[Paul:] Rest this weekend for Bernie Sanders. He is campaigning hard for the biggest prize,
[Blackwell:] Yes. Sanders holds two rallies today in the Golden State. His focus lately has been less on Hillary Clinton and more on Donald Trump including how and why Trump backed out of Sanders' debate challenge. Our Dan Simon has more for us.
[Dan Simon, Cnn Correspondent:] Well, Bernie Sanders doesn't seem to care that Hillary Clinton has what appears to be an insurmountable lead when it comes to the delegate math. He is campaigning hard in California. He had this event at Santa Barbara City College. He is calling California the most important battle in this primary season. Right now the polls show a statistical dead heat. Secretary Clinton's lead has now essentially vanished. Now, one of the lines that seem to draw the biggest applause had to do with Donald Trump. As we know, Bernie Sanders challenged Trump to a debate. Trump seemed open to it then changed his mind. This is what Sanders had to say.
[Sen. Bernie Sanders , Presidential Candidate:] Trump initially said yes. Then he said no. Then he said yes. Then he said no. So I think for a guy who changes his position so many times, I would hope he would change it one more time and say yes.
[Simon:] Now, if somehow Sanders can win the primary on June 7th in California, it would certainly strengthen his argument that super delegates should come over to his side. Of course that is a far- fetched scenario. The more realistic scenario is that it would give him more leverage when it comes to the party's platform at the convention in Philadelphia.
[Paul:] So let's about what's happening with Harlan Hill, democratic strategist and Sanders' supporter. And Kevin Scott, republican strategist and Trump supporter back with us here. So I want to talk first about, Kevin, about this tweet from Donald Trump, one of the latest where he writes, "Don't believe the biased and phony media quoting people who work for my campaign. The only quote that matters is a quote from me." So we've heard, you know, Donald Trump say he's going to appoint some of the best people, some of the smartest people to be in his administration, are we going to if, hypothetically, Trump does win and he's in the White House, are we going to hear from those people? Are they going to have some sort of a voice or are they going to be, we have to wait to hear from him?
[Kevin Scott, Republican Strategist:] Well, I think the truth is we don't know because it really depends on Donald Trump rewriting the rules as he has continued to do. I mean, when his spokespeople says what he likes he says that what they say is right and then when they don't he says only listen to him. I think when he's president, if he is, things will have to be different. He is going to have a cabinet. He's going to have people speaking on serious issues. And I think that's some of the things we were talking about a few minutes ago. Bob Dole is pressing him to change a little bit because some of the tactics that have worked on the campaign trail this far will not work if he's the president ultimately.
[Paul:] Do you agree with that as a supporter of his that there are going to have to be some
[Scott:] Well, I think absolutely. I mean, the tone and tenor of the campaign is going to have to shift a little bit.
[Paul:] And do you trust that it will?
[Scott:] I think that's up to the American people to decide. And I think you're going to see right now he is surging in polls as I don't think people ultimately love Donald Trump that much. I think they dislike Hillary Clinton so much, they don't trust her. They're looking at what's happening on the Democratic side and saying their process is rig and that really is helping Donald Trump.
[Paul:] We're going to talk about that in a minute. But I do want to talk about Bernie Sanders here too this morning. He's on the "Meet the Press" and he's warning Hillary Clinton that her pick for running mate will be critical for winning over his supporters. Listen to this.
[Sanders:] That means having a candidate who can excite working families, excite young people, bring them into the political process, create a large voter turnout. And when we do that we're going to win the election. So I would hope if I'm not the nominee, that the vice presidential candidate will not be from Wall Street, will be somebody who has a history of standing up and fighting for working families.
[Paul:] OK. So obviously credit where credit is due, he was asked a question and he answered it. For that certainly kudos. But Harlan, I'm wondering. For a man who has vowed to stay in this race all the way through the convention, he is not backing up why would he have a conversation and give thoughts as to who the vice president should be if Hillary Clinton is the nominee?
[Harlan Hill, Democratic Strategist:] Well, I think he's actually is really speaking to a screen of thought amongst the Democrats, non- Clinton Democrats, that Hillary Clinton needs to really pay more than just lip service to Sanders supporters and people who are discontent with the establishment. I mean frankly we remember that she has a 30-year track record of lies, deceit and fraud. She's an incredibly flawed candidate. That people just don't trust when you look at the polling. You know, we remember her stance on NAFTA and TPP before he changed it. We remember that she enabled a sexual predator, her husband, for decades and his misbehavior and mistreatment of women. And so it's more than
[Paul:] So there are a lot of people that support her too. It's not as though he has this thing wrapped up. He has this nomination wrapped.
[Hill:] Yes. Sure. Absolutely.
[Paul:] He's vowed to fight to the end. So I'm just wondering why he would even entertain that thought.
[Hill:] Well, to be honest I mean, he continued to fight to the end. And I think that he is he may be the last man standing if she's indicted which is not a foregone conclusion, but we'll see.
[Paul:] Well, yes no.
[Hill:] No. I mean, it's certainly possible you know
[Paul:] It's OK.
[Hill:] At this point I think that she
[Paul:] At this point anything is possible, isn't it? I think a lot of us would say that. Hey, I do have some sound I'd like both of you to listen to.
[Hill:] You just really glossed over that. I mean, this is like a central issue in this campaign. Donald Trump is going to make it. I mean, make it won in the fall. And so as Democrats I think that we should be talking about that. She has the blood of the American ambassador on her hand.
[Paul:] Nobody has glossed over it. It has been talked about. I want to make sure that when I I've got some sound I want to get to and I want to get your opinion on this too before we run out of time. Last night in Florida the libertarian party candidates held a debate. Listen to the moment when they were asked which is the lesser of two evils, Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump.
[Unidentified Male:] As between the Democratic Party or the Republican Party, which is the most anti-freedom, anti-libertarian or put in another way, from a libertarian point of view, which is the lesser of two evils?
[Gary Johnson, Libertarian Presidential Candidate:] That's a slam-dunk. No. They're both equally you know, they equally have their warts.
[Kevin Mccormick, Libertarian Presidential Candidate:] They're really just two wings of the same bird. And one wing loves war and socialism and stimulus and bailouts. And the other one who loves welfare and corporatism.
[Marc Allan Feldman, Libertarian Presidential Candidate:] Hillary Clinton said that Donald Trump was not qualified to be president. Donald Trump said that Hillary Clinton is not qualified to be president. For the first time I think they're both right.
[John Mcafee, Libertarian Presidential Candidate:] The lesser of two evils is still evil. What we are dealing with what we are dealing with are two machines. That's all they are. They have no heart. They have no soul.
[Darryl Perry, Libertarian Presidential Candidate:] Both equally evil. And to ask which one is the lesser of two evils is like asking which is my favorite STD. I don't have one.
[Paul:] OK. Your reaction, Kevin, first of all to that.
[Scott:] Yes. I mean, obviously they're not a big fan of Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. Here's the truth. You would think with such my negatives for both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump that a serious third-party challenger would have a shot. Right now the libertarian front-runner is looking like Gary Johnson. This is a guy that on paper should be a great candidate but in all practicality he is politically unpopular. He just doesn't have what it takes to be president. And even though you would think they could have a serious shot this time I think you're going to see the libertarians fall flat again. They've got one percent nationally last time, maybe two or three percent at best this time. They just don't have the candidates and the charisma that it takes to really to run on the national
[Paul:] They are pulling much higher though this time around than they were before. Harlan, I want to give you a chance to react to that and to the polls that we know show unfavorables in the 50th percentile and above for both candidates.
[Hill:] Without question, I mean, it'not a good place to be in if you're Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. I'm looking at the distrust numbers too equally bad for them. But you know, to Kevin's point, I mean, there really isn't a viable third-party option. And if there's not a viable third-party option this go around, I don't see when it ever happens in American politics.
[Paul:] All right. Harlan Hill, Kevin Scott, appreciate both of you being here with us this morning. Thank you.
[Hill:] Thank you.
[Blackwell:] Former presidential candidate Marco Rubio said he might have to run for re-election for the Senate if his close friend former lieutenant governor had not entered the race but he would have. In an interview with "STATE OF THE UNION" host Jake Tapper, Rubio also spoke about Donald Trump. Jake?
[Jake Tapper, Cnn Host, State Of The Union:] Victor and Christi, just a few weeks ago former presidential candidate Marco Rubio was still unsure whether he or not he would even attend the Republican National Convention in Cleveland this July. He earned 167 delegates during the primary this year. And he still holds them until he officially releases them. In an exclusive interview with "STATE OF THE UNION" he tells me his plans for Cleveland and the convention.
[Tapper:] When you last spoke, you said that you were not yet sure what you were doing, if you were even attending the Republican Convention in Cleveland. Have you made a decision?
[Sen. Marco Rubio , Florida:] Yes. My sense is I'm going to go to the convention.
[Tapper:] You are?
[Rubio:] And I'll I don't know if I'll have a role in the convention, but I have a lot of people going there that were supporters
[Tapper:] But if Donald Trump asked you to speak on his behalf, you would do so?
[Rubio:] Yes. I want to be helpful. I don't want to be harmful, because I don't want Hillary Clinton to be president. Look, my policy differences with Donald Trump, I spent 11 months talking about them. So I think they're well understood. That said, I don't want to be I don't want Hillary Clinton to be president. If there's something I can do to help that from happening and it's helpful to the cause I'd most certainly be honored to be considered for that.
[Tapper:] Are you planning on releasing your delegates?
[Rubio:] Yes, in fact, we basically, technically have already, because Donald is going to have the majority number. And at a point it will be irrelevant. So if we haven't done so already we will.
[Tapper:] Rubio obviously mincing no words with me about Trump despite misgivings on some policy and politics and the candidate's temperament, but he will certainly stand with his party this fall perhaps with an eye on his own future within the GOP, Victor and Christi.
[Paul:] All right. Hey, Jake, thank you so much.
[Blackwell:] And catch Jake Tapper's full interview with Marco Rubio this morning at 9:00 Eastern right here on
[Cnn. Paul:] A key American ally accused of beating two Americans held in prison, a judge is due to reveal their fate tomorrow. Jon Jensen is in Abu Dhabi following this story. Hi, John.
[Jon Jensen, Cnn Producer:] A father and son in prison in UAE for nearly two years and now claims of torture and forced confessions.
[Blackwell:] Plus, we speak to one of the first combat wounded veterans to summit Mt. Everest why he took on that challenge.