Return to Transcripts main page

New Day

GOP Rivals Tone Down Insults & Spar on Policy; Kobe & LeBron's Final Showdown; Florida Voters React to CNN GOP Debate. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired March 11, 2016 - 06:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:32:58] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Two gunmen who turned a barbecue into a blood bath in Pennsylvania, they are still on the loose this morning. Five people were killed, including a woman seven months pregnant. Prosecutors say the murders were planned, with one of the attackers shooting victims as an accomplice forced them toward him. Police have no suspects and have not ruled out drugs as a possible motive.

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder releasing a fresh batch of e-mails revealing missteps and warning signs leading up to the water crisis in Flint. In one memo, a staffer questions the timeline of taking the city off Detroit's water system and switching the source to the Flint River, suggesting moving too fast could lead to a potential disaster. Governor Snyder is hoping transparency will help restore trust.

Former First Lady Nancy Reagan will be laid to rest today at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. One thousand people are expected to attend the funeral, including First Lady Michelle Obama, former First Ladies Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, Rosalynn Carter. Mrs. Reagan died Sunday at the age of 94.

Stay with CNN for special live coverage beginning 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

All right. The Republicans, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders on the Democratic side, they are all campaigning furiously before huge primaries on Tuesday. We're going to speak with supporters of the campaigns, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:38:18] ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Before last night's debate, the RNC chairman said any Republican is better than Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders.

Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REINCE PRIEBUS, RNC CHAIRMAN: Can you at least agree with me without question that any one of these four gentlemen would be a world better than Hillary Clinton or socialist in Bernie Sanders?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: And now, President Obama is even weighing in on the Republican field.

So, let's discuss all of it without our CNN political commentator and Hillary Clinton supporter Maria Cardona, and CNN political commentator and Bernie Sanders supporter, Sally Kohn.

Ladies, great to see you.

MARIA CARDONA, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Good morning.

SALLY KOHN, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Nice to see you.

CAMEROTA: OK. Let's start by talking about the debate last night. Maria, does it worry you as a Democrat to see a softer, more reasonable tone, and what looks like some of the Republican Party uniting?

CARDONA: Well, certainly it seemed that the RNC chairman was begging for that unification in what he said. But I'll say this, I think Democrats need to be worried in this election. I think no matter w the nominee is, it's going to be tough. It will be tough slog for whoever the nominee is on our side, because we live in a very divided, polarized electorate.

I think the only way Democrats can-can win -- and I will say, I do think we can win. I think that Hillary Clinton can win. I think that Bernie Sanders can win, regardless of who the nominee on the Republican side is.

But it's not going to be easy. We shouldn't pretend that it's going to be easy. So, we need to wake up every single day worried.

CAMEROTA: But the only way you can win is what?

CARDONA: By being unified. By being -- by the Democrats being a unified party. And, frankly, the best unification for our party is all of the divisive rhetoric that is happening on the other side.

[06:40:00] CAMEROTA: Yes. So, Sally, same question. If the divisive rhetoric tones down and we stop saying that. Then, is it more worrisome for the Democrats?

KOHN: Well, listen, let's put this in perspective. That was toned down compared to how outlandish and ridiculous it had been. But there was still some pretty outlandish rhetoric last night. You still had Donald Trump saying, yes, I think the world's 1.6 million Muslims hate America. You had Trump when asked to answer for the fact that he basically I want to punch protesters in the face.

And one of his supporters punched a protester in the face, he said, yes, I don't like that but I like how much they love America. I like their passion or whatever he said exactly. You know, that sort of thing, again, in the context of even though

we're not talking about hand size, that might seem like toned down rhetoric but still out of touch with where most Americans are.

CAMEROTA: So, lots of people, in particular Democrats have surprised by the rise of Donald Trump. They are wondering how did this happen? Who is to blame by this?

Yesterday, President Obama basically absolved himself of any responsibility. Listen to President Obama.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I have been blamed by Republicans for a lot of things. But being blamed for their primaries and who they're selecting for their party is novel.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(LAUGHTER)

CAMEROTA: But, Maria, is he wrong?

Every election is a reaction to what has just happened, in the way that President Obama was a reaction to George W. Bush. In a way that George W. Bush was a reaction to Clinton.

Isn't he responsible for the rise of Trump in that way?

CARDONA: No, absolutely not. And I'll say this, the Republicans made their bed and now, they have to lie in it. What I mean is the anger that you see in the Republican base and the grassroots activism, yes, it is always focused on Obama because it always has been. But it's also incredibly focused and some would say more focused on the Republican establishment they feel has let them down from the moment they elected George H.W. Bush, then George W. Bush, who have been completely, you know, awful presidents in their heads and then Romney and McCain, who were complete failures.

CAMEROTA: Sally, we have heard from many Trump supporters that they are angry at the Republican Party. But isn't this election reaction, as they all are, for what we have had the past eight years?

KOHN: There is probably a reasonable reaction to, like, President Obama's policies. And I would like to vote for something different.

And let's be honest, Maria is right. This is the bed Republicans have made. They didn't react to President Obama in the same way. They reacted to him in 100 percent we're against him in every sort of way.

And that's combined with, let's be fair, a feeling, a sentiment, among a small and shrinking part of the American population, of mostly older white voters who are angry, frustrated, resentful, upset, that they see the country changing in ways that they feel minimizes their influence. And it's attached to all these other things, stagnating wages, seeing their future looking more bleak. And Republicans have not said, hey, let's stop giving tax breaks to

rich. They said, let's blame immigrants, let's blame Muslims, let's get you afraid about terrorism, and that all gives rise to the kind of candidacy we're seeing now in Donald Trump.

CAMEROTA: OK. Sally, Maria, thanks so much.

CARDONA: Thank you, Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: We will be talking about Clinton and Sanders, and in fact, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders face off in a CNN Democratic town hall live from Ohio. That will be two days before the primary there. So, make sure you tune in Sunday 8:00 p.m. Eastern, that would be right here on CNN.

Also, the Republican field talking substance at last night's debate. Were Florida voters swayed by whatever they heard? We will ask them, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: Kobe Bryant and LeBron James squaring off last night in Los Angeles until the NBA Finals, said no one.

Coy Wire has more in this morning's bleacher report.

Hey, Coy.

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: All right. John, last night, it was truly a special night at Staples Center.

Two of the greatest NBA players of all time-sharing the court for the 22nd time. And they actually went after it all night. You know stars were going to come out in all full force for this, John Legend, front row, Cam Newton. They all came to see Kobe and LeBron one last time.

And check out the vet moves by Kobe. Up, under. Oh, that's sweet. He actually had 26, a game high, Kobe did.

But this was the highlight of the night coming at you. J.R. smith to LeBron. The one-handed grab, and thank you very much. Cavs win 120- 108.

How about this, three-time NBA slam dunk champ Nate Robinson says he wants to play in the NFL next season is. He is 5'9", point guard, currently a free agent. He announced earlier this week in a video through the lead sports that he is ready for a try-out.

Robinson did play football at the University of Washington his freshman year. But the guy is 31 years old. You're 180 pounds, Nate. Have you seen how big these guys are these days? It is all fun and games until you get a plate and four screws in your neck. Trust me, I know, just got off into retirement or something.

BERMAN: All right. Coy, thanks so much. We'll keep our eye on that one. WIRE: You're welcome.

BERMAN: Not to close of an eye though.

Big question for Donald Trump at last night's debate about escalating violence, including this sucker-punch right there. Is he encouraging this type of activity at his rally? We'll ask voters if they're happy with Trump's explanation.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:53:35] CUOMO: Whether fiery or civil, debates are about one thing, securing the vote. How do Florida Republican voters feel about last night's faceoff? Lucky for you, we have some great ones to ask.

We have Jarrett Cathcart, he is a Donald Trump supporter. We have James Kardys, he is a Ted Cruz supporter. And we have Rodolfo Milani, he is a Marco Rubio supporter.

And, Rodolfo, I'll start with you. Your man came in here with the most desperation to his cause. How do you think he performed last night and what do you think it will mean here in Florida?

RODOLFO MILANI, MARCO RUBIO SUPPORTER: I think he was absolutely outstanding last night, particularly on the foreign policy questions, particularly on the Cuba question, which not only did it play to a hometown crowd, but he was absolutely correct on it; on the Arab- Israeli conflict and in Palestine.

I think also on some domestic issues like the V.A., I think he was -- he really hit home on that. And he was honest with the voters on Social Security. This is a state with a lot of senior voters.

But I think it is unfair and dishonest to tell people that this system can continue as is. And I think it takes courage to say that changes have to be made and to bring that issue up.

CUOMO: So, Senator Rubio was lighter last night on going after Donald Trump personally, so was Senator Cruz -- but not as much, James.

[06:55:03] You had Senator Cruz last night drawing consistent points of contrast with the solutions Trump was offering versus his own.

How did that give you confidence in your man?

JAMES KARDYS, TED CRUZ SUPPORTER: Well, basically it comes down to this. The basic issue that I have with Donald Trump is that -- let's face it, he has had a path where he has supported very liberal candidates. And that is often pointed out. And he off brushes it aside and said, oh, I did it because I am a businessman. I have changed.

For example, when he did his victory speech after Super Saturday, March 5th, he openly said it. And it's almost (INAUDIBLE).

He -- I was once part of the establishment and now I am not. That's what he stated. He made absolutely zero connection to state what caused him to go from establishment to anti-establishment aside from the fact that, oh, I'm not the chosen one to run. That doesn't sit by me here.

CUOMO: OK. So that's an interesting point we are hearing from him. Why are you OK as a Trump supporter to say, listen, I used to use money to influence politicians, now I know it's a problem, I used to abuse visas as a businessman, that's why I am the guy to change it? How do you play it like the one next to you plays to hypocrisy?

JARRETT CATHCART, DONALD TRUMP SUPPORTER: Well, you know, people change. And as James was saying, you can change your ideas as long as you have good reason for it. Like a lot of voter base and just like me, people are fed up. And that's what the last eight years of Obama has done with Mr. Trump. He's just feed up with a lot of failed policies and rhetoric that President Obama has pushed out. And he's just finished.

In regards to the visas and all that sort of thing, he -- you know, like you say, he's a businessman. If the law is there, he's going to use it. So these things need to be changed. And just like he said last night in the debate, and I thought was a great point, it needs to be changed so that companies like Disney don't use them to their own advantage like they shouldn't be used.

CUOMO: All right. And a big point last night, other than policy was a big morality play that you're going to hear a lot about going forward certainly in the general.

Rodolfo, the idea of what is the threat within Islam? Is it all Muslims? Is it Islam hates the West? Or is it about radical Islam?

Donald Trump was very slow to talk about some. He wanted to talk about all. do you agree with that?

MILANI: No, I think it's very important to state, as Marco did and as the other two traditional candidates did, that we need to work with the Islamic world, moderate Islamic world to solve the ISIS problem. This cannot be done on our own. We need allies in the Muslim world.

And I think the fact that he did not walk back those remarks is telling to me. I think Marco made a fabulous point last night saying that a president can't just say whatever pops into his head. It may make us feel good for the candidate to really stick it to the people and say whatever he thinks.

But the truth of the matter is, what presidents have consequences. It affects world markets, it affects our relationships with other countries. And I think last night shows we have three candidates with the temperament and experience to be president and one that I think is an amateur.

CUOMO: James, do you think all Islam is the problem? You're a Trump supporter. What do you think about that?

KARDYS: I'm a Cruz supporter, first of all. CUOMO: You're a Cruz supporter. What do you think about it?

KARDYS: OK. It's a very complex issue. I have close Muslim friends who are some of the nicest people I have ever met.

So I am ruling out the idea that all Islam is a problem. However, I do -- I have come to the conclusion that Islam, along religions, including my own religion, Christianity, have had pieces of Scripture that can be interpreted very easily as promoting violence. For example, half the stuff that is mentioned in the Old Testament could be seen as warfare similar to what is seen -- to what is called for jihadists.

CUOMO: So you don't want to cast out the entire faith, which would seem right now as a moderate position, not simply a reasonable one, and that's because of people who are following Donald Trump who resonate with the idea that this entire group of 1.6 billion represents an enemy. Does that work for you?

CATHCART: I think right now Donald is just appealing to his voter base.

CUOMO: That's you. That's why I'm asking you.

CATHCART: That's true. I think he's misrepresenting himself when he says that. I think what he really means is there is a general dislike for America in most parts of the world. A lot of people don't like us because of the freedoms we represent and the values we love for.

And, you know, if he -- a lot of other things, people get mad that he reverses the position on. This is one time where he stood up and said, and now people are getting really mad at him about it. I think it was right for him to stick with his guns there.

CUOMO: Jarrett, James, and Rodolfo, thank you very much for making your points. Good luck in your election ahead. Appreciate it.