today on "inside politics," crafty or cowardly? donald trump says he's smart to skip this week's main event and maybe every other republican debate on the calendar. a 2024 rival says he's afraid. plus, the time, the place, the mug shots. the fulton county jail serves as the setting for history whenever donald trump and his 18 co-defendants decide to show up and surrender. right now president biden is flying to hawaii to offer a shoulder to a community ravaged by destructive and deadly fires. i'm dana bash, let's go behind the headlines and "inside politics." ♪ up first, donald trump picks the path of no resistance as says no to this week's milwaukee republican debate. the former president put an end to the will he, won't he drama last night on truth social. his poll numbers are, in his words, legendary, so to him his course of action is obvious. i will, therefore, not be doing the debates. that was a quote. trump is betting that ceding the stage won't hurt him and putting someone else like ron desantis in the center of stage will help trump. we will start with kristen holmes, what are you hearing from your sources not only in the trump campaign but other campaigns who are actually heading to milwaukee? >> reporter: dana, i talked to a number of trump advisers who walked me through this final decision. we had been anticipating he was not going to show up for weeks now and trump has been alluding to that on truth social and rallies but they walked me through the final decision, looking at those poll numbers and seeing the commanding league that the former president has and deciding that the risk of not showing up was better than the risk of actually showing up. the risk of showing up was greater and that was because of two things, one is you look at if this was going to be some kind of moment for another candidate, you look and see if someone could seize the limelight, get some traction, have a breakout moment. they believe that looking at those recent poll numbers that even if that were to happen, which it could, often does in these debates, that it wouldn't make up the gap there with the trump lead. the other part of this is trump as a punching bag. they believe if he is not on the stage it's harder to use him as a punching bag. i've talked to a number of other political campaign advisers who talked about how their candidates were preparing, saying they were preparing to try and get some of that limelight for themselves, to have their own breakout moments as i noted and the idea is how can they differentiate themselves from former president trump. and whether or not trump is still going to end up taking all all the oxygen on the stage even though he is not there. >> kristen, thank you so much. for that great reporting as always. here to share their reporting, cnn's david chalian, cnn's eva mckend and jackie kucinich of "the boston globe." happy debate week. let's look at who is going to be on the stage as of this moment. eight candidates have fully qualified, ron desantis, vivek ramaswamy, mike pence, nikki haley, tim scott, chris christie, doug burgum, asa hutc hutchinson. your thoughts on where we are right now. >> wednesday presents an opportunity for all those candidates not named donald trump to try to begin the process with the biggest audience they will have to date to start coalescing the portion of the party that is not with donald trump because that's the math of where the race is right now. you have a dominant front runner in former president trump and then you have a bunch of other people splitting up the rest of the party. it's not that it's not attainable, it's that nobody yet has begun to coalesce that side of the party and that to me is what wednesday presents as the biggest opportunity for them. >> no question. as you make that important point, we should look at what the other candidates or the candidates who are going to be on the stage are saying and doing as they preview what we might hear on wednesday. >> he is a coward. there's no other conclusion to come to that he's both afraid of me and he is afraid of defending his record. >> one thing i realize about him it's not over until it's over. >> right. >> i'm actually still hoping he shows up. >> i have no problem with him skipping the first couple of debates. >> once this debate happens this week it's off to the races. >> i've been more attacked than anybody else, we will be ready to do what we need to do to deliver our message. >> i expect it to be even more important without donald trump on the stage because this is the first time voters are going to be able to contrast the candidates and their positions. >> you know, that's last point by governor hutchinson is interesting, especially given what we see that people are saying, just, for example, in the latest cbs news poll, the question is whether or not candidates should make the case for themselves or against trump, 91% say that they want to hear about their own positions and not trump. i don't remember a poll ever getting to 91%. >> on anything. >> maybe puppies and ice cream. >> and you hear that from voters out on the campaign trail. i was in iowa last week, that there is very little appetite for these candidates to get in the mud. even voters who say that they are willing to move on from trump don't necessarily have animosity towards him. that's why we don't see most of the candidates really trying to take trump head-on. i was also at the gathering last week in georgia, eric erickson's cattle call event and, you know, with trump not being there, he wasn't invited, taking up a lot of the oxygen, you knew, you speak to conservative voters afterwards they were like, wow, i didn't know that about governor desantis or, i wanted to learn more about vivek ramaswamy and i had the opportunity to do so. that's to a smaller degree, i think, what this debate can provide next week for these candidates. >> and it's just -- but one thing to remember, they are not going to have a lot of time to make their case. there's eight of them and time goes like this and they're going to be asked about the former president and how they respond to that. i'm sure there's going to be a lot of them that turn it into what their records are, but how that is delivered really matters because otherwise it's going to end up sounding like musac and it's going to go into the ether. really the challenge for the lower-polling candidates is to have that stand-out moment that is authentic and doesn't seem like it's rehearsed. it's hard. it's a hard needle to thread. >> how many young people out there hopefully that are watching are googling musac right now. >> you are all welcome. >> i want to go back to what you were saying, one of the points you made earlier, david, and that is about trump and the rest of the field and the whole notion of them consolidating. cnn did a poll of polls, which is looking at sort of the summary of the polls -- >> an average. >> an average of the polls, thank you, i'm glad i have the political director here, and look at that, okay, this is national polls, so that means it's a national snapshot of the mood, it's not how these candidates are elected the nominee, but 57% and then it just falls off a cliff to ron desantis at 17%. even if there is consolidation there, that is what the trump team and trump himself, they're arguing is it's not a contest. >> right. there it's not, right. >> yeah. >> if you have 57%, one person can consolidate the rest and it's not enough to overtake 57%. the issue is in some of the early states and what have you where he is at 40, is there a place -- this is tough. i mean, nobody has had a lead like that and not been the nominee in national polling at this stage. i'm not suggesting by any means that there is a real golden opportunity just waiting for someone to take it, but these people are running for president and this is their shot to be able to try and convince starting with the piece of the party that already says i'm not that interested in trump, i'm ready to turn the page and then mr. out from there as trump's legal woes continue. that is the path i see here. this is donald trump's race to lose. >> they have to realize while trump won't be there then the minute he sees one of them start to rise it's open season. even if you have the candidates that are avoiding trump, they're going to have to go through him eventually. >> it has been open season on ron desantis. >> yes. >> before ron desantis even formally declared. you talked about some of the legal problems that the former president has. there was a "wall street journal" editorial this morning -- excuse me, yesterday, which said republican voters often say they like that mr. trump is a fighter, but for whom is he fighting? them or himself? he would carry into the general election more baggage than the british royals. >> i mean, but it has been remarkable to see the way that conservative voters have rallied around him. you go to some of those faith and freedom coalition events, you speak to voters there and they say thaey- some of them, trump supporters, while they feel defensive and even more inclined to support him in the wake of these many indictments. so it seems as though it almost has had the opposite effect of, i think, what some others would have hoped. >> i would say he's been successful at convincing the republican primary electorate that it's not about him. >> right. >> that it is about them. he makes that point all the time that he's standing in the way but this weaponization as he calls it of the justice department or these local prosecutors, he has daily in his messaging to voters said this is about them and their way of life and protecting them from this kind of intrusion and all the evidence suggests they're buying it. >> it definitely does. just real quick, the desantis campaign, they -- as the former president and his campaign they're hoping and it looks like it will be a question of desantis being kind of in the middle since he's polling the most when it comes to the people who are going to be on the stage, their campaign put out a memo and his -- there is some axios reporting talking about how because he's far back -- there you see it -- behind trump in the gop polls republican mega donors who want a trump alternative tell axios they will be watching to see whether desantis or anyone else has a hope of contending, that's why the florida governor's top advisers expect the theme of the night to be dog pile on ron. >> he has overpromised and underperformed to this point. that is making donors really nervous. now, how he responds to other candidates attacking him, this isn't someone who really is used to being attacked and having to respond in realtime. i think it's going to be really interesting how he does that and what answers he has for some of the criticisms these candidates have. >> because we are in bizarro world every day in in campaign we are in the countdown to president trump's next surrender. he and 18 co-defendants are expected to turn themselves into a georgia jail, but when and how, we're live in atlanta with the latest. stay with us. (dad) we got our sububaru forester wilderness to discover all of the placess that make us feel something more. (vo) subaru is the national park foundation's largest corporate donor, helping expand access for all. okay everyone, ourission is complete balanced nutrition. together we provide nutrients to support immune, muscle, bone, and heart health. yaaay! woo hoo! ensure with 25 vitamins and minerals and ensure complete with 30 grams of protein. ♪ our ears connect us to the moments that matter. give them the nutrients they need with lipo. it's formulated with ingredients clinically shown to protect your ears from dizziness, ear ringing, and even hearing loss. never miss a moment with lipo flavonoid. ♪ (upbeat music) ♪ ( ♪ ) ( ♪ ) ( ♪ ) -awww. -awww. -awww. -nope. ( ♪ ) constant contact delivers the marketing tools your small business needs to keep up, excel, and grow. constant contact. helping the small stand tall. gives you access to every game. but terry doesn't have directv. come on. work for dad- here... now, you can find the game easy. my barbecue is saved! get in the redzone with sports pack. call 1-800-directv my barbecue is ruined. how long have you been tracking the value of our car? should we sell it? we hold... our low mileage is paying off. you think we should... hold... hoooold!!! hooold! now!!!! i'm on it. i'm, on it. already sold to carvana. go to carvana and track your car's value today. we, the first generation of moms to lose our kids to social media are sick of waiting. for 25 years, there's been no new laws protecting kids online while our children are dying. we can pass the kids online safety act. join us. join us. join us. join us. (♪) let's lead the way. (♪) if you struggle. and struggle. and struggle with cpap. you should check out inspire. no mask. no hose. just sleep. learn more and view important safety information at inspiresleep.com i need it cool at night. you trying to ice me out of the bed? baby, only on game nights. you know you are retired right? am i? ya! save 50% on the sleep number limited edition smart bed. plus, free home delivery when you add a base. shop now only at sleep number. and now to this week's legal drama. the scene, the fulton county jail. the event, donald trump and his alleged co-conspirators surrendering to georgia authorities on charges that they schemed to subvert the 2020 election. cnn's katelyn polantz is, where else, live in front of a courthouse, this time it is if fulton county in atlanta. walk us through what is going to happen there. >> reporter: dana, there's action in two places here in fulton county, georgia, following the indictment of donald trump and 18 others here at the courthouse where the district attorney prosecutors and others work, and then over at the jail. what we are learning here on the ground, jason morris, zach cohen and i, is that donald trump's attorneys are very likely to be working out his bond terms today in a negotiation with the district attorney. we haven't seen them yet here on the ground and we are not sure if we will. we have seen some prosecutors working on the case around the courthouse complex, but once they get the terms set, then there will be a wait for donald trump to go over to the jail, turn them efl in, be arrested, processed and have to spend a little bit of time in that infamous space that has really become the subject of a lot of looking at, making sure the conditions there are okay because there have been so much criticism about the conditions inside the jail, insects and others. it's not a place where donald trump's lawyers or trump himself would want to spend a lot of time, that's why he and other lawyers would be working out bond conditions ahead of time so they can move very quickly because that is a different aspect of the criminal justice system at that jail that trump and others would have to face, trump now being a criminal defendant in four different cases, this process will look a little bit different than what he had to do in federal court when he was arrested. >> thank you so much for that is correct katelyn. here with me, former fbi director andrew mccabe, former federal prosecutor elliot williams and cnn's evan perez. evan, what are you hearing -- let me just start by asking you this and i want these other two gentlemen to add to it. for those of us who have not surrendered to allegations and to indictments, particularly in a place like fulton county, which as katelyn rightly pointed out is going to be a very different process, and atmosphere, even in new york, but certainly with the federal indictments that we've seen. >> he's gotten so much deference from the system up to this point. they made sure he can get in and out within minutes, certainly the federal system doesn't release any mug shots, the new york state also does not release mug shots and the fulton county system, however, has their law, allows for the release of mug shots. according to the sheriff there they're going to treat him like any other defendant. he's going to show up at the jail, not at the court house where he has been processed on his previous three arrests. that just brings the extraordinary part of this even more into extraordinary territory. >> there will be a mugshot? >> there will be a mugshot is what we expect according to the sheriff and under georgia law this is releasable. it is possible for the first time we're going to see one. again, the former president they have -- at least his fundraising arm has been very, very gleeful at the idea of this because they thought they could fund raise off it. as a matter of fact, i think they've created fake ones. >> they did. i was going to say that. >> at the beginning, right. that's where i think we're going to get into this realm of the surreal later this week where we anticipate he's going to take maximum advantage of his surrender. >> i think that surreal left the building a long time ago. >> they don't live here no more. >> no. >> you know, for each one of these events we've talked about how important it is that the system treat all defendants the same and that the former president go through the same steps that everyone else go through but that has not happened yet, as evan points out, he has been given enormous deference, i'm told they didn't even take photographs at either of the two federal processing and arraignment days, which is quite remarkable. there's nothing offensive about a photograph, especially one that would not have been released to the public. nevertheless, this process will be different. he is a he not going to be arraigned on the day he's processed, he just goes to the jail, works out the terms of his bail, which will probably be done in advance, we're hearing that from katelyn, and then he is fingerprinted, photographed and officially booked. that should happen. >> as you were speaking, we were looking at photographs and the names of the other 18 alleged co-conspirators in this case. the first one of course the former president. you just heard, elliot, katelyn talk about the reporting about the negotiations going on today about how it's going to go down, how the bond will work and things like that. as somebody who has probably been involved in such negotiations, again, not with a former president, walk us through that. >> setting aside the question of does he get special treatment or not, the question being answered is, number one, is this person a flight risk and number two are they a danger to the community. setting aside what many people believe about the former president, you are looking at the alleged crimes and his ability to get out of town. the most famous person on the planet simply is not a flight risk and they will decide in all likelihood that they don't need to lock him up prior to trial. all the bond decision is about is just trying to ensure that the person shows up to the next hearing and they have no reason to believe, again, setting aside the seriousness of the crime or who it is or the defendant his notoriety so he's not going to be held behind bars. now, they may set a dollar amount for his bopped, they may make him post something like that, but beyond that it's business as usual. >> i want to also look at what mark meadows said when he was -- his lawyers gave a statement to the federal -- excuse me, to the -- yes, it was the federal court, thank you, asked the federal court to dismiss charges in georgia. the lawyer said mr. meadows served a critically important advise and assist function that has been firmly entrenched in federal law for nearly 100 years. the conduct charged here falls squarely within the scope of mr. meadows' duties as chief of staff and the federal policy underlying that role. how do we read into that? >> it's a real effort that they are making and one that, you know, under normal circumstances could very well succeed, right? the former president and his chief of staff was working with him to try to ascertain whether there was fraud and that's a very good argument that they're making. what he's charged with is going beyond that, right, and what the prosecutors are alleging is that mark meadows went beyond just his normal duties, your normal duties as a chief of staff of the president does not usually include committing crimes and so that's what they're alleging that he did and so that's where he is going to run up against, you know, the law, especially in the 11th circuit which does not usually favor moving cases out of state court like this. >> the removal and dismissal are two sides of the same strategy. you have to get the case removed first and then you make the motion which he has now to have the matter dismissed because you allege that you are acting within the scope of your authority. >> despite their confident language in their papers, which we all expected and he might actually prevail on that argument, the devil is in the details and the court is going to look at exactly what he's been alleged -- what he is alleged to have engaged in and whether or not those acts were part of his authority under federal law. i think there's a very compelling argument to say it was not. >> i want to get your thoughts first on numbers that were really striking in the latest cbs news poll and the question was about trump voters, who do they trust more than anyone else. trump 71%, their own friends and family 63%, conservative media 56%, religious leaders 42%. >> once again, donald trump has thrown the country upside down on top of its head. i think maybe you could flip that graph and go back ten years and keep the same numbers. it is remarkable. he is probably the most effective public messenger we have ever seen in terms of delivering his own message to his audience. they believe everything he says despite the fact that he's been proven to have misled them hundreds and indeed thousands of times. >> look, this is the playing out in legal life that i could shoot anyone on fifth avenue and get away with it. you're talking about homicide and i think maybe that might have been a clearer example. i think part of what perhaps the president's supporters are struggling with are the kinds of questions you asked evan a moment ago. it's abstract to people the question of where the line between candidate trump and candidate aide mark meadows ended and the people who worked for the government did, it's a little blurry and confusing to many people. >> intentionally so. >> yes. >> which is one of the reasons why former president trump is candidate trump again. thank you, guys, very much. still ahead, crisis in maui. president biden is en route right now to assess the damage. we will have details next. meet e to keep up with their finances. smart bankers. convenieient tools. boom. one bank with the power of both. chase. make more of what's yours. the america's best celebrity sale is happening now.w. and it's making quite the spectacle. for a limited time, get two pairs of celebrity-inspired frames by privé revaux co-founder jamie fx for only $89.9 book your exam today. you founded your kayakompany because you love the ocean- you need to hire. i need indeed. indeed you do. indeed instant match instantly delivers quality candidates matching your job description. visit indeed.com/hire ♪ with fastsigns, create striking custom visuals that inspire pride district-wide. ♪ fastsigns. make your statement. [clock alarm] ♪ morning. ♪ ♪ life after student debt is within reach. refi at sofi.com. you could save thousands and get to your goals faster. sofi. get your money right. i'm saving with liberty mutual, mom. they customize your car insurance so you only pay for what you need. you could save $700 dollars just by switching. ooooh, let me put a reminder on my phone. on the top of the pile! oh. only pay for what you need. ♪ liberty. liberty. liberty. liberty. ♪ purple mattresses exclusive gel flex grid draws away heat relieves pressure and instantly adapts. sleep better. live purple. right now save up to $900 off mattress sets during purple's labor day sale. visit purple.com or a mattress firm near you. today president biden will land to frustration and fear in maui, fear that for thousands their lives have been rewritten forever by the deadly fires that cut through their homes and businesses and frustration at the pace of government getting them the help that they need. cnn's jeremy diamond is at the white house. jeremy, what is the president's mission within he lands? >> reporter: dana, the president has a couple of key objectives as he lands in hawaii today, the first of which will be to try to reassure the local population, some of whom have some deep-seeded skepticism of the federal government, that the government is here to help and here to stay. that is summed up in the who will lulu star advertiser which writes today that a warm welcome may not be assured for biden in some circles on maui and that is because of some of that frustration with what some have seen as an initially slow federal response to this -- to these wildfires. the president also has some ground to make up personally after he spent five days early last week not commenting on the situation as the death toll was rising, drawing some criticism from republicans, but today, dana, will be an opportunity for the president to not only see the disaster firsthand but also to try to provide that signature empathy he has been known for throughout his political life and presidency of playing that role of consoler in chief. he will get an aerial tour of disaster above the skies of hawaii and will land in lahaina where he will get a tour of the hard-hit area. the president is expected to meet with local and federal officials, first responders and also victims' families and survivors of the disasters as people wait to see how much highever will the death toll get. we know there are still hundreds of people who are still missing. the president in terms of the pre viegd assurances of long-term support we expect him to announce that bob fenton the regional administrator for fema will be named the chief federal response coordinator to oversee this effort, a signal the white house says that this white house and government is in it for the long haul. >> thank you so much. absolutely heartbreaking. now to the president's big bet on getting you to believe that the biden economy is working. how big is that bet? $25 million in new ads big. the message is the same as it ever was, the country built back better thanks to joe biden. >> it was the worst pandemic in 100 years, the worst economic crisis since the great depression, but america fought back. today unemployment is at record lows, our economy leading the world. joe biden passed historic laws to rebuild the country. >> our great reporters are back around the table. joining us conversation with pollster and political strategist terrence woodberry. >> thanks for having me. >> you conducted a focus group recently and you did so with biden supporters, mostly people of color or exclusively people of color? >> all people of color. >> all people of color. i want to put some of the adjectives used by the people you spoke with. discouraged, pathetic, pessimistic, the lowest it's been. >> you know, dana, what we're finding in focus groups and the reason we are laser focused on young voters and voters of color is when the president's approval rating drops by 2 or 3 points nationally it's because it's dropped by 10 or 20 points amongst his base and the base of young people, people of color, are growing frustrated with the lack of perceived progress. this despite the biden/harris administration delivering, overwhelmingly, on the agenda we've been tracking since the 2020 election. that the promises he made in 2020 are being fulfilled but they don't always feel the impact of that. that is where we have to connect the governing and the progress of the white house to the needs that people are feeling on the ground. >> you just articulated the biggest -- one of the -- maybe the biggest frustration right now inside the biden administration and now the campaign, which is that real disconnect and the fact that you kind of dug deeper there among people in his base is very interesting. i just want to, though, show the overall -- cnn -- last cnn poll which was conducted in july looked inside the support or lack thereof of joe biden on the economy. if you look at black and hispanic voters, particularly black voters, 59% support what he has done on the economy. that's not bad. >> 59% supporting the economy is not bad until you consider that he had 81% of black voters' votes four years ago and he's going to need that many if not more to secure reelection. that these voters -- you know, and, look, a part of what we have to do here is not just talk about how we're making their lives better but connect them to the progress being made. one of the young men in the group said to me passing legislation in washington is only a win for politicians in washington. and that for him and his family what he really needs is access to this. passing the ira with 50 plus one votes is different than him being able to access $35 insulin or being able to access the hearing aids that his family needs. that's a part of what we have to do. connect this legislative record to the folks that need it. >> we just played the -- one of the ads that the biden campaign released today. another according to the biden campaign says that it is the largest earliest media buy for a reelection campaign into a offensy media nd the constituency is targeting black and hispanic communities. >> president biden got to work for us. cutting black child poverty in half, more money for black entrepreneurs, millions of new, good-paying jobs. >> every action, every policy for joe biden is about who, and since he's taken office, unemployment in our community has been cut in half. >> well, i think that this, you know, could be effective, but also -- and i think that the administration, the biden team, is aware of these vulnerabilities. all of this that's coming up in the focus group that terrence is hearing, it's not exactly new. like, you know, they are well aware of this. i would say the hope for them, though, i think, comes with time. we know that by and large many black voters they weren't all that enthusiastic many of them anecdotally speaking to them about president biden but they felt as though he was the most practical choice and that is why in south carolina we saw them rally around president biden. also we know that he is going to frame his campaign in terms of republican extremism. if trump is ultimately the nominee, that makes a huge difference in terms of motivating these voters that right now seem a little bit apathetic. >> in fact, you see an image of donald trump in that ad. they are not shying away from that at all. this robust effort that's in seven battleground states, they made sure to include a not so attractive version of donald trump, rather unattractive piece of video to put in there and talked about how some people talk about america's lost and contrasting that with biden trying to sell a message as you said at the beginning that it's building back better and stronger and so the contrast is going to be their campaign whether donald trump is the nominee or any other republican that we see on that debate stage the other night. as you know, though, history suggests reelection efforts for presidents are largely usually in the past referendum on the president. so they have to contend with that as well. >> the focus also on latino and hispanic voters is also interesting in terms of where the buys are. correct me if i'm wrong, i think with young voters the fear is that they will stay away, with some voters in florida the fear is that they will vote for the other party. trying to keep the coalition together and keep people from looking to cross the fence is the challenge for the biden administration and the campaign. >> you are talking about the buys, youtube reserve, hulu, connected tv, instagram, places where young people go. all right. we're going to have to leave it there. we want to have you back, thank you for sharing your information. up next, brand-new numbers out of iowa making clear that the front runner is still very much the front runner, can any candidate catch up to the former president. chris sununu is up with a new op-ed with the answer yes. he will be my guest after a short break. ♪ chevy silverado has . with up to 13 camera views. and the 1 off-road package. ♪ you ok? yeah. any truck can help you make a living. this one helps you build a life. chevy silverado. subway's now slicing their meats fresh. that's why soccer pros like me profer the grand slam ham. and this rookie prefers fresh sliced turkey. perfect for when you're subbed out of the game. and if we profer it, we know you'll prefer it too. nothing better than a sub, sub. ♪ hit it ♪ ♪ it takes two to make a thing go right ♪ ♪ it takes two to make it outta sight ♪ ♪ it takes two to make a thing go right ♪ ♪ it takes two to make it outta sight ♪ ♪ one, two, get loose now ♪ ♪ it takes two to make a... ♪ ♪ it takes two to make a... ♪ ♪ it takes two to make a... ♪ ♪ it takes two to make a... ♪ ♪ it takes two to make a... ♪ ♪ it takes two to make a... ♪ stay two nights and get a $ 50 best western gift card. book now at bestwestern.com. was also the first time you heard of a town named dinosaur, colorado. we just got an order from dinosaur, colorado. start an easy to build, powerful website for free with a partner that always puts you first. start for free at godaddy.com and now brand-new polling out of iowa, donald trump holds a whopping 23-point lead in the first nominating contest. 42% of likely caucusgoers say the former president is their top choice for 2024. governor ron desantis comes in second with only 19%. no other candidate reaches double digits. but the race isn't over, says governor chris sununu, the new hampshire republican is out with a new op-ed titled "if republicans narrow the field we will beat trump." governor sununu joins me live. thank you for being here. in our op-ed you wrote that donald trump is beatable and it starts in iowa and new hampshire, but if you look at the poll that i was just talking about, trump is leading by 23 points in iowa. so what makes you think that he's beatable? >> so one of the key points of that poll showed that about a third of trump supporters would consider somebody else. when you look at the favorable/unfavorable of all the different candidates desantis is better than former president trump, tim scott has strong numbers. other candidates are showing strong numbers and knowing that there is a huge swath of folks that would potentially leave the former president. i think we all agree the former president's floor is high, 32, 33, 34%, but his ceiling is also very low. realistically the ceiling at his best is 45%, but probably gets down to 40%, 42% as we get closer to the elections. given that, again n iowa and new hampshire he polls about 10% -- 10 points lower than he does nationally that's where the conversations are happening. >> but his lead keeps getting stronger, his support keeps getting more firm in all of these polls as the race continues. on that note, you talk about in your piece that the important -- the importance of retail politics, especially in your state of new hampshire is unmatched. you say that, quote, voters have to look you in the eye and sign off on you as a person, but you know this isn't a typical primary. donald trump is a former president, he is effectively running as an incumbent. don't voters in your state of new hampshire know pretty much everything there is to know about the president at this point, the former president? >> that's right, and that's why his ceiling is stuck at about 45%. so he really can't go any higher because there's no unknowns. i think one of the most telling pieces, i don't think it was that iowa poll, but another recent national poll says that two-thirds of americans will never vote for the guy. it just -- on the idea he cannot win in november. so as bad as it would be as losing the presidency and he absolutely can't do it, it also hurts other -- we want to win governorships, he hurts that, we want to win senate and congressional races he hurts all of that. i think as we get closer to the actual election that starts coming into play, also he is the only guy anyone is talking about on national media. i say it all the time, his name is said 100 times a night on every station, some of the other candidates are barely lucky to get their name mentioned in any of this and even when they are interviewed they are asked about him. trump is really dominating the national media airwaves, it's not shocking that he's there but as the debates start, as people get more and more into that conversation in october, november, as we get around to christmas i think nationally his numbers come back down to what you see in iowa and new hampshire. >> what are you seeing that we are not seeing? i don't know that anybody else is really seeing at this point when you say that donald trump's ceiling is not that high? meaning his support seems to be pretty not just widespread, but pretty firm. is there something that you're hearing on the ground in new hampshire or is there data that you're seeing that we're not? >> so, for example, if you look at the real clear politics averages, not to pick any particular poll they do the average, both iowa and new hampshire where the conversation is really happening, where that retail politics where other candidates are having a little more media and accessibility, that's where trump is down in the 42, 44% range, right? so as that continues on and we have our four indictments, no he is are in the past, trump isn't going to show up to the first debate, he can only really go down from here. i just think as more of these candidates -- two things are going to happen, they're going to get more media attention and the field is going to mari narr. later this fall if you are in the low single digits you have to get out and my sense is by new hampshire you need three or four candidates in the race to really make it, you know, a real opportunity and an option for the republican voter. >> okay. let me follow up on that. you told me, guess, a couple of months ago you thought that other candidates should drop out by the end of the year if they don't see some momentum. but today in this "new york times" op-ed you said that, as you just mentioned again that is correct these candidates have until the fall. can you quantify that and be more specific? what do you want to see for the consolidation to happen and for it to actually have some success? >> if you don't make the debates you have to be out in the next few weeks. let's start there. then you have to give folks time -- if you make the debates, okay, fine, as the debates get harder -- bigger and bigger thresholds, more candidates are going to not be able to get on that stage and if you are not on the stage you just -- you have to find of see the writing on the with a you will. >> what about the eight people on the stage? eight people is a lot. >> my sense is by let's say thanksgiving-ish if you are still in the low single digits, the 1, 2, 3% nationally it's not going to happen no matter how great your candidacy s it ain't going to happen if you are in the low single digits. by early december if that's where you are, you're out. maybe get 5 or 6 candidates into eye warnings 3 or 4 into new hampshire. >> governor sununu, thank you so much. appreciate it. >> you bet. ahead, behind the scenes of the hunter biden investigation. we were loading our suv when... crack! safelite came right to us, and we could see exactly when they'd arrive with a replacement we could trust. that's serervice the way we want it. >> singers: ♪ safafelite repai, safelite replace. ♪ ♪ (upbeat music) ♪ ( ♪ ) woah. ( ♪ ) ( ♪ ) ( ♪ ) ( ♪ ) constant contact delivers the marketing tools your small business needs to keep up, excel, and grow. constant contact. helping the small stand tall. being middle class right now, it's tough making ends meet for sure. republicans in congress say if we just cut taxes even more for the biggest corporations the money will eventually someday trickle trickle down to you. right. joe biden would rather just stop those corporations from charging so damn much. capping the cost of drugs like insulin. cracking down on surprise medical bills and all those crazy junk fees. there's more work to do. tell the president to keep lowering costs for middle class families. i have active psoriatic arthritis. but with skyrizi to treat my skin and joints, i'm feeling this moment. along with clearer skin skyrizi helps me move with less joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and fatigue. and is just 4 doses a year after 2 starter doses. serious allergic reactions and an increased risk of infections or a lower ability to fight them may occur. tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms, had a vaccine, or plan to. there's nothing like clearer skin and better movement-and that means everything! ask your doctor about skyrizi today. learn how abbvie could help you save. this is you, graduating from southern new hampshire university. because you fit it into your schedule. because you realized you could afford it. because you chose snhu. visit snhu.edu. (♪) rsv can be a dangerous virus... [sneeze] ...for those 60 and older. it's not just a cold. and if you're 60 or older... ...you may be at increased risk of hospitalization... [coughing] ...from this highly... ...contagious virus. not all dangers come with warning labels. talk to your pharmacist or doctor... ...about getting vaccinated against rsv today. ♪ ("please don't go" by harry casey, richard raymond finch ) ♪ (ping) ( ♪ ♪ ) ♪ please don't go ♪ ♪ please don't go ♪ ♪ please don't go ♪ ♪ please don't go ♪ ♪ don't goooooo! ♪ ( ♪ ♪ ) ♪ don't go away ♪ ( ♪ ♪ ) ♪ please don't go ♪ the probe that almost went away. "the new york times" reports the prosecutor in the hunter biden investigation almost ended the probe without charging the president's son. justice correspondent evan perez is back to explain. what happened? >> well, politics, i think, without a doubt, have been injected into this investigation and it's been very clear for a long time. what the story -- the stories that emerged this weekend clearly show that there were at least some people involved in this investigation who were ready to end this without the later drama that happened, but, you know, no deal is final until the u.s. attorney signs off on it. he did not sign off on it. in the end, though, it appears that, you know, i think there's a lot of blame for why this deal collapsed within minutes of it being concluded. i think both sides, both the u.s. attorney's office and the prosecutor's and hunter biden's lawyers i think share the blame for this. >> and it sounds like what you're saying is that it's differences and disagreement within david weiss, the now special counsel, just the u.s. attorney overseeing this, within his office? >> within his office. we documented some of the disagreements going back two years over this investigation, so it has been part of the feature of this investigation, and it will continue. >> and the five years, real quick. >> five years. >> that's how long it has been going. we don't know when the end is in sight now because -- >> no. -- >> the special counsel -- >> i don't really see how much more investigators have to uncover, especially as a result of this -- of the foreign lobbying allegations still being investigated. >> okay. i guess we're going to know -- >> there is going to be a report. >> when we see the report which is the difference. >> right. >> all right. we'll talk more about this. thank you, evan. thank you for joining "inside politics." "cnn news central" starts after this. you're in my shot! ...be susure to get my good side! get two pairs of celebrity frframes for $89.95 for a limited time at america's best. book an exam today. meet three students all learning to save and spend their money with chase. freedom for kids. hungry? thank you, chef. control for parents. nice. one bank for both. chase. make more of what's yours. hey little bear bear. ♪ ♪ ♪ i'm gonna love you forever ♪ to have and to hold from this day forward. ♪ you don't... ♪ c'mon, bear. ♪ you don't have to worry... ♪ ♪ be by your side.. ♪ ♪ i'll be there.. ♪ ♪ with my arms wrapped around... ♪ new projects means new project managers. you need to hire. i need indeed. indeed you do. when you sponsor a job, you immediately get your shortlist of quality candidates, whose resumes on indeed match your job criteria. visit indeed.com/hire and get started today. that neighbor is hot! that's my husband... what? it's the inspire implant he got. he's not struggling with cpap anymore. all that rest is working wonders for him. and for me. gotta go. naughty girl. hi sweetie! ah! (scream) here comes the choo-choo train of love! inspire. sleep apnea innovation. learn more and view important safety information at inspiresleep.com. what do we always say, son? liberty mutual customizes your car insurance... so you only pay for what you need. that's my boy. ♪ stay off the freeways! only pay for what you need. ♪ liberty. liberty. liberty. liberty. ♪ the day you get your clearchoice dental implants makes every day... a "let's dig in" day... mm. ...a "chow down" day... a "take a big bite" day... a "perfectly delicious" day... - mm. [ chuckles ] - ...a "love my new teeth" day. because your clearchoice day is the day everything is back on the menu. a clearchoice day changes every day. schedule a free consultation. right now, t

Related Keywords

Donald Trump , Debate , Place , Event , Inside Politics , Crafty , Calendar , Rival , 2024 , Joe Biden , Mug Shots , Community , Co Defendants , Fulton County Jail , Setting , History , Shoulder , Hawaii , 18 , Dana Bash , Fires , Headlines , Let S Go , Up First , President , Republican , Path , Poll Numbers , End , Resistance , Words , Milwaukee , Won T He Drama Last Night On Truth Social , Legendary , Ron Desantis , Trump , Won T , Debates , Someone , Action , Course , Quote , Obvious , Center , Advisers , Campaign , Number , Decision , Reporter , Campaigns , Holmes , Sources , Risk , Truth , Rallies , League , Plus One , Candidate , Things , Limelight , Kind , Traction , Showing Up , Two , One , Ain T , Part , Lead , Punching Bag , Gap , Wouldn T , Candidates , Some , Idea , Oxygen , Former , Kristen , Cnn , Reporting , Great Reporting , David Chalian , Boston Globe , Jackie Kucinich , Eva Mckend , Asa Hutc Hutchinson , Vivek Ramaswamy , Chris Christie , Tim Scott , Mike Pence , Nikki Haley , Doug Burgum , Eight , Opportunity , Party , Process , Portion , Thoughts , Audience , Wednesday , People , Race , Rest , Front Runner , Math , Bunch , Point , Question , Nobody , Side , Coward , Conclusion , Couple , Thing , Races , Record , Anybody Else , Problem , Voters , Time , Message , Important , Positions , Poll , Case , Example , Saying , Governor , Cbs News , Say , Anything , Puppies , Ice Cream , 91 , Again N Iowa , Appetite , Trump Don T , Mud , Animosity , Campaign Trail , Lot , Georgia , Most , He Wasn T , Cattle , Head On , Eric Erickson , Degree , Challenge , Records , Ether , Musac , Points , Doesn T , Welcome , Needle , Thread , Googling Musac , Average , Polls , Field , Notion , Summary , Nominee , Director , Snapshot , Mood , 57 , Consolidation , Contest , Team , 17 , Person , Issue , States , 40 , Any , Polling , Shot , Mr , Piece , Woes , Page , Season , Problems , Yes , Wall Street Journal , Way , Election , Fighter , Baggage , Royals , British , Supporters , Events , Wake , Faith And Freedom Coalition , Indictments , Primary , Electorate , Others , Effect , Prosecutors , Life , Justice , Messaging , Standing , Weaponization , Department , It , Evidence , Intrusion , Middle , Memo , Campaign Put , Axios , Anyone , Hope , Donors , Contending , Florida , Alternative , Isn T , Theme , Dog Pile , Ron , World , Countdown , Criticisms , Realtime , U S , Surrender , Latest , Stay , In Atlanta , Georgia Jail , Wall , Something , Dad , Feel , Placess , Sububaru Forester Wilderness , Donor , Access , Vo , Subaru , National Park Foundation , Everyone , Nutrients , Nutrition , Support Immune , Ourission , Heart Health , Muscle , Bone , Yaaay , Woo Hoo , Matter , Ears , Lipo , Protein , Minerals , Vitamins , Ingredients , Ear Ringing , Dizziness , Hearing Loss , 25 , 30 , Music , Lipo Flavonoid , Constant Contact , Marketing Tools , Small Business , Excel , Nope , Awww , Game , Stand , Barbecue , Come On , Terry Doesn T Have Directv , Redzone , Sports , Directv , 1 , 1 800 Directv , 800 , Car , Value , Mileage , Hoooold , Hooold , Hold , Kids , Laws , Social Media , Waiting , Moms , Generation , Carvana , Children , Kids Online Safety Act , Inspire , Struggle , Cpap , Mask , Hose , Safety Information , Bed , Baby , Ya , Game Nights , Base , Sleep Number , Home Delivery , 50 , Drama , Charges , Katelyn Polantz Is , Where Else , Scene , Co Conspirators Surrendering To Georgia Authorities , 2020 , Court House , Places , Indictment , Front , Jail , Ground , Work , Learning , District Attorney Prosecutors , Zach Cohen , Jason Morris , Bond , District Attorney , Attorneys , We Haven T , Negotiation , Terms , Space , Wait , Courthouse Complex , Lawyers , Criticism , Conditions , Insects , Subject , Criminal Justice System , Bond Conditions , Aspect , Face , Defendant , Cases , Andrew Mccabe , Federal Court , Fbi , Four , Hearing , Elliot Williams , Correspondent Evan Perez , Gentlemen , Allegations , Atmosphere , Katelyn , New York , System , Deference , Federal System Doesn T , New York State , Law , Sheriff , Release , Mugshot , Territory , Arrests , Three , Fundraising Arm , Releasable , Fact , Realm , Ones , More , Building , Advantage , Photographs , Defendants , Same , Either , Steps , Nothing , Public , Offensive , Processing , Photograph , Arraignment , Advance , Fingerprinted , Bail , Names , Speaking , Co Conspirators , Negotiations , Somebody , Flight Risk , Number One , Danger , Special Treatment , Walk , Ability , Town , Crimes , Bond Decision , Planet , Trial , Likelihood , Reason , Seriousness , Notoriety , Crime , Bars , Bopped , Dollar Amount , Mark Meadows , Statement , Business As Usual , Court , Meadows , Function , Advise , Lawyer , 100 , Duties , Chief Of Staff , Policy , Effort , Scope , Role , Conduct , Argument , Fraud , Circumstances , 11th Circuit , State Court , Sides , Strategy , Dismissal , Removal , Against , 11 , Language , Authority , Motion , Papers , Details , Devil , Acts , Numbers , Anyone Else , Friends , 71 , Country , Top , Family , Conservative Media , Leaders , Head , 63 , 42 , 56 , Messenger , Graph , Ten , Everything , Times , Thousands , Them Hundreds , Kinds , Homicide , Fifth Avenue , Government , Line , Candidate Trump , Questions , Reasons , Aide , Abstract , Guys , Maui , Biden Is En Route , Crisis , Bankers , Damage , Finances , Both , Celebrity Sale , Chase , Bank , Pairs , Tools , Boom , Power , Spectacle , Convenieient , Now W , Exam , You , Frames , Kayakompany , PrivÉ Revaux Co Founder Jamie Fx , Ocean , 89 9 , 9 , Indeed Instant Match , Job Description , Visit Indeed Com Hire , Visuals , Fastsigns , Inspire Pride District , Clock Alarm , Reach , Student Debt , Money , Sofi , Goals , Sofi Com , Refi , Liberty Mutual , Car Insurance , Mom , Switching , Reminder , Phone , 700 , 00 Dollars , Pay , Pressure , Pile , Gel Flex Grid , Purple Mattresses , Purple , Mattress , Labor Day Sale , Visit Purple Com , Mattress Firm , Sleep Better , 00 , 900 , Frustration , Fear , White House , Businesses , Lives , Mission , Homes , Help , Pace , Jeremy Diamond , Jeremy , Hawaii Today , First , Skepticism , Objectives , Population , Will Lulu Star Advertiser , Circles , Response , Wildfires , Death Toll , Situation , Rising , Five , Presidency , Disaster , Signature Empathy , Tour , Lahaina , Consoler , Chief , Skies , Area , Families , Disasters , Officials , Responders , Victims , Highever , Survivors , Death Toll Get , Hundreds , Support , Regional Administrator , Response Coordinator , Pre Viegd , Signal , Fema , Bob Fenton , Biden Economy , Haul , Bet , Big Bet , 25 Million , 5 Million , Thanks , Unemployment , Pandemic , Great Depression , Economy , Conversation , Pollster , Reporters , Table , Color , Focus Group , Terrence Woodberry , Pessimistic , Groups , Lowest , Adjectives , Laser , Progress , Approval Rating , Black , 20 , 2 , 3 , 10 , Administration , Tracking , Agenda , Impact , Harris , Governing , Biggest , Feeling , Disconnect , Dug , July , 59 , Votes , Many , Reelection , 81 , Politicians , Group , Win , Men , Me Passing Legislation In Washington , Washington , Progress Being Made , Insulin , Family Needs , Ira , Hearing Aids , 5 , 35 , Media , Folks , Another , Ads , Half , Reelection Campaign , Constituency , Communities , Hispanic , Child Poverty , Offensy Media , Office , Cut , Entrepreneurs , Jobs , Millions , Who , Vulnerabilities , Choice , Extremism , South Carolina , Difference , Image , Ad , Version , Battleground States , Video , Seven , Contrast , Contrasting , Night , Presidents , Reelection Efforts , Focus , Referendum , Buys , Youtube Reserve , Coalition , Fence , Instagram , Hulu , Runner , Information , Up Next , Chris Sununu , Op Ed , Guest , Answer , Break , Camera Views , Package , Chevy Silverado , 13 , Truck , Living , Subway , Out Of The Game , Ham , Sub , Soccer Pros , Meats , Rookie , Grand Slam , Turkey , Gift Card , A Stay , Western , Bestwestern Com , 0 , Dinosaur , Build , Partner , Website , Colorado , Order , At Godaddy Com , 23 , Digits , 42 , Nominating , Caucusgoers , Isn T Over , 2024 Governor , 19 , New Hampshire , Beat Trump , Somebody Else , Third , Unfavorable , Ceiling , Swath , Floor , 32 , 33 , 34 , Elections , 45 , Conversations , Firm , Note , Estate , Retail Politics , Importance , Eye , Incumbent , Guy , Pieces , Unknowns , Governorships , Senate , Name , Station , Play , Media Airwaves , October , Anybody , Data , Politics , Averages , Accessibility , Trump Isn T , Range , 44 , Sense , Media Attention , The Field , Mari Narr , Guess , Voter , Option , The End , Momentum , New York Times , Fine , Success , Writing , Thresholds , Let S Say Thanksgiving Ish , Candidacy , Safelite , Suv , Eye Warnings , Hunter Biden Investigation , Behind The Scenes , You Bet , 4 , 6 , Replacement , Serervice , Singers , Safafelite Repai , Taxes , Middle Class , Tough Making Ends Meet For Sure , Corporations , Cost , Trickle , Drugs , Bills , Skin , Costs , Fees , Joints , Psoriatic Arthritis , Skyrizi , Crazy Junk , Doctor , Reactions , Skin Skyrizi , Infections , Plan , Infection , Joint Pain , Stiffness , Fatigue , Swelling , Starter Doses , Symptoms , Vaccine , Movement , Schedule , Southern New Hampshire University , Virus , Rsv , Visit Snhu Edu , Cold , Hospitalization , Coughing , Sneeze , 60 , Dangers , Rsv Today , Please Don T Go , Warning Labels , Pharmacist , Harry Casey , Ping , Richard Raymond Finch , Don T Go Please Goooooo , Don T Go Away , Prosecutor , Probe , Son , Charging , Doubt , Investigation , Stories , Weekend , Story , Attorney , Deal , In The End , Blame , Hunter Biden , It Being , U S Attorney Office , David Weiss , Differences , Disagreement , Disagreements , Feature , Investigators , Sight , Result , Lobbying , Evan , Report , Cnn News Central , Exam Today , America S Best , Susure , Celebrity Frframes , 9 95 , 89 95 , Students , Freedom , Chef , Parents , Little Bear , Nice , C Mon , I Ll Be There , Project Managers , Projects , Arms , Job , Job Criteria , Shortlist , Neighbor , Gotta Go , Husband , Sweetie , Inspire Implant He Got , Naughty Girl , Hi , Scream , Love , Train , Inspiresleep Com , Choo , Sleep Apnea Innovation , Clearchoice , That S My Boy , Implants , Freeways , Bite , Teeth , Chuckles , Let S Dig In , Chow Down , Consultation , Menu ,