voters.

Look, I actually see it as the opposite, as Mr. Pence says. I think that this looks like an act of desperation on behalf of Donald Trump. I call it the political equivalent of an Ave Maria pass, because his campaign is going off the rail. And what I think he's trying to prove to Americans is that he can be presidential, that he can meet with world leaders, that, you know, his experience on the world stage isn't just the beauty pageants that he has leadered in the past.

And so, I think most Americans will see right through this because they also see a candidate who is rush, who doesn't think things through, and I think it will also be difficult for the Mexican president because as you have noted on your show, he's got very low approval ratings, Donald Trump is incredibly unpopular. So, if Mr. Pena Nieto doesn't come out afterward and say I stood up to Mr. Trump and said, there's no way in hell we're paying for this wall, I said he's got to treat Mexicans with dignity and respect -- that's not going to look good for Trump. It will be interesting to see how he mansion this.

COSTELLO: But still, David, you could argue that Donald Trump is going into the hornet's nest. He's going to sit across from a man who clearly disagrees with his policies and he's either going to give it to him or he's going to negotiate, and that's what presidents do.

DAVID CATANESE, SENIOR POLITICS WRITER, U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT: Maybe. But it's unlikely that either of these leaders are going to come out and trash each other in joint statement right now. I mean, President Nieto has said some tough things about Trump during the primary, making some tough comparisons to this rhetoric, comparing his rhetoric to Adolf Hitler, saying, no one ever going to pay for the wall. I don't think he's going to say that with Mr. Trump next to him today.

I think it will be a cordial meeting, a meeting you're trying to feel each other out. I don't think there will be a grand deal that's going to be announced. Of course not. Trump hasn't even been elected.

But, you know, the president of Mexico has softened his rhetoric and said he would work with Mr. Trump if he was elected. That he would be respectful towards him. I think that's what you're going to see.

This is a photo-op. It's a photo-op for American politics, but that's how we play our politics in this country. Mr. Trump is going to dominate the media today because of this. No one is going to be talking about Hillary Clinton's speech. If he comes out telephone without a mistake, without an embarrassment, it is a good day for him because it dominates the media and it dominates the topic that he wants to be talking about and then leads into the speech tonight.

Frankly, it also could show Trump as a deal maker willing to take a chance while Hillary Clinton has mostly been out of the spotlight for ten days. She's back on the trail today. But hasn't been --

COSTELLO: Here's the thing about that. There's yet another e-mail controversy because of, I guess, the State Department has recovered e- mails from Clinton's server that could be linked to the Benghazi attack and they're going to be released to the public in a month or two.

So, Hillary Clinton is dealing with that, Maria, right? Now Trump is going to Mexico and she's overshadowed in Ohio, what David said.

There's a new poll out. An ABC News/"Washington Post" poll, it shows that Mrs. Clinton's unfavorability rating is now at 59 percent, that's right below Trump's at 60 percent. The rosy glow after her convention appears to be gone. CARDONA: But yet, she's leading in most national polls by 5 to 10

points.

[09:25:02] So, she will continue to focus --

COSTELLO: But still, before you go on, this poll also shows that Clinton's popularity among women has flipped -- 45 percent now view her as favorable, 52 percent unfavorable. Donald Trump picked up 6 points with women.

CARDONA: But she still leads by women, college educated white women by 20 points. So, again, you have to look at where she actually is when it comes to polls.

But I think what's most important here, Carol, is that she's going to continue -- the election isn't tomorrow. Frankly, if it was tomorrow, I think Hillary Clinton would win. But she's going to continue to focus on the conversation with American voters.

That's what she's doing in Ohio today. She's going to continue to focus on what she's going to be doing for them to help them in their economics, to help keep America safe, to make sure that they have a prosperous future for themselves and their children. She will continue to make the contrast, Carol, with Donald Trump who she will emphasize and continue to underscore does not have the temperament to be president. And --

COSTELLO: So, David, do you see these poll numbers a different way?

CATANESE: Look, the race has tightened. I mean, there's no doubt about it. Hillary Clinton is still up. She's still the front-runner to be the next president of the United States.

But her lead has tightened. I think the post convention bump that she did have has, you know, narrowed.

I think the Trump campaign, if you talk to them, they feel like they have had a good ten days or so, but it's mostly because of the Clinton Foundation stories. Now you have Democrats, increasingly more Democrats coming out and saying, you got to shut the Clinton Foundation down, you got to have all of the family members out of it, new safeguards up. She should be dealing with this now so voters can trust her.

And, you know, you have more polls coming out and focus groups coming out saying they don't trust that the Clinton Foundation has put up those safeguards. That she hasn't been transparent on that.

And to compound it, more e-mails are coming out on the Benghazi attacks. Now, if you're, a voter --

COSTELLO: We don't know that yet.

CATANESE: But they have identified new potential e-mails that potentially were held back by the Clinton State Department. Why weren't those e-mails turned over? Look, this is a question that could have been put to rest years ago by Secretary Clinton and they haven't. This is a drag on her.

Look, she is still the front-runner, no doubt it. She's still up in polls. But I think Donald Trump is creeping up on her and that should be concerning.

CARDONA: Sure.

COSTELLO: All right. I got to leave it there, guys. I'm sorry.

But you can come back any time because it was a very enjoyable conversation.

David Catanese, Maria Cardona, thank you both.

CARDONA: Thanks, Carol.

COSTELLO: You're welcome.

Still to come, Donald Trump says immigrants are stealing jobs Americans want. But is that really true?

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