Return to Transcripts main page

New Day

Trump Vows to End Nation Building & Regime Change; Interview with Congressman Sean Duffy; Flooding Continues in Part of Louisiana. Aired 8-8:30a ET

Aired August 16, 2016 - 08:00   ET

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

[08:00:00] ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: So let's get right to it.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: What if he dives across the line?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We cannot let this evil continue. ISIS is on the loose.

HILLARY CLINTON, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Donald has been all over the place on is.

JOE BIDEN, (D) VICE PRESIDENT: He is not qualified to know the code.

TRUMP: Hillary Clinton lacks the judgment lead our nation.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If I'm blessed to win a medal, it will be icing on the cake.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am definitely very happy I came back for one more.

CUOMO: Simone Biles golden streak comes to an end.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The day everyone is talking about it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Felix denied gold by seven-one-hundredths of a second.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Historic, deadly flooding in Louisiana.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This car is under water.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is still very, very dangerous. We still have waters rising.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is NEW DAY with Chris Cuomo and Alisyn Camerota.

CAMEROTA: All right, good morning, everyone. Welcome to your NEW DAY. We will get to the flooding shortly. It's Tuesday, August 16th, 8:00 in the east. But first, Donald Trump is unveiling his plan to defeat ISIS. He's calling for extreme vetting, that's what he calls it, of immigrants entering the country, but he did not spell out exactly how he would do it.

CUOMO: In this attempted extreme reporting, we'll tell you that Trump is blaming President Obama and Hillary Clinton for the rise of radical Islamic terror in his latest speech. To balance out the game, Vice President Joe Biden went after Trump, calling him a danger to national security. We have all the angles covered. Let's start with Athena Jones live in Washington. Good morning, Athena.

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Chris. Donald Trump is usually unscripted, but he was on message yesterday talking about what he wants to do to defeat terrorism. And he made a turn in the speech after repeatedly questioning the value of the NATO alliance. He's now vowing to work with the U.S.'s NATO partners to combat terrorism. And with Clinton and her allies raising questions about his temperament, he's now trying to raise doubts about her judgment and fitness for office.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I call it extreme, extreme vetting.

JONES: Donald Trump delivering a fiery speech on his ideas for fighting radical Islamic terrorism, proposing a different kind of admission tests for people in the United States.

TRUMP: In addition to screening out all members of the sympathizers of terrorist groups, we must also screen out any with hostile attitudes toward our country or its principles or who believe that sharia law should supplant American law. Those who do not believe in our constitution, or who support bigotry and hatred will not be admitted for immigration into our country.

(APPLAUSE)

JONES: Trump calling for bans on immigration from countries with ties to terror.

TRUMP: We will have to temporarily suspend immigration from some of the most dangerous and volatile regions of the world that have a history of exporting terrorism.

(APPLAUSE)

JONES: And simultaneously trashing Hillary Clinton's capabilities.

TRUMP: With one episode of bad judgment after another, Hillary Clinton's policies launched ISIS on to the world stage. She also lacks the mental and physical stamina to take on ISIS.

JONES: The Democratic trifecta, President Obama, Vice President Biden, and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, hitting Trump on all fronts. At a DNC fundraising event Monday night, President Obama refusing to mention Trump by name, but quipping "I don't have to make the case against her opponent because every time he talks, he makes the case against his own candidacy." Clinton and Biden together in Biden's hometown of Scranton launching their preemptive attack.

HILLARY CLINTON, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Friends should not let friends vote for Trump.

JOE BIDEN, (D) VICE PRESIDENT: This guy doesn't care about the middle class. And I don't even blame him in a sense because he doesn't understand it. He doesn't have a clue. This man is totally, thoroughly unqualified to be president of the United States of America.

(APPLAUSE)

JONES: Biden slamming Trump as a threat to national security.

BIDEN: There's a guy that follows me right back here who has the nuclear codes. So God forbid anything happened to the president and I had to make a decision. The codes are with me. He is not qualified to know the code. He can't be trusted.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JONES: Now, Trump holds a rally at a town hall in Wisconsin today while Clinton spends another day in Pennsylvania attending a voter registration event in Philadelphia. Meanwhile in a sign of confidence, Priorities USA, the super PAC supporting Clinton, now says it's not going to air any local ads in Virginia, Colorado, or Pennsylvania through most of September, saying in a statement, "We know at the moment these are tough states for Donald Trump and there isn't a as much of a need for us to air ads there." Chris?

[08:05:12] CUOMO: You know, this is what gets you. We just had Brad Woodhouse on who was talking about whether you want to give up too soon in any of these states even if you have a leave. Interesting calculation.

All right, let's discuss the state of play with a Trump supporter, Wisconsin Congressman Sean Duffy. Great to have you with us, congressman, as always.

REP. SEAN DUFFY, (R) WISCONSIN: Good morning, Chris. Thanks for having me on.

CUOMO: So Trump comes out to put meat on the bones on how to defend the country and how to beat ISIS. What did you like in this speech?

DUFFY: First off, what I like is he was on the teleprompter. I thought he gave a great speech. He was effective in laying out the threat of ISIS and radical Islamic terror. He laid out all of the attacks in the U.S. and then in Europe. He laid out the policy failures of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. And then he laid out a broad vision for how you actually fix this stuff which is showing real leadership in this space. And I think that's one of the negative points you have on Hillary Clinton. She is not strong on this issue. She's one that created the issue.

And I think when Donald Trump stays scripted and stays on point, I know you have been talking about polls all morning and they don't look good for Donald Trump. But if he does what he did yesterday in the speech, we're still in the fog of summer. When we get past Labor Day she's going to have a real race on her hands and Donald Trump can still win this race.

CUOMO: So to that college educated Republican, that demo kind of bothers me. I don't like detailing people like they're better because they went to college. But in politics that group is an important part of the analysis to races that Republicans win. So to those voters, when they hear you say, hey, I like that he was on that prompter, to them, it can play as code, like, boy, they have a low bar for success for this guy Trump. If he stays on prompter and basically says what he's told to say and doesn't use any of his own spontaneity that gets him in trouble the GOP is happy. Is that too low a bar for success?

DUFFY: Chris, the flipside of that would be Hillary Clinton is never spontaneous because she is always on a teleprompter. She can never go off script and talk off the cuff. So you at least have candidate who can on page, be scripted, and on occasion can go off page and be a real guy and talk to people. I think you want to have a candidate that can do both.

But we just don't want to see Donald Trump never on script, always off the cuff because that's when he gets himself in trouble. But Hillary Clinton is never unscripted. It even comes back to the point where Donald Trump will do a press conference, he will come in and talk to you and he'll answer questions. You may not like his answers, but he comes in and takes the tough questions from the media day after day. Hillary Clinton did a press conference a week ago, and that was the first time in eight months that she talked to the press. She can't get outside the scripted box, where Donald Trump just needs to go more scripted.

CUOMO: No question, fair criticism that Trump avails himself to the media that is not just singular but is certainly superior to what Hillary Clinton does. There's no question about that. And she should be criticize forward that. Let's move on. The point is this.

DUFFY: We agree, this morning, Chris. This is great.

CUOMO: I always love having you on the show. I think you are the best foot forward for your party. I love having you on, you know that.

So we're not going to nation build anywhere. A very controversial thing he said yesterday in that speech because as you know, and we have spoken about before, many people believe you cannot bomb away ISIS. You need to create environments of more freedom, opportunity, and education in many of these countries where if you don't have it, extremism takes root. Are you concerned about abandoning U.S. efforts of nation building? DUFFY: Two points. Point number one is a lot of the terrorists that

have taken their own lives and other lives with them have not been the disenfranchised. They have been wealthy and well-educated young men who are steeped in their faith that come and attack us.

But with that said, do we want to walk away from other nations that may need our help that you might have the seeds of democracy that breed the seeds of peace? You don't want to completely walk away from that.

But I also think America is in a place where they want a president who is going to look back home and say, how do I help my own people? I have roads and bridges that aren't being built. I have people that don't have the right jobs. Opportunities aren't being taken advantage of. Some people don't have opportunities. They want a president that's going to look out for them, their security and their economics.

So I don't agree that you completely walk away from helping other nations out because we have been a great force of good in the world and we've helped others. But we also have to look at home and are we willing to help our own people. And they are yearning for a president to put me first, put me and my family first in every decision that you make.

[08:10:05] And once we're taken care of and there are people who aren't Americans who might need our help, OK, let's help them. But I want someone to look after me.

CUOMO: So one other point of concern potentially coming out of the speech, everything with Paul Manafort, and there's a lot of facts still to come out about this Ukraine investigation, who he was working with in Russia. And people are using that speculation as a lens through which to see some of the things that Trump has said before and then yesterday, being friendly to Russia. Russia should be an ally. Russia warned us about the Boston bombers.

When I think about the GOP disposition towards Putin, I think of John McCain. I think of all these Republican leaders who said Russia has to be kept at arm's length. They're up to no good. Look what they're doing all around the world. Does Trump's apparent desire to embrace Russia concern you?

DUFFY: So again, a couple points on that. If you're going to embrace Russia to defeat ISIS, we'll partner with anyone to defeat ISIS, to defeat our enemy. But if we're looking at partnering with Russia and we're going to walk away and turn a blind eye to Crimea and the Ukraine and the rising threat of Russia, I completely disagree with that.

But I think it's important to note that this is Paul Manafort who is on the campaign side, and I want to know what money h got from pro- Russian organization in the Ukraine. But, Chris, Hillary Clinton taking money at the Clinton Foundation from rogue regimes, bad regimes, regimes that aren't our friends. And we know that when the Clinton Foundation got money from foreign governments and billionaires, they had access to Hillary Clinton. So taking money from Hillary Clinton who is on the ballot is far different than Donald Trump whose campaign manager is taking cash.

But again, I think we should expose both these issues in both campaigns. But it's a campaign manager with Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton herself and her foundation that is taking money from foreign governments. And I would also note it was Hillary Clinton who had the great reset button with Putin. That wasn't Donald Trump. And it was Barack Obama who whispered in Putin's ear right before the last election, I'll have more time, I'll have more bandwidth after the election. So it's been Clinton and Obama that's got it wrong with Russia, not Donald Trump.

CUOMO: Neither of them have ever called Putin a good, strong leader either, so there's two minds on that. But, thank you.

DUFFY: I disagree with that, Chris.

CUOMO: I'm sure you do, as well you should. Congressman Sean Duffy, thanks for being on NEW DAY as always. Good to see you. Alisyn?

CAMEROTA: All right, Chris, now to one of our other top stories, the catastrophic Louisiana floods. They are now blamed for at least nine deaths. Thousands of homes are damaged as well. And the worst of it may still be yet to come. So CNN's Boris Sanchez is live in Baton Rouge with the latest. How does it look this morning, Boris?

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Alisyn, it is still in really rough shape. Six of those nine fatalities actually came here in east Baton Rouge. There are tens of thousands of people still in shelters. There is tremendous need, and in some places the flood waters keep on rising in parishes southeast of us where all this floodwater is heading. That backwater flooding is really causing major problems.

And it's not the same flood water as two days ago. It's floodwater with debris and trash and chemicals inside. You can see the translucence on it. I'm not sure if you can capture that on camera.

But neighbors here are staying strong. They are trying to get back into their homes. And we have seen these signs of generosity. I talked to one neighbor yesterday named Marcel. He actually gave us a tour of the neighborhood by boat. His home was completely submerged, but he was helping his neighbors get to homes that were blocked off trying to rescue pets. There was also a cookout yesterday here. People cooking jambalaya for the entire neighborhood, inviting neighbors that were in need to come over. Obviously, a long road ahead. But their spirits are strong here in Louisiana. Chris?

CUOMO: All right, Boris, thank you very much. Please let us know as you learn about the need there and what the word is from the ground, let us know so we can get it out here as well.

CUOMO: Other news this morning, fire officials in northern California arresting a man that they say started a fire that destroyed more than 100 homes. It also forced the evacuation of a hospital. His name is 40-year-old Damin Pashilk, and he is charged with 17 counts of arson, including the 4,000-acre Clayton Fire. That inferno is still threatening homes in Lower Lake and Clear Lake California. So we'll stay on that story, but that's the latest.

CAMEROTA: Dramatic video out of the U.K. You can watch as this plane flips over in the water. And the pilot tries to make an emergency landing. That's what he was doing there at the air show. Spectators immediately rushed in to help. As the aircraft began to sink, after some work they were able, you'll see in a moment, to flip the aircraft upright again, and they actually pulled the pilot out. Fortunately the pilot suffered only minor injuries.

[08:15:01] CUOMO: Wow. Hey, once again, thank God people willing to take the risk, run in and do the right thing.

CAMEROTA: Right, rush towards the danger.

CUOMO: Also gives you context to how lucky those people when Sully Sullenberger was able to land that plane in the Hudson.

CAMEROTA: I can't wait to see that movie. I've seen the trailer. My kids and I, we can't wait to go see that.

CUOMO: Supporters and critics are weighing in on Donald Trump's vision for fighting Islamic extremism. How does it differ from the current fight against Islamic extremism? And in the ways it is different, is it better?

Former Obama adviser, now CNN senior political commentator David Axelrod, live, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: If I become president, the era of nation-building will be brought to a very swift and decisive end.

The support networks for radical Islam in this country will be stripped out and removed one by one, viciously if necessary.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: All right. The reaction to Donald Trump's plan to defeat ISIS is pouring in this morning.

Here's a look at some of the other things that he was proposing in that speech. He wants extreme vetting, which would include an ideological test, as well as a temporary suspension of any immigration from volatile regions.

Here to discuss the plan and more, CNN senior political commentator David Axelrod.

Good morning, David.

DAVID AXELROD, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Hey, Alisyn. CAMEROTA: OK. So, Donald Trump's main premise is that ISIS has only grown stronger under the Obama administration's watch. They have become more deadly and they have grown and that he will do things differently to fix it.

What did you think of the speech?

AXELROD: Well, first of all, I think he accomplished one thing that he wanted to accomplish, which was he read a speech off of a teleprompter. He didn't ad lib much. So, whatever controversy he created was intended controversy, and not an unintended controversy, and what he's trying to do is rally Republicans around his banner, which he's failed to do. He's lagging behind Hillary Clinton in terms of solidifying his own party.

So, this speech was an effort to do that. The speech itself was mostly slogans without specifics. Very tough talk, very caustic criticisms of the president and Hillary Clinton -- maybe red meat for some Republicans.

But, obviously, there are a lot of gaps. I mean, what does he mean by all this stuff? No one knows. He will fill in the details after the election. I don't know if that's going to fly.

CUOMO: But the core of it, how do you think it sells, the core of it? Which is Obama has screwed it we're less safe than ever before when it comes to ISIS. This nation-building of trying to be everybody's friend and the apology tour which is what Trump says went on there in 2009, part of which I was with him for, these things need to stop him. We have to start being harder on the people who get into this country so they can't slip through this bad system.

That's all red meat for a lot of voters beyond the Republican base.

AXELROD: Well, we'll see, Chris. I think there are concerns about terrorism. Obviously, as ISIS loses ground in its so-called caliphate, they have been authorizing and they haven the beneficiaries of terrorist attacks all over that are not large scale attacks, but still frightening to many people.

But I really -- I think the bigger question that is driving this race is Donald Trump himself. You know, the very qualities that drove him to the nomination are now calling into question whether he is prepared to be president of the United States. Those questions have to be answered before people rallied to his flag. And I think that's a tough task.

That's why -- you know, it was interesting because I saw Brad Woodhouse on your program earlier. Brad, who is in the orbit of the Clinton campaign, though not with the Clinton campaign, former DNC spokesperson. And it was interesting to hear him speak so passionately about not being complacent.

I mean, that's a heck of a message in August. It reflects the state of the race. The president had the same message yesterday -- don't be complacent because the general sense in the political community is that Donald Trump is in deep trouble and it's going to be very hard for him to reverse it.

CAMEROTA: President Obama said something else yesterday that I thought was interesting in terms of his strategy and how to tackle opposing Donald Trump. This is what he said in a DNC fundraiser, I'll read it to you.

He says, "Frankly, I'm tired of talking about her opponent", meaning Hillary Clinton's opponent, Donald Trump. "I don't have to make the case against her opponent because every time he talks, he makes the case against his own candidacy."

David, what do you think of that strategy that I'm just going to zip it, I don't need to talk about him anymore because he's hoisting himself on his own petard?

AXELROD: Well, I think there's something to that. One of the things that has driven the race in her direction since the conventions has been a series of gaffes by Donald Trump. That's why his team wants him on teleprompters and not ad libbing in it these speeches.

But we'll see if that holds for the president and other leaders of the party. I think they're going to have a hard time not commenting on Donald Trump. I think Donald Trump will insist in certain ways that he'd be the center of attention between now and November.

CUOMO: Why does it matter so much? You have the "Wall Street Journal", I think ABC poll that just came out that -- "Washington Post" poll that just came out that shows Hillary Clinton is up 52 percent to 38 percent in Virginia. They pinned it to a big negative and unpopularity number for Trump. It's like 65 to 54. Trump is ahead in terms of negativity.

Why does it matter? Obama won it twice, as you well know. Before that, it had from blue dog to Republican. Why does Virginia matter so much?

AXELROD: Right. Well, it was actually 1964 was the last time anyone wanted, any Democrat wanted before Obama 2008.

[08:25:03] CUOMO: Right.

AXELROD: And it has been considered a battleground state. A state that was up for grabs.

The fact that she is so far ahead gives I think one of the super PAC, her super PAC, withdrew from Virginia. That means they can spend resources elsewhere.

What's happening right now is the map is growing for Hillary Clinton in states like North Carolina, perhaps Georgia, maybe even Arizona. Utah, of all states, seems to be in play. It's shrinking for Donald Trump closing off his paths to 270 electoral votes.

So, it's significant for a number of reasons. It's more bad news for the Trump campaign. It doesn't mean he can't turn it around. There are three months left in this campaign. But right now, things look very dark for him.

I have not seen anyone in recent history who is in a worse position at this stage in the campaign than Donald Trump is right now.

CAMEROTA: David Axelrod, interesting to get your perspective. Thank so much.

AXELROD: OK, guys.

CAMEROTA: Well, the son of fallen Israeli leader Yitzhak Rabin accusing Donald Trump of provoking the kind of violence that took hi sown father's life. So, why Rabin is worried about the political climate in America, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)