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Melanie Campbell, President, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Discusses Supreme Court Allowing AL GOP Map that May Hurt Black Voters & NFL's Goodell Meeting with NAACP Amid Racial Bias Allegations; McConnell Weighs in on RNC Calling 1/6 "Legitimate Political Discourse"; McCarthy Defends RNC Resolution Calling 1/6 Riot "Legitimate Political Discourse"; V.P. Harris' Husband Ushed Off Stage at D.C. High School Due to "Security Threat". Aired 2:30-3p ET

Aired February 08, 2022 - 14:30   ET

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

[14:30:00]

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN HOST: Justice Elena Kagan wrote the dissension for the minority. She wrote, "Black Alabamans will suffer clear vote dilution."

What does this mean in everyday terms for black voters there?

MELANIE CAMPBELL, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL COALITION ON BLACK CIVIC PARTICIPATION: Thank you. Thank you for the invitation to join you.

It means that black voting power will be diluted. It means that voters in Alabama won't be protected when it comes to the ability to elect candidates of choice.

This U.S. Supreme Court is another blow to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

What we continue to find, because the Senate, the U.S. Senate, has not acted, had the opportunity to act. But because of a rule, did not act to reform the Voting Rights Act.

As far as enforcement powers to make sure that discriminatory practices based on race would be eliminated.

And so, here we are. Going into the '22 election, let alone the 2024 election that's coming up, that we are not -- our rights are not protected in this country.

CAMEROTA: I want to read you something that Congressman Mo Brooks, of Alabama, Republican, has said.

And I am reluctant to quote Congressman Mo Brooks ever since he told the angry mob outside of the capitol to go kick some ass that day.

But I think that I'm going to break my rule, because it's relevant. And I think that a lot of people might share his sentiment about what this act -- what the Supreme Court just decided.

So, he says, "The concept that blacks can only be elected in black districts and whites should have districts of their own in which they get elected, I believe that is racist and I oppose it."

What's your response to his logic?

CAMPBELL: Well, the way they draw these lines, we call that packing or cracking, right? Where it has partisan advantage, really, it's the problem.

It's not that you're trying to make sure that it's a majority black. Most of the Congressional Black Caucus members that are in the

Congress aren't even in majority black districts. So, it's not that.

It's making sure that you draw lines that are fair, that you don't put people in these squiggly lines all over the place to make sure you only have Republicans that will vote your way.

And that's what's happening across this country, in too many states, including the state of Texas and other places.

So what we don't have is the ability to look at -- to make sure that the maps are fair for the voters to be able to say -- let candidates of choice.

And not the elected officials making sure they have the ability to make sure that only one party has the ability to win these congressional races.

It doesn't stop there. It goes all the way down to the school board.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

(CROSSTALK)

CAMPBELL: So we are talking about the ability to, again, elect candidates of choice.

CAMEROTA: Very quickly, because I want to get to your meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, but is this something that the Electoral Count Act could fix?

CAMPBELL: I'm not sure about that. That's really about what happens when you try to decide the president.

But first of all, you have to have the ability for the voters to be able to vote and have that vote protected.

And at the back end of that is worrying about who is able to do the ceremonial things that the vice president does in a presidential election.

CAMEROTA: Great point.

CAMPBELL: It's about voters.

CAMEROTA: Great, great point.

So, you just met this week with the NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, yesterday, as I understand it.

It was about the Rooney Rule, which, as we know, it basically designated that the NFL teams had to interview at least two external minority candidates for coaching and other top jobs.

But we've learned from Brian Flores recently that that was basically being disregarded.

So, you met with Roger Goodell. And, you know, Brian Flores had said this is all a sham. So what did Commissioner Goodell say he's going to do about it?

CAMPBELL: Well, one, we're going to keep talking.

But the one key thing it was about was, what happened with that -- with that text, it revealed why there's -- we're even having this conversation today.

That the Rooney Rule is not working if people are just doing window dressing, if you will, and know that they're going to do what they want to do.

Ten they're not really following a fair process to make sure that the diversity that really needs to be in the NFL is there.

It didn't just start with that. So it just revealed what was already there, what people suspected.

CAMEROTA: Are you satisfied with his declaration that you'll keep talking? Do you want him to do something more specific right now?

CAMPBELL: No. We want action. We want action. We didn't meet there just to talk.

But the idea of putting it out there with my colleagues, my civil rights colleagues, with Marc Morial and Reverend Sharpton and Barbara Skinner and Derek Johnson yesterday, was really just to enforce the issue or -- not force it.

But really just implore them to put together a strategy with the owners and others to really address this issue that's been out there for a very long time. And you have to do that with real structure.

[14:35:05]

One of the things that people talk about, when they talk about the owners is when the owners make the decision. Well, the owners, when you talk about the NFL, it's subsidized by taxpayer dollars.

I don't care where you go, whether you're talking about buildings, stadiums, others, really, in some cases, the fans are also part owners when you think about that.

And so, the league needs to reflect the diversity from the locker room to the owners' box that shows that this -- the NFL is about inclusion and opportunity. CAMEROTA: Melanie Campbell, thank you. Really interesting to get your

perspective on all this.

CAMPBELL: Thank you. Thank you so much.

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN HOST: House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is now defending the RNC calling January 6th "legitimate political discourse." The resolution is once again creating a rift within the GOP. We're going to discuss that ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:40:39]

CAMEROTA: All right, we have some breaking political news. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell offering his first comments about the RNC resolution that censured lawmakers Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney.

And that resolution that called January 6th, "legitimate political discourse."

Here it is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY): That the RNC should be in the business of picking and choosing Republicans who ought to be supported.

Traditionally, the view of the national party committees is that we support all members of our party, regardless of their positions on some issues.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Do you have confidence in her, the chairwoman of the committee?

MCCONNELL: I do. But the issue is whether or not the RNC should be sort of singling out members of our party who may have different views from the majority. That's not the job of the RNC.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Leader McConnell --

(CROSSTALK)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: OK, so, that resolution is now sparking growing frustration, as you can see, for GOP lawmakers and some backlash.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, though, defended it. He claims the resolution was not referring to anybody who broke in and caused damage.

Hard to know, since they didn't specify that it was omitting those people.

BLACKWELL: Certainly didn't. CAMEROTA: But instead was directed at the subpoenas of six RNC members

who were not at the capitol on the day of the riot.

BLACKWELL: Utah Senator Mitt Romney says, to suggest that a violent attack on the seat of democracy is legitimate political discourse is so far from accurate.

Trump ally, Senator Kevin Cramer, lashes out at the RNC and he says this: "I think they're out of their league, quite honestly."

More than 140 Republican and conservative leaders also signed a statement condemning the RNC's censure.

They wrote this:

"There can be no justifying the horrific attack that day. And we condemn the committee for excusing the actions of men and women who battered police officers, ransacked our nation's capital."

Joe Walsh is a former Republican Congressman from Illinois, who signed that statement. Scott Jennings is a CNN political commentator and a former special assistant to George W. Bush.

Scott, let me start with you.

There's this rift in the party on -- I mean, it is -- it's unbelievable that the video we watched can in any way be described as a legitimate political discourse. And you've got some people defending that now.

What does this mean for your party as you try to convince people in this country to give your majorities in the House and Senate?

SCOTT JENNINGS, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Yes, I mean, it's a huge mistake. It's an unforced error. It's wrong.

As a political, tactical matter, it's a massive distraction from what the, you know, correct political strategy would be for the Republicans right now, which should be to talk about the future, talk about the state of the country.

Talk about, you know, anything other than trying to justify, going back in time and trying to justify something that we all saw with our own eyes on television.

Where you get in trouble in politics is when you try to convince somebody they didn't really see what just happened or they're not really feeling what they're actually feeling.

And that statement -- and I recognize they've tried to clean it up afterwards, after the fact, god help them.

But that statement did not delineate between people who were ransacking the capitol and people who just showed up for some political speeches.

And the idea that you would be able to convince anybody that we didn't see what we all saw is ludicrous.

And so it was a major mistake. And I'm glad some Republicans, especially in the Senate, have called them out.

CAMEROTA: And, Joe, you're one of the people who is called them out on paper. You were one of 140 Republicans who sent a letter saying that, of course, violence like that isn't political discourse.

I'll read a portion of your letter.

"History will mark this censure as a turning point for the RNC, a time of choosing between civility and patriotism, on the one hand, and conspiracy and political violence on the other."

You know, I think so often, we see something that seems shocking, and we think it's a tipping point or a turning point. What makes you think, Joe, that this one really is?

JOE WALSH, (R), FORMER U.S. CONGRESSMAN FROM ILLINOIS: It won't be, Alisyn. It won't be a turning point.

Look, I'm proud to have signed that letter, but I'm a former congressman.

The problem with that letter, Alisyn, is there are too many formers. There aren't enough current. The current Republicans generally keep their damn mouths shut.

I agree with everything Scott just said. But look, there's no rift in the Republican Party.

[14:45:01]

I know I sound like a broken record. The party is really unified. The party base is really unified. And most of the rest of the world just doesn't get that. This is Trump's party.

I'm done, Alisyn. I'm done with defining moments. To hell with defining moments. We're miles past those.

BLACKWELL: Let me ask you, this group that signed this, from Renew America, I went back and read the creation statement, the mission statement.

And let's put that up for these hundred-plus.

"When our democratic republic forces of conspiracy, division, and despotism arise, it is the patriotic duty of citizens to act collectively in defense of liberty and justice."

"We, therefore, declare our intent to catalyze an American renewal and either reimagine a Republican Party dedicated to our founding ideals or else hasten the creation of such an alternative."

That was last spring. Where are you on moving forward on either of these missions? WALSH: What's interesting, Victor, is of all of us who joined that

movement and signed that letter, we're all over the map on the future of the Republican Party.

I've been pretty clear that I do not believe this party can change. I do not believe this party can be saved. I think we are looking at, in the next couple of election cycles, a brand-new political party.

There are -- Victor, there are too many good, decent Republicans and conservatives who have left this party.

And there's no room for them. There's no room for Adam Kinzinger in this party. There's no room right now for Liz Cheney in this party. And that's not changing any time soon.

CAMEROTA: Very quickly, Scott, I just want you to respond, because we are seeing people like Mitt Romney and Mitch McConnell, which you just heard there, say that they don't like, basically, what the RNC is doing.

So, is this possibly -- I mean, I know that Joe says, I'm done with defining moments. But do you see it a little differently?

JENNINGS: Well, look, I think the reason that Mitch McConnell spoke out today is because he's singularly focused on trying to win elections for his party in the fall.

And he knows that this is a huge albatross around the Republican Party's neck.

If we're going to run this midterm or trying to justify what happened on January 6th or run this or the next election on rationalizing or relitigating whether the 2020 election was stolen, which it was not, we're going to lose.

This is a chance for the Republican Party to get in its own way or focus on the future and focus on the things that the members of this conference want to focus on.

So, I don't know -- look, the Republican Party is in a terrific position to win elections as long as it focuses on what people care about and as long as it doesn't try to convince the American people of things, you know, that aren't reality.

And we all know the reality of January 6th. Anybody with eyes and ears knows what happened that day.

And they should not be taking a position on convincing them otherwise.

CAMEROTA: All right, Joe Walsh, Scott Jennings, thank you as always for the perspective. Thanks.

BLACKWELL: Let's go down to CNN's Manu Raju, who just spoke with Mitch McConnell.

You know, you have explained to us before that Mitch McConnell, when he does not want to answer a question or focus on a specific topic, he knows how to pivot. This one, he took on.

MANU RAJU, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, he did. And he wanted to make clear he disagreed with this move to censure Kinzinger and Cheney.

And even though those two have become essentially pariahs within the Republican Party, because of their role going after Donald Trump.

Because of the fact that they have taken on the former president and joined this investigation, that those members are still part of the Republican Party.

Because McConnell, in his view, believes that winning back the Senate, taking back the House as well, will require total Republican unity and not party infighting, which is why he strongly disagreed with the censure of these two members.

He also made clear that he disagrees with any suggestion that this was any legitimate political discourse, calling it, in my exchange with him just now, quote, "a violent insurrection."

He did say he did have confidence in the Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. But he did make clear he disagreed with this move.

That is the big one, why you're hearing a lot of Republicans push back on this, particularly on the Senate side because of their belief this will only undercut their message.

But in the House, such a different calculation with Republican leaders, like Kevin McCarthy, who believe that aligning themselves with Donald Trump is essential to taking back the House.

Which is why, when I asked McCarthy about this earlier today, he defended the move, defended the language. He didn't say he explicitly supported it, wouldn't respond to a question about that.

But said essentially there's nothing wrong. Didn't offer any objections to the language of legitimate political discourse, suggesting that perhaps dealing with another issue that was not addressed in the resolution.

[14:50:58]

But nevertheless, it shows you the different calculations of the two Republican leaders.

And McConnell's made a calculation, move away from Trump, unite against the Biden agenda, and that will take them back to the majority.

CAMEROTA: Well, Manu, it was a great question to Leader McConnell and really interesting answer.

Thanks so much for bring it to us.

RAJU: Thanks.

BLACKWELL: All right. The Oscar nominations are out, with traditional movie releases dwindling. Streaming services, Netflix, Apple, they are feeling the love. We'll talk about that and the list of nominees, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:55:11]

CAMEROTA: We are just getting breaking news into our NEWSROOM. Second gentleman, Doug Emhoff, was just ushered out of a room at a D.C. high school by Secret Service because of a security threat reported at that school.

BLACKWELL: CNN's M.J. Lee has details for us.

What do you know, M.J.?

M.J. LEE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: The information still coming in so we don't know a lot.

But here is what we do know at this moment. The second gentleman was at an event at a local high school in the Washington, D.C., area. What we are learning is he had to be ushered out of the room by security because there was a security threat.

What a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Department is saying right now is that a bomb threat was placed. That obviously doesn't tell us a lot of information.

But in a situation like this, of course, the security is going to be very heavy. And you can easily imagine a scenario where if there was a credible bomb threat, then he is going to be ushered out of the room.

Again, that's what we're being told happened when the second gentleman, Doug Emhoff, was in this room.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki is briefing reporters right now.

At the top of the briefing, she was asked about the situation. She said she doesn't have details to share now. But that if she gets additional details white the briefing was going on that she would let reporters know -- guys?

BLACKWELL: Just getting this in from print reporters, who were there, that Mr. Emhoff entered the museum of Dunbar History at 2:13. Ushered out at 2:18. The agent said something like we have to go.

Then the principal followed a few minutes later. At 2:34, there was an announcement over the intercom telling teachers to evacuate the school and the pool left the building as well.

Some details coming from print reporters there, as we try to figure out what was the cause of the quick evacuation. LEE: Yes, that's right. And there are, as you point out, reporters

that were at that event to cover this event. So you're absolutely right that they're going to be our eyes and ears on the ground as well.

And some of this information is beginning to trickle in.

Again, he had left the room, was evacuated because of some kind of security threat. The police department saying that it was a bomb threat.

But again, as soon as we have more information, we will bring that to you.

CAMEROTA: Yes, it's a little nerve wracking that it took 16 more minutes to get the --

BLACKWELL: Everyone else out, yes.

CAMEROTA: -- teachers out of the building.

But, M.J., thank you very much for that. We will continue to follow it.

OK, meanwhile, several states are leading the charge when it comes to lifting mask mandates in schools. And now the Biden administration is coming under pressure to release its own road map. So we'll discuss what the White House needs to do next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)