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Austin Didn't Inform White House of Hospitalization; Obama's Concerned about Biden's Campaign; Blinken Meets with Saudi Crown Prince; College Football National Championship Tonight. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired January 08, 2024 - 06:30   ET

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

[06:30:00]

NATASHA BERTRAND, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY REPORTER: To current and former officials that we have spoken to. And the Pentagon press secretary, Patrick Ryder, he told us that the reason that these notifications were not made earlier is because Austin's chief of staff was sick herself and therefore she could not do so before Thursday, which is when everyone started being notified that he was in the hospital. But, of course, the immediate follow-up question is, well, was no one else available to notify the appropriate people that he was, in fact, indisposed. And we did not get an answer to that question.

POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: And he has put out a statement since saying, "I recognize I could have done a better job of informing the public, and I commit to doing better next time."

As a doctor, Jonathan, is there any medical reason why this would not have been disclosed, or is this simply a -- he was in the ICU, his chief of staff was sick and there was no one else?

DR. JONATHAN REINER, CNN MEDICAL ANALYST: You know, I think, Poppy, that this is most likely a mistake that snowballed. It looks like the secretary had a procedure that was -- where he was told he'd maybe be in the hospital overnight, be out the next day. The procedure was scheduled for, you know, right over the Christmas, you know, weekend and the Christmas holiday when, you know, perhaps government is a little bit quieter and he thought he could have this quick procedure, be out the next day, and then just be onto his business.

But, unfortunately, ten days later, he suffered this significant complication requiring what looks like emergency hospitalization. And if you haven't disclosed that you had surgery, you know, a week ago, and now you have to go back for emergency hospitalization, now you're going to have to disclose that, and why didn't you disclose the original procedure, and it - and it snowballed until he could no longer, you know, remain silent about the hospitalization.

So, to me, it looks like it's probably just an, you know, unfortunate set of circumstances that started with an unfortunate decision to keep his hospitalization away from the government. I don't think the public necessarily has a right to know that the

secretary of defense was having surgery. He's not the president or the vice president where I do think the public has a right to know. But I do think his chain of command needed to know.

PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN ANCHOR: Natasha, just for clarity here, we still don't know what the procedure actually was or what he's been dealing with over the course of the last couple of days, do we?

BERTRAND: We don't. We don't know what the original surgery was that caused these complications and we don't know where exactly he was experiencing this very severe pain that prompted him to call an ambulance, and an ambulance for him to take -- to take him to Walter Reed on New Year's Day. And that is, of course, part of what we're asking.

And, look, we -- I think that, you know, the secretary's a very private person. Anyone who knows him will tell you that. And the issue here is not that he did not disclose this elective surgery to the public. The issue that is being raised by national security officials is simply that they were kept in the dark for so long, even though many people here in the Pentagon were told that he would just be on leave last week and they assumed that he was working from home. So, it's being kept in the dark about this that is really raising questions.

HARLOW: Natasha, thank you for the reporting.

Dr. Reiner, appreciate it. Thanks.

MATTINGLY: Well, today, President Biden will speak at the historic Mother Emanuel AME Church in South Carolina. It comes as key Biden allies are expressing some concerns with his campaign.

HARLOW: And it is being called an exceptional winter storm. Right now he southeast is bracing for heavy rain, dangerous winds, possible tornadoes, as a quick moving storm passes through. Some 70 million people along the Gulf Coast and at risk for severe weather today and tomorrow as the system shifts north. This week, some areas in the northeast could see heavy snow, blizzard conditions, potential tornadoes up here, and severe flooding.

Back in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:35:27]

MATTINGLY: There's the White House on a fine -- what month is it? It's January. Oh yes.

HARLOW: January.

MATTINGLY: It's an election year as well - morning in Washington, D.C. And as we look at the White House, the man who lives there, President Biden, looking to reenergize his re-election campaign. He's set to travel to South Carolina today where he will speak at the historic Mother Emanuel AME Church. It is steeped in African American history and it's where a white supremacist shot and killed nine black parishioners in 2015. Now, Biden is expected to stress the importance of preserving democracy and combating hate.

HARLOW: The black vote in South Carolina was key to Biden's path to the Democratic nomination, you'll remember, in 2020 thanks in large part to the endorsement of Congressman James Clyburn, but now Clyburn says he is worried about part of Biden's re-election campaign, and here's why.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JAMES CLYBURN (D-SC): I'm very concerned, and I have sat down with President Biden.

My problem is that we have not been able to break through that MAGA wall in order to get to people exactly what this president has done.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: Back with us, John Avlon, Jamal Simmons, and Lee Carter.

OK, so this also goes to what we were talking about earlier, Jamal, which is the warning, apparently, according to "The Washington Post," that former President Obama gave President Biden at a lunch they had at the White House in the last couple of months -- it wasn't reported before -- talking about the political ability of Trump to pull this off and win again and some concerns that President Obama has about the way that Biden's campaign is being run.

I should note that Quentin Fulks, obviously the deputy campaign manager, was on NBC yesterday. Here's what he said about the campaign.

Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

QUENTIN FULKS, BIDEN DEPUTY CAMPAIGN MANAGER: Look, our campaign has been awake since the president announced in April, which is why we've come out the gate swinging.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: It doesn't sound like they think there is a concern. Is there? Should there be?

JAMAL SIMMONS, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: There should definitely be a concern.

HARLOW: OK.

SIMMONS: The numbers aren't great, right, and so -- is that like a fair thing to say in their primary?

LEE CARTER, FORMER REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST AND POLLSTER: That's fair fair (ph).

SIMMONS: So, they've got to spend some time getting the message out.

Listen, I think the fundamentals are right, right? The economy's going in the right direction. Democracy is an issue we know has won in the past. The women's right for an abortion is an issue that has won in the past.

What's not going well are the theatrics around the campaign, right? So, they've got to do better about getting out there, talking about these issues, talking to them, talking to people in a way that they're going to hear it. I think we're seeing it this week from the president. The president doing the big speech on democracy on Friday night, going back to Mother Emanuel and having that conversation. So, I think they're trying -- they're starting to sort of gin that up.

The last thing I'll say is, there's a lot of things that happen in campaigns that are like icebergs, right?

[06:40:01]

Like they're - they're all these things that hare happening underneath the waterline. And there's a bunch of stuff that's happening. They're testing messages. They're spending money in communities to, like, figure out who's there that we should be talking to, reaching out politically. So, there's a lot of things happening in the campaign that we're just not seeing.

CARTER: I think this is a really backwards-looking campaign, though. And I think they're looking at the numbers and they're saying, we need to fix the problem. So, they say, OK, younger voters, we've lost them by 24 points. Black voters, we've lost 14 points since the election. So, we need to go out and do what we did in 2020, remind them all of what they went out to vote for in 2020. And I'm not sure it's the same thing that's going to get them to vote in 2024 than it was in 2020. I think they need both to remind people of what's at stake, but also talk about how things are going to be moving forward. And I think they really need to get honest with the American people and relate with them in a way and say, look, we feel your pain. We can't just say it's never been better, we can't just say we're on the right track, because people don't feel it.

So, I think that there's a lot of missteps being made and I tend to agree with President Obama that they need to take a look at how they're running this campaign.

JOHN AVLON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Look, compelling re- elections build on the base the first time around, right? And that - you know, it's not simply enough to retain that base.

CARTER: Right.

AVLON: I mean that's not remotely sufficient. And it's interesting because you haven't heard Biden necessarily say, here's what I would do in a second term. Here's what a second term I will deliver that will be new. And there's a lot you can try to say -- SIMMONS: I think that's what's missing.

AVLON: But - yes, and I -

SIMMONS: That's what's missing.

AVLON: And I think that's - that's a real issue they've got to - they've got to take seriously. The problem is not in the bunting, it's not in the theatrics. The problem seems to be more fundamental and they've got to take that seriously.

Look, going to Mother Emanuel, that's less than a mile from where my folks live. That is an iconic place, not just in South Carolina but should be in the nation. It's an opportunity also to talk about the wages of hate, the dangers of white nationalism, Christian nationalism to our collective culture. The historic and periodic resistance to multiracial democracy that has characterized our country's history, and to try to bring that all together. But you're going to also have do that in a way that makes people feel you understand their kitchen table issues, as well as defending democracy, and say, here's what a second term, here's what I will deliver in a way that's bigger than me.

LEE: Exactly.

AVLON: And those are all areas he's got to promote (ph).

MATTINGLY: I will say, when you talk to campaign folks, like the drive towards the State of the Union Address in March, which is what we're seeing in both the event on Saturday, the event today, and what we're going to see in the next couple of weeks I think will be a critical thing.

I want to swing back to Clyburn because Jim Clyburn, for people who forget, you know, he made Joe Biden president of the United States, I'm thinking (INAUDIBLE).

CARTER: That's right. Yes.

MATTINGLY: And Biden folks acknowledge that. Like, without him, Joe Biden does not do what he did in the primaries and shock everybody. I'm pretty sure he was wearing a Clyburn fish fry t-shirt underneath that shirt in that.

He -

SIMMONS: Great event, by the way.

MATTINGLY: They listened to him at the White House for good reason. And what I was struck was not only what he said there, which I think resonates, but also our team had a great digital write this morning on this and had a follow-up interview with him where he made the point, he's - he's -- Biden is so effective because people feel Joe Biden. Basically, he needs to be - it's what you guys are all saying. He needs to be out because when he's out people feel him. He can talk about what he's doing and what he wants to do and it resonates in a different way than here's an ad or here's a speech, or here's, you know, a teleprompter. Do they understand that? Does the campaign understand that?

SIMMONS: And the campaign does understand that. They also are trying to figure out how to manage things about his age, right, because this is the fundamental question that shows up in every single community about why people are concerned about Joe Biden is about his age. And I think, you know, Grandpa Joe might be the thing that people finally rally around. We're looking at chaos on one side and they're trying to say like, oh, well, Donald Trump wants to take the country in a direction that none of us really agree with. We've seen it in three separate elections, 2018, 2020, and 2022 versus Joe Biden who is trying to hold this country together and actually take us to the future that (INAUDIBLE).

CARTER: There's -- and there's got to be a way to do it. When you talk about the theatrics, there's got to be a way to theatrically do this in a way that shows Joe Biden in a really positive light and not a negative light. I mean and we - we had presidents who were paralyzed and nobody knew it. There's ways to visually make this -- I know it's a different era. I know it's a different era - I know - I know --

MATTINGLY: A slightly different era (ph) but -

(CROSS TALK)

AVLON: I appreciate the Woodrow Wilson part two, Edith (INAUDIBLE) first female president reference for this early in the morning, but, I mean, the problem is, it's got to be about a cause bigger than an individual, right? I mean that - that's - that's the deal here. You're running against somebody who tried to overthrow our democracy. And this should not be a close race. But it clearly is in part because you've got four independent candidates skewing the numbers. And you've got a tenor in the country that's real trouble. So, this is an opportunity to rise above, but you're going to have to broaden that bigger coalition. It's not going to be about loyalty to what you just renamed as Grandfather Joe.

MATTINGLY: And another -- and another step in that process today.

SIMMONS: (INAUDIBLE) loyalty. It's about - it's about Americans having their own future and seeing Joe Biden as the person who can help guide them toward that future versus the alternative -

AVLON: Yes. Yes.

SIMMONS: Which is the chaotic (INAUDIBLE).

MATTINGLY: We'll - we'll see them today in South Carolina as the campaign continues.

AVLON: We will.

MATTINGLY: Guys, thank you, as always. Appreciate it.

CARTER: Thank you. HARLOW: The Supreme Court will decide if Donald Trump is eligible to be on the primary ballot in Colorado. Our legal minds break down how this decision could all play out, and if any of the justices may recuse themselves. Don't bet on it.

Plus, this.

[06:45:02]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have ignition, and liftoff of the first united launch alliance Vulcan rocket.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MATTINGLY: Overnight the first American moon landing mission since 1972 lifted off. You're watching it right there. What researcher plan to do with human remains on the moon's surface.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: Welcome back.

Right now Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on his way to Saudi Arabia. He will meet with Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman. This is his fourth trip to the Middle East since the Hamas terror attack on October 7th, this time over fears the war in Gaza could expand greatly throughout the region. Earlier Blinken sat down for hostage talks with senior Qatari officials at a joint news conference.

[06:50:02]

Blinken stressed that displaced Palestinians must be allowed to return home.

Meantime, Qatar's prime minister said the recent killing of a senior Hamas leader in Beirut could affect these fragile hostage negotiations.

Jennifer Hansler has reporting from the State Department for us and joins us now.

Good morning.

Let's start with what we're hearing from Secretary Blinken.

JENNIFER HANSLER, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT REPORTER: Well, good morning, Poppy.

We are hearing this very strong message from the secretary throughout his trips in the region throughout these several countries he's visited so far about the need to stop this conflict from spreading. We know from a senior State Department official that Blinken was going to be pushing the leaders of these countries who do have ties to Iran to -- that do have ties to groups like Hezbollah and Hamas to not spread this any further.

We have seen a great uptick in the potential for this conflict to flame out of control in recent weeks. We saw that strike by the Israeli forces in Beirut to take out a senior Hamas leader. We have seen the Houthis in the Red Sea who are backed by Iran attacking ships, increasing their aggression there. And we have seen a steady stream of attacks by Iranian-backed groups in Iraq and Syria against U.S. interests. So, there is a huge amount at stake here as the secretary is in the region.

And, of course, these talks are all coming ahead of his meetings in Tel Aviv. This is the fifth time the secretary is traveling to Israel. He is going to be, again, in the faces of these Israeli officials to press them to stem the war, help stop the conflict from spreading, and also to protect civilians. And he's also pushing this message, as you've said, to allow Palestinians to return to their homes who have been displaced by the massive toll of the war.

Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANTONY BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE: Palestinian civilians must be able to return home as soon as conditions allow. They cannot -- they must not be pressed to leave Gaza. We reject the statements by some Israeli ministers and lawmakers calling for a resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza. These statements are irresponsible, they're inflammatory, and they only make it harder to secure a future of a Palestinian-led Gaza with Hamas no longer in control, and with terrorist groups no longer able to threaten Israel's security.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANSLER: So, a strong rebuke from some of these comment that we've seen from far-right Israeli officials. However, a U.N. official said that Gaza is now inhospitable. So, a lot remains before these Palestinians are, in fact, able to return to their homes.

Phil. Poppy.

HARLOW: Jenny Hansler, thanks so much for the reporting from the State Department.

MATTINGLY: Well, there's an intraparty funding fight brewing on Capitol Hill. Stop me if you've heard this before. This comes after House Speaker Mike Johnson reached a spending deal with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on top-line spending levels. It marks a critical first step towards averting a government shutdown with just 11 days until the first of two deadlines, but Johnson's right flank in the House is calling the deal, a quote, "total failure."

CNN's Lauren Fox joins us now.

Lauren, top line deal is very important. Does this mean there won't be a shutdown? LAUREN FOX, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it doesn't guarantee that there won't be a shutdown, Phil, but what it does do is it sets both Republicans and Democrats on the right track to try and avoid one. In some ways, the deal that was reached and announced yesterday looks a lot like the top line negotiation that was part of that debt ceiling deal that passed during the summer. And, in part, that is no coincidence because it is the deal that Republicans and Democrats really find as the middle ground.

What this deal includes is $886 billion in defense spending, about $704 billion in non-defense spending with an agreement to also reprogram about $69 billion in non-defense spending. That also was part of the debt ceiling deal.

In some ways, Phil, this really puts Mike Johnson in the exact same position that former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy found himself in after that debt ceiling deal passed in June with the House conservatives really revolting against McCarthy. The question now becomes, how do conservatives react? Already they're saying this deal is worse than they thought, but many of those members are the same ones who would never vote for a spending deal to begin with.

So, right now the first spending deadline is coming up on January 19th. There's a second deadline for the rest of government funding on February 2nd. It looks promising that they have taken this step, but now they have to write the bill, agree where all this money is going, and that is, again, another hurdle that Republicans and Democrat are going to have to iron out in the days ahead.

Phil. Poppy.

HARLOW: Yes, clearly not at the finish line yet. Lauren Fox, thank you.

MATTINGLY: Well, ahead, more on those new developments overnight. What we're learning about the moment a chunk of a passenger plane ripped off midflight. The chair of the National Transportation Safety Board will join us in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:58:53]

MATTINGLY: Well, it's finally here. The college football national championship game will kick off just hours from now in Houston, which is where we find Coy Wire, who is going to explain to everybody why you should absolutely not root --

HARLOW: Did you not read that line on purpose?

MATTINGLY: Why you have to root for Washington tonight.

HARLOW: He doesn't want to read Michigan.

MATTINGLY: That's what - Coy, why you -- why American has to root for Washington, right? That's what you're going to talk about? COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: We are going to start with talking about

Phil's favorite to win this game, clearly Michigan. He will be dry heaving while this game goes on as he sees Michigan play for their first title since 1997. And they made it here despite their head coach, Jim Harbaugh, missing six game this season, three due to a recruiting violation suspension, three more due to a sign-stealing scandal which led to an assistant coach being fired. Still, those Wolverines are undefeated, 14-0, and they figured out a way to overcome distraction and adversity.

Listen to some of the players.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MASON GRAHAM, MICHIGAN DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: All the adversity we've been through this year, you know, with Coach Harbaugh and all the allegations and stuff like that, I felt like it's brought us closer together and made us a better team.

JUNIOR COLSON, MICHIGAN LINEBACKER: It brought us closer. It made us, you know, more of a team, more compact together, more trusting of a brotherhood.

[07:00:02]

So, I think it was, you know, I hate that I went through it, but it was great that I went through it being able to, you know, allowing us to be here in this moment.