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Don Lemon Tonight

Voters Lined Up For Hours; GOP's Cricket Response To George Floyd's Funeral; President Trump Pushes Another Conspiracy Theory; Floyd Family Demands Justice At George's Funeral; Major Voting Issues In Georgia Prompt Calls For Investigations. Aired 10-11p ET

Aired June 09, 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]

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN HOST: Our president is determined to keep us as divided as he can. The key is that we -- if colors come together in a consensus of conscience that's the righteous cause and there will be change. Why? Because politicians act out of fear of consequence more than out of good conscience. And if they see that we're coming together they'll move. Look how quiet the GOPers are right now. Why? Because the consequence they fear is Trump. Make them fear you more than Trump and they will change. Make it happen.

Time for D. Lemon. "CNN TONIGHT" right now.

DON LEMON, CNN HOST: How you feeling today or tonight?

CUOMO: I feel worried. I feel worried. I feel sad for the obvious reasons of pain. That was -- you know, you have to give it to the family and all that came together in Houston. They put their pain to purpose. That was a beautiful thing to see.

But it makes you worried about where we go next. Because, Don, we cannot stay where we are.

LEMON: No.

CUOMO: I'm not talking revolution, rebellion and riots and all that. I'm saying we can't stay where we are. Everybody knows the problem. Everybody knows. Where do we go? I'm worried.

LEMON: yes. Well, check in with your loved ones, and your loved ones. I'm checking in with you. You know how I feel that everyone should be having similar conversations to the ones that we have on this very program every night, but also in person, and challenging. It's not -- it's not always easy. Right?

You always say we come from completely different backgrounds and yet here we are dear friends and that can happen. And my whole thing is after this is going to sound weird -- and I don't people to take this the wrong way. And I actually think the family would appreciate it.

I was actually inspired today by the words of people who talked about George Floyd and shared their experience and by the eulogy. I actually was -- I am inspired that there is going to be a change. And I'm going to explain that to you in a minute. But I'm inspired.

CUOMO: Good. That's what we need. You're playing my role tonight.

LEMON: I just -- I said to my producer, I know Chris is always the one who's like, whose -- this thing is hanging off of me -- whose glass half full. But in this moment, I am inspired even by tragedy. And I think that's we all should -- that's how change happens. So, I'm going to see you later. I love you. And I want to talk to the audience now and the folks at home.

CUOMO: Well, I will be listening because we need to hear you more than ever. I love you.

LEMON: I love. Thank you, sir. I'll talk to you soon.

So, I'm glad that I have your ear now. And I just -- I want you to pay attention to this because I think we -- we all need something that helps us in this moment.

This is CNN TONIGHT. I am Don Lemon.

I appreciate you joining us. The spirit of George Floyd, well it rests over America tonight. It has been a long time coming. Is a change going to come? You're listening to the song. That sent George Floyd home. It's performed by Dr. Dray Tate. "A Change is Going to Come." It is Sam Cook's best song.

And did you know it was inspired by being turned away from a whites only motel in Louisiana? That is my state. It starts off by saying that someone -- a change is going to come. I was born by the river. I was born less than a mile from the river in Louisiana.

So, this really resonated with me. And I think that we just need to listen for a moment.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

LEMON: So, it is haunting and it is inspiring and I hope you bear with me because I really believe these words. And I think America -- I think people all over the world are different now.

I think it is important for you to hear that because it incapsulates this moment that we're in right now. And we can all use a little inspiration right now. Some hope. Because this is how change works. Right?

Something bad happened to Sam Cook. Something bad happens it angered him. It angers you. It inspired him. And it inspires you. It inspired him to write an anthem. An anthem that became synonymous with the civil rights moment, an anthem of hope.

So, I hope that what has happened in this country will inspire all of us from 56 years ago. That song is older than George Floyd. Older than when he died.

[22:04:57] If there is hope tonight that this change is going to come, protestors are still out in the streets they are demanding justice for this man on the day his home going happened in Texas, the Reverend Al Sharpton delivering a very powerful eulogy and confronting the reality that was racism that killed George Floyd.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AL SHARPTON, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK: If four black cops had done to one white what was done to George, they wouldn't have to teach no new lessons. They wouldn't have to get corporations to get money. They would send them to jail.

And until we know the price for black life is the same as the price for white life, we goings to keep coming back to these situations over and over again. Either the law will work or it won't.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Until we know the price for black life is the same as the price for white life. That is a kind of truth that frankly makes a lot of people uncomfortable. But it has to be said. It has to be said that racism is killing us. It keeps killing us. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor. Ahmaud Arbery. So many, many more.

It's not a problem for African-Americans so solve. It's a problem for all Americans to solve. And if that makes you uncomfortable, then it is the reality of racism.

This is a former vice president Joe Biden's message to the mourners at George Floyd's home going.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Why in this nation do too many black Americans wake up knowing that they can lose their life in the course of just living their life? Why does justice not roll like a river or a righteousness like a mighty stream? Why?

Well, ladies and gentlemen, we can't turn away. We must not turn away. We cannot leave this moment thinking we can once again turn away from racism. It stings at our very soul. From systemic abuse that still plagues American life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I'm not afraid to say it. We all need it. We need a leader in this moment. When there's a vacuum of leadership, someone to step in with some empathy who is not tone deaf, who understands the mood of America. That is character what you saw there.

But in the face of all this with the country crying out for justice, crying out I can't breathe. Hoping change is going to come. At a time when a real leader would listen to those cries and at least try to deliver a message of healing of unity. I want you to compare that to the President of the United States,

sinking to a new low. Today tells you everything you need to know about character, the character of the two men who want to be the president of this nation.

The current one, the current president spending another day behind closed doors at the White House lobbing out a cowardly tweet promoting a lunatic conspiracy theory. Claiming with absolutely zero evidence that 75-year-old protestor Martin Gugino, his words, could be an antifa provocateur.

Going on to claim, I watched he fell harder than was pushed, could be a set up. I hate reading his tweets. I mean, on this day -- haven't you any -- where did the president get that outrageous idea like that? From One America News. One America News is a far-right pro-Trump network. Please listen. Everything I'm telling you is true here. OK? Just listen.

And apparently, no evidence all of that what the network did. It's good enough for this president. He has no evidence. No human feeling for a 75-year-old man pushed to the ground and left bleeding from his head, a man who is still in the hospital. And the president's party, which is made up of people supposed to be leaders, the absolutely spineless GOP refusing to take a stand. Refusing to even see what's right in front of them.

[22:10:05]

Even though we remember what Sean Spicer said in the early days of this administration. The president's tweets are official statements. So, you think that they take them seriously, right? Instead, we have a former congressman. Now White House chief of staff Mark Meadows saying this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did you have a reaction to the president's tweet early --

(CROSSTALK)

MARK MEADOWS, WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: I learned a long time ago not to comment on tweets. And I'm not breaking that promise.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They are official statements, regardless of the medium. Should the president be tweeting about conspiracy theories?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Just following up on that. Do you think it's appropriate for the president to be peddling conspiracy theories on Twitter or otherwise?

MEADOWS: I've already made a comment.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Republican senator after senator. Stumbling, fumbling, bumbling for words instead of just telling the truth. What this president is doing is unworthy of the office.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I just saw the tweet. I know nothing of the episode. So, I don't know. I'm not fixated I guess as some people.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What do you make of the president's tweet this morning. Does the president need to be more cautious about what he tweets?

SEN. RICK SCOTT (R-FL): I didn't see it. So, I have to -- I mean, you know, I'm sure my office will be able to get me a copy about it. But I didn't see it. And I didn't -- you know, I saw that he had fallen. So -- but, I mean, it look -- my heart goes out to anybody that gets hurt.

SEN. MIKE BRAUN (R-IN): So, no real response to it. But I don't think it should be surprising in general because he tweets a lot.

MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: What about the president -- you saw the president's tweet this morning where he talked about this (Inaudible) protestor.

(CROSSTALK)

SEN. PAT ROBERTS (R-KS): I haven't read the damn thing. I don't want to hear it.

RAJU: What about the president's tweet, though. Was that appropriate, sir?

SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY), MAJORITY LEADER: As I said, we are discussing in the Senate Republican conference what response we think is appropriate to the events of the last two weeks. And when Senator Scott and his team decide what to recommend, we'll let you know.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Their own words. And then there are the senators who only talk to CNN off camera. OK? Senator Marco Rubio. I don't read Twitter. I only write on it. Senator John Cornyn, you know a lot of this stuff just goes over my head.

There were a few who spoke out. Mitt Romney. Lisa Murkowski. The Senate majority whip John Thune. Here's what he said. It's a serious accusation which should only be made with facts and evidence and I haven't seen any yet.

No evidence. I haven't seen it. I don't know, goes over my head. I don't read it. No accountability. And that all that is happening as thousands of voters waited well into the night trying to vote in Georgia's primary with reports of voting machines not working at multiple locations and lines wrapping around buildings.

"The New York Times" shooting this drone footage of what looks like an endless line of voters in Atlanta, Georgia today. Look at that. Today, the mayor, Keisha Bottoms, begging voters to stay and cast their ballots in the primary. That has been postponed twice over the coronavirus.

We have seen this again and again. OK? Something else that we cannot deny. Voters forced to choose between their health and their vote in Wisconsin's primary in April when Republicans won their fight to keep the election from being postponed. At least 19 voters and poll workers came down with the virus.

There was a Texas man who waited for more than six hours to cast his ballot on Super Tuesday telling CNN this. Whatever the reason, no one in America should have to wait this long to vote.

And for black Americans, in particular, at a time when the eyes of the world are on social and racial justice and a movement for change, protecting the right and access to voting is critical.

And LeBron James tweeting this. They say go out and vote, what about asking if how we vote is also structurally racist?

Just consider what is happening now with the presidential election less than five months away. Voters forced to wait online for hours with the pandemic still killing Americans.

[22:15:08]

The president railing against efforts to expand mail-in voting. And he told you why. And I quote. "It doesn't work out well for Republicans." See that? "It doesn't work out well for Republicans.

The clock is ticking to November. Chaos at the polls. The pandemic. Protests. I said a real president, a real leader would listen to those cries for justice and would try to deliver a message of healing and unity. But this White House is, according to a source, bitterly divided about the idea of a unity speech, the irony there.

But I want you to listen to what a real leader had to say almost exactly 57 years ago. This is president John F. Kennedy speaking from the Oval Office about what would become the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN F. KENNEDY, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We face therefore a moral crisis as a country and the people. It cannot be met by repressing police action. It cannot be left to increase demonstration in the streets. It cannot be quoted by token moves or talk. It is a time to act in the congress, in your state, and local legislative body, and above all, in all of our daily lives.

It is not enough to pin the blame on others. We say this is a problem of one section of the country or another or the facts that we face. A great change is at hand. And our task, our obligation is to make that revolution that change peaceful and constructive for all. Those who do nothing are inviting shame, as well as violence. Those who act boldly are recognizing right, as well as reality.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: What has happened to us? That is what our leaders used to sound like. That is a real leader right there. That is a message that could be delivered today. And that is the kind of leadership that we are never, ever, ever, going to get from this president, ever.

He mentioned the name of -- did not mention the name, never mentioned George Floyd's name today on the day of his home going. Instead attacking that 75-year-old protestor tweeting an outrageous conspiracy theory.

Kaitlan Collins, Jamie Gangel, and Bakari Sellers after the break.

[22:20:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: On the day of George Floyd's funeral the president never mentioned the name of the unarmed black man whose death prompted thousands of people to take to the streets to demand action on police brutality and systemic racism.

Instead, he was pushing a conspiracy theory on Twitter about a 75- year-old protestor who is in the hospital right now after being pushed to the ground by police.

Let's discuss now. Our White House Correspondent, Kaitlan Collins is here. Our special correspondent Jamie Gangel, as well, and our political commentator Bakari Sellers, he is the author of the new book by the way. A very good new book. "My Vanishing Country."

Thank you all for joining. Kaitlan, I'm going to start with you. The president took a really big hit in approval rating, down 7 percent in CNN's poll. And now he is tweeting crazy conspiracy theories against a private citizen. What gives here? What is going on?

KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's a good question. And I talked to a lot of people in the president's circle today. No one thinks this tweet is a good idea. And they weren't sure where it came from until they realize it was from a segment from One America News which of course the president is known to watch. Sometimes he says he likes that channel more than Fox News even because they are supportive of him.

And you know, this comes on a week when the president's advisers were trying to figure out what they could do in the aftermath of not only that poll showing that his approval rating had slipped seven points in the last month. But also, that over 60 percent of people think the way he's handled the aftermath of George Floyd's death and the unrest in the country did more harm than good.

So, they were trying to focus on messages the president could send this week. Sit downs he could have. You know, what police reforms they could support with Republicans on Capitol Hill. And then comes this tweet from the president with zero evidence to back it up, accusing a 75-year-old man of being a member of antifa. Which, of course, is just, you know, this tweet from the president that had no evidence. But also, it's just so unhelpful to him.

And you saw how Republicans did not want to answer that. And so, this is just a perfect example of ways where advisers are trying to help the president come up with a way for him to have a positive message, and then he sends out a tweet like this. And they don't even know how to explain it.

LEMON: yes. Jamie, if you cannot -- listen, our Capitol hill team caught up with Republican lawmakers dodging questions of the president baseless tweet about the 75-year-old man. OK? We played it earlier in the open of the show. If you can't speak up about this, what can you speak up about?

JAMIE GANGEL, CNN SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT: Right. Ladies and gentlemen, I mean, how embarrassing. If this is not a tweet that you can call Donald Trump out on, I think we have run out of, Don, times we refer back to that famous line. Have you no decency?

LEMON: I almost said it earlier and I just stopped myself. But go on. Sorry.

[22:24:59]

GANGEL: But now, how here's the thing, there's one word here, fear. They are clearly scared of Donald Trump. They're scared of his tweets. They're scared of his base. But at a certain point you have to say what's the worst thing that could happen?

So, you lose an election. And I think you have to take a look at Senator Mitt Romney, Senator Lisa Murkowski, my goodness, they called him out. They simply said the right thing.

LEMON: Jamie?

GANGEL: They're still standing.

LEMON: Jamie, Jamie, Jamie, you know I love you. I mean this in -- what are they afraid of? I mean --

GANGEL: They're afraid they're going lose an election. They really want to stay in power. A very senior Republican official on the Hill said to me, a long time ago and has stood by this, I don't want to give up my career and my seat for Donald Trump. So, I'm going to sit here and try to outlast him.

It's about keeping a job. Plain and simple. Now they will -- Don, I just they will also say we're doing things behind the scenes. It's important to outlast him.

One senior Republican said to me just today that they don't want to be on the list of -- there was a list out today that Chris Cillizza, our colleague did of who will be the heir to the Trump presidency.

LEMON: Gees.

GANGEL: Who is coming next? And this person said to me, that's a list I don't want to be on.

LEMON: Yes. Maybe --

(CROSSTALK)

GANGEL: But nevertheless, it's keeping their jobs.

LEMON: Maybe the better list is the person who actually has a career after this and speaks up about it. Bakari, I just -- when I asked afraid of what? Of doing the right thing in this moment? I mean, now is not a time to, you know, supposed modesty and behind the scenes.

This is when you if you can't be out front on this and be honest about this, when you have eight and ten Americans who are supporting the peaceful protestors, over and over. And you look at the poll numbers and you look at how people feel about this killing and that they are ready to move forward and learn something about their own unconscious bias or racism. If you can't speak out now, then are you worried about your job or is it just that you don't have a background -- backbone and you don't give up, you don't care?

BAKARI SELLERS, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, I mean, I just think what you're seeing is a lack of testicular fortitude on behalf of many of those senators. You're seeing a lack of courage and character. I mean, you know, what character is. Character is who you are when no one is watching. Right?

LEMON: Yes.

SELELRS: And the fact these United States senators do not have the character, backbone or courage to speak up during this moment says a lot. And this moment will pass in five.

I think one of the things that we -- that we -- I mean, it's a bit ironic here as well. Because it took seven years for this country to even say and utter the words black lives matter. And I've given credit to Mitt Romney. A lot of people have given credit to Mitt Romney. But just think about the fact of where we are.

Mitt Romney is lightyears ahead of his party simply because he uttered the words black lives matter. I mean, he didn't -- he didn't put forth any policy. He didn't put forth any initiative. He literally just said that we matter. Not that -- that is all he said.

But yet, and still he's lightyears ahead of the rest of them. Look, this is the testament to who they are. I'll give you the perfect example. Graham who just won his primary tonight. Lindsey Graham we went off on Joe Biden after Joe Biden made those asinine comments on the show of my friend Charlamagne tha God.

But since George Floyd has been murdered on the street Lindsey Graham has been quiet as a church mouse peeing on cotton. That's a southern saying, Don. He has not said anything, anything about the black man who was murdered in the street.

But this selective outrage of the Republican Party -- and King said it best. King said it best. We will not remember the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends. And the silence of the Republican Party during this time will forever be remembered.

LEMON: Thank you, all. We'll end on that. I appreciate it.

The Floyd family pleading for an end to hate crimes at his funeral today. I'm going to speak with two people who were there. Wanda Cooper, the mother of Ahmaud Arbery and a close friend of George Floyd.

[22:30:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Hundreds of friend and family members filling a Houston church today to say their final good-bye to George Floyd. It was a day to honor for his legacy and demand justice. So, let's discuss with three people who are at that funeral. Jonathan Veal, he is a friend of George Floyd. Wanda Cooper, she is the mother of Ahmaud Arbery. A black man who was killed while jogging in Georgia. And Lee Merritt, is an attorney for the Ahmaud Arbery's family.

Good evening. I'm so happy that you guys could join us. Wish it was for a better occasion. And Jonathan, I just want to say that I'm sorry for your loss. So, let's start with you, Jonathan. You and George met in sixth grade I understand and you really became close friends in high school. What'd you think about the thousands of people coming out to honor your friend today?

JONATHAN VEAL, FRIEND OF GEORGE FLOYD: Yes, George and I met in the sixth grade. And just observing the atmosphere not only yesterday but today as well, for me was conflicting. Because this guy that you have known for so long and you want to celebrate him and almost a private moment. But you have to share him with the world. And so, just seeing the energy and emotions that were out there, it was almost difficult for me to celebrate and you know, be at a farewell to my long life friend.

[22:35:06]

LEMON: It was a beautiful home going. Wanda, you know, when George Floyd was dying with that officer's knee on his neck, he was crying out for his mama. That is really sticking with mothers everywhere. And I can't even imagine how that feels for you. Having also recently lost you son Ahmaud. The impact, can you talk to us if you will about the impact that this has on moms?

WANDA COOPER, AHMAUD ARBERY'S MOTHER: It has a very large impact. Because Ahmaud, he was killed in the streets as well. And I know at some point (inaudible) Ahmaud, thought of me. And so, Ahmaud actually -- I knew -- I know that he cried out for me as well. It's very heartbreaking. To know that both (inaudible) that they left.

LEMON: You know, you are now sadly, Ms. Cooper, a part of a group of black mothers who have lost their sons in tragedy. And they have become known as Mother's Movement. Either from the loss of sons from excessive force or racist acts or people taking the law into their own hands. Do you feel like that it's an added responsibility to make people never forget the demand that change especially that we need in this moment? And that you demand change in this moment.

COOPER: That is totally correct. I stand with all other mothers who have lost their sons to these type of events. We do command change. We can't lose another life to such tragedy. Something has to change.

LEMON: Jonathan, back to you. You know, you tell the story about eleventh grade and you and George and your friend were talking about what you wanted to do with your lives and George said to you, I want to touch the world. Watching this funeral today he clearly did do that. He touched the world.

VEAL: Yes, you know, just recollecting on that conversation at a moment. It's hard to wrap your mind around the weight of that statement. As you know, as 17 years-old and thinking OK, that could potentially mean we want to go to the NBA or you want to go to the NFL. But I recently saw an Instagram post that he did alive and he talked about, you know, who he was, where he came from and he said don't call big Floyd out.

I'm going to touch the world. And it was like that comment back in eleventh grade was almost prophetic in nature. And to see now that he's really having a global impact. He's touching remote parts of the world is pretty awesome. You know, we just hate that it had to come in this respect.

LEMON: Lee, you know, give us your thoughts on today. Because you have had to deal with this, I think, far too many times having to stand next to people in support people who have lost their loved ones in similar situations. Give us your thoughts for today.

LEE MERRITT, ATTORNEY FOR FAMILY OF AHMAUD ARBERY: Well, the really difficult part about today was I had to sit next to Ms. Wanda Cooper. Who was sitting next to the sister of (inaudible), and I watched as they tried to console each other. That they had to relive the pain that they live through. We were backed up by the family of Tatianna Jefferson. Who was killed playing video games with her nephew and her sisters were there mourning.

And I realize that you know, I appreciated today that the focus was on George. And that George was just a normal person. Even every day person. He wasn't a celebrity. He wasn't a politician. You know, he was just another guy. And it struck a -- we have thrown this term around. But there's a genocide occurring in our community. 1,100 people a year on average. The most incarcerated nation in the world get it. I'm hoping that today was not an envy but a beginning to real solution.

LEMON: Yes. And I said I was -- today was I wanted to be an inspiration for people to do better? I'm not if you saw the top of the show and to be inspired to make change. Before I let you go, I just want to say make sure you look for Mrs. Coopers' op-ed.

It is in "The New York Times," it is called, how was my son Ahmaud Arbery's murder not a hate crime? You should read it. It is fascinating. Thank you, Ms. Cooper. Thank you, Jonathan. Thank you, Lee. I appreciate it. Be well.

VEAL: Thank you, Mr. Lemon.

MERRITT: Thank you.

LEMON: Georgia residents heading to the polls to vote in today's primary. Where they found huge lines, major delays and now there are calls for an investigation. We will have the latest for you, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[022:40:00]

LEMON: So please take a look at this. All right, these are huge lines to vote in Georgia's primary today. People waiting hours to get inside because of issues with voting machines themselves. And extra precaution over the coronavirus. Let's go live now to CNN, Dianne Gallagher.

She has been following this all day in Atlanta. Also CNN Political Correspondent, Abby Phillip. Good evening to both of you. Thank you for joining. Dianne, first to you. People were forced to wait for -- how much -- hours. To vote today. It was ridiculous. What is the latest now? Has everyone been able to vote?

DIANNE GALLAGHER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: How much time do we have, Don? Because there were a lot of problems in Georgia. Specifically here in the Atlanta area today. So, believe it or not, the state of Georgia actually had record turn out before people even started voting today on primary day. Because of this enhanced vote by mail program that they were doing due to the pandemic.

[22:45:11]

But they also let people vote in person. And the pandemic mixed with what appeared to be a lack of preparation, lack of essentially training poll workers. Because the tried and true experienced poll workers weren't working due to the covid-19 pandemic. And it all just turned into this big giant mess. It was honestly a complete melt down here.

They consolidated polls into these different locations. Behind me this location people just stopped voting here not too long ago. They put three different locations at this site. And one of the poll workers I talked to said he wasn't notified that the location he was supposed to set up had changed. Until 12 minutes before the polls actually opened. Which then sort of snowballed when he came here and tried to set things up.

Now, look, we were looking at people who had to wait five, six hours starting this morning. Several of the locations specifically here in Fulton County in DeKalb County nearby. They were having issues with the machines because most of these poll workers have never used them before, Don. They were recruiting people to work these polls the day before. So, for some people they were literally learning on the job here, Don. And again, it was a mess.

LEMON: Yes. We can see. And we can hear from you explained it well. And you appear to be frustrated yourself. Listen, Abby, the election November is just five months away. I mean, that's you know, that is quick. Tremendous pressure is going to be put on voting systems. Are they going to be able to hold up do you think?

ABBY PHILLIP, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Yes. Don, I mean, I called this the perfect storm of all of the things that I have been talking to election officials all across the country about for weeks now. That could go wrong and that could really foreshadow real problems in November. This was a combination of the virus reducing staffing. Increasing mail in voting. There were delays people reporting to us and to other outlets that they never received their absentee ballots.

Even though the state says they sent them out to everyone. So, some big questions about what is going on there. And then on top of that, Georgia actually had sent out new in-person ballot machines this year. Some of these poll workers apparently did not know how to use them properly. They had to do a lot of troubleshooting throughout the day. These are all the problems that are likely to occur all across the country.

We're seeing record voting. People participating. Which is a good thing. But then you also see massive lines. I spoke to people who were really shaken honestly by the experience of being in these crowded areas waiting outside for hours and hours and hours. You know, one person I spoke to said they planned to go visit an elderly relative and decided against it after having to vote this way this morning waiting three hours to cast a ballot.

LEMON: Wow.

PHILLIP: So, the problems are there and I will say a lot of election officials think that they are prepared and Georgia is really showing them that a lot more needs to be done. There need to be contingency plans for the contingency plans to prevent things like this from happening.

LEMON: they need to be like athletes. This is the off-season. They still need to practice. Because the season is coming up. The main event. The Super Bowl of everything. So they need to get it in gear. Thank you both, I appreciate it.

We've got much more of this big voting problems in Georgia to talk about. Is all of this a warning for November?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[22:50:00]

LEMON: So we're going to continue on this because it's very important. One Georgia election official speaking to CNN about why he thinks we saw those massive lines to vote in the primary today. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GABRIEL STERLING, GEORGIA STATEWIDE VOTING IMPLEMENTATION MANAGER:

Well, the reality of what you're seeing in Georgia today is a function of the covid situation large part. We did lose many polling places because it's summertime so schools are closed. Churches opted out. BFW halls opted out. In Fulton County specifically they lost 40 locations and collapsed many of those locations into mega precincts which saw a lot of these amazingly long lines.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: OK, is that right? We're going to ask Laura Coates, our CNN senior legal analyst and Angela Rye, CNN's political commentator and a former executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus. Good evening to both of you. I'm so glad to have you on. Laura, look at these lines. I'm going to be to put them up. These lines are, I mean, winding around block, block after block, after block. And we just heard that from election official what he said. What do you think is going on here and how much of this really has can be blamed on covid- 19?

LAURA COATES, CNN INTERNATIONAL LEGAL ANALYST: Well, I'm sure covid-19 has something to do with some of the training or the idea of there being a shortage of staff but it doesn't explain what happened two years ago in 2018 or concerns by many people in the civil rights community particularly voting rights activists about the implications in Georgia and the systemic purges, the idea of voter suppression that's been claimed before.

The idea of their being in access to the polls in a real comprehensive fashion. And so, while covid may explain a subpart of it, remember this is state with a long history with the civil rights division and the voting (inaudible) of the Department of Justice and covid does not explain it all away.

LEMON: It doesn't explain as you said, the purging of voter rolls, the gerrymandering and on and on, and on and so forth. OK. Angela, let's bring you in. The worst -- this is our reporting, the worst of the voting delays are happening in Fulton and DeKalb Counties as you know those are -- have higher larger percentages of black people according to census data. Even if, if these aren't deliberate voter suppression efforts this is impacting a lot of black voters, but what are your thoughts here?

[22:55:04]

ANGELA RYE, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, let's be clear about the fact that these are deliberate efforts. I know that my intern for example today, Danny, was at the Fulton County precinct and he talked about how the machines weren't working, and this was in the morning. He was in line for hours. A good friend of mine, Latasha Brown, who oversees black voters matter also talked about the number of voters in line, still 300 people in line right now after 10:00 p.m.

So, we're talking about people who have been getting fed all day by people who just want to do this work. And I think the point remains that whether the law wants to do right by us or not there are well- meaning people who want to ensure that our voices are heard particularly in this election, so black voters matter is great place to give money, because they're definitely making sure that our black voters voices are being heard.

LEMON: How does this happen, quickly. Angela, because I'm up against the clock here. How does this happen over, and over, and no one seems to do anything about it? It's right in your face.

RYE: Well, I don't think that it's true that nobody seems to do anything about it. We're talking about organizations like NAACP LDF. The lawyers committee for civil rights just today filed the suits, to ensure that Fulton County would actually keep the doors of the precincts open. So, it's not true that people aren't doing the work. What is true, Don, is that not enough people are talking about this. With Republicans we're calling voter I.D. is voter suppression and it's time for us to call it spade of spades.

LEMON: OK. Thank you both. Our time is short, I apologize. We'll be right back.

COATES: Thank you.

LEMON: Sorry, Laura, we'll be right back.

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