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Gary Johnson Interview; FBI Issues Bulletin for NYC Bombing Suspect; Candidates on Terrorism. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired September 19, 2016 - 08:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:31:30] ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: We continue to follow all of the breaking news. There is a massive manhunt underway. The FBI putting out this bulletin. They are looking for this man. He is 28- year-old Ahmad Khan Rahami. He is wanted in connection with the bombing in New York City on Saturday that injured dozens of people.

Joining us now to discuss national security is the libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson.

Governor Johnson, thanks so much for being here.

GARY JOHNSON, LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL: Alisyn, thank you for having me on.

CAMEROTA: What would President Johnson do about the terror threat of homegrown cells?

JOHNSON: Well, first of all, what happened in New York just really glad that nobody was killed. Having been governor of New Mexico, I'm always - was always amazed with law enforcement and just how qualified they are, just how on the scene they are, just how they have better ideas with regard to how to go forward than anybody else. Already there is a suspect that's been identified. To me what that says is, look, we've got a system that is working. Of course constantly you're looking to improve on things in this country. I would be overseeing the improvement that obviously could take place.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

JOHNSON: The fact that we interviewed - the FBI interviewed the shooter in Orlando on a couple of occasions. Obviously the system is working up to a certain point. I'll bet the FBI has real good ideas on how to proceed that - that shooter in Orlando wouldn't have fallen through the cracks. Like I say, here it is right now. We have the suspect's name -

CAMEROTA: But, I mean, obviously, ultimately it didn't work. I mean - sorry to interrupt you, governor, but it didn't work in a terrible tragic way.

JOHNSON: Yes. Right. Right.

CAMEROTA: So clearly there's something that needs to be fixed.

JOHNSON: Well, clearly. And I'll bet, and I - I wish I had this intelligence, I would love to sit down with the FBI right now and understand from them what direction they would like to take forward - they would like to take forward. Clearly, you know, they dropped the ball. I - I would suspect that they recognize that better than anyone else. And we are in a process here. And we all have to work together to, you know, to see these threats, to see actions like this not occur in the future.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

JOHNSON: But it's really a collaborative effort and, as president of the United States, you know, you're going to be the arbiter in chief over all of this. And it's why I - it's why I'm seeking the job. I just - I just found it to be incredibly challenging, interesting, and interesting from the standpoint of always trying to make things better.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

JOHNSON: I mean that's, as humankind, as citizens of this country, that's what -

CAMEROTA: Yes.

JOHNSON: That's what - that's what - that's what we want to see.

CAMEROTA: But - but - but, governor, what you're talking about is being reactive. You're talking about the FBI doing a better investigation once they get a tip or once something happens, like a bombing. What about stamping out ISIS ideology? What's the plan for that?

JOHNSON: Well, that - that it is taking place. That we do have millions of Muslims that live in this country that are contributing members in this country. Look, I think that we are - I - I think it started with regime change and - at - at the very beginning and why is this the case to begin with? But, you know, looking at the source, looking at lone wolves, I hate that term, but looking at inspired ISIS attacks, you know, are we ever going to be able to prevent that? Well, we should certainly be engaged in trying to make that happen.

[08:35:06] I don't know if this is so much reactive. I mean, obviously, there's a lot of pro-action going on and, in our case, you know, more pro-action that we should set up a task force, an enhanced task force, to actually deal with potential tips and - and how there would be a follow up.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

JOHNSON: Look, resources, direct resources in areas that are going to make a difference, take resources away in areas that aren't making any difference.

CAMEROTA: Yes. Governor, I want to talk about your campaign. You did not - you found out this weekend you did not qualify for the first debate stage. I know that that was a big blow to you. You had been hoping to get there. There are also reports that your running mate, VP nominee Bill Weld, is considering actually dropping off the ticket because he's concerned at this point that a vote for both of you would deny Hillary Clinton a vote and therefore help elect Donald Trump. Can you tell us about that?

JOHNSON: Well, you know that I'm polling higher right now than Ross Perot was when he was invited to do the first debate. And let's remember that at a point he was actually leading in the polls to become president before a whole bunch of stuff happened, of which I couldn't even offer you an explanation.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

JOHNSON: Him dropping out and coming back in.

CAMEROTA: Sure.

JOHNSON: No, Bill Weld is in this - is in this for the long haul and beyond my wildest dreams Bill Weld is my running mate. And, look, we don't think either side offers the alternative that Americans really want. And it's a combination of being fiscally conservative. Small government. I don't think Hillary offers that. I think Bill is really concerned that Hillary is going to grow government, taxes are going to go up, and that there has been pay to play. There's been pay to play and really big questions on these e-mails that for Bill Weld have recently been raised. So, no, no chance Bill Weld drops out. We're in this for the long haul. We still think there's an opportunity to win. Of course it would be to be in these last couple of debates.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

JOHNSON: It - you know, the fact that I didn't have to do the first debate, gosh, and still get elected, maybe that will end up to be a positive. Less work, huh?

CAMEROTA: I like the silver lining. Governor Gary Johnson, thanks so much for being on NEW DAY. Great to see you.

Let's get over to Chris.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: All right, thank you very much.

Obviously the main story, this man on your screen right now. This is the man wanted in connection with the bombing in New York City. He is the focus of a huge manhunt. There's a number for you to call, 1-800- 577-TIPS. Is he part of a larger terror cell? What does it mean that he's from Afghanistan? We're going to talk to our security experts, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:41:29] ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news. CUOMO: All right, there are a lot of new details to tell you about in

and around the New York City bombing investigation. The man on your screen is still the headline. This is the man that authorities want to talk to in connection with the explosion in Chelsea and maybe the other devices found in New York and in New Jersey. His name, Ahmad Khan Rahami. He is believed to be 28 years old, about 5'6", about 200 pounds. Last known place of residence, Elizabeth, New Jersey. If you see him, do not approach him. Authorities say he could be armed and dangerous. They want you to call the number on your screen. 1-800-577- TIPS.

All right, let's talk about what we know and what it shows to investigators in a larger terror picture. Let's bring in CNN terrorism analyst Paul Cruickshank, CNN senior law enforcement analyst and former FBI assistant director Tom Fuentes, and CNN crime and justice producer Shimon Prokupecz.

Shimon, you are really heading up what we know from authorities. Where are they now in terms of not just this man but who else can be connected to him?

SHIMON PROKUPECZ, CNN CRIME & JUSTICE PRODUCER: So they're working through that. They have talked to some people. As we know, they stopped the car overnight with some - some - about five people in the car. We don't know what the connection is. We believe these - the people who were stopped may be - may know some of the people involved.

We also know that they had raided or searched a home in Elizabeth, New Jersey, overnight. This seems to be centered around Elizabeth, New Jersey, right now. And we know they're looking for this individual. The reason that they are looking for this - for this individual is because they believe, now they're cautioning us, they believe he is the man on the video that we have been describing since yesterday in Chelsea -

CAMEROTA: (INAUDIBLE).

PROKUPECZ: Seen around the area where the explosion occurs, and then also seen again on 27th Street with this duffel bag, where they eventually found the pressure cooker.

CAMEROTA: That's the reporting. We have been wondering what the significance of this guy is. And so, obviously, that would make sense if he was the one who was featured on the surveillance video.

Paul, ISIS not claiming responsibility. How significant is that to you?

PAUL CRUICKSHANK, CNN TERRORISM ANALYST: Deafening silence from ISIS on this one so far. And if you think about the suspect, he was born in Afghanistan, came to the United States. If there is, indeed, an overseas terror connection, we do not know that at this point, bought Governor Cuomo at least raised the possibility this morning. Investigators will look at groups like the Pakistan Taliban, like al Qaeda. The Pakistani Taliban were the group that directed the Times Square attack - attempted attack in May of 2010. This may have no ISIS - no -

CUOMO: Faisal Shahzad.

CRUICKSHANK: Exactly. This may have no ISIS connection whatsoever. But yet we've yet to hear any claim from any overseas group. And investigators don't know if this has a foreign connection yet.

CUOMO: Faisal Shahzad was a big wake-up call. He had come here. He was going to school. He had a legitimate life here. And, you know, to the surprise of everybody in that man's life, including his own family, he was just waiting to be activated all along.

Tom Fuentes, that takes us to the concern about, how does it grow out from this man. There was reporting early on from authorities when they stopped that car on the Verrazano, it's more than just him. There's a group. There may have been a cell in Elizabeth, New Jersey. How do they look at that type of investigation?

TOM FUENTES, CNN SENIOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Well, in the first place, Chris, they'll be looking at whatever communication devices he had. So his cell - or has, still has, cell phones that he may have used. You know, if they believe that the dumpster bomb on 23rd Street, the first bomb exploded in New York, was detonated by a cell phone call, then that - a cell phone went through the Chelsea phone towers at that time when that bomb was detonated. There may have been another attempt using that phone to detonate the second device on 27th Street and, again, the two individuals that removed that pressure cooker from the duffel bag may have disturbed the wiring which may have caused it to not detonate. That may have been disabled accidentally by those guys and that's why it didn't detonate. But they would have cell phone connections trying to detonate it. So that's one aspect of it.

[08:45:47] And then looking at, does he have social media accounts? Who was he in communication with and how? Or is he using dark apps which the FBI is not going to be able to penetrate and it's much more difficult for the investigation. Then, of course, you've got all of the video cameras that we've talked about, as Shimon mentioned, that have helped identify him as carrying the duffel bag or dragging the rolling duffel bag around. But you also have all of the street cameras, the toll bridge and tunnel cameras that would show the vehicles coming and going from New Jersey and possibly from Elizabeth, New Jersey. So they'd be trying to piece together all of the highway video that's available to the police and to the FBI showing the movement of - in particular that Subaru vehicle or other vehicles that may be associated with him.

CAMEROTA: Right. And that brings us to the traffic stop that was made near the Verrazano Bridge. Do we know - and there were I think five people questioned.

PROKUPECZ: Yes.

CAMEROTA: Do we know what that guy in the wanted poster's connection is to those people?

PROKUPECZ: No, we don't. But what we do know is that we've been told by authorities that they may be from the Elizabeth, New Jersey, area. Again, everything right now seems to be centered around Elizabeth, New Jersey, where the FBI is conducting its search. Perhaps maybe this guy lived there or they thought he was there and then they went in and he wasn't there and so this now has started this manhunt.

CUOMO: This is the first successful attack in New York City since September 11th. We heard that from outgoing Commissioner Bill Bratton. You know it's an interesting reminder, today is the first day on the job for O'Neill, the new commissioner of the New York Police Department. What a day to start your job. Should this be seen as a failure if there was an operation of more than one individual going on, multiple devices left in multiple areas, and they were never even on the radar, should that be a concern?

CRUICKSHANK: Well, we'll have to see how things shake out. But, clearly, from the NYPD, FBI point of view, they view any attack that can get through as a failure to some agree. They don't want any attack to get through. But we'll see whether there were sort of any missed warning signs. But it's a testament to the - that the efforts of the FBI and NYPD over the years that we have not seen other attacks as there have been plenty of plots, Chris.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

CUOMO: All right, Tom, Paul, Shimon, thank you very much. Appreciate the perspective.

CAMEROTA: OK, the first presidential debate is one week from tonight. So how will the terror bombings now affect the debates and the 2016 race? Our political director, David Chalian, joins us next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:51:19] CAMEROTA: An update now on our breaking news. Authorities are looking for this man on your screen in connection with Saturday's bombing in New York City that injured 29 people. Take a look there. If you know anything, call the number on your screen, 1-800-577-TIPS.

How does what happened this weekend impact the first presidential debate one week from tonight, as well as the entire race? David Chalian is here to talk about the politics connected to this.

David, thanks so much for being here.

Where are the polls right now, David, in terms of who voters believe is stronger on fighting terrorism, Clinton or Trump?

DAVID CHALIAN, CNN POLITICAL DIRECTOR: So, in our most recent poll, Alisyn, Trump had about a five or six point lead on that question, who can better handle terrorism? But that is not the full story. It's a really interesting thing when you deep - dig in a little deeper here because when asked who can better handle the responsibilities of commander in chief, Hillary Clinton edges Donald Trump out. When asked who could better handle foreign policy, Hillary Clinton has a big lead. Who is the stronger leader? That's a Donald Trump strength. And who's got the temperament for the office? That's a big Hillary Clinton strength.

So it seems to me, if you break it all down, if you're going to have an emotional response to this where you just want brute strength and response, you're probably going to tend to find Donald Trump's response to this a bit more appealing.

CUOMO: Yes.

CHALIAN: If you're looking for someone to sort of detail a policy proposal of how - of what built in to this moment and what the detailed policies are to get out of this moment and how somebody should handle this with some caution perhaps in the Oval Office, you might lend yourself to be a Hillary Clinton supporter.

CAMEROTA: (INAUDIBLE).

CUOMO: But, David, context matters, right? We're talking about in a debate, OK? You're going to have a moderator who's clued into these things. You're going to have an opponent there to check you in real time. So if we look at what's going on here right now, Trump said it was a bomb. He was right. He says it's a mess. He says our leaders are stupid and that this is going to happen a lot more. You say that kind of incendiary, empty rhetoric on a debate stage next to your opponent with a moderator there to push the discussion, you're at risk, aren't you?

CHALIAN: You are potentially at risk, although it also may be what a lot of the American electorate is looking to hear. So, yes, you're at risk for perhaps being exposed, as you said, because the moderator and your opponent are going to push deeper, deeper. It's not just one sound bite and move on. The way these debate rules are set up is that you're talking about 15 minutes dedicated to a specific topic area and it's all about digging deeper. So, obviously, we haven't seen Donald Trump do that a ton throughout this election and yet -

CUOMO: A ton.

CHALIAN: It could be - but it could be, Chris, that his - his qualities of being seen as the stronger leader, as being seen as better on terrorism, just because of his rhetoric, could be still quite appealing, especially in the context of a - of a recent attack.

CAMEROTA: We have a short example, David, of the candidates' different styles. When they got this news that there was this bombing in New York and this threat, they both made statements and they were quite different. So take a listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: Just before I got off the plane, a bomb went off in New York.

We better get very tough, folks. We better get very, very tough.

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: I think it's always wiser to wait until you have information before making conclusions. (END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: You sort of see their signature styles there, understated, versus, you know, Donald Trump just sort of sizing it all up, even without the details.

CHALIAN: Yes, listen, I think Hillary Clinton, it was apparent, had a very clear intent on Saturday night to want to draw that contrast, Alisyn, with Donald Trump. You know, saying the line, I think you have to wait to get information, trying again to portray him as just too risky, nevermind that it might be seen as some by empty rhetoric and he doesn't have the policy goods to back it up. But - but too risky because he's too quick to jump on something without all the information.

[08:55:18] I have little doubt that today on the campaign trail both candidates, obviously, will address this. But you're going to see the Clinton campaign want to draw this contrast again, just like you're going to see Donald Trump, as he was tweeting last night, trying to say that the Obama/Clinton policies have allowed us to get to this moment.

CUOMO: Confidence versus competence. That's what you see in the two approaches.

CAMEROTA: Interesting way to size it up. David Chalian, thanks so much for being here with your perspective.

CHALIAN: Thanks, guys.

CAMEROTA: Much more of CNN's breaking coverage will continue when "Newsroom" with Carol Costello begins after this very short break. We'll see you tomorrow.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning. I'm Carol Costello. Thank you so much for joining me.

We begin with breaking news. Officials now say it is possible an active terror cell could be operating in the New York, New Jersey area. And investigators are on the hunt for this man, Ahmad Khan Rahami, after a string of terrifying weekend bombings.

[09:00:05] Here's what we know right now. This man is 28 years old. He's a New Jersey resident. He was born in Afghanistan.