and FORD.
We go further, so you can. >> I DON'T KNOW WHY PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO HEAR THE TRUTH, BUT IT IS MY CHRISTIAN VALUES TO TELL
THE TRUTH AND I- AND I WILL. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF VOTER FRAUD. IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON.
>> BUT MANY WISCONSIN REPUBLICANS CAN'T SEEM TO GET PAST 2020. THIS WAS LAST MONTH IN THE STATE
CAPITOL, AS G.O.P. LEGISLATORS WERE URGED TO KEEP QUESTIONING THE PRESIDENTIAL VOTE. A THIRD INVESTIGATION OF
WISCONSIN'S ELECTION REMAINS UNDERWAY. >> IN WISCONSIN, YOU WILL NO LONGER CHEAT, YOU WILL NO LONGER
STEAL, AND YOU WILL NO LONGER COMMIT ELECTION FRAUD. ( TICKING ) >> THE YEAS ARE 69.
THE NAYS ARE 30. >> THE INFRASTRUCTURE LAW, PASSED LAST YEAR, WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT
IN AMERICA'S BRIDGES, ROADS AND RAILS IN MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY, AND AS EVERYONE WATCHING THIS WELL KNOWS, IT'S
BADLY NEEDED. HOW IS POSSIBLE THAT A COUNTRY LIKE THE UNITED STATES GETS A "C-" ON INFRASTRUCTURE?
>> FOR A LONG TIME, EVERYBODY HERE IN WASHINGTON SAID,“ WE GOT TO DO THIS," OR“ WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS.”
IT'S FINALLY HAPPENED, BUT WE GOT A LOT OF TIME TO MAKE UP FOR. ( TICKING )
>> KNOCK-A-DOODLE-DOO. >> AH, GOOD MORNING COACH LASSO. >> BOY, THAT'S A HEAPING SPOONFUL OF TRUTH SOUP RIGHT
THERE. >> WHAT DO YOU THINK THE LEGACY OF "TED LASSO" IS, DECADES FROM NOW?
>> I HOPE FOLKS KEEP WATCHING IT. HEY, HIGGINS. IT'S A DECENT CHANCE IT'LL PAY
FOR MY KIDS' COLLEGE. ( LAUGHS ) UNLESS I-- UNLESS I BLOW IT ALL. >> YOU DON'T THINK IT'S ALREADY
DONE THAT? >> YOU DON'T THINK I'VE ALREADY BLOWN IT? ( LAUGHTER )
( TICKING ) >> I'M LESLEY STAHL. >> I'M SCOTT PELLEY. >> I'M ANDERSON COOPER.
>> I'M SHARYN ALFONSI. >> I'M JON WERTHEIM. >> I'M NORAH O'DONNELL. >> I'M BILL WHITAKER.
THOSE STORIES, TONIGHT, ON "60 MINUTES." BUT FIRST, CHARLIE D'AGATA WITH THE LATEST FROM UKRAINE THIS
EVENING. ( TICKING ) DRAMATIC ATTACK NOT FAR FROM THE POLISH BORDER.
AT LEAST 35 PEOPLE DILLED AFTER RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT FIRED MISSILES. IT'S THE FIRST ATTACK TO TAKE
PLACE THAL FAR WEST AND REFLECTS HOW THE RUSSIAN ONSLAUGHT EXPANDED IN INTENSITY AND REACH.
>> THE NORTHERN CITY ALSO COME UNDER ANOTHER NIGHT OF HEAVY BOMBARDMENT. RUSSIAN FORCES CLOSE IN ON THE
CAPITAL, BUT CITY'S NORTHWEST OF KYIV HAVE BEEN BATTERED BY RUSSIAN ARTILLERY SENDING RESIDENTS FLEEING FOR THEIR
LIVES. >> YOU SEE WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO FOR THE PEOPLE WITHOUT VEHICLES WHO FLED THE VILLAGES
IN THE BACK OF CARGO TRUCKS BEING HANDED WARM DRINKS, WATERED AND SOMETHING TO EAT. AT LEAST THEIR SAFE FOR NOW.
>> COVERING THE BATTLE UNDERWAY IN IRPIN COST A JOURNALIST HIS LIFE. HE WAS SHOT DEAD WHEN RUSSIAN
TROOPS OPENED FIRE ON HIS CAR. >> IN A BID TO BOOST MORALE, UKRANIAN PRESIDENT ZELENSKY SENT FOR SOLDIERS TO THANK
THEM FOR SERVICE. TONIGHT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CIVILIANS FACE SHELLING, SUBFREEZING TEMPERATURES
WITHOUT FOOD, WATER, ELECTRICITY OR A SAFE WAY OUT. FOR 60 MINUTES.
>> Bill Whitaker: THE PRIMARY SEASON IS ALREADY UNDERWAY FOR THIS FALL'S MIDTERM ELECTIONS. AND ACCORDING TO A CBS NEWS
POLL, 61% OF VOTERS SAY THEY WANT POLITICIANS TO ADDRESS THE VOTING PROCESS. FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
INSISTS VOTER FRAUD COST HIM RE-ELECTION, DESPITE HAVING LOST MORE THAN 60 LAWSUITS CHALLENGING THE PROCESS.
NEARLY THREE QUARTERS OF REPUBLICANS BELIEVE JOE BIDEN'S VICTORY WAS ILLEGITIMATE. AND REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED
LEGISLATURES IN BATTLEGROUND STATES, INCLUDING ARIZONA, FLORIDA, AND GEORGIA, HAVE REWRITTEN ELECTION LAWS.
REPUBLICANS SAY IT'S IN ORDER TO MAKE VOTING MORE SECURE. DEMOCRATS SAY IT'S TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR THEIR TRADITIONAL
BASE TO CAST BALLOTS. PERHAPS NO STATE IS MORE CONTENTIOUS THAN WISCONSIN, WHICH JOE BIDEN WON BY LESS THAN
ONE PERCENT OF THE VOTE, AND WHERE A BATTLE IS RAGING OVER VOTING RIGHTS AND WRONGS. WAS THE 2020 VOTE IN WISCONSIN
CLEAN AND FAIR? >> Senator Kathy Bernier: YES. >> Whitaker: THE ELECTION WAS NOT STOLEN FROM DONALD TRUMP?
>> Bernier: NO. THE ELECTION WAS NOT STOLEN FROM DONALD TRUMP. >> Whitaker: KATHY BERNIER IS A
WISCONSIN REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR. SHE TOLD US WIDESPREAD VOTER FRAUD IS ALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE IN
WISCONSIN. HOW IS IT THAT YOU CAN SAY THAT WITH SUCH CERTAINTY, AND SUCH CONVICTION?
>> Bernier: BECAUSE I KNOW THE PROCESS. >> Whitaker: A DIEHARD CONSERVATIVE, BERNIER BEGAN HER
POLITICAL CAREER OVERSEEING ELECTIONS AS CLERK IN CHIPPEWA COUNTY TODAY, SHE CHAIRS THE STATE
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS AND CALLS THE TALK OF VOTER FRAUD A CHARADE THAT WILL HURT REPUBLICANS AT THE POLLS.
>> Bernier: IF THERE IS MASSIVE VOTER FRAUD, WHY WASN'T IT PROVEN IN GEORGIA AFTER THREE RECOUNTS?
WHY WASN'T IT PROVEN IN ARIZONA AFTER THE FORENSIC AUDITS? AND WHY WASN'T IT PROVEN HERE? BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE PROVED.
>> Whitaker: YOU SUPPORTED DONALD TRUMP? >> Bernier: I VOTED FOR HIM TWICE.
>> Whitaker: BUT NOW I HEAR YOU SAYING ALMOST THE EXACT OPPOSITE FROM WHAT FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYS, AND HIS
SUPPORTERS ARE SAYING NOW. >> Bernier: I DON'T KNOW WHY PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO HEAR THE TRUTH.
BUT IS IT MY CHRISTIAN VALUES TO TELL THE TRUTH AND I-- AND I WILL. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF VOTER
FRAUD. IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON. >> Whitaker: BUT WISCONSIN REPUBLICANS CAN'T SEEM TO GET
PAST 2020. THIS WAS LAST MONTH IN THE STATE CAPITOL. REPUBLICANS FROM ALL OVER THE
STATE URGED G.O.P. LEGISLATORS TO STAND FIRM. RALLY ORGANIZER, JEFFERSON DAVIS, THE FORMER VILLAGE
PRESIDENT OF MENOMONEE FALLS, HAD A MESSAGE FOR DEMOCRATS. >> Jefferson Davis: IN WISCONSIN, YOU WILL NO LONGER
CHEAT, YOU WILL NO LONGER STEAL, AND YOU WILL NO LONGER COMMIT ELECTION FRAUD. >> Whitaker: REPUBLICANS
DOMINATE BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE, AND MOST WON ON THE SAME 2020 BALLOT THAT FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP NOW
CONTESTS. REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES HOPING TO UNSEAT GOVERNOR TONY EVERS, A DEMOCRAT, EITHER DENY PRESIDENT
JOE BIDEN WON THE ELECTION, WON'T SAY, OR QUESTION THE PROCESS. FOUR G.O.P. POLITICIANS ARE
ANGLING TO OUST THIS MAN, DEMOCRAT DOUG LA FOLLETTE, WISCONSIN'S SECRETARY OF STATE. OVER HIS 44 YEARS IN OFFICE
REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURES HAVE CUT HIS BUDGET, REDUCED HIS DUTIES AND MOVED HIS OFFICE TO THE CAPITOL BASEMENT WHERE HE SPENDS
HIS DAYS CERTIFYING DOCUMENTS. >> Doug La Follette: SO WHY WOULD SOMEONE WANT TO BE SECRETARY OF STATE?
>> Whitaker: SO WHAT'S GOING ON? >> La Follette: GIVEN THE WHOLE TRUMP ELECTION PHENOMENON, THERE IS AN EFFORT TO GET MORE CONTROL
OF ELECTIONS IN KEY STATES, AND WISCONSIN IS A KEY BATTLEGROUND STATE. >> Whitaker: AND REPUBLICANS
RUNNING TO UNSEAT HIM DO WANT TO EMPOWER THE OFFICE TO OVERSEE ELECTIONS. >> La Follette: AND IT'S GOING
ON ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THERE ARE TRUMP CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR SECRETARY OF STATE IN MANY PLACES TRYING TO
ACCOMPLISH SIMILAR THINGS. >> Whitaker: WE REACHED OUT TO TOP REPUBLICAN LEADERS, AND ALL EITHER DECLINED OUR REQUEST FOR
AN INTERVIEW, OR WOULDN'T RESPOND. >> Robin Vos: EVERY SINGLE PROCESS, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT
IT IS, CAN ALWAYS BE IMPROVED. >> Whitaker: REPUBLICAN ROBIN VOS, THE POWERFUL SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, TOLD WISCONSIN PUBLIC
RADIO HALF THE STATE OR MORE BELIEVES THERE WERE SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE 2020 ELECTION. HE ORDERED AN INVESTIGATION,
THE THIRD BY THE LEGISLATURE, TO CHECK FOR FLAWS IN THE ELECTION AND PROPOSE LEGISLATIVE FIXES.
>> Vos: WHOEVER WINS, THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE SHOULD THINK IT WAS DONE FAIR AND SQUARE. >> Whitaker: THIS PAST JUNE HE
APPOINTED FORMER WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT JUSTICE, AND FORMER DEPUTY ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH, DIVERSITY AND
INCLUSION IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, MICHAEL GABLEMAN TO HEAD UP THE INVESTIGATION. >> Michael Gableman: IN THAT
CAPACITY I WORK DIRECTLY FOR YOU, THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN. >> Whitaker: AFTER BEING TAPPED FOR THE JOB, GABLEMAN TOLD THE
"MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL," LIKE MOST PEOPLE HE DIDN'T HAV“" A COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING OR EVEN ANY UNDERSTANDING OF HOW
ELECTIONS WORK.” YET RIGHT AFTER THE 2020 ELECTION, HE TOLD A TRUMP CROWD THEIR VOTES HAD BEEN STOLEN.
>> Gableman: I DON'T THINK ANYONE HERE CAN THINK OF ANYTHING MORE SYSTEMATICALLY UNJUST THAN A STOLEN ELECTION.
>> Whitaker: ASSEMBLY SPEAKER ROBIN VOS ANNOUNCED THE GABLEMAN INVESTIGATION LAST JUNE, JUST HOURS AFTER FORMER PRESIDENT
DONALD TRUMP ACCUSED THE SPEAKER OF “WORKING HARD TO COVER UP ELECTION CORRUPTION” IN 2020. NOT LONG AFTERWARD, VOS FLEW TO
A TRUMP RALLY WITH THE FORMER PRESIDENT AND ASSURED HIM OF A TOP-TO-BOTTOM INVESTIGATION BY MICHAEL GABLEMAN.
GABLEMAN, WHO ALSO IGNORED OUR REQUESTS FOR AN INTERVIEW, DRAWS A SALARY OF $11,000 A MONTH. HE'S MADE LITTLE ATTEMPT TO BE
TRANSPARENT OR BIPARTISAN. HE REVEALED HIS STAFF ONLY UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE PRESS AND DEMOCRATS; SOME WERE FOUND TO
HAVE WORKED IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OR WITH STOP THE STEAL EFFORTS. HIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN SO
SECRETIVE A JUDGE RULED IT VIOLATED WISCONSIN'S PUBLIC RECORDS LAW. THIS MONTH, GABLEMAN RELEASED
HIS INTERIM REPORT, LIVE ON CABLE TV FROM THE STATE CAPITOL. >> Gableman: I BELIEVE THE LEGISLATURE OUGHT TO TAKE A VERY
HARD LOOK AT THE OPTION OF DECERTIFICATION OF THE 2020 WISCONSIN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. >> Whitaker: THE LEGISLATURE'S
OWN STAFF ATTORNEYS SAY THERE'S NO LEGAL WAY TO DECERTIFY THE ELECTION. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FOUND ABOUT
TWO DOZEN PEOPLE WERE CHARGED WITH VOTER FRAUD IN WISCONSIN IN 2020 OUT OF MORE THAN 3 MILLION VOTES CAST.
BUT MICHAEL GABLEMAN SAYS HE BELIEVES THE WHOLE PROCESS WAS FLAWED. HE POINTS TO GRANTS FROM A
NONPROFIT FUNDED BY MARK ZUCKERBERG, TO HELP MUNICIPALITIES RUN SAFE ELECTIONS IN THE PANDEMIC.
ABOUT 2,500 COMMUNITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY, BOTH RED AND BLUE, RECEIVED FUNDS, INCLUDING 217 IN WISCONSIN THAT GOT ABOUT
$10 MILLION. BUT GABLEMAN FOCUSED ON WHAT HE CALLS THE ZUCKERBERG FIVE. >> Gableman: THE FIVE LARGEST
RECIPIENTS WERE THE FIVE LARGEST DEMOCRATIC CONTROLLED CITIES IN THE STATE. >> Whitaker: HE CALLED GRANTS TO
THE STATE'S FIVE LARGEST CITIES BRIBES TO BOOST VOTES FOR DEMOCRATS AND QUOTED THEIR GRANT APPLICATION.
>> Gableman: WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON REACHING VOTERS OF COLOR, LOW INCOME VOTERS WITHOUT RELIABLE ACCESS TO INTERNET,
DISABILITIES AND PRIMARY LANGUAGE IS NOT ENGLISH. >> Whitaker: HE FOUND THAT LANGUAGE DAMNING; BUT A FEDERAL
JUDGE APPOINTED BY GEORGE W. BUSH FOUND NOTHING ILLEGAL ABOUT THE GRANTS. MICHAEL GABLEMAN BLAMES WHAT HE
CALLS A BOTCHED ELECTION ON THE BIPARTISAN WISCONSIN ELECTIONS COMMISSION, WHICH WAS CREATED SEVERAL YEARS AGO BY REPUBLICANS
IN THE LEGISLATURE. HE ESPECIALLY TARGETS ITS ADMINISTRATOR, MEAGAN WOLFE. >> Meagan Wolfe: MY POSITION IS
NONPARTISAN AS IS ALL OF THE STAFF AT THE WISCONSIN ELECTIONS COMMISSION. >> Whitaker: WHAT DOES THAT
ACTUALLY MEAN? >> Wolfe: TO ME, IT MEANS THAT I DON'T GIVE ANY DEFERENCE TO POLITICAL PRESSURE, SO PEOPLE
TRYING TO SWAY US TO IMPLEMENT ELECTIONS IN A WAY THAT MIGHT BE BENEFICIAL TO ONE PARTY, OR ONE CANDIDATE, OR THE OTHER.
>> Whitaker: MEAGAN WOLFE WAS UNANIMOUSLY CONFIRMED FOR THE WISCONSIN ELECTIONS COMMISSION BY THE REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED
STATE SENATE ALMOST THREE YEARS AGO. IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR, SHE WAS SWORN IN AS PRESIDENT OF THE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE ELECTION DIRECTORS. >> Wolfe: WHEN WE SAY THAT THE ELECTION IN WISCONSIN WAS FREE
AND FAIR, WE'RE NOT GUESSING. WE KNOW THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE AUDITED THE ELECTION. WE HAVE RECOUNTED THE ELECTION.
WE HAVE CANVASSED THE ELECTION. THERE HAVE BEEN COURT DECISIONS THAT HAVE LOOKED AT THE ELECTION AND AFFIRMED THE RESULT.
>> Whitaker: WHY ARE PEOPLE SUSPICIOUS OF THE OUTCOME OF THIS ELECTION? >> Wolfe: I'M NOT REALLY SURE,
OTHER THAN IT FEELS LIKE PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR A DIFFERENT ANSWER TO SUPPORT A DIFFERENT CONCLUSION.
>> Whitaker: A DIFFERENT OUTCOME TO THE ELECTION RESULTS? >> Wolfe: YES. >> Whitaker: WHERE IS THAT
COMING FROM? >> Wolfe: PEOPLE'S FREEDOM TO VOTE IS A SACRED RIGHT. AND THEY TAKE THAT VERY
SERIOUSLY. BUT THEN THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE THAT I THINK ARE TRYING TO WEAPONIZE MISINFORMATION TO
MISLEAD PEOPLE FOR A PARTISAN PURPOSE. >> Whitaker: BY HER ACCOUNT, MICHAEL GABLEMAN IS REVISING
HISTORY, MAKING EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES THEY HAD TO TAKE TO RUN A SAFE ELECTION IN A DEADLY PANDEMIC SEEM SINISTER.
THIS WAS THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY IN APRIL 2020: LONG LINES, SCARED, COLD, FRUSTRATED VOTERS.
THREE WEEKS EARLIER, PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD DECLARED A NATIONAL EMERGENCY. ON ELECTION DAY, ASSEMBLY
SPEAKER VOS, IN PROTECTIVE GEAR, TOLD VOTERS THERE WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. >> Vos: IT'S GOING SMOOTHLY,
SEEMS TO BE PRETTY FINE IN ALMOST EVERY PART OF WISCONSIN SO I'M PROUD OF WHAT WE'RE DOING.
>> Whitaker: WITH ALL THE UNCERTAINTY... >> I WILL CALL THE MEETING OF THE WISCONSIN ELECTIONS
COMMISSION TO ORDER. >> Whitaker: ...THE BIPARTISAN ELECTIONS COMMISSION HAD TO MAKE SNAP DECISIONS, REINTERPRET
ELECTION LAWS TO FIT UNPRECEDENTED CIRCUMSTANCES, ALL DONE TRANSPARENTLY IN PUBLIC ZOOM MEETINGS.
THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION GAVE COMMUNITIES GUIDANCE ON ABSENTEE BALLOTS, WHICH SHOT UP FROM 4% TO 40% OF ALL VOTES.
THEY ENDORSED EXPANDED USE OF DROP BOXES. INSTEAD OF HOLDING ON-SITE VOTING AT NURSING HOMES, WHICH
WERE COVID HOT SPOTS AT THE TIME, THE COMMITTEE ORDERED ELECTION CLERKS TO MAIL BALLOTS TO RESIDENTS WHO'D REQUESTED
THEM. IN HIS REPORT, MICHAEL GABLEMAN CLAIMS ALL THOSE DECISIONS WERE ILLEGAL.
YOU WERE THE FIRST STATE IN THE COUNTRY TO HAVE TO HAVE AN ELECTION IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS PANDEMIC.
>> Wolfe: WE WERE. I STILL GET GOOSEBUMPS WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT IN ALL 1,850 MUNICIPALITIES ACROSS OUR
STATE THEY WERE ABLE TO OPEN THEIR POLLS ON ELECTION DAY. THEY DIDN'T HAVE POLL WORKERS. THEY DIDN'T HAVE SUPPLIES.
AND THEY WERE RISKING THEIR HEALTH. >> Gableman: LET'S TALK ABOUT COVER-UPS.
>> Whitaker: NEVERTHELESS, MICHAEL GABLEMAN ACCUSES THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION OF STEALING CITIZENS' VOTES.
23 G.O.P. LEGISLATORS ARE CALLING FOR MEAGAN WOLFE AND ELECTIONS COMMISSIONERS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND POSSIBLY
PROSECUTED FOR CRIMINAL CONDUCT. GABLEMAN PROPOSES ELIMINATING THE BIPARTISAN COMMISSION ALTOGETHER AND GIVING ITS DUTIES
TO ELECTED OFFICIALS, WHO HE SAYS WOULD BE MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO VOTERS. THIS PAST WEEK, THE LEGISLATURE
EXTENDED GABLEMAN'S CONTRACT. HIS INVESTIGATION WILL CONTINUE AT LEAST THROUGH APRIL. IN YOUR ESTIMATION, IS THAT A--
CREDIBLE INVESTIGATION? >> Bernier: NO. >> Whitaker: JUST FLAT OUT NO? >> Bernier: NO.
WE NEED TO CLOSE THIS UP. WE NEED TO MOVE ON AND WE NEED TO ELECT REPUBLICANS IN 2022. >> Whitaker: REPUBLICAN STATE
SENATOR KATHY BERNIER PLANS TO RETIRE WHEN HER TERM IS UP IN JANUARY. SHE WON'T BE RUNNING IN 2022,
BUT SHE SAYS THE STAKES COULDN'T BE HIGHER. >> Bernier: DONALD TRUMP IS STILL THE HEAD OF THE REPUBLICAN
PARTY AS I SEE IT. HE IS LIKELY GOING TO RUN IN 2024. HE HAS A LOT OF POWER, AND A LOT
OF INFLUENCE, AND I RESPECT THAT. SO I DON'T HAPPEN TO CARE ABOUT THAT.
>> Whitaker: WHAT DO YOU CARE ABOUT? >> Bernier: THAT WE LEAVE THIS COUNTRY BETTER OFF NOW THAN IT
WAS IN THE PAST. WE'RE GOING DOWN A SLIPPERY SLOPE. AND MAYBE IT'S NOT JUST POLITICS
TO ME, IT MATTERS. ( TICKING )
>> Anderson Cooper: THREE YEARS AGO, PETE BUTTIGIEG WAS THE MAYOR OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, A CITY WITH ONLY ABOUT 160
TRAFFIC LIGHTS. TODAY, “MAYOR PETE” IS“ SECRETARY PETE,” HEAD OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION. THANKS TO THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW PASSED LAST YEAR, HE'S OVERSEEING ONE OF THE
MOST SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN AMERICA'S BRIDGES, ROADS AND RAILS IN MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY.
BUTTIGIEG IS 40-YEARS-OLD, A HARVARD GRADUATE, RHODES SCHOLAR, AND FORMER NAVY RESERVE OFFICER WHO RAN FOR THE
DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION IN 2020. NOW HE'S DEALING WITH A PANDEMIC-RELATED SUPPLY CHAIN
CRISIS AND TRYING TO ENSURE THAT HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE WELL-SPENT ON AGING TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS IN
DESPERATE NEED OF REPAIR. AT ABOUT 6:30 A.M. ON JANUARY 28, THIS BRIDGE IN PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, COLLAPSED WHILE A
BUS AND SOME CARS WERE DRIVING ACROSS IT. NO ONE WAS KILLED, BUT SEVERAL PEOPLE WERE INJURED.
FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS ARE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHY SAFETY INSPECTORS HADN'T WARNED THAT A COLLAPSE WAS IMMINENT.
WHEN SOMEBODY'S DRIVING OVER A BRIDGE, SHOULD THEY FEEL CONFIDENT? >> Pete Buttigeig: YEAH.
I MEAN, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S SAFE. THERE'S INSPECTION STANDARDS THAT WE SET FEDERALLY.
BUT-- BUT HERE'S THE ISSUE: IF A BRIDGE IS DETERIORATING, YOU'RE GOING TO FEEL THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT, BECAUSE IN ORDER TO
KEEP IT SAFE IT MIGHT HAVE TO BE CLOSED. >> Cooper: 42% OF AMERICA'S BRIDGES ARE AT LEAST 50 YEARS
OLD, AND MORE THAN 7% ARE CONSIDERED “STRUCTURALLY DEFICIENT,” INCLUDING THIS ONE NOT FAR FROM SECRETARY PETE
BUTTIGIEG'S OFFICE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. SO, THIS DOES NOT LOOK GREAT. >> Buttigieg: I MEAN, LOOK AT
IT, RIGHT? IT-- IT TELLS A STORY RIGHT THERE. WE'RE RIGHT BY, YOU KNOW, A
THRIVING ECONOMIC AREA IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL, AND YOU GOT LITERALLY BITS OF RUST COMING OFF-- PIPES AND THE UNDERSIDE OF
OUR BRIDGE. USUALLY-- >> Cooper: THAT'S ACTUALLY FROM-- FROM THAT?
>> Buttigieg: YEAH, I THINK SO. I THINK THAT USED TO BE THIS BRIDGE. >> Cooper: WHEN GRADING THE
OVERALL STATE OF THIS COUNTRY'S INFRASTRUCTURE, THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS RECENTLY GAVE THE U.S. A “C-."
HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT A COUNTRY LIKE THE UNITED STATES GETS A C- ON INFRASTRUCTURE? >> Buttigeig: WELL, YOU GET WHAT
YOU PAY FOR. AND FOR PRETTY MUCH AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN ALIVE, OUR COUNTRY HAS BEEN UNDER-INVESTING IN PUBLIC
THINGS. FOR A LONG TIME, EVERYBODY HERE IN WASHINGTON SAID, "WE GOT TO DO THIS," OR, "WE'RE GOING TO DO
THIS," IT'S FINALLY HAPPENED BUT WE-- WE GOT A LOT OF TIME TO MAKE UP FOR. >> Cooper: THE BIPARTISAN
INFRASTRUCTURE BILL SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT BIDEN IN NOVEMBER GUARANTEES AT LEAST $850 BILLION OF SPENDING OVER
THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. THERE'S $55 BILLION TO HELP COMMUNITIES REMOVE LEAD PIPES AND DELIVER CLEAN DRINKING
WATER, $65 BILLION TO EXPAND BROADBAND INTERNET SERVICE AND MAKE IT MORE AFFORDABLE, AND ANOTHER $65 BILLION TO UPGRADE
THE NATION'S POWER GRID. MANY FEDERAL AGENCIES ARE INVOLVED, BUT PETE BUTTIGIEG'S DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
WILL BE THE LARGEST RECIPIENT OF FUNDS, DISTRIBUTING MORE THAN $560 BILLION OVER FIVE YEARS TO IMPROVE EVERYTHING FROM TUNNELS,
BRIDGES, AND ROADS TO MASS TRANSIT, PORTS, AND AIRPORTS. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THAT THE COUNTRY INVESTED THIS AMOUNT OF
MONEY IN INFRASTRUCTURE? >> Buttigeig: WHEN IT COMES TO ROADS AND BRIDGES, WE HAVEN'T INVESTED AT THIS LEVEL SINCE THE
EISENHOWER ADMINISTRATION, SINCE THEY BUILT THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM IN THE FIRST PLACE.
>> Cooper: WHAT ARE PEOPLE GOING TO SEE DIFFERENT IN THEIR LIVES OR IN THEIR COMMUNITIES BECAUSE OF THIS INVESTMENT?
>> Buttigeig: I THINK ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS YOU'RE GOING TO NOTICE IS ACCELERATED WORK ON ROADS AND BRIDGES.
NOT JUST THE BIG, FAMOUS BRIDGES IN OUR BIGGEST CITIES. THIS IS THOUSANDS OF BRIDGES AROUND THE COUNTRY.
>> Cooper: ONE OF THE MANY THINGS PENNSYLVANIA WILL DO WITH ITS INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY IS REBUILD THAT BRIDGE THAT
COLLAPSED IN PITTSBURGH AND WASHINGTON, D.C. PLANS TO FIX THE “H STREET” BRIDGE WE SAW NEAR UNION STATION.
BUT IN MANY CASES, IT'S TOO EARLY TO KNOW EXACTLY WHICH PROJECTS WILL BE FUNDED. THAT'S BECAUSE SOME OF THE MONEY
WILL BE AWARDED BY BUTTIGIEG AND HIS STAFF TO COMMUNITIES THAT WILL COMPETE FOR DISCRETIONARY GRANTS.
BUT MORE MONEY IS BEING SENT DIRECTLY TO THE STATES, WHERE GOVERNORS AND LOCAL LEADERS WILL DECIDE HOW TO SPEND IT.
IN A LOT OF COMMUNITIES-- WHEN THEY GET MONEY, THEIR EMPHASIS IS ON BUILDING NEW ROADS. YOU'RE TRYING TO EMPHASIZE--
FIXING EXISTING ROADS. THAT'S NOT ALWAYS POPULAR-- >> Buttigeig: THERE'S ALWAYS A BIAS TOWARD THE SHINY, NEW
THING. BUT THE TRUTH IS, AS A COUNTRY, WE'VE GOT TO TAKE CARE OF WHAT WE'VE GOT.
>> Cooper: IN EARLIER VERSIONS OF THE BILL THERE WERE PROVISIONS THAT WOULD'VE REQUIRED STATES TO DEDICATE
MONEY TO REPAIRING FREEWAYS BEFORE BUILDING NEW ONES. THOSE PROVISIONS WERE TAKEN OUT. >> Buttigeig: THE REQUIREMENTS
AREN'T THERE, BUT IT'S STILL A GOOD IDEA AND WE'RE STILL GOING TO ENCOURAGE IT. >> Cooper: THERE'S RESEARCH
SHOWING THAT HISTORICALLY MORE OF THE GRANT MONEY GOES TO STATES THAT VOTED FOR THE PARTY IN POWER.
UNDER OBAMA UN-- IT WENT TO BLUE STATES, UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP IT WENT TO-- TO RED STATES. IS THAT GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN?
>> Buttigeig: WE'RE REALLY FOCUSED ON TAKING THOSE PARTY POLITICS OUT OF THE PICTURE. >> Cooper: BUT NO ADMINISTRATION
SAYS, "YEAH, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING." BUT HISTORICALLY THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS.
>> Buttigeig: BUT LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE ACTUALLY DOING. SO, THIS LAST ROUND OF DISCRETIONARY GRANTS, FOR
EXAMPLE, $1 BILLION THAT I HAD THE FINAL SIGN OFF ON. WE ACTUALLY WENT OVER THE CONGRESSIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR
HOW MUCH GOES TO RURAL AREAS. RURAL AREAS AREN'T KNOWN FOR SUPPORTING MY POLITICAL PARTY. BUT THEY--
( LAUGHS ) THEY DO HAVE A LOT OF NEED. AND SO, WE'RE FUNDING GOOD PROJECTS THERE.
>> Cooper: MOODY'S ANALYTICS ESTIMATES THE INFRASTRUCTURE LAW WILL CREATE 872,000 NEW JOBS BY LATE 2025.
PROJECTS LONG ON THE DRAWING BOARD MAY FINALLY HAPPEN. FOR EXAMPLE: THE HUDSON RIVER TRAIN TUNNEL THAT RUNS BETWEEN
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY IS A CRUCIAL ARTERY THAT LOCAL LEADERS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO UPGRADE FOR YEARS.
>> Buttigieg: IT WAS ABSOLUTE STATE-OF-THE-ART, BEST- CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY 110 YEARS AGO.
( LAUGHS ) >> Cooper: IN NINETEEN-- IN 1910. >> Buttigieg: YEAH.
AND WE'RE GOING DEEP INTO THE 21st CENTURY STILL DEPENDING ON THAT HUNDRED-YEAR-OLD INFRASTRUCTURE.
>> Cooper: THE TUNNELS SO BADLY DAMAGED CREWS HAVE TO WORK ON IT AT NIGHT SO PIECES OF IT DON'T FALL ON THE TRACKS DURING THE
DAY. IF AN EXPECTED INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT COMES THROUGH, CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW TUNNEL
COULD FINALLY BEGIN NEXT YEAR. KENTUCKY GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR HAS SAID HE'D LIKE TO USE INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY TO HELP
BUILD A COMPANION TO THE CONGESTED BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE THAT CONNECTS KENTUCKY AND OHIO. AIRPORTS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY
WILL BE RECEIVING MONEY THIS YEAR TO UPGRADE THEIR RUNWAYS AND TERMINALS. L.A.X. WILL GET $79 MILLION,
CHICAGO O'HARE $74 MILLION, AND ATLANTA'S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT $92 MILLION. SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG PLANS TO USE
SOME OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY TO REVITALIZE LOW-INCOME BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WERE DIVIDED OR DAMAGED BY THE CONSTRUCTION
OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. BUT FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DE SANTIS HAS EXPRESSED SOME SKEPTICISM ABOUT THAT.
>> Ron Desantis: I MEAN, I HEARD SOME STUFF, SOME WEIRD STUFF FROM THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION TRYING TO MAKE
THIS ABOUT SOCIAL ISSUES. TO ME, A ROAD IS A ROAD. SO, I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW, I'D HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
>> Cooper: IS A ROAD A ROAD? >> Buttigeig: OF COURSE A ROAD IS A ROAD. BUT IF A ROAD WAS BUILT IN SUCH
A WAY THAT IT REMOVED, DESTROYED, OR DIVIDED A COMMUNITY OF COLOR, THAT'S SOMETHING WE'VE GOT TO DEAL
WITH. >> Cooper: WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT IT? I MEAN, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO
REROUTE A HIGHWAY. >> Buttigeig: WELL, YOU MIGHT. IF FEDERAL DOLLARS WERE USED TO DIVIDE A NEIGHBORHOOD OR A CITY,
FEDERAL DOLLARS SHOULD BE USED TO RECONNECT IT. NOW, THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN THE HIGHWAY HAS TO GO
COMPLETELY. MAYBE YOU GOT TO BRIDGE OVER IT OR AROUND IT, OR INTRODUCE TRANSIT OR DIFFERENT OPTIONS.
BUT THE POINT IS, TRANSPORTATION SHOULD ALWAYS CONNECT, NEVER DIVIDE. >> Kamala Harris: THE YEAS ARE
69. THE NAYS ARE 30. >> Cooper: THE PASSAGE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL IN THE
SENATE WAS THE RESULT OF SOME SERIOUS BRIDGE-BUILDING. FIVE REPUBLICAN AND FIVE DEMOCRATIC SENATORS NEGOTIATED
THE DEAL AND CONVINCED THEIR COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT IT. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 200 REPUBLICANS AND SIX
DEMOCRATS VOTED AGAINST THE LEGISLATION, BUT THAT DIDN'T STOP MANY OF THEM FROM LATER CLAIMING CREDIT FOR THE MONEY IT
GAVE TO THEIR DISTRICTS. WHEN YOU HEAR A MEMBER OF CONGRESS WHO DID NOT VOTE FOR THIS MONEY TURNING AROUND AND
TAKING CREDIT FOR THE MONEY THAT IS COMING TO THEIR DISTRICT-- >> Buttigeig: IT'S AN AMAZING THING, ISN'T IT?
AS IRRITATING AS THAT CAN BE, AS LONG AS THE PROJECT GETS DONE, AS LONG AS IT BENEFITS THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE, THE
POLITICS ARE WHAT THEY ARE. ( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ) >> Cooper: IF YOU HADN'T NOTICED, PETE BUTTIGIEG IS,
HIMSELF, A VERY SKILLED POLITICIAN. IN 2019, WHEN HE ANNOUNCED HE WAS RUNNING FOR THE DEMOCRATIC
PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION, MOST PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW HIM AND COULDN'T PRONOUNCE HIS NAME. >> Buttigeig: THEY CALL ME“
MAYOR PETE.” >> Cooper: BUT THEY QUICKLY LEARNED. >> Buttigeig: BUTT-EDGE-EDGE,
BUTT-EDGE-EDGE. >> Cooper: HE LED THE FIELD IN IOWA ALONG WITH BERNIE SANDERS, AND FINISHED A CLOSE SECOND IN
NEW HAMPSHIRE. WHEN HE DROPPED OUT OF THE RACE IN MARCH 2020, HE ENDORSED JOE BIDEN, WHO LATER OFFERED HIM A
CABINET POST. WHEN HE WAS SWORN IN, HE BECAME THE FIRST OPENLY GAY CABINET SECRETARY TO BE CONFIRMED BY
CONGRESS. >> Harris: CONGRATULATIONS, MR. SECRETARY. >> Cooper: DID YOU THINK ABOUT
IT ON THAT DAY? >> Buttigeig: YEAH. YEAH, I MEAN, IT WAS HARD NOT TO THINK ABOUT IT.
IT WASN'T THAT LONG AGO THAT BEING GAY MEANT THAT YOU COULDN'T HAVE ANY JOB IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, NEVER MIND
BEING A SOLDIER OR A CABINET OFFICER. YOU COULDN'T BE A BOOKKEEPER. YOU COULD LOSE YOUR JOB--
>> Cooper: AND YOU COULD BE FIRED IF YOU WERE. >> Buttigeig: AND MANY PEOPLE WERE.
AND TO KNOW NOW THAT-- THAT-- I CAN BE WHO I AM AND HAVE THIS JOB, I-- I KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.
>> Cooper: IN AUGUST 2021, BUTTIGIEG AND HIS HUSBAND, CHASTEN ADOPTED NEWBORN TWINS, A BOY AND A GIRL.
THE TWINS WERE BORN PREMATURELY, AND THEIR SON GUS SPENT TIME IN INTENSIVE CARE. BUT AS SUPPLY CHAIN PROBLEMS
MOUNTED LAST FALL, BUTTIGIEG CAME UNDER ATTACK FOR TAKING PARENTAL LEAVE DURING A CRISIS. >> Tucker Carlson: PETE
BUTTIGIEG HAS BEEN ON LEAVE FROM HIS JOB SINCE AUGUST AFTER ADOPTING A CHILD, PATERNITY LEAVE, THEY CALL IT, TRYING TO
FIGURE OUT HOW TO BREASTFEED, NO WORD ON HOW THAT WENT. >> Cooper: WERE YOU SURPRISED BY-- BY THAT CRITICISM?
>> Buttigeig: A LITTLE BIT, YEAH. BECAUSE SOME OF IT CAME FROM CORNERS THAT-- TALK A LOT ABOUT
FAMILY VALUES. ONE THING I WANTED TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD WAS THAT, LIKE SO MANY PARENTS HAVE TO DO, I
TOOK CARE OF MY KIDS AND I TOOK CARE OF BUSINESS. >> Cooper: HIS AGENCY HAS SO FAR MADE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS AVAILABLE TO IMPROVE PORTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, BUT SUPPLY CHAIN PROBLEMS REMAIN A MAJOR CHALLENGE.
CAN YOU SAY WHEN THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUE WILL BE SOLVED? >> Buttigeig: WHEN THE PANDEMIC ENDS IT'LL GET A LOT BETTER, BUT
IT'S GOING TO TAKE YEARS TO HAVE THE KIND OF TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE REALLY NEED TO WEATHER THE NEXT SHOCK,
WHETHER IT'S A PANDEMIC OR WHO KNOWS, A CYBER ATTACK CERTAINLY MORE EXTREME WEATHER RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE.
WE'VE GOT TO GET MORE RESILIENT FOR THAT. >> Cooper: THE INFRASTRUCTURE LAW INCLUDES AN UNPRECEDENTED
$66 BILLION OVER FIVE YEARS FOR AMTRAK TO IMPROVE ITS EXISTING RAILS AND TUNNELS AND EXPAND ITS SERVICE.
THERE'S ALSO $5 BILLION TO HELP BUILD A NETWORK OF CHARGING STATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
BUT MOST OF THE TRANSPORTATION MONEY IS GOING TO ROADS, HIGHWAYS, AND BRIDGES. THERE'S FOLKS WHO HAVE LOOKED
AT-- AT THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL, AND DON'T REALLY SEE IT HAVING A NET POSITIVE IMPACT ON CLIMATE. YOU KNOW, ALL THE CONCRETE
THAT'S BEING MADE, STEEL THAT'S BEING MADE, ALL THAT IS A HUGE RELEASE OF CARBON >> Buttigeig: THAT'S WHY WE GOT
TO SPEND THESE DOLLARS IN A SMART WAY, RIGHT? THE MORE WE GET PEOPLE ON TO TRANSIT, GIVE THEM GOOD TRANSIT
OPTIONS, THE LESS THEY HAVE TO DRIVE. AND THEN WHEN THEY ARE DRIVING, THE MORE WE GET THEM IN ELECTRIC
VEHICLES, THAT'S GOOD FOR THE CLIMATE, TOO. IN JUNE WE AWARDED GEORGIA PORTS AUTHORITY A $47 MILLION GRANT.
>> Cooper: GIVING INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY TO LOCAL LEADERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY COULD PROVE TO BE VERY GOOD FOR PETE BUTTIGIEG
SHOULD HE DECIDE TO RUN FOR NATIONAL OFFICE AGAIN, BUT IT WILL TAKE MANY YEARS TO COMPLETE SOME OF THESE PROJECTS.
AND BEFORE THERE ARE NEW BRIDGES AND IMPROVED ROADS, THERE WILL BE LOTS OF CLOSED LANES AND TRAFFIC JAMS.
WE WERE CURIOUS WHAT THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS, THE GROUP THAT GAVE THE NATION'S CURRENT
INFRASTRUCTURE A “C-,” THOUGHT THE INFUSION OF FEDERAL FUNDS WOULD ACCOMPLISH. ONE OF THEIR TOP OFFICIALS TOLD
US IT WAS A VERY POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT, BUT STILL ONLY ABOUT HALF OF WHAT'S NEEDED. SHE SAYS THAT SHE HOPES THAT THE
INFRASTRUCTURE GRADE SEVEN YEARS FROM NOW WOULD BE A B. WITH ALL THE MONEY THAT'S BEING SPENT, STILL ONLY A B.
HAVE YOU EVER GOTTEN A B IN YOUR LIFE? YOU S-- YOU STRIKE ME AS THE KIND OF GUY WHO HASN'T GOTTEN A
LOT OF B's IN YOUR LIFE. >> Buttigeig: LOOK: YOU KNOW, WE'RE ALWAYS SHOOTING FOR A+. BUT THIS ISN'T LIKE BUILDING A
HOUSE. THIS IS BUILDING A COUNTRY, LITERALLY. AND SOME OF THESE THINGS DO TAKE
TIME. EACH PASSING YEAR YOU'LL SEE MORE RESULTS, AND IT IS GOING TO TAKE A WHILE.
( TICKING ) >> PETE BUTTIGIEG'S FUTURE IN POLITICS. >> Cooper: I'M GOING TO ASK YOU
A QUESTION WHICH I KNOW YOU'RE NOT GOING TO ANSWER, BUT I'M JUST CURIOUS TO SEE HOW YOU DON'T ANSWER IT.
>> AT 60minutesovertime.com. SPONSORED BY
( TICKING ) >> Norah O'Donnell: THE SHOW "TED LASSO" WAS NOMINATED FOR 20 EMMYS LAST YEAR, MORE THAN
ANY OTHER NEW COMEDY IN TELEVISION HISTORY. IT'S A FISH OUT OF WATER STORY ABOUT AN AMERICAN FOOTBALL COACH
FROM KANSAS WHO MOVES TO LONDON, ENGLAND, TO TAKE CHARGE OF A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER TEAM, DESPITE KNOWING NOTHING OF THE
SPORT. THE TALE OF TED LASSO MAY SOUND IMPROBABLE, BUT THE SERIES HAS BECOME A PHENOMENON AND CHANGED
THE GAME IN HOLLYWOOD. SO, WHEN PRODUCTION FOR THE THIRD SEASON WAS ABOUT TO BEGIN, WE WENT TO LONDON TO MEET AS
MANY MEMBERS OF THE ENSEMBLE CAST AS WE COULD, INCLUDING JASON SUDEIKIS, TED LASSO'S MASTERMIND AND ALTER EGO, TO
FIND OUT HOW THE SHOW SCORED. >> KNOCK A DOODLE DO. >> GOOD MORNING, COACH LASSO. >> O'Donnell: DID YOU SET OUT
AND SAY, "I WANT A CHARACTER THAT'S ALL ABOUT POSITIVITY AND KINDNESS AND CAN TRANSFORM PEOPLE, BRING OUT THE BEST IN
PEOPLE?" >> Jason Sudeikis: TO PLAY THE CHARACTER WAS INTENTIONAL. TO PLAY SOMEONE THAT WAS
KINDHEARTED, THAT DIDN'T SWEAR-- BE LIKE TEFLON TOWARDS PEOPLE'S NEGATIVITY OR-- OR-- OR SARCASM, 100% INTENTIONAL.
>> O'Donnell: KINDNESS AND POSITIVITY CAN BE TRANSFORMATIVE. >> Sudeikis: YEAH, AND SO CAN
THE OPPOSITE. BUT I MEAN, IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ONE AT THE-- AT THAT POINT OF WRITING IT AND WANTING TO PLAY
IT, I'D MUCH RATHER TRY TO VIEW THE WORLD, YOU KNOW, AS TED LASSO. >> THAT WAY IS THE "LASSO WAY."
>> O'Donnell: JASON SUDEIKIS TOLD US THE COMEDY IN "TED LASSO" ROLLS ONTO THE SCREEN LIKE A TROJAN HORSE.
>> HOWDY Y'ALL COWBOYS! >> O'Donnell: SOMETIMES FARCICAL. >> MORNING TED!
>> HEY, HIGGINS! >> O'Donnell: OFTEN PROFANE. >> JUST GONNA WATCH YOUR ASS. >> ( BLEEP ) OFF!
>> O'Donnell: CARRYING WITH IT, HOMESPUN WISDOM AND WARMTH. >> BOY THAT'S A HEAPING SPOONFUL OF TRUTH SOUP RIGHT THERE.
>> O'Donnell: THE SHOW DEFIED NOT JUST THE DARK TIMES OF THE PANDEMIC, BUT SOMETIMES LOGIC ITSELF.
>> DO YOU BELIEVE IN GHOSTS, TED? >> Sudeikis: MM-HMM. I DO, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I
THINK THEY NEED TO BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES. >> O'Donnell: AS COACH OF THE FICTIONAL SOCCER TEAM KNOWN AS
A.F.C. RICHMOND, SUDEIKIS LIKES TO SAY TED LASSO IS THE BEST VERSION OF HIMSELF. ONE QUALITY BOTH CHARACTER AND
ACTOR SHARE IS CURIOSITY. >> Sudeikis: I SAW THIS QUOTE BY WALT WHITMAN, IT WAS PAINTED ON THE WALL THERE, AND IT SAID,
"BE CURIOUS, NOT JUDGMENTAL." I LIKE THAT. >> O'Donnell: WALT WHITMAN NEVER WROTE OR SAID, “BE CURIOUS, NOT
JUDGMENTAL,” YET IT'S BECOME MORE THAN JUST A CATCHPHRASE. >> Sudeikis: MY MOM'S PARISH IN THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO,
CHRIST THE KING, YOU KNOW, HAD, LIKE, A BIBLE STUDY CLASS. >> O'Donnell: AND WHAT WAS THE BIBLE STUDY ABOUT?
>> Sudeikis: PROBABLY, LIKE, BE CURIOUS, NOT JUDGMENTAL, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO "TED LASSO," SOMETHING LIKE
THAT, MAYBE, I THINK. IT MIGHT'VE BEEN SOMETHING LIKE THAT. >> FOOTBALL IS FOOTBALL NO
MATTER WHERE YOU PLAY IT. >> O'Donnell: THE SHOW'S SUCCESS IS EVEN MORE EXTRAORDINARY WHEN YOU CONSIDER ITS ORIGINS.
NEARLY TEN YEARS AGO, LONG BEFORE TED LASSO BECAME GOSPEL, HE BEGAN AS AN ARROGANT, IN-CURIOUS COMMERCIAL.
>> Sudeikis: HEY, HOW YA DOING? THIS IS TED LASSO AND I'D LIKE TO TALK TO THE QUEEN, PLEASE. ♪ ♪ ♪
>> O'Donnell: NBC SPORTS NEEDED A BUZZY AD CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE SOCCER'S ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE IN THE U.S.
SO THEY CALLED SUDEIKIS, WHO WAS FINISHING-UP A TEN-YEAR RUN ON SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. >> SKIP LIKE LITTLE GIRLS.
GO, NOT A CARE IN THE WORLD. >> O'Donnell: HE SAID THE JOB SOUNDED LIKE FUN, ESPECIALLY WHEN HE WAS ALLOWED TO INVITE
TWO OLD FRIENDS ALONG FOR THE RIDE. SO, BEFORE YOU GUYS CREATED "TED LASSO," YOU WERE ACTUALLY
BEST FRIENDS. >> Sudeikis: I DON'T KNOW, BEST, I MEAN-- ( CROSSTALK )
>> Joe Kelly: LOT OF PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES. >> Brendan Hunt: OVERSTATEMENT-- >> Sudeikis: YEAH, I THINK WE--
WE GOT ALONG WELL-- >> Kelly: WE'RE FINE. >> Sudeikis: YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. ( LAUGHTER )
>> O'Donnell: HOW-- SO, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RELATIONSHIP? >> Sudeikis: BEST-- I THINK BEST
FRIENDS I THINK. IF I HAD TO-- ( LAUGHTER ) >> O'Donnell: "TED LASSO"
CO-CREATORS JOE KELLY AND BRENDAN HUNT HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER AND JASON SUDEIKIS FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.
>> Sudeikis: I'M GOING TO BE OKAY. >> O'Donnell: AFTER THE COMMERCIALS, THE TRIO DEVELOPED
TED LASSO INTO A MORE COMPLETE CHARACTER WHO SHED HIS ARROGANT SWAGGER FOR HUMBLE CURIOSITY. IN THE SHOW, TED LASSO ALSO
DEALS WITH DIVORCE. >> BUT YOU'RE NOT QUITTING, TED. >> O'Donnell: AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.
>> Sudeikis: YOU'RE GETTING PAID TO JUST JOT DOWN YOUR LITTLE NOTES AND DIAGNOSE MY TEARS AND THEN WHAT?
>> O'Donnell: ALL WHILE BRINGING A FEMININE APPROACH TO A TYPICALLY MASCULINE JOB. >> Sudeikis: Y'ALL GOT TO GET
TOGETHER AND WOMAN-UP! >> THINK YOU MEAN MAN-UP, MATE. >> Sudeikis: NO, Y'ALL BE MANNING-UP FOR A WHILE NOW AND
LOOK WHERE THAT'S GOT YA. >> Bill Lawrence: IF ANYBODY CLAIMS THAT THEY THOUGHT THIS SHOW OR KNEW THIS SHOW WAS GOING
WORK, THEY'RE FIBBING A LITTLE BIT. NO ONE WAS SURE. >> O'Donnell: THE THREE FRIENDS
GOT A BOOST WHEN VETERAN TELEVISION PRODUCER BILL LAWRENCE JOINED THE PROJECT. WHAT WAS IN JASON'S PITCH THAT
CONVINCED YOU? >> Lawrence: HE KNEW FROM THE START THAT THIS WAS A GUY THAT WAS PUTTING OUT A OPTIMISTIC
FACE AND THAT WOULD BE ONE NOTE IF HE WASN'T ALSO AWARE THAT THAT WAS COVERING UP SOMEBODY THAT NEEDED TO LEARN ABOUT SELF-
CARE AND BEING PROACTIVE IN FACING WHATEVER DEMONS THEY MIGHT HAVE. >> Hunt: IT GOT MOVING ONCE BILL
WAS INVOLVED. >> O'Donnell: BUT BILL SAID THIS IS NOT A SOCCER SHOW. >> Sudeikis: RIGHT.
>> Kelly: YEAH. >> Hunt: HE BASICALLY POUNDED THE-- THE TABLE AND SHOUTED AT A VERY EARLY—WRITER'S ROOM
SESSION, "THIS IS NOT A SOCCER SHOW! THIS IS A WORKPLACE ENSEMBLE COMEDY."
BUT THAT'S KIND OF BEEN A GUIDING PRINCIPLE, YOU KNOW? IT TAKES PLACE IN THE SOCCER WORLD, BUT IT'S NOT-- IT'S NEVER
ABOUT THE SOCCER AT ALL. >> Sudeikis: YEAH, THE THING THAT I WOULD SAY, IN, LIKE, THE PITCH MEETINGS WHEN BILL AND I
WENT OUT WAS LIKE, "THIS SHOW'S AS MUCH ABOUT SOCCER AS, LIKE, 'ROCKY' IS ABOUT BOXING." >> O'Donnell: WHAT HAPPENED WHEN
YOU SHOPPED AROUND "TED LASSO" HERE IN HOLLYWOOD? WHAT WAS THE REACTION? >> ( BLOWS RASPBERRY )
>> Sudeikis: THAT-- ( LAUGHTER ) NO. >> Hunt: WHAT-- WHAT'S THE
OPPOSITE OF A BIDDING WAR? >> Sudeikis: IT WAS LIKE, ER,“ WE'LL TAKE IT.” >> O'Donnell: STREAMING SERVICE
APPLE TV+ DECIDED TO TAKE ON "TED LASSO," WHICH IS PRODUCED BY WARNER BROS. DO YOU THINK YOU HAD MORE
FREEDOM BECAUSE IT WAS APPLE? >> Kelly: WE WENT INTO FILMING-- FEELING LIKE THE UNDERDOGS THAT RICHMOND WERE.
LIKE, WE WEREN'T COMING ON THE HEELS OF A BIDDING WAR. WE WEREN'T COMING ON THE HEELS OF, LIKE, "HERE WE GO WITH THIS
MONSTER SHOW." AND I FELT LIKE IT HELPED THE-- THE PROCESS, THE TONE, THE FEELING, THE VIBE, EVERYTHING.
>> O'Donnell: THE VIBE BEHIND THE SCENES SEEMS TO MIRROR THE TEAM SEEN ON THE SHOW. WE INVITED BRENDAN HUNT, WHO
PLAYS COACH BEARD. >> Hunt: BRENTFORD TAKING ON CRYSTAL PALACE. LASSO SPECIAL!
>> O'Donnell: AND TOHEEB JIMOH AND KOLA BOKINNI, WHO PORTRAY SOCCER PLAYERS ON TED LASSO, TO A PROPER SATURDAY AFTERNOON
MATCH. SO, I WAS KIND OF SURPRISED IN TALKING TO THE WRITERS THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU GUYS DEAL
WITH ON THE SHOW, ARE TRYING TO DISMANTLE, IS TOXIC MASCULINITY. >> Toheeb Jimoh: 100%. I THINK SETTING THE SHOW IN-- IN
LIKE, A BOY'S LOCKER ROOM, IN A FOOTBALL LOCKER ROOM IS. >> Kola Bokinni: WAS EASY. WAS EASY--
>> Jimoh: IT'S THE PERFECT PLACE TO, LIKE, TRY AND TACKLE THAT. I THINK THAT COMES FROM LIKE JUST LIKE, A CULTURE OF, LIKE--
YOU KNOW, IT'S VERY COMPETITIVE. LIKE, IT'S LIKE-- LIKE, BOYS BEING AROUND OTHER BOYS, AND LIKE EVERYONE IS PRETENDING TO
BE, LIKE, THIS VERSION OF, LIKE, WHAT THEY THINK, LIKE, A MAN IS-- OR A YOUNG MAN IS. >> Bokinni: YOU GET DIFFERENT
VERSIONS OF PEOPLE IN IT, YOU KNOW? THE PERSON THAT YOU ARE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS IS NOT THE PERSON
THAT YOU ARE IN-- IN REAL LIFE. >> O'Donnell: BEFORE HE TOOK ON TED LASSO, IN REAL LIFE, JASON SUDEIKIS HAILED FROM KANSAS,
JUST LIKE THE COACH HE NOW PLAYS. THERE HE WAS A COLLEGE THEATER STAR, BUT JUST AS COMFORTABLE
PLAYING POINT-GUARD ON THE BASKETBALL TEAM. HE SAYS RICHMOND IS PARTLY BASED ON HIS OLD TEAM, THAT ALSO
HAPPENED TO BE CALLED THE GREYHOUNDS. BILL HAD ONE OF THESE HANGING IN HIS OFFICE HE POINTED OUT ON THE
SET. >> Sudeikis: DE MAAT, NAMED AFTER MARTIN DE MAAT, AN IMPROV TEACHER FROM SECOND CITY.
>> O'Donnell: TED LASSO'S WRITERS NAMED MEMBERS OF THE TEAM AFTER FRIENDS, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND FORMER MENTORS.
>> Sudeikis: SASKIA MAAS IS ONE OF THE OWNERS OF BOOM CHICAGO WHERE BRENDAN, JOE AND I ALL WORKED IN AMSTERDAM.
>> ONE, TWO, THREE, GREYHOUNDS! >> O'Donnell: IT'S HARD SOMETIMES FOR ONE WORD TO CAPTURE SO MANY THINGS, BUT FOR
A LOT OF PEOPLE, THIS IS THE ICONIC TED LASSO? >> Sudeikis: YEAH. >> O'Donnell: "BELIEVE."
>> Sudeikis: I KNOW. >> O'Donnell: BELIEVE IN YOURSELF? BELIEVE IN THE PEOPLE AROUND
YOU? >> Sudeikis: YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. ABSOLUTELY. BELIEVE IN THE-- IN THE PROCESS.
>> O'Donnell: ONE OF THE SHOW'S BREAKOUT STARS, BRETT GOLDSTEIN, BELIEVED HE COULD PLAY ROY KENT. >> Roy Kent: CHECK ON YOUR
( BLEEP ) TEAMMATE! >> O'Donnell: THE GRUFF, WASHED- UP TOUGH GUY, WITH A HEART OF GOLD.
>> Goldstein: I LIKE BEING ROY KENT AND I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN HANDLE JUST BEING SOME LOSER HAS-BEEN CALLED ROY.
>> O'Donnell: TROUBLE WAS, GOLDSTEIN WAS HIRED TO WRITE, NOT ACT. >> Goldstein: LAST TIME I SAW
EYES THAT COLD THEY WERE GOING HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH ROY SCHEIDER. >> Goldstein: WHILE WE WERE WRITING IT, ABOUT SOMEWHERE
AROUND EPISODE FIVE I STARTED TO THINK, I THINK ROY KENT IS LIVING INSIDE ME. >> O'Donnell: HOW DID BRETT
GOLDSTEIN GO FROM WRITER TO STAR? >> Sudeikis: JUST FLAT-OUT SHOW BIZ GUMPTION, YOU KNOW, HE JUST
FELT A CONNECTION TO THE CHARACTER. AND SO, HE-- HE DID-- TAPED HIMSELF, SENT IT TO BILL SAYING,
"HEY, IF THIS IS GOOD, YOU KNOW, GREAT. IF IT'S NOT, WE NEVER NEED TO TALK ABOUT THIS AGAIN."
( LAUGHS ) >> Hunt: THEY'RE LIKE, "BRETT TURNED IN A ROY VIDEO." "OH, DID HE?
( LAUGHTER ) FIRE IT UP." AND IMMEDIATELY WAS LIKE, "BRETT'S ROY."
IT WAS IMMEDIATE. >> Goldstein: YOU ALL PLAY LIKE A BUNCH OF LITTLE PRICKS! YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, COACH! >> Kelly: ROY'S VERY GRUFF, VERY ANGRY, AND IT'S ALWAYS JARRING WHEN YOU CALL BRETT AND HE
ANSWERS THE PHONE, "HELLO? ( LAUGHTER ) HOW ARE YOU? HOW ARE YOU, DEAR FRIEND?"
HE'S THE SWEETEST MOST GENTLE MAN. >> Goldstein: HE'S A CAULDRON OF EMOTION THAT HE DOESN'T WANT
ANYONE TO KNOW ABOUT, WHO HAS BEEN RAISED IN A CULTURE OF ALMOST TOXIC MASCULINITY, TO BE A ( BLEEP ) WALL.
AND HE HAS ALL THESE FEELINGS AND THESE EMOTIONS, BUT HE CANNOT EXPRESS THEM ALL. AND HE HAS TO KEEP THEM PENT UP,
WHICH IS WHY HE TALKS LIKE HE TALKS, 'CAUSE HE'S HOLDING IT ALL IN. IT'S LIKE A CORK.
>> O'Donnell: A CORK-- >> Goldstein: IF HE PULLED IT OUT HE'D CRY AND SING AND, YOU KNOW, FLY OFF.
>> Hannah Waddingham: YOU'RE NEARLY 70 AND YOU'RE HAVING A BABY, WHAT ARE YOU, A CHARACTER FROM THE ( BLEEP ) BIBLE?
>> O'Donnell: HANNAH WADDINGHAM, WHO SPENT MUCH OF THE LAST 20 YEARS PERFORMING MUSICAL THEATER IN LONDON'S WEST END, PLAYS TEAM
OWNER, REBECCA WELTON. WHY DO YOU THINK THE SHOW RESONATED WITH SO MANY PEOPLE? AND DOES IT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO
WITH THE PANDEMIC? >> Waddingham: I THINK IT DOES AND IT DOESN'T. PEOPLE ASSOCIATE IT WITH THE
PANDEMIC TIME, OF COURSE, BECAUSE IT WAS A MASSIVE HUG. AND IT WAS A WAY OF EVERYONE BLOCKING IT OUT.
>> O'Donnell: THE SHOW WAS A MASSIVE HUG. >> Waddingham: YES. >> O'Donnell: A HUG TO WHAT?
>> Waddingham: TO PEOPLE. TO HUMANITY. IT'S-- IT'S-- I THINK IT'S WHAT EVERYBODY NEEDED AT THE TIME.
THEY NEEDED A HUG AND A REMINDER TO BE KIND TO EACH OTHER. A REMINDER TO INCLUDE EACH OTHER.
A REMINDER TO CHECK IN WITH EACH OTHER, EVEN IF YOU THINK SOMEONE'S GOT THEIR STUFF TOGETHER, THEY HAVEN'T.
I ALSO THINK THAT HAD THE PANDEMIC NOT HAPPENED, IT WOULD HAVE DONE EXACTLY THE SAME THING, BECAUSE THERE'S SOMETHING
ABOUT OUR SHOW THAT REMINDS EVERYONE THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE CUTTING TO BE FUNNY. YOU CAN BE WARM, AND FUNNY, AND
KIND, AND GIVING, AND SUPPORTIVE, AND ACCEPTING, AND FUNNY. >> O'Donnell: AND THAT'S WHAT
MAKES "TED LASSO" DISTINCT. >> Waddingham: YES. ( LAUGHTER ) > THANK YOU!
>> O'Donnell: AT LAST YEAR'S EMMYS, WADDINGHAM, GOLDSTEIN... >> THANK YOU, VERY MUCH! THANK YOU!
>> O'Donnell: AND SUDEIKIS ALL TOOK HOME TROPHIES FOR ACTING. >> I'M ETERNALLY GRATEFUL. >> O'Donnell: AND THE SHOW WON
OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES. >> RICHMOND WAS MORE OF A CRICKET TOWN THAN A FOOTBALL TOWN.
>> O'Donnell: THE RICHMOND GREYHOUNDS MAY BE A MAKE-BELIEVE TEAM, BUT RICHMOND THE TOWN IS 100% REAL
THIS IS THE REAL VERSION OF THE SET. >> Hunt: YEAH. YOU KIND OF CAN'T FAKE RICHMOND,
REALLY, YOU KNOW? THIS BAR'S GREAT, WE BASICALLY BUILT AN EXACT REPLICA. >> O'Donnell: THIS IS NOT WHAT I
EXPECTED TODAY. THE DAY WE WERE THERE, SO WERE FANS OF THE SHOW, INCLUDING A YOUNG WOMAN WHO HAD TRAVELED
FROM GERMANY AND HAD JUST GOTTEN A TATTOO IN HONOR OF TED LASSO. >> IT'S STILL IN THE ZIPLOC. >> O'Donnell: AND IT READ, “BE
CURIOUS, NOT JUDGMENTAL.” I MEAN, THIS IS PRETTY SPECIAL, BEING OUT HERE? AND--
>> Sudeikis: YES. >> O'Donnell: WE ALSO TOOK A WALK ON THE FIELD WHERE THE RICHMOND GREYHOUNDS SHOOT MOST
OF THEIR SOCCER SCENES. I MEAN, IT'S KIND OF GREAT. YOUR PITCH IS RIGHT NEAR THE STUDIO?
>> Sudeikis: I KNOW. IT'S SOMETHING ELSE. HAPPY ACCIDENT. >> O'Donnell: IN TYPICAL
MIDWESTERN FASHION, JASON SUDEIKIS WAS NOT ENTIRELY COMFORTABLE EXPLAINING THE SHOW'S SUCCESS, NOR TAKING
CREDIT FOR IT. WHAT DO YOU THINK THE LEGACY OF "TED LASSO" IS DECADES FROM NOW? >> Sudeikis: I DON'T KNOW.
I HOPE, I HOPE, FOLKS KEEP WATCHING IT. A DECENT CHANCE IT'LL PAY FOR MY KIDS' COLLEGE.
( LAUGHS ) UNLESS I-- UNLESS I BLOW IT ALL. >> O'Donnell: YOU DON'T THINK IT'S ALREADY DONE THAT?
>> Sudeikis: YOU DON'T THINK I'VE ALREADY BLOWN IT? ( LAUGHTER ) ( TICKING )
>> Whitaker: I'M BILL WHITAKER. WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH ANOTHER EDITION OF "60 MIN
( TICKING ) Captioning funded by CBS and FORD.