On this “Face the Nation” broadcast, moderated by Margaret Brennan:
- GOP vice-presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, Republican of Ohio
- Former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming
- CBS Information director of elections and surveys Anthony Salvanto
- Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Al Schmidt
Click on right here to browse full transcripts of “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”
MARGARET BRENNAN: I am Margaret Brennan in Washington.
And this week on Face the Nation: The race to the White Home is neck-and- neck. We sat down with vice presidential hopeful J.D. Vance. And we may have extra of Norah O’Donnell’s unique interview with presidential hopeful Kamala Harris.
(Start VT)
KAMALA HARRIS (Vice President of america (D) and U.S. Presidential Candidate): And make no mistake, we’ll win.
(CHEERING)
DONALD TRUMP (Former President of america (R) and Present U.S. Presidential Candidate): It does not matter how we win. Now we have to win this battle to avoid wasting our nation.
(Finish VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: With simply 9 days till Election Day, Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are locked in a lifeless warmth With tens of thousands and thousands of early votes already handed, they’re delivering their closing messages to drive supporters to the polls.
Harris is doubling down on her message that Trump is a hazard to democracy.
(Start VT)
VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS: I do imagine Donald Trump to be an unserious man, however the penalties of him ever being president once more are brutally critical.
(Finish VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: With voters deeply divided by gender, former first woman Michelle Obama amplified her warning about Trump’s risk to ladies’s well being care.
(Start VT)
MICHELLE OBAMA (Former First Woman): Please don’t put our lives within the fingers of politicians, largely males who don’t have any clue or don’t care about what we as ladies are going via.
(Finish VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: The previous president, for his half, utilizing a few of his sharpest language so far to explain the affect of unlawful immigration.
(Start VT)
FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We’re a dumping floor. We’re like a rubbish can for the world. And each time I come up and speak about what they’ve accomplished to our nation, I get angrier and angrier.
(Finish VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: And his political opponents.
(Start VT)
FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: They’re so nasty. They’re so evil. They’re really the enemy of the folks.
(Finish VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: We may have a brand new CBS ballot, plus an interview with Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance. Former Congresswoman Liz Cheney, who’s campaigning for Vice President Harris, will even be part of us.
And we’ll get the most recent from prime election officers in two battleground states, Arizona’s Adrian Fontes and Pennsylvania’s Al Schmidt.
It is all simply forward on Face the Nation.
Good morning, and welcome to Face the Nation.
It’s all the way down to the wire in marketing campaign 2024, and that is shaping as much as be one of many closest presidential contests in historical past. Our CBS Information ballot out this morning reveals that Vice President Kamala Harris’ edge over Donald Trump is all the way down to only one level within the nationwide standard vote.
The 2 candidates are tied within the battleground states collectively, and all these head-to-heads are inside the margin of error. We may have extra from that ballot afterward in our broadcast.
Candidates are making their remaining appeals to voters and pushing onerous for People to get out and vote. However the occasions of Friday evening, when Israel launched its long-awaited retaliatory assault on Iran, are compounding fears of an expanded Center East battle.
Our Norah O’Donnell spoke with Vice President Harris on the marketing campaign path yesterday in Michigan and requested her concerning the Israeli strikes.
(Start VT)
NORAH O’DONNELL: Israel launched an assault on Iran that has raised fears of a widening battle within the Center East.
What’s your message to Iran?
KAMALA HARRIS (Vice President of america (D) and U.S. Presidential Candidate): Properly, to start with, don’t reply. It might be a mistake.
And we’re ready to defend Israel, as we now have earlier than. We’ll once more. However the essential level is that there have to be a de-escalation within the area. And we’re working via diplomatic channels and different channels to make sure that there’s a de-escalation within the area.
NORAH O’DONNELL: Is there any indication, primarily based on the intelligence that you’ve seen, that Iran needs to reply?
VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS: I can not communicate to that, however we now have been very clear as america that they need to not reply and that it could be a mistake.
NORAH O’DONNELL: What are the results in the event that they do?
VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS: I’ll preserve you posted.
(Finish VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: You possibly can watch extra of Norah’s interview with Vice President Harris tomorrow on CBS Mornings and on the CBS Night Information.
Whereas my colleague was in Michigan, we traveled to the battleground state of Pennsylvania and caught up with the Republican who needs to be the following vp.
(Start VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: The final time we spoke, Iran had simply launched a ballistic missile assault on Israel.
SENATOR J.D. VANCE (R-Ohio) (Vice Presidential Candidate): Positive.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And, this Friday, Israel did retaliate towards Iran.
On the debate, I requested you about your place, and also you stated it is as much as Israel to do no matter it’s they assume they should do. The factor is, is that does not handle the query of the protection of U.S. navy personnel within the area, proper now about 43,000 of them.
It does not handle the query of whether or not america, as the most important weapons provider, ought to have a say, as they do beneath U.S. regulation, as to how these weapons are used.
In a Trump/Vance administration, would you retain the troops we now have within the Center East, or would you pull them out, as President Trump tried to do in his first administration?
SENATOR J.D. VANCE: Properly, clearly we now have plenty of troops in plenty of totally different components of the Center East. I feel it is cheap to help Israel because it offers with this extraordinarily unprovoked assault from Iran.
And let’s step again somewhat bit right here, as a result of the rationale that Iran has all of those weapons to fireplace at Israel is as a result of they’ve some huge cash. And the place do they get that cash from? From the easing of oil sanctions and from the – the discharge of some huge cash that the Biden/Harris administration had successfully locked up.
They launched it. And the promise of releasing it’s that in some way it could make the Iranians a greater associate, would possibly get them somewhat bit extra on the trajectory to being an affordable nation. That is not occurring. They’re simply utilizing that cash to purchase weapons that they launch towards People.
MARGARET BRENNAN: They’re tightening up a few of the sanctions.
SENATOR J.D. VANCE: They’re – they’re – they’re tightening them up. They are going within the different route after making an enormous mistake.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-hmm.
SENATOR J.D. VANCE: And that large mistake was to empower Iran financially to afford plenty of weapons that they are now firing not simply on the Israelis, but additionally at us. They usually’re additionally arming the Houthis, and that is clearly affecting international commerce.
So I feel the primary and largest mistake, the factor that we have to change, is, we have to cease giving the Iranians cash that they use to make ourselves and our allies weaker within the area. After we discuss – in relation to Israel particularly, look, I do not assume that we ought to be taking belongings out of the Center East at a time when our most necessary ally within the area is coming beneath vital assault.
I do not assume that will ship the precise message. And, most significantly, it is not simply Israel. It is us. Now we have pursuits which can be necessary within the Center East. We clearly need to cope with – cope with the Houthis in some way, as a result of we need to reopen the strains of world commerce. Very onerous to do this if we do a full-scale withdrawal,.
But when there are particular nations the place possibly we should not have troops, I am keen to have that dialog. However, you already know, you are speaking about 14 totally different theaters, 14 totally different troop deployments.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR J.D. VANCE: It is onerous to make a broad stroke – broad stroke conclusion about the entire thing.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Properly, it could be a selected query on Iraq, for the reason that Biden administration stated 2026, the yr it’s important to decide on troops. Do you may have a view on that at this level?
SENATOR J.D. VANCE: On Iraq particularly?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR J.D. VANCE: No, I imply, look, I feel we have to have a look at the scenario. We clearly must have a dialog with our – our allies in Iraq and clearly acknowledge, the place – what’s the route of Iraq?
Are they turning into an increasing number of allies of Iran? Are they turning into somewhat bit extra of a very good associate within the Center East? So, it is – it is onerous to say what we’ll do two years down the street, as a result of we’re not – we do not know what the world goes to seem like two years down the street.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Staying on nationwide safety, as you already know, the FBI and the director of nationwide intelligence on Friday stated Russia is behind a pretend video that’s circulating of somebody tearing up ballots in Pennsylvania, the state we’re sitting in proper now.
They assess Russia will launch extra media like this within the coming weeks. What value ought to Moscow pay for attempting to govern American voters?
SENATOR J.D. VANCE: Properly, look, I feel all – plenty of nations are going to attempt to manipulate our voters. They will attempt to manipulate our elections. That is what they do.
I feel the larger query is, what’s in our greatest curiosity vis-a-vis Russia, not what value Russia ought to pay for placing out social media movies. And I feel what’s in our greatest curiosity vis-a-vis Russia is, specifically, for them to cease supporting the Iranians because the Iranians have interaction in acts of aggression.
And I feel, in relation to Europe, it is necessary for the killing to cease in Russia and Ukraine. I do not assume that we must always set American overseas coverage primarily based on a overseas nation spreading movies on social media. I feel we must always set American overseas coverage primarily based on what’s in our greatest curiosity as a United States.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You do not think about that election interference and crossing a crimson line?
SENATOR J.D. VANCE: I feel it is dangerous. I feel it is dangerous.
However social media posts and social media movies, Margaret, you need us to go to struggle as a result of the Russians made a ridiculous video or paid for it?
MARGARET BRENNAN: However there are alternatives apart from struggle, as you already know, sanctions, different measures. I imply, that does not…
SENATOR J.D. VANCE: Properly, however – however this – this raises a tough query, Margaret, as a result of each – every little thing…
MARGARET BRENNAN: Manipulating voters, that is a part of our democracy.
SENATOR J.D. VANCE: Every part that we have tried, plenty of the sanctions that we have tried, they’ve gone off like a moist firecracker. We promised firstly of the Russia-Ukraine struggle that we’d have interaction in monetary nuclear struggle towards the Russians.
Biden administration, Harris administration officers talked about how our sanctions would cripple their economic system. They did not. And so we now have to be reasonable about what America can accomplish, examine it towards our nationwide pursuits and simply be good about this.
I do not assume that we must always overreact to something. What we must always do is encourage our fellow People to watch out. Do not belief every little thing that you simply see on social media. And, in fact, we must always push again the place acceptable. However that is the large query, is, what’s an acceptable response to a rustic making social media movies?
I am not going to make a dedication to that sitting proper right here.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you may have full confidence that the state of Pennsylvania and the election officers listed here are administering this election pretty? Do you foresee litigation on this state?
SENATOR J.D. VANCE: Look, I feel that they are doing a very good job. I feel that they are doing a greater job than they had been in 2020.
And, most significantly, I feel most People are seeing, whether or not it is voter I.D. in locations like Wisconsin or Georgia or somewhat little bit of tightening of the rules round signature verification in locations like Pennsylvania, that I feel our elections are in a reasonably great spot in 2024.
Clearly, if one thing comes up – we do not know what the longer term goes to carry. If we see proof, for instance, of an unlawful alien casting a poll, sure, we’ll problem that in courtroom.
However seeing what I – what I see proper now, 10 days out from the election, Margaret, I feel Pennsylvania is in a very great spot. I feel we’ll win the state, and I feel Pennsylvanians, Republicans, Democrats, independents, ought to trust within the elections right here.
MARGARET BRENNAN: At a minimal, would you name on Moscow to knock it off, to not submit movies like this within the coming weeks?
SENATOR J.D. VANCE: Properly, in fact. I might name them to knock it off. However this isn’t a schoolyard. I name on Moscow to knock it off, are they really going to do it?
We have to have an actual, critical dialog with the Russians, but additionally with ourselves, about what instruments of diplomacy and statecraft we now have to dissuade the Russians. So, sure, I condemn the Russians for funding pretend social media views, however I do not assume that my job as a statesman, as an individual who needs to be the following vp of america, is to go have interaction in saber-rattling.
My job is to determine how we are able to greatest reply to those threats. And, sadly, due to Kamala Harris’s management, we’re in a a lot weaker house vis-a-vis Russia than we had been 3.5 years in the past.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I need to ask you about polling and the place we’re on this marketing campaign.
SENATOR J.D. VANCE: Positive.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney known as you and Donald Trump misogynistic pigs. She urged voters to have a look at what you may have stated up to now.
And he or she stated of you personally – quote – “You’ve got received an actual ladies drawback.”
Do you assume your ticket has a ladies drawback?
SENATOR J.D. VANCE: No, I do not assume that we do, however we now have to make our greatest case to ladies and to males in addition to we are able to.
And, in fact, ladies and men are going to determine the place the chips finally fall. I feel it is a extra fascinating reflection of Kamala Harris’s marketing campaign that, at this late stage, she’s not speaking about how she will decrease the worth of groceries, as a result of she raised the worth of groceries. She’s not speaking about how she will decrease the worth of housing, as a result of her coverage noticed a 40 % improve in the price of housing.
She’s going to Michigan with Liz Cheney, the particular person whose father is accountable for the deaths of thousands and thousands of harmless Arabs and tens of 1000’s of harmless American troops, and saying, successfully, that, if you happen to elect me, I’ll have the overseas coverage of Dick and Liz Cheney.
I do not assume that message goes to fly in Michigan. I do not assume it flies in Pennsylvania both.
MARGARET BRENNAN: On the subject, although, of – of how the marketing campaign is doing, our CBS polling reveals a big gender hole right here; 40 % of girls say the Trump marketing campaign is paying an excessive amount of consideration to males’s considerations; 56 % of girls say the Trump marketing campaign is paying too little consideration to ladies’s considerations.
You say one among your prime advisers is your spouse, Usha.
SENATOR J.D. VANCE: Sure, the highest adviser.
MARGARET BRENNAN: What’s she – so, what’s she telling you? As a result of the information says you do have a ladies drawback.
SENATOR J.D. VANCE: Properly, what she’s telling me is, we received to make the case to ladies in addition to we are able to, and finally belief within the knowledge of these ladies to make a dedication about what’s in one of the best curiosity of their household.
All I can say to ladies voters, and albeit, to males voters too, however to all People, is, I feel that Donald Trump is the one who’s going to decrease the price of groceries. I do know that Donald Trump is the particular person who’s going to safe the southern border. Donald Trump has a plan to open up American power, to decrease the price of items and to make our neighborhoods and communities safer.
I do know plenty of ladies care rather a lot concerning the security of their communities. What does it say about Kamala Harris’ management that violent crime has gone up? What does it say about the truth that fentanyl overdose deaths have elevated beneath her management? I feel that we are able to make a very good case to ladies, however I am not going to inform them who they need to vote for.
I’ll attempt to persuade them. The voters are finally going to determine.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You took a vow, first as a Marine after which as a United States senator, to guard and defend…
SENATOR J.D. VANCE: After all.
MARGARET BRENNAN: … the Structure of america of America.
Are you able to guarantee the American those who you’ll do every little thing you may to face by that and to be sure that President Trump abides by the Structure?
SENATOR J.D. VANCE: Of – in fact.
However I do not fear about Donald Trump. I feel that Donald Trump believes within the Structure. It is why he is working for president a 3rd time, is as a result of he is anxious that Kamala Harris has damaged the best economic system on this planet, and Donald Trump will repair it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: He is talked about suspending it, the January 6 occasions. I haven’t got to retread the territory you properly find out about difficult the certification of the election.
SENATOR J.D. VANCE: I – I – I – I feel that Donald Trump believes within the American Structure. I do know he does. I’ve seen it in his actions. I’ve talked to him about it.
However you requested about me. And, personally, sure, my first loyalty is to the American folks and to america Structure. I feel one of the simplest ways to serve loyally to these folks and to that Structure is to get us again in a spot the place People can afford to reside an honest life once more.
That is why we’re working the marketing campaign centered on the affordability of products, American manufacturing – it is a large deal right here in Erie, Pennsylvania – and definitely on securing that southern border.
I feel the threats to our Structure, Margaret – and I do assume they’re actual. The threats to our Structure come from Kamala Harris, who’s saying that she needs to censor People, as an alternative of persuade them.
Whether or not you agree with me or Donald Trump or disagree with us, we imagine within the First Modification. We’ll battle on your proper to talk your thoughts and assume no matter you need in america of America.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator Vance, you may have a busy schedule. Thanks.
SENATOR J.D. VANCE: Thanks. Respect it.
(Finish VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Face the Nation will likely be proper again in a single minute.
Stick with us.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: And we’re again with former Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney, who has been campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Welcome again to Face the Nation.
FORMER REPRESENTATIVE LIZ CHENEY (R-Wyoming): Thanks. Nice to be with you, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I’ve quite a lot of questions for you, however I do need to begin the place I left off with Senator Vance.
He responded to your characterization of him as a misogynistic pig by attacking your father and his position within the Iraq Conflict. Donald Trump has additionally accomplished so. Do you care to reply?
FORMER REPRESENTATIVE LIZ CHENEY: Look, I feel that they’re doing every little thing they’ll to attempt to distract from the truth that the individuals who know Donald Trump greatest, together with retired 4-Star Marine Common John Kelly, who’s a Gold Star father, have come out and stated very clearly and really on to the American those who Donald Trump will not be match, that Donald Trump himself standing close to the graves of our fallen service members says issues like they’re suckers and losers.
All of us watched on January 6, when Donald Trump sat within the eating room subsequent to the Oval Workplace for hours, for hours, and watched folks along with his flags and his title, a mob he had despatched to the Capitol, he watched them brutally beat law enforcement officials and invade our Capitol.
His personal vp will not be voting for him. His chiefs of workers aren’t voting for him, secretaries of protection, nationwide safety adviser.
So, you already know, that is utterly unprecedented. I do not assume, actually in my lifetime, most likely in American historical past, have you ever had a scenario the place so most of the prime officers of the previous president are saying they will not vote for him.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
FORMER REPRESENTATIVE LIZ CHENEY: And I feel, you already know, we’ll hear continued assaults and rhetoric from Donald Trump and J.D. Vance to attempt to cowl that up.
However, on the finish of the day, it is desperation. The American persons are – are a lot smarter than that and – and so they see via it, I am assured.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Given how outspoken you may have been, are you involved about your private safety if Donald Trump wins this election, as he properly could do?
FORMER REPRESENTATIVE LIZ CHENEY: Look, to start with, I’m very assured that Vice President Harris goes to win this election. It is what we’re seeing all throughout the nation, the sort of completely unprecedented coalition that is coming collectively to help her.
You understand, we’re all going to run via the tape, and no person is overconfident right here, however I do imagine she’s going to be the following president of america.
And I feel that Donald Trump has ushered violence into our politics in a method that we’ve not seen earlier than. Any violence is unacceptable. Actually, the assassination try on the previous president was utterly unacceptable and clearly ought to by no means have occurred.
However when you may have a scenario the place, you already know, Donald Trump means that individuals who disagree with him should be put earlier than navy tribunals, that the previous chairman of the Chief – Joint Chiefs of Employees ought to be hanged for treason, and his working mate, you already know, doubles down on it, you already know, I feel that – that tells you that you simply’re coping with a person who does not have any conscience.
And the individuals who labored most intently with him know that. And so I am assured that he’ll be defeated subsequent week.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’re seeing a very fascinating gender divide on this election. And I do know you’ve got been interesting to folks to vote their conscience, and also you stated they by no means need to say a phrase to anyone about who they really do vote for.
Yesterday, former first woman Michelle Obama stated one thing related. Take a pay attention.
(Start VT)
MICHELLE OBAMA (Former First Woman): In case you are a girl who lives in a family of males that do not hearken to you or worth your opinion, simply do not forget that your vote is a personal matter.
(CHEERING)
MICHELLE OBAMA: Whatever the political beliefs of your associate, you get to decide on.
(Finish VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: I’ve to say, it is somewhat hanging. It sounds somewhat Fifties or Nineteen Seventies.
Are you actually listening to from feminine voters that they are afraid to inform their spouses who they’re voting for?
FORMER REPRESENTATIVE LIZ CHENEY: Sure, you already know, what we’re seeing is so necessary and so fascinating. You’ve got seen an actual coalition of girls who’re pro-life and pro-choice come collectively to help Vice President Harris.
And that is as a result of we have seen a few of the – simply the draconian legal guidelines which have been handed in locations like Texas and North Carolina which can be stopping ladies from getting lifesaving well being care, stopping ladies from getting medical care that you already know will be sure that, if they’ve a miscarriage, that they’ll have infants once more, simply basically a set of circumstances that may’t be maintained.
And so you may have a rising coalition supporting Vice President Harris. You actually have had many Republicans who’re talking out to endorse her, which, once more, is unprecedented. And there are additionally many Republicans and independents who’re saying, look, you already know, I do not need to convey the wrath of, you already know, Donald Trump and J.D. Vance down on me, so I’ll vote my conscience, I am not going to speak about it.
And we, you already know, clearly, encourage that. Your vote is a secret vote. You need to do what you already know is true. And – and I feel you are going to have, frankly, plenty of women and men who will go into the voting sales space and can vote their conscience, will vote for Vice President Harris. They could not ever say something publicly, however the outcomes will communicate for themselves.
MARGARET BRENNAN: It is an fascinating coalition you are speaking about by way of the pro-life motion and the place we at the moment are. And also you’re speaking a couple of coalition right here.
How do you clarify to somebody at house who could agree, as you do, with the pro-life place that abortion is homicide, and reconcile that with placing that conviction apart and voting for Vice President Harris? How did you try this?
FORMER REPRESENTATIVE LIZ CHENEY: Sure, I do not assume it is about placing convictions apart.
I feel it is about trying on the actuality on the bottom of what is occurred since Roe was overturned. And, once more, when you may have a spot like Texas, the place ladies want lifesaving care, you already know, maybe it is a girl who’s had a miscarriage and she or he could also be bleeding out, and she or he can not get a DNC, she will’t get the care that she wants, as a result of there’s concern that possibly that care has been criminalized.
And, you already know, you may have a scenario additionally in Texas the place the lawyer common is suing, actually, he is suing in order that he can see the medical data of girls who’ve sought abortions. And, you already know, that is coming from individuals who help Donald Trump, and Donald Trump will not let anyone see his personal medical data.
So, the concept – that, you already know, you’ve got received these sorts of insurance policies and state legal guidelines being put in place is de facto mobilizing ladies to say, look, you already know, you do not have to desert being pro-life, however this type of circumstance, this type of actually abhorrent scenario the place ladies cannot get medical care they want, that simply cannot go on.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you assume that Vice President Harris going to the Ellipse on Tuesday, as she plans to do, to make her closing argument is de facto the best one?
As a result of we see in our polling that, on each side of the aisle, every occasion is blaming the opposite for undermining democracy. Why do you assume that will assist put Harris over the mark and assist win?
FORMER REPRESENTATIVE LIZ CHENEY: Sure, I feel it is so fascinating.
I feel, if you – if you have a look at the polling, to start with, folks have to recollect, that is the primary presidential election post-January 6. And so, you already know, you’ve got received, in actual fact, most of the similar individuals who had been promising a crimson wave in 2022 doing the identical factor now. We’re not going to see it now. We did not see it then.
And what Vice President Harris has accomplished, I’ve watched her do it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
FORMER REPRESENTATIVE LIZ CHENEY: I’ve sat subsequent to her on the stage as she does it. She talks about an entire vary of points. She talks about grocery costs.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
FORMER REPRESENTATIVE LIZ CHENEY: She talks about ladies’s well being care. She talks about, you already know, Donald Trump’s tariff insurance policies…
MARGARET BRENNAN: All proper.
FORMER REPRESENTATIVE LIZ CHENEY: … that are massively inflationary…
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
FORMER REPRESENTATIVE LIZ CHENEY: … and on the similar time reminds all people…
MARGARET BRENNAN: We have got to…
FORMER REPRESENTATIVE LIZ CHENEY: … it’s important to have a president who obeys the rule of regulation.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’re hitting a tough break right here.
Thanks, former Congresswoman Cheney.
We will likely be proper again.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome again to FACE THE NATION.
With a more in-depth have a look at our new CBS ballot, we’re joined by our govt director of elections and surveys, Anthony Salvanto.
Anthony, nice to have you ever right here.
ANTHONY SALVANTO: Good to be right here. Good morning.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Good morning.
Properly, we now have seen in your polling of the favored vote that that is neck and neck. As we all know, it comes all the way down to the magic 270, the electoral rely. And people battleground states which have these hefty electoral votes with them are actually what are being centered on by the campaigns.
In your numbers, these are additionally lifeless even.
ANTHONY SALVANTO: Sure, that is as tight as all this has ever been. Massive image, the nationwide vote is everybody’s voice, in fact, and that every one counts. However in that race to 270, for electoral votes, it’ll come all the way down to a handful, we expect seven battleground states. Throughout them it’s precisely even. Hasn’t actually moved a lot over the course of this marketing campaign. The person states themselves are all shut. I do assume it is curious, this yr, greater than others, the nationwide vote is monitoring very intently with these battleground states. It may imply we have simply received a really nationalized election right here.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You could have, via this election, notably since Vice President Harris moved to the highest of the ticket, talked concerning the divide alongside gender strains. What are you listening to from voters?
ANTHONY SALVANTO: So, that gender hole, which is now, in our polling, the most important we have seen but this yr, is pushed by a few issues, I feel, beginning with folks’s views on bigger societal components. And we requested folks, what do you consider U.S. efforts to advertise extra gender equality? When folks say these efforts, they imagine, have gone too far, and that is somewhat extra males who say that, they’re voting overwhelmingly for Donald Trump. When folks say these efforts have not gone far sufficient, and many ladies say that, they’re voting overwhelmingly for Kamala Harris.
MARGARET BRENNAN: These numbers are fairly stark.
ANTHONY SALVANTO: They are surely. And it is one of many largest splits within the – it is a reminder that the gender hole is not only a cross tab on a ballot report, it is folks expressing views concerning the candidates, in addition to the bigger route of society, frankly.
After which the opposite a part of that is, once they do consider the candidates, you see some variations. For instance, you see extra males saying they imagine Donald Trump could be a robust chief, though if you ask them they are saying it is not essentially as a result of he is a person. However on the similar time, have a look at this measure we have been following all all through this marketing campaign, which is, who has the psychological and cognitive well being to function president. Of us will recall we had been monitoring that when Joe Biden was the nominee, and his numbers dropping on that was necessary. OK, now Harris has the benefit on that. And notably amongst ladies who’re more likely to say that solely she has the psychological and cognitive well being. So, it additionally impacts the views of the candidates as properly, these splits between women and men.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Which is sort of a exceptional query to start with in and of itself. However you may have been speaking about, for a really very long time, the – the massive issue of the economic system as a notion of the economic system is for Donald Trump supporters. The Democrats are placing reproductive healthcare entrance and heart. Is that guess working for them?
ANTHONY SALVANTO: Properly, it motivates the Democratic base. And that is necessary as a result of we could have a really turnout-determining election right here, proper? However on the similar time, I do discover that the quantity of people that say abortion is a significant component of their vote has been pretty regular all through this marketing campaign, hasn’t actually gone above the low 50 %. And one would possibly assume that if the Democrats had been getting extra traction on that, that these numbers would go larger. And, frankly, they have not.
On the similar time on the economic system, you already know, Kamala Harris had been attempting to separate herself from Joe Biden somewhat bit. And we do see within the polling extra folks begin to say they’re evaluating her on her proposals. She’s minimize somewhat bit into Donald Trump’s benefit on what actually is a central query, are you higher off or would you be higher off financially beneath which of those candidates. Trump nonetheless has the sting on that, although. She hasn’t minimize fairly far sufficient in it. And so he maintains that edge for individuals who say that the economic system is their prime challenge.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Rhetoric has been extraordinarily heated all through this marketing campaign, however each of them at the moment are arguing the opposite is the risk to democracy itself. How are voters reacting?
ANTHONY SALVANTO: So, a few issues. One is, you see both sides does assume the opposite one is a risk and both sides does assume that democracy is beneath risk, albeit for various causes, primary. Quantity two although, you do see Donald Trump has usually gotten a proportion of voters who really feel that the entire system is damaged. And I feel that is actually central to understanding a part of his attraction. So, that hasn’t modified a lot.
What you do see, and you may ask folks how they need the federal government to work general. And by and huge voters say they’d like the 2 events to barter and cooperate. There are some hardcore partisans who’d identical to their occasion to run every little thing. However there may be at all times a part, and there may be right here, of people that say that they need one robust chief to chop via all of this. It occurs to be somewhat extra amongst youthful voters, somewhat extra amongst younger males. And we do see extra of Donald Trump supporters saying that relative to Kamala Harris supporters.
This, for a bigger context, does occur generally in democracies, you probably have a decline of belief in establishments, which we now have additionally seen. It is not the bulk, however that view is on the market.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And that enables itself to have extra manipulation of notion and what voters are pondering. It is a – it is a harmful factor you simply put your finger on. And that is why I need to, Anthony, set some expectations right here on readability. Folks keep in mind days when, on election evening, it was clear who the winner was. In very tight races, it is not going to be clear and it could take a while. U.S. intelligence is warning there are dangerous actors seeking to manipulate how lengthy it could take and to govern your thoughts.
What expectations ought to we now have for the vote rely?
ANTHONY SALVANTO: The primary phrase is persistence. You are proper that it’ll take some time for all our expectations. Numerous these battleground states, it is not simply that they are shut, it is that they have thousands and thousands of votes to rely. And particularly a few of the bigger counties could take them late into the evening. It might very properly go one other day, one other couple of days earlier than all these get counted. We could must see all of these votes earlier than we are able to decide who’s received. So, persistence is the watch phrase right here.
However the different factor is, we’re at CBS Information going to indicate you ways this unfolds all alongside. I’m going to indicate you from the information desk the place the excellent vote is, what’s been reported, what the implications of all of it are in actual time in an effort to watch it unfold, together with us. And I feel that will likely be necessary. You do not need to simply see just a few votes get reported and assume that is the best way it is all going to go. You actually need to have that persistence.
I might add this, most People could very properly forged their ballots earlier than Election Day, proper? We have got mail vote. We have got early in particular person. That will likely be over the following week, Margaret, sort of the summary artwork portray of the political world. Persons are going to see no matter they need to see in that. We do not at all times know precisely how these folks voted. They will have a look at what number of older folks, youthful folks have voted, what number of registered Democrats, registered Republicans. However since 2020 there have been shifts within the folks’s selections about how one can forged their ballots.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
ANTHONY SALVANTO: And we do not know the way that may play out but. So, I urge persistence there as properly over the following week. And we’ll have these expectations about what the early vote means as soon as we get nearer to Election Day.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And we’ll communicate on this program with the secretaries of state to know how they’re administering these elections and the way shortly every state – every one’s totally different – will know the outcomes.
Anthony, thanks.
ANTHONY SALVANTO: Thanks.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’ll be proper again.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Flip now to the highest election officers in two battleground states, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes joins us from Phoenix, and secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Al Schmidt joins us from Harrisburg.
Welcome. And I admire the 2 of you having this dialog in a bipartisan method.
You’re in non-partisan roles as the highest election officers in your states. So, very fast query to each of you, Secretary Fontes first, will you decide to certifying the election outcomes even when the winner is of the alternative political occasion?
ADRIAN FONTES (Secretary Of State, Arizona): Sure. With out query. That is our responsibility. And I imagine all of my colleagues throughout the nation would do the identical.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Secretary Schmidt.
AL SCHMIDT (Secretary of The Commonwealth, Pennsylvania): Completely. With none hesitation in any respect.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Now that we have set the desk on the very fundamentals right here, I need to ask you about a few of the latest information. The FBI director stated this previous week it’s incomprehensible and unacceptable that election staff need to be anxious about their safety. However right here we’re. And we all know that the Division of Justice, simply this previous week, did indict people for making threats to staff in each of your states.
Secretary Fontes, one among my CBS colleagues is reporting Maricopa County is considerably growing safety and utilizing drones, utilizing fencing and different measures. I’ve learn information organizations say there are going to be snipers on prime of tabulation facilities.
Initially, is that true? That appears extraordinary. And is that primarily based on particular risk intelligence?
ADRIAN FONTES: Properly, at the beginning, the authority and jurisdiction over the particular tabulation facilities are inside the counties. My workplace supplies help for all of them. And, frankly, we do not get into the specifics in relation to our security and safety protocols, notably the supply or frequency or nature of any of the particular threats. We’re within the sort of a circumstance proper now the place we’re taking no matter precautions are crucial to make sure, not simply the safety of the vote, however of all of our workers, our staff on the polls, at our tabulation facilities and, in fact, preserving at the beginning in thoughts the protection and safety of our voters.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Are you able to say, at a minimal, whether or not that is elevated from what you needed to do in 2020?
ADRIAN FONTES: It is completely utterly totally different from 2020. In truth, I keep in mind in 2018 our biggest safety risk was a rattlesnake within the car parking zone on the Pinnacle Peak precinct. So, this can be a radically totally different set of circumstances that we’re coping with. However we’re ready and we’ll have a safe election.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Secretary Schmidt, what have you ever needed to do within the commonwealth?
AL SCHMIDT: As a part of the teachings discovered from the expertise of 2020, the Shapiro administration organized an election risk process drive that I lead, made up of federal, state and native companions in regulation enforcement and election administration in order that if any of the ugliness returns, that we skilled in 2020, everybody will likely be prepared.
In 2020 it was, as Secretary Fontes stated, so totally different than earlier than. And many people needed to scramble to determine when threats had been incoming, the place can we refer them to and – and all the remainder of that. Now we now have open strains of communication. Everyone may be very clear about what everybody else’s tasks are. So, we’ll be ready ought to, once more, any of that ugliness return.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Secretary Schmidt, you heard me focus on with Senator Vance the particular intelligence that the ODNI and the FBI revealed on Friday a couple of pretend video made by Russia to trick folks into believing that ballots had been being destroyed in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
How involved are you about what U.S. intelligence has uncovered, and why do you assume they’re concentrating on your state?
AL SCHMIDT: Properly, I am – I am very involved. And it is – and it is clear that dangerous religion overseas actors are in search of to undermine confidence in our election outcomes. And it is no shock that they’ve focused a number of of the so-called battleground states in Pennsylvania.
The video that you simply’re referring to from Bucks County, to anybody who has years of expertise in election administration, was conspicuously pretend. However if you happen to do not, it is – it is really easy for folks to be form of deceived by others attempting to undermine confidence in our system of presidency. So, it is necessary that our counties stay vigilant, that our commonwealth stays vigilant and our federal companions stay vigilant, and to name out any of those form of efforts to deceive our voters.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Secretary Fontes, one other particular warning from U.S. intelligence was a few of the thoughts hacking, the lies being sewn within the minds of potential voters. And one particular factor that U.S. intelligence says Russian affect actors are doing are posting allegations about the opportunity of illegals, undocumented folks, voting on this nation. You’re a border state. Now we have heard quite a lot of Republican officers, together with on this program, attempt to argue that this can be a actual concern. Elon Musk is arguing that and amplifying that.
What are you doing in Arizona to be sure that non-citizens are usually not voting in federal elections, which is already towards the regulation?
ADRIAN FONTES: Properly, at the beginning, if and when one thing like that occurs, it’s completely vanishingly uncommon. No system is ideal. And I will admit that proper off the highest.
However the allegation that that is one thing which may flip an election or is one thing a lot larger than it’s, that is the nonsense that we’re coping with. And, sadly, we nonetheless have candidates, elected officers and people with giant megaphones mendacity. They’re straight mendacity to the American public and they’re principally taking part in the position of helpful idiots now we all know for positive to overseas enemies who need to sow mistrust in our democracy. They need us to be shedding that civic religion that we now have in each other as People and dividing us additional.
Once more, the supply for lots of this data and misinformation, I ought to say, is coming from outdoors of america. It will get amplified by people in America who’re serving to these people. And that is simply dangerous. And it is dangerous for our democracy. It is dangerous for enterprise. It is dangerous for the regulation and schooling and science and every little thing else.
So, what I encourage people to do is cease being a Russian puppet, look to the oldsters who’re really doing the work, ask them what’s really occurring, and go along with the reality as an alternative of amplifying lies from overseas adversaries.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Secretary Schmidt, what are you doing to be sure that non-citizens are usually not in a position to vote, which is already towards the regulation?
AL SCHMIDT: Properly, Margaret, I used to be a Republican election commissioner in Philadelphia County for ten years. And I guarantee you, and I guarantee your viewers, and I guarantee voters that I care as a lot about election integrity as anybody probably may. I investigated tons of of allegations of voter fraud over that point. Whether or not it concerned double voting or allegations of individuals voting for lifeless folks, or non-citizens. And what that analysis confirmed time and time once more was how extremely uncommon it was that it occurred, and the way straightforward it’s to catch every time there are incidents of it. There are safeguards within the system from tooth to tail to be sure that – that voter fraud within the few cases it does happen is recognized, investigated, and responsibly prosecuted.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Secretary Schmidt, on Friday the Lancaster County district lawyer did report incidents of voter registration fraud amongst a bunch of about 2,500 ballots. What are you able to inform us at this level about what number of of these ballots had been really fraudulent, and what occurs subsequent? Who’s behind it?
AL SCHMIDT: The county reached out to us immediately as quickly as they grew to become conscious of it for steerage. So far as we are able to see, the county is – is pursuing this investigation responsibly. The county hasn’t concluded that investigation so I can not communicate to the variety of instances but. We will likely be counting on them to make that dedication and be supportive of our county companions.
As a part of our dedication, I visited 67 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, to take a seat down with them and be sure that if there are further sources they want, further gear or the rest like that, we offer that to them in order that we now have a free, honest, protected and safe election in 2024, simply as we had in 2020.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And it was notable in my interview with Senator Vance that he stated he was assured in Pennsylvania. However once I requested about litigation, he raised the opportunity of non-citizen voting and stated they’d be open to litigation if that had been to occur.
AL SCHMIDT: Properly, the advantage of our judicial system, which is de facto the place our disputes ought to be settled, is it’s at all times one thing of a put up or shut up second in relation to offering precise proof of precise issues. And that when persons are concerned in litigation and lawsuits, they need to current that proof. And I feel that is why time and time once more, in lots of dozens of instances in 2020, each a type of instances upheld that our elections had been correct, and that we’re not vulnerable to any form of widespread voter fraud or something like that.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Secretary Fontes, 95 % of all ballots forged in battleground states will likely be recorded on paper. Nevertheless, President Trump stated this on Joe Rogan’s podcast a couple of dialog he simply had with Elon Musk.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP (R), FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT AND 2024 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: He stated to me, that until you may have paper ballots, it may by no means be an sincere election. That is an enormous assertion.
JOE ROGAN, HOST, “THE JO ROGAN EXPERIENCE”: That is an enormous assertion.
TRUMP: We must always go to paper ballots. You are accomplished by 9:00 within the night, proper? Now we now have these refined machine, it goes as much as heaven, it goes all over and down and round and so they say, we’ll want two weeks to determine who the hell received the election.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mr. Secretary, do you need to set the document straight and the way lengthy will it take you in Arizona to know the outcomes?
ADRIAN FONTES: Properly, first, I am glad that Mr. Trump agrees with the safety of Arizona’s elections, the place we now have one hundred pc paper ballots and have had so in Arizona for a number of a long time.
Quantity two, it’ll take us so long as it has at all times taken us. Whereas we now have extra voters and in lots of instances and counties much more voters, the time that it takes us to course of our ballots is predicated on doing it proper the primary time, not doing it shortly for information cycles or for the sake of political satisfaction. We may have official ends in about 10 to 13 days, however all people is aware of that the – the networks and the newspapers will make their prognostications every time they see match primarily based on their math. And that is simply the best way it really works. We’re completely assured that we’ll have what we’d like, after we want it, which is when it occurs, and it is going to be correct.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Secretary Schmidt, how shortly will you already know the ends in Pennsylvania?
AL SCHMIDT: Pennsylvania is at one thing of a novel drawback in that our nations can not start processing mail-in poll envelopes till 7:00 a.m. on election morning. Loads of different states, crimson and blue alike, permit that course of to start days, if not weeks, upfront.
However a few issues have modified since 2020. Counties have acquired further gear that assists with the processing of these ballots and poll envelopes. They’ve much more expertise than they’d in 2020, which is the primary time any of us encountered, in Pennsylvania, mail poll voting in a big scale. And in addition the proportion of voters, whereas it is nonetheless broadly embraced, the proportion of voters voting by mail has decreased since 2020 throughout that peak Covid atmosphere.
So, there are a number of components that whereas I feel contribute to realizing outcomes earlier, regardless that the regulation hasn’t modified, however as Secretary Fontes stated, it at all times comes all the way down to, and has at all times ever come all the way down to, how shut an election is earlier than you already know who received and who misplaced.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Precisely. And as our Anthony Salvanto, our CBS elections and surveys director, was telling us, this can be a tight one. So, we will likely be watching what’s occurring in your states very rigorously.
Thanks for level-setting with all of us.
We’ll be again in a second.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: America’s elections are –
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right here.
What a wild couple of weeks it has been.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And this race continues to be a lifeless warmth.
MARGARET BRENNAN: It’s the challenge of economic system and inflation that’s weighing probably the most on voters.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The vote rely will seemingly lengthen past Election Day.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Main Garrett has been truth checking on the fly and in actual time.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One of many issues that is hanging within the steadiness is whether or not reality issues.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In an election like no different, flip to the workforce like none different. “America Decides,” CBS Information, reside election protection.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARGARET BRENNAN: And you may watch CBS Information on election evening. We’ll go reside from our headquarters in New York Metropolis. And we’ll have our groups unfold out all throughout the nation. Be a part of us for actual time outcomes, evaluation and unique polling. Our protection begins at 4:00 p.m. Jap on CBS Information, 24/7, streaming channel, and at 7:00 p.m. Jap on the CBS tv community.
That is it for us right now. Thanks all for watching. Till subsequent week. For FACE THE NATION, I am Margaret Brennan.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
