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Preview Of Democratic Presidential Debate in Las Vegas; Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired October 12, 2015 - 15:30   ET

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

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[15:30:00] BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And at this early stage, it is not surprising that he's got a lot of attention.

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BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: What I wonder and we have heard this from Bill Clinton, he thinks it's possible that Trump could get the nomination on the Republican side. What do you think your former boss thinks?

DAN PFEIFFER, FORMER SENIOR ADVISOR TO PRESIDENT OBAMA: I think he's it is possible. But he is right that Trump is not going to be president. And President Obama has been the most successful politician at critiquing Donald Trump in a way that actually sticks. You know, in 2011 Donald Trump was thinking of running for president. He was getting a lot of attention from the birther, you know conspiracy theories of reporting. The president gave a speech at the White House Correspondents Dinner and essentially eviscerated Trump for doing what he did, which is the end of the day he's a reality TV star.

And the point is that's how he's running his campaign. That's why he has been Tesla. He's using those skills to get attention through twitter and other things. And you have to call it for what it is. And I think (INAUDIBLE) who have been afraid to do that. The president did it here. And I think if Republicans want to have success, they should watch that speech of president gave in the White House Correspondents Dinner and minimize Trump with humor.

BALDWIN: Dan Pfeiffer, thank you so much. I appreciate it.

PFEIFFER: Thank you.

BALDWIN: Next here, the Democrats do have one advantage when it comes to campaigning star power. A look at whether Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders has picked up the most star-studded endorsements.

This is CNN, we'll be right back.

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[15:35:50] BALDWIN: You're watching CNN. I'm Brooke Baldwin live in Las Vegas. These are picture here's. The stage is officially set in the Wynn

Hotel for tomorrow night's first Democratic presidential debate right here on CNN. You will finally get o to see the two front runners Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders go head to head. But as "Late Show" host Stephen Colbert joked, they won't be the only ones on stage.

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STEPHEN COLBERT, COMEDIAN: The Democrats have their first debate on October 13th. I for one can't wait to meet the candidates and also whoever these three guys are down here.

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BALDWIN: CNN's Poppy Harlow looked into those three candidates down there, their backgrounds.

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POPPY HARLOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Chances are you know her and you know him. But do you know them? Martin O'Malley, Lincoln Chafee and Jim Webb. They don't know we would make the campaign headline, but all three will share the stage with Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders come Tuesday night.

MARTIN O'MALLEY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Weather vanes kind of shift in the wind. I know where I stand.

HARLOW: Let's started with Martin O'Malley. You could say the married father of four who was born in Washington, D.C. was tailor made for a career in politics. At only 20, O'Malley left college briefly to work on the presidential campaign of Colorado senator Gary Heart. And by 28 was ready for office himself winning a seat on the Baltimore City council. From there his political aspirations grew. First, mayor of Baltimore, then governor of Maryland.

But here's something you probably didn't know about Martin O'Malley. He's fronted a rock band. And he even used his guitar skills to tease his presidential bid.

On the issues, gun control, O'Malley wants stronger expanded background checks, an assault weapons ban plus a limit on the size of gun magazines. On immigration he supports a path to citizenship. And on climate change, O'Malley says it is real and a real threat. He wants stronger regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST, THE SITUATION ROOM: Lincoln Chafee, the one- time Republican U.S. senator and an independent governor of Rhode Island has just announced he is running.

HARLOW: Next, Lincoln Chafee, a former mayor of Warwick and a U.S. senator from Rhode Islands who was a Republican then, but he became an independent in 2007 as governor. But now, he wants to be the next president as a Democrat. On the issues, health care. Chafee not only likes Obamacare, but if

president, says he would take it a step further pushing for even more Americans to be fully covered. On defeating ISIS, Chafee opposes American boots on the ground in Syria, but insists America must forge stronger alliances in the Middle East.

In 2002, Chafee was the only Senate Republican to vote against war in Iraq. On social issues, Chafee supports a woman's right to choose to have an abortion and supports same-sex marriage.

JIM WEBB (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm unbought and I am un-bossed.

HARLOW: And then there's Jim Webb, a highly decorated marine veteran, former secretary of the Navy, former U.S. senator from Virginia, author, teacher, husband and father of six.

On the issues, climate change. Webb wants to limit the environmental protection agency's power to regulate emission and supports the keystone pipeline and energy expansion. Immigration reform, he wants to see a path to citizenship, but says the border must be secured first. On prison reform, Webb wants there to be more focus on treating mental illness and drug addiction and would push for more dialogue on ways to reduce the high rates of incarceration among minorities.

Poppy Harlow, CNN, New York.

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BALDWIN: With me now, our CNN chief Washington correspondent, host of "THE LEAD," moderator of the last debate -- I feel like your title just keeps getting longer and longer.

JAKE TAPPER, CNN CHIEF WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: I'm also chief Washington correspondent.

BALDWIN: So this is Jake Tapper, everyone. Thanks so much.

So let's just begin with, just thinking back to the last debate, the one that you moderated. And everyone was talking the next day about the Carly Fiorina moment, right? Carly Fiorina and then Donald Trump. Which of the three, O'Malley, Chafee, Webb, might have a Carly Fiorina moment?

[15:40:09] TAPPER: I think the odds are that it will be one of the three lesser known candidates, probably Governor Martin O'Malley.

BALDWIN: Why?

TAPPER: Because, a, they have nothing left to lose, really. I mean, Martin O'Malley has been out there campaigning hard for months and months and months and he's barely a blip not only in national polls, but in the local polls in Iowa and New Hampshire. And he's the moment that has been making the case most forcefully against Secretary Clinton suggesting that he puts her finger in the air before making up her mind on contentious issues, talking about how he's led on issues like opposing the keystone pipeline, like supporting same-sex marriage.

And Bernie Sanders, quite honestly, has been reluctant to criticize Hillary Clinton. He has not characterized her in any way. He has pointed out where they differ on issues, but he always compliments her and he quite often rebukes the press for trying to get him.

BALDWIN: But will that play? How does that play tomorrow night? We know he's not going to attack her on the emails. He probably won't, you know, attack her personality. But he has to, Bernie Sanders, but he has stand out and he has to somehow -- what does he do? Say the person that it I've been the politician the longest? And you know, I marched civil rights movement. And I mean, does he point out, obviously, his record?

TAPPER: The Democratic Party has shifted to the left. The Democratic Party, it's not just in the primary system. In general, there are more people identifying themselves as liberals today than ten years ago. And that's why you see people like Bernie Sanders gaining traction. That's why you see the popularity of Elizabeth Warren and that's why you see Hillary Clinton running to the left on a lot of issues.

I think it is like that Bernie Sanders will make - will figure what he's been doing so far has been working and it has. He's not in the lead, but he's doing well. And that he will continue to make his case for a very forceful progressivism, a very forceful liberalism and not engage in attacks, although I'm sure he will distinguish as he's done on my show and others where he differs.

I think he probably thinks that as people get to know him, it is better that they see him not in a negative light. The thing about going negative is that you bring up your opponents negatives, but you also bring up your own negatives. So generally speaking, they don't do it unless they have to. Whether it's because they are unknown or because the attacks on them are starting to work.

So I think that's likely what's going to happen with Sanders. But Martin O'Malley, you know, for him, you know, something has to give here. He has get up on the poll or else money is going to dry up. And so, I think it's likely we'll see him go after her and perhaps even on the emails. Not that he will cast doubt on anything she did, but he will say something along the lines that he said to me the Democratic Party needs to be known for more than just Hillary Clinton's email scandal.

BALDWIN: Right. Final question quickly, what were you doing 29, 28 hours before the last debate? Help us understand as the role of a moderator what you're doing in a darkroom that's locked with all of your, you know, smartest favorite people here at CNN?

TAPPER: I don't know why you think the room is dark.

BALDWIN: It has been it is. And the door was locked. Thanks for letting me in.

TAPPER: The door was locked. You could have knocked. We would have let you in. It's called the cone of silence. There is plenty of light. We were just refining questions and trying to figure out what would get the best areas of disagreement and areas of conflict and differentiation.

Now, this is a different challenge that Anderson and the team have because the Democratic candidates are not as boisterous, shall we say. Not that eager to draw distinctions. So I suspect it's going to be very different in strategy and very different in questioning.

I did not, for instance in the first debate, the FOX debate, the moderators there, who I think did a great job. I'm not criticizing them. But what they decided to do was they led each question - let the debate with a tough question for each of them about eligibility.

BALDWIN: Where as you?

TAPPER: I just said this is what this person said on this issue or this is what this person said about you. But I think the FOX strategy for the first debate makes a lot of sense for this strategy, for this debate because the candidates are not as likely to mix it up. It's good to have Anderson go at them a little.

BALDWIN: OK, Jake Tapper, thank you so much. Make sure you tune in to Jake, the host of "the LEAD."

TAPPER: Yes. That's coming up in 15 minutes.

BALDWIN: Fifteen minutes. Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

Coming up next, though, we're in Vegas. So let's talk to a bookie. One Vegas bookie says if Americans could actually bet on the presidential election, yes, it is currently illegal, he say it is would make the super bowl look like a high school game. He will join me live on how he see this is current crop of candidates.

Stay with me. You're watching CNN's special live coverage.

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[15:49:20] BALDWIN: All right. So you know this by now, we're in Vegas. So let me throw a hypothetical at you. If you could put your hard-earned cash on this current crop of candidates on this election which by the way you cannot do. Don't go trying to do that because it is illegal. Who would you put your money on? I'm going to ask the guy who knows the very best. He is Jimmy Vaccuro. He has been a bookie here in Vegas for 41 years. He is at South Point Casino and somewhat of a legend. So I'm sitting next to a Vegas bookie legend.

Good to see you, sir. Thank you for coming on.

JIMMY VACCURO, LAS VEGAS BOOKMAKER, SOUTH POINT CASINO: Pleasure to be here.

BALDWIN: So it's illegal. Let me say that again. But you say if it were made legal, how would it make betting on the super bowl look? VACCURO: It would make it look like as you stated like a high school

football game. There's so much interest and obviously it's going to be a contentious election to begin with. And people just simply can't stop talking about it. We put this up as a fun thing to do. About a month ago, it has gone crazy. Everybody wants to know. We get calls at the South Point daily asking why can't we bet on the super bowl -- excuse me.

BALDWIN: Why can't you bet on the - why is that, just quickly?

VACCURO: We can't because it's in Nevada regulation. We can't book even local state elections and naturally the federal elections, we can't book at it.

BALDWIN: So all in fun, Jimmy, all in fun, talk to me about the Republicans.

VACCURO: The Republicans, I have it the three outsiders have the best chance. And Marco Rubio, the guy that's in act already. So I believe it's going to be obviously Trump's leading. Trump, I opened him 20-1 about a month and a half ago. He's down to 4-1. He's one of the code leaders. He just gets nothing but talk. Everybody that comes up to me who has either read the article or seen it somewhere the first thing come out is Trump and then the second thing is Hillary. So we're going to have a good fight.

[15:50:58] BALDWIN: No kidding. All right, so that's the Republican side. On the Democratic side how is Hillary looking?

VACCURO: Hillary's looking not too good lately. About eight months ago when you could bet this overseas, which is legal but you can't call from the United States, she was about a 6-1 favorite to be the next president of the United States. That slipped to about minus 3.5 to 1. And now the denomination it's about a 3-2 favorite. So, she's getting pushed from behind naturally by Bernie Sanders. But the big key to this next rodeo will be Biden if he jumps in.

BALDWIN: Getting calls on that?

VACCURO: It's incredible. And I believe that if he jumps in, which I make him a favorite to jump in shortly, it will be neck and neck with Hillary and Joe Biden.

BALDWIN: If you were to put your money on it, who's the next president?

VACCURO: Marco Rubio take a bigger price.

BALDWIN: No kidding. Jimmy, thank you so much. I appreciate it. Nice to meet you. Thanks for having us in your city. Forty one here, sir.

VACCURO: You're all right, kid.

BALDWIN: My goodness. Thank you. Sheryl Crow will be on the debate stage tomorrow night here at the

Wynn Hotel. She'll be here singing a national anthem. She has not backed a candidate thus far. Lot of other celebrities have. We will break that down for you. Dylan Byers joins me onset next here in Vegas.

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[15:56:23] BALDWIN: And we're back live in Las Vegas. I'm Brooke Baldwin.

Let's talk celebrities. Sheryl Crow is lending her star power to tomorrow's big Democratic debate right here on CNN. The Grammy award winning singer will sing the national anthem as the candidates take to the stage here at the Wynn Hotel.

I got somebody here for you. This is Sheryl Crow. She is performing in Denver at the Democratic National Convention. That was in 2008. She says it is no secret where she personally falls along party lines, but she is still undecided on which Democratic candidate she will support for this 2016 race.

I have our CNN senior media and politics reporter Dylan Byers with me now. So great to see you, sir.

DYLAN BYERS, CNN SENIOR MEDIA/POLITICS REPORTER: Good to see you.

BALDWIN: Sheryl Crow we know, you know, obviously a Democrat. The fact that she's singing tomorrow night. What more has she said to CNN about who she may --?

BYERS: Well, she hasn't said much. I mean, she hasn't given an indication that she's going to endorse a candidate, you know, while we're all here in Las Vegas, right?

BALDWIN: Right.

BYERS: But obviously who all of these celebrities endorse does something for all these candidates, right? I mean the sad fact about American politics is a lot of people aren't paying attention as closely as we are. But they know who Sheryl Crow is. They know who Madonna or Katy Perry is. They know who Danny Devito or Will Farrell is. So in those celebrities come out and support or when those celebrities come out and support candidates, it does - it can actually do a lot in terms of, you know, garnering more support.

BALDWIN: Let's go ahead, Dylan, and name some names because we know that there's a lot of star-studded endorsements backing both Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. Walk me through who likes which.

BYERS: Well, so with Will Farrell, Danny Devito, you've got they're coming out behind Bernie Sanders. I think today, one of my favorite things was the creators of Ben and Jerry's has sort of endorsed their home state hero, Bernie Sanders.

BALDWIN: Do you have an ice cream flavor name yet for Bernie Sanders? BYERS: you know, they've sort of -- they're coming up with flavor

names. If they get one, but I don't know if it's a bad marketing move to create an ice cream for a single candidate. And then, you know, over in Hillary Clinton's camp you have a lot of stars studded. They got Katy Perry, they got Beyonce, they got Leena Dunham, the creator of "Girls."

So you know, I mean, they're both sort of bringing it in on the Hollywood front.

BALDWIN: Why do you think -- I mean, because especially I think of being in Simi Valley at the Reagan library, not as may governor Schwarzenegger there. And I know there are others, you know, celebrities on the --

BYERS: Right. When Schwarzenegger walked in. I mean, you just saw everyone like --.

BALDWIN: Parting the waters.

BYERS: When Trump as a celebrity walks into the spin room all of a sudden --.

BALDWIN: People are breaking rules in the spin room back at the Reagan library. But the people were walking chasing him out of the building. That was a no-no, not to say I was there doing it as well. But anyway, no. So do we know who else will be here? Have you walked in the debate hall?

BYERS: I have walked in the debate hall just enough to get my credentials so I could come on your show.

BALDWIN: Thank you so much for doing that.

BYERS: But no. I mean, look, I think, you know, the celebrity I'm excited to see you have to imagine Harry Reid's going to be here. I think (INAUDIBLE) as much as politicians so he will be here. I wouldn't be surprised given that it's Vegas, given the proximity to Los Angeles, we'll see more celebrity turnout.

BALDWIN: I'm sure we will. Again, it all starts tomorrow night in the hotel behind us. Such a different set-up from last time. Five podiums on that stage and I believe the audience something around 1,200 or 1,300 people in the Wynn hotel tomorrow night, all hosted by Anderson Cooper.

Dylan Byres, thank you so much for joining me and getting credentials so we didn't have to break any rules. Thank you.

And thank you so much for being with me. I'm Brooke Baldwin here live in Las Vegas covering teeing up this big massive debate for you at the Wynn hotel tomorrow night. So keep it right here. We're going to send it off a little early to my friend Jake Tapper sitting to my right. "The LEAD" starts right now.

[16:00:05] TAPPER: Hillary Clinton has the most chips at the table for tomorrow night's debates here in Las Vegas. Will luck be a lady?

I'm Jake Tapper. And this is "THE LEAD."