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Exit Poll Numbers; Evangelicals Boost Trump; Idaho Suspect Arrested in Washington, D.C.; Trump Defends Trump University. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired March 9, 2016 - 09:30   ET

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


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[09:31:30] CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning. I'm Carol Costello. Thank you for joining me. I'm live in Miami at the University of Miami. The big Democratic debate will take place later tonight. We'll have it all covered for you. Don't worry.

You already know the headlines for Super Tuesday part two, Trump's big wins, Sanders stunning Michigan upset. But what about the surprises beyond the headlines? And what do they tell us about the voters? Our chief business correspondent Christine Romans has been following the exit polls.

Good morning, Christine.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Those exit polls show a yearning that is anti-trade, anti- establishment, only an outsider can fix America problems. What about falling gas prices, low unemployment, recovering home prices? That's not what these voters say they feel. They overwhelmingly are worried. Donald Trump's appeal comes from anxious, angry voters who think that the billionaire businessman is the only one who can save them. For Sanders' supporters, free healthcare, free college, breaking up banks, raising taxes, that's how they want to fix a game they see as rigged for the rich.

Now, beyond that overwhelming theme, there were some surprises. John Kasich, he had a disappointing night, Carol, in Michigan. He came in third there. But look at this surprise. He won with the late deciders, people who had decided in the last few days, grabbing about 43 percent of that group. That made up more than a third of Republican voters in Michigan. He'll need every late decider and then some if he wants to win his home state of Ohio and its 66 delegates.

Another surprise here, just how much Bernie Sanders' anti- international trade attacks resonated. He has attacked hard on Hillary Clinton's past support of free trade agreements. A majority of voters agree with him, agree with him that trade is an American jobs killer. Bernie Sanders has tapped into that. Fifty-eight percent said Sanders is their pick. Even Clinton's attack on his auto bailout voting record had pretty little influence. Another surprise, Trump nabbing evangelical voters in Michigan. Fifty-

three percent identifying as evangelical or born again Christian. Donald Trump edging out Ted Cruz with that group. He is making inroads. Trump's making inroads with these evangelicals and with people who call themselves ideological moderates in several states, Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, Christine Romans, fascinating information. I appreciate it.

OK, so support with evangelicals is something Donald Trump, he actually loves to tout that on the campaign trail.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We have a lot of great endorsements. I'll tell you, Jerry Falwell Jr. was so helpful. He was so helpful. You know I'm leading with the evangelicals. I'm a good Christian.

The evangelicals, they get it. They get it. They get me. They understand me. I'll be the best thing that ever happened to them. I mean that a hundred percent.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: But for Peter Wehner, an evangelical who worked in the White House for Reagan and both Bushs, that support is confusing. In an op- ed for "The New York Times" titled "What Wouldn't Jesus Do." Wehner writes in part, quote, "this visionary and inspiring man humiliated his first wife by conducting a very public affair, chronically bullies and demeans people, and says he has never asked God for forgiveness. Trump is a narcissist appealing to people whose faith declares that pride goes before the fall," end quote.

Joining me now to talk about this is Franklin Graham, an evangelical and president and CEO of Samaritan's Purse.

Welcome, sir.

FRANKLIN GRAHAM, PRESIDENT AND CEO, SAMARITAN'S PURSE: Thank you, Carol. Good to be with you.

COSTELLO: Nice to have you back with me.

Do you agree with Peter Wehner?

GRAHAM: You know, Carol, as we -- as we look at this election, as a -- as a Christian, I'm not -- I'm not going to get behind any of these candidates. And I understand where a lot of them are coming from. There's a lot of anger in this country.

[09:35:10] But I'm angry too. And I'm angry at the Republicans. I'm angry at the Democrats. They have messed up this nation. And we are in trouble. And I believe the only hope, Carol, is God. And I'm going to all fifty states this year to have rallies on the Capitol steps, having people come to pray. And I think the only hope for this country is God. And so that's -- that's what I'm going to do is try to get the Christians of this country to begin to pray. And if we pray, I think God just may give us favor, he may hear from heaven and maybe he'll help turn this country around because I don't think the political process can do it.

COSTELLO: But --

GRAHAM: We're in trouble.

COSTELLO: So help me understand more about how evangelicals and Christian, born again Christians, are willing to put aside what, you know, traditionally would be Mr. Trump's sins and embrace him? Like, what is it about him that appeals? And you say it's anger, but what are they angry about?

GRAHAM: I think that they're angry at the government. They're angry at the politics. They're voted to go to Washington and then they end up doing absolutely nothing, just like the Republicans right before Christmas here they voted the spending bill and they didn't even try to get anything. They just voted for it and went home.

And that is the kind of thing that I think the American voter is sick and tired of. And the Republicans especially are going to have to understand, they cannot take the evangelical vote for granted. The evangelicals want a good -- they would like to find a Christian, they'd like to find someone that understands their values and supports their values, but more importantly I think they're looking for a strong leader. And I'm not going to endorse any of them. I'm not going to get behind any of them. But I believe the only hope that we have, again, is, like I said, is God, and that's what I'm standing for.

COSTELLO: So when you pray, what do you -- what do you pray to God for?

GRAHAM: I pray that God will give us leaders. Not just in Washington. Carol, we need -- we need -- we need Christian men and women in politics. We need mayors. We need city council. We need Christians on school boards. We need Christians at every level. And I'm encouraging people to run. Run for public office. Run at the local level, the state level. I have -- you know, Washington is broken --

COSTELLO: But -- but --

GRAHAM: But I think there's a lot we can do at the local and state level.

COSTELLO: I understand that, but, you know, there's a lot of -- a lot of evangelicals already rallying around a man they think is a strong leader, and that would be Donald Trump. They apparently think that, you know, this is our guy. This is the guy who can get it done. And it doesn't matter what sins he has committed in the past, we're going to follow him. So has -- hasn't God already delivered as far as those evangelicals are concerned?

GRAHAM: Carol, I can't speak for the -- for the evangelicals and for those that support Donald Trump or don't support him. I can just tell you what I'm going to do. But I can say that people are fed up. And I think, you know, Donald Trump, to his credit, he is shaking up the Republican Party and the Republican Party needs to be shaken up and he's certainly doing that.

COSTELLO: Are you going to vote this year?

GRAHAM: Oh, sure. Absolutely.

COSTELLO: But you're not going to tell me who you're going to vote for?

GRAHAM: No, Carol, I'm not going to do that. We've got a long way to go. But I'm going to encourage -- I'm going to encourage Christians across this country, not only to pray, but I want to encourage them to vote. I'm not going to tell them who to vote for, but I want to encourage them to go to the polls and vote. Last time I think it was 20 to 30 million evangelical Christians stayed home. They didn't vote. And that is a shame. I want Christians to get out and vote. I think it's their responsibility, it's their duty to vote and to be involved in the political process.

COSTELLO: All right, I have to leave it there. Reverend Franklin Graham, thank you so much for being with me this morning.

GRAHAM: Thank you, Carol.

COSTELLO: The public will soon begin -- you're welcome.

The public will soon begin paying final respects to the former first lady, Nancy Reagan. Mrs. Reagan will lie in repose at the Reagan Library today and tomorrow with visitation beginning this afternoon. A private funeral will be held Friday. Michelle Obama is expected to attend that service.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM, the suspect in an Idaho pastor shooting travels 2,000 miles. He was captured in front of the White House. We'll talk about that, next.

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[09:43:42] COSTELLO: A bizarre turn in the hunt for the man police shot -- shot -- say shot a pastor in Idaho. Suspect Kyle Odom now in police custody, arrested right outside of the White House. That's more than 2,000 miles from Idaho. Odom was captured as he apparently threw flash drives over the White House fence.

Athena Jones live in Washington with more on this.

Good morning, Athena.

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol. This is a bizarre story and alarming on multiple levels. It's got to be alarming to the Secret Service and to law enforcement, the fact that he was able to hop on that plane. Here's what happened. The Secret Service arrested Kyle Odom last

night, he's 30 years old, after he threw those flash drives and some other items over the White House fence of the South Lawn. This happened about 8:30 p.m. Odom is suspected of shooting a pastor in Idaho on Saturday and then getting on a plane and flying all the way from Boise, Idaho, to right here in Washington, even though there was a warrant out for his arrest for attempted first-degree murder.

Now, the pastor, Tim Remington, was shot several times but is expected to survive. I should mention that Remington had delivered the invocation at a rally on Saturday for Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Then he was shot the next day, on Sunday, by this suspect allegedly.

Now, police have not found any information that suggests that the shooting was politically motivated, but they have found letters and writings by Odom, including a list with the names of a number of U.S. Senators and Congressmen, along with -- members of Congress, I should say -- along with some Isareli government officials on what they're calling a manifesto by Odom.

[09:45:19] Now, police say their investigation has uncovered some disturbing details about this suspect and so they took the, quote, "extensive list" seriously. In a Facebook post that's been attributed to Odom, he wrote in part, "Things are not what they appear to be. The world is ruled by an ancient civilization from Mars. Pastor Tim was one of them and he was the reason my life was ruined. I will be sharing my story with as many people as possible. I don't have time right now. They are chasing me."

Now, we know Odom sent a letter to his parents along with a flash drive with multiple electronic documents. He sent some similar materials to members of the media. Police are of course still looking into this with the FBI's help, but that key question is how did he get on that plane despite that felony warrant? Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, Athena Jones reporting live from the White House this morning. Thank you.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM, Trump defending his namesake university and taking his former students to task in front of reporters and in a new online video.

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[09:51:00] COSTELLO: And good morning, I'm Carol Costello live from the University of Miami where the big Democratic debate will be held later tonight.

But let's talk about the GOP front-runner right now, shall we? Donald Trump is defending his now-shuttered real estate Trump University, implying that the defendants in a class-action lawsuit are lying about the school.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: Trump University, it's -- we're holding it -- when I win the lawsuit, which I'll win. They did an ad, Rubio did an ad the other day. He had two or three people, and the three people were saying, oh, it was so terrible. Their report cards were all excellent, beautiful statements, we love it. You can't settle cases when the person suing you has given you letters and in some cases tapes saying how great it is.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Trump went even farther and he -- they put out this new YouTube video, naming two defendants featured in an anti-Trump attack ad and reading from their Trump University reviews.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: Rob Galub (ph), and here's his report card on the school. And he talks about excellent, what great (INAUDIBLE) quality of presentation, quality of everything. Excellent, excellent, excellent, excellent.

We have the other person named Kevin Scott, also in your thing, all excellent. He gives it five plus with the rating as high as you can go.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: So what's the real story? Drew Griffin investigates.

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DREW GRIFFIN, CNN INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This was the promise of Trump University when it launched, direct from the university chairman's own mouth.

TRUMP: At Trump University, we teach success. That's what it is all about -- success. It's going to happen to you.

GRIFFIN: It operated from 2005 through 2010 and enrolled 10,000 students in real estate courses that ranged from pre-seminars, up to $35,000 for advanced training and mentoring. Trump university took in an estimated $40 million from people who believed they, too, could some day become successful.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Put proven Donald Trump secrets to work for you.

GRIFFIN: But it turns out not everything Donald Trump promises comes true and not all of his businesses lead to success. Trump University is closed.

(on camera): And it ended. Why did it end?

ALAN GARTEN, DONALD TRUMP'S ATTORNEY: Well, the economy crashed. The real estate market crashed and demand fell off a little bit.

GRIFFIN (voice-over): Alan Garten is Donald Trump's attorney. He's defending the school from three separate lawsuits, two class-action lawsuits filed in California and one filed by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

It's one of the California cases Donald Trump has been named as a witness. Pretrial motions in May; trial date set for August. But all three cases are similar. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed his in 2013, then went on CNN to explain.

ERIC SCHNEIDERMAN, NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL: It was a classic bait and switch scheme. It was a scam starting with the fact that it was not a university. They promised they were going to teach people with hand-picked experts by Donald Trump. The teachers were neither hand- picked nor experts.

GARTEN: He was very involved. From the early stages, he was meeting regularly, every week, every two weeks, with the people who were going to run the day-to-day operations of the course.

GRIFFIN (on camera): So the allegation that he didn't have anything to do with this, that he didn't pick a single expert as the New York Attorney General has claimed, you say is completely false?

GARTEN: It's completely untrue; 100 percent untrue.

GRIFFIN (voice-over): The New York Attorney General declined to be interviewed for this report, but provided CNN with six of the 150 affidavits he says he's collected from unsatisfied Trump University students, who mostly complained that their education at the school was worthless. Those suing claimed they were promised tools and strategies and mentoring it would take to make them successful in real estate.

In reality, they claim, they learned not much at all. One student wrote, I've not been able to get in touch with anyone after I signed up for the Trump Gold Elite program. Another student, who paid $25,000 to have special access to high-level mentors, claims he hasn't been able to get in touch with his nonexistent power team.

[09:55:09] GARTEN: There's at least 10,000 people who paid. So you can go and pick three or four affidavits from people, or maybe 20 affidavits, or maybe 30 affidavits. It's still a minuscule amount. I have in my bag, and I'm happy to read to you, all the people who loved the courses.

GRIFFIN: And he did, providing CNN with 14 affidavits from satisfied students. Garten says Trump will continue to fight all three lawsuits until he eventually wins, even if legal fees wipe out any profit he may have made.

Drew Griffin, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: The Better Business Bureau is pushing back on claims about its A rating for the Trump Entrepreneur Initiative touted by Trump. The Bureau says the document Trump posted online did not come from them, and the reason it moved up from a D-plus was due to the winding down of the program, which meant no new complaints were reported. The next hour of CNN NEWSROOM after a break.

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