Transcripts For CNNW Wolf 20161116 : vimarsana.com
CNNW Wolf November 16, 2016
House, a trump insider downplayed any divisions. The begins of any transition like this has turmoil, its just the nature of the process, and i think that trump is very decisive. Hes a very good ceo. And i think what youre seeing is will become clear over the next two or three weeks as they build out the cabinet. Our correspondent sunlen surfoti is outside the trump tower on fifth avenue. Sunlen, update us. Whats happening today . What should we be expecting . Reporter well, wolf, again today trump tower has really been a hotbed of activity. A lot of people coming in. Eric trump. Don jr. Senator sessions to name just a few. And trump transition officials seem to be shifting into overdrive today. To down it play these reports, not only accounts of there being tension within the Transition Team and infighting within the Transition Team but a little behind the eight ball, a little off to a slow start in their transition, given that it is now one week since election day, and this is something that kellyanne conway, one of trumps top advisers addressed when she walked in this morning. You dont form a federal government overnight. These are very serious issues and appointments and very serious consideration from his perspective, presented with any number of choices within each of the agencies and departments, and hes making those tough decisions, and if anything has obviously more choices than one to fill in each position. We have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to many of those positions. Across the board transition officials really trying to protect this image that everything is calm and everything is really steady inside, even though there are many sources including from transition officials inside those closed doors that are saying otherwise. Wolf . Some of the new york city marian, big deblasde blasio jus with a meeting with the president elect. What did they discuss . Reporter yes. About an hour meeting according to the new york mayor who came out and talked to reporters afterwards and provide add laundry list of things he clearly came ready to talk to donald trump about today. Of course, these guys had a storied relationship, not always have gotten along. Just last year donald trump called mayor de blasio, a maniac, the worst new york mayor ever. And trying to turn over a new leaf. Talked about regulation of wall street, Donald Trumps policy of stop and frisk, reinstating that, and believing that drive as wedge between policing and the community and vowed for him not to go forward with that, and interesting he addressed the tone and rhetoric of his campaign and seemed to plead to him to address that going forward. Heres bill de blasio. I also raced concerns about some of the messages and some of the rhetoric that for so many people have been hurtful. And i let him know that so many new yorkers were fearful. And that more had to be done to show that this country can heal that people can be respected. And another smaller topic, but a big local issue here, wolf, that a lot of people on these new york streets care about is the traffic and how traffic has been really affected in the weeks since the Security Print he pri perimeter has been set up around trump tower. They would address this going forward, it was said. Sunlen serfaty at trump tower. Discuss conflicting reports of whats happening inside Donald Trumps transigs team. Congressman, thanks for joining us. Thanks very much. Talk about you right now. Whats the latest that they basically cut you off . You were on the Transition Team leading up to the election, but anybody who had been named by Chris Christie, who had been chairman of that Transition Team, all of those people, you and several others, were dumped. What happened . Well, you know, there is a natural place in the transition. So just if i can explain quickly. We got there about five months ago, Chris Christie named as transition leader, who put people together he thought could hand of different portfolios, the economic side, domestic policy, National Security. You were for National Security . Asked to head up the National Security. We gathered really good people, say, making mexico pay for the wall. If you wering go to do that, what would it look like . Going to build the wall that protects the southern border and reen gau reengages of patrolling the southern border how would you do it . All of that was done and ready and complete the day of the election. So that part is ready. I think the transition in that regard is much farther along. This is the Human Resources part of the fight going on. Why did they say, you know what . Congressman, its over for you . Again, there is obviously they wanted to go a little different direction. Thats what they told me. Is it over for Chris Christie, too . I dont know if its over or not. He still holds a position. He has a title, but not seen. No visibility. Mike pence, the Vice President elect, hes now in charge of the transition. Chris christie has sort of disappeared. Did they say to him, its over . Well i dont know what they said to Chris Christie. I do know that this is not an unusual thing, and i will tell you i had a great conversation with the Vice President elect today. Theyre still looking for that input, still looking for people to contribute in a positive way. Trying to get this piece right. And im clearly going to what did mike pence, Vice President elect, say to you . Did he call you or you call him . The Vice President elect reached out to me today and i had called him earlier and through phone tag this tends to happen today, but let me step back. I do this this is hard. The first eight days is the most tumultuous in any of these transitions. This is probably the most Public Affair of the tradition ive seen in my lifetime and im not sure thats healthy. I think some of the changes are good. Some of the changes i would, maybe would have done a little differently, but what i do this is happening, the substance of the transition is ongoing. Those people are showing up every day like they have for five months to put this together sow that the president elect can have policies ready to go. This is the hr problem. So there is some pushing and shoving and pulling, but this is a normal course of action. Now that the Vice President elect has signed the papers and is firmly in charge of the transition, i think youll see some of that, those wrinkles will get ironed out. Once demoted Chris Christie, who signed papers earlier, so that the outgoing administration, state department, defense department, would cooperate, would work with the team. Did the Vice President elect asked to you rejoin that team today . When he spoke with you . No, he didnt. I candidly dont think it would be a good idea. Why wouldnt it be a good idea . You worked six months helping them prepare various individuals for possible portfolios . My work was done. Honestly. We did all of the policy review, they call them Agency Action teams. But those teams together. Now theres a phase called landing teams where these people will go into the agencies. So on direction now of the Vice President elect, and the president elect of the United States will go into these agencies and prepare for the dont you think it would be useful to do all the work for you to be there and help them, guide them in a specific way . Well, you know, could i have had something to offer . Sure. But i understand, too, they have the right and responsibility to get the team that they feel comfortable with. Who replaces you . Im not sure i know that. I think it went to new york. I think Keith Kellogg and mike flynn will take over those responsibilities, at least thats the way it was, i was led to believe that. Thats great. Theyre very capable. I do think that the Vice President , as you said, elect, would reach out and he still wants my participation and advice and counsel and im happy to give it. Did he ask if youd like a position in the new add min 12r5i administration. He didnt ask me about a position but said dont count it out. That was not the just talking . You could be cia director . You have a lot of experience and intelligence. I wouldnt go that far nor say thats even under consideration mi have no idea. The purpose, we want your advice and counsel and still want you to participate. What happens in early days everybody starts thinking about themselves and not what is at stake and that National Security portfolio to me is incredibly important, same with the economic portfolio. Once these hr decisions are worked through, i think you will see the wrinkles ironed out, and a machine up and running. You know, think about it. You dont ask an excavator to put in the windows of the building. Theyre going through some of these choices. Right . They want to make sure the right person is doing the right job in a way that they feel comfortable with. I completely understand that. Thats the nature of politics, and the its just in this time, its really highly public. So thats what year seeing in a normal, i think in a normal transition you wouldnt see it this public. These things have happened. Happened under obama, under george w. Bush. I watched those things happen. So this is not completely unusual. I think its just because you have a guy that has no experience with government at all. People have president elect. The president elect. Give him some time here. He is, hes approaching this like a businessman walking in and going to put this, right his ship so it is performing that helps him help the country. I think thats where were going. I got that feeling from the Vice President as well. You and the Vice President elect go way back. Both Incoming Freshman congressmen the same youre. Youve had a longstanding relationship with him . I have. Hes an honest, decent man. I have a lot of confidence hell do great on the transition and all of those vice chairman roles, play a role. Advice and counsel. I dont see Chris Christie playing any role . I havent talked to governor christie. The one who named you . Brought you in . He did. Pretty extraordinary. He brought you in. Somebody else called you, said youre out and you havent had a chance to discusses with think Chris Christie . Technically still listed at the vice chairman . I want them all to succeed. Its too important. End of the day, again, a lot of people will pop up in these things, and thump their chest, they were wronged or righted, they want this, didnt get that. That candidly should be irrelevant going into what is the Largest Organization in the world, candidly, and as someone joked that you get very low paid ceo. Probably the poorest paid youll ever get to run a very important, large organization. Were going to need all hands on deck. I think were working through the process of saying, hey, this is too important, people. Everybody calm down. We are going to need all hands on deck to get the job done. One final question before i let you go. This notion of security clearance, top secret security clearances for the adult children, jared cush nekushner soninlaw of donald trump. Is that happening . Not happening . I dont know exactly how theyll make that arrangement. If Jared Kushner is going to play a role, even senior strategy advisory role for the president elect, i would argue he should get a clearance, only because otherwise youre up and out of the room every two minutes, because lots of those conversations will center around National Security, foreign policy, other things. He will probably need that to make, if hes going to play that strategic role. The other children in the family arent playing that kind of a role, probably not necessary for them and argue probably shouldnt get them. Its all about need to know. Again, if he is playing that role he should probably have a clearance. If not playing that role shouldnt have a clearance. Heard arguments, the wife, adult children, soninlaw, should get some security clearance. Because if they want to talk with donald trump, for example, about his schedule, upcoming events, thats classified information until released publicly. You dont want to tip off the bad guys where the president might be traveling, stuff like that. And thats an argument that ive heard made that, yes, they should have some sort of classified status. You can do that, but the president can function in those roles without a high level the people hes talking to, without a high level security clearance, and in the intelligence business, they always say, remember one thing. President of the United States can instantly and immediately declassify anything they want. And say to his wife, im going to chicago next week. Thats declassified . It is then. Confident, but not declassified. At least not to her. Mike rogers, thank you for joining us. Thank you. And up next, tangled web of business ties and evolving role for his fatherinlaw, president elect donald trump. And on the hill, whether to keep a spending ban in rules put in place by the former speaker of the house, john boehner. Well be right back. When you find something worth waiting for, well help you invest to protect it for the future. Financial guidance while youre mastering life. From chase, so you can. I just want to find a used car without getting ripped off. You could start your search at the allnew carfax. Com that might help. Show me the carfax. Now the car you want and the history you need are easy to find. Show me used trucks with one owner. Pretty cool. [laughs] ah. Ahem. Show me the carfax. Start your used car search and get free carfax reports at the allnew carfax. Com. Wont replace the full value of your totaled new car. The guy says you picked the wrong insurance plan. No, i picked the wrong Insurance Company. 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Well hear what that means and get more information precisely on what role if any, the new jersey governor, Chris Christie, has right now, because he has been sort of invisible, even though hes officially listed as the vice charmin of the Transition Team. Lets bring in our panel to discuss all of this, and the role of Donald Trumps soninlaw, Jared Kushner as well. Joining us, chief political analyst glorgia borger. Martha kumar and professor of a university and political analyst David Gregory and cnn political commentator ryan lizza for the new yorker magazine. What exactly is Jared Kushners role right now . Its caused conflicting reports. That seems to be the question of the day. Look, hes very close to the president elect. He is no fan of Chris Christie. Chris christie prosecuted his father and sent him 20 jato jai. We saul knall knee story. And a group appointed by Chris Christie are now gone, one mike rogers, with whom you just spoke. So i spoke with a source familiar with the transition who pushed back on that, and said that jared did not organize this, but he certainly wasnt unhappy that the christie people were gone. I think you can play this out for yourselves. I think Chris Christie is still in touch. I dont think hes running the transition. We dont see him walking in and out, these past days over of at trump tower . Everyone else in the transition is walking in and out. Hes not. Look, i would not say it is beyond a possibility that christie could be offered something, but im not so sure even if offered something at this point he would take it. This is bad relations at this point, and theres been this purge, whoever did it. There arent a lot of people with the authority to kind of order that kind of thing. Whoever involved with christie. All arrows point to jared, although there is pushback on it. Youve studied this over the years. Mike rogers said, normal stuff. Eight days in to the transition. Is this all normal . You have a different situation here, because you have a person who has not served in elected office before, and making that transition from being a private person to a public person and trying to put the government together is, is a challenge in way it isnt for people who are elected as president after having served in the senate or having served as governor. They already have people before served in office with them they can bring in with them who are experts. After you get nominated in july until the election in november is where youre supposed to organize, youre supposed to assume youre going to win the presidency. In touch with Administration Officials and various cabinet posts, agencies, and youre getting everything ready so that if you win, on day one, youve got a Transition Team in place. Youve got people vetted, youve got an organization. That doesnt seem it happened this time. Well, this time, the 2015 law calls for, on august 1st, the General Services administration, to provide space for both candidates for their Transition Team up to around 100 people. And both the clinton and trump operations did that. So with Chris Christie leading that transition that they gathered a lot of information. But its extraordinary someone who was leading that transition is then dumped . And all of the people he brought in are dumped as well . That certainly was not the case in 2008, for example. John podesta began in july, and went through the transition, and in, to the inauguration. In the Bush Administration, you had the early work done by clay johnson, and then dick cheney came in as the head. But there is a lot of information thats gathered early this time. Because the government had to begin its operations in may, may 8th. Six months before the election. So the information is there. Even if the people are gone, theres a lot of information they have gathered. I covered several of these transitions, its extraordinary whats going on and one school of thought says, you know what . They didnt think they would win and didnt spend a lot of time worrying about a transition . Its transparently mess pip thats really it. They werent prepared. Were talking about the Donald Trump Campaign here. I dont think any of us should be surprised its not orderly. It was a populist, antiestablishment campaign and now running smack head into, oh, geez. We need people in the establishment to actually run things because they know what theyre doing and theres a danger of too many personalities clashes getting in the way of getting competent people in. I think clearly being too disorganized is a danger. I also think theres a real potential problem that donald trump does not want a government, especially key figures, who are lower tier people in terms of their history, qualifications, their talent level. That should be of a concern to all americans if that comes to pass. All of the rest of these things going on i think speaks to, you know, splits politically, splits within the family and his cohort of advisers, which i think we can overstate the importance of at this juncture. He should be given time to form his government and when youre watching it every step of the way it can look messy e. And in some ways, donald trump named mike pence as his Vice President ial running mate. Sends a message who he likes, doesnt like. Reince priebus in the white house, steve bannon. Three appointments. What does that say to you, ryan, looking forward . Whats happening, were witnessing a family grudge match, thats preventing donald trump from forming a government. What happened with Chris Christie is that he was someone that was reported donald trump wanted to be his running mate. A conversation reported that trump called christie said it would tear my family apart if i made you the running mate. In the final decisionmaking hour when he went with pence. Christie was basically skyle ee and nobody cared about this, and in a war nobody thought they would win. Trump was superstitious. Didnt want to do transition planning. Christie, to his credit, very responsible. Put together a team. Filled with new jersey political people, and a lot of washington lobbyists and a lot of people, republicans alienated, not part of the trump campaign. Trump all of a sudden wins against everyones expectations and all of the folks in trump tower in new york realized that they had nothing to do with this transition process. Jared cukushner realizes his archenemy, Chris Christie, sent his dad to jail for tax evasion and witness tampering has the most important job. Thats what the last week has been about. The new york takeover of Chris Christies washington transition. And 2000, cheney came in, not unusual to have a big washington insider in pence. More of a washington insider than Chris Christie. The problem, no coordination by washington, the washington operation run by christie and the new york run by the core trump staff and they are clashing this week. And told with a, from a source, and the way it was put to me was, no one put a check on this whole thing. Yes. So they had no idea. What is striking to me is the ins similari insular insularity of this. Big money types not onboard on day one, that they are not having input and republicans saying, maybe consult because i was in the Bush Administration and know how to do x, y and z, theyre not being consulted and the trump people are saying, sorry, your noses is out of joint here, but by the way, you didnt support us. Its a matter of loyalty. The whole campaign was these indications maybe you can help us, david, that mike pence, the Vice President elect, decided to get rid of all the lobbyists brought in . Remember, the exchange that donald trump had on 60 minutes . Over the weekend . Yeah. He said, look, these are the people that know whats going on. I got no choice. I dont want the lobbyists. Vie to drain the swamp. The swamp from his point of view are these washington lobbyists. Got to do it gradually. Im sure people around trump or maybe trump himself said this really looks bad. Mike, can you do something about this as re lean into this transition process and you see this. Theres going to be a lot of people in the Political Class who get their nose out of joint how this all comes together because they now want included, closer to power. The message of what trump ran against. The whole mentality he wan against and its going to make it messy. Again, i think we all have to have a certain level of acceptance at how unconventional this is going to continue to be. Its never going to snap back into form that we recognize. The whole lobbyist thing. If you recall, barack obama tried to do that as well. And by the way, a lot of people surrounding donald trump lobbied, and worked on behalf of either foreign governments, or defense contractors, or so hes got his own internal issues with lobbying. Nothing is ever as black and whites as it seems during a campaign, when you make your list of, you know, promises and say im going to drain the swamp, and there you go. President obama did say he was not going to let any lobbyists, registered lobbyists come in and serve in his administration. Some did. A few exceptions. Right . He had by and large, boycotted. They were. Told, including very loyal democrats who worked their whole life for democrats, worked for the president , because they been a registered lobbyist were not allowed to come in. Right. He had had that rule earlier in his transition and had talked about it on the campaign trail. So that was something that they were ready for. But in some ways, it harmed them, because it was difficult for them to bring in people from nonprofits, who had worked on particular issues, like la raza, cecilia la raza and they required waivers. Because they were registered lobbyists for these nonprofits . Right. And lobby for is necessarily some of the questions here, right . Are they ready for primetime you . Dont put together a protective pool a small group of reporters that always follow the president or in this case the president looect, bridging the press and a lot of this they dont know how to do. Maybe disinclined to do it, and a lot of people in the capital staying saying, whoa. This is not how government gets run. Certainly will learn. This is a category 5. Okay . Its coming into washington. And everybodys got to recognize that its going to be done differently. And fill 4,000 political appointee jobs. Which is a lot of work in a limited period of time. Stick around. Happening now also, House Republicans are getting ready to vote on a spending bill which could throw out a key part of John Boehners legacy. Up to thrill licapitol hill liv after the break. Welcome back. Remember that famous bridge to nowhere in alaska . A 223 Million Dollar illustration of government excess . Shut down in 2011 by banning port projects like that bridge, but this hour the still republicanled house of representatives could move to undo that ban. Our senior political reporter manu raju joins us from capitol hill right now. Why do republicans want to overturn that ban . The ban on these appropriations called earmarks . Reporter right, wolf. Actually, a lot of lawmakers from both parties believe theyve seeded too much authority to the executive branch eliminating this kind of spending what critics cog pork barrel projects. Saying its a job of congress to direct that money to key priorities, whether its bridges, roads, other projects back home in their districts, and in their states, and also believe politically it helps them. They can point to funding theyve brought back home when they campaign for reelection. The critics, there are ample size of them, particularly conservative critics, believe that this breeds corruption, conflicts of interest. Special interests could get money, as well as donors, and thats one reason why theres been a lot of opposition from conservative groups to bringing back these socalled earmarks, but this vote is happening behind closed doors, wolf, and also by secret ballot. So were not quite sure how this could turn out. Member s could say they voted oe way. Because its a secret, well never know how they voted. Could be close, wolf. Interesting. They want to get rid of these socalled earmarks as a Republican Administration is coming in suggesting republicans dont trust the administration as much as they say they to . Reporter it would undercut Donald Trumps Key Campaign Promise to drain the swamp, because as we know, these kind of projects would be a windfall for lobbyists in washington, who would be pushing very hard to ensure that a lot of these projects are included in these appropriations bills, in order that their clients get funded. So in a lot of ways it would undercut Donald Trumps Main Campaign theme, but theres a lot of members of congress who believe that its their job to direct spending, how they see fit, wolf. Sounds webureaucratic but significant with the taxpayers money. Thank you. Let us know how it turns out. Coming up, new questions surfing over Rudy Giulianis business past and whether this should disqualify him as a potential secretary of state. Well discuss, when we come back. Just look at those two. 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Way to grow, jeanette. Get paid twice as fast. Visit quickbooksdotcom. These are live pictures were showing you now from the Vice President s residence at the naval observatory here in washington, d. C. Vice President Biden has been meeting with Vice President elect mike pence. Theyve been going over various issues involving the vice presidency of the United States. Both men are about to emerge. Theyve also had lunch there. Theyre going to be speaking to reporters. Well have live coverage and see what the Vice President and the Vice President elect have to say. Meanwhile, Rudy Giuliani is a top contender to become the next secretary of state in the trump administration. The former new york city mayor has been a major critic of Hillary Clintons time as secretary of state, citing conflicts of interest because of her ties to the Clinton Foundation. But giuliani himself could end up with some major conflicts of interest himself if they goes through a confirmation process because of his own paid consulting work involving foreign entities. Our chief Investigative Reporter drew griffin has looked into the story. Drew what have you learned . Reporter wolf, Rudy Giuliani became a famous politician mayor of new york city during that terrible terrorist attack on 9 11, but when he left office three moss after the attack that fame and reputation began earning him a lot of money. He turned it and translated could never turn it into a Higher Office but did after the attack go out and start making a lot of money. He became extremely rich doing it. He began giving speeches worldwide. He created actually joined a huge law firm and create add Security Consulting company. He sold his services basically, wolf, across the grlobe. That is coming back to haunt him. He did business with the government of qatar, security contracts in chile, mexico city and representing city of venezuelas staterun oil company, and an explanation, would ev wolf for all of these an all legal deals that made them tense of million tens of millions are dollars but hard to explain, his own sharp words about the clintons and their overseas business. The Clinton Foundation to me is a racketeering enterprise and the state department was a pay for play organization. The Clinton Foundation is a fraud. Thats classic pay to play. She did favors for those very people who gave money to the Clinton Foundation. I think its turning the state department into a pay for play operation. You can argue, wolf, that the particulars are just not the same, but i know senator rand paul told you yesterday, giulianis business deals raise concerns about his confirmation, if selected for the secretary of state position and senator paul, of course, you know is a republican. Im sure democrats would look at all this overseas business and try make any confirmation very tough for Rudy Giuliani. Wolf . As you know, if you represent foreign entities, foreign governments here in washington, you have to register with the Justice Department as a foreign agent. Do you know if Rudy Giuliani or members of his team registered as foreign agents . Apparently did not have to. Was not representing those agencies in relation to the United States. Mostly he was advising them on security issues, helping them structurally within their organization. So he was not required to register. And finally, what about his ties to an iranian exile group . Until four years ago the state department considered to be a terrorist organization . Reporter that group is getting a lot of press now, even called this mysterious iranian group. Theyll really not mistearous at all. Is confusing. They were part of the iranian revolution and quickly fell out of favor with the ayatollah, or kicked out of basically of iran living in exile. Their leadership in paris. Theyve got lots of bipartisan support on capitol hill. Ed rendell spoke to them, howard dean spoke to them. You know, obviously rude y lly giuliani has spoken on their behalf and secretary clinton dropped them from the foreign terrorist organization. Thats not as big a problem. Theyre a confusing group considered more of a cult group nowadays, wolf, but that wont get in the way as much as his business deals with. Good reporting. Thanks very much. Up next, democrats delayed their house leadership elections. What the move might signal for the future of the party and the longtime leader in the house of representatives, nancy pelosi. Approaching medicare eligibility . You may think you can put off checking out your Medicare Options until youre sixtyfive, but now is a good time to get the ball rolling. 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Im not saying nancy pelosi cant stay around as leader, but we are asking she has to start taking reforms and changes that are important for the future of this caucus and the Democratic Party. Business as usual has not worked and this is not an issue of us going left or right. This is about us either going backwards or moving forward. And we need to be moving forward for the american citizens right now and we dont feel that thats occurring under current management right now. Yesterday she was told that she wasnt going to be reelected, theyre going to delay that vote for a couple of weeks. Are you trying to send a message that maybe its time for new leadership . Im trying to send a message that we need to do some radical change within this caucus and if were going to have leaders, no matter who it is, they should do three things that are important number one, we need to have a focus on the future. That means that this caucus has to have more power down to these younger members. Well be here and living through the trump years for many years and were going to have to be the ones lieding the fight and were closer to the ground for many of the people that are affected by whats going on with this economy. Number two, were also asking that we have a Grassroots Movement up to assure that from now on instead of just coming in at the last minute to these races and trying to recruit people to run, that were working in the communities and making sure were finding the righteople to run for office and building them so we have all these members of Congress Ready to go on these election years. Lastly, we want to campaign on values. Its its clear that just saying the other person is bad is not going to win us elections but we need to focus on explaining to the person that is the steel worker, that is the latino in arizona, the Democratic Party is the party of the worker. Were here to protect you from wall street. Well be here to make sure you have an opportunity of the American Dream like anyone else. And that cuts across all demographic lines. Right now i dont believe that were having that message, thats why were not having success we want. Any leader, whether leader pelosi or anybody else needs to adapt that type of i think strategy in order for us to have success in the future. Democrat. Democratic representative tim ryan, his name has been floated as a potential opponent to nancy pelosi when you vote down the road. Would you back ryan or do you have someone else potentially in mind . Again, it depends if theyre willing to listen. Just because we have a new leader coming in and theyre not necessarily going to change of the reforms and keep things the status quo, i dont think that will bennet caucus whatsoever. I will look at everybody thinking about running but they have to answer at least those three fundamental things about where were going as a caucus. Because weve seen this time and time again. Were always coming up short and, again, our success is just not happening in this business as usual here in congress is not going to work out for democrats. Right now do you have confidence nancy pelosi can move you in the direction you want to see democrats in the house go . Im going to keep myself open to that, wolf. I want to make sure that, you know, she clearly listens to many of us that have been asking for these types of reform. This is not the first year weve talked about this but i hope shes listening loud and clear to understand that we do care about this caucus, we care about the future of this country and this is why were asking for these types of changes. Your gains, the democrats gains in the house, very very minor this time in the senate, very minor in the state races, legislators, governors races you guys bottom line did not do well. Very quickly, whats the biggest reason why . We have to get people to come out to vote for something, not against someone. And for too long i think we were focusing on trying to convince people that some person is bad or donald trump is bad but we need to give them some inspiration for them to come out. Give them hope that all their hard work is going to pay off and that the American Dream has not left them. Until we do that, were always going to be racing to the bottom. Representative gallego, thank you so much for joining us. Thank you for having me. Goodies cushion. Ill be back at 5 00 p. M. East american the situation room for international viewers. Amanpour is next. For north american viewers, newsroom with Brooke Baldwin will start after a quick break. . One large rutabaga, with eggplant. Done thats not fair. Glad i had a v8. The original way to fuel your day. If you have moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, isnt it time to let the real you shine through . Introducing Otezla Apremilast . 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