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Biden Welcomes Marcon for First Official State Visit of Presidency; House Passes Legislation to Avoid Rail Strike, Next the Senate; Early Voting Surges in Georgia for Senate Runoff. Aired 10- 10:30a ET

Aired December 01, 2022 - 10:00   ET

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

[10:00:18]

BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning, everyone, I'm Bianna Golodryga.

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Jim Sciutto.

Right now a warm welcome, a key moment in France-U.S. relations. President Biden and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, are now going behind closed doors for a candid discussion on foreign policy. They have a lot to talk about. The war in Ukraine. Also a growing standoff between the West and China.

Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron arrived at the White House just in the last hour where they were greeted by the president and the first lady as well as the vice president and the second gentleman. A full state honor, a full red carpet for the French president from his American counterpart.

GOLODRYGA: And I should note, Jim, your French pronunciation is excellent. Quite impressive indeed.

SCIUTTO: I'm working on it.

GOLODRYGA: Good job, my friend.

Well, the two presidents embraced in a very long handshake. Yet again a U.S. president and Macron embracing a long handshake on the lawn ahead of their meeting today. While their personal relationship between Biden and Macron is strong, some patchwork may still be needed between the countries after you'll recall that U.S.-Australia submarine deal blindsided the French and cost them a multibillion dollar Defense contract.

We are following both sides of this critical conversation from the White House to the French capital.

SCIUTTO: So let's begin here in Washington. CNN White House correspondent Jeremy Diamond. He's on the south lawn of the White House.

I wonder, Jeremy, no major deliverables as they're called expected from this visit but sometimes just getting two leaders across the table from each other key to building that relationship. What is the goal for both sides today?

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's exactly right, Jim. I mean, there is so much for these two leaders to discuss and that is why this partnership has become as close as it is. There are a number of issues on which they've had to collaborate, top of the list of course is the war in Ukraine, coordinating the West's lockstep approach to supplying Ukraine with weaponry, to supporting them through financial and humanitarian aid.

And also of course to trying to mitigate the spillover effects of that on the economy, the global economy and particularly right now as we head into what is expected to be a very difficult winter in Europe, to helping Europe weather that storm. So that support for Ukraine does not wane. So talking about Ukraine will be top of the agenda.

But I'm told that this is a relationship that was very much forged through that cooperation. There was of course that August debacle over the submarines that blindsided the French, bringing relations frankly between the two countries to their lowest point in two decades as the French president at the time recalled his ambassador to Washington for consultations, but all of that is very far from the minds of either side at this point.

You saw the full pomp and circumstance very much on display, and President Biden explaining essentially why he chose France for this first state visit, talking about democracy, talking about the shared struggles together. Listen to a little bit of the president's remarks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: France and the United States are once again defending the democratic values and universal human rights which are the heart of both of our nations. The well spring of our strength is a shared commitment to liberty and justice for all.

President Macron, you heard me speak before about the inflection point we stand at in history and how the choices we make today and in the years ahead will determine the course of our world for decades to come. And the United States could not ask for a better partner in this work than France.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAMOND: And President Macron issuing a very similar statement in his remarks talking about the fact that the U.S. and France are sisters in the fight for freedom and saying that the U.S. and France must now once again become brothers in arms as war has returned to European soil. And so they will be discussing that issue. They're also expected to consult on strategy towards China. President Biden of course recently met the Chinese President Xi Jinping on the side lines of the G20 Summit in Bali.

President Macron, he is expected to go to China sometime early next year so they will be consulting on that. And there are also some differences to iron out, particularly the French president has been talking about these tax credits for electric vehicles here in the United States. That's a point of difference between them. So a lot of that and again work on the personal relationship developing spending that time together to move that relationship forward.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. The two leaders meeting right now before that elaborate state dinner. The first of President Biden's administration.

Jeremy Diamond, thank you.

Now let's turn to Paris and CNN international correspondent Melissa Bell is there.

[10:05:01]

So, Melissa, what in particular is the French focus here. Obviously a lot of economic head winds facing the continent, including France, and the war front and center there in Ukraine.

MELISSA BELL, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That is right, Bianna. We really heard there the French president echo what Joe Biden had said in his speech, reminder of course that historic alliance, the fact also that so many of those values principles and against around which they're united in their support of Ukraine were the very foundation of both republics off the French Revolution at the time the American war for independence.

The alliance, the friendship is that a lot of focus on that and the fact that this should help them look ahead and get past the hurdles they both acknowledged existed, because of course there was that point of gathering together to support Ukraine. But then there are the consequences of the war. And they're being felt, Bianna, very differently here in Europe than they are in the United States, specifically energy prices.

Given how dependent Europe was on Russian supplies of natural gas, it's been is a huge hit. And of course these are issues that matter greatly at a national level. At a time when inflation is high, prices are rising and people are finding it difficult to meet those costs. Electrically for European leaders, these are extremely sensitive issues. For the time being European countries have the stocks that they need to get things through the winter, even if we're all being told to be careful and winter is expected to be chillier than normal in terms of the amount that people could spend on heating themselves.

Still, beyond that, as that war drags on, Europe can see itself being penalized in a way that the United States simply isn't. Add to that of course the Inflation Reduction Act that Emmanuel Macron spoke about very forcefully yesterday to congressional leaders saying that it was hugely problematic and in fact risked fragmenting the unity of the west on Ukraine. So this will be at the heart of the discussions that right now are behind the meeting those closed doors. Much less about the alliance, much more about the nitty-gritty of what now divides them and what Europe hopes to see some movement on -- Bianna.

SCIUTTO: No question. One area of bipartisan agreement in this country, protectionist policies and that includes Europe.

Melissa Bell in Paris, thanks so much. Jeremy Diamond at the White House for us.

GOLODRYGA: Well, legislation to avoid a potentially crippling nationwide railway shutdown is now in the hands of the Senate. On Wednesday the House passed a tentative contract deal between rail companies and workers. It's a provision that increases paid sick time for rail employees, that was also approved.

SCIUTTO: Just today, though, they're not particularly happy without congressional action, a strike could become a reality as soon as December 9th. President Biden has warned that would have huge economic consequences here.

Manu Raju is covering the latest from Capitol Hill.

So you need a hundred senators, I mean, a lot of traps here, right, to run. A hundred senators would have to agree to schedule the vote for today and then you've got some division even within the Democratic Party about how to proceed here. Is this going to get across the finish line as it stands?

MANU RAJU, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's still an open question. There is a push to get this all wrapped up today, but as you mentioned this is the United States Senate. It requires what's called unanimous consent. All 100 senators need to agree to schedule a vote and that is critical given there's little time between now and next week when the strike could almost certainly happen if there is no agreement here.

Now what Chuck Schumer, the majority leader has proposed, is to have a vote on the railway agreement that would implement what was agreed to back in September between the railway workers and the industry that was silent on the issue of paid sick leave. But also an amendment that would mandate a week of sick leave for those rail workers. But Republicans also want their own amendment being offered, too, to delay that December 9th deadline to avert a strike for about a month, trying to force the negotiators to the table.

But in order to get a schedule on a vote on the underlying agreement and those two amendments, all 100 senators have to agree and there is no agreement yet. Just this morning the number two Democrat, Dick Durbin, indicated that they're still waiting for Republicans to sign off on this deal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL): I talked to Chuck Schumer this morning about it, and he's still waiting for a sign from Senator McConnell that he's ready for us to call this measure. It takes bipartisanship to get to the measure. It takes bipartisanship to pass it. So we can't do it without the help of Republicans. The Democrats stand ready to back the president.

(END VIDEO CLIP) RAJU: But the reason why there is not much time is not just the December 9th deadline but the impacts across the economy could certainly be felt as soon as this weekend if there is not an agreement and a passage of this bill in the Senate. So the senators typically leave on Thursdays which means a lot of pressure to get this done today before they head home for the weekend, guys.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. And I know there are some Republicans voices out there who are frustrated with the administration for what they say not stepping in and prolonging that cool off period, that cool off time, thus extending these negotiations, having both sides go back to the drawing board.

[10:10:03]

But the provisions specifically to increase paid sick leave from one to seven days, that was added at the insistence of some progressive members of the House. Is there any support for that in the Senate? And I'm just curious, they knew this was a sticking point for a while. Why are we just hearing this publicly from some progressives now?

RAJU: Yes. Some of them are voicing this. And what is important to remember, they did add this in the House bill but it was passed in such a way that allows the Senate to essentially ignore that additional seven days of sick leave. They did that because they were concerned by adding that, it could actually scuttle the underlying agreement because Republicans support is very limited on this issue.

It's unlikely at the moment to get the 10 Republicans that would be necessary in order to meet that 60 vote threshold to pass that amendment to mandate seven days of sick leave. There is some Republican support. In fact Josh Hawley, Republican from Missouri, told me that he will support this amendment. But getting to 10, a different question. So a lot of questions about whether they could get this done but certainly a push to finish it all today, guys.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. The clock is ticking. Manu Raju, thank you.

SCIUTTO: All right. So more on all of the political developments, let's bring in CNN political commentator, also a former Obama administration official, Van Jones.

Van, good to have you back.

VAN JONES, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Good morning.

SCIUTTO: First, I want to begin with the big picture question as President Biden has his first state visit with the French president today. There's been a notable change in the public and private discussion in Washington about Biden in 2024 since the midterm elections. You see some of this in the polling. Not a huge move. But now a latest poll from Marquette University shows Democrats about evenly split as to whether they want him to run again.

But that's up five points from September. And as you've heard, you do have fewer lawmakers expressing or hinting at doubts about him running again. Is he in effect back to being the standard bearer for this party in 2024?

JONES: He is. And I think it just has to do with the track record of success when you're looking at stuff. You know, people forget, you know, gun reform was important, he's fighting for the student loan battle, he's still trying to make that happen. The infrastructure, the CHIPS Act, standing up to China, trying to making sure that we can have our own semiconductor industry work out.

He's done a bunch of stuff. He's done a bunch of stuff in two years that some presidents don't do in eight. And then we didn't get killed in the midterms. And so I think it's just hard to say well, hey, well, enough of that. You know, get out of here, dude. And so here we are.

GOLODRYGA: So it looks like on this rail strike potentially happening, it looks like there is legislation to avoid that, period. Going back to that initial deal that President Biden helped broker back in September and perhaps now we know was prematurely touting after that deal. Now, though, the question becomes, does he pay the price given that he's known as Union Joe and very friendly with these unions if the second bill, the second provision about extending sick leave for seven days doesn't go through, which it doesn't look like it will?

JONES: Look, I mean, Biden is in a tough spot. He either has to crush the unions or crush Christmas. That's basically his choice. And so I think at end of the day, he says, look, you know, Christmas is too important, you can't, you know, throw the U.S. economy into the toilet, you know, right here at the end. But, man, it's a heartbreaker. And I got to tell you, the more you look at this, these workers, I think, have a case that would break the hearts of anybody.

The big rail industry has been making so much money, billions of dollars in profits even just this past quarter. Their executives get paid a ton and these guys don't have the right to get sick? These men and women don't have the right to get sick? So I hope that the Republicans will look at that, you know, follow Josh -- I never thought I'd say follow Josh, but I hope Republicans follow him and stick up for these workers that are there for us. They should have the right to get sick.

SCIUTTO: It's a notable point, though, to see, and not just Josh Hawley, by the way, Marco Rubio talk about paid sick leave. I mean, I remember not long ago, months ago, when paid sick leave had to be pushed out of the Democratic agenda because there weren't enough Democratic votes, you know, let alone, you know, any Republican interest in that. What does that tell us about the move for blue- collar workers among Republicans? I mean, it's a different Republican Party in the -- well, and some of that to be credited to Donald Trump.

JONES: I mean, you're starting to see a different mix now as the Republicans try to fight for those working class voters. You know, working class folks have real issues. And when I say working, I mean these are working folks. But you can work your butt off and still not be able to pay for childcare, not be able to help a sick or ailing relative. And so as you begin to try to pull those folks away from Democratic Party, those concerns you hear more and more on the Republican side and now the Democratic side. So there's going to be kind of a different mix, I think, of bipartisan

solutions when it comes to working families.

[10:15:02]

GOLODRYGA: On this -- I don't want to be too pollyannish here, but on this issue and idea of more bipartisanship, we saw bipartisanship in terms of legislation, protecting same-sex marriage, now we're hearing strange bedfellows like Josh Hawley and Bernie Sanders on the same side at protecting union rights to have sick leave. Do you think that that continues to other legislation that we're up against by the end of the year, perhaps even keeping the government open, you know, small things like that?

JONES: You know, you got to hope so. Obviously it's the vast majority of Democrats who are sticking up for unions and the vast of majority of Republicans are not. But you do look for those little points of common ground and common overlap. The Equal Act is up, the criminal justice measure that could find bipartisan overlap spot. You know, so I hope that as we move forward, you're going to have divided government after the lame duck and you're going to have a ton of problems for Americans that could be solved.

Hey, it's a good thing if both parties are fighting for a working class base, for regular folks, everyday lunch pail folks, to be able to get something good from their party then there could be more bipartisanship because I don't care if you're poor and working hard in a red county or in a blue city, you got the same basic problems that your paycheck is just not going far enough and the help that you're getting from your government is not doing enough for you, and so there could be, you know, some glimmers of hope here. It just comes down to leadership.

SCIUTTO: Yes.

GOLODRYGA: It's clear that's what voters want, right?

JONES: Absolutely.

GOLODRYGA: For their leaders to work together on these issues.

Van Jones, thank you.

JONES: Thank you.

SCIUTTO: Another big political headline, just 48 hours left for Georgia Senate candidates to turn out the early vote. Former President Obama looking to give a boost to Raphael Warnock tonight.

GOLODRYGA: Plus new concern for Paul Whelan, an American detained in Russia. What his family is now saying about reports that he was moved to a prison hospital and is now unable to call home.

SCIUTTO: Also ahead, a not quite royal welcome for Prince William and Princess Kate at a Celtics game last night in Boston as they make their first trip to the U.S. in years. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:21:35]

GOLODRYGA: Tonight, Georgia's Democratic candidate for Senate is getting a big boost with a campaign appearance from former President Barack Obama. It's the latest in a string of high-profile rallies for Raphael Warnock but his challenger, Republican Herschel Walker, has held far fewer public events. Tomorrow is the final day of early voting in Georgia but already there has been a massive turnout. More than 1.1 million early votes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. RAPHAEL WARNOCK (D), GEORGIA SENATE CANDIDATE: You saw something that doesn't happen in Georgia. These split ticket voters. I think they can see the contrast and I think we're going to see the results of that next week.

HERSCHEL WALKER (R), GEORGIA SENATE CANDIDATE: It is time we get this right and the way we get it right by putting me in the Senate because I'm not going to dance and sing for nobody.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCIUTTO: CNN spoke to one of these split ticket voters that Warnock referenced as well as someone who's standing by Walker despite the scandals that have plagued his campaign.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BLAKE BRIESE, GEORGIA VOTER WHO VOTED FOR GOVERNOR KEMP BUT NOT WALKER: The interviews we've had, the type of stuff that Herschel Walker says, I'm of the opinion he'll say pretty much anything to get elected.

JACOB BYRD, HERSCHEL WALKER SUPPORTER: I just like how he talks and like the stories he tells, and, you know, he just, he's off the cuff. He's not all serious about everything. Everything is not a big deal to him, you know. Is he the best candidate for the job? Maybe not. I mean, is he the most qualified guy in the world? I don't know. Maybe not. But does he have a great attitude? Yes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCIUTTO: Joining us now is Bill Nigut. He's the executive producer and host of Georgia Public Television's "Political Rewind."

Bill, good to have you on this morning.

BILL NIGUT, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND HOST, GEORGIA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S "POLITICAL REWIND": Thanks for having me, Jim.

SCIUTTO: So we're seeing massive early voter turnout. Given all the back and forth, clearly Georgia voters like the option of early voting. Historically speaking that favors Democrats, does it favor Democrats in this race?

NIGUT: Yes, absolutely. The early turnout always in Georgia favors Democrats because it's Democrats who really encourage their people to turn out to vote early. And just to give you a sense of how important early voting is to Democrats, how important same-day voting is to Republicans, we should point out that although Warnock really moved far ahead of Walker in the early voting in the general election, on election day itself, Herschel Walker got 220,000 more votes, 15 points higher than Raphael Warnock did. It was enough to throw this into a runoff.

GOLODRYGA: What we just heard in that piece, specifically the voter who is supporting Walker, now he by no means represents every Walker supporter, but to hear him say, is he the best candidate for the job, probably not. Also knowing that the Senate is not up for grabs with this runoff, how concerning should that be for Republicans ahead of next Tuesday?

NIGUT: Well, I do think there are many Republicans who share that voter sentiment who have decided they won't cast a ballot for Walker because they don't think he's the most qualified. It's important to remember that on election day, Herschel Walker underperformed every Republican on the state ballot. Every other Republican won their elections by significant margins. Herschel Walker underperformed Brian Kemp by more than 200,000 votes.

[10:25:05]

SCIUTTO: Well, now he's got Brian Kemp on his side. And not just the man, but the machine. And I wonder what difference you think that could make for him in this runoff?

NIGUT: Brian Kemp is the most popular Republican in Georgia today. And so his endorsement of Walker is important. The question, though, is Brian Kemp is not on the ballot obviously. He's already won reelection as governor. So the question becomes, even though Kemp has endorsed him, do voters have a compelling reason to turn out and vote for Walker, and that remains to be seen.

GOLODRYGA: How important will former President Obama's visit there be for Warnock?

NIGUT: He -- you've seen this in many places. He energizes Democrats in ways that no one else can. He is the superstar of the Democratic Party. He talks directly and straight, and he will be here tonight, and he'll say the same thing that he's now saying in a commercial in which he talks direct to camera and says, this is a crucial election, you've got to turn out and vote for Raphael Warnock.

So I think it's extraordinarily important for Warnock to have him here. Meanwhile, Walker is getting visits from surrogates but they're people like Nikki Haley, Mike Pompeo. He doesn't want Donald Trump coming in to campaign for him. So in terms of star power, Warnock really has the win in that category.

SCIUTTO: Yes. Notable it's not with the former president. Bill Nigut, good to have you on.

GOLODRYGA: Thanks, Bill.

NIGUT: Thanks.

GOLODRYGA: Well, still ahead, the mayor of Kyiv says Ukraine won't let Putin steal Christmas as Ukrainians brace themselves for a bleak winter. We'll also speak to a professor in Kyiv who's been posting about life right now in the capital where some of his students as you see in these videos have had to study in bomb shelters due to electricity issues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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