Return to Transcripts main page

New Day

Julian Castro Takes Steps for 2020; Trump on Cohen Claims; Pelosi Wins over Critics; Vegan Fast Food. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired December 13, 2018 - 08:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:32:23] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, I think something very important happened in the Democratic race for president in 2020. And, yes, we are talking about the Democratic race for president in 2020. Julian Castro announced that he is forming a presidential exploratory committee, giving the former Obama housing chief and San Antonio mayor a head start in what will be a crowded field of Democrats challenging President Trump in 2020.

I want to discuss this with Jess McIntosh. She's the former director of communications outreach for Hillary Clinton's campaign and a CNN political commentator. And Jonathan Martin, national political correspondent for "The New York Times" and CNN political analyst.

And, friends, this is my fault that you are here because when I saw this news yesterday with Julian Castro, I went, oh, my, there's something going on here that we haven't been paying close enough attention to if this former housing secretary thinks he needs to start an exploratory committee and announce it on December 12th, then Democrats are in it, and they're in it to win it.

Jess, what do you see?

JESS MCINTOSH, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I think we're in it. I think -- I think it started. I think he did a very smart thing yesterday. There are going to be some 31 people and Julian Castro needs to differentiate himself. He needs to do it early.

I think Beto probably made him feel like he needed to jump the gun on that. Texas donors are going to need to be locked up. It was a smart thing to do. We're all going to talk about him for a few days. But it definitely proved that Democrats are raring to go and I think January's just going to be a madhouse of announcements and, frankly, I'm here for it. I'm ready. Bring it on.

BERMAN: So, Jonathan, Jess brought up what I think was part b about what fascinated me so much yesterday because when I saw that move from Julian Castro, former mayor of San Antonio, what it said to me is he's nervous about Beto O'Rourke, who just lost the Senate race in Texas. And it seems to me that Beto-mania, for lack of a better word, is driving a lot of what's going on in the Democratic Party right now. We saw Bernie Sanders supporters last week go after Beto. That was curious. Now we see Julian Castro reacting or pre-acting -- a pre- buttle, if you will, to Beto O'Rourke. I'm like, oh, that's interesting. What do you see?

JONATHAN MARTIN, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Yes. I -- you can't underestimate the degree to which Beto and the perception of his candidacy here, would-be candidacy is driving a lot of action right now among Democrats. We did a story on Monday about just the various ways that he could threaten any number of candidates who are looking at running and certainly Julian Castro is on that list because of their Texas roots.

I mean if you think about it, John, the Castro twins were something of what Beto is now a couple of years ago in terms of this appeal, this curiosity about, you know, young, up and coming Texas Democrats. And so I think, you know, this is an effort to try to get back some of that attention. And it's a pretty shrewd move to do it ten days before Christmas when there's nobody else, you know, getting in the race that early and you can get a couple of days of coverate.

[08:35:21] It was striking, though, to me, John, that in the AP story yesterday, which broke this news, Castro was made to account for Beto. So even in announcing his own intentions to run for president, he had to answer for a competitor who's not even said that he's going to run himself yet. And I think that captures the degree to which O'Rourke has sort of dominated this very early going of the primary.

MCINTOSH: I was pleased to see that when he had to talk about Beto, he did it in a really respectful way. And I think as long as we -- if we can keep that tone for as long as possible, that will ultimately be a really good thing for Democrats.

I fear a 31 way primary a lot less than I fear a four-way primary where people can jump on a front runner and it can become really divisive and really personal.

BERMAN: Jess, let me ask you this, though.

MCINTOSH: Yes.

BERMAN: You know, so for all of the fixation with Beto O'Rourke that clearly exists within the people considering running, and maybe in the national spotlight now, I can't help but notice that after the midterms, which are driven by women voters, minority voters, that Beto O'Rourke is neither of those.

MCINTOSH: You noticed that, too. Yes. I think it is -- and, obviously, I'm a fan of Beto. I think he did a wonderful -- he ran a wonderful campaign in a really difficult area. He spoke to issues that I feel passionately about and he did it very well.

I have a hard time seeing Beto's momentum and not seeing the double standard for women candidates. I think there is no universe where he shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath as Stacey Abrams, who came just as close, if not closer, to a historic win to become Georgia's governor. We've never had a black female governor before. She ran an incredible campaign. So I do want to make sure that we acknowledge that what might be a

beltway conversation around Beto, it could be leaving out a big chunk of America who are really excited about the incredibly diverse array of candidates that we're going to be seeing in 2020, the woman who are going to run, the multiple people of color who are going to run. I think it's -- I don't want to -- all of that energy and momentum to get subsumed by a singular candidacy that we've gotten excited about.

BERMAN: So, Jonathan, when does he have to decide by and who else is watching him most closely? Are the Kamala Harris' of the world, are they basing their decision -- Elizabeth Warren? I just don't get how far his tentacles right now reach out.

MARTIN: Look, I -- I think he can wait until the new year like the rest of the candidates are probably going to wait themselves.

I think it's fascinating who exactly he does impact. If you think about it, John, I think in terms of grassroots energy and in terms of a sort of 50-state organization, he presents a challenge to Bernie Sanders. I think, you know, in terms of appealing to better angels and that sort of -- a politics of uplift, I think he could challenge Cory Booker in terms of, you know, sort of new progressive energy. He could challenge Senator Warren.

So, look, I think that he is a threat to a variety of candidates on a number of different levels, which is why you talk to their supporters and they are nervously watching what he's going to do.

The tradition in the Democratic Party is, they tend to like to fall in love. From JFK to, you know, Gary Hart, to Barack Obama, there is this history of looking for the next sort of generational change. And he, in some ways, represents that. And so I think he -- there is going to be a deep curiosity about him.

And the other thing, John, the idea of resume and credentialism just doesn't matter as much I think if you look at the last two president. Primary voters have made clear that's not a priority for them.

BERMAN: Right.

MARTIN: And I think that he is aware of that.

BERMAN: Jonathan Martin, Jess McIntosh, we are December 13th deep, deep into the 2020 race. Thank you very much for joining us this morning.

MARTIN: Thank you.

BERMAN: Erica.

ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: President Trump breaking his silence on Michael Cohen's sentence and the potential legal jeopardy he faces. The president's latest defense, that's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [08:43:29] HILL: President Trump breaking his silence on Michael Cohen's sentence. Took about 18 hours. The president claiming he never directed Cohen to break the law. He does not, in the three tweets that we've seen this morning, deny ordering Cohen to make the hush money payments to silence his accusers ahead of the 2016 election.

Let's get "The Bottom Line" with CNN's senior political commentator David Axelrod.

So it took 18 hours but we did hear from the president. We, of course, heard a little bit from Rudy Giuliani afterwards.

DAVID AXELROD, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Admirable -- admirable restraint there.

HILL: Right. What we didn't hear about, of course, was this non- prosecution agreement with AMI, which may have, you know, a little bit more meat to it, especially where the president's concerned, but saying here, I didn't direct Michael Cohen to break the law.

AXELROD: Right.

HILL: May -- you know, (INAUDIBLE).

AXELROD: Well, I'm sure -- I'm sure he didn't say go out and break the law.

BERMAN: Right.

HILL: That's not how it happens?

AXELROD: That's different than directing him to make this go away and pay these women off. And that's apparently -- that's certainly what he's being accused of. And he's being accused of being at the center of a conspiracy. And his problem is, now there's more than one conspirator talking to prosecutors. And so, you know, this -- this deepens the problem for the president.

Where it leads, I don't know what the political fallout from it is, is, I think, questionable. But he definitely has a legal issue here.

BERMAN: I think it's really interesting because at the -- you know, as we near the end of our broadcast this morning, I think it's clear where we are. And, to a certain extent, it's different than where we began. The president's in a different legal situation than he was yesterday --

HILL: Yes.

BERMAN: Because AMI, "The National Enquirer," is cooperating and corroborating Michael Cohen. And clearly prosecutors think that -- and I think I'm comfortable saying this, prosecutors it seems think that the president broke the law here. Whether or not they'll prosecute him is a completely different issue, but they think he broke -- they broke the law. They have enough evidence (INAUDIBLE). [08:45:09] AXELROD: Well, let me just say this, you do not accuse the

president of the United States of being at the center of a conspiracy in a court filing unless you're pretty damn sure that he was.

BERMAN: Exactly. And now they have AMI backing that up. That's the legal side of it. But, politically, I think we are in no different place than we were yesterday.

AXELROD: Yes, I agree.

BERMAN: We had Rick Santorum on. And I think Rick is a good barometer of where Republicans are going. And they haven't budged a bit. They don't see any reason in any of this to stop supporting the president in any way.

AXELROD: Right. And I think that's going to continue as long as he has a grip on his base. And he has a pretty firm grip on his base. We've cited this many times here, that the whole shooting someone on 5th Avenue thing, there's something to that. And there is a sense that this, you know, was his business and so on. Now, Rick and others were saying different things back in 1999, but that's another story.

HILL: It's a lifetime ago. Tuesday's a lifetime ago, as we pointed out earlier.

I do want to get your take, too, on Nancy Pelosi.

AXELROD: Yes.

HILL: So we've heard a little bit about obviously what happened. And this was in the wake of her meeting Tuesday in the Oval Office. But the deal that she's come to, which involves term limits. And, look, she has really negotiated this.

AXELROD: Listen, the whole process of watching her put this thing together is why she is going to be speaker of the House. She is better within those four walls than anybody else. She understands how to put these votes together. I saw her do it when I was in the White House on things like the Affordable Care Act, which was a really, really different puzzle. And she is methodical and she has a real ear for what -- for a deal and what her members need to satisfy all of their different political demands.

All of that was on display here. And then you top it off with that confrontation in the Oval Office where she was very strong. And she looked like the leader of a caucus. And there's nothing that unifying a caucus more than when the leader fights the White House on behalf of the caucus.

So for all those reasons -- we saw all of her strengths on display over these last few weeks.

BERMAN: I'm not sure the term limits concession was even the biggest one she made. She made some other --

AXELROD: Right. BERMAN: Rules, concessions to some moderates who want things to be able to go to the floor. She gave away some chairmanships, some subcommittee things.

AXELROD: Well, and created more upward mobility, which I think was a real issue. You have three leaders there who are in their upper 70s and a sense that there was no room to move for these younger members. So Hakeem Jeffries moved up and others. And, you know what, the reforms that she embraced are reforms that are long overdue.

BERMAN: Can I ask, there is going to be pressure, though, from some in the party to take action, investigatory action, against the president, to really push that. Will she be able to resist that?

AXELROD: Yes, I think that that's one of the advantages of having her there. She is the adult in the room. And she knows how to speak to her caucus about these issues. And I think she will -- she will be thoughtful about how to approach this. I think it would be a terrible mistake to get out in front of Mueller to make this all Trump all the time. That's not why a lot of these new members were elected. People want to see them working on substantive issues. They want them to do the oversight, but they don't want that to overtake everything else. And so she understands that. I think it's a very important perspective.

BERMAN: David Axelrod.

HILL: David, always good to see you. Thank you.

AXELROD: Good to be here.

BERMAN: In person this time.

AXELROD: I'm so glad to be here.

HILL: Here now is what to watch today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ON SCREEN TEXT: 10:30 a.m. ET, accused Russian spy Maria Butina in court.

10:45 a.m. ET, Rep. Nancy Pelosi to hold news conference.

2:00 p.m. ET, President Trump meets governors-elect.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: So "The Good Stuff" is next.

HILL: But first, vegan doesn't always mean healthier. Here's today's "Food as Fuel."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LISA DRAYER, CNN HEALTH CONTRIBUTOR: Plant-based diets have been associated with many health benefits, including a reduced risk of obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. So when you're dinning out, you might think the vegetarian or vegan options are more nutritious. But that's not always the case.

You may get more fiber or protein in some meatless meals thanks to hearty amounts of beans, vegetables and whole grains. But depending on how it's prepared, plant-based options can have as much or even more calories, saturated fat and sodium. That's especially true if something is deep fried, covered in creamy condiments or piled on top of too many starchy carbs. For instance, fries may be vegetarian, but they doesn't mean they should be a regular part of your diet.

[08:50:17] The takeaway is, a meal is only as healthy as its ingredients. So look for options that include plenty of veggies, whole grains, and simple protein. And go easy on sauces, creams and cheeses.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: All right, it's time now for "The Good Stuff."

A homeless man uses some found money to help others. Kevin Booth (ph) found a bag fuel of $17,000 on the steps of a food bank. But instead of keeping it, he handed it over to the staff. When no one came forward to claim the cash after 90 days, the police let the food bank keep it.

[08:55:06] (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANITA MILLER, SUMMER FOOD BANK: It was a big decision for him because he could use it, but you do not take from somebody else. It would be stealing. And he doesn't steal.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: The money helped pay for more services for the homeless. Kevin was given a citizens certificate from the local police department and gift cards to his favorite store.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MILLER: It makes you feel good to be able to help him. He helped us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: And he didn't do it for the gift cards. He did it because it was the right thing to do.

HILL: Right.

BERMAN: And he thought that that food bank, in all likelihood, needed that money. So good on him.

HILL: Absolutely. And a lesson for all of us.

It's been a pleasure hanging with you today.

BERMAN: Always great having you here.

HILL: It's kind of a busy morning. President Trump breaking his silence. He appears to be in greater legal jeopardy. His new statements are next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: All right, top of the hour. Good morning, everyone. I'm Poppy Harlow.

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Jim Sciutto.

We've news this morning.

HARLOW: Yes, we do.

SCIUTTO: The president is up and he's tweeting. The morning after President Trump's former lawyer and fixer confessed in federal court covering up his powerful client's, quote, dirty deeds, the president is having his say.

[09:00:05] HARLOW: All right, let me read you part of what the president wrote in three consecutive tweets this morning.