Return to Transcripts main page
Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees
Republicans Clash At First Debate; RNC: "The Whole Country Is Looking At us"; Jeb Bush Jr.: Dad "Won't be Divisive."; Trump Won't Rule Out Third Party Bid. Aired 11p-Midnight ET
Aired August 06, 2015 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[23:00:00]
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST: Good evening, 11 P.M of the East Coast, 11 P.M. in Cleveland where 10 leading Republicans wrapping up their first debate. We'll get live reaction from inside the hall in just a moment. We're also expecting to hear from some of the candidates, live events from around the city. And I'll bring them to you in the next two hours that we are live on the air.
Going in, all odds, the first one, Donald Trump and right from the get go, he made headlines when he said he would not necessarily support any opponents if he isn't the nominee and held open the possibility of running as an independent. That said he was far from the only one on the stage who made remark that caused spark or got people talking.
This evening, we're going to analyze and fact-check what was said tonight. We'll take some -- we'll talk to some of the people taking part of the debate. We'll ask a panel of undecided Republican women about what they saw and heard and we're joined for the next two hours by some of the sharpest political minds in the country.
Before we get to all of that, some key moments from the stage tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRET BAIER, FOX NEWS CHIEF POLITICAL ANCHOR: Is there anyone on stage and can I see hands who is unwilling tonight to pledge your support to the eventual nominee of the Republican Party and pledge to not run an independent campaign against that person? Again, we're looking for you to raise your hand now. Raise your hand now if you won't make that pledge tonight.
Mr. Trump?
DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I cannot say. I have to respect the person that if it's not me, the person that wins. If I do win and I'm leading by quite a bit. That's what I want to do. I can totally make the pledge if I'm a nominee.
BAIER: OK.
RAND PAUL, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And this is what's wrong, he buys and sells politicians of all stripes. He's already...
BAIER: Dr. Paul.
PAUL: Hey. Look, look. He's already hedging his bet on the Clintons, OK. So if he doesn't run as a Republican, maybe he supports Clinton or maybe he runs as an independent.
BAIER: OK.
PAUL: But I'd say he's already hedging his bets because he's used to buying politicians.
CHRIS CHRISTIE, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And, Megyn. Megyn, that's it. That, you know, that's a completely ridiculous answer. I want to collect more records from terrorists but less records from other people. How are you supposed to know man?
PAUL: Use the fourth amendment.
CHRISTIE: What do you supposed to -- how are you supposed to...
PAUL: .Use the fourth amendment.
CHRISTIE: No, I'll tell you how do it.
PAUL: Get a warrant.
CHRISTIE: Let me tell you, senator, do you know...
PAUL: Get a judge to sign the warrant.
CHRISTIE: And, you know, senator...
MEGYN KELLY, FOX NEWS ANCHOR: Wait, Senator Christie make your point (ph).
CHRISTIE: Listen, Senator, you know, when you're sitting in a subcommittee just blowing hot air about this, you can say things like that. When you're responsible for protecting the lives of the American people, then what you need to do is to make sure...
PAUL: Here's the problem Governor.
CHRISTIE: ... is to make sure that you use the system the way it's supposed to work.
PAUL: Here's the problem. I don't trust President Obama with our records. I know you gave him a big hug, and if you want to give him a big hug again, go right ahead.
KELLY: Go ahead. Go ahead.
CHRISTIE: You know, you know Senator Paul -- Senator Paul, you know the hugs that I remember are the hugs that I gave to the families who lost their people on September 11th. And those are the hugs I remember and those hugs had nothing to do with politics, unlike what you're doing by cutting speeches on the floor of the senate and putting them on the internet within a half an hour to raise money for your campaign...
KELLY: All right.
CHRISTIE: And while still putting our country at risk.
TRUMP: Now, with Iran. We're making a deal, we would say we want him. We want him. We want our prisoners. We want all of these things we don't get anything. We're giving them $150 billion plus. They are going to be -- I'll tell you what, if Iran was a stock, you folks should go out and buy it right now because you've quadrupled. This is what's happened and Iran is a disgrace.
KELLY: Dr. Carson, in one of his first access Commander-in-Chief President Obama signed an executive order banning enhanced interrogation techniques in fighting terror. As president, would you bring back water boarding?
BEN CARSON, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, thank you Megyn. I wasn't sure I was going to get to talk again.
KELLY: We have a lot for you. Don't worry.
CHRIS WALLACE, FOX NEWS ANCHOR: Mr. Trump, I'll give you 30 seconds -- I'll give you 30 seconds to answer my question which was what evidence do you have, specific evidence, that the Mexican government is sending criminals across the border? 30 seconds.
TRUMP: Border patrol, I was at the border last week. Border patrol, people that I deal with, that I talk to they say this is what's happening because our leaders are stupid, our politicians are stupid and the Mexican government is much smarter, much sharper, much more cunning. And they send the bad ones over because they don't want to pay for them. They don't want to take care of them. Why should they when the stupid leaders of the United States will do it for them. And that's what's happening, whether you like it or not.
JEB BUSH, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I want to win. I want one of these people here or the ones at 5:00 to be the next president of United States. We're not going to win by doing the Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton do each and everyday, dividing the country, saying creating a grievance kind of environment. We're going to win when we unite people with the hopeful optimistic message.
[23:05:00]
PAUL: And slash, the Republican Party's been fighting against the single party system for a decade.
BAIER: OK.
PAUL: ... for a decade. See, I think you're on the wrong side of this if you're still arguing for a single party.
TRUMP: I'm not -- I don't think you've heard me. You're having a hard time tonight.
CARSON: All right...
TRUMP: Most of the people on this stage, I've given to just so you understand, a lot of money.
MARCO RUBIO, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Not me. Not me. But you're welcomed to give me a check.
TRUMP: Got many of them. That's right.
RUBIO: And actually to be clear, he supported Charlie Crist.
TRUMP: Not much.
KASICH: Hey, Donald...
TRUMP: But I have good...
(CROSSTALK)
KASICH: ... I hope you will give to me.
TRUMP: Good. It sounds good.
CHRISTIE: OK.
TRUMP: It sounds good to me Governor.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER: That was just a few of many key moments we'll be talking about. Tonight, we're going to show you more throughout the next two hours also we'll be fact-checking and unspinning with panel of partisans and nonpartisans alike.
Joining us first, CNN Political Commentator S.E. Cupp, Ana Navarro, Jeffrey Lord and and Donna Brazile. Ana is Jeb Bush supporter, friend of Marco Rubio, Jeffrey Lord, former Reagan White House, Political Director and current Trump supporter. Donna is Democratic Strategist and Vice Chair of the DNC Voter Project.
Just quick thoughts from all of you. Jeff, let me start with you. Obviously, for Donald Trump (inaudible).
JEFFREY LORD, TRUMP SUPPORTER: I think he delivered his message. I mean there's just no question. I mean when he -- what is appealing to here are folks who feel that the entire system has gone off the rails. And so when he raised his hand at the beginning and said, "No, he wasn't going to promise what he's really communicating...
COOPER: Not to run as a third party candidate.
LORD: Run as a third party candidate. What he is really communicating here is, if these other people win, what difference will it make?
COOPER: Not very popular though certainly in that hall. LORD: No. No.
COOPER: If you got widely boos by it.
LORD: Right. But outside of this hall...
COOPER: Do you think it (inaudible)
LORD: ... I mean there are a lot of Republicans I mean...
COOPER: I mean did you feel that he's come off in anyway diminished by -- it is the first time he has been on a stage with all the other candidates, do you in anyway feel that he was so out of the ordinary that he seemed diminished in anyway?
LORD: No.
COOPER: Do you think play it through though (ph)?.
LORD: I don't think so. I mean remember, the thing that I think drives this is the anti-politician basis I'm feeling among other things.
COOPER: Right.
LORD: So there he is with all of these other folks who are professional politicians, I mean he stands out and, you know, you have a lot of the political class that look out and say, "Oh, he hurt himself." And then you have a lot of people of...
COOPER: Right. Donna, to you what stands out?
DONNA BRAZILE, VICE CHAIR DNC VOTER PROJECT: You know there's no question that Mr. Trump, at many times, looked like he was auditioning for his role as the leading contender and, at times, he was looking at the other nine contenders and saying, "I won," clearly, his body was of I can go either way. I can, you know, take over this debate off and sit here and pretend that I'm interested to hear what the other folks have to say.
There's no question that some of the candidates will fade after tonight. Ben Carson struggled to articulate what...
LORD: Yes.
BRAZILE: ... he stands for. Ted Cruz tried to take over the debate like it was the senate floor. Marco Rubio, did treat it like the senate floor. But, you know, my best moment was the fireworks between Chris Christie and Rand Paul. I cannot wait to see that rewind again. That was testosterone with a little bit of Tabasco and for me I love that part of it.
COOPER: You're from Louisiana, of course.
BRAZILE: Yeah. COOPER: Ana Navarro, I mean obviously you're candidate is Jeb Bush. She has certainly a lot on the line tonight. I saw some folks say online they thought he stumbled a little bit particularly in the beginning maybe when talking about education he seemed to get it back and we're showing you pictures there of the spin room which is actually usually what they call it where you see candidates and their supporters going in, telling anybody who will listen, how well their candidate did. What do you make as we look at these pictures, Ana, of how Jeb Bush did tonight?
ANA NAVARRO, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: I think he did very well. I think he did get warmed up. And I think he did gain some lights when, you know, as his debate went on. It was a tough stage. There was a lot going on. There was a lot of life there on that stage and a lot of lights in that room. I've got to tell you, it was fun. It was entertaining. It was riveting at parts.
I with Donna, that page match between Rand Paul and Chris Christie, you know people were just popping corn into their mouth. You know, you saw Trump. We've been asking all week, is Trump going to be Trump or he is going to be a more subdued version of Trump.
Well, he came and he was Trump and he was diminished because he was surrounded by people who are solid and knew policy and he looked like the odd man out who doesn't know policy. I also think, you know, when he started by saying I'm not willing to give up on running a third party and when he, you know, when he started making fun about calling women in fat pigs, well, guess what, most women in America look like me. Not like Melania.
COOPER: And S.E, what did you make of what you saw tonight because to Ana's point about it being -- I mean, it was obviously very fun to watch. There was a lot of -- there were a lot of fireworks. Did the candidate who is didn't quite bring that, I'm going to pick you, Ben Carson, some might even say Jeb Bush. And there's been Carson, taking Carson right now in the spin room.
[23:10:00] Did they seem diminished because of the strong personal who were on the stage?
S.E. CUPP, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Yeah, I think Ben Carson had a bad night, although I didn't expected Ben Carson to come with much substance if you've been watching him over the past few years. He's not big on substance. I think trump looked fairly unserious next to everyone else. I think his stick works really well on the stump. But when asked substantive questions, you know, he doesn't have a lot of answers. And I think that really came into focus with all of this other guys.
I think to hit for the cycle in this debates, you really have to accomplish three things. You have to have a personality moment. You have to make a great substantive point and maybe you get the opportunity to clarify on a pass of misstep. But, on that, I think Chris Christie and Marco Rubio did the best tonight.
They all had. They both have a great personality moment. They have a couple good one liners. I think they made good substantive policy arguments and they got to sort of correct for some of the past maybe mistakes that they've made with conservative voters.
I think Jeb Bush and Scott Walker performed well. They did no harm. I didn't see any mistakes, but I also didn't see a whole lot of movement from them coming out of this debate. So we'll have to see.
The only person I thought who had a terrible night was Rand Paul. I think he looked pretty childish and (inaudible), you know, haranguing Chris Christie for the hug and kind of jumping in when he wasn't asked to. I just don't think he came up looking great.
COOPER: Although the flip side of that and Jeb, what do you think about this, is, you know, for in a race which Donald Trump has sucked a lot of the oxygen and been able to come as the anti-establishment candidate who has been able to be the outsider, did Chris Christie and maybe even Rand Paul certainly to Rand Paul's base at the very least claim back some of that mental Rand Paul saying I'm a different kind of Republican saying that repeatedly, Chris Christie clearly trying to come across as a strong, tough, kind of guy.
LORD: I think that each reinforce their base. I'm not sure that that particularly in Rand Paul's case. I don't think he really got much beyond that. And one of the things that I'd say, as well, and after the 1980 Debate with Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter, you know, of course, the Carter people went out right away and said we won.
The media reports tended to give it to Jimmy Carter as well. It wasn't until a day later when the overnight polling fell in. It seemed that the country not seemed but the results were two to one in Reagan's favor so I'm just saying that we're talking about this in the media aftermath. We should really be careful because, you know, the next days...
COOPER: Right.
LORD: ... we could find that the entire country have a totally different opinion here.
COOPER: How could people in New York not being completely (inaudible) shockingly. How can anybody in the media not be completely in tune with the...
LORD: My friends in Central Pennsylvania will understand what I'm talking about.
BRAZILE: My Friends in South Louisiana may not like rerun when you hear it again but you know what I thought the moment when Kasich said he went to a gay wedding recently of a friend and I was waiting to hear the boos back in 2012.
COOPER: Wide applause.
BRAZILE: Yeah. Big applause.
COOPER: It was also interesting because it reminded me a little bit of the moment where (inaudible) talked, asked Michael Dukakis a personal question about rape and somebody in his family was rape and there was this very personal part of it and he really answered it in a personal way about his daughter.
I want to go to Dana Bash who's standing by. Dana, who do you have?
DANA BASH, CNN, CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I had the Chairman of the Republican Party, Reince Priebus with me and the obvious question to you is what was your reaction when Donald Trump raised his hand, signaling he will not pledge to be a Republican through this whole process?
REINCE PRIEBUS, CHAIRMAN, REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE: I think it's pretty mature. I mean I've got a pretty good feeling about where he's at on this and I think tonight I don't think he was ready to raise his hand but I think that he getting to a pretty good place. So I'm not just living in a vacuum here. I'm dealing with the presidency of the United States and whether we're going to be able to win. I talked to Donald Trump often. I think he's getting in a pretty good place. He's not going to raise his hand tonight but I think that -- I think if you give him a little while I think you'll see his hand will go up.
BASH: Did he give you like double secret probation promise or something. It sounds like that's what you're saying.
PRIEBUS: I don't think it's a double, secret probation promise, but I think I've got a pretty good sense on where he's at on this issue. And I'm not that nervous about it at all.
BASH: I have to say that if somebody who is the chairman of the party to not be nervous about somebody is standing on your own debate stage not vowing to be a member of your party, that seems a little odd, no?
PRIEBUS: Right. No. Actually, what is does is that it proves what I'm saying which is if I'm not nervous about it, I don't think anyone else should. So if there is one guy that should be nervous about whether Donald Trump runs as independent it should be me and I'm telling you I'm not.
BASH: OK. What else? Just more broadly, big picture.
[23:15:00] What were your takeaways of this debate? Do you feel that your party voters got a good sense of who they're candidates really are?
PRIEBUS: I think the way they're great person. I think we're controlling the entire interest of this country. So it's incumbent upon us to keep that going. It's important for us to try to contain the process and sort of, you know keep it to Jeb's and elbows not killing each other but the whole country is looking at us. They're not looking at the other side in Hillary Clinton. That sort of just boring stuff so I feel good about that.
BASH: I just have to ask you one last question, the earlier happy hour debate, the 5:00 debate, there were very few people on the audience so there's no one in the audience. Do you feel in retrospect that you could had done it differently that was more respectful to the seven candidates on stage that they had the energy in the room that you saw tonight?
PRIEBUS: This was a unique place because we've got the entire arena. So it's 5,000 people. There was no way for the cue to put 5,000 people in the seats, pull them out, two hours later, bring another 5,000 in. It's just or holding sick people for six hours. So look, the next debate I think it's a back to back so I think everyone is going to sit their seats but it's also much smaller venue.
So meaning these are kinds of things you have to deal with, security, and obviously it's not all our call but and I'm not making that as an excuse. I'm just explaining and answering your question.
BASH: Well, we'll see you at the next debate.
PRIEBUS: I'm looking forward to Simi Valley, CNN in California. It should be great.
BASH: September. Thank you Mr. Chairman. I appreciate it.
PRIEBUS: You bet. Thank you Dana.
BASH: Thank you.
PRIEBUS: You bet.
BASH: Back to you Anderson.
PRIEBUS: Dana, Rience Preibus thanks very much. With that Donna, what do you make of what he said that he is not concerned about Donald Trump running on a third party? What's very interesting statement right there.
BRAZILE: Right.
COOPER: What do you...
BRAZILE: You know, I'm a vice chair of the Democratic Party and so clearly Bernie Sanders had that the same question someone who caucus with the Democrats but not a Democrat, I would be worried
There's no question because look, in order to achieve the kind of support you need in a party, you need to get the party activist to sign your petition run his deligates. So I think he was -- Mr. Chairman, good bless you. Good luck with Donald Trump. That's my advice.
COOPER: Do you think he has something to worry about?
BRAZILE: Oh absolutely. I mean, Donald Trump has not only millions of followers, billions of dollars in the bank and for Donald Trump not to say I will support the eventual nominee if it's not me, I may not agree but I'm a Republican and this is what you do You fall in line.
COOPER: Jeffrey. LORD: Well, I think he's being careful because, you know, we all know what happens. If you get up along side of Donald Trump and I don't think he's want to go there and I think that he is aware that there was some sentiment that the party establishment was on the other side and so, you know, through phone calls and apparently some regular contact here they've gotten back according to Donald Trump himself, you know, in a much better situation so I don't think he wants to, you know, test that.
COOPER: I want to go Ann and S.E. but I do just Donna very quickly also Rience Preibus saying that based the Republicans right now are controlling the focus of the country, people aren't really looking to Hillary Clinton, and aren't looking at Bernie Sanders in terms of the enthusiasm, the excitement, there is certainly is a lot enthusiasm and excitement on the GOP side. Do you believe Reince Priebus, what he said?
BRAZILE: Well, I did. I loved that. If his candidates they're sucking up all of the oxygen they've been running since, you know, January 2013 when President Obama took office. I'm not surprised that the energy is with the Republicans now but get ready for the Democratic debate in a couple of weeks.
COOPER: Do you believe Joe Biden is going to rejoin?
BRAZILE: I don't think so but, you know what the -- as we say the Democratic side, the door is open if you want to come in, come on in. It's a better place to support the Democratic.
COOPER: Do you think it would be good for Hillary Clinton if he did I mean third better candidates?
BRAZILE: You know what it's a personal decision. It's a tough decision. I recognize that the vice president who is very well beloved in Democratic Party has to make this decision but I'm not going to rush him in making this decision. He has some time.
COOPER: Ana, S.E. was saying, she tough Rand Paul didn't really do himself any favors tonight perhaps he do with the bases, Jeff, what do you make of it? Who do you think was a biggest loser tonight?
NAVARRO: I think Rand Paul was a loser. I think Ted Cruz also didn't have a terribly good and night. This was a very enthusiastic audience. I think John Kasich did himself some help of course. This is a home turf advantage for Kasich and I can tell you the arena was practically packed with everybody from Ohio. So he had a pack pals of his own team there but I think he did very well.
I think Ben Carson did not help himself. Did not distinguish himself and I think, you know, I think there were some standouts and some people that did not do well most certainly I think Rand Paul and Ted Cruz were lack a lot of steps tonight. And I will tell you, you know, Anderson, the enthusiasm there reminded me so much of the Miami Heat playing in the American Airlines arena and my heart was breaking because this is where LeBron James is playing now.
[23:20:00] So I feel dirty having been inside there.
COOPER: S.E., in terms of if other moments that really stuck out to you, I'm wondering, you know, what tomorrow morning you're going to wake up about?
CUPP: You know, it's a shame, if not Reince Priebus isn't worried about for Donald Trump, he should be, because if not for Donald Trump I think the thing we would all be talking most right now is John Kasich's great performance, you know, he barely made it into this debate just announced his presidency, Locked into great timing to do it in order to ge to this debate.
And I think he had a really great night and I think that every GOP contender should study his answer on the gay marriage question. It was a phenomenally compassionate but convicted answer and I think really represented himself in the party well. So it's not for Trump and maybe it's not for the Chris Christie, Rand Paul amazing sparring match. I think his would be the lead to lead story out of this debate tonight.
COOPER: I'm very curious to see if anything changes polling wise obviously in the days ahead, and if anything...
CUPP: Yeah.
COOPER: ... changes sort of in terms of Donald Trump's approach because, you know, S.E. you were saying you did think he was somewhat diminished being on that stage next to this other people, Jeffrey definitely disagrees with this. But, but when you compare them side- by-side, I'm wondering if people started to think well his great to have out there and we loved him, but I don't know that he's presidential. Again, will just have to wait and see. S.E., thank you, Donna Brazile, Jeffrey Lord, Ana Navarro.
CUPP: Sure.
Coming up next, Donald Trump is asked about soon as the less flattering things he has said about particular women online, a few with Rosie O'Donnell, we'll talk about how that play will play you his answer now I might be received by voters.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[23:25:05]
COOPER: Debate in Cleveland, just a few minutes old now, where a fascinating two hour of politics just for very briefly we're from Google, about which candidates on that stage now with the most searched during the debate, Donald Trump number one, Ted Cruz came in second, Rubio third, but Jeb Bush fourth, Ben Carson, Rand Paul, Chris Christie, John Kasich, Scott Walker, Mike Huckabee, lowest. I want to go Dana Bash who standing by with Jeb Bush Jr., Dana?
BASH: Thanks Anderson, that's right, I do have Jeb Bush's son here, Jeb Bush Jr. or as your family calls you, Jebbie?
JEB BUSH JR. JEB BUSH'S SON: Jebbie, Jeb 2.0.
BASH: OK well, all of you, thank you for doing this. What was your sense, I mean obviously, going in and I'm guessing that you, as a family member, pretty nervous for your dad, how do you think he did?
BUSH: Dad did great, I mean he stuck his principles, stuck the, you know trying to get across his record, 10 taxes every year, you know, he did great.
BASH: The Trump factor, of course, he was preparing for anything that could come at him. Take us inside because I know you're pretty involved in the campaign and his prep. What kind of preparation he did for that in particular?
BUSH: Sure, no I mean again dad's campaign focusing on his track records his message way did as governor of Florida, his unique life experiences. You know, that's what he's trying to get across living with his heart, open him self up being total transparent, so again his not going to be just divisive and try to go after people but try to unite people on bring people together and hopefully I -- encourage people to support him.
BASH: Do you think that coming away from this debate, in all honesty, that people have a good sense of who Jeb Bush is and who he would be as a president?
BUSH: Yeah, no I think its tough, I mean he had about 6 to 8 minutes actually, you know, to talk, you know, it was pretty civil and that, you know, people got their points across and I think it's people realize that, you know, he let the largest swing state in the country with the 67 percent of approval rating, total reform that K-12 education system, cut tax and every single year. People will get to know him as Jeb and his track record. So again it's exciting, its fun, and I though he did great.
BASH: Now he'd said that he didn't use the a word, I guess, is cleanest way for me to say at which is was reported today that he was saying some, somethings about, about Donald Trump, have you -- have you heard that, and maybe a more specific question for you is, how do you do you feel when you hear Donald Trump say things about your dad and even your mom?
BUSH: Yeah, no it's a -- it's weird to candidate with you but, you know, backup plan was, you know, dad probably would give him a noggie (ph) which we're hoping out, you know, then the come down side obviously but, you know this is where it is, my dad's going to focus on his track records, his going to focus on what he did as governor. And try to unite people bring me a base together and bring up people together, so.
BASH: It is your dad a noggie (ph) giver is that his thing?
BUSH: Well his got good leverage the tall guy so, you know, growing up with a older brother and dad I was the received of few noggies (ph) but, I guess I have to hold off maybe to the second debate for the Trump noggie (ph). BASH: Yeah that will definitely must see T.V, I'm glad you're waiting for CNN's debate for that one that though.
BUSH: Very exciting.
BASH: Thank you, nice to talk to you.
BUSH: Yes, ma'am.
BASH: Thank you. And back to you.
COOPER: All right Dana, in spin room. I can't believe they call it the spin room, but yes they do in fact. I want to play a couple of key moments of from the debate tonight. First of all, there's a tabulation of just how much speaking time each candidate got Donald Trump at the most time followed by Jeb Bush, the rest were all bunch together with Rand Paul, actually having the least, even though he jumps in a number of times and clearly from the very get go his trying to take on Donald Trump. One of the tough questions from Fox's Megyn Kelly.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KELLY: Mr. Trump, what are the things that people love about you is you speak your mind and you don't use a politician's filter, however that is not without it's down side, in particular when it comes to women. You call women you don't like fat pigs, dogs, slobs and disgusting animals. Your Twitter account has several...
TRUMP: Only Rosie O'Donnell.
KELLY: No it wasn't, for the record it was well beyond Rosie O'Donnell.
TRUMP: Yes, I'm sure it was.
KELLY: Your Twitter account has several disparaging comments about women's looks. You once told the contestant on Celebrity Apprentice it would be a pretty picture to see her on her knees, that's sound you like the temperament of a man we should elect as a president and how you answer the charge with Hillary Clinton who was likely to be the democratic nominee that you are part of the war on women?
TRUMP: I think the big problem this country has is being politically correct. I've been. I've been challenged by so many people and I don't frankly have time for total political correctness. And to be honest with you, this country doesn't have time, either. This country is in big trouble, we don't win anymore, we lose the China, we lose the Mexico both in trade and at the board we lose the everybody.
[23:30:05] And frankly what I say and often times its fun, it's kidding we have a good time, what I say is what I say. And honestly, Megyn if you don't like it, I'm sorry I've been very nice to you although I could probably maybe not be based on the way you have treated me but I wouldn't do that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER: We're going to talk about that with our panel in moment, but I do want to go back to Dana Bash so with John Kasich.
BASH: That's right, and we have the, the governor of the state where we are, Ohio. And obviously, you were a participant in this debate tonight. How do you think it went?
JOHN KASICH, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well I was happy, I mean what was most important for me was to talk about my record and to be relaxed. And I had a great time. Maybe a little bit of home court advantage all this people cheer in but in all seriousness my whole goal is just to be myself, and the reaction from people, you know, that I'm getting is, you know, was really, really good and, you know, I'm happy I did what I wanted to do and the things go on.
And I say, you know, each one of these is another important step on the road to a nomination and I'm just really pleased.
BASH: Now you only got in a couple weeks ago I believed two weeks ago is it?
KASICH: Well, you know, everybody say -- here's the thing, everybody said, you know, you getting in too late he can't make the debate so made the debate they said were you can't raise the money we raise the money. You know, he said, you know, you know, "Is he in too late?" I think go wow I guess he wasn't in too late.
So this is been a history of people all saying "Well, I don't think he can't hit the ball over the fence." And then, you know, I kind of get lucky and I get, you know, I get this amazing pitch and can't knock over the fence.
So, you know, we just keep, plugging we're like the little engine that can and we're getting great, great reaction in New Hampshire and South Carolina. I'll be heading to Iowa to the state fair and the, and, you know, what's really important, Dana, I'm having a great time, I'm loving meeting the people because every where I go I feel like I'm seen in Ohio and when I'm in, you know, in America is a big is -- is contained inside of Ohio, so it's great.
BASH: You really had an outreach moment or to Donald Trump that seem to be a pretty intentional and planned.
KASICH: Well no I don't really planned this things very, very much I -- in my own have, you know, I know that Donald Trump is hit a nerve and his got his answers and, you know, I kind of have mine, but anybody who doesn't realize that the people this country are kind of fed up with the way things are and things aren't working right, your missing it.
So, look I don't have enemies towards anybody, anybody wants to stand on the that stage and put some selves at risk, God bless them and it's my job in this campaign to be a, a unifier maybe not just of a candidates and some ways and we'll get our shots at did, you know, going and talking about others, but I want us -- I want to lift the country, that's what we done in Ohio and that's what I want to do for America.
BASH: I saw your Twitted or somebody tweeted on your account during the debate that...
KASICH: Well, I wasn't tweeting.
BASH: ... of course...
KASICH: No.
BASH: Of course.
KASICH: My daughters were they at home.
BASH: If that -- you would be happy to take his money? Is that you're the only person who handed donated to (inaudible).
KASICH: Well, look, the bottom line is I don't take any orders from anybody. The people want to give me money that's great, what they're doing is hiring a CEO. And I'll listen to you but nobody tells me with -- do you can balance the federal budget or fix Ohio by, by catering to any special interest groups and, you know, I've never been accused of that in fact special interests sometimes they like can it be a little nicer, so then maybe I could be but, you know, look you got to have a little fun in this business and everything is going to be a trip to, you know, getting a root canal what's the point.
BASH: Yeah root canal is definitely not fun, thank you very much.
KASICH: All right, thank you...
BASH: Thank governor.
KASICH: ... thank you.
BASH: Thanks for having us in here your own state here.
KASICH: Yeah I'll see you in your debate.
BASH: Yup and you will in September.
KASICH: Thank you.
BASH: Back to you Anderson.
COPER: All right Governor Kasich there. Joining me now, CNN political analyst David Gergen and Gloria Borger also CNN senior political reporter Nia-Malika Henderson. You know just listening there all to, to Governor Kasich I just want to play the exchange he had talking about his daughters and same-sex marriage, and what his response would be, because it's something that our previous panel has pointed it out and I want to get reaction from you all that how you felt he did tonight given his late entrance to this raise, let playback.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) KASICH: I just went to wedding of a friend of mine who happens to be gay. Because somebody doesn't think the way I do doesn't mean that I can't care about them or I can't love them. So if one of my daughters happened to be that, of course I would love them and I would accept them, because you know what? That's what we're taught when we have strong faith.
We need to give everybody a chance, treat everybody with respect, and let them share in this great in this great American dream that we have, Megyn, so, look, I'm going to love my daughters. I'm going to love them no matter what they do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER: David, I'm wondering how you felt he did tonight and who else stood out to you tonight?
DAVID GERGER, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Well Anderson I think it was wonderful you just had juxtaposed the Donald Trump answer to Megyn Kelly about women and then the long couple of segments on John Kasich, because I think the juxtaposed you really see the difference.
[23:35:07] In traditional terms and normal standards, Donald Trump would be hurt tonight, you know, that answer to Megyn Kelly had a bullish quality about. That's the way it came across. His first answer and a lot of his answers seem very narcissistic. It's all about him.
Whereas John Kasich unexpectedly, I think would not only strong on facts in policies but he had a warmth a connectedness to and he cared about this but people under shadows he cared about, you know, people -- even thought he disagreed with gay marriage, he would go to wedding and he had this warm answer.
I think the by normal standard, he's a guys who happen help themselves most tonight out there but you know, we're in unchartered territory. And it's a little hard to sit here and pontificate when you're not quite sure in this political environment whether in fact Trump continue to score tonight and whether John Kasich seem out like just everybody else.
COOPER: Gloria, about winners and losers tonight?
GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: Yeah, you know, I think John Kasich had a breakout night, honestly, you know. He did get in late. He doesn't have a lot of money in bank, but he spoke from the heart tonight. And he was a new face to most people I -- even though he's been around for a long time. You know, I use to cover him in the Congress and I've interview them a bunch of time recently before he got into the race.
His answer on why he took the Medicaid money was because he wants to get people out of the shadows and -- so I think he was a candidate who spoke from the heart tonight which is, you know, something were kind of not used to seeing. Jeb Bush is the one I believe who kind of found a way to say yes, I'm more conservative than my -- then you think I am. Just Bush but, you know, I think very often, he fell a little flat tonight. He is the candidate with over $100 million in the bank and, you know, I don't think Jeb Bush had a breakout night at all this evening, which is something he needed.
COOPER: Yeah.
BORGER: I also say what, you know, one more thing, all these candidates did not want to attack Donald Trump except Rand Paul of course who keeps swatting at him but Kasich again was smart about it. You know Kasich just said, look, he's got his views, he's strikes a nerve...
COOPER: Right.
BORGER: ... within our party and I get it.
COOPER: All right. I want to point out to out viewer Donald Trump is now in the spin room. There's obviously huge in the cameras around him is that, that's what the images there.
Nia-Malika to -- or Nia, to you, who else did not perform well, I mean, others have talked about Ben Carson kind of being soft spoken. And obviously, some have referenced, Jeb Bush and other, who do you, did not standout? Who needed too?
NIA MALIKA HENDERSON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER: Yeah, I think Ben Carson was soft spoken and that time of his way, I think he came across as a nice guy. He had some funny lines in there at point. I thought Chris Christie, there he is at the bottom of the stage I think he's got something like two percent with in some ways arena breathing down his neck, I didn't think he had break out perform was that moment when he was sort of squabbling with Rand Paul. I thought that made them both look a little small.
I don't think he necessarily sort of justified why she should be there and justified, you know, sort of arguing that she should be higher of in the stage and more in that lane with Jeb Bush, more in that lane with Scott Walker who is so far or doing are really well.
I also have Rand Paul, his performance was pretty weak. He was -- I think showed why that probably wasn't a good idea to tangle with Donald Trump. He was sort of trying to alleviate stature by tangling with him, it didn't really work, you have that moment when Donald Trump sort is that you're not have in a really good night, Rand Paul.
So I think at the end, he tried to say, "Listen, I'm a different kind of Republican this is what I bring to the party but it didn't go over well."
I did think Kasich did fantastic in that moment when he talked about his daughter and being sort of compassionate, conservative of the crowd long did. I think, he had that home town advantage certainly rowed that all night and that was good for him. He's raising the polls in state like New Hampshire week by week he's just soaring much better. So, I think he would had a really break out with Trump.
COOPER: David, clearly, You know, Chris Christie look at his poll numbers, he needed to have a big impact and he clearly has had some of his -- the attention that would normally gone him taking away by Donald Trump. He's certainly has always try to portray himself as a street talker, who sometime just telling like it easy when he steps on people's toes, did he do himself any favors tonight, do you believe?
DAVID GERGEN, FMR. PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER: He got himself back in the race, Anderson, and, you know, he's been sort of dismissed. And he, you know, be barely made into this debate tonight. But I thought the exchange with Rand Paul actually work his advantage slightly.
[23:40:05] And he had some of the Donald Trump in him, didn't he? It seemed to me the person that was sort of -- didn't make much of an impression, you sort of -- it was Walker, Scot Walker who was he along with, you know, Jeb Bush have been the closest competitors of Trump here in the last few weeks and I thought it was rather it was rather bland I don't know -- you don't walk away with sort of say where are we at that kind of moment.
COOPER: And David did it surprise you that Jeb Bush, I mean his first answer he seemed to kind of stumble through it. Did that surprise you? I mean given his experience, given, you know, the amount of money he has already raised that first words out of his mouth it kind of stumble a lot.
GERGEN: It did surprise me because he's been, you know, he's had this two three samples in the last few weeks that have been used against him. What I did -- I feel to get a lot better I thought he had a very solid performance. He certainly is on top of the facts and the he is a policy guy. What Jeb needs more of is both fire but connectedness -- emotional connectedness. That's what Kasich brought to it with his answers
HENDERSON: Right.
GERGEN: It was not just good on policy but there was emotional connection to the people listening.
Trump obviously appeals to peoples some peoples' emotions. I mentioned they came at tonight I don't know what do it say, I think one thing he well had done is (inaudible) to people who don't like Trump I think I had (inaudible) in those views tonight.
COOPER: Yeah, Hillary Clinton came under attack obviously during debate. The question is did any candidate score a direct hit against her? We'll talk about that and right now you're seeing a live picture of Jeb Bush speaking at a rally post debate.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: Wherever they bring in and when we do it, it didn't have the courage of our convictions to fix this things so that your children and grandchildren will have more opportunities in what we had. That's the mission. I appreciate your help. Thanks for being here. (END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[23:46:06]
COOPER: Was that as expected that Hilary Clinton's name which brought up a number of times during tonight's debate one of the jobs against those made by Donald Trump he was aspect dominations it made the Democrats over the years. Let's listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: With Hillary Clinton, I said be at my wedding and she came to my wedding, you know, why? She had no choice because I gave to a foundation that frankly that foundation is supposed to do good I didn't know our money would be used on private jets going all over the world, it was.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER: ... by Brian Fallon, press secretary of the Hillary Clinton's campaign. Brian, thanks very much for being with us tonight. Can it be a surprise obviously to hear...
BRIAN FALLON, PRESS SECRETARY OF HILLARY CLINTON'S CAMPAIGN: Thanks for having me.
COOPER: ... your candidate being attack on that stage. I'm wondering specifically about what Donald Trumps said about here? What do you at your respond?
FALLON: Well they were acquaintances to chose a New York senator and his a high profile constitute in New York and he invited her to his wedding so she attended. But now with standing that line from Donald Trump I think we feel at the headquarters here in Brooklyn that there was unquestionable winner tonight and she wasn't even on the stage, it was Hillary Clinton the reason I say that Anderson, is because we learned tonight, we confirmed that no matter who emerges from this very crowded Republican field, you can take your pick from any of the 10 men on stage and they were by the way all men in this Primetime debate.
Take your pick of any of them and we know that they'll represent the most out of date, out of touch policies of a very tarnished GOP brand. And in fact I think the GOP brand took in even worst hit tonight than it did tonight that it did going in and I say that because from the likes of Jeb Bush, Marco Rubios, Scot Walker an issue after issue, you heard them double down and there desire to take us backwards whether its defunding plan parenthood to harm women's health whether its repealing Obama care they cut off health care access for 16 million American's or whether it's a repealing the presidency executive action and immigration. On issue after issue they show this actually no distance between themselves and Donald Trump.
COOPER: Do you think... FALLON: What you didn't hear from them with any plans...
COOPER: It will go and finish about it.
FALLON: Well, I was going to say, Anderson, was what you didn't hear from them, you heard them double down on all this backwards policies. What you didn't hear from them as any affirmative plan on how they would help the middle class Hillary Clinton is going around saying that that is going to be her number job as president.
Chris Wallace, at one point, the moderator framed up a question for the field and said literally Hilary Clinton's going around saying that she's going to worked out the middle class and that each and everyone of you Republican candidates wants to cut taxes for the wealthy and hope that those policies trickle down to help the middle class. How are you going to respond to that? And we didn't hear a single answer about how they would challenge Hillary Clinton's theory of the case?
In fact there was I think words of middle class were mentioned twice in the whole debate.
COOPER: I'm curious Hillary Clinton has been lately going after Jeb Bush the other day she was using him by name but she was using in his slogan and surprised many people by doing that. She has not been referencing Donald Trump the one point questions from Brianna Keilar, CNN she said she was disappointed in some of the remarks he'd made about the illegal immigration.
I wonder why she isn't more directly addressing him given that he is the front runner right now and why focus on Bush?
FALLON: Well, the larger phenomenon it's a work here is that there is not a single bit of difference on policy between Donald Trump and the whole rest of the field and as I mentioned you saw that tonight on issue after issue where there was woman's health.
COOPER: And we consider or not any -- they're clearly are different -- policy differences I know your client, your candidate is clearly trying to make Donald Trump the standard bearer for the Republican Party but why not then go after Donald Trump or as supposed to Jeb Bush.
FALLON: Well, at one point, Anderson, I challenge the idea that its not an -- that there -- I would say there is no different at one point Jeb Bush a question was specifically addressed to him, it was offered an opportunity to separate himself from Donald Trump on any issue and he said that the only disagreement he have with him was a matter of tone.
[23:50:00] And I think that, that's speaks to the fact that there is no daylight among the 10 men on the stage tonight that's why we feel that this was a great night for Hillary Clinton.
COOPER: All right, Brian I appreciate you being on. Brian Fallon, thanks. Jeb Bush in the headlines tonight...
FALLON: Thanks, Anderson.
COOPER: ... we have call for republic immunity saying he wants to see anyone on stage win next year. He saw at the top well ask tonight Donald Trump mainly use by saying exactly the opposite. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BAIER: Is there anyone on stage, and can I see hands, who is unwilling tonight to pledge your support to the eventual nominee of the Republican Party and pledge do not run an independent campaign against that person?
Mr. Trump? So Mr. Trump? It should be clear, you're standing on a Republican primary debate stage.
TRUMP: I fully understand.
BAIER: The place where the RNC will give the nominee the nay.
TRUMP: I'd fully understand
BAIER: And that experts say an independent run would almost certainly hand the race over Democrats and likely another Clinton. You can't say tonight that you can make that pledge.
TRUMP: I cannot say I have to respect the person that if its not me the person that wins. If I do win and I'm leading by quite a bit that's what I want to do. I can totally make that pledge is I'm the nominee.
BAIER: OK.
PAUL: And this is what's wrong he buys and sells politicians of all stripes his already...
BAIER: Dr. Paul...
PAUL: ... hey look, look, he's already hedging his bets on the Clintons, OK? So if he doesn't run as a Republican maybe he supports Clinton or maybe he runs as an independent.
BAIER: OK.
PAUL: But I'd say that his already hedging his bets because he's used to buying politicians.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER: Sean Spicer joins us, he's the communication director for the Republican National Committee, also chief national correspondent, John King. Sean, good to have to you back on the program.
Hey, I got to ask you. I'm just seeing a twit from Zeke Miller Time according to Donald Trump saying "I thought the questions where unfair. Do you know -- does anyone in the RNC think getting this question for unfair I'm assuming Donald means to him? And have you already heard from Donald Trump directly?
SEAN SPICER, RNC COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: I'm sorry I heard that last part of that Anderson?
COOPER: Have you heard -- has the RNC heard from Donald Trump directly him alleging that these this questions were unfair?
SPICER: No, we haven't. I think that Mr. Trump as far as I know his in the spin room right now talking to some of your colleagues and other members of the media. We have not had a chance to chat with them. Look I feel very confident the chairman of the party said this before and I agree with him. That in order to win in November of next year, we need to be united as a party, I think Mr. Trump would get there as all of our candidates will get there that the only way we do this is if we're all together, we're all unified and we had in November as a Party like that.
COOPER: So why do you think he raised his hand saying -- as the only person on the stage who did -- saying not only he could have guarantee that he would support whoever the nominee was but then he wouldn't guarantee that he would run as a third party candidate?
SPICER: I think that's a question for him, you know, and so I don't mean to deflect it. But in the end of the day that really is a question that Donald Trump has the answer. As far as the Party goes obviously we wanted to see all of our candidates pledge to support the eventual nominee and to agree that if they're going to stand on the stage and seek the nomination of our party that they understand the only way that we're going to defeat Hillary is if we're united.
COOPER: John, I know you got some questions as well.
JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Sean, let's continue at that point. Chairman Priebus after tonight said he's spoken to Donald Trump and he said he doesn't have a direct promise, but he's very confident in those conversations, the Trump wants to stays as a Republican. Is there a point if we're three debates in, four debates in, and he continues to refuse to say I will endorse the Republican nominee if it's not, is there a point where the party says that he shouldn't be invited to later debates?
SPICER: Look I think tonight was the first of several debates lets get past this and continue that conversation with Mr. Trump and see where we go. But I don't think it's fair right now and start making decisions about where we will or will not be as a party. We're going to continue to move forward I think tonight was a really good night overall for our party. It brought a lot of new eyeballs to the different vision and direction that all 17 of these candidates want to take this country in. And so, let's digest tonight and move forward.
COOPER: But Sean, just a follow-up on that. I mean Reince Priebus said he's not that concerned about Donald Trump saying he wants for the, you know the nominee...
SPICER: Right. COOPER: ... but I mean it doesn't worry you at all the that the leading contender in the GOP right now stood on the stage at the first Republican debate with millions of people watching. Saying he couldn't guarantee that he'd support the nominee and that he wouldn't guarantee he'd run against the GOP?
SPICER: Well obviously I mean I want every candidate to be 100 percent committed to supporting whoever the nominee is. That's our job as a party, right, that would be malpractice if we didn't believe that. But I think what we need to do is continue of conversation with Mr. Trump. I think he's a smart guy, he understands that if we're not unified it's almost certainly that Hillary Clinton would have a leg up heading to the general. And so, you know, we're going to continue the conversation with him and I think we get there.
[23:55:00]
COOPER: All right. Sean, I appreciate you've been on and those that long day for you. Thank you very much. I want to come back to our panel...
SPICER: Thank you.
COOPER: ... panel Van Jones, CNN Political Commentator and a former Obama Administration official and Ana Navarro is back as well as John King. . Van Jones the first we're hearing from you tonight winners and loser's major moment for you?
VAN JONES, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well first of all, I just thought that Jeb Bush just did terrible, I mean, he made W.L. (ph) look both eloquent and brilliant. I mean, I could -- I believe that this was this guys that Bush guy we'd be been so afraid off. He just looks like, you know, oatmeal getting colder. So, I think, he was a big loser tonight.
COOPER: Oatmeal getting colder?
JONES: I mean he was awful. And he's got to get better. I though Kasich was just unreal. He was most -- if this is going about authenticity, you have Trump the authentic angry guy. Now, you get Kasich the authentic guy who cares. And he just did -- when you talk about people in prison, mental health, all these issue that usually down to the Republicans talking about but he kept with any conservation frame I though he was brilliant.
Marco Rubio was picture perfect. If this guys every got an open water he's gong to cost Democrats a lot of heart burn, a lot of problem. He did one thing that help us do he have that line where he said, if this base on resume. Hillary Clinton wins. That you want up his B.P. or whatever that line can use against them. He does as such a horrible resume. Other that, Rubio was fighting good maybe a little two slick but Rubio I think big winner tonight Kasich big winner. I haven't talked enough about Rubio. He is got to watch.
COOPER: John King, did anything surprise you tonight?
KING: I though that Donald Trump was a -- did not give a good answer to the first question from Megyn Kelly about treatment of women. And I think, he was defensive when he was says about bankruptcy, did that surprise me? I probably not because that is his manner great question always Anderson will the rules eventually apply to Donald Trump.
In a traditional political setting to have a guy essentially depend calling women fat and some women pigs and then to, you know, essentially brag about using the bankruptcy law to enrich himself so what for the people who loves money in those deals.
In the normal rules of politics those will be negative. But I think, we've all learn in the less several week let's take our time and see how plays out.
I do think in terms of others, I agree about Governor Kasich. At the earlier debate, Carly Fiorina did herself very well. And I think that Van's point about Marco Rubio he's been one of the candidates who, you know, been struggling a bit over the summer. And Jeb Bush had uneven performance that you have Kasich and Rubio who are kind of the second to your establish guys had strong night just didn't settle anything. This is the first game in a long playoff series. But it was interesting and I think it will rejoggle race sums.
COOPER: And Ana, did anybody from the previous debate, the happy hour debate, do you think they did themselves well enough that they could knock somebody out from tonight's debate?
NAVARRO: We'll see, we'll see because, you know, these top 10 guys, I think are going to continue polling well. If anybody's going to fall off some more, it might be only Rand Paul, who not only then did not have a good debate but it also having tremendous problems with his campaign.
I don't think there was a stand out winner, one player winner in tonight's debate. I do think that there were people who did themselves harm. I will tell you one of the things that surprised me was how tough the questions were? You know, I smirked at the idea that Donald Trump is complaining is complaining boo who about having done unfair questions. Well John Kasich was asked about the extension of Medicare.
COOPER: Yeah.
NAVARRO: Jeb Bush was asked about this brother's Iraq war about Common Core and about immigration.
COOPER: Right.
NAVARRO: You think people weren't asked tough questions?
COOPER: Yeah.
NAVARRO: That was his answer?
COOPER: I going to say, I thought...
NAVARRO: Welcome to the big leagues.
COOPER: Yeah. I thought Chris Wallace, Megyn Kelly, Bret Baier had topped down, did a great job. It was very well planned out.
We're going to take a short break and continue on to the 1:00 A.M. hour time talking a lot more from tonight's debate
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Good evening again, just about Midnight Eastern time.
[00:00:00] The first Republican Debate of Campaign 2016 now history and a whole lot of headlines to talk about tonight. Donald Trump made many of them but by no means, all of them.
Here are some of the most important moments. Take a look.
