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Harris Promises New Path Forward in Acceptance Speech; Head of Second Largest Teachers Union Says We're All In; RFK Jr. to Give Speech Today in Arizona, Withdraws from State Ballot. Aired 10-10:30a ET

Aired August 23, 2024 - 10:00   ET

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

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JIM ACOSTA, CNN ANCHOR: A Friday morning and a new dawn in the race for the White House inside the United Center on Chicago's west side as Kamala Harris promises a quote, new way forward, the biggest moment of her political life, the vice president center stage and the race to November is on with these words.

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KAMALA HARRIS, U.S. VICE PRESIDENT, DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: I accept your nomination to be president of the United States of America.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ACOSTA: Welcome to a special TGIF edition of the CNN Newsroom. I'm Jim Acosta live at the DNC in Chicago. The Democrats' message, singular and focus, a president, as they're describing it, for all.

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HARRIS: Our nation with this election has a precious, fleeting opportunity, to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past, a chance to chart a new way forward. I promise to be a president for all Americans. You can always trust me to put country above party and self.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ACOSTA: One of the iconic moments captured at this convention, this photo, a snapshot of one of the youngest people listening to Kamala Harris' message, her grandniece, that grandniece also playing a starring role on stage. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And what are you here to do?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: To teach you how to say your auntie's name.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Okay, so how do you pronounce it?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: First, you say Kama, like a comma in a sentence.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Then you say, La, like la, la, la, la.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Put it together, and it's one, two, three, Kamala.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody here say, Kama.

CROWD: Kama.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Over here say, La.

CROWD: La.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ACOSTA: All right. Democrats riding high, as you can see there, from the convention. But the hard part coming next, the sprint to the November election is now on. It is 74 days away on the show this morning.

One of the last night's speakers, Randi Reingartem -- excuse me, Weingarte, president of the American Federation of Teachers, she's here with us. This is a big moment for teachers this week at the DNC. Also with us, former Republican Presidential Candidate Asa Hutchinson and Illinois Lieutenant Governor Julianna Stratton, plus two members, this is going to be a real treat for us, two cast members from the West Wing, 25 years after it first premiered, must-see T.V., as they called it back then. It's going to be must-see T.V. coming up.

But CNN's Eva McKend joins us now. Eva, we made it to Friday, so did the Democrats. And, you know, one of the things that I was picking up on last night is that it seemed as though the Democrats wanted to stick the landing. They wanted to get out of here without really any drama. Kamala Harris was on stage a little earlier than I think a lot of people expected. And I think maybe the Democrats just wanted to get out of here with what they felt like was a big win.

EVA MCKEND, CNN NATIONAL POLITICS CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Jim. And last night was really instructive in terms of them detailing what the argument is going to be in the weeks ahead. She emphasized country over party, which seemed to be a direct appeal to independent and conservative voters. We know that Republicans for Harris are going to be a key part of the coalition in the weeks ahead.

She uplifted this argument over reproductive freedom. She talked about it being a defining goal of a future potential Harris presidency to really focus on uplifting the middle class. And then she also made a forceful case against former President Donald Trump. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: I will not cozy up to tyrants and dictators, like Kim Jong- un, who are rooting for Trump, who are rooting for Trump. Because, you know, they know he is easy to manipulate with flattery and favors. They know Trump won't hold autocrats accountable because he wants to be an autocrat himself.

In the enduring struggle between democracy and tyranny. I know where I stand and I know where the United States belongs.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCKEND: So, Jim, clearly they had a strong unified convention, but no one on the campaign is under any illusion that the next couple of weeks are going to be easy. They recognize that they are going to work hard, the vice president and the second gentleman speaking to such last night when addressing supporters.

ACOSTA: Yes, and they were celebrating their wedding anniversary. Apparently they're going to postpone that celebration a little bit. They've got some work to do.

Eva McKend, thank you very much, great coverage here at the DNC. I really appreciate it.

Many teachers across the country have been rallying around the Harris- Walz ticket since former public school teacher Tim Walz was named as the vice presidential pick. And last night, the head of the second largest teachers union spoke at the DNC and declared she is all in.

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RANDI WEINGARTEN, PRESIDENT, THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS: Being pro-family means we support access to good union jobs, affordable housing, health care, and higher education. That's what Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are fighting for, and we are all in.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ACOSTA: And Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, joins me now. You've been involved in Democratic politics for a really long time. And, I mean, this has there been a convention where --

WEINGARTEN: I'm older than I look.

ACOSTA: Well, I was going to say, I mean, but you know how these conventions work? And, I mean, the focus on teachers, have you ever seen it like this before? It's something.

WEINGARTEN: Well, you know, there's always been a focus on education, either, you know, the Democrats talking about strengthening and believing in public education, the Republicans then taking pot shots, at least in the modern era on education in that kind of way. This felt really real, because, you know, anyone who knows Tim Walz, and now America does, not just Minnesota and not just his kids, he's a teacher's teacher and he's a student's teacher.

And what really great teachers understand is that you have to meet people where they are and you have to help inspire and cajole and lift them so that they can soar themselves.

And I think what happened is that we you saw that teachers, not only in the hall, but in America, feel, you know, the stiff in their back and feel the respect that they deserve, you know, that they rarely get. And in these culture wars, I mean, what's the it's craziness to not let us meet the needs of kids. And to censor history and to ban books, and you don't know what you can teach and not to teach, so this sense of not only don't underestimate a teacher, but the role that teachers have in society and lifting them up so that they can lift kids up, that's what I think people felt.

ACOSTA: Yes. I mean, that's a good point, because, I mean, public education teachers have been dragged into the culture wars over these last several years, and to have one on the vice presidential ticket is something else.

And I did want to ask you about this because you brought up Tim Walz and, you know --

WEINGARTEN: I loved what -- let me just say, I loved his line that as others, ban books, we banish hunger.

ACOSTA: Yes.

WEINGARTEN: I mean, it just -- sorry, but it's just -- that's who he is and that's what public education does.

ACOSTA: Yes. But I did want to ask you about this, because there was this amazing moment the other night when Tim Walz accepted the party's nomination for vice president, when his son became very choked up, very emotional. And I just wonder as an advocate for public education and teachers, when you saw that moment, what did that say to you? And what's your response? I'm sure you saw some of the ugliness on social media coming from people who are really on the very far right, sort of these clout chasing yahoos, who are attacking this. I mean, I just thought this was an absolutely beautiful moment. I'm just wondering what your thoughts were on that.

WEINGARTEN: So, the first off, when I stopped crying after I watched it, you know, this is unfortunately what social media has also helped amplify, but the cruelty starts with Donald Trump.

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When Donald Trump started being cruel about people with disabilities, when he's cruel about vets who are disabled because of war, that cruelty -- look, he's -- you know, I don't like the kind of leader he is, but he has followers who think that that's okay. That's not okay. That's part of what I think Kamala Harris was saying last night about a new way forward. It's not just about policy. It's about who we are as Americans and about how we approach not only life but our neighbors.

And you can disagree on issues, but there is something about the pluralism of America that we need to get back to. And I think that's part of what she was saying last night and that's part of what Walz was saying. And so what I say to our members, frankly, it's just ignore it. That cruelty -- we should match -- actually what I -- we should match that cruelty by kindness and by showing a different way of how we should act in the world.

ACOSTA: Randi Weingarten, well said. Thank you very much. We have to cherish our kids however they express themselves, especially when they do it in a beautiful way like that. Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

Coming up, former Trump fixer Michael Cohen is on a mission. We caught up with him here at the DNC and what he's doing to stop a second Trump presidency. That's coming up.

And next, RFK Jr. is expected to wrap up his race for the White House. CNN's Kristen Holmes is in Phoenix ahead of his announcement. Kristen, this really could shake up the race. What do you think?

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right, and I don't believe in coincidences. Donald Trump is also expected to be outside of Phoenix later today. Upcoming, we will break down what RFK's departure means for the race, and what it means in particular for former President Donald Trump.

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ACOSTA: Welcome back to a special edition of Newsroom, live from Chicago and the DNC.

Just hours from now, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will give a speech in Arizona, a state where, just some 24 hours ago, he filed paperwork to withdraw his name from the presidential ballot. This latest move adds to growing talks that Kennedy will soon drop out of the 2024 race and instead endorse former President Donald Trump.

CNN's Kristen Holmes joins me live in Phoenix. Kristen, where does this campaign stand right now?

HOLMES: Well, Jim, as you said, just a few moments from now, we are told -- or excuse me, just a few hours from now, we are told RFK Jr. is expected to suspend his campaign. And there are high level talks between his orbit and Donald Trump's orbit in order for RFK to endorse Trump, but nobody is committing to that yet. And it appears that Trump and his team really don't want to get ahead of anything that RFK is going to do.

Here's what Trump said last night in an interview when asked about the state of play between him and RFK.

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DONALD TRUMP (R), FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT, 2024 PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: I have no idea if he's going to endorse me. I know he's got a news conference. We happen to be in the same state, Arizona, we will be in the same state, but in quite different parts of the state. But it's possible we will be meeting tomorrow, and we'll be discussing it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Okay. So, obviously, very vague there saying he has no idea he maybe will meet with RFK, but yet his campaign still put out this and I think we're going to pull it up for you here. This is a full screen advertising the event that is here just outside of Phoenix where we are that has a shadowy figure and says that there's going to be surprise special guests and the campaign has been promoting this heavily. So, if it's not RFK, they are certainly trying to give the impression that it is.

Now, I want to mention one thing here, because there are a lot of questions about RFK's controversial campaign, just some of the things that have happened since he has been running for office. He admitted that he had a parasitic brain worm that died in his brain and caused brain fog. He avoided questions in a Vanity Fair article. There were allegations over sexual assault from a former nanny. At one point, we learned that he actually placed a bear cub carcass in Central Park.

But the question of whether or not he could move this race is still a very real one. And I want to tell you something about the state of Arizona right now. RFK is pulling at 6 percent. Donald Trump's team doesn't believe he's going to get a full 6 percent if he is endorsed by RFK, but what they do believe is that this election is going to be determined by razor thin margins, and any of that 6 percent that they could get could determine his fate, Donald Trump's fate, in a state like this.

ACOSTA: All right. Kristen Holmes, thank you very much, an important update, we appreciate it.

Coming up next, we will discuss more about RFK Jr. and Donald Trump and whether or not that alliance is going to take place.

Plus, reaction from Kamala Harris' acceptance speech here in Chicago with former Republican Governor of Arkansas Asa Hutchinson, he's coming up in just a few moments. Stay with us.

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ACOSTA: All right. Before the break, we were talking about Independent Presidential Candidate RFK Jr., and how he's expected to announce he is suspending his campaign today.

My next guest is former Republican presidential candidate and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. Governor Hutchinson, thank you so much for your time. We always appreciate it.

I guess at this point, RFK Jr. is sort of a political roadkill, if you will, on the on the highway. And the question at this point, if Donald Trump picks it up, does it help his campaign?

FMR. GOV. ASA HUTCHINSON (R-AR): Well, it is certainly a short term boost. Anytime the Democrats had a successful convention and you can change the topic of conversation that benefits Donald Trump. RFK is a very unique individual and candidate. He joins multiple conspiracy theorists that are out there. And-short term, it helps. Long-term, I think Donald Trump owns the endorsement if that's, in fact, what he gets.

And that could be interesting to see how that plays out over time and whether RFK. Jr. is really engaged in the campaign heavily, doing appearances and then you even own it to a greater extent for good or ill.

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ACOSTA: Right. And who knows what else is going to come out during the course of the rest of this campaign. We've already heard about brain worms and dead bear carcasses and so on. I mean, who knows with RFK Jr. what's next?

But I did want to ask you, Governor, your thoughts on how Kamala Harris handled herself last night, that convention speech, and the way this party has been trying to reach out to independents and moderates inside the Republican Party. You were here at the DNC. How do you think they pulled that off?

HUTCHINSON: Well, I think they had an effective convention. You know, they had to do a couple things. One, to show that they're normal, not to engage in rhetoric that scares the middle of the political electorate away and I think they were successful in that. And how many times did they say independents, Democrats and Republicans trying to have a welcoming for those that are just not satisfied with the normal choices they have on the Republican side.

I thought Kamala's speech last night hit the right tone in terms of her background, identifying with common Americans, and then also really separating herself, in some ways, from Joe Biden, policy-wise, cutting her own path. I was disappointed that she attacked Trump on Medicare. It's like she's going back to the normal Democratic scare tactics, and I don't think that is becoming inconsistent with this campaign. But it was a good speech. And now I think it's even as you go into the fall campaign, the debates will be critically important.

ACOSTA: You know, and, Governor, I did want to ask you what you thought of Adam Kinzinger's speech last night, because I think, you know, the tone that he struck I thought resonated with a lot of Americans last night, the way he talked about putting country over party, something you talked about during your presidential campaign. What'd you think?

HUTCHINSON: Well, I have an admiration for Adam Kinzinger, and he's taken a courageous path there. It's interesting that he spent most of his time, of course, hitting Trump and explaining why he would be dangerous for our country. It was not as much a pro-Kamala Harris speech as it was Donald Trump is too great a risk for our democracy. And he also pointed out very appropriately that which side you're on, we could be Americans that love our country and love veterans and want the best for our country. So, I think it did give comfort and really reinforce the message that they had all week that we want to join forces to protect the future of America. I thought he was effective in that way.

ACOSTA: All right. Well, Governor Asa Hutchinson, it's always good to talk to you, sir. I really appreciate your time this morning. We'll see you down the road.

HUTCHINSON: All right. Thanks, Jim. I appreciate it.

ACOSTA: All right. Thank you. All right, coming up despite a barrage of post-slamming Vice President Kamala Harris' speech last night, there was one thing that Donald Trump did like.

And from the courtroom to the DNC, I caught up with Trump's former fixer, turned key witness against him, Michael Cohen, who was an unlikely celebrity here in Chicago when we were walking with him around the convention halls, as people were taking selfie after selfie, that's coming up.

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MICHAEL COHEN, FORMER TRUMP LAWYER: That man is unfit for the presidency of the United States. 2016 to 2020 is a very tumultuous, chaotic time in America's history. The question is, do we want to go back there? As far as people start chanting when Kamala is talking, we're not going back. Why would you want to live in chaos? Why do you want to live with the tumult that this man brings?

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