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Grand Jury Clears Planned Parenthood, Indict Accusers; Did President Obama Give Clinton a Boost?; Iowa Voters Weigh In On Democratic Town Hall. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired January 26, 2016 - 06:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:30:59] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right. An investigation into Planned Parenthood leads to an indictment not of the organization but its accusers. A Texas grand jury indicting two people who were involved in making secret recording which were later released publicly in an effort to discredit the group.

CNN's Deborah Feyerick joins us more with the latest.

Deb, fascinating.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, absolutely. Well, we're talking about undercover videos that were made by two anti-abortion activists posing as officials who wanted to buy fetal tissue for medical research. Well, the videos were released by summer, and they alleged that Planned Parenthood illegally profited from the sales.

Texas grand jury found in evidence of that and cleared Planned Parenthood of misconduct and said the grand jury indicted the two activists who made the video. David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt facing felony charges of tampering with government records by altering their driver licenses in order to falsely gain access to Planned Parenthood. Daleiden who poised as an official for a bogus human tissue company is accused of attempting to improperly buy fetal tissue.

Now, according to the grand jury, the pair used phony California driver's license to get passed Planned Parenthood security. The videos as you know, have threatened Planned Parenthood's funding that help provided the targeted heated debate in the GOP presidential race.

Take a listen to Marco Rubio.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. MARCO RUBIO (R-FL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm disturbed that while Planned Parenthood, who were the ones who were actually selling off these parts were found having done nothing wrong. But I think the people who exposed this did a service to our country by exposing the true nature of Planned Parenthood.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FEYERICK: Well, Planned Parenthood says 11 states investigated the allegations against them and have cleared them. Bail is set for both defendants at $10,000 each -- John.

BERMAN: All right. Deb, thanks so much.

Coming up next hour, we're going to get reaction from Planned Parenthood, an executive there, vice president Dawn Laguens. She will join us live.

Coming up, he's offering high praise of Hillary Clinton. President Obama, could his words help Hillary win Iowa, where she is neck and neck with Bernie Sanders? We'll take a look at that, next.

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[06:36:50] ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: With just six days until the Iowa caucuses, the Democrats making their case to voters during CNN's town hall in Iowa last night. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders running neck and neck there. But President Obama may just have given Hillary a boost.

Joining us is Mitch Stewart. He's former battle ground state director for President Obama's campaign in 2008 and now founding partner of 270 Strategies.

Good morning, Mitch.

MITCH STEWART, FORMER BATTLEGROUND STATE DIRECTOR, OBAMA'S CAMPAIGN: Good morning.

CAMEROTA: OK. Let's play one of these favorite D.C. parlor games of parsing a politician's words. Let me play with you what President Obama said with his interview of "Politico" and you tell me if you hear an endorsement here of Hillary Clinton.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Her strengths are these extraordinarily smart sometimes could make her more cautious and her campaign more in prose than in poetry, but those are also her strengths. It means that she can govern and she can start here day one more experienced than any non-vice president has ever been who aspires to this office.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: First of all, I appreciate the Bostonism of wicked smart. But also, he says extraordinarily experienced, more experienced than any non-vice president ever. You know President Obama. You speak Obama speak. Is this an endorsement?

STEWART: Well, I think it's a recognition from the president of Secretary Clinton's extraordinary strengths. And he's had two experiences to witness those up front.

The first was obviously during the caucuses in 2007 when then- Senator Obama and Senator Clinton went toe to toe not only through Iowa but through every single state after. He got to see up close and personal her tenacity, her smarts, her -- you know, her commitment to doing the right thing. That I think played a large role in why he asked her to be secretary of state where he got to see that on a world stage.

So what I think I heard from the president there is a recognition of the towns that secretary Clinton has. And he just wants to sort of express those publicly.

CAMEROTA: You know, Mitch, he said something interesting in this "Politico" interview about that 2008 primary fight. And he said -- he admitted I believe for the first time that he thinks the campaign that you were a big part of and the media was not that fair to Hillary Clinton. Listen to this.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

OBAMA: The truth is, in 2007 and 2008, sometimes my supporters and my staff I think got too huffy about what were legitimate questions she was raising. And there were times where I think the media probably was a little unfair to her and had things gone a little bit different in some sometimes or if the sequence of primaries and caucus been a little different, she could have easily won.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

[06:40:01] CAMEROTA: So, Mitch, when he says his staff got a little huffy, I mean, you were right on the ground there and they were unfair to her. What's he talking about?

STEWART: Yes, he's 100 percent talking about me and all the other Obama alumni. Listen, the primary fight is a lot like a family fight. And oftentimes those wounds cut the deepest. And so, I think there are a lot of times where legitimate questions were raised.

CAMEROTA: But such as? I mean, what legitimate questions did you dismiss at that time that now he's gone back and talking?

STEWART: Yes. Probably the biggest one for me was the experience question. And I was in Texas during the primary where the 3:00 a.m. ad hit. It was incredibly effective. But I thought at the time that was an unfair attack on then-Senator Obama given the judgment that he exercised on some important issues leading up to that presidential run.

CAMEROTA: So, now, are you seeing this play out again? In this current primary with Hillary Clinton against Bernie Sanders, are you seeing some of the same issues come up again and, is she tackling them do you think most effectively?

STEWART: Well, actually, do. I think she has raised legitimate and honest policy questions. You know, when you look at what the Republicans are doing on their side and how their debates are unfolding, our debates have been incredibly constructive. They've been positive. They have been focused on issues as opposed to personalities.

So, I think she has raised a lot of legitimate questions. In fact, I heard Bernie Sanders yesterday or last night on the town hall, one attacked the ACA, said that he wants to tear it down and bring health care for all. But then in the next breath take credit for helping write it in committee. So, it is the Washington double speak you hear all the time here.

And I want my eventual nominee, you know, because I do support Secretary Clinton. I want her to ask those questions, but I don't want understand the difference there from Senator Sanders, and I think that's a totally fair and above board question for her to raise.

CAMEROTA: All right. Mitch Stewart, thanks so much for going back in time with us and helping to analyze what the president is saying then and now.

STEWART: My pleasure.

CAMEROTA: Great to talk to you.

STEWART: All right. Let's go out to Iowa where we found Chris.

Hey, Chris.

I was wondering about that.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, how are you doing, Alisyn?

CAMEROTA: I thought you might be a little sleepy after your late night last night.

(LAUGHTER)

CUOMO: You know, you get a little excited just by being in that atmosphere. It's really interesting to watch them going at it with voters. It's a different feel. But I could use a few more winks. I'm not going to lie to you.

All right. So, what about last night if you didn't see it? The topics were varied. The questions pretty direct and probing. So, who resonated most with Iowa voters? We have some folks who watch it last night. You'll hear from them, next.

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[06:46:37] CAMEROTA: A final appeal to Iowa voters from three Democrats running for president. Hillary Clinton used the CNN town hall last night to answer questions about trust, arguing she's ready to be president. Bernie Sanders questioning Clinton's judgment, trying to explain why this country is ready for a self-described socialist. Martin O'Malley also fighting for last minute support, just six days before the caucuses.

BERMAN: President Obama reforming the federal prison system, ending solitary confinement for juveniles and low-level offenders. In a "Washington Post" op-ed, the president says he is adopting Justice Department recommendation after review found the practice reduces the chance that the prisoners could be rehabilitated into society. The president writes that solitary confinement, quote, "doesn't make us safer. It's an affront to our common humanity." The president cited the case of Kalief Browder, a 16-year-old who spent nearly two years in solitary at Rikers Island. Browder committed suicide last year.

CAMEROTA: Well, at least 36 people killed in the historic blizzard that slammed much of the East Coast. Officials say the victims lived in 11 states ranging from North Carolina to New York. Meanwhile, Washington, D.C.'s mayor warns the city will be dealing with snow cleanup all week. Federal offices and schools in the city will be closed again today.

One guy who dodged the snowmageddon is Chris Cuomo. He made it out to Iowa for the big CNN Democratic forum last night -- Chris.

CUOMO: You are really milking that standing in the snow bank shot that you had.

You make it sound like you tunneled your way to work.

(LAUGHTER)

CAMEROTA: There was --

CUOMO: All right. Yes, I snuck away here to -- yes, it says Alisyn Camerota, that's Alisyn with the Y, by the way, if you want to tweet her any invective. I did tunnel my way to Iowa, sunny, balmy Iowa because we had the Democratic town hall here.

Now, one of the things that made it different, really the biggest thing was the questions came in large part from the voters. And we have some of the voters who took part in CNN's town hall here next to see what did they like and what did they not.

Stay with us.

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[06:52:22] ALEXIS KULASH, UNDECIDED DEMOCRATIC VOTER: How are you going to fight for women's rights more effectively than a female candidate?

ELENA DIETZ, UNDECIDED DEMOCRATIC VOTER: Vice President Joe Biden said you were a newcomer to the issue of income inequality. How do we know that you'll keep this issue a top priority?

RON EDWARDS, UNDECIDED DEMOCRATIC VOTER: What specifically will you do to overcome the resistance, cure the gridlock and garner the necessary support?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CUOMO: Those were some of the Iowa voters trying to steal my job, asking probing incisive questions during last night's Democratic town hall. They join us now.

We have Drake University students here for you, Alexis Kulash and Elena Dietz, and attorney Ron Edwards.

Good to see you all.

So, we were talking before we came on camera about all the new found popularity, getting additional follows.

But, you know, stardom aside, what did you think of the forum last night and how your question got addressed? Because I put you on the spot in front of the crowd. But what did you think?

KULASH: I thought it was extremely beneficial the way that Sanders addressed the question. Personally, I think I've seen a lot of what he said in the papers, to the media about his voting record. But actually, hearing him say some of the broader initiatives he's mentioned like the campaign finance reform, as well as the minimum wage, raising to $15 an hour, I think hearing those and hearing how he would apply those to fight for women's rights was very beneficial to my understanding how he actually would be fighting for women's rights.

CUOMO: You said you had the lean toward Clinton last night.

KULASH: Yes.

CUOMO: After that, did you move to #feeltheBern?

KULASH: I definitely could feel the Bern as I was talking to him. I was stunned at first. I think I will have to do a lot more research I guess and look a little more in depth at the facts for both Hillary and Bernie as the week approaches towards caucusing.

CUOMO: Sometimes you exposed yourself to both sides, Elena, it makes it more difficult, and that's why a lot of voters seem to avoid doing that. How about for you last night? What did you feel you picked up with Clinton last night? You gave her a little bump in the nose there with your question.

DIETZ: Well, I don't think she fully addressed my question. I did like the points she made about the great work she's done with other inequalities. I thought her answer was good, although it wasn't 100 percent what I was looking for.

CUOMO: As a voter, as a person, as a normal human as opposed to myself, how do you process that? When you ask somebody a question, and as they are answering you, you start to realize they are not exactly answering exactly what I just asked. What did that mean to you?

DIETZ: I think it meant I gave her a harder question than I anticipated, and that maybe she didn't have the things to allude to that I was looking for. Maybe she doesn't have that experience as a newcomer to income inequality.

CUOMO: And, Ron, you asked a big metaphor question in this election.

[06:55:03] What did you think? Did you get satisfaction on this idea of how you get things done in D.C.?

EDWARDS: Senator Sanders talked about his history in working with Congress. I think it's important work that he has done. I was really looking for some of the unique leadership attributes he would bring to the table in bringing the two parties together.

This gridlock is really frustrating for many Americans. We want to see something get done. And I think Hillary Clinton demonstrated some extra strength and political savviness last night that would better position her I think for her handling and navigating, getting alignment and support for her policies.

CUOMO: And let's be honest, nobody's feels are going to get hurt here. Did you feel all three had equal opportunity last night and all three were equally exposed? What did you think?

EDWARDS: I thought Hillary had a little extra exposure. She went last. She got to hear what the other candidates had to say.

I think Bernie had quite a significant opportunity as well. I think it was proportionate to how successful they are doing in their campaign. So, I think it was --

CUOMO: They went within seconds of each other, Hillary and Sanders in terms of how much time they got. But in terms of -- who do you think came out on top last night?

EDWARDS: Personally, I thought Hillary did.

CUOMO: Remind me. You went into it --

EDWARDS: I was undecided.

CUOMO: Now do you think you know who you want?

EDWARDS: I think I want Hillary Clinton to win. And the reason is twofold: electability in the general. She really showed up well last night. She talked extensively about equality particularly in her response to the Muslim woman who served in the military. I think that narrative plays well with the American people. I think they want to hear that as opposed to someone with divisive rhetoric coming out of the Republican Party.

CUOMO: That was a big head turner last night. Erum was her name. When she got up, people look at her.

You see, we're such an obvious city. Oh, obviously this is a Muslim woman. She's got a hijab on. Air Force veteran. Did you see how many heads turned when he did that?

Her concern had nothing to do with herself. It was really about her kids. Let me ask you this, you're for Hillary too.

DIETZ: Bernie.

CUOMO: Now you're for Bernie?

DIETZ: Yes.

CUOMO: Because last night --

DIETZ: I was leaning toward Bernie.

CUOMO: That pushed you towards Bernie. You have to figure it out. Definitely had some influence. You want Hillary.

Did you feel that Hillary Clinton -- I didn't get that involved last night. It wasn't my job. But when I pushed back on Clinton versus when I pushed back on Sanders, who do you think did better job of dealing with the push back?

DIETZ: I would have to say Hillary. I think she was really strong last night. Her answers were strong. And she was ready and she was fired up. And, yes.

CUOMO: Did you feel that when I was asking Bernie -- because I asked Bernie more questions about what was going on for various reasons. The timing on the questions you get in. Goes back and forth. Again, it wasn't my event. You know, it's not like this right now where you have to listen to what I'm saying.

Did you think he handled pushback well?

KULASH: He was more convincing to me than in the past in the pushback that you gave him. I thought his answers covered some of the grouped I hadn't heard recently. And that reassured me more as someone who was undecided that, you know, voting for Bernie, that he had considered more foreign policy issues than I considered, you know? So that was helpful.

CUOMO: No mention of Governor O'Malley from you guys. Did you have, Ron, a favorable impression of him last night? Do you feel that it helped him in any way?

EDWARDS: I struggle with O'Malley, because he was sworn in as governor in 2007. And there were a lot of issues going on in Baltimore, basically racially polarized issues, police brutality. And not until recent times as he done anything, I think it's too little too late. When I see him I see too little too late as opposed to a candidate who's proactive and moving things forward.

CUOMO: Look, I'm glad you guys helped us out last night. It was interesting to hear your perspective. And you helped contribute to an event that seemed to really get the voters percolating. So, good for all of you and your newfound popularity.

Very good. Enjoy the trolls. They're coming, my friend.

All right. So, what did you think last night when you watch? Tweet us @newday or post your comment on Facebook.com/NewDay. There is a lot of news after this big Democratic town hall last night. There's some major move on the Planned Parenthood front as well. Donald Trump gave an interview. We have it all for you.

Let's get to it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I do think I have the background and the judgment.

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It takes building relationships. That is one of the hardest things to do in politics.

SANDERS: Establishment politics is just not good enough.

MARTIN MALLEY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Hold strong on your caucus because America is looking for a new leader.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: You have very loyal supporters.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I do. They are tired of seeing our country being pushed around and led by people that are stupid people. I built a great, great company and I'm going to use that talent now to do it for the United States.