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Pope Francis Arrives in Washington This Afternoon; Papal Visit to be Political Football?; Volkswagen in Crisis Mode; Clock Ticking for Joe Biden to Enter Race. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired September 22, 2015 - 06:30   ET

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

[06:30:00] CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Please, let me invite you back and we'll go through it as it comes out so the voters can get the clearest picture of it. Can we do that?

JEFFREY SONNENFELD, SENIOR DEAN, YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT: Happily. Sorry. Thanks.

CUOMO: All right, thank you very much, Professor. It's good to have you here and get your take on Carly Fiorina's time as CEO.

Mick.

MICHAEAL PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Pope Francis is heading to Washington this afternoon. Politicians on both sides of the aisle are expected to use his trip to their advantage. How much of a political football will the papal visit be? We'll look at that, ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. CHRIS CHRISIE (R-NJ), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I just think the pope was wrong. And so the fact is that his infallibility is on religious matters, not on political ones.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Well, that was presidential candidate Chris Christie criticizing Pope Francis's role in U.S. politics. The pontiff is set to arrive in Washington, D.C., this afternoon for his very first visit to the United States.

[06:35:05] There's a new CNN poll out just this morning that we want to show you. It reveals that 63 percent of Americans have a favorable view of Pope Francis.

CUOMO: But wait until he enters the race for president. Then his numbers will tank.

(LAUGHTER)

CAMEROTA: That's a good point. And this trip is not without controversy, obviously. So joining us to discuss all of it is Father Beck, he's our CNN religion commentator, as well as Manu Raju, he's our CNN senior political reporter.

Great to have both of you here. Let me read -- Manu Raju has a great piece on CNN.com where he talks about all of the Republicans who have come out to basically criticize the pope and who think that he is wading into political issues.

Let me just read you a quote from Congressman Inhofe. He says, "I think it's totally inappropriate that the pope is weighing in on all of the real sensitive, far-left issues. I'm not a Catholic but my Catholic friends in Oklahoma are not real pleased with it."

Father Beck, how is talking about taking care of the poverty stricken, being good shepherds of the earth, how are these political issues? Aren't these biblical values?

FATHER EDWARD BECK, CNN RELIGION COMMENTATOR: Yes, let me give you a quote from the pope. He was preaching his daily homily at St. Martha's, where he lives. And he said a good Catholic meddles in politics. Now he's not talking about partisan politics. He's not talking about the minutia of policy. He's saying how can you divorce yourself from these issues when they're of the gospel? Capitalism, the excesses of capitalism? Immigration? Gun violence? He has spoken about all of them but how could he not because their gospel values?

CUOMO: But you know what Inhofe and the other Republicans are talking about. Manu, the pope has a phrase, haciendolio (ph), making a mess. He believes in getting involved in controversies and social disorder, you know, as a way of finding progress. But aren't -- what they're picking on, the global warming stuff, that he's been so heavy-handed on it, that only does it exist, but we're causing it and it's a big problem -- isn't that what's triggering their sensitivity?

MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER: Yes, it is. And that's one reason why you're actually seeing an Arizona Republican Paul Gosar actually boycotting this event. Other Republicans, they have not gone that far, but they've been critical about what the pope is saying. They don't view it in this theological, in the spiritual sense; they view it as a political statement. And that's one of the things that they're concerned about, Chris, is that the pope is going to have a humongous worldwide audience, national audience, and for him to be able to drive the conversation on issues that they're less comfortable about, they'd rather him not do that.

But I would say that they do want to push the issues of their issues, anti-abortion agenda, in the Senate this week to coincide with the pope's visit. You're seeing a vote tonight in the Senate to ban abortion after 20 weeks. That's going to fail, and there's also going to an effort by the Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to pass a bill that to keep the government open that will defund Planned Parenthood. And that will also fail.

And the reason why they're doing that though is to time it with the pope's visit. So, clearly, the Republicans, even if they're concerned about the pope's politics, they hope that on some issues, like abortion, that they can actually win politically by having the pope here.

CAMEROTA: That's interesting. Let me read another excerpt from Manu's article. And this is about Congressman Gosar, who he just talked about, is planning to boycott the pope's speech. He says, "I don't need to be lectured by the pope about climate change. When he wants to take a political position, I will tell you, he is free and clear to be criticized like the rest of us."

Is that fair, Father?

BECK: Well, first of all, to say you're not going to listen to an opinion that you don't agree with to me is infantile. Secondly, this is not the first pope to speak about. What about Pope Benedict, whom the conservatives loved? He had a Ten Commandments for the environment. No one said, wow, he's reinterpreting the Ten Commandments for the environment? He spoke all about the environment.

CUOMO: Didn't church add abusing the environment to the deadly sins list?

BECK: He did, Pope Benedict talked about it. So why wasn't this outcry against him? Wasn't that a political issue then? Of course it was. But somehow John Paul II can talk about it, Benedict can, but this pope puts out an enyclical about it and everybody is up in arms. I don't get it.

CAMEROTA: Manu, how do they explain that? How do the Republicans you've interviewed explain all that?

RAJU: Well, I don't think they quite view it that way, particularly on an issue like climate change, which is incredibly sensitive politically. I would also just like to add that Republican leaders and Democratic leaders are moving pretty aggressively to make sure there are no outbursts, and when -- if the pope does dive into issues like climate change, they don't want any of their members to have a Joe Wilson "You lie" moment. Remember that 2009 healthcare moment when they -- during the president --

(LAUGHTER)

CUOMO: Who wants to get caught booing Pope Francis right now?

RAJU: Exactly. They're actually putting out guidance, the Republican leaders and Democratic leaders, to say no excessive handshakes. Nobody -- should let the pope move about his business, because they recognize that the pope is going to probably dive into a lot of these controversial issues like climate change and they don't want any of their members to really become the news. They want the pope to remain the news and to talk about the issues that he will, even if they are uncomfortable for a lot of lawmakers.

[06:40:05] CAMEROTA: I understand not yelling "You lie", but no excessive handshakes? What's the problem?

BECK: He likes to shake hands. He's going to be hugging people. He's going to walk down that aisle and stop and talk to them, especially if someone is in a wheelchair or somebody is on the fringe. He's going to walk over to that person. I mean --

CUOMO: What a juxtaposition of tone at a time, when we're in the ugly season of politics, what's going on with faith and tolerance. You have this man who's not only reached out to Muslims but is saying stop with all the negativity. You people have to spend more time on mercy and love. What a juxtaposition.

BECK: But will he make a difference? Will they listen to him? That's the question.

CAMEROTA: That is the question. We'll see what happens this week.

Father Beck, Manu Raju, thanks so much.

What's your take on all of this? You can tweet us using the hashtag #newdaycnn or pos your comment on Facebook.com/new day. We look forward to reading those.

CUOMO: So as you know, we're going to be covering the pope every step of the way. And you know he's going to go to Washington, D.C., today. We're going to take NEW DAY, part of it, my part, will be live at the White House tomorrow. And tonight, don't forget, we have the documentary on Pope Francis for you at 9:00 Eastern where you can learn about the man who became the pope.

Mick?

PEREIRA: All right, Joe Biden is undecided if he's ready to run for president. It's unclear how long it will take him to make up his mind. Is the vice president running out of time? We'll take a look.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:45:14] PEREIRA: Dr. Ben Carson says he stands by his comments about the potential for a Muslim president. The Republican presidential hopeful does suggest he's open to Muslims who swear to put the Constitution before their religion and reject sharia law. Carly Fiorina, for her part, says a Muslim can be president. During an appearance with Jimmy Fallon, Fiorina says Carson was wrong and believes people of faith make better leaders. The GOP field is now down to 15 after former front-runner Scott Walker ended his bid with poll numbers hovering around 0.

CAMEROTA: Former tennis star James Blake says his sitdown with New York City's mayor and police commissioner was productive. Blake asked for the meeting after he was mistakenly detained by a plainclothesed (sic) officer who slammed Blake to the ground thinking he was an identity thief. Blake does have some things he would now like to see happen to that officer. So we will talk more about that when Mayor Bill de Blasio joins us next hour.

CUOMO: After two weeks, nine NFL teams still unbeaten and you know who that includes? Say it with me. J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets. 20-7 spanking over the Indianapolis Colts Monday night. Showcase for the Jet defense, AKA mean green, intercepting Andrew Luck three times. They could have done it five times; they dropped them out of mercy. Five turnovers in all, ruining the Colts's primetime home opener. Fact.

PEREIRA: Is this the last time the Jets will make it in the NEW DAY headlines?

CUOMO: Nope. Two down, 15 to go. Everybody knows this is the year.

PEREIRA: Just asking. Innocent question.

CAMEROTA: I've never heard you read a script with such relish.

PEREIRA: He did, he savored it.

CUOMO: You know what color relish is? Green, baby, green.

(LAUGHTER)

CAMEROTA: You know what else is green?

PEREIRA: Money, money, money.

CAMEROTA: That's what it is. It's time for CNN Money now. Chief business correspondent Christine Romans is in our money center. Christine, tell us about the green.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Oh, Volkswagen going into crisis mode this morning, guys. Volkswagen shares getting pummeled right now, down 14 percent on top of a stunning 17 percent drop yesterday. U.S. regulators say VW cheated on emissions tests for hundreds of thousands of cars. Its U.S. president says the company, quote, "totally screwed up". The Justice Department reportedly launching a criminal investigation. VW says the scandal could cost it more than $7 billion.

Hillary Clinton sending biotechs tumbling with her comments about price gouging. She singled out the drug Daraprim. The cost of one tablet just jumped from $13.50 to $750 a pill. Clinton will unveil a plan today to rein in prescription drug costs, Michaela.

PEREIRA: All right, thanks so much, Christine.

Well, time is not on Joe Biden's side as the vice president decides whether or not he'll jump into the Democratic race. We are going to speak with a former Biden aide just ahead here about the big decision and when he thinks it might come. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[09:52:05] JOE BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's not quite there yet and it may not get there in time to make it feasible to be able to run and succeed, because there are certain windows that will close. But if that's it, that's it.

(END VIDEO CLIP) CAMEROTA: Time is not on Joe Biden's side as he continues to explore that run for president. The vice president weighing a number of considerations, both personal and political, as the clock ticks down.

So let's bring in Luis Navarro; he's former chief of staff to Joe Biden. Luis, thanks so much for being on NEW DAY.

LUIS NAVARRO, FMR. CHIEF OF STAFF FOR JOE BIDEN: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: Let's talk about the significant time stamps that are coming up, by which he should probably make a decision. First, October 13th. That's the first Democratic debate. Does the vice president need to make a decision before October 13th?

NAVARRO: Well, I'm sure that the people who are advocating for him to get into this race would love to see him participate in that debate. But I think, as the vice president himself has been very clear, whether it has been on his recent tour in Florida and Georgia, whether it has been on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" or in the interview segment that you just showed, he is dealing with this and wrestling with a very personal decision. And he is not going to allow his decision to be defined by artificial -- what he considers to be artificial deadlines.

CAMEROTA: Yesterday, he did talk about those personal considerations. Let's listen to more of what the vice president had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BIDEN: I've known almost every person that's run for president since I've been 29 years old, personally. And it all gets down to personal considerations. Because you don't get to -- you have no right as an individual to decide to run. Your whole family is implicated. Your whole family is engaged.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: So he talks about his whole family; he talks about personal considerations. We did hear this week that Jill Biden, his wife, would support him if he decides to do that. You were his campaign manager in '08. What do you think he will do?

NAVARRO: Well, I think that he will think about whether his -- what he thinks is best for the country, his party, and himself and his family. I think that the vice president has been very clear. And one thing about the vice president is what you see is what you get.

And insofar as the reports about Dr. Biden and other members of the family, I mean, one of the strengths of the Biden family, one of the many strengths of the Biden family, that I think was especially on display during the tragedy they have had to deal with since this -- since June of this year, is that they have a slogan sort of from the movie "Backdraft". You go, I go, we go.

[06:55:02] And so I think that, you know, they will -- he will listen to them and they will respect whatever decision he makes, because they all know that he will make a decision based on what he believes is best.

CAMEROTA: But I mean, knowing him as well as you do, do you have a sense of which way he's leaning?

NAVARRO: Honestly, I don't have any insight, any particular insight, into where the vice president is. And I think, again, one of the things you have to give him is that he is very candid. He's been extraordinarily candid during this very difficult period, the nightmare of every parent. And that we should respect that. And I think that there's no reason for us not to take him at his word.

CAMEROTA: A couple of other deadlines that are significant that are coming up that may be on his mind: November 6th is the date he must file in order to be on the Alabama ballot, November 27th is when he must file to be on New Hampshire. South Carolina is next at December 7th and Iowa, the all-important Iowa, January 22nd.

And so I just -- I mean, I think everyone feels for him, you know, to be looking at this sort of ticking clock every day and know that at some point the rubber is going to meet the road. And, you know, he had said, I think, he would make a decision by the end of summer. That has officially now passed. When do you think he will tell us officially?

NAVARRO: Well, I wouldn't pretend to know. I think that what the vice president is, perhaps, thinking about is that there have been other late entries into Democratic nomination races before, with varying levels of success. Obviously Bill Clinton entered the race late in 1991. And other --

CAMEROTA: Right, in October by the way. That is significant. I'm glad that you're bringing that up. Bill Clinton got in October 3rd, 1991. That's good to remember. I mean, he wasn't even in yet at this point in that race.

NAVARRO: Right, right. And obviously times change and circumstances are different. And now in the post-Citizens United phase, money is important and donors are anxious, which is why you saw this public letter just the other day. But, at the end of the day, the reasons why people would want Joe Biden to run for president are the reasons why he is going to wrestle with this decision. He is not going to do it unless he believes he can do it 110 percent, as he himself has said.

CAMEROTA: Luis Navarro, thanks so much for all of your insight.

NAVARRO: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: We're following a lot of news this morning. Let's get right to it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PEREIRA: Pope Francis makes his first historic visit to the United States.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This pope wants to have spontaneous interactions with people who are coming from all over the world.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He (INAUDIBLE) and he wants to meet with his parishoners and that's something we fully expect.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Scott Walker is out.

GOV. SCOTT WALKER (R), WISCONSIN: I encourage other Republican presidential candidates to consider doing the same.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Just six months ago he was the man to beat; he was at the top of the polls.

SEAN HANNITY, FOX NEWS HOST: Did you mean to say radical Islamists?

BEN CARSON (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: That was implied in the comment.

CARLY FIORINA (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Anyone of any faith is welcome here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How would we trust someone who would be in the White House to treat all Americans equally and uphold the Constitution?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: This is NEW DAY with Chris Cuomo, Alisyn Camerota and Michaela Pereira.

CAMEROTA: Good morning, everyone. Welcome back to your NEW DAY. In just a few hours, Pope Francis makes his first historic trip to the United States. His visit happening, of course, in the thick of intense presidential campaigning and mobilizing one of the largest security operations the U.S. has ever seen. In the next hour, the pope will wrap up his visit to Cuba with a mass at the country's most treasured shrine.

CUOMO: All of this unfolding as new CNN/ORC poll numbers show that he is far more popular than President Obama and Congress pretty much combined. Both Catholics and non-Catholics giving him high marks with 63 percent favorability.

Let's go to CNN's Michelle Kosinski, kicking off our coverage live from the White House. Michelle, I mean, it would be a very different day if the pope were not popular among Catholics. And this pope says a lot of popular things, but what's the position of the White House and what it means when he comes?

MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, the White House is going to be loving that agreement. I mean, first we're going to see a greeting that is afforded to no other leader. The president, vice president, and their wives, are going to meet him not just here at the White House but as he arrives to Andrews Air Force Base.

Then tomorrow the president and the pope will have this sit-down in the Oval Office. One senior administration official said expect the top three subjects to be climate change, Cuba and poverty. But you could say that this comes at a perfect time when President Obama wants to hit certain topics in the last year of his presidency. He has the approval of the pope on many of them. Also immigration, income inequality, and guns.

However, this also comes at a time when the government could shut down in a few days over to defund Planned Parenthood. There's this debate over abortion; gay marriage has just become the law of the land. In those areas, that opinion diverges enormously between the pope and the president. But here's how the White House sees it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[07:00:02] JOSH EARNEST, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Doesn't mean they agree on every issue. They surely don't.