'This Week' Transcript 8-18-24: Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson

A rush transcript of "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" airing on Sunday, August 18, 2024 on ABC News is below. This copy may not be in its final form, may be updated and may contain minor transcription errors. For previous show transcripts, visit the "This Week" transcript archive.

RADDATZ: And I’m joined now by Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois.

Great to see you. Great always to see you, Senator.

You know, you have these very positive numbers for Vice President Harris going into these -- into this convention. The national polls showing she is ahead.

What do you think she needs to accomplish here at the convention to keep that momentum going?

SEN. TAMMY DUCKWORTH, (D) ILLINOIS & (D) FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE: Well, I think the momentum is continuing to build. So I don't think we've reached even the top of where the momentum is going, and then we just need to roll on through to November. I think continuing to be consistent with her messaging will be a big part of it, but this is really going to be that big push for the next 80-plus days.

RADDATZ: Well, let's talk about that messaging because the poll also showed that the economy is the single most important issue for Americans and people trust Donald Trump more than Kamala Harris on the economy, and inflation by a really substantial number, nine points.

The vice president did message that on Friday and laid out her plan for the economy, butthis is what “The Washington Post” editorial board said. “Vice President Kamala Harris’ speech Friday was an opportunity to get specific with voters about how a Harris presidency would manage an economy that many feel is not working well for them. Unfortunately, instead of delivering a substantial plan, she squandered the moment on populist gimmicks.” And they asked this question, “price gouging is not causing inflation, so why is the vice president promising to stamp it out?”

What is your reaction, and how would you answer that?

DUCKWORTH: Well, I think most people, if you talk to working families, price gouging is an issue, but I think to talk about the overall economic message. That's why being in Chicago is so important because here in Chicago we've turned things around. We’ve had nine credit upgrades here. We’ve had balanced budgets for the last four years. And this is really the message that we're sending, when Democrats are in charge, we're going to put the economy back on track. We’re going to continue the momentum that we started. Inflation is coming down. And I think that is what Kamala is going to be talking about when she's going to be talking to those working families, those middle income families, saying we’re – you're our priority.

RADDATZ: But people don't really see that, you know, the people I talk to. It's the grocery prices. Donald Trump, as we said, is ahead in the polls on the economy, inflation.

DUCKWORTH: Yes.

RADDATZ: So, can you really turn that around before November?

DUCKWORTH: I think we can. Absolutely. And this is part of that messaging that – that she started with her economic speech. I think she’s going to get into more details here, and then we’re going to carry that message on forward in terms of, inflation is coming down, mortgage rates are coming down. All of that – all of that is trending in the right direction.

But again, the key is to talk about, we are going to put working families front and center in our economic plan.

RADDATZ: She also laid out new economic proposals, $25,000 to support first-time home buyers, canceling medical debt, extending the child tax credit plus other tax cuts, including not taxing service workers tips.

The non-partisan committee for a responsible federal budget estimated that plan would add $1.7 trillion to the federal deficit. Are you comfortable with that?

DUCKWORTH: I am comfortable with that because what we need to do is get rid of the Trump tax cuts for the wealthy. He added over a trillion dollars to the federal deficit because of those tax cuts that he put into place when he was in office, and we need to reverse that. We need to go ahead and bring down the cost of taxes on middle income families.

And again, you know, one of the frustrations that I'm hearing –

RADDATZ: But you’re comfortable with that debt, $1.7 trillion?

DUCKWORTH: I'm – I'm – well, no, we need to – we need to go ahead – you know, this is all about balancing things out and the priority is going to be on making homes more affordable to working Americans. This is going to be on the people who are counting on those tips to help them pay their grocery bills, put gas in their gas tanks. And then we need to go after the wealthiest Americans who don’t pay their fair share. And, frankly, Donald Trump is on their side. He's on the side of corporations. He’s on the sides of people who make over $1 million. Democrats are on the side of working families, and we’re going to put them front and center.

RADDATZ: There’s also concern about where the Biden administration stands on the war in Gaza. You’re expecting thousands, tens of thousands of protesters here. How does Kamala Harris differentiate herself from Joe Biden or will she differentiate herself from Joe Biden?

DUCKWORTH: I think we need to work hard on getting the ceasefire agreement. And I think what she can push for is to talk about making sure that we get the humanitarian aid into Gaza. And I think she will lean more heavily towards the humanitarian side of things.

And, in fact, you know, we have issues right now where at different times, different sides have opposed the deal. We’re very close to getting a ceasefire agreement on both sides. But I think you’re going to see Kamala talking more about getting humanitarian aid into Gaza.

RADDATZ: I also want to ask you about what former President Trump said Thursday at an event. He was talking about awarding Miriam Adelson, a major donor of his, the Presidential Medal of Freedom while he was in office. Let’s listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT AND 2024 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It’s the equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honor, but civilian version. It’s actually much better because everyone gets the Congressional Medal of Honor, that’s soldiers. They’re either in very bad shape because they’ve been hit so many times by bullets or they’re dead. She gets it and she’s a healthy, beautiful woman. So – but they’re rated equal.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

RADDATZ: They’re rated equal.

As an Iraq War veteran, badly wounded there, recipient of a Purple Heart, what’s your reaction to those words?

DUCKWORTH: Well, American voters have a chance to choose. Do they want a five-time draft dodger who denigrates military men and women and our veterans and calls us suckers and losers, who doesn’t want to have his picture taken with amputee veterans of various conflicts to be the next commander in chief or are you going to have Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, who care deeply about veterans. Tim Walz has been out there leading on so many issues for veterans, especially burn pits.

Donald Trump is despicable. He doesn’t deserve to be commander in chief. And certainly those remarks are consistent with where he’s always been. He thinks that we’re suckers and losers and, frankly, he's – he's not fit to be commander in chief.

RADDATZ: You – you talk about Tim Walz, but there has been controversy about his – his military service as well, saying once that he carried weapons in war, which he did not. And he said he misspoke. But an ABC News -- ABC News found at least one occasion where he didn’t correct an interviewer who said that Walz had turned -- had served in Afghanistan.

Do you have any problems with that? Should he have corrected him?

DUCKWORTH: Well, you know, we say -- we -- when you speak, oftentimes, you say things. But remember, this man served 24 years in uniform. He was a -- he's a retired command sergeant major. I'm excited to have a retired command sergeant major in the vice president's office, in the Situation Room, when we look at issues of conflicts around the world. It’s going to be great to have that experience.

And, frankly, it’s despicable what Republicans are doing, the same party that thinks that Donald Trump, who dodged a draft five times, who thinks veterans are suckers and losers, that's who they think is better than someone who served 24 years in uniform, protecting and defending us every single day.

And, frankly, I don’t have a single problem with Tim Walz. I think he's, in fact, somebody that I think will be very good for America to have in the Situation Room, with his vast military experience.

RADDATZ: OK, thanks so much, Senator. It's great to see you, as always.

DUCKWORTH: My pleasure.

MARTHA RADDATZ, ABC “THIS WEEK” CO-ANCHOR: I’m joined now by the mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson.

Good morning to you, Mr. Mayor.

MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON (D), CHICAGO: Good morning.

RADDATZ: I know you want to show off your city as you welcome this massive influx of visitors. But there are these planned protests.

Are you confident Chicago is ready for this and there will not be chaos?

JOHNSON: We are ready for this convention. And, in fact, the city of Chicago, as you know, has hosted the most conventions in our country’s history, because it turns we’re actually good at this. You know, the part that’s actually most exciting, though, in this moment is that this is a party that can handle protests and protecting the First Amendment right, which is fundamental to our democracy, while also strengthening our democracy and speaking for the future of our country. Unlike the Republican Party, which is very painful to watch right now, I don’t know what’s worse, watching the Republican Party or break dancing at the Olympics.

RADDATZ: Let’s speak to security here for a moment. Do you have any concerns?

JOHNSON: We’re ready for this convention. Look, our local police department has worked with the Secret Service as well as other local agencies to ensure a safe, peaceful yet vibrant, exciting convention.

The city of Chicago has been rated number one as it relates to convention centers and how we make sure that we protect people, while also providing an opportunity to see the beauty and the soul of who we are.

RADDATZ: You backed the candidacy of Kamala Harris --

JOHNSON: Right.

RADDATZ: -- within hours of Joe Biden dropping out, I think you were one of the first people --

JOHNSON: One hour and 13 minutes.

RADDATZ: One hour and 13 minutes, okay. But have you seen any evidence there will be fewer protesters given that Joe Biden is no longer the nominee?

JOHNSON: Well, you certainly know that there’s tremendous excitement. Look, Vice President Kamala Harris and her work to ensure that working people in this country are prioritized. She selected an amazing human being, Governor Walz, former social studies teacher like myself. So, just a shout-out to all our public school teachers around America.

So, absolutely there’s a great deal of excitement. Now, as far as who will provide some dissent, to ensure that the voices of individuals who want the government to be better -- look, that’s going to happen. And, in fact, you know, we support the First Amendment, and we have to make sure that we protect the rights of individuals to be able to bring their grievances to the leadership and for our party to respond.

And we’ve done that. When it comes to economic development, much like what we’re doing in Chicago, $20 billion of new economic development, particularly for affordable housing.

This is also what Vice President Kamala Harris has push forth. $300 billion infusion into our public education system, $100 billion infusion to make sure that people can find pathways to home owner. That’s who we are as a party and that’s why there’s so much excitement around Vice President Kamala Harris.

RADDATZ: You -- you talk about Chicago and that you’re ready for this. You have 1,700 fewer police officers because of attrition, because of retirement. How did you make up for that?

JOHNSON: Well, listen, you actually fewer police officers all over the country. And so, as individuals wish to find a career, that is a pathway to the middle class. I can tell you this emphatically, our local police department, along with the local police agencies, as well as the Secret Service, we are ready for this convention. And, in fact, even with the convention going on, not one neighborhood in Chicago will go unprotected.

RADDATZ: You, yourself, have a background as an activist, as a protester. You have also made quite clear what side you’re on these protests. You have told “Mother Jones” magazine that you think what the Israelis are doing is genocidal.

How do you balance First Amendment rights with safety? Where’s your red line?

JOHNSON: Well, listen, here’s what I’ve also been very clear about -- from the very beginning, October 7th, in very certain terms, we condemned the horrific acts of Hamas. This is a party that can condemn terrorism and call for peace. That’s the line. We’re really good at this.

You know, this is a city that said, keep hope alive, Reverend Jesse Jackson. This is a city that said yes, we can. President Barack Obama. This is also the city that’s going to launch the first Black woman of Asian descent to the most powerful position in the land, arguably one of the most powerful positions in the world.

And so, our balance is to hear the voices of the people. Of course, I’ve been a part of demonstrations, but so was Fannie Lou Hamer. My people come out of Sallis, Mississippi, which is less than an hour away from Montgomery County, Mississippi.

And so, the very protests and demonstrations that allow for Fannie Lou Hamer to have a seat in this convention in 1968, the son of Sallis, Mississippi, gets to welcome the Mississippi delegation to Chicago.

RADDATZ: And I know we’re going to hear a lot of that tomorrow night when you speak on the floor --

JOHNSON: So, I just give you a preview of speech?

RADDATZ: I think you just gave me a preview of your speech.

Thanks for joining us, this morning, Mr. Mayor.

JOHNSON: Thanks for having me.

RADDATZ: The powerhouse roundtable is next live from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, when we come back.