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Don Lemon Tonight
Sen. Bernie Sanders Leading In The Latest Polls; Voters Head For The New Hampshire Primary; Former Vice President Joe Biden (D) Was Interviewed About His Current Standing In The Democratic Field Of Candidates; President Trump On Attack Mode After Being Acquitted; Elizabeth Warren Fighting In New Hampshire Primary After Third Place Showing In Iowa; Interview With Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) About Her Endorsement Of Senator Elizabeth Warren; Quinnipiac University Poll; Top Choice For Nominee Among Democrats And Dem-Leaning Voters; Trump Takes New Swipes At Romney After Acquittal. Aired 10-11p ET
Aired February 10, 2020 - 22:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[22:00:00]
DON LEMON, CNN HOST: We're going to talk to Joe Biden.
CHRIS CUOMO, CNN HOST: Yes.
LEMON: Having interview with him and talk about that whole electability thing, right. That was -- that was his thing among his supporters and among the Democratic Party. He is the one that is, has the most electability. Well, there is a new poll out and we'll see if that still holds.
Plus, we're getting down to the wire. The first votes come in in just a couple of hours here, Chris, and we're going to have them live right from New Hampshire.
So, I talked to Biden. It's a very interesting interview. You want to stick around for it and I think you're going to probably it will make some news and you'll be running some of it tomorrow night on your program. Or as we -- or counting the votes tomorrow night.
CUOMO: If I don't it will be out of spite. You're at the right place talking to the right guy at the right time. And I cannot wait to watch the interview --
LEMON: Yes.
CUOMO: -- especially tonight on the eve of this all-important New Hampshire primary.
What's your best question?
LEMON: Well, I won't say let's - I won't say let's get after it.
CUOMO: No, you won't.
LEMON: I'll say let's get to it.
CUOMO: Assuming.
LEMON: I have some good questions I'll say it. I'll say it --
(CROSSTALK)
CUOMO: So, you'll give me nothing. You'll tell me nothing.
LEMON: Well, we'll be working till late tomorrow night we'll be counting the results. I'll tell you nothing.
CUOMO: You are my best friend you tell me nothing.
LEMON: We'll see you tomorrow night.
Nothing. See you soon, Chris. Thanks very much.
This is CNN TONIGHT. I'm Don Lemon.
We are live in New Hampshire as Chris just said where voters began going to the polls in less than two hours in this first in the nation primary. We're going to have the up-to-the minute results from the first locations, the first locations to cast their ballots during this show. So, make sure you stick around for that. We've got a very big show for you.
Democrats have been all over this state. Trying to make their case directly to voters in the final hours before the first polls open. There is no question that this race is getting really, really heated at this point. The anxiety level rising in the wake of the president's impeachment victory.
And with the new national Quinnipiac poll that has Bernie Sanders taking the lead over Joe Biden, the former vice president, and with Bloomberg, imagine that, in third. Michael Bloomberg. I'm going to talk with joe Biden just a little while about -- I talked to him, I should say, a little while ago about Sanders. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Bernie Sanders is a self-described Democratic socialist. He embraces that. You are concerned about that because you think it's harder for down ticket for a governors and mayors and senators to be able to run with him, and the head of the party says that he's a Democratic socialist. Shouldn't the voters decide?
JOE BIDEN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Sure, they will. What do you think? I know you can't answer me, but what do you think? You think it's going -- we're not only have to beat Trump. We have to win back the Senate. Like we did win back the house.
I went in to 24 states, 65 candidates. They asked me to come in and red states and purple states. Not blue states. And they won. Forty-one of them won. The so-called the folks who won those races. They're on the line.
They've come and ask me to campaign for them. They didn't even ask Bernie to campaign. Bernie is a good guy. But you want to run you say you know Louisiana, you know Georgia? You want to run with the top of the ticket that are defining the Democratic Party as a socialist?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Well. You're going to hear the rest of that interview in just a minute. But one long time Biden supporter and major donor tells CNN, quote, "many think that Joe has to be more aggressive, less effacing and call it like it is. Bernie and Pete are unelectable." That's what the supporter says.
And it looks like Joe Biden is getting the message because he's aiming right at Pete Buttigieg in the wake of the strong showing in Iowa.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BIDEN: This guy is not a Barack Obama.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Buttigieg fighting right back.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR PETE BUTTIGIEG (D-FL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, he's right. I'm not. And neither is he.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: And taking a shot at Bernie Sanders today. Claiming he is too divisive.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUTTIGIEG: We cannot risk alienating Americans at this critical moment. And that's where I part ways with my friend Senator Sanders.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Well, Bernie Sanders by the way, who drew a huge crowd at his event with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the stokes tonight has spent the past couple of days going after Buttigieg by name for accepting donations from billionaires.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (D-VT), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm running against a candidate, Pete Buttigieg among others who has raised contributions from more than 40 billionaires including the CEOs of some of the largest drug companies in America.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: And let's not forget about Amy Klobuchar in Friday's debate going off on Buttigieg for his lack of experience.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. AMY KLOBUCHAR (D-MN), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We have a newcomer in the White House. And look where it got us. I think having some experience is a good thing.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Elizabeth Warren pushing to be known as the unity candidate even as her path to the nomination is narrowing.
[22:05:01]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: There's a lot of folks shooting at other folks. Look, Democrats cannot do a repeat of 2016. We can't go into a general election divided and angry with each other.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: And all of this with a president who in the wake of the impeachment victory has just about every Republican on Capitol Hill in his back pocket. With one notable exception. One he definitely hasn't gotten over.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: How's Mitt Romney? You keep him. We don't want him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Well, the GOP, basically all in for Trump, and it's not a coincidence that he brought his vindictive victory lap right here to New Hampshire tonight while Democrats are making their final pitches on the eve of the primary.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: We hear that there could because you have cross overs in primaries. Don't you? So, I hear a lot of Republicans tomorrow will vote for the weakest candidate possible of the Democrats. Does that make sense? You people wouldn't do that. My only problem is I'm trying to figure out who is the weakest candidate? I think they're all weak.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: You heard it right there. The president sounds like he's trying to put his thumb on the scale there. Suggesting his supporters should vote in the Democratic primary so he faces the weakest possible candidate come November. Though the fact is, only undeclared voters can vote in either primary.
Registered Democrats or Republicans can't vote in the other side's primary unless they change their registration in advance.
But think about how Donald Trump has weaponized the presidency. This is a president who personal lawyer is still on the hunt for allegations from Ukraine to harm Joe Biden. Allegations that Attorney General Bill Barr confirms that the DOJ is looking at.
Barr says that Giuliani's claims are being, quote, "carefully scrutinized." But let's not forget it was a campaign against Biden that got the president impeached in the first place. So, so much for the claim by some Republican apologists that he has learned his lesson.
This is a president who has already fired two impeachment witnesses who is still blasting Democrats who voted against him. Slamming Senator Joe Manchin who waivered before ultimately voting to convict him with the unimaginative nickname Munchkin. And hitting Senator Doug Jones, a Democrat for Trump supporting Alabama as a, quote, "lightweight."
This president unleashed post-impeachment as a first primary votes here in New Hampshire are less than two hours away. As I said a big show. A lot going on.
So next my interview with the former Vice President Joe Biden in the wake of what he called a gut punch in Iowa. He's got an uphill climb right here in New Hampshire. He tells me why he believes that black voters still have his back over a rival who calls himself a Democratic socialist.
[22:10:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: The first votes will be cast in the New Hampshire primary in less than two hours. Bernie Sanders from neighboring Vermont leading in the latest polls. Joe Biden admits that New Hampshire race is an uphill battle for him. He's already looking to South Carolina and Super Tuesday to give his campaign a boost. I spoke with Joe Biden just before his rally here in Manchester tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: It's go time.
BIDEN: It is go time.
LEMON: The first primary.
BIDEN: First primary.
LEMON: You said Iowa was a gut punch. What do you expect here?
BIDEN: Well, I think as I told you I think it's an uphill race here. Because you know, we're running against two senators from neighboring states. It's never been a good thing to happen to any other candidate going in the race. But I'm anxious to get to South Carolina and Nevada.
I've talked about this before. I view this as, you know, a package of four. Out of the gate.
LEMON: Right.
BIDEN: And I don't know how you can judge who is going to be a likely be able to win the nomination until you have the African-American vote and the Latino vote. And that doesn't come until later.
LEMON: I want to talk about that. But let's -- you know the history, if you lose these two, the chances are you go on you can't win the other ones. You don't believe that?
BIDEN: But you also know the history that the only people who have ever won are people who have overwhelming support in the African- American community.
LEMON: Yes.
BIDEN: So, there's two pieces here. And the idea that you're going to have anybody who is going to be able to call a race between now and the end of -- and tomorrow -- and tomorrow night, is just ridiculous. The idea that, you know, we're just going to get into the meat of things in the next three weeks.
So, I think it's just -- and I've honestly believed, Don, from the beginning I think we talked about it, you know, you got to look at the first four and see where you are after that.
LEMON: Yes. So, let's talk about that. You see -- mention the support in among African-Americans. You do have overwhelming support. But in the last poll it showed it's falling like 50 percent. So, without that, yes, in the Quinnipiac poll it's gone from 49 percent in January now to 27 percent.
BIDEN: Well, that's the only poll that shows that. I don't think that's --
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: You think that's an outlier?
BIDEN: I think it's an outlier.
LEMON: So, if that -- but if that indeed happens what's your path to victory then?
BIDEN: My path to victory is Super Tuesday and whether or not I can -- look the next person, the next nominee is going to have to be able to win in Pennsylvania and Michigan, and Arizona and places that we haven't won in a while. Not in a while. We didn't win last time.
And all the polling data unless something changed overnight shows I win there. I'm the strongest candidate there. For example, just since Iowa, the African -- the black caucus in Michigan spontaneously in the legislature endorsed me.
A whole lot of endorsements have come forward just since -- just since after New Hampshire. We're raising about $350,000 bucks a day this month online.
[22:15:00]
So, I don't -- I don't get a sense that there's any of that that kind of penny -- I was on the phone today with the South Carolina team. They feel good, I feel good.
LEMON: Bloomberg is gaining it says. And your support among African- Americans is dropping.
BIDEN: Look, I'm looking forward to -- between Bloomberg and Steyer, they have already spent half a billion dollars. A half billion dollars in advertising on air. And Bloomberg mostly in South Carolina and the states that come after the first two primaries, the first two caucus and primary. And I'm looking forward to debating him on his position on the issues that of concern to the African-American community. I'm ready to do that.
LEMON: Have you been paying attention to James Carville? James Carville. You know James Carville?
BIDEN: Yes, I know.
LEMON: James Carville has been saying, listen, he's hoping, I saw him this morning in TV and he said, I'm hoping African-Americans in the south can save this thing. Because they want things that are real. They're not looking for a fantasy and for a revolution. They care about their jobs, about being able to take care of families about healthcare.
What do you feel about -- he feels that the party is moving too far to the left and is becoming an ideological cult rather than focusing on the issues that are important to the folks.
BIDEN: I think he's absolutely right about African-Americans. I also think he's right about white middle class folks and working-class folks. They want to know what you're doing. They want authenticity. Tell me what you're going to do, how it's going to work, how are we going to pay for it, who is going to pay for it. And tell me whether it real. Can you get it done?
And that's the place where I think I'm in the strongest position. I've been able to bring people together. I've been able to get things done. Big things done. I manage the $900 billion Recovery Act. I put $90 billion into making sure we invest in clean energy and clean technology.
We have saved thousands or hundreds of cities around the country. I, you know, the president turned me you may remember he said fix Detroit. Well, you know, pick up the phone and call Mayor Duggan and ask him what we did in Detroit. I mean --
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: He support you.
BIDEN: He's a big, yes.
LEMON: Didn't he endorse you?
BIDEN: He's an endorser. So, you know, I think mayors had a really important job. I think they have a tough job. But for example, even in South -- in South Bend, we put $65 million in to South Bend from the Recovery Act. I'm not suggesting they don't do great job. What I'm suggesting is that it's much beyond just whether or not you're going to be able to go out and do something in a city.
LEMON: You can -- you -- there's a new ad that you talked about Mayor Buttigieg and compared his record to your record. Some saw the ad or see it as mocking. What do you say to that? Because then you say you worked with mayors. Mayor's jobs are important for the --
(CROSSTALK)
BIDEN: Yes. Sure. No, they're really -- first of all, it's not an ad. We went online with a video. Responding to the overwhelming criticism the mayor has made of me. He says we inherit all of our -- the problems didn't start with Trump. We inherited them. Who we'd inherit from? Well, it was the first eight years. Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
What, tell me. We saved the economy. We moved the Senate direction that was significantly different than we were before. And my whole plan is to build on what we have done. Whether it's healthcare. Realistic healthcare getting everybody covered. Everybody able to be covered, being able to pay if for it. Making sure that we can fundamentally increase the funding we have for schools. And for title one schools in particular.
making sure that we spend the kind of money we need to spend to deal with global climate change and what we've done. So, I don't quit, you know, I'm involved in making sure the chemical weapons banned got passed. The Arms Control Treaty.
I think it's as relevant today that I play the major part in making sure we kept Iran from getting nuclear weapon by imposing sanctions on them and getting the rest of the world to agree and have inspectors on the ground.
LEMON: So, let's talk about the economy. Because you know, he's saying it's the best and, you know, lowest African-American unemployment. Things are going great. He's taking credit for a good economy. I wonder if it makes it tougher for three years in for Democrats to claim, you know, that it's an Obama economy.
Now to be fair, during the, I think job growth under Obama was 8.1 million, that was in the, his last 36 months compared to Trump's first 36 months 6.6 million. That's two million plus more jobs under Obama than Trump but he's taking credit for a good economy. But does it make it harder three years in? BIDEN: We didn't even think the economy was good as it should be then.
Look, look out there. You have working class and middle-class people that are getting crushed. Middle class people if they get a bill for $400 they didn't expect, all the study show, they have to sell something or borrow the money. Where you have the we are no longer the wealthiest middle class in the world.
LEMON: But why are-- why are the candidates allowing the Trump administration to get away with the idea of we, you know, we fixed the economy, we inherited a mess when actual job growth is lower under this administration than the previous administration.
[22:20:06]
BIDEN: Well, by the way, the reason is that, look, I talk -- I said when I ran, I remember saying this on your show, for three reasons. Restore the soul of the country and rebuild the backbone of the country. The backbone of the country is the working class and middle class. And they're getting killed. Their backs are broken now, right now.
We don't have to even argue about the fact we created more jobs. We were -- and the process of raising salaries, moving the country to -- look what this guy did. He just introduced the budget where he's going to cut Medicaid and Obamacare by $1 trillion. One trillion dollars. He's cutting food stamps. He's going out and making sure that the up- job opportunities are being curtailed. He's doing away with healthcare.
I mean, look the middle class and working-class folks are dying right now.
LEMON: We were talking about the ideological left. And I would imagine what someone like Carville is talking about is Bernie Sanders and in some instances maybe Elizabeth Warren. When he talks about the party.
Bernie Sanders is a self-described Democratic socialist. He embraces that. You are concerned about that because you think it's harder for down ticket for a governors and mayors and senators to be able to run with him and the head of the party says that he's a Democratic socialist. Shouldn't the voters decide?
BIDEN: Sure, they will. But what do you think? I know you can't answer me. But what do you think? You think it's going -- we not only have to beat Trump. We have to win back the Senate. Like we did win back the House.
I went into 24 states, 65 candidates they asked me to come in and red states and purple states. Not blue states. And they won. Forty-one of them won. The so-called the folks who won those races they're on the line. They have come and asked me to campaign for them. They didn't ask Bernie to campaign?
Bernie is a good guy. But you want to run you say you know Louisiana, you know Georgia? You want to run with the top of the ticket that are defining the Democratic Party as a socialist? He's not a bad guy. Bernie is a great guy. But it's his self -- his self-definition.
So, the question is, who can help us win back the Senate most?
LEMON: Yes.
BIDEN: Who is going to be able to do that? And I think people who are not -- who in fact -- look, just ask yourself whether or not he's being invited. These front-line states are they inviting him in to speak? Are they inviting him to -- and he's a good guy. I'm not -- but he's a self -- he talks about me having baggage?
You walk in. Would you recommend -- I know the south. You're going to walk in to any of those states we have to win like Florida and other places that we're going win and Georgia and North Carolina and say, by the way my president, he describes himself as a Democratic socialist. What do you think Trump will do with that?
LEMON: Let me ask you more. I want to talk about -- because we've been talking about the black vote. Right? You think that --
BIDEN: Yes.
LEMON: -- South Carolina is your firewall and that's going to -- you can't win the nomination without having black support. But what has changed among white voters in the Democratic Party that has put you at a disadvantage, especially in New Hampshire and Iowa?
BIDEN: Well, what hasn't changed is white working-class voters. That hadn't change. People who are struggling. Look, both New Hampshire and in Iowa there's a strong liberal base of college educated folks and they're good people. They're good people.
LEMON: Let's talk about impeachment. Because this whole impeachment thing was around, basically around you.
BIDEN: Yes.
LEMON: And what the president asked Ukraine to do regarding your son. Rudy Giuliani they're saying, the DOJ is saying Rudy Giuliani, the attorney general -- Rudy Giuliani is funneling information to them. Are they using the Justice Department to try to justify what he did with Ukraine or to try to get information on you?
BIDEN: Well, they can get all the information they want on me. Every single person under oath in his administration who testified before the House says Biden was clean as a whistle. Biden did his job. Biden has great integrity. on down the line.
Now he's firing them one by one after they testified under oath. Nobody, nobody including the Ukrainians that suggested -- and you send a man of great stature like Rudy Giuliani to dig up dirt? Come on.
LEMON: The day after he was acquitted by the Senate.
BIDEN: Yes.
LEMON: They want your son's travel records from Secret Service.
BIDEN: Sure. Of course.
LEMON: What is going on?
BIDEN: What's going on he's -- look, he's deathly afraid to face me. Have you ever -- you can't answer I know but rhetorical question. Have you ever seen a sitting president spend as much time, money and effort including risking being impeached and thrown out of the office to decide and eliminate one of his potential opponents in a primary? I mean, that are running a primary for the general election? This guy is obsessed with me and he should be with good reason because I will beat him.
[22:24:57]
LEMON: Do you have faith, still have faith in the government? Especially considering what you've seen happen in Washington, D.C. over the last couple of weeks?
BIDEN: I have faith in the American people. And I have faith in the bulk of the Senate to know what they did was wrong. I have served there for years and years and years. I'm embarrassed what happened. That's why we have to hold the Senate accountable. We have to restore the integrity of the Congress. Three equal branches of government.
Think what they did, Don. They all said almost to a person, yes, he did what they said he did. That's true. But it's not impeachable.
LEMON: Right. So, to the folks who are saying, are saying, OK, his campaign is over. You know, there are folks out there saying he's going to drop out. There's no way he can do it.
BIDEN: Who me?
LEMON: Yes. You. And for the American people who are -- who may be skeptical saying, I don't know what's happening with Biden. What do you say to them?
BIDEN: What I'd say to them look what's happening just since Iowa. We've got -- we have averaging $350,000 a day online contribution. We just got endorsed by the Michigan Black Caucus. I never spoke to them, the state legislative black caucus.
Two dozen people I didn't even -- I didn't know in the state of New Hampshire -- in the stet of Rhode Island. Governors in Alabama and in Tennessee and so on. I mean, I've gotten more -- four unions have come forward. Major unions since then an endorsement.
LEMON: So, you're not having money issues?
BIDEN: No.
LEMON: And you're not going anywhere.
BIDEN: I'm not going anywhere. LEMON: You're a fighter.
BIDEN: I'm in this to the end. And I believe I'm going to win this nomination. I really do.
LEMON: Thank you, Mr. Vice President.
BIDEN: Thanks, pal.
LEMON: I appreciate it.
BIDEN: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: That was presidential candidate the former Vice President Joe Biden. With just hours to go before the first votes in New Hampshire are cast.
And up next, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley tells me why she broke with her sisters in the squad to endorse Elizabeth over Bernie Sanders. Next.
[22:30:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: The Senator from Massachusetts, Elizabeth Warren, fighting to get her campaign back in gear here in New Hampshire in the primary after a disappointing third place showing in Iowa. Let's discuss now with Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. She's a Democrat from Massachusetts who has endorsed Senator Warren. Thank you so much I appreciate you joining us.
REP. AYANNA PRESSLEY (D-MA): Happy to be here.
LEMON: So, you're back in Washington after campaigning for the Senator, Senator Elizabeth Warren, yesterday. And one of the many people from Massachusetts who made the trip to New Hampshire on her behalf. Is this make or break primary for Senator Warren, you think?
PRESSLEY: This is only the beginning of the process. And I'm proud to serve as one of the three national co-chairs for the campaign. I have had the honor of calling Elizabeth a friend and my partner and my Senator now for a close to a decade. And I'm working hard to make sure that she's the 46th president of the United States and our first female president of the United States of America. And I have been in six states and what I know for sure is that she's building an organization to last on team Warren, we say, we out organize, we out work and we out last. And that's exactly what we're going to do.
LEMON: Yes. Listen, you know the only poll that really counts is, right, when people go to the polls. The voting booth and then we get the returns coming in tomorrow. But the new polling, CNN polling out today from New Hampshire it shows that Senator Warren is in fourth place behind Sanders, Buttigieg and Biden. And that's after a disappointing third place finish in Iowa. Would a win in New Hampshire get her campaign back on track?
PRESSLEY: The campaign is on track. She came out with a strong third place finish in Iowa. Exceeding expectations. And this is only the beginning of the process. She's been in all 31 states again this is an organization that is built to last. When I'm out there, the energy and the momentum is palpable, the enthusiasm is not waned one slight bit.
You know, we have a candidate who is incredibly disciplined and focused on what's important. And that is -- that every day experiences of American people and the need to evict the occupant of this White House. And so, she's focused and she's clear eyed and so is -- so are her supporters.
LEMON: So Congresswoman, what I'm hearing from you and similar to what I'm hearing from the Biden campaign is that they don't really think -- and it sounds like you didn't -- correct me if I'm wrong. That the out comes in Iowa and New Hampshire that it doesn't necessarily predict. It has in the past. But it won't predict who might be the nominee this time around. Because some people have said it's because of diversity. I'm not sure, but is that what you're saying? Do you believe that?
PRESSLEY: What I'm saying, and I know from my own experience is that it doesn't serve any candidate well and Elizabeth feels the same way to sort of ride this poller-coaster. You know, we're focused on what we see and feel on the ground and we have thousands of volunteers who had made great personal sacrifices to be a part of this campaign. Because Elizabeth's message of big structural change and her intersectional policy is deeply resonate with people. It's resonant with me.
Policy is my love language. And you know, this plans are about power. Who has it, who refuses to let it go and who's never had it to begin with. And they are about the people. And that message is that transcendent and deeply resonant and I have seen that in the six states that I've been on the ground. And I'm excited to continue to crisscross the state, the country rather is one of the three coaches to tell people about the Elizabeth Warren that I have known for a decade who is more than just extraordinary teacher. She's an even better student. A student of the people.
LEMON: So, I want to -- she was on I'm sure you saw it. Maybe you did, I hopefully you did with my colleague Chris Cuomo in the last hour. Talking about the importance of unity among the Democratic Party to beat President Trump. Watch this and then we'll discuss.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN (D-MA), 2020 U.S. DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE: I've got the best chance to beat Donald Trump. And I have got the best chance to beat Trump because I can bring our Party together, I've got the best chance to beat Donald Trump because I run on core Democratic ideas and values that every Democrat can get behind.
[22:35:10]
Everyone in our Party can and should get behind and then also pull in Republicans and independents. That is how I'm going to be beat Donald Trump.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: It sound like she is trying to make a play for voters in New Hampshire who want unity. Meaning the moderates, the centrists and the independents. Does she stand though the possibility of turning off her base by doing that?
PRESSLEY: Well, what I know is that again her message of big structural change. Listen. There's a deficit of trust and faith in government. And that's why on Team Warren, we talk about choosing hope over fear. People have broken hearts because of broken promises, because of broken systems. She's advocating for big structural change. That's what this plans are about. And that is deeply resonate and transcendent message.
In Iowa she won the bluest part of the state. And she won the reddest parts of the state. And I think that speaks to the fact that her message is resonant and that she is the best choice for unity. And for us to decisively beat any (inaudible), the occupant of this White House.
I think she's the starkest contrast. She's a woman, we have this go alone narcissism there in the White House and she's a coalition builder. A movement builder. She's empathetic and she is electable. She knows how to fight and she knows how to win. And I've seen her do that, especially when she's being under estimated.
LEMON: Yes. So, tonight the former Vice President Joe Biden told me that African-American, Latino voters haven't yet heard -- they haven't heard from them yet in this contest. It cannot be decided before people of color have a chance to weigh in and be counted. It's a similar question to what I asked you before, but just a little bit more straightforward. Do you agree with that?
PRESSLEY: Again, we're very early in the process here. And you know, I have been to South Carolina and I have been to Iowa and I've been to New Hampshire. I had been in six states for her and certainly there are diverse communities in all of these places. But we are very early in the calendar and those demographics will continue to grow and to change. And you know, we have efforts like black women for Warren and other efforts that have organized organically, responding to her platform.
I respond to it as a black woman. I appreciate she doesn't pander. She talks about racial justice in whatever room she's in. not only in overwhelmingly black rooms. I appreciate that she doesn't come into the community and only talk about the need to transform our criminal justice system, but she's also has policy that addresses the disproportionate burden that black student loan borrowers bare about income inequality and the racial wealth gap. About black homeownership and black entrepreneurs. Investing $50 billion in historically black colleges and universities.
And so, you know, we deserve a president all of us. And certainly the black community which is disproportionately bourn the burden because of short sided in racist policies. The opportunity to thrive. And I want someone that will reverse and mitigate the hurt of the injustice of the past and also with the power of the pen, write a brighter path forward. And the more people that hear her message and learn about her intersectional and racial justice lens the more people who want to support her.
LEMON: Congresswoman, thank you for staying up late to be live with us. We really appreciate it. Thanks so much.
PRESSLEY: This isn't late. It's caucus time. Thank you.
(LAUGHTER)
LEMON: All right. We'll see you soon.
PRESSLEY: It's mid-afternoon.
LEMON: It's caucus time. Get your sleep.
PRESSLEY: That's right.
(LAUGHTER)
LEMON: Thank you. Thank you so much.
PRESSLEY: All right. Thank you.
LEMON: You know, the countdown has begun for the first votes here in New Hampshire in the primary. Will there be a clear frontrunner after tomorrow or will it remain anyone's race?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[22:40:00]
LEMON: Democratic candidates storming all across New Hampshire on the eve of the first in the nation primary. The first votes will be cast in a little over an hour. We are going to have that for you here live on CNN Tonight. Bernie Sanders leading in the polls right now with Joe Biden telling me tonight that he expects an uphill race here. Let's discuss. Jeff Zeleny is here and Mr. Ryan Lizza as well. Good evening, gents.
JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Don.
RYAN LIZZA, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Hi, Don.
LEMON: I appreciate it. So, Ryan, you were at Bidens rally tonight. Where we did that Biden interview. What do you think the mood was among his supporters? What did you notice?
LIZZA: Everyone is -- look, it was a small event. I've seen every candidate so far over the weekend and that was by far compared to Klobuchar, compared to Elizabeth Warren, compared to Buttigieg. That was a small event. Huge press contingent. Not that many, you know, almost as many reporters as supporters. That's not obviously not a great sign. Not that you can tell everything from crowd size. But he had trouble sparking a great deal of enthusiasm in the way some that of his competitors have. So --
LEMON: What about energy? Because I was watching -- you know, I saw the interview Chris did with Andrew Yang and the people were -- just like --
LIZZA: yes, I mean look, you know, Klobuchar had almost 1,000 people yesterday. Buttigieg had 1,200 people. Bernie Sanders right now is at a rally with I think 6,000 or 7,000 people, you know in a rock concert.
LEMON: Right.
LIZZA: Right? So, you know, 2he's having trouble generating excitement that was clear in Iowa. But the polling just showed -- suggests he's not out of this. He's still in this race.
[22:45:03]
LEMON: Yes, I think it's a little early to say that anybody is out at this point. We're just getting started here. I want to ask you about Washington Post columnist, Karen Tumulty wrote this, wrote a column out tonight titled there are two Joe Biden's, the wrong one is running for president.
She argues that the Biden that resonates with people that embraces empathy and personal vulnerability is not there. But we're largely seeing one that sort of looking backwards and at itself referential. Is there a chance that we might see more of the first Biden? Because I actually think that people like the fighter, the one that's a little messy, not so perfect. That is just my personal opinion. But do you think will we see more of that?
ZELENY: We have seen some of the Joe Biden the fighter early on here. On Saturday it was clear that he was engaged with Pete Buttigieg. One thing that changed over the last 72 hours or so, that kind of curious. Usually when a candidate goes on the attack and try to define their opponent is Joe Biden was trying to do with Pete Buttigieg saying, look, he's inexperienced. He's not ready to be president. He stopped all of that. And Joe Biden. So, it's unclear if he was uncomfortable with that message.
I asked his top adviser today and said, no, he's comfortable with it, but he was just going after President Trump today. So, I think he will have more fight when he gets to South Carolina. He has to. If he wants to stay alive in this campaign. He's hearing from supporters.
He's hearing from longtime friends that he needs to show this fight. It's almost like he can't wait for New Hampshire to end. He knows he is not going to do or he can feel it, he can see it. So, you know, he's ready for us to be over. But in terms of -- but I think it's way too early for anyone to count anyone out. Particularly Joe Biden. Because Democratic voters like him. They may not think he is the most sexy dynamic.
LEMON: Or energetic.
ZELENY: Right. But he's also comfort food and they know that he can do the job. So, I think we just have to let the process unfold and see how it goes. Buy he has to show a little bit more fight. And I think he'll -- being in the fight for his life if he doesn't do well.
LEMON: You know, I asked him about that tonight. And I think that you're right on in your assessment. Because he's looking forward I think to South Carolina and Nevada and on and on. But I'm wondering, given what Jeff said about the Mayor Buttigieg and even Elizabeth Warren to some extent, right? Comparing -- contrasting and comparing, who do you think stands to gain the most, you know, if you want to call it mudslinging or him saying that he's actually responding to Mayor Buttigieg's attacks on him or maybe the other way around.
LIZZA: He may pull back, because there is, you know, there is a theory among strategists that attacking someone in a big field doesn't necessarily help you.
LEMON: A former vice president. That should, you know, be above it all.
LIZZA: Well, that's true -- yes, that's true too. But, you know, if I attack you it may hurt you. But Jeff maybe the beneficiary, right? So, that, you know, that's one of the theories. Same thing with the Warren campaign, people would ask, why isn't she going after Bernie?
Why didn't she go after Bernie, I think their theory is -- it could just as easily damage her. She wants to emerge as a sort of unity candidate and she wants to keep her favorability ratings up. Same thing goes for Biden. But I agree with Jeff in terms -- this is -- this is a war of attrition now, wide open field. It's unlike 2000, 2004 and 2008. It's a whole different --
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: Especially on how people are talking about Iowa and whether Iowa should go first or New Hampshire, whether they should go first. But I think it's different now. And remember, we have been covering this. You remember when John McCain suspended his campaign, he was flying around, pulling, carrying his own suitcase. The only person that ended up becoming --
LIZZA: He became the nominee.
LEMON: -- became the nominee. Yes, you know, I don't know.
ZELENY: It also humbles people. It humbled George W. Bush. It humbled Barack Obama. So, it may humble someone who doesn't win. And we will see how it goes forth. But right now, the showdown is between Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders. That is the fascinating dynamic.
LEMON: I have to go, because literally 5 seconds here. Amy Klobuchar's campaign says it raised over $3 million since Friday's debate. She says she's surging her opening for her, even after (inaudible). ZELENY: I think they are absolutely is. People are giving her a second
look. In some cases the first look. She's never had this bigger of crowds. We'll see what she does. But I would keep my eye her.
LIZZA: Not a single person predicted Buttigieg would win Iowa and he did. I would be shock if anyone -- if you look at Amy Klobuchar won tomorrow.
LEMON: But Jeff so you know, I did the first town hall with Amy Klobuchar on CNN and she says her name is Klobuchar. Shar not char. Just so you know. All right both of you stay with me.
The president is not over, guess who Mitt Romney's vote to convict him. We are going to tell you about his latest attack on the Utah Republican. That's next.
[22:50:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: President Trump, keeping up his vindictive victory tour, railing against Senators who voted against his acquittal at his impeachment trial. His target at this rally tonight in New Hampshire, Republican Senator Mitt Romney.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I want to thank our Republican Senators and our Republican House members in the Senate other than Romney we had --
(CROWD): Boo.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How do you respond to the president's attacks against you?
SEN. MITT ROMNEY (R-UH): The president's entitled to say whatever he feels. I wouldn't begin to try and tell him what he can't say.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: So quick answers here, guys, because we are going to get to a lot here in the short time. Romney taking the high road but the president -- he's not giving up on this, can't let it go.
LIZZA: Very different than Republican leaders in the Senate who have, you know, a history of forgive and forget, right. McConnell's view is, so is about the next vote, don't worry about the last vote. And look at some point Trump's going to need Romney's vote again.
LEMON: Yes.
LIZZA: And so, why would he not want to repair that relationship.
LEMON: He's going after Joe Manchin with a nickname, I won't even repeat it here. But I mean, he's not going to -- he doesn't let this go. He's more emboldened than ever.
ZELENY: He's more emboldened than ever, you know and why not? Virtually all of the Republicans stood with him. He did not get rebuked at all by the Senate. He was hoping that Joe Manchin tough would side with him and vote to acquit. He really wanted a bipartisan acquittal. That didn't happen.
[22:55:09]
So, look, I mean, Joe Manchin actually pushed back and, you know, kind of made fun of the president's size as well. I mean this is what it's become. So, look, the reality here is, he is emboldened. This the very beginning of a long election year for President Trump. We saw it here tonight in New Hampshire.
LEMON: Kellyanne Conway today suggesting that President Trump didn't retaliate against Alexander Vindman because his testimony in November. But, I mean, he's fired just two days after the president was acquitted and then she's saying, others will be going in short order.
LIZZA: Right, so, you know, on one hand that we didn't retaliate -- that he didn't retaliate, but hinting that we might against some people in the future. I mean, they've gone back and forth on this. I mean, obviously they escorted the guy out of the building when his twin brother who had nothing to do with this. And plenty of people in the White House have boasted about this. So, I don't think there's any doubt about what happened there.
LEMON: But -- a source telling CNN that a group of Republican Senators, including Susan Collins who said that he had learned his lesson from that, asking the White House not to fire Gordon Sondland. And of course, he went right ahead and did it. What did he learn?
ZELENY: Well, he didn't learn a lesson, of course like that, it's silly. And she's going to own that phrase from now until November. We'll see if it hurts her in her reelection. But the president has not taken responsibility for anything. It's still a perfect call. So, there were no lessons learned by this president.
LEMON: Thank you, gentlemen. I appreciate it.
LIZZA: Thanks, Don.
LEMON: The first votes in New Hampshire's primary just about an hour away. How the candidates are spending these final minutes before the first votes are cast and you'll be able to see those votes counted live as they come in. Look, there's Dixville Notch.
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