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The Lead with Jake Tapper

Trump Campaign Is Confident President Is Expanding His Base and Will Win Battleground States; Trump Holding Three Rallies in Pennsylvania Today; Pence Still Campaigning Despite COVID Outbreak Amongst Staff; Trump Fails to Reveal Healthcare Plan Details. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired October 26, 2020 - 15:30   ET

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

[15:30:00]

JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: In our 2020 LEAD today, President Trump's campaign is saying this afternoon that they are confident that President Trump is growing his base, turning out new voters and will be able to win battleground states on election day.

Campaign manager Bill Stepien dismissing polls which almost entirely show the President trailing in key states and instead pointed to the campaign's ground game where they are confident, they say, they have substantial advantage over the Biden campaign.

Joining us to discuss, "The Washington Post's" Philip Bump and "The Wall Street Journal's" Sabrina Siddiqui. Phillip, obviously campaigns want to project optimism in the closing wee, they want to get their voters to the polls. Do you think there are any facts to this, that there are new voters that the President can win over in eight days?

PHILLIP BUMP, NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT, THE WASHINGTON POST: I don't know that that's necessarily the case. One of the dynamics we've seen over the course of the past four years, five years, even, is the fact America has really, really made up its mind about Donald Trump to a large extent. We're seeing far fewer undecideds or third party voters this year than we did four years ago at this time simply because so many people have already made up their minds about whether or not President Trump deserves a second term in office.

One of the fascinating dynamics here, of course, is that we've got ongoing pandemic which drove a lot of Democrats to want to vote early, to want to vote by mail. Whereas a lot of Trump supporters heeding his false claims about the potential voter fraud from mail-in ballots have said they want to vote on election day.

So there's a greater need for Trump's campaign to do GOTV, to turn voters out to vote on election day simply because so many more of their voters haven't yet voted anyway. So there's a lot of weird dynamics in the mix.

TAPPER: And Sabrina, President Trump today holding three rallies in Pennsylvania, a commonwealth that he narrowly won in 2016. "The New York Times" writes this about the battle for Pennsylvania,

quote, as Mr. Trump's disregard for science and health guidelines during the pandemic has increasingly repelled college-educated white voters, the President's last refuge and perhaps best hope is to maximize the turnout of working-class white voters.

Do you think that Pennsylvania is still competitive?

SABRINA SIDDIQUI, NATIONAL POLITICS REPORTER, "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL": While, certainly, polling has shown over the course of a few months now that Vice President Joe Biden has a fairly comfortable lead in Pennsylvania, but his campaign is not taking anything for granted. Of course, it's worth always recalling that the election in 2016 really came down to roughly 77,000 votes across three states, including Pennsylvania as well as Michigan and Wisconsin.

And I think that for Biden, you can tell if you even look at his schedule that he has placed a great deal of emphasis on winning back those three states, but Pennsylvania more specifically where he has played up his hometown roots as well as now traveled ten times -- so a state that he's traveled to the most since he's secured the Democratic nomination for president and formally accepted the nomination in August.

Biden has also been vying for those same blue-collar voters who helped propel Trump to the presidency in 2016. And what's been interesting about the polling not just in Pennsylvania but more broadly is that Biden has actually gained ground with working class white men and women.

Now, President Trump is still expected to carry that group, but the Biden campaign believes if he can even chip away at the edges, then that compounded with the support has gained from suburban and independent voters, the other two constituencies that helped elect Trump four years ago, then he'll be in a very strong position going into election day.

TAPPER: Phil, Vice President Pence is on the campaign trail today despite the fact he was in close contact with his Chief of Staff Marc Short, diagnosed with coronavirus -- pardon me -- and four others in his orbit who have tested positive for coronavirus.

[15:35:00]

The White House says that Pence is allowed to maintain his schedule because he's essential personnel. Take a listen to what Senator Kamala Harris had to say about that earlier today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. KAMALA HARRIS (D-CA) VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: We have witnessed the greatest failure of any Presidential administration in the history of our country. This is probably one of the greatest mass casualty events in the history of our country short of World War II. And we need leadership that is not reckless, but responsible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TAPPER: So, Philip, do you think that any voters will be swayed by Harris' argument? BUMP: I don't know if they'll necessarily be swayed by Harris'

argument, but I do think it's an odd decision by the White House to send Pence out to campaign. Obviously, they do need to go GOTV, they do need to get people to turn out to the vote, but one of the main concerns we've seen repeatedly in polling, nationally and in swing states, is that people are most concerned about President Trump's handling of the coronavirus.

Mike Pence is ostensibly the head of the coronavirus response. And for him to simply ignore the fact that experts are saying you shouldn't be out there, you should be quarantined, you should be making sure that you aren't either spreading it or contagious yourself, that he is ignoring that, simply reinforces, it reintroduces this discussion about whether or not the administration is handling it properly with eight days to go, and it reinforces people's concerns.

To your point that you were just making about working class voters, one of the things that Trump needs to do is not only get his folks -- to have his base turn out to vote, but he needs to make it clear that they don't want Biden to win.

If people feel like Trump or Biden, either one of them would be fine, they're going to be less likely to go out and vote for Trump. And if their response to Donald Trump's handling of the coronavirus is, he's not doing a great job, they're going to be less likely to think, I really need to go out and vote for him again.

TAPPER: So, Sabrina, Joe Biden is not on the campaign trail today, he will be on the campaign trail tomorrow in Georgia and then later in the week in Florida, but not today. And, you know, the excuse I guess, or the explanation is that he's doing alternative events, we're in the middle of a pandemic, you know, that sort of thing.

But I can't help but think about Hillary Clinton not visiting Wisconsin at all after the Democratic National Convention in 2016. I mean the idea that you're not going to leave everything on the field seems odd to me.

SIDDIQUI: Right, now Joe Biden's campaign has said that they see this as a contrast in leadership, and they've said in a statement just today that President Trump and his allies are out there holding these super-spreader events across the country, and Biden is trying to reflect his values and really reinforce the need to put public health first.

At the same time, he has continued to hold events. As you mentioned, he's going to be campaigning in both Georgia and Florida this week, and I think there's always going to be some anxious Democrats who say, you know, is he really making as much effort as he possibly can in the final stretch of the race, even if the polling shows that he's ahead, he should be laying it all out there on the floor.

I think one of the broader questions that his campaign is facing with only eight days remaining until the election is, do they try and put all of their emphasis in reclaiming those three states, the industrial battle grounds that --

TAPPER: Sabrina, let me interrupt you for one second, I'm sorry. Because after I asked you that question and while you were answering, we learned that Vice President Biden did a surprise stop in Chester, Pennsylvania, outside Philadelphia, one of those key collar districts that he has to win in huge numbers in order to win the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

So I guess never mind on my question, there he is campaigning in Pennsylvania. I guess they understood the risk of that. Let me give you an opportunity to respond.

SIDDIQUI: Well, I guess they must have heard us, but will say that I still think that's sort of the fundamental question here for them, and it looks like their emphasis is still on those Rust Belt states that twice backed President Obama but flipped to Trump's favor four years ago.

At the same time, they are facing calls to do more in traditionally red states where Democrats need an opportunity like Texas, Georgia and Arizona. Former Congressman Beto O'Rourke just a few days ago who of course competed against Biden in the primary, was saying that the campaign really needs to put more emphasis on Texas, it's theirs to lose.

We know now that Kamala Harris will travel to Texas. So it looks like they're also now eyeing the opportunity to expand the map, but that was one of the strategic decisions that Hillary Clinton had to make. You pointed to, you know, she didn't go to Wisconsin, she was campaigning in Arizona just a few days before election.

It's worth noting of course though that Biden is running against an incumbent President. There is much smaller percentage of undecided voters. He has unmatched resources and so it really remains to be seen how much of the early voting foreshadows what the actual outcome will be eight days from now.

[15:40:00]

TAPPER: Yes, 'm sorry for Emily Littella-ing and saying never mind on that last question, but that was just thrown at me. I didn't know that he was going to be campaigning in Chester. I wouldn't have never have asked you about why he wasn't campaigning today. Phillip Bump, Sabrina Siddiqui, thank you so much. Appreciate it.

What's really in that giant binder that was handed over to "60 Minutes" correspondent Lesley Stahl? The White House claims it's President Trump's healthcare plan.

Spoiler alert, it ain't. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:45:00] TAPPER: Every day this week we're going to try to look at how the Presidential candidates differ on major issues, and that brings us today to our HEALTH LEAD.

With new coronavirus virus cases in the U.S. now at the highest point throughout the enter epidemic, healthcare may be one of the most critical issues in this election. And CNN senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen explains where Trump and Biden stand.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think we have enough of an interview here.

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After President Trump walked out of his interview with "60 Minutes," his press secretary handed Lesley Stahl a binder.

KAYLEIGH MCENANY, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Lesley, the President wanted me to deliver his healthcare plan, it's a little heavy.

LESLEY STAHL, REPORTER, "60 MINUTES": Oh, my God, this is his health care plan.

MCENANY: Yes.

STAHL: OK, Kayleigh, thank you.

COHEN: CBS says the President's so called healthcare plan actually was just a collection of executive orders and Congressional initiatives, but no comprehensive plan.

TRUMP: Obamacare is a total disaster.

COHEN: On the 2016 campaign trail, President Trump promised to get rid of Obamacare, and he's still making that pledge four years later.

TRUMP: I would like to terminate Obamacare, come up with a brand new beautiful health care.

COHEN: President Trump has been promising to release a detailed plan for months.

TRUMP: We're signing a health care plan within two weeks, a full and complete health care plan.

STAHL: Why didn't you develop a health plan?

TRUMP: It is developed, it is fully developed. It's going to be announced very soon.

STAHL: When?

TRUMP: When we see what happens with Obamacare.

COHEN: If Obamacare is invalidated, protections for people with pre- existing conditions would be eliminated. Last month President Trump signed a new executive order promising to keep pre-existing conditions protected.

TRUMP: This is affirmed, signed and done, so we can put that to rest.

COHEN: But his order doesn't have any practical force. Another Trump promise of many years, to address surprise medical bills. So far, he hasn't but he says he will.

He's also promised to cut drug prices by allowing imports from Canada or by forcing prices in the U.S. to be more in line with what they are in other countries. But so far, nothing.

President Trump has issued regulations expanding short term health insurance plans. He's also issued regulations requiring hospitals to disclose the prices they negotiate with insurance companies, which is set to go into effect in January.

BIDEN: I will build on the Affordable Care Act.

COHEN: For middle income families, Biden has said he would offer more subsidies to purchase insurance.

BIDEN: What I'm going to do is pass Obamacare with a public option. Become Biden-care.

COHEN: And that means some low income people would be able to get insurance at no cost.

BIDEN: And keep your private insurance if that's what you choose to do. Or you can choose a Medicare-like option if you're poor.

COHEN: Biden's plan also aims to curb prescription drug prices including allowing Medicare to negotiate prices with drug makers. Very different views from very different candidates about how to fix health care in America.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COHEN: Arguments in the Supreme Court Obamacare case are expected to be heard just soon after election day. The case was brought by a coalition of the Trump administration and Republicans state attorney's general, and the implications of the Supreme Court decision, Jake, they could be felt by millions and millions of Americans -- Jake.

TAPPER: All right, Elizabeth Cohen on where the candidates stand on healthcare. Thanks so much.

In Just a few hours, Senate Republicans are set to confirm Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, so the question is can we expect to see another Rose Garden super-spreader event this evening? Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TAPPER: In our POLITICS LEAD today, we are just hours away from Judge Amy Coney Barrett's likely confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court. Vice President Pence was supposed to preside over her confirmation vote but cancelled today after Democratic Senators protested because of his coronavirus exposure.

Several top aides including his chief of staff tested positive for coronavirus and CDC guidelines outlined that the Vice President should be quarantining.

CNN's Phil Mattingly joins us now. And Phil, one of the Senators voting today has also been exposed to coronavirus.

PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Jake, as Republicans have enthusiastically coalesced behind Amy Coney Barrett's nomination The one wildcard going into this vote would be, do any of their Senators actually test positive for COVID-19?

Already saw it happen based on the White House event when Amy Coney Barrett was first nominated. And Senator Kelly Loeffler announced that she has had two staffers who tested positive. However, she tested negative. She took a test on Friday, tested negative and when asked about our colleague Ted Barrett whether or not she'd had any close contact with those two staffers she said, no, not at all. So, she plans to vote, said in a statement she's more energized than ever for this vote.

And the bigger question right now for Republicans who know this vote when it happens later tonight will end 52-48 confirming Amy Coney Barrett as a Supreme Court Justice will be, are you attending the White House celebration of this confirmation later in the day?

Right now, Republicans seem to be split on that. A lot of weighing whether not to go home, certainly a lot of feeling that they need to go campaign. But as one Senate Republican staffer told me after his office received the invitation to the White House tonight, I can't believe we're doing this all over again -- Jake.

TAPPER: It is pretty unbelievable. Phil Mattingly, thank you so much.

The Dow tumbles over concerns about the surge in coronavirus cases and this could be just the beginning of a very bumpy week. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:55:00]

TAPPER: Let's go live to outside Philadelphia to Chester, Pennsylvania. Where former Vice President Joe Biden is speaking.

JOE BIDEN, DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: -- I think we're going to Wisconsin. I think we're going to win Minnesota and I think we have a fighting chance in Ohio. I think we have a fighting chance in North Carolina. We have a fighting chance in Georgia. A fighting chance in Iowa.

So fortunately, because of over 6 million individual voters, average contributors, average contribution $49, we are able to compete like we haven't been able to compete before in all of these different states.

So that's why I said we're going to be traveling --- continue to travel. But he big difference between us, and reason why it looks like we're not traveling, we're not putting on super-spreaders. We are doing what we're doing here. Everybody's wearing a mask and trying as best we can to be socially distanced. And that's what we do, and you attended a number of our press conferences as well.