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President Obama Fires Up Party's Faithful with Speech; Dems Launch Withering Attacks on Trump. Aired 9-9:30a ET

Aired July 28, 2016 - 09:00   ET

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


[09:00:01] CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Live from the Wells Fargo, the site of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Good morning, everyone, I'm Carol Costello. Thank you so much for joining me.

The final day gets underway and just hours from now the most important speech of Hillary Clinton's career. Chelsea Clinton will speak and set the stage for her mom, and Hillary Clinton has quite an act to follow.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you so much, everybody.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: President Barack Obama brought down the house with a rollicking high energy speech, stressing the power of optimism and the dangers of fear-mongering. It sounded, dare we say, Reagan-esque? And in one of his drop-the-mike moments, the president compared Ronald Reagan's America to Donald Trump's darker themes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: Ronald Reagan called America a shining city on a hill. Donald Trump calls it a -- a divided crime scene that only he can fix. He is just offering slogans. And he is offering fear.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Let's begin this hour with Michelle Kosinski. She's inside the convention hall with more on President Obama's speech. Good morning, Michelle.

MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Carol. Yes, there was a lot in there. And his challenge really was, since we've heard so many of these concepts so many times lately from so many people how do you make that new and sound different from what you've been saying? How do you make that resonate? How do you top your own speech that was delivered 12 years to the day before this one?

But President Obama just may have done it. This was a speech full of emotion at a time when America is so full of emotion. This may be the first time that we're really hearing the goodbye from President Obama. Almost him saying yes, I'm really leaving. Now here is what I need you to do for me. And here is why.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KOSINSKI (voice-over): You could almost see the weight of this moment and of America's choice on President Obama's face, as he tried to connect past with present with future.

OBAMA: While this nation has been tested by war and it's been tested by recession, and all manner of challenges, I stand before you again tonight, after almost two terms as your president, to tell you I am more optimistic about the future of America.

KOSINSKI: Optimism the focus in a speech the president delivered with an almost constant smile even as he ripped into Republicans laying out a stark contrast.

OBAMA: But what we heard in Cleveland last week wasn't particularly Republican. And it sure wasn't conservative. What we heard was a deeply pessimistic vision of a country where we turn against each other and turn away from the rest of the world.

There were no serious solutions to pressing problems, just the fanning of resentment and blame and anger and hate. And that is not the America I know. The America I know is full of courage, and optimism, and ingenuity. The America I know is decent and generous.

KOSINSKI: And this time, President Obama didn't hold back. Yes, saying the name.

OBAMA: And then there is Donald Trump. Don't boo. Vote. The Donald is not really a plans guy. He is not really a facts guy either. The choice isn't even close. There has never been a man or a woman, not me, not Bill, nobody more qualified than Hillary Clinton to serve as president of the United States of America.

We're not a fragile people. We're not a frightful people. Our power doesn't come from some self-declared savior promising that he alone can restore order as long as we do things his way. We don't look to be ruled. And the American dream is something no wall will ever contain.

KOSINSKI: Making the point that unity and democracy work. Not to be overlooked --

OBAMA: We all need to be as vocal and as organized and as persistent as Bernie Sanders supporters have been during this election.

KOSINSKI: He urged this crowd to vote and for gun control advocates to be as vocal as the gun lobby becoming emotional as he started to tell some real stories of American struggle, compassion, and perseverance.

OBAMA: And I'll tell you what's picked me back up every single time. It's been you, the American people. It's the painting I keep in my private office, a big-eyed green owl with blue wings made by a 7-year- old girl who was taken from us in Newtown, given to me by her parents so I wouldn't forget.

[09:05:14] Time and again, you've picked me up. And I hope sometimes I picked you up, too. And tonight, I ask you to do for Hillary Clinton what you did for me. I'm asking you to join me to reject cynicism and reject fear and to summon what is best in us to elect Hillary Clinton as the next president of the United States, and show the world we still believe in the promise of this great nation.

Thank you for this incredible journey. Let's keep it going. God bless you. God bless the United States of America.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOSINSKI: Now President Obama did very gently, very gingerly, address some of the problems people have with Hillary Clinton. But the way he said it, yes, she has her critics, but he said that's what happens when you put yourself out there and try to effect change, that's what happens when you've been under the microscope for a long time and that everybody makes mistakes. And you heard him say well, it shouldn't even be close between these two candidates.

But it is close. And we all know that. Obviously there are many people out there not so ready to embrace the image of Hillary Clinton that President Obama is putting out there -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, Michelle Kosinski reporting live from the convention floor. Thanks so much.

So let's talk about that and more. CNN political analyst and editor- in-chief of the "Daily Beast' John Avlon is here, CNN political commentator and Clinton supporter, Hilary Rosen, joins me, too, CNN political commentator and Donald Trump supporter, Scottie Nell Hughes, is back, and CNN political analyst and host of the "David Gregory Show" podcast, David Gregory is here, too.

Welcome to all of you. OK. So, Hilary, I'll start -- I'll start with you. President Obama's speech was well-received, even by conservative Erick Erickson, who tweeted out last night right after the president's speech, quote, "The GOP offered a vision of doom, despair and division. Tonight, the president, I think -- tonight the president I think divides us offers optimism. I hate this year."

(LAUGHTER)

COSTELLO: Right? From Erick Erickson. But I guess the big question, Hilary, remains, did Obama's speech resonate with those American who aren't so optimistic about the state of the country?

HILARY ROSEN, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, look, you know, in so many ways, mission accomplished already this week because the key thing that the campaign had to do coming into this convention was create a better sunnier alternative than the GOP was painting. President Obama has been in office for almost eight years and people need to believe that things are better. That we came in in 2008 in a very dark time and things have gotten sunnier. Not for everyone. And I thought the president was really articulate saying it is not

perfect. There is more to do, but the way to -- the way to succeed in doing more is not to talk about how miserable it is, but to give people hope. To get people into the arena.

COSTELLO: David, the thing that struck me as I was listening to the president's speech is he sounded like the hope and change candidate of your, right? And I couldn't help but hear Sarah Palin's words echo in my head, how is this hopey, changey thing going for you, President Obama?

DAVID GREGORY, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, I think there were three big things. One, he is certainly making the argument that there's more to do. That there's more work to do but he understands that he has presided over a time of deeper division in our politics and in other areas of society. But he is making the argument that politics is tough, democracy is tough. There is more work to do. And so that's why he is literally passing the baton to Hillary Clinton.

He is on the ballot. I think there is a danger that it was almost too optimistic, and that he's not speaking to the same kind of people that Donald Trump is speaking to. That indeed, Joe Biden has an ability to speak to. People who feel totally disaffect by the political system from the political system, and you feel that there's too much status quo in what he embodied. But notice, too, that he separated Donald Trump from the rest of the Republican Party and created him -- held him up as an outlier, as a dangerous, uniquely unqualified outsider.

It's a deliberate strategy, I think, by the Democrats. So a lot at work last night. A lot of different audiences he's trying to hit.

COSTELLO: OK, so, John, the big hug between President Obama and Hillary Clinton, it seemed very genuine. There are many in this country who think that Hillary Clinton is just going to be the third term for President Obama. Here is the weird thing about that. So President Obama's approval ratings are above 50 percent. But 68 percent of the country think -- 68 percent of voters of America think the country is going in the wrong direction.

So is there a danger in becoming too close to President Obama?

JOHN AVLON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: I don't think so in this circumstance. I mean, first of all, you've seen his numbers climb steadily up particularly compared to the alternative, whether it is Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton.

[09:10:05] He's deeply popular among the Democratic base, but you're seeing him get more popular among moderates. I mean, Donald Trump --

COSTELLO: But --

AVLON: This is an important point. That Donald Trump is such Donald Trump is such a clear contrast to what President Obama offers, and what I think Hillary Clinton offers, that he and she benefit deeply by comparison. And therefore I think the reality to some extent, she is running for both President Obama's third term and Bill Clinton's third term, is something that is less toxic and less burdensome than it would be typically if it was just another candidate running against as opposed to somebody who is sort of trying to present a prince of darkness vision of America.

COSTELLO: I guess where I was going with that, like these numbers, like, they don't make sense to me, right? So is it possible that people really like President Obama, but they don't so much like his policies because they feel uncomfortable still with the economy?

AVLON: You know, there always -- at the end of Bill Clinton's term, he had around 60 percent approval rating. What was fascinating was people didn't approve him personally but they approved of his policies. To some extent, you may be seeing the reverse with Barack Obama. But that 68 percent number wrong direction number, you know, at any point in American history there is no point where we've said collectively we've achieved -- we've reached the mountain top.

There are moments where we've crested because of brief moments of national unity. But there always is even in the rearview mirror of history when things have looked great, a deep sort of skepticism about where we are and where we could be. So I think that wrong direction number sometimes can get overstated as a referendum on the state of the nation as opposed to a state of where we might be where we ought to be.

COSTELLO: OK. Scottie, next question is for you. Frank Bruni wrote an op-ed in the "New York Times," and I want to quote just a bit of it. He said that President Obama's speech made Trump look teeny weenie. He also said Obama has been our national poet and could diminish Clinton as well.

So let's start with the Donald Trump part. He said that, you know, President Obama soaring, his optimism just made Donald Trump look like a small man.

SCOTTIE NELL HUGHES, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, it's interesting. Over the last two weeks the American people have kind of felt like they were part of a divorced couple. You had one parent when you were with them, that was kind of the fun parent, that's where we're at. Everything is great and sunshine and roses. We'll give you the world, the toy story. And then you have the other parent, that's like, no, you actually have to race, you have adults, we have problems.

And I find it funny that you mentioned that President Obama had to sit here and present a plan. He's been in office in eight years. How about you present what have you accomplished? And as our point started, 70 percent of Americans feel like we're on the wrong track. You have seen median incomes go down under President Obama. Unemployment, disenfranchisement, it has gone up. All of the numbers are backing --

(CROSSTALK)

ROSEN: No. No.

HUGHES: Yes, they are. No, no. No, they did not. You're looking at 35 percent more on food stamps, the labor participation rate is down.

AVLON: But the employment rate is down.

(CROSSTALK)

HUGHES: They've fallen out. 6.8, you know, we can go through all of the numbers. 41 states saw deductible increases in their insurance. Only one in 10 American families actually say they're not financially struggling right now. So you can paint this idea of sunshine and roses, and I find if it's such a great time, then why was last night they're trying to sell Hillary Clinton as this agent of change if it's such a rosy --

(CROSSTALK)

AVLON: This is not about a perfect place. Just look. We realized we have real problems. I think that's why Joe Biden's speech was actually an important, conscious corollary to what President Obama did. Speaking very fiery towards the middle class and the folks who feel frustrated.

HUGHES: There is no middle class anymore. The middle class disappeared over the last eight years.

AVLON: That Donald Trump doesn't understand.

COSTELLO: Wait. Wait.

ROSEN: This is where we're going, though. What -- this whole week has been about sort of softening the turf, right? Giving Hillary Clinton the chance for a fair entry. Because there has been a sense of negative ratings -- personal ratings for her. So you had people say she is personally trustworthy, help me in my life. I've worked with her and I see her make good decisions. She is my long time spouse who never failed me. And then President Obama saying you know what, let's be optimistic. Hillary Clinton's job tonight is to tell people what she is going to do for them for their families.

(CROSSTALK)

AVLON: Hilary Rosen pulled the curtain back, by the way.

ROSEN: So let me just tell you, the idea that somehow Hillary Clinton is going to say, oh, yes, let's just rest on our laurels. No, what she is going to say is, you can trust me to keep going and you cannot trust Donald Trump to do any of the things that those American families need.

HUGHES: But most American families don't want to keep going with this. Every time they open up their paycheck, they realized that they're making less and they're paying more taxes to the government.

AVLON: Here's how to solve the problem --

HUGHES: -- and to the health care. No, because it's called reality. But reality is what the majority of -- AVLON: It is not reality.

HUGHES: It is --

AVLON: That is also not reality.

COSTELLO: Let's let David -- David.

GREGORY: What we know objectively is that we can't say that a majority of Americans want to go on a particular direction. The bet that Hillary Clinton is making is a bet on the legacy of Barack Obama. And she is betting on a coalition of voters that Obama has delivered now in two election cycles and hope that she can deliver it as well.

Look, I think the reality is, and I think one of the reasons why Democrats are worried is that there's lots of ways where they think they should be running away with the race, but even Clinton advisers are saying that yes, they expect a bump out of here, but the lead could be three to five points.

[09:15:03] It shows you that this is going to be a tighter race, because of the structure of the electorate and because of her own personal baggage. She's got a huge challenge tonight. Number one, she is preceded by tremendous speakers, and big figures in American politics, and because it is very hard to get a second shot to reintroduce yourself when you've been in the public eye for so long.

So, I think it is Hillary is right. It is a big opportunity here, because what she can offer that Trump has not yet offered is a more substantive direction. She has got to get over that, the personal and trustworthy --

COSTELLO: Yes, because in the same Frank Bruni column, he said there were such great speakers, and she comes right after President Obama, and that may diminish her.

HILARY ROSEN, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: You know what, she has a job to do. She knows that. I think she is going to deliver.

And in the contrast, we've had -- we're going to have Hillary be positive, have herb specific how she'll help American families. One of the most under discussed speeches I thought, but long-term potentially super effective, was Mike Bloomberg. Because he is somebody who knows Donald Trump well. Has traveled in the same business circles with him and said this is not the guy to help American families.

So, Hillary Clinton, both giving that positive alternative, with credible spokespeople saying Donald Trump is a bad alternative, the combination at the end of election.

JOHN AVLON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: And ultimately, look, the election is won by who connects with moderates and the middle class, swing voters in swing states. Tim Kaine is designed to do that. Mike Pence for example is not. To David and Scottie's point, you know, one of the anxieties that people feel is outside of any candidate's control, which is the steady drum beat of terror attacks we're seeing in close allies like France. That serves to ratchet up people's anxiety in the sense of being unsettled.

Now, Leon Panetta and others started to address that, but that's beyond any candidate's ability to spin. They're in the backdrop. What Hillary Clinton needs to do is say, as a former secretary of state, I've got specific solutions that can solve this problem. Fear and bluster are not in fact a plan.

COSTELLO: All right. We're going to talk about that in the next block. But I want to thank my panel, and I want to talk you too for sticking around, because we're going to continue the conversation.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM, you just heard it, President Obama not the only one launching attacks at Donald Trump, blasting Trump as a loose cannon, unworthy of the White House. We'll talk about that next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:21:55] COSTELLO: It all comes down to this. The final night of the Democratic national convention, today's theme: stronger together.

Chelsea Clinton speaking tonight in primetime introducing her mother as she formally accepts the Democratic nomination. If tonight is Hillary Clinton's night, last night's goal was to take down Donald Trump and Democrats rallied to the cause, skewering the billionaire nominee as a dangerous demagogue, a carnival barker and a bully racist.

Manu Raju is following that part of the story for us this morning.

Hi, Manu.

MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER: Hey, Carol.

Remember this convention didn't start off the way that Democrats wanted. There was the leaked WikiLeaks email that turned the Democratic upside down and prompted the resignation of the chair woman, there was anger from the Sanders supporters, upset with the way the party was treating their candidate. But the party all started to fall in line as the focus shifted to Donald Trump.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOSEPH BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: He has no clue about what makes America great. Actually he has no clue, period.

RAJU (voice-over): The Democratic Party launching the most blistering attacks to date.

SEN. TIM KAINE (D), VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: You cannot believe one word that comes out of Donald Trump's mouth. LEON PANETTA, FORMER DEFENSE SECRETARY: In an unstable world, we

cannot afford unstable leadership.

MICHAEL BLOOMBERG, FORMER NEW YORK CITY MAYOR: I'm a New Yorker and I know a con when I see one.

RAJU: Deploying both the party's high profile stars and independent businessman Michael Bloomberg to deliver a multitier attack on Donald Trump.

BIDEN: How can there be pleasure in saying "you're fired"?

RAJU: Vice President Biden using his blue collar background to question Trump's dedications to the working class.

BIDEN: He is trying to tell us he cares about the middle class? Give me a break. That's a bunch of malarkey.

RAJU: New York City's former mayor challenging Trump's record as a businessman.

BLOOMBERG: Trump says he wants to run the nation like he's running his business? God help us.

RAJU: Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta taking on Trump's foreign policy credentials.

PANETTA: Donald Trump says he gets his foreign policy experience from watching TV and running the Miss Universe pageant. If only it were funny, but it is deadly serious.

RAJU: And condemning Trump's challenge to Russia to hack Hillary Clinton's e-mails.

TRUMP: Russia, if you are listening, I hope you are able to find the 30,000 e-mails that are missing.

PANETTA: It is inconceivable to me that any presidential candidate would be that irresponsible.

RAJU: Clinton's running mate Tim Kaine stepping into the attack dog role, mocking the Republican opponent.

KAINE: He has the way of saying the same two words every time he makes his biggest hugest promises -- believe me. It's going to be great, believe me.

RAJU: While painting Trump as untrustworthy and citing his refusal to release his tax returns as proof.

[09:25:05] KAINE: Hey, Donald, what are you hiding?

RAJU: The Virginia senator also extending an olive branch to Republicans disenchanted with their party's nominee.

KAINE: If any of you who are looking for that party of Lincoln, we have a home for you right here in the Democratic Party.

RAJU: An effort echoed by Bloomberg who went on script to question Trump's mental clarity.

BLOOMBERG: As an independent, I am asking you to join with me. Together, let's elect a sane, competent person.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

RAJU: Now, Donald Trump's campaign firmly pushed back against all those attacks, sending out a statement saying last night that Democrats only offered more rewards for the rich, powerful, well connected and more angry demeaning sniping attacks against all decent Americans who want change for their family.

So, Donald Trump trying to seize that mantle of change, being the outsider candidate, battling the political establishment, Carol.

COSTELLO: All right. Manu Raju, reporting live.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM, just joking about his calls to Russia to get to hacking. What Donald Trump is now saying about his suggestion to Russia to find those Clinton e-mails.

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