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Interview with Mike Pence; Trump Immigration Agenda. Aired 1- 1:30p ET

Aired September 1, 2016 - 13:00   ET

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


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WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, I'm Wolf Blitzer. It's noon in Mexico City, 1:00 p.m. here in Washington. Wherever you're watching from around the world, thanks very much for joining us.

We're now just under the 68-day mark and counting until the U.S. presidential election. Today, the state of Ohio is in the spotlight thanks to the two campaigns. Donald Trump just wrapped up his second appearance in the state of the day.

And also today, we're seeing Vice President Joe Biden. He's on the campaign trail on behalf of Hillary Clinton. He's also in Ohio, on the opposite side of the state from Donald Trump. This push for Ohio comes as a new national poll shows Hillary with a seven-point lead over Donald Trump.

The "USA Today"-Suffolk University poll takes all four candidates into account. At his event last hour, Donald Trump kept pushing ahead on a wide range of topics from jobs to Hillary Clinton. But he also spent some time talking about the immigration plans he outlined in Arizona yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Last night, I outlined a bold, new immigration reform to create prosperity and opportunity for all of our people, especially those who have the least. We will treat everyone with dignity, respect and compassion. But our greatest compassion will be for the American citizen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Our Phil Mattingly is at the event that just ended. Phil, how much time did Donald Trump spend talking about immigration today?

PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was certainly a piece, Wolf, but it wasn't the whole piece you saw. If yesterday was all about immigration, all about that foreign trip to Mexico, today was about refocusing on this extremely important battleground state. And that meant attacking Hillary Clinton. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: A Trump administration will end government corruption. No one will be above the law. We will have one set of rules for everyone. In Hillary Clinton's world, we have one set of rules for her and another set of rules for everybody else.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MATTINGLY: Now, Wolf, you mentioned this was his second stop here in Wilmington, Ohio in Ohio for the day. And this state is as important as it gets, we know that election after election.

But in Trump's case, in particular, in polling right now, he's within the margin of error in most polls we've seen in the state of Ohio. But he has had problems getting Republicans to come back home. Republicans in the suburbs of places like Columbus, like Cincinnati.

Now, where he was today here in Wilmington, this is Trump country. They were very happy to hear his remarks about immigration. People I talk -- I talked to watched his speech last night also were very impressed with things.

But the one concern you hear from, kind of, Republican operatives here in this state, Wolf, is if he's able to walk that line between that aggressive posture he had last night and the hope that, kind of, maintains on some level that there will be a pivot of some sort to try and bring those suburban Republicans home.

Today though, definitely a lot of support here in Wilmington -- Wolf.

BLITZER: All right, Phil Mattingly, thanks very much.

Donald Trump laid out what sounded like an aggressive agenda on immigration but there was also some wiggle room. His running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, joins me on the phone right now from Salt Lake City in Utah. Governor, thanks very much for joining us.

GOV. MIKE PENCE (R), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (via telephone): Thank you, Wolf.

BLITZER: Let me play a clip from Donald Trump's speech last night on immigration that has raised dozens of questions. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: In several years, when we have accomplished all of our enforcement and deportation goals and truly ended illegal immigration for good, including the construction of a great wall which we will have built in record time and at a reasonable cost, which you never hear from the government. And the establishment of our new lawful immigration system, then and only then will we be in a position to consider the appropriate disposition of those individuals who remain.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Governor, is that a softening of Donald Trump's immigration position?

PENCE: Well, I think what people heard last night was a plan to end illegal immigration, beginning with building a wall along the southern border, ending our catch and release program, zero tolerance for criminal aliens, finding and apprehending and removing from this country people involved in drug dealing and gang violence that threaten our families. All of the various reforms.

And then, frankly, as you -- as you heard, Wolf, calling on the establishment of a new commission to reform our lawful immigration system. And all of the objective of that is -- as he said last night with great clarity, is to seek to end illegal immigration for good.

And I think the American people heard him loud and clear that we're going to put border security first. We're going to bring internal enforcement to bear, fully implement the e-verify system and end overstayed visas and have people leave this country after their visa runs out. And that, frankly, at a later date when all of that has been accomplished, as he said, I think, so eloquently last night, then we'll be in a position to consider other appropriate measures.

BLITZER: So, the other appropriate measures you would consider down the road, and some have suggested that is a softening of his position. In fact, in an interview with Laura Ingram today, Donald Trump, himself, said this is a softening. So, I assume you see this as a moderate element of his immigration plan. Let those people continue -- the good people who are here illegally, let them continue to live in the shadows. We'll decide what to do with them much later. Is that fair?

PENCE: I think -- you know, I think however you characterize it, and I'll let -- I'll let our nominee characterize it and support his characterization, is the simple fact is, that as I travel around the country campaigning with Donald Trump and for Donald Trump, the American people are tired of now more than a generation of political leaders in both political parties talking about ending illegal immigration but not doing anything about it. They talk about border security and enforcing the laws of this country but we really don't see progress.

What you saw last night was clear-eyed, broad-shouldered leadership from someone who put the issue of illegal immigration at the very center of the national debate.

And he laid out, in a very real way, a roadmap for securing our borders, enforcing our laws, removing people from this country who represent a threat to our families and to our communities, doing that quickly. And calling on a -- the establishment of a new commission to reform these arc -- this arcane immigration system that we have in this country, even calling for sun setting certain provisions of the law, so that we're continuously, as a nation, putting America first in the way that we implement and develop immigration policy in this country.

And so, --

BLITZER: I get -- PENCE: -- I think all of those priorities -- you know, I think we both recognize, Wolf, that there's a great deal of focus on the -- on those that would remain after you do all of those things.

But what you heard Donald Trump say last night, and I think millions of people across this country heard him, is that he's focused on the more than 300 million American citizens and those who are here legally who long to see us end illegal immigration and making them the priority and leaving --

BLITZER: All right.

PENCE: -- those other issues, those that would remain after all of those things are done for a later date.

BLITZER: The Mexican president, as you know, Pena Nieto, he said that he did tell Donald Trump during their meeting in Mexico City yesterday that Mexico would not pay for the wall. Donald Trump said they didn't even discuss who would pay for the wall. So, which is it because we're hearing two very different accounts?

PENCE: Well, I think -- look, I think this was a -- this was a moment of -- I hope of great insight for the American people. I think they saw the kind of presidential leadership that Donald Trump will bring to the world stage.

I mean, you heard -- you heard again last night, he's articulated that strong commitment to ending illegal immigration in this country. But the American people saw, literally on the same day, the ability for him to accept an invitation, drop what he was doing, travel to Mexico City and sit down and have a very substantive and very cordial discussion with President Pena Nieto.

And they talked about what they agreed on. Remember, this wasn't a negotiation, Wolf. This was a conversation in the beginning of a relationship. And I truly do believe that -- you know, we -- that it was remarkable that they came out and both reflected on both of their commitment to end --

[13:10:04] BLITZER: All right.

PENCE: -- illegal immigration and the flow of illicit drugs, reform NAFTA, end human trafficking. And I think all of that bespeaks the kind of -- the kind of business negotiator that we'll have as a president who says, first, you sit down with people and talk about what you agree on. And then, you sit down and talk about the harder issues.

BLITZER: Hillary Clinton's running mate, Tim Kaine, was on CNN this morning. He called Donald Trump's performance in Mexico City amateurish. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TIM KAINE (D), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This is the central piece of his campaign, immigration and deportation, and we're going to build a wall and make Mexico pay for it. But when he looked president Pena Nieto in the eye, he couldn't even bring that up. That was a choke and I think it shows that diplomacy is not for amateurs. Donald Trump is an amateur.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: So, why didn't Donald Trump tell President Pena Nieto Mexico is going to pay for the wall?

PENCE: Well, look, this was a conversation about building a relationship, Wolf. And, you know, Senator Kaine is entitled to his opinion. And -- but I can tell you, for a fact, that both sides fully understood before the meeting that they disagreed on who would pay for the wall. And both sides had already arrived at a clear understanding of that. And there was really no need to discuss that at the meeting.

But that's -- again, I -- you know, you look at the foreign policy of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and the word, amateurish, comes to mind. You look at moving red lines, of feigning resets with Russia. You look at the rise and rule of ISIS and a wider Middle East that appears to be spinning apart. So, I'll take the broad-shouldered leadership of Donald Trump who demonstrated yesterday his ability to sit down, even with a president that he has had strong disagreements with, and have a conversation about what they agree on and begin the kind of relationship that'll advance the interests of the United States.

BLITZER: Governor, what about children born here in the United States whose parents are undocumented immigrants, will they still be U.S. citizens during a Trump-Pence administration?

PENCE: Well, I think the law is -- I think the law is very settled on that question, for generations of natural-born American citizens.

But I think what Donald Trump has talked about is the establishment of a new commission that will look at all of our immigration laws, including the whole question of anchor babies and asking the question about what's in the interest of the United States of America? And I think what people heard last night in Donald Trump's address on ending illegal immigration was a clear-eyed commitment to build a wall, to secure our borders, to enforce the laws of this nation. But he also -- they also heard him call for a fundamental review and reform of our immigration system in this country in a way that will make America first.

The contrast with Hillary Clinton could not be more dramatic. Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine, essentially, are committed to the open borders policy that have characterized the recent past. They're committed to amnesty. In fact, expanding the executive amnesty that the Supreme Court of the United States rejected.

Donald Trump and I are committed to ending illegal immigration, upholding the rule of law, of putting the interests of the American people first. But also, beginning a process, Wolf, of fundamentally reforming the immigration laws in this country with regard to a whole range of issues so that we have an immigration system that will support a growing and stronger America.

BLITZER: Donald Trump did mention that new arrivals, legal immigrants coming to the United States, would deed -- would need to pass what he called ideological certification to make sure they shared the values of the United States. So, who would set those values? Would this be some sort of written test?

PENCE: Well, I think -- I frankly think those kind of questions and tests have characterized our immigration system throughout our history. When my grandfather immigrated from this country and came through Ellis Island, he was asked a broad range of questions.

And the simple fact is that Donald Trump is saying we need to make sure that people that are coming into America, of every race and creed and color, share a fundamental appreciation for the ideals of this country. A fundamental admiration for the people of this country. And that's been something that's been a part of our immigration system for generations.

But now, in an age where, under this administration in particular, we've seen the rise of radical Islamic terrorism. We've seen terrorism inspired on our shores and horrifically visited on our allies. Ensuring that we are doing the kind of vetting -- not just extreme vetting with our refugee system, which Hillary Clinton wants to expand Syrian refugees by 550 percent -- not just extreme vetting there, but have the kind of vetting in our immigration system that makes sure that people that come here appreciate our commitment to freedom and the ideals that are enshrined in the founding documents of this country.

BLITZER: David Duke tweeted his praise for Donald Trump's speech. He called it an excellent speech. Does that make you uncomfortable?

PENCE: Well, we have no interest in his support or people who think like him. Donald Trump has denounced that man repeatedly. And I, for all the world, don't understand why you in the media continue to bring his utterances up. Look, Donald Trump spoke last night about ending illegal immigration in a way that I think is resonating with people all across the United States. People are tired of -- they're tired of politicians just talking this issue to death and not doing anything. And people know that when Donald Trump becomes president of the United States, ending illegal immigration will go to the very center of the goals of this administration. We'll advance the policies to secure our border, enforce our laws, but then reform the system in ways that will serve the American people for generations to come.

BLITZER: I know you've got to run. A quick question, a quick answer, how are you preparing for your vice presidential debate against Tim Kaine?

PENCE: Well, you know, all of my focus has been on the state of Indiana over the last four years. And we've got a state that works, balanced budget and low taxes and record employment. So I'm taking some time to brush up, Wolf, back on my days in Congress and a lot of those national issues. And -- but I'm really looking forward to a good, good debate with Senator Kaine and talking about the contrasts between Donald Trump's vision to make America great again and Hillary Clinton's plan to continue the failed policies that have weakened America' place in the world and stifled America's economy.

BLITZER: Governor Pence, thanks so much for joining us.

PENCE: Thank you, wolf. Good to be with you.

BLITZER: Thank you.

And coming up, Hillary Clinton's secret weapon, the vice president of the United States, Joe Biden. The searing attacks he's using against Donald Trump today in the battleground state of Ohio.

Plus, take a look at this, live pictures from Tampa, Florida, where they're bracing for a tropical storm that could become a hurricane any time. We're going to get an update from the governor of Florida, Rick Scott. He's standing by live.

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[13:21:36] BLITZER: Vice President Joe Biden, he's out campaigning today for Hillary Clinton in the key battleground state of Ohio. Just wrapped up a speech outside of Cleveland, and he started by attacking Donald Trump.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Folks, we all come from the same neighborhood, the folks in here. Whether it's Youngstown, Scranton, Toledo, Pittsburgh. And this other guy, he's simply -- he's not a bad guy, he does not -- he doesn't understand this anymore than you understand what it's like to live in a 30,000 square foot penthouse 80 floors up in New York. You don't understand that. I don't. He doesn't have any idea.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Let's bring in Peter Schechter. He's the director of the Atlantic Council's Adrienne Arsht Latin American Center and he supports Hillary Clinton.

Peter, thanks very much for joining us.

PETER SCHECHTER, DIRECTOR, ATLANTIC COUNCIL'S ADRIENNE ARSHT LATIN AMERICAN CENTER: A pleasure. Hi (ph).

BLITZER: So what do you think, first of all, of the first major foreign policy visit by Donald Trump to Mexico City. He met with the president of Mexico. They came out together. They had those joint statements, if you will. What was your reaction as an expert on Latin America?

SCHECHTER: Well, the president of Mexico made a mistake in inviting the candidates to Mexico because he shouldn't get involved in U.S. foreign policy. But he did so for a good reason because he was so worried about all the anti-Mexican rhetoric that was going on in this campaign. I mean people were slinging mud and throwing tomatoes everywhere and it was all about Mexico that suddenly became the poster child for everything that's wrong with --

BLITZER: So -- so you were surprised that the president, President Pena Nieto, he invited both candidates, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump? And were you also surprise that Donald Trump accepted that invitation?

SCHECHTER: I was surprised at both things, that he invited them and I was surprised that Donald Trump accepted it. But then, as we saw, immediately we had suddenly different views of the meet with President Pena Nieto saying, I told him we weren't paying for the wall, with Donald Trump saying that he -- we never talked about the issue. Suddenly we had divergent views of the meeting. But most really worrisome to me is that six hours later, from a Donald Trump sitting at the podium next to the president, we had a screaming Donald Trump that was again, once again, whipping people up into a very anti- immigrant -- with an anti-immigrant speech. And so that has me really worried and worried about how does one have confidence in a president -- in a guy who wants to be president who one -- one -- at 1:00 in the afternoon says one thing and at 7:00 in the afternoon says another thing.

BLITZER: Because he was much more supposedly presidential during his meeting with the Mexican president and then last night at the speech you don't think he was all that presidential. What was your biggest concern -- the single biggest concern you had as a result of his speech last night?

SCHECHTER: I think the biggest concern I had is this continued sense that the problem in the United States is all due to illegal immigration. The sense that our crime rate will go down, our economy will get better if we resolve illegal immigration. Illegal immigration is a large problem. People have attempted to resolve this. And it's a pity that it hasn't been involved. But the fact is that we have many other problems that are not due to illegal immigration.

BLITZER: But it is a problem. There are criminals. There are rapists. There are drug dealers and gang members who are here illegally.

SCHECHTER: But there are also American drug, rapists and gang members that aren't illegal immigrants. The fact -- the fact is that we have a problem of undocumented here and we have to resolve them in America (ph). What are we going to do, round everybody up and send them back? How do we create a police force big enough to do that? How do -- what about families that have -- what about kids that have been born here with foreign parents? I mean this is just --

[13:25:10] BLITZER: You heard him say -- and Mike Pence, just moments ago reiterated, they're going to leave the supposedly -- the so-called good immigrants open for the time being. They're going to deal with the criminals, the drug dealers, the rapists, if you will, the people in the gangs, they're going to deal with them right away, but they're leaving open deliberately what to do with the millions of other undocumented -- if they want legal status, they have to go back to their country and apply. But if they're just going to stay here, they're saying, they can stay here for now. We'll figure out what to do with them down the road after all of these other issues are resolved.

SCHECHTER: Which is very different from what they were saying before. Again, just keep -- it makes me very worried about how do we trust people that keep swiveling their positions. So before it was, we're going to throw everybody out. Now, they're not saying who they're going to move -- we're going to build the wall anyway and supposedly Mexico is going to pay. This is a farce. Mexico's not going to pay for that wall. And I don't think Donald Trump's going to build that wall.

BLITZER: Peter Schechter, thanks very much for coming in.

SCHECHTER: A pleasure to be here.

BLITZER: OK, thank you.

And a reminder, on Monday we're going to have two special reports on the presidential candidates with personal stories from those who know them best. Please join us for "Unfinished Business: The essential Hillary Clinton." That's Monday night at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, followed by "All Business: The Essential Donald Trump" at 10:00 p.m. Eastern.

Still ahead, what a difference a country makes, from looking statesman like in Mexico to a very fiery speech in Phoenix. We're going to examine the two sides of Donald Trump.

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