>> BONNIE: >> BONNIE: THIS WEEK ON "TO THE THIS CONTRARY," THERE ARE MORE WOMEN MEMBERS AND A MORE DIVERSE CONGRESS THAN EVER BEFORE.

AND A WOMAN SERVING A HISTORIC SECOND TERM AS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WHAT WILL THAT MEAN FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES?

>>> THEN, THE IMPACT OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND PAYING EQUITY CHARGES ON A POSSIBLE BERNIE SANDERS PRESIDENTIAL RUN.

HELLO, I'M BONNIE ERBE.

WELCOME TO "TO THE CONTRARY."

A DISCUSSION OF NEWS AND SOCIAL TRENDS FROM DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES.

UP FIRST, THE NEW CONGRESS.

CONGRESS GAVELLED INTO SESSION THIS WEEK WITH A RECORD NUMBER OF WOMEN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND A HISTORIC SECOND TERM FOR NANCY PELOSI AS HOUSE SPEAKER.

>> I'M PARTICULARLY PROUD TO BE THE WOMAN SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF THIS CONGRESS, WHICH MARKS THE 100TH YEAR OF WOMEN HAVING THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

>> BONNIE: PELOSI EASILY WON THE VOTE FOR HOUSE SPEAKER AND IMMEDIATELY GOT DOWN TO BUSINESS.

WOMEN ARE 23% OF ALL MEMBERS UP FROM 19% LAST YEAR.

WE SPOKE WITH SOME FEMALE FRESHMEN AND WOMEN LEADERS OF THE HOUSE ABOUT THEIR GOALS FOR 2019.

>> WHAT IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND EXCITING AND CHALLENGING IS THAT THE CLASS IS SO DIVERSE THAT THERE'S NOT ONE VOICE.

YOU HAVE DIFFERENT PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT PRIORITIES.

>> BONNIE: OF THE 35 FEMALE FRESHMEN, 34 ARE DEMOCRATS.

AMONG THE GROUP IS VERONICA ESCOBAR, THE FIRST LATINA FROM TEXAS IN THE U.S. HOUSE.

ESCOBAR SAYS, EVEN THOUGH THERE WILL BE A RECORD NUMBER OF WOMEN, SHE WANTS TO MAKE IT CLEAR, WOMEN AREN'T A MONOLITH.

>> TOO MANY FOLKS THINK THAT BECAUSE OF THE DIVERSITY OR BECAUSE OF ALL THE WOMEN, EVEN ALL THE WOMEN ARE NOT GOING TO SEE EYE-TO-EYE ON EVERY ISSUE.

>> BONNIE: ESCOBAR REPRESENTS EL PASO, SHE HAS MANY ISSUES TO ADDRESS FOR HER CONSTITUENTS.

>> HEALTH CARE IS SOMETHING I HEARD ABOUT AT THE DOORSTEP OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

IN ADDITION TO HEALTH CARE FINALLY GETTING TO THE IMPORTANT DISCUSSION OF COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM.

AND ADDRESSING THESE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE INSTEAD OF WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS DOING NOW, WHICH IS CREATING MORE PROBLEMS.

TAKING CARE OF THE PLANET, GUN SAFETY, A QUARTER OF OUR JOBS ARE LINKED TO TRADE, SO THERE'S A LOT HAPPENING.

>> BONNIE: FLORIDA REPRESENTATIVE DONNA SHALALA WAS THE FORMER SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES UNDER PRESIDENT CLINTON.

SO AS SHE SAYS, SHE MAY BE A FRESHMAN, BUT SHE'S NOT A ROOKIE.

SHALALA SAYS SHE'S READY FOR A FIGHT AND HEALTH CARE IS A MAJOR PART OF HER AGENDA.

>> WE WANT TO CUT THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, WE WANT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT SENSIBLE GUN CONTROL, WE'VE GOT A LOT OF ENVIRONMENTAL WORK TO DO.

THERE ARE NO CLIMATE DENIERS IN SOUTH FLORIDA.

WE ALL KNOW THAT THE ENVIRONMENT ARE LIFE AND DEATH FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>> BONNIE: SHALALA IS ALSO READY TO TAKE ON IMMIGRATION POLICY.

>> IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE SAFE BORDERS, THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT, BUT SIMULTANEOUSLY, THOSE COUNTRIES THAT THEY'RE FLEEING ARE FALLING APART, LITERALLY, FROM A JUSTICE POINT OF VIEW, FROM AN ECONOMIC POINT OF VIEW, AND THE UNITED STATES AUGHT TO BE INVESTING IN HUMANITARIAN AID.

WE HAVE TO PREVENT THE DRUGS FROM COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES SIMULTANEOUSLY.

>> Bonnie: REPRESENTATIVE SUSAN WHITE OF PENNSYLVANIA HAS SOME OTHER PRIORITIES.

>> I HAVE ENTHUSIASTICALLY SIGNED ON TO HR-1, WHICH IS AN ACT, PART OF WHICH IS AIMED AT RESTORING A FULL VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

AND THAT'S A CRITICAL ISSUE IN OUR DISTRICT.

SCHOOL FUNDING, WHICH IS PRIMARILY A STATEWIDE ISSUE, BUT THERE IS DEFINITELY -- HAS A COMPONENT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> Bonnie: CALIFORNIA REPRESENTATIVE KATIE HILL IS CONSIDERED A PRAGMATIC PROGRESSIVE, ALTHOUGH SHE PREFERS NOT TO BE LABELED.

HILL POINTS OUT, 70% OF THE NEW CLASS MEMBERS HAVE NEVER BEEN IN ELECTED OFFICE.

SHE WAS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LARGEST HOMELESS SERVICES ORGANIZATION IN CALIFORNIA.

>> THE LENS OF HEALTH CARE, MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, POVERTY AND INEQUALITY, ALL THOSE TIE TOGETHER IN IMPACTING HOMELESSNESS AND UP CREASING IT IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

AND SO I BRING THAT SORT OF LENS TO THE CONGRESS TO LOOK AT HOW PEOPLE ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, THE MOST DISENFRANCHISED, HOW OUR POLICIES IMPACT THEM.

>> BONNIE: HILL SUPPORTED HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI.

SO DID REPRESENTATIVE ESCOBAR WHO SAYS MANY FRESHMEN WANT TO SEE MORE BENCH STRENGTH AND FUTURE LEADERS COMING FROM THE YOUNGER RANKS.

>> WELL, I WOULD LIKE FOR ALL OF US TO HAVE AVENUES TO LEADERSHIP.

I WANT US ALL TO BE MENTORED.

I WANT TO LEARN FROM THE VETERANS WHO HAVE BEEN IN THE TRENCHES FIGHTING THESE BATTLES AND WORKING HARD.

BUT, BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF DIRECTION FROM HER, I THINK, AND A PLAN TO CREATE THAT PIPELINE.

>> BONNIE: REPRESENTATIVE CHERI BUSTOS WAS THE FIRST WOMAN ELECTED TO CONGRESS FROM HER DISTRICT IN 2012.

SHE'S NOW THE HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.

SHE SAYS DEMOCRATS WHO TOOK BACK THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THIS YEAR WILL NEED A STRATEGY TO KEEP THOSE SEATS IN TWO YEARS.

>> IT IS NOW VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE RUN A WORLD-CLASS POLITICAL ARM OF THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS.

ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE.

WE'VE GOT TO TAKE A LOOK AT EVERY SINGLE DISTRICT IN THE COUNTRY, THAT'S WHAT WE INTEND TO DO.

EVERY BATTLEFIELD WILL BE PROTECTED AND CONTESTED.

THAT WILL BE OUR ROLE.

WHAT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC CALLED FOR IS THAT WE DO WORK FOR THE PEOPLE, THAT WE PUT THE PEOPLE FIRST.

>> BONNIE: SO CONGRESSWOMAN NORTON, HOW WILL ALL THE WOMEN IN THE NEW DIVERSE CLASS CHANGE CONGRESS?

>> THE NEW WOMEN WILL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE, BUT IT'S A WAKE-UP CALL FOR REPUBLICANS.

ONLY ONE REPUBLICAN WOMAN WAS ADDED.

THAT'S A DANGER TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ITSELF.

>> I THINK THE WOMEN HAVE A CHANCE TO MAYBE BRING A NEW WAVE OF DOING THINGS.

THE FACT THAT 70% OF THEM NEVER HELD ELECTED OFFICE IS GOING TO BE VERY INTERESTING.

THAT COULD HAVE A BIGGER IMPACT ON THE SYSTEM THAN BEING WOMEN.

>> MY MONEY IS ON THE YOUNG PROGRESSIVE WOMEN BUILDING A TRUE PIPELINE FOR JUSTICE IN THE FUTURE.

>> FOR ME, IT'S ALL ABOUT SPEAKER PELOSI.

SHE'S BACK AND SHE'S GOING TO CHANGE THE WAY THINGS ARE DONE, I THINK.

SHE'S GOING TO BE DIFFERENT THIS TIME.

>> BONNIE: HOW?

>> SHE'S GOING TO HELP STRATEGIZE.

LIKE THERE WAS A MENTION, WHO WAS IT?

I THINK IT WAS CONGRESSWOMAN HILL, AND MAYBE IN YOUR VOICEOVER, YOU SAID DEMOCRATS NEED A STRATEGY.

THAT'S IT.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO HOLD ON TO THESE SEATS?

REPUBLICANS GOT CONFIDENT.

I REMEMBER THE "FIRE PELOSI" BANNER UNROLLED FROM THE NRCC NEARLY A DECADE AGO IS WHEN THEY UNROLLED IT.

I WOULD WALK BACK AS A YOUNG STAFFER AND THINK, HOW ARE THEY GOING TO GET RID OF HER?

AND THEY DID AND NOW SHE'S BACK, SO WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO NOW?

SHE'S LIKE TEFLON.

I THINK SHE'S GOING TO BE GREAT.

>> BONNIE: SHE'S KIND OF LIKE TEFLON, BUT SHE GETS AN AWFUL LOT OF GRIEF BEING AS ELEGANT, AS INTELLIGENT, AS CHARISMATIC AND AS CAPABLE AS SHE IS BECAUSE OF HER AGENDA.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> HER READINGS ARE LOWER THAN TRUMP'S.

>> IT'S ELECTRIFYING.

>> BONNIE: BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT'S SEXISM AMERICAN-STYLE.

>> SCHUMER'S ARE, TOO.

>> SHE KNOWS HOW TO USE POWER LIKE NO ONE ELSE IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> BONNIE: AND SHE'S A BIG THREAT TO THOSE WHO OPPOSER POLITICALLY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND IT IS JUST AMAZING AND SO PLEASURABLE TO WATCH HER WALK IN LIKE THE BOSS THAT SHE IS, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP -- SHE SAID, MR. PRESIDENT, PLEASE DON'T TRY TO CHARACTERIZE THE STRENGTH I BRING TO THIS MEETING.

SHE'S JUST AMAZING.

>> BONNIE: YOU ALSO SUPPORT, AS YOU MENTIONED JUST NOW, PEOPLE LIKE OCAZIO CORTEZ WHO ARE GOING TO GIVE HER A HARD TIME AND MAKE HER JOB MUCH MORE DIFFICULT THAN REALLY SOME OF THE REPUBLICANS.

SO HOW -- YOU KNOW, SOME DEMOCRATS WISH THAT WING OF THE PARTY WOULD JUST SHUT UP AND GO AWAY.

>> THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS NOT A MONOLITH.

>> BONNIE: NO PARTY IS.

>> NO PARTY IS A MONOLITH.

AND IT IS WONDERFUL TO EXERT PRESSURE FROM THE LEFT.

AND I ABSOLUTELY STAND WITH THE YOUNG WOMEN WHO ARE DOING THAT WORK.

AND I THINK IT IS FANTASTIC.

LOOK, I THINK THAT SPEAKER PELOSI IS NOT NECESSARILY BURDENED BY THAT GROUP, THAT IT'S AN ASSET TO HER, IT HELPS HER MOVE THE CENTER OF WHAT SHE CAN PUSH FOR.

>> WELL, THE SPEAKER, THE LAST TIME SHE WAS SPEAKER, WE HAD FOUR SHORT YEARS IN WITH HER SPEAKERSHIP.

AND LOOK AT ALL SHE GOT ACCOMPLISHED.

IT WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY TIME.

>> BONNIE: WE SHOULD POINT OUT SHE SINGLE-HANDEDLY DID MORE FOR THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

>> THAT WAS ONE OF HER MORE STRATEGIC WINS.

SHE'S NOT TO BE UNDERESTIMATED.

I'M NOT -- I'M NOT AT ALL TROUBLED BY THE FACT THAT THERE'S SOME YOUNG PROGRESSIVES, THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE, BUT SHE HAD -- OUR PARTY HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIVERSE.

WE HAVE A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN, WE HAVE DEMOCRATS, WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD FAR-LEFT DEMOCRATS, SHE HANDLED THOSE BEFORE, SHE'LL HANDLE THEM AGAIN BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT SHE'S GOOD AT.

>> BONNIE: WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NOW THAT COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE ALL THESE WOMEN WERE ADDED TO THE HOUSE IN THE LAST ELECTION?

I MEAN, TELL ME WHAT, SPECIFICALLY.

>> OKAY, WE CONTROL THE HOUSE.

SO THAT MEANS THAT BILLS THAT YOU COULDN'T THINK OF PASSING, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE GUN CONTROL BILLS PASSED.

>> BONNIE: BY THE SENATE AS WELL?

>> WELL, WAIT A MINUTE, THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS.

>> BONNIE: BY THE HOUSE.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IT WORK IN THE HOUSE.

THE SENATE IS A BODY THAT DOESN'T GET ANYTHING DONE ANYWAY.

YOU WILL THEN SEE ALL KINDS OF THINGS HAPPEN.

>> BONNIE: OF COURSE, THE PRESIDENT WOULD VETO -- >> THAT IS RIGHT.

BUT WHAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE TO DO, WHY THEY HAVE THE POWER, IS TO GET THINGS THROUGH THE HOUSE, THEN GO INTO 2020 AND DARE THE REPUBLICANS TO PUT UP SOMEBODY WHO CAN BEAT WHOEVER IS GOING TO BEAT THE DEMOCRATIC DOMINIE.

>> SHE ONLY WON BY THREE VOTES.

IT WAS NOT OVERWHELMING.

I WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE 24 PEOPLE ARE WHO OPPOSED HER ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

I WANT TO SEE WHAT COMMITTEES THEY END UP ON AND WHAT SENIORITY THEY END UP WITH.

>> BONNIE: I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING, WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES GOING TO BE HERE?

>> SHE IS TOUGH.

SHE'S A TOUGH POLITICO AND RULES WITH AN IRON FIST.

AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING.

>> THERE WILL BE PENALTIES BEHIND THE SCENE, SHE'S TOUGH THAT WAY.

SHE IS VERY GOOD AND HOLDS THE PURSE FOR THE DEMOCRATS.

AND ACTUALLY -- >> BONNIE: YOU MEAN IN TERMS OF FUND-RAISING FOR THE RE-ELECTION?

>> YEAH.

ALEXANDRIA CORTEZ -- >> BONNIE: APPARENTLY SHE DOESN'T NEED HER HELP OR WOULDN'T COME AGAINST HER THE WAY SHE IS.

>> TO YOUR POINT EARLIER ABOUT SEEING OTHERS CHALLENGING PELOSI, OR RATHER SAYING THERE WAS A WHOLE CROP, I THINK, OF DEMOCRATS WHO WERE ELECTED THIS TIME SAYING THEY WOULD NOT VOTE FOR HER FOR SPEAKER.

SHE MADE THEM FALL IN LINE.

AOC WAS ONE OF THEM.

ALEXANDRIA CORTEZ FELL IN LINE EARLY AND GAVE SUPPORT TO THE SPEAKER.

SO SHE KNOWS HOW TO WHIP THEM INTO SHAPE.

>> BONNIE: DID SHE VOTE FOR HER?

>> SHE DID.

>> SHE DID.

BUT THERE'S A WHOLE CROP OF YOUNG WOMEN, SO BACK TO THE ISSUE OF WHAT THE YOUNG PROGRESSIVE WOMEN ARE GOING TO DO, I'M STILL A CONSERVATIVE.

I LIKE TO THINK I'M MORE MODERATE REPUBLICAN, BUT I THINK IT'S GREAT WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

LAUREN UNDERWOOD, RASHITA TAIB, ALEXANDRIA CASTIA CORTEZ, THESE WOMEN REPRESENT A NEW ERA AND A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.

THEY WILL JOIN FORCES WITH CONGRESSWOMAN NORTON AND WILL LEARN THE ROPES.

BECAUSE THESE WOMEN ARE SMART.

>> BONNIE: LET'S GET INTO SPECIFICS, YOU TALKED ABOUT -- BEFORE THE SHOW, YOU TOLD ME ABOUT A BILL THAT YOU WOULD THAT WOULD ALLOW BREASTFEEDING SPACES IN THE CAPITOL BUILDING.

>> WHAT HAPPENED WAS, WE GOT WORD FROM THE LEADERSHIP, THERE ARE SOME BILLS THAT SHOULD BE EASY BILLS, LET'S TRY TO GET THEM PASSED.

I HAVE ONE, IT'S A BREASTFEEDING BILL.

IF YOU GO INTO A FEDERAL BUILDING NOW, THERE'S NOT PRIVATE SPACE YOU CAN GO TO TO BREASTFEED.

I THINK THAT CAN PASS THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

WHO IS GOING TO BE AGAINST MOTHERHOOD?

>> BONNIE: OKAY, BUT THAT IS SMALL.

ANYTHING MAJOR?

>> NO, THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR.

THEY WERE LOOKING FOR SMALL BILLS.

>> BONNIE: WHAT ABOUT FUNDING FOR -- >> THIS IS VERY STRATEGIC, BONNIE.

THEY ARE NOT LOOKING TO SAY, LET'S GO FOR GUN CONTROL FIRST.

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR THINGS THAT CAN BRING THE PARTY TOGETHER FIRST.

AND THEN BUILD UP TO HAVING SHOWN YOUR STRENGTH AND HAVING SHOWN PROGRESSIVES AND MORE CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER.

>> HOW ABOUT THE RULE OF ALLOWING HATS AND HEADDRESSES.

IT DID CHANGE, BUT I'M SAYING I WANT YOUR RESPONSES TO IT.

>> I LOVE WHAT CONGRESS TO -- CONGRESSWOMAN OMAR HAD TO SAY FROM MINNESOTA AND THE PERSONAL CHOICE.

SHE TWEETED ABOUT IT'S HER PERSONAL JOB TO WEAR THE HIJAB.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL RESPONSE, EVERYBODY SHOULD READ IT, AND IT MAKES COMPLETE SENSE ON THE RULES OF CHANGE.

>> BONNIE: NOBODY THINKS IT IS DIVISIVE TO HAVE -- TO ENGAGE RELIGION AT THE HEIGHT OF DEMOCRACY, YOU KNOW, WHERE IT ALL COMES DOWN ON THE FLOOR, TO HAVE THAT -- THAT WOULD BE MORE OF A SEPARATION SIGNAL TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.

>> WHAT KIND OF DEMOCRACY WOULD WE BE IF WE COMPELLED HER TO TAKE IT OFF?

JUST BECAUSE SHE'S ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> BONNIE: WELL, IT IS NOT JUST HER, IT'S ALL KINDS OF HATS THAT HAVE BEEN BANNED.

>> NO, IT INCLUDES -- >> LOOK, WE HAD WOMEN TO WANT TO WEAR HATS ON THE FLOOR BEFORE.

THEY WERE TOLD THEY COULDN'T WEAR HATS ON THE FLOOR.

BUT YOU'RE RIGHT, YOU CAN'T TELL SOMEBODY YOU CAN'T WEAR A HIJAB.

>> BONNIE: THERE ARE WOMEN THAT HAVE HEADDRESSES, IT COULD BE FINE IN SOMEBODY ELSE'S RELIGION, BUT IT SETS AMERICAN WOMEN BACK TO DRESS LIKE THAT.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION?

WHAT ABOUT THE FREEDOM OF MOVING FORWARD WITHOUT HAVING WOMEN TURN AGAINST YOU AND TRY TO SET WOMEN BACK?

THAT'S NOT -- >> THIS IS PART OF THEIR RELIGION.

IT IS PART OF THE CULTURE.

>> SHE DOESN'T HAVE SOMEBODY COMPELLING HER TO WEAR IT.

>> ON THE INDIVIDUAL LEVEL IT IS WRONG.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SYSTEMATICALLY EXCLUDING A CERTAIN GROUP OF WOMEN FROM BEING ELIGIBLE TO SERVE IN PUBLIC SERVICE AND BE IN PUBLIC SPACES.

SO I THINK WHILE I ABSOLUTELY THINK IT'S WONDERFUL SHE WROTE THE ESSAY AND SUPPORT HER IN HER CHOICES AND WHAT SHE SAYS ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE, BUT THE REALITY AS A POLICY OF THAT IS SYSTEMATICALLY EXCLUDING A GROUP OF WOMEN.

SO THIS IS AN ISSUE OF EQUALITY AND FAIRNESS, PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

>> BONNIE: BUT SOME PEOPLE SEE IT AS THE WALL BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE MORE BRICKS BEING TAKEN OUT.

>> THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT SHOULD BE ALLOWED.

>> THEY ARE ALLOWED UNDER THE SAME BILL THAT ALLOWED THE HIJABS.

>> AND THEY SHOULD.

>> THIS IS CULTURALLY-FOLLOWING LAW.

WE'LL SEE IF THIS HELPS TO SOFTEN THE CULTURE, MAYBE.

>> Bonnie: ALL RIGHT, LET US KNOW.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @BONNIEERBE FROM CAPITOL HILL TO 1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE.

AS SENATORS TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE THIS WEEK, THERE WAS ALREADY TALK THAT AT LEAST NINE OF THEM ARE CONSIDERING A RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2020.

AMONG THEM IS BERNIE SANDERS WHO FACES ALLEGATIONS OF MISTREATMENT OF WOMEN CAMPAIGN STAFFERS AND GENDER PAY DISPARITIES.

IN THE LETTER TO THE VERMONT SENATOR, WOMEN SAID THEIR COMPLAINTS WERE IGNORED OR BRUSHED ASIDE.

THE VERMONT SENATOR HAS APOLOGIZED AND PLEDGED TO DO BETTER.

ALSO THIS WEEK, MASSACHUSETTS SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN LAUNCHED HER PRESIDENTIAL EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE.

RINA, WHAT WILL THIS DO TO HIS BID -- WE'LL START WITH SANDERS AND GET TO WARREN, WHAT WILL THIS DO TO HIS BID?

THERE ARE DEMOCRATS WHO THINK HE'S NOT VERY PRO-WOMEN.

>> HIS BID WAS ALREADY TIRED BEFORE THIS STORY CAME OUT.

AND I DON'T MEAN TO BE AGEIST BECAUSE HE'S ALSO GROWING OLDER, BUT THIS IS BECAUSE HE'S BEEN THERE, DONE THAT.

AND I DON'T THINK HE'S SOMEBODY WHO COULD TAKE ON TRUMP.

NOW, WITH THE REPORTS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AND HARASSMENT IN HIS CAMPAIGN, I'M A FORMER POLITICAL OPERATIVE, I CAN TELL YOU IT HAPPENS, IT HAPPENS OFTEN.

I'VE BEEN SOMEBODY WHO HAS HAD TO DEAL WITH IT.

>> BONNIE: IN ALL CAMPAIGNS.

>> IN ALL CAMPAIGNS, DOESN'T MATTER LEFT OR RIGHT, THERE ARE WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH IT, WHETHER IT IS A CARESS THAT HAS BEEN CARESSED TOO LONG, A HAND, A REMARK, ANYTHING.

AND I THINK THE SENATOR'S RESPONSE TO IT WAS INADEQUATE.

I DON'T THINK HE DEMONSTRATES ANY SORT OF REMORSE FOR THIS HAPPENING IN HIS CAMPAIGN.

AND I'M A LITTLE BIT SURPRISED, BECAUSE THERE ARE WOMEN THAT I -- IF YOU GO TO MY TWITTER PAGE, YOU SEE ME SITTING NEXT TO WINNIE WONG FOR PEOPLE FOR BERNIE.

SHE WAS A FRIEND AND A DELEGATE FOR BERNIE.

I THOUGHT THERE WERE WOMEN WHO LOVED THIS GUY AND BELIEVED IN HIM AS A CHAMPION FOR WOMEN, SO I WAS A BIT SURPRISED.

>> THIS IS A REAL SETBACK.

BECAUSE THIS IS A MAN WHO PAINTS HIMSELF A PROGRESSIVE.

THE FACT IS, AND WE ALL THOUGHT OF HIM AS A PROGRESSIVE.

I DON'T BUY THIS NOTION WHERE IT HAPPENS IN ALL CAMPAIGNS.

THIS IS MUCH MORE SERIOUS.

THIS IS A GROUP OF WOMEN WHO SAID, WE HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CANDIDATE AND DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT, AND WE'RE GOING PUBLIC NOW.

HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO DO MORE TO SAY I'M SORRY, HE DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION TO IT.

AND I THINK IT SENDS A WAKE-UP CALL TO ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.

YOU ALL BETTER LOOK DEEPLY AT YOURSELVES.

>> IS IT GOING TO CHANGE ANY MINDS OF YOUNG DEMOCRATIC PROGRESSIVE WOMEN?

VOTERS?

>> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WOMEN WHO LOOK AT BERNIE WITH A GREAT DEAL OF SHADE.

THIS IS THE EXACT SAME MAN WHO STOOD UP WITH HILLARY CLINTON AND WAGGED HIS FINGER AT HER, THERE WAS THE PHENOMENON OF BERNIE PROS -- >> Bonnie: BUT THERE ALSO WERE A LOT OF YOUNG WOMEN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT SUPPORT WAS BROKEN DOWN BY GENDER, BUT THERE WERE A LOT.

ARE WE GOING TO SEE THIS AND CHANGE THEIR MINDS?

>> WELL, BERNIE IS PART -- HE'S A RELIC OF THE PAST, BONNIE.

BERNIE SANDERS, HIS TIME EXPIRED A LONG TIME AGO.

HE'S PART OF THE REASON THAT WE HAVE DONALD TRUMP IN THE PRESIDENCY TODAY.

AND I THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WOMEN ARE IMPORTANT.

THIS IS THE SAME PERSON AS A CANDIDATE WHO POO-POOED POLITICS.

HE SUGGESTED THAT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS WERE NEEDED FOR THE PLATFORM AND HE FASHIONS HIMSELF AS MORE PROGRESSIVE NOW, HE'S NOT.

>> I FIND MYSELF AGREEING WITH THE DEMOCRATS ON THIS PANEL, WHICH IS PRETTY SCARY, BUT I THINK HE'S A RELIC OF THE PAST.

HE'S GREAT TO HAVE AROUND BECAUSE HE'LL STILL CREATE MISCHIEF THAT WILL BENEFIT US.

SO STAY IN THERE, BERNIE.

HANG IN THERE.

>> HE DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE, YOU KNOW?

THE LACK OF CARE FOR THE FACT THAT THE WOMEN ARE OFFENDED.

AND THEN THE REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS BEING THE OPTION.

COME ON, BERNIE.

>> BONNIE: THE MURMURS HAVE BEEN FROM WOMEN WHO HAVE DEALT WITH HIM THAT I HAVE TALKED TO OVER MANY YEARS THAT HE'S A SEXIST.

>> I WISH HE WOULD SIT DOWN AND SAY, I'M NOT IN IT ANYMORE.

I TRIED IT, IT DIDN'T WORK.

I'LL HELP WHOEVER WANTS TO COME UP BUT -- >> BONNIE: I DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME, I BETTER DO IT NOW.

I CAN'T WAIT FOR YEARS.

ERIN, TO ELIZABETH WARREN, DOES SHE HAVE ANY CHANCE OF GETTING THE NOMINATION?

>> I THINK SHE DOES.

I THINK SHE'S A SERIOUS CANDIDATE.

AND I SAY THAT AS SOMEBODY WHO ATTENDS ROOTS NATION EVERY YEAR, WHICH IS THE LARGEST CONFERENCE, THOUSANDS OF PROGRESSIVES.

AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HOLDING UP SIGNS BEGGING HER TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT SINCE 2014 WHEN I STARTED ATTENDING.

I THINK SHE'S GOT A BASE OF SUPPORT THAT IS REAL AND SOMETHING TO BE RECKONED WITH.

I THINK THAT SHE'S AN INTELLECT FULL FORCE WITHIN THE PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT AND HAS REALLY PROVIDED THE UNDERPINNING OF MANY IDEAS.

SO I DO THINK SHE'S A REAL SERIOUS CONTENDER.

>> BONNIE: BUT SHE'S MAINLY KNOWN FOR HER ACTION IN THE CONSUMER AREA AND HER ATTENTIVENESS TO THE ISSUES.

WHAT ABOUT THINGS LIKE, WHERE IS SHE ON CHOICE?

WHERE IS SHE ON IMMIGRATION?

WHERE IS SHE -- SHE'S JUST NOT HER -- POSITIONS ARE NOT WELL-KNOWN YET, RIGHT?

>> SHE'S CERTAINLY GOTTEN MORE TO DO IN TERMS OF GETTING THE WORD OUT AND CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE.

BUT THIS IS THE EXACT SAME PERSON WHO THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL SAID SHE WAS WARNED, SHE WAS GIVEN THE EXPLANATION, NEVERTHELESS SHE PERSISTED AFTER SHE ATTEMPTED TO READ A LETTER FROM CORETTA SCOTT KING ON THE FLOOR WHEN JEFF SESSIONS WAS NOMINATED FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

SO SHE'S BEEN THERE AND HAS GONE TO THE MAT AS SOMEBODY WHO WORKS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS AND JUSTICE.

SHE'S GONE TO THE MAT FOR US ON THE ISSUES, SO I DO THINK SHE'S A PROGRESSIVE THROUGH AND THROUGH.

>> SHE SEES HER WEAKNESS AND IS OUT IN FRONT FIRST.

SHE SAW IT WITH HER CLAIM TO HAVE INDIAN ANCESTRY.

SHE SAW WHEN HER STAR ROSE IN THE LAST CONTEST, PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST, AND SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN DIMINISHED.

SHE SEES IT IN THE 20 OR 25 PEOPLE WHO ARE RUNNING FOR SENATE.

SO SHE HAS DONE SOMETHING SMART.

SHE'S RAISED A LOT OF MONEY, SHE GOT OUT HERE FIRST, SHE'S FIRST ON THE TRACK, SHE'S VERY STRATEGIC, SHE'S VERY SMART, AND I THINK HER PROGRESSIVE POLITICS, BECAUSE SHE HAS PLOWED THIS GROUND EARLY WILL HELP HER IN THE PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST.

>> I WANT HER TO RUN SO DESPERATELY.

AND THIS MAY SOUND SHOCKING, ESPECIALLY TO MY REPUBLICAN FRIENDS OUT THERE, SHE'S THE MOST CREDIBLE OF ALL THE SENATORS THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO RUN.

SHE'S MUCH MORE CREDIBLE THAN ANY OTHER WOMEN THAT ARE TRYING TO RUN.

I THINK SHE DOES HAVE A GREATER BRAIN POWER THAN MOST OF THE ONE THAT IS THE DEMOCRATS -- >> Bonnie: CRITICAL QUESTION, HOW WOULD SHE DO AGAINST TRUMP IN A DEBATE?

>> IN HER OPTICS AND THE WAY SHE COMES ACROSS, SHE NEEDS MEDIA TRAINING.

SHE DOESN'T COME ACROSS WELL, WHINY AND PROFESSORIAL.

I WISH SHE WOULD STOP CALLING HERSELF FOLKAHONTAS.

SHE IS MORE LIKE POCAHONTAS.

>> HOW ABOUT NO NAME CALLING.

THIS PRESIDENT HAS TAKEN NAME-CALLING TO A SIX-YEAR BEST.

>> BUT THE POINT IS, I DO THINK SHE'S ONE OF THE MORE CREDIBLE OF THE DEMOCRATS THAT COULD COME FORWARD.

>> I MEAN, TRUMP HAD -- >> Bonnie: CAMILLA HARRIS, KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND -- >> MUCH BETTER.

>> I NEED A MINUTE.

YOU TALK ABOUT CREDIBILITY WHERE TRUMP HAD THE LOWEST OF IT ALL, SO I DON'T CARE WHO THE DEMOCRATS PUT UP, EXCEPT FOR THERE'S GOING TO BE SOMEBODY WHO HAS THE STAYING POWER TO OUTLAST TRUMP IN ALL OF THE LITTLE STUFF HE'S GOING TO GO AFTER, BECAUSE HE GOES AT IT LITTLE BY LITTLE, AND HE GOES VERY LOW, AS MICHELLE OBAMA SAID.

SO SOMEBODY HAS TO PUT UP WITH THAT.

AND I SUBSCRIBE TO THE WHOLE NOTION THAT YOU PUT LIKE AND LIKE TOGETHER, SO YOU GET AN OLDER WHITE MALE -- >> Bonnie: JOE BIDEN.

>> YEAH, I THINK JOE BIDEN WOULD BE GREAT AGAINST TRUMP.

I KNOW SOME OF MY DEMOCRAT FRIENDS AGREE, THEY THINK BIDEN IS SIMILAR TO BERNIE IN SOME WAYS.

HE'S TIRED AND, AGAIN, NOT ABOUT A PHYSICAL THING -- >> YOU CAN'T SAY HE'S TIRED, YOU CAN SAY HE'S OLD, BUT HE'S NOT TIRED.

HE'S VERY ENERGETIC.

>> WELL, TIRED IN THAT IT'S BEEN TRIED BEFORE.

IT'S SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN THERE, DONE THAT.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHY I THINK TRUMP WAS ABLE TO CAPTURE REALLY THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF MANY COMPANIES BECAUSE HE WAS ABLE TO CONVINCE THEM HE COULD BE SOMETHING NEW, A BREATH OF FRESH AIR, RIGHT?

BIDEN HAS BEEN IN THE RESIDENCE BEFORE, SO THIS GUY IS -- IF YOU ASK ME, THAT WOULD MAKE IT TOUGH FOR HIM TO TAKE ON TRUMP, BUT I THINK HE'S GOT THE ABILITY TO HIT BACK AT TRUMP IN A WAY THAT I DON'T THINK ELIZABETH WARREN DOES.

>> SO HE'LL DEFEAT WARREN IN THE PRIMARIES IS WHAT YOU'RE THINKING?

>> WELL, I DON'T WANT TO THINK OF THE PRIMARIES, I'M THINKING OUT TO THE GENERAL.

AND I JUST THINK A WOMAN CAN'T DO IT THIS TIME.

AND I DON'T MEAN TO BE SEXIST ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I BELIEVE WOMEN CAN DO ANYTHING, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO CONVINCING VOTERS, YOU GIVE THEM THE OPTION, YOU PUT LIKE ON LIKE AND IT COMES DOWN TO PRINCIPLES AND VALUES.

>> Bonnie: AND THE PRIMARIES WILL BE QUITE SOME ZOO THIS YEAR, AT LEAST 20 ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE, AND PROBABLY 2 OR 3 ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

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