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CNN NEWSROOM

Body Language Expert Analyzes Candidates; Is Chris Christie Under Appreciated as a Candidate; Lindsey Graham Shines in Undercard Debate; Hillary Clinton Talks Substance Abuse in New Hampshire; Which Woman Would Candidates Put on $10 Bill. Aired 2:30-3p ET

Aired September 17, 2015 - 14:30   ET

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


[14:30:00] BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Certainly Trump never wants to hide his feelings, but that's seven expressions in seven seconds. So how does this translate to people viewing from home, better yet, to voters?

Joining me is Janine Driver, a body language expert.

Janine, so great to have you on.

This is all the intangibles that matter. It's not only what you're seeing, but it's the reacting as well. So I want to actually begin, everyone is buzzing about Carly Fiorina. She really held her ground. How did she do body language-wise?

JANINE DRIVER, BODY LANGUAGE EXPERT: First of all, it's great to be here.

Let me tell you about Carly Fiorina. She was very solid. She had what we call an increase in pressure. We see that with people like Donald Trump, had an increase in pressure. That's this move where we see this, ugh.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Hold on. I want to take you full. Show me what you're doing.

DRIVER: I'm going to show it. It's like this, like, ugh. It's this increase in pressure when they will make this point. It's connected with is people who are great for persisting against difficult odds, resisting against pressure. We see that with her. What I would have liked to have seen more is integrated movement from her whole body. I thought she was a little bit stiff, which will hurt her likeability factor. But she came out strong and playing with the big boys. It may have been to her favor to be solid and strong. There was not a lot of movement happening with her. But she came across solid and strong.

BALDWIN: What about chief big boy?

DRIVER: Donald Trump.

(CROSSTALK) DRIVER: Listen, the Donald dominated the beginning. People are

jumping out of their seats watching and waiting to hear what he has to say. Donald Trump is connected with something called accelerating. He's not the only one. This accelerating, Trump does it, Ted Cruz does it and Chris Christie. You see this movement does when he talks. All three of these guys, and especially, you'll see these moves. Chris Christie does it as well. They are these quick movements and they are connected with people who are high in timing or moderate in timing. These are the people who can accelerate or decelerate in the moment. These are people that rate -- that's where you get that impulsiveness sometimes so that quick wit and quick attack is coming from this timing gesture. It's connected to how the candidates are motivated to spend time and energy when making decisions. So it --

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Did anyone do anything where you just like, ugh.

DRIVER: Yeah, Bush. Oh, listen, I have a summer cottage in Maine, up the street from the Bushes, and they are building a new house up there. Word is it's for Bush if he becomes president. Bush blew it on a couple points with body language. He said, I'm my own man. When he said that, he literally did a shoulder shrug. A shoulder shrug is uncertainty. I would love to get together. Please have me back on the show. He shoulder shrugs there. He also killed it negatively when he was asked about, oh, is he a puppet for the donors. He's asked, are you a puppet for the donors. He said, no. He shook his head "yes." Clinton did this when he said I did not have sexual relations with that -- this is not "not."

(LAUGHTER)

This is yes. So why are you saying you're a puppet --

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: That was a really strong moment for Jeb Bush. That whole exchange, Trump saying you're false, Bush saying, I wouldn't have allowed casinos in Florida, I voted against it. It was strong for Jeb Bush. But you're saying body language-wise, maybe that negated some of the --

(CROSSTALK)

DRIVER: Here's the bottom line. We often say we have a gut feeling. We don't. You have a brain feeling. Our brain has what's called an N-400. It's a brain hiccup, when your body language is not mixing with your words, and you can have this amazing verbal battle. That's the difference between people who listened to Nixon versus people who saw the debate with Kennedy and Nixon. Kennedy won. Nixon won on the radio.

BALDWIN: Right.

DRIVER: So the uncertainty cues for Bush are going to hurt him. The head nods in the wrong direction. His verbal sparring at that point might have been strong, but the body language is going to kill it. If I said to you, I want peanut butter and jelly on my socks please, same thing happens when you come out strong verbally but your body language is sending uncertainty cues.

BALDWIN: I could keep talking to you. Let's continue this after the next one.

Janine Driver, thank you so much.

Now I'm so self-conscious of my own.

(CROSSTALK)

DRIVER: You're doing great. You're nice and strong. You're going to resist pressure. I love it.

[14:34:40] BALDWIN: Thank you, Janine Driver. I appreciate it.

Coming up next, someone who seemed strong is Chris Christie. Is he underrated in this race? He had a couple big moments, including his attacks on Donald Trump and Carly Fiorina.

Also ahead, huge for us here on CNN today. Hillary Clinton will be speaking with Wolf Blitzer later on. She sat down with, I'd say, this version of Donald Trump. Hear what she's doing tonight and possibly a new strategy.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[14:39:45] BALDWIN: A thunderous applause there, a much-deserved applause for Spencer Stone at the Pentagon. You remember the story from last month, the three Americans and one Frenchman helped thwart this attack. There was a gunman who was armed, started opening fire in that train from Amsterdam to Paris. It was these three Americans, two of whom are veterans, who jumped in, tackled that gunman and saved potentially many lives. Spencer Stone being awarded with a Purple Heart today at the Pentagon.

Back here at the Reagan Presidential Library, we have the precise numbers, 23 million people watched last night's CNN Republican presidential debate. That's history here for us here at CNN.

Many of the candidates taking on Donald Trump specifically, all except one, Hillary Clinton. She wasn't on that stage. The Democratic front runner did go after Trump on late night television.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON, (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE & FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE: You know, I'm really curious, Donald. What is your stance on women's issues?

JIMMY FALLON, HOST, THE TONIGHT SHOW: Look, I know a lot of women and they all have issues.

(LAUGHTER)

You want to win, here's what you got to do. First, yell.

(LAUGHTER)

I yell all the time.

(LAUGHTER)

In fact, this phone isn't even plugged in.

(LAUGHTER)

I'm just yelling.

(LAUGHTER)

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Is it just me or did Jimmy Fallon do that a little too well?

Hillary Clinton is in today New Hampshire taking a much more serious tone hosting a pair of forums on substance abuse.

Our CNN national correspondent, Suzanne Malveaux, is in New Hampshire where the former secretary of state will be.

Suzanne, why the issue here with substance abuse?

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's a big, big problem here in New Hampshire. It's something that's not been old news, but she's trying to gain the support of people who are unemployed and youth who face that addiction problem. I think you probably will see a little humor today. This is a boys and can girls club. But she's also going to bring a little lightness and talk about numbers.

This is a place she should be in the lead, but there are four polls showing Bernie Sanders in the lead in this very critical independent state. Check this out. This is seven points in the lead. This is the latest poll showing 43 percent for Bernie Sanders to her 36 percent support. And here's where it matters. Here's where it's a big problem for her. This is among Independent voters and new voters, a huge lead that Bernie Sanders has, 23 points. Nationwide, she does better in the lead over Bernie Sanders. If you look at the latest poll, 47 percent to 27 percent.

But again, here is the problem. We're talking about that lead cutting in half just over the last month. There are still people who say she's a lot more electable than Bernie Sanders. But her favorabilities are going down. She's going to have to make up for that. That's why she's here. It's the older voters and registered Democrats that make a big difference. As you know, in New Hampshire, anything can happen with those independents.

BALDWIN: We should mention Hillary Clinton will be talking to Wolf Blitzer at 5:00 eastern here on CNN.

Suzanne, thank you so much, in New Hampshire.

Back here in California, I want you to take a look at Chris Christie taking on Donald Trump and Carly Fiorina last night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRIS CHRISTIE, (R), NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR & PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm as entertained as anyone by this personal back and forth about the history of their careers. For the 55-year-old construction worker out in that audience tonight who doesn't have a job, who can't fund his child's education, I got to tell you the truth, they can care less about your careers. They care about theirs.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Let's talk about that and so much more with conservative commentator and senior contributor for "The Daily Caller," Matt Lewis; and Republican strategist, Mercedes Schlapp. She is also the co- founder of Coke (ph) strategies and a former spokeswoman for President George W. Bush.

So welcome to both of you.

And ladies first. Mercedes, Chris Christie, I was up there feet from the podiums listening to the applause at different moments. I have to say, this is when he really soars in town halls or debate structures like this. But Chris Christie, I thought, seems fairly underrated. I'm surprised at how few people are talking about him today. I'm wondering why you think that is?

MERCEDES SCHLAPP, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: I think it goes back to Bridgegate. I think it stems back that he has these issues that have these scandals that have followed him through, obviously, Bridgegate. Also the New Jersey record is not great for Chris Christie. So he was one that was supposed to be strong especially with the moderate Republicans. But he's had so many distractions in his own during his time as governor as well as he hasn't been able to punch through and solidify that moderate vote.

BALDWIN: He obviously would sit here and disagree with you on the record of the state of New Jersey.

I want to move on to South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, Matt. I mean, part of that undercard debate with four guys on stage, it seemed, to me, that he really won that. Here's a highlight reel from Senator Graham.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[14:45:26] SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM, (R), SOUTH CAROLINA & PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, number one, I just want to say this whole idea of using polling the way it's being done is absurd. The difference between fourth place and last is in the margin of error. I don't like the concept. I think you're taking people's voices out of the mix based on polling in a fashion that was never meant to be used. I'm trying to concentrate on Iowa and New Hampshire. That's where I hope to breakthrough.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: So that was obviously Senator Graham with Wolf, and we can get something from last night in the debate. But not only was he strong on substance, but he has a sense of humor. Talking about his campaign folks, they seemed pretty pleased.

MATT LEWIS, CONSERVATIVE COMMENTATOR & SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR, THE DAILY CALLER: I don't think he's running for president. He's running for secretary of defense. He's running to make a difference to advance the debate in terms of foreign policy and I think he's winning that race. He's doing a good job and frankly I think he's better served by having not gotten into. The top-tier debates where he would have been ignored. He was able to dominate during the J.V. debate. He was funny. He's obviously knowledgeable. And I think he helped himself. He's not going to win, but I think he's advanced his cause here.

BALDWIN: Marco Rubio also strong on foreign policy last night as well.

But, Mercedes, we talked to Sean Spicer earlier today. He was saying looking ahead to the next debate that there likely will not be an undercard debate. How could that change the game for these candidates?

SCHLAPP: First of all, I think that -- it's about time. I think we're ready for that next stage. I think we need to be -- the party needs to be moving in a direction where we have less candidates and not more. We need to be realistic. Those polling at 2 percent, at this point of the game, it's going to be difficult for them to move up to the main stage. So I think it would be a smart move for there to be less rather than more at this point. It allows for more time. One of the benefits of the J.V. debate is the fact you only have four, so they have a lot more time to talk about the issues and go into detail. That's an important move that should be made.

BALDWIN: Thank you both so much.

Coming up next, toward the end of the debate, Jake Tapper was asking questions, if you were to put a woman on the face of a $10 bill, who would it be. The answers -- OK, two women join me live for their take on how these candidates responded to that.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:52:35] BALDWIN: 23 million of you watched this Republican presidential debate here on CNN last night. Listen, Jake Tapper wanted a debate. He got tough on substance. They talked about foreign policy, national security, taxes, Planned Parenthood. But we also got to see a softer side of a couple candidates when Jake asked towards the end, which woman who would you choose to put on the face of the $10 bill. Here were some of their responses.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. RAND PAUL, (R), KENTUCKY & PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Susan B. Anthony.

MIKE HUCKABEE, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE & FORMER ARKANSAS GOVERNOR: My wife on there.

SEN. TED CRUZ, (R), TEXAS & PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I very much agree with Marco that it should be Rosa Parks.

DR. BEN CARSON, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE & RETIRED NEUROSURGEON: My mother on there.

DONALD TRUMP, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE & CEO, TRUMP ORGANIZATION: My daughter, Ivanka, who is right there.

(LAUGHTER)

Other than that, we'll go with Rosa Parks.

JEB BUSH, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE & FORMER FLORIDA GOVERNOR: Margaret Thatcher.

CARLY FIORINA, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE & FORMER CEO, HEWLETT- PACKARD: I wouldn't change the $10 bill.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: So I have with me some of my favorite ladies, CNN's chief political analyst, Gloria Borger; and "CNN Money's" chief business correspondent, Christine Romans.

So I hopped in a car along with some commentators. This was the question we were all talking about and wondering what we would have said on the spot.

So, Christine, this money woman here for us on CNN, whose response did you like the most?

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: What's interesting, when we asked who they would like to see, they say Sacagawea. They say Susan B. Anthony. So Senator Paul is right in there with the popular vote. Harriet Tubman, Eleanor Roosevelt, there are a lot of different names that the public is really pushing for. Ironically, it will be the Obama administration, not any of those people on that stage, who will make the call, because the treasury secretary is in the process of redesigning that $10 bill.

I will tell you it was interesting. Chris Christie said the first lady, Abigail Adams. I thought that was an interesting, out of the blue. John Kasich said Mother Theresa. She wasn't an American. We had Margaret Thatcher, from Jeb Bush. Also not an American.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Can we talk about that, the Jeb Bush response? Even Ana Navarro, who loves Jeb Bush --

(CROSSTALK)

GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: I think what was going through his head was, here we are at the Reagan Library, Margaret Thatcher. He could have said Nancy Reagan.

BALDWIN: I totally thought that's where he was going.

(CROSSTALK)

BORGER: I did, too. He knew that Margaret Thatcher is not an American, so maybe that wouldn't have been the best answer.

But to me it showed you what happens when these candidates, they are so prepped for every question --

(CROSSTALK)

BORGER: -- they think Jake is going to ask, and then suddenly, they get a question like that. Wow, where did that come from? And they had to think on their feet.

I love the Abigail Adams answer from Chris Christie because, if you read the letters of Abigail Adams to her husband, she was really important in his life and she was key to every decision he made.

[14:55:22] BALDWIN: Same with the letters of Nancy Reagan and Ronald Reagan.

(CROSSTALK)

BORGER: Yeah, exactly.

BALDWIN: Gloria Borger, we're keeping you. Do not move a muscle.

BORGER: Sure.

BALDWIN: Christine Romans, thank you so much for joining me.

Let's continue on to hour two.

Let's talk about sexism and politics. There were a couple moments that caught my eye.

Plus, I'll speak live to a former Republican candidate who says debating Donald Trump is like wrestling a tornado.

We'll be right back. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:00:04]BALDWIN: And we continue on here, hour two. You're watching CNN. I'm Brooke Baldwin.