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CNN NEWSROOM

Trump: Sarcastic about Russia Hacking E-mails; Precedent- Setting Hillary Clinton Nomination; Kenneth "Baby Face" Edmonds Talks Song for Clinton. Aired 2:30-3p ET

Aired July 28, 2016 - 14:30   ET

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

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[14:32:36] BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Here's the news from Donald Trump today, the fact that he said he was being sarcastic when it came to his comments yesterday on how Russia should hack into Hillary Clinton's personal e-mails. The Republican presidential nominee says he was not being serious when he suggested that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: And when I'm being sarcastic, the --

(CROSSTALK)

UNIDENTIFIED ANCHOR: You're being sarcastic?

TRUMP: Of course, I'm being sarcastic. But you have 33,000 e-mails deleted. The real problem is what was said on those e-mails from the Democratic National Committee.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: All right. Here is what he said just hours before that.

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

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Let's talk it over with Paul Rieckhoff, founder and CEO or Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, IAVA.

Good to see you.

PAUL RIECKHOFF, FOUNDER & CEO, IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN VETERANS OF AMERICA: Good to see you, Brooke.

BALDWIN: I bumped into you in Cleveland last week taking in the Republican side of things. Here you are in Cleveland taking in the Democratic side of things. Here you are, non-partisan. RIECKHOFF: The commander-in-chief is a sacred, critical role and

sometimes gets lost in the political debate you're going to command for than two million people in the military. We want to make sure candidates are talking to those people. People are watching from Iraq and Afghanistan and 22 million veterans. They are not a voting bloc but they are a very diverse, influential voting group. A lot of them are independent and they're going to be listening closely to Hillary Clinton tonight and they're watching everything Trump does to see who is going to be our commander-in-chief and who is going to take care of us when we get home. We are non-partisan. We want to make sure they're not just using us as political props.

BALDWIN: You know this and you call them out on it, for sure. So on the issue though of terror and all these different terror attacks, let me just tell you, James Comey, director of the FBI, essentially said, "The defeat of ISIS will send the terrorists Diaspora to the United States," meaning that could increase any terror attacks right here in the U.S. How do you see that and how would that affect our --

RIECKHOFF: That's what we're preparing for.

BALDWIN: You are?

RIECKHOFF: We've been at war in the military for 15 years. The rest of America has kind of been living life uninterrupted. There have been some security changes but we're always ready, we're always prepared.

BALDWIN: Do you think that's even accurate?

[14:35:06] RIECKHOFF: I think we are preparing for a new normal and that probably means regular attacks around the world. It could mean regular attacks here. For us, I hope it underscores for everybody the risk our military takes on every single day. This is what they've been dealing with for 15 years. And their families have been dealing with it for 15 years. They're not just in Iraq and Afghanistan. They're on your bridges, in your tunnels. They're helpers, first responders. They're going to be there.

We want to hear from both parties, commander-in-chief and everybody down the ticket, how are you going to take care of those folks and things like the V.A. that's going to take care of them when they come home that we know has had so many problems.

BALDWIN: Final question. I can't let you go before asking about Medal of Honor recipient, Flo Goldberg, who is speaking tonight. But also, last week, I was really moved by Marcus Luttrell speaking for Donald Trump. You listen to both of these guys who are absolutely outstanding. Not as a veteran but as an American, you're moved by both.

RIECKHOFF: There is a silver lining of 15 years of war. Even the debate that is going on, which is there is an incredible generation of young leaders. They're rising and ready to lead. Marcus Luttrell was fabulous. Tonight, Flo Goldberg, Medal of Honor recipient, will be in primetime. Both are incredibly effective, moving, patriotic people that tend to put party -- put patriotism above party. You have to watch all these guys. Flo Goldberg was tweeting that he's getting ready for today by watching "Star Trek" --

BALDWIN: "Star Trek."

RIECKHOFF: He's watching "Star Trek" by himself in a suit, getting ready. A humble guy. Incredible American story. Marcus and Flo would probably get more votes if they ran for president than either one of these candidates.

BALDWIN: Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA, thanks.

RIECKHOFF: Thank you, Brooke, as always.

BALDWIN: Thank you.

Next, a life-long Republican will join me live. He is speaking tonight, that's right, a Republicans speaking on the stage of the DNC. Sort of swallowing his pride saying he will vote for Hillary Clinton. The first time he's voted a Dem in his life. Why? Let's ask.

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[14:41:32] BALDWIN: Tonight, a moment in history, Hillary Clinton, the first woman ever to be nominated for president by a major party. A lot of people pointing out, you think about little girls across the country and really around the world waking up today and thinking about what this might mean for her or her future, her goals. Listen, whether you are left, right or somewhere in between, it does set a long-awaited precedent.

One woman is reminding us that Hillary Clinton is standing upon the shoulders of generations who came before her. Mayor Lovely Warren, the first woman to serve as mayor of Rochester, New York, placed this sign in her city at the grave of Susan B. Anthony. She was, of course, a crusader for woman's rights, and above all, the right to vote.

Let me read the sign for you. It reads: "Dear Susan B., we thought you might like to know that for first time in history a woman is running for president. 144 years ago, your illegal vote got you arrested. It took another 48 years for women to finally gain the right to vote. Thank you for paving the way."

Mayor Warren joins me.

Also with us, Doug Elmets. He, too, is focusing on the significance of this moment. He is actually a Republican, served in the Reagan administration, and he is speaking tonight at the DNC.

So tonight is special for two very different reasons.

So nice to meet both of you.

LOVELY WARREN, (D), MAYOR OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK: Thank you for having us. DOUG ELMETS, (R), FORMER REAGAN ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thank you.

BALDWIN: Ladies first.

Let me just ask you, what propelled you to put this sign next to her grave and what kind of -- what have people written on it?

WARREN: Well, we just put it up on Tuesday after -- on the day that we cast our vote. I cast my vote.

BALDWIN: As a delegate.

WARREN: As a delegate. For me, it was really about the fact that I have a daughter, 6-year-old daughter, and my grandmother instilled in me that we always had to pay it forward, that we always never forget where we came from. Susan B. Anthony paved the way for me to become the first female mayor in Rochester. And I wanted her to know that she also paved the way for Hillary Clinton to now be the designated candidate for the Democrats. Also it is my sincere hope that she will be the next president of the United States, and the first female. I think that that's so very, very important for all of us.

BALDWIN: Your 6-year-old daughter. Does she understand what's happening? Does she understand why mom has to be in Philadelphia?

WARREN: We with be she does. I take her with me to different events in our community because I want her to understand what public service is really all about, the sacrifices of people that came before us, people like Susan B. Anthony, people like Shirley Chisholm, like my grandmother, who took us back to South Carolina, my family and my cousins and I to let us know we can never forget where we came from, the fact that some were share croppers. And the fact that allowed me to be the first attorney in my family and first politician in my family as well. Coming up in the next week, my little cousin will be the first doctor getting his white coat.

BALDWIN: My goodness!

WARREN: Coming from share croppers to that.

BALDWIN: Your family!

How about that? How about that?

To you, sir. You are an "R" in a sea of "D"s. You're like a unicorn around these parts. You first voted for Ronald Reagan. This is the first time in 40 years you are voting for a Democrat. Why?

ELMETS: When one looks at the options, the options are clear. Hillary Clinton is more prepared to be president than probably anybody in a generation. Compared to Ronald Reagan who, frankly, I believe is a petulant, unbalanced reality TV star --

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Donald Trump. ELMETS: Donald Trump. There's no question about it.

BALDWIN: Before tonight -- and you'll be speaking to everyone -- you'll be watching around with your Republican friends saying, I'm voting for Hillary?

[14:45:09] ELMETS: That's the reality. There are many Republican friends I have who believe that it is party over country, that they're willing to really go to the grave with that orthodoxy. I just don't buy in to that. I think that at this point in history, we have two options, and Hillary Clinton is the best of the two.

BALDWIN: We're just watching on the other side of the screen, Carole King rehearsing. She's performing as well.

Is it just because it is Trump? Because a lot of people I'm wondering are just going to sit this one out. Republicans who just can't check that box for him but can't check the box for Hillary Clinton either.

ELMETS: Well, I candidly think that Hillary Clinton is well qualified to be the ambassador the world, for the United States, and really to our children as well. My hope is that I will be able to convince other Republicans that it's OK. Even if they aren't willing to get out in front like I am, that it's OK to support Hillary Clinton because, in reality, her positions are much closer to many of the Republican Party positions than Donald Trump's are. Frankly, the Republican Party has been hijacked by Donald Trump. It's become the really party of Trump. When one looks at the platform from the Republican Party last week, you've got to be astonished by the anti- gay, anti-immigrant, anti-women positions. Those are positions that the American people hold.

BALDWIN: Doug and Lovely, thank you so much. We'll look for you on the big stage tonight. Thank you so much.

ELMETS: Thank you.

BALDWIN: Coming up next here, legendary Grammy-winning R&B star, producer, writer, Baby Face. He co-wrote a special song for the Hillary Clinton campaign that they are rolling out. We'll talk to him live, next.

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(SINGING)

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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[14:50:55] (SINGING)

(END VIDEO CLIP) BALDWIN: "Stronger Together," it is the name of the song that's been on repeat here at the Democratic National Convention. It was just released by recording artist and "American idol" finalist, Jessica Sanchez. Time to drop during a convention. It is yet another example of this year's star power within this convention here in Philadelphia.

Let me bring in -- I wish he was with me here in Philadelphia -- the man who co-wrote, co-produced the song, superstar certainly in his own right, 11-time Grammy-award winner, legendary recording artist, producer, Kenneth "Baby Face" Edmonds joins me live from Las Vegas.

Kenny, nice to meet you.

KENNETH "BABY FACE" EDMONDS, RECORDING ARTIST & PRODUCER: Hey. Good to meet you. How are you?

BALDWIN: I am wonderful.

Let me just ask you, how did this song to be?

EDMONDS: A friend of mine, Carole Sager Daley, Baby, gave me a call. She was contacted by Bruce Robertson. He had this song, this idea and wanted to get together and write this song for Hillary. Need a song to support that slogan, "Stronger Together." So something to connect it and we at the last minute kind of put it together a got it in just in time.

BALDWIN: When will we hear it? Will it be tonight?

EDMONDS: I think it's going to play tonight actually. That's my report. Carole and Bob are telling me at this point.

BALDWIN: I know you have a long history with Hillary Clinton having performed at a previous how far back does your relationship with the Clinton family go?

EDMONDS: I probably met -- I met Bill Clinton in 1995. Goes back that far. I did a number of things with the president, and also worked with Hillary as well. Worked with her on saving the music project as well. I've always been doing things in and out with the through the years.

BALDWIN: I was talking to deejay, Jazzy Jeff, as in "Fresh Prince," talking about the unifier it can be in politics, and Donald Trump has played a bunch of music, "We Are the Champions," Queen, and Queen saying, "Please don't play our song." If Donald Trump were to play one of your songs at his rally, what would you say?

EDMONDS: Well, if it was a song that was bringing people together, then that's another thing. That's the reason why we wrote the song, "Stronger Together." We're more interested in bringing people together, not dividing anyone. Music is supposed to do just that. It is not supposed to be political or anything. It is just supposed to bring people together.

BALDWIN: Final question, Kenny. As a producer, from a production standpoint, incredible speeches that brought the house down, with the first lady Monday night, Bill Clinton, the president last night, Joe Biden, the vice president. What would you do tonight with Hillary Clinton?

EDMONDS: I think Hillary just has to be herself. I think that's the whole thing. Everybody -- the whole week, everybody's been talking about who she is. Tonight, she can be completely is. And I think people are going to love her for just that. She just needs to be honest with who she is and I think she's going to be exactly that and she's going to do amazing.

BALDWIN: We'll listen for your song at the big final night tonight, night number four, "Stronger Together."

Kenny, thank you very much.

[14:54:49] BALDWIN: Thank you.

Coming up next, aggressive counterprogramming from Team Trump urging his supporters -- do not watch this final night of the Democratic National Convention. Turn away from Hillary Clinton's speech. Why? Is it really all about ratings? We'll talk to Brian Stelter, who has the numbers, next.

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BALDWIN: All right. Donald Trump, he's doing some aggressive counterprogramming against the DNC tonight. He is urging people do not watch this final night here. This is the four-day event. It continues to defy Trump's predictions that it would be a ratings loser.

Let's bring in senior media correspondent, Brian Stelter, who hosts CNN's "Reliable Sources.

It is so fascinating, sort of the numbers, and how many more people are watching this week. Why do you think?

BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT & CNN HOST, RELIABLE SOURCES: Let me tell you two facts. You tell me if they're related. Number one, the Democrats are out-rating the Republicans three nights in a row. Number two, Donald Trump says you shouldn't watch tonight. He says you shouldn't watch Hillary's speech. He put out a fundraising alert this morning. He said unless you want to be lied to, unless you want to be belittled, don't tune in for Hillary Clinton's speech at the DNC. Instead, donate money to my campaign. That was his campaign e-mail. And a lot of people sent that to me and he's a little anxious about this ratings. We know he's been a ratings guy.

BALDWIN: He's a ratings guy.