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Boko Haram Kidnapping; Democratic Unrest; Trump Supporter Panel. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired May 18, 2016 - 08:30   ET

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

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Jeff Weaver, appreciate you making the case for the senator. Congratulations on the win last night. Appreciate you being on NEW DAY.

JEFF WEAVER, BERNIE SANDERS CAMPAIGN MANAGER: Thank you very much.

CUOMO: All right.

WEAVER: Thank you. Happy to be here.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: OK, we do have the view from the other side. Our panel of Donald Trump supporters is going to weigh in on the race and whether his lack of foreign policy experience is a concern for them. We'll talk to them momentarily.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

CAMEROTA: And we do have some very important breaking news to tell you right now on the fate of those 300 Nigerian school girls kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014. One of these school girls has been found. CNN's David McKenzie is live in Johannesburg with all of the breaking details.

What have you learned, David?

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Alisyn, what we've learned from activists and vigilante groups in Nigeria, that one of the girls from Chibok, those more than 270 girls who were kidnapped more than two years ago, held by Boko Haram, an ISIS-linked group in Nigeria, has been freed according to those activists. No word yet from the government. They found her on the edge of Boko Haram's stronghold, the Sambisa Forest, and they say she's been handed over to the Nigerian military. Good news certainly. The first girl potentially released from this terrible, terror group after more than two years of captivity.

[08:35:13] Alisyn. Chris.

CAMEROTA: David, please, please, keep us posted. Just an incredible story there. Such - I mean, one is not 300, but it's still a good news story.

CUOMO: And, remember, one of the unfortunate wrinkles, David and others for CNN have reported this very fully (ph), a lot of them, they are unknown where they are. It's about, is there the willingness to go into that stronghold. And it's an - really, it's an open insult that's going on in that society.

CAMEROTA: Wow. We will bring you the latest as soon as we have it.

CUOMO: Donald Trump supporters have heard it all. The revelations about his past, the lack of experience, where are those taxes. Will any of that change their minds? We're going to put it to the panel of Donald Trump voters live in our studio straight ahead and fully caffeinated.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CAMEROTA: OK, moments ago we had Sanders' campaign manager Jeff Weaver addressing, here on the show, the DNC chairwoman, Debbie Wasserman Schultz's criticism about the infighting and the violence and whether or not Sanders has gone far enough to condemn it. They have been going back and forth and you saw it play out here on NEW DAY. Is the Democratic Party possibly bracing for a behind the scenes mess at their convention?

[08:40:18] Joining us to discuss all of this, CNN political director David Chalian and CNN Politics executive editor Mark Preston.

OK, let's just start there, David. Is the Democratic Party now rivalling the Republican Party for who will have a messier convention now?

DAVID CHALIAN, CNN POLITICAL DIRECTOR: I don't think it's quite equivalent yet. I mean what happened in the Republican Party this year was a real earthquake inside the party, but I do think that the task of bringing the Democratic Party back together is bigger than perhaps the Clinton campaign had initially prepared for. And I think we see that now because the nature in which the Sanders' supporters and the high command of the Sanders campaign and the candidate himself are finishing out this process indices that they are in absolutely no hurry to make nice and come together.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

CUOMO: Now, fair criticism. I was wrong when I said that these two parties both are in existential crisis, Preston, among others, was like, Democrats aren't in existential crisis, you know, they have a crisis going on, but it's not like what the GOP is doing.

CAMEROTA: This is quite a moment. Chris is admitting that he was wrong.

CUOMO: You - you were right.

CAMEROTA: This is at 8:41 -

CUOMO: Historical -

CAMEROTA: Let's mark this down, the date - CUOMO: This has - this has never happened where the two of us are involved. But it did happen with you, Preston.

But my question to you is this, maybe to savage my point a little bit. Hillary Clinton, 2008, everyone says, well, she was in the Sanders position, she won a string at the end and - but it was hope and change that was her opponent and wound up beating her in the form of then Senator Barack Obama. She's up against hope and change again in the form of Bernie Sanders, who arguably does not have a lot of the appeal that Barack Obama had, but she's struggling against it. And hope and change, you may not like the form certain voters, certainly Democrats, is what Donald Trump offers. Is that an Achilles' heel for her, as going against candidates who represent hope and change?

MARK PRESTON, CNN POLITICS EXECUTIVE EDITOR: I think that if you look back at '08, there was a long game for Hillary Clinton, meaning she was going to run again, right, no matter - so she lost that nomination battle, but she was already looking ahead to where we are right now. Bernie Sanders is not going to run again. And included in that hope and change is one word, revolution. And Bernie Sanders' whole political career has been fueled by this idea that he is going to run the revolution and lead the revolution.

CUOMO: Would you say it is existential movement for him?

CAMEROTA: He's trying to cover his words.

PRESTON: What I would say is this. I would say that Bernie Sanders has to be very careful over the next few weeks about how he closes this out. He needs to look powerful and in control with the people who have followed him, at the same time not destroying the Democratic Party.

CAMEROTA: OK, let's talk about what happened this weekend where we saw Bernie Sanders supporters grow hostile. They - there was some violence. They have threatened some of the party apparatus because they think - look at this. I mean this is, you know, this is them. They're screaming. They're reacting. They had left some threatening voicemails for the party chair there in Nevada. Has Bernie Sanders gone far enough in shutting that stuff down?

CHALIAN: Well, not if you ask Debbie Wasserman Schultz -

CAMEROTA: Right.

CHALIAN: The chairwoman of the Democratic Party. She certainly thinks he has not. You know, what his supporters are doing, they are rebelling against rules that they think were being manipulated to service the Clinton campaign. And -

CUOMO: Is that true?

CHALIAN: Well, I don't know that the rules were being manipulated in a way that they weren't written to be. I mean they were the rules of the process.

CAMEROTA: But were they written -- yes, so were they written to always favor the establishment candidate and not the outsider?

CHALIAN: I think most state party and national party rules on both sides are written to protect those already in power in the party.

PRESTON: Right.

CHALIAN: That - that is - so they are - the very essence of their camp - campaign is anti-establishment. They are rebelling against rules that are not working in their favor, so you can understand their frustration. I think where Bernie Sanders has to step in is, when frustration boils over to this kind of vitriol that was left on a voicemail, they condemned it, but he has to do more to speak to unwinding his supporters from this presuppose of this very fervent nature that they've brought to the campaign right now.

CUOMO: They don't have a great answer for that.

CHALIAN: And I think he has a responsibility to do that.

CUOMO: Weaver - well, no, I get, if I'm in that campaign, I don't want to get ahead of myself either. But Weaver, when we put that question to him of, you know, the dirt is going to shift. How are you going to get your people on board with Hilary when you're saying that her candidacy would be a disaster, they go right to Trump. Well, we already said, you know, we'll do anything to stop Trump. We'll give her - they don't talk about Clinton specifically. Just too early?

PRESTON: Right. No, but - no. You know, the Claire McCaskill interview that you did earlier, which I was kind of surprised how she answered this question, is that there's been a lot of blame laid at the doorstep of Bernie Sanders in particular. And to David's points, he does need to unwind these people. However, he's not the one out there inciting the violence. These are just a few of the millions that are whatever that is following him.

Now, I thought Claire McCaskill was absolutely right when she said, listen, this isn't him that's doing it, it's some of his supporters. And in the end, we are going to come together as a party. And, you know, to the point at the talk (ph), the Republican Party has a lot more mending to do than the passions that we're seeing right now among the Democratic Party with the Bernie Sanders people. I mean, look, there's work to do before they get to Philadelphia. But the fact of the matter is, the Bernie Sanders folks are going to get behind Hillary Clinton. And the idea that they're going to get behind Donald Trump I think is such a red herring.

[08:45:30] CAMEROTA: OK. David, Mark, thank you. Great to have you guys here in studio.

CHALIAN: Thanks.

CAMEROTA: Donald Trump, as you know, says he'll make America great again. He has been short on some specifics of how to do that, but it does not seem to bother his supporters. We'll ask them why. We have our panel of Donald Trump voters, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CUOMO: All right. We have been speaking to supporters of Donald Trump this morning about why they want him in the White House. Is Trump's persona masking a lack of policy chops? Do they care about anything that's been coming out about him and disclosures and transparency and his past? Want to discuss?

CAMEROTA: Yes, let's do that.

CUOMO: OK.

CAMEROTA: Let's bring in our panel.

Hi, guys.

PANEL: Hi.

CUOMO: So let's get a little reminder here.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

CUOMO: Just show of hands, OK. Who is re-thinking support of Trump because of anything that has come out in the last week or so about his past or what he's doing or not doing with transparency? Anybody rethinking? You better keep your hand down, Chalaire, because every time I say anything about Trump that could be even vaguely negative, you attack me. Why are you moving?

[08:50:02] CHALAIRE MILLER, SUPPORTS DONALD TRUMP: I'm stronger in my support.

CUOMO: Oh, you're stronger. OK. All right.

CAMEROTA: Oh, you're stronger in your support.

MILLER: Right.

CAMEROTA: What has bolstered it?

MILLER: You know what, it's the woman thing. I - the ad that came out with Hillary and everyone's talking about it. The way I feel about it is that, I mean, are we really crucifying him for saying Rosie O'Donnell looks like a pig? I mean have we seen Rosie O'Donnell?

CAMEROTA: But it was more than Rosie O'Donnell, in fairness.

MILLER: Right. And he said women, you're not a ten if you have breast implants. I think women agree with that, if you look at how much they spent on breast implants last year. So -

CAMEROTA: OK. So you think he's just telling the truth? You don't think - see these things as being pejorative somehow for women?

MILLER: No. This is - I feel that people who support Hillary Clinton, women who support her, should be upset with that ad because it's saying that you're not smart enough to think about the economy, illegal immigration. You're - they're just playing on our emotion as women. So that's what I feel about that ad.

CAMEROTA: OK, that raises the next question. How many of you are voting for Donald Trump's personality over policy? You're more attracted to his personality. None of you. None of you think that you are going for his personality over policy? Because, Pax, you're raising your eyebrows over the back of your head right now at me. Wow. And so - I mean, about policy, you know, some people have thought he hasn't given enough specifics. What's your take?

PAX HART, SUPPORTS DONALD TRUMP: Well, he actually gave as many specifics as any of the other GOP candidates did, they just weren't being covered.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's right.

HART: When he first announced, I - I went back and I read a book that he published in 2011.

CAMEROTA: Sure.

HART: It was called "Time To get Tough." What he was talking about is exactly the policies that he's covering right now. It's the economy, it's an American first foreign policy position, illegal immigration, and not just illegal immigration but regular immigration. If you look back at interviews he gave 30 years ago, his stance on foreign trade is exactly - very well thought out and exactly what he was saying 30 years ago.

CAMEROTA: OK.

CUOMO: Joe?

JOE KOVAC, SUPPORTS DONALD TRUMP: I think that what we need to take a look at also is, is that since he was never involved in politics, besides a contributor, of course he's not going to be as polished as Hillary Clinton, who has been running for president for the past 25 years. She's been running since her husband was re-elected to a second terms. And he may not have as many policy details in place as she does, but, again, I agree with - with Pax that he has said the same thing time and time again and his -

CAMEROTA: So you don't see any inconsistencies?

CUOMO: But what about when he doesn't? What about when he doesn't say the same thing? He's also just came out with this new word "flexible" -

KOVAC: OK.

CUOMO: Which he uses as a label for I am going to -

CAMEROTA: Let's ask Maricelly.

CUOMO: I am going to flip flop on things.

CAMEROTA: So we can get her - CUOMO: I am going to change my tax policy.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

CUOMO: Dodd-Frank, that's the bill that came out to stop the banks from being too big, OK. So he had been like, yes, that's good, I'm coming after those Wall Streeters and I'm going to teach them a lesson. You know, they're not going to like me, I'll tell you that right now. Now he says, I'm going to dismantle Dodd-Frank. It hasn't worked. Why? Could it be that now he's out there trying to get that bank money for his party? Does that stuff register with you at all?

MARICELLY VELEZ-DELGADO, SUPPORTS DONALD TRUMP: It does, but, you know, he is not a politician. He's a businessman. And I think that the establishment, the Wall Street/D.C. connection has got to stop. And that's why, you know, up to now, he hasn't received any campaign contributions. And now, you know, they want him to. So that connection, you know, our politicians ought to go to D.C. to fight for our voters, and they're fighting, you know, to not have the influence but these pockets are getting deeper and deeper. And, you know, he's got his billions already.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

VELEZ-DELGADO: I really think he wants to forge this country forward.

CAMEROTA: Rachel, since you first supported Marco Rubio - can you hand it to Rachel. Great. Since you first supported Marco Rubio, have you always been comfortable with where Donald Trump is on policy?

RACHEL JONES, SUPPORTS DONALD TRUMP: Not always. It's just been so tough to say I support Trump now. I especially - in the beginning, he was so brash and I've always thought he was just so over the top, while Marco Rubio was not - not as much. And he was -

CAMEROTA: Right. So how have you gotten comfortable with that now to support him?

JONES: You know, he's going to be the nominee. And also I would say that he isn't so as harsh - harsh as he was, which is a huge turnoff for, I think, a ton of people, but I think he's had a lot of people say now, tone it down. That has changed so much.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

CUOMO: You know, I heard something in the tackle shop the other day that I just heard a congresswoman echo that we had on, Renee Ellmers.

CAMEROTA: Yes, Ellmers.

CUOMO: I was going at her about the how. How, congresswoman? How's he - how's he going to do that? She was like, listen, listen, enough with the how. Essentially is what she said is people are OK with what Trump is saying, even if he's light on policy, because they believe he's going to be different. And at the end of the day, Alisyn's question about personality, that is actually inclusive in that statement. It's not just that he's charming. You just believe him. Show of hands. I believe him. I don't need to hear the specifics. I trust his instincts. He'll figure it out when he gets there. Who feels that way?

CAMEROTA: All of you.

OK, Marko, last world. Tell us how you're feeling.

MARKO KEPI, SUPPORTS DONALD TRUMP: Oh, I mean, I feel great. Donald Trump, I believe -

CUOMO: Sixteen cups of coffee. How bad can you feel?

KEPI: Donald Trump, I believe, will be the best president we've probably ever had, especially when it comes to jobs. The - the greatest thing about Donald Trump is that when he comes to make - when it comes down to making decisions, he will decide what he personally thinks is best for this country, for the economy, for the security and he will not care about what the Democrats or the Republicans or the special interests say how they - how he should run things here. He will run it the way he's been running his business, which, you know, he's done really great for his business. So I think he has the same mindset for this country, making this country great again.

[08:55:25] CAMEROTA: Sure.

Panel, thank you. It's been wonderful to get all of your impressions with us and having you standing by throughout the show. Thanks so much.

PANEL: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: "The Good Stuff," next.

CUOMO: As if it could get any gooder.

CAMEROTA: Impossible.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CUOMO: "The Good Stuff." In today's "Good Stuff," soldiers going above their call of duty to celebrate 13-year-old Christian Lopez.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We just wanted to thank Chris for fighting one of the biggest battles ever in life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CUOMO: First of all, she's the best aunt in the world. That's Christian's aunt. She's obviously a service member. She flew in from Hawaii to lead a soldier march on the street in support of Christian because he is fighting cancer.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Chris, I salute you. You're a true, true soldier.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[09:00:00] CUOMO: People are warriors in different ways. And in true soldier form, the United States Army gifted Christian not only with a combat uniform, but the patches that the soldiers had actually earned in battle.

CAMEROTA: Oh, my gosh.

CUOMO: And you know what the good news is?

CAMEROTA: Yes.

CUOMO: Christian's in remission.