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CNN/ORC Poll: Dissatisfied Voters Backing Trump; Final Hours Before Gunman's Movie Theater Rampage. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired July 27, 2015 - 06:30   ET

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

[06:30:00] CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Explanations ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CUOMO: A brand-new CNN poll shows Donald Trump the clear Republican frontrunner. But, it is not just that fact. It's not just these numbers. It's why. His shocking relevance now has context, as does the challenge for who is going to be the nest president, and what they need to do to win. Let's discuss.

Patti Solis Doyle, CNN political commentator, former Hillary Clinton campaign manager, Matt Schlapp, a former political director for George W. Bush, now chairman of the American Conservative Union.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.

CUOMO: Matt, when you look at this, the concern would be within the GOP, that you, as a party, have been pushing things are wrong. You should be mad at it. And now, Donald Trump has taken that mantle and is turning it back on the party to a certain extent.

Do you agree? And if so, what's the remedy?

MATT SCHLAPP, CHAIRMAN, AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION: Yes, I think I agree with that. There's no question there's an angst out there.

[06:35:01] Obama has brought a lot of change to the country. Quite frankly, Republicans and conservatives don't like it but threaten by it, and they want to stop it. Donald Trump has stepped up and seized the moment.

Quite frankly, I think it's refreshing. I think it's good for our party. I think it's good to have a candidate that reaches beyond our normal coalition. He doesn't talk like a politician.

He and Carly Fiorina and Ben Carson, they've never had elected office, never held office. You know, I think this is a great dynamic. We're going to have to see how it plays out. But, right now, I'm pretty happy about it.

PEREIRA: He seems pretty happy about it. How about you, Patty, how about you? As a Democrat, I imagine you've got to love watching it unfold within the GOP. Yet, when you look at that, 30 percent say the government in Washington represents your views well.

Do you think the Democrats are paying attention to that poll and trying to figure out how they can speak to a growing number of people that are discontent in this country?

PATTI SOLIS DOYLE, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, look, as a Democrat, I'm definitely happy with Donald Trump and his performance, because ultimately, I don't think Donald Trump is electable. So, I would love to see him as a Republican nominee.

But I think, we are missing from Trump is the policy details. I mean, he's -- I agree with Matt, he's great at, you know, bringing up the problems, the issues that concern Americans, but the devil is in the details. He hasn't given us any policy, any ideas on how to solve this.

CUOMO: Patti, that's not the measure for him. Isn't that -- isn't that the kind of takeaway that we figure out here? It doesn't matter what he says about POWs. His negative, put up the numbers of his negatives. His numbers are off the chart how high they are in terms of his unfavorables.

It's built into who he is. People aren't looking to him for answers. They're looking to him as the champion because they don't see anybody on your side with Hillary or even Bernie, although, there's a little bit of promise for Bernie growing a little bit there against Hillary.

But isn't that part of the problem here, Patti, is that you're not giving them anything? The measure of Trump is not whether or not he's got the answers.

DOYLE: I agree with you. But take it back to the Democratic side.

Hillary is giving answers. She's given a huge, broad, economic speech. She's giving a speech today on climate change and renewable energy. She's talked about immigration reform, and she's following up with solid, specific ideas on how to solve these issues for the American people.

And I think as the election goes on, Americans are going to stop and say, OK, who am I going to vote for? Am I going to vote for someone with these very bombastic remarks? Or am I going to vote for someone --

CUOMO: But she represents what's fueling Trump.

SCHLAPP: That's right.

CUOMO: The untrustworthiness, the sneaky email allegations. All those things.

Matt --

SCHLAPP: Look, you said Trump has sky high negatives. Do you know who the other person who's in that neighborhood? Hillary Clinton. And the fact is, is that they can try to dismiss Donald Trump over those numbers.

He shouldn't be giving us all the detailed policies now. That's next step.

PEREIRA: OK, but, Matt, fair point. That's the next step.

SCHLAPP: That's right.

PEREIRA: But past the bombastic, which we know he excels at. Do we know that he that has devil in those details? We talk about the devil on the details.

SCHLAPP: No.

PEREIRA: We don't know that. That's why I think --

CUOMO: He just said no.

SCHLAPP: No, hold on.

CUOMO: OK, go ahead. Go ahead.

SCHLAPP: We don't know. And this is the great process of running for president. We are going to find out what he thinks about these issues. He's going to have plans. You are not going to pass muster with the voters unless you give them policy details. And that's what this whole conversation is going to be about in the Republican Party.

But look at Hillary Clinton. The more detail she gives and the more people see of her, the less they like her and the more Bernie Sanders surges in these polls.

PEREIRA: Less is more, you are saying?

SCHLAPP: With her, less is more.

CUOMO: But also, it's what he speaks to. I just got a tweet while having this conversation. We are sick of the lying, cheating, do nothing career politician. That's the message they all better get.

Listen to what Donald Trump just said about Hillary Clinton.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: With Hillary, I think I'll beat Hillary easily. I think I will beat Hillary, I don't think these other guys will. What she's done is criminal. I mean, what she has done is criminal. What she did is far worse than what General Petraeus did and he's gone down in disgrace. I mean, you know, what he did is not as bad as what Hillary Clinton did and it's similar, but it's not as bad. I mean, she got rid of her server. He never did anything like that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CUOMO: Obviously, the Petraeus reference there is to classified materials. You know, her trustworthy numbers, as you know, Patti, have been taking a beating. Is that one issue enough to beat her?

DOYLE: Well, look, I think she started sky high when she was secretary of state. So, it's only natural some of the numbers go down for her.

But, look, she has said -- first of all, let's talk about Donald Trump. He says it's criminal. We now know it's not a criminal. It's not a criminal investigation. So, let's get that out there first and foremost.

Secondly, she has given over 55,000 pages of e-mails. She has said repeatedly that when they were sent and received, none of them were marked as classified.

[06:40:00] She's going to testify in front of the Benghazi committee in October. I think she's answering all the questions.

And again, it's still early. As we go on, voters are smart enough to know and want to go back to the details. Are they going to elect someone who can actually solve our concerns and can give us some ideas about the issues that concern Americans like education and the economy or are they going to go with someone who just has bombastic, caustic headline-grabbing remarks?

PEREIRA: Patti, we have to leave it there. Thanks for joining us. Patti Solis Doyle, Matt Schlapp, great to have you on NEW DAY.

DOYLE: Thank you, guys.

CUOMO: What do you think? What's on your tweet on the situation? Use the #NewDayCNN or post your comment on Facebook.com/NewDay.

So, now, coming up next hour, we're going to have one of Trump's confidants, a big shot in his organization. He's going to come in and he's going to tell you why Trump is making a difference and he'll make a difference in this country. We're also going to talk to supporters of Trump supporters about why he is their pick.

PEREIRA: Very interesting to hear that kind of insight.

Also, new details are emerging about the Louisiana movie theater shooting and the gunman's possible motive. Ahead, we will speak to the mayor of Lafayette who knew both of those women that were killed and the impact of this strategy on the city.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:45:16] PEREIRA: A just released CNN/ORC poll providing some clarity on why Donald Trump is surging in the polls. A majority of Republicans, 53 percent, say Washington doesn't represent their views at all.

It appears those voters are helping push Trump to the top. Overall, Trump is the leading choice among Republicans, 18 percent in the latest poll, three points ahead of Jeb Bush who's in second.

CUOMO: Coast Guard crews are relentlessly searching an area the size of Maine throughout the night. They're looking for two 14-year- old boys in the ocean. The 19-foot motor boat was found overturned almost 70 miles off the Florida coast. Both are said to be avid fishermen with their certifications, and their families are being joined by neighbor and NFL great, Joe Namath. They are offering a $100,000 reward to help find his boys.

PEREIRA: This morning, we'll know more about Caitlyn Jenner's life as a woman. Her eight-part series "I am Cait" debut on E! Sunday night. In it, she describes her excitement to live life as she always wanted to. She also sat down with his family whose transgender son killed himself. Jenner making it clear she's going to use her platform to help who are struggling with gender identity.

We'll talk more about this coming up on NEW DAY.

Well, there's a new tropical threat may mean more heavy rain for the Eastern United States. A major heat wave, though, coming right behind it. What is it, if you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes.

Meteorologist Chad Myers with a look at the forecast for us.

OK. Break it down.

CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: It seems like if you don't like the heat, wait another month this year. Things haven't been changing, right?

Temperatures today going to be in the 100s. Heat index in Little Rock today going to be 107. You talk about all the severe weather they had in Florida over the weekend is still here. More rain coming for the next few days.

We'll talk about severe weather in the Upper Midwest today. We'll also talk about big heat in the Southeast. The heat index could approach 110 in spots. And the heat is coming to you, New York. Here it comes. A big cold front, I know, but before you get to the cold front, you get to the heat. 96 will be the high in New York on Wednesday.

So, enjoy today because it gets hotter from here. And I know people in Dallas are saying, 96, what do you mean? It will remain 100 for a few days -- Chris.

CUOMO: Chad, there's something different. Is it your hair?

PEREIRA: He got his hair cut.

CUOMO: Is it your tie?

MYERS: I did get a haircut.

CUOMO: What's different? There's something different.

PEREIRA: He's got fancy new graphics. Look at him.

CUOMO: Come on, brag on yourself, Chad. You are standing on an entire state there. Come on.

MYERS: I'm standing on Virginia. My favorite place to live, Richmond, Virginia, right here.

PEREIRA: Beautiful. Very technologically advanced, Chad.

CUOMO: Very nice.

MYERS: Working on it.

CUOMO: Loving 3D graphics.

All right. So, Lafayette, Louisiana. We know what happened there. Today, the two women who were killed there in the prime of their lives, so much still to live for being buried today. We're going to talk to the city's mayor about the message and how they are coping down there.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:52:25] PEREIRA: We now see in surveillance video of the Lafayette gunman hours before he opened fire inside that crowded theater, this as the first funeral services begin today for the victims that we're killed in last Thursday's shootings.

Joining me now is Louisiana, Lafayette, Louisiana Mayor Joey Durel.

Good to have you with us, Mayor. I'm sorry it's under such circumstances. First of all, sir, how are you and your community faring?

JOEY DUREL, MAYOR -- PRESIDENT, LAFAYETTE, LA: We are doing fine, as you can expect. I mean, you know, it's a hurtful time. It's painful, but, as a community, I have been to some of the vigils. It's full of people. People you would not normally see together. So, as one last positive contribution to humanity, these young ladies are bringing a lot of people together.

PEREIRA: A powerful statement. I want to turn, quickly, to the investigation. We are learning chilling new details, the surveillance video we are seeing of the gunman in the final hours before he opened fire, taking their lives and wounding nine others. We are learning grim details about the fact that he had found, police found in his hotel room wigs and disguises. They found a diary, talking about how he was planning on being at that theater at that specific show time, pointing more to premeditation.

What else can you tell us about what the investigators are finding out?

DUREL: Well, I probably don't have a whole lot more to tell you than what you've already gotten. But there's not doubt that, you know, I'm not sure how long he had been planning on this. But I don't think it was a long term sort of thing. I find it strange, you know, weird that somebody would document all that.

But there's no doubt he had the keys in his car, ready to escape. I mean, it wasn't a planned suicide. Obviously, it was an accepted alternative for him, but, it is -- there's some strange pieces around it. But I still think him ending up in Lafayette was purely coincidental, maybe because it was a larger city along the I-10 corridor. A city that financially maybe he saw opportunity for business.

My understanding is he had contacted business people to try to invest into an oil change business of some sort. And we know he was at the end of the his rope financially.

So, you know, I think, in the end, we will never know a real good answer. But my guess is it was purely coincidental and opportunistic

PEREIRA: I imagine that's one of the things that is hard for people in your community to come to terms with, is that this outsider came and inflicted such pain on their community. Are you hearing anger from people that this outsider, somebody with a mental illness walks into a theater and takes these lives and, you know, changes nine people's lives forever?

[06:55:08] DUREL: You know, I have to tell you, using the word anger is something -- is the first time that's entered my mind. I haven't seen that. I have seen shock and hurt. I haven't experienced anger. I just haven't experienced that.

I mean, we are shocked. It's not like we are on a manhunt and can't wait to get our hands on this guy. That's over with. It ended instantly. But I have to say, anger, this is the first time that word entered my mind.

PEREIRA: Well, let's take back out of the equation then perhaps, because it sounds as though healing is already beginning in your community.

I wanted to talk with you. I understand you're friendly of the two victims that we're shot. There's a prominent businesswoman in the community, Dwight Beau Ramsey (ph) and his wife, they were both injured. Can you give us an update on how they're doing?

DUREL: Well, in communicating with them last night, I will tell you, they are usually very selfless. Their concern is with the other victims, their prayers with the other victim. As they said, as they heal, the community will heal. And they're confident that everyone will.

Obviously, they have trauma to deal with. Mr. Ramsay has been in the Korean War, tough battles, as I understand it, survived that. You know, so, tough guy, tough lady, and they're pillars of our community. They will help lead the healing for this whole entire area.

PEREIRA: You know, I'm sure you saw this because it passed -- it came across everybody's desk there was a market watch from "The Wall Street Journal", voted your city, ironically, one of the happiest cities in America. Do you think your city can return to that glory? Do you think there's a way that you can link your arms together to move past this?

DUREL: I have no doubt. You know, it's actually Harvard and some university in Great Britain that said Lafayette was the happiest city in America. And, you know, as I thought about that, there's no one thing that makes us the happiest city in America and no one thing is going to cost us the happiest city in America.

I have no doubt in my mind, we will move on. We will support the families of the victims and the two deceased ladies. And as a community, we will retain that happiest city in America designation.

And I will say this. One of the things that I'm concerned myself about is we talk about community as politicians and reporters, is that what we are talking about is a result of people on the ground. We kind of talking from a 30,000 foot level. But what I also try to keep in the back of my mind, people that suffer.

So, as we talk about moving on and being happy. There are people that are not going to move on as fast and quite so easily. And they're not going to be quite so as fast. But as a community, we are going to do OK.

PEREIRA: Our prayers are with them, and our prayers are with all of you today and the day that you law those two young women to rest. They won't be forgiven.

Mayor Durel, thanks so much for joining us today on NEW DAY.

DUREL: Thank you.

PEREIRA: Certainly a lot of news to get to on this Monday. So, let's get right to it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right now, he is the national front-runner among the Republicans.

TRUMP: I'm standing at a podium and I hear everybody saying how good I'm going to be in the debates.

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I don't believe Mr. Trump is qualified to be commander in chief.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Two teens missing, their boat recovered, but no sign of the boys.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They know the water. They have been through rough water. They've been through thin water.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We wholeheartedly believe that they are out there and alive.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The fatal road rage incident caught on tape. Less than two and a half minutes after the whole encounter began, shots were fired. He also held the family hostage.

CATHY GONZALEZ, VICTIM'S WIFE: That son of a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) is making me get out of the truck with my daughter.

You got to help me, please.

ANNOUNCER: This is NEW DAY with Chris Cuomo, Alisyn Camerota and Michaela Pereira.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PEREIRA: Here we go. Good morning. Welcome back to your NEW DAY. Alisyn has the day off.

Donald Trump is out front in the Republican race for president. A new CNN/ORC poll released in the past hour reveals what's behind the so-called Trump bump.

CUOMO: The poll finds a majority of Republican voters are unhappy with the federal government in Washington, saying their views are not represented at all. The GOP candidate most appealing to that group, by far, is Donald Trump. He is the face of discontent.

CNN's Athena Jones has more. She's live in our Washington bureau, breaking down the numbers.

What do you see, my friend?

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Chris.

A lot of interesting numbers to look at here. And, you know, Trump's rivals for nomination have been blasting his tone, his rhetoric, calling it divisive, saying that Donald Trump does not represent the Republican Party.

But it seems like Republican voters disagree. They put him at the top of the pack, 18 percent. You have Florida Governor Jeb Bush right behind him at 15 percent, and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker third at 10 percent.

So, that shows he is certainly popular and appealing to a segment of Republican voters.