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Pivotal FDA Meeting Hours Away, Authorization Of Pfizer COVID- 19 Vaccine Could Be Imminent; Operation Warp Speed: 2.9M Doses Of Pfizer Vaccine Ready To Go, Supplies To Be Shipped Out Today; Hunter Biden Says His Taxes Are Under Investigation By U.S. Attorney's Office; Biden Introduces First Black Defense Secretary Nominee; Trump Seeks To Intervene In Longshot Texas Lawsuit To Overturn Election In Four Battleground States Biden Won; Interview With Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV). Aired 5-6p ET

Aired December 09, 2020 - 17:00   ET

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

[17:00:00]

JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: Our coverage on CNN continues right now. I'll see you tomorrow.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm Wolf Blitzer in THE SITUATION ROOM. We're following breaking news.

The coronavirus death toll here in the United States now topping 288,000 people with more than 15.3 million confirmed cases. With the pandemic raging across the United States right now, all eyes will be on tomorrow's meeting where the FDA is expected to grant emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine.

Officials with what's called Operation Warp Speed say almost 3 million doses of the vaccine are ready to go and supplies will begin shipping out later today with the first vaccinations being administered in the following days.

And there's more breaking news, President-elect Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, has just released a statement saying that his tax affairs are now being investigated by the U.S. Attorney's Office in the state of Delaware. We'll have much more of that coming up in a few moments.

But first, the breaking pandemic news. Our National Correspondent Erica Hill is joining us from New York right now.

Erica, a tremendous amount of hope is riding on the FDA meeting today.

ERICA HILL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, there really is a lot of hope and a lot of interest in that meeting where, of course, tomorrow they will be discussing Pfizer's application for emergency use authorization for its vaccine.

Now we know we do know that in anticipation Operation Warp Speed announcing today, as you mentioned, they actually began shipping some of the necessary supplies out today. That includes things like syringes and even alcohol swabs that they're ready to go if and when that authorization is granted tomorrow.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

HILL (voice-over): Across the country, the countdown to the first COVID-19 vaccine is on.

GENERAL GUSTAVE PERNA, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, OPERATION WARP SPEED: We will begin upon approval of EUA packing to the micro plans and distribute -- begin distribution within 24 hours out to the jurisdictions accordingly.

HILL: The FDA could authorize Pfizer's vaccine as soon as tomorrow. Trucks and planes ready to go. Ultra low temperature freezers on standby.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You're looking at potentially getting close to at least a quarter of the staff in that first go round.

HILL: Holy Name Medical Center in northern New Jersey is anticipating about 1,000 doses in that first shipment, though, like nearly everyone else, they won't know for sure until the call comes.

JONEIGH KHALDUN CHIEF MEDICAL EXECUTIVE AND CHIEF DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, M, DEPT. OF HHS: We still to this date don't know exactly how many Michigan will be receiving.

HILL: As states prepare, there are new questions about Pfizer's vaccine, which was just given the OK in Canada, after two health care workers in the U.K. had an allergic reaction.

MNCEF SLAOUI, CHIEF ADVISOR, OPERATION WARP SPEED: The expectation would be that subjects with known severe reaction, allergic reactions should not take the vaccine. And to understand exactly what happened here.

HILL: The reality for most Americans, the vaccine won't be widely available until spring.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's going to be a rough couple of months.

HILL: The U.S. now averaging 206,000 new cases a day. That's nearly 70 percent in just four weeks. Daily reported deaths even more alarming, skyrocketing, 123 percent that same period.

MORGAN FITZSIMMONS, TRAVELING COVID-19 NURSE: I mean, you got to think that everyone is a loved one.

HILL: Hospitals struggling.

DR. MARK GHALY, SECRETARY, CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: Statewide, I don't believe we've ever seen as many hospital admissions increased. So like we did just in the past 24 hours.

HILL: Massachusetts further limiting outdoor gatherings and indoor capacity.

GOV. CHARLIE BAKER, (R) MASSACHUSETTS: The days of most people doing most of the right things are probably not enough.

HILL: Doing the right thing, meeting more resistance.

In Idaho Health Board meeting to discuss new COVID restrictions abruptly shut down after just 12 minutes.

DIANA LACHIONDO, COUNTY COMMISIONER, ADA, IDAHO: My 12-year-old son is home by himself right now under protesters banging outside the door. OK. I'm going to go home.

HILL: Despite the pushback, many officials are moving forward with new COVID safety measures as hospitals brace for what could be their toughest battle yet.

DR. NIRAV SHAH, DIR. MAINE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENION: What we do today impacts and predicts the success that we will have going forward starting tomorrow.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

HILL: Here at Holy Name Medical Center, the focus on this vaccine there's a lot of buzz. I'm told there is excitement, but there are also questions understandably because it's so new.

So tomorrow, there's going to be a town hall meeting, a virtual town hall, for staff so they can address any concerns that the staff may have. Again, they don't know exactly when it will come where exactly how many, but the fact that they already had one of those low temperature freezers, ultra-low temperature freezers that's necessary to store the Pfizer vaccine may have helped.

[17:05:00]

Again, they're anticipating about 1000 doses in that initial shipment. They say they could likely vaccinate 150 to 160 staff members a day. And the first in line will be those who have direct interaction with COVID patients, Wolf.

BLITZER: Which is smart.

All right, Erica Hill, thanks very much.

Let's get some more on all of this. The dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, Dr. Ashish Jha joining us.

Dr. Jha, thanks so much for joining us.

And as you know, we all expect the FDA will grant emergency use authorization of this Pfizer vaccine as early as tomorrow. If all goes well, when could the first American who is not part of a clinical trial get vaccinated?

DR. ASHISH JHA, DEAN, BROWN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH: Yes. So, Wolf, thanks for having me on.

You know, my hope is on Friday, if we get an authorization at the end of the day, tomorrow, the vaccines are going to get shipped out.

Now, it may take a couple more days in that. I might be a little too ambitious. But the bottom line is certainly in the first few days after the authorization and it'll be great. It's going to be exciting to see.

BLITZER: Because as, you know, the Operation Warp Speed officials, they insist the vaccines will begin moving within 24 hours of authorization. And they say some 2.9 million doses will be distributed in the first shipment.

But we're also hearing from state and local officials who say they aren't necessarily receiving enough doses to vaccinate their frontline health care workers. Will this first shipment make a really substantial impact?

JHA: Yes. And the first shipment, I think, is just going to get the process started. So it's not going to have a big impact on infection rates in the community, will not get every health care worker protected. It will not get us into the nursing homes, which are so critical.

All of that is going to be in the weeks and months ahead. Hopefully more weeks than months. But -- look, we just got to get started somewhere. And I'm excited to get started as soon as possible.

BLITZER: Yes. Me too. I hope it works.

Operation Warp Speed Officials also say, Dr. Jha that the supplies needed for the vaccine -- vaccinations, syringes, needles, alcohol wipes, they should begin going out today. But given that the U.S. has struggled to secure testing materials, personal protective equipment throughout the entirety of this pandemic all year long, are you concerned the vaccine process we'll face and we hope it doesn't, but potentially similar roadblocks?

JHA: Yes. You know, our ability to get supply chains and all this stuff, right, has not been a glorious one in this pandemic. So obviously, one has to be concerned. I think we'll have plenty for the first few weeks.

But as we start getting into bigger and bigger numbers, as the months go along, I am very concerned about whether we're going to have all of those other things or not. And the Biden team is going to take over and have to make sure.

It's great to have vaccines, but if you don't have enough syringes, if you don't have enough other things, it's not going to work to be able to get the vaccines into people's arms.

BLITZER: I don't know, Dr. Jha, if you saw this new Axios-Ipsos poll, which says that 53 percent of Americans say they would likely get a first generation COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it's available. That has gone up a bit since the fall. But is it enough to really change the course of the pandemic? JHA: Yes. So if we end up with 53 percent, Wolf, that's not going to be enough. It'll help a lot. But it won't bring the pandemic to a close.

But what I'm hoping is, and I understand people are skittish, and people are concerned about how fast this is gone. What I'm hoping is as Americans watch their neighbors, watch their doctors, watch their leaders get vaccinated, that they will get more and more comfortable.

I really think this process of developing the vaccine has been done with great integrity. But I think people will need to see it happening to feel more comfortable. And I hope that number goes up.

BLITZER: Yes. I'm ready as soon as Dr. Fauci and the others say, it's safe. Are you ready to get a vaccine?

JHA: You know, I am. I'm waiting for the FDA's authorization. And whenever it's my turn, Wolf, I will show up early that morning with my sleeves rolled up ready to get vaccinated.

BLITZER: I'll be ready, too.

All right Dr. Ashish Jha, as usual, thank you very, very much.

There's more breaking news we're following right now in THE SITUATION ROOM. President-elect Biden's son Hunter announcing that he is under federal tax investigation right now.

Let's go to our Senior Justice Correspondent Evan Perez. He's working the story for us, along with our Political Correspondent Arlette Saenz.

Evan, I know you're reporting extensively on what's going on. What are you learning First of all, about this investigation?

EVAN PEREZ, CNN SENIOR JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, this is an investigation that goes back to 2018. And we're -- we understand that in recent months, the investigation took a pause in part because of the Justice Department rules governing politically sensitive investigations. There's an effort to make sure that it doesn't interfere with the election.

And so, with the election now over with Biden now elected president, the U.S. Attorney in Delaware, informed the agents who've been working on this case that they were free to take more active steps. And that is what has happened in the last couple of days.

Hunter Biden has issued a statement that says in part, "I learned yesterday for the first time that the U.S. Attorney's Office in Delaware advised my legal counsel, also yesterday that they're investigating My Tax affairs. I take this matter very seriously but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisers.

[17:10:14] Wolf, my understanding, our understanding from doing this reporting over the last couple of weeks, myself and Pamela Brown, is that the investigators who are from the IRS, Criminal Investigation agency, as well as the FBI, and the prosecutors in Delaware have been looking at a number of things, including hunter Biden's business activities, principally in China and whether or not those activities violated tax and money laundering laws.

And among the things they're looking at is whether or not income was reported or under reported correctly over the last -- over a number of years. Wolf.

BLITZER: I understand you're also learning that the federal investigators are specifically interested, Evan, in a gift of a diamond, a diamond that was given, supposedly to Hunter Biden in China. Tell us about that.

PEREZ: That's right Wolf.

There is a very curious episode that happened in 2017. Hunter Biden described some of this in a New Yorker profile that was published last year, he said that at the end of a meeting with this businessman, Yei Jang Ming (ph), who is -- he was trying to get into business with, at the end of that meeting, he goes up to his hotel room and he receives a 2.8 carat diamond. Now, it's not clear what happened to the diamond.

According to the account that Hunter Biden provided in New Yorker, he says he gave it to some associates and he doesn't know what happened to it. We know that investigators have been looking specifically into the treatment of that for tax purposes, obviously, that implies a gift tax, which, you know, we don't know exactly what happened to the way how Hunter Biden accounted for that on his taxes. But we know that this is one of the curious issues that the investigation has been looking at.

Now, again, Hunter Biden says that he is going to cooperate with this investigation. He says that he had the advice of tax professionals in all his affairs. And so we'll see what the new Biden administration who -- which promises to leave the Justice Department alone, to make sure that the Justice Department does his investigations without interference, how they handled this very, very thorny issue now.

BLITZER: And Evan, I just want to be precise, this is a federal criminal investigation, right?

PEREZ: That is correct. This is a criminal investigation being handled by the IRS criminal investigators, as well as the FBI and the Delaware U.S. Attorney.

BLITZER: Arlette, has the Biden team where you are in Wilmington, Delaware right now reacted?

ARLETTE SAENZ, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, we haven't heard specifically from the President-elect, but his transition team did release a statement that went out along with Hunter Biden's statement. I want to read you what it said. It said the "President-elect Biden is deeply proud of his son who has fought through difficult challenges, including the vicious personal attacks of recent months only to emerge stronger." Those attacks that they're referencing, were the attacks that we saw President Trump and his allies waged against Hunter Biden during the campaign.

But there are still questions about this investigation. And one of those being when did the President-elect learn that Hunter was under investigation, that his tax affairs were being investigated? Hunter say that he just learned of this yesterday. So we're still trying to hear what exactly that timeline was for the President-elect learning of this as well.

But as Evan's reporting has noted, the President-elect is not implicated in these investigations. But one thing that we will be watching going forward is what his reaction will be like as this investigation continues, and how it continues into potentially his administration, as Biden has vowed that his Department of Justice will be independent.

BLITZER: And another matter, a very important matter, Arlette, the vice president-elect the Vice President, we should say the President- elect Biden made history today by officially nominating the first African American to lead the Defense Department. So, what did he say about choosing General Lloyd Austin for this critically important role?

SAENZ: Well, Wolf, President-elect Biden spoke to the personal relationship that he has had with retired General Lloyd Austin who he has chosen to be his defense secretary. He pointed back to their work together while Biden was Vice President, and he was still a commander in the military, and he cited the experience and leadership skills that he will bring to the job.

But one big hurdle in all of this is that Austin's nomination will require a waiver from Congress due to a rule that someone needs to be out of active military for seven years before they can serve as defense secretary. Austin just retired from the military four years ago, and some Democrats up on Capitol Hill have already expressed some skepticism about granting him a waiver.

[17:15:00]

Take a listen to what Biden had to say earlier today as he introduced Austin here in Delaware.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, (D) PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE UNITED STATES: I want to thank you, General, your friend, but I want to thank you General Austin for once more stepping forward to serve your nation. This is not a post he sought, but I sought him.

Lloyd Austin retired from the military service more than four years ago. But the law states that an officer must have left the service seven years before becoming Secretary of Defense. There's a good reason for this law that I fully understand and respect.

I would not be asking for this exception. If I had not, if I did not believe this moment in our history, didn't call for it. It does call for it. And if I didn't have the faith I have in Lloyd Austin to ask for it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAENZ: And Lloyd Austin also expressed a commitment to civilian control of the military. And I'm told he will begin meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill next week as his confirmation process kicks off.

BLITZER: Lots going on.

Arlette, thank you. Evan, thanks to you, as well.

And there's more breaking news we're following here in THE SITUATION ROOM, President Trump now trying to get involved in a Texas lawsuit asking the United States Supreme Court to overturn the presidential election.

We're going to talk about that much more with West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin. He's standing by live. We'll discuss when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:20:55]

BLITZER: There's more breaking news we're following a new effort by President Trump to try to overturn the election that he clearly lost. Let's go to our Chief White House Correspondent Jim Acosta.

Jim, the President is now trying to get personally involved in a new very, very long shot lawsuit.

JIM ACOSTA, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Wolf.

President Trump is seeking to intervene in a lawsuit brought by the Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, attempting to invalidate millions of votes cast in four battleground states. Seventeen Republican led states have also filed a brief in support of Paxton's position.

Now the President's decision to involve himself in this case shows just how desperate he's become instead of focusing on the pandemic that is raging across the country in a coronavirus relief bill. President Trump is still raging out about the election.

Some of Mr. Trump's own advisors are sick with the President's sore loser tactics as one White House advisor described it to me, the President has, "stress tested the U.S. election process."

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

ACOSTA (voice-over): Stuck in election challenged Groundhog Day losing time and again in court President Trump is sounding more detached from the reality of the pandemic tweeting cries for help in the election from his social media bunker falsely declaring, "Rigged election." And "If somebody cheated in the election, which the Democrats did, why wouldn't the election be immediately overturned? How can a country be run like this?"

This tweet makes even less sense "At 10:00 p.m. on election evening, we were at 97 percent win with the so called "bookies." The President isn't hiding his hashtag sad.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: All of the things we've done, and we were rewarded with a victory. Now let's see whether or not somebody has the courage. Whether it's a legislator or legislatures, or whether it's a Justice of the Supreme Court or a number of Justices of the Supreme Court. Let's see if they have the courage to do what everybody in this country knows is right.

ACOSTA: The President's latest act of desperation, pinning his hopes on Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton's long shot request that the Supreme Court invalidate the results in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Even though the High Court just rejected a similar GOP attempt in Pennsylvania.

Michigan's Democratic Attorney General accused Paxton of shopping for a presidential pardon.

DANA NESSEL, ATTORNEY GENERAL, MICHIGAN: I feel bad for the taxpayers in Texas that have to finance this ridiculous and frivolous lawsuit.

You know, we should note that AG Paxton, you know, is a member of the Trump campaign. Very involved with that. I also bet he is currently under federal indictment for securities fraud, and also being investigated by the FBI.

ACOSTA: Louisiana House Republican Mike Johnson is backing the Texas lawsuit writing in an e-mail to his GOP colleagues that they should sign on, too. Saying Mr. Trump is "Anxiously awaiting the final list" of supporters in Congress.

Back in September when the President was seeking to replace the late justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg he signaled he might turn to the Supreme Court to bail him out.

TRUMP: I think this scam that the Democrats are pulling, it's a scam. The scam will be before the United States Supreme Court.

I think it's very important to have a ninth justice.

ACOSTA: Utah GOP Senator Mitt Romney is blasting the attempts at sabotage as, "Madness. This is madness. We have a process. Recounts where appropriate, going to the court is appropriate and pursuing every legal avenue is appropriate. But trying to get electors not to do what the people voted to do is madness."

Even the First Lady may not be sure that Mr. Trump's efforts will succeed with one source telling CNN, "She just wants to go home." Tell that to Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Mr. Trump's biggest enablers.

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM, (R) SOUTH CAROLINA: If you're not fighting for Trump now, when he needs you the most as a Republican leader in Georgia, people are not going to fight for you when you ask them to get reelected. There's a civil war brewing in Georgia for no good reason.

It's not unreasonable to ask the legislature to come back in and order an audit of the signatures and the presidential race to see if the system worked. It's not unreasonable to change the law while you can. So Stacey Abrams can't steal another election.

What is unreasonable is to sit on your ass and do nothing when you got a chance to save the country.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

[17:25:05]

ACOSTA: But there are cracks emerging in the Cabinet Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told CNN he will do what he can to cooperate with the Biden transition team. That's about as far as any Trump cabinet member has gone and recognizing that Joe Biden won the election on.

And of course, as one source close to the President in the White House told me there is zero, "zero chance" Mr. Trump will concede this election.

And Wolf, getting back to the President intervening in this Texas lawsuit seeking to overturn the election results, we should note that the attorney representing Mr. Trump in that case, John Eastman appears to be the same John Eastman, who earlier this year was pushing a racist conspiracy theory that Kamala Harris was not eligible to be vice president. Of course, that's false. She is eligible to be vice president, but it just goes to show you the -- some of the legal minds at work in this latest legal gambit. Wolf.

BLITZER: Yes. And I just want to point out that today it became official, all 50 states, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have now officially certified their election results, which clearly show that Biden won. In fact, the official numbers show that Biden has 51.3 percent of the vote, Trump has 46.8 percent of the vote.

Biden wins by more than 7 million votes in the national popular vote. But at the much more important Electoral College, Biden has 306 electoral votes, Trump has 232, you need 270. So it's clearly over even though the President and his legal team and some attorneys general out there, they don't want to recognize these facts.

All right. Thanks very much Jim Acosta reporting for us.

We have more breaking news we're following right now. The House of Representatives just passed a bill to prevent the federal government from actually shutting down later this week giving negotiators more time to try to work out a compromise on a coronavirus economic stimulus package.

In just a few moments, I'll speak with Senator Joe Manchin, one of those trying to find a real compromise.

Plus, emergency authorization for the first Coronavirus vaccine here in the United States could be just hours away. We're going to take a closer look at what people need to know right now about how and when they can actually get vaccinated.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:32:13]

BLITZER: We have breaking news. The House of Representatives just passed what's called a stopgap spending bill to keep the federal government running until December 18th, it comes as talks are continuing on a possible coronavirus related economic relief stimulus package.

We're joined now by Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia. He's a key member of the Armed Services Committee, as well as the Appropriations Committee. Senator Manchin, I know you've been incredibly busy working to get some sort of relief package done. Time is running out for Congress to help the millions of Americans right now, as you well know, Senator, who are suffering, there are roadblocks. Are you going to have a deal?

SEN. JOE MANCHIN (D-WV): I sure think we are and we're not going home until we do get one. How can you face the people back home that have lost their unemployment check, that have lost their food assistance? They've lost their shelter? All the necessities of life that we take for granted if you have a job and if you're stable. These people have nothing. The lifeline is gone.

We can't do it. We've got schools that need help. We've got basically health care where I've get the vaccine out the door. We cannot afford to fail and we're not going to fail. This is a tough one, I understand. But, remember, this is called a COVID emergency relief package. It's not called a do-all end-all package, we won't do another one. This is called, what Joe Biden has said, this is a down payment on what is needed.

OK, he'll come back in as President, will sit down and see what it takes to get this economy moving again. This is a bridge. It's all it is. Get us from here to April 1.

BLITZER: It's so critical, Senator. So what's the big stumbling block? Why don't you have a deal yet? I've been waiting for weeks and weeks and weeks to help these people. You guys got to do something.

MANCHIN: What did you see everything we put out today? We did all the work that's been done. That's an awful lot right now.

BLITZER: So what's the stumbling -- what's the biggest stumbling block?

MANCHIN: The stumbling right now, the two things we have to -- we have the hurdles tonight. And I'm leaving right here and going to the meeting. And what we're going to do is basically the liability. I don't think there's a Democrat or Republican believes that anyone in a small business should be sued out of existence. But on the other hand, you have to have a work -- safe workplace, you have to have worker conditions that are safe.

You can't just throw the baby out with the bathwater, and say you get total amnesty, anything you want to do. So we think there's a way and we have our lawyers working, that should be done. And then next of all, we have state and local. A lot of my Republican friends don't think the state and locals need anything.

Only thing I've said, this is based on need. We're just not sending money willy-nilly for the sake of sending money. We're basically going to say, show us your need. This is what you qualify for, but you're not going to be able to spend it or use it if you don't have a loss of revenue, if you don't have excessive COVID expenses, if you're not behind the curve, and you're basically jeopardizing the frontline services that you give, essential services, which is policemen, firemen, first responders.

You can't be laying those people off in the cities, across the country and saying, well, fine, you're on your own. So we're trying to basically put an emergency stop gap so we can keep things going to buy this economy comes back and it will.

[17:35:06]

BLITZER: Do you think the Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell actually need to sit down and get this done?

MANCHIN: Well, we're doing all the heavy lifting right now. We're going to give them everything and inform that they can just sit down and then call the four corners. We've worked it out. They've all come to agreement on 908, OK, 908 billion. We had Mitch McConnell with a skinny not getting off of &5 million or $550 million -- billion.

We had the Democrats who wouldn't go any lower than 1-2, 1-3. We said, guys, fine. That's not going to work. We found where the necessary emergencies are. And what we did, we looked both at the end of the year, everything that's going to expire, and that's an emergency that people were facing, and then we start basically putting the cost of what it would take to fix it. That's how we came with the 908. It's been truly bipartisan all the way through.

BLITZER: Well, it's critically important. I hope you guys get the deal done. On another matter, while I have you, Senator, you know, President Trump has just filed with the United States Supreme Court to join an effort by Texas's Attorney General tried to overturn the election results in four key battleground states. Your state of West Virginia, the Attorney General, they will also supports this push. Did you ever expect to see so much support for the President's attempts to simply ignore the will of the American people? MANCHIN: I've never seen so many people that would follow suit. First of all, these are the same attorney generals who want to throw out health care. They've been filing suit to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, which basically takes away all pre-existing condition protection. These are things we're fighting.

You know what I've said, this reminds me of the Republicans that I know, my good friends, need to stand up. It's like going to school in the morning. And you know that every day you go to school, there's a bully, they're picking on you, and you're afraid and you're afraid.

And then that one day you wake up and say, you know what, I'm going to face that bully. And, basically, I'll either end up with a bloody nose, or they'll leave me alone forever, I'm going to punch back. And that's what needs to be done by 200 or 300 Republican Congressional, senators and Congress people to say, enough is enough.

This is over, let's move on. And for them to string this out, where is your loyalty to this country? Where is your loyalty to the Constitution? The rule of law, the orderly transfer, that's who we are. The rule of law and orderly transfer of elected -- in our elections is what makes us so different than any other country.

BLITZER: Yes. You got to have the guts to stand up to a bully. Sadly, so many of these Republicans don't have the guts to stand up to a bully.

MANCHIN: Wolf, the worst thing can happen. The bloody nose in this case, you might lose an election.

BLITZER: Yes.

MANCHIN: At least you can go home and sleep and face your kids and everything and I did the right thing. I did what I took an oath to do. I'm going to protect and defend the Constitution. And that's part of the Constitution.

BLITZER: Certainly is. Senator Manchin, good luck with the deal. I hope you guys work it out because millions and millions of folks --

MANCHIN: Good people involved.

BLITZER: -- are going to be suffering going into Christmas, going into New Years, unless you guys get the deal done. Thanks so much for joining us.

MANCHIN: Thanks for having me, Wolf.

BLITZER: All right. Coming up, I'll get reaction from Michigan Secretary of State on the latest effort backed personally by President Trump to try to overturn the presidential election results in her state. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:42:48] BLITZER: Breaking news, President Trump and his allies are actually lining up right now behind a Texas effort to get the U.S. Supreme Court to try to overturn the presidential election results in the swing states of Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is joining us right now. Secretary Benson, thanks so much for joining us. What's your reaction to this latest effort by the President and these others to try to undermine the results of the Presidential election?

JOCELYN BENSON, MICHIGAN SECRETARY OF STATE: Well, it simply just that, Wolf, it's another part of this ongoing effort that has been proven meritless at every point, it's at every moment been more of a PR strategy designed to erode public confidence in the accuracy of the elections than anything else we've seen consistently, lawsuit after lawsuit either thrown out or laughed out of court.

So this is no different and onward we go and, yes, I was thinking earlier that this is really -- and I'm a marathoner -- this feels like it's a battle of endurance at this point between those of us on the side of democracy trying to defend and protect our voters, and those who would consistently try to seek to undermine that very bedrock of our Republic, and cause people to doubt the accuracy of the results of this very clear election.

BLITZER: And it comes as all 50 states now including the District of Columbia, they have all officially certified the results of the election, which clearly show that Biden won the popular vote by seven million plus votes, also the Electoral College.

Your colleague, the Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel was on CNN earlier today, and she suggested that Texas Attorney General Paxton's longshot lawsuit, in her words, was an attempt to ingratiate himself to a man who could potentially provide him, the Attorney General of Texas, with a presidential pardon. He's under indictment for securities fraud. Do you agree with her assessment?

BENSON: We certainly have to wonder why any attorney would put their name on a case that clearly has no merit and is clearly frivolous. But, you know, that said, my hope and my goal is that as we continue to get through these lawsuits, and this really escalating PR strategy to affect people's perception of the security of the elections that we can eventually get beyond this moment we have got to because our democracy is strong and people deserve to believe that regardless of whether or not they agree with the results of our particular election.

[17:45:15]

And the data and the facts give every single person in this country every reason to believe that none of these lawsuits have shown any iota of actual evidence of wrongdoing, any reason that the election should be anything other than preserved and protected, and the results deemed as secure and accurate.

And so, I'm just going to continue to remind everyone of that, as my colleagues have been doing and, you know, we'd continue to face this unfortunate and increasingly hateful rhetoric that is coming out of all corners to try to undermine that very well placed public confidence in our elections.

BLITZER: Speaking of hateful rhetoric, and this is truly awful, I want to ask you about the recent threats you've been facing and some of your colleagues as a result of your role in upholding Michigan's election results. Can you share with our viewers what you've actually been dealing with, Secretary?

BENSON: It's been challenging. I think it's -- it -- you know, I started my career doing democracy work in the south and became a voting rights attorney to protect everyone's vote. And it's never been lost on me that oftentimes throughout history, those who stand on the front lines as secretaries of state have certainly done this year and election administrators protecting and guarding democracy, we can then become subject to threats and challenges and that in some cases can escalate.

And not just myself, but of course, my colleague in Georgia, my colleague in Nevada, my colleague in Arizona, both sides of the aisle, we've all dealt with this Chris Krebs, of course, as well for his role in securing the elections. But we are undeterred.

Our job is to protect this democracy and guard every vote. And that's what we're going to continue to do. And we're going to continue to tell the truths to the American people that these elections were secure. The results are clear and accurate. And we hope at one point, we can move on and begin doing the important work of solving a lot of the other problems that at stake in this country right now.

BLITZER: All right, good luck, Secretary Benson. Thanks for everything you're doing. Stay safe out there. Appreciate your joining us.

BENSON: Thanks, Wolf. Always a pleasure.

BLITZER: Thank you.

Coming up, a closer look at the distribution of the coronavirus vaccine here in the United States including information you need to know how and when people can actually get vaccinated.

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[17:52:20]

BLITZER: More now in the pandemic news here in the United States, the FDA meeting tomorrow to authorize emergency use of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine. And officials with what's called Operation Warp Speed now say there are almost 3 million doses ready to go with supplies being shipped out today.

Let's go to see CNN's Brian Todd. Brian, so, what does the average person who's watching right now need to know about how and when they potentially can get vaccinated?

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, there are several things many of us need to know frequently asked questions about the vaccination process. Tonight, we have new information on when many of us can get vaccinated, where and how it will unfold.

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TODD (voice-over): The first COVID-19 vaccines now being distributed in the U.K.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a quick painless jab, it doesn't take long. It's been fantastic. It doesn't hurt.

TODD (voice-over): But tonight there are questions among Americans here in the U.S. about the vaccination process from start to finish. Like, am I eligible yet? Everyone who wants a vaccine will be eligible eventually. But according to CDC guidelines, if you're a doctor, nurse, nursing home resident or staffer, you're eligible as soon as the vaccine rolls out in the U.S. imminently, then others considered essential.

DR. CELINE GOUNDER, BIDEN COVID-19 ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER: People who are doing things that we really can't function without whether that's with respect to food, or drug stores, or teachers, for example.

TODD (voice-over): And what about the rest of us?

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES: Essentially a healthy, non-elderly person with no recognizable underlying conditions, likely start getting it in trickling in end of March, early April, once you get into April, probably full blast with those individuals.

TODD (voice-over): With anyone who wants a vaccine able to get it by the end of June, official say. Another key question, how can I make an appointment to be vaccinated? Experts say, that's not yet clear.

DR. MICHAEL MINA, HARVARD T.H. CHAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH: The infrastructure to physically go in and sign up has not really been built or in the protocol hasn't really been ironed out.

TODD (voice-over): But there are answers as to where I can go to get the vaccine.

FAUCI: CVS, Walgreens, doctor's offices, clinics and hospitals.

TODD (voice-over): Some special locations for vaccinations are also being set up. The Mount Sinai system in New York City plans to vaccinate people in pods, makeshift rooms and bays in its hospital lobbies. How will the vaccination process go once I'm there? A top exec at CVS says once you've made an appointment, they believe it'll be seamless.

JONATHAN ROBERTS, EVP AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, CVS HEALTH: So that it will be a similar experience to going into your pharmacy to get a flu shot. They'll come in at their scheduled time. They'll meet with the pharmacist or technician. They'll get their flu shot. They'll get a record card with the vaccination that they got. We'll also e-mail them that record.

[17:55:04]

TODD (voice-over): That card allows you to keep a record of when you got vaccinated and when you're due for a second shot. Once you receive the vaccination, experts say they'll probably have you stay on site for at least 15 minutes to treat you if you get a rare allergic reaction. And --

MINA: People will probably feel sore, they'll get headaches. And so, in general, the recommendation will be take a Tylenol, take an Advil if you're really feeling down in the dumps after you get a vaccine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TODD: But Dr. Michael Mina says don't take too many Advils or Tylenols after a vaccination and don't take them too quickly because that could dampen your immune system to the vaccine. Another critical part of aftercare, he says, act like you haven't had a vaccine. Continue to wear masks and socially distance which most of us will have to do for several months after vaccination. Wolf?

BLITZER: Important points. Brian Todd reporting, thank you very much.

There's more breaking news next, President Trump now trying to join a longshot lawsuit asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the election in four key battleground states that Joe Biden clearly won.

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