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Sanders: 'We Win When the Turnout is High'; Trump Looks to Regain Momentum with New York Win. Aired 7-7:30a ET

Aired April 19, 2016 - 07:00   ET

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

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The other folks that are running, they couldn't care less about New York.

[07:00:04] SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (D-VT), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: New York state can help take a giant step forward for the political revolution. Let's do it!

SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: People are waking up, and help is on the way.

SANDERS: We've got bad news for them. We are winning.

TRUMP: I'll tell you what: you're going to have a rough July at that convention.

GOV. JOHN KASICH (R-OH), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: He feeds into their fears and then says, "Don't worry. Just trust me. It will all be fixed."

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: He's the donkey of the decade.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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

BALDWIN: Thank you.

CUOMO: Good morning. Welcome to your NEW DAY. Alisyn is off. Brooke Baldwin is here on a very Brooke day, Brooke, the New York primary. Delegate-rich New York, 247 Democratic delegates up for grabs. Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, still working it here, hitting the streets, making last-minute pitches for the hearts and minds of the Empire State.

Clinton is hoping to lock up the nomination saying, "Look, I've gotten too far. It's over." Sanders said, not so fast.

BALDWIN: So you have the Democrats. Then you have the Republicans. Donald Trump, his supporters, expecting, hoping for a hometown landslide today. The Republican front-runner determined to take all of the 95 of the state's Republican delegates by winning more than 50 percent of the vote, but as New Yorkers head to the polls this morning there is another shake-up in the Trump campaign. So what's going on? Throughout the show, we will be talking to real

New York voters about the candidates and the most important issues to them. Stand by for that. But first, we have the New York primary covered the only way CNN can. We begin this morning in Brooklyn -- Brooklyn, with Chris Frates.

Chris, good morning.

CHRIS FRATES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning, Brooke, and it's finally here. The New York primary, and battle of Brooklyn comes down to this -- Brooklyn native Bernie Sanders trying to upset Hillary Clinton and her Brooklyn Heights-based campaign. The two Democrats crisscrossing New York yesterday. Bernie Sanders taking five hours to shake hands, kiss babies and remind voters what's at stake today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SANDERS: We win when the turnout is high. We lose when the turnout is low. Tomorrow, let us all do everything we can to make sure that New York state has the largest turnout in a Democratic primary in its history.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRATES: Now, Bernie Sanders trying to get that turnout high so he can win by as big of a margin as possible. Remember, no winner-take-all in New York. You win by proportion, and Bernie Sanders needs a high proportion to cut into Hillary Clinton's lead.

Now, Hillary Clinton feeling pretty good coming into today, leading in the polls. And she's hoping to win as many delegates as possible to make it almost mathematically impossible for Bernie Sanders to catch her.

And to give you some sense of how much is riding on today, the Sanders a Clinton campaigns trading accusations to the very bitter end here. The Sanders camp saying that Hillary Clinton is trying to circumvent campaign finance laws. The Clinton people saying that's absolutely false. It's just another character attack by a desperate Bernie Sanders, and that just gives you some sense of how much is at stake as the voters stream into the polls behind me, Michaela.

PEREIRA: The rhetoric ramps up. So does the energy in the room behind you. Exciting. It's good that you're tall. You can see over the crowds. All right, Chris. Thank you.

We turn to the Republicans. Now Donald Trump poised for a big win in New York today, but is there trouble brewing within the front-runner's campaign? A top aide has resigned. Reports that his campaign manager's role has been dramatically reduced.

Jason Carroll is live in Staten Island with more on what is going on within the Trump campaign.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, first of all, that's why a big win, Michaela, is so important for the Trump campaign. What it will help do is reset the narrative, give him momentum going forward.

As you know, lately Trump has been all about criticizing the delegate system. He's very upset about the way delegates have been awarded, upset about those losses in Wyoming and Colorado, saying that Ted Cruz unfairly got in there, and worked the ground. As a result, some are saying, Trump's national field director, Stuart Jolly, announced his resignation yesterday.

Jolly saying he was doing it voluntarily, saying no one forced him to step down. Last night in Buffalo, no talk about that. No talk about restructuring his campaign. Instead it was all that talk, more talk, about that crooked delegate system.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: The system is rigged. It's not meant for a guy like me, who's not taking any money from these special interests. I'm self-funding my campaign. I came up here. I pay for it, to come up here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARROLL: So just a few folks coming out here at the site where we are.

Also last night some sharp words for Ted Cruz. Trump basically saying that Cruz hates New Yorkers. Some sharp words for him, saying, no New Yorker could get out there and call himself a New Yorker and vote for Ted Cruz.

[07:05:13] Again, hoping for a big win here in the state of New York. What that would do is give him momentum going forward, especially looking forward at the next upcoming races in places like Pennsylvania, Maryland, Rhode Island and Connecticut, where Trump is polling very, very well -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: Jason, thank you.

We have much more on the Trump campaign coming up, but polls have been open a little more than an hour here in New York, and some counties. Turnout will be key, especially for Bernie Sanders.

Question is, can he pull off the unexpected and upset Hillary Clinton in New York? Let's go to Miguel Marquez, who is live in Lancaster, New York, where people are already out and about casting their votes.

Miguel, good morning.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Casting in Lancaster. Brooke, good morning to you. This is just outside of Buffalo, the state's second largest city. You can see people are already checking in here to vote. Then they go over there to check in with their voting district, and then they vote behind those white cardboard things there.

There is -- about a 300,000 new voters since December 1 across the entire state. Also keep in mind, this is a closed primary, meaning that if you want to vote for Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton, you have to be a Democrat. Want to vote for a Republican, you have to be a Republican.

There are some concerns that people have tried to vote -- have tried to register after the cut-off date, and they may be turned away from the polls. Today, we will wait and see.

Chris, back to you.

CUOMO: All right, Miguel, we'll check back when you figure out what those things are called in front of those people's faces that's going to wind up being very important, my brother. Very important. All right. I'll talk to you in a little bit.

CUOMO: Joining us now to discuss the Democratic primary race in New York, former New York City council speaker Christine Quinn, a Hillary Clinton supporter; and current city councilman Rafael Espinal, backing Bernie Sanders. Good to have you both here.

So you were with the secretary for most of the day yesterday. The biggest reason why New Yorkers should vote for Hillary Clinton is...

CHRISTINE QUINN, FORMER NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL SPEAKER: Because she's already delivered for us as our United States senator, as our secretary of state. We saw her change the dynamic for women when she stood up in Beijing and said women's rights are human rights and then Geneva, when she stood up and said gay rights are human rights.

We want that kind of a visionary fighter who can deliver in the White House so she can deliver just like she did for us when she was in the United States Senate.

CUOMO: And Councilman, your biggest problem with that is...

RAFAEL ESPINAL, NEW YORK CITY COUNCILMAN: The biggest problem with that is that Bernie Sanders is going to win this election. He speaks to New Yorkers. He understands the issues that we're facing when it comes to income inequality. He's not afraid to tackle climate change. He's seen that he's been directing straight up while Hillary has danced around many of the questions that are important to us New Yorkers and Americans.

So I'm looking forward to seeing the voters come out and support Bernie Sanders.

CUOMO: A case in point that is made is the $15 minimum wage. As we all know, the unattractive Cuomo brother went all over the state in an RV to get $15 an hour down state, $12-plus upstate. Very important to him, politics aside.

Hillary Clinton does not do $15 an hour. She's gone both ways on it. "Yes, I'm in favor of it, but it's up to the states. Let's start at $12." Bernie says $15 all day long. Is that a meaningful distinction?

QUINN: Well, let me cover all politics here and say the equally attractive Cuomo brother.

CUOMO: Oh, come on. Come on. Now you can't be believed about anything, Christine. Now nobody will believe you, Christine. Now is we move on, we won't believe you.

QUINN: You know, I think -- the secretary of state was very clear at the debate. She's always been with the fight for $15. But just as we saw on the legislation that Governor Cuomo passed here in New York, which has been heralded by labor leaders and those fighting against income inequality all across the country, some you have -- sometimes you have to phase things in, in different ways, depending on the economic situation of a jurisdiction, as we saw.

In New York, upstate is treated differently than down state. That's part of what got the law passed. That's part of what will get dollars into New Yorkers' pockets. And it's that smart, focused delivering attitude that will come to the White House, just as it did in Albany, and get a higher minimum wage for Americans.

I don't think she's wavered at all. I think she made it very clear at the debate that, if you disagree with Senator Sanders in how you get to a goal. He just writes you off as a waffler and part of the establishment, but, in fact, the process to get to someplace and get there quickly and effectively is as important as the goal. Because otherwise, all you're doing is putting out rhetoric and ideas without the reality of how you make them happen. And without them happening, they're nothing but words to Americans.

[07:10:16] CUOMO: Talk is cheap. Got to walk the walk. Fair criticism?

ESPINAL: Fair criticism. You know, I think your brother did a great job in passing the minimum wage for $15 an hour. And the question is whether or not the country should take the same move. I think it should, you know. It serves as a national model. Bernie Sanders believes $15 should be across the country. How we get there? I'm not sure. Maybe we can look at certain states that should be at $12, and others $15. But the point is the federal government should take the charge, making sure $15 is minimum wage.

CUOMO: A lot of people don't believe $15 an shower is the remedy for the working class. A lot of people believe that it doesn't make sense economically or pragmatically, that you'll stifle business. So it's not a done deal either way, but the question, should you be consistent on it?

QUINN: And I think there -- some people do think that, though there is no evidence that that bears out in the jurisdictions as they've raised minimum wage historically across the country. Leading economists say that over and over. That doesn't bear out.

And I think what the council member just said is very consistent to what we've heard Secretary Clinton saw. Yes, the frost government should be pushing for the fight for $15, no question.

But if in some places, we need to phase it in, as we're doing in upstate New York, and that's the reality that gets us there, then that's what we need to do. Because it's about, yes, the vision, and then how you get there. Because that's what Americans need.

CUOMO: Why are you shaking your head?

ESPINAL: I don't think we can hold states accountable. You know, we've seen these issues when it comes to marriage quality. Right? States take their time, take their time to actually pass laws that affect the individuals living in those states. So the federal government has to take the charge and take the lead in making sure minimum wage is $15.

QUINN: No question, and, look, I think important issues, you know, sometimes they're in states' jurisdictions. Sometimes they shouldn't be. The councilman was right about that.

But when the federal government takes the lead for the country, that doesn't always mean that there is only one implementation process equally the same in all 50 states. And I think, when you look at something like marriage equality, we really do see that it does take the federal government at the end. And that's why I think when you see...

CUOMO: Except it was -- it was an equal protection issue, right? So that wound up being a constitutional issue.

QUINN: No, but it's about -- yes, but I think it's about leadership. Right? And I think what we've seen Secretary Clinton, is a clear desire to continue the type of leadership we've seen with President Obama. And his leadership, in my opinion, was one of the key tipping points on marriage.

CUOMO: This has been a testing point for Hillary Clinton here in New York, where she is on the minimum wage. Similar one for Senator Sanders has been his thoughts on not just gun policy, but really one specific thing. The metaphor effect of where he is on whether or not you should be able to go after manufacturers.

We had him on the show yesterday. He changed his answer. He said, "Yes, the Newtown families should be able to sue. They are suing."

I said, "Well, they are suing, because a judge said they can. You've said that you thought they shouldn't be able to."

He said, "Well, no. I think that in concept, yes, for marketing they should be able to." He seems to be moving on that. And as a man who's known for his consistency is that a problem for voters in New York state?

ESPINAL: I mean, the truth is that he believes that everyone should have the right to sue. That's what it comes down to. So the question is whether can you sue the gun manufacturers or not? I think that his fundamental issue is that he believes Americans as Americans have the right to sue if they believe they're able to sue.

CUOMO: But does he believe that the manufacturers should win those suits, if it's about how they market the products they sell?

ESPINAL: I can't answer that, but what I can answer is that he is concerned about the mom-and-pop shops, is concerned about whether or not the little man will be heard and wants to make sure that, there are jobs that continue to be produced in this country. And that's his overall concern when it comes to manufacturers.

CUOMO: All right. We've got to wrap it up after this. One quick question. You guys going to be friends at the end of all of this?

QUINN: We were, we are and we will be.

CUOMO: That's a big concern, what happens after these primaries.

QUINN: Everyone says that no way, that people wouldn't come together and they did around President Obama. And they will again.

ESPINAL: Behind Sanders.

QUINN: Clinton.

CUOMO: Very well. Well on you. Well on you.

QUINN: The final word.

CUOMO: Thank you very much. Brooke.

BALDWIN: Well done. Well done. Thank you.

Checking some of the other headlines on this Tuesday morning, Brazil's embattled president refusing to resign in the face of impeachment proceedings. Dilma Rousseff vowing to fight to keep her job, saying she's done nothing wrong. She's accused of manipulating public funds to hide a massive budget deficit when she was seeking reelection in 2014. She says her impeachment fight won't impact the Olympic games, scheduled to begin in Rio de Janeiro this August.

PEREIRA: A landmark immigration case is now in the hands of the eight Supreme Court justices, and they appear split 4-4 along ideological lines.

After hearing oral arguments Monday, the court must decide whether President Obama overreached his authority by taking executive action to shield more than four million undocumented immigrants from deportation. A tie vote in the Supreme Court would spell defeat for the president.

CUOMO: A controversial transgender bathroom bill is now on hold until 2017. The Tennessee lawmaker sponsoring the legislation says she stands by it but wants to study the issue more. This bill would require public school students to use restrooms corresponding with their sex at birth.

Meantime, Pearl Jam joining the ranks of musical acts boycotting shows in North Carolina, where a similar bathroom measure is now law, saying that it encourages discrimination. BALDWIN: Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams, it grows and

grows, although I think Cyndi Lauper is having her show, but she's -- she wants to do, like, an LGBT community, raise some funds.

PEREIRA: Yes. There's a few artists that are saying, "I'm raising awareness." Yes. "I want to do other work to sort of voice my support for the issue."

CUOMO: This gets -- it is tricky. Here's why. You know, gay marriage was tricky, also, except that was a clear constitutional issue. This is about culture. So you'll see your cultural purveyors, right?

PEREIRA: Isn't equality a constitutional issue?

CUOMO: It can be, but this hasn't been litigated, and that's why these laws are popping up, because the Constitution hasn't been reconciled on it. You know, just as big as music is faith. And that's pushing the ball here, as well.

BALDWIN: Yes. Happening there also, they've been talking obviously -- today's the big primary day here in New York. This morning in the headlines, potential Trump campaign shake-up. He's obviously hoping for a landslide victory in his home state today. Could this be a sign of trouble? We will hear from team Trump, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:20:34] BALDWIN: Welcome back. You're watching NEW DAY. On New York primary day, the big question surrounding team Trump is who's actually running the campaign? Trump's national field manager stepping down, and there are now reports this morning that the role of campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, has been dramatically reduced. What's going on?

Let's go straight to the co-chair of Trump's campaign, U.S. House Leadership Committee Republican Congressman from New York Chris Collins.

Congressman, good morning.

REP. CHRIS COLLINS (R), NEW YORK: Good morning, Brooke.

BALDWIN: I know -- I know you're out laying -- firing up the crowd at the first Niagara Center there in Buffalo, and I promise I want to ask you about that in just a second.

But first, help us understand what is going on, the internal rumblings within the Trump campaign. We reported that the person who was running field operations has up and quit, but who -- who beyond Trump at the top, Congressman, who is steering the ship?

COLLINS: Well, you know, actually, that's not a role that I play. That's up to Mr. Trump what he's doing, but I think you're just seeing some growing pains. And now, as the campaign is transitioning, if you will, into what will ultimately be a general election campaign against Hillary Clinton.

I think these are normal changes within any organization that you're likely to see as Mr. Trump is adding some very high-level and professional individuals. So personally, I can't speak to exactly all the inner workings, because that's not my job.

BALDWIN: Let me ask it this way.

COLLINS: My job is working for my constituents.

BALDWIN: I got you, I got you. I understand Mr. Trump was just asked about this, pressed, because this is sort of in the bloodstream this morning. The "New York Times" is reporting that Paul Manafort is the one largely steering the ship. We've been talking about Corey Lewandowski, who his actual job is campaign manager.

Mr. Mr. Trump just came on TV and said, you know, yes, feel people's feelings get upset when you bring other people in. But here we are. This is the big New York primary day. California is just around the corner. You know, what -- what sort of signal does this send to not just the Trump campaign but supporters that major changes are afoot? Big deal, or not too much?

COLLINS: Well, I think the big deal is that you're seeing Mr. Trump add some very key individuals. There were some speed bumps earlier on that Mr. Trump's acknowledged that all of us saw.

So he's brought on additional individuals like Mr. Manafort, and I think you're going to see changes, like I say, in any organization. I think it's positive. Mr. Trump acknowledging he needed more people within the organization. And, sure, you always see a little bit of in-fighting when that happens, you know, turf wars. So I don't make anything of it.

You know, like he said today, we're focused on New York, 95 delegates. Last night big, big night with the crowd. The enthusiasm was through the roof. Would have thought it was a Stanley Cup final in our hockey arena. Screaming, "USA, USA, build the wall, build the wall." I mean, it was -- the excitement, the electricity in our arena was -- you had to be there to appreciate it.

BALDWIN: We have some sound. Let's listen to Mr. Trump there in Buffalo.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: We're going to show Ted Cruz, who hates New York -- hates New York. When you look at that debate, and you see the way he talked about us and New York values, here's a man that turned down Sandy money for this state, and plenty of other money. We had lots of things coming into New York, and he voted against. No New Yorker can vote for Ted Cruz.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: How are you feeling going into today? How, you know, 95 delegates up for grabs. I don't know if Ted Cruz actually hates New York or not, but how are you feeling about how Trump's chances will be in New York today?

COLLINS: Oh, I mean, he's going to, almost, if not, clean the slate here. The 27 congressional district. You know, it's just a question. Does he hit 55 or 70 percent in the 27 congressional district. That's Buffalo and the surrounding area.

He's going to do extraordinarily well. We've lost our jobs to China and Mexico. They've stolen our jobs. So the enthusiasm, the chanting you heard last night, it's going to show up today. I think we're going to have a record primary turnout.

And you know, Mr. Trump, I'm confident, is going to win every congressional district. The only question will be, does he get 51 percent in every congressional district to take all three delegates per seat. So 85, 90, even 95, I wouldn't put it out of the question that he could, you know, certainly do 85 delegates, if not 90.

[07:25:07] BALDWIN: You bring up an important point about there's been so much focus on how people are feeling ahead of this primary in the city of Manhattan, but there you are in Buffalo. You know, you represent the district between Rochester and Buffalo.

You mentioned, you know, tough times economically. Job losses which so many people in this country can relate to. You're there on the ground. I mean, anecdotally, what really is on the minds of voters where you are, Congressman?

COLLINS: It is certainly, we're all worried about ISIS, and what's going on in the national level, but in this area, jobs, jobs and jobs. The jobs that were stolen. The manufacturing jobs where there's a 5- 6-1 multiplier. All the extra jobs that either come in with a manufacturing job or leave when they're heading to China or Mexico.

So our area has been devastated economically. We've lost population, certainly as the rest of the world has grown. You know, I pointed out, I'm New York 27. It used to be New York 45. We've lost 40 percent of our congressional representation, as our area has been devastated over the last few decades. So it's -- it's worries about our children and our grandchildren, and having a future for them in western New York.

So that is what Mr. Trump has tapped into, and that's why, you know, not only now in the primary, but come the general election, this is where he's tapped into the Democrats and the Republican -- and the independent frustration with the establishment.

So he's not only going to do great today, but come November, he's going to do extraordinarily well in western New York.

BALDWIN: First member of Congress to endorse Mr. Trump, Congressman Chris Collins there. Thanks very much. Happy voting.

COLLINS: Thank you, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Chris, to you.

CUOMO: And Brooke, Congressman making a good argument for why New York is so important, the metaphor effect of the issues here reflecting what's going on around the country and a lot of delegates at stake, as well.

You can only take so much from the pundits and politicians in terms of what's going to happen. This comes down to you. It's come down to the real people, the voters. What matters most? What's influencing you? What's bothering you? We speak to these good-looking, resolute and some yet undecided New Yorkers, when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)