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The Lead with Jake Tapper

Hillary Clinton Returns In Iowa; New Iowa Polls: Crunching The Numbers; Ebola Virus Out Of Control; New Co-Host For SNL's "Weekend Update"

Aired September 12, 2014 - 16:30   ET

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

JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: Welcome back to THE LEAD. I'm Jake Tapper. Now the exciting Politics Lead. It has been six long years since Hillary Clinton stepped foot in Iowa. The night she lost the state's caucuses in 2008. She came in third.

But she's headed back to the hawk-eye state this weekend and while she's technically there just as a friend for Senator Tom Harken's last annual steak fry, a time honored event known for serving up red meat candidates for the general election.

It certainly could be interpreted as a step towards announcing a possible presidential bid. This time as the clear Democratic front- runner with no pesky John Edwards or Barack Obama to take her down.

Let's bring in our panel, co-host of CNN's "CROSSFIRE," Stephanie Cutter and CNN political commentator and Republican strategist, Ana Navarro. We have a poll, even, guys. Let's talk about it.

Latest CNN/ORC poll out of Iowa, 53 percent of Democrats are saying they would vote for Clinton if the caucuses were held today, followed by Vice President Joe Biden, he is only clocking in at 15 percent and then Elizabeth Warren at 7 percent. Obviously it's still very, very early, obviously.

Anything could change. And yet, Stephanie Cutter, is there anything that could stop the Clinton juggernaut from the nomination?

STEPHANIE CUTTER, CNN CO-HOST, "CROSSFIRE": From the nomination, honestly, no, I don't think so. I think it's still possible that others will challenge her in the nomination, but I think that --

TAPPER: Who? Bernie Sanders?

CUTTER: Bernie Sanders. You have Elizabeth Warren in that poll. You had her in that for a reason.

ANA NAVARRO, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Martin O'Malley. "The Daily Beast" has a scoop that Martin O'Malley has 11 people on the ground in Iowa.

CUTTER: But he's said he's not running if Hillary runs. You know, I think that your poll shows her at 53 percent. And I think that that's indicative of the popularity and familiarity that the Democratic base has with Hillary Clinton. And I think we'll see that this weekend.

She is out there because Tom Harkin is a friend, but it's also a big celebration. This is the Harkin steak fry and this is the last one after 37 years.

TAPPER: Tom Harkin, a dear friend of the Clintons, and yet I can't imagine that going back to the scene of the crime, Hillary Clinton, to Iowa, that's Brianna Keilar's line, I should say, is going to be an enjoyable experience, necessarily. Although, she could be embraced. Unlike your party, the Democratic Party really seems to be behind one person.

NAVARRO: That's interesting. I'm not sure how much behind her they are. There was an interesting article today about Iowa and some of the leadership committee that Barack Obama formed in 2008. And that article was all about how, yes, she has a huge lead.

But when you dig in, a lot of them are not in love with her and they wish they could find another Barack Obama to fall in love with the way they did in 2008. They are resigned to the idea -- I think Hillary Clinton -- the only person that can stop the Clinton juggernaut, to your question, is Hillary Clinton.

TAPPER: Or Bill?

NAVARRO: I'm not sure you're not giving him too much credit there. I think she can stop it. Will she? We don't know. I think what she is doing right now is freezing the field. Folks like Martin O'Malley are setting up feelers in the event that she doesn't do it. But I think the enthusiasm gap may still be there --

TAPPER: But the fundraisers are saying to the Martin O'Malleys of the world and whoever, that, you know, we're waiting to see what Hillary does before we do anything. Let's talk about your party, though, because there was a CNN/ORC poll of the Republicans as well.

Look at that, Mike Huckabee, 21 percent. Paul Ryan, 12 percent and Rand Paul, 7 percent. No Jeb Bush. No Chris Christie. Obviously, Huckabee won the Iowa caucuses two elections ago. Rick Santorum nearly defeating Mitt Romney last time. What does this say to you?

NAVARRO: It says that we have no idea who is running. I really think this poll doesn't mean a lick. It's an open field. Nobody knows who's in. Nobody knows who's out. We're not going to have a clear picture until we know who the players are on the field.

TAPPER: Let me fast forward. Whoever thinks they could win will run, right? That's why nobody's made a decision yet because none of these people, except for Rand Paul and Ted Cruz possibly, none of them have decided because none of them know that they can do it and nobody wants to run if they are going to lose.

NAVARRO: Frankly, it would be premature to decide right now. Anybody who decides right now and declares is getting a target on their back.

CUTTER: Well, a lot of them already have a target on their back. A lot of them have pending investigations like Chris Christie. It's difficult for Chris Christie to go full-out campaigning while this investigation is going on. We don't know what's going to come out of it.

TAPPER: You really think that's going to have any effect -- people's heads are getting lopped off in Syria and Iraq --

CUTTER: I think that we are more than two years out and we have no idea what that investigation is going to find. Couple that with just this week a downgrade in the credit rating of New Jersey. These are difficult circumstances under which to campaign. I think that's another reason why people are holding back on their decisions.

TAPPER: It's interesting, though, that you go after Chris Christie because I mentioned any number of candidates --

CUTTER: I can go after -- how much time do you have?

TAPPER: I feel like Democrats go after him because they fear him the most. Is that not fair?

CUTTER: I think he has something that a lot of the others don't. I think Rand Paul also has to it a certain degree and that's authenticity. I think that's why this investigation can be so damaging to him. It goes after that authenticity. It goes after pulling out who that real Chris Christie is.

It's not that we fear him. If we wanted to run a campaign just on his record, it would really be a replay of the campaign against Mitt Romney in terms of their record has governor. They didn't improve the economy. They actually took the state backwards.

But any one of the potential candidates for -- we're at this stage where opposite parties are starting to pick apart the potential candidate on the other side --

NAVARRO: I have a hard time thinking you could run the same campaign against Chris Christie that you could against Mitt Romney --

CUTTER: On the economic front, not on the Cayman Islands.

TAPPER: Let's talk on Mitt Romney. We only have about 30 seconds, but how real is the possibility of Romney running again if there's no one to fill this vacuum?

NAVARRO: I really don't think it's real at all. He was in Miami. I saw him not too long ago and I think it's a lot of people wishing. And it's all this stuff about not knowing who is going to be in or out and being in this uncertainty that's driving folks crazy.

For the first time in a long time, Republicans don't have an anointed candidate, somebody that we think is the successor in chief. And I think that's driving us crazy.

TAPPER: It's weird because usually it's just the next guy. Republicans nominate the next guy, Bob Dole last time. NAVARRO: This time the roles are reversed.

TAPPER: Mitt Romney. How come -- where's Rick Santorum in all of this?

NAVARRO: Who?

TAPPER: There we go. Stephanie Cutter, Ana Navarro, thank you so much.

Coming up next, Rick, I didn't say that. Doctors overwhelmed, infected patients with no place to go, and new fears that Ebola could become airborne. How long before this killer outbreak is under control?

Plus, she nearly died after being shot in the head as she rode the bus home. And now two years later, Pakistan says Malala's attackers have finally been found.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TAPPER: Welcome back to THE LEAD. Continuing with the World Lead, the White House says President Obama will visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday in Atlanta to get a firsthand update on the deadly Ebola virus that comes as a Liberian official says, quote, "Ebola is spreading like wildfire and devouring everything."

An infectious disease specialist also tells CNN that as the virus mutates, it could become airborne and then could be transmitted by a simple cough or sneeze. The virus has left at least 2,400 people in West Africa dead.

And the World Health Organization says the number of people infected is growing so fast, they don't have the capacity to treat them. In Liberia, health officials say there is not one bed available for new patients.

Joining me now is Tarik Jasarevic, WHO spokesman speaking to us from Geneva. Tarik, thanks so much for joining us. Liberia has seen almost 400 new cases in the last week, close to double the number from the previous week. Why does the WHO think this is getting so out of control?

TARIK JASAREVIC, WHO SPOKESMAN: Well, Jake, what is happening right now is that we are seeing cases across the country. There are transmission chains in 14 out of 15 counties in Liberia. We do not have enough beds to treat all those who need to be treated.

People out there who are infected are infecting other people. This is why we are saying it's so urgent to provide support to the Liberian government to try to deal with this.

TAPPER: Liberians who suspect they might have Ebola are showing up at camps, but being turned away because there aren't enough beds? JASAREVIC: Exactly, we do not have enough beds. We're doing our best together with partners to get more Ebola treatment centers. MSF is stepping up. We are opening in the coming days another treatment center. But this will not be enough.

And therefore we are looking into other ways to provide basic health services to those who are infected and basically trying to get them out of the community so that they do not infect their families and friends.

We are looking into the concept of Ebola caring unit that will be closer to the people. So really the question is now to act fast and try to find the best solutions in a situation where we have a lot of people being infected right now.

TAPPER: It sounds incredibly dire. Obviously if people are being turned away from treatment, that creates a risk that the population will -- that it will spread even more and more, the Gates Foundation promised $50 million in aid.

But reports on the ground suggest the aid is not being well- coordinated. What do you need? What does the WHO need from the United States and from the western world?

JASAREVIC: We are working with all our member states trying to ask them how they can support the fight of the outbreak. Just this morning, the Cuban Ministry of Health announced that they will send 165 health workers in Sierra Leone.

As you said, the Gates Foundation came out with the financial support as well as the U.K. said that they will send a medical team with a 62- bed capacity in Sierra Leone.

U.S. aid pledged financial support. We are seeing international support being gathered. We have to do it fast and have the right balance between funds, experts and equipment. What we need is all three of those on the ground as soon as possible to try to support the health authorities that are struggling to cope with this.

TAPPER: I imagine that without these steps being taken, the risk that this spreads beyond Africa becomes even greater.

JASAREVIC: We know that affected countries are putting in place necessary measures to try to prevent any possible spread outside. We know that at the airports, at the border crossings, there are screening of those who are traveling abroad to make sure those who are visibly sick do not board on a plane.

Like it happened once when a passenger went to Nigeria and started transmission over there. But, again, we have to focus on how to help these countries. They have very weak health systems. This Ebola outbreak is having a big consequences.

Not only health consequences, but in the other areas of economics, social environment, and we need really to mobilize international solidarity to try to help them. TAPPER: Tarik Jasarevic of the World Health Organization, thank you for your time and thank you for the work you do, sir.

In other world news, Pakistan security forces have arrested ten people in connection with the shooting of teen activist, Malala Yousufzai two years ago. An army spokesman says the suspects are all connected to the Taliban and allegedly were acting on orders from a local Taliban chief.

Malala made headlines after the Taliban targeted her for speaking out about education for young girls and for women's and girls' rights. Militants ambush and shot her and two other girls on a school bus.

Malala was evacuated to Great Britain for medical treatment. She's written a book about her ordeal and become an icon and international spokesperson for the rights of young women.

TAPPER: Coming up next, the shake-up at "Saturday Night Live" as they, quote, "struggle to find an identity." But is Michael's move also meant to quiet critics?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: -- phrases like, going downhill, not what it used to be and just plain boring. The network says the ratings are slipping and they're putting a lot of pressure on Lorne to try somebody new. What can I say besides, try these on for size, Connie Chung!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TAPPER: Welcome back to THE LEAD. The Pop Culture Lead, it was nearly 40 years ago when "Saturday Night Live" cast member, Jane Curtin got something off her chest, so to speak, about getting a less- than-warm recession after replacing Chevy Chase on the weekend update desk.

Now history is in some ways repeating itself on the iconic fake news segment. Sicily Strong who served as co-anchor on the show for a year is out from weekend update. She will remain on the cast. Taking her place is a new cast member, comedian, Michael Che.

He will become the first African-American behind that desk and creating weekend updates first male anchor duo team. SNL executive producer, Lorne Michaels says he's making the switch because last season the segment, quote, "struggled to find an identity."

Here to talk about the weekend update shake-up is Sharon Waxman, editor-in-chief and CEO of the wrap.com. Sharon, great to see you as always. Strong seniority on the weekend update desk. Why is she getting booted and not Colin Jost, the newer guy?

SHARON WAXMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND CEO, THEWRAP.COM: I think Cecily was considered more of that duo. There was a perception that she wasn't working although I really liked her in the role. I'm clearly in the minority. But there's another point going on which is interesting to bring Michael Che in from the outside where he had been on Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show."

He had been a writer on "SNL." Then he went to Jon Stewart and they've brought him back in this role. That's an unusual turn of events.

TAPPER: For those who aren't familiar with Michael Che. Let's run a clip of him from "The Daily Show."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael, where are you going?

MICHAEL CHE: I've got to find a place where they don't kill black men. Nope, not New Orleans. They killed a kid in a pot raid. Dude got shot in his own driveway.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get out of there, go somewhere safe, Michael!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TAPPER: Michael Che. Last year, the show came under fire for its lack of diversity. And Lorne Michaels then added an African-American female comedian to the cast. Do you think that this move, even though he's hilarious, do you think this move is part of that acknowledging the critique of the lack of diversity on the show?

WAXMAN: "SNL" has a diversity deluge going on because not only do they add a cast member, they've added two writers to the show of color and now Michael Che. So what's interesting is that Michael Che is clearly a brilliant comic voice. He comes out of stand-up.

He talks about race on "The Daily Show" all the time, which is interesting because that's not the role that you do on "SNL" on weekend update. They're delivering the news. It would be interesting to see if he brings that into his writing on the show there.

But the thing is, for years, there was this criticism of "SNL" not having enough diversity and that kind of reached a crescendo last year when it burst out into the open and "SNL" even made fun of itself when it had Kerry Washington on as a black host.

And shortly thereafter, they named another cast member. You have to think there is some kind of conscious acknowledgment of this lack of diversity and a desire to balance that out.

TAPPER: How important -- how relevant is "weekend update" still even with the emergence of "The Daily Show," "The Colbert Report"? Is it as influential as it has been for decades?

WAXMAN: Yes, that's a really good point. No, it's not as influential as it was in the '70s and the '80s and the glory days of Chevy Chase and all those. Seth Myers was a very, I think, smart and funny host and writer, obviously, of "Weekend Update." He elevated it. It's going to be hard to bring it back to that now that he's gone to network television. But in general, "SNL" doesn't do as good a job as "The Daily Show," as Stephen Colbert is leaving now to go to "The Tonight Show. That's a bigger challenge.

TAPPER: All right, Sharon Waxman, thank you so much as always. Great to see you.

Make sure to follow me on Twitter @jaketapper and also @theleadcnn. That's it for THE LEAD. I'm Jake Tapper. Have a fantastic weekend. I turn you over now to Brianna Keilar. She is in "THE SITUATION ROOM" -- Brianna.