Fox News "The Story" - Transcript: Interview with Sen. Chris Coons
Interview
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SMITH: Well, that was former Vice President Joe Biden speaking to a union crowd earlier today. He has reportedly told colleagues he will make a run at the White House although his spokesman insists the final decision has not yet been made.
And tonight, there are new questions about whether Biden can defeat Trumpism and win back states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan where Democrats lost in 2016.
Joining us now Democratic Senator Chris Coons from Biden's home state of Delaware. Good evening to you, sir. And thank you for being here. So, can you tell us with 100 percent certainty that he is, indeed, making a run?
SEN. CHRIS COONS, D-DEL.: Well, Sandra, I can tell you that the energy that you just showed in that clip where he was speaking to firefighters is the same energy and optimism that I heard when I met with him this past week.
He is all but certain to run. And I am hopeful that he will. He has made all the important decisions in terms of his family, his values, and priorities and he is just putting the final pieces in place. I'd say he is 95 percent there.
He and Jill need some time to reflect on it, pray on it, but I'm hopeful he is going to run and I think in a few weeks we'll see an announcement.
SMITH: Once that question is out of the way we will know with certainty that he is running. Can he win?
COONS: You know, I'm hopeful that he can. Joe Biden is a fighter. He knows what it means to get knocked down by life and get back up.
SMITH: You know, without even entering the race yet, he is already leading the pack of Democrats who have announced that they are running for president.
But the New York Times seems to point out that the big question is whether or not Joe Biden can beat Trumpism. They write this. Quote, "The possibility of defeating Trump without defeating Trumpism looms over Joe Biden's possible run for the 2020 Democratic nomination. The former vice president is not yet candidacy centers on his appeal to the white and blue- collar workers who rejected Hillary Clinton in favor of Donald Trump. He believes he could have won them in 2016 and he thinks he can win them now." So, how does he do that, Senator?
COONS: Well, I think Joe looks forward. I think he is someone who when I've heard him, when I've been with him believes in us, believes in the American people.
I frankly think he rejects the idea that we need to make America great again. I think he recognizes the greatness in the millions of Americans who get up, who go to work, who provide for their families, who keep our community safe.
And I think he is someone who is going to get us working together again. He's got a long record. That's right. But I'm more optimistic about what he can still do in the future by listening to us. Respecting us and bringing us together in the future.
SMITH: Interesting to hear you use the current president's last campaign slogan there for the pitch for Biden. Here is the former Vice President Joe Biden in his own words talking about the state of politics today. Listen.
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BIDEN: Today we seemed to be at each other's throats, mean pettiness has overtaken our politics. Sometimes it seems like we can't govern ourselves or even talk to one another. You notice, I get criticized for saying anything nice about a Republican.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: You know, he was referencing that moment where he actually offered up a compliment to the sitting Vice President, Mike Pence.
COONS: Right.
SMITH: He called him a decent guy. And activist former actress, former gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon went after him for saying such. And he apologized for it.
The Wall Street Journal, I will just sum it up here. Basically, points out that if he is going to run and apologize every time that he -- someone finds him insufficiently woke they write, the whole rationale for a Biden run evaporates.
So, what do you think about that? And we all did remember that moment in recent history with Joe Biden in responding to that criticism so quickly.
COONS: Well, Joe and I have something in common, having represented Delaware, he, for 36 years, me for just over eight years. We are from a state where we respect each other where we get along. Where Democrats and Republicans think our job is to produce real results for the people who we serve.
And so, I do think Joe is someone who doesn't walk in a room and assume that Republicans are evil or crazy. And instead, thinks how can I find a way to work across the aisle to deliver a solution that's actually going to matter for the American people.
One of the other times he was recently criticized for saying something nice about a Republican, he was in Nebraska with former Senator Chuck Hagel. Someone with whom he served and who was, I think a real leader in national security policy. I don't think we should apologize for working across the aisle. But I do think we need to be clear-eyed about where we have differences in values.
What I believe in and trust about Joe is his heart, his commitment to the American people, and his belief that together we really can all do better.
SMITH: Well, you filled Biden's vacated --
COONS: Yes.
SMITH: -- Senate seat when he left to go join Barack Obama's team. Does this say anything in the way we hear you talking about him indicate anything about you potentially running along with him?
COONS: Well, I would be stunned in there were a Delaware, Delaware ticket.
SMITH: I hear you, Senator. And I don't know that that means yes or no. Whether or not you might be running along with him, we'll see, I guess.
But what about a debate on Fox News and where do you fall on that and where do you think the vice president would fall? Because I hear you talking about the importance of him reaching across the aisle and spreading his message not just to those in his party but to the entire country? So, what about that?
COONS: Well, as you know I'm someone who comes on Fox News regularly. I appreciate the opportunity. I think it's important for us to speak to everyone we represent and there's a whole lot of Fox News watchers in my state of Delaware. I don't speak for vice president -- former Vice President Biden so I don't know what his views are on who ought to be hosting different presidential debates.
SMITH: Where do you fall in that category? Should there be --
(CROSSTALK)
COONS: I mean, frankly, it's why I'm on with you.
SMITH: -- a debate on Fox.
COONS: It's why I'm on with you right now. I think it's important that we engage in the American people across every platform we can.
SMITH: Got it. Senator Chris Coons, we appreciate your time.
COONS: Thank you, Sandra.
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