overturned roe v. wade last year, there was immediate and palpable outrage that spread quickly across the country. that a lot of people thought tt that outrage would translate to electoral doom for the political party that had been pushing to end roe. but instead, after the court's decision, the response from elected republicans was basically no big deal. >> the kind of angry leftist's, many of whom were pretty ignorant and don't even know what overturning roe means, i think a month afterwards they will be surprised, wait, nothing about my life changed. >> there is a narrative forming in america that the republican party and the pro-life movement is on the run. no, no, no. we are going nowhere. >> my guess is in terms of the impact on federal races, i think it is probably going to be a wash. >> did not turn out to be a wash. not even close. in ballot measure after ballot measure across the country, voters came out in support of reproductive choice. in kansas, in vermont, in california, in michigan, in montana, in kentucky, literally everywhere abortion rights were on the ballot. abortion rights one. in the 2022 election, republicans predicted a red wave. but the red wave crested before it could even reach the shore. supporters of abortion rights turned out in droves to stem that tide. and last night, it happened again. in ohio, a state that trump won by eight points and 2020, people voted by a margin of 13 points to enshrine abortion rights in their state constitution. in kentucky, a state that donald trump won by 26 points in 2020, voters chose to reelect democratic governor andy beshear, who very vocally campaigned on protecting abortion rights. in the swing state of virginia, republican governor, glenn youngkin, channeled the hopes of so-called moderate republicans by campaigning to win the republican control of the state legislator so that he could pass a 15-week abortion ban. a ban that he wanted to sell it to the american people as the sensible republicans abortion ban. that plan failed as well. democrats not only kept control of the virginia state senate, they managed to take control of the state house from republicans by running against glenn youngkin's abortion ban. way to go, governor. now, today, conservatives are freaking out about all of this. finally starting to realize that it is not a wash. that people do care and boy, do they care allot. >> democrats are trying to scare women into thinking republicans don't want abortion legal in any circumstances. >> no abortion ban? i think that is what the voters said. >> we have looked at the midterm elections last year, we said in instead of a red wave, we saw a red ripple. i think that was because of abortion. >> these results to underscore the potency of the abortion rights issue. if the democrats could run abortion rights against trump in 2024, they probably would do very well indeed. >> it does seem like the republican party generally has a real problem with winning. >> none of this is lost on democrats. the ads are being cut, reminding people that the republican front-runner in the coming presidential race is the one who made all of this happen in the very first place. >> i got rid of roe v. wade. >> i am the one who got rid of roe v. wade. >> i was able to do it. and it was very honoring to do it. >> do you believe in punishment for abortion, yes or no, it is a principle. >> the answer is that it has to be some sort of punishment. >> for the women? >> yes. there has to be some form. >> it remains a vital role for the federal government in protecting unborn life. >> nobody has ever done more pro-right to life than donald trump. roe v. wade, they finally won. >> the iowa bill was decided and they wouldn't be able to do anything if i was not able to do what i did. >> that is the playbook democrats now understand they can run against donald trump. and that puts donald trump in a very awkward position. because as far as his base is concerned, the reason republicans keep losing on this is because they have not been extreme enough. >> the reality here, trump delivers maga. maga delivers victories. this was a turnout issue about maga. don't come here and start whining about abortion. stand up and do your job. yet in the trenches and fight. >> joining me now is congressman hakeem jeffries, house minority leader, thank you so much for being here on this very busy night. i am struck by the ways in which republicans are in both a state of shock, and denial. it has come to my attention that in the last hour, senator lindsey graham says that he plans to reintroduce his 15-week abortion ban, senator j.d. vance agrees with the introduction of this bill, saying he believes that they could get a majority of the american people on board with something. what is your reaction to senate republicans who think that the answer to last night's problems is to double down on an abortion ban? >> we are dealing with extreme maga republicans who have one objective, which is to jam their extreme right-wing ideology down the throats of the american people and fundamentally, what that has meant, it is that they want a nationwide abortion ban. with the extreme maga republicans want to do is criminalize abortion care. what they want to do is to create a society where women have to live in a place with government mandated pregnancy is. so this issue is one that we will see them continue to double and triple and quadruple down on, because it is fundamentally why many of them are an elected office. we will continue to make clear that we believe in a women's freedom to make her own reproductive health care decisions, and reproductive freedom will certainly be on the ballot next november just like it was this november. >> they seem to think, leader jeffries, that there is some -- there is some difference that the american public sees in a band versus a 15-week, what they call limit, or at least that is what virginia calls it. they keep hammering down that the public sees a difference between giving a women reproductive freedom for an entire pregnancy or just part of the pregnancy. what is your response to that specific strategy? >> abortion care should be a choice between a woman and a doctor. not these extreme politicians who are trying to -- that a woman should be able to make that is what freedom in america is all about. the american people, as was evidence in kentucky, and ohio -- they are not fooled by the republican efforts to spin what they are trying to do, which is to eradicate reproductive freedom in america. as i indicated, that was their agenda, that was their objective, that is why they stop the supreme court, and that is why they have to live with the extremism being made clear to the american people. >> i know that you've been -- the mood inside of the house democratic topic has been one of -- i let you characterize it but it has been a positive day in the house but there is been -- president biden's chances. and i wonder how much you think the results of last night or inexplicably linked to president biden, or whether those results are more a testament to the democratic party platform. >> president biden continues to be underestimated, and president biden continues to exceed expectations. it is not just a leader of our country, the leader of the free world, but he's the leader of the democratic party. but yet, what we have seen under president biden's leadership governmentally is incredible things being done for the american people, we are going to have to lean into that, and of course articulate that we will continue -- but also to point out that he supports reproductive freedom. he supports democracy. he supports building from the bottom up and who ever appears on the other side of the aisle is just going to try to jam their extreme ideology in the throes of the american people. there will be a clear contrast with president biden at the top of the ticket, and as he consistently shown, we will do -- to continue to deliver results for the american people. >> i want to hang on to what you just said, when you to lean into the presidents accomplishments. what does that practically mean to you? we have been busy governing producing big results for the american people, so we can talk about what we've been able to do clean water in every single community, infrastructure, gun safety, legislation for the first time, in 30 years. the chips and science act which brings manufacturing jobs back to the american united states of america certainly through the inflation reduction act. we do want to be able to articulate what we've done to say trust us. we mean what we say -- making life better for every day americans and if you give us the ability to continue to govern, we will build upon these accomplishments to make life better for hardworking american taxpayers. >> the word there is to continue to govern because as you lay out the laundry list, there's a lot of governing that democrats have done which brings me to the cliff that we are all barreling towards. the government shutdown in nine days. we have a deadline, a hard deadline, you had your first meeting with the new speaker of the house, mike johnson a week ago, how are the discussions going with your colleagues across the aisle and what is your impression of speaker johnson? >> from the very beginning of this congress under prior management, that will speak to johnson, we've made clear that we are going to, as democrats, try to find common ground with the house republican colleagues, whenever and wherever possible in order to improve the quality of life for the american people. however, we are going to push back in which ways we've seen it manifest throughout this year is the republican attempt to shut the government down or to tried to extract these extreme policy proposals -- we are not paying a single extreme republican ransom note. we will defend the republican people and what we need to do is make sure that we continue to fund the government so that the government can provide for the health, safety, and economic well-being of the american people. we are willing to have reasonable bipartisan conversations, so we are not going to be subject to any of her that is designed to shut down the american people by threatening us with a government shutdown. >> -- >> my view is that the continuing resolution will reflect the spending level at the current fiscal year 2023 nobles. and we arrive at a spending agreement, it should be consistent with the bipartisan fiscal responsibility act. basically, what we are saying to republicans is that you made an agreement with president biden, set top line spending numbers, keep your agreement. keep your word so that we can do what is necessary for the american people. >> you lay out the facts of what has happened. and this house republican. do you think that speaker johnson is any good at this? >> he believes what he believes authentically. so far we have had a very cordial relationship and i expect it will continue. hopefully in a positive, forward-looking fashion to solve problems for the american people. we are not going to lead them cut social security nemours, and undermine reproductive freedom, we are not going to let them blow up our democracy and we are going to try to make sure that we are building an economy that works for the middle class and all those who aspire to be part of it. and if they are willing to meet us in a bipartisan way in that space, then we are going to make some positive changes for the american people. >> i've got to ask you one more question because we focus a lot on the republican conference, but there's been a fracture from the house democratic congress over israel and hamas, and what is happening in gaza. in the 2022 election cycle you started something called team blue pack to raise money to defend incumbent democrats against primary challenges. outside groups are threatening to primary incumbent democrats who support a cease-fire in gaza there's a number of vulnerable incumbents in your caucus, cori bush, jamal bowman, some really, omar, rashida tlaib, are you going to dedicate resources to defending those democratic incumbents? >> many of those individuals are people who have clearly indicated that i will support to all of our members from whatever part of the conference, or caucus that they come from. in terms of the ability to be able to communicate with the people i represent. that is what house democratic leadership has traditionally done that is what house democratic leadership should continue to do. >> so that is a yes? >> absolutely. >> house minority leader hakeem jeffries on the record being straight up, we appreciate it, sir, thank you for your time. i, please come back whenever you have the inclination, the energy, and the availability. i really appreciate it. >> thank you very much. >> we have a lot more ahead this hour, and protecting abortion rights, hope for a wave of victories for democrats last night on the issues already shaping up to be front and center in 2024. the senator, amy klobuchar, joins me later this hour. but first, last night prove to be a referendum on a slew of other referendum culture were topics. press secretary robert joins me to discuss the lessons for democrats right after the break. stay with us. stay with us hey you, with the small business... ...whoa... you've got all kinds of bright ideas, that your customers need to know about. constant contact makes it easy. with everything from managing your social posts, and events, to email and sms marketing. constant contact delivers all the tools you need to help your business grow. get started today at constantcontact.com constant contact. helping the small stand tall. he hits his mark —center stage—and is crushed by a baby grand piano. you're replacing me? customize and save with liberty bibberty. he doesn't even have a mustache. only pay for what you need. ♪ liberty. liberty. liberty. liberty. ♪ you want to be able to provide your child only pay for what you need. with the tools or resources they need. with reliable internet at home, through the internet essentials program, the world opened up. fellas, fellas. that's how my son was able to find the hidden genius project. we wanted to give y'all the necessary skills to compete with the future. kevin's now part of this next generation of young people who feel they can thrive. ♪ ♪ >> republicans did not have a good night last night. not only did voters came out swinging in support of abortion, race evening proved to be a referendum another conservative priorities. remember moms for liberty? the group that led the republican charged on the anti-woke agenda in schools? they all endorsed one minnesota district lost two democrats. in north carolina, the candidates supported in a contested district also lost to a democrat. in iowa, 12 of the 13 candidates backed by moms for liberty, were wiped out. in pennsylvania, democrats won against at least 11 candidates aligned with the moms for liberty platform. in virginia, three moms lost by a lot. so the fairly clear indications that voters are turning away from the book bans, and revisionist history as conservatives sought to redefine us parental rights movements, it is, yes, fairly clear. and there is more. last night, virginia elected the first transgender state senator. ohio voters supported a measure to legalize marijuana. and in kentucky, a ruby red state, voters elected an abortion supporting vaccine promoting democratic governor again. as ronald brownstein writes in the atlantic, a clear message from the party's performance yesterday is that democrats can still win elections by running campaigns that prompted voters to consider what republicans would do with power. joining me now is robert gibbs, former white house press secretary under president obama. it is thrilling to have you here today in new york city. thank you. first of all, what do you make of ron brownstein's contention that this is really about a repudiation of republican governance, and an affirmation of the democratic platform? >> think about where we were two years ago on election night 2021, watching glenn youngkin win the governorship, watching new jersey almost go read, and i think that what he saw last night was just a pure pediatrician of the two years of that type of government, that type of culture war, you can see it in the house of representatives. they are talking about hakeem jeffries, for 17 days, the house representatives saying the pledge of allegiance because you couldn't even get enough people and enough leadership to rename a post office. you know? i do think that we will consult with choice, and you see with democracy, and a large with extremism, it is just too much. it is just something that ron desantis has run an entire presidential campaign between 35 and 38%. it is just not a way to win an election, and i am happy with some of those results, a product of two librarians. >> i do need to ask you about a sort of, this sort of ghost of christmas future hanging over all of this which is how this translates to biden. there's been a lot, i talked to leaders about this momentarily at the end of that first block. but there is real concern on the part of democrats looking at both biden's approval numbers, and just how voters are reading him on the economy, even his lead on abortion is not as big as you would expect it to be. do you think that there is any question about how biden, if you will, it rides the coattails of the support for democratic policy? >> i think, you mentioned this to leader jeffries, i think that the first thing that they do you have to do is a better job in defining what has been done. and i think that particularly on the economic side, the administration has been into the trap that we have to be careful of in 2008, 2009, into 2012. and that is economic statistics can be better, and yet people do not feel better off. if you are trying to borrow money for a house or car right now, you don't feel like america is back. i think there is an even no plane that has to be done. i think that the pulling and electorate, the pulling i think will change and the electorate will get focused when the campaign happens. that would explain last night. lessening twisty coleman nation of the 2023 campaign, we saw the grades when the contrast was put in front of voters, we will get a place like virginia, very focused on the issue of choice in abortion. i think when that happens at large, particularly with the six swing states but democrats are nervous about, when we focus on those choices and put them directly in front of voters, whether it is the governance issues, whether it is democracy, whether it is the economy, then i do think that there is definitely a path for president biden to be reelected. >> i think part of the reason trump seems less repugnant, if not actually attractive disarm voters, it's because he has basically been muzzled on his most xenophobic, offensive language. because he has been focused on his criminal expulsion. he's been in courtrooms, he has not been this unleashed demagogue that he's been in previous years. but there might be some sort of, he's getting a mulligan for that almost. it sounds like, especially when you look at his approval among voters of color, it sort of begs the question, how and why could this happen? do you think that that will change once trump is back and then he will be, there's a lot of courtrooms next year as well, but once he's on the stump in a more pronounced way. >> i definitely think so. you use the mulligan gulf analogy. >> it definitely was the right term but i also think to myself that he's barely campaigning, right? playing a lot more goals, and as you said, visiting a lot more courtrooms and spending a lot of time with lawyers. i most certainly think that when people get to see that again, and to see it up close, and to s