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Biden Introduces Cabinet Picks as Trump Continues to Make False and Misleading Claims about Election; Biden Agenda Depends on Outcome of Georgia Senate Runoffs; CDC Director: Majority of Coronavirus Spread Driven by Household Gatherings and People without Symptoms. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired November 24, 2020 - 15:30   ET

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

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[15:30:30]

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN HOST: President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris have won the election and they waited weeks before the GSA formally approved the transition. Now the incoming Biden-Harris administration is putting together its staff and announcing cabinet picks.

And one of the biggest challenges facing this President-elect is finding a way to unite a deeply divided country after years of deep partisanship and pretty difficult election.

So joining me to talk about all of this is CNN Political Analyst and former Republican House member Charlie Dent.

Congressman, great to have you on.

CHARLIE DENT, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Thanks, Brooke. Great to be with you.

BALDWIN: So the deep divide, right, nearly 74 million Americans voted for President Trump. And many of those who don't believe he lost. And before Biden is even sworn in you have Senator Marco Rubio attacking his cabinet picks without even acknowledging that Biden won the election.

I know this is a big question for you, but I'm going to throw it at you. How does President-elect Biden unite the country?

DENT: Well, I think Joe Biden should keep doing what he's doing. I think his tone really has been very good. He's had a unifying tone.

I think his cabinet selections have been pretty good so far. So I think he's on the right track. And he has a governing mandate of sorts. The best thing he can do is to bring some semblance of normalcy back to the functioning of government, particularly the White House. I think that's the most important thing he can make --

BALDWIN: Define some semblance of normalcy.

DENT: Well, just this stability, just not governing by tweet, not all these, you know, conflicting policy statements. You know, just the never ending chaos and drama that we've been accustomed to these last four years.

I mean, help make politics boring again. I mean, I think that's what one thing that Biden could do to actually help. You know, not this never ending drama and chaos. So stability, certainty, predictability is a really good thing.

BALDWIN: Do you think -- I know, you're talking about, you know, your bunch of friends up on the Hill who are Republicans, are they behind the scenes saying, oh, thank God?

DENT: Oh, oh, for heaven's sake, yes. Look, there will be a collective sigh of relief once President Trump is gone. I mean, it some, you know, I think, you know, tolerated him, others, you know, really despise him. And others just, you know, I just can't wait till he's gone.

So I think for a large number of them, there'll be a few out there who, you know, who thought these last four years were just terrific and all this chaos. But I think most of them are really going to say good riddance, not publicly, but they're -- they'll be really happy when it's over.

BALDWIN: Sure. Sure.

What about all this fundraising? We know that, you know, since Trump essentially pretended to concede by tweet last night team Trump sent out some eight fundraising e-mail. So he's still fundraising off the election. How does that sit with you?

DENT: Well, I'm not surprised that he's trying to monetize the feet. That's what these challenges are about. He's raising money, not just for legal defense teams, but for leadership PACs or for literally campaign activity. He's going to threaten to run again, I believe, after he's out of office.

He will continue to monetize his defeat. No, he's threatening to create a digital television platform or maybe a T.V. show or maybe a television network. So he's trying to monetize this. And he wants to keep a very large voice in the process, which is going to make life difficult, candidly, for a lot of Republicans, particularly those wanting to become the next president because they're going to be competing with that and I'm a congressional Republican, I really don't.

You don't want to make the midterm election about yourself or Donald Trump. You have to be about the Democrats and the Biden administration. So I don't think that Donald Trump hanging around making noise is going to be a whole lot of very helpful to a lot of Republicans.

BALDWIN: What about even in the more immediate Georgia with the runoffs early January, that's in full swing. Georgia started to recount this morning and the Republican governor gave it his blessing.

And while all of this is happening, David Perdue is campaigning. And I want you to listen to what he was asked in his response.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do you do to help Donald Trump in this fraud?

SEN. DAVID PERDUE, (R-GA): Well, I will tell you that and I'll be glad to help you with that. Well, I'll tell you that in a second.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- this election?

PERDUE: We call for the resignation of our Secretary of State is what we did. We're calling for losses. We're doing a lot. Because right now we want him and every valid -- every legal vote should be counted for Donald Trump. And you know what, it should be counted for me too.

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BALDWIN: If, Congressman Dent, you know, if Republicans like Senator Perdue keep baselessly of claiming fraud and you are a Republican voter in Georgia, how is this, a, not going to backfire on the GOP as in you know, why would I bother voting if I don't think my vote will count. And, b, how should these Republican candidates be playing this?

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DENT: Well, one thing Republican candidates should do is they should not do what Donald Trump did, which was to suppress his own vote. You know, when he went out there, when Donald Trump went out there and said, you shouldn't vote by mail, that it's crooked, it's corrupt. Well, he basically told a lot of Republicans not to vote by mail and Republicans are rather good at it. So I wouldn't make that same type of tactical blunder that was self-inflicted.

And you can just see too based on those questions to David Perdue, you know, David Perdue and probably more than just about any senator has stood with Donald Trump. And, you know, it'll never be good enough for some of these, you know, real fringe elements of the base.

I mean, I think there comes a time where you just have to delve in with the elections over and now it's time to elect me and I'll be a check on the Democratic administration, that would be my answer, not to stand up there and try to and somehow defend this notion of fraud where there's no evidence of any of this on a widespread basis.

BALDWIN: Georgia coming up right around the corner. We'll be covering it.

In the meantime, Charlie Dent, thank you so much for coming on. Love having you on and happy early Thanksgiving.

DENT: Happy Thanksgiving. Thanks, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Thank you.

The CDC said stay home. But millions of Americans are traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday, crowding the nation's airports as COVID cases continue to rise. We'll talk about that, next.

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BALDWIN: COVID advice from public experts from the CDC this Thanksgiving is clear, don't travel, stay home. And now as this new poll that indicates a majority of Americans seem to be paying attention, this Axios-Ipsos poll find 61 percent say that they have changed their Thanksgiving plans and will now hold smaller, immediate family only gatherings. Yet when you look across the country, TSA numbers show there are still millions passing through airports as they stick to their holiday travel plans.

Let's go to Ryan Young, he is in Atlanta at the Hartsfield Jackson International Airport, the busiest in the world.

Ryan, how's it going there? What are people saying to you about why they're traveling?

RYAN YOUNG, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You know what, Brooke, we've been talking about this all day, because we got here at 6 a.m. And it was packed then where people coming through.

And a lot of people telling us they want to see their family, this has been a tough 2020. They're tired of being home for COVID. They wanted to get out. And they've heard the warnings about what could happen after Thanksgiving because of COVID-19.

But one of the things they're also doing at the airport, you see the woman who's over there, they're actually checking everyone before they get down the line here to pass out mask and also have over 500 sanitation stations all around this airport.

But here's the thing, you talk to people over and over again, you keep hearing this term, wanting to see family, feeling like they've been split apart from the rest of the world because of COVID-19. We know people are basically tired of the pandemic, they expect more than a million people to go through this airport in the next four or five days.

In fact, take a listen to one traveler that we just talked to a second ago.

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RYAN JACKSON, PASSENGER: We haven't been able to really travel, I haven't got a chance to go home and see my family. So, now more than ever, I live here by myself. So I really want to get some opportunity -- take the opportunity to spend some time with some people and try to just, at least, if a small group --

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YOUNG: Brooke, you know, most of us who travel for work have been through the airport, haven't seen these kind of crowds in quite some time. We have to show you this video. Look at this guy in a full hazmat suit who showed up here into the airport.

BALDWIN: Oh, wow.

YOUNG: He was walking around with everyone else here at the airport. It was kind of eye catching. You see some people are really taking this quite seriously, even despite the fact they want to travel.

We've heard all sorts of things about people wanting to at least touch the hands of one of their loved ones. But at the same time, look, I went to South Dakota for Sturgis, I remember what happened after in terms of the explosion of COVID throughout the country. People are concerned about what this could mean. A lot of people said they went to take tests before getting on a plane. But as we know, you can't put yourself in a bubble, get on the plane and then fly home.

BALDWIN: I know. It's so complicated all of this this year. And I just -- I wonder too at the end of the year when people are like, oh, I'm over it as it's getting worse. We just have to keep our guards up.

YOUNG: You get it.

BALDWIN: I know. Ryan Young, good to see you, friend. Thank you.

And as many Americans reconsider their Thanksgiving plans in the wake of what Ryan was just talking about, you know, there is this new reporting from "The New York Times" onto the headlines, "Small gatherings spread the virus but are they causing the surge?" And an epidemiologist cited in the article Ellie Murray says it seems political leaders are passing off response -- responsibility for controlling the outbreak to individuals saying, "A pandemic is more a failure of the system than the failure of individual choices."

And Ellie Murray is with me now. She's an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at Boston University.

And so Ellie, welcome to you. Thank you for joining me today.

ELEANOR MURRAY, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, BOSTON UNIV. SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH: Happy to be here.

BALDWIN: Two minutes ago we just got this, this email from perfect timing for you. The CDC director just said moments ago that the majority of coronavirus spread is being driven by these household gatherings and people without symptoms. So to that, what do you say?

MURRAY: So I think certainly now that coronavirus is really widespread, household gatherings are going to be an important contributor. And over for Thanksgiving, we definitely expect to see a lot of cases transmitted as a result of Thanksgiving gatherings.

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BALDWIN: That's the fear, right?

MURRAY: But I think also -- right, exactly.

But what we've seen over the last several months is that, you know, we saw cases sort of spiking again in September through October. And that was -- a lot of that was predictable and a lot of that could have been managed by better policies.

BALDWIN: I got you. I got you.

And just to elaborate, Dr. Robert Redfield said, this is a quote from him, "Who would ever think rural North Dakota would be in the red zone, it's all in the red zone, and it's really being driven by household gatherings." And of course, speaking of what's happening on Thursday, right? This week, people will be gathering small or not.

And for those, Ellie, who are gathering for Thanksgiving and, you know, do find themselves in a backyard or in a living room or around a table, what is the number one thing people should not do?

MURRAY: So, the way coronavirus predominantly transmits is by someone who's infected exhaling respiratory particles and those getting inhaled or rubbed into the eyes, nose mouth of a person who's uninfected. So, if you're in close proximity to people, if you're not wearing masks, if you're in an indoor space that's poorly ventilated, all of those things can contribute to infection. So. you want to get outside into open spaces, open the windows and definitely wear those masks.

BALDWIN: For the people who are celebrating, you know, with people who are not in their immediate household, how should they go about responsibly conducting themselves after the holiday? Like is there some sort of necessary quarantine for a couple of days? What would you recommend?

MURRAY: Yes. So it's really likely that at least, you know, a portion of people will have been exposed to coronavirus at their Thanksgiving gathering. So, what we really hope that everyone will do is stay home and stay away from people who aren't in their immediate household for up to 14 days, or longer if they develop symptoms, so that they don't risk spreading that infection to a next round of people.

BALDWIN: And when we say quarantine, I know I've had some people on Instagram asked me, what exactly does that mean? Does that means you're not going outside, you're not hanging out with friends, you know, you don't going out to eat, that is you're staying put at home for those 14 days.

Ellie Murray, thank you so much as an epidemiologist with all your expertise.

I want to pivot now and get to some breaking news that we're just getting into CNN, the White House has just given formal approval for President-elect Joe Biden to receive the PDBs, that's the President's Daily Briefings, that is, according to a White House official. So both sides are now working on scheduling that first briefing.

Thousands of Americans across the country are now lining up at food banks for help this Thanksgiving.

And as Congress goes on vacation without a stimulus deal, we will take you to one of those food banks where those cars are lining up. Next.

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BALDWIN: The COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic crash are highlighting the food insecurity of so many Americans across the country. Millions are waiting in food lines stretching for blocks and blocks hoping to get enough food just to feed their families. And as these holidays are approaching the need seems to be growing.

In New Jersey a single nonprofit YMCA Meadowlands has given out nearly 630,000 meals to almost 40,000 families and they are expecting to give another 50,000 today to people who began lining up before dawn. And CNNs Brynn Gingras has been there all day long for us.

And so Brynn, your heart just goes out to these families, especially so many families here who are asking for the help for the first time. What are they sharing with you?

BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Brooke, you know, there's two things that I witnessed throughout this day that exemplified the need that is so great, not just here, but really across the country.

But witnessing here is, one, seeing people in their cars lined up for more than five hours to get a couple boxes of food that'll feed them for the next couple of weeks. And then two, I saw one woman literally crying and shaking. She was the first one in line, was there at 4:30, it opened at 9:00, at 9:30 to 10:00. She was crying as that food was loaded into her car.

I mean, this is the emotion that is brought out when you are feeling like you have nothing left. And we're going to hear from that woman in just a bit.

But I want to bring you back here to the Meadowlands YMCA. You can see this crew here behind me, they're packing boxes for the second distribution. We've been here, again, throughout the day, there was one this morning, they'll be one later this afternoon. It's small crew here, but they're expecting a couple more volunteers in a little bit.

But really talking to these people, Brooke, you're learning so much about the state of where we are right now in this country. And that is people sometimes have to, again, line up for hours. Other people have to visit food distribution every day of the week traveling to different states, different counties to get that food just to help their families, make ends meet. And certainly around this Thanksgiving time, the need is so great.

I want you to hear from them though. Take a listen.

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SCOTT WOLANSKI, NORTH ARLINGTON, NEW JERSEY RESIDENT: You know you've got everything going on, bills be paid and, you know, I'm lucky I still have a job and you know, but it's what's going on.

DEBRA BRODERICK, HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY: They forced my husband's to retire early so we can get the benefits. And it's hard to find a job today. And I would do anything, you know, just find something.

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GINGRAS: And that woman is so emotional, Brooke, it just breaks your heart, honestly, to see the position these people are in.

We're outside now, cars again, at 5:00 they're going to start lining up and getting needs food packed into the back of their cars.

[15:55:03]

I got to tell you, though, really important to note, Brooke, is that it's not only the people, it's also distribution centers like this that need donations to keep it going.

They tell us they could close up shop in two months, three months, if they don't get help from the federal government, or they don't get more donations. Brooke.

BALDWIN: And for people who are watching, we'll get out some information on how they can help and donate. Brynn Gingras, thank you so much. So powerful to hear from these people --

GINGRAS: Yes.

BALDWIN: -- and just powerful for them to ask for help. No shame in that.

Our breaking news coverage continues here on CNN as the White House give its formal approval for President-elect Biden to receive the President's Daily Briefing. We have more on that next.

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