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Iraqi Forces Edge Closer To ISIS Defense Lines; Can President Obama Close The Deal For Clinton?; Who Has The Advantage In Early Voting States?; Trump Supporters Tackle The Character Issue. Aired 5:30-6a ET

Aired November 02, 2016 - 05:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:30:40] ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Iraqi forces advancing on Mosul, bracing for what's expected to be the fiercest fighting yet against ISIS. They're facing snipers, landmines, and evidence that ISIS will use thousands of civilians, mostly women and children, as human shields.

CNN's senior international correspondent Arwa Damon is live on the front lines near Mosul. Give us the latest, Arwa.

ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Alisyn, if we just take a quick look over here. We're not going to spend too long on this corner because there was just a massive fire fight around us. But that tower you see right there, that is the Mosul television tower and it is considered to be the easternmost perimeter of the city, itself. That is how close these counterterrorism forces are to Mosul, and there are units that have pushed farther ahead.

Coming down this road, earlier this morning, they detonated a number of IEDs, roadside bombs. The civilian population here had actually informed them about describing the fighting to us later as being very fierce, very intense. And if we quickly swing around and look down this side of the street, you see some people -- they've begun coming out onto the road. They come to speak to the Iraqi security forces. They also come to try to just enjoy the fact that they can walk around outside without fear.

Further down there in the back is a mosque that is sheltering other women, and children, and men who pulled back into this area to try to escape the fighting that has pushed further forward and been fairly intense for the better part of the morning, Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: Arwa, can you share any of the stories of those people around you?

DAMON: There was one family whose son was actually killed in the fighting. He took a bullet or two and they were telling us that his wife was actually taken from him by ISIS and forced to marry. Was raped by an ISIS fighter and they say that that is just one example of the things would happen to families here.

There's another elderly man who was in the mosque who said that ISIS detained him for 62 days, accusing him of sorcery. They released him but he was then condemned to 300 lashes. Many of them just talk about the shear agony of constantly feeling as if they are under threat -- of constantly feeling as if no matter what they did, they would die.

The other thing they were telling us, Alisyn, is that most of the ISIS fighters and their families fled towards the city of Mosul, leaving well before these Iraqi troops arrived.

CAMEROTA: Oh, my gosh, Arwa, the stories are almost inconceivable for us, but thank you for the reporting so that we understand exactly what everyone is up against there. We'll check back in with you -- Chris.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: All right, we're just six days from the election and Hillary Clinton is rolling out the heavy hitters, including the current and former presidents. But how much of an advantage do they give her? We'll take a closer look at the Democratic movement, next.

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[05:37:50] CUOMO: Hillary Clinton and her surrogates are barnstorming key battleground states hoping to guarantee her path to 270. The push coming as Clinton looks to move past scrutiny over her emails and turning her focus back to Donald Trump's character. So, who's she using as big name supporters and how might they help?

Let's bring in CNN political commentator and Democratic strategist Maria Cardona. She's a Hillary Clinton supporter. And, CNN political commentator and talk radio host John Phillips. He's a Donald Trump supporter.

One of the main distinguishing features here, lady and gentleman, is this cast of characters around each. Really, Trump is a one-man show, right, and you have on the Clinton side more of a team approach. The biggest star on that team, arguably, President Barack Obama. And he just said something that's indicative of this last push in the election. Let's play it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I want every man out there who's voting to kind of look inside yourself and ask yourself well, if you're having problems with this stuff, how much of it is, you know, that we're just not used to it. So that, you know, like -- when a guy's ambitious (audio gap) well, that's OK. But (audio gap) suddenly, you're all like well, why she's doing that? I'm just being honest. I want you to think about it because she is so much better qualified than the other guy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CUOMO: So, Maria, what is the upside? Obviously, the president doesn't say this by accident. What is he trying to touch?

MARIA CARDONA, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I think that was a remarkable moment, Chris, because here you have not just the first African-American president saying this, but the fact that this is a guy that is acknowledging, perhaps, some of the misgivings that men have in voting for what would be the first woman president.

And in acknowledging that I think he's giving permission to the men out there that hey, it's OK, let's acknowledge that this is a feeling, but let's move past it and really look at what her qualifications are. And, you know, he's mentioned several times, as have other people on the trail for her, that she is the best qualified candidate in recent presidential history.

[05:40:05] I also think it was remarkable because he wasn't just a guy saying it, but he was an African-American man. And let's also acknowledge that within the communities of color that are the strength for Hillary Clinton there are a lot of men. And in my own community -- the Latino community -- there's a lot of machismos, you know, and they perhaps do have some misgivings that they don't talk about. That, perhaps, they're embarrassed about.

And so, by the president saying this I think that it was kind of bringing it out into the open and acknowledging that it is a reality. But look at what she is going to do for our communities, our families, the legacy of progress that we have had so far. I thought it was remarkable and a really, really smart move.

CUOMO: John, what's the risk in this?

JOHN PHILLIPS, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well look, you always need co-signers when your credit is bad and Hillary Clinton is a deeply unpopular figure in American politics, even when she's leading in the polls. But I'm not sure this is going to work.

You've seen President Obama barnstorming the country, campaigning on her behalf, and what's happened? Black vote is down in North Carolina, Florida, Ohio, from where it was in 2012. We saw Vice President Joe Biden out this weekend campaigning for Hillary Clinton and what did he do? He went on with our own Michael Smerconish and said you know, had I run against her in the primary I think I could have beaten her.

Bernie Sanders is traveling the country campaigning on her behalf, and what's happened? It's reminded Bernie supporters that Hillary colluded with the DNC to beat him in the primary. And Susan Sarandon, one of his biggest erstwhile supporters, came out and endorsed Jill Stein.

So I think if Hillary Clinton's going to win this election she's going to have to do it on her own. She can't have her surrogates do it for her.

CUOMO: Maria, you've got to feel good when the competition brings up Susan Sarandon --

CARDONA: Yes.

CUOMO: -- as a big celebrity that can swing this. Wait, two points for you to deal with. CARDONA: Sure.

CUOMO: The early voting shows flat to increases for the Democrats, and you guys are arguing that that shows that Trump isn't the only one with a movement behind him. How so?

CARDONA: Well, first of all, let me -- let me talk to what John's great spin was because here you have his candidate who doesn't have anybody vouching for him, and the people who said that they voted for him can't even say his name. It's like he's Lord Voldemort, where his name can't even be mentioned. He's that toxic to the Republican Party and to the country, in general.

But -- so, you know -- to your point, these are people -- her surrogates are people who are out there reminding people and their supporters. You talked about Bernie Sanders. Well, Bernie Sanders is reminding people that the progressives have a lot at stake here and that Bernie and Hillary have worked together to make this the most progressive platform ever, and that that is at stake in this election. And that is an important point as everybody is barnstorming the country.

CUOMO: And one other point, just so that I don't get a call from the Vice President's office. As you know, John, the vice president said if I had run I think I would have beaten Hillary. I think I would have beaten anyone.

CARDONA: Yes.

CUOMO: Anyone running for president should feel that way or they shouldn't be in the race.

CARDONA: That's exactly right.

CUOMO: So a little bit more to the statement. But, certainly, a lot of work to be done.

PHILLIPS: He's a confident guy.

CUOMO: A lot of that -- absolutely. There's a lot of work to be done. Democrats are dealing with numbers in the Obama coalition that they thought would be higher. Let's see how it goes in the last six days. Thanks to both of you.

CARDONA: Though, I have to say Hispanics are voting at a historic rate --

CUOMO: We'll see.

CARDONA: -- and that is a great thing for Democrats, as are women.

CUOMO: Thanks to both -- Alisyn.

PHILLIPS: It's good to see you, Chris.

CAMEROTA: All right, Trump and Clinton are facing, of course, the ultimate character test. Supporters on both sides of the aisle will sound off. Who has the better character?

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[05:47:50] CAMEROTA: The issue of character could decide the presidency next week and both candidates have been a bit bloodied on this issue. So who comes out on top with voters? Well, Randi Kaye put that question first to Trump supporters.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SHIRLEY, TRUMP SUPPORTER: They have no real issues that they can win on, so all they can do is try to pick on Trump and his character and try to make that be the issue.

RANDI KAYE, CNN REPORTER: Donald Trump supporters in Eau Claire, Wisconsin defending their candidate and his character despite a new ad from the Clinton campaign.

What do you think of Donald Trump's character?

DEBBIE SHIELDS, TRUMP SUPPORTER: Awesome, beautiful. Donald Trump really has the character of God. A loving, compassionate father. Donald Trump was the man that God chose for a time as this.

KAYE: Are you concerned at all about your candidate's character?

SUE RASMUSSEN, TRUMP SUPPORTER: Absolutely not, no. I think we've all fallen short of the -- you know, of what God expects of all us, so we've all missed the mark. So he missed the mark a few times.

KAYE: This voter originally supporter Ben Carson but now is backing Trump.

RON LOVELIN, TRUMP SUPPORTER: He's not perfect. I'm not looking for perfect. I'm looking for somebody to save this country.

KAYE: Many here admit that Trump has flaws but given the options they say they can look beyond that. They are even willing to forgive him for bragging about groping women on that "ACCESS HOLLYWOOD" tape.

Does it bother you to hear him talk about women that way or no?

PAUL ROBERTSON, TRUMP SUPPORTER: Um, yes. But is it a deal breaker, no.

SHIRLEY: Some of that, the media has made it be worse than what it is. It doesn't bother me.

KAYE: The tape is the tape. I mean, he said those things on the tape.

SHIRLEY: Yes. It doesn't bother me.

KAYE: What about those women accusing him of sexually assaulting them? Not even that makes women voters here question Trump's character. CAROL ROBERTSON, TRUMP SUPPORTER: I think those women need to grow a set, personally. You know, it's been a lot of years. Get over it.

KAYE: Despite this ugly clash between supporters and protesters, those in Trump's corner went on to suggest it was a joke that Hillary Clinton would even attempt to hit Trump on the issue of character.

TOM MROZEK, TRUMP SUPPORTER: He may have said things, but Hillary has done the things.

P. ROBERTSON: Her character is so flawed and got so many problems. Who is she to point the finger?

KAYE: What do you think about her character? Where do you see problems?

[05:50:00] P. ROBERTSON: Well, obviously, with her emails and Benghazi, and all the other troubles that she's caused in the world.

LINDA SCHINDLER, TRUMP SUPPORTER: Can I do a Hillary pivot and just say it's not that he's unfit, it's that she's unfit. She has done everything that's been illegal and has done everything she possibly can to sell this country out.

KAYE: And about those Clinton emails?

LOVELIN: If her mouth is moving she's not telling the truth.

MROZEK: I just can't trust her as a candidate. She's not reliable, she's not honest.

KAYE: The last thing this country needs, Trump supporters say, is another career politician, even if their man isn't perfect.

P. ROBERTSON: I think he's better suited to run the country because it's more of a business that this country needs, rather than the corruption that Hillary represents.

KAYE: So it sounds like you're willing to look past some of his character flaws to have the president that you want.

P. ROBERTSON: Yes, absolutely.

KAYE: Randi Kaye, CNN, Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CUOMO: All right, so how do Clinton supporters feel? We've got CNN's Gary Tuchman asking Democrats exactly that in Florida.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RALLYGOERS: Hillary, Hillary, Hillary.

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN REPORTER: The November sun is still broiling in Florida but the heat doesn't seem to be wilting the spirit of these Hillary Clinton supporters awaiting her arrival.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am wildly enthusiastic about Hillary Clinton.

TUCHMAN: The people in place at this rally in Pasco County, Florida are a part of the campaign's home stretch.

Do you think in this last week, as she makes her closing argument about why she should be president, should she be talking about Donald Trump a little bit? Reminding people who may be undecided about him.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She should be talking about Donald Trump and continue to challenge him.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't like him.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's awful.

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Wow!

TUCHMAN: And during this rally, Clinton spent considerable time challenging Trump.

CLINTON: When I think about what we now know about Donald Trump and what he's been doing for 30 years, he sure has spent a lot of time demeaning, degrading, insulting, and assaulting women.

TUCHMAN: But most of the people we're talking to here feel Hillary Clinton should focus on Hillary Clinton in order to build up enthusiasm.

JURL CAUDLE, CLINTON SUPPORTER: I think Donald Trump can speak for himself and get himself in trouble without Hillary's help. And so, I believe she should continue to talk about herself, her vision for this country for the next four years and, hopefully, the next eight.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think America knows where he stands. I think it's been very clear. The news has covered it extremely well.

TUCHMAN: Polling indicates that Hillary Clinton has an enthusiasm gap.

How many of you are enthusiastic about Hillary Clinton? (Cheering)

Not among the devoted supporters that go to Hillary Clinton rallies, but among others who don't like Trump and might not be motivated to vote for Clinton. However, even among the faithful here you notice something.

Do you like Hillary Clinton?

RALLYGOERS: Yes.

TUCHMAN: Are you enthusiastic about her?

RALLYGOERS: Yes.

TUCHMAN: Are you more enthusiastic about her than you were about Barack Obama?

RALLYGOERS: No.

TUCHMAN: You like Barack Obama more?

RALLYGOERS: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, we love Barack Obama.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But Hillary's cool, too.

TUCHMAN: And similar sentiments from those a bit older than the millennials.

How many of you were more enthusiastic about Barack Obama than you are Hillary Clinton? In the back there? A little bit? A little bit. So who's more enthusiastic about Hillary Clinton than Barack Obama? Do what?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think I am.

TUCHMAN: You think you are?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think so. I mean, I'm a big Barack Obama supporter but we're excited to see a woman break through and move forward and set history as Barack Obama did the same thing.

TUCHMAN: Hillary Clinton may not have enthusiasm levels that President Obama had when he ran, but that's why Clinton, her staff, and her supporters are pleased the president is on her side.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Republicans created Trump, the monster. Now they have to deal with him. We are going to win. We are going win by a landslide.

TUCHMAN: And that is the great hope here. Gary Tuchman, CNN, Pasco County, Florida.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CAMEROTA: Fascinating, right?

CUOMO: Yes. A little more complicated on the Democrat side of the ball because, you know, to paraphrase the vice president, Hillary Clinton, to a lot of Democrats, is being compared to the almighty when you're talking about Barack Obama.

CAMEROTA: Right.

CUOMO: He made history for the African-American and minority communities in a way she never will.

CAMEROTA: Well, she'll make history for women but you hear the women there. They also like Barack Obama. And you heard that young woman when -- are you as enthusiastic and she yelled no.

CUOMO: Enthusiastically.

CAMEROTA: I know.

CUOMO: We've talked about it before, though. For some reason, being the first woman isn't as galvanizing a purpose as it was with the first African-American president. On the Trump side you see something very interesting, too. They care so much about change that they will ignore anything about the man.

CAMEROTA: And they dislike Hillary Clinton so much --

CUOMO: Oh, yes.

CAMEROTA: -- that they are willing to overlook his flaws.

CUOMO: But, for a lot of the same reasons they could dislike Trump, but they don't.

CAMEROTA: OK. On that note, six days and counting. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump delivering closing arguments and a flurry of new ads. We'll explore their strategies in this final stretch, next.

[05:55:15] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Obamacare means higher prices, fewer choices, and lower quality.

CLINTON: I am sick and tired of the negative, dark, divisive, dangerous vision.

TRUMP: For any Democratic voter having a bad case of buyer's remorse, you can change your vote to Donald Trump.

CLINTON: The American dream, itself, is at stake.

TRUMP: Hillary is not the victim. The American people are the victims.

CLINTON: Why does he do these things? Who acts like this? I'll tell you who, a bully.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

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

CUOMO: Good morning, welcome to your NEW DAY. It is Wednesday, November 2nd, 6:00 on the East.

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump laying out their closing arguments. Clinton going after Trump's character, lashing out at his divisive vision.