An Eight-Point Jump For California Senator Kamala Harris.
LEMON: A new 2020 CNN poll shows an eight point jump in support for California Senator Kamala Harris, putting her in double digit territory in the race for the Democratic nomination. Former Vice President Joe Biden leads the poll right there. Check that out. OK, so Joe Biden leads the poll followed by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. There's no doubt the race is starting to heat up. And let's talk about it. Van Jones is here and Alice Stewart, so good to see both of you. So Van, let's talk about this, a huge jump for Kamala Harris. So what do you think of the momentum?</s>VAN JONES, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I think she's catching fire, and I think it makes sense. You know when she first came out she had the most disciplined rollout of all the candidates, even to this date. But she got kind of like this counter-fire online by people saying, you know, well, she was bad (Inaudible) she's bad on criminal justice and all sorts of stuff. And I think it artificially lowered her national appeal. I think she's just kind of finally shaken that stuff off. And the reality is, you know, a lot of people who like a Hillary Clinton, who like a strong woman, could like her. A lot of people who like a Barack Obama could like her. And so I think she's kind of nationally now starting to gather, I think, that coalition around her that's going to make her very hard to stop.</s>LEMON: I don't think -- I think you're right. Hold on, Alice. I don't think that's a bad thing. Get it out of the way, address it, move on, she's gone through the fire, and now she can take on -- and that's what happens when you run for president.</s>JONES: When you run for president, you have good days and bad days, but she weathered the storm.</s>LEMON: Yeah. I think -- yeah. I think again, you know, got it out of the way early. There's going to be more to come. What did you have to say, Alice?</s>ALICE STEWART, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: No. I agree completely with what Van said. I think she did a tremendous job in the CNN town hall. She was able to answer some of the questions that were looming out there about her past, with her job that she's had in the past with regard to the legal community. But she had the power to connect (Inaudible) right on the policy and she was very personable. And those are three key things that you have to do. And in the poll that came out, she has risen in key demographics in the (Inaudible) with regard to women, minorities, and self-identified liberals. So these are key. But it's very early in the game. Keep in mind. We're 595 days out from the election. This time in the 2016 election --</s>LEMON: Scott Walker.</s>STEWART: -- the leaders on the Republican side -- Scott Walker and Jeb Bush were tie for the lead.</s>STEWART: And let's just say it didn't end so well them.</s>LEMON: And just --</s>LEMON: -- until July of 2015.</s>LEMON: Listen, for the interest of time, I have got to move on, because I want to talk about Joe Biden. Joe Biden is at the top of the poll. He hasn't announced yet. But people close to him, multiple people are saying that the announcement is imminent. He is an entity, a known entity. If he announces, Van, will his numbers go up or is he at a ceiling?</s>JONES: I think his numbers go up initially. I think a lot of people, you know, they miss the Obama days. They love Joe Biden for being such a loyal and strong soldier for Obama, and a good friend. And I think he'll be rewarded with a bounce. And then, you know, you've got a lot of people that will start trying to nibble at him. You know, what about this gap? What about this gap? I mean the guy has been in office since, you know, Moses. So there's a lot of stuff to kick at. But I think that you're going to see a real enthusiasm for Joe Biden.</s>LEMON: I think the best Joe Biden moment was when he mistakenly almost announced his candidacy.</s>LEMON: People, like, that's just Joe. Let's talk about another poll, 57 percent of self-identified Republicans. I want you to respond to this, Alice, because I think it's important. Fifty seven percent of self-identified Republicans said that they are extremely enthusiastic about voting for a president outnumbering 46 among Democrats. Is that because they know exactly who their candidate is and the Democrats rights now have no idea?</s>STEWART: That's a big part of it right now. And, you know, there's a lot of enthusiasm in the Republican Party behind Donald Trump. He's got 90 percent approval rating amongst Republicans. So yes, certainly, that motivates people. But also nothing like a kick in the rear in the mid-term elections to motivate Republicans, and that made them realize look. We have to get engaged. We have to get motivated. We have to get people out to the polls, or we're not only in fear of losing more strength in the House and Senate, but potentially in the White House. So Republicans are motivated. They're energized. They're ready to go out there and not just put a vote in there for Donald Trump, but certainly down ballot. And the fact that right now the Democrats are so far to the left and continue to move further to the left, that right there shows that's not the direction that Republicans want to go in. So that's certainly getting them energized.</s>LEMON: So anybody want to make any predictions on the Democratic side?</s>STEWART: My money's on Joe Biden.</s>LEMON: Your money's on Biden.</s>JONES: Duke. I am for Duke.</s>LEMON: I am Duke.</s>LEMON: I am saying that there's going to be -- President Trump is going to run against a Democrat in 2020. That's what I say. A Republican is going to run against a Democrat.</s>JONES: Other than that, no comment.</s>LEMON: Thank you, both.</s>STEWART: Democrats need to find someone a little more moderating voice, I would say, like Joe Biden.</s>STEWART: We're talking about right now.</s>LEMON: Got to go. We shall see. Thank you, both. Hey, don't miss Van Jones' Show Saturday night, 7:00 Eastern, only here on CNN. It's called "THE VAN JONES SHOW," by the way. We'll be right back.