Figures. Well, actually polls at this stage are not very reliable, but biden also leads in the polls in the early voting states. In iowa where the first votes will be cast in february, the most recent Des Moines Register cnn poll put him eight points ahead of sanders. Yet, there are warning signs. That iowa poll of likely caucusgoers showed his support has stalled since he entered the race while support for senator Elizabeth Warren and pete buttigieg, the mayor of south bend, indiana, has risen strongly. And bidens been treading through some political minefields on the campaign trail. His latest misten came a week ago when he said, first, he continued to support the Hyde Amendment. Youll remember thats a decadeslong piece of legislation that forbids the use of federal funding to support abortions. But after an outcry, he quickly backtracked and within days said he now thinks the federal government should, in fact, fund abortion. The incident pointed, i think, to his core problem. While hes trying to position himself as a centrist to appeal to a broad range of voters, the Democratic Partys base is much more left wing and eager to see candidates promoting a liberal, progressive agenda. Other candidates sanders and warren especially may have a much better chance of appealing to those voters. How is this race going to unfold . Im joined by someone who knows a great deal about Democratic Politics and elections, Donna Brazile, the former interim chair of the Democratic National committee and a very well known political strategist. Shes also a fox news contributor. Donna, thank you for joining me. Its a great honor. Thank you. Gerry so biden does seem to be the favorite for everybody. How secure, though, is that favored position . How secure is he . Well, initially when he jumped into the race, it was a great deal of enthusiasm for his candidacy because many of the democratic voters would like to see someone who could beat donald trump and while mr. Biden now occupies that position, there candidates are fickled, as you can imagine. Mr. Biden is now trying to figure out just how different this Political Landscape is from, say, his previous run for the presidency, 1988, for example, 2008. This is now 2019, 2020. Its a different field. Yes, theres a lot of energy on the left, but theres also a great deal of new voters who are now in the Democratic Party who would like to see a candidate whos more progressive, forward looking is and someone who could possibly lead us into the future. So i think joe biden is the frontrunner, but its more like a frontrunner not on firm ground but more like quicksand. Because this race can change over the next six or seven months. Gerry what do you think, for example, of the slips that he made just a week or so ago on the Hyde Amendment . Did that point to his vulnerability there . You know, hes got a long record in policy, broadly sort of centrist, centerleft democrat. The party maybe doesnt like that. What did you make of that . You know, i was shocked. You know why . Not because he switched his position. Ive seen candidates switch with their positions throughout my entire political career. But the way he did it. It was an amateur hour. I mean, this is gerry, i brought you a copy of the democratic platform, the 2016 platform adopt by both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. It says on page 37 that the Democratic Party would like to see a repeal of the Hyde Amendment. All mr. Biden had to do was to read this platform and understand this is the partys direction, this is where the partys heading on these important issues like reproductive choice. So it was, he fumbled. But i do believe at the end of the day candidates like joe biden will have an opportunity to rebound from those kind of initial mistakes. Gerry theres another criticism of biden which is that he really represents hes an establishment politician. And the politics of today demonstrated so much by donald trump, some say by Bernie Sanders and others and by elizabeth and by Hillary Clintons failure in 2016, people dont want establishment politics. Hes been around 30 years. Hes been associated with the political establishment in washington. People want outsiders. Is that going to be a problem for him in. You know, when you said hes an establishment politician, i, i almost said, whoa, wait. Ive also been call an establishment politician, and theres room in the party for establishment politicians. But i also think theres room at the table for the newcomers, those who would like to see a change, those who believe that the party needs to move in a different direction. For example, there are people that criticize the Democratic Party for failing to understand the importance of down ballot candidates. There are people who criticize the Democratic Party for accepting pac money. I mean, there are all sorts of reasons why people criticize the socalled establishment politicians. But the Democratic Party is not as liberal, left, socialist as many people on the right and conservatives are making us out to be. Were still a party of centrists, we still have moderates, we still have prolife members of congress bob casey from pennsylvania gerry very few. Few and far between now. You know what . We represent the great big what i call diversity of our great nation. And i do believe that theres a seat at the table for old establishment politician, theres a seat for new establishment politicians, and this is a seat for outsiders and theres a seat for outsiders as well. Gerry i mean, who better represents the modern Democratic Party . Somebody like joe biden or somebody like alexandria ocasiocortez, for example . We will find out. Because i dont think this is going to be a clash of generations, but e also believe that i also believe people want new ideas, fresh faces and and perhaps a different approach to solving old problems. Gerry do you what was the message for you of the midterm elections . Democrats did very well, won a lot of seats in the house, they won a lot of seats particularly in suburban districts, and they won, i think, with quite moderate sort of, moderatecentrist candidates. Some people say that was the real lesson, not the lessons of the left saying, no, no, weve got to push a positive well, it was both. It was a but wave. The American People decided to give the Democratic Party a seat at the table. So now you have the democrats controlling the house, the republicans controlling the senate. They want the the American People, i still believe, would like to see two parties Work Together on some of the big problems facing our country, but theres no question that within the Democratic Party theres a lot of tension, theres a lot of growing pains. We have a new generation. Millennials and perhaps generation x, they want a seat at the table. They want to serve. You also saw in 2018 a number of veterans run and win their races across the country. So i think the verdict is that the American People would like to see the Democratic Party at the table. They dont want one party ruling all three branches of our government. But at the same time, they want the democrats to get things done on health care, education, environment gerry brief question before we go to a break. There is a concern among some people in the Democratic Party that biden has a problem with women in particular. Going back to things like the anita hill hearings and that they dont think hes been as positive a supporter of womens issues. Do you think that is going to hurt him in the primary . No, because joe biden has a record, a proven record of leadership on womens issues. The violence against women act, supporting title ix, he has been lifting up women. Yes, i remember the anita hill debacle because i worked for the house of representatives, and one of my former bosses helped to lead that march across the tarmac to encourage the democratic members of the United States senate to reopen the hearing. So, yes, i think he will have to explain it, but he has a good answer. Gerry were going to take a break there. Coming up next, a look at what to expect from the first democratic president ial debates coming later this month. Stay with us. Limu emu doug what do all these people have in common, limu . [ paper rustling ] exactly, nothing. 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Bringing you more great tasting beverages with less sugar or no sugar at all. Smaller portion sizes, clear calorie labels and reminders to think balance. Because we know mom wants whats best. More beverage choices, smaller portions, less sugar. Balanceus. Org gerry im back with Donna Brazile. Donna, first president ial debates for the democrats coming up in a couple of weeks. Whos got the most at stake, do you think . Of the candidates who are many of the candidates who are somewhat able to get their foot in theres no traction. I think some of the candidates who are stuck at 1 or 2 , they have to this is their breakout moment. Gerry do you think theyre going to have to get out if they dont perform . No, i dont think the first debate will be, you know, the curtain call but i believe its an opportunity for them to showcase their talent, their abilities, their ideas, their vision. Look, i think someone like cory booker will do well because hes good on his feet. Elizabeth warren will do, you know, she will be phenomenal because shes smart, but she can connect. But this is an opportunity also for people, you know, who are at that 1 or 2 , for beto orourke to get his groove back, for mayor pete to once again show and demonstrate that he can be commander in chief. And this is also an opportunity for kamala harris. Shes been stalled. Gerry lets look at we looked at joe biden. Lets take Bernie Sanders, first of all, we havent really talked about him. The runnerup last time, still a lot of support in the party. He is the standard bearer of the partys left even though hes not actually a member of the party. With these debates, is this an opportunity for him to really come out as the leader of that you know what i think of Bernie Sanders, is and i have a lot of respect for Bernie Sanders. He was very helpful to me as the interim chair of the party, and he was supportive. I think of this platform. I mean, bernie pushed us. He pushed us in ways that we didnt want to go, and i think as a result of that bernie can stand up and say, look, before e came along, the Democratic Party didnt want to raise the wage to he started a revolution, and now youve got all these revolutionaries who are running. So i think bernie can talk about that. But the American People are not looking at what, you know, what youve done for me today, they want to know what are you going to do for me tomorrow. Gerry well, lets move to that. Elizabeth juan has been campaigning warren has been campaigning in a detailed, polished way. Have you been impressed with her campaign so far . Absolutely. Im impressed with her vision, her ideas, but more importantly, im shocked that she knows how to actually hit the ground running. She has more people on the ground, you know, shes been taking selfies, and shes capturing names, shes capturing addresses, and shes capturing faces. Thats important. Gerry tougher regulation, higher taxes, thats the message the Democratic Party base wants to hear, right . Well, no, not in that order. I think they want the hear opportunity. They want to make sure we have an economy that works for every american regardless of your zip code. They want to hear about Climate Change because we believe that is one of the greatest threats to our planet. And, yes, we do believe that a tax code should be fair and equitable and not just reward those at the top, but those who are struggling to even get out of the hole. Gerry and very quickly, give me one answer to each, which candidate has most impressed or surprised you on the upside since the campaign got underway, and which has been most disappointing . Mayor pete gerry to upside. Because he ran for chair of the party and lost. Gerry can a 30something, married g a ay i mean, can a black man with a white mama and a black african daddy win raised by a white grandmother . Of course he can win. We dont know. The American People gerry whos underperforming . Kamala harris. Kamala harris. Shes stalled. And i do believe that this is her moment to come back, to really show up in that debate. The woman that we see on the dais during the Judiciary Committee hearing, thats who we want to see at the debate. Gerry good. Next ill ask donna what its going to take for whoever the democratic nominee may be to beat donald trump in the general election. Dont go away. Experience the style, craftsmanship and technology that have made the rx the leading luxury suv of all time. Lease the 2019 rx 350 for 399 month for 36 months. Experience amazing at your lexus dealer. You know those butterflies arent actually in the room . Hey, that baker ladys on tv again. Shes not a baker. She wears that apron to sell insurance. Nobody knows why. Shes the progressive insurance lady. They cover pets if your owner gets into a car accident. Covers us with what . You got me. [ scoffs ] shes an insurance lady. And i suppose this baker sells insurance, too . Progressive protects your pets like you do. You can see the secret life of pets 2 only in theaters. We like drip coffee, layovers and waiting on hold. What we dont like is relying on fancy technology for help. Snail mail we were invited to a y2k party. Uh, didnt that happen, like, 20 years ago . Oh, look, karolyn, weve got a mathematician on our hands check it out now you can schedule a callback or reschedule an appointment, even on nights and weekends. Todays xfinity service. Simple. Easy. Awesome. Id rather not. Gerry former interim dnc chair Donna Brazile is my guest. So, donna, whats it going to take for the democratic nominee to beat donald trump . First of all, dont ignore those states as you well remember in 2016, the Clinton Campaign ignored those 18 states and the drinking of columbia. They thought they were in the bag. They thought the 242 electoral votes were safe, and they could go expand into utah, georgia, arizona, etc. Gerry key states like wisconsin with, in particular finish. Michigan. To lose those three states by less than the 78,000 votes, it hurt. Gerry wisconsin, michigan and pennsylvania. Focus on those voters, talk to those voters but also focus on expanding the gerry whats on those voters minds, do you think . What makes donald trump vulnerable for those voters in those key states . Because they the felt forgotten gerry but i mean in 2020, donald trump absolutely went to speak to them, but what could make them switch in 2020 . Same thing that made them switch to republican in 2016. I they want to know you care about them, that you see them, that you will show up and go to union hall with them, that you will go and meet them in their living rooms and churches. Gerry the economys in good shape, unemployments at a 50year low, growth is pretty good, median wages are rising. A lot of advantages there. Again, whats the message that a democrat puts across to overcome what will presumably be his safest well, look, the economy is doing well, and its doing even better for those who have money, resources. People are still struggling daytoday to make ends meet, theyre still worrying about paying for their College Tuition for their kids and worried about their health care bills. So i would say that the economy is doing well, but its not doing well enough for people to, like, say, well, im not worried about it. But they also worry about americas places in the world, theyre worried about their own futures. So i think the Democratic Partys message and the message the candidates will deliver to them will resonate enough with them to get more people out to vote in 2020. Gerry how important do you think the identity issues are . You know, minorities, women, maybe, you know, gays in the Democratic Party . Is that let me put it this way, i mean, if the Democratic Party nominates another older white male, is that going to appeal to a lot of democratic voters . You know, i think whats in peoples heart right now is they want somebody that can help heal these divisions, not make them worse. So theyre going to look for a candidate that speaks of us as a country with values, not as individuals with problems. Is so i think the Democratic Party will be able to answer that challenge. Gerry is talking about impeachment going to help or hurt the democrats . Its always what people want, its accountability. Im with nancy pelosi on this. We can build a case for impeachment, but at the end of the day if this is just a partisan exercise and the republicans feel like, well, you know, we dont have to defend our democracy and our constitution the, fine. Well, the Democratic Partys going to be in a pickle. At this point i think theyre doing the right thing, theyre doing oversight, and theyve got to get to heart of the Mueller Report which is we had a Foreign Government attack our nation during an election cycle. If we dont protect our country and our democracy, then everybodys in jeopardy. Gerry do you think people sort of heard enough of that and say, you know what . The mueller things over, the president didnt break the law, lets just move on. You dont think thats if democrats dwell on that, thats going to hurt them . Christopher wray said what the russians did in 2016 and what they attempted to do in 2018, its only theyre even planning something bigger for 2020. Some of us are waking up every night wondering what are they doing tomorrow. They wrote a new playbook for american politics, and if we dont get back to old old playbook that allowed us to have fair elections, then were all going to be in trouble in 2020. Gerry again, going back to issue of electability, biden has staked his claim on that. Is there any reason to think that guyeden is the biden is the most capable candidate in a general election against donald trump . We dont know. I mean, its so early. And right now were just looking at the name recognition. I think the debates will clear the air. But more importantly than the debate, we have to reminded people this is a race for delegates. Youve got to accrue delegates. Youve got to get on the ballot, and youve got to find joe and jane doe to stand up for you on a cold, winter try night in the Hawkeye State and say i like joe because of x or i like kamala, elizabeth, the other candidates. No, its too early. Gerry donna, thank you very much. Well have many more of these conversations in the next year and a half leading up to elections. This weekend is a time for me and millions of others to celebrate one of the most important people in our lives. Ill have that for you next. So, jardiance asks. When it comes to type 2 diabetes, are you thinking about your heart . Well, im managing my a1c, so i should be all set. Right. Actually, youre still at risk for a fatal heart attack or stroke. Even if im taking heart medicine, like statins or blood thinners . Yep thats why i asked my doctor what else i could do. She told me about jardiance. Thats right. Jardiance significantly reduces the risk of dying from a cardiovascular event for adults who have type 2 diabetes and known heart disease. Thats why the American Diabetes association recommends the active ingredient in jardiance. And it lowers a1c . Yeah with diet and exercise. Jardiance can cause serious side effects including dehydration, genital yeast or urinary tract infections, and sudden kidney problems. Ketoacidosis is a serious side effect that may be fatal. A rare, but lifethreatening, bacterial infection in the skin of the perineum could occur. Stop taking jardiance and call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of this bacterial infection, ketoacidosis, or an allergic reaction. Do not take jardiance if you are on dialysis or have severe kidney problems. Taking jardiance with a sulfonylurea or insulin may cause low blood sugar. So, what do you think . Now i feel i can do more to go beyond lowering a1c. Ask your doctor about jardiance today. Hey, who are you . Oh, hey jeff, im a car thief. What . im here to steal your car because, well, thats my job. What . What . . What . laughing what . . What . what . [crash] what . haha, it happens. And if youve got cutrate Car Insurance, paying for this could feel like getting robbed twice. So get allstate. And be better protected from mayhem. Like me. Gerry well, to those of you who, like me, are fortunate enough to be father, its a special weekend. No, not talking about the final round of the u. S. Open golf tournament. Instead, of course, id like to extend my best wishes to all of you for a very happy fathers day. And if youll permit me a small indulgence, i want with especially to wish my own father a happy day. He was born before fathers day was officially recognized as a holiday. And just recently he celebrated his 99th birthday. A world war ii veteran, teller of some the worst dad jokes, but a loving father to his children whose only real regret is they know they can never repay the debt they owe him for all that he sacrificed. Wherever you are, whether youre with your children or just in their thoughts and prayers, may you have a restful, peaceful and very happy fathers day. Thats it for us this week. Be sure to follow me on twitter, facebook and instagram, and next week ill be in the south of france, luck me, at this years Cannes International festival of creativity talking with some of the worlds most innovative people. Join me for that right here on the wall street journal at large. Thank you very much for watching. 4 00 p. M. Eastern well have more news on the fox news channel. See you in a bit. Paul welcome to the journal editorial report. Im paul gigot. Contempt resolutions are flying and the rhetoric on impeachment heating up with House Speaker nancy pelosi and house judiciary chairman jerry nadler reportedly at odds over opening an official inquiry. The house voted tuesday to empower Committee Chairs to go to court to enforce subpoenas issued to top current and former Trump Administration officials including attorney general william barr and former white house counsel, don mcgahn. All this as President Trump fueled the democratic fury by saying he would likely listen if