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Nikki Haley Steps Down as U.N. Ambassador; Ryan: Kavanaugh Confirmation Making a Difference in Midterms; A Look at Polls Ahead of Midterm Elections; NYT: Gates Requested Online Manipulation Plans from Israel Firm; Poll: 51 Percent Oppose Kavanaugh's Supreme Court Nomination. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired October 09, 2018 - 13:30   ET

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

[13:30:00] SEN. ED MARKEY, (D), MASSACHUSETTS: And the fact that the actions we are taking as a planet are not sufficient and clearly the United States is not any longer the leader, but the lager because of not only did the president, but Nikki Haley defended the decision to pull out of the Paris agreement. The same thing is true for our North Korea policy. Thus far, there have been no meaningful concessions in terms of dismantlement of the nuclear program conceded by Kim. One other example, in Burma, there's a mass extermination taking place of the Rohingya, and while the administration says the right things, we haven't taken concrete steps to assert American moral leadership to protect upwards of a million people evicted from their country.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: You will have to go through the issues and hearings that take place before the committee, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. I'm sure you will raise the issues.

Some colleagues of yours on the committee already started thinking about who might replace Nikki Haley. You have seen the speculation. One name being floated is Ivanka Trump as a possible replacement. What do you think of the president's daughter as possibly the next U.S. ambassador to the U.N.?

MARKEY: It's impossible for me or anyone to get inside of the workings of Donald Trump's brain, what he might be thinking. I think it's wise for everyone. rather than engaging in rampant speculation, to wait until he nominates and we can begin the deliberation over that person's credentials and qualifications to have the job of the United Nations ambassador.

BLITZER: He says he'll make an announcement over the next two to weeks. Let's see if that happens.

Let's turn, Senator, while I have you, with the midterm elections, exactly weeks away, early voting already starting in some places as you know.

The House speaker, Paul Ryan, said the battle over Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh is making a big difference for voters. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) REP. PAUL RYAN, (R-WI), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Still 29 days away, which, in this day and age, is a long time. I think the analysis that the Republican base is very much activated as a result of this -- I think the Democrat base was already there. If anything, in the wash of it all, this definitely -- I can see it from traveling around the country in the last few days, traveling around Wisconsin, the Republican base is definitely animated after this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: I assume you agree, right?

MARKEY: It's not as galvanized as the Democratic base. It's not as galvanized as those who were outraged at the way in which Dr. Blasey Ford was treated before the Senate Judiciary Committee and then the entire process for the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh. What we are seeing here is an historic uprising, especially of women in our country, who really do feel that this president has to have a check be placed upon him. Otherwise, preexisting conditions, which are protections for those who have health care needs with preexisting conditions, or the entire Affordable Care Act or Roe v. Wade can all just be swept away. It can be completely overturned by Brett Kavanaugh's vote on the Supreme Court. This is going to be a referendum on Donald Trump, on Brett Kavanaugh, on the key votes, which he can now cast that undermines protections for women in our country and families in general.

BLITZER: President Trump said the claims against Justice Kavanaugh were all a Democratic Party hoax. In hindsight, would you change how Democrats handled this confirmation battle?

MARKEY: Well, Donald Trump is, I think, in a small minority of people who think Dr. Blasey Ford's accusations were a hoax. I think she was highly credible. I think, across this country, people know that she was sincere. She was absolutely fearless in coming forward, even though there would be huge negative consequences for her personally.

The real hoax now that is attempting to be perpetrated is one by Donald Trump that will contend there was nothing to any of these accusations made about Brett Kavanaugh. I think the American people know, who watched that process very closely over a two-week period, know that is not the case. He doesn't have the temperament or the credibility to serve on the Supreme Court and that will be the single most-powerful animating force for the next 28 days in this election all across this country. There's an uprising of people who will get to the polls. We lost when we should not have lost, and there was nothing more motivating than that in politics.

[13:35:02] BLITZER: Senator Markey, thanks very much for joining us.

MARKEY: Thank you for having me on.

BLITZER: CNN is hitting the ground ahead of voting days, zeroing in on three of the most consequence races. Next Tuesday, I will be in Tampa, Florida, to moderate the final debate between Governor Rick Scott and Senator Bill Nelson, both battling to represent Florida in the United States Senate. On Thursday, our Dana Bash will host a live town hall with Texas Representative Beto O'Rourke. He's taking on Republican Senator Ted Crus, who declined the invitation to participate. Then on Sunday, Jake Tapper will host a debate between Florida's gubernatorial candidates, Democrat Andrew Gillum and Republican Ron DeSantis. Watch live on CNN or stream them on CNNgo.

We'll be right back.

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[13:40:25] BLITZER: We are exactly four weeks out until voters head to the polls. A lot is on the line.

"INSIDE POLITICS" anchor, John King, joins us with a closer look at the latest polls -- John?

JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT & CNN HOST, "INSIDE POLITICS": Wolf, the midterm vote four weeks from today and the new numbers are showing Democrats have a very favorable climate heading into the final stretch.

Let's look at the numbers. A double-digit lead when we asked likely voters, which party will you likely support. And 54 percent of likely voters say Democrats, 41 percent say Republicans. A double-digit lead for the Democrats. If that holds up for weeks and that is the case on Election Day, it is almost guaranteed they will pick up the seats they need for the House and probably more than that. It will keep the Senate in play. But a double-digit advantage. The Democrats we still have a chance in the Senate races.

Midterm election years are about the president and his approval rating. And 41 percent said they will vote Republican for Congress and the president is under water at 41 percent, and that is hurting his party when it comes to congressional elections.

Let's take a look at the history. Go back to 2010. Barack Obama, the president of the United States, 45 percent four weeks out and 44 percent on Election Day and his party takes a beating in the Senate and especially in the House. The Republicans take charge. That's a reminder that if you are below 45 percent, you are in trouble. President Trump is. The second Bush midterm, 2006, same dynamic, 43 percent on Election Day and a shellac for the Republicans, losing six in the Senate and 30 in the House. Democrats take power in the House. This president is lower than President Bush was. Back to 1994, President Clinton at 42 percent, about where President Trump is four weeks out. He got up to 44 percent on Election Day, but they lost eight seats in the Senate and 52 in the House. The Republican takeover, the Republican revolution because of that. This president, at 41 percent, only 41 percent said they plan to vote Republican for Congress.

And 28 days is a long time, but right now, the president's party is in trouble. The Democrats optimistic heading into the stretch.

BLITZER: Early voting starting in some places.

John King, thanks for that explanation.

On the ballot four weeks from today, 36 governor's races and 35 Senate seats and all 435 seats in the House of Representatives.

Joining us now is Utah Congressman Chris Stewart. He's a Republican and a key member of the House Intelligence Committee.

Congressman, thanks so much for joining us.

REP. CHRIS STEWART, (R), UTAH: Good morning. Good to be with you.

BLITZER: Is the Kavanaugh fight the rallying point that Republicans needed to keep up with clearly a growing Democratic voter enthusiasm?

STEWART: Yes, it's really made a difference, Wolf, and I can see it from talking to folks back home and around the country. I have been on your show a number of times. I don't think I'm bombastic. I try to be levelheaded. I can tell you, I never have been as angry over politics as I was watching the hearings. Not just for Mr. Kavanaugh, but for Dr. Ford as well. Why didn't Dianne Feinstein release this information to be treated seriously? Why did they leak her name when she didn't want it leaked? Why did they force her into the circus when she could have been questioned privately? Then look at some of the things said about Justice Kavanaugh. The most outrageous accusations, multiple episodes of gang rain, said millions of Americans would die. I think most Americans shook their head and I know many conservatives did. It stirred up a lot of emotion and anger.

BLITZER: The president is calling the claims by Blasey Ford and her supporters, Democrats, and saying it's a hoax perpetrated by the Democrats. Our new poll shows the president's approval rating among women nationwide is just 34 percent approved, compared to 52 percent among men. How do Republicans, Congressman, combat what clearly seems to be a major gender gap?

STEWART: Yes, I think we do it by trying to be fair about this and saying, as most of us have said, all of us have said that I'm aware of, if someone has an accusation, they need to be treated fairly and listened to and given the support and the legal structure so those accusations are taken seriously and investigated. At the same time, you can still protect the rule of law. You can protect this idea that we had for going on 1,000 years nearly to the Magna Carta that someone has a right to face their accuser and we are presumed innocent not just based upon an accusation, but the presumption of innocence that prevails. Those are not mutually exclusive. You can do both of those. Most fair-minded Americans realize you have to do both of those. I think if we make that argument, whether you are a man or a woman, whether you are conservative or Democrat, black or white, most Americans will say that's a fair approach to take in these circumstances.

[13:45:46] BLITZER: We're will see the impact of this so-called gender gap and see what it is four weeks from today.

Let me get your quick reaction, while I have you, Congressman, to the resignation of the U.S. ambassador of the U.N., Nikki Haley. A total surprise for so many of us, including top officials in the Trump administration, including the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo himself. What does it mean, from your perspective, to the administration and its foreign policy?

STEWART: Well, President Trump has an extraordinary foreign policy team. Mike Pompeo is a good friend of mine and served together on intel. General Mattis, the national security adviser and CIA director and Nikki Haley was an important part. It is surprising in this day she held this close to her vest. I can tell you she is going to be missed. I don't know a single person, Republican or Democrat, who doesn't respect and admire her. She has been so strong on putting America's interest before the U.N. and putting America's interest before the world at large. I wish she was staying because I have so much respect for her, but she feels like there's other things she can do. I appreciate that. I look forward to seeing who the new ambassador will be and, hopefully, someone as extraordinary as Ms. Haley has been.

BLITZER: We will see who the nominee is going to be.

I want to get your thoughts, because you are on the committee. You saw the "New York Times" report that former Trump campaign deputy chairman, Rick Gates, was actually, during the campaign, considering hiring an Israeli firm to create false online identities to help then- Candidate Donald Trump hurt his Republican rivals, especially Senator Ted Cruz, who was a leading Republican candidate. Eventually hurt Hillary Clinton in the campaign. What are your thoughts? It was never implemented, but they were willing to consider creating these false online personas?

STEWART: Yes. I think virtually every campaign had proposals put before them and some included this. I can guarantee that Hillary Clinton was given proposals much of the same information and most federal campaigns are. The bottom line is they didn't do it. They indicated they were not interested. I don't think it's a meaningful story. I don't think we will be talking about this in a week or a month. It seems that many campaigns have considered this. They had these proposals and they rejected it. I don't know who else we say about it.

BLITZER: They were seriously considering creating the fake identities to try to influence the Republican National Convention because they wanted to hurt then one of the front-runners, Ted Cruz. Even the fact that they were considering it and using a foreign company to get involved in domestic American politics, that doesn't bother you?

STEWART: I don't know that we know they were considering it. As I understand this, this was a proposal given to them and they rejected it. Again, I'm a little congressman, but I have people propose things to me all the time that I realize are not a good idea. That was their response to this proposal.

BLITZER: Congressman Chris Stewart, thanks as usual for joining us.

STEWART: Always, Wolf. Thank you. [13:49:06] BLITZER: Thank you very much.

Take a look at this. Live pictures coming in from the West Wing of the White House. It's possible the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, will emerge from that door, walk over to the microphone to make a statement on Nikki Haley. We'll have coverage of that, if it happens. Stand by.

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BLITZER: We've got some live pictures. We expect the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, to walk out of the West Wing to make a statement to reporters. I assume it's going to be on Nikki Haley, the U.N. ambassador of the U.N., who has announced she is effectively resigning at the end of the year. We'll see when he emerges. We'll have coverage of that. Stand by.

As Justice Brett Kavanaugh spent his first day on the Supreme Court, a new CNN poll shows 51 percent of Americans opposed Justice Kavanaugh's confirmation, up from 39 percent who opposed it in early September because of accusations of sexual misconduct. Those accusations emerged.

Let's go to our Supreme Court reporter, Ariane De Vogue.

What cases did the court hear today, all nine justices there?

ARIANE DE VOGUE, CNN SUPREME COURT REPORTER: Absolutely right. Justice Brett Kavanaugh had his first day on the bench and he looked at ease, almost grateful to be back in the judicial robes after those polarizing hearings. His wife and daughter were there. Chief Justice Roberts welcomed him. He said we wished you a long and happy career in our common calling. And sitting in the front row, Wolf, was Justice Anthony Kennedy, looking at his former clerk, Kavanaugh, as well as Gorsuch. On my way out here today, I ran into Justice Kennedy and I said, are you happy to be retired? He said I'm happy to be a spectator, I read briefs for more than 40 years.

The case inside wasn't a great blockbuster today but Kavanaugh asked several questions. But coming up, Wolf, are several big issues that are currently percolating in the courts below. We should see those here soon, either this term or next. Keep in mind, with Kavanaugh on this bench now, Wolf, this court is taking a hard-right turn.

BLITZER: So talk a little bit about those other cases while I have you, Ariane. Tell us the big ones coming up.

DE VOGUE: Keep in mind, one is on the Affordable Care Act. The Trump administration has said that it is not going to defend key provisions of that. And there's the whole case on the administration and how it wants to phase out DACA. That might come here. Then there's LGBT issues, having to do with transgender rights. All those cases, either as an emergency petition or as a circuit petition will make their way up to this court. And now it's full strength again with the nine members. [13:55:04] BLITZER: First day on the new job. Justice Kavanaugh

taking a seat on the Supreme Court. He's 53 years old. He's going to be there, a lifetime appointment, for a long, long time.

Ariane, thanks very much.

Looking at live pictures coming in from the West Wing of the White House. You see the Marine guard opening and closing the doors. We anticipate Mike Pompeo, the secretary of state, will emerge shortly and make a statement, walk over to the microphones. We'll have coverage of that.

Stay with us.

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