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New Day

Trump Stands by Praise of Putin; 9/11 Documentary; Firefighter Goes Beyond the Call of Duty. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired September 09, 2016 - 08:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:31:57] CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: It is ugly and it is urgent. That would be the battle between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, now focused on national security. Donald Trump is taking heat for defending Russian President Putin during an interview that aired on Russian TV. His running mate then doubling down, which made be even more odd.

Let's discuss with David Axelrod. He's a CNN senior political commentator and a former senior advisor to President Obama.

Ax, we are all familiar with the play by Trump here, which is to say Obama is weak, Putin is strong. That comes with some heat. Usually Pence, the governor from Indiana, would play the role saying, here's what he means. But not this time. Here's what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. MIKE PENCE (R), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think - I think it's inarguable that Vladimir Putin has been a stronger leader in his country than Barack Obama has been in this country. And that's going to change the day that Donald Trump becomes president of the United States of America.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CUOMO: What can that mean that would be effective for their campaign?

DAVID AXELROD, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, I don't know. I - it may be that he - their ideas to rally some anti-Obama Republicans. You know, Donald Trump is so fond of quoting polls, you'd think that he'd read the ones that show that the president has a majority giving him high marks for his presidency. He's got a positive approval rating. One of the few people on the current scene who can - who can boast that.

So, you know, I think that most Americans were kind of scratching their heads about what Trump said because, as has been pointed out ad nauseam, Putin is a dictator, Putin is an autocrat, Putin is a ruthless leader and nobody in America, I think, or few people in America thinks that's the direction we ought to go.

The thing that was so odd about the Pence thing wasn't just that he defended the comment, because that's the role that he's assumed for himself, but that he did it at the Reagan Library, where, you know, when you think back to Ronald Reagan, he called Russia the evil empire. I mean he was so fundamentally at that time anti-Soviet as a leader and was very clear about the difference between our systems.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Yes.

AXELROD: So really awkward stagecraft for the Trump campaign there.

CAMEROTA: But is Mike Pence supposed to be the defender? Is that his role? Or is he sort of supposed to be the clean-up guy? The Donald Trump says something and then Mike Pence, you know, explains it.

AXELROD: It's hard to explain this one. And I do think that there is a reflective notion on the part of Republicans, Mike Pence comes out of a House Republican caucus to go to anti-Obama rhetoric to rally the base, and perhaps that's what he thought he was doing. He's walking a really interesting line here because a lot of the allies that he had who promoted him for the vice presidential nomination, including Speaker Ryan, walked away from those remarks of Donald Trump, and he's left there to defend them. It's a tough spot for him to be in. And it will be interesting to see if Trump doesn't win, what Pence's status is at the end of this campaign.

[08:35:16] CUOMO: Hey, Ax, you had to deal with this in 2008 and it's here again now getting discussion, and rightly so. The idea that Hillary Clinton is held to a different standard and whether or not that has anything to do with gender. This was teed off this particular round of conversation by Reince Priebus of the RNC saying she didn't smile, you know, she - he was talking about her demeanor as proof of why she didn't do well at the forum. What has been your experience with that in running against Clinton? What do you think the reality is about the coverage?

AXELROD: Well, I think that in - in this particular case, I do think that she got the short end of the stick in - in the commander in chief forum. I think that she was treed differently than Trump was treated. Whether or not it was because she's a woman, I think is another question. And I don't think that it's helpful to her if her supporters beat that drum too loudly each time she's criticized. I thought that Priebus was foolish to use that formulation.

She did look irritated in that - in that particular half hour, and she had a reason to be irritated because so much of it was devoted to one issue. But, you know, to put it in those terms probably was a misjudgment on his part because he opened himself up to that kind of criticism.

CAMEROTA: So, David, how do you explain what we're seeing in the polls? The national polls show a dead heat, and now the battleground state polls, which arguably are more important, show the margin narrowing between the two?

AXELROD: Look, let me say two things. We are a deeply divided country politically and we've known that for a long time, and closely divided country politically. Secondly, battleground states are called battleground states because by definition they are closely contested states. The things that's been surprising is that a number of states that we considered battleground states in the past, Colorado, Virginia, New Hampshire, have become less so in this campaign because of the peculiar dynamics of this campaign.

But I would - I would just caution all of us not to react to any specific group of polls or polls on - at a given moment and extrapolate from there. I'd look at the average of these polls. I think she's probably ahead by a few points nationally and she's ahead in all or most of the battleground states. So she's in a stronger position than Donald Trump right now and she has the apparatus to deliver the vote at the end of this process, which is going to be very important if some of these battleground states are as close as these polls suggest.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

AXELROD: But I think a lot of eyes are going to be on these debates. And if Donald Trump can show up and do what he didn't do in the commander-in-chief forum and look like a guy who is informed and thoughtful and, you know, he could close these - close these polls even further.

CAMEROTA: David Axelrod, thanks so much. Great to have you here.

AXELROD: Good to see you.

CAMEROTA: Fifteen years ago, two brothers set out to make a film about a rookie firefighter, and they ended up documenting one of the worst days in American history. Their story about 9/11, straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:42:24] CUOMO: Time now for the five things to know for your new day.

First, North Korea claiming a successful test of a nuclear warhead that could be launched by a missile. The U.N. Security Council meeting this morning to talk about the test.

Donald Trump standing by his praise for Vladimir Putin in an interview that aired on Russian TV. His campaign says he didn't know the interview with Larry King was on Russian-funded television.

Hillary Clinton set to meet with several national security experts today, including former CIA Director David Petraeus. The bipartisan group will talk about combating terrorism worldwide.

Clinton slamming Trump' past birther talk, but his surrogate, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani says Trump now believes President Obama was born in the U.S. That would be a big shift, yet Trump himself refuses to say that or even discuss the topic. He has never apologized.

And Brandon Marshall of the Denver Broncos choosing not to stand during the national anthem at last night's NFL season opener. Marshall calling it a show of solidarity with Colin Kaepernick of the 49ers.

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

Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: Each year more than 70,000 young adults in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer. This week's CNN hero has helped thousands of young patients face their fears with a life changing outdoor adventure. Meet Brad Ludden.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRAD LUDDEN: I'm work with young adults with cancer. We see a lot of them feeling like they're the only ones in the world dealing with any of the things they're dealing with. It's really important to get them together to where they can realize that other people are going through the same stuff. From day one on the river, these guys can't paddle in a straight line, to the last day and they're paddling class three white water. We start to see really beautiful transformation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: OK, so to see how their journey unfolds on a river in Montana, you can watch the full story at cnnheroes.com.

CUOMO: Their camera captured a moment in time when the whole world changed. Coming up, we have the brothers to take us back inside the Twin Towers on 9/11. Fifteen years later, the two men who provided us the best look of the worst day in American history.

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[08:48:20] CUOMO: In one way it seems like it was just yesterday. In another, it seems like it was so long ago. The nation will mark 15 years since the 9/11 attacks. We're getting a new look inside the towers of what happened during the attack. It's part of the award- winning documentary, "9/11," recently acquired by CNN.

Now, these images are, of course, disturbing, but they're also very important. A day no one should forget. Here's a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are right under the awning of One World Trade Center. Chief Mike Lee (pH) puts his gear on. And I remember asking him, you know, chief, can I come in with you. I want - I want to come in with you. And he says, yes.

CHIEF MIKE LEE: Yes, you stay with me.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come in with me. You're never leaving my side.

I go in and I hear screams and right to my right there was two people on fire, burning. I just didn't want to film that. It was like no one - no one should see this. (END VIDEO CLIP)

CUOMO: Joining us now, the executive producers and directors of "9/11: 15 Years Later," Gedeon Naudet and Jules Naudet, the brothers, are with us here.

Thank you very much for being with us.

A day that certainly you will never forget as well.

Take us through why you think it's important 15 years later for people to keep in their minds what happened that day.

JULES NAUDET, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR, "9/11": Well, I think, you know, that day defined that kind of new era, in a way, for a lot of people, for a new generation. They don't know a world without terrorism, a world before 9/11. And to be reminded of the courage, the (INAUDIBLE) that happened on that day, whether it was the first responders, or the victims, or people - simple everyday New Yorkers bonded together. I think we - that's something we need to continue to honor.

[08:50:07] The problem also, as we see, is that it was 15 years ago, but sometimes it feels like yesterday, when we hear that another of our friend, a firefighter, passes away from cancers. Here we are, 15 years later, and 9/11 still kills. And I think people don't know that. And I think it's important to continue to honor the memory of the people that perished, but also the people who did fantastic things that day and keep it in our hearts and remember.

CAMEROTA: There were so many striking, vid memories from that day. You guys are the only people to get video from inside the towers while all of this was - was happening because you happened to be there. Of course you didn't know you'd be doing a documentary on 9/11. Who could know? You were following a firefighter. You were shadowing a firefighter and all of this unfolded. What sticks with you today from that day, Gedeon?

GEDEON NAUDET, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR, "9/11": Definitely - I mean we have - we have two choice. All we can remember how horrible the day was and be completely depressed about it and just stay home and not want to leave, or we can remember the extraordinary courage that the firefighters and all the first responders, and as Jules said, civilians showcased on that day. And this, for me, whenever I'm afraid, whenever I'm doubting, whenever I'm depressed, when - that's what I remember is the courage of the first responders and that lift me up still 15 years later.

CAMEROTA: Such a good reminder.

G. NAUDET: Yes.

CUOMO: It's so confusing for people though. You know, you can't have one without the other. And that's why there's so much torment, even 15 years later. And for the collective community, that's what makes 9/11 different is that it affected everyone in America certainly, and you could argue well beyond our borders, like nothing else ever has. Do you think there could ever be another 9/11? Not from terror perspective I'm saying but as an event that would mean so much to the people at the time that it happened?

J. NAUDET: Well, probably. You see these - we have cyclical events throughout our history, moments where we remember. Whether it was where JFK was shot, or, you know, now it's 9/11. They might be. We all wish they - they wouldn't. But life is such. We - things always come back. So, who knows? I hope not, but.

CAMEROTA: So, to update this that - your documentary, you went back and re-visited the families of the firefighters and the victims, and what did you learn 15 years later with where they are?

G. NAUDET: Well, it's very interesting, because you notice that among firefighters, many who were married, for example, at that time, went through some tough psychological trauma.

CAMEROTA: Of course.

G. NAUDET: And, unfortunately, many got divorced. Reverse, it's interesting to see that many firefighters and first responders who were single at that time got married since. So that -

CAMEROTA: And many of their children want to follow in their footsteps and, in fact, have become firefighters and first responders.

J. NAUDET: That's one of the amazing stories I think that we - we tried to show is they're called "the legacy kids." These are children of firefighter who died either in the towers or due to the cancers of 9/11, and have made the incredible choice of becoming firefighters themselves.

CAMEROTA: Well, everyone will see that. Jules, Gedeon, thank you very much for previewing it, this Sunday at 8:00 p.m. be sure to watch CNN Film presents "9/11: 15 Years Later."

CUOMO: OK, so he was one of the people that we like to celebrate here on the show every Friday. A first responder who went "Beyond the Call of Duty," next.

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[08:57:22] CUOMO: Firefighter Steven Siller was heading home when he heard a plane had just hit the Twin Towers. He raced to the scene to help, not knowing that he would never make it out alive. CNN's John Berman has this week's "Beyond the Call of Duty."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRANK SILLER, CEO & CHAIRMAN, TUNNEL TO TOWERS: We believe that he was in the south tower. He was never recovered. There's another, you know, another great person that - that died that day.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was a near perfect September morning. Firefighter Steven Siller just finished his overnight shift with squad one, the elite unit trained to rescue other firefighters. Steven was headed to play gulf with his three brothers.

SILLER: We were pumped up because we're four brothers getting together to play golf. Everybody very busy. Steven already with five kids. And, you know, heard on the scanner what had happened and he turned his truck around.

BERMAN: The golf date would never happened. Steven, who had dreamed of being a firefighter since he was a teen, turned his truck toward the Twin Towers, but could get only as far as the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. It was blocked. But that didn't stop him.

SILLER: Came to a screeching halt, got out calmly, put his gear on, and started running through the tunnel. And that tunnel is nearly two miles long.

BERMAN: That heroic run, loaded down with more than 60 pounds of gear, became the driving force of the foundation created by his family in Steven's honor.

SILLER: Want his kids to know that his dad was a hero. We didn't have any great lofty goals, you know, starting the foundation, but when a friend of his came up with the idea of running through the tunnel like he did, I was said, oh, my God, please - it was - you just know the right thing when you hear it.

BERMAN: The race, called Tunnel to Towers, is part of the nationally recognized Steven Siller Foundation. It has raised more than $70 million.

SILLER: The whole day is just a great celebration of everybody's life that was lost that day.

BERMAN (on camera): Steven would be turning 50 in November.

SILLER: November 15th he would have - he would have - he would have been turning 50, yes.

BERMAN: What kind of 50-year-old do you think Steven would have made?

SILLER: I think he would have been a very young 50-year-old. Loved been a firefighter, so he'd still definitely be a firefighter. He would have had over 20 years already. He would have been able to retire. But he - there's no way he would have retired.

He loved the challenge of being able to save people. Knowing Steven, he probably liked the fear factor involved. You know, he had guts. He loved that brotherhood.

BERMAN: If you could talk to Steven one more time, what would you tell him?

SILLER: I'm provide of you. All your siblings are. Your kids are. Your wife if. The whole community is. You really did something special, Steve.

[09:00:05] BERMAN (voice-over): John Berman, CNN, New York. (END VIDEOTAPE)

CAMEROTA: Gosh, that's beautiful. What an important story to remember and just one of the thousands from that day.

Have a good weekend