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Presidential Candidates Rally; Nuclear Deal And Tax Reform; Clinton Defends Nuclear Deal; Cruz And Trump To Speak This Hour; Clinton Apologizes For E-mail Controversy; Senator Rand Paul Coming Live; Rally Protesting Iran Deal. Aired 1-1:30p ET

Aired September 9, 2015 - 13:00   ET

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


WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: It's 1:00 p.m. here in Washington, 7:00 p.m. in Budapest, 8:00 p.m. in Damascus. Wherever you're watching from around the world, thanks very much for joining us.

Up first, presidential candidates here in the United States staking out positions against the Iran nuclear deal and in favor of tax reform. We're covering two developing stories playing out this hour.

Right now, up on Capitol Hill here in Washington, opponents of the nuclear deal with Iran are holding a rally blasting the agreement. Among the headliners who will be speaking, Senator Ted Cruz, Donald Trump and the former Alaska governor and the former vice presidential nominee, Sarah Palin.

In Garner, North Carolina, meanwhile, this hour, Republican presidential candidate, Jeb Bush, getting ready to outline his tax reform plan. In a "Wall Street Journal" op-ed, Bush calls for reducing individual tax brackets to three and lowering the corporate tax rate to 20 percent.

Today's rally against the Iran nuclear deal here in Washington takes place as Congress gears up to vote on this deal. President Obama has the support he needs to keep opponents from scuttling the deal.

And, today, the Democratic presidential front-runner, Hillary Clinton, strongly defended the agreement. She also took direct aim at her Republican rivals.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Several Republican candidates boast they'll tear up this agreement in 2017 more than a year after it's been implemented. That's not leadership, that's recklessness. It would set us right down the very dangerous path we've worked so hard to avoid.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Our Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash is up on Capitol Hill. She's covering this anti-Iran deal rally that's just beginning right now. Dana, how are things shaping up? Set the scene for us?

DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: It's a big crowd, Wolf. This is the place and, really, the kind of crowd that we saw, what, about six years ago when the Tea Party began to really build and grow during the whole debate over Obamacare. It's the same kind of crowd and the same host, the Tea Party patriots are the ones that hosted at this rally. Ted Cruz, Senator Ted Cruz, who, of course, is a presidential candidate, is going to be a speaker here. And it was he who invited his opponent, Donald Trump. You and I were joking, yesterday, about the fact that they have been having kind of a bromance (ph) on the campaign trail, even though they're competitors and that is certainly bearing itself out here.

They do agree very much on the idea that this Iran deal is the wrong way to go. But what we're going to hear from them, and the fact that they're both going to be speaking in the next hour, really does illustrate the split within the Republican field.

Ted Cruz is one of those Republicans that Hillary Clinton was talking about. He wants to rip up the Iran deal on day one. And Donald Trump says he comes at it from more of a negotiator and a businessman's perspective, that you can't necessarily rip it up on day one. So, you're going to have to take a wait-and-see approach.

But, look, the reason why Ted Cruz wanted Donald Trump here is obvious and he actually admits it. With Donald Trump comes a lot of media and big crowds, and he wants a lot of attention to this issue -- Wolf.

BLITZER: So, what's the point, though, since the president has enough Democrats in the Senate, what, 41 or 42, that's more than enough that he needs to make sure that his veto is sustained if it comes down to that. So, what's the point of the rally?

BASH: That's a great question. He has enough people who say that they don't like the Republicans' idea of trying to, you know, legislatively scuttle the deal. But not enough who've actually committed to a filibuster of that. So, that's really the key and it gets a little bit technical.

But the bottom line is that they still feel like they have some persuading to do. The people in this crowd and elsewhere. And, in fact, inside this building as this is happening, there was a move among some Republicans to try to delay votes to try to scuttle this deal because they're hoping to use a little bit more time to try to shore up the opposition to the deal and the votes to oppose it.

So, that's a big reason why this is going to continue to go on. And there's also just the fact that they couldn't have this rally for the past five or six weeks, because Congress wasn't here. And that is timing that has worked in Barack Obama's favor, no question that the deal was done and then Congress left town for summer recess.

BLITZER: Because, Dana, you raise a very important point why some Republicans in the House of Representatives, and in the Senate for that matter, they're trying to delay any vote. They're arguing now that that 60-day window during which Congress is supposed to take legislation act -- legislative action on this Iran nuclear deal. That really hasn't started because the legislation authorizing that 60-day window stipulates that the text of the agreement, and all related materials and annexes, must be presented to Congress. They argue there's still deals between the IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and Iran that they don't -- they haven't seen. As a result, the 60 days hasn't started and that's why they're not even ready to vote. What are you hearing about that?

[13:05:13] BASH: That's exactly right. And there seems to be a split in the Republican Party about this where Manu Raju and Deirdre Walsh and Ted Barrett have been doing some reporting, and they're doing it as we speak, about this sort of developing rift and maybe even, more specifically, the developing desire by people like Ted Cruz and maybe some of his conservative compatriots in the House trying to convince the leadership to delay it, using exactly the argument that you used, to say it's a technicality that the 60-day window didn't really open up and doesn't until the legislation is written. So, we'll see what happens.

And, again, at this point, it's a debate, maybe not even a fight yet, a debate within the Republican Party and the Republican leadership in the House and Senate about what to do with that.

BLITZER: Because it's more than a technicality because the proponents of those who say the 60-day window hasn't started, they make the point that the administration can't unilaterally start easing sanctions against Iran until that 60-day window is over. They say the 60 days hasn't even started. So, there's a practical impact that could be -- could be there as well if they delay this vote.

All right, Dana, stand by. We're going to get back to you. I want to talk a little bit more about what's going on, that major Capitol Hill rally right now against the Iran deal as well as Hillary Clinton's apology over that e-mail controversy that's coming to the fore right now.

Joining us, our CNN Political Commentators Donna Brazile and Ana Navarro. First of all, Donna, what do you make of the 60-day argument? It's a little technical but, practically speaking, the administration, if the Republicans have their way, they won't be able to ease unilateral U.S. sanctions against Iran if the U.S. Congress hasn't even taken up the legislation.

DONNA BRAZILE, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, as you know, both speaker Boehner and Mr. leader, Mr. McConnell, have stated that they want to hold votes this week. Technically, on July 19th, when the legislation was transmitted, it complied with what the Corker agreement was which was the legislation as well as -- I mean the negotiation plus all of the side deals.

Members of Congress have had all summer to review all of these so- called side deals. You and I can't review them but they have had an opportunity. The Republicans don't want to vote on this. They don't have the votes to overcome the president's veto. They know that this is a fight within the Republican Party. The agreement, if not voted on this week, will be implemented by the Obama administration.

BLITZER: And I want to go back to Hillary Clinton's e-mail controversy. But what do you make of the latest maneuver by Republicans to try to scuttle, or at least delay, the deal.

ANA NAVARRO, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I think opponents of this deal, and not only folks in Congress, it's also people like APEC, are going to be all over the place trying to figure out technical ways to delay or cancel this deal. I can tell you, I have a lot of very powerful Jewish friends who are hitting the halls of Congress today putting a lot of pressure on their Congress people and senators not to go along with this plan.

BLITZER: All right, let's talk a little bit about Hillary Clinton, what's going on with her e-mail. All of a sudden, she's apologizing robustly after refusing to do so for months. Donna, what's going on?

BRAZILE: Well, I just want to respond. The Jewish friends on both sides of the aisle who both oppose and support this deal understand the importance of the United States continuing to protect Israel. And regardless of what the vote is this week, Democrats and Republicans will be united not just in supporting Israel but all of our allies in the Middle East.

To her apology, I don't know how many times she can say it. It took six months for her to say two words instead of four words or six words. The fact is she's sincere. She acknowledges it is a mistake. Will it stop the issue from being a front-page story? No, because we're going to see more e-mails. We're going to know more about her. We know that she likes "Parks And Recreation" and "The Good Wife." We'll know more about her e-mails. I'm glad that she said it, but I don't think it will change anything.

BLITZER: Here's a clip of some of the stuff she has said over these past several months responding to this e-mail uproar. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CLINTON: I opted, for convenience, to use my personal e-mail account which was allowed by the State Department. I want people to understand what the truth is. And the truth is everything I did was permitted.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you wipe the servers?

CLINTON: What, like with a cloth or something? No.

My use of personal e-mail was allowed by the State Department.

At the end of the day, I am sorry that this has been confusing to people and has raised a lot of questions.

That was a mistake. I'm sorry about that. I take responsibility. And I'm trying to be as transparent as I possibly can.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: All right, Ana, so, a lot of people think she should have said that from the very beginning. What's your analysis? NAVARRO: Six months is a long time. And she's been going through

this for six months. The analysis is that it is a constant drip, drip, drip that hasn't gone away and it has forced her to be more forceful about this issue. She tried humor, that failed. She tried being flip, that failed. She's parsed legally, the words. That hasn't worked well, I think. You know, I -- obviously, this is a plan of the new spontaneous, humane, show a heart Hillary. It's also includes show some remorse.

BLITZER: A lot of Democrats say, better late than never, though, right?

BRAZILE: Absolutely. Look, the fact is that it was legal for her to do it. And, right now, we know that more e-mails will come out. But will Hillary Clinton be able to compete for the Democratic nomination with good, strong numbers? Yes. Will Joe Biden likely come in? Perhaps. Will Bernie Sanders continue to generate a lot of support and Martin O'Malley? Yes, we're going to have a really competitive primary.

NAVARRO: I'll tell you something, it wouldn't take Joe Biden six months to say I'm sorry. And I don't think he had a private server in his house, either.

BRAZILE: We don't know. I don't know.

BLITZER: I don't -- I don't think he did. All right, guys. All right, we're going to stay on top of what's going on. Thanks to both of you.

For all the latest in politics, by the way, and the presidential contenders, head over to CNNpolitics.com.

Stay with us, we're keeping an eye on this anti-Iran deal rally that's happening right now up on Capitol Hill. You're looking at live pictures. Donald Trump and Senator Ted Cruz, they're getting ready to speak this hour. And I'll get reaction to the rally from a ranking member, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, Congressman Adam Schiff. He supports the Iran nuclear deal.

And later, I'll speak live with presidential candidate Rand Paul. He's standing by. We'll talk about the polls, tax plans, his constituent, Kim Davis, in Kentucky who's refusing to sign those marriage certificates for same-sex couples.

[13:11:33]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:15:51] BLITZER: Republican presidential rivals Donald Trump and Senator Ted Cruz. They've teamed up today for a joint attack on President Obama's nuclear deal with Iran. Take a look at this, live pictures coming from Capitol Hill, both candidates scheduled to speak this hour, as well as the former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin. Trump has blasted this nuclear deal with Iran all along.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And you look at Hillary Clinton, and I've said she's the worst secretary of state in the history of this country. Now, in all fairness, because of the agreement that's about to be finalized with Iran, John Kerry may very well take her place. I think that agreement is a disaster for this country, for Israel, for the Middle East. It's going to lead to nuclear proliferation. The 24-day clause, everything about it. We don't even get our prisoners back. You say, who negotiates a thing like that? That won't happen, I can guarantee you, with a President Trump.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: All right, let's bring in California Representative Adam Schiff. He's the ranking Democrat in the House Intelligence Committee. He support this nuclear deal with Iran.

What do you say to Donald Trump, congressman? He, obviously, says this is a bad deal for the United states.

REP. ADAM SCHIFF (D), CALIFORNIA: Well, I think if you look at the deal, it precludes Iran from gaining the bomb. It makes it, I think, practically impossible for them to develop a covert enrichment capability over the next 15 or more years. So I disagree strongly with Mr. Trump.

But, look, he's running for president and it's not the first outlandish thing that he has said. It won't be the last. But I think if you give it a thoughtful analysis, this agreement has much to like and much not to like, but on balance it's better than any credible alternative and I think rejection by Congress would leave us isolated and leave Iran's nuclear program unconstrained going into the future.

BLITZER: I want to get your reaction to this move afoot among some Republicans in the House of Representatives to delay a vote. It was supposed to be this week, a vote on a resolution of disapproval against the Iran nuclear deal. They -- they -- there -- some of them are now saying that 60-day clock for congressional consideration was supposed to begin a couple months ago. It hasn't even started because the White House has not turned over all relevant material to Congress. What's your reaction to that?

SCHIFF: Well, it's, I have to say, a bit baffling because in the Senate the GOP is arguing we need to have a vote on this. There can't be a filibuster in this. And in the House effectively Republicans are threatening to filibuster a vote on the agreement. So it's -- it's baffling. I do think it's quite a strained interpretation to say that the Corker legislation would require that the president submit to Congress an agreement that the IAEA is precluded from even sharing with the administration. But the reality is -- and I don't think the GOP members are fooling anyone -- even if they were to get this agreement with the IAEA, it's not as if that would change their minds. It's not as if having this agreement would suddenly cause them to vote for it. Nobody expects that to happen at all. So this is merely, I think, a distraction that's not in our national interest to delay this debate and delay having a final up or down or at least a vote on the agreement in one form or fashion.

BLITZER: Very quickly, because I want to move on, talk about the refugees flooding Europe right now. But very quickly, some of these Republicans say this tactical maneuver, they argue the 60 day clock hasn't started and the administration can't unilaterally ease sanctions against Iran without that 60 day clock being over with. Your point?

SCHIFF: Well, my point is, I think the 60-day clock is over. I don't think it's a fair reading of the Corker bill to say it contemplates a requirement that the administration turn over something that the IAEA hasn't given it and by its own rules can't give the administration. So I think the administration will have the power to release the sanctions and go forward with the agreement. And I think for the United States to be in the position of reneging on a compact agreed to by the other world powers will only isolate us, it will only cause the sanctions regime to erode and Iran will get many of the benefits of the deal in terms of its access to world markets with none of the limits of the deal on its nuclear program. So I -- I think a rejection, whether it takes the form of this delay in the House, this putting off or some kind of an actual overriding the president's veto, either way I think it's a disservice to our national security interests.

[13:20:17] BLITZER: You've seen, congressman, the dramatic pictures of these refugees from Syria, Iraq, North Africa flooding Europe right now. Secretary Kerry said today the U.S. is looking into ways to take in more refugees. There are concerns, though, as you well know, and you're a member of the Intelligence Committee, that ISIS could potentially be trying to sneak some ISIS activists disguised as refugees into the United States. Is that a serious security concern?

SCHIFF: It's certainly a serious security concern, but I think that's a security concern that we can address and have to address and can't be used as justification for not doing our part to help this humanitarian relief effort. Two years ago I led an effort here in Congress, a bipartisan effort, to seek to allow humanitarian parole of a substantial number of Syrian immigrants who already have family- based petitions approved. So these are people with family in the United States, who have their petitions already approved, but because of visa limits can't get to be reunited with their families here in the United States. I'm renewing that effort now. It's a way I think we can show consistent with our security needs and all the security checks will have to be done, but consistent with that to show that we are doing our part to meet the humanitarian crisis.

BLITZER: Congressman Schiff, thanks very much for joining us.

SCHIFF: Thanks, Wolf.

BLITZER: Coming up, one on one with the Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul. The Kentucky senator standing by to joining us live. We'll discuss everything from that same-sex marriage fight going on in his home state, defunding Planned Parenthood and a whole lot more. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:25:57] BLITZER: Want to quickly listen in to Senator Ted Cruz. He's speaking out now against the administration's nuclear deal with Iran. Let's listen in briefly.

SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This catastrophic deal is that it abandons four American hostages in an Iranian hell hole, including Pastor Saeed Abedini, an American citizen, a Christian pastor, sentenced to eight years in prison for the crime of preaching the Gospel. Including former Marine Amir Hekmati, including "Washington Post" reporter Jason Rezaian, including Bob Levinson. It is a disgrace for this administration to abandon Americans in Iranian hell holes.

But the third consequence of this deal going through if it does is that it will facilitate and accelerate the nation of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. There is no greater threat to the safety and security of America. There is no greater threat to the safety and security of Israel than a nuclear Iran. I agree with Prime Minister Netanyahu that a nuclear Iran poses an existential threat to the nation of Israel. And let me be clear, when he says "existential," he doesn't mean a bunch of French men in black berets chain smoking. He means literally going to the very existence of Israel.

When Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress, a joint session that President Obama boycotted, that Vice President Biden boycotted, that every member of the cabinet boycotted, I participated in a panel discussion with Elie Wiesel, the Nobel Laureate, the Holocaust survivor, and Elie Wiesel observed the one threat on the face of the earth capable of murdering six million Jews in an instant, in a flash of light, is a nuclear Iran. Elie Wiesel observed never again means never again.

The second group I want to address are Democratic senators and Democratic members of Congress. Right now today 42 Senate Democrats have come out in support of this deal. It is my hope and prayer that every one of those Senate Democrats reconsiders. That they go home and they fall to their knees and they pray tonight. I agree with former Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman that this vote is quite likely the most important vote that any member of Congress, any member of the Senate, will cast in their entire career.

There was a time when there was a tradition of Scoop Jackson Democrats, of JFK Democrats, of Joe Lieberman Democrats, of Democrats who were willing to defend national security. Sadly, that is becoming rarer and rarer in today's Congress. So to every Democratic senator, they are facing a choice, do you value the safety and security of the United States of America, do you value standing with our friend and ally, the nation of Israel, do you value the lives of millions of Americans or do you value more party loyalty to the Obama White House?

[13:29:44] To every Democratic senator who said he or she will support this deal, I ask you to consider, how will you look in the eyes of the mothers and fathers of our soldiers, the hundreds of soldiers, American soldiers who were murdered in Iraq with Iranian IEDs that came from General Soleimani -- this deal lifts sanctions on General Soleimani.