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More than 5,000 refugees arrived in Munich, Germany; Pope Francis has lend his voice to those offering solutions to the refugee crisis; Another woman is under fire apparently for refusing to do part of her job due to her religion; The NBC/Marist poll shows Bernie Sanders now has a nine-point lead over Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire; Teenager offering to provide backup for a sheriff's deputy who was pumping gas in her patrol car; 5-6p ET

Aired September 06, 2015 - 17:00   ET

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


[17:00:00] DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN HOST: Top of the hour. Hello, everyone. You are in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Deborah Feyerick in more Poppy Harlow.

Twelve thousand people terrified and desperate. Some of them solo, all alone, others with entire families. That's how many people have traveled through Austria and into Germany this weekend. Refugees getting away from terrorism and civil wars, persecution in their own home countries. They are arriving by bus, train, by foot from Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Austria and Germany both countries opened their borders to thousands of migrants, the only European countries so far to do so. These are the people who have made it to relative safety. The U.N. estimates that nearly 3,000 people died or are missing this year in their quest to reach Western Europe for a better future.

(VIDEO CLIP PLAYING)

FEYERICK: German and Austrian leaders have direct message for their neighbor countries this weekend. Stop, step up and help.

CNN senior international correspondent Fredrick Pleitgen is in Vienna today.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRED PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hundreds of refugees are still pouring here into the railway station in Vienna. All of them are with their children and all of them, of course, looking to complete that very difficult journey that they have understood taken.

Now, what the authorities here have had done is they designated this platform here for trains for the refugees. What we're seeing here also is an outpouring of support from the Austrian population. As many people bringing food, bring water, and just helping these people along. We've spoken to some of the refugees. And they've told us about the difficult journey that they had to make it here. UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): From Hungary, we went through

a torture. We walked 110 kilometers with the children. They didn't allow us to take cars or trains. The government fooled us. But the people were very nice. We arrived here safely. And we are comfortable here. And we like the people and the government of Austria.

PLEITGEN: One of the things that's extremely important to speed up the process, and just make everything work more efficient, is that they have a lot of people here who speak the local languages of the refugees. You have people who speak (INAUDIBLE). A lot of people who speak Arabic. Because for the refugees also, it's important for them to know the process. It's important for them to know what will come next. What will happen when they get to Munich? How do they get on the trains best. That is something that is very, very key to making this whole process work.

Now, one of the things that we have to keep in mind is that things are going very well here at the Vienna train station. But Europe is still facing a major challenge in dealing with the tens of thousands of people who have already come here. I spoke earlier with the spokesperson for the U.N. ACR, Melissa Fleming, and she says that Europe needs to find a common approach to make all of this work.

MELISSA FLEMING, UNITED NATIONS ACR: The U.N. ACR has suggested for example big reception registration centers in Greece, and Italy and then Hungary, run by the EU and supported by U.N. ACR where people could go there and register. And if they are refugees, they could be distributed and relocated to all different countries in Europe.

PLEITGEN: Now, of course, as these thousands of people come here to Europe, the material aid that they get from the folks here in Austria and Germany, that's something that's important for them. The food, the water, the toys for the children. But in many ways we find what's even more important to a lot of these people is to be received with a smile and to be welcomed and shown that they have a chance to integrate here in Europe and possibly start a new life.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FEYERICK: Fred Pleitgen there for us. Thank you so much. We appreciate that.

And Pope Francis has lend his voice to those offering solutions to the refugee crisis. He's urging catholic organizations throughout Europe to open their doors. The Pope said this today in his Sunday Angelus prayer. Quote "may every parish, every religious community, every monastery, every sanctuary of Europe host a family starting from my diocese of Rome."

John Allen is our senior Vatican analyst.

And John, the Pope really making really clear that he plans to take in two families. Is this really going to happen throughout Europe?

JOHN ALLEN, CNN SENIOR VATICAN ANALYST: Hi Deb. Well, it's certainly going to happen in the Vatican. Pope Francis has

made that clear and after all, he is the boss. There are basically two, if you like, working churches in the Vatican. One is Saint Peter's Basilica, one of the most important Pilgrimage sites for Catholics all over the world. The other is Saint Anne which is the much smaller parish church for Vatican employees.

The Pope has made clear that both of them are going to take in a minimum of one refugee family. And as you indicated, he has called on every catholic parish, every monastery, every shrine, every pilgrimage site, every religious community all across the old continent to do the same. And if that happens, it could potentially be a game changer. I mean, there are tens of thousands of such facilities all over Europe. It's literally dotted with the catholic real estate. And if each one of them would take in a minimum of one refugee family, this would be much more than a symbolic gesture.

[17:05:16] FEYERICK: The symbolism is also quite extraordinary when you have Catholic families opening their doors to Muslim families. What is this -- how do you think this would be perceived?

ALLEN: Well, you know, I think there probably will be some conservative sectors of catholic opinion in Europe that are troubled by it. Maybe not so much on a humanitarian basis, but as you say, they may see this as contributing even inadvertently with the nest of intensions, to what some of them would see as the kind of conflicts for at least a growing Islamic footprint and traditionally first in Europe.

But look, I mean, on the other hand, I think most people including most Catholics are looking at this, you know, extremely grave humanitarian situation, the largest refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War, you know, would say that long-term solutions and political debates can wait for another day. The most important thing right now is making sure these people have a place to sleep, a place they can be fed, a place for their basic human dignity can be protected.

FEYERICK: And the Pope is going to be heading to the United States, his first visit to the U.S. ever. Do you think he's going to bring that same sort of message for mercy, having people here in the United States? Because right now, the U.S. based on its policy, has not taken in very many of these refugees.

ALLEN: Well, Deb, almost three years now of covering Pope Francis, one thing I have learned is never be too dogmatic about what he's going to stay or do. I sometimes jokingly say this Pope should come with a warning label like a pack of cigarette that says caution, predictions are hazardous to your health.

But I think one thing you can feel fairly certain of, is that this son of immigrants himself, remember, he's the child of Italian immigrants who fled to Argentina in the early 20th century to get away from (INAUDIBLE). You know, he is not going to come to the United States for the first time in his life without striking a note of sympathy, compassion and welcome for immigrants. I'm virtually certain that will be one of the corner stones of his rhetoric in America.

FEYERICK: And it is going to be very fascinating when he does this. He's expected to address the United Nations.

John Allen, there for us in the Vatican. Thanks so much as always.

And ahead here, your job or your religion. A Muslim flight attendant's job is on the line after she refuses to serve alcohol. Why she says her boss knew all along that serving booze was off the table.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:10:50] FEYERICK: Well, we've heard a lot this week about Kim Davis. You know her as the Kentucky court clerk who refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses because of what she called her religious beliefs.

Now another woman is under fire apparently for refusing to do part of her job due to her religion. Charee Stanley is a flight attendant. She claims she's been suspended by Express Jet because her Muslim beliefs do not allow her to serve alcohol to passengers.

CNN's Nick Valencia is following the story for us.

And Nick, she has now taken her complaint to the equal opportunity employment commission. What issues they have with it?

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You are talking about that story out of Kentucky, Deb. And on the surface, it seems to draw a lot of parallels. You have a woman there saying her Christian beliefs don't allow her to issue same-sex marriage licenses. Here, you have a flight attendant who is saying that her religious beliefs because she is Muslims doesn't allow her to serve alcohol.

But what is her critics become very vocal. Charee Stanley accepted this job three years ago before she converted to Islam. And about a year after taking the job is when she converted. She learned a little bit more about her faith. And she learned she said that she wasn't allowed to serve alcohol.

This summer that they reached a reasonable accommodation, they say, with ExpressJet where other airline flight attendants pick up that job responsibility and it seemed to have been working. But about two months into that, one of Stanley's coworkers filed a complaint to Express Jet saying she was not fulfilling her job responsibilities. That's when the accommodation was revoked. Stanley was suspended. And now, Stanley's attorney is saying that her client is not only the victim of discrimination, but also as having her constitutional rights violated -- Deb.

FEYERICK: So what is ExpressJet saying about this? It seems like they did try to make an accommodation. But then at some point they felt, no, it's simply not fair to the other flight attendants.

VALENCIA: And that's right. And that's where the lawyer for this client, Charee Stanley, is very upset. It all lies on reasonable accommodation. Now, it isn't mandatory to accommodate everything that Stanley is asking for up to the equal employment opportunity commission. They have that. They are investigating this. ExpressJet, they did release a statement. And I will read part of that. They sent it to us.

It says, we embrace and respect the values of all of our team members. We are an equal opportunity employer with a long history of diversity in the workplace.

Now, where this gets complicated is that Charee Stanley works for a very small regional company and ExpressJet where often times she's the only flight attendant. Now, we spoke to Mary Schiavo, the aviation analyst of CNN as here. And she says that this really makes it more difficult. It is absolutely no way that a pilot can come back from the cockpit to serve alcoholic drinks if Stanley is the only flight attendant.

We did asked the attorney for Stanley if her client is willing to compromise, perhaps take another job within this airline. She really didn't answer the question. She said, though, that it is up to ExpressJet to accommodate her client, not the other way around -- Deb.

FEYERICK: Very interesting. All right, one to watch.

Nick Valencia, thank you so much. We appreciate it.

VALENCIA: You bet.

FEYERICK: And coming up in politics, Bernie Sanders jumps ahead of Hillary Clinton in a new poll.

And Sarah Palin talks about the cabinet post she'd like to hold in a Trump administration. Our political panel weighs in next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:17:43] FEYERICK: A new poll in the campaign for the White House is painting a tighter race on the Democratic side. The NBC/Marist poll shows Bernie Sanders now has a nine-point lead over Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire with support from 41 percent of Democratic voters. Hillary Clinton receives 32 percent. Again, that's in New Hampshire.

In Iowa, Clinton is still in the lead, but Sanders numbers have definitely gone up. And on the Republican side in Iowa, Donald Trump now holds a seven-point lead over Ben Carson and 23 points over Jeb Bush.

I'm joined now by CNN senior Washington correspondent Jeff Zeleny who is following the race from Cedar Rapids, Iowa today.

Jeff, what are some of the big changes that we're really seeing? It's a far different race than it was in July.

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Deb, there's no question about it. I mean, the biggest change here in Iowa, let's start here, is that Hillary Clinton's support has really been dropping very quickly. In July, she was leading Bernie Sanders by some 24 points. And this latest poll shows she's only leading by 11 points. This is consistent with all of the other polls we are seeing. So it's important to never just take one poll, but take the average of all the polls, shows that she's definitely losing support in Iowa. And of course, in New Hampshire, Bernie Sanders is leading and his lead has even grown a little bit.

So the Clinton campaign realizes that they have a race on their hands here in Iowa as well as in New Hampshire and in other early voting states. So, it's one of the reasons that Hillary Clinton is here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She will be appearing at the house behind me just shortly and she will be talking to some of those Iowa activists trying to encourage them to join her campaign, Deb.

FEYERICK: Well, you are there on the ground. What are you hearing from these people in Iowa? What are they telling you?

ZELENY: Deb, it's clear that the controversy over the emails, that private email server that secretary Clinton set up while she was at the state department is a concern to voters, how she handled this, the testimony on Capitol Hill, the fact that the FBI is investigating.

These tests has -- it's sinking into voters. And they're just wondering, you know, why she hasn't been more forthcoming explaining it. So the Clinton campaign has started explaining this a lot more. She's been giving interviews. She said that she regrets her decision to use that private email server.

But at the same time, Bernie Sanders is really striking a cord with a lot of these voters. They like what he is saying. And add into the mix, Joe Biden is actively thinking about running. And a lot of these Democratic activists here in early voting states are personally waiting to hear from here. They want to know if he is jumping in. So it's a much different Labor Day weekend than Hillary Clinton ever expected at this point of her candidacy.

[17:20:18] FEYERICK: It's also very interesting because Biden is still rating in the polls and he hasn't even thrown his hat or said he is running. It is an expectation that perhaps he will.

Let's switch gears a little bit. Scott Walker, he is taking a huge hit in these polls seeing something like a 14 percent dip in Iowa since July. How is he reacting to that?

ZELENY: Well, Deb, I mean, Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin, it's a neighboring state of Iowa. He, of course, was a darling of conservatives. He ran three times in four years up in Wisconsin. Of course, he survived that recall election. So many Republicans thought that he was going to be the candidate to beat here, but he has fallen precipitously. So he is spending some time in New Hampshire this weekend on his motorcycle.

And CNN's Sunlen Serfaty caught up to him to ask him what's going on in his campaign. Let's take a listen. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. SCOTT WALKER (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Again, it's one of those where the person who won the primary four years ago is about that same point at this point. So we have every confidence that, like I said, there are going to be ups and downs by falling on the way. But our key is to stay true to who we are. Get our message out. A lot of the other campaigns have been advertising. And we don't have ads up yet. I think we get our message out. We talk about who we are. We're going to be in good shape.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ZELENY: Well, Deb, he talked about ups and downs. He is certainly not seen many ups. Of course, what he didn't mention was Donald Trump. Donald Trump is leading the polls in Iowa and New Hampshire. And a lot of the other candidates including the establishment candidate like Scott Walker having a hard time breaking through.

So these next five months before the voting begins here in Iowa, and then followed by New Hampshire, really going to be a fascinating contest because someone is going to emerge as the alternative. And all of these men, probably seven or eight candidates, are fighting for such a small slice here. So they're all frustrated by what's happened over the summer with Donald Trump. And the Labor Day on the Republican side shows a field unsettled like we've rarely, rarely seen -- Deb.

FEYERICK: Yes. It is so interesting because even if you look at, you know, Scott Walker made the point, look at four years ago. At that time, Rick Perry was in the lead. Four years before that, it was New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani who was on the lead. So things have a way of changing over the course of the next year.

Jeff Zeleny, thanks so much.

And let's talk about what's going on in these polls beyond the numbers. CNN political commentators Marc Lamont Hill and Jeffrey Lord are here. Marc is a Morehouse college professor. And Jeffrey is the former political director in the Reagan White House. And he now writes in support

So Marc, let me start with you. As we just saw, Hillary Clinton has lost 19 points and her lead in New Hampshire. She didn't see that coming. She's lost 11 points, but she still holds the lead in Iowa since the last NBC/Marist poll in July. So how does she stop the bleeding of her supporters who may be saying, enough, we want to hear from someone else?

MARC LAMONT HILL, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: It's going to be tough. You know, the challenge here isn't about Hillary Clinton's experience which was something raised a few months ago by her opponents on the right. It's not about her expertise. It is not about her training. It's about her integrity and honesty. People are questioning that because of this email scandal. Whether it is fair or now, whether it is appropriate or not, it is not the point. I suspect Hillary Clinton didn't break any laws. But what she did do

was bend the laws. And the only reinforces the perception and the Clintons are slick. The Clintons are able to get over email when they don't want to get caught or even when they do get caught. And as a result, voters are clamoring for something else. I think if we had a primary right now, Hillary Clinton would win it. But what we see base on those polls, the referendum of Hillary Clinton, people don't want Bernie Sanders as much as they want someone other than Hillary Clinton. I think it opens the door for Joe Biden to come in at any point.

FEYERICK: Yes. It is interesting. She's used the words that everything she's represented is accurate. But if you are voter there, you are wondering is it truthful?

Jeffrey, you are a Republican, so clearly you're writing for Donald Trump. But what advice would you give to Hillary Clinton right now?

JEFFREY LORD, FORMER REAGAN WHITE HOUSE POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Boy, you know, she should just be out with absolutely everything that she possibly can. Her problem here, I mean, Marc is exactly right about this. But the thing I would add is that this comes after decades of being in the public eye as the candidate, as the candidate's wife in 1992, as the first lady for eight years, and she has gotten into one scrape after another from the very beginning with the whole, you know, cattle futures business where she supposedly made $100,000 and, you know, that was said not to be true. By 1996, William sapphire, who was then the late William Sapphire was then a prominent columnist for the "New York Times" called her in print, and I'm quoting him, "a congenital liar."

What I'm suggesting here is that, as Marc is indicating, now she's got this problem. All this does a fuel this fire that's been going on for years. And she still at this point doesn't know how to effectively combat it.

[17:25:10] FEYERICK: Unless she can Trump Donald Trump and try to make it about greater issues. Her record perhaps as secretary of state and the other things she has done.

But Jeffrey, let me ask you about the Republican polls and I will go to you Marc. Donald Trump has a seven-point lead in Iowa. A 16-point lead in New Hampshire. Ben Carson is in a solid second place in Iowa, third place in New Hampshire. Scott Walker is kind of disappearing. What are your feelings? Does Donald Trump hold this lead and for how long?

LORD: Yes, I think he can. You know, the remarkable thing to me is that second place is ben Carson. Together, in some of these polls between Ben Carson and Donald Trump and Carly Fiorina and Ted Cruz arguably as a Washington outsider, even though he's a senator, these folks are over 50 percent together. In one case I added them up, and I think it was a CNN poll, another poll perhaps, they were over 65 percent. So I'm wondering if what we're beginning to see here is the Republican base essentially coming to the conclusion that they want a Trump/Carson ticket of some sort or outsider, outsider ticket as opposed to insider, insider.

FEYERICK: So -- go ahead, Marc.

Hill: That means Republicans have decided they don't want to elect the next president for their party. There's no way -

(LAUGHTER)

LORD: I don't think --

FEYERICK: Pretty interesting analysis. I like the way you swam that one, Marc.

But let me ask you, I do want to talk about Ben Carson because he seems to be gaining ground. You look at the polls. If it's just between he and Donald Trump, the race becomes much tighter. What do you think he is doing right and why do you think he's resonating with voters now?

Hill: I think people feel that he's sincere. I think people felt like he's the more dignified alternative to Donald Trump, a less controversial alternative to Donald Trump. If you want an outside candidate, if you want someone who is not a Washington in-bread, you know, 30-year vet, you look to Fiorina, you look to Carson, you look to these outside voices, at some point, I do believe, and you will probably disagree with me, Jeff, but I think that Trump at some point peters out. I think at some point, voters get serious just like eight years ago when Giuliani and Thompson were in the lead. Voters get serious and people flame out.

I think that's more interesting here is not that Trump is in the lead because I think that's normal for the end of the summer. I do think Carson makes a very interesting VP possibility and most interesting to me is the fact that Scott Walker, who was the missed candidate -- he was the one everyone was afraid of. He was the one that Jeb Bush should be ducking and Chris Christie should be avoided, suddenly he's turned out to be the least desirable candidate of the so-called front runners at the beginning of the spring. He showed how to be a flip flop. He's perceived to be indecisive. He is perceive to be less intelligent than people thought. I don't think those things are all fair, but that's certainly the perception. And as a result what you might see I think in the next three months is Jeb Bush chug out to the front simply because he's the best of the viable options.

FEYERICK: Yes. It's dangerous to be anointed too soon.

LORD: I'll say.

FEYERICK: All right, Marc, Jeffrey, stay exactly where you are. We are going to start talking Sarah Palin as she talked to CNN today. She's got a lot of things today including the cabinet post that she's going to perhaps hold in a Trump administration. I'm going to get all your reactions when we come back. Stay tuned.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [17:31:30] FEYERICK: Well, we're talking presidential politics. And believe it or not, potential cabinet members, who might hold positions in a Donald Trump administration. Well, CNN political commentators Marc Lamont Hill and Jeffrey Lord are back with us. On this morning's "STATE OF THE UNION" which we watched our Jake Tapper asked Sarah Palin about Trump's recent comments about if he is elected, he'd like to have Palin serve in his cabinet. So Jake asked Palin which cabinet post you might like to hold. This is what she said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SARAH PALIN (R), FORMER VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think a lot about department of energy. And if I were head of that, I'd get rid of it. And I'd like the states start having more control over the lands that are within their boundaries and the people who are affected by the developments within their states.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FEYERICK: So Marc, what do you think? Do you think Sarah Palin would be a good U.S. energy secretary even though it's a job she'd hold for just a couple months since she's going to get rid of the department anyway?

Hill: No. Asking Donald Trump who he wants in his administration is like asking a kid what they want for Christmas when they want like a pony or something. It is an exercise in fiction. There's no shot at this happening. And why would I choose Sarah Palin to be secretary of energy if she doesn't believe there should be no depth of energy? I mean, ultimately, it just doesn't make sense. Not to mention she has demonstrated no knowledge or sophisticated understanding of energy - energy policy. I would say no on all fronts.

FEYERICK: You're such a stickler for the facts, Marc.

Jeffrey, let me ask you. You've written in support of Trump. Do you think that Sarah Palin, is she one of his sort of designated spokes people, do you think that she would bring her into a cabinet position?

LORD: Sure. Sure. I mean, let me just say on behalf of governor Palin. Long before she was the vice presidential choice, she was seen by a lot of people as a very good spokesperson on energy issues because she was very involved with this as governor of Alaska and earlier in her career. So she is extremely knowledgeable on it.

In terms of getting rid of the department, this is, of course, is reviving Ronald Reagan's pledge to try and get back - get rid of faulty education and energy departments which were creations of the current administration. And predictively, they've grown, you know, like Topsy here and I'm sure caused all kinds of problems at the state level.

So she is right on message. She know exactly what she is talking about. And I think Donald Trump would love her. And you know, as far as not being electable, Marc, I have to say that was the same view of the Carter White House about Ronald Reagan. So you need to be careful here.

Hill: There are huge differences between Ronald Reagan, a former California governor with tremendous support, although it was divided, and Donald Trump, a reality television host. I think there are --

LORD: Well, he is the head of the Trump organization which ask a billion-dollar organization he built himself. I would say he has some experience.

Hill: Yes, tremendous experience. I'm not taking anything away from him. I'm talking about in terms of public perception. People are reading him as celebrity right now which is why I think he's polling well. Donald Trump is incredibly smart. Donald Trump is incredibly experienced in the business sector. I don't take anything away from him. But just like I could have said Ronald Reagan was an actor, but I didn't because the public perception (INAUDIBLE). I'm saying that --

FEYERICK: Interestingly, though, look, Ronald Reagan - gentlemen, Ronald Reagan wasn't Ronald Reagan until he actually got out of office. He became who he was while he was there. So we always have to think about that.

Hill: I disagree, though --

LORD: Used to be --

FEYERICK: Go ahead, Marc first. Jeff, you go out --. Go ahead Marc.

Hill: Well, first, I mean, when you look at Ronald Reagan, first, part of one of Reagan's success was a response to a Carter administration which was so fragmented that the Democratic Party itself was looking for an alternative.

Also, Ronald Reagan, although he wasn't the elder statesman of Americans or after his presidency was over, he certainly was seen as an authoritative political figure. Look at the work he did, I found it problematic in California with regard to free speech, with regards of Angela Davis bound (ph), with regards to Mohammad Ali and his comments to me, all across the board, he was part of the early culture wars He is part of the early political wars. I disagree with Ronald Reagan, but that Ronald Reagan was much better politically positioned than Donald Trump is right now.

[17:35:30] FEYERICK: OK. So Jeffrey, last word. You say that Ronald Reagan was who he was when he got elected.

LORD: Yes and exactly. And back in the 1960s, I hate to say this but I'm old enough to remember as a kid, one of the prominent comedy shows of the day was "Laugh In." And they used to mock the idea of a Reagan library. And let's point out that in another couple weeks, CNN is going to be hosting the next presidential debate at the Reagan library. So you know, they need to be careful about these things.

FEYERICK: All right. Marc Lamont Hill and Jeffrey Lord, thank you so much for all your insights. We appreciate it. LORD: Thanks.

FEYERICK: And a reminder, don't miss the CNN Republican presidential candidate debate. That is on Wednesday, September 16th, CNN will also host the first of six democratic debates on October 13th in Nevada. Tell us what you want to hear from the candidates. Tweet us your debate questions using #CNNdebate.

And ahead, we will update the European migrant crisis and the powerful images of death and despair. Up next, a columnist's plea to Americans on why we should care and why those very refugees could have been each and every one of us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER (voice-over): They the sun goes down in Bangkok, a different version of the city comes to life. Reenergized with new sights, sounds, and flavors.

CAGGAN ANAND, CHEF: Living Bangkok, we are spoiled. We go, we eat at the best restaurant in the world. Our tongue has been spoiled.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: Indian chef Caggan Anand is back in the Thai capital to cook up a new creation inspired by his trip to Calcutta. It's based on a traditional seafood dish, the (INAUDIBLE). His journey continues amongst the colorful floral displays of one of Bangkok's spoiling 24-hour markets.

Caggan and his team prowl beyond the flowers in search of the freshest ingredients for the recipe.

ANAND: Well, in the middle of night, almost 1:00 a.m. in the morning and this is when the market really starts. We have this 24-hour vegetable supply. You're getting the freshness. This was in the farm today in the morning. It was cut, packed so -- it's too hot outside. So there's in a box, they're cold. And then they're ready to be consumed.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: To add fragrance and spice to his dish, Caggan needs to find some lime leaves, mustard flowers, and the all important, chili.

ANAND: We need to decide on the chilies. The smaller of the chili, the spicier they are. $1.50 and that's how many chilies you get. This is Bangkok.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:42:38] FEYERICK: Well, more than 5,000 refugees arrived in Munich, Germany today in what's quickly becoming Europe's worst humanitarian crisis since World War II. The scope of the exodus is shocking. And here in America, it's easy for people to turn a blind eye and think of it as somebody else's problem. But those refugees in the words of one writer could be us. That stark reminder from "New York Times" columnist Nicholas Kristof.

And Nick, in your op-ed that appeared today in "the New York Times," you write, if you don't see yourself or your family members in those images of today's refugees, then you need an empathy transplant. Why is it that you think we are seeing this now when it's really a crisis that has been four years in the making?

NICHOLAS KRISTOF, COLUMNIST, THE NEW YORK TIMES: You know, I think in part, it's embarrassing for scribbler on, you know, (INAUDIBLE) as to say so, but I think it is power of images. And I think that image in particular of Aylan Kurdi, now that little toddler on the beach in Turkey, I think that just wrenched the world's collective hearts, as it should.

And likewise, these images of people in Hungary at train station trying desperately to board trains, passing children over each other to try to get on that train to, you know, to try to carve a future for themselves. I think they moved us in the way that our intellectual awareness, that 200,000 people dying in Syria did not in a way that our intellectual learns people dying at sea did not.

FEYERICK: And also, do you also think it's a function that these people who have been in refugee camps have been sort of waiting for the international community to come to them. They finally said enough is enough. We're going to get ourselves to Europe. We are going to get there because we feel that's where we can get help and start.

KRISTOF: Yes, I mean, I think that's true. I think it has to do also with the mechanics of story-telling that it's hard for us as news organizations to get inside Syria. We can go to refugee camps. And as you know well, refugee camps are boring television. There is an incredible power in these scenes that people, you know, at these huge train stations in Budapest, elsewhere. And I think those images -- there's a real narrative power there that I think is driving this.

FEYERICK: Especially because there's so many and they have so little and they're trying to get to a place that's much better.

KRISTOF: And provocative of World War II. I mean, you know, what do you think of the World War II, you think refugees? My dad was a World War II refugee. And I mean, so I look at those, you know, images from Budapest and I think, you know, that's my family. I think a lot of people do as well.

[17:45:07] FEYERICK: Those Syrian courageous. But this could be a drop in the bucket, though. And the European Union is dealing with this right now. Foreign ministers, meaning Luxemburg to try to figure out specifically, you know, do we have a quota? How many people do we let in, over what time?

But take a look at this. We have some images of a city in Jordan with Syrian refugee camps stretching as far as the eye can see. Winter is now coming. Food, supplies almost gone. Do you believe that we're only seeing the beginning and that Europe is going to have to figure this out quickly if it's not to backfire? KRISTOF: I mean, I've been to these refugee camps. And one of the

most basic things that can and should happen is to improve the condition in the camps for the refugees in Jordan, in Lebanon, in Syria, so they don't feel the drive to leave. Earlier this year, the world food program just cut in half the food rations for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, $17 a month. Only half of Syrian refugees in surrounding countries, kids are able to go to school.

If you are a loving Syrian parent in that situation, you can't feed your kids, you can't send them to school, you're arranging for your 14-year-old daughter to be married off so she isn't going to be rape, so that she can eat, then if you love your child, you are going to try desperately to get to Turkey, and then to Greece, and then to Hungary and so on.

FEYERICK: Is it surprising to you that some of the countries that really responsible for this crisis happening, whether it be via supplying arms to whatever side of this debate, Russia, the United States, even the Gulf states, none of them have really stepped up to provide a place for these people to go. Some have provided money. U.S. for example has provided a lot of money, but no places.

KRISTOF: Yes. I mean, I think special (INAUDIBLE) is owed to the gulf countries. Now, these are countries that this is their neighborhood, they are very, very wealthy. Their arms infusion helped create the mess. And Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and others have taken zero refugees formally as such. And they have indeed given people work permits, and that is health, (INAUDIBLE). But they haven't stepped up. And you know, it think it's all very easy for Americans to pat ourselves on the back. We've been generous with cash in this whole Syrian war. We have admitted 1,500 Syrian refugees. I mean, frankly, that is pathetic.

FEYERICK: And perhaps that could change at some point if enough pressure is brought to bear. The last thing I want to close is something you wrote. You said, the ultimate solution isn't to resettle Syrians but to allow them to go home which is probably what many want.

Nicholas Kristof, thank you so much. So interesting. We always run out of time, but we really appreciate you coming over. Thank you.

KRISTOF: Good to be here.

FEYERICK: And up next, we will talk to the teen who provided backup to a police officer at a Texas gas station.

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[17:52:08] FEYERICK: So this photo that you're about to see has been burning up social media. A teenager offering to provide backup for a sheriff's deputy who was pumping gas in her patrol car. Well, this happened outside of Houston, Texas, just days after fellow deputy a deputy, Daren Goforth, was shot dead at a station nearby. The deputy constable Tommy Jones, Kelley was so thrilled that she posted this selfie online. Now, we get to join the young, 156-year-old McKinley's owner who joins me from Houston along with his mom, Jennifer.

Thank you both so much for being here.

McKinley, what motivated you to basically watch this officer's back while she pumped gas?

MCKINLEY ZOELLINER, PROVIDED BACK-UP FOR DEPUTY AT GAS STATION: Well, honestly, it was just the idea that I felt like we need to do that as a nation. And seeing the deputy Goforth getting shot really motivated me a lot and seeing the person in L.A. that also did the same thing, that really motivated me to do it.

FEYERICK: Is this a conversation that you had with your mom about what you would do differently or was this something you did sort to spur the moment, McKinley?

M. ZOELLINER: We had talked about doing it before if we had the opportunity. But yes, it was sort of like we just saw the patrol -- my mom saw the patrol car in the morning. She said I (INAUDIBLE). I was like sure let's go before school so we did and pretty cool.

FEYERICK: So Jennifer, I'll get to you in a moment. This is really kind of an extraordinary gesture. McKinley, you have uncles that are police officers. Did the death of the officer really impact you knowing that it could just as easily been one of them?

M. ZOELLINER: Yes. It was something -- knowing that my uncles are out there doing the same thing, it could easily been just one of them. He was there at that time and it happened to be him. It could have been anybody.

FEYERICK: Yes. Jennifer, are you surprised by your son's actions that he just willing went over and said I got this?

JENNIFER ZOELLINER, MCKINLEY ZOELLINER'S MOTHER: No, not really because this is something that he likes to do. He will often when we're driving down the road if there's somebody that's homeless that's asking for food, he'll want to give them food or give them money. So he likes to do things to help other people. It just fit perfectly into the person that he is.

FEYERICK: Jennifer, are you surprised at how much this photo and this act of kindness has resonated and this selfie, who it has gone viral.

J. ZOELLINER: Yes, I am. Definitely this was not expected at all. It was just something that he wanted to do and then when she asked if she could do the picture, of course you can do the picture. I had no idea that there were going to be so many people touched by what he did.

FEYERICK: McKinley, do you think this is something you'll continue to do and will you try to recruit your friends to say, you know, we need to watch one another's backs.

[17:55:05] M. ZOELLINER: Yes, definitely. If I ever get an opportunity to do it again, I would do it without hesitation. It's something I would do no matter what. And I've had tons of my friends, you know, telling me, you know, that was a great thing you did. And I'm just like, you know, you can do it too. We can all do the same thing. It's not just me. Anybody can do it, you know. I want everyone to.

FEYERICK: Were you concerned at first that this officer may say no, I'm OK, I got it, this deputy.

M. ZOELLINER: Not that she would say no, I got it. I was concerned that she would be scared of me when I walked up. And she kind of was. But I was scared it would be more confrontational.

FEYERICK: OK. So yes, because obviously, you know, officers and deputies, they are a little bit suspicious right of anybody sort of getting all too close perhaps. This is really kind of extraordinary when you think about this.

What is the message, Jennifer, that you want to give to other people out there in terms of helping officers or deputies?

J. ZOELLINER: I just think that it's important for people to know that officers are out there to help them and not there to hurt them. It's their job. That's what they're supposed to be doing. If everybody looked out for officers like McKinley did, then maybe everything would be a little bit better for them and they wouldn't have to be so fearful of going to work every morning that they may not come home to their families.

FEYERICK: All right. McKinley and Jennifer Zoelliner, thank you both so very much. We really appreciate it. It was a good deed.

Back in a moment.

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