YCQM: Jan. 14, 2018
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Announcer: FROM WCAX, THIS IS
"YOU CAN QUOTE ME.">> Darren: GOOD MORNING,
EVERYONE.
I'M DARREN PERRON.
RIGHT NOW ON "YOU CAN QUOTE ME,"
A SIT-DOWN INTERVIEW WITH
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A GOVERNMENT
SHUTDOWN, IMMIGRATION, AND
OPRAH.
ALSO, ABOUT A YEAR INTO DONALD
TRUMP'S PRESIDENCY, A LOOK AT
THE HIGHS AND LOWS WITH AN
EXPERT ON PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS.
PLUS, ADDRESSING SEXUAL
MISCONDUCT UNDER THE GOLDEN
DOME, AND LEGAL WEED.
VERMONT MAKES ITSELF.
AND THAT'S WHERE WE BEGIN THIS
MORNING.
THE VERMONT LEGISLATURE IS THE
FIRST IN THE COUNTRY TO PASS
RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.
NOW THE BILL HEADS TO THE
GOVERNOR'S DESK AND THIS TIME,
HE HAS SAID HE WILL SIGN IT.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE
SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> Darren: THE VERMONT SENATE
APPROVED A BILL THAT WOULD MAKE
MARIJUANA LEGAL FOR RECREATIONAL
USE.
THE HOUSE HAD ALREADY APPROVED
IT.
HERE'S WHAT THE BILL DOES.
VERMONTERS OVER THE AGE OF 21
ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE UP TO AN
OUNCE OF POT.
THEY COULD ALSO HAVE TWO MATURE
PLANTS AND FOUR IMMATURE PLANTS.
ONLY ONE PERSON CAN CULTIVATE
PLANTS PER DWELLING, AND
LANDLORDS CAN REFUSE TO ALLOW
GROWING.
THE BILL ALSO INCLUDES A CHANGE
DEMANDED BY GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT,
A NEW MISDEMEANOR CRIME FOR
PROVIDING POT TO ANYONE UNDER
21.
OUR POLITICAL REPORTER NEAL
GOSWAMI PICKS UP THE STORY.
>> I THINK IT REFLECTS THE WILL
OF VERMONTERS AND IT'S GOTTEN AN
ONGOING PROCESS FOR A LONG TIME.
>> Neal: THE VERMONT SENATE
APPROVED MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION
TODAY WITHOUT ANY FURTHER
DEBATE.
THE HOUSE PASSED THE BILL LAST
WEEK.
>> I'M EXCITED.
I'M EXCITED THAT WE'VE GOTTEN TO
THIS POINT AGAIN.
I BELIEVE THIS IS AN IMPORTANT
STEP.
IT'S AN IMPORTANT CRIMINAL
JUSTICE REFORM, IT'S AN
IMPORTANT STATEMENT THAT THE
VERMONT LEGISLATURE RECOGNIZES
THAT MARIJUANA PROHIBITION AS
FAILURE.
>> Neal: NOT ALL MEMBERS OF THE
SENATE AGREE.
>> NO!
>> Neal: REPUBLICAN SENATOR
BRIAN COLLAMORE OF RUTLAND IS
AMONG THOSE WHO VOTED NO.
>> I DON'T THINK IT SENDS A
PARTICULARLY POSITIVE MESSAGE TO
OUR YOUTH, BUT THAT WILL BE
OVERCOME WITH EDUCATIONAL
EFFORTS DOWN THE ROAD.
>> Neal: LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHO
HAD BEEN PUSHING BACK, ALSO SAY
LEGALIZATION IS TOO MUCH TOO
SON.
>> THE VERMONT ASSOCIATION OF
CHIEFS OF POLICE HAS NOT HE SAID
NO, HELL NO, RESOUNDING NO.
WE'VE SAD NOT YET.
WE'RE NOT READY, WE DON'T HAVE
THE INFRASTRUCTURE.
>> Neal: THE COLCHESTER POLICE
CHIEF SAYS LAWMAKERS ARE
RUSHING.
SHE WANTED THEM TO WAIT FOR A
REPORT FROM A SPECIAL COMMISSION
CREATED BY THE GOVERNOR LAST
YEAR.
>> THIS IS ARROGANCE TO PRESUME
TO KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THIS TOPIC
TO TAKE A VOTE WITHOUT ALLOWING
THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION TO
COME FORWARD.
>> Neal: PROPONENTS DISAGREE.
THEY SAY THIS HAS BEEN IN THE
WORKS FOR YEARS.
>> THIS IS NOT THE RESULT OF ONE
WEEK'S WORTH OF WORK AS THE
SENATOR FROM BENNINGTON
MENTIONED.
THIS REALLY IS THREE YEARS OF
PRETTY EXHAUSTIVE COMMITTEE
TIME.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S A
COMMITTEE IN THE SENATE THAT
HASN'T WORKED ON IT IN GOOD
FAITH.
>> Neal: WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THE
GOVERNOR WILL ACT TO THIS BILL.
IT WILL TAKE HIM SOME TIME TO
RECEIVE IT.
HE'LL THEN HAVE FIVE DAYS TO
SIGN IT OR VETO IT.
IF HE DOES NOTHING, IT WOULD
BECOME LAW WITHOUT HIS
SIGNATURE.
ADVOCATES SAY THEY'RE COUNTING
ON THE GOVERNOR TO STICK TO HIS
PROMISE TO SIGN IT.
THEN THEY'LL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT
PHASE.
>> AFTER THAT, WE LOOK FORWARD
TO ADVOCATING FOR FULL REGULATED
MARKETS IN VERMONT.
WE BELIEVE THIS IS THE BEST
APPROACH FOR VERMONT.
>> Darren: NEAL JOINS ME NOW.
GOOD MORNING, NEAL.
>> Neal: GOOD MORNING.
>> Darren: LET'S TALK ABOUT WHEN
THE GOMP GETS THE BILL AND SIGNS
IT.
>> Neal: IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL
BE THE END OF THE WE'LL BE RIGHT
BACK, FRIDAY MAYBE BY THE TIME
HE EVEN GETS IT AND THEN HE WILL
HAVE THAT FIVE DAYS PERHAPS TO
DECIDE WHAT TO DO.
HE SAYS HE'LL SIGN IT, SO IT'S
REALLY A MATTER OF WHEN HE GET
MUCH IT AND WHEN HE CHOOSES TO
DO THAT.
TYPICALLY ONCE A BILL PASSING
BOTH CHAMBERS, LEGISLATIVE
LAWYERS LOOK IT OVER AND THEN
THEY'LL DECIDE IF THERE'S ANY
ERRORS THAT NEED TO BE
CORRECTED, LITTLE TYPOS, THINGS
LIKE THAT, AND THEN THEY'LL SEND
IT TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND
IT'S FIVE DAYS FROM THE MOMENT
HE GETS IT.
HE SAYS HE WILL SIGN IT.
I ASKED HIM ON THURSDAY WHETHER
HE WILL SIGN IT PUBLICLY AND HE
SAYS HE HAS NOT YET MADE UP HIS
MIND.
>> Darren: WILL HE GET A LOT OF
CRITICISM AND WHAT WILL BE THE
ADVANTAGE TO HIM TO SIGN IT
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS?
>> Neal: THE ADVANTAGE TO HIM IS
IT'S LESS OFFENSIVE TO SOME,
ALTHOUGH HE'S ALREADY SIGNING IT
AGAINST THE WISHES OF SOME VERY
POWERFUL PEOPLE, LIKE THE POLICE
CHIEFS OF VERMONT, MANY PEOPLE
IN THE STATE POLICE AND OTHER
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
THE IDEA OF SIGNING IT IN
PRIVATE WOULD BE THAT YOU'RE NOT
SORT OF RUBBING IT IN PEOPLE'S
FACES.
IT'S SORT OF -- IT'S SOMETHING
HE SAYS HE'S NOT PHILOSOPHICALLY
OPPOSED TO.
HE TAKES A LIBERTARIAN APPROACH
TO LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA
WHERE IF YOU'RE NOT HARMING
OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR OWN HOME,
YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO WHAT
YOU WANT.
SO I THINK NOT SIGNING IT
PUBLICLY IS SORT OF A NOD TO
THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT FOR
THIS.
>> Darren: HE CREATED A
COMMISSION TO TAKE A LOOK AT
LEGALIZING MARIJUANA AND THAT
COMMISSION'S REPORT DUE OUT IN
DECEMBER.
SO KIND OF WHAT WAS THE POINT OF
IT AGAIN?
>> Neal: THERE WILL BE AN
INTERIM REPORT, I BELIEVE
JANUARY 15th, THAT COMES OUT,
AND THEN THERE'S A FINAL REPORT
DUE OUT IN DECEMBER.
THIS IS A -- IT'S A PRETTY-WIDE
RANGING COMMISSION WITH A NUMBER
OF SUBCOMMITTEES.
THEY'LL LOOK AT HIGHWAY SAFETY,
THE NEXT STEPS IN THE
LEGALIZATION EFFORT, SUCH AS A
REGULATED MARKET, AND THE POINT
AMONG FOLKS WHO WERE IN FAVOR OF
THIS FIRST INCREMENTAL STEP WAS
THAT WE HAVE TIME IN THIS
LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO ACT ON
FURTHER THINGS, SUCH AS HIGHWAY
SAFETY.
IF THEY COME UP WITH A REALLY
GREAT IDEA IN THIS JANUARY 15th
REPORT, WE'LL HAVE TIME TO ACT
ON THAT THIS YEAR.
IN TERMS OF WHAT COMES NEXT FOR
THE REGULATED MARKET, THAT'S
PROBABLY GOING TO TAKE PLACE IN
2019 AT THE EARLIEST.
>> Darren: WHAT DO YOU THINK
THAT LOOKS LIKE?
ANY EARLY INDICATIONS AS TO WHAT
RETAIL SALES OF POT WILL LOOK
LIKE?
>> Neal: WE'VE SEEN A NUMBER OF
BILLS REALLY COME UP AND SOME
HAVE EVEN PASSED IN THE SENATE.
IT'S BEEN A REALLY UNPOPULAR
IDEA IN THE HOUSE.
I THINK IT GENERATED ABOUT 25
VOTES OUT OF 150 MEMBERS LAST
TIME AROUND.
WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THAT THERE
SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF
APPREHENSION AROUND EDIBLES,
PRODUCTS -- EDIBLE PRODUCTS WITH
THC, THE MAIN COMPONENT IN
MARIJUANA, IN THEM.
MOST PEOPLE SEEM PRETTY
UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE IDEA OF
EDIBLES.
WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE AVAILABLE
IN OTHER STATES SUCH AS COLORADO
AND ELSEWHERE, AND MANY PEOPLE
SAY IT HASN'T WORKED WELL THERE
AND IT'S CAUSED SOME PROBLEMS AS
THEY'VE WORKED TO IMPLEMENT THE
SYSTEM THAT SELLS THESE
PRODUCTS.
SO MY GUESS IS THE BIG DEBATE
OVER MOVING FORWARD WILL BE HOW
MUCH DO YOU TAX THE PRODUCT TO
TRY AND UNDERCUT THE UNDERGROUND
MARKET, AND WHETHER OR NOT TO
ALLOW THESE TYPES OF EDIBLES.
>> Darren: WHAT ABOUT THE U.S.
ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF SESSIONS
HAS COME OUT RECENTLY SAYING
HE'S REALLY GOING TO GO AFTER
STATES WHERE POT IS LEGAL.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?
>> Neal: SO WHAT ATTORNEY
GENERAL SESSIONS DID WAS RESCIND
WHAT'S KNOWN AS THE COLE MEMO.
IT WAS PUT IN PLACE DURING THE
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AND IT
ESSENTIALLY DIRECTED THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT NOT TO TIE UP ITS
RESOURCES CRACKING DOWN ON LEGAL
POT IN STATES WHERE IT HAS BEEN
LEGALIZED.
WHAT'S IN PLACE NOW IS A SORT OF
DISTRICT BY DISTRICT OR
JURISDICTION BY JURISDICTION
PIECE WHERE STATES -- U.S.
ATTORNEY IN THOSE PLACES CAN
DETERMINE HOW MUCH RESOURCES TO
DEVOTE TO IT.
LET'S REMEMBER HERE IN VERMONT,
THE NEW U.S. ATTORNEY, KRISTINA
NOWLAND WAS RECOMMENDED BY
REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT
AND THE DEMOCRATIC SENATOR
PATRICK LEAHY AND IS PROBABLY
MORE IN LINE WITH THEIR VIEWS OF
MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION THAN
ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF SESSIONS.
MY GUESS IS HERE IN VERMONT, WE
COULD SEE LESS OF A TOEFRT CRACK
DOWN ON -- EFFORT TO CRACK DOWN
ON A LEGAL MARIJUANA MARKET.
>> Darren: STAY RIGHT THERE.
I WANT TO GET TO HOW STATE
LAWMAKERS ARE TACKLING SEXUAL
MISCONDUCT.
THAT'S COMING UP NEXT, BUT ALSO
A ONE-ON-ONE WITH BERNIE
SANDERS.
WHAT THE SENATOR IS SAYING ABOUT
IMMIGRATION AND OPRAH.
>> Darren: AND WELCOME BACK,
EVERYONE.
SCOTT IS HERE NOW TO TELL US
WHAT'S COMING UP ON THE WEEKEND.
>> Scott: WELL, DARREN, WE'RE
STILL PRETTY MUCH RECOVERING
FROM ALL THE SNOW AND ICE THAT
SATURDAY STORM DUMPED ON US.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN UPDATE ON
WHAT TO EXPECT THE REST OF THIS
HOLIDAY WEEKEND.
SPEAKING OF THE SNOW, WE'VE HAD
A BUNCH OF IT, PILED UP,
BUILDING UP.
GETTING IT CLEARED OFF THE ROADS
AND SIDEWALKS IS ONE THING, BUT
HOW ABOUT WHEN THERE'S PILES IN
PARKING LOTS?
WE SPEAK WITH ONE CONTRACTOR WHO
TESS US THE IMPORTANCE OF
GETTING THE SNOW OUT OF THERE
SOON AS POSSIBLE.
AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF
NEGATIVE REACTION FROM VERMONT'S
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO THE
REPUBLICAN TAX BILL THAT PASSED
AT THE END OF 2017.
HOWEVER, THERE IS A PROVISION IN
THIS TAX BILL THAT MEANS GREAT
NEWS FOR LOCAL BREWERS, NOT JUST
IN THIS STATE, BUT NATIONWIDE.
WE'LL TELL YOU ABOUT THAT AND
HEAR FROM CONGRESSMAN PETER
WELCH, ALL COMING UP ON THE
WEEKEND AT THE TOP OF THE HOUR.
>> Darren: WE'LL SEE YOU THEN,
SCOTT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
FOLLOWING THROUGH ON A PROMISE
IN MONTPELIER, LEGISLATIVE
LEADERS GOT UPDATED SEXUAL
HARASSMENT TRAINING.
NEAL GOSWAMI TELLS US WHAT
THEY'RE CHANGING.
>> NOW SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS A
FORM OF SEX DISCRIMINATION.
IT MEANS UNWANTED SEXUAL
ADVANCES, REQUESTS FOR SEXUAL
FAVORS, OR VERBAL OR PHYSICAL
CONDUCT OF A SEXUAL NATURE.
>> Neal: THESE SEXUAL HARASSMENT
BRIEFINGS COME AS LAWMAKERS,
LIKE THE PUBLIC, UNDERSTAND HOW
THE ME-TOO MOVEMENT IS CHANGING
WORKPLACES, INCLUDING THE STATE
HOUSE.
>> IT'S OBVIOUS THAT IT'S HERE
AND IT IS PRESENT, AND IT NEEDS
TO BE ROOTED OUT.
>> Neal: BURLINGTON
REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN CENA HOPES
THESE BRIEFINGS HELP CHANGE THE
CULTURE.
>> I'VE BEEN IN SOME SITUATIONS
IN MY FIRST YEAR WHERE I
QUESTIONED SOME OF WHAT WAS
GOING ON AROUND ME AND I THINK
SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE JUST JOKING
OR HAVING FUN AND THEY DON'T
REALIZE THAT WHAT THEY'RE DOING
IS CONTRIBUTING TO A CULTURE
THAT PROMOTES SEXUAL HARASSMENT.
>> Neal: HOUSE SPEAKER MITZI
JOHNSON HAD LEGISLATIVE LAWYERS
REVIEW THE CURRENT SEXUAL
HARASSMENT POLICY LATE LAST
YEAR.
THEY FOUND SHORTCOMINGS.
NOW THE CHAMBER'S FIVE-MEMBER
SEXUAL HARASSMENT PANEL IS
WORKING ON AN UPDATE, EXPECTED
TO COME WITHIN THE NEXT TWO
WEEKS.
>> DON'T TOUCH ME LIKE THAT
AGAIN, IT'S HARASSMENT.
>> Neal: HOUSE MEMBERS HAD
QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS DURING
THE 90-MINUTE BRIEFING.
SOME WANT TO ENSURE THE PANEL IS
PROPERLY TRAINED TO INVESTIGATE
COMPLAINTS.
OTHERS WANT A SINGLE POLICY FOR
THE HOUSE AND SENATE.
OTHERS SAY TRANSPARENCY IS
IMPORTANT.
THE PANEL'S CHAIRWOMAN,
REPRESENTATIVE MOLLY BURKE, SAYS
MOST OF THOSE IDEAS ARE ALREADY
BEING CONSIDERED.
SHE SAYS THE ME-TOO MOVEMENT HAS
CHANGED THE CONVERSATION AND
EMPOWERED VICTIMS TO COME
FORWARD AND THE POLICY MUST
FACILITATE THAT.
>> I THINK OUR INSTITUTIONS NEED
TO REFLECT THAT, AND I'M VERY
POSITIVE, VERY HOPEFUL THAT WE
CAN DO THAT HERE.
>> Neal: BUT WE COULDN'T FIND A
STATE HOUSE REGULAR WHO ISN'T A
LEGISLATOR TO SPEAK TO US ON
CAMERA ABOUT THE CLIMATE UNDER
THE DOME, AN INDICATION PERHAPS
THAT MORE WORK IS NEEDED.
>> Darren: SO, NEAL, WHERE ARE
THEY IN THE PROCESS?
>> Neal: WELL, BOTH THE HOUSE
AND THE SENATE MEMBERS HAVE
RECEIVED UPDATED TRAINING ON
THEIR POLICIES AND IT REALLY
WENT THROUGH PRETTY SPECIFIC
EXAMPLES TAKEN FROM EXAMPLES IN
OTHER STATE LEGISLATURES OF WHAT
CONSTITUTES SEXUAL HARASSMENT AS
IT RELATES TO THEIR OWN POLICY.
SO LINE BY LINE, THEY WENT
THROUGH AND SAID HERE'S AN
EXAMPLE OF A VIOLATION.
SO EVERYBODY SHOULD BE UP TO
SPEED NOW ON WHAT IS AND WHAT
ISN'T CONSIDERED TO BE SEXUAL
HARASSMENT.
BOTH PANELS ARE WORKING ON
LOOKING AT THE POLICIES AND
TRYING TO DETERMINE WHERE THEY
CAN BE MADE STRONGER, WHAT SORTS
OF THINGS COULD IMPROVE THE
CLIMATE IN THE STATE HOUSE AND
ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO EITHER
IMPROVE THEIR BEHAVIOR OR
IMPROVE THE REPORTING THAT GOES
ON WITHIN THE STATE HOUSE.
>> Darren: WHAT ABOUT THE
PROGRESS THAT'S BEEN MADE?
ANY FEEDBACK FROM LAWMAKERS AT
ALL ON WHAT THEY THINK AND THAT
THIS IS EVEN BEING ADDRESSED?
>> Neal: I THINK THERE'S A
GENERAL GOOD FEELING IN THE
STATE HOUSE THAT IT IS A TOPIC
OF DISCUSSION.
THEY'RE HAPPY ABOUT THAT.
A LOT OF NON-LEGISLATORS ARE
ALSO HAPPY WITH THAT, BUT AS I
NOTED IN THE PIECE, I SPENT A
FAIR AMOUNT OF TIME THIS WEEK
TRYING TO FIND LOBBYISTS,
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, OTHERS,
STAFF MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT
LEGISLATORS TO DISCUSS THE
CLIMATE IN THE STATE HOUSE, AND
NONE OF THEM WERE INTERESTED,
PARTICULARLY GOING ON CAMERA TO
SPEAK ABOUT IT, AND THAT'S
BECAUSE THEY STILL HAVE TO GO
BACK INTO THAT BUILDING AND WORK
WITH THESE LAWMAKERS AND OTHERS,
AND SO THERE IS ROOM FOR
IMPROVEMENT IN TERMS OF
IMPROVING THE CLIMATE AT THE
STATE HOUSE, BUT I THINK PEOPLE
ARE GENERALLY PLEASED THAT THE
CONVERSATION IS HAPPENING AND
IT'S MOVING FORWARD.
>> Darren: ALL RIGHT.
NEAL GOSWAMI, AS ALWAYS, GOOD TO
TALK TO YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> Neal: GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.
>> Darren: COMING UP NEXT, WE
TALK TO BERNIE SANDERS AND A
PROGRESS REPORT ON PRESIDENT
DONALD TRUMP WITH AN EXPERT IN
PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS.
>> Darren: WHAT DOES SENATOR
BERNIE SANDERS THINK ABOUT
OPRAH'S POSSIBLE RUN FOR
PRESIDENT?
OUR WASHINGTON REPORTER KYLE
MIDURA ASKS HIM ABOUT THAT,
CHIP, DACA, AND A POSSIBLE
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IN A SITDOWN
INTERVIEW WITH THE SENATOR.
>> Kyle: WE'LL START WITH THE
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF WEEKS LEFT
HERE, BUT A WAR OF WORDS IS
COMING OUT.
HOW MUCH OF A STAND DO DEMOCRATS
HAVE TO MAKE TO FORCE SOME OF
THE ISSUES?
>> Sen. Sanders: I WOULD LOOK AT
IT ANOTHER WAY, KYLE.
REPUBLICANS CONTROL THE WHITE
HOUSE, THE SENATE AND THE U.S.
HOUSE AND IF THERE'S A SHUTDOWN,
I THINK IT'S ON THEIR SHOULDERS.
HERE WHERE WE ARE.
REPUBLICANS WANT TO VERY
SIGNIFICANTLY EXPAND MILITARY
SPENDING.
OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS, THEY
WANT TO SPEND ABOUT $100 BILLION
MORES THAT'S A HUGE INCREASE.
HISTORICALLY WHAT'S HAPPENED
OVER THE LAST NUMBER OF BUDGET
NEGOTIATIONS, THERE'S BEEN
PARITY.
FOR EVERY DOLLAR YOU SPEND ON
MILITARY SPENDING, YOU ALSO
SPEND ON THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES
AND THE MIDDLE CLASS.
THAT MEANS VETERANS NEEDS, THAT
MEANS MAKING SURE WE PASS THE
CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE
PROGRAM, THE COMMUNITY HEALTH
CENTER PROGRAM WHICH IS SO
IMPORTANT IN THE STATE OF
VERMONT, ANNUAL MAKE SURE TO MY
MIND THAT WE DEAL WITH STUDENT
DEBT, WHICH IS JUST AN
OPPRESSIVE BURDEN ON SO MANY
PEOPLE DEALING WITH CHILDCARE,
THE OPIOID CRISIS.
THERE ARE JUST HUGE ISSUES OUT
THERE IMPACTING WORKING FAMILIES
HAVE THAT TO BE DEALT WITH AND
WE JUST CANNOT IN MY VIEW BREAK
THE PRECEDENT THAT WE'VE HAD,
SPEND MONEY ON THE MILITARY AND
IGNORE THE NEEDS OF WORKING
FAMILIES.
THAT IS ONE ISSUE THAT HAS TO BE
RESOLVED.
THE SECOND MAJOR ISSUE DEALS
WITH THE FATE OF 800,000 YOUNG
DREAMERS.
THESE ARE PEOPLE, AS YOU KNOW,
WHO WERE BROUGHT INTO THIS
COUNTRY AT THE AGE OF 2, 3, 5
YEARS OF AGE.
THEY HAVE BEEN VETTED, 91% OF
THEM ARE NOW WORKING.
SOME OF THEM ARE IN THE
MILITARY, SOME OF THEM ARE IN
SCHOOL.
IT WOULD BE INCREDIBLY CRUEL AND
IN FACT I CAN'T THINK OF A
DECISION THAT WOULD BE MORE
CRUEL TO SIMPLY TAKE AWAY THE
LEGAL STATUS OF THESE YOUNG
PEOPLE AND SUBS THEM TO
DEPORTATION.
TRUMP STARTED THIS EFFORT WHEN
HE, THROUGH AN EXECUTIVE ORDER,
RESCINDED THE DACA PROVISION.
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF
TRUMP AND THE RESPECTS NOW TO
MAKE SURE WE -- REPUBLICANS NOW
TO MAKE SURE WE MAKE THIS STATUS
LEGAL.
>> Kyle: BUT IS THAT WORTH
SHUTTING DOWN GOVERNMENT?
>> Sen. Sanders: LET'S REMEMBER,
TRUMP PRECIPITATED THIS.
IT'S NOT LIKE WE SHUT DOWN THE
GOVERNMENT OVER IT.
HE SAID, AND I QUOTE, I'M
RESCINDING WHAT OBAMA DID,
CONGRESS HAS TO FIX IT.
WELL, CONGRESS HAS TO FIX IT AND
WE CAN'T LEAVE THE FATE OF THESE
800,000 PEOPLE OUT THERE WITHOUT
A SIGNED AND SEALED AGREEMENT.
>> Kyle: DOES THE CHIP DEBATE
BECOME EASIER GIVEN WHAT
HAPPENED WITH THE INDIVIDUAL
MANDATE AND THE NEW PROJECTIONS
THAT IT TAPERS ITSELF?
>> Sen. Sanders: I WOULD THINK
SO AND AGAIN, HERE'S WHERE WE
ARE, AND I DON'T MEAN TO BE
OVERLY PARTISAN.
YOU HAVE A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT
AND LEADERSHIP THAT SPENT MONTH
AFTER MONTH AFTER MONTH FIGHTING
TO GET TAX BREAKS TO
BILLIONAIRES AND THEY ALLOWED TO
EXPIRE THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH
INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR
NINE BILLION CHILDREN.
CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT?
YOU HAVE FAMILIES ALL OVER THIS
COUNTRY WONDERING WHETHER THEIR
KIDS WILL HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE.
WE HAVE 27 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER PROGRAM
IN WHICH, IN VERMONT, ONE OUT OF
FOUR PEOPLE USE THAT PROGRAM.
THEY HAVE NOT BEEN REAUTHORIZED.
OF COURSE, WE HAVE GOT TO DO
THAT.
>> Kyle: I'VE GOT TO ASK YOU,
SIR, YOU SPENT A GOOD AMOUNT OF
TIME ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL OVER
THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF OPRAH AS A
CANDIDATE?
>> Sen. Sanders: WELL, I THINK
THAT, YOU KNOW, OPRAH'S
OBVIOUSLY VERY, VERY ARTICULATE,
VERY, VERY SMART, VERY, VERY
POPULAR, AND LIKE ANYBODY ELSE
IN AMERICA, SHE HAS THE RIGHT TO
RUN FOR PRESIDENT.
>> Kyle: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT
THE SHUTDOWN ONE MORE TIME.
YOU MENTIONED THAT IT WAS
PRECIPITATED BY THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION.
HOW FAR ARE DEMOCRATS WILLING TO
PUSH THIS DEBATE, REGARDLESS OF
WHOSE FAULT IT MAY BE?
>> Sen. Sanders: WELL, LOOK,
LET'S BE CLEAR.
I THINK A SHUTDOWN WOULD BE A
TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE THING.
THAT WOULD MEAN THAT MILLIONS OF
AMERICANS WOULD NO LONGER BE
ABLE TO ACCESS THE SERVICES THAT
THEY NEED.
IT WOULD MEAN THAT GOVERNMENT
FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WOULD NOT GET
A PAYCHECK, WHICH THEY DEPEND
UPON TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR
FAMILIES.
IT MEANS IT WOULD IMPACT THE
ARMED SERVICES, SO NOBODY WANTS
A SHUTDOWN.
NOBODY WANTS A SHUTDOWN.
I'M GOING TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN
TO PREVENT A SHUTDOWN, BUT ALL I
WILL TELL YOU IS YOU HAVE A
REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT, A
REPUBLICAN SENATE, AND A
REPUBLICAN HOUSE.
THEY WILL DETERMINE WHETHER
THERE'S A SHUTDOWN OR NOT, AND I
HOPE THAT WE CAN REACH A
BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT.
>> Darren: AND NOW TO
PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS.
IT'S BEEN ABOUT A YEAR SINCE
DONALD TRUMP TOOK OFFICE.
HE CAMPAIGNED ON THE PROMISE
THAT HE WOULD BE LIKE NO OTHER
PRESIDENT BEFORE.
HE CERTAINLY PROVED THAT,
BREAKING THE NORMS OF
PRESIDENTIAL BEHAVIOR, PUBLIC
FEUDS, AND MOST RECENTLY
ALLEGEDLY USING A SWEAR WORD TO
DISPARAGING OTHER COUNTRIES, BUT
AS HE ROUNDED OUT THE YEAR, HE
MADE GOOD ON SOME PROMISES,
INCLUDING A MAJOR TAX OVERHAUL.
TO TALK MORE ABOUT DONALD
TRUMP'S FIRST YEAR, I'M JOINED
NOW BY AN EXPERT IN PRESIDENTIAL
POLITICS, MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE
POLITICAL SCIENTIST MATT
DICKINSON.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
>> Dickinson: GO G TO BE WITH
YOU.
>> Darren: HOW DO YOU ASSESS THE
PRESIDENT'S FIRST YEAR?
>> Dickinson: WELL, FROM THE
PERSPECTIVE OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS,
IT'S PROBABLY A MIXED BAG.
I THINK HE MADE A NUMBER OF
MISSTEPS VERY EARLY ON.
HE STARTED OFF IN A WEAK
POSITION, DIDN'T WIN THE POPULAR
VOTE.
HE WASN'T VERY POPULAR ON A
PERSONAL LEVEL AND HE COMPOUNDS
THAT BY STEPPING INTO A MINE
FIELD IN TERMS OF THE MUSLIM
BAN, EXECUTIVE ORDER TRYING TO
PREVENT IMMIGRANTS FROM
PREDOMINANTLY MUSLIM COUNTRIES
FROM COMING INTO THE COUNTRY,
AND HE'S SURROUNDING HIMSELF
WITH INEXPERIENCED WHITE HOUSE
STAFFERS AND BASICALLY STEPPING
INTO ANOTHER DEEP PILE OF HIS
OWN MAKING WHEN HE FIRED JAMES
COMEY AS DIRECTOR OF THE FBI.
SINCE THEN, AS YOU POINTED OUT
IN OTHER SEGMENTS, HE SEEPS TO
HAVE STABILIZE -- SEEMS TO HAVE
STABILIZED THE SHIP A LITTLE.
TAX REFORM AS FEATHER IN HIS CAP
AND WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHETHER HE
CAN BUILD ON THAT MOMENTUM WITH
OTHER LEGISLATION.
>> Darren: HE HAS MADE SOME BIG
PROMISES ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
AND EVEN SINCE HE TOOK OFFICE.
IS HE MAKE GOING ON THOSE
PROMISES, ASIDE FROM TAX REFORM?
>> Dickinson: WELL, ONE OF THE
MAJOR ISSUES HE CAMPAIGNED ON
WAS REPEALING OBAMACARE.
HIS FIRST CRACK AT THAT DIDN'T
GO SO WELL.
HIS OWN PARTY FRACTURED BECAUSE,
ALTHOUGH THEY AGREED ON THE NEED
TO REPEAL IT, THEY COULDN'T
AGREE ON WHAT TO REPLACE IT
WITH.
TAX REFORM, HE'S PARTIALLY
REPEALED IT BY ELIMINATING THE
INDIVIDUAL MANDATE, SO I THINK
THAT SCORED SOME POINTS.
TAX REFORM CERTAINLY AS A LARGER
ISSUE, HIS BASE IS HAPPY ABOUT
THAT, BUT THERE'S A COUPLE OTHER
ISSUES HE'S TALKED ABOUT.
WE'LL SEE.
INFRASTRUCTURE IS ANOTHER ONE IN
ADDITION TO IMMIGRATION REFORM.
>> Darren: LET'S TALK ABOUT
IMMIGRATION.
THAT'S ONE OF THE BIG ITEMS ON
THE AGENDA HERE.
>> Dickinson: THE THING WITH
IMMIGRATION IS THERE'S A BASIS
FOR A DEAL, A BIPARTISAN DEAL
HERE.
DEMOCRATS TYPICALLY WANT SOME
PROTECTION FOR THE DREERPS THAT
THEY HAD -- DREAMERS THAT THEY
HAD UNDER DACA WHICH WAS
REPEALED BY TRUMP.
THEY ALSO WANT SOME PATH TO
CITIZENSHIP.
REPUBLICANS WANT STRONGER BORDER
SECURITY, SO IN THEORY, YOU
SHOULD BE ABLE TO BALANCE THOSE
TWO AND GET SOME TYPE OF
BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION THROUGH.
HISTORICALLY, THE PROBLEM IS THE
WINGS, THE EXTREME WINGS IN BOTH
PARTIES HAVE OPPOSED THAT, SO
THIS MOST RECENT WHITE HOUSE
SUMMIT WHERE THEY TALKED ABOUT
AN IMMIGRATION DEAL, ALREADY THE
DRUM BEATS ON THE FAR RIGHT.
WE'LL SEE.
I'M LESS OPTIMISTIC THAN A LOT
OF PEOPLE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO
BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH
ACTUAL LEGISLATION HERE.
>> Darren: AND THE PRESIDENT HAS
REALLY SAID THAT THERE WILL BE
NO DEAL WITHOUT A BORDER WALL.
>> Dickinson: HE HAS SAID THAT.
HE'S SAID A NUMBER OF THINGS.
THE ONE THING ABOUT DONALD TRUMP
IS, UNLESS THE STATUS
POLITICIANS, HE WILL REVERSE
HIMSELF AT THE DROP OF A HAT.
WE'LL SEE IF THAT IS THE ONLY
THING REMAINING FOR AN
IMMIGRATION DEAL, I SUSPECT HE'S
WILLING TO NEGOTIATE THE WALL.
>> Darren: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE
LATEST ON THE RUSSIA
INVESTIGATION.
DO YOU THINK THAT SPECIAL
COUNSEL ROBERT MUELLER WILL
ACTUALLY INTERVIEW THE
PRESIDENT?
>> Dickinson: WELL, THE QUESTION
IS WILL HE ASK TO INTERVIEW THE
PRESIDENT AND WILL DONALD TRUMP
GO ALONG WITH IT.
TRUMP IS MAKING NOISES NOW -- I
THINK IF PUSH COMES TO SHOVE, IF
MUELLER WANTS TO TALK TO HIM,
AND I THINK HE PROBABLY WILL
UNDER PARTICULARLY GUIDELINES
THAT PROTECT TRUMP POLITICALLY,
TRUMP WILL HAVE TO GO ALONG WITH
IT BECAUSE IF HE SAYS NO, IT
WILL BE A POLITICAL STORM THAT
HE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND.
>> Darren: LET'S TALK ABOUT
OPRAH WINFREY.
SHE MADE A PRETTY POWERFUL
SPEECH AT THE GOLDEN GLOBES.
THERE'S TALK ABOUT WHETHER THEY
RUNS FOR PRESIDENT.
DO YOU THINK SHE WILL AND WILL
SHE WIN?
>> Dickinson: WELL, IF SHE'S
GOING TO RUN, SHE NEEDS TO START
NOW.
SHE NEEDS TO DECIDE WHY SHE'S
RUNNING, AND THEN PUT HER FOOT
IN THE WATERS AND SAY WILL THE
PARTY ACTIVISTS SUPPORT ME, CAN
I GET MONEY?
SHE'S NOT GOING TO SELF-FUND
THIS CAMPAIGN.
WILL THE DONORS SUPPORT ME?
THESE ARE CRUCIAL DECISIONS.
WHAT TYPICALLY HAPPENS IS
SOMEBODY DOESN'T SAY I'M
RUNNING, BUT THEY DO EVERYTHING
TO PREPARE FOR A POSSIBLE RUN
AND THAT PREPARATION HAS TO
BEGIN NOW.
HOW COULD SHE DO?
SHE HAS GREAT NAME RECOGNITION,
BUT IT'S AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT
THING BETWEEN BEING LOVED TO
GIVING AWAY FREE GIFTS ON A TALK
SHOW AND STAKING OUT POSITIONS,
OFTEN CONTROL ONES IN WAYS THAT
GET YOU MAJORITY SUPPORT IN AN
ELECTION.
>> Darren: AND THERE ARE OTHER
NAMES BEING TOSSED OUT,
INCLUDING SENATOR BERNIE
SANDERS.
>> Dickinson: WELL, YOU SAW HIM
DANCE AROUND THE QUESTION SAYING
SHE HAS THE RIGHT TO RUN.
HE DIDN'T FULLY ENDORSE HER.
PART OF IT DEPENDS ON WHETHER
SHE'S GOING TO SUCK UP SOME OF
THE OXYGEN FROM A SANDERS
CAMPAIGN AND A WARREN.
>> Darren: KRISTIN GILLIBRAND A
SIMILAR DANCER AS WELL.
SHE SAYS I REALLY LIKE OPRAH,
SHE HAS A CHANCE TO RUN.
>> Dickinson: EVERYBODY LIKES
HER.
THERE'S NOBODY GOING TO SAY SHE
SHOULDN'T RUN AT THIS STAGE.
>> Darren: LET'S LOOK AT THE MID
DETERMINES.
DEMOCRATS SEEM TO HAVE A LOT OF
MOMENTUM.
THERE'S A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM IN
THE PARTY.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS
TRANSLATES INTO?
>> Dickinson: WE KNOW
HISTORICALLY THE PRESIDENT'S
PARTY LOSES SEAT IN THE FIRST
MIDTERM, ON AVERAGE, 20, 25
SEATS.
THAT'S ABOUT THE MARGIN IN THE
HOUSE RIGHT NOW.
HEADING INTO 2018, HISTORICALLY
THE HEAD WINDS ARE AGAINST HIM,
BUT THERE'S ADDITIONAL FACTORS
THAT THE REPUBLICANS HAVE TO
WORRY ABOUT.
THEIR PRESIDENT IS HISTORICALLY
UNPOPULAR AND THERE IS AN
ENTHUSIASM GAP.
WE'VE SEEN THIS IN RACES IN
ALABAMA, IN GOVERNOR'S RACES IN
NEW JERSEY, IN VIRGINIA.
THAT'S ALL WORKING AGAINST THE
REPUBLICANS IN 2018.
THE ONE THING THEY HAVE IN THEIR
FAVOR, ECONOMIC GROWTH.
GDP GROWTH HAS BEEN GOOD.
EMPLOYMENT IS -- UNEMPLOYMENT
NUMBERS ARE LOW.
IF TRUMP AND THE REPUBLICANS CAN
TAKE SOME CREDIT FOR THAT AND
TRANSLATE THAT INTO GETTING
VOTERS OUT, THEY CAN MINIMIZE
THESE LOSSES, BUT THERE'S GOING
TO LOSE SEATS, MAKE NO DOUBT
ABOUT IT IN 2008.
>> Darren: MATT DICKINSON, THANK
YOU SO MUCH.
ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO TALK WITH
YOU.
THE NEWS CONTINUES NEXT ON THE
WEEKEND, EVERYBODY.
THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.
HAVE A GREAT DAY AND WE'LL SEE
YOU SOON.
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