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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Pence Campaigns Despite Coronavirus Outbreak Among Top Staffers; NYT: Fox News President and Anchors Advised to Quarantine After Exposure; U.S. Trending in Dangerous Direction As Cases and Hospitalizations Soar. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired October 26, 2020 - 05:00   ET

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


[05:00:00]

LAURA JARRETT, CO-ANCHOR, EARLY START: Vice President Mike Pence still on the campaign trail after at least five of his aides test positive for coronavirus.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CO-ANCHOR, EARLY START: The Biden campaign blasting the White House's admission that it is not going to control the pandemic with just eight days now until election day. Welcome to our viewers in the United States and around the world, this is EARLY START, I'm Christine Romans.

JARRETT: And I'm Laura Jarrett, it's Monday, October 26th, 5:00 a.m. here in New York, and just over a week to go until election day, and there are new coronavirus outbreaks and concerns both inside the Trump administration and at the president's favorite TV network. Vice President Mike Pence's Chief of Staff and a personal assistant are among at least five people in the VP's orbit to test positive for the virus, and despite this, Pence isn't quarantining. Instead, he remains on the campaign trail and even plans to be in the Senate's chamber for today's confirmation vote on Judge Amy Coney Barrett.

And now, "The New York Times" reports the president of "Fox News" and several of the network's top anchors, including Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum have been advised to quarantine. They were exposed to the virus on a private flight to Nashville for last Thursday's presidential debate. All of this after what can only be seen as a surrender to the virus by the White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. Just listen to what he told Jake Tapper.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARK MEADOWS, CHIEF OF STAFF, WHITE HOUSE: Here's what we have to do. We're not going to control the pandemic. We are going to control the fact that we get vaccines, therapeutics and other mitigation --

JAKE TAPPER, HOST, THE LEAD: Why aren't we going to get control of the pandemic?

MEADOWS: Because it is a contagious virus just like the flu. It's --

TAPPER: Yes, but why not make efforts to contain it? MEADOWS: Well, we are making efforts to contain it --

TAPPER: By running all over the country and not wearing a mask?

MEADOWS: Jake, we can get --

TAPPER: That's what the Vice President is doing --

MEADOWS: Into the back and forth. Let me just say this, is, what we need to do is make sure that we have the proper mitigation factors, whether it's therapies or vaccines or treatments to make sure that people don't die from this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JARRETT: Not going to control the pandemic. It's a stark reminder to voters of this administration's failures in handling this pandemic, with just eight days to go until the election, our coverage this morning begins with Kaitlan Collins.

KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning Laura and Christine. The Vice President was in North Carolina yesterday despite the fact that several of his top aides had recently tested positive for coronavirus including within 24 hours, his Chief of Staff Marc Short, who is now self-isolating and is not likely to return to the campaign trail with the vice president over the next several days. And of course, there's only a few days left until the election, and the vice president has been on the road nearly every single day with staff, including earlier this week, when he was on the road with Marty Obst; one of his senior political advisors who works outside of the White House who we've now learned has tested positive.

So, basically, the situation is, there are several staffers close to the vice president who have tested positive for coronavirus including his body man. There are several staffers who are now having to quarantine because they were in contact with someone who tested positive, one of those aides. But the vice president himself is refusing to follow CDC guidelines by staying at home. The White House says that's because he's an essential worker and he's been cleared by his medical team to go out, that we haven't had an on the record statement from the vice president's doctor saying as much.

And of course, this comes on the day that the Chief of Staff to President Trump, Mark Meadows told Jake Tapper yesterday in that interview that they are not going to get control of the coronavirus. He basically was saying they're going to have to focus on vaccines and therapeutics, but there's not a way to contain it, which is not what you have heard from health experts over the last several months. Who said if people did wear mask and if they did social distance, two things that the White House has really largely rebutted over the last several months, they say that could help stop the spread of coronavirus or at least slow it in the United States.

Well, that clearly doesn't seem to be the White House's point of view, and also seems to be in contradiction to what the president has been telling us for months. Which is that coronavirus is under control and we are rounding the corner on the pandemic.

ROMANS: All right, Kaitlan, thank you for that. You know, you're right, Mark Meadows claimed that the White House cannot control the pandemic. That reveal of its strategy essentially is in stark contrast to what his boss the president has been saying since the very first days of the outbreak. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you worried about a pandemic at this point?

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: No, we're not at all. We have it totally under control.

We've done a great job, and I've gotten to know these professionals. They're incredible, and everything is under control. I mean they're very cool. They've done it, and they've done it well. Everything is really under control.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When I hear you say everything is under control, don't worry about wearing masks, I mean, these are people -- many of them are older people, Mr. President --

TRUMP: What's your definition of control? Yes, under --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's giving them a false sense of security --

TRUMP: Right now, I think it's under control. I'll tell you what?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[05:05:00]

JARRETT: Joe Biden's campaign was quick to jump on Meadows admission with this statement quote, "this wasn't a slip by Meadows, it was a candid acknowledgment of what President Trump's strategy has clearly been from the beginning of this crisis to wave the white flag of defeat and hope, that by ignoring it, the virus would simply go away. It hasn't, and it won't." CNN's Jessica Dean is with the Biden campaign in Wilmington, Delaware.

JESSICA DEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning Christine and Laura. We are now eight days away from election day, and we learned on Sunday that Vice President Mike Pence and members of his inner circle had tested positive for coronavirus, but that Pence would continue to campaign. Kamala Harris also on the campaign trail on Sunday. And you'll remember, several weeks back, one of her aides tested positive for coronavirus. They had not been in close contact, but still out of an abundance of caution, Harris spent several days off the campaign trail just in case. Here's what Harris said about Pence yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAMALA HARRIS, DEMOCRATIC VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE FOR 2020: They are admitting defeat, and I've been saying that and Joe Biden has been saying that since the beginning. This is the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of America, and he went on to say, you can't control it like the flu. And yet again, they're suggesting to the American people that this is like the flu, when we have known from the beginning, and they knew since January that it's five times more deadly than the flu.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DEAN: Vice President Biden also releasing a statement on Sunday about the Trump administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying, the administration is waving the white flag when it comes to the pandemic. Now, as we look to the travel schedule of both Biden and Harris, with such little time left, where they're going tells you a lot about where the campaign thinks things are going. Joe Biden headed to Georgia on Tuesday. That's a state that no Democrat has carried since 1992 when Bill Clinton won the state. We're told that he'll be making two stops there. He'll be going to warm Springs, Georgia, which is where, of course, FDR had his little White House, and that he'll be giving a closing argument, a closing message to Americans about coming together and unifying the country.

We've seen Biden go to historical sites like this before to give similar messages. You'll remember he was in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, giving a message on unity not too long ago. As for her part, Kamala Harris will go to Texas on Friday. Again, for a Democrat to carry Texas would be a landslide likely for Biden-Harris, but to see her going in there, Democrats trying to up their chances to carry Texas in the 2020 election. Christine and Laura?

ROMANS: All right, thank you so much Jessica. Join us for the special live election coverage the way only CNN can bring it to you, from the first votes to the critical count, understand what's happening in your state and across the country. Election night in America, our special coverage starts next Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. Eastern.

JARRETT: Well, overnight, another 60,000 new cases of coronavirus were reported across the country. There were single day records of over 80,000 cases on Friday and Saturday. Right now, not a single state -- look at that map, not a single state in the U.S. is trending in the right direction. And the number of people sick enough to be hospitalized, well, that's also climbing. Here's the former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCOTT GOTTLIEB, FORMER COMMISSIONER OF THE U.S. FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION: We're at a dangerous tipping point right now. We're entering what's going to be the steep slope of the curve, of the epidemic curve. We have a moment of opportunity right now to take some forceful steps to try to abate the spread that's underway. But if we don't do that, if we miss this window, this is going to continue to accelerate and it's going to be more difficult to get under control.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JARRETT: We get more now on all of this from CNN's Polo Sandoval.

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Christine and Laura, good morning to you. It is clear that the predicted Fall COVID-19 surge is in full effect. This weekend, we saw the highest number of nationwide daily COVID-19 cases exceeding 83,000 a day. And health officials are saying social gatherings and family events are moving indoors as temperatures begin to drop across the country, and that they say seems largely to blame for the high rate of spread. Now, this weekend, I also tracked top health authorities across the country, and in many states talking about what they're describing as alarming increases in their COVID-19 cases. A state like Pennsylvania seeing rates comparable to what we saw in April.

Also, the chief deputy for health in the state of Michigan said that if they continue seeing their current rate of infections rise, and they risk overwhelming hospitals and possibly seeing more residents die from the virus. Also, a very similar concern happening in the state of Texas where the governor over the weekend requested an army hospital take in non-COVID patients after El Paso surpassed a 1,000 infections a day on Thursday. State officials say that, that is putting a strain on hospital capacity in the region.

And after New Jersey saw its highest daily COVID count since May, the state's governor took to Twitter over the weekend, asking residents to still stay vigilant, he wrote that "simply because we are tired of the virus doesn't mean it's gone away." Christine and Laura. Back to you.

[05:10:00]

ROMANS: Indeed, Polo, thank you so much for that. There's little sign a stimulus deal will be reached before election day. On Sunday, the White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows blamed the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the impasse.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MEADOWS: We've continued to make offer after offer after offer, and Nancy continues to move the goal post.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Speaker Pelosi placing the blame right back on the GOP.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): Every time they say we moved the goal post, that means they're projecting what they did.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: This has been going on for days now between the administration and congressional Democrats. Pelosi added the two sides are still far apart on issues like coronavirus testing, jobless benefits, state and local funding. Meanwhile, millions of struggling Americans are still waiting on coronavirus relief, that includes cash for small businesses, rent relief and increase benefit for food stamps.

JARRETT: Well, still ahead, the U.S. Supreme Court expected to get the newest member later today, we'll get more on it, Judge Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation next.

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[05:15:00]

ROMANS: Welcome back. In just a few hours, the race by Republicans to install Judge Amy Coney Barrett on the Supreme Court will be complete. President Trump's nominee to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will solidify a 6-3 conservative majority on the High Court. CNN's Lauren Fox has more for us from Capitol Hill.

LAUREN FOX, CNN CONGRESSIONAL REPORTER: After a fast-moving confirmation process, the Senate is on track to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court on Monday. This comes as there is only expected to be one Republican defection, Senator Susan Collins, a Republican, up for election in the state of Maine. We expect that no Democrats are going to support Barrett's nomination. However, there is some additional drama. We do know that Mike Pence; the Vice President, is expected to attend this vote on Monday, however, Democrats arguing that, that is ill-advised, given the fact that members of the vice president's staff have tested positive for coronavirus.

I asked Senate Majority leader John Thune a little bit about this, he said it's really up to Pence whether or not he wants to come up to the U.S. Senate to preside for this vote. He said that they don't need the vice president there because they have plenty of Republicans voting for Amy Coney Barrett's nomination. It's not in question. It's not in doubt. However, he said, the vice president is regularly tested for coronavirus. In fact, he tested negative for the virus on Sunday, and Thune therefore argued that if Pence wants to come up to Capitol Hill for this vote, it's up to him and the medical professionals to make that decision. Christine and Laura?

JARRETT: Laura, thank you so much for that. Well, voters in Maryland can start casting ballots today, joining the tens of millions of Americans who have already voted early. Officials say, early voting totals this year have already surpassed the total from 2016, and that's with eight days remaining until the election. This as the window begins to close on the chance to request a mail-in ballot. CNN's Athena Jones is in New York with more on this.

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning Christine and Laura. The message from the first couple of days of early voting here in New York is much like the one we have seen in places across the country that allow early voting. High levels of enthusiasm and huge turnout at multiple locations across New York City today and on Saturday, the first day of early voting, we're seeing lines that are hundreds of people long and several hours long waits in some locations. In fact, we've already surpassed in the first couple of days of early voting the total number of early votes cast in the nine days of voting -- early voting back in 2019. Now, here at the Brooklyn Museum, this is one of the 88 locations

where you can early vote. We've seen very long lines, speaking to people, telling us they're waiting about three hours to cast their ballot. All the folks we've spoken to saying that it's very important for them to show up in person. They want to make absolutely certain that their vote -- their ballot is counted, and they didn't necessarily want to rely on the mail. And some of the folks we've spoken to say it's great to see this many people coming out. It's a sign of voter enthusiasm, it's a good thing for our democracy.

Others raising questions about why it should take anyone 2, 3, 4 hours to vote. Here is what one young woman had to say about that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I actually don't feel like it's great, I feel like that's still a form of voter suppression. I don't think that long lines should be celebrated. I think it's great that people are turning out. But I don't think that, that's ultimately a good thing that we're forced to wait. Lots of working Americans can't afford to wait three hours in line. It's a privilege to be able to do that. But we're also compromised because we're afraid that if we vote by mail, our votes might get lost, you know?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JONES: So, there you heard some concerns about just how long it's taking to vote. That young woman saying, you know, not everyone can spend multiple hours waiting to do so. But clearly, a lot of people did decide to take advantage of these nine days of early voting with the turnout we're seeing, and then when they come on a day like this, they're bundling up for the cool weather and bringing with them some patience. Christine, Laura?

ROMANS: All right, Athena, election day eight days away, but election day is also today in very many -- in many places. All right, the L.A. Dodgers are now just one win away from a World Series victory. "BLEACHER REPORT" is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:20:00]

ROMANS: All right. The Los Angeles Dodgers are now just one win away from a World Series title after taking game five last night. Andy Scholes has more in this morning's "BLEACHER REPORT". Good morning, Andy.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS REPORTER: Yes, good morning, Christine. You know, after that wild one Saturday night, losing that close game, a big question was, you know, how would the Dodgers bounce back with this series now tied 2-2. Well, their ace Clayton Kershaw coming through with another strong performance on the mound. Kershaw going 5 and two-thirds, striking out six. Big moment in the 4th, with Dodgers up 3-2. Manny Machado on third base tries to steal home, but Kershaw able to throw him out. Take another look. Dodgers barely get him. Max Muncy then adding some insurance after that with an absolute blast to right center. Dodgers winning 4-2, they can capture their first World Series title since 1988 tomorrow night in game six.

All right, it was a wild NFL Sunday, Seahawks and Cardinals last night, second quarter, Russell Wilson, he's going to get picked off by Card's Budda Baker at the 2, and he is gone. Looks like a touchdown, but D.K. Metcalf turns on the Jets, and --

[05:25:00]

Six-point-six-four miles per hour, chasing them down, just incredible. Cardinals were down 10 with under 7 to go. But they come back to send the game to overtime in the extra period. Russell Wilson throwing his third pick of the game. Cardinals would win it on a field goal with 15 seconds left, 37-34, first loss of the years for the Seahawks. All right, a wild back-and-forth game between the Browns and the Bengals yesterday. Top overall pick, Joe Burrow, the first rookie quarterback ever to throw for 400 yards, three touchdowns and run for another in a game, but it wasn't enough. Baker Mayfield, 15 seconds left, drops this one into Donovan Peoples-Jones to win the game.

Baker -- five touchdown passes in this one, as the Browns also win by the final 37-34. They improve to 5-2 on the season. Forty three-year- old Tom Brady meanwhile continuing to look dominant. Brady throwing for 369 yards and four touchdowns, he also ran one in. Brady leading the Bucs to a 45-20 win over the Raiders. They're now 5-2 on the season. And finally, yet again, the Falcons finding a new way to lose. Down by two, just over a minute left, the Lions let Todd Gurley score so they can get the ball back. Gurley actually tries to hold up, but accidentally crosses the plane for the touchdown.

He said he was mad as hell after the game that he scored, and that's because the Lions drove down the field, Matthew Stafford hits T.J. Hockenson for the touchdown with no time left on the clock after the point, after the Lions win 23-22. The Falcons now one and six on the season. And you know, Laura, if your team is just bad, you can deal with losing on Sundays, but the Falcons could arguably be 4-2, I mean, just beyond frustrating for their fans they continue to watch these games --

JARRETT: Oh, it's a tough loss, yes --

SCHOLES: Yes --

JARRETT: Absolutely. All right, Andy, nice to see you this morning, thank you so much.

SCHOLES: All right.

JARRETT: Well, President Trump and Joe Biden both talked to "60 Minutes" with a little more than a week to go in this race. You will hear from both of them, that's next.

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