MSNBC "The Beat with Ari Melber" - Transcript: "Dems Subpoena FMR. Trump Aide."
Interview
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
MOHYELDIN: The 2020 Democratic field is starting to come into focus and getting a bit smaller. Three candidates dropping out in the past two weeks. At the same time, others appearing to pick up steam. Elizabeth Warren drawing an estimated 15,000 people to rally in Seattle this week. And Bernie Sanders grabbing headlines with sharp attacks on Mitch McConnell while Sanders campaigned in Kentucky. And in two days, a big test for everyone. Wednesday is the deadline for candidates trying to qualify for the next debate. More than half of the field still hasn`t qualified. My next guest is fighting to make the debate stage next month in Houston. 2020 presidential candidate and senator from New York, Kirsten Gillibrand. Senator, thank you very much for joining us. Let me begin with your thoughts about how concerned you won`t make that debate cut off in the next two days.
SEN. KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND (D), NEW YORK: I will make that debate stage. I intend to do so. And I hope that your viewers go to kirstengillibrand.com and send a dollar, so that I can qualify. But I`m really excited about our campaign, because I felt like we`ve led the debate on reproductive freedom, going to the frontlines of Georgia, Missouri on gay rights in this country, and on getting money out of politics, all issues that we need to be debated on the next stage, which is why I intend to get there.
MOHYELDIN: And fair point, but there aren`t any specific polls between now and then to suggest that you will perhaps make that debate stage. You need to meet both of those, the donor threshold and three more qualifying polls. Do you have an update as to where you stand on both of those today?
GILLIBRAND: We just had a qualifying poll out of Iowa and we`re hoping there`s more local polls in Iowa, New Hampshire, states where I`ve spent a lot of time. I`ve been there almost a dozen times each. And it makes a difference to talk to first in the nation, primary voters and caucus goers about your vision, about why you`re running, and why you believe you`re the best person to take on Trump. And that`s exactly what I`ve done.
MOHYELDIN: Senator, let me get your thoughts on the G7 and turning to some of the big issues affecting the world today. Trump suggested hosting the next G7 at his Doral resort in Florida. What is your reaction to that?
GILLIBRAND: I think it`s entirely unacceptable and sounds like he`s lining his own pockets. It is inappropriate on every level. And I think President Trump really harmed America`s economy and future in how he handled the G7 meetings. I think six of the participants are working together to get things done and America is really on the sidelines.
MOHYELDIN: Let me actually play you this sound bite first and I`ll get your reaction. So this is President Trump talking about Russia rejoining the G7.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: I think it would be better to have Russia inside the tent than outside the tent. Do we live either way? Yes, we live either way. Is it politically popular for me to say that? Possibly not. I think a lot of people would agree with me, frankly. But possibly not. I do nothing for politics.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOHYELDIN: Senator, what is your reaction to that statement about Russia and the fact that the president saying he does nothing for politics? Does that surprise you?
GILLIBRAND: President Trump is an embarrassment on the world stage. He`s unwilling to stand up to Putin. And the reason why Russia is not included is because of their behavior, because of their efforts to annex another country, to actually try to undermine another country`s sovereignty. That is why they were excluded, because of their behavior. And President Trump is unwilling to stand up to strong men, unwilling to stand up to Putin. And we`ve seen it. We`ve seen it from his performance at Helsinki and his performance just recently.
MOHYELDIN: One of the more telling moments of the G7 Summit was President Trump skipping the climate meeting. Was it a mistake also for the DNC to reject holding a climate change debate specifically about this topic? If you if you`re trying to encourage voters, or people in America, to take climate change seriously, you have a climate deniers president not attending G7 meetings about it, and the DNC not holding debates about it, what do you make of that?
GILLIBRAND: I will make attacking global climate change a cornerstone of my presidency. If you have a threat as grave as global climate change to humanity, you need a solution that`s as bold and as big as the problem you`re trying to face. And I can pass a Green New Deal. I know how to get things done. I can reach across the aisle and have investments in infrastructure, and green jobs, and clean air, clean water. I will put a price on carbon and I`ll make sure the polluters pay. I`ve put forward a robust policy of public-private partnerships as well as state investments into attacking global climate change aggressively, because I think we should get to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. I think we should have net zero carbon emissions for electricity in the next 10 years. It`s an aspirational goal that will be a measure of our competitiveness and how great our engineers and scientists are. I will not only resign onto our global climate accords, but I will lead a worldwide conversation about what we can do more. I will not start a space race with Russia.
MOHYELDIN: Right.
GILLIBRAND: I will start a green energy race with China. And that`s how you get it done.
MOHYELDIN: Let me get your final thoughts on a debate that is taking place among the Democratic Party. Last week, Jill Biden said that her husband, Joe, is the most electable, even if he is not the Democratic voters favorite. I`m curious to get your thoughts. Is electability simply enough of an argument for voters to go out and choose a candidate? Is it enough to just say, "Can you beat Donald Trump or should you represent something bigger than that?"
GILLIBRAND: I think the issues we face are bigger than that. But I do think you have to beat Donald Trump. And I believe that I have the most electable experience than anyone. Not only did I run in a two-to-one Republican district twice and won by 24 points, but I just won back 18 counties that went to Trump. And I`ve brought together my state with the highest vote threshold in its history. Higher than Obama, higher than Hillary, higher than Trump, higher than anyone who`s run for Senate or governor ever. And I not only perform electorally, but I bring people together and get things done. I just passed 18 bills in the last Congress, all of which President Trump signed into law. He does not know he signed my bills, but he did. And that`s because I can bring this country together. So you do need to beat Trump, number one. And number two, you need to restore this nation and bring it back together again. Heal the wounds that have been created, the divides created by President Trump, and move us forward, and restore our moral leadership on the world stage. That`s why I`m running and that`s why I believe I`m the best candidate to beat Trump.
MOHYELDIN: All right. We`ll wait and see if you do, in fact, make it to that final debate threshold in the next couple of days. Senator and 2020 candidate, Kirsten Gillibrand, thank you very much for your time this afternoon, Senator.
GILLIBRAND: Thank you.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source