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New Day

Interview with Republican Congresswoman Renee Ellmers of North Carolina; New Kurdish Offensive Begins North of Mosul; Trump & Clinton Tangle in Final Debate. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired October 20, 2016 - 06:30   ET

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

[06:30:04] CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Some said they never received wages owed to them. Now, this is according to litigation cited by "The New York Times." Trump denied knowing the workers were undocumented since they were hired by a contractor and not directly by Donald Trump.

However, in 1991, a judge ruled that Trump conspired to withhold payments to union funs and owed more than $325,000 to those workers. Again, according to "The New York Times." The lawsuit was settled out of court, settled out of court.

So, our verdict on this claim, Clinton's claim is mostly true since Trump was fined via a court proceeding for illegally hiring workers.

You can look at all of these yourself, if you want to see them. Go to CNN.com/realitycheck, guys.

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

Trump under fire for refusing to accepting the will of the voters. Will Trump's tactic pay off somehow? We're going to ask a congresswoman who supports Trump, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRIS WALLACE, DEBATE MODERATOR: Do you make the same commitment that you will absolutely -- sir, that you will absolutely accept the result of this election?

[06:35:05] DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I will look at it at the time. I'm not looking at anything now. I'll look at it at the time.

WALLACE: Are you saying you're not prepared now to commit to that principle?

TRUMP: What I'm saying is that I will tell you at the time. I'll keep you in suspense. OK?

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, Chris --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Well, Chris, that was Donald Trump refusing to say whether he will accept the results of the election. That's in sharp contrast to comments from his own running mate, his daughter, and his campaign manager.

So, let's discuss this with Republican Congresswoman Renee Ellmers of North Carolina. She supports Donald Trump.

Good morning, Congresswoman.

REP. RENEE ELLMERS (R), NORTH CAROLINA: Good morning. Good to be with you.

CAMEROTA: What did you think of that moment? Whichever way it goes, he would accept the result of the election, he wouldn't say that?

ELLMERS: Well, he didn't answer the question like a slick politician, he answered it like a businessman who was going to have a contract. And, furthermore, I believe Donald Trump is going to win this election so I was happy to know that Hillary Clinton said she'll accept the outcome of the election and we can move on and get this country going in the right direction.

CAMEROTA: But, Congresswoman, he's not a businessman, he's running for president. He's the Republican nominee. And he is actually sort of denigrating one of our most proud, time-tested accomplishments in this country and that is the peaceful transfer of power.

ELLMERS: Well, you know, but the thing of it is he didn't say he wouldn't accept the outcome. He said, I will let you know at the time.

CAMEROTA: What's the difference?

ELLMERS: That, to me, is a very fair point. He went on to talk about the issues that America really cares about which is the economy, which is immigration reform, strong borders. Making sure that this country moves forward with an economy that we deserve after eight years of a failed economy under Barack Obama, which Hillary Clinton will just expand upon.

(CROSSTALK)

CAMEROTA: But Congresswoman -- hold on one second. If he loses, he said I will keep you in suspense. He would not say that he would accept the outcome. What would that -- that would throw our country into crisis.

ELLMERS: Look, I think a lot more is being made of this than really needs to be. He simply said, I'm not going to say anything until the time.

There are so many people, Alisyn, that are coming out to vote in this election that haven't voted in years if they ever voted before. If we start to paint a picture that Donald Trump is going to somehow concede this election, which I believe wholeheartedly he should not because he's going to win, then we are going to tell those people what they believed all along is that their vote does not matter.

Every vote counts. I can tell you that from personal experience and I want every voter to go out and vote for Donald Trump. And have their voice heard.

CAMEROTA: Sure, but, Congresswoman --

ELLMERS: Let's make sure we're talking about what's important.

CAMEROTA: Sure, but hold on, the message is that he's sending is that the outcome might be illegitimate. Isn't that also dangerous?

Let me just read to you what some of fellow Republican lawmakers said last night after Donald Trump refused to say he would accept the outcome. Here's Senator Jeff Flake, he says, "Donald Trump saying that he might not accept election results is beyond the pale." Here's Senator Lindsey Graham, "Like most Americans, I have confidence in our democracy and election system. During this debate Mr. Trump is doing the party and country a great disservice by continuing to suggest the outcome of this election is out of his hands and rigged against him. If he loses, it will not be because the system is rigged, but because he failed as a candidate."

This is what your fellow Republicans are saying.

ELLMERS: Well, they may be my fellow Republicans, but I do not share their views and the views of the rest of America.

Donald Trump is the presidential candidate of the American people. He is not going to be beholden into the Republican Party or the Democrat Party. I personally believe that that is exactly what we need in the president. We need that person in the Oval Office who is not going to be beholden to any political party. He's not going to be beholden to special interest groups. He is going to do what is right for America.

And like I said, he is a businessman and that was the answer that he gave. You know, just because he's running for president doesn't turn him into a slick corrupt politician like Hillary Clinton.

CAMEROTA: So, what if he doesn't win? What if he loses and says he doesn't accept that? Then what?

ELLMERS: Well, you know, fair question. But I could say the same about Hillary Clinton. I don't think --

(CROSSTALK)

CAMEROTA: No, she said she'll accept it. We haven't had the situation where somebody that loses doesn't accept it.

(CROSSTALK)

CAMEROTA: You're right. ELLMERS: Hillary Clinton has told one lie or half truth. So, look,

the thing is what was important about last night's debate was that Donald Trump talked about the issues that Americans care about and are very concerned about. He laid out a plan for the future to turn this country around and back on track with creating jobs and decreasing the deficit.

[06:40:03] You know, deficit and debt. You know, it's interesting. Hillary Clinton was MIA for over five days getting ready for this debate that took place last night.

Now, here's the thing, what woman in this country has five days to prepare for anything? We're balancing our lives with work, children --

CAMEROTA: Congresswoman, she's running for president. You don't think that she should be taking time to prepare for the debate?

ELLMERS: Donald Trump was on the campaign trail up until almost exact moment before that took place. Why? Because he's a worker. He's not a talker.

So, here you have a situation. I honestly, the first thing that went through my head when I knew how much time she was taking was what woman in this country has that much time to set aside and prepare for something like this when we're balancing so much. That is why women in this country need to elect Donald Trump as president.

CAMEROTA: OK, the polls do suggest that she won every one of these three debates and maybe the preparation paid off.

But, Congressman Ellmers, we appreciate you being on NEW DAY. Thank you very much for your time. Let's get over to Chris.

ELLMERS: Thank you, Alisyn. Good to be with you this morning.

CUOMO: All right. The battle to retake Mosul from ISIS is raging on right now. The issue came up in the debate last night. We're live in Iraq, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:45:21] CUOMO: Right now, Iraqi and Kurdish forces are battling to retake Mosul from ISIS. Thousands of Peshmerga fighters are attacking from the north, elite Iraqi forces are pushing up from the east. This is a battle that Donald Trump said last night in the debate is only happening to help Hillary Clinton's campaign.

CNN senior international correspondent Clarissa Ward joins us live near Mosul.

First, let's deal with reality. What is the situation on the ground?

CLARISSA WARD, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Chris, good morning. We heard from the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi today, he said

that the things are going much better than he expected and progressing quite well on the ground. From what we're seeing, though, this is going to be a slow and tough methodical battle. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

We've heard a lot of heavy artillery going into the town just down the hill behind me. That is still under ISIS control, ground troops have surrounded it, but they haven't yet pushed it.

One other addition that is notable today is that the Kurdish forces have also opened a front on the north trying to push down so they're squeezing on all sides to get to Mosul, Chris.

CUOMO: Now, as we referred before, Clarissa, this came up in the debate. I want to play this and get your thoughts if there is any basis for what you're about to hear.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: Let me tell you, Mosul is so sad. We had Mosul. But when she left, when she took everybody out, we lost Mosul.

But you know who the big winner in Mosul is going to be after we eventually get it? And the only reason they did it is because she's running for the office of president and they want to look tough. They want to look good.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CUOMO: Isn't aside, Clarissa, Trump throw in that they, I guess that's the U.S. and all the different allies and the Iraqi government are doing this to help Hillary Clinton and he then went on to say, the real winner will be Iran and that they're, once again, going to eat America's lunch. What is your take on these?

WARD: Once again, I think there are like so many different conflicting thoughts going on in one idea.

Let's just start with the reality. Of course, the rise of ISIS has been embarrassing for President Barack Obama. This is a question of legacy for him. He dismissed them as jayvee and then they sacked the city of Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq. Of course, he would like to see this offensive take place on his watch as he tries to shape his legacy.

That is not necessarily anything to do with Hillary Clinton who left secretary of state more than a year before ISIS even took over the city of Mosul.

But what is missing I what has led to the cause of ISIS? What has led to the rise of ISIS? This isn't about U.S. politics, Chris, as you well know. It's about issues of governance, about sectarianism, about instability, about security in the region, and about corruption.

And until we start to hear a sensible debate really drilling down on what the core issues are here, how to see how we're prepared for the day after Mosul when the real fight starts, Chris.

CUOMO: Clarissa, thanks.

CAMEROTA: Clarissa, great to get your perspective there from the front lines. Thank you very much for being with us.

So, about that debate, how did Clinton handle the questions about what we've all seen in those embarrassing stolen e-mails from John Podesta? Well, one of the people named in those e-mails was Neera Tanden. She's here next to talk e-mails and the debate.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:53:05] CUOMO: -- according to the polls.

Joining us now is Neera Tanden. She's the co-chair of the Clinton/Kaine transition project.

Neera, thank you for joining us this morning.

Yes, the polls say she won. But do you believe that Hillary Clinton left opportunities on the table last night or did she do everything you think she needed to do?

NEERA TANDEN, CO-CHAIR, CLINTON-KAINE TRANSITION PROJECT: Honestly, I think she had a pretty flawless performance there. I mean, it's hard to be in a debate when you have no idea what the opponent is going to say, what mistruths he's going to use.

But I think she handled it effectively and one more debate, third out of third in which he lost steam and, obviously, got really angry and made a lot of accusations and said some pretty nasty things. So, I think, you know, the American people saw him for what he is, who is a person temperamentally unfit to be president.

CUOMO: Trump said the same thing about you last night. He just got your name wrong. He called you John Podesta. He was referring to one of the e-mails that came out in the WikiLeaks.

Now, when Secretary Clinton was asked out this, she went to the point that the campaign prefers, which is WikiLeaks is Russia infiltrating the election, true, perhaps according to the intel agencies of the U.S. government. Seventeen of them. Yes, if they're stolen e-mails, which they are, that's a problem.

But let's deal with the substance of them. Specifically, one of the ones that you wrote. Put up the e-mail.

"Her inability to just do a national interview and communicate genuine feelings of remorse and regret is now I fear becoming a character problem."

Now, this is interesting to hear that inside, you guys were having the same discussion that people were having outside. So, what happened when you said these things to Podesta and others? Where did you guys come to a conclusion about why Clinton had such a hard time just owning that she did something wrong with the e-mail server?

TANDEN: You know, I know that Russia and other forces would love us to have a debate.

[06:55:01] This is exactly what they want. They want us to have a debate about the internal structure of Hillary's campaign. What's true, what's not true? And I'm just not going to play that. I'm sorry.

The reality here is, I -- is that, as Marco Rubio said, we have a Russian government, the Russian government, a foreign government trying to essentially impact this election. And I'm sorry, Chris, but using the American media to do that.

CUOMO: Neera --

TANDEN: Any e-mail I sent was personal from my personal account to someone else's personal account. I'm not on the campaign. I was a formal outside adviser with my own thoughts.

And so, honestly, I'm just telling you right now, Chris, the reality of this is that I think Marco Rubio is right about this. People should not be using this as weaponizing the e-mails or personal e- mails of anyone and sending them --

CUOMO: Neera, if this email were from Kellyanne Conway to Dave Bosse, you would be giving me all your deepest thoughts about it right now. You don't like it because it's your e-mail. You're ducking it, you're not having high ground.

TANDEN: Chris, that's absolutely false. I would not be doing that. You can see in other areas where e-mail have been used on any other issue of taking the same position.

CUOMO: When his taxes came out, the Clinton campaign couldn't stop talking about them, right? Those were leaked.--

TANDEN: Actually, that is a really important, Chris. I agree with you. These e-mails were not leaked. They were stolen.

CUOMO: What is the difference on how they come out? That's a separate issue. The e-mails say what they say.

TANDEN: You just said leaked. You just said leaked.

CUOMO: Yes, I know. I'll say it again, leaked.

TANDEN: And they weren't leaked.

CUOMO: That's a separate issue.

TANDEN: It is not a separate issue. How this got, how this happened was a foreign government and you don't listen to me. Listen to Marco Rubio.

(CROSSTALK) TANDEN: And our intelligence agencies and our intelligence agencies.

CUOMO: But you have to understand, to -- not just to me, but to the outside, your e-mails are what they are.

Now, if you say I never said this, that's something different. If you say this isn't me, I didn't write that. That's a legitimate basis. Otherwise it seems like you're ducking it because you don't want to own what you said.

TANDEN: I'm not not owning it. I'm not owning it. I'm saying we shouldn't really be dealing with people's private e-mails. This is I think an issue of privacy. I agree with a lot of people who made this point on both sides of the aisle.

CUOMO: All right, we'll leave your answer at that. I want to get your take on something else that happened last night and what you think will be any resonance of it. Let's play the moment from last night with Trump bringing the most direct insult to Hillary Clinton.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: My Social Security payroll contribution will go up, as will Donald's, assuming he can't figure out how to get out of it. But what we want to do is to replenish the Social Security Trust Fund --

TRUMP: Such a nasty woman.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CUOMO: What is your takeaway in that? Is that another throw away line or do you think it goes deeper?

TANDEN: I think it builds upon his statements throughout this campaign about women. When it happened I had to do a double take. I couldn't believe he just said such a nasty woman about his opponent.

You know, these are two -- these are two people who are obviously have vigorous debates. But the fact that he launched such a personal, personal insult after we had a discussion and debate back and forth about his treatment of women. And I think people, particularly women, we're able to see in real time his attitude and it just confirms that he believes negatively about women in general.

Obviously, doesn't like Hillary Clinton but that he would launch such a personal insult. You have seen on social media that really picked up steam. Voters saying I'm a nasty woman for Hillary Clinton.

I think people saw that for what it was, which was another example of him being unfit to be president.

CUOMO: All right. Neera, appreciate your perspective. And remember, if anything gets leaked or hacked or brought out about Donald Trump between now and the end of the race, I better not hear anything from anybody in the Hillary campaign. TANDEN: And if they're emails stolen on his side, believe me, I won't

mention

CUOMO: OK. Neera Tanden, thank you very much.

TANDEN: Thank you.

CUOOM: We've got a lot more debate coverage ahead, including live interviews with Trump's campaign manager and Democratic VP nominee, Tim Kaine. What do you say? Let's get to it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TRUMP: I will tell you at the time. I'll keep you in suspense.

CLINTON: He is talking down our democracy. I am appalled.

TRUMP: She should not be allowed to run.

CLINTON: Every time Donald thinks things are not going in his direction, he claims whatever it is, it's rigged against him.

TRUMP: He was guilty of a very, very serious crime.

CLINTON: When I was in the Situation Room, he was hosting "The Celebrity Apprentice".

TRUMP: The one thing you have over me is experience. But it's bad experience.

CLINTON: You're not up to doing the job.

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

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CUOMO: Good morning. Welcome to your NEW DAY.

Up first, Donald Trump's debate bombshell. He says he will not say if he'll accept the results of the election. He actually said I'm going to keep the country in suspense.