CNN "Erin Burnett Outfront" - Transcript: Interview with Congresswoman Jackie Speier of California
Interview
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BURNETT: All right. Pamela, thank you so much for your reporting.
And I want to go now to Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Democrat from California.
Big night obviously in your state tonight, Congresswoman. I want to start with that reporting that you just heard about a so-called loyalty test that the president could use to decide who to endorse, who to campaign for.
Is this unusual or is this just something anybody would do? I mean, who would want to endorse somebody who's disloyal to you?
REP. JACKIE SPEIER (D), CALIFORNIA: Well, you know, I think it's typical of president to exact loyalty oath from those he supports. That doesn't surprise me. I don't know that that has historically always been the case. Often times, presidents have supported candidates who may be lukewarm, but who will be important for the principles within a particular party, whether it'd be Democratic or Republican.
So, this is an unusual presidency. There's no question about it. Truth doesn't matter and loyalty does.
BURNETT: So, tonight is a big night and John King was sort of explaining this jungle primary in your state. But, obviously, this is crucial for Democrats, right? This is the primary night, the Super Tuesday of this entire midterm. Obviously, you need 23 seats, a net gain, to regain control of House, which Democrats desperately want to do.
Are you concerned Democrats could literally get shut out of key districts in your state, literally with not even a name on the ballot come November because of this rule tonight? SPEIER: There's a high likelihood that that's going to happen in the
number of seats in California. There were seven districts out of the 14 held by Republicans, seven districts where Hillary Clinton actually won more votes in that Republican district. Those were many of the districts that we were targeting.
And we are suffering from exuberance. We have lots of Democrats running in these various seats, and what's going to happen in all likelihood is going to be a splitting of the votes among the various Democrats --
BURNETT: Yes.
SPEIER: -- and then conceivably two Republicans in the runoff.
BURNETT: So, if that's what happens, are you saying there's a chance here that you don't have a chance at regaining the White House because of the California primary tonight?
SPEIER: Well, the California primary will weigh in, no question about it.
[19:35:01] But we've got lots of opportunities in states like Pennsylvania where the lines were gerrymandered to prevent what would be appropriate districts that link both Democrats and Republicans. We'll have I think huge pick ups there.
BURNETT: Yes.
SPEIER: I think in North Carolina as well. So, I think there's lots of hopeful opportunities. But don't forget that Conor Lamb won that district that was won by Donald Trump by some 25 points and there are 147 districts that are less conservative than that district and a Democrat won in that one.
BURNETT: Congresswoman, before you go, you know President Clinton has gotten a lot of criticism after saying he didn't owe Monica Lewinsky a personal apology. I want to play for you what he said in an interview that caused the consternation and what he said later to try to downplay the whole thing.
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BURNETT: In public.
Do you think, Congresswoman, that a public apology makes up for as he openly admitted, never speaking to Monica Lewinsky and personally apologizing to her?
SPEIER: I think that that is a real tough question. Monica Lewinsky may not want to talk to former President Bill Clinton. There is no question that was a very low point in his administration. It was very difficult --
BURNETT: Does that mean he shouldn't have tried, that he's right to say, I didn't need to do it or try to do it?
SPEIER: Well, you know, I don't -- I can't speak to what went on then. But I can say that an effort could have been made, probably should have been made. But he should have respected whatever message he received from Monica Lewinsky and her family in terms of whether or not she wanted to take a call from him.
BURNETT: All right. Congresswoman Speier, thanks. Appreciate your time tonight.
SPEIER: Thank you for inviting me.
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