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American Morning
Morning Grind: Look at Current Political Issues
Aired September 09, 2003 - 09:37 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: More politics now, front and center from coast to coast from the debate in Washington over Iraq to the California recall, going to take you to the end with some familiar faces this morning. It's called our "Morning Grind."
In D.C. today, Jonah Goldberg's back with us. Editor of "The National Review Online." How are you, Jonah? Good morning.
JONAH GOLDBERG, EDITOR, "NATIONAL REVIEW": I'm good. How are you?
HEMMER: I'm doing just fine.
Democratic strategist Donna Brazile. Good morning, Donna.
DONNA BRAZILE, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Good morning.
HEMMER: In New York Andy Borowitz of "The New Yorker."
Normally you see these guys on "Gimme a Minute." You guys are so good, we're going to expand the program today.
So let's first talk about 36 hours removed from the president's address on Iraq. Jonah, start us off. Has the president reclaimed the stage when it comes to this debate?
GOLDBERG: I think he certainly has at least for the time being. but the congressional hearings today may make the ball ping-pong back the other way.
I think the one thing that is clear is that Bush made a straightforward case with not a lot of flying rhetoric, high flying rhetoric, that we are there to stay, that we're going to stick out. It was as much a speech about the strategic policy in the long term than it was about domestic politics or anything like that.
HEMMER: But certainly there are questions out there, aren't there, Donna? And a lot of them.
BRAZILE: Well I hope that -- it's time that Congress began to ask some tough questions to account for all of the money that's already been spent, the money that the administration now needs, as well as it's time to get a real game plan on our post-war efforts in Iraq to stabilize the country and find out if we're going to get any help from our allies.
HEMMER: Yes, it still remains outstanding at this point. Andy, what about it? What's your question?
ANDY BOROWITZ, "THE NEW YORKER": Well you know you've got to give the president credit for one thing. You know before everybody was saying that he was trying to do Iraq on the cheap. And if $87 billion is the cheap version, I mean what's the expensive version? You know, $87 zillion? I don't know. So I think that he's put that to rest. He's spending a lot of money.
HEMMER: Zillion with a "Z."
Let's talk about the talkfest last night. Town hall meetings are quite popular. Arnold Schwarzenegger had one, Gray Davis had one last night. Donna, as you look at these poll numbers, get closer and closer, do you believe this recall vote is even going to pass? Are they going to recall Gray Davis?
BRAZILE: I think it's going to be closer than what the polls suggest. Let me tell you why. A recall campaigns like most other special elections, the momentum is on the front end. On the back end, it's really a time for party operatives to come, to get their partisans out.
And I think Gray Davis is going to keep his job, his day job. And perhaps Arnold will go back to his night job.
HEMMER: Listen, Jonah, I wonder, and a lot of people do also, whether or not this will be all for naught in the end.
GOLDBERG: Well, you know, there's a real upside for conservative and Republicans if it is all for naught. If Gray Davis wins the recall because the Democratic Party rallied around him then it means Gray Davis really and truly owns the problems that California faces, and those problems are huge.
And let's remember, in the beginning the Bush White House was very nervous about having a recall at all because they were looking forward to running against Gray Davis in California in 2004, not necessarily to win California, but to cost the Democrats a lot of time and money in California.
If Gray Davis is in there that means the Democratic Party is wholly responsible, owns Gray Davis, and owns the disaster that is California.
HEMMER: Andy, you want to move to California?
BOROWITZ: I was there before, so I don't think I want to go back. But there are all these town halls tonight. The town hall I want to see is apparently Gary Coleman has challenged the cast of "The Facts of Life" to a debate.
HEMMER: That would be interesting.
BOROWITZ: I want to see that. Apparently...
HEMMER: How many chairs are in that...
(CROSSTALK)
BOROWITZ: Apparently Blair is in, but Tootie's out.
HEMMER: What you talking about, Willis?
Final topic here. Let's start this one back off with Jonah yet again. Eight members vying for the Democratic nomination, going to debate later tonight. Specifically, is an African-American debate. How much does this matter 14 months removed from the election of 2004, Jonah?
GOLDBERG: Well it matters. I mean Donna's the expert on this sort of thing in the primaries. But you know, look, blacks, African- Americans are by far, the most important demographic in the Democratic Party today. And, you know, this is going to be basically Al Sharpton's show, it's going to be very interesting to see how the candidates deal with him. You could see a lot of people making promises to what is essentially a liberal constituency that will come back to haunt whoever the nominee is in the fall.
So In many ways, I think this matters a lot. And we may not see the real repercussions for quite a while.
HEMMER: All right, fair answer. What about it, Donna?
BRAZILE: Well first of all, all nine candidates will show up and that's because African-Americans are very viable to the Democratic Party. They represent more than 10 percent of population in 14 battleground states.
And I think tonight's debate is going to put issues on the American radar screen that has been lost like education, health care, and, of course, the most important issue, jobs. So this is going to be a very important discussion tonight.
And look for some other candidate, not just Sharpton and Carol Moseley Braun, but look for Dick Gephardt to continue his attack on the president. And perhaps John Kerry to begin to layout his agenda for America.
HEMMER: Watch, we will.
Andy, wrap it up for us.
BOROWITZ: You know, maybe I'm a product of our times but I just cannot take this race seriously until a porn star gets into it. I just think -- I thinks there's still time for Ron Jeremy or Jenna Jameson to file.
HEMMER: Is there what you're pulling?
BOROWITZ: Absolutely, absolutely. I think that's what it's going to take. HEMMER: Thanks, Andy. Thank you, appreciate it. Donna, thanks. Jonah as well. Our "Morning Grind" here on AMERICAN MORNING. Great to see the three of you yet again.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired September 9, 2003 - 09:37 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: More politics now, front and center from coast to coast from the debate in Washington over Iraq to the California recall, going to take you to the end with some familiar faces this morning. It's called our "Morning Grind."
In D.C. today, Jonah Goldberg's back with us. Editor of "The National Review Online." How are you, Jonah? Good morning.
JONAH GOLDBERG, EDITOR, "NATIONAL REVIEW": I'm good. How are you?
HEMMER: I'm doing just fine.
Democratic strategist Donna Brazile. Good morning, Donna.
DONNA BRAZILE, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Good morning.
HEMMER: In New York Andy Borowitz of "The New Yorker."
Normally you see these guys on "Gimme a Minute." You guys are so good, we're going to expand the program today.
So let's first talk about 36 hours removed from the president's address on Iraq. Jonah, start us off. Has the president reclaimed the stage when it comes to this debate?
GOLDBERG: I think he certainly has at least for the time being. but the congressional hearings today may make the ball ping-pong back the other way.
I think the one thing that is clear is that Bush made a straightforward case with not a lot of flying rhetoric, high flying rhetoric, that we are there to stay, that we're going to stick out. It was as much a speech about the strategic policy in the long term than it was about domestic politics or anything like that.
HEMMER: But certainly there are questions out there, aren't there, Donna? And a lot of them.
BRAZILE: Well I hope that -- it's time that Congress began to ask some tough questions to account for all of the money that's already been spent, the money that the administration now needs, as well as it's time to get a real game plan on our post-war efforts in Iraq to stabilize the country and find out if we're going to get any help from our allies.
HEMMER: Yes, it still remains outstanding at this point. Andy, what about it? What's your question?
ANDY BOROWITZ, "THE NEW YORKER": Well you know you've got to give the president credit for one thing. You know before everybody was saying that he was trying to do Iraq on the cheap. And if $87 billion is the cheap version, I mean what's the expensive version? You know, $87 zillion? I don't know. So I think that he's put that to rest. He's spending a lot of money.
HEMMER: Zillion with a "Z."
Let's talk about the talkfest last night. Town hall meetings are quite popular. Arnold Schwarzenegger had one, Gray Davis had one last night. Donna, as you look at these poll numbers, get closer and closer, do you believe this recall vote is even going to pass? Are they going to recall Gray Davis?
BRAZILE: I think it's going to be closer than what the polls suggest. Let me tell you why. A recall campaigns like most other special elections, the momentum is on the front end. On the back end, it's really a time for party operatives to come, to get their partisans out.
And I think Gray Davis is going to keep his job, his day job. And perhaps Arnold will go back to his night job.
HEMMER: Listen, Jonah, I wonder, and a lot of people do also, whether or not this will be all for naught in the end.
GOLDBERG: Well, you know, there's a real upside for conservative and Republicans if it is all for naught. If Gray Davis wins the recall because the Democratic Party rallied around him then it means Gray Davis really and truly owns the problems that California faces, and those problems are huge.
And let's remember, in the beginning the Bush White House was very nervous about having a recall at all because they were looking forward to running against Gray Davis in California in 2004, not necessarily to win California, but to cost the Democrats a lot of time and money in California.
If Gray Davis is in there that means the Democratic Party is wholly responsible, owns Gray Davis, and owns the disaster that is California.
HEMMER: Andy, you want to move to California?
BOROWITZ: I was there before, so I don't think I want to go back. But there are all these town halls tonight. The town hall I want to see is apparently Gary Coleman has challenged the cast of "The Facts of Life" to a debate.
HEMMER: That would be interesting.
BOROWITZ: I want to see that. Apparently...
HEMMER: How many chairs are in that...
(CROSSTALK)
BOROWITZ: Apparently Blair is in, but Tootie's out.
HEMMER: What you talking about, Willis?
Final topic here. Let's start this one back off with Jonah yet again. Eight members vying for the Democratic nomination, going to debate later tonight. Specifically, is an African-American debate. How much does this matter 14 months removed from the election of 2004, Jonah?
GOLDBERG: Well it matters. I mean Donna's the expert on this sort of thing in the primaries. But you know, look, blacks, African- Americans are by far, the most important demographic in the Democratic Party today. And, you know, this is going to be basically Al Sharpton's show, it's going to be very interesting to see how the candidates deal with him. You could see a lot of people making promises to what is essentially a liberal constituency that will come back to haunt whoever the nominee is in the fall.
So In many ways, I think this matters a lot. And we may not see the real repercussions for quite a while.
HEMMER: All right, fair answer. What about it, Donna?
BRAZILE: Well first of all, all nine candidates will show up and that's because African-Americans are very viable to the Democratic Party. They represent more than 10 percent of population in 14 battleground states.
And I think tonight's debate is going to put issues on the American radar screen that has been lost like education, health care, and, of course, the most important issue, jobs. So this is going to be a very important discussion tonight.
And look for some other candidate, not just Sharpton and Carol Moseley Braun, but look for Dick Gephardt to continue his attack on the president. And perhaps John Kerry to begin to layout his agenda for America.
HEMMER: Watch, we will.
Andy, wrap it up for us.
BOROWITZ: You know, maybe I'm a product of our times but I just cannot take this race seriously until a porn star gets into it. I just think -- I thinks there's still time for Ron Jeremy or Jenna Jameson to file.
HEMMER: Is there what you're pulling?
BOROWITZ: Absolutely, absolutely. I think that's what it's going to take. HEMMER: Thanks, Andy. Thank you, appreciate it. Donna, thanks. Jonah as well. Our "Morning Grind" here on AMERICAN MORNING. Great to see the three of you yet again.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
