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Ryan, Trump Hold High-Stakes Meeting; Interview with Representative Marsha Blackburn; Interview with Jeff Weaver; Aired 9- 9:30a ET

Aired May 12, 2016 - 09:00   ET

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

[09:00:16] CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning, I'm Carol Costello. Thank you so much for joining me. We begin with the high stakes huddle between Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan.

Right now, the GOP power players are meeting behind closed doors in Washington. The goal, to put an end to the Republican infighting and unite around a Trump candidacy.

You see Mr. Trump there, he waived just moments ago as he arrived at the RNC headquarters. Trump now powwowing with Ryan. Paul Ryan is already inside that building as they both kick off a busy day. After Mr. Trump wraps up with GOP leaders in the House, he will meet with the party Senate leaders.

The big question this morning, when Trump leaves Washington today, will his party be aboard the Trump train?

We're following all of this like only CNN can with our team of political experts, chief political correspondent, Dana Bash, is here. Senior political reporter Manu Raju is there, and our chief political analyst, Gloria Borger joins me on set.

I want to start with you, Dana. You're outside that high stakes meeting. Set the scene for us.

DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right. I'm on one end, Manu is on the other. He'll show you what's going on over here, but let me just kind of again just set the scene just so are viewers kind of get one little taste of the craziness, frankly, that's going on here.

Over here is just one of the sort of bevies of reporters and cameras to try to get the scene here. And if you look over here, this is on this side, this is the driveway where Donald Trump came in because it's a way for him to get into the building without having to deal, not just with reporters, but also with the protesters who you'll probably hear when you go to Manu.

So that's kind of the feel out here. Inside, though, you know, I can't emphasize enough how much sources who I talked to are trying to make the temperature and the vibe very, very different. Much more low key. Much more get to know you. And that is something that everybody I talked to reminds me over and over again, Carol. Donald Trump and the leaders in the House, the five or so that he's

going to meet with this morning, they don't really know each other well. He might have met them at a fundraiser here or there, at a party, but for the most party, they don't know each other the way past Republican nominees have.

You have that, plus the very real differences between Donald Trump and some of these members, whether it's Paul Ryan, when it comes to policy like trade, like taxes, or of course, temperament, which is something that Paul Ryan has made clear that he is reluctant to endorse Donald Trump because of. You add all that together, that is why this is an important meeting. But sources I talked to also say, Carol, not to have an expectation of, you know, either a big endorsement or a big announcement that this is something that they are going to say is the first step of building a relationship -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, so, Dana, we will go on the other side of the street and check in with Manu Raju because I do see protesters there.

Tell us about it.

MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, you know, as Dana said earlier, wherever Donald Trump goes, protesters go as well. And right behind me, you'll see about a dozen or so undocumented immigrants or advocates of immigration reform chanting and calling Donald Trump deceitful, divisive according to one sign here, and really a loud protest from this handful of protesters trying to get attention. Of course they know this is where we are and we're talking about Donald Trump. And probably one reason why we're probably not going to see many Republicans come through the front entrance of the RNC.

But clearly both sides ahead of this key meeting are trying to downplay expectations. I think they want to come out and have a more positive message, probably a message that's more aligned with one another. Something that we have not quite seen so far yet. And also to communicate that each has their own political imperatives this year.

Paul Ryan needs to maintain that House Republican majority and he needs Donald Trump to not say things and not do things that put it, make it much harder, particularly for those vulnerable House Republicans. I've been told by members who plan to attend these meetings, and they want to raise the issue of Donald Trump's tone, the way he addresses things on the campaign trail, not actually use foul language, things that could embarrass their candidates. Those are kind of things that they may discuss, but yes, don't expect any huge breakthrough on some of those issues that really divide them, like on immigration or taxes or trade, for instance.

But more -to be more on the same lines that we're on the same team and we need -- we have a common goal which is to beat the Democrats in the fall, Carol.

COSTELLO: OK. We'll get back to you, Manu and Dana.

Gloria Borger is also here. I want you to put this into historical perspective for us. We don't see this, you know, every time ever.

GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: Ever. Ever.

COSTELLO: OK.

[09:05:03] BORGER: We don't. I mean, this is unprecedented. You know, you have the speaker of the House who is the senior Republican office holder in the country, saying that he is not there yet in terms of being fully full-throated endorsement of the nominee of the party.

A nominee of the party, by the way, who brought millions of new voters, who were -- you know, didn't participate before, to the polls. And so they're not going to square off in a, you know, mano-a-mano way, I mean, Paul Ryan, as Dana was pointing out, comes from a very different place in this party. He didn't like what Donald Trump said about Muslims. He is all about reforming entitlements. Donald Trump has said, you know, I'm not going to touch Social Security.

He doesn't like his -- you know, there is a lot about him. He doesn't like his tone. But what Donald Trump has in his back pocket are battle ground state polls, which show the speaker of the House, you know what, this is going to be a race. These polls are really close right now. I can beat Hillary Clinton. And we need to be united.

I believe they'll eventually get there, but I do believe they have to go through this and Paul Ryan has to say, this is what I believe. We can't have a candidate who's erratic on issues. We have to have somebody who's dependable on the issues for us, knowing full well that, by the way, Paul Ryan represents a very divided caucus. Some of them think he made a huge mistake in going out there and saying I'm not there yet and others are applauding him, saying good for you.

It depends what part of the country you're from. So this is kind of unprecedented, to get back to your original point. It's also unprecedented that Mitt Romney, the last Republican nominee, is not going to support Donald Trump. Not going to go to the convention. Two former Republican presidents, 41, Bush 41, Bush 43. Not going to go to the Republican convention. So this is a delicate dance they're doing right now.

But for the good of the Republican Party, because they all have one mutual goal, which is to win. So for the good of the party, eventually they're going to have to get to yes.

COSTELLO: We'll see if that's even -- but it won't be today you think?

BORGER: I doubt it, given what Paul Ryan said the other day. As Dana points out, I doubt it happens today.

COSTELLO: OK. So, Gloria Borger, stick around.

BORGER: OK.

COSTELLO: And you guys stick around as well. I'm going to bring in my next guest now. You know, the reason Speaker Ryan is not enthusiastic about a Trump candidacy is because of exactly what Gloria Borger just said because Mr. Trump confuses Paul Ryan and other Republicans. It's difficult to pin out exactly where Mr. Trump stands on issues, even his core issues like the ban on Muslims. Listen to Trump on FOX News.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, FOX NEWS ANCHOR: I don't want to beat a dead horse, but -- so it's a ban on Muslims with exceptions, and there would be --

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Of course, always. You have to have exceptions.

VAN SUSTEREN: OK. The way that everybody read it, it was across the table.

TRUMP: No, you have exceptions. But -- and ideally you won't have a ban very long. I mean, we just have to find out what's happening.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: But that's not what Mr. Trump said last December.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States. Until our country's representatives can figure out what the hell is going on. We have no choice. We have no choice.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: With me now, Republican Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn. She's a Trump supporter. She's also been floated as a possible VP pick.

Welcome.

REP. MARSHA BLACKBURN (R), TRUMP SUPPORTER: Good morning.

COSTELLO: Good morning. So as you look at the scene, outside the RNC headquarters, what goes through your mind?

BLACKBURN: Well, it's quite a scene. I find it so curious that everybody is out there and protesters are out there, because there is going to be a meeting between the speaker of the House and our nominee for president. And I think one of the things is it shows the heightened interest in this campaign. It also shows that there are people who are very pro and there are very anti. So, you know, a little taste of what's to come in the fall, don't you think?

(LAUGHTER)

COSTELLO: Yes, just a little taste of what's to come. Let me ask you about Donald Trump's policies because some Republicans are confused by exactly where he stands on issues. Mr. Trump would say, you know what, I'm flexible. But if he -- if he were a normal run-of-the-mill politician, many people would just call him a flip-flopper. Isn't flexible the same as flip-flopping?

BLACKBURN: Well, I think that, Carol, what we're looking at is what the voters are saying. And so many times it's not what you say, it's what somebody heard. And I think when it comes to the issue of preserving and stabilizing Social Security and preserving and stabilizing Medicare and making certain that we keep the country safe, that we need to be listening and talking to our constituents about what about it is that they --

[09:10:11] COSTELLO: Well, but, Congresswoman, keep -- wouldn't Donald Trump's Muslim ban keep the country safe in his mind and now he appears to be vacillating?

BLACKBURN: I think that it's bigger than looking at that. You have to look at the office of refugee resettlement and say my goodness, what is going on here?

Carol, when we go to the southern border, for instance, I've been in those reception centers where you would have people from 15 or 20 different countries that are coming across the border. So that is our experience in that realm.

COSTELLO: But what about --

BLACKBURN: We have communities that are looking to --

COSTELLO: I want to back to the Muslim ban because I think people are confused about that.

BLACKBURN: Sure. Sure.

COSTELLO: And many of Mr. Trump's supporters really support a ban on Muslims coming into the country until as Mr. Trump says we figure things out. So does he still believe that or doesn't he?

BLACKBURN: I haven't had a conversation with him about that. I can tell you that what most of my constituents, and the e-mails that are coming into me, they would like for us to temporarily suspend this until we can figure out what is going on with those that are trying to come into the country. They want us to be more aggressive in helping to protect the Syrian refugees in the region and make certain that Christians are not being persecuted.

So there again, this is what, you know, when I went to church on Sunday, I had some people that said, you know, we do a lot of outreach with those communities around the globe that are facing persecution. But they want us to be wise. They do not want terror cells or infiltrators coming in here, and they don't want people who are going to do harm and disrupt their communities.

COSTELLO: Well --

BLACKBURN: And I think -- (CROSSTALK)

COSTELLO: No, I understand. I'm just watching a picture of this. It appears to be a red casket like thing. I don't know what exactly it symbolizes, but this is right outside where Mr. Trump is meeting with House Speaker Ryan.

It's not just the Muslim ban that Donald Trump appears to be vacillating, though, on, Congresswoman. You know, first he said -- he said on "Meet the Press" last weekend, for example, that taxes on the wealthy would go up, then he said no, he would actually cut taxes for everyone. He said he would punish women who have abortions, but then he said no, he would just punish their doctors. I could go on, but isn't it understandable why Speaker Ryan is a little confused?

BLACKBURN: Of course it is. Of course it is. It is understandable. And I think that Paul Ryan is looking at his first job, which is to protect the House, make certain that we maintain the majority in the House. He wants to get to know Donald Trump. I think what you're going to see is they will move toward commonalty. We will have a very robust agenda that we will run on for the fall.

And the American people mainly focus on three things. What we hear most about is national security, jobs and economics security, and interestingly enough, retirement security. So people want answers.

COSTELLO: That's absolutely true, Congresswoman.

BLACKBURN: Yes.

COSTELLO: And people do want answers. But they want to know exactly where Mr. Trump is coming from.

BLACKBURN: I agree with you.

COSTELLO: At the end of this day, will we get a clearer view on exactly where Mr. Trump stands or will he continue to be flexible?

BLACKBURN: I think what you will have by the end of this day is a clear view of what the process is going to be for those that are in the House and the Senate, Republicans in the House and the Senate, to work with Mr. Trump and his campaign to focus on developing the most aggressive 100-day agenda so that when we have a President Trump in the White House, we hit the ground running, and we get some things done to answer the questions that the American people want to see some action on, and that is what I think you're going to see at the end of this day.

COSTELLO: OK. Last question. Do you want to be Mr. Trump's VP?

BLACKBURN: You know, no one ever turns it down, that type of service, but I would be a very most unusual choice.

(LAUGHTER)

COSTELLO: Well, we wish you luck, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn. Thanks so much.

BLACKBURN: Thanks, Carol. Good to see you.

COSTELLO: Nice to see you, too.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM, Bernie Sanders' campaign says Hillary Clinton is a disaster. That's in a harsh new e-mail. Will Democrats be able to unite?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:18:34] COSTELLO: All right, the meeting is now and the stakes are high. House Speaker Paul Ryan and Donald Trump huddling behind closed doors there at the RNC headquarters in Washington, D.C.

This is just the start of a busy day in the Capital for Donald Trump. He'll be with a few groups of lawmakers actually and the goal is to try to unite the party. Outside there are protests going on. As you saw, very ruckus protest.

I want to go to Manu Raju and Dana Bash. They are outside RNC headquarters.

Manu, let's start with you. How many protesters exactly are there out there?

RAJU: Well, probably about a dozen, maybe a dozen and a half protesters standing right behind me right here. Folks actually mostly protesting over the issue of undocumented immigrants. Of course, as we know, Donald Trump wants to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico. Of course Mexico to pay for it. And also deport 11 million or so undocumented immigrants.

What these folks are chanting is that undocumented, unafraid, and you're hearing a pretty ruckus but peaceful protests I may add. A handful of pro-Trump supporters are here, too, sort of shouting back, creating a big of a ruckus scene, which of course is commonplace in Trump events these days.

But you know, one of the interesting things that Republicans -- one of the reasons why I should say Republicans are somewhat nervous about Donald Trump at the top of the ticket is that wherever he goes, these scenes are created. And for Republicans who are up for reelection, they do need those Trump supporters to come out to the polls, but they don't want to be necessarily associated with these kinds of things that are happening at Trump events, which is one reason why a lot of Trump supporters -- a lot of Republicans on Capitol Hill simply are not go to the convention this summer.

[09:20:16] They want to avoid that altogether. So it will be interesting to see how closely aligned the Republican Party leadership gets behind their standard bearer after today's meetings, Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, Manu Raju. Thanks. Let's go to Dana Bash now on the other side of the street.

So this meeting between Paul Ryan and Donald Trump will last about, what, 30 minutes might it go over?

BASH: Who knows. We'll see. I would imagine it would go a little bit longer than that, but remember, Paul Ryan is there and other members of the House Republican leadership. And so you know, I think that what Manu said is so important to remember about the fact that, you know, the question is about whether the House Republicans are going to get behind Donald Trump, but this is a two-way street.

Every single member of the House is also up for reelection this year. And Republicans who are many of them just the way these districts are drawn right now in ruby red districts, incumbent -- incumbency is a dirty word. So they also -- the leadership wants to make sure that Donald Trump as now the effective leader of the party is going to help incumbents get reelected, and not encourage the kind of, you know, outsider challenge to the Washington that has fueled his candidacy.

So that is kind of a tricky thing for somebody who is the ultimate outsider like Donald Trump meeting with these guys. So that's another thing we need to keep in mind about House Republicans and what they expect from Donald Trump. That is no doubt I'm told by a source familiar with the plan going into this meeting by House Republicans, going to be on the table.

COSTELLO: Reince Priebus is also in this initial meeting, right, Dana? So is he playing moderator?

BASH: He's here.

COSTELLO: Like what role does he have here?

BASH: You know, kind of. I think that's a good way to put it because Reince Priebus has been in touch with Donald Trump. I mean, he has had to as the party chair. He remember now kind of famously flew up to Trump Tower and got Donald Trump to sign the pledge to support all of the nominees. So that's a different kind of relationship. They do know each other.

And Reince Priebus and Paul Ryan are both from Wisconsin. And they kind of grew up together in politics. They really do know each other well. So that's an important point. That he is kind of maybe the moderator or the person who will help bridge, not just in terms of policy, but personality in this meeting.

COSTELLO: Interesting. Manu, you know, I'm just curious because it seems to me that Donald Trump still holds most of the cards, right? He has gotten more voters in the primary season than pretty much every Republican candidate in history. People have spoken. They don't like incumbents. The Republican Party itself and Congress is extremely unpopular. So doesn't Donald Trump hold most of the cards here?

RAJU: Yes, you know, that's a very good point, Carol. And that's one reason why that actually Paul Ryan has been under pressure from a lot of his Republican colleagues who say that, look, he is going to be the nominee. It's time for our party to get behind him. You may not like everything that he stands for, but this what we need to do. We need to unite and head into the fall campaign. I heard from a lot of Republicans yesterday about concerns about their Republican Party leadership's stance on Donald Trump.

And Ryan, if he holds out, the longer he holds out, the more isolated he could become within the Republican conference and also across the Capitol. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell is endorsing Donald Trump at this point. So that's going to be a real challenge for Paul Ryan going forward and how he messages afterwards will be fascinating to see as well, Carol.

COSTELLO: It will. Dana Bash, Manu Raju, well, you stick around. We'll get back to you when we can. I got to take a break now.

When we come back, we'll get the Democratic reaction to all of this. We have someone from the Bernie Sanders camp next, Jeff Weaver.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:28:34] COSTELLO: And good morning, I'm Carol Costello, thank you so much for joining me. Let's head right out to Washington, D.C., where a big meeting is taking place right now. Donald Trump, the House Speaker Paul Ryan, and the RNC chairman, Reince Priebus, are meeting at RNC headquarters in Washington.

This is actually earlier when Mr. Trump arrived. His plane landed around 8:00 a.m. Eastern in Washington, and then of course, he came by motorcade to the RNC headquarters, and he's been huddled in there with Paul Ryan and Reince Priebus ever since.

We expect this meeting to last just about 30 minutes, and then Mr. Trump will head next door to the Capitol Hill Club, where he'll meet with these House leaders that you're seeing right there.

We think that they'll continue to talk about unity and how Mr. Trump could help other House members who might be up for reelection, or -- up for election this term.

Joining me now, Jeff Weaver, he's the campaign manager for the Bernie Sanders campaign.

Hi, Jeff.

JEFF WEAVER, CAMPAIGN MANAGER, BERNIE SANDERS FOR PRESIDENT: Hey, Carol, how are you?

COSTELLO: Hi, Jeff. I know we're going to talk about Bernie Sanders. I know I invited you here to talk about Bernie Sanders, but I want to get your impression about what's going on in Washington, D.C. right now. So as you look at the protesters here and as you think about what might be happening in that meeting between Speaker Ryan and Donald Trump, what goes through your mind as a Democrat?

WEAVER: Well, I think what you're seeing now is really the party is going to coalesce around Donald Trump, despite all of the criticism he's received from some Republicans about his divisive language, his put-downs of women and minorities. It looks like the party is now going to rally around him. And I think this is a very dangerous time for the country to have, you know, a person like Donald Trump with the support of the full Republicans Party.