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At This Hour

Hillary Clinton Calls for Women's Movement; Emergency on JetBlue Flight; Scotland Says No to Independence; Hurricane Traps Tourists in Cabo San Lucas

Aired September 19, 2014 - 11:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE: When we can turn an issue into a political movement that demands people be responsive during the election season, it carries over. So these issues have to be in the lifeblood of this election and any election.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton calling for a women's movement on economic issues to start right now, which is ahead of the midterm elections, we should note.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Things like equal pay for women, affordable child care, paid sick leave. Those are the issues the Democrats are stressing and you can bet Hillary Clinton will be preaching to the choir next hour when she speaks at the DNC Women's Leadership Forum.

Joining us to discuss so many things, we have a Republican strategist, Mercedes Schlapp, a former spokeswoman for the George W. Bush administration.

Good morning to you.

And, of course, our political commentator, Maria Cardona, a Democratic strategist who was a senior advisor and spokeswoman for the "Hillary Clinton for President" campaign 2008.

Maria, since you might know a thing or two --

(LAUGHTER)

-- you're part of team Hillary, are we getting a sneak peek here at presidential campaign message?

MARIA CARDONA, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR & DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: You better believe it, Michaela. If Secretary Clinton runs, this will be a huge piece of her campaign. And, look, it's a winning issue not just for Democrats and the campaigns but for America. I mean, there are facts that actually show that when you fight for women's issues that when women make it economically when they are successful economically the country does better so when you talk about minimum wage, which Republicans don't want to raise, two thirds of women are the ones who hold these jobs. When you talk about equal pay for equal work, when they're not getting as much money as men are for the same jobs that's a huge issue for women all around the country so you can get not just on secretary Clinton focusing on these issues but every Democrat in this election, the midterms as well as the presidential. And it's working for them. It's one of the reasons why President Obama won. A huge gender gap.

BERMAN: It worked for Gap.

(LAUGHTER)

(CROSSTALK)

BERMAN: Whether it's working for them or will work for them in a month or so remains to be seen.

Which begs the question, Mercedes, in 2010 there was not a gender gap in the election, in 2012 there was. Will it an issue in a month and a half?

MERCEDES SCHLAPP, FORMER SPOKESWOMAN FOR GEORGE W. BUSH & REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Well, let's go back to history here. In 2010 in the midterm elections, Republicans actually edged out Democrats with women voters. So to say that Democrats are clearly winning over women, if you start looking at the poll numbers that just came out today, I mean, the Democrats are -- have dropped. Now only 47 percent of women actually prefer Democratic candidates. If you go into battleground Congressional districts, 67 percent of women voters believe that our country is going in the wrong direction. 53 percent disapprove of Obama's performance. Again, they're losing the trust in the Democratic Party and this is an opportunity for the Republicans to come out strong and ensure that they can win these women voters in the midterm elections.

CARDONA: I agree that there is an opportunity. There's always an opportunity for Republicans to do better because they've been doing so badly with women thus far. But if you look at the battleground states, especially Senate states, the Senate campaigns, why is it that they're so close? Why is it that Republicans are not looking at this wave that they all predicted six or seven or eight months ago? It's because of the women's vote. It's because there is a huge gender gap still there. And these campaigns will be waged on local issues. So each of these candidates, the Democratic candidates, will be focused on making the distinction that it's Democrats who are the ones who focused on women's economic viability and when you have today the majority of women are running the Households, the majority of women are graduating from college and have post-graduate degrees but yet they don't have as big an economic viability as men, and Republicans aren't fighting for that, that is a huge contrast. It's a winning issue for Dems.

(CROSSTALK)

SCHLAPP: I think when you look at the White House that, in fact, they can't even narrow their gap when it comes to equal pay for equal work I mean, you're going for from the top down. So let's take a look at these Congressional districts. It's very clear that right now, Democrats are in a bit more of a disadvantage than Republicans and that the women voters are taking a very clear look at these candidates. I mean, that is why you had Debbie Wasserman Schultz calling Republicans wife beaters and you've had several missteps when it comes to the Congressman calling Joni Ernst, calling her a chick. You guys are overreaching, it's not working and the Republicans again have a strong opportunity to talk about why the economy is sputtering, which is because of Obama's failed policies as well as the fact that the majority of women voters oppose Obamacare because they're losing access to their doctors, having to pay higher premiums and all of these issues combined with the fact that they are not feeling safe from an international perspective with the threats that we are experiencing in Obama's lack of strategy is impacting the women voters. And I think Republicans have a clear opportunity to take them.

BERMAN: Well, you both had a chance to get your message out.

(LAUGHTER)

(CROSSTALK)

BERMAN: I don't know that either of you were shortchanged.

CARDONA: We tried to keep it as balanced as we could.

We'll see what happens after the midterm.

PEREIRA: Absolutely, we will.

Maria, Mercedes, thanks for joining us. We appreciate it.

CARDONA: Thank you.

BERMAN: As we mentioned, Hillary Clinton does speak in the next hour at the DNC Women's Leadership Forum. We'll monitor that and bring you the key moments.

PEREIRA: Imagine being on a flight that fills up with so much smoke you can barely see the person next to you. It happened to these JetBlue passengers bound for Austin. We'll tell you more about this emergency and how it played out.

BERMAN: Also, Scotland said no to independence. We will tell you what this means for the rest of the world next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN.

BERMAN: Terrifying moments for passengers of a JetBlue flight headed to Austin, Texas. The cabin filled with smoke. Then things got even worse.

Stephanie Elam shows what happens.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, we've had a right engine failure.

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Terrifying video from inside the cabin of JetBlue flight 1416. The air thick with smoke.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Keep your seat belt fastened.

ELAM: It was shortly after takeoff when something went wrong.

DEAN DELBAUGH, PASSENGER: I heard a weird noise. The landing gear came up then a pop.

ELAM: While in route to Austin, Texas, from Long Beach, California, the airline says there was an issue with the number-two engine on the plane.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please stay in your seats and we'll try to clear the cabin of smoke.

ELAM: The oxygen masks failed to deploy, according to one passenger, forcing the attendants to manually release them.

DELBAUGH: We were way over the ocean, probably a couple miles out, and you immediately got the smell and it obviously was something burning.

ELAM: The pilot immediately turned the plane back to Long Beach. You can hear babies crying as the 142 passengers and five crew members braced for an emergency landing.

DELBAUGH: Once we turned around and got over land, it was very -- it was jarring all over the place and then people started to get really worried.

ELAM: He thought he was going die.

DELBAUGH: I thought this was it. My wife was right next to me, we were going on vacation, and she held me, she was crying, and I was like, well, here we go.

JARROD WEST, PASSENGER: The scariest part of the whole thing was when we were coming down for landing and the flight attendants were yelling, "Brace, brace, brace."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FLIGHT ATTENDANT: Brace, brace, brace.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WEST: And they kept repeating it and repeating it, and it was at the top of their lungs. ELAM: After landing safely --

(APPLAUSE)

-- a round of applause from all on board.

PILOT: JetBlue 1416 is on the ground. JetBlue 1416 will be evacuating.

ELAM: The control tower told the pilot smoke wasn't coming from the engine. But the passengers weren't waiting. They quickly escaped down the slides.

JACKSON RATHBONE, ACTOR & PASSENGER: I figured, you know, it would be too hot to wear black.

ELAM: Celeb passenger "Twilight" actor, Jackson Rathbone, tweeted photos of everyone crowding the tarmac including his family, the plane in the background.

Four people were injured, thankfully, none seriously.

WEST: I'm just happy to be alive. I don't think I'll ever be mean to anybody ever again.

ELAM: Stephanie Elam, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: Yeah, it's the bang and the smoke, it's the everything there.

PEREIRA: Kids crying and people freaking out.

(CROSSTALK)

PEREIRA: I know. Kudos to the pilots on board and to the crew members on board, get everybody there and home to their destination. It's going to be a while until they forget that.

BERMAN: As in never.

PEREIRA: Ever.

(CROSSTALK)

BERMAN: Ahead for us @THISHOUR, the United Kingdom still united. Scotland says no to independence. But even so, the political scene there has changed forever. It will have a big impact on the rest of the world as well.

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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID CAMERON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: The people of Scotland have spoken and it is a clear result. They have kept our country of four nations together and, like millions of other people, I am delighted. As I said during the campaign, it would have broken my heart to see our United Kingdom come to an end.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Prime Minister David Cameron there of the United Kingdom. It would have broken his heart. It also probably would have lost him his job as he most likely would have been voted out as the prime minister who lost Scotland.

It did not happen. In the historic vote, the answer was no. The Scots did not vote for independence. And Alex Salmond, who had been campaigning to break away, says he is stepping down as the Scottish first minister and the leader of the Scottish Nationalist Party.

55 percent of people in Scotland voted to stay within the still United Kingdom.

PEREIRA: There were scenes of joyous merry making from the "no" camp. However, we know this is not the end of the political turmoil.

Our senior international correspondent, Nic Robertson joins us from Glasgow.

A pleasure to have you, Nic.

I imagine today we're seeing what happens. What does there mean now for the future of Scotland, of the U.K., and what does it mean for politics there?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You know, looking at the future of Scotland it mean there is there will be greater powers in Scotland. Looking at the future in the U.K., there's a real constitutional shakeup coming. And if you take a more broad look, if Scotland had gone independent, what you would have seen would have been a more socialist government, a government that wanted to get the nuclear weapons, the nuclear submarines that are stored here, based here in Scotland for the whole of United Kingdom, Scotland would have got rid of those weapons, it's anti-nuclear weapons. Britain would have been and, therefore, a lesser ally for the United States, and as Britain has been in Iraq and Afghanistan. So you would have had essentially a Scotland that would have stayed out completely out of international involvement, sending troops, supporting coalitions around the world, and that would have been different. Britain would have been smaller and potentially weaker and a less able ally for the United States -- Michaela?

BERMAN: Some of the Scots are acting out on their independent feelings behind you --

(LAUGHTER)

-- as we speak, Nic.

The margin was 10 points but, still, 45 percent of the people in Scotland said they wanted out. That's a lot. Are they going to try again or is this it at this point?

ROBERTSON: You know, "not again for a generation," was the sort of campaign slogan. Not again for even a lifetime, David Cameron said this morning. I talked to some of the young activists here and obviously passions are still high here. Everyone was sort of actively engaged with the youth here. But the sense is that they would like to take another shot if they could, but I don't think there's going to be the political leadership to take them in that direction, at the moment, if you will. And we heard earlier today the finance minister of Scotland, a member of the Scottish National Party pushing for independence and he also, following this vote, said, look, really, not again for another generation. While you have young passions high here, the reality is calmer heads are saying not for a while -- John?

PEREIRA: It's nice to see that younger voters taking such a keen interest in your reporting. Literally, Nic, you're a consummate professional.

(CROSSTALK)

PEREIRA: He's ice cold.

BERMAN: Ice cold.

We appreciate it, Nic.

We've been watching this as we know many nations around the world have when they look at the question of unity and independence, the two debates on either side. Many countries watching how this vote would turn out.

BERMAN: Spain, probably, the margin of error is much greater by 45 percent. Certainly would have wanted perhaps the referendum of their own.

PEREIRA: Now we can say because it didn't happen.

BERMAN: Ahead @THISHOUR, thousands of tourists still trying to get out of Cabo San Lucas after a hurricane ripped through their vacation spot. We'll have the latest on their plight coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

All right. Time for to you meet a "CNN Hero." After losing his 2- year-old daughter to leukemia, a rabbi used his black belt in martial arts to empower thousands of sick kids. This is his story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: I really hate when it hurts. It's a really sharp pain. I get all teary. The shots really scared me a lot, and they still scare me now.

ELMELECH GOLDBERG, RABBI & CNN HERO: When children get a diagnosis like cancer or any major disease, they lose any sense of feeling that they are controlling their lives. They are prodded and poked and touched, and they are often so afraid.

Our daughter is Sarah and she was diagnosed with leukemia. She was such an incredible little soul who taught me about the power that's inside of ourselves.

Are you ready?

(SHOUTING)

GOLDBERG: OK. Begin.

(SHOUTING)

GOLDBERG: After our daughter passed away, I started a program that provides classes to children who are sick to teach them the martial arts to make them feel powerful.

Good. Every single type of martial arts uses the breath to take control.

I'm a black belt in tae kwon do.

Hold it. Release.

We use the platform of martial arts for meditation, relaxation to allow children to gain these tools.

You're totally in control.

To really face down so much of the fear and the anger that accompanies pain.

Breathe in.

And you can see that light on their face. I feel like their souls are shining.

(SHOUTING)

GOLDBERG: You did it.

UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: I have the power to make the pain go away and nothing's impossible, nothing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PEREIRA: How about that?

If you'd like to learn more about Rabbi Goldberg and his amazing work, visit CNNheroes.com. Don't forget to nominate somebody you know.

BERMAN: Isn't that amazing?

PEREIRA: It's amazing.

It's been days since a hurricane hit Cabo San Lucas. Thousands of tourists are trying to get out. The line at the airport stretched more than a mile and a half. The State Department has been arranging flights for them.

BERMAN: The hurricane devastated the area. Mexico sent in troops to protect the tourists from widespread looting.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAROL VAN VAERENBERGH, TOURIST: We were all hunkered down in the hallways and then some of the windows shattered so we quickly moved into the bathroom.

CHRIS VELTZ, TOURIST: Power outages, looting, I mean, it was crazy. It looked like a war zone.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Hotels have been running out of food and water. There's no money in the ATMs, no phone service. So far the Mexican government says 18,000 tourists have been flown out. 16 of the city's firefighters stranded at a wedding there are among those heading home.

PEREIRA: The doctor who was attending Joan Rivers when she went into cardiac arrest is now speaking out. In a statement, Gwen Korovin denies performing an unauthorized procedure on the 81-year-old woman.

BERMAN: She also denies taking a selfie with the unconscious Rivers during the procedure. A source told CNN the doctor took the photo saying that Rivers would think it was funny. Investigations into Rivers' death are still under way.

PEREIRA: Well, that wraps up our week of @THISHOUR. Thanks for joining us. I'm Michaela Pereira.

PEREIRA: And I'm John Berman. Have a great weekend.

"LEGAL VIEW" with Ashleigh Banfield starts right now.