Iowa and New Hampshire Primaries May Change
JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR, NEWSROOM: Back, now, to our breaking news. Right now, Hurricane Dorian is churning slowly across the Atlantic, expected to become a Category 4 storm by landfall, late Monday or early Tuesday. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says fuel shortages are a big issue. These are live pictures now, this is in North Miami, the line up there, cars trying to get the fuel they need for the possibility of an evacuation, and already running into shortages like this, the state doing the best it can to get more fuel in there. The governor, also noting potential evacuation orders could come as soon as today. We're going to bring you an update on the track of the storm at the top of the hour, and we're also going to fill you in on each step the state is taking to try to protect Florida residents. The other story that we are watching this morning? The Iowa caucus, notably one of the most important political events of the presidential election cycle. But Iowa now (ph) has a problem. It's trying to figure out how to get more people to vote when they cannot physically make it to a caucus event. So Iowa introduced virtual caucuses, a way to vote by telephone. The problem is, DNC is worried that hackers could tamper with that system. So sources telling us that the committee is about to say no to virtual caucuses. Let's discuss now. Joining me now is CNN senior political writer and analyst, Harry Enten. Good morning.</s>HARRY ENTEN, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL WRITER AND ANALYST: Good morning.</s>SCIUTTO: So, here's the thing. Like, the thing about Iowa, right --</s>ENTEN: Right.</s>SCIUTTO: -- is how in-person these events are. "Let's get in a room, listen to the candidates," they state their preference. This was an attempt to expand that --</s>ENTEN: Right.</s>SCIUTTO: -- more --</s>ENTEN: Correct.</s>SCIUTTO: -- but now, it's running into problems?</s>ENTEN: Well, now, it's running into problems, right? Iowa caucuses have historically had low voter turnout. Obviously, after the 2016 campaign, where they're trying to bring more people into the process, basically, the DNC said, "Hey, you can't have this system any more. You've got to bring able to bring more people in the process." They came up with this idea of virtual caucusing via phone. And as you mentioned, that seemed like it might be open to some hackers. And now, all of a sudden, Iowa's going to have to come up with a new plan to potentially sort of allay the concerns from the DNC, that they're not allowing enough people into the process.</s>SCIUTTO: Right. Well, it does show the seriousness of the concerns about hackers --</s>ENTEN: Absolutely.</s>SCIUTTO: -- in this coming election, which is not undue. You hear this from the Department of Homeland Security, intelligence officials, et cetera, that Russia and other countries will try again. And this highlights that concern.</s>ENTEN: I think this absolutely highlights the concern, Jim. And, you know, I think it's just one of many to follow. This is just the primary caucus season, and then get ready for the general election season, see how things go there. I think the real question is, what's Iowa going to do about this --</s>SCIUTTO: Yes.</s>ENTEN: -- right? They have to figure out a way to allay the concerns. You know, there are a number of different options. I don't think we should necessarily be panicking that Iowa --</s>SCIUTTO: Right.</s>ENTEN: -- is not going to be the first in the nation, that could be the case. But there are a number of different things they might do. You know, maybe they'll try and do something with absentee balloting. We've seen that done in the past, to try and bring more people into the caucus process.</s>SCIUTTO: But a paper absentee --</s>ENTEN: Right, right, right.</s>SCIUTTO: -- ballot --</s>ENTEN: Not just -- not just calling in. I think the biggest fear, though, of Iowa is the recognition that New Hampshire basically, Bill Gardner, the secretary of state in that state, will (ph) move the New Hampshire primary up if there is another, say, thing that looks like a New Hampshire primary, because they want to be the first in the nation primary. There's sort of been this nice deal going on between Iowa --</s>SCIUTTO: I see.</s>ENTEN: -- and New Hampshire.</s>SCIUTTO: So you mean if Iowa were to introduce ballots, which --</s>SCIUTTO: -- are not quite a caucus-like step --</s>ENTEN: Right.</s>SCIUTTO: -- then they're competing with New Hampshire.</s>ENTEN: Like, I think that's the real question. Is Bill Gardner going to see whatever Iowa does as sort of a primary? Because if he does, you know, look, he just won a re-election to the secretary of state's job, basically because he was the protector of New Hampshire's first- in-the-nation primary status. This is the one -- the one big reason why he's that secretary of state right now.</s>SCIUTTO: Right.</s>ENTEN: And so if he thinks Iowa starts looking like the New Hampshire primary, then all of a sudden the idea that Iowa's going to go first may be thrown into jeopardy.</s>SCIUTTO: Harry Enten, I know you're going to be on top of it.</s>ENTEN: I'm going to try my best, buddy.</s>SCIUTTO: All right. Well, just a reminder, to join CNN for what is an unprecedented Democratic presidential town hall event, specifically on the climate crisis. Ten candidates, taking the stage to address that issue. It all starts Wednesday night, 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. There is a push for new reforms that could end the cash bail system in America. But the $2 billion bail industry is standing in the way of change. CNN will take a deep dive, that's coming up.