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Donald Trump is Down by 20 Points Among White Women; Michelle Obama Hits the Campaign Trail for Hillary Clinton; Cubs Win Game Two of World Series. Aired 10:30-11a ET.

Aired October 27, 2016 - 10:30   ET

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


[10:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning. I'm Carol Costello. Thank you so much for joining me. National polls show a presidential race that's tighter, but the electrical map is really all that matters and Donald Trump continues to struggle there. He desperately needs to widen his base. In other words, he needs women. It's been an uphill climb. Even republican women are split on Trump, in part because of a string of accusations made against Trump by women, a topic he again addressed this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: These were false attacks. These things never happened. These people - I don't know these people. These things never, ever happened. This was out of the blue. It was made up, probably by the Clinton campaign.

UNKNOWN MALE: Do you have any evidence of that?

TRUMP: Well, many of these stories have already been debunked. Many of these stories have already been debunked, as you know.

UNKNOWN MALE: In the People magazine story they brought forward six women...

TRUMP: Why didn't she write the story 12 years ago.

UNKNOWN MALE: She said she was afraid.

TRUMP: Oh, she was afraid. Give me a break, she was afraid to write it. She would have gotten the Pulitzer prize. Give me a break.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: With me now, Trump supporter and CNN commentator Kayleigh McEnany and CNN political analyst and republican S. E. Cupp, welcome to both of you.

Good morning.

S. E. CUPP, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST AND REPUBLICAN: Hi Carol. COSTELLO: I'd like to talk about the split in the republican party among women, because, S. E., I've talked to so many republican women who are just disenfranchised with their party now and I wonder what would mend things?

CUPP: I'm sorry, what would what?

COSTELLO: What would mend things? What would fix it?

CUPP: Oh, what would mend it.

COSTELLO: Yes.

CUPP: Well, this is the existential crisis that's happening in the republican party right now for people like me who don't defend Donald Trump and aren't going to vote for Donald Trump, we worry deeply about his association with the republican party going forward, whether he wins or loses. We have been trying over the past decade to reach new kinds of voters, women in particular. And that was a project we embarked on very seriously after 2012. And I saw very good inroads being made with women voters over the past couple of years. And now Hillary Clinton in national polls leads Trump with white women by 20 points. That's a group that generally republicans do pretty well with. So there is a deep concern, whether you support Donald Trump or not, that the republican party will not be competitive nationally again because of Trump's alienation of groups like women, minorities, and millennials. Kayleigh, how do you see it?

KAYLEIGH MCENANY, CNN COMMENTATOR, TRUMP SUPPORTER: Well I see the numbers you just put up that have him trailing among women by 10 points, what that means is that he's outperforming Romney, he's outperforming John McCain, and he is tied with George W. Bush in 2004 among women, so this narrative that, you know, Donald Trump is doing so poorly (--)

COSTELLO: But Kayleigh there is a split. There is most definitely a split. I've denied him(ph).

MCENANY: I believe in facts and numbers and the facts and numbers show he's tied with George W. Bush among women.

(CROSSTALK)

[10:35:00] MCENANY: I know the media and the Clinton campaign is trying desperately to mischaracterize Donald Trump to paint him as a misogynist, but it's not working, because viewers see through it. People can think for themselves. They see the numbers. He's tied with George W. Bush. Those are facts, those are numbers, those are statistics. And the caricature just isn't working.

CUPP: But Kayleigh, what does that matter when he's losing to the person who's actually running against him with women by 20 points? What does it matter how he's doing compared to other years, right? You want him to win, don't you? You have to want him to do well with women now. MCENANY: He's not losing by 20 points. He's not losing by 20 points. We just had a graphic on the screen that shows he's losing among women by 10 points. George W. Bush won the election losing women by 10 points.

CUPP: Losing white women by 20 points that's a crucial group that generally votes republican. That should alarm you, Kayleigh, if you want him to win.

MCENANY: I'm not alarmed. I'm very encouraged. He's behind 3 points in the Fox poll. CNN just moved two states leaning blue into the battleground column. This is a tightening race.

COSTELLO: OK.

MCENANY: The media narrative isn't working. It just isn't.

COSTELLO: OK. OK. I just interviewed congressman Frank and he said, S. E., that the reason that some republican women are being driven by the parties because the democrats have painted themselves the party of children. Did you understand what he meant by that?

CUPP: I think - and that was a difficult part to follow, one of many - but I think he was trying to say that democrats have more effectively made emotional arguments, some might call it pandering, to sort of frame these issues as more emotionally compatible with liberal policies. And frankly liberals do a much better job generally of painting themselves as a party of compassion than often conservatives do. And case in point, for sure, is this year's presidential election and the guy at the top of the ticket. But I think what is incumbent upon conservatives is to talk about how our policies are actually more empowering for women, more compassionate for people in need, and better equipped to deal with the difficulties facing us around the world.

COSTELLO: Yes, because here's the thing, Kayleigh, you know Jason Chaffetz he just came out, you know 19 days ago he said, you know, "You know, what Donald Trump said about women, you know, I can't support him any longer because, you know, I talked to my wife and I have daughters. I'm very concerned." But now he says he's going to vote for Donald Trump. And it seems to some republican women that Jason Chaffetz is choosing this candidate over his concern for his wife and daughters.

MCENANY: No, I think Jason is voting on issues. I think that's how all voters should vote. I think, you know, Jason Chaffetz looks at the Supreme Court for instance, and there's a five-four decision upholding the partial-birth abortion ban, meaning a full term baby cannot be killed coming out of the womb. That was a five-four decision. And he's not going to sit back and allow a president to take over who believes in partial-birth abortion who will put three to four liberals (--)

COSTELLO: What about those women and children, girls who are living, like, out of the womb - and I don't mean to be disrespectful but that's what I'm talking about. MCENANY: Well all lives matter and certainly a full-term baby coming

out of the womb being murdered being matters.

COSTELLO: Absolutely. Oh come on, Kayleigh, stop. I'm talking about (--)

MCENANY: That matters.

COSTELLO: I'm talking about Jason Chaffetz and his daughters and his wife. Nineteen days ago he said, "I cannot stomach Donald Trump because of what he said about women." Today, he says, "I'm going to vote for Donald Trump."

MCENANY: Because he realizes the stakes are just that high. The second amendment rights are on the line, first amendment rights are on the line, the supreme court is on the line, and anyone who cares about conservative values cares about the supreme court and does not want Hillary Clinton picking three to four supreme court justices. Jason Chaffetz is doing a smart thing in not allowing Hillary (--)

COSTELLO: S. E., last word.

CUPP: Well, let me just say I'm also pro life and deeply concerned about the supreme court. The concern with Donald Trump at the top of the ticket is that is his effect on those down ballot races. And if we don't preserve a republican majority, he's not appointing the most conservative supreme court justice because he won't be allowed to. So another point, Jason Chaffetz is voting for complicated reasons and voting is a very private, personal experience. Some people vote on faith, some people vote on one issue, some people vote on a panoply of issues. I don't think it's fair to judge someone for how they're going to vote. Let's judge them on how they defend and Jason Chaffetz, to his great credit, has not defended what Donald Trump has done and said. That's I think what matters.

COSTELLO: OK. I have to leave it there. S. E. Cupp, Kayleigh McEnany, thanks so much.

MCENANY: Thank you.

COSTELLO: I'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:40:00] COSTELLO: Today, Hillary Clinton hits the trail with perhaps her most powerful surrogate, Michelle Obama. The first lady will be with Clinton in North Carolina; a state both Clinton and Donald Trump desperately need to win. Hours from now aides say Mrs. Obama will give her closing argument for Clinton, shifting her focus to Clinton's strengths and away from attacks on Donald Trump, something she's done effortlessly so far.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHELLE OBAMA, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: The voters decide who wins and loses, period, end of story. And when a presidential candidate threatens to ignore our voices and reject the outcome of this election, he is threatening the very idea of America itself.

OBAMA: Because I can tell you that the men in my life do not talk about women like this, and I know that my family is not unusual. And to dismiss this as everyday locker room talk is an insult to decent men everywhere.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: With me now is Peter Slaven, he's the author of Michelle Obama: Alive. Welcome.

PETER SLEVIN, AUTHOR OF MICHELLE OBAMA: A LIFE: Thank you, Carol.

COSTELLO: Does it surprise you that Michelle Obama is on the trail so much? [10:45:00]

SLEVIN: It's not really surprising at all. These are issues that matter to her so greatly. And of course she's also fighting for her husband's legacy and the work the administration has done all these eight years.

COSTELLO: You know, Hillary Clinton is an unpopular candidate, though. Does Michelle Obama run the risk of damaging her brand?

SLEVIN: You know, I certainly don't think so. She's been going out and talking about three things on the trial. As we know, she's talked about Donald Trump's erratic behavior, as she calls it, and how she certainly can't in any way support his candidacy, but she's also been speaking in positive terms about Secretary Clinton and she's been saying to women and to other voters, you've got to get out and vote. The stakes are too high just to sit back. I don't think she risks damaging her brand at all.

COSTELLO: There's an interesting new pro-Clinton ad that's out and it includes various powerful women, you know, kind of like girl power. Let's watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Is Michelle Obama fast becoming a voice for women in America? Does she want to be, you know, the new feminist on the scene?

SLEVIN: I think she's talking about the themes that have long animated her. She cares about gender. She's talked about work-life balance. She's certainly talked about the importance of women power. And I think that she sees in Clinton someone who is carrying that mantle forward, someone to believe in. She talks about Secretary Clinton's seriousness. She talks about what she's doing for women and families. These are issues that Michelle has cared about for a good long while.

COSTELLO: I think there's some suspicion among some people that Michelle Obama doesn't really have a close relationship with Hillary Clinton and this is all about, you know, protecting her husband's legacy. What do you think?

SLEVIN: You know I think it's interesting. I was out in Philadelphia a few weeks ago when Mrs. Obama was doing a rally for Secretary Clinton, and she said to voters who might be skeptical, look, there's no perfect candidate. You're not going to have the absolute ideal, but you've got to get out and vote for what you believe in. And it's unquestionable that Michelle Obama believes that Hillary Clinton is going to carry forward the legacy of the Obama administration.

COSTELLO: Are they friends, though?

SLEVIN: They've certainly spent time together. I don't have any deep insight into how close they are.

COSTELLO: So what is your prediction for Michelle Obama? What will she do after this election is over.

SLEVIN: You know I think she's going to take a deep breath because she's right now in a, kind of, bittersweet mode as they head out the door, but giving up the platform at least for a while. She'll be writing a book. She said she'll work on education, which she calls the most important civil rights issue of our time. I think it's certain that she'll continue to be a mentor. She'll continue to work with girls, especially girls of color, both in this country and abroad. But exactly what form that takes, I understand that she herself hasn't quite settled on that just yet. They're trying to get through the next three months first.

COSTELLO: All right, Peter Slevin, thanks so much for joining me this morning. Still to come in THE NEWSROOM: The World Series heading to the north side of Chicago for the first time in more than seven decades. BLEACHER REPORT next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:50:00] COSTELLO: The Cubs came through with a big win last night to even the World Series, a game apiece. That's after an unlikely hero stepped up for Chicago. Andy Scholes has more on today's BLEACHER REPORT. Hi Andy.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Hi Carol. You know, Kyle Schwarber, he's going to forever be a hero in the city of Chicago if the Cubs go on to win the World Series. You know, he played in just two games in the entire regular season because he tore his ACL early on, but after rehab all year making a big impact on this World Series. Schwarber had two RBI singles in game two last night. And this is after he nearly hit a home run in game one. His only chance to play this season after the injury was if the Cubs made the World Series. He's certainly making the most of it. He got six at bat(ph) in the Arizona fall league to warm up for the World Series and then the Cubs sent a private jet to go get him and the Cubs are sure glad they did; Schwarber leading the team to a 5-1 win in game two.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KYLE SCHWARBER, CUBS DESIGNATED HITTER: Hey, man, I'm living the dream. You know, we're playing the World Series, what else can you ask for? I'm just going to keep riding the wave until it ends.

JAKE ARRIETA, GAME TWO WINNING PITCHER: For a guy to be able to do something like this is, you know, in his second year is just, you know, I'm kind of speechless.

TERRY FRANCONA, INDIANS MANAGER: I think he's really good. I can see why Theo sent a plane for him. I would too.

SCHOLES (voice over): Schwarber the designated hitter in games one and two, no more designated hitter as the series shifts to the National League Park, so he may not be able to score(ph) in the outfield games three, four, and five in Chicago because his knee is not yet 100 percent. Of course, tomorrow night game three, first World Series game at Wrigley Field in 71 years, so you know the fans will be rocking in Chicago.

All right, the NBAC has been getting into full swing. Last night the garantless(ph) Thunder at the 76ers. Russ Westbrook the bucket in(ph) one there. Check out the fan in Philly courtside giving Westbrook the double bird. Westbrook just looked at him, like, "What are you doing, man?" The fan gets kicked out of the game. Westbrook go on to have a good one, scoring 32 points. He led the Thunders to a 103-97 win.

Halloween: Right around the corner. The Seahawks' Richard Sherman at his son's request dressed up as Harry Potter for his weekly press conference.

RICHARD SHERMAN, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: When you're a wizard, like we are out here, sometimes you have to show it to the muggles out in world. We got a lot of wizard. My son's a wizard. Earl Thomas does some magical things. Michael Bennet is Black Santa, but he's also a wizard. So you know, you just have a good time. I just went to Harry Potter Land. It felt like home.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[10:55:04] SCHOLES: I love it, Carol. And my favorite part about that whole thing is that with his magic wand, between questions he was, like, with all the reports, like, "All right, you can ask a question now."

COSTELLO: I wanted him to put his glasses on.

SCHOLES: Yes, the Harry Potter. It's a good outfit. Carol, what are your plans? Do you have an outfit for Halloween yet?

COSTELLO: No, I never - I always go as a news anchor. What about you?

SCHOLES: My two sons are both going to be firemen, so I think I'm just going to join and we'll be a trio.

COSTELLO: You'll be the chief?

SCHOLES: I guess so. I do have the seniority.

COSTELLO: That's true, you do. No doubt there. Thanks, Andy.

SCHOLES: All right.

COSTELLO: Thank you for joining me today. I'm Carol Costello. "AT THIS HOUR" with Berman and Bolduan after a break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)