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2016 Race; Clinton Meets Black Lives Matter; Rep. Issa Comments on Speaker Race; Obama's Visit to Roseburg Stirs Controversy. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired October 9, 2015 - 09:30   ET

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


[09:30:00] ANA CABRERA, CNN ANCHOR: Holocaust?

BOB WALKER, FMR. CONGRESSMAN, (R) PENNSYLVANIA: Well, I think that Ben Carson is a really high quality man who has done a lot of miraculous things during his life. But I think he's now in a world where your adversaries and your allies dissect virtually everything you say. And it is a world in which is quite different from that which he has practiced before. And I think what we're seeing is that his statements are regarded as controversial even though he doesn't particularly see them that way.

CABRERA: So Trump's also saying stuff these days that some consider controversial, but he - he tends to dig in his heels. And one thing that he's been questioned on over and over again is whether he will drop out of the race if he starts slipping in the polls. And today he said no. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (voice-over): I was with Chuck Todd, who was very good and, you know, I did "Meet the Press" and he said, well, would you get out? And I made this statement that, well, you know, if I could see I wasn't going to win and if my numbers were really terrible and if you wouldn't call and everybody's not calling, if I saw it wasn't going to happen, of course I would. The next day headlines, Trump considering maybe getting out of the race. It was so ridiculous.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

TRUMP: So you know what I say right now, I give more of a political answer, I'm never getting out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CABRERA: I'm never getting out is what he says, Jason, but we have to say, his numbers haven't been climbing, although he is on top of the polls. They've sort of plateaued. Why do you think that is?

JASON JOHNSON, POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR, HIRAM COLLEGE: Well, they've plateaued because other candidates are doing better. But we have to remember, Donald Trump is still in the lead. He's never not been in the lead. So there's no reason to think that he's going to leave. But, Ana, I want to make sure that we make this clear. There's one

thing about Donald Trump saying offensive things about veterans or saying something racist about Latinos. It's entirely something else for Ben Carson to essentially victim blame in the Holocaust and suggest that people who were oppressed and abused by a regime didn't fight back hard enough. And I think those are real concerns for anybody. I don't care if you are a Republican, a Democrat or independent, it's a real concern when you have people running for president who make those kind of statements.

CABRERA: And do you agree with that, congressman?

WALKER: Well, I - I - as I say, I mean I think Ben Carson is attempting to make a point. But I have to say that any time that you raise the specter of Nazism that is going to turn on a lot of criticism for your position.

CABRERA: All right, let's talk about both these gentlemen and I want to move forward and talk about policy. They've been making the media rounds. But when questions come up about specific policies, their answers have been kind of interesting. Trump tend to say, trust me, I'll be great. Carson, last week, he sort of deflected a question about how he might handle the hurricane threat that was pending and this week he had a hard time answering some questions about the debt limit and whether he would raise the debt limit as president. So, congressman, what's your assessment of these two GOP frontrunner's policy knowledge?

WALKER: Well, I - that's a - that, I think, is a legitimate question because, look, you have to have an intuitive understanding of a lot of these major issues. You have to have seen the implications of not proceeding forward on something like the debt limit. You have to have lived with a lot of the turmoil that can be caused by bad policies. And when you're kind of a novice into the whole area, it really does bring about a real problem when you try to simplify those things which are complex issues.

CABRERA: Jason, last word.

JOHNSON: Let's make it clear, being president is a tough job and it's not a job for rookies and they both sound like rookies and we can't do that in this country.

CABRERA: Some would say President Obama was a rookie when he took the job as president. Unfortunately, we don't have time to discuss further, but I think people would agree with your point and others would disagree.

Jason Johnson, Bob Walker, our thanks to both of you.

JOHNSON: Thank you.

CABRERA: Coming up, minutes from now, Hillary Clinton is meeting with members of Black Lives Matter. Will she win over that group?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [08:38:38] CABRERA: As Joe Biden prepares to huddle with his family this weekend to discuss a potential 2016 candidacy, we are now learning that some of his representatives met with officials from the Democratic National Committee this week. On the agenda, campaign deadlines. A Democratic official tells CNN it is part of an ongoing effort to get details on ballot access in those states should Biden decide to enter the race. Those close to him still say no decision has been made.

Now, Hillary Clinton the morning will be meeting with members of the Black Lives Matter movement. This meeting scheduled to begin in about a half an hour. It comes a couple of months after that intense encounter during one of Clinton's campaign stops in New Hampshire. You might recall that. It was videotaped. She met with a small group of Black Lives Matter members. And Today's event was initiated by a member from that group.

Here to discuss, Kyra Kyles, the vice president of digital editor for "Ebony" magazine. And joining me by phone, Brittany Packnett, she's a member of the planning team for Campaign Zero, which is an organization that's affiliated with Black Lives Matter and it helps to provide policy solutions to end police violence.

So, Brittany, I want to start with you because I understand you plan to be at today's meeting. What do you want to hear from Hillary Clinton?

BRITTANY PACKNETT, PLANNING TEAM MEMBER, CAMPAIGN ZERO: Thanks so much for having me. I'm looking forward to having a truly substantive conversation about policy that will help to stem the tide of racial injustice and violence in the country. We know from national polling that for African-American millennial like myself, fighting racism is the top cause that we are thinking about as we go to the ballot box. And so I want to make sure that our conversation addresses racial injustice in as much as it addresses social injustice.

[09:40:23] CABRERA: Has Hillary Clinton said anything so far that you think gets to the heart of the matter?

PACKNETT: So, on our website, joincampaignzero.org, we have a presidential tracker. So we know that Secretary Clinton has said a number of things in relationship specifically to issues around police violence, but there is a broader set of conversations that we need to be having about police violence, mass incarceration and systemic racism that move beyond rhetoric to real plans of action should she take office.

CAMEROTA: Let's talk about plans of action, Kyra. "Ebony" magazine, I know, recently did a sit down with Bernie Sanders to talk about his plans. How does Clinton compare in terms of her outreach to the black community and what you've heard from her message?

KYRA KYLES, VICE PRESIDENT FOR DIGITAL EDITORIAL, "EBONY" MAGAZINE: Well, I think Hillary, you know, starts out of the gate with more recognition with African-Americans. You know, she has been talking very recently about criminal justice, acknowledging that African- Americans are treated unfairly. And I think that what we're looking for here in this meeting is to hear what beyond that lip service will the constituents - you know, with can they look forward to.

I think what's important about this meeting is that there was that previous encounter that maybe didn't come off so well in which it seems as if some thought that she was lecturing the group or telling them exactly how they should go about getting justice and making suggestions and I think that she has proven now that she is also listening and that she's going to talk to the group about the campaign zero, which I think is great because it - it has these concrete policies and deliverables and we'll see what the outcome is from that.

CABRERA: So, Brittany, what questions specifically will you ask her?

PACKNETT: You know, I actually had the chance to speak to Secretary Clinton several months ago when she came to St. Louis where I live. And some of the things that I asked her then I want to ask again to hear what change has occurred, how she's thinking about the things differently and what plan of action she has toward issues like special and independent prosecutors in cases of police-involved killings, the demilitarization of police and also broader issues around mass incarceration. We know that Clinton era policies have - are directly correlated with the levels of the mass incarceration we see across this country right now that disproportionately affect African-American and Latino people and so I want to hear very specifically how she plans to address that and reverse those trends.

CABRERA: All right, well, let us know what comes from that meeting. Brittany Packnett and Kyra Kyles, thank you both for being here.

KYLES: Thank you.

CABRERA: And, remember, you can catch the first Democratic presidential debate this Tuesday, it's October 13th, only on CNN.

Still to come, the president's on his way to Roseburg, Oregon, this morning, as that town grieves for its fallen. But not everyone welcomes his presence. We'll be back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:47:42] CABRERA: Welcome back to the NEWSROOM. We want to go live to Capitol Hill right now. GOP lawmakers in the House just wrapped up a meeting as they try to figure what is next in the race for speakership. I want to take our Dana Bash -- I see you are with Congressman Issa. Dana, take it away.

DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right. And before I turn to Congressman Issa, I just want to tell you that Kevin McCarthy just walked by the cameras and he talked about the fact that Paul Ryan is weighing his decision on whether or not he will step up to the plate now that McCarthy has dropped out of the race. He talked about the fact that it is tough since Paul Ryan has small children. But then as he walked away he suggested that he thinks it is more likely than not that Paul Ryan will do that. And on that note, I'm going to turn to Darrell Issa. Thank you so

much. Talk about what you think might happen and more specifically, in this room how much pressure Paul Ryan is getting to run for Speaker.

REP. DARRELL ISSA (R), CALIFORNIA: Paul is under tremendous pressure because in fact he is the only candidate that broadly we can agree can get to 240 votes on the floor consistently. It is tough, as you say. It's a big sacrifice. He's sacrificing the job he's always wanted, the opportunity to do the legislation he's committed to do and the travel and other requirements will be extensive. But although he ruled himself out, it is very clear he's reconsidering. He's going home to meet with his family and to do the kind of soul searching he would need to do to turn his life upside down for his country.

BASH: In this room and in this meeting that's going on down the hall from where we're standing right now, are people standing up and saying Mr. Ryan please do it, it's your duty, you have to do it or something along those lines?

ISSA: I think it is more subtle than that but you heard from Leader McCarthy, who's talked to Paul, you're hearing from me, who's talked to Paul, that he knows that the pressure is on and he can't say no. He has to say I don't want to and really give it some thought. If there is not another candidate and this is what saves the institution, his goals as the Ways and Means Chairman will not be reached unless in fact we have a functional House. And that is where the real challenge comes. As much as he'd like to stay the Chairman of Ways and Mean, a job he's waited 20 years for nearly, the fact is his time is now and many of us believe he will answer the call.

[09:50:03] BASH: Okay. So you spoke with Paul Ryan about this. Based on your conversation, you do think that he's going to go from a hard no to a yes? He's not going to have any choice but the say yes?

ISSA: I think he's going from a hard no to he knows he has to consider it. And I know he's going home to have the kind of real meeting with his family that would allow him to weigh that. All of us are trying now to make sure he understands that the support will be behind him. If he chooses to do it, one of our commitments has to be that we will not put him back in the box that John Boehner has found himself in. We have to be governable if we choose broadly or consensus candidate.

BASH: And on that note - I mean - You have been around here, you've watched the chaos. You understand, I'm sure, why Paul Ryan, somebody who is young, who has his dream job, wants to write tax reform and then maybe leave here and go have a different life with his family, why he wouldn't want to take what is a thankless and very difficult job.

ISSA: Well, look, I said it earlier today, being the Speaker of the house is a great honor if you don't include the tar and feathering that goes with it. Paul knows that. He's seen it. This isn't a job he's seeking but it's a job that may ultimately seek him. And for many of us, he is the candidate of choice. You heard it from Leader McCarthy. I'm sure you would hear it from Speaker Boehner and you're hearing it from me that if he will consider it, we will support him. I think as you see members of the Freedom Caucus, you'll find, at least individually, most of them agree.

BASH: One last question before I let you know. If for some reason Paul Ryan, to use your words, doesn't answer the call, are you going to jump in?

ISSA: Well jump in would probably be wrong. I believe that, just as Paul Ryan is a candidate we're trying to draft, that people who are willing to be considered need to step forward. But ultimately, we need a candidate that can get to 240. Nobody should take this job based on getting to 218 one time. You have to bring the conference back together. Paul Ryan can do it. It's the reason we're not trying to have any second candidates. When - I've said I'd consider this, I'm considering it only, only if Paul Ryan doesn't run.

BASH: Thank you very much.

ISSA: Thank you.

BASH: Appreciate it. Thanks, Congressman. Thank you.

And Ana before I toss back to you, we were talking about the fact that Kevin McCarthy was just here. He was talking to us briefly about the state of whether or not Paul Ryan would run. I think we have that sound now. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: Mr. McCarthy, can you stop for one second?

REP. KEVIN MCCARTHY (R), FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER CANDIDATE: I got to run. I'm sorry.

BASH: Wait - Wait -- Can you just tell me what you were saying? That he has to decide on his own - Come on - Come over here.

(CROSSTALK)

MCCARTHY: Okay, I'm only going to make it quickly. We have very good conference, working together. Trying to work together. I know a lot of speculation about who should run and others. Paul is looking at it, but it's his decision. If he decides to do it, he'd be an amazing Speaker, but he has to decide on his own.

BASH: Should he do it?

(CROSSTALK)

MCCARTHY: Yeah. It's a very good chance.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:57:12] CABRERA: Right now the president is on his way to Roseburg, Oregon, and this visit deeply dividing the town there with at least two protests planned during his visit today. To discuss further, we're joined by the director of communications for the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, Ladd Everitt. Along with executive director of the Gun Owners of America, Larry Pratt.

Ladd, I want to start with you. Earlier in this hour we heard from Roseburg residents who were not pleased that the president was coming. They believed that he was politicizing the tragedy that happened there when a shooter killed nine people in a classroom. Do you think it's fair criticism of the president's remarks?

LADD EVERITT, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, COALITION TO STOP GUN VIOLENCE: You know, I think people are entitled to their feelings. That community is obviously suffering right now. But you know from the president's perspective, I think you have to realize how many times he has now had to step up to that podium and give that same speech. There is no other free country on the face of the earth that experiences these horrors on a regular basis like we do. And as you know, I mean, we can't even get through the segment without breaking news of another shooting in this country. So yes, I understand the feelings of some people in that community, but I also understand that the president's heart is broken about this and he wants to do something to stop it.

CABRERA: Larry, I know you're not for more gun control, but I want to take a look real quickly at a study because when you look at some of the statistics, perhaps it changes people's opinion. The relationship between gun laws and gun deaths was studied by researchers at Harvard. They took a look at 2007 to 2010 and what they found was there was a correlation that those states that had the most gun laws had the fewest gun-related deaths and vice versa. Those with the fewest gun laws have the most gun related deaths. Again, just a correlation. But could this be an argument for passing additional legislation?

LARRY PRATT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA: Well, I think that's an attempt to overlook something that's very basic to this discussion in which I think the people of Roseburg are likely to tell the president that all but two of our mass murders in our country have occurred in gun-free zones, such as this school, where the college administration had imposed their own will against state law that it be a gun-free zone. and so it turns out to be a murder magnet. And if the president wants to help, he could do away with a federal ban on guns in schools so that people are able to defend themselves when guys and primarily young men are drawn to these areas like a murder magnet to kill as many people as they think they can, because they know they won't meet any opposition. They have got to learn that we're taking that gun-free zone away from you. It's going to become a place where people can defend themselves.

CABRERA: Ladd, very quickly, you mentioned the shooting this morning, it was another area where people weren't allowed to carry guns. What do you think of those comments we just heard from Larry?