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Cease-fire in Syria Likely Delayed; Trump Challenged on Bush Criticism. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired February 19, 2016 - 06:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:31:17] MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: A cease-fire was set to take effect today in Syria, but instead, the only concrete plan is a meeting between U.S. and Russian representatives trying to put that plan in motion.

CNN international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson live in London with the latest.

Is there any hope for any progress at all, Nic?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: With the pace of what's happening on the battlefield in Syria, it's a pretty dismal outlook. However, this is what was agreed in Munich last week. The United States and Russia together would have a task force of the other 17 international Syria support group, members that would work out what they called the modalities of a cessation of hostilities. And that was supposed to come into effect today.

What we do know happened last night. There was a meeting between Russian and U.S. military officials late into the night in Geneva. This follows on a few days earlier between a phone -- from a phone call with President Putin and President Obama speaking about this issue of a cessation of hostilities.

There is supposed to be a meeting later today with all the players. However, no one can put a time on that right now.

So, what you have unfolding in Syria is increased Russian airstrikes, hospitals, schools being hit, increased advances on the ground by Syria forces, rebels fighting other rebel groups, Turkey shelling across the border into Syria.

So, right now, it feels that everyone can see this cessation and cease-fire is supposed to be coming and they're trying to make land grabs as much as they can in the meantime. But will it all end on these talks tonight? It really seems unlikely -- Chris.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Nic, thank you very much. Appreciate the reporting.

Let's take a little break here. When we come back, does Donald Trump think George W. Bush lied to make a case for the war in Iraq? It is a big question. The answer matters.

Where is Trump on it? Figure out for yourself, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:37:10] CUOMO: Donald Trump could not have been more clear at first when he said George W. Bush lied to justify the U.S. invasion of Iraq. In last night's CNN town hall, he was anything but committal on that point. He walked around the comment when questioned by an audience member.

Let's discuss whether this matters at all and if it doesn't, why it doesn't and what that means about the strength of Trump and the state of the race.

We have political commentator for CNN, former Reagan White House political director and Trump supporter, Mr. Jeffrey Lord, and George W. Bush's former political director and chairman of the American Conservative Union, Matt Schlapp.

Gentlemen, thank you for being with us.

Jeffrey --

JEFFREY LORD, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Good morning, Chris. Yes, sir.

CUOMO: -- you do agree that the first salvo was George Bush lied about this. Then Trump walked it back. Now, he is somewhat equivocated. Here's the latest answer last night, let's play when Cooper was pushing him on it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: I literally was handed this. There is a report now out tonight on "BuzzFeed" that include -- I have not heard it -- includes an audio clip of what appears to be you on Howard Stern talking in the radio on September 11th, 2002. He asked you, "Are you for invading Iraq?" You said, "Yes, I guess so. You know, I wish the first time it was done correctly."

Is that accurate? Do you remember saying that?

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: No, but I mean, I could -- I could have said that. Nobody asked me. I wasn't a politician. It was probably the first time anybody asked me that question.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CUOMO: All right. That's not the right sound bite. That's him going back and forth whether he was for the war or not. He said, look, I don't know whether he lied. I just know he was up to something. Something was going on.

You know what he said. Why is this OK in your estimation?

LORD: Why is it OK? Look, I don't think George Bush lied about Iraq.

I just think that, you know, the people of South Carolina, people in elections generally, they're looking forward. They want to know what's going on next. They're not looking back 20 years, 30 years, 10 years, et cetera.

So, that's why in all honesty, Chris, I just don't think this matters. I think this is a media obsession. I just don't think the people in South Carolina are going to vote on something like this.

CUOMO: All right. Let's take Jeffrey Lord's statement as fact. It is just a media obsession. Only we care that a candidate for president calls a former president a liar in a decision to go to war and the people don't.

If that is true, what does that mean about the state of play in your party right now?

MATT SCHLAPP, FORMER GEORGE W. BUSH POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Well, that's a great question. I actually think it does matter. I think George W. Bush went to South Carolina and voters were reminded about the parts of George W. Bush's record they like. And they were reminded that they like him, and he's a charming guy. He did a great job on the campaign trail.

And I think that, you know, I don't know whether the voters are going to hold Donald Trump accountable for going over the line a bit in these areas or not.

[06:40:06] But I do think -- I think it's a question for voters of -- I agree with Jeffrey that it's about the future. But also, they want to take a measure of the man who wants to be their president. In this case, a man. And I think this is an important component of that.

And, I think, look, if Donald Trump is giving clear answers about what he thinks, I think they like that. You have to give a consistent answer and stick with it.

CUOMO: Except the problem is, Matt, with your assumption is that you're wrong. I would agree with you, but look at the polls. He pops every time one of these things happen, Jeffrey. Every time he does something, doubles down, backs off, he then gets a pop in the polls. He is never punished.

What does that mean in terms of how people view Donald Trump, those who support him, in your estimation?

LORD: I think the message that people receive from Donald Trump is that they are looking for strength. They want somebody who is going to be strong and tough in the world and dealing with the outside world, et cetera. That's the message that they get from him. So, they are willing to forgive this or that, you know, faux pas, if you will because they are looking for the core of this message, which is, he will be a strong leader and that's what they like.

CUOMO: A guy said to me last night when I was talking on the street. He said you know what I like, Trump has no humility. He says how it is I have never used it used, the lack of it being a virtue in politics. Maybe that's just where the electorate is on your side of the aisle right now.

What do you think, Matt?

SCHLAPP: I like Donald Trump. There is a lot about this person that is appealing. He is taking people on. He is saying it like it is.

That's very appealing to Americans. Americans don't just love politics. They look at it with a little disdainfully. And Donald Trump taps into that.

But the question for Donald Trump is this: he can hold on to a third of these voters if you look at these polls. What he wants to do -- look, he's our front-runner. What he wants to do now is continue to grow that support. And he needs to reach out to other folks as well.

When he takes on the Bushes, it works because he's taking on Washington. He's taking on the people who run the party. Boy, there is a lot of people -- a lot of conservatives in my party who love that. He has to be able to get to the next level of voter. And that's the challenge for him now.

CUOMO: Let me Jeffrey Lord's last point for him because I've got to wrap up the segment. He is getting them. His numbers go up just about in every poll.

LORD: Thank you, Chris.

CUOMO: We said it was the teens. We said it was the 20s. They said it was the 30s. Now, he's in the 40s. He's going in the right direction, Matt, that's for sure.

LORD: Thank you, sir. You got it.

CUOMO: You're right. Thank you very much, Jeffrey.

All right. Thanks to both of you. Matt, Jeffrey, appreciate it

John?

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Chris, thanks so much.

So, forget softball questions. South Carolina voters came with some heat at last night's town hall. Two of them grilled Donald Trump on big, important issues. They will join us live, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PEREIRA: Oklahoma City Thunder assistant coach Monty Williams gave quite an emotional speech during the funeral for his wife yesterday. Something nobody should ever had to go through.

Andy Scholes has more in this morning's bleacher report.

And, boy, the league really showed up for him.

SCHOLES: They sure did, Michaela. And Williams' wife Ingrid was just 44 years old when she died as a result of a car accident a little more than a week. The Williams were married for more than 20 years, have five children. Williams shows amazing composure when speaking at the funeral.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MONTY WILLIAMS, NBA COACH: This is hard for my family, but this will work out, and my wife would punch me if I were to sit up here and whine about what's going on. When we walk away from this place today, let's celebrate because my wife is where we all need to be. I'm envious of that. But I've got five crumb snatchers I've got to deal with.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: A lot of love for Williams coming from around the NBA. LeBron James tweeted, "Monty Williams, you're incredible man. Very powerful and strong. So moving watching you. May she continue to live in paradise and thank you."

All right. We all know the saying "ride off into the sunset". Well, Panthers defensive end Jared Allen decided it was time to ride off no matter what the weather was doing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JARED ALLEN, 5-TIME PRO BOWL SELECTION: Everyone, I want to say thank you for an amazing 12-year career. This was the part where I was going to ride off into the sunset, but seeing as there is no sunset, I'm just going to ride off.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Scholes grew up on a horse ranch. Played football for the state of Idaho. Definitely a cowboy. That's a pretty cool way to retire.

BERMAN: Cuomo has that jacket he wears sometimes with nothing else.

All right. Andy, thank you so much.

SCHOLES: All right.

PEREIRA: Had to go there.

BERMAN: Donald Trump tackling tough questions from South Carolina voters. (INAUDIBLE)

Join us next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:52:50] BERMAN: Really fascinating moment. South Carolina voters questioning Donald Trump's position at last night's Republican town hall. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHERRI BURRISS, ASKED TRUMP A QUESTION AT CNN TOWN HALL: How are you going to govern examine get buy-in from people you may totally disagree with without getting angry and without refusing to look for common ground?

ORAN SMITH, ASKED TRUMP A QUESTION AT CNN TOWN HALL: When you said George W. Bush, which is our last Republican president, a man I respect greatly, a person that we really fought for when he was up against a lot of pressure, that he lied to get us in the war in Iraq. That stung me very deeply. I don't believe that. I'm just wondering, given some time passing, perhaps you have rethought that?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: So, how did Trump respond? Did it satisfy these voters?

They are with us right now to tell us. Joining us now, Sherry Burriss and Oran Smith.

Sherry, I want to start with you.

Your question of Donald Trump was about his tone really, which has come up a few times in this campaign the last several months. Let's listen to his answer.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I appreciate the question actually. It's a great question. First of all, when it comes to, you know, some people say, oh, Trump is tough.

"Time" magazine and everybody thought that I won. Drudge thought I won. You know, they do the polls after the debate. I thought I did a great debate. But some people thought I was too tough.

Look, we have ISIS chopping off people's heads, Christian's heads, everybody else's heads, drowning people in cages. This is like medieval times. We need a certain toughness.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: So, you said you respected his deal-making capabilities. You say you're a business person. You like the way he did business over time.

But did this answer, did it satisfy you?

BURRISS: You know, before I even ask him the question I always like to know what I think someone is going to answer. It occurred to me it was going to be difficult for him to come back to. Really what I need, I needed to see from him action.

That's a difficult thing for him to do at this point. I think, for me, self-control is when you think before you speak.

[06:55:02] I think he's a very intelligent man. I think he has made a lot of decisions in his life that obviously have been very successful. But I believe in politics especially that you need to think a little bit before you speak. And I think that's what has made people even more comfortable.

In fact, last night I got a lot of messages from friends and people saying they are having the same kind of thoughts. So, you know, I think he did the best he could with the question that was posed.

BERMAN: Do you think he lacks self-control?

BURRISS: I don't think he lacks self-control. I don't know that he has ever been required to do it. I think -- like I said before, politics is a totally different animal. When you own your own company, you can build whatever empire you want to.

But when you're trying to get buy-in from people, and you need to look for common ground, sometimes you just can't tell people what to do. You're going to have to try to get there a little bit better and more diplomatically.

BERMAN: Given how he answered you --

BURRISS: I think you can do it one on one.

BERMAN: Given how he answered you and given what you have seen, do you think he has the self-control to be president? Could you vote for him?

BURRISS: Well, I haven't decided. In fact, I have decided the one thing we don't have in common is the ability to exist on three or four hours of sleep since I got here very late last night. But I do think that I could.

I will vote for whoever is elected in the primary. Right now, I'm probably down to two. And, you know, we'll see. I've got until tomorrow.

BERMAN: A politician in the making there yourself I think.

Oren, let me ask you about your exchange. You pressed Donald Trump on his claim that George W. Bush lied about his reasons for going into Iraq. Let's listen to his response to you.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: I'll tell you very simply. It may have been the worst decision going into Iraq. It may have been the worst decision anybody has made, any president has made in the history of this country. That's how bad it is, OK?

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: One more chance, either -- you believe either he lied or did not lie? Are you willing to say --

TRUMP: I don't know what he did. I just know it was a terrible mistake.

COOPER: So, was it a mistake for you to say in that debate that you thought he lied?

TRUMP: I'd have to see the word -- look, I don't know. I would probably say that something was going on. I don't know why went in. I don't know why he went in.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: So, he would not say, Oran, whether he thought it was a mistake to say he lied. He really won't even say whether he actually said that he lied what she did. What was your reaction to his response?

SMITH: Yes. Well, a little frustrated. I think I would take it maybe like Donald Trump would have. I'm going to declare victory that I got what I wanted and that was to back up a little bit from what he said about the 43rd president of the United States.

So, not exactly as far as I hope he would go. But I got something.

BERMAN: You know, I can understand your concern with the language he used. But right now, voters are in a lot of different places about the Iraq war. So, let me ask you if you agree with Donald Trump that it was a mistake for whatever reason that in retrospect wasn't a mistake to go into Iraq?

SMITH: Well, that's not the question I asked him.

BERMAN: Right.

SMITH: I mean, that's another question. That's a very deep question that goes a lot of different directions, was the surge a good idea? Did that make the Iraq work and accomplish its goals? The affect Obama becoming president. That's a very different issue.

I wanted to know, did he still believe that George W. Bush, the last Republican nominee, the last Republican president, was a liar? That's what I wanted to know.

BERMAN: And he would not answer you. He also said he would not get your vote. Was he right, yes or no?

SMITH: Well, I've got it down to a couple. I usually try to keep that personal. But I do have it down to a couple.

BERMAN: All right. Sherri, Oren, thanks for being with us. Thank you for your questions last night. It was great to hear you guys talk to the candidates and see those changes. Appreciate it.

All right. We are following a lot of news this morning, so let's get right to it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TRUMP: I'm not talking about lying. I'm not talking about not lying. Nobody really knows why we went into Iraq.

JEB BUSH (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The Russians should be more worried about the United States.

GOV. JOHN KASICH (R-OH), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The glue of America is right here in this room.

TRUMP: I have a lot of respect for the pope. I think he was very much misinterpreted.

BUSH: I think the presidency should be respectful of the Constitution.

KASICH: Do you know how hard it is to run for president?

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The Republicans want to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Bernie Sanders has a different idea. He wants to start all over again. I don't think we need that.

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The government of the United States of America belongs to all of us, not just a handful of wealthy.

CLINTON: That doesn't mean I'm unaware of our problems. I believe in we can get this done. I know we can.

SANDERS: It's not just electing Bernie Sanders. It is calling for a political revolution.

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

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PEREIRA: Good morning. Welcome to Friday. Welcome to your NEW DAY. Alisyn is off. That means the bromance continues this morning.

In just 24 hours, the polls will open in South Carolina.