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Biden To Formally Introduce Pick To Lead Defense Department; Dr. Anthony Fauci: COVID-19 Is Real, The Numbers Are Absolutely Real; Alex Azar: "I Feel Safe" At White House Christmas Party; Biden Navigates Narrow Congressional Majorities Amid Cabinet Selection; House Majority Leader Hoyer "Concerned" Over Shrinking Democrat Majority. Aired 12-12:30p ET

Aired December 09, 2020 - 12:00   ET

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


[12:00:00]

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JOHN KING, CNN HOST: Welcome to our viewers in the United States and around the world. I'm John King in Washington. Thank you so much for sharing your day with us. We are at a critical Coronavirus crossroads Canada giving a green light to the Pfizer Coronavirus vaccine.

Here in the United States more horrible numbers today yet hope looming tomorrow. The FDA Vaccine Advisory Board meets Thursday tomorrow to decide if that same vaccine Pfizer's candidate is safe for here in the United States. And a positive verdict means some Americans get vaccine shots in six days.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALEX AZAR, HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY: 20 million people should get vaccinated in just the next several weeks, and then we'll just keep rolling out vaccines through January, February and March as they come off the production lines.

You should start seeing at points in February and March general population vaccinations occurring. We might see 5 million, 10 million and 20 million doses coming out per week and the Governors will decide how to prioritize and get that out there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Let's pause for just a moment to consider this. The Biden Presidency begins six weeks from right now noon on January 20th. Today, the Biden transition announces two more cabinet positions. The picks to lead the Departments of Housing and Agriculture and the president-elect holds a formal rollout for his history making choice to leave the Defense Department.

President Trump's last 24 hours well, they are a window into his anger. He says for one he doesn't get enough credit and respect for the vaccine timeline and the lives he says that soon will be saved.

And the president continues to push election lies insisting again this morning the courts will ultimately declare him the winner that even after the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court with a six to three conservative majority swatted away an effort to reverse Biden's win in Pennsylvania.

It would be nice normal to have a president who respected the voters' choice. Instead, he stokes conspiracy. And it would be nice, responsible even if the president would use these final six weeks to help slow the COVID surge.

Instead, he holds holiday receptions, while his own experts urge everyday Americans to skip or scale back their cherished family traditions. The numbers today again more powerful than any words 215,000 new cases on Tuesday 2500 new deaths 104,000 Americans sick and in the hospital with COVID-19.

But when a president says it is no big deal, or that the end is near well, some people listen. And frontline heroes like this COVID nurse well they are left to deliver both care and the truth.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MORGAN FITZSIMMONS, E.R. NURSE: You can see what it does to people. I can see the lab work. I can see the X-rays. We can see the imaging, positive tests, they're not fake. And people are like not it'll be done. It'll just be done and like you know, a pandemic doesn't work that way.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: No, a pandemic doesn't work that way. You hear those strong words from somebody risking her life every day to keep people safe and to get them well. The numbers back up which she says the number simply back up what that nurse and all the heroes say, look at this right now.

36 states 36 states that's the orange and the red reporting more new COVID infections right now than a week ago 36 states trending in the wrong direction. 11 holding steady. You see a lot of that here in the northern and the out to the west in the mountain prairie states.

They're holding steady, holding steady though at a pretty terrible point is part of the problem. So the map is somewhat deceptive. Only three states reporting fewer new COVID infections right now, when you compare the numbers to a week ago.

Because of this more and more states adopting some new restrictions just in the last day, the last couple of days a new mask mandate out in Wyoming in North Carolina, modified stay at home orders Massachusetts rolling back to the very beginning of its reopening plan the Governor there saying we need a bridge to the vaccines and that means more restrictions in the State of Massachusetts other states moving on this as well.

The White House Coronavirus Task Force we don't hear about the daily urgency from the president but his task force is trying to get states to pay more attention to Arkansas. They say the pandemic spread is yielding to Virginia ongoing community spread inadequate testing.

This is the White House Task Force to Idaho, further restrictions and clinical enhancements are urgently needed in that state. It's not all bad news. The White House Task Force does say Kansas is showing some encouraging signs on both cases and hospitalization so some states at least stabilizing.

The case trend line, I don't think I need to say anything. Just look. Just look. Just look. We thought the summer surge was horrific. You see this now? 215,860 new infections reported yesterday and we know a lot of Americans say so what new infections we'll get over this.

Most people don't get really sick. Most people don't die. That's simply not true. Just because you see a high infection number Look, just look if you don't believe it. Look 20,546 Americans dying from COVID-19 deaths reported just yesterday.

You see the trend line the blue trend line is the seven-line average. These red lines the daily now above 2500. Again, the original back when we were first introduced to COVID fewer deaths but a lot of cases back in the summer surge.

Now you're seeing this going up right now this is real. It's not just about cases people are dying and again, think about your community.

[12:05:00]

KING: The original peak, the summer surge, look at hospitalizations more than 104,000 Americans hospitalized right now as of yesterday with Coronavirus 100,000 plus since December 2nd so more than a week now more than 100,000 of your friends, your neighbors, your family members, your co-workers in the hospital with Coronavirus.

That's part of the challenge for the public health experts. We've been at this a long time, people are tired. Many people believe you'll get the infection. So what Dr. Anthony Fauci saying no, please pay attention to the cases to the deaths to the hospitalizations.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE: We're seeing in some parts of the country. What would be equivalent of almost denial caddy where people still don't think this is a big deal? They think it's kind of fake news or a little bit of a hoax or what have you? It's not, it's real, the numbers are absolutely real.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Joining us now the Harvard Epidemiologist Dr. Michael Mina Dr. Mina grateful for your time today. And that is a challenge; it's a challenge because of COVID, exhaustion. It's a challenge because of people who just want to dismiss the facts and the science and the evidence before them.

It's a challenge also, because we're at this moment, where people say, well, the vaccine is coming, therefore I can let down my guard. Help me from your experience that's been very helpful to us these past few months. Where are we? How would you assess the moment?

DR. MICHAEL MINA, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF EPIDEMIOLOGY, HARVARD CHAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH: Well, we're certainly in a - in a strange moment, we have cases that are higher than they have been throughout the entirety of this pandemic in the U.S.

And at the same time, we're hearing a lot of positive news. So I think this is giving, in some ways, conflicting messages. The vaccine is on the way, but I think that the messaging about the vaccine is probably it's not premature, but it's getting people so excited that I worry that people are letting their guard down for the reality of what is happening today, which is cases are still out of control in much of the United States, essentially all of the United States.

And of course, we're seeing between 2 and 3000 new deaths every single day, this week, we will most likely pass a quarter of a million new cases diagnosed in a single day. So we're really in a very, very difficult position. And we haven't made much ground,

KING: Right, double down for a couple of months, at least I think should be the message even as we have been hopeful this science is going to help us with the vaccines. To the point about the vaccine, Pfizer excluded people with a history of severe allergic reactions from its study.

So now you see some headlines as people start to get the doses of this vaccine that some people are having allergic reactions. Is that routine? Was that because they're in such a hurry here that maybe they just decided let's set that group aside? Does it have any overall impact on whether people should trust this?

DR. MINA: Yes, so this was based on a small number of people. And I would say that it's good that they are putting things on pause for those individuals with a history of allergic reactions. We know strange things can happen sometimes that are unexpected.

And so right now we're really in - we're seeing an exploratory phase to try to understand is this something that's going to persist or whether it is flukes? And, there will be investigations going on to grind that out over the next few weeks, I'm sure.

KING: You were central to a fabulous piece in the Boston Globe the other day talking to some of the people like yourself who have dedicated months and months and months trying to help us. Trying to help us find solutions, trying to help guide us with good advice through this, about your exasperation about the failure of leadership at every level.

I'm just astounded by the dysfunction. You told the Globe, the willingness to just stay the course as hundreds of 1000s of people die, and the unwillingness to innovate and literally anyway, you go on to call it a twilight zone experience that make you ask why the hell even bother? Well, we're glad sir that you do still bother. And I wanted to bring that up in the context of A, thanking you for sharing your time with us over these recent months and all the research work you're doing. But number two to try to assess where we are?

This is the Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar who says the White House despite the fact the president won't pay daily attention to this anymore. He says they are reaching out about PPE. They are reaching out to make sure hospitals are using the new therapeutics and using them correctly.

But he himself attended a White House holiday reception the other day at a time Governors other doctors are saying people do not gather with your family. Please learn the lessons, listen to his take on going to a White House holiday reception.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AZAR: I actually have already attended one of them and individuals most of the individuals around me were wearing masks. We work to keep distance there was dramatically lower number of people than in past years. So I felt comfortable there. I felt safe.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: You agree with that? Or is that part of that twilight zone you're talking about?

DR. MINA: Oh, this is this is reminiscent of what this administration has unfortunately done. At this same time that there are - that the American public is being asked to abide by public health efforts and all of the science.

[12:10:00]

DR. MINA: We see an administration that within their own ranks is choosing to not display to the American public, best public health practices. And I think that, unfortunately, that's an example. And it's very confusing for the American public in the midst of a pandemic to see a president and those directly around them that is not abiding by the very suggestions of the U.S. CDC at the moment.

KING: Dr. Mina again, grateful for your time and insights, and we will continue the conversation for some time to come. Someday we'll have a more pleasant conversation, but we appreciate your time, sir.

And up next for us the president-elect promises talent and diversity. He says they matter most in team building. But guess what math is also a factor. Tapping Democrats who serve in congress brings the president-elect valuable experience, but it also costs him critical votes.

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KING: A lot of talk on Capitol Hill today but still no clear evidence congress is ready to make a deal and get stressed Americans more pandemic help.

[12:15:00]

KING: A bipartisan group of Senators trying to bridge differences just moments ago released a summary of their new COVID stimulus plan. It includes, for example, funds for enhanced unemployment benefits, another round of PPP loans for small businesses, money for healthcare providers, funding for vaccine distribution, testing and contact tracing and an extension of the student loan payment freeze through April 30 of next year.

Some big missing items that so far are deal breakers money for state and local governments and liability protections for companies in the COVID era. CNN's Lauren fox is tracking all this. She joins us now live from Capitol Hill, Lauren, another new plan, a lot of talks, are they going to get there?

LAUREN FOX, CNN CONGRESSIONAL REPORTER: Well, I think that's the major question right now. Everyone is bringing their ideas to the table, John, but there's not a lot of time to figure this out.

Nine days until the next deadline, what you have is this bipartisan group trying to find some consensus on state and local government aid as well as that liability piece that have really puzzled negotiators for the last six months.

You also have Majority Leader McConnell suggesting let's leave what we don't agree on state and local funding and liability and move forward with the rest of the package. That's a non starter for Democrats.

And then last night you had Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin getting back in the game and proposing his own plan $916 billion. That is another non-starter for Democrats because it does not include that additional $300 billion a week in unemployment benefits for people who are out of work.

So where does this go from here? That's the big question. It's also important to remember all of the things that are expiring at the end of this month, including added protections, added unemployment benefits for people who don't have jobs right now, John.

KING: I think that's actually the most important part to remember what is at stake out here? They should spend - worry about the people in America not about who's winning the debate in Washington? Lauren Fox appreciate your tracking all this and we know you'll stay on top of it.

Up next for us, it is a raw and very angry time in some parts of America threats against election officials and protests when local governments meet to talk about new COVID restrictions.

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[12:20:00]

KING: President like Biden faces a difficult calculation as he looks now to fill top jobs in the new administration. Every time he adds talent to his team by picking an experienced member of Congress he is subtracting from the number of votes he can count on in early legislative battles.

Two House Democrats right now in line for top jobs. Congressman Cedric Richmond of Louisiana is joining the Senior White House Staff and CNN is told Congresswoman Marsha Fudge of Ohio is the pick to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Both come from solid democratic districts but special elections to fill those vacancies will take months. And Democrats already have a very narrow House majority. So don't expect many more jobs to go to House Democrats.

The House math also could impact Governor Gavin Newsome's decision to fill the soon to be vacant California Senate seat of the Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris. Some California Democrats want another black woman to fill the Harris seat. And a couple of House members get floated as potential candidates.

One of them joins us now the Democratic Congresswoman Karen Bass. Congresswoman, it is great to see you, your Majority Leader Steny Hoyer just told reporters a short time ago that he's worried that you have such a narrow House Majority.

And that he has told the Biden team please is careful. Don't take too many of our members for big jobs in the administration, because it will take a lot of time to fill those vacancies. And we'll be - we might be short votes. Is that good advice? Should Joe Biden stop at Cedric Richmond and Marcia Fudge?

REP. KAREN BASS (D-CA): No, I don't think that he should. But of course, that needs to be a consideration. And then timing is also a consideration. And you know, in an administration, there are some jobs that are needed immediately and that there are other jobs that you know can go well into the year.

So I think that working hand in hand with the administration if additional appointments are done, they can be done where the time works for both sides.

KING: And should Governor Newsome take that into consideration? Joe Biden's going to need some tough votes out of the House early on. Right now it looks like you're going to have about 222, you might have 224 there are still two House races that haven't been called.

Should Governor Newsome say I'm sorry Congresswoman Bass or Congresswoman Waters, I can't do it. I can't name a member of the House for this - to the Senate seat because Joe Biden needs those votes.

BASS: Well, I think that the concern in California and frankly, the concern nationally, is that when Vice President Harris is sworn in, there will not be an African-American woman in the U.S. Senate and there will only be one African-American Democrat. And so considering the role that the African-American community played in the election and our role in the country, I think that's vital. Now that doesn't mean that Governor Newsome only has two choices there are plenty of African-American women leaders in California that he can choose from should he not choose Representative Lee or myself. And so I think the main point is, we should have an African-American woman in the U.S. - in the U.S. Senate.

KING: We'll see how that one plays out? It's one of this - there are so many fascinating developments. Every time you peel one layer you get to another great one. And we'll watch how that plays out?

BASS: Definitely.

KING: Help me with the Biden team so far. I want you to listen here. This is Derrick Johnson, the NAACP President last hour. He says so far, so good.

[12:25:00]

KING: He understands the pressure the Biden team is under. He understands every constituency group is saying, hey, you know, pick her pick him pick an African-American, pick a Latino, and pick an Asian for these jobs. He understands all that. He thinks it would help if the administration had a civil rights Czar, cabinet level position, just like John Kerry is going to have on climate, listen?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DERRICK JOHNSON, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE: It'd be a priority of this administration, as he has stated, as someone should own that portfolio to ensure that it's actually been implemented, very similar to climate, it will allow this - to begin to address future opportunities by celebrating the diversity of this nation, and empowering individuals to truly be included, and the prosperity - and prosperity of this nation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Is that the way to do it? There are a couple ways to argue this and you understand you were the Speaker of the California House, you're now in Congress. You understand how government works very well?

In the sense that some people would say you need Czar, right? A climate Czar to coordinate, a COVID Czar to coordinate so maybe a civil rights Czar to coordinate, the flip side is does that undermine the power of the Head of the Civil Rights Division? Or maybe the Attorney General, would you be better off to have an African-American as the Attorney General of the United States, for example, a job the president-elect has yet to fill? How do you see that?

BASS: Well, actually, I think both it's a great idea. And my understanding from the proposal, it is that it's a proposal about racial equity. And I think considering the historical moment that we're in post George Floyd, where people finally in the United States understand that the issue of policing is a question of systemic racism.

We understand because of COVID, the underlying health conditions, and so we have real issues in this country. And what we saw over the last few months is that maybe we can address some of these issues. I think it makes absolute sense to do that at the highest level.

And one of the things that - one of the themes from the Biden Administration is build back better and so if you look at each federal agency, we should look at whether or not there is institutional discrimination and if it is, we should change it.

And let me just give you an example of one agency, and that is the Department of Education. Because of COVID, we already had an achievement gap but because of COVID, you know that many young people of color will have missed an entire calendar year.

So why would we just get back to business as usual in the Department of Education? Why wouldn't we address racial equity, the achievement gap, when we put these agencies back together? Because we know four years of the Trump Administration, we don't know what's going on in these different departments?

But one thing we do know is that they're going to need to be rebuilt, why not rebuild them back better? Why not rebuild them back through a lens of racial equity?

KING: We will keep in touch as these conversations and these decisions go on. Congresswoman, I hope all Americans regardless of their politics, listen to your point about education and what kids have lost this year? That should be a continuing conversation for everybody.

I don't care whether you're a Democrat, you're Republican, you're black, you're white and you're Latino everybody should be talking about the year ahead. What has to be done to help these kids catch up with what they lost? I appreciate your time today, Congresswoman, we'll stay in touch.

And up next for us anger across Americans over new - across America, excuse me over new COVID restrictions.

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