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Post-Debate Coverage; Interview with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired October 14, 2015 - 06:30   ET

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

[06:30:00] HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It was just finally negotiated last week. And in looking at it, it didn't meet my standards.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: How was that response?

KEVIN MADDEN, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, look, I think one of the big vulnerabilities that Hillary Clinton has is that she's seen as a calculating politician who tries to go with the flow of the day on some of these big issues. I think that's one of the things that sort of emerged.

Chris mentioned this earlier that debates are about big moments. I think as much as she had good moments there, she had bad moments.

CAMEROTA: Was that a bad moment or a good moment?

MADDEN: I don't think that was a good moment. I think that and also the Keystone answer that she had reinforced for a lot of voters that she is a calculating politician. At a time where what they want are the bold new ideas.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Patti, the big moment last night in terms of what Kevin wanted to hear about, the blessing and the curse, the gift it's being called. Let's play what Bernie Sanders did for Hillary Clinton last night in this debate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Let me say something that may not be great politics. But I think the secretary is right. And that is that the American people are sick and tired about hearing about your damn e-mails.

CLINTON: Thank you. Me too, me too.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CUOMO: Blessing and curse. Blessing last night. Distracted from it, this was her first time out of the box. He wants to talk substance. He doesn't want time taken up by talking about this.

But outside that room, coop was right, this matters. This isn't going away.

So, blessing last night, curse because she has to deal with this?

PATTI SOLIS DOYLE, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Look, I don't think he was trying to defend her or be gentlemanly. I think he believes the American people are sick and tired about talking about the damn e-mails. I think he was being authentic Bernie. Number one.

Number two, it's not going away. We've got monthly releases from the State Department. She is going to testify in front of the Benghazi committee on the 22nd. What's different now before that hearing is that Hillary is no longer on the defensive, thanks to Kevin McCarthy. Trey Gowdy is on the offensive now.

You know, this has been dubbed a political witch hunt. He has to defend the e-mail stuff rather than going after the Benghazi stuff.

CAMEROTA: And, in fact, Lisa, there was a moment when this issue came up, Anderson started talking about it and a telltale smile crossed Hillary Clinton's lips, because it seemed to me that she had been preparing for days if not weeks to address this issue. Let's watch the moment where she talked first about her e-mails.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLINTON: Let's just take a minute here and point out that this committee is basically an arm of the Republican National Committee.

(APPLAUSE)

It is a partisan vehicle as admitted by the House Republican majority leader, Mr. McCarthy, to drive down by poll numbers. Big surprise. And that's what they have attempted to do.

I am still standing. I am happy to be part of this debate.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: So, Lisa, you heard the Democratic crowd loved that. Of course sometimes statements like that make Republicans dig in more. What do you think happens?

LISA CAPUTO, FORMER CLINTON WHITE HOUSE AIDE: Well, I think a couple of things. First of all, let me just address what Kevin said. I think it's important on her position on Keystone and on the trade deal.

These -- that's a responsible answer that she gave. Any smart lawmaker evolves, you know, their thinking and their positions as they look at the issues over time. Second, with regard to the e-mail, I think that Hillary nailed it and she was forward looking but also called it out just as it is, which is, you know, a highly politicized witch hunt where a lot of money has been spent, over $4 million. I think she will answer the questions next week when she goes before the committee. She's been very transparent about it. She got an in-kind contribution, if you will, from Bernie Sanders last night, saying enough of the e-mails.

CAMEROTA: All right. There you go. Lisa, Patti, Kevin, thanks so much for all of that. We'll be playing much more. We have much more on the debate ahead.

But, first, we go to Michaela in New York. She has a look at other news and headlines to tell you about.

Hey, Michaela.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Hi. Good morning, guys. We'll get back to you in Las Vegas in a moment.

But let's take a look at the headlines -- with Israelis and Palestinians in the midst of the worst unrest in years, Secretary of State John Kerry says he will travel to the Middle East soon in hopes of stemming the escalating violence. Overnight, Israel announced the deployment of some 300 soldiers to reinforce the police patrols across the country. This comes after the government announced a series of security measures that include closing Palestinian districts in Jerusalem.

Another close call in the skies over Syria between Russian and U.S. warplanes. Officials say the planes were within visual range of each other, separated by just 10 to 20 miles on Saturday.

[06:35:06] Fortunately, no one was hurt. Both countries now agreeing to hold a third round of talks later today on air safety in the region. U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter says he expects a deal soon.

This quite concerning. Former NBA star Lamar Odom rushed to a Las Vegas hospital. He was fond unconscious inside a Nevada brothel Tuesday afternoon. The owner of Love Ranch said Odom had been taking an herbal version of Viagra. He said no illegal drugs were found in his room.

Entertainment websites are reporting that Odom's ex-wife Khloe Kardashian is at his hospital bedside.

All right. Those are your headlines at 35 minutes past the hour here in New York.

Let us head west to where we find Alisyn and Chris.

You guys are looking fairly awake and alive, as though Vegas treated you well, I must say.

CAMEROTA: Thank you, Michaela. I got a couple hours sleep. And you?

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: I believe sleep is for the weak.

(LAUGHTER)

CUOMO: So, the first Democratic debate is now in the books. There are five left but the first one is always the biggest. It's biggest for the candidates, it's biggest for the voters and there is going to be controversy about this, because the top DNC official says the head of the party did not consult party leaders about limiting the number of debates.

This is a big issue here. The Republicans are doing more, are they trying to protect Hillary? What's going on?

The chair of the DNC is going to be on NEW DAY to answer the questions about what's going on with their party, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:40:51] CUOMO: Now, when I tell you that after last night, you still have five more Democratic debates to go, you may be like -- well, that's a lot. There are a lot of people saying it's not enough as well, because before the Democratic National Convention, and the Republican one, the Republicans will have a lot more debates than the Democrats.

Now, the DNC says that the party chair did not consult its leadership about limiting the number of Democratic debates to six.

Let's talk about this. We'll get it right from someone who needs to know, the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

CAMEROTA: Welcome.

REP. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (D-FL), DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRWOMAN: Thank you.

CUOMO: The intrigue here is obvious. They're doing more debates than you. Why? Why is this the right call?

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: Well, first of all, I'm so proud of our Democratic field last night. We had more substance and a more clear picture of how any of our candidates would move our nation forward in 2 1/2 hour of our debate than in the nearly ten hours that the Republican had in their two debates.

And the focus now needs to be not on process but on our candidates. On the clear and stark contrast between our candidates who are talking about comprehensive immigration reform and making sure that we can help people build those corner stones of a middle class life and the Republicans that have been in a slugfest. Last night was the most substantive debate than I've seen.

CUOMO: Why not have more to show off your candidates?

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: Well, look, we have a variety and a need for a variety of opportunities to take -- give our candidates a chance to be seen in different venues. We have five candidates and six debates. The Republicans now have 15 candidates. They have about 11 debates. So, there's a proportional issue.

The last time in 2008 we had an open presidency, we had like 26 debates. So, think about how many times and the resources and time that have to go in to preparing for a debate. There are four early primary states like Nevada, New Hampshire, those voters want a chance to kick the tires, get an up close and personal look.

CAMEROTA: Sure.

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: It's a manageable way to do it in addition to candidate forms.

CAMEROTA: I mean, the candidates themselves are saying they want more debates. The voters love the debates. They loved what they saw last night. They would like more.

Tulsi Gabbard, the vice chair of the DNC, says that you basically unilaterally decided that there would just be six and to limit it to six. Let me play for me what she said last night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. TULSI GABBARD (D), HAWAII: The chairwoman claimed a month ago she had spoken with, communicated and consulted with officers of the DNC about her decision to limit debates to six and to put this retribution policy in place, this exclusivity clause. And that never occurred. I can tell you, speaking for myself, that I didn't find out about her decision until after the fact. There was no consultation and no communication.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: Why didn't you consult with Congresswoman Gabbard?

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: You know, I think it's really unfortunate that Congresswoman Gabbard is focused on anything other than making sure that we can highlight our incredible candidates. What she's saying is simply not true.

CAMEROTA: Did you consult with her?

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: I consulted with our officers. I consulted with -- at the end of the day I have a party I have to run. I have to get our primary nominating contest process in place. I have to prepare the national party to support the nominee. There's a lot going on.

CAMEROTA: So you spoke with her about it?

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: I spoke with her and a number of it.

CAMEROTA: She agreed that six was fine?

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: We went through a process. We don't have an approval process. Ultimately the party chair is a full-time job. I've got a lot of decisions that have to be made.

Of course, we consult and we talk to people throughout the process. But at the end of the day, I have to make the kinds of decisions that are going to help us be the most effective. Making sure we have a reasonable number of debates, making sure we have an opportunity for our candidates to be seen and clearly, like last night, an opportunity for there to be a stark and clear contrast. Ultimately that's how we won five of the last six presidential elections, the contrast with voters.

CUOMO: I get your frustration with this. We've known each other a long time.

[06:45:01] I'm getting the phone calls from the party faithful who aren't happy about this internecine strife.

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: This is silly already. I mean, this is not about Tulsi Gabbard and Debbie Wasserman Schultz. We need to focus on the issues.

CUOMO: I know, but this is a little -- I hear you.

We want also -- you know, the media likes to play a little bit of a gotcha game.

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: I mean, the point of this debate, we're talking about process the morning after the debate instead of the actual substance of the debate. That's not what the voters want to hear.

CUOMO: True, except the party has huge influence in the campaign they're going to get from your eventual candidates. So, you do like to know the insight of how much on the same page you are. This is odd for someone like a Tulsi Gabbard to be making something up out of whole cloth. It's not her reputation. It's not yours either.

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: Exactly.

CUOMO: That's why I'm asking you. What is going on here? Why would she say that?

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: You know what? I have no idea. I think it's unfortunate she's decided that in the last day and a half, we're going to focus on her and her opinion. We're a big ten party. She is entitled to her opinion that we should have more than six debates. There are others that feel that way as well.

Yesterday, leader Reid was asked about his opinion on the number of debates. He said six is plenty. So, we have a wide variety of opinions.

Let's set process aside. We're going to have six debates, a number of candidate forums, coupled with the state parties and other media outlets. We're going to have many different opportunities to see our candidates.

It's my job as a party chair to make sure we maximize those opportunities and make sure at the end of the day that we draw the contrast between us and the Republicans.

CAMEROTA: Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, thanks so much for being on NEW DAY.

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: Thank you. Thank you for having me.

CUOMO: You didn't wear your hat, though?

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: I didn't. But you'll see it again.

CAMEROTA: All right. So, how do Democratic voters think the candidates did in last night's debate? We'll talk to several of them, next. Stick around.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:51:01] CAMEROTA: Welcome back to NEW DAY.

So, which candidates resonated most with voters last night?

We are joined by three Nevada Democrats to weigh in on the candidates and the issues and the performances from last night.

Ericka Washington is here, Louie Overstreet and Elaine Herd. Great to have all of you with us this morning.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: Thanks so much for getting up early.

Elaine, I know you support Hillary.

ELAINE HURD, HILLARY CLINTON SUPPORTER: That's correct.

CAMEROTA: You also love Bernie.

HURD: I do.

CAMEROTA: What did you see last night.

HURD: I saw a strong Hillary Clinton but Bernie did a wonderful job. She's the most qualified candidate in the race. If Bernie were to win the nomination, I would support him 100 percent. Of the two, I am still a Hillary supporter. Last night proved to me she is the candidate I can best support, but I still do love Bernie Sanders.

CUOMO: Louie, a big challenge for Senator Sanders was expand his message into other voter groups. He was trying to reach out last night. He talked about Black Lives Matters as a movement and why it's relevant.

What did you take away from it?

LOUIE OVERSTREET, CLINTON & SANDERS SUPPORTER: I thought he did an excellent job. To be honest, Mr. Cuomo, I thought O'Malley really helped himself in the debate.

CUOMO: Did you?

OVERSTREET: He did a fantastic job.

CUOMO: How so?

OVERSTREET: He was very comfortable. He looked more presidential than the other candidates combined to be honest with you. My heart is with Sanders, my head is with Clinton but I have to give O'Malley props. I think he's going to help himself.

CUOMO: So, if you give the heart to Bernie, the head to Hillary, what do you give to O'Malley, the soul?

OVERSTREET: Maybe some money.

(LAUGHTER)

CAMEROTA: That is what he would like the most, I'm sure.

Ericka, let's look at the issue of Black Lives Matter, when it came up. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

QUESTION: Do Black Lives Matter or do all lives matter?

BERNIE: Black Lives Matter.

MARTIN O'MALLEY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The point that Black Lives Matter movement is making is a very, very legitimate and serious point.

CLINTON: We've got to do more about the lives of these children.

JIM WEBB (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: As a president of the United States, every life in this country matters.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: So that was interesting. Every candidate had a different answer to that. Were you satisfied?

ERICKA WASHINGTON, UNDECIDED DEMOCRATIC VOTER: No, I wasn't satisfied at all. I think that, especially the last answer, you know, I get how -- every life does matter but right now we're talking about black lives. It's so important that the candidates make it a pressing matter that we are in a state of emergency when it comes to black Americans in inner cities.

CAMEROTA: So, who addressed your issues of all the candidates last night?

WASHINGTON: I would say Bernie Sanders. I think he did a really great job.

You know, I like Hillary. I really do. She was poised and she was confident. She's very presidential as well. But you expect that. She's been doing this for a long time.

But Bernie Sanders, he's got the fire in his belly.

CUOMO: #feeltheBern.

WASHINGTON: Exactly. Heartburn, whatever it is.

(LAUGHTER)

CUOMO: Heartburn.

Elaine, you Democrats are a little different than the Republicans in one way, when it comes to campaigning. You like to be inspired. Capturing the imagination, you've had a history of big leaders, big voices. You say Hillary Clinton impressed you last night with being presidential.

Do you feel inspired by her? If so, why?

HURD: I feel inspired because she would make a great president and I don't see what else really matters in all of this. I mean, you could have the showmanship of a Donald Trump. She is not a showman. She's a very poised, articulate, competent, highly experienced individual.

So if that can't inspire people to have them support her as a commander in chief, I don't know what to say. She is not going to be a Donald Trump or a Carly Fiorina. That's not who she is. And why we should demand that of our candidates, I don't understand.

CAMEROTA: Louie, what issues were you looking to have answered or at least debated last night?

OVERSTREET: I think they touched on most of them.

[06:55:01] My biggest concern is gun violence that's taking place in America.

CAMEROTA: Gun violence. And they talked, they debated that last night. I mean, they got into it. So, what did you hear them say?

OVERSTREET: They said a lot more than the Republicans. I'm very hopeful through executive action, I don't think it's realistic to think Congress is going to do anything in that regard, the wealth income gap and things of that nature are at the top of my list. They touched on them all. Maybe due to the size of only five being on the stage, they were really in depth as compared to the ten Republicans who did a lot of sloganeering.

CUOMO: Who is still holding out in terms of what you need to know.

WASHINGTON: I need to know what are we going to do for income inequality for women and making child care affordable. Are we going to be able to raise the wage across the country? The minimum wage must be raised. It's important for families to be able to survive. And not even just survive. They need to thrive in America.

CUOMO: They're saying they want to do it, right?

WASHINGTON: They're saying --

CUOMO: You're hearing that from a handful of Democrats. Your question is how are you going to do it?

WASHINGTON: Exactly.

CUOMO: Who do you think has the best chance of making that happen?

WASHINGTON: Bernie Sanders.

CUOMO: Do you think he can get somebody to work with him on that?

WASHINGTON: That's the thing. I think Bernie Sanders has the great ideas and the gumption. But I'm not sure.

Are people on other side going to work with him? He's a little bit -- he doesn't seem easy to work with. But that doesn't mean that it can't be done. If everybody is out for America to be the best that it can be and if everyone is for America to thrive, then that's what they need to do. They need to work together.

CAMEROTA: I know you've said you had your eye on Martin O'Malley last night. We have Governor O'Malley coming up in a short time. What question do you still have for him that you want to us ask?

OVERSTREET: I would like to see he and Hillary run as a team. I think they can cover twice as much of the country in half the time. If the Democrats are smart, which I'm not agreeing that they are, they would campaign as a team and announce as a team. They'd be the ticket to beat in 2016. So, I would like to see him agree to be Hillary Clinton's vice president.

CAMEROTA: That's a good question.

CUOMO: Quick head nods. Would you like a Hillary/O'Malley ticket?

HURD: I wouldn't have a problem with it.

WASHINGTON: Maybe. It's something to think about. I'd rather have a Bernie/Hillary ticket. That would work better for me.

CAMEROTA: There you go. Ericka, Louie, Elaine, thanks so much. Great insight. Good to talk to you this morning.

HURD: Thank you.

OVERSTREET: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: We will have much more with our voter panel later in the show. So, stick around for that.

CUOMO: All right. We have much more on last night's debate. There's a lot of news going on this morning. Let's get right to it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SANDERS: The American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn e-mails.

CLINTON: Thank you.

Tonight, I want to talk not about my e-mails --

SANDERS: Enough of the e-mails.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Is Bernie Sanders tough enough on guns?

CLINTON: No. Not at all.

SANDERS: Wall Street's greed and recklessness wrecked this economy.

CLINTON: I was very pleased when Governor O'Malley endorsed me for president in 2008.

COOPER: Are you saying you didn't know what you were voting for?

LINCOLN CHAFEE (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I just arrived in Senate.

JIM WEBB (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You leave a lot of people go over their time. I would say this.

COOPER: You agree with these debate rules.

MARTIN O'MALLEY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Leading us into Iraq under false pretenses was one of the first blunders.

CLINTON: Being the first woman president would be quite a change.

SANDERS: I don't think I'm pandering but you have not been in the United States Congress. If we are a free country, we have the right to be free.

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

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CAMEROTA: Good morning, everyone. Welcome back to your NEW DAY.

Chris and I are coming to you live from Las Vegas. Michaela, of course, is in New York covering other news.

You saw it right here on CNN last night. It was the first Democratic presidential debate. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders going head to head. Hillary Clinton trying to restore voter trust, Sanders, though, getting the loudest reaction of the night when he called Hillary's e-mail scandal her damn e-mails.

CUOMO: Yes, loudest reaction of the night, but really it was an endorsement for Hillary. So, it was a mixed bag for the senator when he made that line. They're all trying to make an impression on the American people. The question is, could last night have spelled the end for one of them? Can't stay five forever, right?

Let's begin our comprehensive analysis of the big debate with Mr. John Berman.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, before last night, those five candidates combined had a total of 25 presidential primary debates before, Hillary Clinton accounted for all 25 of them. To an extent, last night it really showed.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(APPLAUSE)

BERMAN (voice-over): It may have been the first Democratic debate but it was clear it was not Hillary Clinton's first rodeo, running down a debate checklist with surgical precision.

CLINTON: I would not ask anyone to vote for me based on my last name.

BERMAN: Her name, check. Her appeal to the grassroots and pragmatic wings of the party, check, check.

CLINTON: I'm a progressive but I'm a progressive who likes to get things done.