Return to Transcripts main page
New Day
Democratic Stars Urge Party to Unite Behind Clinton; Sarah Silverman Blasts "Bernie or Bust" People; Young Singer Dazzles Democratic Convention. Aired 6:30-7a ET.
Aired July 26, 2016 - 06:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[06:30:00] ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: While the action unfolds here in Philly, Donald Trump is hitting the campaign trail. Trump debuting a new nickname for Hillary Clinton and ripping Bernie Sanders. CNN Sara Murray is live in Charlotte that's where Trump and Pence campaign today. Sara, what's the latest?
SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICAL REPORTER: Good morning, Alisyn. Donald Trump has decided to counter program the DNC by going on the attack. We saw him campaigning yesterday in Virginia as well as in North Carolina. And he slapped Hillary Clinton with a new nickname, branding her Hillary rotten Clinton. You can sort of tell that Donald Trump has been reveling in the disarray that's playing out in the DNC. But he's also really seen it as an opportunity to make a pitch, make an appeal to some of these frustrated Bernie Sanders' supporters.
During the speech last night, he tweeted, "Sad to watch Bernie Sanders abandon his revolution. We welcome all voters who want to fix our rigged system and bring back our jobs." Now Trump has really hammered home his position on trade as a similarity with Bernie Sanders in hopes of bringing some of his supporters to the fold. Now Trump and Pence will continue to campaign today right here in North Carolina. Trump is going to be speaking here at the VFW. This is a group that Hillary Clinton addressed just a day earlier. But it's a place where Donald Trump feels like his muscular message about security, about foreign policy. It might play well with the folks in this room. We'll see how that plays out in just a couple hours. Chris.
CUOMO: All right the veterans often surprise people in terms of how broad their palette is on what issues and solutions they want presented to them. Sara Murray, thank you very much will see how that plays.
Now we're following other news this morning. We want to update you on a breaking story out of France. Police ending a standoff at a church in the Normandy region. At least one hostage that was being held is now dead. A source tells CNN that victim is a priest. One other hostage has life-threatening injuries. The two armed men who took several people hostage, were killed by police. Between four and six people were being held by the men who was armed with knives. The Paris anti-terror prosecutor has taken over the investigation. French President Francois Hollande is on his way to the scene.
CAMEROTA: More breaking news to tell you about this one out of Somalia's capital. At least seven people killed at the hands of suicide bombers. You can see that plume of white smoke in the distance, that's the aftermath. The attackers targeting the African Union's main peace keeping base near Mogadishu's international airport. The terror group Al-Shabab have claimed responsibility.
CUOMO: California firefighters are scrambling furiously right now to gain ground on a pair of wild fires that are burning out of control. One fire scorching more than 33,000 acres in the Santa Clarita area. Officials say that's 10 percent contained. That's all it is right now.
Meantime, there's a fire burning in the Big Sur area that spread to nearly 15,000 acres. The flames forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes. Look at those pictures on your screen.
CAMEROTA: Thousands of mourners including law enforcement from around the country saying a final good-bye to Baton Rouge police corporal Montrell Jackson. He was one of those three police officers killed in that ambush attack just days after the police shooting death of Alton Sterling. A week before sterling died, Jackson had implored his Facebook followers, please don't let hate in fact your heart. He leaves behind a wife and a 4-month old son.
CUOMO: All right, so look, just take a look at the news that we just had. Police officers being killed, terror attack in Mogadishu, terror now in Paris. A priest being killed. That's the backdrop for our political election. And that was the stage set for the DNC's first night. What was the case that was made for why Hillary Clinton is the one, not responsible for what we're seeing in the news, but the one to fix it? Congressman Steve Israel played a big part in making that case. He joins us next.
[06:35:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CUOMO: Some of the biggest stars in the Democratic party kicking off the first night of the Democratic convention with one message and that was we're with her. The night culminates from a firm endorsement from her primary rival Senator Bernie Sanders.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (D), FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Hillary Clinton will make an outstanding president, and I am proud to stand with her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CAMEROTA: Was that enough to unify the party behind Hillary Clinton? Here to discuss is the Chair of House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, Democratic Congressman from New York, Steve Israel. He's endorsed Hillary Clinton. Good morning, Congressman.
REP. STEVE ISRAEL (D) NEW YORK: Thanks for having me on.
CAMEROTA: What did you think of Bernie Sanders' speech? Was it enthusiastic enough to turn his base towards Hillary Clinton? ISRAEL: Oh, absolutely. Look, last night was the night we needed
after a day with some intensity and some passion. Bernie Sanders unequivocal endorsement of Hillary Clinton, amazing speech by the first lady, great speech by Cory Booker and we left the convention hall more unified than when we came to the convention hall yesterday and we'll leave Philadelphia more unified than when we came to the city.
[06:40:03] CUOMO: Now, we like to keep our discussions macro, make it about the voters. Just quickly, when do you start as the new chair of the party?
ISRAEL: We are here to nominate the next president of the United States, not to select the next chair --
CUOMO: When that's done at the DNC -- you know that your name is writ large in the possibilities? How do you feel about it?
I've heard about that. There's no way you're going to get me to comment on the next chair of the DNC.
CUOMO: Do you have a feeling on it?
ISRAEL: We have to focus on what the people want us to focus on.
CUOMO: It's a big deal who is the head of the party, getting the selection done.
ISRAEL: There's no question it's a big deal. Right now the bigger deal is nominating Hillary Clinton, unifying behind her and electing her.
CUOMO: One more beat on it. A man we both love and miss very much, Tim Russett, I don't hear you saying that you wouldn't take the job of heading up the party. Is that fair to say?
ISRAEL: Nothing has been offered to me. So there's nothing to accept.
CUOMO: So if it were offered, maybe you would consider it.
ISRAEL: Try as you may you are not going get --
CUOMO: Non-denial, denial.
ISRAEL: As undisciplined as some may be.
CAMEROTA: You're saying there's a chance?
ISRAEL: Put me down as firmly undecided.
CUOMO: Got it. Very funny. What was your role last night? What did you do last night in the big production?
ISRAEL: Well, look, I chair the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. My job is to get all the house Democrats on one message, not an easy task. We are aligned. We are behind Hillary Clinton. The next 100 days you're going to see a Democratic party that is focusing on how to secure our nation. How to secure the future and how to secure democracy. Those are the themes in contrast to what you saw last week. Which was a Republican Party, that talk alike, they walk alike, they froth at the mouth alike, they are dark, they're decisive. You're going to see a contrast over the next 100 days.
CUOMO: What is your message to the voter out there who is undecided, and there is probably more than usual right now, who say, "I don't know that I can trust Hillary Clinton? I don't like the Benghazi. I don't like the e-mail. I don't like the WikiLeaks." And they're fix sated on them. What do you say to them?
ISRAEL: Those people been exposed to millions and millions of dollars of Republican smears on Hillary Clinton. But at the end of the day there will be a gut check. Do you want Donald Trump, who has said, that he is going to actually weaken our alliance with NATO? Or do you want Hillary Clinton who will keep us safe and strong. Do you want a president who says he doesn't support increasing the federal minimum wage? Or do you want someone who's going to strengthen paychecks? Do you want somebody who has said that special interests run our democracy? Or do you want Hillary Clinton who wants to undo Citizens United. On those critical choices I think the American people are -- in fact I'm confident the American people are going to choose Hillary Clinton at the end of the day.
CAMEROTA: You're saying that now the leaders of the Democratic Party are speaking with one voice and are feeling united. But in the hall last night it didn't always feel that way. Bernie Sanders supporters are not necessarily on board. You saw crying. You saw them yelling. You saw them sort of heckling some speakers. Sarah Silverman, who is a Bernie Sanders' supporter or was, had to shut them down at some point. How are you going to win them over?
ISRAEL: Look, we are a feisty party. There's no question about it. And again, contrast with what you saw at the Republican convention, where they all look alike. They walk alike. They talk alike. To our convention, it is number one the most diverse convention we've ever seen in politics. Number two, these are diehards. This is like a convention not to elect a president, but a convention of intensity and passion and activism. So of course you're going to get the expressions that you saw last night. But you're also going to get a gut check. Bernie Sanders was brilliant last night in starting that process at the gut check when he said do you want Donald Trump to nominate the next Supreme Court? Contrasting what Donald Trump will do what Hillary Clinton will do begins the process. Last night marked the next phase of this campaign and unifies us.
CUOMO: The moment of the night for many of you Democrats keeps coming back to Michelle Obama. But do you think Sarah Silverman was the moment of the night? Because when they started to get loud during that pause, there was a timing issue last night, and Sarah Silverman started to say, "You're being ridiculous with this chanting. Stop it right now. We know we have to do right now." Do you think that that was the moment that allowed to build momentum with Booker and Warren and Michelle Obama after that? ISRAEL: She may not be appointed ambassador to a foreign country.
That was pretty blunt. It was a moment. But I really believe that the most important moment was Bernie Sanders, Michelle Obama coming together talking about why Hillary Clinton is such a good deal for the American people.
CAMEROTA: Congressman Steve Israel, thanks so much for being on NEW DAY. Great to talk to you.
CUOMO: Let us know when the big news comes, Congressman.
ISRAEL: You'll be the first to know if it doesn't come, work on something.
CUOMO: A very firm shake you gave me there. I had to pull away. He would have snapped my hand like it was a pencil.
CAMEROTA: Got it. What a performance. He left people in the audience with chills as he sang the national anthem. Look at this. What was this big moment like? Bobby Hill is going to join us live next to talk about it.
[06:45:00] CUOMO: Voice makes me cry.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOBBY HILL, KEYSTONE STATE BOYS AND GIRLS CHOIR (sings): For the land of the free, and the home of the brave.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CUOMO: Doesn't it just get you a thousand different ways? Who could give the Democrats one voice? Young soprano, Bobby Hill, that's who. Wowing everyone at the Democratic Convention, but it shouldn't have been a surprise. That angelic voice, we've heard it before. Do you remember how he captivated audiences during Pope Francis's visit to Philadelphia? We have young Bobby Hill now 15, a member of the Keystone State Boy Choir with us right now.
[06:50:03] You came in here with 10 as security. Do you feel that you've gotten too big because of your recent success?
HILL: I don't think so.
CUOMO: Are you sure?
HILL: I'm pretty sure.
CAMEROTA: You need an entourage that large. So many people are trying to get you and book you for their events. So was it scary yesterday doing this at the convention?
HILL: I think everybody like the whole back stage crew they were just so nice and so accommodating, so it wasn't really stressful back there.
CUOMO: What do you think is harder? If you were to come in there and everybody is talking and doing their thing because it's a political convention and you had to sing there. Of course it's the anthem, you know they will quiet down a little bit, or when you know that everybody in there is listening to you?
HILL: I think the latter.
CUOMO: Which is what? I don't know what that was.
HILL: The one --
CUOMO: So it's hard when you know they're all on you?
HILL: Yes. Oh, no, it's easier when I know they're all on you.
CUOMO: So the former?
HILL: Yes, the former.
CUOMO: Chris tries to trip up our guests. Sorry he's doing it to you Bobby. Compare this to when you sang for the Pope.
HILL: So when I sang for the Pope I had less notice. I think I had around five or six minutes.
CAMEROTA: That's not much.
HILL: When I sang here I had three or four days. And back here I had all the proper miking and earphone in my ear myself without an echo.
CAMEROTA: Equally exciting, equally stressful? How did it feel?
HILL: I think it was equally stressful because I didn't get nervous on either one. I think I got a little more nervous on this one, because I had more time to think about it. But when I got out there it all resolved itself.
CUOMO: What does it mean to you now, you were 14 when you did the Pope event here in Philly. Now you're 15 for this. Does it hit you yet that, wow, I've been a part of these huge events?
HILL: I know. It's just like sometimes just thinking about it I just did the two biggest events that I possibly could have done, one with the Pope and the DNC is just such a blessing, you know?
CAMEROTA: How do you top those?
HILL: I don't know. That's the point. Yes, I don't know how to go up from there.
CUOMO: Do you care about politics at all?
HILL: Yes, I follow politics. CUOMO: we know you come from a faithful family, that your faith
matters to you. But politics matter to you or is it just another gig? Just about the paycheck now.
HILL: I follow politics a lot.
CUOMO: Yes?
HILL: Yes.
CUOMO: What do you think is interesting to your generation about politics? What do you care about?
HILL: I think we care more about our future more than -- stuff about college and debt free college and stuff like that.
CUOMO: How to pay for college.
HILL: Yes. I think we care more about that than -- I'm not sure about what other issue to compare it to.
CUOMO: That's all right. As long as that matters to you, you don't have to compare it to anything.
HILL: Health care.
CAMEROTA: How did the crowd respond to you? Could you see everybody's faces? What was that like?
HILL: I've heard people -- I didn't expect people to start singing along in the crowd. So I remember I did one national anthem on Penn's landing a couple weeks ago and people started singing along, but here I didn't expect people to sing along. So when they started singing along I thought that it like gave me a sense of they were supporting me, I guess.
CUOMO: How hard is that song to sing, the National Anthem? Is it as tough as people say?
HILL: I think it is. I think it's one of the tougher songs because it has a range of notes to sing and you have to jump up from low to high.
CAMEROTA: How many people told you, you were better than Paul Simon?
HILL: I didn't hear that.
CUOMO: Other than Alisyn Camerota.
HILL: I didn't hear that but --
CAMEROTA: I might be leading the witness there. You were great.
HILL: Thank you.
CAMEROTA: Yes, you were absolutely great. CUOMO: Did you get a chance to meet any big shots, by the way?
HILL: I met Bernie Sanders and I have a picture with him. He said I did a good job. And I met --
CUOMO: Did he say you did a good job or he said you did pretty, pretty, pretty good.
HILL: I think that would have been Larry David actually.
CUOMO: What's the difference? Who else did you meet?
HILL: I met the Mayor from Baltimore. She photobombed one of my pictures. I met -- who else did I meet? The Leah Daughtry, she was back there. The new interim president of the convention Donna Brazil.
CAMEROTA: Sure, we know Donna well. Have you met Secretary Clinton?
HILL: No. I don't think she was there yesterday.
CAMEROTA: Maybe today.
CUOMO: Stick around. Stick around.
CAMEROTA: Bobby Hill, thank you.
HILL: Thanks so much.
CAMEROTA: Thanks for sharing that moment with us.
CUOMO: To think I knew you back when. Now security of ten followed him in.
HILL: Right.
CUOMO: Thank you.
CAMEROTA: They fired up the crowd at the DNC, First Lady, Michelle Obama and Bernie Sanders making their case for Hillary Clinton. Will it work? We'll discuss all that right after this very quick break.
[06:55:04] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SANDERS: Hillary Clinton must become the next president of the United States.
SEN. CORY BOOKER (D) NEW JERSEY: When we are united, we are strong. When we are indivisible, we are invincible.
SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN (D), MASSACHUSETTS: Trump thinks he can win votes by fanning the flames of fear and hatred.
MICHELLE OBAMA, FIRST LADY: Hillary Clinton has the gut and the grace to keep putting those cracks in the hardest glass ceiling until she breaks through.
SEN. AL FRANKEN (D) MINNESOTA: I can't wait to call her Madame president.
EVA LONGORIA, ACTRESS: I'm with her.
WARREN: I'm with Hillary.
OBAMA: I'm with her.
SANDERS: I am proud to stand with her.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CUOMO: Good morning. Welcome to your new day. Alisyn and I are live in Philadelphia at the Democratic National Convention. One day down, several more to go. Last night was all about the big stars coming out for Hillary on opening night. First lady Michelle Obama stealing the show, rousing and electrifying.
CAMEROTA: We'll talk about that. Also Clinton's one-time rival Bernie Sanders delivering an endorsement some felt was a little bit ambivalent.
CUOMO: Why are you looking at me?
CAMEROTA: I'm just previewing what might be coming up.
