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Taylor Swift Shows Canceled Amid Foiled Terror Plot; Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) On Harris-Walz Ticket; Quincy Hall Stages Epic Comeback To Win Men's 400 Meter. Aired 5:30-6a ET

Aired August 08, 2024 - 05:30   ET

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

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[05:30:20]

KASIE HUNT, CNN ANCHOR: All right, 5:29 a.m. here in Washington, D.C. A live look at Raleigh, North Carolina on this Thursday morning. Good morning, everyone. I'm Kasie Hunt. It's wonderful to have you with us.

Kamala Harris' rapid rise to the top of the ticket energizing the Democratic Party and possibly Independent voters.

One month ago a Marist poll of registered voters found Trump leading Biden with Independents by four points. The day after Biden dropped out many voters said they were undecided with just 32 percent of Independents backing Harris. But in the latest poll out this week Harris has surged to 53 percent support from Independents -- a 21- point swing in just a matter of weeks.

Trump's support among Independents dropping six points in the past month. Still, the former president seems to think there's an opening to go on the attack against Harris' choice for vice president.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: He's a very, uh, very liberal man and he's a shocking pick and I'm thrilled. I could not be more thrilled. Nobody knew how radical left she was, but he's a smarter version of her. If you want to know the truth, he's probably about the same as Bernie Sander. This is a ticket that would want this country go -- to go communist immediately if not sooner.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNT: OK, joining me now, Mica Soellner, congressional reporter for Punchbowl News, and Mychael Schnell, congressional reporter with The Hill. Good morning to both of you.

MYCHAEL SCHNELL, CONGRESSIONAL REPORTER, THE HILL: Good morning.

HUNT: Mychael, this swing among Independent voters -- I mean, obviously, we're still just starting to get the numbers in here as this race got completely blown up. We're looking to see kind of how it's going to settle if there's time for that in 90 days. But this is a potentially significant amount of movement and really seems to reflect just how demoralized people were about Biden at the top of the ticket and they -- and how enthusiastic they seem about this change.

SCHNELL: Yeah, I think it's a few factors.

First, starting with that enthusiasm. Folks are still energized about this on the ground. Harris at the top of the ticket is still relatively new and I think that she's still having this boost from the rapid change in the ticket, her being able to reintroduce herself, the VP pick. It will probably continue to surge or maintain during the DNC.

Then I'm hearing from a bunch of Republicans who are saying they expect this -- what they call the honeymoon phase -- to die down a little bit once you hit September.

So I think that could be one factor.

But another factor is that Harris is being able to now introduce herself on the national stage in a different way as the presidential candidate. Of course, she was known when she was a senator and when she was a vice president, but she was sort of not in the limelight. She was behind President Biden. She had -- you know, her tough moments in the media during the time.

She's having an opportunity to reintroduce herself in a new way as a -- like I said, she's at the top of the ticket. It seems that Independent voters are interested in that and into that. If it maintains, we'll have to see. But as of now -- I mean, it's a great sign for her campaign.

HUNT: Mica Soellner, what are you hearing from members on Capitol Hill about how this has changed the landscape for House and Senate races, especially? I mean, that was a big part of why there was such a push from inside the Democratic Party to change out the top of the ticket.

I know Punchbowl News seems to be reporting this morning that there are some vulnerable Democrats who are still planning to skip the convention in Chicago.

What are you hearing?

MICA SOELLNER, CONGRESSIONAL REPORTER, PUNCHBOWL NEWS: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, it really depends on who you ask. I would say Democrats -- the Democratic Party as a whole is very energized and enthusiastic about Kamala Harris right now. As Mychael mentioned, she's still relatively new and has this opportunity to redefine herself and make herself known independent of being Joe Biden's vice president.

What we are hearing from Democrats in swing states and running these tougher races is that they're worried that she has a short timeframe to introduce herself as well and make that case to voters in these tougher districts. So I think it's really kind of a mixed reaction but overall, I would say lawmakers have been pretty enthusiastic, especially at her ability to tap into these different demographics that were not as excited about Joe Biden.

HUNT: Yeah. Mychael, does that line up with your reporting?

SCHNELL: Yes.

HUNT: What are you hearing from members?

SCHNELL: It seems -- that seems to be the case.

Look, Democratic lawmakers were very clear a lot more than privately but a lot of them publicly that Joe Biden just wasn't going to be the one to win. They just didn't think that he had a path to victory. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi told a small group of reporters yesterday that she was doing this because she didn't think that Biden had a path to victory.

So now there is this change of the ticket. They got -- you know, they took a gamble, absolutely. This was a bet that they took hoping that it would materialize, give a jolt to the party, and work out -- and that there would be this transition seamlessly. It ended up happening that way. A) there was a seamless transition at the top of the ticket. Walz being rolled out as VP and now Democrats on the ground and in Congress being excited about that.

[05:35:05}

So far, they've done well with this rollout. So I think that, yeah, they're pretty pleased because a) they're hearing and seeing the energy on the ground, b) they're seeing it shake out in the polls and they actually think they have a chance now come November.

HUNT: Yeah. You mentioned Pelosi. This was how the Post wrote up I think what you're talking about. Nancy Pelosi said she joined the effort to convince President Biden to abandon his re-election bid because the president's campaign was losing badly and placing rose petals -- her words -- on the path to a victory by former President Donald Trump.

She says, "Now, I was really asking for a better campaign. We did not have a campaign that was on the path to victory. Members knew that in their districts," the former House Speaker told a small group of reporters, Mica. She obviously -- and she also told Dana Bash here at CNN she hasn't spoken to the president since this.

SOELLNER: Yeah. It's interesting to see how influential Pelosi is despite the fact that she has had no major input in the president, she claims, in his decision to step down. But she did say that she had dozens of her own members of her party calling her, which is a huge concern. So I think it speaks volumes to the weight that she still carries on Capitol Hill even as now the former speaker and speaker emerita.

HUNT: Yeah.

All right, Mica Soellner, Mychael Schnell. Thank you, guys, both very much for being here.

SCHNELL: Thanks.

HUNT: I really appreciate it.

All right, we've got new developments this morning in the foiled terror plot allegedly targeting Taylor Swift's tour in Vienna, causing three of her shows to be canceled. Austrian police now say they have made "further detentions." Yesterday, they arrested two suspects, including a 19-year-old who swore allegiance to ISIS last month. No word if Swifties who had tickets to these shows will get a new date, but refunds are coming.

Joining me now is CNN anchor Kristie Lu Stout. Kristie, good morning to you. What more do we know at this hour?

KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kasie, at this hour, Austria's security minister is right now speaking to the press in Vienna on the investigation, which he says is serious and continues to be serious.

Taylor Swift's three concerts in Vienna have been abruptly cancelled after police in the country arrested two people on suspicion of plotting a terror attack.

Now, she was scheduled to perform three shows in Vienna today, August 8, as well as the 9th and the 10th. And police say that they were expecting about 65,000 people at each show and up to 15,000 additional fans outside the stadium without tickets, and that contributed further to security concerns.

Now, Barracuda Music -- this is the promoter for Swift's concerts in Austria -- issued the following statement on social media. Let's bring it up. They said this. "With confirmation from government officials of a planned terrorist attack at Ernst-Happel Stadion, we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone's safety."

Now, Swift's official website says all the tickets will be automatically refunded.

Now, on Wednesday morning, that was when police made their first arrest. They arrested a 19-year-old Austrian citizen who is a sympathizer who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. Now, that arrest took place in Ternitz, which is located south of Vienna. And there, officials found chemical substances at the suspect's home and that's a possible link to bombmaking there.

And then later in the day on Wednesday, they detained another person in Vienna. The police say that these two suspects -- they were radicalized by the internet, and they were taking, in their words, concrete measures for a terror attack. And the assumed target here were events in the greater Vienna region. And Austrian police say further detentions have been made in relation to this alleged plot and they have also increased surveillance. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GERHARD PUERSTL, PRESIDENT, VIENNA STATE POLICE (through translator): The concrete danger has been minimized, but there is an abstract increased danger. We have, therefore, increased surveillance to the extent that we will, in any case, carry out increased searches both on site and during access controls.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STOUT: And, Kasie, this just in. Again, Austria's security chief is holding a presser right now. He adds that no further suspects are on the run.

Back to you.

HUNT: All right, Kristie Lu Stout for us this morning. Kristie, thank you very much.

All right. Coming up next here on CNN THIS MORNING, a stunning comeback yielding gold for American Quincy Hall. The Bleacher Report ahead.

And we'll discuss the challenges facing the Harris-Walz campaign when we are joined by Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell of Michigan.

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GOV. TIM WALZ (D-MN), U.S. VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You know -- you know why? We'll sleep when we're dead. We'll sleep when we're dead.

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[05:44:14]

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GOV. GRETCHEN WHITMER, (D) MICHIGAN: Now, guess what? I woke up in 'Big Gretch' mode this morning because I am fired up to elect Kamala Harris our president. And I am excited about our next vice president, Tim Walz.

REP. DEBBIE DINGELL (D-MI): I feel a lot better than I did in 2016 at this time. Donald Trump, you're not going to win Michigan.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNT: Michigan Democrats giving the Harris-Walz ticket a warm welcome as they kicked off their battleground blitz in Michigan. The newly minted running mates covering some ground yesterday during their Midwest tour. They also stopped in Wisconsin. Speaking to a crowd in Detroit, Walz and Harris tried to drive home a campaign message centered around joy.

[05:45:06]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WALZ: And they're trying to steal the joy from this country. They're trying to steal the joy. Our next president brings the joy. She emanates the joy. She believes in something so beautiful and simple with joy.

KAMALA HARRIS, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: In this fight, we are joyful warriors.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNT: All right, joining me now is one of the people that spoke at that rally yesterday, Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell of Michigan. Congresswoman, always interesting to see in the campaign mode. We spend a lot of time talking here and I see you on the Hill all the time, of course.

But what you said there that you feel like this is different than 2016 where you did warn people that Donald Trump was likely to win. What is different with Harris at the top of the ticket as compared to Biden in your home state?

DINGELL (via Skype): You know what, I felt -- good morning, Kasie. It's great to be with you after what was a great day yesterday.

I want to make it really clear I am feeling very optimistic. We are a purple state though and we have a lot of work to do. But people aren't down. People aren't in denial that it's a competitive state. You've had people not listening and not knowing what the work that needed to be done -- that needed to be done.

You had -- I mean, with much love and my friend, Hillary Clinton never went to a union hall in 2016. You should have seen the number of union workers there yesterday in their red shirts, and I was in my red dress for solidarity (INAUDIBLE) yesterday.

People are energized and we know the work that we've got to do, and we're going to go out there and do it. We have 89 days -- 89 days to do all the voter context, to do the voter persuasion. To get out there and energize, make the context, and get the job done.

HUNT: Congresswoman, one of the moments that stood out from this rally yesterday was when Kamala Harris was interrupted by what we understand to be pro-Palestinian protesters. I want to show you that moment and then we'll talk about it. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: I'm here because we believe in democracy. Everyone's voice matters but I am speaking now. I am speaking now.

And he intends to end the Affordable Care Act. You know what? If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I'm speaking.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNT: What do you understand happened there since you were in the room? And what do you make of how she handled it?

DINGELL: Well, listen, obviously, there are pro-Palestinian protesters that got there. I want to say that our uncommitted delegates were able to meet her and have their picture taken with her and meet with staff.

There are -- I don't know who those people were. I did not know who they were. I want to be clear that on the ground in Michigan we still have communities that are really hurting and have these feelings, and we've got to talk to both of them. They both matter. There are a lot of people who have lost family in Gaza.

And Kasie, here, my -- the constituents that I represent and did represent in Dearborn are many Lebanese who are worried about war potentially breaking out there any minute. They want to know that we are doing everything we can to try to prevent that from happening.

But, you know, I also never know anymore who is paid. I get disrupted a town halls and law enforcement is absolutely positive that they've been paid to come and disrupt -- or have been paid to come and cause trouble if they know I'm at a public event.

So I don't know who those were. I think that there are legitimate members of our community that are really hurting. I know that the Harris campaign is trying to talk to everybody in both the Arab American community, the Jewish community, and hear their concerns.

And I do know I've had many -- not one, not two, many conversations with the vice president herself and with her staff about the (INAUDIBLE).

HUNT: Do you think that she has a wider opening with those people that you know are hurting, many of whom were behind this uncommitted push against President Joe Biden? Is her opening with them wider? Does she have more goodwill, more trust than President Biden?

DINGELL: I think, yes, I do believe that. I think she -- look, she is trying to be very -- she's Joe Biden's vice president and she is -- right now, national security is being run out of the White House.

But I want to tell you -- I'll be blunt. At Christmastime, she got me in the corner at the White House for 30 minutes and wanted to talk about what was going on and was deeply concerned about this community. She has shown this community that she cares, and she hears.

[05:50:02]

She told Benjamin Netanyahu when he was here that we needed a ceasefire, and the community knows it. They want to see him offer it again.

I think she wants them to see and understand that she cares and (INAUDIBLE) is going to be. And she walks a very delicate line there.

But I do believe that her understanding of this community and reach out is critical and has (INAUDIBLE).

HUNT: Congresswoman, before I let you go, President Biden sat down with CBS News, and he said that he's not confident that there will be a peaceful transfer of power in the wake of the November election. Do you share that concern?

DINGELL: Yes. I wasn't planning an answering that question this morning but I've already shared with my colleagues and others that are we prepared for post-election. But I am very concerned about what will happen if the numbers are close. Will the election results be accepted? You won't have that problem on the Democratic side. But I do believe that there -- what we saw on January 6 is something that there are some people that are talking about it.

And I would hope we could all work together -- my Republican colleagues as well, on the other side to ensure that there is a peaceful transition of government, which has been one of the core strengths of our democracy.

And I think there are outside forces trying to cause problems. People are more willing to talk about that now. We all need to be working together to ensure that people have trust in the institution -- accepting the election and ensuring the peaceful transition of power.

HUNT: All right, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell for us this morning. Congresswoman, always grateful to have you on the show. Thank you so much.

DINGELL: Thank you.

HUNT: All right, time now for sports. American Quincy Hall takes gold in the men's 400 meters with an epic run to the finish line.

Amanda Davies joins us now with more from Paris. Amanda, what are we going to see today, and what did we see yesterday?

AMANDA DAVIES, CNN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS ANCHOR: Yeah, good morning.

Let's start with yesterday, and epic was very much the word. Another incredible comeback on the track from Quincy Hall from Missouri. His profile page on the Olympic info site says his aim was simply to get here -- to take part at the Olympics. But he is now celebrating gold having taken the 400-meter victory in a new personal best time.

It was a quick one as well. The fourth-fastest time ever run over the distance. He came from fourth to first to beat pre-race favorite Matthew Hudson-Smith. The fight and grit, as you can see, so clear for everybody to see.

When he was asked how he did it he said well, you can't outrun a dog. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

QUINCY HALL, MEN'S 400-METER GOLD MEDALIST: The race was anyone's at that point. I just wanted to keep doing what my coach told me to do. Just keep driving, keep driving, and get home. We do a lot of hard practices, and we focus on coming home at the end of each practice. So that was much more than just me trying to go hard -- just harder, harder -- what I'm used to doing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DAVIES: We had a rematch of the world championship battle in Budapest in the final of the women's pole vault. Two athletes who shared gold in that one this time with Australia's Nina Kennedy taking the victory ahead of her U.S. rival and the defending champion Katie Moon, who finished with silver.

Kennedy had missed out on the final in Tokyo three years to an injury. She's openly talked about her struggles with depression. But this time soared to the heights of Olympic gold giving Australia their first- ever gold in the event.

Later on Thursday, though, a really tasty one to get excited about. Will Noah Lyles become the first man since Usain Bolt to do the 100- 200 meters double at an Olympic Games? He's unbeaten over this distance in 23 races dating all the way back to the final in Tokyo three years ago. This is the one he sees as his favorite event -- his best chance of breaking a world record.

But it was his U.S. teammate Kenny Bednarek, silver medalist in Tokyo, who actually posted a faster time in the heat. He says after his 100 disappointment he is a man on a mission for this one.

But following that one on track, we've got the head-to-head that people have been waiting two years for in the women's 400-meter hurdles. Defending Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone up against the world champion Femke Bol -- two athletes whose times are a second and a half faster than anybody else in the field. They're the only ones to have broken 51 seconds.

It's going to be really tough night for Bol. Beating Sydney Levrone is described as the impossible job. But as they say, the impossible job but somebody's got to do it.

HUNT: Somebody's got to do it, indeed.

Amanda, thank you so much. I really appreciate it.

[05:55:00]

All right, coming up on CNN THIS MORNING, Dr. Anthony Fauci is going to join us live as we are all dealing with this summer COVID surge.

Plus, J.D. Vance zeroes in on Tim Walz's military record and bumps into Kamala Harris' plane on a tarmac in Wisconsin.

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SEN. J.D. VANCE (R-OH), U.S. VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I just wanted to check out my future plane. I saw her car. I did not see the vice president. The windows are tinted. I did not speak to her, no. I don't -- I think she was trying to get the hell out of there as quickly as possible.

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HUNT: It's Thursday, August 8. Right now on CNN THIS MORNING --

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VANCE: What bothers me about Tim Walz is the stolen valor garbage.

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HUNT: J.D. Vance attacking Tim Walz over Walz's military record as the two veterans vie for the same job.