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Rising Star Julian Castro Stumps for Clinton; Sanders Edges Up in Polls Past Clinton; Washington, D.C., Begins Blizzard Recovery; SNL's Tina Fey Spoofs Sarah Palin; Oscars So White Highlighted at Sundance Film Festival. Aired 2:30-3p ET

Aired January 25, 2016 - 14:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:32:49] BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, there. I'm Brianna Keilar, live in Des Moines, Iowa, where, tonight, the three Democratic presidential candidates will make their final case to voters here in Iowa.

One of the biggest rising stars in the party is on the stump here for Hillary Clinton. Julian Castro now heads the Department of Housing and Urban Development under Obama, one of many surrogates trying to rally support here for their candidates in Iowa. This is where, of course, Hillary Clinton's early lead over Sanders has slipped away, just weeks before the all-important Iowa caucuses. You have not only Castro but Cory Booker here, Jamie Lee Curtis for Hillary Clinton. One the Bernie Sanders side, the musical group Foster the People, Actress Susan Sarandon, and others.

I spoke earlier with Castro about why he is supporting Clinton.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JULIAN CASTRO, DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT & HILLARY CLINTON SUPPORTER: You're going to get out there and you're going to get out there now. I also think Cory, myself, others, are here to say that folks of different Castros and different generations support Secretary Clinton because we believe she speaks to the issues that are important to people across the economic spectrum, that she's fighting for hard-working families, and that when you cast a vote for Hillary Clinton, you're casting a vote for the future.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: Now, remember that face, because some political observers say that Castro's stumping here in Iowa is also part of a test run for being Clinton's potential vice presidential pick, should she win the nomination. Castro has already formally endorsed -- he's been formally endorsed for the job by the National Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and he could be key to helping Clinton win the support of Latino voters in predominantly white Iowa and New Hampshire.

But also beyond, in states like Nevada, in his home state of Texas, where large delegate counts could prove crucial for the nomination.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CASTRO: The fact is Secretary Clinton for four decades now has reached out to the Latino community. Her first job was down in south Texas registering Hispanic voters. And whether the issue has been immigration or improving education or improving access to health care, he has been there fighting for families, including Latino families. So it's not a hard sell. I'm glad to offer my perspective in support.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[14:35:15] KEILAR: And tonight at 9:00 eastern, right here on CNN, Hillary Clinton and her two Democratic rivals will face caucus goers during a town hall here in Iowa. This will be moderated by CNN's Chris Cuomo. This prime-time event will give candidates another chance to win over Iowans.

CNN's latest poll of polls shows Sanders has a slight edge over Clinton in Iowa. They had been dead even last week.

Joining me to talk more about tonight's big event is Congresswoman Debbie Wassermann Schultz, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee.

Thanks so much for being with us.

DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, (D), CALIFORNIA & CHAIRWOMAN, DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE: You're welcome, Brianna. Great to be here.

KEILAR: I know you've taken a little flack for some of the debates, except for the --

(CROSSTALK)

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: That's in the job description.

(LAUGHTER)

KEILAR: I know that it is. Except for the first one that was on CNN, you know, props to us. They've been on weekends. I have to wonder if at certain points you've taken flack from Sanders supporters who are saying this is putting the finger on the scale for Hillary Clinton, sort of protecting her. Looking back on this, where Hillary Clinton could have used more of -- she did pretty well in the debates. Maybe she would have liked to have debated, say, instead of here at Drake University on a Saturday following the Paris terror attacks, maybe she would have wanted to debate on a Tuesday. Looking back on it, do you think for all of the candidates that maybe a different schedule would have worked better?

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: No, I think actually if you look -- first of all, let me state, again, we are not putting our thumb on the scale for any candidate. In fact, I'm very proud of the result of our six debate schedule because quite frankly it's resulted in record viewership. The CNN debate, which was our first one, was the largest viewership of any Democratic debate in history. The last debate was the third largest. We have actually bested every single Republican debate from '08 and '12 in the pre-Trump era. We have a substantive and robust discussion about how to build on the progress that we made. So like CNN's town hall tonight, like the Brown black forum we $, had a few weeks ago, there are a lot of opportunities for particularly early stage voters to get a good up-close look at our candidates and we made sure with a smaller debate schedule, with originally five candidates and now three, it gives the candidates an opportunity to stay on the campaign trail for those early campaign voters to get a really close look. That's what the purpose of the early state window is for.

KEILAR: I've been covering Hillary Clinton now for almost two years in her pre-candidacy and now in her campaign. I was really interested going into this experience how young women were going to relate to her. Something I think that's been surprising talking to them at events is that a lot of them are swinging over to Bernie Sanders and they don't feel an urgency -- Democratic young women -- about electing the first female president. They're confident that at some point in their lifetime that's going to happen. You're a woman who has fought her way through the ranks of politics. I know you can't take a position here for a candidate. Is that a trend that surprises you?

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: You know, it's in a way alarming and accelerating at the same time. Because it is really actually quite wonderful that the younger generation of women believe that -- with a certainty that they don't have to grab the first opportunity necessarily to elect a woman president. But at the same time, and like you said, not commenting on a specific woman candidate, but at the same time, we have to make sure, as I've said recently and gotten flak for this too, we have to make sure that every generation of women, whether it's millennial, whether it's mine, whether it's older women, stay fully engaged and aware that their rights are at stake, that they have to actually get out and vote. We've had a significant drop-off in the turnout of millennial voters and of women voters in general. In 2010, we actually had a drop for the first time, Brianna, since 1982, with the number of women serving in Congress. That was in part because of the significant drop between 2000 and 2010 in the turnout of women voters. When our rights are at stake, we need to make sure that women turn out. When women succeed, America succeeds. We've got to make sure we leave nothing on the table and take nothing for granted.

KEILAR: President Obama spoke to "Politico." This question is in the spirit of this idea that the DNC and the president theoretically trying to abstain from favoring a candidate.

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: Not theoretically, actually.

KEILAR: Actually. Except when you look at his interview --

(CROSSTALK)

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: The DNC is actually --

[14:40:01] KEILAR: Sure. So when you look at the president's interview, he says something about Bernie Sanders really just kind of being -- oh, he doesn't call him a one trick pony but he talks about how he's sort of pushing on one thing and this message that is resonating with voters. Then he sort of bemoans when for Hillary Clinton, you know, when you're not shiny and new that works to your disadvantage.

(CROSSTALK)

KEILAR: And then about her being smart and having the experience and having the wherewithal for the position. Is that appropriate? I mean, when you're coming from your point of view and you're trying not to help a candidate --

(CROSSTALK)

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: While there is a rule that the DNC remain neutral and that the DNC chair and our officers remain neutral, there's no rule that the president has to remain neutral. I think President Obama is absolutely neutral at this stage. It isn't surprising at all given the experience and the history that the president and Secretary Clinton have that through the years, you know, since 2007 that he knows her really well. She was his secretary of state. So he would have a well-formed opinion about her abilities. And he also served with Senator Sanders and Senator Clinton so he knows them both.

But, you know, I'll leave it for President Obama to declare who he's for, if he ever decides to. At this point, I know he's neutral and trying his best to just make sure he can continue to build on the success we've had economically and manage the foreign policy challenges we have going on at the moment.

KEILAR: Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, thank you so much for being with us.

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: Thanks, Brianna.

KEILAR: We know you're looking forward to the big town hall.

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: We are. It's very exciting.

KEILAR: It'll be very exciting.

It starts at 9:00 eastern right here on CNN.

I want to go back now to Brooke Baldwin in New York -- Brooke?

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Brianna, thank you. I'd be with you had it not been for snow here in New York.

Let's talk about the weather here. The worst of it is over, but the east coast is beginning to recover from this weekend's deadly blizzard. At least 27 people reported dead across multiple states. Many federal and state offices closed as well. Schools remain closed.

Nick Valencia is in Washington, D.C., where the mayor said it will be days before all that snow is cleared.

I believe I spy the White House over your left shoulder. How are you?

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We are right outside the White House. I'm great. The storm is over. The sun is shining. That's a good sign for residents who had to go through so much this weekend. More than 22 inches of snow in the district. And the clean-up has a far way to go.

We're joined by some residents who actually went through the blizzard.

Hey, guys. Come on in here, real quick here.

What was it like going through it?

UNIDENTIFIED WASHINGTON, D.C. RESIDENT: I mean, everybody was pretty much locked up in their houses. Very consistent snowfall. Other than that, there wasn't anything too wild. I've just never seen the street so blocked off.

VALENCIA: Maggie, you're used to this, you're from Norway, right?

UNIDENTIFIED WASHINGTON, D.C. RESIDENT: Yes this is like home. This makes me feel very at home.

VALENCIA: For you, you had a flight. What happened? What are you going to do now? You stranded here?

UNIDENTIFIED WASHINGTON, D.C. RESIDENT: No, I postponed it to Tuesday. But the people that were flying out on Friday, they were stuck in the airplane for seven hours or something I think, so I'm really glad I just trusted the weather.

VALENCIA: The good news flight are back up and running.

Thanks, guys, for taking the time.

Flights are back up and running in a limited capacity at Dulles and Reagan International Airport.

But of course, the clean-up here has a long way to go. This area really got hit hard, Brooke. Of course, there is a bleak forecast for tomorrow. Rain is in the forecast and that is not good. This snow, thousands of tons of it, all around here has no place to go. When that rain comes in, I'm sure there's a potential for flooding -- Brooke?

BALDWIN: I see the sun. The blue skies overhead are deceiving, at least for now.

Nick Valencia, thank you very much, in our nation's capitol.

Coming up next, "Saturday Night Live" taking on the race for the White House again this weekend. And Tina Fey, surprise, surprise, she was back with her take on Sarah Palin.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TINA FEY, COMEDIAN: They stomp on our necks and say what's the big deal, take a chill pill, Jill. But we're mad. We've been had. And we're not so glad. Quote the Lorax.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Find out who is returning to "SNL." You're looking at him.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:48:31] BALDWIN: So the real winner of this year's presidential race shaping up to be the comedians, the comedy writers, sketch comedy artists, talk show hosts. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FEY: I'm here for all your teachers and teamsters, you farmers and charmers, whether you're a mom or two broke girls or three men and a baby or a rock and roller, holy roller, pushing stroller, pro bowler with an abscess molar.

(LAUGHTER)

UNIDENTIFIED COMEDIAN: She's a firecracker.

(LAUGHTER)

She's a real pistol.

She's crazy, isn't she?

(LAUGHTER)

FEY: Is what the mainstream media is spinning. Heads are spinning. They're saying Trump and his trumpeters are right winging, proud clingers of our guns but he can kick ISIS' ass because he commands fire.

(LAUGHTER)

UNIDENTIFIED COMEDIAN: I hope nobody's allergic to nuts because we got a big one here.

(LAUGHTER)

She's two Corinthians short of a Bible.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(LAUGHTER)

BALDWIN: Oh, they're so good.

Joining me now, CNN media analyst, Bill Carter, who has covered the TV industry, by the way, for more than 25 years. But that was hysterical. Don't you know the second Sarah Palin showed

up on stage with Trump last week, someone in wardrobe was, like, find that jacket --

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: -- and get Tina Fey to "30 Rock" now.

BILL CARTER, CNN MEDIA ANALYST: Exactly.

BALDWIN: She nailed it.

[14:50:09] BILL CARTER: She had to be on. I think their people say she's reluctant to do Palin anymore but she had to do this. It was so -- the public demanded it.

BALDWIN: She was co-hosting with Amy Poehler not too long ago --

CARTER: And she did it then.

BALDWIN: -- and she brought it back then. And then what's also really exciting is -- I think they're taking this next weekend off but the following weekend.

CARTER: Yes, the following weekend, yes, Larry David.

BALDWIN: Larry David.

CARTER: Who is Bernie Sanders?

BALDWIN: This is when you know you nailed an impersonation. When I hear Bernie Sanders, I hear Larry David.

CARTER: Exactly.

BALDWIN: If you've not seen a clip, roll it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LARRY DAVID, COMEDIAN: I don't need no fancy introduction. I'm not Elvis Presley.

(LAUGHTER)

Let's just get on with it.

(LAUGHTER)

I've actually got a question for you. What the hell is this tonight?

(LAUGHTER)

Why are we even doing this?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: So Larry David is back.

CARTER: Yes.

KEILAR: After the Iowa caucuses.

CARTER: right, exactly. Very smart because he's going to be the story. Even if he doesn't win, he'll be very close and have the momentum going into New Hampshire. I think it will be well talked about. These two impressions are amazing. You're watch and you're like is that the real guy or is that the impressionist?

(CROSSTALK)

CARTER: If you look at Sarah Palin, against Tina Fey, the hand motions, the voice intonations are exactly the same. It's remarkable.

KEILAR: We should give props to "SNL" because here in New York, there was a little bit of snow, as in 2.5 feet worth. Broadway was shut down.

CARTER: Every show on Broadway shut down. But "Saturday Night Live" was on.

BALDWIN: Texting with a buddy of mine who's on the show, he said he walked. He lives a couple miles away from 30 Rock. He walked through the snow. They put people up Saturday night because nobody could be on the roads. Can you imagine a bunch of "SNL" people together after that thing?

CARTER: I'm surprised they had an audience.

BALDWIN: It was totally full.

CARTER: People had to show up. I notice people saying maybe you can get in on short notice. I bet you could really get in.

BALDWIN: What is it about -- I think "SNL" is on fire when they --

(CROSSTALK)

CARTER: When they're doing politicians.

BALDWIN: When they're doing politics.

CARTER: No question.

BALDWIN: Real-world stuff. Even the Oscar sketch over the weekend was like one of my favorites.

CARTER: Yeah, it was really terrific. When they do real satire it really works when people connect to the events of the day. They're a little reluctant to do it. I think they think a lot of young viewers don't pay attention to the news but in political news they do.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: People may be getting their news from --

(CROSSTALK)

(LAUGHTER)

CARTER: They probably are.

KEILAR: Bill Carter, thank you very much.

CARTER: Good to be with you.

BALDWIN: We'll talk again, I'm sure.

Just ahead, staying on politics, he is richer than Donald Trump, a lot richer. As Michael Bloomberg considers a possible presidential run, we'll speak live with a former member of his inner circle about what it will take for Bloomberg to say "I'm in."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:57:16] BALDWIN: Ten days, 200 movies, nearly 50,000 people flocking to this quaint mountain town, Park City, Utah. This is the Sundance Film Festival. It provides independent artists with money and a place to show their work. The controversy at this year's Oscars is overshadowing the festival. No actors of color were nominated for the Academy Awards.

Stephanie Elam is live for us in Park City right now.

You talked to some Hollywood heavyweights about that issue. What did they say?

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. Yes, that's right, Brooke, this is a place you can come to bring your future films and there's a lot of talk about that. While there are three big names pushing other big projects they have out for people to see, they were also willing to talk about this Oscars So White controversy. That's John Legend, Don Cheadle, Spike Lee. We already know Spike Lee will not take any part in the Oscars this year. This, despite the fact that he actually was granted an honorary Oscar in November.

Take a listen to what the three men told me.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SPIKE LEE, WRITER, PRODUCER & DIRECTOR: I would like to see more people step up, because we're going to be on the right side of history. This is the right side of history. Equality for everyone.

JOHN LEGEND, MUSICIAN & FILM PRODUCER: Hopefully, over time, as they promise, they're going to increase the number of women and the number of people of color in the Academy and I think they've gotten the message that people want to see some change. They want diversity. It doesn't mean that people who are nominated now don't deserve to be nominated but I think everybody deserves a chance to be seen and deserves a chance to have their voices heard. DON CHEADLE, ACTOR: What I hope happens is that Chris Rock goes in

and skewers everybody, those who are complaining, those who are being nominated, those who are being celebrated, those who have been passed over. I think he should -- this is a moment on the world stage I think to kind of turn the mirror on this whole thing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ELAM: And Spike Lee saying that he will watch the Oscars after it's over because the Knicks might be playing at the same time, and that's his priority.

(LAUGHTER)

But he does hope at this point -- for Chris Rock, this could be a defining moment.

The other point is all three of them said that this is not a black and white issue. That comes down to it, it's about everyone being included. When people see themselves reflected in the stories being told on film, everyone benefits from that because it's more of a diverse pool to pick from and that's what they would like to see happen.

Don Cheadle even saying to me it's not like he thinks it's some cabal of white people who want to keep brown people out of movies and out of screen writing. He doesn't think that. It helps if everyone's coming from a diverse place, be it Asian or Indian or what have you -- Brooke?

BALDWIN: And that everyone, everyone talks about it.

Stephanie Elam, thank you very much, in Park City, Utah.

Let's continue on, shall we?