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Marco Rubio Interview; Sen. Rand Paul Suspending Presidential Campaign; Rev. Graham Urges Christians to Vote on Their Faith. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired February 03, 2016 - 08:30   ET

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

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[08:32:53] MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: All right, here you go with the five things for Wednesday.

At number one, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio both stumping in New Hampshire, looking to build on momentum they got in Iowa. Donald Trump stumping in the south. He admits skipping last week's debate likely cost him the win in Iowa.

Meanwhile, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton also campaigning hard in New Hampshire following her slim win over Sanders in Iowa. The duo are getting ready to make their final pitch to voters in tonight's CNN town hall.

The CDC is confirming a patient in Dallas contracted the Zika virus through sexual transmission. This is the first case of Zika being transmitted on U.S. soil.

A severe weather system that brought blizzard conditions to the Midwest also spotting tornados, like this one, in the deep south. At least six twisters were reported in Alabama and Mississippi, leaving behind a trail of devastation.

Members of Congress will get an earful this morning about the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. The House Oversight Committee will hold a hearing on the lead contamination that has poisoned the city's water supply.

And for more on the five things, be sure to check in throughout the day at newdaycnn.com.

Alisyn.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: OK, Michaela.

Marco Rubio riding high after his strong third place win in Iowa. I sat down with the presidential hopeful hours after he touched down in New Hampshire and he did not mince words about his critics.

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[08:38:19] CAMEROTA: Marco Rubio under attack from Republican rivals after his strong showing in Iowa. I had the chance to speak to Senator Rubio hours after he touched down in New Hampshire about what's next.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CAMEROTA: Senator, thanks so much for -

SEN. MARCO RUBIO (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: Sitting down with us. Have you had any sleep?

RUBIO: A little bit. Just enough.

CAMEROTA: You did?

RUBIO: Maybe three or four hours, but I'm fine.

CAMEROTA: Well, what - at what point did you realize that something - that Iowa was going to go very differently than what the polls had predicted?

RUBIO: Well, when you - we - we felt that way moving in. I mean, obviously, over the last ten days we were there working, we felt really good about people that were deciding late, deciding our way. We were always very confident about our plan and, obviously, we had a historic turnout. I mean the large number of people that voted, when we went to the caucus centers they were telling us, they were putting out double the number of chairs they'd ever put out before. So that was impressive. And - and I think it tells you how engaged and interested people are in this election. And I'm glad they are. This is the most important election in a generation.

CAMEROTA: But just peal back the curtain. Were you in a ball room? What was happening as you were watching sort of the returns come in?

RUBIO: Well, it didn't work that way. I actually went to four separate caucus sites and spoke. And so by the time I got to the hotel, the results had already pretty much started coming in and we could see - we knew that we were going to do really well in certain parts of the state and we could see those numbers trending up. And as you look back now, we got more votes than the winners of the last three Iowa caucuses did. So it was a huge and massive turnout. I really think the people of Iowa, our ground team there was fantastic and phenomenal and it gave us great momentum coming here into New Hampshire.

CAMEROTA: So now here you are, in New Hampshire. You wake up in a different state. There are different voters when you look around here. There are -

RUBIO: Well, I went to sleep at a different state. We arrived at 1:30 in the morning.

CAMEROTA: Oh, my gosh.

RUBIO: So, yes, we go in here, absolutely. But we spent a lot of time here already as well. We have a great team here too and we just feel real good about it. And I think that what's coming - what people are going to start realizing is, I give us the best chance. My - my candidacy gives us the best chance to nominate a real conservative who can unite the party, grow the party, take our message to people that haven't voted for us in the past and ultimately defeat Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders. The Democrats know this. They admit that I am the one they don't want to run against. And that's why I think, ultimately, I'll be our nominee.

[08:40:22] CAMEROTA: As you know, New Hampshire doesn't have the evangelical vote that Iowa does. There are different values here. Do you - do you change anything about what you've been -

RUBIO: I've always said that the campaign we launched in April of last year and the message we launched, it will be the message I have in November of this year. I don't - I'm not running two separate campaigns or eight separate campaigns. I believe that America's greatest days are within our reach, but not if we stay on the road we're on right now. I have clear policies, the most detailed policy of anybody running for president on either side and I - that's going to be my message no matter where I am and no matter what stage in this process we are in.

CAMEROTA: Your rivals have been talking about you. Jeb Bush just called you a "back bencher." Trump has called you "the kid," as you know. Chris Christie just called you "the boy in the bubble." You and Cruz have exchanged some words. What's your response?

RUBIO: Well, I think when people attack you, usually they don't - they don't attack someone who isn't doing well. You usually only get attacked in politics if you present a threat to someone. Jeb's comment is interesting. He endorsed me. He wanted me to be the vice president. He openly told people I should be the vice president in 2012 when Romney was going through that process. The only thing that's changed between then and now is we happen to both be running for president.

I think Chris has had a - both Jeb and Chris have had a tough couple days and - and, obviously, sometimes people don't react well to adversity and so they're saying some things they'll probably later on regret. But that's not going to change my campaign. I'm not running to beat up on other Republicans. If there are policy differences, we'll discuss those. But, ultimately, I'm running to unify this party and ensure that our next president is nothing like the one we have now.

CAMEROTA: As you know, immigration has become a big issue in this election. All - you and all of your rivals want to secure the border. If you become president, what do you do next?

RUBIO: Well, after securing the border? Well, first here, not just secure the border, you - people have to have confidence that you're doing - that you've done it. In essence, I do not believe having worked on this issue now for a long time, including just personally having come from the background I come from, that the American people are going to support anything on immigration until first they believe that illegal immigration is truly under control. That means finishing the wall and fencing, the new border patrol agents, an entry/exit tracking system and everify (ph). Only after that's in place and that's work can we go to the American people and see what they are willing to support. I think they'll be willing to support something very reasonable. I

don't think the American people expect us to round up and deport 12 million people. If you're a criminal you won't be able to say no matter what. They should be deported now, criminals. If you're not, we've outlined an idea. You know, maybe the - I don't know if the American people will support it, but the idea of allowing people that have been here for a long time to pass a background check, pay a fine, start paying taxes, they get a work permit. And that's still - that's all they'll have for at least a decade.

But we'll see what the American people are willing to support. I'm not going to ram it down anyone's throat. And I can tell you how we're not going to do it, through unconstitutional executive orders the way this president's done it now.

CAMEROTA: Last, we know you're a big music fan. On the trail, what are you listening to?

RUBIO: Well, you know, I mean I've - people know this now. Over the last couple years I've gotten really interested in electronic (ph) dance music. So Avicii or Calvin Harris. I just like it because the lyrics are clean so I can listen to it in front of my kids and not worry about it. I used to be a much bigger hip hop fan, but the lyrics have gotten harder and harder to listen to when you have 10 year olds in the car.

CAMEROTA: Yes, of course. And I know that "Straight Outta Compton" you had said at one time when -

RUBIO: I want to see the movie. I haven't seen the movie.

CAMEROTA: So were they robbed of an Oscar nomination?

RUBIO: I haven't seen the movie, so I can't tell you. But - but what I think what - what was really amazing is Ice Cube's son looks just like him. And, you know, they're reuniting now, so they're going to do like a - and I guess Eazy-E, because he passed away, I heard Eminem is going to fill his role in the NWA reunification, I guess, or - or reunion. So I'm interested to see how that plays out.

CAMEROTA: Are the Oscars too white?

RUBIO: Oh, I don't know. I don't - what does that mean?

CAMEROTA: I mean that's the rap - the rap on it, pardon the pun, is that, you know, there aren't enough people of color who have been nominated in movies.

RUBIO: Well, Hollywood has bigger problems than that. I - but I don't, in terms of the Oscars, and I guess you are talking about the controversy with a number of nominees. Yes. You know, I haven't follow that very closely or - it's interesting, though. I think the bigger problem I have with Hollywood is the values they're trying to ram down our throat in this country and how hard it's made it on parents, like me and my wife, to raise our children with the values that we want to instill in them, as opposed to the values that Hollywood wants to ram down people's throats. And I think that's one of the things that I just talked about with the lyrics as an example. I think that's a - that's something I'm really concerned about. I haven't followed the whole Oscars thing.

CAMEROTA: Senator, thanks so much for taking the time.

RUBIO: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: Great to talk to you.

RUBIO: Thanks.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CAMEROTA: There you go. And speaking of his family, they were sitting right behind him in the booth eating lunch right behind him.

PEREIRA: Oh, no way. (INAUDIBLE).

CAMEROTA: His children were so well behaved.

PEREIRA: Adorable.

CAMEROTA: They had to be very patient as he sort of worked the room and, you know.

PEREIRA: Dad's running for president.

[08:45:00] CAMEROTA: Absolutely.

PEREIRA: Not for the faint of heart.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: That should count.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

CUOMO: With kids that age -

CAMEROTA: Yes.

CUOMO: If they're behaving in a situation like that -

CAMEROTA: They were beautifully behaved.

CUOMO: That's a plus.

PEREIRA: All right, we're going to take a short break. We'll be right back.

CUOMO: That's good. They're like 10, too.

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CUOMO: All right. We do have breaking news in the presidential race. Let's get right to CNN politics executive editor Mark Preston live in Manchester. What is the word? MARK PRESTON, CNN POLITICS EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Well, Chris, we have just

learned now, CNN has just learned that Kentucky Senator Rand Paul will suspend his campaign for the presidency. Rand Paul now deciding to focus all his efforts on running for Senate again in Kentucky. Now we understand, Chris, that he will be talking to staff shortly and we will hear an official announcement in the next couple of hours.

Why this is significant is here in New Hampshire there is a big contingent of libertarian voters. These are folks who are supportive of Rand Paul. Now as we head into Tuesday, where will those voters go? We now know that all the other candidates will be making a play for them. The likes of Ted Cruz and certainly Donald Trump trying to get that Rand Paul support.

Rand Paul, Chris, again has decided to suspend his campaign. He'll join Mike Huckabee as the second Republican to step out of the race.

CUOMO: Great to get the reporting. Put on your analyst hat. Why now? When, as you suggest, there was some there there for Rand Paul, certainly for his father in New Hampshire, the libertarian's streak. Why now and any nod at all to what he might do with his support base there for other candidates?

[08:50:03] PRESTON: Well, Chris, I got to tell you I was with Rand Paul about a year and a half ago up here in New Hampshire talking to operatives at that time. They were saying that Rand Paul could come in second, if not place first in the New Hampshire primary. He was doing an incredible amount of spade work. But just like all these other presidential candidates, when Donald Trump got into the race there was a lot of oxygen sucked out of it. Rand Paul got caught into that vacuum, as we're seeing from the others.

Where he'll go, we do not know. He doesn't have the same kind of foreign policy directive or ideas as the likes of Marco Rubio or Ted Cruz's Senate colleagues. He certainly has battled with Donald Trump. It is unclear where Rand Paul will go. But Rand Paul, you know, a relatively young man, certainly has a future in politics. For him to run again for the Senate, he's very likely to win that. That is where he can stake his ground and I think that's (inaudible) the decision was made. And quite frankly, Chris, it really does come down to money. We talked about that just a short time ago. Money needs to fuel these campaigns. I think Rand Paul decided it was better at this point to focus on Kentucky, to focus on his reelection, to focus on his second term.

CUOMO: Big headline from CNN's Mark Preston. Rand Paul suspending his election. Why doing it right now in New Hampshire? We'll get more as the day progresses and the Paul campaign comes out with more information. Our thanks to Mark Preston.

All right. So let's get some reaction right now from another important voice in this election, Franklin Graham, the president and CEO of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelical Association. He's running the Decision America Tour and he joins us now. What is your reaction to Rand Paul stepping out? REV. FRANKLIN GRAHAM, PRESIDENT & CEO, SAMARITAN'S PURSE AND THE BILLY

GRAHAM EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION: Well you know, I think Rand Paul is a good man. And he had some good ideas but, you know, there is a crowded field out there and there's going to be others dropping out as we -- I think in the next few days and next few weeks.

CUOMO: Who do you think should be the next president of the United States, Reverend?

GRAHAM: You know, I'm staying out of that, Chris. I'm going from state to state holding prayer rallies on the capital steps of the state asking people to join me to pray for this nation and to pray for our leaders. Our country is in trouble and I can tell you right now I have zero hope in the Democratic Party and zero hope in the Republican Party. Now the only hope for this nation is God. And if we'll turn our attention back to God, I believe God will help us fix the problems that we face. But Chris, we have no individual out there that can turn this thing around. Only God can do it.

CUOMO: Well and the question is, if you believe in the divine hand, it is who gets inspired most by it and who resonates most with the voters because of it. Ted Cruz seems to be saying he deserves that mantle after Iowa? A big evangelical presence in that state. Do you agree?

GRAHAM: Well I'm not going to -- Again, I'm not supporting any individual candidate.

CUOMO: I'm going to push you, Rev. I'm going to push you.

GRAHAM: You can push me all you want, Chris, but I'm not going to answer that question. There are some good guys out there that have some great ideas for this country to move this country forward, but those good ideas aren't going to go anywhere without the hand of Almighty God. And yes, I do believe in the divine hand. I believe that God has blessed this nation, that his hand has been on this nation, but we've taken God out of our country. We have taken hi out of politics. We have taken him out of schools. Out of the education system and we are a broken nation and it is not going to get fixed by politics. It is only going to be fixed, I believe, if the American people turn from their sins and put their faith and trust in Almighty God.

That's the only hope that I believe, so I'm going to all the capital steps. Next week I'll be in South Carolina, I'll be in Georgia. I've already been up in New Hampshire. I've already been -- Iowa. We're going to get ahead of the primaries where we can to encourage Christians to pray and I want to encourage the evangelicals to get out and vote. Their voice needs to be heard. About 20 to 30 million evangelicals stayed at home during the last election. I'm trying to get them out and get them to vote. And according to CNN, the largest group of evangelicals voted in New Hampshire in the last two elections. So I'm glad for that.

CUOMO: And the question becomes, well, to vote on what basis? Is it enough to just vote for the person who seems to talk about their faith the most? Christian faith specifically? Or you know, like your own organization? Is it about what they actually do? Needs for the poor, the sick, suffering people. Is it enough just to believe in God or is it how you live that belief that you want evangelicals to look at?

GRAHAM: I appreciate you asking that question, Chris. That is a great question. There's a lot of people who talk about their faith. But you have to live it. And I'm wanting every voter to examine the person they are going to vote for and how that person lives their faith. But do they stand for biblical principles? See, I believe the Bible is the word of God from cover to cover and I believe every word of it is true and I hope and pray that people will vote for candidates that live the word of God.

[08:54:57] CUOMO: So Reverend, if a candidate says look, I have my own Christian beliefs, but this is a secular society under our Constitution and let's look at same-sex marriage. The Supreme Court has said what the law of the land is, respecting the equal protection of same-sex couples to get married and I must support the law. Would I get your vote?

GRAHAM: Well first of all, Chris, you talk about us being a secular government, a secular site. That's only taken place in the last few years. Our nation was founded on biblical principles. Our Founding Fathers recognize God. All you have to do is go through Washington and look at all of our monuments with the inscriptions and references to Almighty God --

CUOMO: Understood, Reverend. We know that the Christian faith is not the rule for all. That is the point. Under the Constitution you don't see God mentioned until the signature page. That is why I'm asking you about respecting the law of the land even if it fight yours religious belief.

GRAHAM: Well first of all, I respect the law of the land that has been approved of by the Constitution and by the correct process. And I don't think the judges in Washington can just make law. That is not what they do, but that's what they have done as it relates to same-sex marriage. In almost every case where same-sex marriage was put to a vote here in North Carolina, California, other places, it was voted down by the people and it was judges that overturned the will of the people. So I don't necessarily take that as the law of the land. I think we need a nationwide referendum on this and let's see what the people say.

CUOMO: But as we know, the Constitution has often been construed to protect the minority even when in the face of majority. Reverend, thank you very much for joining us on NEW DAY. Appreciate it.

GRAHAM: Thank you, Chris.

CUOMO: We're going to take a break here now. There is a lot of coverage going on with our big town hall tonight in New Hampshire. So we're going to pick up the coverage in the "NEWSROOM" with Carol Costello right after the break.

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