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Obama Took Big Hit Following Obamacare Rollout; Ski Accident Brings Sports Danger to Spotlight; NYC to Ban Horse-drawn Carriages; The World Rings in the New Year.
Aired December 31, 2013 - 13:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JIM ACOSTA, CNN ANCHOR: Well, we don't know what his New Year's resolutions are, but President Obama is probably hoping 2014 is a better year than 2013. He played golf yesterday during his holiday vacation in Hawaii. One of the few images we've seen of him while on vacation. Politically, he's been in the rough. His approval ratings took a big hit after all the problems with the Obamacare website.
Let's bring in our senior political analyst, Ron Brownstein; and Michael Shear, White House correspondent for "The New York Times."
The president is not getting a mulligan on Obamacare --
(LAUGHTER)
-- because it's such an important program for a lot of Americans out there. But we saw they put this new number out there, two million Americans or more than two million Americans have signed up through federal or state-based exchanges.
Michael, we were talking earlier about this. This may not be an entirely new number. There seems to be new numbers almost on a weekly basis. But it is kind of a milestone for this administration to wrap up the year. It's not looking as grim it was back in October.
MICHAEL SHEAR, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, THE NEW YORK TIMES: That's right. And I think any shred of evidence that they can seize on to counter the kind of what we expect I think will be a continuing Republican narrative of problems and things that are negative about it, they're going to seize on it.
ACOSTA: What do you think, Ron? Do you think that -- are the new enrollment numbers that are coming out enough to sort of put this issue to the side for this president in the coming months?
RON BROWNSTEIN, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Look, I think the short-term political problems are real. They're going to continue through the 2014 election. I don't think the enrollment can make them go away.
But I don't think the short-term problems are dispositive of what happens to the program. The time line for the president, he has three more years in office to entrench this program enough that it can survive no matter what happens in 2016. It becomes implausible for Republicans to repeal it.
The more people they get signed up -- and not only the national numbers, which are somewhat diminished by the fact that roughly half the states are not actively participating in this, when you look at states like California and New York and compare them to Texas and Florida where virtually nothing is happening, they're making a lot of progress in the blue states. That is the key question. Can they get this entrenched enough it becomes hard to repeal in 2017.
SHEAR: You can messenger a situation, we all are focused on March 31st and can they bring in seven million, six million, five million people. But to Ron's point, over three years, by the time he leaves office, they could have 10 million people, they could have millions.
(CROSSTALK)
SHEAR: Counting Medicaid, there are possibly at six million now. They could be over 20 million by 2017. Can you take that away?
ACOSTA: The president's critics are already are saying that these new enrollment numbers do not match the number of people who have seen cancellations. Although, the administration has said it's more like 500,000 in terms of what they've been able to sort out, they think it's around 500,000.
But my question is, if there are problems in the New Year, people who thought they had enrolled but go to the doctor's office and find out they're not in the system, we could have a whole fresh crop of stories on there where there are new issues with this program. It is a big question for the coming year.
SHEAR: I think that's right. If you look at the two political strategies, short term strategies leading up to the 2014 elections, that's basically where the dividing line is. Republicans are going to try to make sure the stories that are negative, where people are having problems, are told, highlight the problems. They're probably not going to focus so much on repealing the whole thing but undermining its popularity so when they enter the 2014 elections. You know, there's more of a political power to that issue. And the Democrats are going to use it.
BROWNSTEIN: This it is such a big fast the multi-faceted change that both story lines will be true. There's going to be a lot of people's lives will be disrupted and a very large number of people who will obtain coverage who never had it before. Both things will be true.
On balance, I think, politically, in 2014, if you look at the states that both sides care the most about, I would bet in places like Arkansas and North Carolina and Alaska and South Dakota, West Virginia, Louisiana the balance will be negative. You'll probably have a majority on Election Day saying they oppose the health care law.
(CROSSTALK)
BROWNSTEIN: That is not the only question in terms of long-term impact of the program.
ACOSTA: Could the program tip the balance of power in the Senate? Is it just too early to tell?
BROWNSTEIN: Yeah, I think it could contribute to it in 2014. Democrats have a tough row in 2014. It the key states are these seven Democratic Senators who have bucked the trend toward more party line voting and holding seats in states that vote routinely Republican. They voted for Mitt Romney in 2012. These are older, white states at a time when older whites are very down on the president, very down on the health care law. It is a tough battle for them. Health care doesn't make that easier. But again, that isn't the only dimension. The president has his eyes on a longer horizon.
ACOSTA: What should we look for on the president's agenda outside of Obamacare for 2014?
SHEAR: That's what I was going to say. There are other issues. The president is going to make a big push on climate change. The EPA is already pushing all sorts of regulations that are going become big issues before 2014. We know the president's going to make a big push on this idea of income inequality. He's going to be making that case, as well. All of that is in the mix in 2014.
BROWNSTEIN: The biggest things in the next year for him are the things under his control -- implementing the Obama health care plan, implementing the greenhouse gas regulations, going forward and succeeding or not in negotiations with Iran.
The one exception is immigration reform, which is really about an internal struggle within the Republican Party between the presidential party and the Congressional party about whether the House will get this off table by 2016, which most Republican strategists want, but most don't have a lot of interest in anyway.
ACOSTA: I think the biggest political party in 2014 -- to jump ahead -- outside of the White House, if Hillary Clinton decides or not decides to run in 2016. I think that's going to really change the landscape for the next couple of years.
SHEAR: I agree but I'm not sure how much that's going to play out in a huge way in 2014. Obviously, it gets bigger in 2015.
ACOSTA: She feels she can wait till 2015.
SHEAR: Yeah. I think there will be movement and there will be --
ACOSTA: Tea leaves.
SHEAR: Right. And you have to lay the groundwork. And there will be things we all talk about as sort of evidence of her intentions or not. And similarly with Chris Christie. But I think the bigger story for those two will be in '15, not '14.
BROWNSTEIN: For the Republican side, 2014 could affect the dynamic more than the Democratic side. Here's the paradox. If you're someone like Chris Christie, you have to make the argument the party has to change to deal with the fact that it's lost the popular vote in five out of the last six elections.
If they do well in 2014, which is possible, given the states that are more Republican leaning and older whiter, they may be it less inclined to hear that message for 2016. Yet, the 2014 results really don't offer any guidance one way or the other on whether they solve their big problems for 2016, which is competing with a more diverse younger electorate.
SHEAR: Electorates are so different in these midterms versus the presidential.
BROWNSTEIN: Yeah.
(CROSSTALK)
SHEAR: The Tea Party made the gains in 2010.
ACOSTA: So a good 2014 may be tougher for Chris Christie.
(CROSSTALK)
SHEAR: They could end up learning the wrong lesson.
ACOSTA: Right. That hasn't happened before, right? No.
(LAUGHTER)
(CROSSTALK)
BROWNSTEIN: Right. That's why we're here.
SHEAR: In either party.
(CROSSTALK)
ACOSTA: That's right.
Michael Shear, Ron Brownstein, thank you very much. We appreciate it.
BROWNSTEIN: Thank you.
ACOSTA: And happy New Year.
(CROSSTALK)
ACOSTA: I will say it again, until it's 2014. Thanks, gentleman.
One of the world's elite athletes lies in a coma today after a devastating ski accident. It's shining a safety spotlight on the winter sport. And update on Michael Schumacher's condition and some tips on how to keep you safe on the slopes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) ACOSTA: The man regarded as one of the greatest Formula I drivers in history remains in a coma today in France. Michael Schumacher had a second brain surgery overnight. And his doctors say he's showing, in their words, "a slight improvement."
The former Formula One racing world champion fell while skiing in the Alps and suffered severe head trauma. Doctors say it's too early to speculate on whether Schumacher will recover. According to witnesses, the 44-year-old German driver hit rocks under the snow while skiing landed on his head.
Michael Schumacher's accident is bringing out the safety experts warning us that skiing can be a very dangerous sport, especially in the early part of the season.
Our Poppy Harlow has more on that.
POPPY HARLOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Jim.
Well, it is ski season and special avalanche advisories have been issued for the holiday in Colorado and Wyoming. So some skiers out west may be spending a little more time at the lodge than on the slopes after a series of scares.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HARLOW (voice-over): Trails are closed at this Utah resort after an avalanche temporarily buried several skiers Monday morning.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's nothing to play with. It's serious stuff and you know, it's --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They do their best to control the environment but Mother Nature and you can't always predict what's going to happen.
HARLOW: They were lucky to get out. Near the Wyoming/Idaho border two people died in the last week when a skier and snowmobiler were buried in two separate avalanches.
And look at this unbelievable video captured as brothers Edwin and David LaMair were off trail skiing in Colorado.
DAVIS LAMAIR, SKIIER: Is that will an avalanche? That's Edwin in an avalanche.
HARLOW: Davis rushed to his brother's side. He was buried up to his head in snow after being caught in a sudden avalanche.
Edwin survived with only a leg injury. Lucky that his brother was there to help.
DAVE BYRD, DIRECTOR OF RICKS, NATIONAL SKI AREAS ASSOCIATION: Skiing within sight of a partner is always a good idea. Making sure that others know where you're going, staying in control, having the proper equipment. HARLOW: Avalanches often take place after fresh powder piles on top of frozen-over snow. The sudden surge of snow can sometimes be triggered by the skier.
This amazing video of a free skier in Spain was meant to be part of a car commercial.
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(MUSIC)
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HARLOW: When he got caught in an avalanche, he deployed an inflatable backpack that saved his life. The accident turned into an ad for the company instead.
BYRD: The common equipment that you need to have with you, a beacon, a probe, a shovel, at a minimum, you should be prepared and educate yourself and know before you go.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARLOW: And, of course, experts always say make sure you wear a helmet and in addition to that inflatable backpack that you just saw in the piece, there's a device call the Avalung that allows to you breathe under the snow for up to 30 minutes, giving rescuers time to find you and dig you out. That's also something good to have on hand. You want to always check with the local avalanche center if you're going to ski off trail. Ask them first about the conditions -- Jim?
ACOSTA: Our Poppy Harlow in New York.
Thanks very much, Poppy.
Horse-drawn carriages are an iconic part of New York City. But if the new mayor has his way, they could become a thing of the past. Can you believe that? I'll tell you about it, coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ACOSTA: As tens of thousands of tourists pile into New York for tonight's New Year's Eve celebration, another new attraction in that city is under fire. The city's mayor-elect, Bill de Blasio, says the era of horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park may be coming to an end. Can they believe that? They are such an iconic part of the New York City experience.
Margaret Conley looks at the fight to get the horses off of the city streets.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARGARET CONLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Horse-drawn carriage rides are an iconic way for visitors to take in Central Park. But soon they may be a thing of the past. Tomorrow New York mayor-elect, Bill de Blasio, takes the reins at city hall from the current mayor, Mike Bloomberg, and he plans to make good on a campaign promise to pull the carriages off the streets.
BILL DE BLASIO, MAYOR-ELECT OF NEW YORK CITY: We are going to get rid of the horse carriages, period. It's over.
CONLEY: The carriage rides have been offered since Central Park opened in 1858. They've been celebrated on film here in "Barefoot in the Park."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: We just got married.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CONLEY: And on TV, including HBO's hit series, "Sex and the City."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: And I wasn't going to question any of it, not even how he found a horse-drawn sleigh in the middle of Manhattan.
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CONLEY: And they've been at the top of so many tourists' must-do lists.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's part of New York City.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's one of the things you need to do.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don't get rid of the horses. Or we won't come back.
(CHANTING)
CONLEY: But animal rights groups have long been calling for a ban on the rides, citing accidents, like these, and they argue the animals are forced to live in conditions they describe as inhumane.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No matter what they say, the horses are not kept in a good condition.
CONLEY: Mayor-elect de Blasio says he's open to alternatives, including replacing the carriages with antique-style electric cars.
But carriage driver, Stephen Malone, says the move to get rid of the horses won't work, and he and other carriage drivers plan to fight it in court.
STEPHEN MALONE, HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE DRIVER: The horses are the star. It's not the car, it's not the carriage, it's not me. He's the star. That's what people come for. You can't create that with an electric car. You'll never create it. Kids can't pet fenders. They pet horses. (END VIDEOTAPE)
ACOSTA: And de Blasio's proposed law would have to be approved by the city council before any horses are actually removed from New York City streets. We're going to stay on that one and see how it turns out.
Now we're about to head into a New Year. Where you may live, may influence how you refer to the coming year. This is very interesting. Take a look at this. According to a new CNN/ORC poll -- yes, we polled on this -- when referring to the New Year out loud, 52 percent of Americans say two thousand and fourteen. 46 percent will use 2014.
People who were surveyed in the northeast and the South favored 2014. Those in the Midwest prefer it the other way. If you look at this poll, the trend over time is away from using 2000 and using 20. So as the years go on, we're starting to change the way we speak, the way we talk about these New Years that are coming out. So a very interesting poll number there.
And a little glimpse of Anderson and Kathy Griffin there. We'll see them later tonight.
The countdown to the New Year in the United States is underway. But they're already celebrating 2014's arrival in other parts of the world. We will show you all the spectacular fireworks. That is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ACOSTA: Here on the east coast, we're hours away from New Year's celebrations, but around the world, the clock has already struck midnight. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CROWD: Two, one --
(CHEERING)
CROWD: Happy New Year!
CROWD: Three, two, one --
CROWD: Happy New Year!
(CHEERING)
(EXPLOSIONS)
(SHOUTING)
(SINGING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ACOSTA: And happy New Year, everybody. That's it for me. The NEWSROOM continues right now with Martin Savidge. MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. I'm Martin Savidge. Thanks very much for joining me for these final hours of 2013.
It is the holiday that everyone, no matter their creed or their country, celebrates. We're talking about the magic of New Year's, of course.
And while it has yet to hit the United States, in much of the world, it is already 2014. It arrived in eye-dazzling style.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(CHEERING)
CROWD: Happy New Year!
(SINGING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAVIDGE: Celebrations in Hong Kong and Taiwan. At this moment, New Year's is hitting the revelers in Pakistan, the Maldives and Amsterdam Island in the Indian Ocean.
Back here, stateside, we're less than 10 hours away from the big event on the east coast. Of course, that is all the focus on New York's Times Square. In case you're wondering, the Times Square ball says it is set, even tweeting today, quote, "Here we go again. We need to rehearse seriously.
