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Inside Politics
Biden Visits Small Business That Participated In COVID Loan Program; Buckingham Palace Releases Statement On Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Interview; Inside Adam Kinzinger's Fight For The Future Of The GOP. Aired 12:30-1p ET
Aired March 09, 2021 - 12:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[12:30:00]
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's not only unique, you are the only businesses with fewer than 20 folks to apply in the last couple of weeks, but now we're going to keep the focus on it because a lot of minority owned businesses, women owned businesses are increased significantly by 20-50, 20 and 50 percent, as well as many people who in fact, weren't able to get in line before.
And it's hard to know how to get in line. And so I hope this is going to continue to increase because we're also in the corner, I think we're going to begin to gain control of this virus.
MICHAEL SIEGEL, CO-OWNER, W.S. JENKS & SON: Yes. And we appreciate your leadership on that. One quick point I want to make is that, I said, we're the oldest hardware store in D.C. I also say we're the greenest hardware store in America. We have two urban farms actually, in our building. We have Mary who is on the garage there. And then we have cultivated the city, which is an awesome rooftop garden. They exist on our on our rooftop. But you can't -- you're not going to be able to see it from here but they want to give a wave.
BIDEN: I see them.
SIEGEL: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi.
SIEGEL: And then we also have --
BIDEN: Don't jump. We need you.
SIEGEL: And then if I could just --
(INAUDIBLE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All right, let's go you guys. Come on press, we're going to move out. Let's go press.
(INAUDIBLE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Come on press, let's go. Come on. (INAUDIBLE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: -- crisis at the border, Sir.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Let's go you guys. Come on. Come on, let's go.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you, guys. Thank you so much.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN HOST: All right. You're watching there, the camera shot getting a little shaky then it's gone away. Some of the reporters, feisty reporters, that's the way it works in the White House press corps trying to ask the President of the United States some questions as he visited W.S. Jenks & Son. It's a hardware store in the outskirts of Washington, D.C., the northeast part of the city.
And you heard, unique business, it's an old business, been there since the 1860s, although in a new building with two urban farms on the property, as well. So the President there trying to say this is what I'm trying to do the new newly refined small business assistance program, the PPP program, to help out businesses like that.
Jeff Zeleny still with me on the set here. Hard to understand some of it because of the masks and because of the distance of the media but this is the President trying to put a personal touch on I promised you government would work, I promised you government would reach those who needed the most not the big companies trying to say, you know, promised delivered there, as he talked about the challenges for minority owned businesses, women owned businesses, and businesses, like this hardware store with a very small number of employees who, frankly got out hustled, if you will, in the early days of the assistance programs were businesses that had a relationship with a big bank or that had more employees or that had helped in the lobbying community got that money before small businesses like that.
JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: No question about it. And we've heard President Biden, President-elect Biden, candidate Biden saying help will be on the way, help is on the way, help is almost on the way. And he's really about one day away from being able to hand them a check himself.
I mean, he hopes to sign this, this relief bill into law by the end of the week. So look, that is what the White House is desperately trying to draw a focus on that he is helping these small businesses. Barber stores about three miles or so from the White House. This is in the real Washington, not the government Washington. This is where, you know, it's a small business, like any town in America, and they have been struggling.
They've been paying their employees, doing the right thing. So he was really trying to highlight the fact. And what he didn't say is, yes, Democrats voted for this. Republicans did not. And John, one big difference from 12 years ago, of all the many differences, at that point, when the stimulus bill was passed in the Obama administration, Democrats were pretty nervous about basically doing it on their own. Now, I sense some worry from Republicans worrying, gosh, should we be voting for this? Should we be helping along with this? So that is the political argument. But before that, the substance argument is they are delivering help to these small businesses. It is a massive government program. And that is what the White House is trying to focus on for the next few days.
KING: It's if you make a very critical stylistic point there, political point that we should watch going forward, both in stimulus and that when Obamacare passed, Democrats were kind of timid because those were controversial, and they pulled back, they didn't get political credit, they paid a price in the next election. This president remembers that. And he's at least going to be out there --
ZELENY: He was there.
KING: He's, yes, he was there. He's going to be out saying it. We'll see if it works out. But his argument is I did the right thing. I did the right thing that's where you're going to see more of these real people events as he can. It's interesting test to watch. Jeff Zeleny, thank you.
[12:34:13]
Up next for us, Republicans across the country trying to revamp how people vote. We'll look -- take a look at the latest measures aimed at restricting your access.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: It's important breaking news out of London. Buckingham Palace just put out a statement in response to the explosive interview of course Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with Oprah Winfrey. Let me read from this statement just put out on royal communications letterhead moments ago. The following statement issued by Buckingham Palace on behalf of Her Majesty, the Queen. It read as this, the whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. The issues raised particularly that of race are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan, and Archie will always be very much loved by family members.
That a statement issued again in the Queen's name by the Royal Communication Staff just moments ago, in response to the interview of Harry and Meghan, obviously with Oprah Winfrey, in which they complained that they were treated harshly by the royal family. This is just a snippet.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OPRAH WINFREY, AMERICAN TALK SHOW HOST: There's a conversation with you.
MEGHAN MARKLE, DUCHESS OF SUSSEX: With Harry.
WINFREY: About how dark your baby is going to be.
MARKLE: Potentially and what that would mean or look like.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Again, this statement issued by the Queen just moments ago. The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. The issues raised particularly that of race are concerning, while recollection may vary, they are taken seriously, and will be addressed by the family privately. That statement just moments ago.
[12:40:15]
We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:45:00]
KING: More now in the breaking news out of Buckingham Palace, a statement being issued in response to the issue, the interview, excuse me, that Harry and Meghan gave to Oprah Winfrey alleging, they were treated unfairly, treated with racial overtones by members of the royal family. This is the first line of that statement. The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.
Let's get some important context now, a new reporting from CNN's royal correspondent Max Foster. Max?
MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, John. So there is an admission that there an issue here. And we're being told the whole family saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been to Harry and Meghan, the suggestion there that they're just learning about this, which of course, I think that Harry and Meghan would very much contest.
The issues raised particularly on the race are concerning while some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. But what they're addressing there are these conversations, I think, that Harry and Meghan are talking about in relation to the skin tone of future children that they were going to have.
So clearly, the palace, the family are aware of who was involved in that conversations, and their recollection differ in terms of actually what was said in them. The statement continues Harry, Meghan, and Archie will always be much loved family members. Also, some more information from a source giving me a bit more context, so in the heart of all of this, there's a family and they shouldn't -- and they should be given the opportunity to discuss the issues raised privately as a family.
I mean, John, you can read into that, you know, this was a very high profile interview. It could not be a -- have been more hyped by the world's most famous interviewer, arguably, on a major U.S. network and also on a major U.K. network. The message jesting perhaps those conversations should have taken place privately, rather than in that context.
But in terms of the timing, my sources telling me it's been important for them to discuss all of this, carefully consider any responses before issuing any statements. They're making the point that the U.K. broadcast of this interview was last night, they wanted to give the public a chance to watch the interview for themselves before the palace commented, which is an explanation for the timing here.
And then they talk a bit about the broader, the broad issues that are raised here, very important issues. And the source is telling me that diversity, equality, inclusion, and mental health are important issues, and highlighting that has formed part of the work, members of the royal family, for many years. And that's very true, of course.
And I think interview, and the allegations made in there about those points would have been very undermining for the royal, you know, the brand because there's some hypocrisy involved there if they weren't caring for Meghan's mental health or caring about the issues of diversity. They're not going to give us any more information than that. So those are complete statement in the background I've got from my sources.
But, you know, a major acknowledgement really, the issues raised in the interview.
KING: And Max, help us from your experience in the context here, I completely understand the royal family says, will be addressed by the family privately. But as you noted, this is a global firestorm of the interview here in the States airing in the U.K. I've seen the British tabloids, which can be, shall we say provocative is a kind word I think or at least more neutral word in this situation. Is it realistic that the Queen and the royal family can deal with this privately?
FOSTER: Well, I think the two ways of looking at this, either they've had a conversation with Harry and Meghan in saying, OK, let's talk about this not on the television, in the public sphere. Or this is an appeal to Harry and Meghan, not to continue discussing these matters in public on television in a very high profile way. Let's deal with this as a family.
So the family is trying to bring the family together. We'll have to wait to hear from Harry and Meghan side whether or not that's something they're willing to play into as well. Perhaps this is all about building to this moment, Harry and Meghan will have to speak to them and get some more contexts on them on that. But as far as the family is concerned, they want to take this off the T.V.
KING: A smart point there, smart point there. The next move now obviously is how Harry and Meghan react to this statement from the royal family and the Queen herself. Max Foster our royal correspondent, appreciate the hustle as we deal with this breaking news and we know you'll stay on top of it. Back now to a big political development here in the United States. Some new developments today, important developments in a giant state by state fight over voting rights. Iowa's Republican governor just yesterday signing into law new restrictions that include slashing the number of days for early voting from 29 to 20. And in Georgia, the Republican state Senate passing a bill that would repeal no excuse absentee voting. This is a national dynamic. Make no mistake about it and it is pushed by Republicans.
At least 253 bills have been introduced this year in 43 state legislatures with provisions that in one way or another would restrict voting access. That's more than six times the number of bills on this issue by the same time last year, that according to an analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice.
[12:50:12]
Joining our conversation is Republican election lawyer and CNN contributor, Ben Ginsberg. Ben, I've read your notes on this. I've read some of the essays you've published about this. Let's just lay it out. You're a longtime loyal Republican. What is your party doing here?
BEN GINSBERG, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Well, it's disconcerting, John. A strong vibrant party would be producing policies to be able to appeal to the new electorate. And instead, what Republicans seemed to be doing in the states is proposing laws that will stop a changing electorate, the voters who that are afraid won't vote for them from voting. And anytime you start putting up barriers to people voting, you're going in the wrong direction in a democracy where every vote is supposed to count.
KING: So I'm going to walk through some of this. This is in the Iowa bill, reduces the number of early voting days from 29 to 20, closes polling places an hour earlier, bans officials from sending absentee applications without voters first requesting them, and requires ballots be received before the polls close.
This is the Georgia bill, repeals no excuse absentee voting, tightens the criteria to qualify for an absentee ballot, creates I.D. requirements to request an absentee ballot, limits the use of mobile voting locations, requires court order to extend polling hours. So a number of different steps in each of these two legislations one now signed into law, the Georgia one making its way through the system.
Let's just play crass politics here. You don't like it. You think your party is being short sighted. Is there potential gain in the short term? Republicans think 2022 could and should be a big year for them? Is that what this is about some crash short term thinking, we restrict voting by Democrats in 2022, we gain power, and then we deal with it then?
GINSBERG: It seems like a gut reaction. And yes, I'm sure it's more about 2022 than the future. But the truth of the matter is, John, in 2020, it was pretty clear that voters adapt to the rules, what they are when they went to vote. Look at all the deadlines that were extended for receipt of absentee ballots in elections along with the big crisis over the post office.
Very few ballots were received after Election Day and within the deadlines, people adapted because they want their votes to count. And my guess is that nothing is going to be quite as hyped up as the 2020 election. But in 2022, people will adopt their behaviors to be able to cast their ballots when they want to participate.
KING: I think it's probably the most important national debate going on across the country that's not COVID or economic related. Ben Ginsberg, we'll continue the conversation as we walk through, as every state, as all the state's go through this. Appreciate your time and your insights today.
Up next for us, is somewhat related conversation. A Republican congressman who voted to impeach Trump says the Republican Party must leave the former President behind. We'll take a closer look at Adam Kinzinger's new mission.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:55:10]
KING: Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger has a new mission. Many Republicans think it is a kamikaze mission. Kinzinger voted to impeach President Trump. He says the party must break from the former President. And he says he's willing through a new Super PAC to try to help Republicans do just that.
Our Jeff Zeleny just back from the 16th Congressional District in Illinois. Walk this through. It's a big challenge.
ZELENY: Well, the congressman is on a mission to save the Republican Party. There's no question about it. But there is a question about this. Is the Republican Party interested in being saved? There's no doubt talking to voters there. This party is at a crossroads.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
REP. ADAM KINZINGER (R-IL): Yes. It could be a kamikaze mission. It also could be the thing that saves the Republican Party.
ZELENY (voice-over): Congressman Adam Kinzinger believes the first step to saving the Republican Party is extracting it from the grips of Donald Trump.
KINZINGER: Anytime in the history of the party there have been competing visions except for now. It's just been Donald Trump's vision and nobody else has said anything else. We have a right and a responsibility to offer competing visions to Republicans.
ZELENY (voice-over): The Republican Party is at a crossroads. Yet it still Trump country in this stretch of Illinois, where flags wave for the former President, and these signs make clear not all Republicans are searching for a new vision. Elected to Congress a decade ago with the rise of the Tea Party --
KINZINGER: It is time to grow up to be adults here.
ZELENY (voice-over): Kinzinger is now one of the most outspoken Republican Trump critics, a lonely mission fraught with political risk.
KINZINGER: And I mean even if I don't, you know, survive long in this job. The reality is I will have been part of history. I hope to be a good part of history.
ZELENY: You said even if I don't survive, that's a very real possibility.
KINZINGER: It is. It is. And I think, I think until you're willing to put your job on the line, you know, like in warfare until you're willing to put your life on the line. When you're willing to put your job on the line, then you're free.
ZELENY (voice-over): Kinzinger join the Air Force after 9/11 and still flies as a National Guard pilot. His escalating battle with Trump offers an early test for whether more Republicans will join his confrontation or retreat.
KINZINGER: I've probably been the most outspoken member of Congress. It's not saying a ton because people weren't speaking out a lot.
ZELENY: But you voted for Donald Trump in November.
KINZINGER: Yes. I think there were two defining areas in this. Number one was the night of the election saying it was stolen. And of course, January 6th was the other huge thing.
ZELENY (voice-over): That day was a turning point.
KINZINGER: Shouldn't we be willing to give up our jobs to uphold that constitution.
ZELENY (voice-over): Of the 17 Republicans who supported impeachment, Kinzinger stands alone is trying to use it as a rallying cry to turn the page and promote himself.
KINZINGER: Join the movement at countryfirst.com.
ZELENY (voice-over): Kinzinger outperformed Trump by eight points in Illinois 16th Congressional District, which stretches from the Wisconsin border beyond the far western Chicago suburbs and back toward the Indiana line. It includes the town of Dixon, the boyhood home of Ronald Reagan, who inspired a young Kinzinger.
KINZINGER: The kind of optimistic powerful moral clarity that he had. It's that kind of stuff that I think Americans are desperate for.
ZELENY (voice-over): Across his district, the Congressman is making a name for himself in ways good and bad.
DICK TYLER, ILLINOIS VOTER: I'm glad there's somebody like an Adam Kinzinger that's got the courage to speak out. ZELENY: But some people are angry at what he did. I mean, you probably hear --
TYLER: No question, no question.
ZELENY (voice-over): Jeff and Angie Phelps are among them.
JEFF PHELPS, ILLINOIS VOTER: I was a little surprised of Kinzinger. And in the future, I probably will not vote for him.
ANGIE PHELPS, ILLINOIS VOTER: He's looking out for himself.
ZELENY (voice-over): Yet Trump loyalties here and in red states across America run deep. And many Republicans don't believe their party is broken at all.
ZELENY: What if it doesn't need saving? Or what if it doesn't want to be saved?
KINZINGER: And that I think is the question. If it doesn't want to be changed that's a decision that Republicans get to make. If that's the case long term, I think we will lose elections.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KING: So what is the test for him? He's going to have to survive his own primary in that district. You mentioned it has the suburbs, it has rural areas. It has the historic birthplace of Reagan. But is -- what is his test? How will he know six months, a year, two years from now, whether he's on the right path?
ZELENY (on-camera): I think if he's still alone on this mission, and the reality here is all House districts are going to be redrawn. Redistricting is going to affect all of them in Illinois specifically Republicans are likely to lose at least one seat, maybe two. So he may be getting more of the suburban vote into his district, we will see.
But the bigger test overall is anyone going to join this or is this still going to be the party of Donald Trump. But there is a spat going on that he is weighing in on. He takes advantage of weighing on every spat. President Trump is in a back and forth with the RNC saying don't use my name for raising money.
Congressman Kinzinger sent out a tweet this morning saying as I have said, Trump demands loyalty and gives none. It's a statement of a man desperate for relevance but feeling that changing tide. So we'll see where there's back and forth goes. If Republican committees can use the President's own images, it's really pretty extraordinary. But he's not in control of this. President Trump has a pretty big megaphone here. So we'll see.
[13:00:04]
KING: We don't know if he can win the fight but it seems every day he seems to be enjoying it, anyway.
ZELENY: Right.
KING: We'll see as it goes forward. Jeff Zeleny appreciate it very much, grateful for your time too.
Stay with us, a very busy news day. Brianna Keilar picks up our coverage right now. Have a good day.
