Baghdad saying in part, quote, iran is orchestrating an attack on the u. S. Embassy in iraq. They will be held fully responsible. We have Team Coverage of these violent protests. Cnn International Correspondent arwa damon is in istanbul, and Jeremy Diamond in west palm beach. Lets start with you. What more are you learning about these protests . Reporter well, ryan, based on live images that were seeing broadcast, it seems like on the one hand the crowd has gotten smaller, but they appear to have managed to have set fire to this enclosed area that is where you would go to get your i. D. Badge and go through the security scanners before actually setting foot into the compound itself. Over the last few hours, we saw this crowd throw stones, attempt to scale the walls, set fires, chant antiamerican slogans, demand america leave iraq, and theres a couple of important points to make about who these protesters are because, ryan, these arent just ordinary protesters. The vast majority of them are members of whats known as the pms, the Popular Mobilization force. This is a Paramilitary Force ostensibly part of the Iraqi Security forces, but mostly made up of former shia militiamen from a number of different very powerful groups, many of whom have very close ties to iran, and that is exactly what a Kataib Hezbollah is. That is the militia that americans struck in those five strikes that took place on sunday. From the perspective of the Iraqi Government, those strikes were as if the americans had struck at the Iraqi Security forces themselves. We have heard from the Prime Minister who was trying to calm down the situation, trying to get the protesters to express their grief, express their anger but without causing a threat to the u. S. Embassy compound itself. We do understand that the ambassador is not in iraq. He is on a preplanned vacation. Hes been out of the country for about the last week. As far as we are aware at this stage, u. S. Embassy staff have not evacuated, but they are on lockdown. As for Kataib Hezbollah itself, again, that militia that was targeted by the u. S. Ha that is part of this iraqi Paramilitary Force, they put out a statement saying that this protest was to voice their anger but also to show the americans that they could basically literally go right up to their doorstep and attempt, they were saying, to try to damage this image of america being this almighty force to paraphrase what their statement was saying. Everyone is watching this incredibly closely right now, ryan, because if this escalates even further, the consequences could be very damaging. Arwa damon with the latest happening in iraq. Thank you for that. Lets go to Jeremy Diamond who is traveling with the president. Jeremy, how is the Trump Administration responding . Reporter well, ryan, were hearing from the president himself via twitter, and the president clearly is trying to hold iran directly responsible for the protests that we are seeing now happening outside and in parts of the u. S. Embassy in baghdad. The president tweeting that iran is orchestrating an attack on the u. S. Embassy in iraq, and he says that they will be held fully responsible, so we see also there a warning from the president. Now, as for whether there will be any u. S. Action as a result of this, the White House Press secretary stephanie grisham, she told me in a statement this is an escalation from iran and also saying it will be the president s choice how and when we respond to their escalation. But beyond the president s words and the words of his press secretary, we are also seeing some action from other elements of the Trump Administration. The secretary of state mike pompeo, he has been on the phone with the Prime Minister of iraq as well as the president of iraq, and we are also seeing action from the pentagon, sending two apache helicopters to fly over the embassy in baghdad in a show of force as well as sending additional marines, a small number of additional marines. That is according to a u. S. Official. Now, this is all, of course, part of a broader proxy fight between the United States and iran, and the president clearly is not shying away from that. Were seeing in another tweet from the president sent out just moments ago where he is saying to those many millions of people in iraq who want freedom and who dont want to be dominated and controlled by iran, this is your time. So the president there as he is seeing these attacks on the u. S. Embassy in iraq, these protests, he is saying, look, i would also like to see counter iranian protests as we are seeing these counter american protests happening in baghdad. All right, Jeremy Diamond with the latest on the white house response to this volatile situation in iraq, thank you very much. Lets talk more about this with cnn Global Affairs analysts and contributor for Time Magazine kim dozier. How precarious is the security situation for american personnel at the embassy and what does it mean for the u. S. Troops that are stationed there . Well, the number of Embassy Personnel has drawn down drastically, so they have a plan for this including, if necessary, an evacuation plan. And the protesters didnt get beyond as arwa was saying, the main entry gate. They were fired on with tear gas by marines inside, but also their own organizers called them back. This was a show of force by the Iraqi Government saying, you know, we told you not to do these strikes, and so they allowed this protest to happen. In the protest crowd, and it was only a few hundred people unlike the millions who have demonstrated across the river in baghdads freedom square, but it represents the key members of the iranian backed armed groups that also have a block in parliament. One of the leaders in the crowd has been sanctioned by the u. S. Government just this month for taking support from iran, so this was a demonstration of their political power and also by the Iraqi GovernmentSecurity Forces allowing the protesters through, it was a sort of a relief valve to express their displeasure. The u. S. Military compound, which is within an iraqi base is just across the street, so this was sort of a controlled display of violence, but everybody drew back when it could have gone too far. The problem is, this is fueling this whole back and forth is fueling iraqi politicians who have been pushing for a long time to reduce or eliminate the u. S. Presence in iraq, and it is unfortunately weakening those politicians who would like to try to strengthen u. S. Political ties. So to expand upon that, obviously as this conflict grows, this air strike in particular, the backlash from it, how damaging is that to the relationship with iraq and trying to build those coalitions that youre talking about . Well, this tension has been building for a while in that over the past year or so, there have been Iranian Military missiles smuggled across iraq, and the u. S. Has warned iraqi officials youve got to stop this, youve seen two of those munition sites hit by israeli attacks, officials have confirmed to me those were israeli strikes, but in the last two months, u. S. Troops based on Iraqi Military bases have been hit 11 times, so after multiple warnings the u. S. Felt that it had to take action. The problem is this is happening across this against this larger backdrop of how the maximum Pressure Campaign by the u. S. Against iran is playing out in iraq. Basically, the irans external militia arm was supporting a number of iraqi armed groups. The ones you saw protesting outside the embassy. As iran has run out of cash, its had to cut off a lot of those groups. Those groups in turn have become more predatory, taking money from their own people, setting up everything from impromptu check points to stealing Iraqi Government contracts, and theyre not actually improving anything, just pocketing the cash, and that has created the tension on the streets where the iraqis have risen up against this kind of corruption. The problem is those iraqis arent very organized. They havent been able to choose who they want to stand up against these highly organized iranian backed political groups, so you see the u. S. Position weakening and unfortunately you see u. S. Enemies strengthening. Which is a little bit of time, but i have to ask you, does this set the stage for the growing possibility of the u. S. Perhaps doing some sort of military intervention within iran . Are we getting to that stage where that becomes a realistic possibility with each passing day . I think what u. S. Officials have done is very carefully calibrated their response to mirror what iran is doing. Iran has been using proxies, now the u. S. Is hitting those proxies. I think the last thing it wants to do is hit iran directly, so this is a careful ratcheting up of the conflict, so the next thing to watch for is whether those iraqi militant groups going to do . Are they going to try to attack u. S. Forces again, which would require response. Kimberly dozier breaking it down for us on the situation in iraq and iran. Thank you so much. Coming up, a renewed call to testify, Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer says new information about Mick Mulvaney and john bolton are a game changer when it comes to the hold up of aid to ukraine. Can democrats and republicans reach a compromise . Plus, chilling new details about the man accused of stabbing five jews at a hanukkah celebration. The latest on the investigation when we come back. Whatd we decide on the flyers again . Uh, fifteen minutes could save you 15 or more on car insurance. I think were gonna swap over to over seventyfive years of savings and service. What, were just gonna swap over . Yep. Pump the breaks on this, swap it over to that. Pump the breaks, and, uh, swap over . Thats right. Instead of all this that ive already . Yeah. What are we gonna do with these . Keep it at your desk, and save it for next time. Geico. Over 75 years of savings and service. Plant based material thats not thisonly extremely durable, but also quite flexible. Making it ideal for warby parker glasses. Which by the way, start at 95, including prescription lenses. Try 5 pairs for free at warbyparker. Com oh yeah, about those prescription lenses. Warby parker glasses come standard with custom cut Polycarbonate Lenses that have been treated with scratch resistant and antireflective coatings, nice. Try 5 pairs for free at warbyparker. Com simply put, in our fight to have key documents and witnesses in the Senate Impeachment trial, these new revelations are a game changer. That of course Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer renewing calls for key Trump Administration officials to testify at the Senate Impeachment trial. This following a New York Times report detailing steps taken by several trump advisers after the president ordered a freeze on military aid in ukraine. Senator schumer wants to hear from four witnesses including acting white house chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and former National Security adviser john bolton. Joining me now to talk about this, jameel jafer who has served on the Senate Foreign relations committee, he was also a senior counsel for House Intelligence Committee and associate counsel to george w. Bush. And shan woo, a defense attorney and former federal prosecutor. You both have great credentials. Were fortunate to have you here for this conversation. You know, Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell has made it pretty clear he doesnt really want to call any new witnesses. He also hasnt ruled it out. Do you think that hell view this New York Times report in the same light that Chuck Schumer is . Is it going to be a game changer for Mitch Mcconnell . I dont think so, and the reason why is that mcconnells view is generally, look, the house had the chance under democratic leadership to conduct whatever investigation it wanted to conduct. It could have waited to get the testimony of bolton or mulvaney. It chose not to and to get the impeachment articles out by christmas. The house can still continue its investigation if it wants to. Its choosing not to do that. His view will be in the clinton impeachment we didnt call witnesses everybo everybody tho Andrew Johnson impeachment there were 40 witnesses called. Is it really about what mcconnell wants but more about what this small group of moderate republicans want . Could they be the ones that compel him to call these witnesses . Could it perhaps be a game changer for someone like lisa murkowski, cory gardner or Susan Collins . I think thats right. He wants to protect his own majority. He wants to protect the senate itself, so if information began to come out where those more moderate folks might change their minds, i think that could influence him, but i probably respectfully disagree. I dont think thats mcconnells real motivation. The historical precedent, i think he wants to stay as far away as possible from live witnesses. I think they left their best argument in the locker room, which i think they should have leaned into the idea that this is really a Foreign Policy issue, which goes to the core of the president s powers, but they havent done that. They seem genuinely pretty shy of more witnesses coming forward. So to shans point, i think its probably across the board expected that Mitch Mcconnell would do everything he could to avoid live witnesses. Could you see some sort of a compromise reached with Chuck Schumer where they do taped depositions or something along those lines to get the witnesses on the record but not create somewhat of a circus atmosphere surrounding their testimony . Thats exactly what happened, ryan, during the clinton impeachment. They had three witnesses who had depositions. The depositions were not read on the floor. They were just part of the permanent record of the proceeding, and they immediately went from arguments to closing arguments and did that. So that certainly is one potential outcome. I think Mitch Mcconnell does not want witnesses although the democrats should be careful what they want if they get witnesses. If they do get witnesses i think youll expect to see hunter bide and joe biden called and thats not something thats going to help democrats in the upcoming election. A lawyer for Rudy Giulianis associate, lev par in the canas the courts permission to share documents and iphone data with house investigators. How could that material help their case against President Trump . It could help it in a number of ways because giulianis information would elucidate exactly what perhaps his instructions were, how much he was briefing the president. Its interesting that hes asking to disclose that because obviously theres Attorney Client privilege issues. We see from the New York Times reporting that mulvaney fled the room to are protect that privilege but rudy seems cavalier about that. If i was trumps team i would not be happy about that request. Well have to leave it there. Happy new year to both of you. Before we go to break, take a look at this. Cities around the world already ringing in the new year moments ago the clock struck midnight in singapore. And this is what it looked like in auckland, new zealand. Fire works lighting up the sky there, and check out these celebrations in australia, a spectacular site near the sydney opera house. Well be right back. [farmers bell] burke a rock and wreck. Seen it. Covered it. At farmers insurance, we know a thing or two because weve seen a thing or two. We are farmers. Bumpadum, bumbumbumbum in auckland, new zealand. We are learning more about the man accused of stabbing five people during a hanukkah celebration at a rabbis home in new york. Police say they found handwritten journals which refer to adolf hitler and nazi culture, and they say the suspects internet history included searches for nearby jewish temple ls and Prominent Companies founded by jews in america. Hes now facing federal hate crime charges along with five counts of attempted murder. Cnn national correspondent. Grafton thomas, the man accused of stabbing five hasidic jews at a hanukkah celebration charged with federal hate crimes. The suspect remains in custody after being charged with obstructing the free exercise of religion in an attempt to kill. Thomas already pleaded not guilty to state charges sunday of five counts of attempted murder and one count of first degree burglary. According to a criminal complaint, prosecutors say thomass internet history on his cell phone included searches of why did hitler hate the jews and German Jewish temples near me. There was also reportedly a search for Prominent Companies founded by jews in america. The criminal complaint against thomas says a journal found by authorities shows that he expressed antisemitic sentiments with some entries referring to hitler and nazi culture with drawings of a swastika and a star of david. One entry he brew israelites apparently a reference to the black hebrew israelite movement. That group has been linked to a terror attack at a kosher supermarket three weerks ago. Alleging thomas entered the rabbis home with his face covered by a scarf and proclaimed to those inside no one is leaving and used an 18inch machete to start slashing people. I kept screaming everybody run, go go, go, the guys coming. He said hey, ill get you. Thats the only exchange that he had i think with anyone. Reporter thomas was apprehended by police two hours later in new york city. Police say he was found with blood on his clothes and a smell of bleach in the car with a machete and another knife that had apparent traces of dried blood on them. His attorney and families say hes a former marine who suffers from mental illness, and they claim he had no history of antisemitism. There is no suggestion in any of those ramblings and pages of writing of an antisemitic motive of any antisemitism. Reporter and talking to members of this nearby synagogue two of the five people injured in the house here behind me on this weekends attack are still in the hospital, one with a very critical head injury, and ryan, the latest on grafton thomas, he is in federal custody right now, but hes expected to be back in court this friday on those state charges of attempted murder. Ryan. Brynn gingras with the latest from monsey. Thank you. Were lucky to be joined by congressman elliott evening ing someone that for a good portion of his career was representing monsey, new york, before reapportionment. You said you actually spent some time there yesterday. Just your sense of how things are in the community right now. Well, the communitys certainly coming together. This is of course a horrific attack. It was dwogood to see everyone there. I mean, it was just an outpouring of love, of community. Its just a terrible thing that happened, and we shouldnt sweep it under the rug. This is an epidemic thats getting worse and worse, and we need to nip it in the bud. To that end, what can congress do . Should they be doing more to fight antisemitism . I think we should be looking at laws perhaps that we could pass, certain hate crimes laws. I think theres a lot that congress can do. I think on a local level theres a lot that can be done. I think that theres no, you know, quick answer to it, but i think that we have to resolve because this isnt unfortunately the first incident, and probably wont be the last antisemitism is on the rise. There have been so many different incidents across the country, and i think that government needs to do something. Do you think maybe working with the Tech Companies, perhaps passing laws that compel the Tech Companies to do more to rein in antisemitic and just hate speech on the internet would help . I would leave no stone unturned. I think that we have to look at all aspects because if we dont, its only going to get worse. Okay. So lets switch gears. Youre obviously the chairman of the Foreign Affairs committee, so its appropriate that we talk to you about the situation in iraq, protesters trying to storm the u. S. Embassy there in baghdad. I want to read what President Trump tweeted about it this morning. He said iran killed an American Contractor wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will. Now iran is orchestrating an attack on the u. S. Embassy in iraq. They will be held fully responsible. In addition, we expect iraq to use its forces to protect the embassy and so notified. I should tell you, congressman, that we just received word from the defense secretary mark esper that they are sending additional u. S. Forces there to protect the embassy. We know theyve dispatched apache helicopters. Do you agree with the president that iran is behind this protest and attack on the embassy . Theres no doubt in my mind that iran is behind this. Iran has been the biggest foe, in my opinion, of the United States for a number of years now, and any kind of trouble they can make, they will do. But i think its very important that the administration, the president Contact Congress and work with congress on this. We are coequal branch of government, and i think that that the sooner that happens the sooner we have a briefing, the sooner we Work Together, the better it is. Are you concerned the administration hasnt done enough to include congress at this point . Well, i think we want to make sure you know, congress has not been in session for the past week or so. I think when we get back, we need to have a full briefing and there are lot of ideas that i think a lot of people have, and it should not be closed. It should be open and congress should be consulted. How concerned are you about the escalating tension between the United States and iran . President trump has always been pretty hawkish when it comes to iran. At one point during the Obama Administration there was a deal for them to denuclearize. It seems as though all of that progress has stalled. How do you think President Trump should approach the situation with iran . Well, first of all, i think there should be consolations with congress. Again, i think its important that the president work with congress and try to come together with us. We know that iran is not a friend, and we know that iran is responsible for a lot of the things, the malevolent things that go on in that region, and i think that we have to approach this in a united way, and i think the Administration Needs to have a more coherent not just kind of flitting back and forth from right to left. We need to have a more coherent policy. Theres no doubt, this harkens back to Ronald Reagans time when our embassy in iran was overtaken and this kind of reminds us of what happened there. Theres no doubt that in the middle east iran is the most dangerous country there, and that the United States, we have to stand up. But again, its got to be in tandem with the congress. It just kaent kaent be the administration going off on its own and keeping congress in the dark. Lets talk about the latest on impeachment. Im sure you saw the New York Times article yesterday. Chuck schumer called it a game changer in terms of the new information that was presented and really believes that Mitch Mcconnell needs to allow witnesses to come forward in the senate trial. I wonder from your perspective as a member of the house, are you fearful at all especially when you see this reporting coming out that the house moved too quickly when it comes to articles of impeachment and maybe should have waited for the opportunity for the court to decide whether Mick Mulvaney and some of the other officials involved in this could have come before your body . Theres always things happening and if we waited two more weeks Something Else would happen. I think we did it when it was appropriate. We had many, many meetings about this. This wasnt some fly by the night decision, and i think now Mitch Mcconnell should act not as if hes protecting the white house but he should about as the majority leader to try to find out the truth and get to the bottom of it. I think senator schumers absolutely right. It may be a game changer or not, but it is something that needs to be looked at and needs to be inspected. And i think that Mitch Mcconnell should stop worrying about protecting the white house and act the way hes supposed to act, and what were seeing now is trying to protect the president. Thats not whats in the constitution, and i think that we need to look at all these things and make a decision not try to protect and not and stop witnesses from testifying. All right, congressman engel thank you so much for joining us. Happy new year. Thank you, same to you. And good luck in 2020. We appreciate it. Still to come, from drones to a bigger footprint on the ground, new York City Police are stepping up security for tonights celebrations in times square. Congressman engel will not be front and center he told me. Hes got different plans tonight. Were going to take you live there as tens of thousands get ready to ring in the new year. Michelob ultra pure gold. Beer in its organic form. Everything your trip needs, for everyone you love. Expedia. For everyone you love. When youyou spend lessfair, and get way more. So you can bring your vision to life and save in more ways than one. For small prices, you can build big dreams, spend less, get way more. Shop everything home at wayfair. Com the new year is already here in many parts of the world including singapore where they rang in 2020 at the top of the hour with this spectacular fire works display. And after a year marked by protests, hong kong welcomed the new year with a light show just a short time ago. Then as we wait for the clock to strike midnight here in the United States, revelers are already getting in place for new york citys ball drop in times square. Security is always tight, and this year new tech will be helping Law Enforcement keep everyone safe. Cnns Miguel Marquez is in times square. Miguel, the crowds already gathering there. Tell us what the scene is like. Reporter massive crowds already. This is the spot where the ball will drop in times square. The crowds have been gathering, police have been gathering, they will have thousands of police both in uniforms and those in plain clothes. Theyre going to have resources in the air. Theyre going to have them on the ground. Theyre going to have a large swath of this area protected by both cement barriers and garbage trucks, and the crowds, everybody that you see here has gone through at least two checks to make sure they dont have giant bags on them and to make sure that they dont have any booze, umbrellas, or that sort of stuff on them as well. Theyve got through a magnetometer as well. A lot of these people are here to see bts. Theyre absolutely bananas for bts all over the world. We have folks from georgia here, nebraska over here. You guys are b a saluabsolutely. Youre going to do it. Youre going to love it. What is the bathroom strategy for tonight . We dont have one. Im sure hell learn from some of the people who have been here before. For the most part everybody having a great time so far. Much better than last year where it is rainy and cold. We are expecting gorgeous temperatures. The sun came out earlier. Its going to be a great night. Ryan. Im very nervous for that gentleman that does not have a bathroom strategy. Better him than i, butt it that way. Miguel marquez live in times square. Thank you very much. Dont forget to ring in the new year with Anderson Cooper and andy cohen, new years eve live at 8 00 p. M. Eastern right here on cnn. Coming up, it has been a year full of market highs, topped off by a booming economy. So whats behind the strong numbers, and what does it mean for the president heading into a reElection Year . Could lead to way cleaner teeth. She said, get the one inspired by dentists, with a round brush head. Go pro with oralb. Oralbs gentle rounded brush head removes more plaque along the gum line. For cleaner teeth and healthier gums. And unlike sonicare, oralb is the First Electric toothbrush brand accepted by the ada for its effectiveness and safety. What an amazing clean ill only use an oralb oralb. Brush like a pro. Whatever happens out there you have the hilton app. Will the hilton app help us pick the starters . Great question, no. But it can help you pick your room from the floor plan. Can the hilton app help us score . You know, its not that kind of thing, but you can score free wifi. Can it help us win . Hey, hey were all winners with the hilton price match guarantee, alright . Man, you guys are adorable alright, lets go lose this soccer game, come on book with the hilton app. If you find a lower rate, we match it and give you 25 off that stay. Expect better. Expect hilton. The first big economic headline of 2020 is already here. This morning the president tweeted out on january 15th hell sign what he calls a very large and comprehensive phase one trade deal with china. He also says hell head to beijing for phase two of talks at a later date. The last trading day of 2019 opened lower this morning wrapping up what has been a spectacular year for all three of the major indices, this despite turbulent moments for investors, some of them caused by the president s trade war with china. What can we expect heading into an Election Year . Cnn business politics and Business Correspondent chrristi alesci is here. You have so many jobs. So many hats to wear. Tell me, whats behind the Big Stock Market boom we saw in 2019 . Two things behind the booming stock market this year. First and foremost its the fed, and then its trump calling a truce in this crisis that he created, the trade war. Remember, lets go back to the fed for a second, fear that the fed would raise rates is what caused this a year ago. That fear alone sorry, were supposed to have a chart showing a decline in december, a 20 decline in the stock market, and im hearing that investors are confident that the fed will continue to support the economy and try and remove any jitters out there. Take a look at this chart, all three major averages sorry, indices are up and this morning is a perfect example of how trump is trying to push the market even higher. Hes tweeting about signing phase 1 of the china trade deal, which is essentially averting the potential for Economic Disaster that he manufactured. The s p 500 loves this tweet this time of year. Theyre on the verge of having their best year since 2018 when it rallied more than 30 . So is the stock market rally driven by what happens in the economy is th economy . To a certain degree it is. Manufacturing was hit hard by trade uncertainty. But an optimistic consumer more than made up for the manufacturing. Consumers are the backbone of the economy, and they just kept spending this year, ryan. It was unbelievable. You could not get consumers not to shop. Thats good, but we obviously are going into an election kbreyear. What does this all mean for President Trump . I think with his reelection at stake, President Trump will be less inclined to mess with the economy and the market gains. That means hell likely back off with tensions, with trading partners like china. The economy, after all, is one of trumps biggest selling points. Cnn polling this month shows that americans finally believe the economy is on solid footing. That is ten years into the recovery. 76 said Economic Conditions are good. The highest rating in nearly two decades. So americans feel better about the trump economy, but to be honest, its not all that different from the obama economy. 2. 1 Economic Growth in the third quarter. And remember, its not the 3, 4, 5 that the president said his tax cuts and rolling back regulations would produce, but still solid. The trump economy also has not addressed a big problem, the growing divide between the rich and everyone else, and that is a message that the democrats will capitalize on. Well see if the American People really take to that message and give trump a run for his money in 2020. That statistic you showed about americans actually believing in this economy, that flies in the face of the democratic message that it hasnt helped everyone. Well have to see how that plays out in 2020. Thank you for being here. Of course. Well be right back. Visionworks. See the difference. Oh, hi, samantha. You look more like a heather. Do you ever get that . Its nice to finally meet you in person. Youre pete nocchio . Oh, the pic . That was actually a professional headshot. Im sure thats it, yeah. I, uh, i think ive lost a few pounds recently too. Im actually doing a juice cleanse. Wait you dont. glass breaking gasp ah oh. with geico, the savings keep on going. Just like this sequel. 15 minutes could save you 15 or more on car insurance. When it comes to using data, which is why Xfinity Mobile is a different kind of Wireless Network that lets you design your own data. Choose unlimited, shared data, or mix lines of each and switch any line, anytime. Giving you more choice and control compared to other top wireless carriers. Save up to 400 a year when you switch. Plus, unwrap 250 off a new samsung phone. Click, call or visit a store today. Down to the countdown to 2020, and in the race for the president , former Vice President joe biden asked if he can pick a republican running mate. Heres his answer. The answer is i would, but i cant think of one now. Theres some really decent republicans that are out there still. But heres the problem right now, of the wellknown ones. Theyve got to step up. So the answer is i would. Thats what he said to those New Hampshire voters. Joining me to discuss this are cnn political reporter alex heinz and Campaign Director doug hie. No one knows about this better than you. Should he choose someone else . Its possible joe biden could pick a republican running mate, but he doesnt want to do that just yet. He talks about unity and saying that republicans and democrats should be able to Work Together across the aisle. But, you know, in all of modern president ial campaigns, no Major Campaign has featured a bipartisan ticket. You had john mccain who kind of toyed around with the idea of adding joe lieberman, but he ultimately settled on fellow republican sarah palin as his running mate, so while i guess its unlikely for joe biden, never say never. Never say never. Doug, this era were in, hyp hyperpartisanship, are Republican Voters even interested in bipartisanship . Likely not. There is a reason the democrats are asked this question and the republicans arent asked this question. Theres no track record. My last job in politics was working for eric canner. They both worked real closely with joe biden, joe heinz and eric canner. Joe heinz still has that track record. As we analyze every weakness that joe biden may have, we lose sight of voters are comfortable with him, independent voters are certainly comfortable with him, and when we look at whatever latest stumble or gaffe he may have, hes always been a leader and understandably so. Corbin lewandowski, former Campaign Manager for mr. Trump, he Just Announced on twitter he will not run for the senate in New Hampshire. He said if he did run, he would win, but hes not going to run. What do you make of lewandowskis decision not to get in the race . Two things. Every candidate who doesnt run clearly were going to win even though they didnt run. Cory is a smart and tough partisan, but its New Hampshire, which is a tough state for republicans these days, and while he certainly would have had the backing of President Trump, that may not be enough in a state like New Hampshire to win statewide on a general election ticket. He would have been the nominee, no doubt about it. Winning statewide might have been tougher, though. It certainly would have brought a lot of attention to that senate race if corwin lewandowski had been in it, but hes not doing it so we have to leave it there. Thank you for joining me. Thank you. Thank you for joining me. Inside politics with niamalika henderson starts right now. Welcome to a special holi y Holiday Edition of inside politics. Im niamalika henderson. John is off. Well have an update for you on what to expect from tonights celebrations in the u. S. Plus the u. S. Military showing a display of force after attackers descended on baghdad. A deadline for president ial candidates looking for an advantage and staying power going into 2020. Exactly a year ago today, i