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Clinton Says Trump Campaign Promotes Divisiveness as He Mulls V.P. Pick; Poll: Tight Race for Clinton, Trump in Key Swing States; Ryan Calls for Clinton to be Denied Security Briefings; Theresa May Takes Over as British Prime Minister; Sterling, Castile Deaths Prompts New Legislation for Police. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired July 13, 2016 - 13:30   ET

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


[13:30:00] KATRINA PIERSON, NATIONAL SPOKESWOMAN, DONALD TRUMP PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN: Mr. Trump has always listened to everyone. He's said that for a very long time. He does listen to everyone. He asks perspectives from people who aren't part of the campaign because he does want a better understanding. He mentioned you really can't understand what's going on inside the African-American community or even someone who is black unless you are black.

So that is one thing I appreciate about Mr. Trump, he doesn't even try to pretend. He acknowledges the problems, which is why he's so adamant about illegal immigration and about tackling the problem we have with education because he wants prosperity for everyone. He doesn't want to put people into buckets. He wants to treat everyone the same.

Pitching the idea Black Lives Matter is helping the situation, we have to remind everyone Black Lives Matter started long before it was even rumored Mr. Trump was going to run for president and this happened under a black president's watch. They are chanting horrible things about police officers and the Democrat party passed a resolution embracing them. Even today they are calling to abolish the police all together. I've got to tell you, when the Republican Party wanted to abolish the IRS, they were called anarchists.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: Katrina, there may be some voices who say that. You can't lump in all the people who support Black Lives Matter movement wanting to get rid of the police. There are some isolated voices that utter some ugly things but --

(CROSSTALK)

PIERSON: No, we don't get to do that. We don't get to do that. We don't get to do that, Wolf. I've been on CNN for quite sometime now. Every time one person not even affiliated with the Tea Party did something, the entire organization was blanketed with it on every network. We're not going to just pick and choose which organization is or not. These are the people actually moment that are saying these things. Leaders, not just voices affiliated with it, actual leaders.

BLITZER: We can disagree on that.

Let me get your latest thoughts on Donald Trump's effort to get a vice presidential running mate. We know he's in Indiana meeting with the governor there, Mike Pence, the former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has flown in. He's spoken on the phone with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Senator Sessions now flow into Indiana. Walk us through where he stands right now in his selection process.

PIERSON: Well, right now, he's getting down to making his final decision. It is very important to him that he spends as much time as possible with anyone that he's considering simply because it is going to be someone that he wants to be comfortable with, to move his policy positions forward. Over the last few months, a lot of people have realized Mr. Trump's policies would be good for America. He really wants to get that best messenger, that individual who can back him up and support the process to the end. He's very close to making that decision.

BLITZER: When do you think we'll get the final word?

PIERSON: Well, I'm told we may have the final word tomorrow. It could be Friday.

BLITZER: You don't have to tell us who it is, but do you know who it's going to be?

PIERSON: I don't know who it's going to be for sure, but I can tell you Mr. Trump is taking this decision very seriously.

BLITZER: Finally, on the U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, she said some very tough things about Donald Trump calling him a faker, made it clear she has no great respect for the Republican presumptive nominee. Early this morning, he responded, Donald Trump, and we'll put it up on the screen saying, "Justice Ginsburg of the Supreme Court has embarrassed all by making very dumb political statements about this. Her mind is shot. She should resign." Is that appropriate for a presidential candidate to call on a Supreme Court justice to resign?

PIERSON: I think the question is, is it appropriate for Supreme Court justice to weigh in politically. And I have to say absolutely not. It's very appropriate to defend yourself when you're being attacked. This is something unprecedented, some would say unethical at this point. This goes to show you that the left, when they are losing, they will lash out against anyone, ethics or not.

BLITZER: Is he also calling into question her mental capacity right now in that tweet? She's been on the court for 23 years.

PIERSON: Absolutely, not. What he's saying is, everyone was shocked by the statement. They are talking about I today and on Twitter. This was outlandish, shouldn't have been said. It did embarrass all the Supreme Court justices. That's a seat people should take seriously. The fact she said it, the way she said it, multiple times, not just one interview, it did come into question, what was she thinking here. That was completely inappropriate --

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: But why did he say her mind is shot? She's 83 years old. Why did he say her mind is shot?

PIERSON: Like I said, what was she thinking saying that? She shouldn't have said that. It was unethical, inappropriate, and embarrasses the court.

BLITZER: Katrina Pierson, thanks for joining us.

PIERSON: Good to be here, Wolf.

[13:35:06] BLITZER: See if he makes the decision tomorrow or Friday. We'll have coverage of that all along the way.

Up next, we'll get response from the Hillary Clinton campaign. Her chief strategist, Joel Benenson, is standing by. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. A new poll out today shows Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump running neck and neck in some key swing states. Clinton and former rival, Bernie Sanders, have joined forces against Trump now that Sanders has endorsed Hillary Clinton. But polls suggest they could be in a tough fight in several battleground states.

Joel Benenson, the chief strategist from Clinton campaign, joining us from headquarters in Brooklyn.

Joel, thank you very much for joining us.

JOEL BENENSON, CHIEF STRATEGIST, HILLARY FOR AMERICA CAMPAIGN: Thanks for having me, Wolf.

BLITZER: You look at polls very closely. You're the chief strategist. Take a look at Quinnipiac University polls three swing states, Quinnipiac University poll shows Trump leading Hillary Clinton, look at this, 42 to 39 percent in Florida. Just a month ago, Clinton was ahead 47 to 39 percent. In Ohio, Clinton and Trump tied at 41 percent. In its new poll in Pennsylvania, Trump has a 43 to 41 percent lead. If Trump were to win all those states, almost certainly he would be elected president of the United States. How worried are you about these numbers?

[13:40:22] BENENSON: Well, Wolf, since you've been on the air, another institution has put out their results that show close races but different results dramatically in Pennsylvania, et cetera. Ohio very close. Look, these are battleground states that we expect to be close. As I said, you know, we expect a competitive race. We think what Secretary Clinton did today defines the race on clear terms about the need for a president who will bring this country together, who understands we're stronger together, that we need to lift each other up and not tear each other down. It's a clear difference in the race. I think that's what Americans want, a president who can make a difference in people's lives and brings the country together to do that.

BLITZER: But you must be surprised how close it is in Florida, in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania presumably is a Democratic leaning state. You must be surprised by that.

BENENSON: Since you cam on the air, there's another poll by your competitors that shows Pennsylvania eight or nine point race. It shows Ohio close. It shows Iowa close. But we're in the lead in Iowa. Look, these states are battleground states for a reason, Wolf. They will be hotly contested. Pennsylvania has been tilting more Democratic over the last six cycles. We think we're doing very well there. We think most of the polls show us doing well there.

But what we know about these states, we're going to compete in every one of them. We think the choice is clear we're on the right side of where the American people are right now. Donald Trump is on the wrong side. American people do not want a president dividing this country, mocking disabled people, tearing down people who are different from us, calling Latino immigrants from Mexico rapists and drug dealers.

That's not what they want in the president of the United States. They understand we have challenges. To take on challenges, we need a president who is steady and strong enough to bring the country together, not erratic and reckless, who would put everything at risk in terms of economy and national security.

BLITZER: House Speaker Paul Ryan has called for Hillary Clinton to be denied security briefings that presidential nominees get always right after their respective conventions. He says -- he points to the fallout over her e-mail controversy. Listen to what the speaker said during last night's town hall here on CNN.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. PAUL RYAN, (R-WI), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: I believe that she has gotten preferential treatment throughout much of her career and that she believes she's above the law. She holds her self above the law.

When you come out of the convention, you get the most deeply classified secrets of our government, you get read into all of our very classified programs. It's a very severe responsibility, a very serious responsibility. I would say any other person that did something like this, a State Department employee, somebody in the military, they would be held to the same standard, which is they would be denied that kind of information.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: He knows about those briefings because he was the vice presidential nominees four years ago.

So what's your response when the speaker said Hillary Clinton holds her self above the law and should be denied access to classified briefings?

BENENSON: I don't think there's any truth in that respect for the speaker. Paul Ryan, who was once a temp Republican, stood up with the progressive side of the Republican Party, is turning into a Trump Republican pretty quickly. I think President Obama, generals, former foreign policy expects made very clear they believe Hillary Clinton is the candidate who is not only qualified but best prepared and able to be our commander-in-chief and lead our country, and so many of them have said Donald Trump is unfit, unqualified and unprepared.

I think Speaker Ryan probably is going to talk to some of those people as well about which one of these candidates is really truly ready and able to be our commander-in-chief. I suspect he won't agree with them for partisan reasons. But I think foreign policy and military leaders in this country made clear which one of these people most prepared to keep us safe, work with our allies, and take on the difficult challenges around the world, first and foremost, defeating and destroying ISIS.

BLITZER: Quickly, when are we going to hear from Hillary Clinton on vice presidential selection?

BENENSON: Very quickly. We've got our convention in 10 days from now. It's one of the most important decisions, if not the most important decision presidential nominee makes. Wolf, you've been through it. You should take as much time as it needs, personally, for yourself, as a candidate, as a nominee of a party, because you need a working partner to get things done, help get the economy moving for a lot of people who feel it's not working for everyone yet, just those at the top. I think when you're picking this partner for the next four years, hopefully, the next eight years, you want to take the time and get this decision exactly right the way you want it to be.

[13:45:19] BLITZER: Joel Benenson, chief strategist for Hillary Clinton campaign.

Joel, thanks very much for joining us.

BENENSON: Thank you, Wolf.

BLITZER: David Cameron leaving Number 10 Downing Street and his position as prime minister of the United Kingdom. Up next, what we know about the successor, May, here she is, Theresa May, I should point out. She is bowing in front of Queen Elizabeth earlier today. What does her appointment mean for the United States? Theresa May, the new prime minister of Great Britain.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:50:09] BLITZER: The changing of the guard now official in the United Kingdom. In this case, it is the changing of the prime minister. The queen has accepted David Cameron's resignation, seen here leaving Number 10 Downing Street. Shortly after, his successor, Theresa May, also met with Queen Elizabeth, officially becoming the country's new prime minister.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THERESA MAY, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: I have just been to Buckingham Palace where Her Majesty, the queen, has asked me to form a new government, and I accepted.

As we leave the European Union, we will forge a bold, new, positive role for ourselves in the world. And we will make Britain a country that works not for a privileged few but for everyone of us. That will be the mission of the government I lead.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Our international diplomatic editor, Nic Robertson, is joining us now live from London.

Nic, Theresa May, the second woman to hold the office of prime minister in Great Britain. Tell us a little bit more about her.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yeah, Wolf, she's been the home secretary -- you might call that Homeland Security. She's been in that position for about six years. Longest anyone has held that position in Britain for about 200 years. A very important position, a very key position in terms of Britain's allies around the world, in terms of fighting terrorism. She's somebody who's known to work incredibly hard, to stay up late, reading her notes, often be better read than some of her ministers.

She's also known to play her cards close to her chest. She's not somebody who's known to have a strong rapport with the media, like previous prime ministers, other ministers who tend to go out and perhaps more often on chat shows, they're more often engaged with journalists. She's very much kept herself to herself. 59 years old, seen as someone with a lot of experience who can bring unity to the party. She stood behind David Cameron, wanted to keep Britain in the European Union.

Has now said that exit from the European Union means exit from the European Union, that this is what she will do, that she will trigger that Article 50 and get on to the negotiations with Britain at some suitable point in the future. We have yet to hear who she appoints as her cabinet but she's really seen this time when the conservative party has such a deep division as someone who can bring it back together and will provide that continuity moving on from David Cameron -- Wolf?

BLITZER: What does her leadership mean for U.S./British relations going forward?

ROBERTSON: You know, I asked her permanent private secretary that very question. He said, look, continuity, continuity. 2003, she voted for the invasion in Iraq. I interviewed her about five years ago. Back then, her was opposite of Janet Napolitano. She told me she values that relationship with the United States. This is someone who the United States can count on as being a strong partner -- Wolf?

BLITZER: Nic Robertson in London for us, where there is a new prime minister.

Nic, thank you very much, very much.

Coming up, we're getting some new details about that African-American man killed during a routine traffic stop that was streamed online. Did he have a permit to carry a concealed weapon? Coming up. Also, the new legislation inspired by his death and other recent

shootings.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:55:47] BLITZER: This just coming in to CNN. We have new developments in the death of Philando Castile, the man shot and killed during a traffic stop in Minnesota last week. A document provided to CNN by Castile's family shows Castile did have a concealed carry permit. The document, seen here, shows it was issued to Castile in June of last year. Castile's fiance, who was in the car at the time of the shooting, says Castile was shot while reaching for his wallet after telling the officer about his permit. An attorney for the officer alleges the shooting was a reaction to the presence of a gun. We'll have more on this story coming up.

But let's discuss a little bit more about what's going on as well as the Alton Sterling shooting in Louisiana.

I'm joined by Congressman Cedric Richmond of Louisiana. He represents that Louisiana district where Alton Sterling was shot and killed last week, one day before Philando Castile.

Congressman, thanks very much for joining us.

REP. CEDRIC RICHMOND, (D), LOUISIANA: Thank you for having me, Wolf.

BLITZER: You are introducing a bill, legislation after these shootings. I also want to draw your attention to the fact that Philando Castile did have a conceal carry permit. I know you've been critical of the National Rifle Association's silence on this case. What's your reaction to these developments?

RICHMOND: I would say the same thing I said before, which is the NRA is silent on this, although they advocate for conceal weapon permits that everyone should carry a gun. But they are silent on the fact that police overreact and police officers are scared when an African- American male, says that "I have a concealed weapon permit," which is lawful, "I have a weapon." And then to overreact and shoot him as he reaches for his wallet I think is very problematic.

And for the NRA to be quiet I think that it speaks volumes about the lives that they value and about their priorities. I've not been silent on it and I have been on the opposite side of the NRA before on policy issues. But this is a statement of values. And to me, it shows that the NRA absolutely just does not care about all of law- abiding citizens that will avail themselves of concealed weapon permits.

BLITZER: The bill you are introducing in Congress would help police get access to what's described as more lethal weapon options and help officers get training on de-escalation techniques. What else do you hope to achieve, and is there any prospect that it's going to pass?

RICHMOND: Well, there are a couple of things we want to do. This one was one that we could introduce very quickly, and I did it with my Republican colleague, who actually represents part of Baton Rouge, also. What it would do is put money out there for research and development to find alternatives to deadly force. But at the same time, put money out there to do training for de-escalation and other things.

Now, Speaker Ryan just appointed a working group to deal with police and community relations, use of deadly force and all those things, which the speaker appointed me to. We're going to look at community policing, safe neighborhood grants, and all of those things, as we continue criminal justice reform and all of those other things I think that create the atmosphere that we have today.

BLITZER: You're working with this Republican. You think there can be this bipartisan support on these sensitive issues in the House of Representatives?

RICHMOND: On community policing, I think that we can get there. Dave Reicherd (ph), out of Washington, is a former sheriff. He's actually been advocating for more money for the Cops Program for training and for safe neighborhood grants for the last year or so. So I think that that is the direction that we're headed in.

BLITZER: All right.

RICHMOND: We're actually going to step out of the capitol in a bipartisan manner and go to communities and hear concerns. I think there is going to be very uncomfortable hearings for us and conversations. But we need to hear it and I think that it will give them a great sense of what young African-American males, and females, go through. And then it will give some of us a better insight of what our law enforcement, what they go through as well. And we have to be serious --

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: Congressman, we got to wrap it up. We're out of time, unfortunately. But we'll continue these conversations.

Congressman Cedric Richmond, of Louisiana.

That's it for me.

The news continues next right here on CNN.