CNN "Erin Burnett Outfront" - Transcript: Interview with Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester

Interview

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[19:15:27] BURNETT: Tonight, hunkered down the Democratic frontrunner is in Delaware. As 10 rivals take the stage, Biden's turn is tomorrow. We've got some new details just coming into CNN. Biden has been doing mock debates. Our Arlette Saenz is told one person helping out as former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm who played Sarah Palin when Biden prepped for his VP debates against her.

We also know he's watched some Bernie Sanders exchanges with Hillary Clinton during the 2016 debates and, of course, Sanders will be standing next to Biden tomorrow. OUTFRONT now, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware who has endorsed Biden.

Good to have you back. I appreciate your time, Congresswoman. So how closely is Biden watching the debate tonight?

REP. LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER (D-DE): Right. Well, first of all, Erin, thank you for having me again. We're really excited about tomorrow night's debate and he's taking it very seriously. That's one thing is when you think about it this debate is different than the debates that he's had in the past. I mean it's not a one-on-one. It's not a Democrat versus a Republican, so he's taking it very seriously but he's ready.

BURNETT: So one area of course as we're all aware that he may face some real questions about the 94 crime bill which, of course, he proudly championed. Here is some of what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, FORMER UNITED STATES VICE PRESIDENT, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The truth is every major crime bill since 1976 that's come out of this Congress, every minor crime bill has had the name of the Democratic Senator from the state of Delaware Joe Biden.

And I'd say lock the S.O.B.s up. The president's plan doesn't include enough police officers to catch

the violent thugs, not enough prosecutors to convict them, not enough judges to sentence them and not enough prison cell to put them away for a long time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BURNETT: Congresswoman, he's got to be ready for that. Could comments like that come back to hurt him? Does he have a ready?

ROCHESTER: Well, I think anybody who's had an over 40-year career in elected office will have to have a record of things that they've accomplished and things that they would potentially do differently. But I think it's important first to recognize the context of the times. There were a lot of individuals that supported that bill, including Bernie Sanders, including the majority of members of the Congressional Black Caucus because people were hearing from their constituents and there were some good things that came out of it like the Violence Against Women Act and the ban on assault weapons.

But what is important is that you look at where a person has come. We have a friend in Delaware named Sarah McBride and she has a saying that when you show growth I'll show grace. He has shown a tremendous growth. He has been able to accomplish things that have taken our country forward and I think he will be able to address those issues in addition to talking about his --

BURNETT: Well, it sounds like from what you're saying he's prepared to talk about the positives and the good that came out of it. In a sense they - I mean if I'm hearing what you're saying, I'm hearing echoes of what he may be saying which obviously is more put together in a bit different than he has been thus far on that issue. To your point though, Congresswoman, he's been studying his own record, 50 years. He's got a lot of things.

Is he ready to be confronted with every mistake, every inconsistency, every flip-flop? I mean because you can laugh and chuckle and say, "Oh, my gosh, 50-year record. You got to study your own record." Well, of course, he has to study his own record who remembers everything they do in 50 years.

ROCHESTER: Exactly.

BURNETT: Is he ready for it?

ROCHESTER: I guess the question I would have is for us as the voters and for the media and others, how are we going to judge this candidate, I mean, he has already acknowledged things that he would do different and I think that shows a difference in the president that we currently have in the White House. He's the kind of person, Joe Biden, that I know that will talk and listen and then make changes and decisions.

And I think that's something that we don't have right now and I've known him for 35 years. I know his heart. I know his works. People have seen the record of accomplishments and I think what is so special about this moment is that he really felt compelled to step forward and put his name forward as a candidate. And all he's asking the American people is to, number one, let him be OUTFRONT and share what his vision is and number two then they can take their chance to vote for this man.

BURNETT: All right. Well, I appreciate your time very much, Congresswoman Blunt Rochester. Of course, she is welcome OUTFRONT at any time as well.

ROCHESTER: Thank you so much, Erin.

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