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THE LEAD WITH JAKE TAPPER

Interview with Pam Cipriano of American Nurses Association; Battle Royale For The Senate; Spousal Support Crucial In Politics

Aired October 15, 2014 - 16:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CIPRIANO: I think that's what we were hearing from the nurses in Texas that initially that they were not necessarily following or being instructed to use that higher level of protection. Now I believe that we are seeing that very clearly as part of the instructions because there really is no room for error.

TAPPER: My sainted mother is a nurse. You're a nurse. Tell me what your emotional response was when you read this letter, or heard this letter from these nurses at the hospital about what they were not told and how they felt lied to and abandoned. I felt awful. What was your reaction?

CIPRIANO: I would hope that these nurses did have an avenue to bring their concerns forward. I don't know why it may have taken some time. I do not know why they didn't believe they could go to their leadership and get that support because we know that again, they have been providing the equipment. We did hear on one broadcast from one of the infection preventionist nurses to say they are doing ongoing training, and they have been. This is actually a very good hospital. They're a magnet-recognized hospital which really stands for excellence. So, I can't really reconcile the difference between what we're hearing from the nurses which would be very unfortunate if that was really the case across the board. I mean obviously, some of their staff felt like they didn't have the support that they needed. I am fairly certain that every hospital leader today again has really stepped up their efforts and certainly they have at Texas Presbyterian.

TAPPER: I hope so. Pam Cipriano from the American Nurses Association. Thank you so much. Really appreciate your time.

Turning into our world lead, the U.S. military lighting up the sky with airstrike after airstrike today in another attempt to slow down ISIS terrorists. Now the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is telling us he knew of the threat of ISIS back in February and the White House did, too. So why wasn't anything done sooner? That's coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TAPPER: Welcome back to "THE LEAD." I'm Jake Tapper. The world lead now. Even as American fighter jets have been dropping bombs over Iraq and Syria, 18 more just today are targeting terrorists on the Syrian border town of Kobani. The U.S. military operation against ISIS has not had a name until today. The Pentagon finally put a label on the American action against ISIS. Operation "Inherent Resolve." If that name rings a bell and not just in the weird way that all of these operations sound the same, operation, adjective, noun. It's because operation "Inherent Resolve" was rejected as a name several times in the press with one military officer telling "The Wall Street Journal" it is just kind of blah. That's a quote. While the administration swings back and forth, on just how deeply involved to get in this new conflict its inherent resolve notwithstanding, the one thing the White House seems inherently resolved not to do is send American combat troops back into Iraq except, perhaps, for General Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who just told the investigative correspondent Kyra Phillips that he's still keeping that option open and here with more is CNN correspondent Kyra Phillips. Kyra, good to see you. So Dempsey once again, seeming to leave the door open for something that the people in the White House keep saying is not possible.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Look, he's a strategic commander.

TAPPER: Right.

PHILLIPS: Right. I mean he is in charge of military operations, saving lives, defeating this threat, which, by the way, he sees the threat to the homeland which we'll talk about, but we kept saying to me, Kyra, war is discovery. He kept saying that over and over. And right now he can't proceed deploying huge units of U.S. combat forces throughout Iraq, but he's not taking it off the table. He says that the airstrikes are working, they're necessary, but on their own they are simply not enough to destroy ISIS and with that said, right now he believes that coalition can hold on to Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: How confident are you that you can keep Baghdad from falling?

GEN. MARTIN DEMPSEY, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN: Well, I'm confident we can assist the Iraqis to keep Baghdad from falling. The Iraqis have established a fairly formidable defensive perimeter around Baghdad and, you know, it's been augmented by militias and things, so it's a very thick and deep defense, so I'm confident that Baghdad won't be threatened directly, but of course, you know, ISIL can infiltrate through and use vehicle-borne car bombs and they can from distance they can lob in rockets and things. So, Baghdad is going to be under threat of attack, but in terms of losing control of Baghdad, I don't see that happening.

PHILLIPS: The president agreed with National Intelligence Director James Clapper that the U.S. underestimated ISIS. Who underestimated ISIS? The White House, the Pentagon, the intelligence community?

DEMPSEY: Well, look, I mean, the - we -- we've watched ISIS from the time - I saw from the time it was al Qaeda in Iraq and its movement out of al Anbar province largely into Syria and we watched it gain military capability. We didn't -- and in fact, there was an intelligence official, military intelligence official who back in February understood that ISIL would eventually re-enter Iraq. I think what we all probably missed was the degree to which the Iraqi armed forces had eroded and wouldn't stand and face ISIL. I think we all missed that.

PHILLIPS: So you recognize the threat. Did you go to the White House and say we need to pay attention to this.

DEMPSEY: Well, we have - you know, we have monthly counterterrorism meetings in the White House and we talk about a wide variety of groups and so, yeah. Sure. We talked about ISIL all of the time. Again, what wasn't called ISIL at the time, necessarily, but what we again, what we missed is the fact that the Iraqi security forces were unwilling to stand and fight them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: And he was pretty strong with saying how disappointed he was in the Iraqi government, I mean his quote was all that coaching, teaching and mentoring, the thousands of interactions with the local level were all wasted by the government of Iraq and that created an environment where ISIL could flourish and flourished to the point where it's taken over all these key areas that we watched the U.S. troops take down years ago.

TAPPER: Yeah. But you can't teach courage. Either (INAUDIBLE)

Kyra Phillips, thank you so much.

Coming up, if you ask most Democrats, they're holding out hope, but with so many races, so close, can they spin poll numbers this low?

And it's the most critical endorsement a candidate can get. His or her spouse's vote. So, which wives and husbands are onboard with their spouse running in 2016 and who is saying no way?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TAPPER: With that low of an approval rating, Harry Truman, 1950, Democrats lost 28 seats. President Obama did not fair much better in the new "Wall Street Journal/NBC News" survey, only winning the approval of 42 percent of likely voters.

But perhaps more significantly, "The Journal" notes quote, "The share of voters who see the country on the wrong track has reached the highest level ever in a midterm election year. Ouch.

Here to break all this down, national political correspondent for "The New York Times," Jonathan Martin and national political reporter for "The Atlantic," Molly Ball. Thanks both of you for being here.

Jonathan, the president's approval ratings horrific, but he's not on the battle. How significant do you think it will be when it comes to winning or losing the Senate? JONATHAN MARTIN, NATIONAL POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, "NEW YORK TIMES": Probably the defining issue in a handful of Senate races that will flip to the Republicans. Look, I just think in states that are red already is going to be difficult for Democrats to overcome the drag that is President Obama this cycle.

That said, the map is still being determined and who would have thought that October we are talking about their possibly coming into play. So this is not 2010 as of right now, Jake.

And I still think this thing is up in the air, but there's no question that the worst thing the Democrats right now are contending with besides the map is this environment.

TAPPER: And when you talk about other states, you're talking about South Dakota, Kansas?

MARTIN: Potentially even Georgia.

TAPPER: Yes, strange states that no one thought would be up for grabs at this stage. Let me ask you, Molly, about a couple of new polls, Republican Cory Gardner in a new CNN/ORC poll, a four-point lead over incumbent Democratic Senator Mark Udall in Colorado.

A new Iowa survey from "USA Today"/Suffolk University also shows the Republican in front, Johnny Ernst ahead of Bruce Braley by outside of margin of error, but Democrats do say that they feel positive about some of these other races, this three-way race in South Dakota.

Michelle Nunn is doing better than expected in Georgia and also a strong showing by the incumbent senator, Kay Hagan, in North Carolina. Are they head faking with the South Dakota money that they're pouring in, the Democrats?

MOLLY BALL, NATIONAL POLITICAL REPORTER, "THE ATLANTIC": They are grasping at straws to some degree. There is an outside chance in some of these bizarre races that have come on the map late, but at the same time, Jim is right that six months ago if you told Democrats they would have opportunities Kansas and South Dakota they would have been excited to hear that.

The Republicans would have been pretty excited to hear that they were polling ahead in Iowa and Colorado. Those are states where Republicans have created opportunities in states that were difficult for them, states that President Obama won twice.

So, you know, this is tough terrain for Democrats and you can't say no one should be surprised that they might lose the Senate because it's always been such a hostile environment. But you look at the issue environment, and the president's unpopular but the kinds of issues we're talking about.

National security and all of the different international crises that is an environment that favors Republicans that sense of insecurity that people have is something that is really giving the Republicans momentum. TAPPER: Let's talk about one of those issues, Ebola, which a lot of people, you know, talk about an October surprise. No one knew this was going to be the driving news story as we tick down to Election Day.

I've heard both sides try to make political hay out. You have Democrats saying, Republicans haven't confirmed a surgeon general. You have them saying that, you know, they want to cut funding for the government, for NIH, for CDC.

And then Republicans are saying Obama is a failure and he is not closing the borders, isn't shutting down air travel from West Africa. Do you see this playing out in any way?

MARTIN: I see it playing out a part of a larger issue said that reflects a turbulent world that we're in at home and abroad, and that plays in favor of the Republicans, Jake, because the president's party is the one in power in the White House and that often more than not is who these elections are shaped by.

And the fact is if voters are going to the polls, they're concerned about what's happening in the world, what's happening in their own country. They tend to take that out on the party that's in charge and that right now is Democrats.

One more fast point on the map, you know, even though Dems can say that Kay Hagan, for example, in North Carolina, the problem is that the map is so wide for the Republicans and they can afford to lose that race.

They can still get the majority because of a Cory Gardner in Colorado or because of an Alaska where Republican Dan Sullivan is looking stronger. They just have more opportunities. Democrats have very little margin for error.

That's why you see them looking for opportunities going to a place like South Dakota where they're putting the ball in the air basically.

BALL: Let us not forget the other sort of dogs that hasn't barked. The Republicans haven't nominated a bunch of whack jobs in the way that cost them the Senate when they had a really good opportunity in 2010 and a really good opportunity in 2012. The Republicans feel like they have a really strong group of candidates who haven't made those kind of unforced errors.

TAPPER: You're not talking -- talk about the Todd Akins of the world who had --

MARTIN: Ken Buck versus Cory Gardner tells you everything.

TAPPER: Learn some lessons I suppose. Molly Ball, Jonathan Martin, thank you so much. Look who popped in? Wolf Blitzer, he is here with a preview.

Wolf, I had my turn yesterday for the CNN roots project. Today is your turn. Mine was kind of like fun and silly. Yours is going to be -

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST, "THE SITUATION ROOM": Yours was very good and I didn't know about that side of your family.

TAPPER: We don't talk about it much.

BLITZER: It was an excellent report.

TAPPER: But yours will be very moving.

BLITZER: First of all, we go to Buffalo, my hometown and that's the fun part, but we go to Poland and we tell a moving story and I think the viewers will be interested in seeing it.

TAPPER: I'm really looking forward to it. Wolf Blitzer, thank you so much.

Still ahead, it's the classic non-answer. I'll have to ask my wife. That's the response from some potential presidential candidates when asked if they are running for the office. So which wives are giving a thumbs up to their husbands in 2016?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TAPPER: Welcome back to THE LEAD. More politics now, the most important vote any candidate needs to get is that of his or her spouse when deciding whether or not to run for office in the first place. Many of the 2016 would-be candidates are still trying to lock in support from the Misses.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Michelle, I have never loved you more.

JOHN KERRY, SECRETARY OF STATES: My wife, Teresa.

MITT ROMNEY, FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I would like to thank Ann, the love of my life.

TAPPER (voice-over): For better or for worse, spouses can be a key part of campaigns, more for some than for others, of course.

REPRESENTATIVE VANCE MCALLISTER (R), LOUISIANA: I'm lucky to have been blessed with a great family and a wonderful Christian wife.

TAPPER: Louisiana Republican Congressman Vance McAllister recently released this ad months after the so-called kissing congressman was caught making out with a staffer in the security camera video.

KELLY MCCALLISTER, CANDIDATE'S WIFE: I'm blessed to have a husband who owns up to his mistakes and never gives up.

TAPPER: His apparent hope, if his wife forgives his indiscretions, voters might, too. A significant other can have a significant sway especially if the answer is no. Even before the midterms are over, we're seeing that in play for the next election.

In the past, observers have speculated Jeb Bush's wife, Columba, was the reason behind his decision not to run for president. But now the Republican hopeful tells the "Associated Press" that she, quote, "is supportive of his possible presidential candidacy."

Will Mitt Romney try his luck once more in 2016? Some interesting signals from Mrs. Romney who in an interview with "The Los Angeles Times" out this week, not only are Mitt and I done, but the kids are done, done, done, done. A stance she stuck to since her husband's defeat in 2012.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have to ask you just as I asked your husband, are you over it?

ANN ROMNEY, MITT ROMNEY'S WIFE: I am over it. It's still hard to watch things and watch the news and feel like you wish you were there, but you move on.

TAPPER: CNN political analyst, Gloria Borger sat down with Romney and said she has a point.

GLORIA BORGER, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: You can't imagine the effect this has on a spouse. In many ways some of the political spouses I've talked tell me that it's more difficult for them when their spouse gets the criticism than when they get the criticism themselves.

TAPPER: Yet in another interview with "The Washington Post," Ann Romney seemed to leave the door open a touch. At this moment, it's no for Mitt and for the boys. Honestly, we'll have to see what happens.

When Republican Rand Paul was asked about a presidential bid in December, he said this.

SENATOR RAND PAUL (R), KENTUCKY: Where's my cell phone? Can I call my wife? There are two votes in my family and my wife has both of them and both are no votes right now. Then, of course, there's that other potential candidate and her spouse. He's clearly on board with one big focus.

FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON: The wife might run for something, and you can say whatever you want as long as you don't have headlines.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TAPPER: Mr. Clinton clearly doesn't object to his wife making a bid for the White House, in fact, he's already pitching in by acting as campaigner in chief for Democratic Senate candidates across the country earning tips for the next election season.

Make sure to follow me on Twitter @jaketapper and also @theleadcnn. Check out our show page @cnn.com/thelead for video, blogs, extras. You can also subscribe to our magazine on Flipboard. That's it for THE LEAD. I'm Jake Tapper. I now turn you over to Wolf Blitzer who is right next door in "THE SITUATION ROOM" -- Wolf. BLITZER: Ebola patient, another Dallas nurse is diagnosed with the deadly disease, but why was she flying with a fever only hours before she reported symptoms?

The president canceled his own travel plans for an urgent White House meeting. Winning strategy, as the U.S. steps up airstrikes against ISIS, the Joint Chiefs Chairman General Martin Dempsey speaks exclusively to CNN and leaves open the possibility that U.S. ground troops could be asked to fight.

Plus, new terror threat, U.S. intelligence deeply worried right now the chaos in Yemen could help al Qaeda succeed in its goal in attacking the United States.

The hunt for Hannah Graham, the search for the missing Virginia student entering a new phase. We have the latest details.

I'm Wolf Blitzer. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.