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1 Day Away: Biden & Trump Face Tomorrow Night In CNN Debate; DHS: Migrant Apprehension Down 40 Percent Since Biden's Asylum Restrictions; Assange Returns To Australia After Plea Deal With U.S. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired June 26, 2024 - 08:30   ET

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

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[08:33:12]

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: It is officially debate eve. President Biden and Donald Trump will have their historic face off tomorrow right here on CNN.

Senior data reporter Harry Enten joining me now.

HARRY ENTEN, CNN SENIOR DATA REPORTER: What happened to chief?

SIDNER: You know, we're changing that. You know, demoted.

But when we look at this debate, there are several things that are historic about the debate, although people have seen these two debate before. What's at stake tonight?

ENTEN: Yeah. I mean, what is at stake tomorrow night? I just want to sort of go back in time and not how close these two candidates are and how historically unusual that is. So the leading candidates margin going into debate numero uno, since 1976. This year, look at this, we are tied going in this first debate nationally.

The average -- in the average year, the average candidate leads -- the leader leads by, get this, about seven percentage points. This is the closest margin we have going into a first debate ever, ever, ever, ever. I think you might have to even, even in 1960, JFK led by a few points, although those were very different times back then.

But the fact is, there's a ton at stake tomorrow night. We're dealing with a historically close race, in which any small movement could make all the difference in the world if in fact a few minds get changed.

So another historic issue that has come up, I do want to ask you about who's up for grabs, what voters are up for grabs because obviously they wouldn't be talking specifically to them?

ENTEN: Exactly right. So, you know, this is the margin, but let's take a look here. Undecided or third party vote heading into debate number one, this year, 19 percent of voters say they're either undecided or say they're going to vote for a third-party candidate. That is, they are at this point not going to pull the lever for either Biden or Trump. That is significantly higher than what we normally see. In the average year, only 11 percent of voters say they're undecided or going for a third party candidate heading into debate number one.

[08:35:06]

This 19 percent, Sara, the highest on record going into the first debate, who say they're either undecided or going for a third party candidate. These are the voters that Donald Trump and Joe Biden are going to be going after.

SIDNER: All right. These are always snapshots in time, so historically, how much can polling change between June -- the earliest ever that we've seen this debate, it's happening in June, and the Election Day.

ENTEN: You're right, exactly right. So, you see this 19 percent, you see in this first slide that we have a tight race going on right now, how much could the polls potentially shift? Well, Sara, they can shift a lot.

So how far off the polls at this point compared to the final margin on average, the differences six points, even last cycle, look at this, the difference was five points. So you're dealing what they tied race right now, a huge debate going on tomorrow night. A lot at stake, a lot of things can change.

SIDNER: They certainly can. November is not right around the corner just yet.

ENTEN: Yes, not yet, although I could use the cooler weather.

SIDNER: Harry Enten, thank you so much.

ENTEN: Thank you.

SIDNER: Kate?

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Joining us right now to talk about all of it, David Polyansky, former chief of staff to Ted Cruz, former deputy campaign manager for Ron DeSantis, his presidential campaign, and senior correspondent for "The Grio", Natasha Alford.

Okay, team. Let's start here.

I am going to quote one person that we love and admire, John Berman from the 7:00 a.m. hour. And I looked down to get right.

For the first time in history, a sitting president is debating. A former president for the first time in history, a general election debate is in June. I will also now add and for the first time in history, it really seems that more voters than ever would prefer that these were not the two choices that they had standing on that debate stage.

Add that all up, how in all the unprecedented here, how much impact could this have this debate and the day after?

DAVID POLYANSKY, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Well, significant one and we didn't add the age of the candidates as well for that historical perspective. So, there's a lot of first here --

BOLDUAN: Yeah.

POLYANSKY: And a great opportunity for both of them, but potential pitfalls. And I think for the president in particular, there's a challenge because he's got to meet three thresholds. He's got an A be able to show fitness for office, which is not just age, but the ability to stand on stage which and debate Donald Trump, who's pretty aggressive and can carry the tempo of a debate for 90 minutes.

Number two, he's going to have to talk about his vision for future. And I think that's where the presidents had a hard time so far, which is he's really wanted to go back to his record and try to defend it. He's got a pain of a vision for the next four years. What a second term would look like?

But lastly, and most critically, the president and frankly the former president are both going to have to defend their records and right now with issues like immigration and inflation, top of mind immigration, top of mind and even what's going on across the globe being top of mind of voters, that's a real problem for them right now, because there's a great deal of dissatisfaction. So he's got the chance to turn that around tomorrow night, and that's the way he can climb back in the polls.

The last thing I just say, because four years ago at this point in the race, Joe Biden was up by ten points. This is a much different race than it was the last time these gentlemen debated. It's a different country, it's a different electorate, and it's different political environment.

So it's a great chance for the president to turn this thing around if he's got a chance to do it.

NATASHA ALFORD, SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, THEGRIO: And to your point, I think Joe Biden actually has to take us back to that time remind us of the fear that existed in the country, the mismanagement of COVID, the way in which people were yearning for change, but also they felt that so much was at stake.

BOLDUAN: But is their challenge also with the going to -- I'm always forget how much do you look back and how much do you have to look forward? I guess you've got to get both.

ALFORD: So I think it's both and I think that he's done a great deal of work which hasn't been spotlighted. What about the $5 billion that has been invested in the workforce, right, semiconductors aren't sexy, but they are the future of the workforce.

BOLDUAN: I'm not hearing --

(CROSSTALK) ALFORD: Three billion dollars invested in connecting marginalized communities that were divided and segregated by highways. These are the things that don't make it to the top of the news cycle because of the fights that were covering. But this is real significant work. And so, he can talk about the future that excites people, shows people the investments that he's made, while also reminding them what's at stake in terms of democracy.

BOLDUAN: Let's talk about one of the big issues, immigration, you were mentioning. So, today, the Department of Homeland Security is reporting new numbers and essentially saying that there's been a significant drop in illegal crossings, attempted illegal crossings into three weeks since Biden's crack -- asylum crackdown, a 40, about a 40 percent drop in these three weeks.

I asked the DHS secretary if Biden's -- with that in mind, if Biden's border policies are working, why aren't people feeling it? Why aren't people giving him credit for it?

Let me play what Mayorkas told me.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: The fact of the matter is our policy is working or policies are working, we need our system fixed. The numbers that we inherited in 2021 were on the cusp of the COVID-19 pandemic and do not speak to the trends in immigration preceding the pandemic.

[08:40:14]

What we have done -- what this administration has done is we have brought the economy moving forward with a booming economy and with a healthy American public what we are, we have regained our stature as the place of destination where everyone wants opp -- the opportunities that only America offers.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: Is that convincing enough if that's the presentation on the debate stage for Joe Biden to turn around? The numbers have not really fluctuated in terms of -- polling suggests voters are feeling about Joe Biden, immigration, and Donald Trump.

ALFORD: I think it takes a long time for a narrative to take hold and it's going to be more than one exactly I can have order. It's going to be more than one sound bite. Republicans have been hitting this drum for a really long time that immigration is a problem.

You've seen a shift in polls were the American public now ranks immigration as a top concern. And so, Joe Biden has to show that he's not Trump light. He's not just sort of imitating Trump that he's reacting to a problem that he did propose legislation for on day one of his administration, and that his approach is still humanitarian, that there's something distinct, that he's not simply imitating Trump, which of course just gives Trump credit for the moment. BOLDUAN: And you can very easily, we blame Congress for sure is one thing that he can very easily do. Send me a bill. I was ready to sign out.

I want get one more thing in, David, before we have to go. Adam Kinzinger, Republican, longtime Republican, he endorsed Joe Biden this morning. He joined us to explain why he's backing Joe Biden and sticking his neck out this way.

Let me play this for you.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: Are you voting more for Joe Biden or more against Donald Trump? Which framing is it?

ADAM KINZINGER (R), FORMER U.S. REPRESENTATIVE: I think it's actually a little more for Joe Biden because the difference here -- now granted if it was somebody else running, who knows, you know, in the GOP.

BOLDUAN: Right.

KINZINGER: But Donald Trump is the face of, he is the head of the Republican Party. Obviously, I don't like anything he's about. I don't -- but Joe Biden has shown himself to be a decent man even when we disagree on issues.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: He says that -- he says that he is speaking to the 20 -- the Nikki Haley voters, voters that you are pursuing for quite some -- for quite some time.

Should Donald Trump be worried about this?

POLYANSKY: No. House members don't change the face of the electorate. Endorsements traditionally --

BOLDUAN: It's something more than -- I mean, he has become more of a household name in the political realm.

POLYANSKY: Sure, it won't matter. What really matters here is going back to the issues we talked about. It's a debate.

Yes, campaigns are about the vision for the future and both candidates some Thursday night are going to paint it, whether Adam Kinzinger supports one or the other won't impact that. But it's also going to be about immigration. It's also going to be about inflation in the economy and it's going to be about our standing in the global community.

And it's up to both candidates answer those questions to the electorate. It's not going to be about House members or former House members deciding and it's going to be how these men prepared and answer these questions on Thursday night. That's going to be the difference. BOLDUAN: And what they do with it, Thursday night, then Friday

morning, and then Saturday after that.

It's great to see you, guys. We all be watching it together. Thank you so much.

John?

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right. This morning, U.S. health agencies are starting new rounds of tests on dairy workers and milk products to better understand the H5N1 bird flu and how it is transmitted. Earlier this year, the virus jumped from birds to dairy cattle. Federal agencies are looking at whether farm workers exposed to infected cattle also got infected.

It appears to spread through contact with raw milk. The CDC says it has partnered with Michigan officials to test some farm workers for antibodies to the virus.

All right. Other news, she boosts global economy. She shatters records. She commands the world's fiercest army of supporters and now she is the inspiration for a new holiday movie. Is it part of the "Die Hard" franchise?

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[08:48:46]

BERMAN: So it looks like Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's romance is the inspiration for Hallmark's newest holiday movie. The Kansas City Chiefs and Hallmark are teaming up on "Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story". It follows a Chiefs super fan who falls for the teams director of fan engagement. The movie will film in Kansas City, including at Arrowhead Stadium.

Now, it is not clear if Swift and Kelce are directly involved with the project, but CNN did reach out for comment and Sara, I promise I will not sleep until we get the answer to that question.

SIDNER: Well, I'm moving on to another love story that between our anchor Boris Sanchez and sharks. So stick around for this one.

BERMAN: It's a little different.

SIDNER: That's just a tad.

Sharks have I have been on our planet as you know, long before, even dinosaurs walked the Earth. But the apex predators now under attack by humans, by us. According to scientists, about 100 million sharks are being killed every year around the world.

And CNN's anchor, Boris Sanchez, dives into their world to show the growing conflict between fishermen and conservationists.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When we feel like we're in a safe position, we're going to dive down and swim with these animals.

[08:50:02]

So I'm going to be taking pictures of you with the tiger sharks in the background.

Make sure you're looking all around, above, below all the sides because these sharks can come from different angles.

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHYOR: The amount of energy that is spent getting down there, getting close to the shark, keeping up with it, and also keeping your head on a swivel because there were several moments where you're focused on one and a couple of them are behind you or in your peripheral.

So it requires a lot of energy to not only be close to the shark and moving with it, but also to be alert.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's almost the same every time for me. It's that slipping beneath the water the world suddenly becomes more silent. All the things in my mind are pushed to the periphery and I'm focused 1,000 percent on these sharks. It is the most present that I will ever be.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SIDNER: Boris Sanchez joining us now live.

Boris, like what were you doing down there and what was that experience like? I know you've been trying to do this for a long time, too.

SANCHEZ: I have. Yeah. As my friend Jason put it, Sarah, this is a passion of mine and it's because its a meditative experience. When you swim with sharks like these, it really is an encounter with the sublime. You're looking at an animal that has survived on this planet for millions of years.

They're older than the rings around Saturn. They're older than trees. And its massive shape emerges from the blue. Tiger sharks can reach up to 18 feet long. They weigh up to a ton.

And this thing has the deepest blackest eyes you've ever seen. And it stares at you and you have this moment of recognition. And in that moment, you're just connected to Mother Nature. It's like the best anti-anxiety antidepressant drug you can find.

It is addictive and obviously it's important to highlight the plight that sharks are facing, Sara.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: Cristina Zenato aims to heal those wounded by fishing hooks.

CRISTINA ZENATO, SHARK BEHAVIORIST: So, when a shark shows up with a hook, I tried to see where the hook is lodged. If the sharp is willing, I may be stopped the shark, tried to grab the hook.

SANCHEZ: Do you think the shark knows you're trying to help it?

ZENATO: Yeah, I do, otherwise, why was she keep coming back when it hurts? Because trying to remove a hook hurts, but she'll do a tight circle and come back in.

SANCHEZ: In 30 years of removing more than 350 hooks, Zenato says, she's never been bitten by a shark.

ZENATO: They can be sometimes demanding, but the satisfaction of being able to relieve a shark of that presence is enormous.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: So that the errant sound bite that just kind of non sequitur ran was Cristina Zenato. She's another conservationist and she specifically helped the Bahamas enact some of the strictest protections for sharks around the world.

Now, this is one side of our story. You have to hear about the other side as well, because there are fishermen in the United States who say that regulations have helped shark populations rebound but it's making it almost impossible for them to make ends meet because they're having to compete with these apex predators who often will eat their catch before they could get it back on the boat.

They say it's crippling the commercial and recreational fishing industry, so its important to listen to them as well, because this is a fight about not only conserving sharks for the future, but also helping folks make a living.

SIDNER: Yeah, it's a really serious story. There's an inherent conflict there.

But a lot of people that are afraid of sharks and Boris, you just describe them like they were a blushing bride. I am so proud of you for getting in that water and hanging out with all those sharks. It's going to be a great story.

SANCHEZ: Of course, it's important -- and quickly, it's important to change that perception that there are these mindless killers that you see in "Jaws" and this other media. That's a horror movie that is so far removed from the reality of what actually is in the water. And if we can, as a society, remove these preconceived notions and embrace something that we once feared, then I think were on a good path toward conservation.

SIDNER: I cannot wait. This is going to be fascinating.

Boris Sanchez, thank you so much this morning.

SANCHEZ: Of course. Thanks, Sara.

For more of this episode, watch "Deep Dive: The Sharp Wars" on "THE WHOLE STORY WITH ANDERSON COOPER" this Sunday, 8:00 p.m. Eastern, right here on CNN.

And we'll be right back.

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[08:58:32]

BERMAN: All right. This morning, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is back in Australia as a free man. You can see it right there. This after a plea deal with the U.S. Justice Department.

Moments ago, his wife spoke about his return.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STELLA ASSANGE, WIFE OF JULIAN ASSANGE: Julian wanted me to sincerely thank everyone. He wanted to be here, but you have to understand what he's been through. He needs time. He needs to recuperate and this is a process.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: CNN international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson is with us now.

This is all been a long or deal, of course, Assange blamed for publishing so many U.S. secrets.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yeah. And his lawyers saying the thing that they heard from the judge in the court was that no one was harmed from the release of all those secrets that the use of the espionage against Julian Assange, the first time ever against journalists or lawyers was a dangerous move by U.S. prosecution, Department of Justice against journalists. And therefore, all journalists should be worried.

It was interesting. Stella McCartney -- Stellar Assange there really sounding quite emotional as you would expect, tired because she has been waiting and waiting and waiting. She was in the UK only a couple of days ago. But making the point very clearly that although Julian himself is tired, that he needs rest and space, that his desire to help people and inform people she says remains unchanged. He is not afraid, she said.

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