CNN "CNN Newsroom" - Transcript: Interview with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
Interview
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HARLOW: That ad is from presidential candidate, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. She joins me now.
Good morning, Senator. Thank you for being with me.
GILLIBRAND: Delighted. How are you, Poppy.
HARLOW: I'm well, thank you. So you're going to, as you call it, "Trump's backyard." You're in New Hampshire this morning. You're taking it to the voters that flipped from voting for Obama to voting for President Trump. Talk to me about why you think that is the best strategy to win in a Democratic primary.
GILLIBRAND: Because I think, as I talk to voters across America, they want someone who will beat Trump. And they know that the problems are more than just President Trump, that in fact there's real issues underlying the economy and our government that need to be addressed.
So I'm going to President Trump's backyard to show the American people how many promises he's actually broken. He promised to lower prescription drug prices, and failed. He promised to end bad trade deals and bring back manufacturing jobs, and failed. He promised to end gun violence, and he's failed.
And so I'm going to talk about my vision for the country, to actually get things done.
HARLOW: So let's talk about some of the issues. Immigration, women's rights, guns. Let's start with immigration.
As a member of Congress, you have a long record on immigration. You opposed amnesty for undocumented immigrants. You voted to increase funding for ICE. You called securing the southern border a national security priority. At one point, you posted that English should be the official language of the United States.
And I know that you've backed away from all of those positions, so much so that you raised your hand in the last debate, when asked if crossing the border as an undocumented migrant should no longer be illegal. It's a dramatic reversal. Why such a change of heart?
GILLIBRAND: Well, Poppy, I've answered this question about a dozen times, including on your network. And 10 years ago, I became senator for the entire state of New York. And I not only had the humility to recognize my positions were wrong, but I had the courage to lead from a new position.
And I've been leading on those issues for over a decade. I've led on comprehensive immigration reform, with a pathway to citizenship. I've a comprehensive approach about how to treat asylum-seekers at the border in a far more humane way. Because, look, we have a president who under his leadership, severed (ph) --
HARLOW: But I guess I'm getting at the why.
GILLIBRAND: -- children have died in his custody.
HARLOW: I guess I'm getting at the why, Senator --
GILLIBRAND: Because --
HARLOW: -- let me -- let me ask you. For example, the former DHS secretary under President Obama -- I'm sure you read Jeh Johnson's op- ed yesterday -- and he said, quote, "Those who aspire to public office should not espouse campaign promises that have no prospect for success --
TEXT: WP Opinions On Immigration Policy: "We cannot... publicly embrace a policy to not deport those who enter or remain in this country illegally unless they commit a crime. This is tantamount to a public declaration... that our borders are effectively open to all; ... Those who aspire to public office should not espouse campaign promises that have no prospect for success -- this is a disservice to our democracy and assumes voters are fools."
HARLOW: -- "this is a disservice to our democracy and assumes voters are fools." He's talking about decriminalizing crossing the border as an undocumented migrant. What was it that changed you so dramatically on this issue?
GILLIBRAND: So, Poppy, we need a president who has the humility to recognize when they're wrong, has the wisdom to listen to their constituents, learn from them and change their positions. That's who I am.
And I have the courage to actually lead from a better position, and I've been doing so for over a decade. This isn't a new campaign perspective. This is something I've been fighting for as a U.S. senator for 10 years, and winning.
The thing that I do is, I bring people together to get things done and to make a difference. I do not think we should criminalize children and parents coming across the border who are seeking asylum. They need our help --
HARLOW: So on -- and to --
GILLIBRAND: -- our country is stronger because of immigration, it is not weaker.
HARLOW: And to your --
GILLIBRAND: And we need to have not only comprehensive immigration reform, but we also need a humane asylum system and I have a plan to have a community-based system so these families can come across, they can be given lawyers, have real immigration judges and actually have a community-based system.
I disagree with what President Trump has been doing --
HARLOW: To --
GILLIBRAND: -- and I believe we need leadership. And leaders --
HARLOW: So --
GILLIBRAND: -- who can have a vision for how to get this done.
HARLOW: So to your argument about saying, "I'm on this road trip, on this bus trip because I think I'm the one who can beat President Trump on this," you have never lost an election in your 13-year political career. But when you look at the polling right now, you're polling somewhere between zero and one percent.
"Washington Post Magazine" did a fascinating profile on you just yesterday. And here's what they wrote. Quote, "Gillibrand's brand -- motherly, responsible, pragmatic, experienced -- is going to be a tough sell if what we really want, at some level, is for our politicians to entertain us." Do you think that's part of why you haven't broken through more?
GILLIBRAND: It is so early, Poppy. We've had one debate, and there's going to be 10. So it's a long process between now and the first primary in New Hampshire and the first caucus in Iowa. And those are states I intend to win.
[10:55:00] I'm really proud of the campaign we are running because we are leading the national debate on women's reproductive freedom. I'm the only candidate that went to the front lines in Georgia to say that women's reproductive freedom are basic constitutional, human and civil rights.
HARLOW: So on the issue of women's rights, can you elaborate for me? Because this is what you have -- has been a cornerstone of your campaign. You have a hundred percent lifetime rating from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. What is the first thing, Senator, you would do as president to ensure women's equality in this country?
GILLIBRAND: A lot of things. I would focus on the economy --
HARLOW: But number one.
GILLIBRAND: -- I would focus -- there's a lot. I would pass national paid leave, is probably the first thing I would do. Because it's bipartisan and it's something whose time has come. And I've led on it for over five years, and I have a comprehensive approach to make sure all families can meet the needs of their loved ones and still succeed in the economy.
I would also only appoint judges and justices that see Roe v. Wade as settled precedent, as the law of the land that it is. And guaranteeing access in all 50 states.
But we also have to make sure the economy grows for everyone. And that means things as simple as better job training so people can earn a higher wage.
Which is why I'm taking the fight to Michigan and Ohio and Pennsylvania. These are states that flipped to Trump in the last election. And there are so many voters who need a leader who can not only speak to our base and inspire them to fight for this democracy by getting money out of politics and having publicly funded elections and passing a Green New Deal.
But also reach across the aisle and find those undecided voters and Republicans who want a different path for this country. And that's who I am. I win in red places and purple places.
HARLOW: We have --
GILLIBRAND: I'm the only candidate up there who has won a two-to-one Republican district twice --
HARLOW : We have --
GILLIBRAND: -- and brought the whole country together, passing bipartisan legislation.
HARLOW: We have seen you win those districts in New York. I am so sorry we're out of time. We had a lot of breaking news, as you know, this hour.
When you come back, I want to ask you about something you said yesterday on the economy. Because you said it's important to stand up to, quote, "even fellow Democrats" on the economy. I'd love to know what you mean. We'll save that for next time, Senator.
GILLIBRAND: Yes, well --
HARLOW: Thank you.
GILLIBRAND: -- we can talk about trade.
HARLOW: Come back next --
GILLIBRAND: We can talk about mistakes that have been made.
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