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Jon Stewart Blames Democrats for Trump's Rise; Voting in West Virginia Today; College Students Study Trump's Rise to Presumptive GOP Nominee; Obama to Visit Hiroshima, Japan; Russian Footprint in Syria Bigger than Thought. Aired 2:30-3p ET

Aired May 10, 2016 - 14:30   ET

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


[14:30:00] BEN HOWE, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, REDSTATE.COM: You know, the authenticity has to be not trying to pretend that we agree on these policy issues. We don't. This is a question of character.

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: And on that authenticity, I think it's related to trustworthiness and honesty. Neither Trump nor Clinton do well from the Quinnipiac poll of three states of Florida, Pennsylvania.

Kayleigh, he refers to your candidate as a man-baby or baby-man. And I wondered, the lack of a Jon Stewart in this election cycle, obviously, here, you know, in the media we're interviewing the candidates, holding them accountable, but missing this voice. How -- are you, like, thank your lucky stars in a sense that Jon Stewart is no longer hosting "The Daily Show" for your candidate's sake?

KAYLEIGH MCENANY, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Yes, yes. Yes, I am thanking him for stepping down. But, you know, he does have a point that Democrats have not governed well. I agree with Chris there's bipartisan failure. Both the left and the right betrayed the middle class. They have been left out. They have been marginalized and seen the wages just working hard and their wages are flat. But there's bipartisan failure. He's absolutely right. And Jon Stewart is right to point out the failures of Democrats. But I would disagree that government can ever work at a big level. I think we have a lot of proof it doesn't work and that's where I disagree with Jon. But thankful, he's not around to belittle Trump these days.

BALDWIN: If he were -- Chris, last question, I'm curious, how do you think the race is different if Jon Stewart is back on TV every night?

CHRIS KOFINIS, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Oh, one, it would be a fantastic show to watch. You have to admit that. But I think one of the mistakes that has happened in the coverage of this, you know, race, is that the candidates, in particular Mr. Trump, has been somehow been able to escape asking -- I'm sorry -- having to answer the tough questions and I think --

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Tough question shave been asked. Let's the out that --

(CROSSTALK) KOFINIS: Yeah. But the tough questions being asked, but when he gives an answer without any specifics, has no credibility in any facts, there has to be a follow-up that challenges him on it, exposes the fact he doesn't know what he's talking about. Whether Republican or Democrat, when running for office, you have to be accountable to what you know. It can't be just rhetoric. And what we've seen from Trump is just that. And what you would have seen from "The Daily Show" under Jon Stewart is a much more brutal attack, not just of Trump, but I think both parties as well the media.

BALDWIN: Chris and Ben and Kayleigh, thank you so much.

KOFINIS: Thank you.

HOWE: Thank you.

MCENANY: Thank you, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Next, with voting under way in two primary states today, Ted Cruz reigniting speculation he might jump back into the race depending on how the results shake out in one state specifically. We'll discuss that.

And also ahead, Trump politics 101. You heard about this? One university professor turning this race into a teachable moment offering a college course over the summer on the presumed Republican nominee. We'll get a sneak peek at the syllabus, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:37:32] BALDWIN: Primary voting today for both parties in West Virginia. And while Hillary Clinton may be leading the race for the Democratic nomination, today's contest in coal country, where Secretary Clinton angered some voters talking about "putting coal miners and companies out of business," yes, she has apologized. Will that affect her at all today? We'll see.

On the Republican side, this is Donald Trump's first primary as the presumptive nominee. Does that necessarily mean he'll sweep?

Let's go to Jean Casarez whose watching this from Charleston, West Virginia.

Jean, talk to me about what you have seen and heard today.

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, first of all, the secretary of state's office just told us that voter turnout today in the state is anywhere from steady to great. And that is what the statistics have shown. I'll tell you that voters are engaged that I have spoken with as they have come out after voting, knowledgeable on the issues, and they're very passionate about their state and the economy.

I want to show some early voting tabulations. This is the early vote so it's already in. But it is casting a record for the state of West Virginia. Over 100,000 early ballots were submitted in West Virginia. Look compared to the primary election in 2012 and 2008 -- (CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Huge number.

CASAREZ: It's huge. And they believe that today's primary election will also garner some records for the state.

Now, what are voters telling me? It is so interesting and I'm learning so much.

First of all, I spoke with someone whose mother was born in a coal mining camp. He says that people have to realize that the future for West Virginia is not coal. It is the past. They have got to bring in new industry. They need to retrain the miners. He believes that Hillary Clinton is the best person to be president of this country to effectuate that change for Virginia.

And I spoke with a young woman who was of Syrian descent. She says she is not associated with the coal miners or coal miners at all. She believes that the global picture is important. Bernie Sanders, her candidate.

I also spoke with a lady who's a registered Democrat. She had to vote Democrat, because that is the process here. She voted for Hillary Clinton. But she said, come the general election, it's all about Donald Trump because she believes he cares and can change the economy for West Virginia.

And let me tell you, many people support the coal industry and believe that is the future of this state. And here's what I have learned, Brooke, today. The trickle down, domino effect that not only are the miners affected and their families, and you have got the heavy equipment operators and Caterpillar, you have the attorneys that form the contracts for the miners, you have the consultants, clerical staff, you have so many people affected in this entire state because the miners aren't working and the mines aren't working to their full capacity.

[14:40:27] BALDWIN: I'm so glad you're talking to these people. Important to remind folks, people are out voting. This thing is not locked up yet.

Jean Casarez, in West Virginia, thank you so much.

Now as far as Donald Trump, how exactly did Trump turn a world-class career in real estate and reality TV into his party's presumptive nominee for president? Well, students at Savannah State University can study his rise for a couple of credits this summer. The historically black Georgia college is offering the course called "The Trump Factor in American Politics," beginning in about a week.

And the brains behind this class is Professor Robert Smith, from Savannah State's Political Science Department. He'll teach the course.

Professor, nice to have you on. ROBERT SMITH, POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR, SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY:

Well, Brooke, thank you. My pleasure to be here. Thank you.

BALDWIN: I can only imagine what it's like teaching Poli-Sci this spring as I'm sure you had interesting discussions with your students. Is that the genesis of the summer course?

SMITH: Oh, absolutely, a very exciting time to be teaching any sort of a class on political science. Again, the campaign both on the Republican, of course, but also on the Democratic side has really fueled the debate and discussion in class and been an exciting time. In fact, that part of that debate and discussion was the reason for thinking that it was time to advance a course looking precisely at Donald Trump and the Trump factor in electoral politics.

BALDWIN: I understand that a lot of your students have disagreed with, been frustrated with some of what Donald Trump has brought to the forefront politically, but you say sort of as a neutral professor that there are some aspects of Mr. Trump that would surprise them. Like what?

SMITH: Well, I think particularly in terms of when you take a closer look at Mr. Trump's background, in terms of his business acumen, in terms of his negotiating a variety of deals. We've heard a lot of talk about that. He's Donald Trump himself has promoted that, but the idea to navigate circles in the business world. But also keep in mind, as Donald Trump has sort of morphed as a political figure in terms of going from, at one time, a Democratic candidate, to now the Republican standard bearer for the party, I think there's an ability on his part to be able to connect with a variety of segments of the electorate. And I think that may be surprising to my students, despite some trepidations they might have due to some of those very volatile and controversial positions that he's taken.

BALDWIN: Do you have a number of students signed up? Is it a tough course to get in?

SMITH: I'll tell you, if you'd like to enroll, it's still open. And as a matter of fact, again, we have about a dozen students enrolled and I'm expecting it to increase. And I have to say because it's a summer class in a sort of a very set period of time, basically, for one sort of intensive month of getting to know Donald Trump and his impact on electoral politics, again, typically, summer enrollments are a good time to be able to immerse yourself in a class like this. And would say if we end up with about 18 to 20 students in the class it is a perfect size of a class to have a discussion.

BALDWIN: That's pretty good. Final question. I don't know if your students are listening. I'll tell me, you know, ear muffs. What would be your big final exam question on Donald Trump, Professor?

SMITH: Sure. I think that would be the seminal question, which is really about what will be -- what do you think would be the long-term impact of the Trump candidacy on electoral politics for the future. That's certainly the question that we're going to be posing from day one of the class. And I hope we'll be able to come up with the answers by the time we conclude in the class. And that is the focus of what this class is all about.

BALDWIN: We're still so in the thick of it. I don't think any of us have the answers but we should bring you back on and some of your students. Curious to see their thoughts.

Professor Smith, thank you so much.

SMITH: Oh, thank you again.

[14:44:31] BALDWIN: Thank you.

Next, President Obama may make history as a first president to visit Hiroshima in Japan. Does this trip amount to an apology for dropping the bomb that ended World War II? We'll talk about the significance.

Also, a big man on the short list. We'll talk to HUD Secretary Julian Castro, live, one of the people that could be on the ticket with Hillary Clinton.

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BALDWIN: President Obama will be making history during his upcoming trip to Asia. He'll become the first sitting president to visit Hiroshima, Japan, where more than 100,000 people were killed by a U.S. atomic bomb at the end of World War II. The White House says there will be no apology and that the president's remarks at Hiroshima are aimed at advancing his goal of a world without nuclear weapons. His deputy national security adviser, Ben Rhoades, is quoted as saying this, "He will not revisit the decision to use the atomic bomb at the end of World War II." He goes on, "Instead, he'll offer a forward- looking vision focused on the shared future."

Joining me now to discuss, our chief national security correspondent, Jim Sciutto.

Jim, we know he wanted to go there when he was first president in 2009. Apparently, a Japanese official advised against it. So, why now?

[14:49:46] JIM SCIUTTO, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: He wants to do it before the end of the term. It's something, sort of a promise he made those seven years ago. He's wanted to do it. Now, he has the time to do it because they're attaching it to his broader goal of nuclear nonproliferation at a summit in Washington a couple of weeks ago, that kind of thing. It is clearly a personal issue for him, one, because this is a sort of ambitious goal of his to move the world in the direction of nonproliferation and even away from fluke clear weapons but also to highlight the horrors of nuclear war. You have North Korea across the Sea of Japan making enormous progress on nuclear weapons and Japan in the sights, not just the U.S., but Japan in its sights. So it's very topical. It's very today.

And I'll tell you, Brooke, if you have ever been there -- I went there once about ten years ago. The power of being in this place where tens of thousands of people died within seconds, literally, in front of that famous dome there that survived, to have the American president, regardless of whether he utters an apology, which he is not --

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: That's still sending a message.

SCIUTTO: Absolutely. I mean, it's remarkably powerful in this context. Listen, I think he wants to send a counter message to someone like Kim Jong-Un who is heralding the power and the spectacle of nuclear weapons, that that's part of the intention there.

And you might even say, Brooke, since it has popped up in the political campaign, you have the Republican presumptive nominee talking about giving nuclear weapons to Japan and South Korea in response to North Korea, and you can say it's a counter political message coming from the White House.

BALDWIN: Counter political message, perhaps a message to North Korea. How do you think he's going to be received by Japan?

SCIUTTO: I think clearly he's gotten the OK. In 2009, he was advised against it. The U.S. won't do this over Japanese advice. Clearly, Abe, the Japanese prime minister, has said now is the time to do it. I think there will be people there who see it as a sort of a reaffirmation of the alliance between the Japan and United States as North Korea is threatening, as China is threatening. But, listen, people remember this attack very well. There will be many Japanese, I have to think, will be uncomfortable with it. It was 70-some-odd years ago. But it was -- you know, it's a moment in history, a difficult moment in history for Japan, and that will be a difficult thing for them to swallow, some, at least.

BALDWIN: I'd love to take it in as you describe.

Jim Sciutto, thank you.

SCIUTTO: Thank you.

BALDWIN: Coming up next, a plot twist in the race for president. Did Marco Rubio's own team lobby behind the scenes to get him on the ticket with Donald Trump? Hear what Republican insiders have told CNN.

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[14:56:45] BALDWIN: Overseas today, a fragile cease-fire in the midst of the raging war in Syria. Let me show you pictures. And this is Aleppo where the fighting stopped for now. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the cease-fire will save tens of thousands of lives, and would not have been possible without the Russians.

CNN's Fred Pleitgen is inside Syria with the Russian military, and he is learning that Vladimir's footprint in country may be bigger than we all thought.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) FRED PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is the Russian intervention the world has come to know. But Russia's footprint in Syria seems to be far bigger than just combat jets.

There are thousands of troops stationed at its main air base, disciplined and highly motivated.

We caught one this first lieutenant during his boxing practice.

"I'm glad to serve my country," he says, "and I'm not afraid. What is there to be afraid of in Syria?"

The West has criticized Russia saying its air strikes target mostly moderate anti-Assad rebels. The Russians claiming they bomb only ISIS and other terror groups.

But while Moscow says it's withdrawn most forces from Syria, on an embed we saw, what appeared to be several bases in western and central Syria with a variety of attack helicopters. Also a brand new base in Palmyra for its demining crews with dozens of fighting vehicles and even anti-aircraft missile systems.

On top of it own assets, the military spokesman says his forces closely cooperate with Bashar al Assad's troops.

"We receive a great deal of information from the Syrian general staff," he says. "They're on the ground and close to the rebels. As for the military technical cooperation, of course, we help them as well."

(SHOUTING)

PLEITGEN: None of this seems to indicate a full Russian withdrawal from Syria anytime soon. And for many in the government-held parts of Damascus, that's just fine.

(on camera): The people here in the government-held part of Damascus seem to be very well aware of the extent to which Russia's military has helped Bashar al Assad's forces, but they also say that if there's going to be a solution to the Syrian crisis, it has to come from Syrians themselves and not from outside powers.

(voice-over): Violence still rages in most of the country. Reconciliation seems nowhere in sight, and neither is an end to Russia's involvement in the conflict.

Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Damascus.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: All right. We continue on top of the hour. I'm Brooke Baldwin. Thank you for being with me. You're watching CNN.

Call it a surprise twist in the race for president. A source from Donald Trump's campaign says Marco Rubio's own people were pushing him, quote, "hard to be Trump's running mate." You know the story. Rubio drop out of the race back in March. This discussion apparently happened at a Republican National Committee meeting in April. Another source that advised Rubio for years said the former presidential candidate has moved own, but added that the Florida Senator likely would have demanded some changes.

Senator Rubio just yesterday tried to quell any talk of him on a Trump ticket. Writing, quote, "He -- that is, Trump -- "will be best served by a running mate and surrogates who fully embrace his campaign.