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Report: WH Warns Of "Widespread And Expanding" COVID-19 Spread; Pres. Trump Promotes Birther Lie About Sen. Kamala Harris; New Poll: Biden Leads Among Suburban Women & Registered Voters. Aired 12:30-1p ET

Aired August 14, 2020 - 12:30   ET

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


[12:30:00]

EVAN PEREZ, CNN SENIOR JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: But Kevin understands what he did was wrong and accepts responsibility.

John, obviously, the President and Bill Barr have been building expectations that something big would come before the election, you know, from the Durham investigation, I guess this would count as one of one of those things. It's clear now, John, though, from Bill Barr statements that Durham is not going to be done before the election, the larger investigation that's being done into the Russia investigation.

JOHN KING, CNN HOST: Certainly unethical behavior. We will see if there's more between now and then or whether this is it. Evan Perez, very much appreciate the live breaking report there.

Up next for us, again, there are growing coronavirus concerns in the state of Georgia, the governor on defense.

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[12:35:14]

KING: Georgia's governor is defending his coronavirus strategy again today afterward surface the White House Coronavirus Task Force sees big trouble brewing in the state and is urging the governor to impose a statewide mask mandate. The Atlanta Journal Constitution broke this important news. The White House Task Force memo warns, quote, there is widespread and expanding community viral spread.

There is no significant improvement in the Atlanta metro area, with continued high levels of cases at a plateau. Mitigation efforts must increase. The newspaper says that warning was delivered Sunday since then, and before that White House warning was made public Governor Brian Kemp did drop a lawsuit challenging Atlanta's mask mandate. But Governor Kemp still opposes such mandates. And his health commissioner today defended the policy. But the numbers take a look they're troubling, Georgia reported a record 136 deaths on Tuesday. That's a high. It also reported more than 2,500 new infections on Thursday. CNN's Martin Savidge is in Atlanta. Another challenge, Martin, for the governor. MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. You know, this report, as you point out was not made public. It was actually leaked from and the AJC was able to get a copy of it. It's a damning rebuke of the practices and policies of Governor Brian Kemp. The language is blunt, current mitigation efforts not having a sufficient impact. In other words, what you're doing just isn't doing it. Then on top of that, they say that the state should have a mask mandate. That's something that Governor Kemp has been absolutely against.

Georgia allows nightclubs and bars and even gyms to be opened under certain restrictions. The Corona Task Force here says, no, you can't do that, not in counties where you have severe infections. Restaurants in Georgia pretty much concede whoever they want as long as they stay six feet apart. The Task Force says, no, you cannot do that. You can only have restaurants seat to a quarter of their capacity. And it goes on and on from there. The state needs to ramp up testing. The state needs to do a better job of contact tracing, needs to do better when it comes to protecting nursing homes, and long term care facilities, social gatherings in the state.

Georgia allows you to have up to 50 people. The task force says no, you have to keep it to 10. And the governor is pushing back. He's saying he's following the advice of his own health department. John?

KING: We'll, watch this one play out. It's not just him versus the mayor's now. It's him versus the Trump Coronavirus Task Force. Martin Savidge, important reporting for us in Atlanta. Thank you so much.

Up next, the birther is back. This time, it's not Barack Obama, its Senator Kamala Harris.

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[12:42:25]

KING: The birther is back along with his trademark ways of shrugging off his role in spreading reckless rumors and innuendo. We have seen this movie before, right? Then businessman Donald Trump wasn't the first to suggest Barack Obama wasn't qualified to be president. But, you know, people are saying and it's out there, and so on and so forth. This year's version began yesterday with a question about Senator Kamala Harris and a baseless article suggesting she is not qualified to be president, therefore not qualified to be vice president, because both of her parents were immigrants.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I heard it today that she doesn't meet the requirements. They say that she doesn't qualify because she wasn't born in this country.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No. She was born in this country, but her parents did not, he came to say that her parents did not receive their permanent residence at that point.

TRUMP: Yes. I don't know about it. I just heard about it. I'll take a look.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Today, presidential son in law, Jared Kushner, well, doing his part.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JARED KUSHNER, SENIOR ADVISER TO PRESIDENT TRUMP: He just said that he had no idea whether that's right or wrong. I don't see that as promoting it. But look at the end of the day it's something that's out there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: See how that works. We're not promoting it. We're not saying it's true. But it's out there. The vice president's chief of staff taking a somewhat different approach.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARC SHORT, CHIEF OF STAFF TO VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: I think that we can celebrate the fact that a daughter of two immigrants is had such a celebrated political career to be elected statewide and now be the nominee for the Democrat Party. I think what's more concerning is some of the socialist ideas she seems to have imported from overseas as well.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Imported as well. Senator Harris, whatever you think of her politics is from Oakland, that's in California. Joining me now the former Republican Congresswoman Mia love. Congresswoman, why? Why? Why? Why can't they say right out of the box? That's ridiculous. She was born in Oakland. We disagree with her on health care. We disagree with her on medical, you know, on military spending. We disagree with her in this data, the other thing, but stop. Why can't they do that?

MIA LOVE, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, I heard the President say, I don't know. But I'll look into it. There's no reason for him to actually look into it.

You know, John speaking from --

KING: But that's what he does. Forgive me for interrupting. Forgive me for interrupting.

LOVE: Yes.

KING: But we lived through this before.

LOVE: I know.

KING: I didn't say it. I'm not saying that. Believe it.

LOVE: I don't know why. KING: He should come up with his birth certificate. People are saying. How about this is America. Her story, her family story is an American dream. It's amazing. I disagree with her politics. We're going to beat her. Why can't you say that?

LOVE: I wholeheartedly agree. And I have to tell you that speaking from personal experience, I know what it's like to actually be attacked by opponents on the left and by just anybody just because of my skin, color, or just because of where my parents were born. It's absolutely ridiculous. And I have to tell you it's harmful. It's harmful, not just to people like me, but it's harmful to my children that watch. And it's harmful to the American people. Because what it does is it forces them to choose a side.

[12:45:19]

And that's not what we should be doing. We should not be choosing presidential candidates or who's going to lead our country based on these games that they play. They should be on policy, who can lead, who is going to be able to solve the problems of America, and trust me, you know, John, and America knows we have a lot of them. So this birther issue shouldn't even be on the list.

KING: Right. It'd be nice to have a great policy debate in this campaign. And I said the Harris family is an American Dream story, so as yours, so as yours. That's what we think America is, that's what the Statue of Liberty is about, right? People come here from all over the world. They earn their way the living. They -- their daughter advances. She's a member of Congress. That's a pretty good deal. That's what we should be celebrating, not questioning. Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator agrees with you.

Yes, he tweeted this morning, when Senator Harris is born in the United States -- Senator Harris was born in the United States in 1964 to parents who are legally present. Under the Constitution and Supreme Court precedent, she is unequivocally an American citizen. So Senator Graham trying to I think, get his President back on track, focus on policy, not this quack stuff.

A short time ago, the Speaker of the House says she knows what this is about, listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): He can't handle it. He can't handle the fact that a woman of color isn't risen to this place and will soon be the vice president of United States. He's afraid of the public so he doesn't want them voting. He's intimidated by strong women. We know that. And for him to say what he said, and for you all to report it, it's like the biggest waste of time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Waste of time. I tend to agree except he's the President of the United States where 80 days from an election. You're a smart politician. Can you see any way this helps the President, given the dynamics in the country right now? If this is a few minutes, we're not talking about the coronavirus. But there's plenty of time to talk about. That is that all this is about? Is it that he's afraid of strong women? He doesn't like people of color?

LOVE: So let's talk about this strategically. His basis with him, anytime he throws out red meat, the basis going to be with him. So the only thing this does is it alienates the people that he needs. Pragmatic Republicans that are looking at this, and they're saying, why, you know how you win me. You win me on your ability to bring the economy back. You win my vote on your ability to deal with these foreign policy issues, to deal with health crisis, to deal with all of these other things.

So if I am talking to anybody that's out there that's listening. The President of the United States stick with policy. I mean, there's plenty of content there. Stop attacking people and attack policy.

KING: Amen. Former Congressman Mia Love, qualified to be president, I should note as well. You could -- we'll continue the conversation another day.

A new poll out today frames the presidential race as we move now to the convention phase of the 2020 campaign. And Democrat Joe Biden is at the moment, a big leader. Look at this, the NPR/PBS Marist poll puts Biden on top by 11 points, 53 percent to 42 percent for President Trump. That's up from an eight-point advantage at the end of June. Biden support is also growing amongst suburban women. The President on the other hand, holds a strong lead you see it there among white men without college degrees.

Let's go inside the numbers now, with pollsters, Margie Omero. She's a Democrat. And Neil Newhouse, a Republican. Margie, I want to start with you because Joe Biden is in the lead and the Democratic Convention is next week. What is the single most important priority to try to get the cement to dry a little bit if you're Joe Biden?

MARGIE OMERO, DEMOCRATIC POLLSTER, GBAO: Well, I think so far that campaigns been doing a great job. I think the rollout of V.P. selection of Kamala Harris has been fantastic. And I think it's going to be continued to demonstrate their sound leadership, their plan for getting the economy back on track, for getting our country back on track for the Coronavirus. And I think you're going to see that in what's up next for the convention.

KING: And so, Neil, here's the issue. If you look at the -- we know what's driving these numbers, right? So this is from this poll, do you trust COVID-19 information from the President? Thirty-one percent say they trusted a great amount or a good deal, 67 percent more than two- thirds of Americans. That means a fair amount of Republicans say not much or not at all. Do they trust information on the biggest challenge facing the country right now from the President? Can he win the election if he doesn't change that number?

NEIL NEWHOUSE, REPUBLICAN POLLSTER: Well, first of all, yes, absolutely he can win the election. I mean, those national numbers, you quoted 11 points. You know, we've seen a narrowing of the ballot margin over the last six weeks or so from a RealClearPolitics average has it at 10 points like six weeks ago, it's now seven. In our day to day tracking, in our individual races, we're seeing a narrowing.

And as you know, it's the states that are the most important. But the one piece of data there, the quoted, 31 percent said a good deal or a great amount, 21 percent said not very much. That's still some trust. You've got 45 percent who were against this President and some of the rest of those voters are still up for grabs. This race is far from over.

[12:50:18]

KING: I agree it's far from over. But I think that's -- if 67 percent is still a ditch for the President. You got one of the interesting questions, Margie, I want to show you some new numbers here. What's the main reason you're voting for Joe Biden? Fifty-six percent say because he's not Trump, 19 percent say leadership or performance, 13 percent say personal temperament, 9 percent say policy issues. Do you read that top number? Is that this, you know, that these people are just, it's not a mandate for Joe Biden or do you read that as that Democratic voters are so animated by their opposition to Trump that they just put that ahead of any affection for Joe Biden?

OMERO: So the views toward Trump have been pretty intense for a long time. This is not new. And I think any election whether it's dog catcher up for press or all the way up to president is really a referendum money incumbent and you have an incumbent who depends on what outlet but about 50 percent, roughly half of America feel very unfavorable or strongly disapprove of the job he's doing.

Sometimes when we look at these totals, total approved, total disapproved, total favorable, total unfavorable, we're losing the fact that almost twice as many people feel very strongly against him and feel very strongly for him. And that's why you see any number of really reflects that underlying dynamic.

KING: And so Neil, you do mention the trend lines, and the trend lines have closed a little bit, especially if you look at the battleground states. And you're absolutely right. I'll be with you like a broken record. We do this by state. Tell me quickly in the short time we have left, what is moving? What is moving in the President's way at the moment? And what is the biggest thing he needs to fix?

NEWHOUSE: Well, what's moving right now and beginning to move is perception of Joe Biden. And I know the poll you quoted there had Biden is still a positive image. We've got -- we've seen data that contradicts that to some extent. But I think that the more that Joe Biden is exposed to the public, the more people learn about him. I think the more even this race becomes.

If you probe under the numbers, voters really don't know much about Joe Biden, except for the fact he's running against Donald Trump. Now, that may be enough for many voters. But, you know, once we, there's going to be many more opportunities for the Trump campaign in the next, you know, 80 days or so to begin to define Joe Biden and to clarify who he is for the voters. And then we'll see where we are. KING: And we'll see where we are. The convention, start a new chapter, we're in the sprint 80 days or so. We'll have you both back. We'll talk about this as we get to the rock and roll finish. Neil and Margie, appreciate it very much. Have a great weekend.

OMERO: Thanks.

NEWHOUSE: That's John.

The American workspace reimagines what the work from home looks like now and what to expect as we head into the fall.

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[12:57:22]

KING: Seven months into the pandemic, more Americans, more view are back at work. But there's also plenty of evidence that caution remains a corporate watchword. Here's some numbers from Stanford University, 35 percent of Americans in this survey say they're working at their businesses. That's up from 26 percent as you see back in May. But 35 percent are still working at home.

Joining me now professor of economics at Stanford University, Nicholas Bloom. Sir, thank you so much for your time. What jumped out at you most as you watch the changes out there, more people back to work but still a good chunk at home? What did you see as most significant?

NICHOLAS BLOOM, PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS, STANFORD UNIVERSITY: Yes. I mean, I was still amazed at how many people are working from home. You saw that that, you know, a third of us is still working from home and only a third of us are currently working on the business premises. So think of 100 percent of people working at work six, seven months ago now it's only a third of us. So it's still primarily a working from home economy.

KING: And do we have any sense? Does your data give you any sense of how cautious corporations are going to be meaning those who have their workers still at home now seven months in? Is it a day by day, week by week decision making? Are they already decided we're going to wait till the end of the year? Do we know that?

BLOOM: No. I mean, most companies now are looking at kicking the decision forward until, you know, mid next year. So you've heard company after company, Facebook, Google, Twitter, Quora have all said, you know, they don't like -- they're not likely to see employees come back on mass until next year. I mean, basically, we can all return to the workplace until we have a vaccine and that doesn't look like is going to be widely available until probably spring or summer, next year at the earliest. So working from home is really here to stay for the next six to nine months at least.

KING: And does that make a difference. And if so, where and what sector of the economy to the idea of how much productivity, how much growth can we get if a third of Americans are working at home? Does it matter? BLOOM: It does. I mean, it's -- for some sectors, like for example, banking and high tech has really not been much of an issue for other sectors. It's horrible. So if you think of, for example, travel, entertainment, accommodation, those are sectors that can't really be effectively run working from home. And since employees can't go to the office, they've been really killed in terms of growth. You know, we've seen the other factor, we've seen as the return to work has kind of stalled for the last month or two. You know, you mentioned earlier in the show that Georgia is having a flare up of coronavirus again and that's stooling across the country of the reopening is also stalling the return to the office.

KING: It's fascinating. Professor Nicholas Bloom will bring you back and continue this conversation as we watched the country go through we're living and experiment and we'll keep -- you keep doing the surveys. We'll keep having the conversation very much appreciate your time, Sir.

[12:59:53]

And thank you for watching us today as well. Hope to see you wake up early on Sunday morning. I'll be here at 8:00 a.m. Eastern. I'll give you a wakeup call if you want one. Busy news day. Stay with us.

Brianna Keilar picks up our coverage right now. Have a good day.