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CNN NEWSROOM

N.Y. Primary, Delegates for Both Parties; Hip-Hop DJ's take on N.Y. Race; U.S. Sailors Talk Presidential Race, War on Terror. Aired 2:30-3p ET

Aired April 19, 2016 - 14:30   ET

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


(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[14:30:00] REP. PETER KING, (R), NEW YORK: In case anybody is confused, I'm not endorsing Ted Cruz. I hate Ted Cruz.

(LAUGHTER)

And I think I'd take cyanide if he got the nomination.

Now, having said that --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: OK. There's that.

Let's talk to someone who knows the delegate system well. Mike Shields, a CNN delegate analyst and a former chief -- did we lose him? I'm guessing because it went black. We lost him. Guys, let me know.

We'll go to a break. Stand by. We'll try to get Mike Shields back up and talk about the New York primary and the all-important delegate situation on both sides of the party.

Stay with me.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[14:34:50] KING: In case anybody is confused, I'm not endorsing Ted Cruz. I hate Ted Cruz.

(LAUGHTER)

And I think I'd take cyanide if he got the nomination.

Now, having said that --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: That was Congressman Peter King in New York.

Let me bring in Mike Shields, CNN delegate analyst.

Let's -- straight out of the gate -- cyanide, your reaction to that?

MIKE SHIELDS, CNN DELEGATE ANALYST: Well, look, I mean, we are at the part of the nomination where all the battle lines are drawn. People are picking sides. They're pretty split apart and I think whoever does get the nomination in Cleveland, a first job is bringing the party back together. And I think since the delegates, we could be headed to a contested convention. The delegates choose the nominee. And one of the things I think the delegates looking for who can bring the party together. I think the top two candidates running have to make the appeal. They're running to convince the delegates to vote for them and I think they have to convince the delegates I can bring the party together and get Peter king and everyone back on board with this again.

BALDWIN: On the delegates, Nebraska committeeman, for the national committee, J.L. Spray (ph), reached out to the Trump camp to warn them of the Cruz presence in Nebraska far eclipsing Trump. Quote, "Trump had a campaign with earned media and has no grassroots. He's Astroturf and it's hard to grow grass roots all of a sudden." Saying Trump has no ground game. We heard that. A woman in Georgia said the same thing days ago. How do they fix that? What's your response?

SHIELDS: I think it's difficult to retrofit a ground game. It's something to build at the beginning for GOP efforts and now delegate selection efforts. Having said that, the Trump campaign has figured this out. They're hiring people. You're hearing news of that every day now.

BALDWIN: Yep.

SHIELDS: They are starting to put people out in the states and there are still a number of states to do the delegate selection, not the delegate allocation, which the primary does, but the choosing of the delegates. A number of states - that goes into June ahead of the convention in July. So they have time to catch up. I do think they're behind. Cruz campaign did a good job of this. But the Trump campaign can catch up doing the right things. It's very difficult to build relationships. A lot of the ground games and delegate selection is about relationships and knowing people that have been putting up yard signs and being a part of the county local party apparatus for years helping Republicans get elected. And if you didn't have a relationship with them, it's hard to know who to talk to, to get them elected as delegates to Cleveland.

BALDWIN: Mike Shields, thank you very much.

Meantime, it will be over in a second here. Talking to the folks voting today in the New York primary. The results could throw the presidential race into a tail spin. Millions of voters expected to make their choice today in a primary that means more than it has in decades. And few have insight into the minds of New Yorkers like, the host of "Hot 97" here in New York, a pioneering hip-hop station, home to some of the most raw conversations on race and politics.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PETER ROSENBERG, HOST, HOT 97 & CO-HOST, ESPN RADIO: It's vulnerable to have a conversation on the radio. You know? When being really honest, and the mic is on, and you know New York is listening.

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS, (I), VERMONT & DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: His father was born in Kenya. My father was born in Poland. Nobody asked me for my birth certificate. Maybe it has something to do with the color of my skin.

ROSENBERG: It's completely unrealistic to have a conversation of Hillary and not talk about sexism.

HILLARY CLINTON, (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE & FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE (voice-over): I want to break down all the barriers that are holding Americans back.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Here he is, Peter Rosenberg, host 97 Hot in the morning and co-host on ESPN Radio.

Nice to meet you. Thank you so much.

ROSENBERG: Thank you for having me. I'm excited to be a part of -- almost a part of Election Day coverage. I'm just an hour and 21 minutes away.

BALDWIN: You're on the screen with the countdown clock.

ROSENBERG: Look at that. I'm here. I have arrived politically.

BALDWIN: Congratulations.

ROSENBERG: Thank you so much.

BALDWIN: Since we're talking politics, you have reached to out to every single candidate, Democrats, Republicans. You were successful with Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. Begin with Bernie. Getting him in the studio you said was tough.

ROSENBERG: Yes. Yes.

BALDWIN: How was that?

ROSENBERG: It was awesome and super excited to get him and felt privileged to have a conversation with him. He's someone I have admired for, I don't know, 20 years. I thought he was an amazing person.

I was frustrated, we were frustrated with how long it took us to get him to come sit down. We reach out probably the first time after he had that gaffe with the Black Lives Matter protesters.

BALDWIN: Months ago.

ROSENBERG: Yeah. And it just seemed like that situation mishandled and maybe there was a disconnect we thought between him and a potential voter base we thought to really like him but they didn't know him yet so we really wanted to start that conversation and unfortunately it too long time to get there but I think they have had traction recently.

BALDWIN: Once you did, of everything he talked about, what surprised you the most?

ROSENBERG: You know, I got to tell you, by the time we talked to him, I don't think anything surprised me. What you see with Bernie is what you get and people sort of --

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Part of the appeal for a lot of folks.

ROSENBERG: Hearing it, you can me make a joke you know his catch phrases over and over again and appealing because it seems like it's coming from him. Honestly, the number one thing I have heard from listeners and people on social media, and you can take that for what it is, obviously --

BALDWIN: Sure.

[14:40:07] ROSENBERG: -- people don't fully believe Hillary. And I mean, it's funny. It is the same thing that insiders and people who know nothing all basically see it the same way, which is, Bernie's ideals are so great. Can he really, really be a professional politician on Capitol Hill and an effective man?

BALDWIN: I've talked to people and been at the rallies and not met Trump and feel something at the rallies and they truly believe that they will bring more jobs, they will fix -- break up the big banks. But they don't know them. I'm curious for the folks who love Bernie feeling the Bern when you're talking to them and calling in, would they switch over to Hillary Clinton if he doesn't clinch?

ROSENBERG: I think some will. There are some who won't, though. I will tell you this. Posted the Bernie Sanders interview, granted he was in person and video and so it does more traffic.

BALDWIN: Secretary Clinton called in.

ROSENBERG: Called in. But his video has like 400,000 views but the likes to dislikes is astounding. It is like anyone. Like interviewing Beyonce practically.

BALDWIN: Wow.

ROSENBERG: Hillary's the polar opposite. It was all dislikes. Now, are those people actually voting? Who knows anyone who actually comments on YouTube videos.

BALDWIN: No research.

ROSENBERG: Unfortunately, bad news for the Clinton campaign basing it on this, real trouble. I don't think that's what it will be what happens today.

BALDWIN: Themes, you all discussed sex, racism. How have that all -- those themes been, you know, intertwined in these different candidates and races?

ROSENBERG: Obviously, with Trump we ended up talking race a lot.

BALDWIN: Why do you say obviously?

ROSENBERG: Because, I mean, Trump has said things that are inherently racist and divisive. I think when people say overt racist, that is a thing -- I'm a liberal and we as liberals say it. It's not exactly overt. It's just really perfectly covert. Right? And in moments it's been really, really obvious like the wall, like the Muslims comment where he says that we should -- temporary ban on Muslims. Those things obviously, you know, if you're anyone with honestly decent morals or beliefs that are not archaic, you raise an eyebrow and go, hold on, let's have a conversation about this. So --

BALDWIN: You invited him to come on.

ROSENBERG: Many times.

BALDWIN: Kasich and Cruz?

ROSENBERG: No one replied. Listen, who knows where the requests go.

BALDWIN: What if Donald Trump called into the show tomorrow? What would your number-one question be to him?

ROSENBERG: First, he would think the show was terrific. I want you to know that.

BALDWIN: Good endorsement there.

ROSENBERG: Thank you. No. I just -- my number one question for him is, how do you reasonably expect Americans who you have clearly offended to turn around and vote for you in a general election? Like, I just don't understand if amount of hard working Americans who have been offended.

BALDWIN: Compared to the amount of Americans who believe in him.

ROSENBERG: But the thing is adding up the numbers won't add up enough, right? If Trump gets 40 percent of Republicans, OK, and gets no Democrats. And then female Republicans are not voting for him.

BALDWIN: They feel -- he's done pretty well among female Republicans.

ROSENBERG: We found that out today or -- (CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: This just in. No, no. This is what we've talked about in the last couple of months.

ROSENBERG: I can't see how the numbers add up. You know much more than I do. I grew up in a political household but I don't know everything. I can't seem to imagine how the numbers add up. The scary part is, you know, if Hillary isn't really on her game and those debates, let's face it. If you have a faux and clearly for liberals Donald Trump is a faux, be realistic about that person. That person for obnoxious as you may think he is, charm egg and charismatic, you know how many Democratic debates I watched? I think 90 percent of Republican debates. You have to be analytical with yourself. Why did I tune in to watch Donald Trump? He can charm you and if Hillary's not prepared, really prepared, without seeming over prepared, then she could have more issues than we like to think.

BALDWIN: It's a delicate dance and I think -- I have talked to a few people and they would argue that Bernie Sanders, perhaps even Bernie Sanders would say himself he's helped make Hillary Clinton a better candidate if, in fact, she goes on to clinch.

Peter, thank you.

ROSENBERG: This is so cool.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Just like radio, right?

ROSENBERG: What?

BALDWIN: Just like radio.

ROSENBERG: Yeah. We were sitting here talking. And there's lots of weird people being quiet around here.

BALDWIN: Here in New York, Peter Rosenberg.

Thank you.

ROSENBERG: Thank you for having me.

[14:45:04] BALDWIN: Thank you and come back.

In my entire 17-year journalism career, I have never experienced a more rewarding assignment than traveling to the Persian Gulf two weeks ago and sitting down with four extraordinarily amazing young sailors. We talked so much, about the candidates, war on terror. We take you to the front lines and hear what they are looking for in the next commander-in-chief, coming up in an exclusive interview.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FEMALE: My grandfather had served in the Marine Corps. I had uncles that served. My dad was in the Navy.

YOUNG MALE: I've been in less than two years and seen eight countries. Nobody back home has been able to say that.

GLASSES, FAT: I was sitting in a bar with a friend of mine talking and he was like, you know what, you should go talk to a recruiter.

BLACK MALE: A regular 9:00 to 5:00 job is not going anywhere.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Four sailors left their lives, parents, children, wives and husbands to protect you and me, serve their country on the front lines in the war on terror.

I had the privilege of meeting Lieutenant Precious McQuade; Petty Officer 3rd Class, Adam Pitcher, Petty Officer 2nd Class James Allen, and Petty Officer 2nd Class, John Adams aboard their home away from home, the cruiser in the Persian Gulf, the "USS Anzio," and they offered me rare, exclusive, honest conversation.

I had a lot of questions. I wanted to know how they wake up, eat, sleep, why they're sacrificing as they are. And I started by asking for a show of hands.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

[14:50:26] BALDWIN: How many of you feel like your family or friends back home fully understand what you're doing out here? OK.

How many of you have left behind children to be out here?

How many of you are willing to sacrifice your life for this country?

Wow. Thank you for doing that. Thank you.

This is 24/7. You're in the Middle East. How would you describe what your mission is out here?

LT. PRECIOUS MCQUADE, U.S. NAVY: We're the air missile defense commander for "Harry S. Truman" strike group. The carrier is our best friend. Pretty much always with her and here to protect her and we're here to support our IOR mission so whether you're sonar technician or ship storekeeper or yeoman making sure the paper work is on point so the XO doesn't get mad at us, we all have a role in accomplishing that mission. We are here to protect not only our American freedoms but, you know, the morals that we hold as a humanity, you know, worldwide.

BALDWIN: What does a bad day look like?

ADAM PITCHER, PETTY OFFICER 3RD CLASS, U.S. NAVY: I'm a ship serviceman so right now I do like vending machines and barber and stuff like that so if I don't fill the machines and help people when they have bad days, kind of improve ship morale, that I feel like myself I kind of my worst critic because I know I can do better.

BALDWIN: How old are you?

PITCHER: 27.

BALDWIN: You see your buddy back home complaining because he got out of his 9:00 to 5:00 20 minutes late, can't get to movie on time. What is your first thought? Think of I chose this life style. I take pride in what I do and that's what they chose.

PITCHER: That's what they chose.

JOHN ADAMS, PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS, U.S. NAVY: I do this, we do this just so they can have the luxuries and make the job easier. This is a kind of remove our emotions away from what we do. We all have bad days, sometimes wake up on the wrong side of the bed. That's life. But to remove the emotions as soon as you get up the quarters you hear everything you have to do for the day, it's really about getting a job done. We have our outlets, even here.

BALDWIN: What do you mean outlets?

ADAMS: Well, for example, I'm a reader. Pretty sure some of us are reading some books now and in our spare time. We have some sailors who play video games. We have sailors who work out. Being on the mess decks, you see a personal side of each other. Work isn't getting done. I joke all the time, you know, saying that I see the more than I see my wife. And it becomes a family like that. If I have a situation going on at home, I ask an older sailor who may have dealt with that particular issue.

BALDWIN: You're a dad. How many, and how old?

JAMES ALLEN, PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS, U.S. NAVY: One son, he is turning 2 this month. He's the silliest kid in the world. Runs around, always laughing and it gets difficult, obviously, being away and as great as it is to hear from family, see pictures and videos -- there are times where that video will pop up and I'll get an e-mail with a video of my son doing something, running around or giggling and I just got to walk out for a few minutes. It's hard being away.

BALDWIN: What do you -- what's your favorite meal?

MCQUADE: I think pizza and wings is everyone's favorite meal.

ALLEN: I would have to disagree. It's Italian Wednesday or Italian Thursdays or Taco Tuesday.

BALDWIN: Taco Tuesday?

ALLEN: I'm a big fan of tacos.

BALDWIN: Is there a meal you can't stand?

MCQUADE: Oh yes. PITCHER: Salisbury steak.

BALDWIN: Salisbury steak night.

ALLEN: Whenever they have it, it's paired with something like mustard baked fish or something else --

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Not a solid combo.

ALLEN: Not appetizing at all.

BALDWIN: What's the first thing you do when you go home?

ADAMS: Hug mom and dad, and then probably go out and have a beer or something.

ALLEN: Hug my wife and son, and then get tackled by my dogs at home.

MCQUADE: Hug my baby.

BALDWIN: Hmm.

ADAMS: Kiss my wife.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[14:54:57] BALDWIN: We have so much more from them. See how closely these four sailors are watching the elections back here at home. It turns out they are extremely tapped in. Do not miss the continued conversation there on board the "USS Anzio" in the Persian Gulf.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:59:24] BALDWIN: I want to continue our conversation with the four sailors. It took four flights to get to them on the missile cruise in the Persian Gulf, thousands of miles away from home. No Wi- Fi. Very slow Internet connection. But they definitely stay connected. They spend a couple of days on solid land every couple of months. But if you ask them how closely they're watching the current U.S. presidential election, what they want, qualities in a president in chief, how they perceive the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels, despite their efforts in the Middle East, I can assure you they're paying attention and they have much to say.