nearly 200 countries leaders so many laughing as he boasts about the economy like it was a campaign if rally but he handled it as you pointed out. michelle thank you for covering the president in new york. i'm wolf blitzer in the situation room. erin burnett starts now. >> up next, the world laughs, president trump boasts the u.n. met with ridiculed now he says he was in on the joke, really? plus seek rel lawyers hired to question brett kavanaugh and accuser. why not reveal her name? and in trump company where a district trump won by double digits now a toss up. let's go up front. good evening everyone i'm kate baldwin in for erin burnett. out front. the world laughs before president trump.

the president before 193 countries in a major address to the world and leader and how did they respond, by laughing, he started off touting his accomplishments. but wait for the reaction. >> my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country. america's -- so true. [ laughter ] didn't expect that reaction. but that's okay. >> didn't expect that reaction, maybe not, but it was the reaction, and it did not just stay inside that room. i'm going to show you the headlines from around the world in just the past few hours from russia to canada to england and spain, all noting that world leaders laughed at president trump.

so. you must be wondering the same as we all were wondering. what does the president say now? watch. >> how do you feel about that? >> well it was meant to get some laughter but it was great. >> so was a planned punch line all along. he wanted people laughing at him bragging about his accomplishments in office but he seemed so dead serious every other time he's delivered that very same line. >> we have accomplished more than any president in the first year, by far. >> no administration has accomplished more in the first 90 days. >> and now, it was all a joke. and if so who was really laughing now? i leave that to you as we hear from jeff outside in front of trump tower in new york. for the president this has got to hurt. >> well, kate, there's no question that one thing that gets under president trump's skin more than anything we've

seen over the years when people don't take him seriously. when people laugh at him. when people aren't treating him to the degree to which he thinks he should be treated. i can tell you being at the united nations all day it was not intended to be a joke. he started his speech as he often starts a speech, giving a very similar campaign speech. the difference is president trump very rarely speaks to audiences that are not hand-picked and completely friendly. so his speech writers perhaps should are kept that in mind but there was a sense in the room that yes you could see on the looks of some faces, germany in particular had moments they were laughing and he said that's not the reaction i expected, it's okay, whenever president trump says it's okay probably means it's not okay. the point is this, he is the president and he has really exceeded expectations from elites ever since he started running, ever since he came down

the escalator in trump tower behind me three summers ago. point is, he is the leader. many respects doesn't think what they think of him but to some the speech was alarming to some of the room pushing that america first agenda on the world stage. the substance of the remarks nor for the rest of the speech probably were more concerning to globalists in the room. heard french president emannuel macron belittling the president questioning his intellect. so not a joke. he will be back at the u.n. tomorrow chairing the meeting of the national security council we'll see how he starts that meeting, kate. >> who knows if laugh lines will happen, we'll wait and see. great to see you, jeff. we appreciate it. now former senior advisor to president trump national security advisor and deputy secretary of defense and

cnn chief political correspondence. thanks for being here. do you think this was something of a reality check for the president today? >> maybe. jeff pointed out exactly what the issue is with that beginning of the speech, it was totally tone-deaf because it was the kind of thing he says to roaring applause. loves to say to roaring applause when he goes out on the campaign trail and that is really his oxygen. that is what he loves to do. and this was definitely not that audience, at all. but, look, i think that that was maybe a shocker. but i think also interesting that the rest of the speech. >> yeah. >> where he was very much america-first, very much about sovereignty, about the alliances, such as the u.n., should be limited. america's place in the world,

even foreign aide should be transactional that also landed with a thud in this audience. but that was the point. he certainly considers himself sand very much a disrupter. there is no place he likes to be as much of a disrupter as a place like the united nations. >> that's an excellent point. the point to be missed though, leaders get up on to the mike stand, step up to that microphone and say wild and controversial things, hugo chavez saying bush is the deafedeaf devil. just vil. just from the president trump makes is it surprising. >> i remembered when gaddafi

made an outlandish speech we knew it. and now we have the president of the united states going up talking about all of his accomplishments. who was actually clapping other than the president, you have to bet vladimir putin was because that entire speech was retrenchment for the liberal democratic order and the president gave a speech on sovereignty the ability of a state to govern and protect itself and didn't once mention the fact russia is attacking our sovereignty. russia invaded a sovereign country like ukraine, he didn't mention it once in that entire speech. >> peter, what's yaur take, the president had to know this was going to be a tough crowd. criticizing national alliances before the definition of a in the national alliance, if you will. for our viewers to show what

jeff was talking about earlier when he was talking about germany, and how the germans reacted to his comments on their dependence on russia. >> germany will become totally dependent on russian energy if it does not immediately change course. here in the western hemisphere we are committed to maintaining our independence from the encroachment of expansionist foreign powers. >> were you surprised, peter, about the reaction in the room, how it all went down. >> well, look, there's a lot of ways to break it down, you were talking about the german issue, what the president is talking about there nor stream two an energy pipeline from russia to germany that cuts out pole and and the baltic stations. this is a serious policy issue going back to the obama administration as well. people are very, very concerned about this.

so the reaction on the part of the germans, i was surprised it was televised that way. usually these things focus on the principle, the speaker. the fact is we have a disagreement with the germans and a lot of people in europe are very unhappy with the germans so it was a very serious policy speech. beyond the beginning. he talked about terrorism, middle east, syria, iran, north korea, i thought it was a very serious policy speech and talked about a lot of the issues important to the united states and the international community. >> i've been hearing argument from a lot of even-keeled level-headed people saying this is potentially more of a harder line speech, a tougher speech than even he gave last year, dana, then even though maybe the words were a little stronger last year in talking about north korea. but because i do wonder though if a lot of what he says in the speech is over shadowed by what happened at the top and the

reaction of world leaders. the reason i bring it up is the thing about this whole thing is being respected and not laughed at is something donald trump takes very seriously when it comes to the world stage. he has said it over and over again and campaigned on it couple times. here's couple examples. >> we're going to be expected again, not going to be a laughing stock like we have been, and we have been, believe me, all over the world. >> so what then is the impact of what happened today, i wonder? >> you know, look, i think even if this hadn't happened at the beginning of the speech today the prediction that you just heard candidate donald trump make has not come to pass. it just hasn't. i mean, anybody who at the point steps foot abroad knows the very first thing you hear for an american is what is going on. what's going on with your country. >> having said that is that politics abroad good politics at

home then? >> yes it is. but having said that, to play devil's advocate or maybe to give the president some props here, there are issues like nato, he has been a bull in a china shop on nato. the way he behaved at the summit in canada. >> uh-huh. >> and again in europe, it was the opposite of how anybody who teaches at diplomacy 101 class would tell you to do it. having said that, some of these countries have actually come to meet some of his demands on the issue of paying the dues to nato. not all the way but they are stepping it up a little bit. and if he hadn't been maybe the way that he is that wouldn't have happened. there are certainly a lot of things that have gone the other way, this is just one minor example. >> to dan's point, laughing in the room, outside the room, whatever it may be, are you still dealing with the united states.

still, i do wonder though, you know, this is what you're dealing with. this is still the power of the united states. it's still, you know, the strongest country in the world. so the impact abroad is? >> the impact abroad we have polling numbers through global research numbers showing our division of the united states is at an unprecedenteded low but let's look at the variables we have the secretary general of the united nations saying the america power is on decline and the president today in his speech saying he is going to pull back on foreign assistance and only going to give it to his friends, and not going to give it if his feelings are hurt. he also said we'll pull back defense spending if countries don't immediate me too us on the spending side or again if they hurt his feelings. so what will we do to export

american leadership brand abroad. >> beyond being laughed at it's the substance what he said. everybody in the room has a sense of history because people who are diplomats generally do have a sense of history that this president doesn't tend to have, know what's previous american presidents have had to deal with and therefore overcome, therefore the notion he's done more for america than anybody in the history of the world is laughable. and i think that actually speaks to the disconnect as much as anything else. >> in this major moment, peter, what do you think the lasting take away will be. >> look, i don't think the beginning of the speech will have impact overseas every country is digging through transcript to see if they were or were not mentioned. this is the president of the united states and he had a strong message on burden sharing and i feel strong about that as well, not to take the united states for gran tted.

i think it was a strong speech and improvement from last year, especially on issues such as north korea and he put iran on notice. we'll see how it translates in tomorrow's national security council meeting. >> i wonder if will have the same impact a year from now. fun one to wait for. thank you guys so much. up next, republicans hire a secret lawyer to question brett kavanaugh revealing only her gender. why not say who she is? plus a top republican warns trump not to mess with rod rosenstein or his job. what are the odds president won't list ebb. what or who has senator ted cruz looking at on his cellphone. creepy. may say something about how his campaign is going. got the new iphone on verizon. yep, just got it. nice. ♪ great, problem solved. i have the acoustic version of this. ♪

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breaking news, senate judiciary committee laying the vote for brett kavanaugh nomination this friday, senators will have less than 24 hours to consider this. the chairman of the committee chuck grassley tweeted if they're not ready to vote they will not vote. republicans also confirming they have hired a female outside council to ask questions for republicans. during this hearing.

with me right now is an influential evangelical leader praising brett kavanaugh's nomination and joan walsh. great to see you both. thank you for being here. joan, what is your take on this outside prosecutor. this was a big question. right. >> right. >> were republicans going to be asking questions. they now announce they're bringing in outside council to ask questions in the place of the eleven republican senators. >> okay can we actually use the words i believe senator mcconnell used which was female assist an the. assistant. to do the questioning. i don't know if they are trying to drive all women out of the republican party or what. but their attitude has been so condescending from the beginning. to bring this woman in, do they

think we're stupid that they can hide behind the skirt of woman to do the questioning because they can't find one woman to put on the judiciary committee a very important committee and can't find one man on the committee who could act with respect and restraint and ask fair and decent questions. i don't use this expression a lot but it's time for them to man-up. this is pathetic. >> do you see the risk joan is laying out. >> i like joan a lot and how you laid that out but i know senator grassley very well and i think what he did here we want to hear you, you go here we go to you, we will do private or public i want to hear you. senator grassley saying let's have a neutral party and ask the real questions. i think senator grassley wants to get to the truth.

as do the american people. >> we do want to get to the truth, absolutely. >> not to say whatever political party we're part of, let's just get to the truth of this. >> quite frankly senator corker came out and said of course we're going to do this. because we don't want someone to make a dumb remark an god viral. didn't use those exact words. but it's obvious what they're doing. >> it's also very hyper political. try to take the politics out of it. in ministry we say remove the emotion and just deal with the facts. i think that's what senator grassley is trying to do. >> on any hear on capitol hill it is impossible to remove emotions and sometimes impossible to get to the facts. but is there a point, is it lose-lose for republicans. >> i think it is lose-lose. >> if it is only white men on the dias asking questions,

that's what they're doing what are they supposed to do. >> they're supposed to reflect reality that normal events senators themselves ask the questions. that's what happens. they didn't have outside council asking brett kavanaugh questions in the first round of hearings. this is not done and it's quite clear to everyone, i appreciate you're trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, but i'm not. it's clear what they're doing and they need to live with the reality of the situation they created that they could not put one woman on that judiciary committee. i hope next year they will remedy that. for right now they don't have a woman or a man they trust. >> do you think they look like they're afraid. >> no, i don't think so. i really don't. maybe because i know senator grassley really well an what did kind of guy he is and what kind of integrity he has. take a look at senator feinstein, here's judge kavanaugh went through six fbi vettings, impeccable record and

integrity, went through a supreme court confirmation hearing and senator feinstein a woman sits on this letter while he's going through the hearing. why not bring it out into the open when you can actually discuss it. now we're in a situation it's going to be a thursday and now we have a woman coming in to do the questioning. >> i think you know why, in case you don't, dr. blasey ford last week wrote a letter, yesterday it was released, and she explained the timeline very well. right or wrong, wanted it known, thought she could do it anonymously. went to her congresswoman in a bind, one or both of them went to senator feinstein. as long as she did not want to come forward they were stuck not knowing what to do. >> and still trying to figure who leaked it. >> and i don't know who it is and that shouldn't have happened. >> this thought, republicans want to get to the facts, the truth, they're very okay with

bringing in outside council to ask questions and to get to the truth. what's the differentiadifferenc bringing in an outside investigation to looking at the accusations that came up late in the game. what's the difference between these two things. >> i think what will happen is that thursday you will find out a whole lot. it may be where what dr. ford says, what judge kavanaugh says, and maybe the senators say this warrants a further investigation. maybe that's another issue. >> you think that can happen? >> it could be. there's a process it to that. just because they scheduled a vote, what it is they're saying we are going to move on unless something real comes out on thursday. >> i think the other question people are asking is why are they not subpoenaing mark judge his friend who was through

through the bhing drinking and everything else. >> they're clear not to go beyond these two interviews. >> but when you say to get to the bottom of it that's another way to do it so i'm not as trusting as you are that that's what they want. >> glad we solved here. thank you so much. up next, wall street journal breaking new details about rod rosenstein fate and future. and is trump country turning a little more blue? >> why are you here? >> because i'm a republican and tired of the republican party.

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breaking news, president

trump now says he's open to keeping deputy attorney general rod rosenstein on the job that via wall street journal people who spoke directly to the president. he wants to speak about reports suggested recording the president to use the 24th amendment to out the president from office but could help with senator suzanne collins who said today firing rosenstein would be a quote, huge red line. what is the president saying publicly. seems content letting it twist in the wind another day. >> i'm meeting with rod rosenstein on thursday. tomorrow i'm doing other things. tonight former assistant director and former justice official. so what happens then when rosenstein goes to speak to the president. there's no way to avoid it right now he has to go there? >> he serves at the pleasure of the president when the president

summons a senior administration official that official goes to the white house for a meeting. it will be curious to see what comes out of it. the president would be well-advised to consider and most observers would agree there's three problems potentially with the president firing the deputy attorney general, the first is political most republicans are saying don't do something like this on the eve of the mid-terms, politically it's not a good idea. second those around the president concerned with the possibility of obstruction of justice case against the president wouldn't want him to do such a thing. third most observers would say this is a bad idea to attack the department like this by firing the deputy attorney general. anyway the president and team look at it will conclude it's not the right move at this time and i might suggest or predict nothing will happen. >> francine do you think it is all down side like greg. >> >> i do agree with greg, i

don't think the president will fire the deputy attorney general. i never thought he would unless rosenstein goes in and tells the president in fact was advocating for the president's removal for being unfit under the 25th amendment. since i think it is unlikely the deputy attorney general will say that, i think he's safe, at least until after the election when i predict he and sessions are gone and gone quickly. >> senator collins said is it is a huge red line if he's fired, if key senators are threatening that do you think that's tipping the hand of the president on this decision? can the president get rid of rosenstein if senators are laying down threats like that? >> it's difficult and even waiting until after the midterms, while that may take care of the republican political view that it's a bad idea to do right now it doesn't necessarily take care of the view many on the hill have that it would appear to be an attempt to under mine the mueller investigation.

so for the president it's a difficult dilemma he faces. >> and francine, it's not really clear what the follow through would be if the president crossed the line. i'm kind of wondering that. any new nominee would need senate approval. so that could be maybe what the threat would be. i mean, do you think now that he's just likely to survive this. this is an amazing turn of events considering how yesterday started and now he's going to stay. i don't know, francine? >> the truth is, the dag is a very important person in the federal government. may i said that last night. every single agency sends thing to the dag. he's the coo of the department of justice and runs the department of justice in a very real excepts so losing the dag is significant. but you will have someone step in as acting dag. it's not like that position becomes vacant. it's not like bob mueller doesn't know what to do without rod rosenstein over him. robert mueller if knows how to

investigate and will continue whoever is in charge. >> let read what is said on capitol hill also very critical of rosenstein throughout putting on a new demand of the deputy. this is republican from north carolina. can -- francine, do you think he should have to testify about this? >> well, agrees certainly has over sight responsibility. and i do think it is a serious matter. if a presidential appointe is talking seriously about the president being unfit for office. we heard it might have been a joke. hope it was because it's a serious matter for someone under the president talking about him being unfit. rosenstein will have to go to congress and address whether or not he said those things and was

serious about it. >> great but resigning or being fired wouldn't that solve that problem, would it somehow save him from answering those questions on capitol hill? >> not necessarily. but look this idea put forth by house republicans having the deputy attorney general come up to testify is a politically motivated side show. done the think it is any more than that. >> coming from capitol hill! >> shocked, i know we're all shocked to hear that. the irony is that apparently those house republicans are basing their outrage at rod rosenstein on andy mccabe's version of events. of course andy mccabe in the eyes of those same house republicans couldn't tell the truth if his life depended on it. so we're in really strange territory right now. >> also believing in anonymous sources in the new york times. that's where we are right now. great to see you both. thanks so much. let's see what comes tomorrow. i'm sure it will be different.

out front next, it's neck in neck in kentucky for a house seat in a district republican congressman once owned now he can lose to a first-time canadia candidate. >> and standing by her husband, who is ashley kavanaugh?

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tonight president trump announcing his next campaign stop, headlining a rally next tuesday in mississippi, a red state trump won in 2016 but some signs trump country may not be trump any more. look at kentucky. they overwhelmingly backed the president. >> rural kentucky. standing-room only. democrat amy mcgrath. >> i'm doing the best i can. >> former marine pilot and first time candidate running for agrees in a district president trump won by 16 points.

>> you voted for trump. >> i'm a republican. and i'm basically tired of the republican party. >> what is it you care most about. they need so -- >> we have to respond. this is what you're seeing around the country. what is our response to 2016. what's our response to americans as to what's happening in our country. you saw it here in kentucky. kentucky's sixth congressional district. worried over health care and tariffs that could cost jobs. >> nice to see you all. >> the returning republican

incumbent andy barr outperformed trump two years ago, beloved by his base, taking nothing for granted. >> you're actually physically running. >> well there's a lot of people, lot of hands to shake. we're enjoying that. >> let us know if we can ever help. okay. >> one recent poll shows the race as a toss up. barr is sticking with trump. >> they're suburban republicans who are maybe dissatisfied with the president's personality. >> thanks for spreading the word for us. >> yes, sir. >> there's people in this part of the district very supportive of the president. >> it's important i come out today. >> there are fundamental differences between me and my opponent. i'm conservative. she's a liberal. >> your name and guide your way. >> barr affirming conservative values like opposition to

abortion. >> you have an opportunity to make a profound difference in the cause for life in november. >> and on offense with attack ads. >> amy mcgrath too liberal for kentucky. >> i want the to say to andy barr, seriously, is that all you got. >> she stands on her record of military service. >> after 89 pacombat missions nothing a party could force me to do anything. >> hey there's a coal miner right there. >> trying to reach every possible supporter. >> how are you? >> and mcgrath. >> good to see you. >> toddler in tow is opening new field offices in rural town. >> this is just amazing. i'm just thrilled. >> love you. >> thank you. >> even where republicans outnumber democrats. >> i feel from talking to people that are democratic not taking

the road of we don't have a canadian. we do have a canadian. candidate. we do have a candidate. >> polls will close at 6:00 one of the earlier closing on election night. it will given early indication of democratic enthusiasm and whether the message of health care in the trump presidency has been effective flipping these red districts blue. >> thank you very much. joining me now, republican analysts, you say weird things happening what can you give us an example. >> look at kentucky sixth district. west virginia third district. kansas second and third district these are places that have been republican last few cycles yet democrats are tied or leading in poll there's.

when you have a wave ride if in places you wouldn't otherwise expect it. >> the path democrats are looking at in winning back the house, why do you think it is different than others thought it would be. >> i think after the 2016 election a lot thought the path would be where hillary clinton outperformed barack obama in the south, but we're seeing in places she under performed obama in 2012 the congressional map, is where democrats do their best. third district or sixth neither obama nor trump did well there but go back to early 2000s. >> going way back. how can you be so sure. >> look we're not sure and this is going to be wuone of the key factors when forecasting races.

kentucky is a tight race. we have a forecast we'll have up on cnn.com in few weeks. the confidence is very high. we're trying to be as honest as possible that this is an imperfect science and we're trying to give the best estimate possible. >> so lesson here is, don't count your wins until the polls close. >> absolutely. in fact if i were to say right now our best guess is probably democrats ending in the majority of 230 seats could be as low as 200 they could only gain five seats or high as 260 if democrats win the national house volt by 10 to 15. >> yeah it is a fight to the end. >> it is definitelily. going back to 2006 for example you saw seats that no one thought would fall. republican incumbents. bradley in new hampshire and leach in iowa.

these were shocking but it happened because waves do strange things. >> weird things happen when harry comes to visit. up next, accusations of sexual assault weighing on the supreme court nominee but also his wife of many years, who is ashley kavanaugh and senator ted cruz observed in mid flight, was he swiping left or right? alright, i brought in new max protein ...to give you the protein you need with less of the sugar you don't. i'll take that. [cheers] 30 grams of protein and 1 gram of sugar. new ensure max protein. in two great flavors. your hair is so soft!rotein. did you use head and shoulders two in one? i did mom. wanna try it? yes. it intensely moisturizes your hair and scalp and keeps you flake free. manolo?

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senate judiciary chairman chuck grassley denying a request by democrats to delay thursday's hearing with brett kavanaugh and his accuser. one of the reasons, he cites threats to kavanaugh and his family. this comes as kavanaugh's wife has been thrust into the spotlight amid this controversy. erica hill is "outfront" with more. >> this process is incredibly difficult. harder than we imagined. and we imagined it might be hard. >> reporter: ashley kavanaugh candid as she addresses the allegations of sexual assault against her husband. at his nomination in july judge kavanaugh praised his wife as a source of strength. >> through bad days and so many better days since then she's been a great wife and inspiring mom. >> reporter: born ashley estes

the 43-year-old grew up in abilene, texas. her cooper high school yearbook includes pictures of the 1993 graduate with the golf team and student council. her next stop, the university of texas at austin. ashley was an assistant to george w. bush when he was governor of texas and met her future husband while working in the bush white house as the president's personal secretary. >> our first date was on september 10th, 2001. in the difficult weeks that followed ashley was a source of strength for president bush and for everyone in this building. >> reporter: the kavanaughs married in 2004. president and mrs. bush among the guests. >> so help me god. >> reporter: in 2006 ashley kavanaugh looked on as her former boss appointed her husband to the d.c. court of appeals. >> i believe that a lot of his success has got to be due to his choice of a wife. she's a good wife. she's a great mother. she has a life of her own.

>> reporter: that life includes her position as a town manager in chevy chase, maryland, the affluent d.c. suburb the family calls home. town council chairman greg chernak telling are not cnn he hopes she stays on noting she's "done a fantastic job. she made our small community even better." the kavanaughs have to daughters, liza and margaret, both of whom attended their dad's confirmation hearings earlier this month. ? it's very difficult to have these conversations with your children. and we told them at the very beginning of this process, this will be not fun sometimes. you're going to hear things that people feel strongly, and you need to know that, and just remember, you know your dad. >> reporter: the scrutiny, the spotlight, the questions. ashley kavanaugh isn't the first to be thrust into this public role. from virginia thomas, pictured here at the confirmation hearings for her husband, justice clarence thomas, to silda spitzer, huma abedin and a

defiant hillary clinton. >> i'm not sitting here as some little woman standing by my man like tammy wynette. i'm sitting here because i love him and i respect him. >> i know brad. i've known him for 17 years. he's decent. he's kind. he's good. i know his heart. this is not consistent with brad. >> reporter: words of support as stories continue to swirl. following that unprecedented interview on monday, ashley kavanaugh has kept a low profile. and now the countdown is on to thursday, when her husband and christine blasey ford are set to appear before the senate judiciary committee. kate? >> that's exactly right. erica, thanks so much. coming up next for you, jeanne moos on what senator ted cruz was looking at on his phone. is that beto o'rourke?

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tonight's burning question, what was ted cruz looking at on his flight? here's jeanne moos. >> reporter: senator ted cruz likes to schmooze about being tech savvy. >> so i pulled out my phone, i sent a tweet. >> reporter: but when he pulled out his phone aboard a flight to d.c. he got nabbed gazing at his senate race rival beto o'rourke. politico posted the photo, inspiring mockery like this diary entry. "i wonder if he thinks about me." someone else called it humanizing. "who among us has not stared at a picture of beto o'rourke and gently caressed the picture with our thumb" in another? just like senator cruz seemed to do. get a grip. cruz is probably reading a news article about the race featuring his opponent's face. it's not tinder. but there were plenty of tinder jokes. swipe left, swipe right. hmm. beto o'rourke supporters look on him as having the charisma of a bobby kennedy.

♪ playing air drums to the who as he drives through a watta burger. >> thank you. you too. >> reporter: while ted cruz suffers the slings and arrows of late-night comedians. >> i noticed he looked like a blobfish. >> reporter: the same day the in flight photos were snapped protesters at a d.c. restaurant hounded cruz and his wife. chanting about the supreme court controversy but adding insult to injury with this reference to his opponent's hotness. >> beto is way hotter than you. >> reporter: not everyone found the phone photos funny. "i have a problem with looking over someone's shoulder and reporting what documents they're reading." the texas democrats used the pictures to recruit volunteers. "even ted cruz is signing up to volunteer for @betoo'rourke." no, cruz was not really cruising his rival. it just looks like o'rourke is the wind beneath his wings. ♪ did i ever tell you you're my

hero ♪ jeanne moos, cnn. ♪ you're everything, everything ♪ new york. >> and tonight cruz's campaign is having a little fun with this as well giving us this statement. "breaking news, the airline passenger paparazzi captured the senator reading news clips about his campaign." well played, senator cruz. thanks for joining us. "ac 360" starts now. good evening. today one of the biggest celebrities of the last half century was handcuffed and taken to prison for sexually assaulting a woman. bill cosby's sentencing, a landmark in so many ways, is not our lead story. it is part of a conversation about women, justice, and politics and the perception so many people are having right now. we begin with another part of that conversation, and the sfakz could not stakes could not be higher. we're talking about the fight over supreme court nominee brett kavanaugh and the two accusers who say he assaulted them. today republicans on the senate committee who control the process scheduled their first vote on the nomination f