Return to Transcripts main page

New Day

Republican Presidential Race; Remembering Nancy Reagan; Dave Barry's Take on Last Night's GOP Debate. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired March 11, 2016 - 08:30   ET

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

[08:30:00] SEN. MARCO RUBIO (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Supporters here but he's not going to win. And so does John Kasich, and he's not going to win Florida. And so there's a majority of Florida Republicans that do not want Donald Trump to win Florida or be the nominee. And so what's happening increasingly is that supporters of Ted Cruz and John Kasich are realizing that no matter how much they may like their candidate, they can't win Florida and a vote for them is in essence a vote for Trump.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: If Marco Rubio wins Florida, and if John Kasich wins Ohio, is it back to a four-man race, in your mind?

RON NEHRING, TED CRUZ NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON: No, because these candidates have no pathway beyond that. Marco Rubio doesn't have the resources to compete beyond Florida whatsoever. He's not going to win Florida. He's going to lose Florida. But he doesn't have the resources or the campaign structure to go beyond that.

Our campaign, by contrast, is a 50-state campaign. I'm also the chairman of our campaign in California. We vote on June 7th. We've been organizing in California since last August. We have that structure together. We're way ahead of the other candidates in that regard because we're prepared to go all the way to June 7th in order to win the nomination. And now that's what it may take because of the delegate math, the number of candidates we have right now. But the sooner we get to a two-person race, the sooner we're going to get to 1,237 and become the nominee.

CAMEROTA: Where is Ted Cruz going to win on Tuesday?

NEHRING: Well, I'm not going to get into the curtain raising business in this regard, but - but -

CAMEROTA: But doesn't he have - now that it's winner take all, doesn't he have to win some states on Tuesday?

NEHRING: Well, sure. And as we go forward, there's plenty of opportunities to win delegates. But, you know, in terms of which states we're going to win, take a look at our travel schedule because we're keeping that type of flexibility. You saw that we were behind by 17 points in the state of Maine, for example, and we came in and won. And we maintain that flexibility because we can watch what's happening, we can leverage the resources that we've already deployed and pick up victories where people didn't expect it. The landslide victory that we had in Kansas, for example, the victory in Alaska, the victory in Idaho, these weren't predicted, but we were able to deliver those anyway because we deployed our resources in a smart way and we have a lot of supporters on the ground.

CAMEROTA: Ron Nehring, great to have you here on NEW DAY. We'll be watching very closely to see what happens on Tuesday.

NEHRING: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: Thanks so much.

All right, CNN will have complete coverage of super Tuesday number three. Five states head to the polls, including Republican winner- take-all states of Florida and Ohio. So the coverage is all day long Tuesday here on CNN.

Well, former First Lady Nancy Reagan will be laid to rest today. Her close friend and former social secretary will share what Mrs. Reagan was like behind the spotlight. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:36:21] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Former First Lady Nancy Reagan will be laid to rest today at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California. She is remembered for her many contributions to the country, but what about behind the scenes? Joining me now to discuss is someone who can speak very directly to that. Linda Faulkner was Nancy Reagan's social secretary. She's now vice president of communications at Traditions Senior Living.

Linda, I know you're going to be attending the services today. What does today mean to you?

LINDA FAULKNER, FORMER NANCY REAGAN SOCIAL SECRETARY: Oh, golly. Well, first of all, my heart goes out to the family. This is a - it is a day of mourning for a very great lady, but it's also a day of celebration and a week of looking back at what a wonderful woman she was. Lots of memories come back.

BERMAN: What did Nancy Reagan - what did Nancy Reagan teach you?

FAULKNER: Oh, you know, my - my involvement with her was on the - in the social arena. And I think the country really appreciated that she brought style and elegance, but I don't think they knew the degree to which she was so talented. She was naturally gifted as a hostess, and she took that job very seriously. She was meticulous. It was not an accident that the state dinners were as wonderful and memorable as they were. It wasn't an accident that John Travolta came and cut in on the president to ask Princess Diana to dance. And she - you know, she thought these things through and she just had a style and an innate talent. A very ecstatic (ph) sense as well.

BERMAN: You know, every performer wants to be a director and a producer. I don't think Nancy Reagan, the former Nancy Davis, the actress, was any different than that. And she became, to a certain extent, a phenomenal producer, just at the national level. We were just looking at that picture of John Travolta dancing with then Princess Diana. How did that moment happen? You credit Nancy Reagan for actually producing this moment we're looking at.

FAULKNER: Well - well, she did. She wanted him to cut in on the president and ask the princess to dance. And, in fact, it was my job to see that that happened. And I remember he was - he was standing sort of on the sidelines watching the guests dance and the president, of course, was dancing with the princess. And so I went up to him and I said, Mr. Travolta, would you please cut in on the president and ask the princess to dance. And he looked at me horrified. He said, I can't cut in on the president. And I said, oh, yes, you can. And I sort of pushed him and, you know, I - I remember he - he finally got together and, of course, the rest is just - everybody backed off of the - of the dance floor and left it to those two. And to also the prince, who was dancing with a wonderful little ballerina from the New York City Ballet. That was no accident either. So it was just an incredible moment.

BERMAN: The pictures are just stunning.

FAULKNER: Wonderful.

BERMAN: You've had a - you had a chance to spend time with Nancy Reagan these last few years. What message do you think she wants today to send to the American people. Look, she was very involved with the services after her husband, Ronald Reagan, died. We know she was very involved with the planning for what today is. So what's the image she wants to portray to the American people?

FAULKNER: Well, I think, again, what I can speak to is what she brought in terms of elegance and style and dignity. Dignity, I think, was very, very important. She just had a way of understanding the White House. She understood the history of the White House. She knew how far to go to make an event just as fun as it could be, with - with a John Travolta or - or - or whatever. But she knew how far not to go. She knew that - and she knew how to make it beautiful.

[08:40:07] I remember at one event we had Louis XVI rose trees and they - that was just - it was a special touch that she brought. I thought - I think that - I think that that awareness of dignity and elegance that belongs at the - at the - at the top of our country, I think she brought that and she would want that to - to be her legacy.

BERMAN: There is something -

FAULKNER: At least a part of it.

BERMAN: There's something so poignant about where she will be laid to rest, beside Ronald Reagan, outside his gorgeous library -

FAULKNER: Yes.

BERMAN: You know, overlooking the horizon, together with her husband, and you get the sense the two of them being together anywhere in the world is exactly what they both would have wanted. FAULKNER: Yes. Well, I know that. And I know she's with him now. And

when I - when I had that sense, I just immediately started to cry. After I - I heard that she had passed away. You know, their love story was palpable. Not only on television, people could see it, but when you worked around them, you could see the affection, the mutual affection. I remember there were times - the morning before a state dinner, we would have to gather down in the - in the diplomatic reception room and wait for the head of state to arrive for the 21-gun salute. And he would come from the Oval Office and she would come from the private residence, and they would have to wait there for a while. And I remember there often she would just kind of drape her arms around his neck and just hang there. And it was such an image I take that they were so comfortable and so loving with each other. And they really didn't care who saw that. It didn't matter. It was just the way they were.

BERMAN: Well, we all saw it, to be sure. Linda Faulkner, thanks so much for being with us this morning. Really appreciate it.

FAULKNER: Well, thank you for having me. I'm honored to be here. I appreciate that. Thank you.

BERMAN: All right, from the symbolism and the majesty of that event, to the presidential campaign. The Republican presidential debates, they've been a magnet for satire. So what happens when the candidate, when they take a break from the name-calling and insults? We're going to ask humorous Dave Barry next.

And we're showing you right now a live look from Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. Donald Trump's estate there, where just a few minutes from the now Dr. Ben Carson will endorse Donald Trump. Who saw this coming a couple of months ago? This should be quite an event. CNN will bring it to you, live.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:46:25] BERMAN: Time for the five things to know for your NEW DAY.

Civility rules at the CNN Republican debate. The four candidates attacking the issues instead of each other. Dr. Ben Carson just minutes from now set to endorse Donald Trump. That happens in Florida. CNN will bring that to you live. Again, in just a few minutes.

Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders campaigning hard ahead of next Tuesday's big contest. Hundreds of delegates are at stake in key battleground states including Florida and Ohio.

Investigators are looking into what sparked this huge fire in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. More than 100 firefighters battled these flames. Luckily, no injuries reported.

The Obama administration is ready to blame Iranian hackers for working their government for a cyber breach at a dam in suburban New York. The 2013 hack was not considered sophisticated; only affected back office systems. And a final farewell to former first lady Nancy Reagan. She will be

laid to rest next to her husband today at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. CNN will cover that live beginning at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time.

For more on the five things to know, go to newayCNN.com for the very latest.

All right. Time to meet our latest CNN Hero. Despite the warm weather, folks in Detroit know not to count out winter too son. That's why Veronica Scott designed a convertible coat for the homeless that turns into a sleeping bag.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VERONICA SCOTT, DESIGNED CONVERTIBLE COAT FOR THE HOMELESS: The jacket itself was meant to offer people warmth and a little bit of pride, because you see so many people on the streets that are wearing somebody else's trash. Somebody else's throw away. So it was about creating something that was made specifically for them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: For more of Veronica's story go to cnnheroes.com and nominate someone you think should be a 2016 CNN hero.

All right. The one liners at last night's Republican debate were more policy than punch lines. So what's a humorous to make of actual straight talk? Pulitzer Prize-winning humorous Dave Barry joins us next, live.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:50:39] CAMEROTA: Substance instead of insults during last night's GOP debate. That is great news for the country. But bad news for joke writers.

Here with us with his take, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and humorous Dave Barry. He's also the author of a new book, "Live Right and Find Happiness."

Dave, great to have you here.

DAVE BARRY, PULLITZER PRIZE-WINNING HUMOR COLUMNIST: Good to be here.

CAMEROTA: How miserable are you?

BARRY: It was awful. I mean, I don't know about you, but I speak for millions when I say we don't tune into these debates to see civil discussions of issues. Okay? Somebody hit Donald Trump with a tranquilizer dart early on last night and it just -- it was downhill the whole -- it was awful. I just sat there waiting for something. You know?

CAMEROTA: Yeah. The nothing.

BARRY: No.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: He says he only counterpunches. So is it really fair to put it on him and not the other --

BARRY: Yes! We have come to depend on him. I speak for the humor industry -- step up.

CUOMO: The nonsilent majority?

BARRY: Yeah. And they were kind of insulting him without actually insulting him. In other words like Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz and John Kasich would say, here is what I specifically would do about this and then they all look at Donald and go -- and we need to make a better deal. You know, we need some deals. Make a deal. Making deals.

CUOMO: It's terrible.

CAMEROTA: Well, if you want to take a little look back to happier times for you.

BARRY: Yeah. Happy when things were bad.

CAMEROTA: We have do have point -- contrasts. The last debate filled with insults that you loved, versus last night. Watch this.

BARRY: Okay.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Look at those hands. Are they small hands? And -- he referred to my hands. It they're small, something else must be small. I guarantee you, there's no problem. I guarantee it.

We're going to come up with solutions. We're going to find the answers to things, and so far I cannot believe how civil it's been up here.

MARCO RUBIO (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You asked him about the economy and the first thing he does is launch an attack about some little guy thing, because he doesn't have answers and he's asking us to make him the president of the United States.

The policy Donald has outlined, I don't know if he realizes, is an anti-Israeli policy. Maybe that's not your intent, by here is why it is an anti-Israeli policy --

TED CRUZ (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: He supported her four times in a presidential race --

TRUMP: It's a minor civil case.

CRUZ: Donald, learn not to interrupt. It's not complicated.

TRUMP: There are many, many civil cases.

CRUZ: Count to ten, Donald, count to ten. Count to ten.

This debate is not about insults, it's not about attacks, it's not about any of the individuals on this stage. This election is about you and your children.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CAMEROTA: The good old days.

BARRY: I miss it. I miss it a lot.

CUOMO: He means it.

BARRY: Yeah, I do.

CAMEROTA: I believe him.

BARRY: I mean -- Seriously now, what are people going to be talking about next week, you know, two weeks from now? They're not going to be talking about that, what we saw last night.

CUOMO: Oh, we'll give you a little bit of red meat. You have got Ben Carson endorsing Donald Trump.

BARRY: Yeah. If we can understand what Ben said. He's a very soft- spoken individual and you can't -- you know -- ought to enunciate what he's actually saying.

CUOMO: Do you think that there's a chance that he may speak this morning and not actually endorse him, but we may translate it as that anyway?

BARRY: Yes. He may start out the way he does and kind of get -- drift off into some other topic altogether. You can never tell. So that might be interesting. That might be fun. And who knows, Mr. Trump may bring out another product or something. Some good could happen.

CAMEROTA: I mean the good news is you do have many months ahead where they could revert to insults.

BARRY: I hope. We can only hope.

CAMEROTA: That's right.

BARRY: For America.

CAMEROTA: Yes. (Laughing). Your face. Oh, Dave.

CUOMO: You're feeding the problem by laughing at him.

CAMEROTA: No, I'm enjoying the problem.

CUOMO: All right.

CAMEROTA: Dave Barry, you're never the problem. You're the solution.

BARRY: Thank you. And I am willing to run for president if it gets to that point.

CAMEROTA: If called upon, you will serve?

BARRY: I favor the death penalty for whoever is responsible for making Americans use the low-flow toilets. That's where I stand.

CAMEROTA: Wow. That's great. Who can't get behind that?

BARRY: So to speak. Yeah.

CAMEROTA: Dave Barry, thanks so much. Great to have you here on NEW DAY, as always.

BARRY: My pleasure.

CAMEROTA: All right. Stay with CNN. We will have live coverage of the aforementioned Donald Trump news conference with Dr. Ben Carson announcing his endorsement in just moments.

[08:54:33] "NEWSROOM" with Carol Costello begins right after this quick break. See you Sunday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN HOST: And good morning. I'm Carol Costello. Thank you so much for joining me. Donald Trump on the verge of a big endorsement. At any moment now, one-time rival Ben Carson is expected to officially throw his support behind Donald Trump. That could give the Republican frontrunner a big boost among the GOP base and among conservatives. It's kind of a surprising choice given Trump's nasty attacks on Carson and Carson-shared evangelical roots with Ted Cruz.

Here's another surprise -- no attacks, no insults, no name-calling in CNN's Republican debate last night. In fact, even Trump voiced disbelief at how civil everything was.

There's a lot to break down this morning. So let's bring in CNN's Sara Murray and also Dana Bash. They're at the Trump news conference waiting for that to begin. So Sara, tell us more.

SARA MURRARY, CNN POLITICAL REPORTER: Yes, good morning, Carol. Any minute now Donald Trump will come out here and officially pick up Dr. Ben Carson's endorsement. And while it may seem a little strange or a little out of nowhere, actually the two of them both own homes in Palm Beach, they've been friendly for awhile and a Carson insider told me that Ben Carson is still feeling a little bit of animosity toward Cruz after everything that happened in Iowa. I also think this is a way for Donald Trump to say that Republicans are now coalescing behind him. As we saw on the debate stage last night, he's trying to appear more presidential and instead of childish insults, we actually saw the candidates digging in on policy differences.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TRUMP: I cannot believe how civil its been up here. MURRARY (voice-over): A major shift in tone at last night's GOP

debate. The rivals moving away from the personal attacks of the past --

RUBIO: Have you seen his hands? They're like this.

TRUMP: And little Marco spews his crap.

And I call him lyin' Ted.

MURRARY: And toward more civil contrast as Trump's competitors argue he doesn't have the details to back up his campaign promises.