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Clinton: "I'm Not A Natural Politician"; Clinton & Sanders Clash on Immigration, Health Care; Carly Fiorina Endorses Ted Cruz Despite Harsh Words In the Past; Trump Expects Softer Tone In Tonight's Debate; Pooch Makes Presidential Pledge. Aired 7:30-8a ET

Aired March 10, 2016 - 07:30   ET

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

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[07:31:15]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I am not a natural politician, in case you haven't noticed, like my husband or President Obama. So,I have a view that I just have to do the best I can, get the results I can, make a difference in people's lives, and hope that people see that I'm fighting for them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: She spent years in office but Hillary Clinton says she is no natural politician. That came, obviously, from last night's big debate. Will presenting herself as, I guess, vulnerable, resonate with voters in major contests next week? And there are a lot of policy distinctions that came out, as well. So let's test them with Jennifer Granholm, former governor of Michigan, senior adviser currently to the Pro-Clinton Super PAC, Correct the Record.

JENNIFER GRANHOLM (D), FORMER MICHIGAN GOVERNOR: Great to see you.

CUOMO: So, let's start with that. What does that mean? What am I supposed to take from that statement that I'm not a natural politician?

GRANHOLM: Well, I think she's responding to what a lot of people say, which is that she has more difficulty connecting in a big way to people. So, she understands that she's got work to do on the big expression.

If you connect with her one-on-one she's fantastic, and the question for her has always been how do you project that outward? I thought that that was one of the most -- I really loved that recognition. It was sort of self-effacing and a recognition that she understands who she is and what she has to continue to work on.

CUOMO: The criticism that you risk with that statement is that you are acknowledging what is, in fact, a problem. The inability of the campaign -- arguably, the candidate -- to connect with a national mood that is carrying a Trump, that is carrying a Sanders.

GRANHOLM: See, I think that's different than what she was saying and that I would say. She is saying that she is good at getting things done. And what do people -- the issue about trust, right? Who do people trust to be the most effective commander in chief? Hands down, it's Hillary Clinton. Who do people trust to be able to get her agenda through? To be able to be bipartisan and work with the Congress, which we all acknowledge will be still controlled, at least in the House, by Republicans?

The challenge for Bernie Sanders, I think, on the flip side of that, is these big ideas not being able to get through. He was just -- there was -- the Lugar Center at Georgetown just did an analysis of the most partisan members of Congress. And the two most partisan in the past 10 years were Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz, and that's a problem.

CUOMO: His supporters say that his conviction, that's his passion --

GRANHOLM: Sure.

CUOMO: -- that's a plus, and that you are killing hope, governor.

GRANHOLM: All of that is great. No, I'm not.

CUOMO: You're killing hope.

GRANHOLM: Well, the hope is that you get stuff done. It's not hopeful to be able to make promises you can't --

CUOMO: Dream big.

GRANHOLM: Love dreaming. I would love to be in the NBA but it's not going to happen. So, I want to be able to vote for somebody who can actually make good on their promises.

CUOMO: When it comes to Europe and everywhere else, obviously, I'm supporting his argument --

GRANHOLM: Why, of course.

CUOMO: -- because you're supporting Hillary's. He would say well, look at all these other industrialized nations. They do it --

GRANHOLM: Absolutely. Absolutely.

CUOMO: -- and if the people want it, it will get done. At least fight for the right thing. You're selling him short out of the box.

GRANHOLM: Well, what I'm saying is that on that -- on health care -- we have an affordable care act that the president has supported with 90 percent of Americans covered. Let's finish the job and get the rest covered. Why not move on the things you know you can get done which are so important to people?

What I loved last night, Chris, is that she started with the issue that people -- not just in Florida, not just the Latino community -- across the country care most about, which is jobs. It was her first statement. She came out of Michigan knowing that people care about trade and jobs, and I think you're going to hear a lot more from her about that.

[07:35:19] CUOMO: She came out of Michigan -- your state --

GRANHOLM: Yes.

CUOMO: But you know the frightening thing isn't just that she lost Michigan if you're a Hillary Clinton supporter. It's that Michigan looks like Ohio.

GRANHOLM: Of course it does.

CUOMO: Looks like Illinois.

GRANHOLM: Yes.

CUOMO: And looks like this swing of states that you're going after right now.

GRANHOLM: Looks like Buffalo. Looks like upstate New York.

CUOMO: But she lost it.

GRANHOLM: Well, but she -- she lost Michigan.

CUOMO: Yes.

GRANHOLM: What I'm saying is that she understands what it is like to represent a state that has lost jobs. And her point is you have got to be tough on trade and have an economic agenda that brings jobs to this country so that we can stamp products made in America and export them. And her comprehensive agenda -- her broad agenda -- is one that contrasts with his because all he's doing is saying no.

CUOMO: Bernie's saying raise the minimum wage --

GRANHOLM: Well, she's saying that, too.

CUOMO: -- and you cut bad trade deals. But she doesn't want to go to $15, which Bernie wants. Bernie says even that's not enough, according to him.

GRANHOLM: She wants to go to $12 and she would support $15 locally. Wait a minute. I mean, everybody on our side wants to raise the minimum wage and she's said go to $12 nationally and allow locals to raise it more. And she supports those local efforts to raise it higher. She has got a comprehensive plan on trade and on jobs, and this is what she is going to be talking about in Ohio, in Illinois, and in Florida.

CUOMO: Why do you think Bernie Sanders is giving Sec. Clinton such fits?

GRANHOLM: Such fits.

CUOMO: Well, I mean, it's a tight race.

GRANHOLM: Yes, yes, yes. It's a lot tighter than --

CUOMO: It's hard to say how tight it is because you're going to hit me over the head with the super delegate count, but some people say --

GRANHOLM: Super delegate count?

CUOMO: -- super delegates. She's up a couple of hundred, but it's very close. It wasn't supposed to be this close. He just won Michigan -- that was a surprise. I mean, these are all surprising developments.

GRANHOLM: We knew -- I mean, they may be surprising to you because people were focusing on these external polls.

CUOMO: You thought Bernie Sanders would win Michigan?

GRANHOLM: No, no. I didn't think he'd win. I thought it would be a lot closer than what these crazy polls were showing because I understand that in Michigan people have been hurting by these trade agreements.

And so, for her -- you know what drives me crazy, Chris, and you understand this being the son of a governor. If your mom had come out against something that your dad was proposing when he was governor that just wouldn't happen. So for her to be blamed for NAFTA it's just totally unrealistic. She's first lady. You think Michelle Obama's going to come out against the agreements on Iran?

CUOMO: Well, that's always been a dicey proposition --

GRANHOLM: I mean, that's just what I'm saying.

CUOMO: -- and the risk is trying to have it both ways. Own certain parts of the administration under Bill, and not her. But I get your question. That's something to let marinate with the Democratic voters.

GRANHOLM: It's the same with TPP. I can say that. It's the same with TPP. He's got a cabinet. She's on his cabinet. She's going to carry out his agenda on his cabinet. You think if somebody on my cabinet had come out against me publicly on something I was pushing --

CUOMO: That's politics.

GRANHOLM: I understand, but I'm just saying what's real.

CUOMO: That's about authenticity and it's for the voters to decide.

GRANHOLM: What's real and what's fair is to challenge her on stuff when she's on her own. When she is voting against CAFTA as a senator, OK, give her that. It's unfair, I think, to say that she's -- everything that her husband did is hers. CUOMO: Understood, governor. Thanks for being here.

GRANHOLM: Hey, great to see you.

CUOMO: And if my mother had run, she'd still be governor.

GRANHOLM: Yes, I believe that.

CUOMO: All right, we have another big guest for you this morning, Carly Fiorina. She did not seem, when she was running, to be a particular Ted Cruz fan, but she did endorse him. Why? She's up next to explain.

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[07:41:44]

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CARLY FIORINA (R), FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And the establishment says Ted Cruz is too conservative. He's too much of a fighter. He won't get along. I say you go, Ted.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Carly Fiorina ended her presidential run a month ago, then surprised many yesterday by endorsing Ted Cruz, and Carly Fiorina joins us live now here in Miami. Great to have you here on set.

FIORINA: Great to be with you. Nice set.

CAMEROTA: I know. These are some pretty sweet digs. I know. There are still four candidates on the Republican side in the race. Why did you choose Ted Cruz?

FIORINA: Well, you know, I ran for president because I believe we need a real conservative in the White House. I think we need someone who is actually going to challenge the system and the status quo. And I've watched Ted over time. I said when I was running, character is revealed over time, under pressure. He stuck to his principles, he stuck to the substance. He is, no doubt, a real conservative and he has challenged the system ever since he arrived in Washington, D.C.

CAMEROTA: It's been pointed out that you have not always been a fan of Ted Cruz and have said some critical things about him. Let me play those for you.

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FIORINA: President Obama wanted this shut down and Ted Cruz played right into his hand, though. Everybody could see this train wreck coming, and I think Ted Cruz' tactics were wrong. There's no honor in charging a hill that you know you can't take -- only casualties -- although Ted Cruz maybe got name recognition and money along the way. Ted Cruz is just like any other politician. He says one thing in

Manhattan, he says another thing in Iowa. He says whatever he needs to say to get elected and then he's going to do as he pleases.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: OK, so back then you were talking about how he would flip- flop for political expediency. What's changed since then?

FIORINA: Well, you know, first, Ted and I have disagreed on tactics. When the Democrats were a majority in the Senate I didn't think we were going to succeed in repealing Obamacare, but we've never disagreed on goals. Obamacare has to be repealed. It's not working. It's failing the majority of Americans and it's crushing the economy.

And I think Ted Cruz has been remarkably consistent about his principles. You know, we can play this game all day long, but here's what I know. Ted Cruz is a principle conservative. He is absolutely is challenging the status quo which is why he's made enemies in Washington. I think people are known not just by their friends, but by their enemies. And, actually, he's the only guy who can beat Donald Trump and we need to beat Donald Trump at the ballot box.

CAMEROTA: He does seem to have more than his share of enemies in Washington. His senate colleagues have described him as unlikeable and it's hard for them work with him. Isn't that a problem for a president?

FIORINA: You know, one of the things I've learned from personal experience is when you challenge the status quo, which is what you have to do to lead, you're going to make enemies. You're going to do more than ruffle feathers. You're going to make enemies.

CAMEROTA: But as president wouldn't he have to work with his colleagues, and even Democrats?

FIORINA: Yes, absolutely. But he also is going to have to work, most importantly, for the American people. You see, the system in Washington is corrupt, it's incompetent. It favors the big, the powerful, the wealthy, and the well-connected, and Republicans and Democrats are guilty of preserving that system. That system has to be challenged. Ted Cruz has challenged it from the moment he arrived in Washington, and it needs challenging.

[07:45:13] CAMEROTA: As you know, Donald Trump is leading in the polls and in the number of delegates. What makes you think that Ted Cruz still stands a chance at this point?

FIORINA: First of all, yes, all the headlines are about Donald Trump. For heaven's sake, he gets more TV coverage than anyone else. But, actually, we're only 40 percent, roughly, through this contest so we've got a lot of delegates left to gather.

I do believe that Donald Trump has to be beaten at the ballot box. And one of the things that gives me optimism is the more people see Ted Cruz, the more people see Donald Trump, the more late deciders are going for Ted Cruz and not for Donald Trump. So I think Donald Trump, also, is being revealed over time and under pressure. He may want to talk about his steaks and his vodka. Ted Cruz is going to talk about the issues and what the American people need to hear.

CAMEROTA: And yet, Donald Trump had a big day on Tuesday.

FIORINA: Yes, he did.

CAMEROTA: Better than even predicted. So, what do you think has to happen to stop Donald Trump? For instance, at tonight's debate -- what is the tactic that Ted Cruz or anyone has to start using to stop Donald Trump?

FIORINA: Well, first of all, I don't think you win by getting down to his level and hurling personal insults about tan and body parts. I don't think that works. I think Donald Trump has to be beat on the substance of his record and his principles. So, let me just say, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are two sides of the same coin. Hillary Clinton has made millions selling access and influence from the inside. Donald Trump has made billions buying off people like Hillary Clinton.

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are the system. They're not going to reform the system. It doesn't matter what they say. They are the system, and so they're going to preserve that system for the big, the powerful, the wealthy, and the well-connected. Hillary Clinton is powerful, wealthy, and well-connected and so is Donald Trump. We need somebody like a Ted Cruz to come in and challenge that system so the small and the powerless have a fair shot, and they don't today.

CAMEROTA: You've used the word horrified by how you feel about Donald Trump. What is it that most horrifies you about him?

FIORINA: Well, you know, Donald Trump is pedaling a big lie. The big lie he's pedaling is that he's in it for the little guy. That he's going to reform the system. He's not in it for the little guy. He's in it for himself, that's why he asks his supporters to take a loyalty pledge to him.

Ted Cruz said yesterday in his rally, that's exactly backwards. And Ted Cruz is right. The president of the United States, when he raises his hand and takes an oath to protect and defend the constitution of the United States is pledging loyalty to this nation and to its citizens. Donald Trump is not in it for the American people. He's in it for himself, just like he's been in it for himself all his life.

CAMEROTA: Would you consider being Ted Cruz' running mate?

FIORINA: Oh, you know what? That's such a long way from now. Right now what we need to do is make sure that Ted Cruz wins at the ballot box so that he can beat Donald Trump and then go on to beat Hillary Clinton.

CAMEROTA: Do you miss the campaign trail?

FIORINA: You know, I loved the campaign trail but I have to say when I got a month at home that was pretty sweet, too.

CAMEROTA: Carly Fiorina, thanks so much.

FIORINA: You're welcome.

CAMEROTA: Great to have you on NEW DAY. Always nice to talk to you. Donald Trump making controversial comments now on Islam and torture. We'll ask Trump's team about those comments and how they unify the party.

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[07:52:15] CUOMO: Donald Trump with more controversial comments. This time, Islam was in his crosshairs. Listen to what he told Anderson Cooper.

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DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think Islam hates us. There's something -- there's something there -- there's a tremendous hatred there. There's a tremendous hatred. We have to get to the bottom of it. There is an unbelievable hatred of us.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST: In Islam itself?

TRUMP: You're going to have to figure that out, OK? You'll get another Pulitzer, right? But, you're going to have to figure that out.

COOPER: But the question is, is there war between the West and Radical Islam, or is there war between the West and Islam, itself?

TRUMP: Well, it's radical but it's very hard to define. It's very hard to separate because you don't know who's who.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CUOMO: All right, let's discuss this and talk about what is going to happen at tonight's all-important debate. We have Sam Clovis, Donald Trump's national campaign co-chair. I'll give you three guesses what the first question is, Sam, and the first two don't count. It's about Islam and the comments. Was Donald Trump overreaching here when he was saying that Islam hates us?

SAM CLOVIS, CO-CHAIR, TRUMP NATIONAL CAMPAIGN: No, I think Don -- and, thanks for having me on this morning, Chris. It's always great to talk to you. One of things I wanted to mention here is what has happened is, through the political correctness, a lot of things. We could conflate Radical Islam and the actions of Jihadists with the religion aspect.

Radical Islam is a political movement and it is about gaining territory. It's about establishing a nation state and the objectives -- the printed, the written, the oral objectives of Radical Islam -- the eradication of the West -- anyone who believes in the West and any person who does not believe in Islam. So, one of the problems we've had is that we have never been able to separate the religious aspect from the political aspect with Radical Islam.

And I think what Mr. Trump is articulating -- and I think he's done a relatively good job of that -- is articulating the fact that Radical Islam is about politics, it's not about religion. And I think this is one of the things that we have to continue --

CUOMO: Sam, I understand what you're saying. I understand what you're saying, Sam. You're saying something that sounds relatively reasonable for most people, I think. You're saying not all Islam. Start cutting off slices. You have the radical wing of Islamism that we're talking about here. That's where you have these perverse notions of what the faith is and what political and religious objectives there are. That is not what your candidate said. He said Islam, and don't you want to be careful about indicting 1.6 billion people?

[07:55:09]

CLOVIS: Well, I think this is exactly what I said in the first sentence, is that we have allowed the conflation of religion with the political movement. There are -- and I want to just make sure you understand.

CUOMO: Please.

CLOVIS: Today, the United States State Department has identified 58 terrorist organizations in the world. Forty-six of them are associated with Radical Islam. If you've read the most recent foreign affairs magazine, you look at the articles in there talking about the expansion of Radical Islam through al-Qaeda and ISIS -- mostly Sunni- backed Radical Islam organizations -- their notion is to expand the ink spots and to finally connect them. This is about politics.

CUOMO: Right.

CLOVIS: And this is the problem that we've had, Chris, is --

CUOMO: It's about not saying all.

CLOVIS: No.

CUOMO: That's not political correctness, it's just correctness -- not all, right? That's the point.

CLOVIS: What Trump has articulated, Chris, is very clear -- that the fact that the lines are blurred and I think that we, the chattering class -- we, the wonkish people -- we, in the media -- we, inside the beltway -- all of us who supposedly elevate our intellectual levels above the rest of the humans out here -- we have been guilty of conflating this religion and political aspect. And that's one of the reasons that people react so aggressively when we get into these kinds of discussion. And we need to have this discussion.

CUOMO: Right. I agree with you, but my suggestion would be conflating the two is when you blame all of Islam. I think that would be the conflation. But, let's put that to the side and I appreciate you addressing it. Let's also talk about the -- OK, so well, it's out there. Now we know and people can decide. Thank you for answering the questions on that.

Tonight, the debate -- very important. The last big moment before winner-take-all Ohio and Florida. What do you expect from Trump? What do you expect toward Trump?

CLOVIS: Well, I think one of the things is we're going to probably see the themes that need to be talked about here, I hope, as we go through that process. And I trust Mr. Tapper to facilitate that as to where we're going to talk about the economy, which is really at the centerpiece. We need to talk about trade. We need to talk about tax reform, immigration, the affordable care act, and the impact of all of those.

I also think -- and this is my guess -- I think that after the last two debates when everybody jumps down into the gutter and wants to swirl around down there, that doesn't benefit too many people. So what we really probably will see -- it may be a little more subdued -- the debate stage tonight.

And, frankly, maybe a little bit more cordiality up there because I think it's really on -- Marco Rubio is under the most pressure and I think Ted Cruz is probably second. But they really have to make their case for being President of the United States and they have to do that in an affirmative way, not in a negative way. And I really think that if the truth be told that's what has to be done.

CUOMO: Sam Clovis, you could not have ended on a more correct point than you did. Thank you very much for being on NEW DAY, as always. All right, let's get to Mic in New York.

CLOVIS: AndI agree with you if your mother was governor, so --

CUOMO: Oh yes, that's an easy one. Back to you, Mic, in New York.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: All right, thanks so much. Well, you may have seen Donald Trump has supporters pledging support at his rallies. One particular pledge is going viral. CNN's Jeanne Moos found a unique Trump supporter.

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TRUMP: I think --

JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Repeat after him. I pledge allegiance to the Donald.

TRUMP: Should we do the pledge? Let's do a pledge. Raise your right hand. I swear I'm going to vote for Donald Trump next week. Raise that hand. I love you.

MOOS: But not everyone loves the pledge. All of those upraised hands remind some of a Nazi salute which Trump called ridiculous, though he promised to look into it because he didn't want to offend anybody.

TRUMP: But when I say raise your hand, everybody raises their hand. They're screaming to me to do it. We want to do it.

MOOS: But they didn't all want to do it.

TRUMP: I do solemnly swear.

AUDIENCE: I do solemnly swear.

MOOS: Look at the furry four-legged audience member who seemed to be an unwilling pledge participant.

TRUMP: Will vote for Donald J. Trump.

MOOS: Video of the doggy pledge resistor went viral --

TRUMP: I do solemnly swear.

MOOS: -- inspiring Tweets like "Friends don't let man's best friend vote Trump." So, Donald also has his canine supporters and the dog reluctant to raise his right paw went nowhere near as viral as Hillary's famous bark. (Dog barking) The Donald, himself, seems to have a thing for dogs, at least when it comes to delivering insults.

TRUMP: He was choking like a dog. He couldn't be elected dog catcher. I'm watching Marco sweating like a dog on my right.

MOOS: Trump seems to have a way with pups. Remember the time he yelled at a reporter?

TRUMP: Sit down, sit down, sit down.