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Trump Signs RNC Pledge; Trump Stumbles On Foreign Policy Questions; Poll: 67 Percent Of Republicans Want An "Outsider"; King Cobra On The Loose In Orlando; Trump's Escalator Gaining Fame. Aired 7:30-8a ET

Aired September 04, 2015 - 07:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: British Prime Minister David Cameron announcing that Britain will accept thousands more Syrian refugees. This as a tense standoff unfolds in Hungary. For a second day, migrants refusing to get off a crowded train, armed officers are demanding that they head to a holding camp.

Meanwhile, the Syrian toddler who drowned was buried today with his brother and mother in Cubani. The 2-year-old's body washed ashore in this heartbreaking image on a Turkish beach this week.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: French investigators confirming the wing part found on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean back in July is from missing Malaysian Airlines Flight 370. They say a series of numbers found inside the plane flaperon match the missing Boeing 777. The plane disappeared in March 2014 with 239 people on board.

CAMEROTA: It's called Total Mayhem, that's the name of the newest roller coaster at Six Flags great adventure and when you see it, you'll understand why.

The 4-D winged seats hang riders over the side of the track and then spin them while they free fall. This is not debuting, John, until spring of 2016. You can virtually ride Total Mayhem in a new video just released on YouTube for Labor Day. I'm feeling nauseous already.

BERMAN: I wonder what the fourth dimension is when it's 4D. Do you smell bad?

CAMEROTA: Yes. That is what it means.

BERMAN: I don't understand why anyone would do that. On the subject of Total Mayhem, let's go "Inside Politics" on NEW DAY now with John King -- John.

CAMEROTA: Perfect segue way.

JOHN KING, CNN HOST, "INSIDE POLITICS": Something on which Mr. Berman and I can agree on, and I'm ready for Alisyn to jump on board with us. We should put Roger Goodell on that for about six weeks until he straightens out his brain. So we'll get it all figured out. BERMAN: Endorse.

KING: All right, a busy Friday to go "Inside Politics." With me this morning to share their reporting and their insights, Julie Pace of "The Associated Press" and Jackie Kucinich of "The Daily Beast."

Let's start with the newly minted loyal Republican. Donald Trump signed the pledge yesterday. He said I'm a Republican. I'm in. This is what I'm going to be. I'm willing to sign the pledge that I won't run as a third party candidate. We'll see in six months.

For now, he says he will do it. Then he has a radio interview with Hugh Hewitt, who will be one of the panelists in our CNN debate coming up two weeks from now.

Hugh Hewitt wanted to get to some of the details about the leaders of these terrorist groups and other groups in the Middle East that are causing trouble.

He talked Hamas. He talked about Hezbollah. He talked about the (inaudible) versus Kurds. The Kurds are the good guys. The (inaudible) are the bad guys.

Donald Trump at one point taking offense saying, you're asking me questions that I will be ready, if and when I'm president, but not today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HUGH HEWITT: At the debate, I may bring up Nasrallah being with Hezbollah and al-Julani being with al-Nusra and al-Masri being with Hamas. Do you think if I ask people to talk about those three things and the differences that that's a gotcha question?

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Yes, I do. I totally do.

HEWITT: That's interesting. The difference between Hezbollah and Hamas does not matter to you yet but it will?

TRUMP: It will when it's appropriate. I will know more about it than you know and believe me, it won't take me long.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: A couple of interesting things there. I remember George W. Bush in 2000 right after the coup in Pakistan was asked by a Boston TV reporter about Mushar if he could remember his name, he said the general. Mr. Trump has a point to the degree of how voters process this.

You have Hamas, Sunni group, Hezbollah, Shiite group, proxies of Iran. Some of the other groups spins off of al-Qaeda, is it a fair question given all that's happening in the world? He's running for president of the United States. He wants to be commander-in-chief.

JULIE PACE, "ASSOCIATED PRESS": Yes, I think it's absolutely a fair question. You can give candidates a path if they don't know some of the names of some of these people. It is complex.

At the same time, running for president typically has been an exercise in trying to show that you are qualified to be president. People, typically, do not vote for someone and say we hope that they learn on the job and figure it out once they get in the oval office.

So Trump pushing back, though, I think shows that he feels very confident that maybe this is a different cycle that maybe voters are not looking for that. I think we'll see that maybe change overtime, but for now, he doesn't seem to feel like he has to dive in on this policy issues.

KING: Right. He seems to feel that his relationship with voters is I am a CEO. I make decisions. I'm not afraid to make decisions and he's talked about blowing the oil fields when it comes to ISIS, for example. I'll be tough when confronted with the problem, I will deal with it. Trust me.

JACKIE KUCINICH, "THE DAILY BEAST": Right. Going up against Hugh Hewitt is questionable anyway because this is someone that conservatives really trust. He's saying I'm going to delegate it to people. Don't worry. I am going to find people who know it.

At the end of the day, it's not enough because voters are going to want someone -- they know has a grasp of these issues. You have to know the players.

[07:35:01] When you're going out there, you're talking about the Iran deal and criticizing it like you are, you kind of know what it involves. You should know some of the details.

KING: I think this has been of a preview of what we are going to see in the debate because many of the other candidates also say in their view that Mr. Trump's positions aren't Republican or he talks about building a wall, but it's foolish to think the Mexicans are going to pay for it.

He talks about yelling at the Chinese and they'll revalue their currency so I think we are going to see this play out. Another issue we may see play out is remember Donald Trump criticized Jeb Bush. Bush speaks Spanish at many of his rallies, his wife is from Mexico. He is proud of that.

He says you should respect Spanish speaking Americans in the country among voters. Donald Trump tweeted out last week Bush should speak English. He should set a good example and as Yesterday, at the news conference, after he signed the pledge, Mr. Trump said, I'm not backing down.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: I think that when you get right down to it, we are a nation that speaks English. I think, while we are in this nation, we should be speaking English. Whether people like it or not, that's how we assimilate. That's how we will become successful and do great. It's more appropriate to be speaking English. (END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Another interesting debate about whether English should be the official language. You have to have competence in English. But, the Republican Party got 27 percent of the Latino vote in the last presidential election and got its butt kicked again. Is this a conversation that is helpful to whoever is the general election nominee of the Republican Party?

PACE: No. Absolutely not, if you go back to the autopsy that Republicans did after Mitt Romney lost in 2012, a lot of things they talked about when it came to Hispanic voters, it wasn't just immigration reform.

It was also tone and how you talk. How you present yourself. You have to be welcoming two people who speak Spanish. By making the comments, Trump isn't presenting that kind of front.

KING: He did say this on "Morning Joe" just moments ago that he respects that Jeb Bush speaks Spanish.

KUCINICH: That's good. But, Donald Trump is not playing the game here. He is not looking -- he keeps saying he is going to win the primary nomination. But, you need to get to a general. You need Hispanic voters, eventually. He's not doing a very good job of courting them early on.

KING: So we'll get to the reason, it should be obvious, but there's no question Donald Trump's daily or hourly attacks on Jeb Bush are having an impact. They have having an impact on the poll numbers and an impact on the candidate named Bush.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEB BUSH (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm going to push back when he says things that are ugly that I think will damage our brand, damage our ability to be successful. When he attacks me personally, you're damn right I'm going to fight back.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: You are laughing. Let's get to the reason in a second. Let's put the new poll up. The new Marmot University national poll, you see Donald Trump's numbers, he's at 30 percent up from 26 last month. Ben Carson more than tripled at 18 up from 5. Governor Bush who is at 8 down from 12, but there's a reason that Bush better get damn mad. He's in trouble.

PACE: He's in big trouble. I mean, he was supposed to be the joyful frontrunner. He was supposed to have the money that would scare off other candidates. None of that is happening right now. When you hear him say these things I'm going to pushback against Donald Trump, it doesn't feel natural.

KUCINICH: You look at it, it is -- Donald Trump is getting in his head. It's showing on the trail. KING: One more footnote from the poll before we move on quickly to something else, look at this, 67 percent of Republican voters want somebody outside of government. You have the senators, governors and Mr. Trump, Dr. Carson and Ms. Fiorina, three people who have never held elective office.

That's why they are moving up in the polls right now. Republican voters want something very different, you see that number. Joe Biden traveling this week, a lot of people are saying he's testing the waters, testing his own ability to run for president. His son died a short time ago.

Joe Biden is thinking about getting into 2016. Listen to him honestly saying I would love to run, but --

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The most relevant factor in my decision is really my family and I have emotional energy to run. I have to be honest with you and everyone who's come to me. I can't look you straight in the eye and say I know I can do that. That's as honest as I can be.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: You listen to that, Alisyn. We have a lot of fun with politics and horse races. The vice president is clearly very emotional, and going through a very honest and emotional process. We should respect that and see where we end up in the end. It is interesting to see him in public dealing with this.

CAMEROTA: Absolutely, John. I mean, that has really answered our questions. Will he, won't he? That gave us a window into his soul of what he's grappling with. It is important to see that.

[07:40:04] John, thank you so much. Have a great weekend. Make sure to watch John King and his "INSIDE POLITICS" panel break down the best political news of the week Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Eastern. We will be watching.

Meanwhile, there is an eight foot long cobra, a king cobra on the loose in Orlando this morning. How concerned should people be? That's next.

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BERMAN: The hunt is on in Orlando this morning. Wildlife authorities searching for an 8-foot long king cobra that escaped from its cage Wednesday night. The snake is one of the most venomous in the world. How concerned should residents be that the snake is on the loose?

Here this morning with some answers, animal expert and host of ABC's "Ocean Mystery," Jeff Corwin. Jeff, when I hear 8-foot long venomous king cobra, to me that sounds a little scary. JEFF CORWIN, HOST, ABC's "OCEAN MYSTERIES": Yes, it sounds a little terrifying. The truth is, even though this is the longest species of venomous snake in the world, John, keep in mind, this is an animal can grow upwards between 18 to 21 feet. This guy is junior compared to what they can be.

[07:45:09] Keep in mind, that in fact that they have an incredibly potent neurotoxic venom, they tend to stay away from people. These are animals that like their privacy. They live in remote parts of Southeast Asia, in places like rain forest, and they tend not to like to tangle with people.

BERMAN: So, what you are saying, if you are in Orlando, hope that this snake wants to go somewhere quiet and leave you alone? If he doesn't, that's when you are in trouble?

CORWIN: Here is the thing about cobras. They have remarkable behavior that tells and enemy or foe you are in danger. What this creature will do is if it feels threatened, it actually expands the hood and that's the warning. When it opens up those ribs and muscles along its head and begins waving back and forth, that is a sign that says stay away, you are in trouble.

BERMAN: Good to know. When the king cobra opens its hood, I know to run away. That makes me feel much better here, Jeff.

CORWIN: Bring out your flute and start playing, you should be OK.

BERMAN: Florida is a perfect place for this snake. There are plenty of places it can live comfortably for a very long time.

CORWIN: Yes, that is the big situation. That's the monkey wrench here, John. Florida is a very warm place in the wintertime. This is a creature that lives in subtropical and tropical parts of the world, India, Thailand. This animal is now escaped in Florida, placed with famous mild winters.

So, in theory, this creature, assuming it doesn't encounter significant frost or cold spells could survive for a very, very long time. There are parts of Thailand where they live, in the mountains and places where they do experience colder weather. In theory, this animal could acclimate easily to an ecosystem that Florida offers.

BERMAN: They like to eat other snakes. Any species that eats itself cannot be trusted. Is there a way to trace this snake? Now that it's gone, is there any hope of actually catching it?

CORWIN: Well, I would say it is unlikely. They are territorial. They stay in a home range and tend not to move from that area. King cobras have very large home ranges. Despite being large in size, it literally is trying to find a cobra in a hay stack.

BERMAN: Be careful out there. If it shows you the hood, run away. Jeff Corwin, appreciate you being with us. Thank you so much -- Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: OK, John, Donald Trump is still riding high, but Ben Carson now beating him in a new poll. We'll explain straight ahead.

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CAMEROTA: Welcome back to NEW DAY. If you thought Donald Trump was the only star of the presidential race, think again. CNN's Jeanne Moos explains why Trump's escalator is becoming as famous as the Donald himself.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He arrives on his own chopper. He arrives on his own plane. But this was perhaps Donald Trump's most celebrated arrival, when he escalated himself into the presidential race.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's the most momentous announcement you can make in your entire career.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Only losers walk. President's take stair force one.

MOOS: The escalator's own parody Twitter account tweeted the eagle has landed using an escalator. Somebody added escalator music to the video and made a 10-minute loop even Homer Simpson road the escalator behind Trump. Since trump announced, the escalator's fame has risen.

In interview after interview, you can see folks riding it behind Trump taking pictures of him and even of the escalator itself. The escalator shares the atrium of Trump Tower with a cascading wall of water.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was something else.

UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: I would definitely wear a crown if I were him, just like --

MOOS: The campaign will have its ups and downs but the escalator will have them simultaneously. It's a selfie magnet.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You do have a Donald hairdo.

MOOS: Holy escalator. Look at the light emanating from that thing -- with or without the stop at the White House. Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CAMEROTA: Similar stair way to heaven, but different, a little different.

BERMAN: Donald Trump riding the escalator and pledging he will not run a third party candidacy and while that's happening, sounding a little confused about some foreign policy questions. How are his rivals reacting this morning? We ask one of them. Rick Santorum joins us ahead.

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(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

[07:58:21]

TRUMP: I have signed the pledge.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Him running as a third party would be throwing a hand grenade.

TRUMP: As far as Jeb is concerned, it's a little bit sad.

BUSH: When he attacks me personally, damn right I'm going to fight back.

BERMAN: Vice President Joe Biden making his most candid comments about a potential presidential run.

BIDEN: Can I do it? The honest to God answer is I just don't know.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A potential break in the search for three cop killers.

CAMEROTA: Home surveillance video may show the suspects.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is probably one of the most significant ones we've covered.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The controversial Kentucky clerk is taken to jail.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think they just woke up a great sleeping giant.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CAMEROTA: Good morning, everyone. Welcome back to your NEW DAY. It is Friday, September 4th. It's 8:00 in the east.

We begin with new developments for Donald Trump's campaign. Some political insiders say Trump stumbled when asked about foreign policy in a radio interview. This as Trump hits new highs in the latest national poll and he officially promises not to run as a third party candidate.

BERMAN: Vice President Joe Biden got very personal and emotional as he opened up more than he ever has about potentially entering the 2016 race. We follow all the latest developments beginning with our senior Washington correspondent, Joe Johns -- Joe.

JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: John, so what this all mean, another Trump public relations victory with the chairman of the Republican National Committee going to Trump's office in New York to get him on the team.

It was just last month Trump said he was not going to pledge allegiance to the eventual Republican nominee. For now he says he's on board. The pledge is not legally enforceable, but at the very least it gives the Republican establishment a little emotional insurance that he won't launch a third --