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What's at Stake During Tonight's GOP Debate?; Bleacher Report; Voters on Tonight's GOP Debate. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired December 15, 2015 - 08:30   ET

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

[08:30:00] HUGH HEWITT, HOST, "THE HUGH HEWITT SHOW": news in a way that people will concentrate on these candidates and they'll say, did anyone show me that they're better than Trump? And so they all have to go at him hard, soft, whether you're Ted Cruz and you bear hug him, in the words of Kevin Madden, or you're Chris Christie and you hit him with a chair and someone told me he'd like to see the chairs come up on (INAUDIBLE). This is the night to define yourself vis-a-vis Donald Trump so that when you're sitting down at Christmas dinner and making choices in Iowa and New Hampshire, you have someone else to talk about.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Michael?

MICHAEL SMERCONISH, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I keep thinking of Jeb Bush two years ago saying you need to be prepare to lose primaries in order to win the general election. This is that circumstance in my view because although Republicans are rallying to The Donald on this issue, you know, it's not in spite of this, it's because of these things. It doesn't play well, I believe, in a general election. I don't think it's a strategy that allows you to beat Hillary.

CAMEROTA: But how does the math work? You have to win the primaries. You have to win the primaries and then you can move on to the general. You can't lose the primaries.

SMERCONISH: It's going to be - it's going to be very hard, though, if - if you've gone in this direction to then try and reign it back and appeal to independents because when you look at those independents, Chris, you're right in the data that you cite, but 60 percent of independents are saying, hey, we're not cool with this.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: No, but I'm saying almost 40 percent are with something that everybody said was so inarguably extreme.

CAMEROTA: Including, Michael - I mean, Michael, when he came out with the Muslim ban, you said that's it. Like, stick a fork in him. I mean basically you thought that that was going to be a - we'd reached the Rubicon you felt.

SMERCONISH: If you want to - if you want to give the list of how many times I've been wrong, you better go back to John McCain. Because when he sullied John McCain and said, I like the one whose don't get captured, that's when I first said, put a fork in him.

CUOMO: Hugh Hewitt, Mike Rogers comes on the show, former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. He knows what he's talking about. He says, I'll tell you why the Muslim ban thing worked. Not because that's a core American value. The opposite of that. But it's something. And people are looking at the world. They're seeing it's a scary place. We're not doing anything against ISIS. This is something. How will that wind up finding its way into the rhetoric tonight on the stage?

HEWITT: The congressman's very smart. I was listening to that segment. And I live in southern California. I have been in that room in which the massacre occurred. One of my law students lost some friends (ph) in that room. So I know what people are feeling right now in southern California. It's fear, anger, dismay and someone said something. So I think he was exactly on. Very astute. He knew exactly what he (ph) spoke (ph). Of course, House Intel Committee, he'd been reading these reports forever.

That is not, however, where the party is. And so we'll see. All - every single one of these candidates has said no to his proposal, including Senator Cruz, the second place and actually the frontrunner in Iowa, but second place in the polls. So no one agrees with him on this. Nevertheless, it resonates. So it might be, there are probably comparable position in the Democratic Party where someone gets out there and they say, well, I can live with that. And when someone's saying that. And then the responsible side of the party will shape that into a focused, precise assessment (INAUDIBLE) allowed into the country. So it's evolving.

I just take it as his energy, his willingness to step and I believe that I've been wrong at least as much as you. We can have a - we can hold a competition for being wrong about Donald Trump.

SMERCONISH: I doubt it. I doubt it, Hugh. I'm not sure.

HEWITT: On Donald Trump I've been wrong since - since McCain.

SMERCONISH: Right.

HEWITT: And from that moment forward, I've been wrong. So I've stopped having any predictions. But after this voting begins in Iowa, I think people are beginning to think, who will be in the White House against Hillary Clinton? Who can beat her? He's got negatives of 61 percent. He's got negatives of 61 percent. It would be like the all-time suck of energy out of a presidential race.

SMERCONISH: I mean that's an important point. Her dishonesty level in terms of these polls. And people who look at her and say she's untrustworthy. I think the fact that she's not cleaning the clock of all of these individuals is a reflection of her poor numbers.

CUOMO: It's really only Trump that she has any kind of margin on.

CAMEROTA: She in a head-to-head matchup. She - yes.

But, Hugh, I want to ask you about the - the questions that have been coming into you from voters. You'll be asking some of the questions tonight at the debate. So via Facebook, people have been submitting what they want you to talk about. Give us a sense.

HEWITT: Well, I want to assure everyone out there who's on my side of the political spectrum, CNN (ph) is the most fair process I've gone through. There is a question set that comes in from Facebook, from professionals like myself and others in the room. They go all around. People say, good question, bad question, bad television, good television. It gets to a point, doesn't get to a point. The Facebook questions are across the map, but here are some continuing concerns. Safety and guns. Safety and guns. Can we talk some more about guns and safety? And then let's go back and talk about terrorists. Then we'll go back to guns and safety. That's what I see coming in, coming in.

Now, there is a - a bunch of Democrats who sent in questions that would like us to ask Democrat questions. But this is a Republican primary voter debate. And so I read them with interest because I like to know what the wrong side is thinking. In other words, I do want to know what they - what they want to ask. Those aren't really on my question wheel. And what I want to know about is, where are these candidates heading in those areas of major concerns to primary voters, and it's terrorism, it's guns and it's, what are we going to do about ISIS?

CAMEROTA: That's interesting. I mean, you know, you make the distinction between safety and guns and terrorism.

HEWITT: Yes.

CAMEROTA: Sometimes they meld.

HEWITT: Oh, they do. And there is, in fact, a growing movement within the Republican Party that the answer is more guns not fewer. The answer is, a militia that is well trained, not one that is disbanded. I don't know that that will be a - a election conversation in the primary because the Republicans pretty much all agree on guns. But in the general, guns is going to drive - when you're doing this show from the debates between Hillary Clinton and whomever else we nominate and, sorry Bernie Sanders people, it's going to be former Secretary of State Clinton, you'll be talking about the gun control question that are coming.

[08:35:22] CUOMO: Who is it going to be on your side?

HEWITT: I have no predictions. I have no favorites. And I have no one I dislike, other than the Cleveland Browns, and I won $181 by betting $200 on them this weekend.

CAMEROTA: Congratulations.

Michael, Hugh, thanks so much.

CUOMO: I won $181 by betting $200.

HEWITT: You betcha. It was (INAUDIBLE).

CUOMO: He almost hates his football team as much as I have (INAUDIBLE). CAMEROTA: Gentlemen, thank you. Great to talk to you. Both of you.

HEWITT: (INAUDIBLE).

CUOMO: Oh, boy. All right, so coverage tonight is going to start for this 6:00 p.m. That's the undercard we'll have here. And then we'll have a lead up to the main debate, 8:30. We're going to have constant coverage throughout. Please stay with CNN. It matters.

CAMEROTA: When you get past the pundits and pageantry, the 2016 election comes down to, of course, to the voters.

CUOMO: We have some of them here. Yes, pulling them away from the tables. What do they want to hear at tonight's debate? Come and see.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:40:06] MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: All right, here we go with the five things to know for your NEW DAY.

At number one, we are just nine hours away from tonight's GOP debates here on CNN. The undercard at 6:00 Eastern. The big debate, the main debate, at 8:30. Polls showing Donald Trump expanding his lead nationally, even cracking the 40 percent barrier.

President Obama is warning ISIS leaders they're next after meeting with his national security team at the Pentagon. He says U.S. led air strikes have forced ISIS to surrender 40 percent of its territory in Iraq.

Army Sergeant -- former Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl ordered to face a court martial on desertion charges. He left his base back in Afghanistan in 2009, ended up as a Taliban captive for five years. He could face life in prison if he's convicted.

Bill Cosby countersuing seven women who hit him with a defamation lawsuit. He denies sexually abusing the women, says they ruined his reputation, costing him several jobs.

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" making its world premiere in Los Angeles. Oh, my goodness, R2-D2. The red carpet teeming with stars and storm troopers. Where is Chewbacca. So far Twitter users are saying the force is strong with this one. Episode seven opens nationwide on Friday. Count me in.

For more on the five things, be sure to visit newdaycnn.com.

All right, let's talk sports. Despite having a losing record, the New York Giants are now tied for first place in their division. Coy Wire has more on the Monday night madness in our "Bleacher Report."

Hey, Coy.

COY WIRE, "BLEACHER REPORT": Hey, Michaela. Oh, the NFC East. The Giants and the Dolphins had just five wins and seven losses coming into this game, so playoff hopes were on the line and this was a must win for both sides. But the G-men would not be denied victory. Eli Manning would only throw four incompletions on the Monday night. This guy was on fire. And so was Odell Beckham, Jr. he slipped past the secondary like a thief in the night. This 84 yard score. He would snag two of Manning's four touchdown passes on the night. Giants win 31-24. They now kick open the playoff door at six and seven. They're tide with Washington and Philly for the division lead.

After Sacramento Kings star Rajon Rondo showed some vicious homophobic slurs at 18-year NBA referee Bill Kennedy at a game earlier this month, Kennedy has revealed he's gay. The 49-year-old told Yahoo! Sports, quote, "I am following in the footsteps of others who have self-identified in the hopes that it will send a message to young men and women in sports that you must allow no one to make you feel ashamed of who you are," end quote. Rondo was suspended one game, becoming the first player to be suspended for voicing anti-gay slurs.

Finally, Pete Rose's bid to have his lifetime ban from baseball overturned was denied by Commissioner Rob Manfred. He said letting Rose back into the game would be a risk to the sport's integrity because Rose admitted he still bets on baseball. Rose, the all-time hits leader was banned in 1989 for gambling on games while playing for and managing the Cincinnati Reds. He's expected to address the media today at 2:00 Eastern. Interesting note, the decision has no direct impact on Rose's eligibility for the Baseball Hall of Fame, which is not run by the MLB.

Alisyn, Chris.

CAMEROTA: OK, there you go. Coy, thanks so much.

All right, so millions of people will be watching tonight's debate from Las Vegas here with an eye on national security issues. So what do voters want to hear from the candidates tonight? We have a voter panel. We checked in with them in October. We're bringing them back now. What's changed? We'll ask them.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:47:44] CAMEROTA: OK. We've heard from all of the pundits. All of the experts. But let's talk to the people who really matter: the voters. Who will the voters be watching tonight and what are they hoping to learn?

Let's explore that in our next edition of "Real Voters, Real Choices." Let's bring back our panel of Nevada voters. They are all registered Republicans. They are Derek Uehara, Jesus Marquez and Brenda Flank.

Great to see you guys again.

BRENDA FLANK, REGISTERED REPUBLICAN: So good to see you.

DEREK UEHARA, REGISTERED REPUBLICAN: Thanks for having us back.

CAMEROTA: We last checked in with you in October. And back then, Brenda, you were supporting Dr. Ben Carson. How are you feeling today? FLANK: I'm feeling pretty good. My list has grown since that time.

CAMEROTA: Of who you like?

FLANK: Of who I like, yes.

CAMEROTA: Who do you like now?

FLANK: I like Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.

CUOMO: What happened?

FLANK: And Dr. Ben.

CAMEROTA: But what happened to expand that pool?

FLANK: Dr. Ben, his position on immigration is not quite as strong as I'd like it to be. And of course, you know, in two months a lot has happened. And some of the issues have changed. So we're talking about national security. Security of our nation. And Donald Trump is talking more about the things that we need to do in raising the awareness of the seriousness of the problems that we face in our country.

CUOMO: Jesus, how about for you?

JESUS MARQUEZ, REGISTERED REPUBLICAN, BUSH SUPPORTER: Well, I'm still with Jeb Bush. I like Rubio. So he's coming right behind Ted Cruz, I believe, right now. But one thing I don't understand is, you know, when you talk about Trump being strong with - in terms of national security and immigration, he really doesn't have a plan to fix the immigration system, which is broken, and also to protect us. Yes, he's speaking with strong rhetoric about what is going on in terms of national security. But I still don't -- haven't heard any concrete ideas of what to do.

CAMEROTA: You want more specifics from him. I mean, one of these specifics that he had laid out is ban Muslims from entering the U.S. You, Derek, were a Donald Trump supporter when we last checked in with you. How are you feeling about him today?

UEHARA: I still support Trump. I think we start off by looking where the country is. Gallup did a poll in November, 70 percent of people are dissatisfied about where the country is going. Obviously we need change. I think Trump represents change.

[08:50:00] CAMEROTA: But how do you feel about his ban on Muslims?

UEHARA: I don't agree with that at all. I think certainly what that reflects is we understand change -- something has to be done. I think people are concerned about that. That is not the right solution, but in a time of uncertainty, this kind of dialogue does come up.

CAMEROTA: But despite that, that you disagree with it, you still support him. UEHARA: I think changes needs to happen. He is the one who is pushing the agenda. We can go back to the status quo. We've got it right now. 70 percent are dissatisfied - That's a lot, by the way.

CUOMO: You know, you hear - is that people understand that what Donald Trump says sometimes is too far, too over the line, but at least he's saying something. And we often see it in the media as forgiveness because usually politicians don't get that kind of leeway, but he's no ordinary politician.

Ted Cruz, you mentioned. OK, he's had a burst in the polls in Iowa, preemptively taking it from your man, Dr. Ben Carson. Now tonight he may shine bright up here tonight. What do you need to hear from Ted Cruz to bump him ahead of Dr. Ben Carson and Donald Trump, in your mind?

FLANK: Well, I think he what -- has that steadiness that I liked with Ted Cruz. Donald Trump is bombastic. He's out there in the front. Very vocal. And the thing I like about Ted Cruz is that he's kind of Cruzin' (ph).

(LAUGHTER)

CAMEROTA: There you go.

(CROSSTALK)

FLANK: And the fact that he knows and understands our Constitution, I think that is very important because that is what we need to get back to. We need to get back to our constitutional republic, which is what our country is.

CAMEROTA: Jesus, are you concerned? I mean, you still support Jeb Bush. His poll numbers have been anemic. What do you make of that?

MARQUEZ: I believe that -- right now the main topic for this debate is going to be national security and from here on into probably the first caucuses is going to be that: national security. And yes, right now Donald Trump, you hear him, he's with a really strong rhetoric. But he doesn't have really a plan for how to keep us safe. And I believe that the people will start to lean more towards the establishment even though they hate the establishment. So as we get closer to election, they will start reasoning more and start getting more into the establishment. So they will say, OK, you know what? Establishment, I hate it, but in the times where national security matters I believe we need more, you know, somebody that knows what to do.

CUOMO: Monmouth has Trump at 41 percent. ABC has him at 38 percent. Do you think that he's going to be the nominee?

UEHARA: I think it's still up to - It's to be determined. I think these debates are useful to have it out. I think democracy is messy. So having the different comments and uncertainty and seeing how candidates respond to that. That's what --

CUOMO: So it's not over for you. UEHARA: Certainly not.

CUOMO: No way. Hasn't even started.

(CROSSTALK)

FLANK: Well, the voting hasn't started.

CAMEROTA: Right.

FLANK: So, yeah, it's not over.

CAMEROTA: I mean Iowa, you could argue, is more relevant what's happened with the polls there than what's happening nationally and Ted Cruz is winning in Iowa.

FLANK: Yes. He's doing quite well. And like I said, he has that steadiness that in a time of crisis, I mean, you know, December 2nd changed everything with regards to the whole presidential election with the terrorist attack. And he has that calmness that I think that our country needs and also that strength, quiet strength that I think we need.

MARQUEZ: I believe so, too, you know people are going to start to ask for more -- somebody that knows what to do, with more experience. Now -- Right now in Iowa, you mention that Cruz is up, but I believe that in last election, Santorum won Iowa and he didn't get the nomination, so at the end, it doesn't really - it says poll, but it's not really who is going to win.

CUOMO: Santorum, Huckabee, I mean Iowa is a particular state in terms of how it does its process and what resonates there. There is no question. But for Cruz to move on Dr. Ben Carson like this was precipitous and impressive to a lot of people watching the election.

Let me ask you something. There are a lot of other names up there tonight. We're really dealing with the universe of like four right now. You got 13 people up on the stage. 12 men and a woman. Can anybody still get up there and break into this echelon? Chris Christie maybe, Kasich, is Fiorina done for you guys? I mean, you know --

UEHARA: Well, you know, for me, No. 1, it's always been about track record. You can come up and say whatever you want to say. Actually being able to execute on that, it was a whole different story. So that is level No. 1. Level No. 2, I think these debates, here is your forum. I think we in the country are looking for leadership. And this is an opportunity. You want to lead. Lead. Show us what you're going to do. Tell us what you're going to do. And I think it's open.

CAMEROTA: Derek, Brenda, Jesus, it's been great to check back in with you. We're going to check back in with you again tomorrow morning to see what your takeaways from the debate are. Thanks so much for sharing all of your perspectives.

MARQUEZ: Thank you for having us. FLANK: OK. Awesome. Thank you.

CUOMO: And they are making a big point that we've been echoing all morning long. These debates are big events. They change the race. So hope you watch tonight.

All right. Late night laughs. You ready for this?

CAMEROTA: I am.

[08:55:00] CUOMO: All right, so the comics, you know what they do, they like to joke about politicians. Donald Trump has got a big target on his back all the time. So ahead of the debate -

(AUDIO MISSING)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SETH MEYERS, LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW HOST: According to a new national poll, Donald Trump has support from 41 percent of Republican voters. This story was first reported when it was yelled by Donald Trump.

(AUDIENCE LAUGHTER)

JIMMY FALLON, LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW HOST: Tomorrow's debate is in Las Vegas. And of course all of the candidates will be there early. We actually found out how they will be spending the day in Vegas before the debate begins. Ben Carson will go to a magic show, but get thrown out when he ends up hypnotizing the magician.

(AUDIENCE LAUGHTER & APPLAUSE)

MEYERS: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said today that Donald Trump is fanning the flames of hate, which is what Donald Trump calls blow- drying his hair.

(AUDIENCE LAUGHTER)

JIMMY KIMMEL, LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW HOST: Trump was on a lot of the shows this weekend. He said down with Chris Wallace yesterday. He defended his plan to ban Muslims from entering the country and also cleared some things up.

CHRIS WALLACE, ANCHOR, FOX NEWS: You say this is going to be temporary until we figure out, in your words, quote, "what the hell is going on."

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It's temporary. They have got to help us.

WALLACE: I understand. But you call our leaders in Washington losers and --

TRUMP: I didn't say losers. I said they're stupid.

WALLACE: OK. TRUMP: OK?

(AUDIENCE LAUGHTER)

KIMMEL: Glad he cleared that up.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CAMEROTA: There you go. Always funny note to end on. So make sure you watch tonight and of course tune in tomorrow when we will be back with all of the post-game wrap-up.

"NEWSROOM" with Carol Costello picks up CNN's pre-debate coverage right after this very quick break. See you tomorrow.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)